US009349 120B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Kalu
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,349,120 B2
`May 24, 2016
`
`(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SILENCING
`NOTIFICATIONS FOR AMESSAGE THREAD
`
`(75) Inventor: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Waterloo (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: BlackBerry Limited, Waterloo (CA)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent 1s ity Olisted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 757 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/713,577
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 26, 2010
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2010/O262666A1
`Oct. 14, 2010
`O
`O
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/167,542, filed on Apr.
`8, 2009.
`
`8,176,126 B2 * 5/2012 Davis et al. ................... TO9,206
`2002fOO87643 A1* 7, 2002 Parsons et al. .
`TO9,206
`2002/0087646 A1* 7/2002 Hickey et al. ...
`TO9,206
`2003/01673 10 A1* 9/2003 Moody et al. ...
`TO9,206
`2004/O13381.0 A1* 7/2004 Brischke et al. .............. 713/201
`2004/0225718 A1* 11/2004 Heinzel et al. .....
`TO9,206
`2005, 0181836 A1* 8, 2005 Kamat ........
`455/567
`2006/0075040 A1* 4/2006 Chmaytelli.
`TO9,206
`38887. A. : 338 Hitle s al.
`372, 6.
`OCS Cal. ....
`2008.0114884 A1* 5/2008 Hewes et al. ................. 709,229
`2008/0294727 A1 1 1/2008 Moody et al.
`2008/0294.730 A1* 11/2008 Oral et al. ..................... TO9,206
`2008/03.01250 A1 12/2008 Hardy et al.
`2009/0204681 A1* 8, 2009 Sun ............................... TO9,206
`2011/0022674 A1
`1/2011 Callanan et al. .............. TO9,206
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Matias Erny Reichl Hoffman, Response to Office Communication
`pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, filed Jul. 7, 2011, in respect of Euro
`pean Patent Application No. 10154855.0.
`(Continued)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2012.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F 15/16
`G06O 10/10
`H04L 2/58
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ G06O 10/107 (2013.01); H04L 12/587
`(2013.01); H04L 5 1/24 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .......... HO4L 51/16 HO4L 51/22: HO4L 51/24
`USPC .......... 709f2O6 217 219, 223 224 232, 240
`See application file for c ompl ete search history s
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,283,856 A *
`6,442,565 B1*
`7,890,085 B2*
`
`2/1994 Gross et al. ..................... TO6/47
`8/2002 Tyra et al.
`2/2011 Chiu et al. ................. 455,412.2
`
`
`
`20, 32, 50,04 & --
`
`Primary Examiner — Quang N Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Ridout and Maybee LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Methods, systems, and computer programming products are
`provided for silencing message threads. Incoming messages
`related to the same matter are grouped into one or more
`message threads. A user can select to silence a message
`thread. Once a message thread has been silenced, the user will
`no longer receive notifications of new messages added to the
`thread. Methods, systems, and computer programming prod
`ucts display new incoming electronic messages flagged as
`silenced in the inbox together with any message thread not
`flagged as silenced.
`
`24 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
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`158
`Thumbwheel
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 1
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`(56)
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`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2012/0151196 A1* 6/2012 May et al. ......................... T13/1
`2013/0095823 A1* 4/2013 Klassen ..................... 455,432.1
`2013/0159879 A1* 6, 2013 Affronti et al. ............... 715/752
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Extended European Search Report pursuant to Rule 62 dated May 7,
`2010.
`
`MERH IP Response to communication pursuant to Rule 62 dated
`Aug. 5, 2010.
`European Patent Office, Communication pursuant to Article 94(3)
`EPC for European Patent Application No. 10 154855.0, datedMar. 4.
`2011.
`Norton Rose, Response to Examination Report dated May 17, 2013,
`issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885.
`Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Examination Report dated
`Nov. 19, 2012, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885.
`Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Examination Report dated
`Dec. 17, 2013, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885.
`* cited by examiner
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 2 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`Wireless
`Network
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`Wireless
`NetWork
`Gatewa
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`WLAN
`ACCeSS Point 316
`Interface
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`Physical
`Interface
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`- - - - - - - -
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`Email Server
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`Content Server
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`230
`Origin
`Server
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`FIG. 2
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 3 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`- 300
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`Software Modules 306
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`Graphical User Interface 304
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`Operating System 302
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`Message Module 308
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`Notification Module 31
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`Silencing Module 312
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`FIG. 3
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 4 of 11
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`y 102
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`404
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`40gaH QEHao
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`FIG. 4
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 5 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`Select Inbox
`
`Select Message Thread
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`
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`Silence/Reactivate Thread
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`502
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`504
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`506
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`FIG. 5
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 7
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 6 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`600
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`602
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`New Message
`Received
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`604
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`Yes
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`New Matter?
