(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0190159 A1
`Skarine
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 1, 2005
`
`US 2005O1901.59A1
`
`(54) KEYBOARD FOR MOBILE DEVICES
`(76) Inventor: Alexei Skarine, Waterloo (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BERESKIN AND PARR
`40 KING STREET WEST
`BOX 401
`TORONTO, ON M5H3Y2 (CA)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/785,999
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 26, 2004
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G09G 5/08
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 345/168; 34.5/173
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A keyboard comprising a plurality of transparent keys. In
`use, the keyboard is attached to a device Such as a mobile
`device, to overlie a display Screen of the device. One or more
`images displayed on the display Screen are made Visible to
`a user through the keys, which may be pressed by a user.
`User input is determined by identifying a pressed key, and
`the image or part thereof Visible through the key when
`pressed.
`
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 1, 2005 Sheet 1 of 7
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 1, 2005 Sheet 2 of 7
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 1, 2005 Sheet 4 of 7
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2005/O190159 A1
`
`Sep. 1, 2005
`
`KEYBOARD FOR MOBILE DEVICES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`Embodiments of the invention relate generally to
`0001
`mobile devices, and more particularly to a data input appa
`ratus for use with mobile devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002. A number of different data input devices are com
`monly used in association with mobile devices.
`0.003
`For example, data may be input via a keyboard.
`The terms keypad or keyboard are typically used to describe
`a hardware device consisting of a number of mechanical
`buttons ("keys”) which are pressed to input characters into
`a computing or electronic device. The keyboard is generally
`connected to a processor, which Scans the keyboard and
`detects which key or keys are being pressed. Keyboards can
`vary in the keys that they have, although many have alpha
`numeric keys as well as various function and Special purpose
`keys. Many conventional keyboards typically comprise keys
`upon which character indicia are permanently printed, to
`allow users to easily identify Specific keys that are associ
`ated with pre-determined characters.
`0004. As a further example, data may be entered via
`graphical input devices. Certain graphical input devices,
`Such as a mouse or touch pad, are primarily used for
`positioning and identifying objects displayed on a display
`Screen. Other graphical input devices allow direct graphical
`input, Such as drawing tablets or touch Screens. The terms
`touch panel or touch Screen are typically used to describe a
`touch-Sensitive film or plate positioned on a display Screen
`or other device Surface that permits the determination of a
`touch position of a finger, Stylus, or other pen-like instru
`ment.
`0005. As modern mobile devices have become increas
`ingly functional, more users are Seeking greater flexibility in
`the number and types of input devices that can be used with
`mobile devices. However, the compact nature and desired
`portability of Such mobile devices places limitations on the
`input devices that can be Supported for use by Such users.
`For example, while there may be distinct advantages asso
`ciated with finger-actuated keyboards and touch Screens, the
`size and desired portability of mobile devices may limit the
`degree to which Such input devices can be Supported Simul
`taneously.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0006 Embodiments of the invention are directed to a
`mobile device and a keyboard therefor, in which the key
`board co-operates with a display Screen on the mobile device
`to provide users with an improved input data means.
`0007. In one broad aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a mobile device and a keyboard, where the key
`board comprises a plurality of transparent keys. In use, the
`keyboard is attached to the mobile device to overlie a display
`Screen of the mobile device. One or more images displayed
`on the display Screen are made Visible to a user through the
`keys of the keyboard, which may be pressed by a user to
`enter data into the mobile device. User input is determined
`by detecting pressed keys, and identifying the image or part
`thereof visible through the keys when pressed.
`
`0008. In another broad aspect of the invention, the key
`board is attached to the mobile device to overlie a touch
`Sensitive element overlying or integrated with the touch
`Screen of the mobile device. One or more images displayed
`on the display Screen are made Visible to a user through the
`keys of the keyboard, which may be pressed by a user to
`cause the touch-Sensitive element to be touched. User input
`is determined by detecting the touches, and identifying the
`image or part thereof visible through the keys when pressed.
`0009. In another broad aspect of the invention, the key
`board is removable, in that the housing of the keyboard can
`be detached from the mobile device.
`0010. In another broad aspect of the invention, the keys
`of the keyboard are shaped to magnify images displayed on
`a part of the display Screen.
