US007853656B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Yach et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PREDICTING
`MESSAGE RECIPIENTS
`
`Inventors: David Yach, Waterloo (CA); Harry
`Major, Waterloo (CA); Ronald Scotte
`Zinn, Waterloo (CA)
`Assignee: Research In Motion Limited, Waterloo,
`Ontario (CA)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 885 days.
`Appl. No.: 11/216,119
`Filed:
`Sep. 1, 2005
`
`Notice:
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2007/OOSO455A1
`Mar. 1, 2007
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 15/16
`U.S. Cl. ...................................................... 709/206
`Field of Classification Search .................. 709f2O6
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Miloslavsky
`Fujita et al.
`Tafoya et al. ............... 71.5/739
`Bates et al. .................... 707/1
`Ramanathan et al. ....... TO9,206
`
`6, 1998
`5,765,033 A
`3, 2002
`6,360,251 B1
`6,952,805 B1 * 10/2005
`2001/OOO2469 A1* 5, 2001
`2002/0103873 A1* 8, 2002
`
`2002/0178229 A1 11, 2002 Sinha et al.
`2003/02334 19 A1* 12/2003 Beringer ..................... TO9,206
`2004/O153519 A1* 8, 2004 Stolze ...........
`... TO9,206
`2004/0203949 A1 * 10, 2004 Nielsen et al. ....
`... 455,466
`2005/0204009 A1* 9, 2005 HaZarika et al. ............ TO9,206
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`European Search Report for EP05108030.7 dated Jan. 31, 2006.
`Exam Report for EPpatent application No. 05108030.7 dated Jan. 31.
`2006.
`Exam Report for EP patent application No. 05108030.7 dated Sep.
`12, 2008.
`Extended European search report for European patent application EP
`07113141.1, dated Sep. 10, 2007.
`Examination Report dated Oct. 9, 2008, European Application No.
`O71131411.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Benjamin R Bruckart
`Assistant Examiner Mark Pfizenmayer
`(74)
`Attorney,
`Agent,
`or
`Firm Bereskin &
`Parr? S.E.N.C.R.L., S.r.l.
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method and communications device is provided for deter
`mining a list of possible additional recipients to add to an
`electronic message that is composed by a user of the commu
`nications device for transmission to another communications
`device. Once the user indicates that there is an additional
`recipient for the distribution list of the electronic message, the
`device employs the method to create the list of possible addi
`tional recipients. The method may be implemented on a com
`puter program product.
`
`20 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`450
`452
`N
`Create set of possible M
`recipient lists based
`on known recipients
`and note associated
`address field
`
`454
`
`456
`
`404
`
`358
`
`
`
`Create list of possible
`additional recipients
`based on occurrences
`in set and noting
`frequency of address
`fields
`y
`Apply overall
`weights
`
`Order the list of
`possible additional
`recipients
`w
`Apply threshold
`y
`Provide possible
`additional recipients
`to user andlor
`manual entry option
`
`APPLE 1018
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`1.
`
`126
`
`128
`
`SIMIRUM
`
`Battery
`
`132
`
`130
`
`
`
`Programs
`
`Assists
`Recipien
`Prediction
`
`110
`
`108
`
`134
`
`106
`RAM
`104
`Communication
`Subsystern
`
`pm
`
`142 Cese
`-144 46
`200
`
`1
`
`El
`
`112
`
`Microprocessor
`102
`
`114
`Keyboard
`116
`
`118
`
`120
`
`Other Device
`Subsystems
`
`Short-Range
`Communications
`
`124
`
`FIG. 1
`
`122
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`152
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`XRJONALEN
`
`(NLSd)
`
`ZZZ
`
`09:2
`
`_LSOH
`
`WELLSÅS
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Message
`Management
`Sever
`
`PUBLIC OR
`PRIVATE
`NEWORK
`224
`
`Firewall or
`Proxy Server
`
`
`
`27
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`929
`
`Z09
`
`Z09
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`350
`
`400
`
`52
`3
`
`354
`
`356
`
`358
`
`Create set of possible
`recipient lists based
`on known recipients
`
`
`
`Create list of possible
`additional recipients
`based on OCCurrences
`in Set
`
`Apply threshold
`
`
`
`
`
`Provide possible
`additional recipients
`to user and/or
`manual entry option
`
`FIG. 6
`
`352
`
`402
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Create set of possible
`recipient lists based
`on known recipients
`
`Create list of possible
`additional recipients
`based On OCCurrences
`in set and noting
`frequency
`
`
`
`Order the list of
`404
`possible additional M
`recipients
`
`356
`
`358
`
`
`
`
`
`Apply threshold
`
`Provide possible
`additional recipients
`to user and/or
`manual entry option
`
`
`
`FIG. 7
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`502
`
`504
`
`354
`
`356
`
`358
`
`
`
`500
`N
`Create set of possible
`recipient lists based
`on known recipients
`and include filter data
`
`Apply filter input
`data
`
`Create list of possible
`additional recipients
`based On OCCurrences
`in Set
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Apply threshold
`
`Provide possible
`additional recipients
`to user and/or
`manual entry option
`
`FIG. 9
`
`452
`
`454
`
`456
`
`404
`
`356
`
`358
`
`450
`N
`Create set of possible
`recipient lists based
`On known recipients
`and note associated
`address field
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Create list of possible
`additional recipients
`based on occurrences
`in set and noting
`frequency of address
`fields
`
`Apply overall
`weights
`
`
`
`Order the list of
`possible additional
`recipients
`
`Apply threshold
`
`Provide possible
`additional recipients
