Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. The keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input. In addition, the thumbwheel is inclined between the front and a side edge of the device so as to be reachable by either the thumb or index finger of the user's hand at the side edge of the device.

Abstract: This relates to a mobile instant messaging device for communicating instant messages with different instant messaging communities. The device includes a display that displays community-specific icons, each icon specifying a different one of the instant messaging communities. A database stores characteristics of each of the communities. An instant messaging application is configured to communicate instant messages, with a member of the community of any of the icons selected by a user of the device, in conformity with the characteristics stored in the database for that community.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing IM conversations is provided. In response to idle time and, preferably, read message status, particular current conversations are removed from a list of current conversations. The removed conversations may be moved to an archive which may be automatically maintained in response to size constraints. An archive interface is facilitated to review conversations, save all or portions thereof, delete, etc. The archived conversations are preferably associated with the contact for the conversation to show a history of conversations.

Abstract: A system and method for addressing a mobile device in an IP-based wireless network is provided. Push service providers prepare data for transmission to the mobile device using a first IP address. The addressed data is then transmitted to a push proxy. The push proxy obtains a network identifier that is permanently associated with the wireless mobile device using the first IP address. The network identifier is then used by the push proxy to obtain a second IP address that is temporarily associated with the wireless mobile device. Using this second IP address, the data from the push proxy is then addressed and transmitted to the wireless mobile device via a tunnel created through the wireless network using the second IP address.

Abstract: A system and method for addressing a mobile device in an IP-based wireless network is provided. Push service providers prepare data for transmission to the mobile device using a first IP address. The addressed data is then transmitted to a push proxy. The push proxy obtains a network identifier that is permanently associated with the wireless mobile device using the first IP address. The network identifier is then used by the push proxy to obtain a second IP address that is temporarily associated with the wireless mobile device. Using this second IP address, the data from the push proxy is then addressed and transmitted to the wireless mobile device via a tunnel created through the wireless network using the second IP address.

Abstract: A system for providing media content, including at least one media server, at least one database connected to the at least one media server, each database configured to store a plurality of media content, and at least one device configured for data communication with the at least one media server, each device associated with at least one user. Each media server is configured to determine a relevance between each particular media content and each particular user, and based on each relevance, determine whether to provide that particular media content to the device associated with that particular user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing IM conversations is provided. In response to idle time and, preferably, read message status, particular current conversations are removed from a list of current conversations. The removed conversations may be moved to an archive which may be automatically maintained in response to size constraints. An archive interface is facilitated to review conversations, save all or portions thereof, delete, etc. The archived conversations are preferably associated with the contact for the conversation to show a history of conversations.

Abstract: This relates to a method of operating a mobile device. The method includes providing groups data comprising information for each of a plurality of instant messaging services operable on the mobile device. The groups data is stored in a database and used with a multi-community service.

Abstract: This relates to a method for operating a mobile station. The method includes grouping two or more member addresses into a group. The group is presented as a group data in a transient data list. A selection of an option to open a messaging session with the group is selected. A messaging session is opened, with the member addresses of the selected group.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a technique in a server to facilitate a re-establishing of communication over a data connection between an application server and a wireless communication device which communicates via a base station of a wireless communication network is described. In response to a communication loss between the wireless device and the wireless network which causes the data connection to be terminated, the server receives from the application server a plurality of connection requests which are intended for receipt by the wireless device for re-establishing the data connection. The server operates to limit the number or a rate of the connection requests allowed to pass from the server to the base station of the wireless network during the communication loss between the wireless device and the wireless network.

Abstract: A front end of an IPv6 communication network includes a network entry point device and a plurality of tunnel servers which facilitate the communication of user information between a host computer of an IPv4 communication network and an IPv6 wireless communication device. The network entry point device is configured to direct a tunnel request from the host computer to a selected tunnel server, which establishes a tunnel connection with the host computer. The tunnel server facilitates the communication of user information between the host and the wireless device through the tunnel connection. The tunnel server also performs a dynamic routing protocol (DRP). In accordance with the DRP, the tunnel server updates a local routing table to reflect the newly established tunnel connection and broadcasts updated routing table information to the other tunnel servers.

