Abstract: A method for key press registration in an electronic device uses a first key press debounce limit (233) if a first housing of the electronic device has not moved relative to a second housing of the electronic device and a second key press debounce limit (236) if the first housing has moved relative to the second housing. In one implementation, the second debounce limit is at least twice the first debounce limit. By using different debounce limits based on whether housing movement has recently been detected, the electronic device reduces the effect of an inadvertent key press made while opening or closing the electronic device.

Abstract: A communication device having a display interface coupled to a controller configured to determine a status of messages received, to present a list of message indicators on the display interface, and to indicate the status of each message by presenting a corresponding message indicator with a textual character having a size that is based on the status of the corresponding message. The message status may be, among other characteristics, the priority or age of the message as determined by the controller.

Abstract: A method of making a customized wireless communication device (100) is disclosed. It can include the steps of: inputting (110) customer requirements; generating (120) a checklist of customer requirements; providing (130) an extruded housing with an opening defining a pocket configured to receive electrical components; and removing (140) material from the extruded housing to form an industrial design having at least one receptacle integral to the extruded housing to receive an antenna module and display module. The method is adapted to allow a designer to customize the look and feel of an electronic device, such as wireless communication device. This method is attractive to a customer.

Abstract: A method, wireless communication device (402) and base station (502) for signal processing and transmission is provided. The method includes detecting (604) simultaneous operation of a radio transmitter of the wireless communication device within a first predefined frequency band and a radio receiver of the wireless communication device within a second predefined frequency band. Further, the method includes reducing (606), based on the detecting, a bandwidth of an operating signal of the radio transmitter from a standard bandwidth value to a reduced bandwidth value. The bandwidth is reduced based on a bandwidth reduction factor. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting (608) the operating signal within the first predefined frequency band from the radio transmitter.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for identifying a group that include various methods to determine a group. Also described are devices and methods for attempting communication with a missing member of the group include different manners in which to determine information related to an entry of a group. The described devices and methods may be particularly beneficial at the particular time the certain group members plan to be or are in communication with one another. In this way, in the event that two or more entries of a group planned to be in communication or are in communication in-real time, in accordance with the disclosed devices and methods, the parties may be able to bring one or more other entries of the group into the communication as needed or desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a wireless communication system for providing enhanced search results to a user. The method includes monitoring data communication on a user device, determining at least one contextual datum from at least a portion of the monitored data based on a predetermined rule; and generating a search result by applying the determined contextual datum to a search application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for simultaneously accessing a broadcast channel which allows for maintaining registration on the broadcast channel and a second channel. The broadcast channel includes a reverse link access channel for a portable communication device (120) to send registration messages to a base station and the method initially includes the step of determining whether a predetermined event requiring registration of the portable communication device on the broadcast channel has been detected (302, 304, 306). After detecting the predetermined event, it is determined whether the portable communication device is communicating on the second channel (308). If not communicating on the second channel (308), registration on the broadcast channel is accomplished by transmitting a registration message on the reverse link access channel (320).

Abstract: A technique for focusing a digital camera is described that includes pre-storing 200 at least one specific image object, such as a known face or landmark, activating 202 the camera to obtain an image, analyzing 204 objects in the image, comparing 206 the objects in the image against the at least one specific image object, and determining 208 if there is a match between at least one object in the image and at least one specific image object. If a match is found, the camera is focused 212, 214, 216, 218 on the matched object and the image is captured 220.

Abstract: A method for receiving a broadcast message in a wireless communication device is disclosed. The device receives a broadcast message that has associated therewith a unique message grouping identifier and determines whether the unique message grouping identifier of the received message is equal to a unique message grouping identifier of a previously received message. The device ignores the received broadcast message when the unique message grouping identifier of the received message is equal to the unique message grouping identifier of the previously received message and in some implementations enters sleep mode.