`to user and/or
`manual entry option
`
`FIG. 8
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 2010
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`550
`
`N
`
`Create set of possible
`recipient lists based on
`at least one known
`recipient
`
`Create list of possible
`additional recipients
`based on OCCurrences
`in Set
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Apply threshold
`
`
`
`
`
`Provide possible
`additional recipients
`to user and/or
`manual entry option
`
`552
`
`354
`
`356
`
`358
`
`F.G. 10
`
`9
`
`

`

`1.
`METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PREDICTING
`MESSAGE RECIPIENTS
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document con
`tains material which is Subject to copyright protection. The
`copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduc
`tion by any one of the patent document or patent disclosure, as
`it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or
`records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
`
`FIELD
`
`10
`
`The embodiments described herein relate to the field of
`data communication. More particularly, the embodiments
`described herein relate to a method and device for message
`delivery between communication devices.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Message delivery refers to the communication of messages
`between data communication devices. The messages may
`include e-mail, instant messages or exchanging documents
`between two or more data communication devices. Datacom
`munication devices generally include any computing device
`Such as a personal computer, laptop, as well as facsimile
`25
`machines, personal digital assistants or other mobile commu
`nication devices. The data communication may be “wireless”
`or “wired.
`E-mail messages, and particularly wireless e-mail mes
`sages, are one of the more popular forms of data communi
`30
`cation. E-mail messages are usually sent to more than one
`recipient. In order to enter multiple recipients, the sender
`manually inputs the name of each recipient in the “TO”, “CC
`or “BCC address fields of the e-mail message. However,
`entering multiple recipients, especially for emails that are
`sent to a large number of recipients, may be a slow and
`cumbersome task if the user is required to type all of or a
`portion of the recipient’s name.
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`40
`
`For a better understanding of the embodiments described
`herein and to show more clearly how it may be carried into
`effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only,
`to the accompanying drawings which show at least one exem
`45
`plary embodiment in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
`a mobile communication device;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication Subsystem
`component of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1;
`50
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
`a node of a wireless network that the mobile communications
`device of FIG. 1 may communicate with:
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
`a host system that the mobile communications device of FIG.
`55
`1 may communicate with:
`FIG. 5A is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of
`a message created on the mobile communication device of
`FIG. 1:
`FIG. 5B is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of
`a trigger event for creating a list of additional possible recipi
`ents for the message of FIG. 5A;
`FIG. 5C is an illustration of an exemplary list of possible
`additional recipients for the message of FIG. 5A;
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an exemplary
`embodiment of a recipient prediction method that may be
`used to create a list of additional possible recipients;
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`2
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an alternative
`exemplary embodiment of a recipient prediction method that
`may be used to create a list of additional possible recipients;
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating another alterna
`tive exemplary embodiment of a recipient prediction method
`that may be used to create a list of additional possible recipi
`ents;
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram illustrating another alterna
`tive exemplary embodiment of a recipient prediction method
`that may be used to create a list of additional possible recipi
`ents; and,
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram illustrating another alterna
`tive exemplary embodiment of a recipient prediction method
`that may be used to create a list of additional possible recipi
`entS.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
`illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numer
`als may be repeated among the figures to indicate correspond
`ing or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous
`specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
`understanding of the embodiments described herein. How
`ever, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
`that the embodiments described herein may be practiced
`without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
`methods, procedures and components have not been
`described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments
`described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be
`considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments
`described herein, but rather as merely describing the imple
`mentation of the various embodiments described herein.
