Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and methods for configuring data communications in a wireless communications system is provided. Based on location and capabilities information received from mobile communications devices and host services, relay services control the accessibility to certain data services, either enabling access or disabling access.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device has a keypad that includes a plurality of different character sets selectively illuminable thereon. Different types of light and different mechanisms for delivering light provide the selective illumination of a particular character set. When a particular character set is illuminated, a corresponding character lookup table is active on the handheld electronic device whereby the processor determines the particular character or characters that were intended in an actuation of a key of the keypad.

Abstract: A scheme for redirecting data to a mobile communication device from a messaging server. One embodiment comprises one or more of the following: setting a redirection flag configured for a user associated with the mobile communication device to enable continuous redirection of data items received at the messaging server to the mobile communication device until the redirection flag is reset to indicate cessation of redirection of the data items; upon automatically detecting that a data item is received at the messaging server, redirecting the data item to a store-and-forward server associated with a wireless packet data network with which the mobile communication device is registered; and upon determining that a valid IP address is associated with the mobile communication device, transmitting the data item from the store-and-forward server to the mobile communication device over the wireless packet data network.

Abstract: A scheme for redirecting data to a mobile communication device from a messaging server. One embodiment comprises one or more of the following: receiving a connection request command from a store-and-forward server associated with a wireless packet data network; transmitting an address request to the store-and-forward server in response to the connection request command; and upon obtaining an IP address from the store-and-forward server, receiving a data item for a user associated with the mobile communication device over the wireless packet data network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a wireless communication system used for transmitting and receiving information, the information not containing identification of the information's intended recipient. A method for transmitting payload information, the method comprising providing verification information scrambling a portion of the verification information and transmitting the payload information with the scrambled verification information portion. Also provided is a method for processing transmitted payload information incorporated into an encoded information message with scrambled verification information, the method comprising receiving the encoded information message descrambling at least a portion of the scrambled verification information and comparing said descrambled verification information with predetermined verification information processing said payload information based on said comparison.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and methods for configuring data communications in a wireless communications system is provided. Based on location and capabilities information received from mobile communications devices and host services, relay services control the accessibility to certain data services, either enabling access or disabling access.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for securing a personalized indicium assigned to a mobile communications device. Upon detecting at a mobile communications device that one of a list of criteria have been met, a challenge-and-response procedure is initiated by the mobile communications device. During the challenge-and-response procedure, the mobile communications device and a network node will authenticate the personalized indicium using a shared authentication key.

Abstract: In a wireless device, active scanning for a particular wireless network name is initiated during passive scanning for a wireless network that matches a profile stored in a wireless local area network controller, the profile including the particular wireless network name. Active scanning for the particular wireless network name includes transmitting one or more probe requests, each transmitted on a different communication channel.

Abstract: A bypass server is placed in an outgoing link between a mobile device server and a relay used to distribute data from the mobile device server to remote mobile devices to which the data is addressed. Where a direct connection is established between a suitably configured network node (such as a personal computer) and a given mobile device, the bypass server may form a local connection with the network node and divert along the local connection those packets that are addressed to the given mobile device. As such, a lower cost/higher bandwidth local communication path between the given mobile device and the mobile device server may be established, when compared to the conventional remote communication path. The local communication path may be especially useful for bulk data transfers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for managing secure registration of a mobile communications device. Upon being provided with an upgraded registration process that requires encryption, the mobile communications device has the option of continuing to register with a network node using a downgraded registration process within a specified time window which involves unencrypted registration requests and responses. Thereafter, the mobile communications device is operable to select between the upgraded and downgraded registration processes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for securing a personalized indicium assigned to a mobile communications device. Upon detecting at a network node that an address associated with the mobile communications device has changed, a challenge-and-response procedure is negotiated between the mobile communications device and the network node for authenticating the personalized indicium using a shared authentication key.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating routing of data in a packet radio communication system. A clone list is downloaded to the mobile node and stored at a clone list depository thereat. The clone list includes a plurality of entries, each of which provides routing information needed to route data when the mobile node is positioned within coverage areas encompassed by differing networks. A determination is made whether the clone list includes appropriate routing information to route a data packet sent by the mobile node positioned in a particular area encompassed by a particular network portion. If the clone list includes an entry containing such information, the need separately to request such information is obviated.

Abstract: A system and method for redirecting data from a host system (or messaging server) to one or more mobile data communication devices via a wireless packet data network is provided in which the wireless packet data network dynamically assigns addresses to the one or more mobile data communication devices on an as-needed basis. A redirector application operating at the host system is configured by each user to continuously redirect certain data to the wireless packet data network, as the data is received (or otherwise altered) at the host system. Two methods are provided for communicating the redirected data from the network to the mobile device. In a first method, the mobile device is configured to periodically contact a store-and-forward server within the wireless network, which, when contacted, assigns a network address to the mobile device and then transmits the stored, redirected data to the mobile device.