Abstract: A method implemented in a computing device that connects over a network to server computers that host content streams. The method displays content items on the computing device, where each content item includes a link to one of the content streams, determines an amount of available bandwidth on a data connection from the computing device to the network, and associates a pre-fetch buffer and a streaming buffer with each content item. For each content item, the method obtains a measurement based on a condition relative to the linked content stream. The method then calculates, for each content item, a size for the pre-fetch buffer based on the amount of available bandwidth and the measurement, allocates memory for the pre-fetch buffer and the streaming buffer, and initiates a download of a first portion of the linked content stream to the pre-fetch buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a methods and devices in a battery-powered multimode wireless communication device (102) that operates pursuant to first and second communication protocols in idle and active modes. The battery power level is monitored and may drop to a predetermined threshold while operating pursuant to the first communication protocol. The device switches from the first wireless communication protocol so that the device is operating in accordance with the second communication protocol in the event that the battery power level has dropped to the predetermined threshold while operating pursuant to the first communication protocol in idle mode or in active mode.

Abstract: A communication device for visual speed dial is described. The communication device comprises a user interface, a display and a transmitter. The user interface detects activation of a speed dial mode. The display provides virtual keys in response to detecting activation of the speed dial mode. The virtual keys include characters associated with one or more phone numbers. One or more keys are associated with a particular phone number and a photographic image associated with the particular phone number. The user interface detects selection of the key or keys associated with the particular phone number and the photographic image. The transmitter communicates with a remote device in response to detecting selection of the key or keys.

Abstract: A method of assigning contacts to a speed dial function. The method can include identifying contacts that are candidates to be assigned to the speed dial function on a communication device. The method also can include identifying a geographic distance between each of the identified candidates and the communication device. The method further can include, via a processor, assigning a first of the identified candidates that is closest to the communication device to a first speed dial indicator, and assigning a second of the identified candidates that is next closest to the communication device to a second speed dial indicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing location-based information to a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device receives its geographic position information and provides its geographic position information to a web server while accessing a web service provided by the web server. Based on the geographic position information received from the wireless communication device, the web server provides geographic coordinates of locations relevant to the web service in the form of web geo-cookies. The wireless communication device maintains a database of the received geographic coordinates. When the wireless communication accesses a geographic map of a route or region, the wireless communication device determines if the geographic coordinates in the database lie within boundaries of the accessed map. The geographic coordinates that lie within boundaries of the received map are annotated and displayed on the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting the inter-scan period of a mobile station (102) is provided. The method includes storing (404) the location information of a first wireless node, which is in a service area of a wireless access point of a first wireless network that is servicing a second wireless network. Further, the method includes receiving (406) second location information pertaining to a second wireless node that is servicing the second wireless network. The method further includes determining (408) a distance between the first and second wireless nodes. Further, the method includes enabling (412) the scanning for the first wireless network, based on the distance between a cellular cell that includes the MS and a cellular cell that includes an access point of the first wireless network.

Abstract: A method and system for restricting at least partial usage of a wireless communication device (100), like a mobile telephone, includes attempting to establish a communication channel (105) across a data network, such as non-IMS VoIP communication channel over a wide area network (103) like the Internet. Where the device (100) has been subsidized by a voice over data protocol service provider (121), the method permits such communication only when data communication channels having service provider identifiers (123) corresponding to one or more permitted data access identification codes (201) are accessible. Where they are not, at least partial usage of the device (100) will be restricted.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications network including receiving (310) a network connection request from a subscriber device having an invalid subscriber identity, connecting (340) the subscriber device, from which the network connection request was received, to the wireless communications network for limited purposes only upon determining (320) that the subscriber device has in invalid subscriber identity in the absence of a limited network connection indicator in the network connection request. In some embodiments, a limited attach message indicates that the attach request is for limited purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing location-based information to a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device receives its geographic position information and provides its geographic position information to a web server while accessing a web service provided by the web server. Based on the geographic position information received from the wireless communication device, the web server provides geographic coordinates of locations relevant to the web service in the form of web geo-cookies. The wireless communication device maintains a database of the received geographic coordinates. When the wireless communication accesses a geographic map of a route or region, the wireless communication device determines if the geographic coordinates in the database lie within boundaries of the accessed map. The geographic coordinates that lie within boundaries of the received map are annotated and displayed on the wireless communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) for enabling a wireless communication device operating in a locked mode to receive an incoming call is provided. The wireless communication device is equipped with a user removable module (118) containing user information. As the wireless communication device (100) in the locked mode initially transmits a call to an emergency service center (212), the wireless communication device (100) receives an indication allowing it to access some of the user information contained in the user removable module (216). Using the accessed user information, the wireless communication device (100) is registered in a local network (402), enabling the wireless communication device to receive incoming call for a predefined period of time (220).