`The embodiments described herein generally have appli
`cability in the field of data communication for communica
`tion devices that can send messages to two or more recipients.
`To facilitate an understanding of the embodiments, the
`embodiments will be described in terms of e-mail communi
`cation on a mobile wireless communications device that can
`send messages to two or more recipients. However, it should
`be understood that the embodiments are not limited to e-mail
`messages or mobile communication devices. Examples of
`applicable communication devices include pagers, cellular
`phones, cellular Smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal
`digital assistants, computers, laptops, handheld wireless
`communication devices, wirelessly enabled notebook com
`puters and the like, each of which is capable of sending
`messages to two or more recipients.
`Some embodiments make use of a mobile communication
`device, hereafter referred to as a mobile device, that is a
`two-way communication device with advanced data commu
`nication capabilities having the capability to communicate
`with other computer systems. The mobile device may also
`include the capability for Voice communications. Depending
`on the functionality provided by the mobile device, it may be
`referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a
`cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wire
`less Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with
`or without telephony capabilities). The mobile device com
`municates with other devices through a network of trans
`ceiver stations. To aid the reader in understanding the struc
`ture of the mobile device and how it communicates with other
`devices and host systems, reference will now be made to
`FIGS. 1 through 4.
`Referring first to FIG. 1, shown therein is a block diagram
`ofa mobile device 100 in one exemplary implementation. The
`mobile device 100 comprises a number of components, the
`
`10
`
`

`

`3
`controlling component being a microprocessor 102 which
`controls the overall operation of mobile device 100. Commu
`nication functions, including data and Voice communications,
`are performed through a communication Subsystem 104. The
`communication Subsystem 104 receives messages from and 5
`sends messages to a wireless network 200. In this exemplary
`implementation of the mobile device 100, the communication
`subsystem 104 is configured in accordance with the Global
`System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and General
`Packet Radio Services (GPRS) standards. The GSM/GPRS 10
`wireless network is used worldwide and it is expected that
`these standards will be superseded eventually by Enhanced
`Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Tele
`communications Service (UMTS). New standards are still
`being defined, but it is believed that they will have similarities 15
`to the network behaviour described herein, and it will also be
`understood by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments
`described herein are intended to use any other suitable stan
`dards that are developed in the future. The wireless link
`connecting the communication Subsystem 104 with the wire- 20
`less network 200 represents one or more different Radio
`Frequency (RF) channels, operating according to defined pro
`tocols specified for GSM/GPRS communications. With
`newer network protocols, these channels are capable of Sup
`porting both circuit Switched Voice communications and 25
`packet Switched data communications.
`Although the wireless network 200 associated with mobile
`device 100 is a GSM/GPRS wireless network in one exem
`plary implementation, other wireless networks may also be
`associated with the mobile device 100 in variant implemen- 30
`tations. The different types of wireless networks that may be
`employed include, for example, data-centric wireless net
`works, Voice-centric wireless networks, and dual-mode net
`works that can Support both Voice and data communications
`over the same physical base stations. Combined dual-mode 35
`networks include, but are not limited to, Code Division Mul
`tipleAccess (CDMA) or CDMA2000 networks, GSM/GPRS
`networks (as mentioned above), and future third-generation
`(3G) networks like EDGE and UMTS. Some other examples
`of data-centric networks include WiFi 802.11, MobitexTM and 40
`DataTACTM network communication systems. Examples of
`other voice-centric data networks include Personal Commu
`nication Systems (PCS) networks like GSM and Time Divi
`sion Multiple Access (TDMA) systems.
`The microprocessor 102 also interacts with additional sub- 45
`systems such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) 106, a
`flash memory 108, a display 110, an auxiliary input/output
`(I/O) subsystem 112, a data port 114, a keyboard 116, a
`speaker 118, a microphone 120, short-range communications
`122 and other device subsystems 124.
`Some of the subsystems of the mobile device 100 perform
`communication-related functions, whereas other Subsystems
`may provide “resident’ or on-device functions. By way of
`example, the display 110 and the keyboard 116 may be used
`for both communication-related functions, such as entering a 55
`text message for transmission over the network 200, and
`device-resident functions such as a calculator or task list.