`0011. In another broad aspect of the invention, the key
`board is reconfigurable by changing images displayed on a
`part of the display Screen.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0012. These and other features of embodiments of the
`invention disclosed herein will be made apparent from the
`following description, with reference to the accompanying
`drawings, in which:
`0013 FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates compo
`nents of one embodiment of a mobile device, which com
`municates within a wireless communication network;
`0014 FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of the mobile
`device of FIG. 1;
`0015 FIG. 3 is an example structure of a system for
`communication with the mobile device of FIG. 1;
`0016 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating compo
`nents of a mobile device in an embodiment of the invention;
`0017 FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are side and front views
`respectively of an example mobile device;
`0018 FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are side and front views
`respectively of the example mobile device with a keyboard
`attached thereto;
`0019 FIG. 7A is a partial, cross-sectional view of the
`example mobile device with a keyboard attached thereto, in
`which a key is shown in a raised position; and
`0020 FIG. 7B is a partial, cross-sectional view of the
`example mobile device with a keyboard attached thereto, in
`which the key is shown in a pressed position.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication
`0021
`system 100, which includes a mobile device 102 that com
`municates through a wireleSS communication network 104.
`Mobile device 102 preferably includes a visual display 112,
`a keyboard 114, and perhaps one or more auxiliary user
`interfaces (UI) 116, each of which is coupled to a controller
`106. Controller 106 is also coupled to radio frequency (RF)
`transceiver circuitry 108 and an antenna 110.
`0022 Typically, controller 106 is embodied as a central
`processing unit (CPU), which runs operating System Soft
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`ware in a memory component (not shown). Controller 106
`will normally control overall operation of mobile device
`102, whereas Signal processing operations associated with
`communication functions are typically performed in RF
`transceiver circuitry 108. Controller 106 interfaces with
`device display 112 to display received information, Stored
`information, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard 114, which
`may be a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric
`keyboard, is normally provided for entering data for Storage
`in mobile device 102, information for transmission to net
`work 104, a telephone number to place a telephone call,
`commands to be executed on mobile device 102, and poS
`sibly other or different user inputs.
`0023 Mobile device 102 sends communication signals to
`and receives communication Signals from network 104 over
`a wireless link via antenna 110. RF transceiver circuitry 108
`performs functions Such as modulation/demodulation and
`possibly encoding/decoding and encryption/decryption. It
`will be apparent to those skilled in art that RF transceiver
`circuitry 108 will be adapted to particular wireless network
`or networks in which mobile device 102 is intended to
`operate.
`0024 Mobile device 102 includes a battery interface 134
`for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 132. Battery
`132 provides electrical power to electrical circuitry in
`mobile device 102, and battery interface 132 provides for a
`mechanical and electrical connection for battery 132. Bat
`tery interface 132 is coupled to a regulator 136, which
`regulates power to the device. When mobile device 102 is
`fully operational, an RF transmitter of RF transceiver cir
`cuitry 108 is typically keyed or turned on only when it is
`Sending to a network, and is otherwise turned off to conserve
`resources. Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceiver cir
`cuitry 108 is typically periodically turned off to conserve
`power until it is needed to receive signals or information (if
`at all) during designated time periods.
`0025) Mobile device 102 operates using a Subscriber
`Identity Module (SIM) 140 which is connected to or inserted
`in mobile device 102 at a SIM interface 142. SIM 140 is one
`type of a conventional "Smart card' used to identify an end
`user (or subscriber) of mobile device 102 and to personalize
`the device, among other things. Without SIM 140, the
`mobile device terminal is not fully operational for commu
`nication through wireless network 104. By inserting SIM
`140 into mobile device 102, an end user can have access to
`any and all of his/her subscribed services. SIM 140 generally
`includes a processor and memory for Storing information.
`Since SIM 140 is coupled to SIM interface 142, it is coupled
`to controller 106 through communication lines 144. In order
`to identify the subscriber, SIM 140 contains some user
`parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Iden
`tity (IMSI). An advantage of using SIM 140 is that end users
`are not necessarily bound by any Single physical mobile
`device. SIM 140 may store additional user information for
`the mobile device as well, including datebook (or calendar)
`information and recent call information.