Abstract: Several related methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss between the wireless device and a wireless communication network are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the wireless network broadcasts identifiers of wireless devices associated with communication losses in the wireless network over a control channel. After regaining signal coverage, a wireless device monitors the control channel to decode and compare each broadcasted identifier with an identifier of the wireless device. Based on a match between a broadcasted identifier and the identifier of the wireless device, the wireless device transmits a control message which informs the wireless network of the presence of the wireless device. Otherwise, the wireless device normally refrains from transmitting the control message to the wireless network.

Abstract: A front end of an IPv6 communication network includes a network entry point device and a plurality of tunnel servers which facilitate the communication of user information between a host computer of an IPv4 communication network and an IPv6 wireless communication device. The network entry point device is configured to direct a tunnel request from the host computer to a selected tunnel server, which establishes a tunnel connection with the host computer. The tunnel server facilitates the communication of user information between the host and the wireless device through the tunnel connection. The tunnel server also performs a dynamic routing protocol (DRP). In accordance with the DRP, the tunnel server updates a local routing table to reflect the newly established tunnel connection and broadcasts updated routing table information to the other tunnel servers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling unsolicited traffic are disclosed herein. The apparatus and method can be applied to wireless communication networks such as CDMA2000, UMTS, GPRS and the like so that traffic which is not solicited by wireless communication devices operating on those networks is not sent over the air needlessly. The present application provides techniques to block unsolicited traffic based on the identity of a user (for example based on International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI), Network Access Identifier (NAI), Mobile Station Internet Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Universal Resource Locator (url)) as opposed to techniques that are based on a session or IP address, such as a traditional firewall. In accordance to this application, user identity based techniques are applied to block unsolicited traffic whenever a user has established a data session.

Abstract: A system and method for pushing a service book to a mobile device is provided. A service book includes a plurality of fields relating to a host service. At least one mobile device is identified that is to receive the service book. Wireless propagation information is provided that identifies an address for the mobile device to receive the service book. The service book is transmitted over a wireless network using the address for the mobile device, and is received by the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and mobile device for performing wireless channel selection that employs more than one concurrent level 2 interface to facilitate a level 3 handoff. The method and device maintain an active service over a first level 3 connection through a first transceiver, establish a second level 3 connection through a second transceiver, and then switch the service over to the second connection. To establish an appropriate level 3 connection, the mobile device may evaluate candidate channels against criteria associated with the active service to ensure quality of service can be maintained over the new connection or may adapt the active service to a candidate channel.

Abstract: A system and method for addressing a mobile device in an IP-based wireless network is provided. Push service providers prepare data for transmission to the mobile device using a first IP address. The addressed data is then transmitted to a push proxy. The push proxy obtains a network identifier that is permanently associated with the wireless mobile device using the first IP address. The network identifier is then used by the push proxy to obtain a second IP address that is temporarily associated with the wireless mobile device. Using this second IP address, the data from the push proxy is then addressed and transmitted to the wireless mobile device via a tunnel created through the wireless network using the second IP address.

Abstract: A system and method for pushing a service book to a mobile device is provided. A service book includes a plurality of fields relating to a host service. At least one mobile device is identified that is to receive the service book. Wireless propagation information is provided that identifies an address for the mobile device to receive the service book. The service book is transmitted over a wireless network using the address for the mobile device, and is received by the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and mobile device for performing wireless channel selection that employs more than one concurrent level 2 interface to facilitate a level 3 handoff. The method and device maintain an active service over a first level 3 connection through a first transceiver, establish a second level 3 connection through a second transceiver, and then switch the service over to the second connection. To establish an appropriate level 3 connection, the mobile device may evaluate candidate channels against criteria associated with the active service to ensure quality of service can be maintained over the new connection or may adapt the active service to a candidate channel.

Abstract: This relates to a mobile instant messaging device for communicating instant messages with different instant messaging communities. The device includes a display that displays community-specific icons, each icon specifying a different one of the instant messaging communities. A database stores characteristics of each of the communities. An instant messaging application is configured to communicate instant messages, with a member of the community of any of the icons selected by a user of the device, in conformity with the characteristics stored in the database for that community.