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) is provided with first transceiver circuitry (104) for sending and receiving signals on a first communication path and second transceiver circuitry (116) for sending and receiving signals on a second communication path. The portable communication device (100) also includes a controller (112) coupled to the first transceiver circuitry (104) and the second transceiver circuitry (116) for providing a deregistration message to the second transceiver circuitry (116) for transmission therefrom in response to determining that the portable communication device (100) is within signal coverage of the first communication path, activating the first transceiver circuitry (104) to send and receive signals on the first communication path, deactivating the second transceiver circuitry (116), and thereafter activating the second transceiver circuitry (116) at times separated by a predetermined time interval to monitor at least one housekeeping channel of the second communication path.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for regulating providing a charge via a charge receiving port of one device, the one device coupled to another device having a charge providing port. In one embodiment, the ports can be coupled by a cable. In another embodiment, the ports can be coupled wirelessly. The charge delivering device may regulate a charge providing process, controlled by a charge regulating controller of the charge providing device and based, for example, upon predetermined criteria. A charge regulating controller can disable the charging process, monitor the charge depletion rate, or the charging process may be based upon user established criteria. A charge regulating controller of the other device can regulate the charge accepting process. Each device may take on both roles, that is providing charge and receiving charge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus method of filtering packet data for an anonymous user device in a packet data network communication system includes a first step of initiating a call from an anonymous user device on a home network. A next step includes assigning an interim identity and interim IP address to the user device. A next step includes determining a level of service access of the data packets from the user device. A next step includes mapping the level of service access of the user device to the IP address. A next step includes defining permissible routing identities per the level of service access. A next step includes routing the data packets of the call along with the associated IP address to only those location addresses from the defining step.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation of a multimode terminal on different network technologies. A wireless communication device can operate on a serving cell of a first network type. A neighbor list is received. The neighbor list is modified based on a preferred list to generate a modified neighbor list. Cell measurements are taken of cells of a first network type and cells of a second network type based on the modified neighbor list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus method of filtering packet data for an anonymous user device in a packet data network communication system includes a first step of defining a special context information element containing special context information. A next step includes sending the special context information element in an activate packet data protocol (PDP) context request to a network to initiate a call from an anonymous user device. A next step includes receiving the activate PDP context request and the special context information element. A next step includes configuring the data packets so that only the special context is allowed. A next step includes assigning an interim identity and interim IP address to the user device. A next step includes mapping the data packets of the configuring step to the interim IP address of the user device. A next step includes defining permissible routing identities per the special context.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communication device including receiving contact information with a signature from a source (310) not on a trusted contact list, validating (362) the signature by comparing the signature to an reference signature stored on the method in a wireless communication device, and updating (368) the trusted contact list regarding the contact information received if the signature is valid. In some applications, the contact information and signature is associated with a wireless communication device provisioning session request message.

Abstract: A method and system for restricting at least partial usage of a wireless communication device (100), like a mobile telephone, includes attempting to establish a communication channel (105) across a data network, such as non-IMS VoIP communication channel over a wide area network (103) like the Internet. Where the device (100) has been subsidized by a voice over data protocol service provider (121), the method permits such communication only when data communication channels having service provider identifiers (123) corresponding to one or more permitted data access identification codes (201) are accessible. Where they are not, at least partial usage of the device (100) will be restricted.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for service access for a mobile communication device. The apparatus can include an identity module for storing user information in the mobile communication device. The identity module can include an identity module frame, a secure storage memory coupled to the frame, the secure storage memory including a mobile communication device subscriber identity and the user information, and an identity module controller coupled to the secure storage memory and the frame, the identity module controller configured to block access to the user information and grant access to the mobile communication device subscriber identity when the identity module enters a blocked mode. The identity module controller may grant access to the mobile communication device subscriber identity in response to a request for a service access communication.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) for enabling a wireless communication device operating in a locked mode to receive an incoming call is provided. The wireless communication device is equipped with a user removable module (118) containing user information. As the wireless communication device (100) in the locked mode initially transmits a call to an emergency service center (212), the wireless communication device (100) receives an indication allowing it to access some of the user information contained in the user removable module (216). Using the accessed user information, the wireless communication device (100) is registered in a local network (402), enabling the wireless communication device to receive incoming call for a predefined period of time (220).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) for enabling a wireless communication device operating in a locked mode to receive an incoming call is provided. The wireless communication device is equipped with a user removable module (118) containing user information. As the wireless communication device (100) in the locked mode initially transmits a call to an emergency service center (212), the wireless communication device (100) receives an indication allowing it to access some of the user information contained in the user removable module (216). Using the accessed user information, the wireless communication device (100) is registered in a local network (402), enabling the wireless communication device to receive incoming call for a predefined period of time (220).