`0.026 Mobile device 102 may consist of a single unit,
`Such as a data communication device, a cellular telephone,
`a multiple-function communication device with data and
`Voice communication capabilities, a personal digital assis
`tant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, or a com
`puter incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively,
`
`mobile device 102 may be a multiple-module unit compris
`ing a plurality of Separate components, including but in no
`way limited to a computer or other device connected to a
`wireleSS modem. In particular, for example, in the mobile
`device block diagram of FIG. 1, RF transceiver circuitry
`108 and antenna 110 may be implemented as a radio modem
`unit that may be inserted into a port on a laptop computer.
`In this case, the laptop computer would include display 112,
`keyboard 114, one or more auxiliary UIS 116, and controller
`106 embodied as the computer's CPU. It is also contem
`plated that a computer or other equipment not normally
`capable of wireleSS communication may be adapted to
`connect to and effectively assume control of RF transceiver
`circuitry 108 and antenna 110 of a single-unit device such as
`one of those described above. Such a mobile device 102 may
`have a more particular implementation as described later in
`relation to mobile device 202 of FIG. 2.
`0027 Mobile device 102 communicates in and through
`wireless communication network 104. In the embodiment of
`FIG. 1, wireless network 104 is configured in accordance
`with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and a Global
`Systems for Mobile (GSM) technologies. Wireless network
`104 includes a base station controller (BSC) 120 with an
`associated tower station 118, a Mobile Switching Center
`(MSC) 122, a Home Location Register (HLR) 132, a Serv
`ing General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node
`(SGSN) 126, and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)
`128. MSC 122 is coupled to BSC 120 and to a landline
`network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network
`(PSTN) 124. SGSN 126 is coupled to BSC 120 and to
`GGSN 128, which is in turn coupled to a public or private
`data network 130 (such as the Internet). HLR 132 is coupled
`to MSC 122, SGSN 126, and GGSN 128.
`0028 Station 118 is a fixed transceiver station, and sta
`tion 118 and BSC 120 are together referred to herein as the
`fixed transceiver equipment. The fixed transceiver equip
`ment provides wireleSS network coverage for a particular
`coverage area commonly referred to as a “cell'. The fixed
`transceiver equipment transmits communication Signals to
`and receives communication signals from mobile devices
`within its cell via station 118. The fixed transceiver equip
`ment normally performs Such functions as modulation and
`possibly encoding and/or encryption of Signals to be trans
`mitted to the mobile device in accordance with particular,
`usually predetermined, communication protocols and
`parameters, under control of its controller. The fixed trans
`ceiver equipment Similarly demodulates and possibly
`decodes and decrypts, if necessary, any communication
`signals received from mobile device 102 within its cell.
`Communication protocols and parameters may vary
`between different networks. For example, one network may
`employ a different modulation Scheme and operate at dif
`ferent frequencies than other networkS.
`0029. The wireless link 150 of FIG. 1 represents one or
`more different channels, typically different radio frequency
`(RF) channels, and associated protocols used between wire
`less network 104 and mobile device 102. An RF channel is
`a limited resource that must be conserved, typically due to
`limits in overall bandwidth and a limited battery power of
`mobile device 102. Those skilled in art will appreciate that
`a wireleSS network in actual practice may include hundreds
`of cells, each served by a station 118 (or station sector),
`depending upon desired overall expanse of network cover
`
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`age. All pertinent components may be connected by multiple
`Switches and routers (not shown), controlled by multiple
`network controllers.
`0030. For all mobile devices 102 registered with a net
`work operator, permanent data (Such as mobile device 102
`user's profile) as well as temporary data (Such as mobile
`device's 102 current location) are stored in HLR 132. In case
`of a voice call to mobile device 102, HLR 132 is queried to
`determine the current location of mobile device 102. A
`Visitor Location Register (VLR) of MSC 122 is responsible
`for a group of location areas and Stores the data of those
`mobile devices that are currently in its area of responsibility.