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`No
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`Begin New Thread
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`Determine Thread
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`Yes
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`NO
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`Thread
`Silenced?
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`616
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`Message Grayed
`Out
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`Notification
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`FIG. 6
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 8
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 7 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`700
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`702
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`704
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`7 Test Group
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`706
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`8 I'm TIM HAWKES
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`FIG. 7
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 8 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`800
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`806 -
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`7 Test Group: Activity
`Compose
`a Record -
`Tue, Mar 10, 2009
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`814
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`810
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`812
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`Picture added: "Cottage"
`5:36p :
`- Lisa
`Welcome to BlackBerry Groups. Ge...
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`FIG. 8
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 9 of 11
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`900
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`
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`Mar 10 (6:56p
`Lisa
`"Nice picture. Where was this taken?"
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`th. I'm TIM HAWKES
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`a picture added "cottage
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`Mar 10 (5:38p)
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`908
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`910
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`FIG. 9
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 10 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`1000
`
`r
`6:56p X
`this take...
`5:36p
`X
`Groups. Ge...
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`1002
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`Bug Report
`Mark Prior Opened
`Delete Prior
`Compose Message
`Record Voice Note
`Open Picture
`Open Thread
`Send Thread to
`Tag as Favourite
`1004 — Silence Thread
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`F.G. 10
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 24, 2016
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`Sheet 11 of 11
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`US 9,349,120 B2
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`1100
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`to
`6:56p.
`was this take.
`5:36p X
`y Groups. Ge...
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`
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`Bug Report
`Mark Prior Opened
`Delete Prior
`Compose Message
`Record Voice Note
`Open Picture
`Open Thread
`Send Thread To
`Tag as Favourite
`Activate Thre
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`*
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`1104
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`FIG. 11
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 13
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`US 9,349,120 B2
`
`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SILENCING
`NOTIFICATIONS FOR AMESSAGE THREAD
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of, and by this reference
`incorporates the entirety of, U.S. Provisional Patent Applica
`tion Ser. No. 61/167,542, filed 8 Apr. 2009 and entitled
`SILENCING NOTIFICATIONS FOR A MESSAGE
`THREAD.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to electronic mes
`sages, and more particularly to systems and methods for
`silencing notifications for electronic messages.
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`10
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`15
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`2
`FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example
`method for receiving a message in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 7 is a screen shot showing a group home page in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 8 is a screen shot showing a group message inbox in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 9 is a screen shot showing a messages for a message
`thread in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG.10 is a screen shot showing a menu suitable for silenc
`ing a message thread in accordance with one embodiment;
`and
`FIG. 11 is a screen shot showing a menu suitable for reac
`tivating a message thread in accordance with one embodi
`ment.
`It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings,
`like features are identified by like reference numerals.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`25
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`30
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`Electronic messages, such as electronic mail messages and
`messages posted to group sites, can be grouped into message
`threads. Each message thread can relate to a particular matter
`Such as a particular topic of conversation or an activity. For
`example, a user may be part of an email group which is
`involved in an ongoing discussion. Each email in the discus
`sion could be included in the same message thread. A user
`may receive a notification each time an electronic message is
`received. Notifications could include, for example, auditory
`user alerts such as ring tones, visual alerts such as flashing
`lights or pop-ups and physical alerts such as vibrations.
`Similarly, a user may be a member of a centralized group
`site which provides the capability of a group discussion. For
`example, the group may be a set of users who share a common
`relationship or interest (e.g. family, co-workers, book club,
`Small business, golf foursome, etc.). The group site may allow
`data to be shared, updated and commented on by group mem
`bers. Each group discussion regarding aparticular matter may
`be considered a message thread. A matter could be, for
`40
`example, a topic of conversation among the group members
`or an activity Such as, for example, the creation of a list or the
`uploading of a photograph by a member of the group. The
`user may receive a notification each time a message or com
`ment is sent or posted to a group site of which they are a
`45
`member.