`Operating system software used by the microprocessor 102 is
`typically stored in a persistent store such as the flash memory
`108, which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) 60
`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 the RAM 106.
`The mobile device 100 may send and receive communica- 65
`tion signals over the wireless network 200 after required
`network registration or activation procedures have been com
`
`50
`
`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`4
`pleted. Network access is associated with a subscriber or user
`of the mobile device 100. To identify a subscriber, the mobile
`device 100 requires a SIM/RUIM card 126 (i.e. Subscriber
`Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module) to be
`inserted into a SIM/RUIM interface 128 in order to commu
`nicate with a network. The SIM card or RUIM 126 is one type
`of a conventional “smart card' that can be used to identify a
`subscriber of the mobile device 100 and to personalize the
`mobile device 100, among other things. Without the SIM card
`126, the mobile device 100 is not fully operational for com
`munication with the wireless network 200. By inserting the
`SIM card/RUIM 126 into the SIM/RUIM interface 128, a
`subscriber can access all subscribed services. Services may
`include: web browsing and messaging Such as e-mail, Voice
`mail, Short Message Service (SMS), and Multimedia Mes
`saging Services (MMS). More advanced services may
`include: point of sale, field service and sales force automa
`tion. The SIM card/RUIM 126 includes a processor and
`memory for storing information. Once the SIM card/RUIM
`126 is inserted into the SIM/RUIM interface 128, it is coupled
`to the microprocessor 102. In order to identify the subscriber,
`the SIM card/RUIM 126 contains some user parameters such
`as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). An
`advantage of using the SIM card/RUIM 126 is that a sub
`scriber is not necessarily bound by any single physical mobile
`device. The SIM card/RUIM 126 may store additional sub
`scriber information for a mobile device as well, including
`datebook (or calendar) information and recent call informa
`tion. Alternatively, user identification information can also be
`programmed into the flash memory 108.
`The mobile device 100 is a battery-powered device and
`includes a battery interface 132 for receiving one or more
`rechargeable batteries 130. The battery interface 132 is
`coupled to a regulator (not shown), which assists the battery
`130 in providing power V+ to the mobile device 100.
`Although current technology makes use of a battery, future
`technologies such as micro fuel cells may provide the power
`to the mobile device 100.
`The microprocessor 102, in addition to its operating system
`functions, enables execution of software applications 134 on
`the mobile device 100. The subset of software applications
`134 that control basic device operations, including data and
`Voice communication applications, will normally be installed
`on the mobile device 100 during its manufacture.
`The Software applications 134 include a message applica
`tion 136 and a recipient prediction module 138. The message
`application 136 can be any suitable software program that
`allows a user of the mobile device 100 to send and receive
`electronic messages. Various alternatives exist for the mes
`sage application 136 as is well known to those skilled in the
`art. Messages that have been sent or received by the user are
`typically stored in the flash memory 108 of the mobile device
`100 or some other suitable storage element in the mobile
`device 100. In an alternative embodiment, some of the sent
`and received messages may be stored remotely from the
`device 100 such as in a data store of an associated host system
`that the mobile device 100 communicates with. For instance,
`in some cases, only recent messages may be stored within the
`device 100 while the older messages may be stored in a
`remote location Such as the data store associated with a mes
`sage server. This may occur when the internal memory of the
`device 100 is full or when messages have reached a certain
`“age', i.e. messages older than 3 months may be stored at a
`remote location. In an alternative implementation, all mes
`sages can be stored in a remote location while only recent
`messages can be stored on the mobile device 100.
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`5
`The recipient prediction module 138 can be used to predict
`a list of additional possible recipients when the user of the
`mobile device 100 composes an electronic message with the
`message application 136 and indicates that the electronic
`message is to be sent to two or more recipients. The operation
`of the recipient prediction module 138 is discussed in further
`detail below. The recipient prediction module 138 can be
`created using any suitable software programming language as
`is well known to those skilled in the art.
`The mobile device 100 further includes a device state mod
`10
`ule 140, an address book 142, a Personal Information Man
`ager (PIM) 144, and other modules 146. The device state
`module 140 provides persistence, i.e. the device state module
`140 ensures that important device data is stored in persistent
`memory, such as the flash memory 108, so that the data is not
`lost when the mobile device 100 is turned off or loses power.