`This includes parts of the permanent mobile device data that
`have been transmitted from HLR 132 to the VLR for faster
`access. However, the VLR of MSC 122 may also assign and
`Store local data, Such as temporary identifications. Option
`ally, the VLR of MSC 122 can be enhanced for more
`efficient co-ordination of GPRS and non-GPRS services and
`functionality (e.g. paging for circuit-switched calls which
`can be performed more efficiently via SGSN 126, and
`combined GPRS and non-GPRS location updates).
`0031) Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 126 is at the
`same hierarchical level as MSC 122 and keeps track of the
`individual locations of mobile devices. SGSN 126 also
`performs Security functions and acceSS control. Gateway
`GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 128 provides interworking
`with external packet-Switched networks and is connected
`with SGSNs (such as SGSN 126) via an IP-based GPRS
`backbone network. SGSN 126 performs authentication and
`cipher Setting procedures based on the same algorithms,
`keys, and criteria as in existing GSM. In conventional
`operation, cell Selection may be performed autonomously by
`mobile device 102 or by the fixed transceiver equipment
`instructing mobile device 102 to Select a particular cell.
`Mobile device 102 informs wireless network 104 when it
`reselects another cell or group of cells, known as a routing
`aca.
`0032. In order to access GPRS services, mobile device
`102 first makes its presence known to wireless network 104
`by performing what is known as a GPRS “attach'. This
`operation establishes a logical link between mobile device
`102 and SGSN 126 and makes mobile device 102 available
`to receive, for example, pages via SGSN, notifications of
`incoming GPRS data, or SMS messages over GPRS. In
`order to send and receive GPRS data, mobile device 102
`assists in activating the packet data address that it wants to
`use. This operation makes mobile device 102 known to
`GGSN 128; interworking with external data networks can
`thereafter commence. User data may be transferred trans
`parently between mobile device 102 and the external data
`networks using, for example, encapsulation and tunneling.
`Data packets are equipped with GPRS-specific protocol
`information and transferred between mobile device 102 and
`GGSN 128.
`003.3 Those skilled in art will appreciate that a wireless
`network may be connected to other Systems, possibly
`including other networks, not explicitly shown in FIG. 1. A
`network will normally be transmitting at very least Some Sort
`of paging and System information on an ongoing basis, even
`if there is no actual packet data eXchanged. Although the
`network consists of many parts, these parts all work together
`to result in certain behaviours at the wireless link.
`
`0034 FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile
`device 202 (e.g. mobile device 102 of FIG. 1). Mobile
`device 202 is preferably a two-way communication device
`having at least Voice and advanced data communication
`capabilities, including the capability to communicate with
`other computer Systems. Depending on the functionality
`provided by mobile device 202, it may be referred to as a
`data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular tele
`phone with data messaging capabilities, a wireleSS Internet
`appliance, or a data communication device (with or without
`telephony capabilities). Mobile device 202 may communi
`cate with any one of a plurality of fixed transceiver Stations
`200 within its geographic coverage area.
`0035) Mobile device 202 will normally incorporate a
`communication Subsystem 211, which includes a receiver
`212, a transmitter 214, and associated components, Such as
`one or more (preferably embedded or internal) antenna
`elements 216 and 218, local oscillators (LOs) 213, and a
`processing module Such as a digital signal processor (DSP)
`220. Communication Subsystem 211 is analogous to RF
`transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 shown in FIG. 1.
`AS will be apparent to those skilled in field of communica
`tions, particular design of communication Subsystem 211
`depends on the communication network in which mobile
`device 202 is intended to operate.
`0036 Mobile device 202 may send and receive commu
`nication signals over the network after required network
`registration or activation procedures have been completed.
`Signals received by antenna 216 through the network are
`input to receiver 212, which may perform Such common
`receiver functions as Signal amplification, frequency down
`conversion, filtering, channel Selection, and like, and in
`example shown in FIG. 2, analog-to-digital (A/D) conver
`Sion. A/D conversion of a received signal allows more
`complex communication functions Such as demodulation
`and decoding to be performed in DSP 220. In a similar
`manner, Signals to be transmitted are processed, including
`modulation and encoding, for example, by DSP220. These
`DSP-processed signals are input to transmitter 214 for
`digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conver
`Sion, filtering, amplification and transmission over commu
`nication network via antenna 218. DSP 220 not only pro
`ceSSes communication Signals, but also provides for receiver
`and transmitter control. For example, the gains applied to
`communication Signals in receiver 212 and transmitter 214
`may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control
`algorithms implemented in DSP 220.