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`35
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show
`by way of example, embodiments of the present disclosure,
`and in which:
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless device
`Suitable for communications in accordance with the disclo
`Sure herein;
`FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication
`system suitable for providing an operating environment for a
`wireless device such as that shown in FIG. 1 in accordance
`with the disclosure herein;
`FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example of con
`tents of a memory of a wireless device Such as that shown in
`FIG. 1:
`FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a wireless device such as
`that shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example
`method of silencing and reactivating a message thread in
`accordance with an embodiment;
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`In one aspect, the present application provides a commu
`nication system configured to silence notifications for incom
`ing electronic messages, the system comprising a data pro
`cessor, media readable by the data processor and a
`communications Subsystem: the communication Subsystem
`adapted for receiving the incoming electronic messages; and
`the media readable by the data processor comprising coded
`program instructions adapted to cause the processor to: deter
`mine that a new incoming electronic message is associated
`with a message thread; determine that the message thread has
`been flagged as silenced; and override a currently-enabled
`notification setting to prevent a receipt notification pertaining
`to new incoming electronic messages associated with the
`message thread from being activated.
`In another aspect, the present application provides a
`method for silencing notifications for incoming electronic
`messages to a communication system, the communication
`system comprising a data processor, media readable by the
`data processor and a communications Subsystem, the com
`munications Subsystem adapted to receive the incoming elec
`tronic messages, the method comprising: receiving a new
`incoming electronic message; identifying the new incoming
`message as associated with one or more message threads:
`determining that a message thread associated with the new
`incoming message has been flagged as silenced; and overrid
`ing at least one currently-enabled notification setting to pre
`vent a notification pertaining to receipt of the new incoming
`message from being activated.
`Other aspects of the present application will be apparent to
`those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following
`detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
`Embodiments of the present application are not limited to
`any particular operating system, mobile device architecture,
`server architecture, or computer programming language.
`Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a block
`diagram illustrating a wireless device 102 that may be used
`for communications over a network in accordance with vari
`ous aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 102
`communicates through a wireless communication network
`104 (e.g., an enterprise network 20, a PLMN 50 and/or a
`WLAN 32). Wireless network 104 includes antenna, base
`stations, and Supporting radio equipment as for Supporting
`wireless communications between wireless device 102 and
`other devices connected to wireless network 104. Wireless
`network 104 may be coupled to a wireless network gateway
`and to a wide area network, shown in FIG. 2.
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 14
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`In various embodiments, wireless device 102 is a two-way
`mobile communication device having at least Voice and data
`communication capabilities, including the capability to com
`municate with other computer systems. Depending on the
`functionality provided by wireless device 102, it may be
`referred to as a wireless handheld device, a mobile device, a
`data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone
`with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appli
`ance, a data communication device (with or without tele
`phony capabilities), a clamshell device, or a flip-phone. Wire
`less device 102 may communicate with any one of a plurality
`of fixed transceiver Stations within its geographic coverage
`aca.
`A wireless device 102 may incorporate a communication
`subsystem 112, which includes a receiver 114, a transmitter
`116, and associated components. Such as one or more antenna
`elements 118 and 120, local oscillators (LOs) 122, and a
`processing module Such as a digital signal processor (DSP)
`124. In various embodiments, antenna elements 118 and 120
`may be embedded or internal to wireless device 102. As will
`be apparent to those skilled in the field of communications,
`the particular design of communication Subsystems 112
`depends on the system(s). Such as enterprise network 20,
`PLMN 50 and/or WLANs 32, with which wireless device 102
`is intended to communicate.
`A wireless device 102 may send and receive communica
`tion signals to and from an enterprise server of the enterprise
`network 20 through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of
`WLANs 32. Signals received by the antenna 118 are input to
`receiver 114, which may perform such common receiver
`functions as signal amplification, frequency down conver
`sion, filtering, channel selection, etc., as well as analog-to
`digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signal
`allows more complex communication functions such as
`demodulation and decoding to be performed in the DSP 124.
`In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed,
`including modulation and encoding, for example, by DSP
`124. These DSP-processed signals are input to transmitter
`116 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up
`conversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission via
`antenna 120. DSP 124 not only processes communication
`signals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control.
`For example, the gains applied to communication signals in
`receiver 114 and transmitter 116 may be adaptively controlled
`through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in
`DSP 124.
`Network access may be associated with a subscriber or user
`of a wireless device 102 via a memory module, such as a
`memory module 130, which may be a Subscriber Identity
`Module (SIM) card for use in a GSM network or a Universal
`Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card for use in a Univer
`sal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The SIM
`card may be inserted in or connected to an interface 132 of
`wireless device 102. Alternatively, wireless device 102 may
`have an integrated identity modulO065 for use with systems
`such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems.
