Abstract: In a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), roaming from one access point to another by a mobile station without interruption to network service may be facilitated by frequently performing background scans to find neighboring access points while the mobile station is associated to the WLAN. Frequent background scanning, however, depletes battery life. By dynamically adjusting the background scanning interval during the mobile station's association to the WLAN, the mobile station's immediate need for network connectivity performance may be met, while simultaneously prolonging battery life. For example, by using a shorter background scanning interval during a telephone conversation, network connectivity performance may be maintained throughout the call. Longer background scanning intervals may be used during periods when interruptions to network connectivity may be better tolerated.

Abstract: One illustrative method for reducing power consumption in a mobile communication device of a wireless local area network (WLAN) involves the steps of identifying a communication signal quality value between the mobile device and a wireless access point of the WLAN with which the mobile device is currently associated; determining an initial timer value based on a predefined relationship with the communication signal quality value where, as the communication signal quality value decreases, the initial timer value correspondingly decreases; initializing a scan trigger timer with the initial timer value and running the scarf trigger timer; and upon expiration of the scan trigger timer: causing a scanning operation to be performed for identifying one or more wireless access points in a coverage region; and repeating the acts of identifying, determining, initializing and running the scan trigger timer, and causing the scanning operation to be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating a peer device onto a network using Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). The key lifetime associated with the keying material generated in the peer device and the authentication server is communicated from the authenticator to the peer device within the EAP Success message. The peer device, having been provided with the key lifetime, can anticipate the termination of its authenticated session and initiate re-authentication prior to expiry of the key lifetime.

Abstract: Techniques for use in communicating messages to a mobile device operative in a wireless network are described. A communication network receives a broadcast message which includes a protocol type identifier in a protocol type identifier field. The communication network identifies whether the protocol type of the broadcast message matches one of a plurality of protocol types stored in association with an identification of the mobile device. If the protocol type of the broadcast message matches one of the stored protocol types, then the communication network produces, from the broadcast message, a unicast message which includes information from the broadcast message, and causes the unicast message to be sent to the mobile device in the wireless network.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a user-visible peripheral, such as a display, and a processor. A reset management block is associated with the processor to manage reset of the device. The processor includes the use of an operating system (OS) which is resettable along with a reset of a state of the user-visible peripheral. The operating system is also resettable without resetting the state of the user-visible peripheral to avoid a user-visible change therein.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a method in a mobile communication device operating in a wireless local area network (WLAN) involves performing, via a wireless AP of the WLAN, a first authentication procedure with an authentication server for obtaining a first session key and a key lifetime value associated with the first session key; establishing a first secure connection with the wireless AP based on the first session key; setting a timer with an initial value that is less than or equal to the key lifetime value, and running the timer; communicating in a media session over the first secure connection with the wireless AP; and in response to an expiration of the timer during the media session: performing, during the media session, a second authentication procedure with the authentication server for obtaining a second session key; and establishing, during the media session, a second secure connection with the wireless AP using the second session key; and communicating in the media session over the second secure

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for selectively reducing power consumption of a communication device communicating with a network. In the method, it comprises the following steps: de-activating at least one communication subsystem of the device during intervals when the device is placed in a power save mode; and while the device is in the power save mode the method re-activates the subsystem in two instances. For the first instance, the communication subsystem is re-activated in relation to a first connection condition, and is then de-activated after a first event. For the second instance, the subsystem is re-activated in relation to a second connection condition and is then de-activated after a second event.

Abstract: One illustrative method for reducing power consumption in a mobile communication device of a wireless local area network (WLAN) involves the steps of identifying a communication signal quality value between the mobile device and a wireless access point of the WLAN with which the mobile device is currently associated; determining an initial timer value based on a predefined relationship with the communication signal quality value where, as the communication signal quality value decreases, the initial timer value correspondingly decreases; initializing a scan trigger timer with the initial timer value and running the scarf trigger timer; and upon expiration of the scan trigger timer: causing a scanning operation to be performed for identifying one or more wireless access points in a coverage region; and repeating the acts of identifying, determining, initializing and running the scan trigger timer, and causing the scanning operation to be performed.

Abstract: A mobile communication device identifies and selects a wireless local area network (WLAN) available for communications in its coverage area. Automatically, without detecting any requests made by a user via a browser application. The mobile device initiates a request (e.g. an HTTP GET request) to a predetermined server site of a communication network which is outside of the WLAN. In response to initiating the request, the mobile device receives a response message via the WLAN and identifies, from the response message, whether the request to the predetermined server site has been redirected to a redirect server site. The WLAN may be a WLAN “hotspot,” where the redirect server site is a login server. The identifying may be performed by comparing content from the response message to predetermined content of the predetermined server site. In response to identifying that the request has been redirected, the mobile device causes an indication to be produced at its user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for selectively reducing power consumption of a communication device communicating with a network is provided. In the method, it comprises the following steps: de-activating at least one communication subsystem of the device during intervals when the device is placed in a power save mode; and while the device is in the power save mode the method re-activates the subsystem in two instances. For the first instance, the communication subsystem is re-activated in relation to a first connection condition, and is then de-activated after a first event. For the second instance, the subsystem is re-activated in relation to a second connection condition and is then de-activated after a second event.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating a peer device onto a network using Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). The key lifetime associated with the keying material generated in the peer device and the authentication server is communicated from the authenticator to the peer device within the EAP Success message. The peer device, having been provided with the key lifetime, can anticipate the termination of its authenticated session and initiate re-authentication prior to expiry of the key lifetime.