`0037 Network access is associated with a subscriber or
`user of mobile device 202, and therefore mobile device 202
`requires a Subscriber Identity Module or “SIM card 262 to
`be inserted in a SIM interface 264 in order to operate in the
`network. SIM 262 includes those features described in
`relation to FIG. 1. Mobile device 202 is a battery-powered
`device so it also includes a battery interface 254 for receiv
`ing one or more rechargeable batteries 256. Such a battery
`256 provides electrical power to most, if not all electrical
`circuitry in mobile device 202, and battery interface 254
`provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for it.
`The battery interface 254 is coupled to a regulator (not
`shown), which provides power V+ to all of the circuitry.
`0038 Mobile device 202 includes a microprocessor 238
`(which is one implementation of controller 106 of FIG. 1),
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`which controls overall operation of mobile device 202.
`Communication functions, including at least data and Voice
`communications, are performed through communication
`Subsystem 211. Microprocessor 238 also interacts with
`additional device Subsystems Such as a display 222, a flash
`memory 224, a random access memory (RAM) 226, auxil
`iary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, a serial port 230, a
`keyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short
`range communications Subsystem 240, and any other device
`Subsystems generally designated at 242. Some of the Sub
`systems shown in FIG. 2 perform communication-related
`functions, whereas other Subsystems may provide “resident'
`or on-device functions. Notably, Some Subsystems, Such as
`keyboard 232 and display 222, for example, may be used for
`both communication-related functions, Such as entering a
`text message for transmission over a communication net
`work, and device-resident functions Such as a calculator or
`task list. Operating System Software used by microprocessor
`238 is preferably stored in a persistent store such as flash
`memory 224, which may alternatively be a read-only
`memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown).
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating
`System, Specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be
`temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM 226.
`0.039
`Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating
`System functions, preferably enables execution of Software
`applications on mobile device 202. A predetermined set of
`applications which control basic device operations, includ
`ing at least data and Voice communication applications (Such
`as a network reestablishment Scheme), will normally be
`installed on mobile device 202 during its manufacture. A
`preferred application that may be loaded onto mobile device
`202 may be a personal information manager (PIM) appli
`cation having the ability to organize and manage data items
`relating to user Such as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar
`events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. Naturally,
`one or more memory Stores are available on mobile device
`202 and SIM 256 to facilitate storage of PIM data items and
`other information.
`0040. The PIM application preferably has the ability to
`Send and receive data items via the wireleSS network. In a
`preferred embodiment, PIM data items are seamlessly inte
`grated, Synchronized, and updated via the wireleSS network,
`with the mobile device user's corresponding data items
`Stored and/or associated with a host computer System
`thereby creating a mirrored host computer on mobile device
`202 with respect to such items. This is especially advanta
`geous where the host computer System is the mobile device
`users office computer System. Additional applications may
`also be loaded onto mobile device 202 through the commu
`nications network, an auxiliary I/O Subsystem 228, Serial
`port 230, short-range communications subsystem 240, or
`any other Suitable Subsystem 242, and installed by a user in
`RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store (not shown) for
`execution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility in appli
`cation installation increases the functionality of mobile
`device 202 and may provide enhanced on-device functions,
`communication-related functions, or both. For example,
`Secure communication applications may enable electronic
`commerce functions and other Such financial transactions to
`be performed using mobile device 202.
`0041. In a data communication mode, a received signal
`Such as a text message, an e-mail message, or Web page
`
`download will be processed by communication Subsystem
`211 and input to microprocessor 238. Microprocessor 238
`will preferably further process the Signal for output to
`display 222 or alternatively to auxiliary I/O device 228. A
`user of mobile device 202 may also compose data items,
`Such as e-mail messages, for example, using keyboard 232
`in conjunction with display 222 and possibly auxiliary I/O
`device 228. Keyboard 232 is preferably a complete alpha
`numeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. These
`composed items may be transmitted over a communication
`network through communication Subsystem 211.