`A wireless device 102 may also include a battery interface
`136 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 138.
`Battery 138 may provide electrical power to at least some of
`the electrical circuitry in wireless device 102, and battery
`interface 136 provides a mechanical and electrical connection
`for battery 138. Battery interface 136 may be coupled to a
`regulator (not shown) which provides power V+ to the cir
`cuitry of wireless device 102.
`Wireless device 102 may include one or more micropro
`cessors 140 which control the overall operation of wireless
`device 102. Communication functions, including at least data
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`and Voice communications, may be performed through com
`munication subsystem(s) 112. Microprocessor(s) 140 may
`also interact with additional device Subsystems, such as
`modem 128, primary display 142, optional secondary display
`143, flash memory 144, random access memory (RAM) 146,
`read-only memory (ROM) 148, auxiliary input/output (I/O)
`subsystem(s) 150, data port(s) such as Universal Serial Bus
`(USB) port 152, keyboards or keypads 154, speakers or audio
`ports 156 for connecting to, for example a set of headphones
`or an earpiece, microphones 158, clickable thumb wheels or
`thumbwheels 160, open/close sensors 161, short-range com
`munications Subsystems 162, and any other device Sub
`systems generally designated as 164. Some of Subsystems
`shown in FIG. 1 perform communication-related functions,
`whereas other subsystems may provide “resident’ or on
`device functions. Notably, some Subsystems. Such as keypads
`154, primary displays 142, secondary displays 143, and click
`able thumbwheels 160, for example, may be used for both
`communication-related functions, such as displaying notifi
`cations or entering a text message for transmission through,
`for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32, and execut
`ing device-resident functions such as a clock, a calculator or
`a task list. In some examples, primary displays 142 and/or
`secondary displays 143 may be touch-sensitive displays. Such
`as capacitive touch screen displays, for receiving tactile input.
`Where one or more touch-sensitive displays are used, one or
`more input Subsystems, such as keyboards or keypads 154
`and clickable thumbwheels 160, may be omitted and a virtual
`keyboard or keypad presented by the touch-sensitive display
`is used instead. In some examples, there may be one or more
`physical input Subsystems provided in addition to one or more
`touch-sensitive displays. The touch-sensitive display may
`provide different virtual input interfaces as suitable. Operat
`ing system software used by microprocessor(s) 140 may be
`stored in persistent store(s) such as flash memory 144, which
`may include or be supplemented by or substituted by for
`example ROM 148 and/or similar storage element(s). Those
`skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system,
`specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be tempo
`rarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM 146.
`Microprocessor(s) 140, in addition to their operating sys
`tem functions, can enable execution of software applications
`on wireless device 102. A predetermined set of applications
`that control basic device operations, including data and Voice
`communication applications, may be installed on wireless
`device 102 during or after manufacture. Wireless device 102
`may include a personal information manager (PIM) applica
`tion having the ability to organize and manage data items
`relating to a user Such as, but not limited to, instant messag
`ing, email, calendar events, Voice mails, appointments,
`groups and task items. One or more memory stores may be
`available on wireless device 102 to facilitate storage of infor
`mation, such as flash memory 144, RAM 146, ROM 148,
`memory module 130, or other types of memory storage
`devices or FLASH memory cards represented by the other
`device subsystems 164, such as Secure Digital (SD) cards or
`miniSD cards, etc.
`PIM and/or media applications have the ability to send and
`receive data items via PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANS 32 or
`via a link to a computer system(s). The link to Such computer
`system(s) may be via serial port 152 or short-range commu
`nications subsystem 162. In an embodiment, PIM and/or
`media data items are seamlessly combined, synchronized,
`and updated, for example, through PLMN 50 and/or one of
`WLANs 32, with wireless device user's corresponding data
`items stored and/or associated with a host computer system
`thereby creating a mirrored or partially mirrored host com
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1001 - Page 15
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`puter on wireless device 102 with respect to such items. This
`may be advantageous where for example the host computer
`system is a wireless device users office computer system.
`Additional applications may also be loaded onto wireless
`device 102 through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of 5
`WLANs 32, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 150, serial port 152,
`short-range communications Subsystem 162, or any other
`suitable subsystem 164, and installed by a user in RAM 146
`or a non-volatile store such as ROM 148 for execution by
`microprocessor 140. Such flexibility in application installa
`tion increases the functionality of wireless device 102 and
`may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication
`related functions, or both. For example, secure communica
`tion applications may enable electronic commerce functions
`and other such financial transactions to be performed using
`wireless device 102.