Abstract: A mobile device (104) interacts with a media collection system (102). The media collection system has a communication nodes (106) placed at various locations in a region, area, or facility where the mobile device may be carried by a user. The mobile device interacts (306) with the media collection system over a short range radio link (206) to request media collection service. The media collection system then uses media collection devices (107) in the same region, area, or facility as the communication nodes to record media, thereby producing a record of the user's experiences in the region, area, or facility. The collected media is stored on a database (112) which accessible by the user using an access identifier.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the validity of location fixes of a mobile station by comparison of a location fix for which a validity determination is desired with one or more prior reference location fixes. In one embodiment, a satellite positioning system based location fix of a satellite positioning system enabled cellular mobile station in a cellular communications network is validated by comparison of the satellite positioning system based location fix to one or more of a plurality of network based location fixes, or to an estimated future location fix of the mobile station.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a mobile station to perform a fast handoff in a wireless communication system allows a handoff procedure to be anticipated (by the mobile station, its serving base station, or both) based on historical information regarding prior successful handoff procedures. In operation, the mobile station receives a neighbor list from a serving base station and determines whether a member base station of the neighbor list is a successful target base station based on historical data. If the member base station is not a successful target base station, the mobile station scans the member base station, measures a signal quality associated with the member base station, and sends a measurement report for the member base station when the signal quality meets a standard signal quality threshold. If the member base station is a successful target base station, the mobile station sends the measurement report for the member base station when the measured signal quality meets a lower signal quality threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that implements avatar modifications to another user's avatar from a first mobile communication device is disclosed. The method may include selecting an avatar modification to relating to a user of a second mobile communication device based on input from a user, and sending a signal to initiate transmission of selected avatar modification to at least one of the second mobile communication device, an avatar management server, and a plurality of mobile communication devices wherein the user's avatar modification may be viewed by other mobile communication device users.

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: A method and apparatus for operating a wireless communication device in an electromagnetically sensitive environment is disclosed. The method comprises selecting an operating mode of the wireless communication device. If the selected operating mode is a factory safe mode (225), the wireless communication device limits its maximum transmission power to a second value (242). The second value of the maximum transmission power is a value at which the electromagnetically sensitive devices in the electromagnetically sensitive environment are not affected.

Abstract: The described methods and devices provide for transferal of an operational identity between two mobile communication devices of an activation pool, making one device active and another inactive, but maintain the same telephone number or other operational identity. The operational identity may be, for example, a user account number, a telephone number, or other identifier that can identify the active mobile communication device in the communication network so that telephone calls or other communications may be sent to and/or received by one device of the set of devices of the activation pool. A mobile communication device may transmit a signal to a server of the communication network to make active the mobile communication device and to operate the device under the operational identity. At the same time, the server may register as inactive the previously active mobile device of the activation pool.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) energized by an electromagnetic field produced by another device, including a near-field activated circuit (210) transmitting an output signal upon exposure to an energizing electromagnetic field, a sensor (230) having an output coupled to the near-field activated circuit, the sensor producing a signal on the output in response to sensing an environmental condition other than the energizing electromagnetic field, wherein the output signal of the near-field activated circuit changes when the sensor changes states.

Abstract: If the mobile station (101) locates a peer it will request network metadata and may obtain location related services or service lists. The mobile station (101) negotiates with one of more peers (103) to share the work load of background scanning for network services. After successful negotiation, any peers in the “discovery net” will report or advertise to each other of any newly discovered networks, or networks to which connectivity has been lost. Since the various mobile stations may, when powered on, scan periodically for network changes, the metadata stored on the mobile station (101) will be dynamic and will change periodically upon travels and/or encounters with additional peers. Because the peers (103) may also possess location information, the mobile station (101) may additionally adjust its scan to prioritize services advertised by those members of peers (103) that are located most proximate to the mobile station (101).

Abstract: A mobile communication device (100) of the embodiments will have a transmit diversity antenna system (613) that will comprise at least two antennas and processor/s (607) that will run a transmit diversity control module (609) for controlling transmit diversity output power. Using a power curve, the mobile communication device (100) determines whether a threshold, corresponding to an SAR value, is or may be exceeded. If the SAR threshold is not exceeded given various determined environmental conditions, the mobile communication device (100) continues transmit diversity operation. However, if SAR is about to be exceeded, or is exceeded, the mobile communication device (100) will take action and either reduce overall power, reduce power to one of the transmit diversity antennas, or deactivate one of the transmit diversity antennas in order to bring the SAR level back below the threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling diversity receivers in a wireless communication device includes the steps of: determining if the wireless communication device is experiencing poor coverage (220), using a first receiver and a second receiver for diversity (230) if the wireless communication device is experiencing poor coverage, and using the second receiver for scanning (240) if the wireless communication device is not experiencing poor coverage. Thus, diversity can be used when needed to improve reception. Both receivers, however, can be used in a non-diversity mode to reduce current drain or to speed up channel acquisition when coverage is not poor.