Abstract: A system for detecting a preloaded inactivated core application and sending an activation inquiry request requesting an activation status associated with the preloaded inactivated core application. The system also includes sending the activation inquiry request over a network. The system also includes receiving the activation status associated with the preloaded inactivated core application. Also, included is a system for receiving, via a network, an activation inquiry request requesting an activation status associated with a preloaded inactivated core application, where the activation inquiry request is received on a remote computing device. The system also includes determining the activation status based on information associated with the remote computing device, and where such information stored remotely from the remote computing device. The system also includes sending, via a network, the activation status.

Abstract: Community based purchasing methods and apparatus for products/services may include accumulating micro payments from a plurality of mobile buyers equipped with wireless communication devices. A seller, upon notification of accumulation of a predetermined total of micro payments, may then deliver the product/service. Payment by a mobile user may be escrowed upon receipt of the micro payment and be released to the seller upon delivery of the product/service. Product/services purchased using community based purchasing methods and apparatus may include digital content streamed to a buyer's wireless communication device and live performances viewed directly by the buyer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing updated rules governing the switching of enabled provisioning data supporting a wireless service contract. A mobile device may be initially programmed with a profile data table and priority list index data table to automatically enable provisioning data supporting one of the plurality of service providers stored in a VSIM internal memory unit to conduct a wireless communication when certain operational parameter values are satisfied. The profile data table and priority list index data table may be automatically updated in response to a variety of triggers.

Abstract: A system and method store provisioning data supporting a plurality of service providers in a VSIM internal memory unit of a mobile device. A user may specify a user profile to automatically enable provisioning data supporting one of the plurality of service providers stored in the VSIM internal memory unit to conduct a wireless communication when certain criteria values are satisfied. The automatic enabling of provisioning data may be determined based upon mobile device location, communication usage request and/or time and date.

Abstract: A system and method store provisioning data supporting a plurality of service providers in a VSIM internal memory unit of a mobile device. A user may selectively enable provisioning data supporting one of the plurality of service providers stored in the VSIM internal memory unit to conduct a wireless communication. An embodiment permits backing up, retrieving and restoring personal data in the VSIM internal memory unit using a remote database. Another embodiment allows a mobile device to select an optimal service provider to conduct a wireless communication. The optimal service provider may be determined based upon mobile device location, communication usage request and/or time and date.

Abstract: A system and method for providing updated rules governing the switching of enabled provisioning data supporting a wireless service contract. A mobile device may be initially programmed with a profile data table and priority list index data table to automatically enable provisioning data supporting one of the plurality of service providers stored in a VSIM internal memory unit to conduct a wireless communication when certain operational parameter values are satisfied. The profile data table and priority list index data table may be automatically updated in response to a variety of triggers. The profile data table and priority list index data table may be stored remotely. Operational parameters regarding each call request are collected and transmitted to a remote service contract selection server. The selection of an optimal service provider account may be made remotely in the service contract selection server and transmitted back to the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method store provisioning data supporting a plurality of service providers in a VSIM internal memory unit of a mobile device. The mobile device may automatically enable provisioning data supporting one of the plurality of service providers stored in the VSIM internal memory unit to conduct a wireless communication so as to avoid roaming fees.

Abstract: A telecommunications device and/or service are provided that enable a user to identify a particular call announcement to be used when announcing an incoming call from the user on the call recipient's telecommunications device. The call from the user includes call data that identifies the particular call announcement. When received, the recipient's device processes the incoming call and announces it with the requested announcement.

Abstract: A method and system for remote activation of computer based applications uses Simple Message Service (SMS) messages to inform a remote computer that an application should be activated. The SMS message may be sent by a cell phone or from a computer. The remote computer receives the SMS message, parses the message to determine the application to be started, and starts the indicated application. If the remote computer is turned off, the SMS message can be received by an SMS receiver within a modem which can be configured to start the computer so the application can be activated.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the identity of a product and then calculating an offer price for the product are disclosed. The identity of the product may be determined using near-field communication in one aspect. The system and method are operable to enable retailers to provide a lowest price for the product and conduct a series of offer calculations to determine an offer for a consumer. The offer is based, in part, on costs to the consumer in executing the transaction (e.g., travel time, fuel, etc.). The offer may be higher than the lowest price as determined by each retailer, respectively, while still providing a discount to the consumer to entice a purchase of the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides safe and secure application distribution and execution by providing systems and methods that test an application to ensure that it satisfies predetermined criteria associated with the environment in which it will execute. Furthermore, by using rules and permission lists, application removal, and a modification detection technique, such as digital signatures, the present invention provides mechanisms to safely distribute and execute tested, or untested, applications by determining whether the application has been modified, determining if it has permission to execute in a given wireless device environment, and removing the application should it be desirable to do so.