`In a data communication mode, a received data signal
`representing information Such as a text message, an email
`message, a media file to be transferred, or Web page down
`load may be processed by communication Subsystem(s) 112
`and input to microprocessor(s) 140. Microprocessor(s) 140
`may further process such signal(s) for output to primary dis
`play 142, secondary display 143, or alternatively to the aux
`iliary I/O device 150. A user of wireless device 102 may also
`compose data items, such as email messages, for example,
`using keypad 154 and/or clickable thumbwheel 160 in con
`junction with primary display 142 and possibly auxiliary I/O
`device 150. Keypad 154 maybe either a complete alphanu
`meric keypad or telephone-type keypad. These composed
`items may be transmitted through communication Subsystem
`112 or via short range communication Subsystem 162.
`For voice communications, the overall operation of wire
`less device 102 may be similar, except that the received sig
`nals may be output to speaker or audio port 156 and signals
`for transmission may be generated by a transducer Such as
`microphone 158. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems,
`Such as Voice message recording Subsystem(s), may also be
`implemented on wireless device 102. Although voice or audio
`signal output is typically accomplished primarily through
`speakers or audio ports 156, primary displays 142 or second
`40
`ary displays 143 may also be used to provide an indication of
`the identity of a calling party or the communication type,
`duration of a voice call, or other voice call related informa
`tion. Stereo headphones or earpieces may also be used in
`place of or in addition to speaker 156.
`USB ports 152 may be implemented in personal digital
`assistant (PDA) type communications device for, for
`example, synchronization with a user's computer. USB ports
`152 can enable a user to set preferences through an external
`device or Software application and can extend the capabilities
`of a wireless device 102 by providing for information or
`software downloads to wireless device 102 other than through
`PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32. Such alternate download
`paths may, for example, be used to load software or data files
`onto wireless device 102 through a direct, reliable and trusted
`connection.
`Short-range communications Subsystem 162 is an addi
`tional optional component which provides for communica
`tion between wireless device 102 and different systems or
`devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For
`example, Subsystem 162 may include an infrared device and
`associated circuits and components, or a wireless bus proto
`col compliant communication mechanism Such as a Blue
`toothTM communication module to provide for communica
`tion with similarly-enabled systems and devices
`(BluetoothTM is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG,
`Inc.). In another embodiment, short-range communications
`
`50
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`45
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`6
`Subsystem 162 may be a wireless networking communica
`tions subsystem, conforming to IEEE 802.11 standards such
`as one or more of 802.11b. 802.11g, and/or 802.11n.
`Referring to FIG. 2, wireless WAN 202 may be imple
`mented as a packet-based cellular or mobile network that
`includes a number of base stations 208 (one of which is shown
`in FIG. 2) where each of base stations 208 provides wireless
`Radio Frequency (RF) coverage to a corresponding area or
`cell. Wireless WAN 202 is typically operated by a cellular
`network service provider that sells Subscription packages to
`users of wireless devices 102. Wireless WAN 202 comprises
`a number of different types of networks, for example, Mobi
`tex Radio Network, DataTAC, GSM (Global System for
`Mobile Communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio Sys
`tem), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), CDMA
`(Code Division Multiple Access), CDPD (Cellular Digital
`Packet Data), iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network)
`or various other third generation networks such as EDGE
`(Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), UMTS (Universal
`Mobile Telecommunications Systems), or Evolution-Data
`Optimized (EV-DO).
`As shown in FIG. 2, communications system 200 also
`includes a wireless network gateway 210 and one or more
`network provider systems 212. Wireless network gateway
`210 provides translation and routing services between net
`work provider system(s) 212 and WAN 202, which facilitates
`communication between wireless devices 102 and other
`devices (not shown) connected, directly or indirectly, to net
`work provider system 212.
