Notification system and method for a mobile data communication device
A notification system and method for a mobile data communication device is provided. A client-based software program operates at the mobile communication device to manage and execute user-selectable notification schemes (“notification module”) in response to data items transmitted to the mobile device from a host system via a communications network. The user configures the notification module to execute certain audible, visual and/or tactile notifications in response to certain types of messages being received at the mobile device.
1 . A method of replicating data items from a host system to a mobile data communication device comprising:
automatically detecting arrival of the data items at the host system;
redirecting the data items, after their arrival at the host system, from the host system to the mobile data communication device;
characterizing the data items;
configuring one or more notification types at the mobile data communication device, wherein the one or more notification types correspond to the characterization of the data items;
receiving redirected data items at the mobile data communication device;
determining the characterization of the data items; and
notifying the user of the received data items according to the notification type corresponding to the determined characterization of the data items.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing step takes place at the host system.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing step takes place at the mobile data communication device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing step takes place at the host system and at the mobile data communication device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing step further comprises the step of:
characterizing the data items based on the type of data item.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the type of data item is selected from the group consisting of E-mail messages, calendar events and instant notifications.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing step further comprises the step of:
characterizing the data items based on priority.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the priority of each data item is selected from one of the categories: regular, very high and emergency.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characterizing step further comprises the steps of:
characterizing the data items based on the type of data item and based on priority.