`The address book 142 provides information for a list of con
`tacts for the user. For a given contact in the address book, the
`information can include the name, phone number, work
`address and email address of the contact, among other infor
`mation. The other modules 146 may include a configuration
`module (not shown) as well as other modules that can be used
`in conjunction with the SIM/RUIM interface 128.
`The PIM 144 has functionality for organizing and manag
`ing data items of interest to a Subscriber, such as, but not
`limited to, e-mail, calendar events, Voice mails, appoint
`ments, and task items. A PIM application has the ability to
`send and receive data items via the wireless network 200. PIM
`data items may be seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and
`updated via the wireless network 200 with the mobile device
`Subscriber's corresponding data items stored and/or associ
`ated with a host computer system. This functionality creates a
`mirrored host computer on the mobile device 100 with respect
`to such items. This can be particularly advantageous when the
`host computer system is the mobile device subscribers office
`computer system.
`Additional applications may also be loaded onto the
`mobile device 100 through at least one of the wireless net
`work 200, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 112, the data port 114,
`the short-range communications Subsystem 122, or any other
`suitable device subsystem 124. This flexibility in application
`installation increases the functionality of the mobile device
`100 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, commu
`nication-related functions, or both. For example, secure com
`munication applications may enable electronic commerce
`45
`functions and other Such financial transactions to be per
`formed using the mobile device 100.
`The data port 114 enables a subscriber to set preferences
`through an external device or Software application and
`extends the capabilities of the mobile device 100 by providing
`for information or software downloads to the mobile device
`100 other than through a wireless communication network.
`The alternate download path may, for example, be used to
`load an encryption key onto the mobile device 100 through a
`direct and thus reliable and trusted connection to provide
`secure device communication. The data port 114 may be any
`suitable port that enables data communication between the
`mobile device 100 and another computing device. The data
`port may be a serial or a parallel port. In some instances, the
`data port 114 may be a USB port that includes data lines for
`data transfer and a Supply line that can provide a charging
`current to charge the mobile device 100.
`The short-range communications Subsystem 122 provides
`for communication between the mobile device 100 and dif
`ferent systems or devices, without the use of the wireless
`network 200. For example, the subsystem 122 may include an
`infrared device and associated circuits and components for
`
`55
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`short-range communication. Examples of short-range com
`munication include standards developed by the Infrared Data
`Association (IrDA), Bluetooth, and the 802.11 family of stan
`dards developed by IEEE.
`In use, a received signal Such as a text message, an e-mail
`message, or web page download will be processed by the
`communication Subsystem 104 and input to the microproces
`sor 102. The microprocessor 102 will then process the
`received signal for output to the display 110 or alternatively to
`the auxiliary I/O subsystem 112. A subscriber may also com
`pose data items. Such as e-mail messages, for example, using
`the keyboard 116 in conjunction with the display 110 and
`possibly the auxiliary I/O subsystem 112. The auxiliary sub
`system 112 may include devices such as: a touch screen,
`mouse, track ball, infrared fingerprint detector, or a roller
`wheel with dynamic button pressing capability. The keyboard
`116 is preferably an alphanumeric keyboard and/or tele
`phone-type keypad. However, other types of keyboards may
`also be used. A composed item may be transmitted over the
`wireless network 200 through the communication subsystem
`104.
`For voice communications, the overall operation of the
`mobile device 100 is substantially similar, except that the
`received signals are output to the speaker 118, and signals for
`transmission are generated by the microphone 120. Alterna
`tive Voice or audio I/O Subsystems, such as a voice message
`recording Subsystem, may also be implemented on the mobile
`device 100. Although voice or audio signal output is accom
`plished primarily through the speaker 118, the display 110
`may also be used to provide additional information Such as
`the identity of a calling party, duration of a Voice call, or other
`voice call related information.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the commu
`nication subsystem component 104 of FIG. 1 is shown. The
`communication subsystem 104 comprises a receiver 150 and
`a transmitter 152, as well as associated components such as
`one or more embedded or internal antenna elements 154, 156,
`Local Oscillators (LOs) 158, and a processing module such as
`a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 160. As will be apparent to
`those skilled in the field of communications, the particular
`design of the communication Subsystem 104 is dependent
`upon the communication network with which the mobile
`device 100 is intended to operate. Thus, it should be under
`stood that the design illustrated in FIG. 2 serves only as one
`example.