`WLAN 204 can comprise a network which can for example
`conform to IEEE 802.11 standards such as 802.11b, 802.11g,
`and/or 802.11n; however, other communications protocols
`may also be used for WLAN 204. WLAN 204 includes one or
`more wireless RF Access Points (AP) 214 (one of which is
`shown in FIG. 2) that collectively provide a WLAN coverage
`area. For the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, WLAN 204 is
`operated by an enterprise (for example, a business or univer
`sity in a building or campus type environment) and the access
`points 214 are connected to an access point (AP) interface
`216. AP interface 216 provides translation and routing ser
`vices between the access points 214 and network provider
`system 212 to facilitate communication between two or more
`of wireless devices 102 and other devices (e.g., such as desk
`top computers) connected, directly or indirectly, to network
`provider system 212. AP interface 216 is implemented using
`a computer, for example, a server running a suitable computer
`program or Software.
`According to some embodiments, the other interfaces 206
`may be implemented using a physical interface indicated by
`reference 218. The physical interface 218 includes an Ether
`net, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Firewire, or infrared (IR)
`connection implemented to exchange information between
`network provider system 212 and wireless device 102.
`Network provider system(s) 212 can comprise server(s) or
`server module(s) which are typically located behind a firewall
`(not shown). Network provider system 212 may include a
`number of modules including a mobile data delivery module
`220. Various modules running on network provider system
`212 may be implemented as a number of services running on
`a single server or as a number of interconnected servers each
`running a software program to implement the functionality of
`the respective module. Network provider system 212 can
`provide access for wireless devices 102, through for example
`wireless WAN 202, WLAN 204, or other connection(s) 206 to
`the devices connected, for example, through an enterprise
`network 224 (e.g., an intranet), to network provider system
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`7
`212. In various embodiments, data delivery module 220 is
`implemented on a computer, such as network provider system
`212.
`Enterprise network 224 can comprise one or more local
`area networks, intranets, the Internet, and/or direct connec
`tion(s), or combinations thereof. Enterprise network 224 may
`for example comprise an intranet for a corporation or other
`type of organization. In at least some embodiments, network
`provider system 212 can be part of an enterprise network 224,
`and located behind a corporate firewall and connected to
`10
`wireless network gateway 210 through the Internet. A com
`puter 222 (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer) belonging to
`the user of wireless device 102 is typically connected to
`enterprise network 224. As described earlier, wireless device
`102 may be temporarily and directly connected to computer
`222 using, for example, the serial port 152. Such direct con
`nections may make use of a cradle or docking station con
`nected to a serial port of computer 222, where wireless device
`102 is placed in the cradle, therefore completing the serial
`connection between wireless device 102 and computer 222.
`Alternatively, wireless device 102 may communicate with
`computer 222 using communication Subsystem 112 and
`WAN 202 and/or short-range communications subsystem
`162 and WLAN 204.
`As shown in FIG. 2, an application/content server 226 may
`be connected to enterprise network 224 and also to another
`network, for example Wide Area Network(s) (WAN(s)) 228.
`In some embodiments, email server(s) 232 and/or content
`server(s) 226 form part of enterprise network 224. WANs 228
`may further connect to other networks. WAN 228 may com
`30
`prise or be configured with the Internet, a direct connection, a
`LAN, a wireless communication link, or any combination(s)
`thereof. Content providers, such as Web servers, may be
`connected to WAN228, an example of which is shown in FIG.
`2 as an origin server 230.
`According to various embodiments, mobile data delivery
`module(s) 220 provide connectivity between wireless WAN
`202 and WLAN 204 and other connection(s) 206 and devices
`and/or networks connected directly or indirectly to network
`provider system 212. In some embodiments, connectivity
`provided may be Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) based
`connectivity providing an Internet based service connection
`to devices connected to wireless WAN 202, WLAN 204, or
`the other connection 206 and devices and/or networks con
`nected directly or indirectly to network provider system 212.
`45
`Network 224, application/content server 226, WAN 228, and
`origin server 230, may individually and/or collectively in
`various combinations provide content sources for network
`provider system 212. It will be appreciated that the system
`shown in FIG. 2 comprises but one possible communication
`network or configuration of a multitude of possible configu
`rations for use with wireless devices 102.
`Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which shows a block
`diagram illustrating a memory 300 of wireless device 102
`Suitable for use in implementing systems and methods in
`accordance with the disclosure. Memory 300 has various
`software components for controlling wireless device 102 and
`may include, for example, any numbers of flash memory 144,
`RAM 146, ROM 148, memory module 130 and/or other
`device subsystems 164. In accordance with some embodi
`ments, wireless device 102 is intended to be a multi-tasking
`wireless communications device configured for sending and
`receiving data items and for making and receiving Voice calls
`that also includes various applications enabling users to, for
`example, listen to music, watch video files, p