`0042. For voice communications, the overall operation of
`mobile device 202 is substantially similar, except that the
`received signals would be output to Speaker 234 and Signals
`for transmission would be generated by microphone 236.
`Alternative voice or audio I/O Subsystems, Such as a voice
`message recording Subsystem, may also be implemented on
`mobile device 202. Although Voice or audio Signal output is
`preferably accomplished primarily through Speaker 234,
`display 222 may also be used to provide an indication of the
`identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other
`Voice call related information, as Some examples.
`0043 Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented
`in a personal digital assistant (PDA)-type communication
`device for which Synchronization with a user's desktop
`computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component. Serial
`port 230 enables a user to Set preferences through an external
`device or Software application and extends the capabilities
`of mobile device 202 by providing for information or
`Software downloads to mobile device 202 other than through
`a wireleSS communication network. The alternate download
`path may, for example, be used to load an encryption key
`onto mobile device 202 through a direct and thus reliable
`and trusted connection to thereby provide Secure device
`communication.
`0044 Short-range communications subsystem 240 of
`FIG. 2 is an additional optional component which provides
`for communication between mobile device 202 and different
`Systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar
`devices. For example, Subsystem 240 may include an infra
`red device and associated circuits and components, or a
`BluetoothTM communication module to provide for commu
`nication with Similarly-enabled Systems and devices. Blue
`toothTM is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
`004.5
`FIG. 3 shows an example system structure for
`communicating with a mobile device. In particular, FIG. 3
`shows basic components of one example of an IP-based
`wireless data network which may be utilized. Mobile device
`302 (e.g. mobile device 102 and 202 of FIG. 1 and FIG.2
`respectively) communicates with a wireless packet data
`network 305, and may also be capable of communicating
`with a wireless voice network (not shown). As shown in
`FIG. 3, a gateway 310 may be coupled to an internal or
`external address resolution component 315 and one or more
`network entry points 320. Data packets are transmitted from
`gateway 310, which is a source of information to be trans
`mitted to mobile device 302, through network 305 by setting
`up a wireless network tunnel 325 from gateway 310 to
`mobile device 302. In order to create this wireless tunnel
`325, a unique network address is associated with mobile
`device 302. In an IP-based wireless network, however,
`network addresses are typically not permanently assigned to
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`a particular mobile device 302 but instead are dynamically
`allocated on an as-needed basis. It is thus preferable for
`mobile device 302 to acquire a network address and for
`gateway 310 to determine this address so as to establish
`wireless tunnel 325.
`0.046 Network entry point 320 is generally used to mul
`tipleX and demultiplex amongst many gateways, corporate
`Servers, and bulk connections Such as the Internet, for
`example. There are normally very few of these network
`entry points 320, Since they are also intended to centralize
`externally available wireless network services. Network
`entry points 320 often use some form of an address resolu
`tion component 315 that assists in address assignment and
`lookup between gateways and mobile devices. In this
`example, address resolution component 315 is shown as a
`dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) as one method
`for providing an address resolution mechanism.
`0047 A central internal component of wireless data net
`work 305 is a network router 330. Normally, network routers
`330 are proprietary to the particular network, but they could
`alternatively be constructed from Standard commercially
`available hardware. The purpose of network routers 330 is to
`centralize thousands of fixed transceiver stations 335 nor
`mally implemented in a relatively large network into a
`central location for a long-haul connection back to network
`entry point 320. In some networks there may be multiple
`tiers of network routers 330 and cases where there are master
`and slave network routers 330, but in all Such cases the
`functions are similar. Often a network router 330 will access
`a name Server 340, in this case shown as a dynamic name
`server (DNS) 340 as used in the Internet, to look up
`destinations for routing data messages. Fixed transceiver
`stations 335, as described above, provide wireless links to
`mobile devices such as mobile device 302.
`0.048
`Wireless network tunnels such as a wireless tunnel
`325 are opened across wireless network 305 in order to
`allocate necessary memory, routing, and address resources
`to deliver IP packets. Such tunnels 325 are established as
`part of what are referred to as Packet Data Protocol or “PDP
`contexts” (i.e. data Sessions). To open wireless tunnel 325,
`mobile device 302 must use a specific technique associated
`with wireless n