Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device, the method comprising obtaining map data for rendering the map to be displayed on the wireless communications device and determining a zoom level of the map. If the zoom level of the map exceeds a predetermined zoom level, corrected map data is generated by applying a fixed spherical correction factor to the map data. If the zoom level of the map does not exceed the predetermined zoom level, the corrected map data is generated by computing a spherical correction factor based on a latitude of the map. The method also includes rendering the corrected map data to display the map on a display of the wireless communications device.

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 messaging method in a system including a wireless network, a routing server, and a plurality of mobile stations. A first mobile station has first communications applications and a first PIN and a second mobile station has second communications applications and a second PIN. The method includes sending an invitation including the first PIN from the first mobile station to the second mobile station using one of the first communications applications, and sending an acceptance including the second PIN from the second mobile station to the first mobile station using one of the second communications applications. The method further includes creating first messages including the second PIN and sending them to the second mobile station through the wireless network, and creating second messages including the first PIN and sending them to the first mobile station through the wireless network. The routing server routes the messages based on the PINs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for search optimization of searches for establishments. Social network communications posted at one or more social media networking sites are monitored by a social network server from which one or more indicators of popularity of the establishment can be determined by the social network server. A popularity score of the monitored establishment or establishments may be generated from the determined indicators of popularity. In response to a search query, the popularity score of the monitored establishments may be returned by the social network server as a search result to a user via an electronic communication device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for search optimization of searches for establishments by geographic location or area. The geographical locations of one or more establishments are monitored to determine at least one indicator of popularity of the establishment present at the geographical location. A popularity score of the monitored establishment or establishments may be generated from the determined at least one indicator of popularity. In response to a search query, the popularity score of the monitored establishments may be returned by a search engine server as a search result to a user via an electronic communication device.

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: A system and method are provided for enabling a game to be played on an electronic device, comprising: enabling a game application on the electronic device to utilize a contact list for an instant messaging application, during a game in progress with a particular contact in the contact list, preparing game messages to be sent to the particular contact by including game progress data, communicating at least one game message during the game in progress with the particular contact using an instant messaging system used by the instant messaging application; displaying at least one instant message in an instant messaging conversation user interface; and displaying a game in progress user interface associated with the game play, after detecting a selection in the instant messaging conversation user interface to switch to the game in progress.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the presence status on a mobile device is provided. The method comprises determining an active notification profile for said mobile device, said active notification profile defining how said mobile device notifies of new events; determining a corresponding presence status for said active notification profile; and setting said corresponding presence status as a current presence status.

Abstract: To reduce the communications in an IM conversation between two devices, two or more IM events of the conversation at the first device are confirmed by sending to the second device a single IM communication that confirms the most recent of the events. In order that the user of the second device not experience undue delay in receiving the confirmation, the method may be applied where the time interval between any two consecutive ones of the events is less than a predetermined time.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, automatically geotags a set of data, such as a digital photo, video, notes, or a blog, with a textual plain-language description of the current location. When the data is generated, the current location of the device is determined, e.g. using a GPS receiver. A textual plain-language description of the current location is then generated, e.g. by reverse geocoding the GPS position coordinates or by correlating the current time with a calendar event from which language descriptive of the event can be extracted. This textual plain-language description is automatically generated and written into a tag or metadata file associated with the photo or other set of data. By automatically geotagging data with textual plain-language descriptions that go beyond mere coordinates of latitude and longitude, data can be searched and managed more efficiently.

Abstract: A method of tracking a first wireless communications device using another computing device, such as a second wireless communications device, includes obtaining current position data for the first wireless communications device and obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the first wireless communications device. The first wireless device then transmits the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time data and path data to the second wireless communications device or other computing device. In addition to current position data, the speed, path and time data facilitate tracking of the first wireless communications device. When a first mobile user wants a second mobile user to follow him, the first mobile user can put his device in “follow me” (tracking) mode. This is particularly useful when the first and second mobile users are traveling in respective cars or other vehicles.

Abstract: A method of managing inbound communications received by a roaming wireless communications device entails enabling a user of the roaming wireless communications device to activate an inbound communications filter having filter criteria based on a current location of the user and a current location of a sender of an inbound communication. Once the wireless device has determined whether the inbound communication satisfies the filter criteria, the wireless device notifies the user that the inbound communication has been received provided that the inbound communication satisfies the filter criteria.

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: Methods and devices for data entry are disclosed. An example method includes detecting contextual information for a mobile device, automatically selecting a data entry form template from a plurality of data entry form templates based on the contextual information, generating a data entry form instance of the selected data entry form template, entering data received via an input device of the mobile device into the instance of the data entry form, storing the instance of the data entry form including the data, and presenting a representation of the instance of the data entry form in an interface with a representation of at least one additional instance of a data entry form generated based on the data entry form template.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for communicating data items about a communication network. An original data item for communicating to a destination device is cached to a network data store in association with unique ID (UID) generated to identify the original data item. The UID is then sent as a proxy for the original data item to the destination device. The original data item may be processed (e.g. in response to a type of the destination device) to create a processed data item and the processed data item sent in place of the original data item. The processed data item may also be cached in association with the UID, for example, for reuse to eliminate duplicate processing. The destination device is adapted to return the UID when further communicating the original data item thereby to reduce communication of the original data item about the communication network.

Abstract: Authenticity of a proposed future or current participant in a multi-party dialog is checked by splitting an authenticity challenge query into at least two portions wherein none of the portions individually contains sufficient information to fully define the challenge query. These separated portions are then sent to another dialog participant over at least two different communication channels thus enhancing the probability that a successive challenge response is authentic. The authenticity challenge query and splitting thereof into plural portions may include formation of a logical combination (e.g., exclusive-OR) of first and second data strings (one of which may be a challenge question) to produce a resultant third data string where the separated and separately communicated portions include the first and third data strings as separate portions as being sent over respectively different communication channels.

Abstract: A method is described for transmitting files to a mobile communications device from an associated personal computer over one of a plurality of potential communication paths between the mobile communications device and the computer. The method includes receiving at the computer a user request that a selected file stored on the computer be transmitted to the mobile communications device; selecting a communications path from among the plurality of potential communication paths; and causing a copy of the selected file to be transmitted to the mobile communications device over the selected communication path.

Abstract: To reduce the communications in an IM conversation between two devices, two or more IM events of the conversation at the first device are confirmed by sending to the second device a single IM communication that confirms the most recent of the events. In order that the user of the second device not experience undue delay in receiving the confirmation, the method may be applied where the time interval between any two consecutive ones of the events is less than a predetermined time.

Abstract: To facilitate configuration of a communication device capable of receiving electronic messages via a plurality of service accounts, a user interface element is displayed. The user interface element represents an electronic message received via a service account of the plurality of service accounts or a field of the electronic message, such as a field containing a service account identifier. Upon user selection of the user interface element and one of a plurality of user notifications, the electronic device is configured to provide the selected user notification upon receipt of an electronic message via that service account.

Abstract: A method of tracking a first wireless communications device using another computing device, such as a second wireless communications device, includes obtaining current position data for the first wireless communications device and obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the first wireless communications device. The first wireless device then transmits the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time data and path data to the second wireless communications device or other computing device. In addition to current position data, the speed, path and time data facilitate tracking of the first wireless communications device. When a first mobile user wants a second mobile user to follow him, the first mobile user can put his device in “follow me” (tracking) mode. This is particularly useful when the first and second mobile users are traveling in respective cars or other vehicles.