Abstract: A method includes providing a programmable device, such as a mobile phone, having a plurality of operational modes and a key data, and providing a computer system having configuration data corresponding to the plurality of operational modes. An authorized portion of the configuration data corresponds to the key data and to at least one authorized operational mode of the mobile phone. The method further includes sending the key data from the mobile phone to the computer system over a data connection, then, activating the authorized configuration data at the computer system referencing the received key data, before finally, programming the mobile phone with the authorized configuration data through the data connection to enable a predetermined authorized operational mode. Protection from errors in programming and device cloning is insured, as the computer system is prevented from programming the mobile phone until receiving the key data from the mobile phone.

Abstract: A method includes storing a standard keypad definition and at least one alternate keypad definition in a memory of a mobile phone. The standard and alternate keypad definitions correspond each key of the keypad to different key codes. A state of a Boolean flag stored in the memory and a keypad driver determine the keypad definition used by an application. The state of the flag can be set with the application. The keypad definition can be toggled between the standard and alternate definitions to realize extended or specialized input functionality with a standard 12-key telephone keypad.

Abstract: 14A method includes providing an executable code that is executable on a series of mobile phone models, and loading the executable code into a memory of a selected mobile phone. The method further includes providing a plurality of parameter sets having a uniform data format, each parameter set corresponding to at least one mobile phone, and then, determining the parameter set corresponding to the selected mobile phone. The method finally includes loading the selected parameter set into the memory of the selected mobile phone. According to the method, the executable code and the selected parameter set combined form operational program code of the selected mobile phone.

Abstract: A method for updating code stored in a memory of a portable device, such as a mobile phone or PDA, includes providing a plurality of code modules each having at least a target image reference (TIR) tag that uniquely identifies operational subunits of the code module, and providing a target image of operational code in the memory of the target device. The target image includes subunits and appended TIR tags uniquely identifying the subunits. The method further includes locating the TIR tag in the target image corresponding to an updated subunit to be loaded in the image, and loading the updated subunit into the memory of the target device at the location determined. The TIR tags allow for only updated subunits to be loaded into the memory of the device, reducing time and processing required and further reducing susceptibility to errors.

Abstract: A method includes providing a programmable device, such as a mobile phone, having a plurality of operational modes and a key data, and providing a computer system having configuration data corresponding to the plurality of operational modes. An authorized portion of the configuration data corresponds to the key data and to at least one authorized operational mode of the mobile phone. The method further includes sending the key data from the mobile phone to the computer system over a data connection, then, activating the authorized configuration data at the computer system referencing the received key data, before finally, programming the mobile phone with the authorized configuration data through the data connection to enable a predetermined authorized operational mode. Protection from errors in programming and device cloning is insured, as the computer system is prevented from programming the mobile phone until receiving the key data from the mobile phone.