Abstract: Resources to a device are granted access to an application based on privileges associated with the application. A permission list may be created by a server. The permission list may be created using information from authorities, entities, or parties and information about the device resources. The permission list indicates what device resources the application may access. During application execution when the application requests a resource, a control program executing on the device may be used to check the permission list associated with the application to determine if the application may access the resource. The control program can then grant or deny access based on the privileges defined in the permission list. Digital signatures may be used to detect modifications to the application and/or permission list. In addition, multiple permission lists may be associated with the same application.

Abstract: The present invention provides safe and secure application distribution and execution by providing systems and methods that test an application to ensure that it satisfies predetermined criteria associated with the environment in which it will execute. Furthermore, by using rules and permission lists, application removal, and a modification detection technique, such as digital signatures, the present invention provides mechanisms to safely distribute and execute tested, or untested, applications by determining whether the application has been modified, determining if it has permission to execute in a given wireless device environment, and removing the application should it be desirable to do so.

Abstract: A handheld device includes an FM receiver to receive FM radio signals and a processor that is configured to monitor Radio Data System (RDS) data within FM radio broadcasts and to activate an application when a particular RDS data pattern is received. Methods for recognizing and using the RDS data to activate or initiate applications on the handheld device enable a wide range of uses and new services. A server may provide data to the handheld device in response to queries which are based on or include part of the RDS data. Operating in conjunction with FM radio broadcasters, the handheld device and the server provide a data communication system that can deliver useful services and additional entertainment options for users.

Abstract: An originating navigation device sends an alert location to a recipient navigation device over a wireless network. The originating navigation device is operable to classify the alert location (e.g. traffic accident) and associate additional data. The recipient navigation device receives the alert location and may plan an alternative route, which circumnavigates the alert location. Further, if the recipient navigation device already has a route selected, the recipient navigation device may determine the estimated delay caused by the alert condition occurring at the alert location. The recipient device may apply filtering rules in order to screen out undesired alert locations sent by the originating navigation device.

Abstract: An extensible event notification system detects certain events, and notifies requestor programs that have registered to receive such notification. The system includes a notification manager, multiple event notifier programs, multiple requester programs, a map, and a notification dictionary. When loaded by the notification manager, each event notifier program detects certain prescribed events. When advised by notifier programs of events, the notification manger consults the map to identify the requester programs registered for those events and any applicable notification parameters. Then the notification manger loads the requestor programs registered for those events, and notifies them of the occurrence of the events according to the applicable notification parameters.

Abstract: A system, method, and program for optimizing the data channel availability on a computer device through selectively delaying the closing of an open channel on a computer network having expensive bandwidth, such as a cellular telecommunication network. The device has a plurality of device resources that utilize an open channel to communicate across the network, and optimally delays the closing of an open communication channel after cessation of usage thereof by a device resource such that other device resources can utilize the open communication channel prior to closure while still minimizing the duration of the expensive open channel.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the deleting and reloading of software application components on a wireless device, such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, pager, or other computer platform. The wireless device has one or more resident executable software applications wherein each application has one or more application components and application-associated data, such as software licenses and user-specific data. The wireless device selectively deletes one or more application components of the resident software applications without loss of the application-associated data to clear resources on the wireless device, and selectively prompts an application download server across a wireless network to transmit deleted application components needed to be reinstalled on the wireless device to execute the application.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a message on the graphic display of a wireless device while the wireless device is connecting to an application download server across a wireless network. When the wireless device attempts to communicate with an application download server or changes files while navigating an application download server, a message is transmitted across the wireless network to the computer platform of the wireless device and displayed to the user of the wireless device. The message can be transmitted to the wireless device from the same application download server that the wireless device is attempting to connect to or navigate, or alternately, the message can be transmitted from another server on the wireless network.

Abstract: A wireless communications device is provided. The wireless communications device, pre-loaded with static objects, may be operated under user direction to wirelessly download and install dynamic objects. The device includes various initiators, which request execution of an object by submitting a unique target identifier to an object manager, whereupon the object manager identifies the requested object, its entry point, and object class and then activates the requested object accordingly. The wireless communications device may activate dynamic objects, when present, to the exclusion of static objects already resident on the device, thus enabling the updating of the static objects via a dynamic object download.