Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call log that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner, meaning that for each phone number having a call stored in the memory of the device, only the most recent in time call is listed on the call log. An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method also provide a call history for any phone call from the improved call log that is selected by the user. The call history includes a listing of all of the calls stored by the device that are associated with the selected call log call.

Abstract: Voicemail notification messaging for mobile communication devices is disclosed. Voicemail notification messages corresponding to voicemail messages are received through a wireless receiver of the mobile device and voicemail message header lines corresponding to them are displayed in a message list. The mobile device receives the voicemail notification messages from several different voicemail systems for consolidating voicemail message processing using a single common user interface. Preferably, the mobile device provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for the end-user with visual objects corresponding to PLAY, REWIND, FAST FORWARD, SKIP BACK, SKIP FORWARD, as examples, which provides for transparency of voicemail system-specific commands. Advantageously, each voicemail notification message includes voicemail message summary information, such as a calling party identifier, a message time stamp, and message length, for use in providing voicemail message header information in the message list.

Abstract: In one illustrative example disclosed, a mobile communication device includes a user interface, a processor, and a wireless transmitter. The user interface includes, among other things, a visual display which is part of a graphical user interface (GUI). For configuring a voice mailbox at a remote voicemail system, the GUI visually displays a user input prompt for voice mailbox configuration information which corresponds to an audible user input prompt provided by the voicemail system. The user input prompt may be, for example, a prompt for a user password, an audible voicemail greeting, or an audible user name for the voice mailbox. Through the user interface, the voice mailbox configuration information is received by the processor in response to the user input prompt and transmitted to the voicemail system by the wireless transmitter. Advantageously, the mobile device provides a consistent user-friendly GUI for voice mailbox configuration as well as for its primary applications.

Abstract: A message status synchronization scheme. In one embodiment, a method may comprise: automatically detecting arrival of a message at a messaging server for a user having a mail address thereat, the message being displayable on a computer for the user with a status indicator icon associated therewith; processing at least a portion of an instance of the message for transmission to the user's mobile data communication device over a wireless network; receiving a status signal from the mobile data communication device indicating that the message has been deleted on the mobile data communication device; and altering the status indicator icon associated with the message on the computer responsive to the status signal.

Abstract: In one illustrative example disclosed, a mobile communication device includes a user interface, a processor, and a wireless transmitter. The user interface includes, among other things, a visual display which is part of a graphical user interface (GUI). For configuring a voice mailbox at a remote voicemail system, the GUI visually displays a user input prompt for voice mailbox configuration information which corresponds to an audible user input prompt provided by the voicemail system. The user input prompt may be, for example, a prompt for a user password, an audible voicemail greeting, or an audible user name for the voice mailbox. Through the user interface, the voice mailbox configuration information is received by the processor in response to the user input prompt and transmitted to the voicemail system by the wireless transmitter. Advantageously, the mobile device provides a consistent user-friendly GUI for voice mailbox configuration as well as for its primary applications.

Abstract: A scheme for message folder synchronization. In one embodiment, a method may comprise: automatically detecting arrival of a message at a messaging server for a user; storing the message in a first folder of a first folder system associated with the user at the messaging server; processing at least a portion of an instance of the message for transmission to the user's mobile data communication device over a wireless network; receiving a status signal from the mobile data communication device indicating that the message has been moved from a first folder at the mobile data communication device to a second folder of a second folder system associated with the user at the mobile data communication device; and responsive to the status signal, moving the message from the first folder of the first folder system at the messaging server to a second folder thereat corresponding to the second folder of the second folder system.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the initiation of an outgoing phone call on a handheld electronic device including receiving a request to initiate the outgoing phone call and determining whether additional user action is required in order to initiate the outgoing phone call. If it is determined that additional user action is required, the method further includes: (i) displaying a prompt on the handheld electronic device that indicates that the additional user action must be taken in order to initiate the outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, such as an audible signal, that is separate from the prompt. Also, a handheld electronic device including a display, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the described method.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating voice and data operations into a single mobile device capable of simultaneously performing data and voice actions. The mobile device working in a network capable of exchanging both cell phone calls and data items to the mobile device. By wearing an earphone or an ear-bud device the user is capable of dealing with voice conversations while working with data centric information related to the current caller. By providing a data-centric device with voice capabilities there is a new range of features that allow incoming data events to trigger outgoing voice events.

Abstract: Outgoing phone calls can be made on a handheld electronic device that has been locked to prevent unauthorized use through an override that permits the making of outgoing phone calls while applications additional to the phone application remain locked. In some embodiments, the override can not be selected unless first enabled by a remotely generated enable override authorization signal.

