Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wireless systems provide a mechanism to enhance the communication capabilities of wireless users. In an embodiment, a system includes a wireless server communicatively operable with a set of mobile wireless clients, where the wireless server has a share agent configured to control dissemination of information from a database on a shared basis responsive to a determination of a privacy state of the information. In an embodiment, a mobile wireless device has an integrated management system operable with a controller. The management system is configured to manage the mobile wireless device operable as a multiple-mode wireless client to each wireless server of a set of wireless servers such that information may be shared among the mobile wireless device and the set of wireless servers.

Abstract: A method, device and system for indicating availability of services to a communication device is provided. The method comprises: receiving a service indication of availability of a communication service from a first communications network and a second communications network via a non-traffic channel of each of the first and the second communications networks; when the communication service is available to the communication device from both the second communications network and the first communications network, issuing a service information request to the second communications network over the non-traffic channel of the second communications network; and flashing an indicator on the communication device at a first rate when the communication device roams from a first geographic region into a second geographic region and the second geographic region provides a communication mode for the communication device that is not available to the communication device in the first geographic region.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In at least one broad aspect, priority rankings are determined based on a number of factors and selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed is made based on the priority rankings. A list of communication lines ordered by priority rankings may also be displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is a communication line associated with the one of two or more message addresses at which a message is received is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.

Abstract: A method of indicating the availability of a communication service begins by receiving, at a handheld communication device, a service indication of an availability of one of a plurality of communication services, via a wireless communication mode, to the communication device. The handheld communication device receives the service indication from a provider of the one communication service via a wireless non-traffic channel of the wireless communication mode. The communication device then provides a user-indication of the communication service availabilities in accordance with the received service indication.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a novel apparatus and method for changing modes of notification in an electronic device. An electronic device includes a calendar application and a variety of other applications such as the message reader application or the daily alarm application. The device is configured to use the calendar application to track whether and how the user is notified of the receipt of an electronic message. In one embodiment, the user specifically associates a profile behavior to the calendar entry when the calendar entry is first created.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In at least one broad aspect, priority rankings are determined based on a number of factors and selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed is made based on the priority rankings. A list of communication lines ordered by priority rankings may also be displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is a communication line associated with the one of two or more message addresses at which a message is received is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of at least two appointment categories for an appointment is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating reduced power consumption when communicating between a wireless communication device and a wireless communication controller. A power management controller comprising a power saving detection unit and a power level controller is provided. The power savings detector detects when power savings can be applied in accordance with whether or data loss between the base state controller and the wireless communication device can be tolerated. The power level controller selects a reduced transmission power level at which to transmit data if a data loss can be tolerated.

Abstract: An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature that includes a time zone management function which enables multiple times from multiple time zones to be managed by the user. Responsive to a detection that the electronic device has been moved from one time zone to another, a dialog is initiated wherein the user is queried whether a current time on the electronic device should be changed and whether multiple times should be output on the display.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of at least two appointment categories for an appointment is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating reduced power consumption when communicating between a wireless communication device and a wireless communication controller. A power management controller comprising a power saving detection unit and a power level controller is provided. The power savings detector detects when power savings can be applied in accordance with whether or data loss between the base state controller and the wireless communication device can be tolerated. The power level controller selects a reduced transmission power level at which to transmit data if a data loss can be tolerated.

Abstract: A wireless communication system, comprising a host service, a wireless router system coupled to the host service, a wireless network coupling the wireless router system and a wireless mobile communication device (“mobile device”), adaptively delivers data to the mobile device in the wireless communication system using a pull message delivery mechanism. In one embodiment, before the actual message is sent to the mobile device, a small notification message is sent first to enable the mobile device to send a pull request to the host to fetch the incoming message. Upon activation of a session, a pull request is sent from the device to the host service to fetch the incoming data message. The data message may be an e-mail message.

Abstract: A wireless communication system, comprising a host service, a wireless router system coupled to the host service, a wireless network coupling the wireless router system and a wireless mobile communication device (“mobile device”), adaptively delivers data to the mobile device in the wireless communication system using a pull message delivery mechanism. In one embodiment, before the actual message is sent to the mobile device, a small notification message is sent first to enable the mobile device to send a pull request to the host to fetch the incoming message. Upon activation of a session, a pull request is sent from the device to the host service to fetch the incoming data message. The data message may be an e-mail message.

Abstract: A method for selecting a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) for a wireless device, comprising: generating a first list of WLAN identifiers for a first group of one or more wireless local area networks (“WLANs”) accessible at a first geographic location and storing the first list in the wireless device; generating a second list of WLAN identifiers for a second group of one or more WLANs accessible at a second geographic location and storing the second list in the wireless device; selecting one of the first and second lists as an active list; and, scanning for WLANs identified by the active list to identify an available WLAN for the wireless device.

Abstract: A method of operating a router for enabling communication between a plurality of host services and a mobile device is described. The method includes receiving notification messages from a host service of the plurality of host services, where the plurality of host services support a plurality of message types. Each notification message has contents indicating a destination mobile device and a data message for the destination mobile device stored on the host service. The data message has a message type corresponding to one of the plurality of message types. The method further includes determining whether a first active service session with the destination mobile device exists and, if the first active service session exists, then sending the notification message to the destination mobile device for subsequent retrieval of the indicated data message stored on the host service using a second active service session between the destination mobile device and the host service.

Abstract: A method of operating a host service in a communication system which includes the host service and a mobile device, includes receiving a data message for the mobile device at the host service; determining whether a service session between the host service and the mobile device is active; if the service session is inactive: creating a notification message at the host service, the notification message indicating the data message and the mobile device; forwarding the notification message for subsequent delivery to the mobile device, the notification message associated with an application of a plurality of applications on the mobile device; and subsequent to an active service session being established between the host service and the mobile device, sending the data message indicated by the notification message to the mobile device during the active service session; and if the service session is active, sending the data message to the mobile device during the active service session without creating a notification

Abstract: Displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes steps of obtaining map data for rendering the map to be displayed on the wireless communications device, determining a rotation that, when applied to the map, will orient a selected path in a selected direction, such as a current direction of travel, generating a corrected rotation by applying a spherical correction factor, e.g. based on a current location, and rendering the map on a display of the wireless communications device by applying the corrected rotation. The spherical correction factor corrects for map distortions that occur at high latitudes for paths that are neither purely north-south or east-west. When such a path is rotated to face upward to show direction of travel, the path needs to be straightened by applying the spherical correction factor.

Abstract: A method for selecting a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) for a wireless device, comprising: generating a first list of WLAN identifiers for a first group of one or more wireless local area networks (“WLANs”) accessible at a first geographic location and storing the first list in the wireless device; generating a second list of WLAN identifiers for a second group of one or more WLANs accessible at a second geographic location and storing the second list in the wireless device; selecting one of the first and second lists as an active list; and, scanning for WLANs identified by the active list to identify an available WLAN for the wireless device.