Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device, the method comprising: receiving from an enterprise server an information technology (IT) policy message which includes an encryption key; storing the encryption key in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; receiving a request to backup data stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting the data using the encryption key stored in the protected memory; and transferring the encrypted data from the mobile communication device to an electronic device for storage.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being in communication with the external computing device, the method includes: receiving a request to backup one or more data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; and transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device for storage by the external computing device. A method of restoring backup data to a mobile communication device from an external computing device is also provided, as are mobile communication devices and computing devices configured for implementing the backup and restore operations.

Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus that senses battery conditions such as low battery charge, end of battery capacity, and end of battery life, and responds by taking actions such as sending messages to a remote site and/or powering down. A rechargeable battery is coupled to one or more power-consuming electrical components, including battery monitoring equipment. The battery monitoring equipment senses battery charge. In response to a low-battery-charge condition, the battery monitoring equipment transmits a battery status message to a remote site and powers-down some of the electrical components. Whenever the battery nears the end of its capacity, the monitoring equipment powers down all electronic components and awaits the application of external power. The invention also tracks the time required for the battery charge to deplete. Charge duration decreases over time, and whenever it reaches a predetermined minimum, the battery monitoring equipment transmits a representative status message to the remote site.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device that receives geo-location based signal data into a microprocessor on board the handheld electronic device. The microprocessor processes the signal data into location data representative of the present geographic location of the electronic handheld device. The microprocessor adjusts at least one user defined setting of the handheld electronic device based on whether the location data indicates that the handheld electronic device is within stored geographical boundaries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for allowing a user to select, from a plurality of partitions on a memory device, which partitions may be visible to hosts connecting to the memory device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include wireless transceiver circuitry and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry. The mobile wireless communication device may also include a near-field communication (NFC) device coupled to the processor. The NFC device may include an NFC controller, an NFC transceiver coupled to the NFC controller, and a first memory coupled to the NFC controller and configured to store a first plurality of applications. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a second memory configured to store a second plurality of applications. The processor may be configured to select a given application on a respective one of the first and second memories and to disable the other one of the first and second memories.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include wireless transceiver circuitry and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry. The mobile wireless communication device may also include a near-field communication (NFC) device coupled to the processor. The NFC device may include an NFC controller, an NFC transceiver coupled to the NFC controller, and a first memory coupled to the NFC controller and configured to store a first plurality of applications. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a second memory configured to store a second plurality of applications. The processor may be configured to select a given application on a respective one of the first and second memories and to disable the other one of the first and second memories.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for configuring a universal serial bus (USB) connection. The method comprises receiving, at a USB port, first identification data that includes a generic device class code and a vendor identifier. Receiving the first identification causes one of enabling interaction with a peripheral device in accordance with functionality specified by the generic device class code if the host device does not support software associated with the vendor identifier, or sending, at the USB port, a query to the peripheral device if the host device does support software associated with the vendor identifier, the query sent to determine whether the peripheral device supports at least one function different from the functionality specified by the generic device class code.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being in communication with the external computing device, the method includes: receiving a request to backup one or more data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; and transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device for storage by the external computing device. A method of restoring backup data to a mobile communication device from an external computing device is also provided, as are mobile communication devices and computing devices configured for implementing the backup and restore operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for allowing a user to select, from a plurality of partitions on a memory device, which partitions may be visible to hosts connecting to the memory device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include wireless transceiver circuitry and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry. The mobile wireless communication device may also include a near-field communication (NFC) device coupled to the processor. The NFC device may include an NFC controller, an NFC transceiver coupled to the NFC controller, and a first memory coupled to the NFC controller and configured to store a first plurality of applications. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a second memory configured to store a second plurality of applications. The processor may be configured to select a given application on a respective one of the first and second memories and to disable the other one of the first and second memories.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being connected to the external computing device for exchanging data with each other, the method comprising: receiving a request to backup one or more data items in a plurality of data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in memory of the mobile communication device; transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device; and storing a backup file comprising the encrypted data item in the memory of the external computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a client on a host device using a configuration application on a configuring device, the system comprising: a link between the configuring device and the host device; host drivers for communicating between the host device and the configuring device over the link; and an interface between the host drivers and the configuration application, wherein said interface allows said configuration application to be independent of the host drivers while allowing the configuration application to configure the client.

Abstract: A host system is provided comprising including a power source configured to provide power to a first auxiliary device; and a host power manager configured to monitor an available power level of the power source; and direct the power source to reduce power provided to the first auxiliary device based upon the available power level, wherein the reduced power is greater than zero.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a universal serial bus (USB) including for connection by a peripheral device by detecting an attach event at a USB port on the peripheral device; receiving, at the USB port, a first request for device identification; sending, at the USB port, a first identification data; receiving, at the USB port, a query related to the first identification data, the query indicating software associated with the vendor identifier is supported by the sender of the query; simulating a detach and then an attach at the USB port; receiving, at the USB port, a second request for device identification; and sending, at the USB port, a second identification data that includes an indication that the peripheral device supports at least one function from a plurality of functions that are different from the functionality defined by a generic device class code.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include wireless transceiver circuitry and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry. The mobile wireless communication device may also include a near-field communication (NFC) device coupled to the processor. The NFC device may include an NFC controller, an NFC transceiver coupled to the NFC controller, and a first memory coupled to the NFC controller and configured to store a first plurality of applications. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a second memory configured to store a second plurality of applications. The processor may be configured to select a given application on a respective one of the first and second memories and to disable the other one of the first and second memories.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a client on a host device using a configuration application on a configuring device, the system comprising: a link between the configuring device and the host device; host drivers for communicating between the host device and the configuring device over the link; and an interface between the host drivers and the configuration application, wherein said interface allows said configuration application to be independent of the host drivers while allowing the configuration application to configure the client.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for allowing a user to select, from a plurality of partitions on a memory device, which partitions may be visible to hosts connecting to the memory device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a universal serial bus (USB) including for connection by a peripheral device by detecting an attach event at a USB port on the peripheral device; receiving, at the USB port, a first request for device identification; sending, at the USB port, a first identification data; receiving, at the USB port, a query related to the first identification data, the query indicating software associated with the vendor identifier is supported by the sender of the query; simulating a detach and then an attach at the USB port; receiving, at the USB port, a second request for device identification; and sending, at the USB port, a second identification data that includes an indication that the peripheral device supports at least one function from a plurality of functions that are different from the functionality defined by a generic device class code.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system and method for controlling interfacing parameters for a device when connected to a host. In the system and method, the communications interface is configurable to be in operable connection to a host using a microprocessor in the device having a first bus controller and a second bus controller, the second bus controller external to the microprocessor. The method comprises: establishing an initial connection by the device; conducting negotiations by the device to set a first data transmission rate for the device for the initial connection utilizing a communication bus controller contained in the microprocessor; and after detecting completion of enumeration of the device, re-establishing the connection by the device using the second bus controller in the device that processes the communications at a second transmission rate that is higher than the first data transmission rate.