Abstract: A communication device (and its related method of operation), when accessing password protected voicemail services, may invoke an enhanced security feature which effectively masks at least the password digit values from being discernible by feedback to the user. This is especially important where portable wireless communication devices may have pre-stored password data for use with automated voicemail access—even in a “locked” mode. Unauthorized possessors of such a device might utilize conventional audible feedback during password transmission to decipher the password value. However, such lack of security is avoided by masking the password data values from the audible and/or visual user feedback, if any.

Abstract: Outgoing phone calls can be made on a handheld electronic device that has been locked to prevent unauthorized use through an override that permits the making of outgoing phone calls while applications additional to the phone application remain locked. In some embodiments, the override can not be selected unless first enabled by a remotely generated enable override authorization signal.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating voice and data operations into a single mobile device capable of simultaneously performing data and voice actions. The mobile device working in a network capable of exchanging both cell phone calls and data items to the mobile device. By wearing an earphone or an ear-bud device the user is capable of dealing with voice conversations while working with data centric information related to the current caller. By providing a data-centric device with voice capabilities there is a new range of features that allow incoming data events to trigger outgoing voice events.

Abstract: A handheld mobile station system capable of automatically answering voice calls is disclosed. The system is comprised of a handheld mobile station, a magnet detection system within the mobile station, a magnet within a mobile station holster located in close proximity to the magnet detection system when the mobile station is stored in the holster wherein the mobile station is operable in a first, second, and third state. The first state occurs when the mobile station is stored in the holster and is ready to receive a voice call. The second state happens when the mobile station is stored in the holster and receiving an incoming voice call. The third state occurs when the mobile station is removed sufficiently out of the holster such that the magnet detection system no longer detects the close proximity of the magnet thereto thereby automatically answering the incoming voice call.

Abstract: Contact records are stored. Each record has values in respective fields, including first and second fields and a contact identifier field. A communication, that includes a network identifier, is received. Which of the records matches the identifier is determined based on the value in the respective record's contact identifier field matching the identifier. If multiple records match the identifier and those matching records have a common value in the first field, then the common value is displayed without duplication.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the initiation of an outgoing phone call on a handheld electronic device including receiving a request to initiate the outgoing phone call and determining whether additional user action is required in order to initiate the outgoing phone call. If it is determined that additional user action is required, the method further includes: (i) displaying a prompt on the handheld electronic device that indicates that the additional user action must be taken in order to initiate the outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, such as an audible signal, that is separate from the prompt. Also, a handheld electronic device including a display, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the described method.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the initiation of an outgoing phone call on a handheld electronic device including receiving a request to initiate the outgoing phone call and determining whether additional user action is required in order to initiate the outgoing phone call. If it is determined that additional user action is required, the method further includes: (i) displaying a prompt on the handheld electronic device that indicates that the additional user action must be taken in order to initiate the outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, such as an audible signal, that is separate from the prompt. Also, a handheld electronic device including a display, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the described method.

Abstract: A system and method of pushing user-selected data items from a host system to a user's mobile data communication device upon detecting the occurrence of one or more user-defined event triggers is provided. The user may then move (or file) the data items to a particular folder within a folder hierarchy stored in the mobile data communication device, or may execute some other system operation on the data item. Software operating at the mobile device and the host system then synchronizes the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with a folder hierarchy of the host system, and any actions executed on the data items at the mobile device are then automatically replicated on the same data items stored at the host system, thus eliminating the need for the user to manually replicate actions at the host system that have been executed at the mobile data communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating voice and data operations into a single mobile device capable of simultaneously performing data and voice actions. The mobile device working in a network capable of exchanging both cell phone calls and data items to the mobile device. By wearing an earphone or an ear-bud device the user is capable of dealing with voice conversations while working with data centric information related to the current caller. By providing a data-centric device with voice capabilities there is a new range of features that allow incoming data events to trigger outgoing voice events.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the initiation of an outgoing phone call on a handheld electronic device including receiving a request to initiate the outgoing phone call and determining whether additional user action is required in order to initiate the outgoing phone call. If it is determined that additional user action is required, the method further includes: (i) displaying a prompt on the handheld electronic device that indicates that the additional user action must be taken in order to initiate the outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, such as an audible signal, that is separate from the prompt. Also, a handheld electronic device including a display, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the described method.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call log that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner, meaning that for each phone number having a call stored in the memory of the device, only the most recent in time call is listed on the call log. An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method also provide a call history for any phone call from the improved call log that is selected by the user. The call history includes a listing of all of the calls stored by the device that are associated with the selected call log call.