`Signals received by the antenna 154 through the wireless
`network 200 are input to the receiver 150, which may perform
`Such common receiver functions as signal amplification, fre
`quency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, and
`analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a
`received signal allows more complex communication func
`tions such as demodulation and decoding to be performed in
`the DSP 160. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are
`processed, including modulation and encoding, by the DSP
`160. These DSP-processed signals are input to the transmitter
`152 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up
`conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over the
`wireless network 200 via the antenna 156. The DSP 160 not
`only processes communication signals, but also provides for
`receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains
`applied to communication signals in the receiver 150 and
`transmitter 152 may be adaptively controlled through auto
`matic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 160.
`The wireless link between the mobile device 100 and the
`wireless network 200 may contain one or more different
`channels, typically different RF channels, and associated pro
`tocols used between the mobile device 100 and the wireless
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 7,853,656 B2
`
`10
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`7
`network 200. An RF channel is a limited resource that must be
`conserved, typically due to limits in overall bandwidth and
`limited battery power of the mobile device 100.
`When the mobile device 100 is fully operational, the trans
`mitter 152 is typically keyed or turned on only when it is
`sending to the wireless network 200 and is otherwise turned
`off to conserve resources. Similarly, the receiver 150 is peri
`odically turned off to conserve power until it is needed to
`receive signals or information (if at all) during designated
`time periods.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary
`implementation of a node of the wireless network 200 is
`shown as 202. In practice, the wireless network 200 com
`prises one or more nodes 202. The mobile device 100 com
`municates with the node 202. In the exemplary implementa
`15
`tion of FIG.3, the node 202 is configured in accordance with
`General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Global Systems
`for Mobile (GSM) technologies. The node 202 includes a
`base station controller (BSC) 204 with an associated tower
`station 206, a Packet Control Unit (PCU) 208 added for GPRS
`support in GSM, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 210, a
`Home Location Register (HLR) 212, a Visitor Location Reg
`istry (VLR) 214, a Serving GPRS SupportNode (SGSN) 216,
`a Gateway GPRS SupportNode (GGSN) 218, and a Dynamic
`Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 220. This list of com
`25
`ponents is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the compo
`nents of every node 202 within a GSM/GPRS network, but
`rather a list of components that are commonly used in com
`munications through the wireless network 200.
`In a GSM network, the MSC 210 is coupled to the BSC 204
`and to a landline network, such as a Public Switched Tele
`phone Network (PSTN) 222 to satisfy circuit switching
`requirements. The connection through PCU 208, SGSN 216
`and GGSN 218 to the public or private network (Internet) 224
`(also referred to herein generally as a shared network infra
`structure) represents the data path for GPRS capable mobile
`devices. In a GSM network extended with GPRS capabilities,
`the BSC 204 also contains a Packet Control Unit (PCU) 208
`that connects to the SGSN 216 to control segmentation, radio
`channel allocation and to satisfy packet Switched require
`ments. To track mobile device location and availability for
`both circuit Switched and packet Switched management, the
`HLR212 is shared between the MSC 210 and the SGSN 216.
`Access to the VLR 214 is controlled by the MSC 210.
`The station 206 is a fixed transceiver station. The station
`206 and BSC 204 together form the fixed transceiver equip
`ment. The fixed transceiver equipment provides wireless net
`work coverage for a particular coverage area commonly
`referred to as a “cell. The fixed transceiver equipment trans
`mits communication signals to and receives communication
`signals from mobile devices within its cell via the station 206.
`The fixed transceiver equipment normally performs such
`functions as modulation and possibly encoding and/or
`encryption of signals to be transmitted to the mobile device
`100 in accordance with particular, usually predetermined,
`communication protocols and parameters, under control of its
`controller. The fixed transceiver equipment similarly
`demodulates and possibly decodes and decrypts, if necessary,
`any communication signals received from the mobile device
`100 within its cell. The communication protocols and param
`eters may vary between different nodes. For example, one
`node may employ a different modulation scheme and operate
`at different frequencies than other nodes.
`For all mobile devices 100 registered with a specific net
`work, permanent configuration data Such as a user profile is
`stored in the HLR 212. The HLR212 also contains location
`information for each registered mobile device and can be
`
`55
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`queried to determine the current location of a mobile device.
`The MSC 210 is responsible for a group of location areas and
`stores the data of the mobil