Methods and apparatus for use in switching user account data and operations between two different mobile communication devices

1. A method for use in a server for switching communications associated with an account, the method comprising:

storing in memory of the server a mapping of the account to a first personal identification number which identifies a first mobile device;

routing messages between the server and the first mobile device via a wireless network for data synchronization of personal information manager (PIM) items in accordance with the stored mapping using the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device;

receiving, at the server via the wireless network, a request message for switching mobile devices for the account, the request message being provided with a second personal identification number which identifies a second mobile device;

determining, at the server, whether the request message is from a received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping;

when the request message is from the received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping, switching the stored mapping of the account in the memory of the server to the second personal identification number provided with the request message; and

routing messages between the server and the second mobile device via the wireless network for the data synchronization of the PIM items in accordance with the switched stored mapping using the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mapping of the account to the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device is maintained in the memory after switching the stored mapping to the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device, for a subsequent request for switching back to the first mobile device for the account.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stored mapping of the account to the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device is maintained in the memory after switching the stored mapping to the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device, the method further comprising:

receiving at the server a subsequent request message for switching mobile devices for the account;

when the subsequent request message is from a received personal identification number that matches the second personal identification number of the stored mapping, switching the stored mapping of the account in the memory of the server back to the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device; and

routing messages between the server and the first mobile device via the wireless network for the data synchronization of the PIM items in accordance with the switched stored mapping using the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, from the second mobile device, a request for activating the second mobile device; and

activating the second mobile device for service.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: after switching the stored mapping, sending a confirmation message to the second mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

refraining from switching the stored mapping when the request message is not from a received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data synchronization comprises message synchronization for PIM items which include electronic mail (e-mail) messages associated with the account for an e-mail application program.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data synchronization for the PIM items comprises at least one of address book synchronization for address book contacts in an address book organizer and calendar appointment synchronization for calendar appointments in a calendar application program.

9. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium;

computer instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium; and

the computer instructions being executable by one or more processors of a server for switching communications associated with an account by:

storing in memory of the server a mapping of the account to a first personal identification number which identifies a first mobile device;

routing messages between the server and the first mobile device via a wireless network for data synchronization of personal information manager (PIM) items in accordance with the stored mapping using the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device;

receiving, via the wireless network, a request message for switching mobile devices for the account, the request message being provided with a second personal identification number which identifies a second mobile device;

determining whether the request message is from a received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping;

when the request message is from the received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping, switching the mapping of the account in the memory of the server to the second personal identification number provided with the request message; and

routing messages between the server and the second mobile device via the wireless network for the data synchronization of the PIM items in accordance with the switched stored mapping using the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the mapping of the account to the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device is maintained in the memory after switching the stored mapping to the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device, for a subsequent request for switching back to the first mobile device for the account.

11. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the computer instructions are further executable by one or more processors for:

after switching the stored mapping, sending a confirmation message to the second mobile device.

12. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the computer instructions are further executable by one or more processors for

receiving, from the second mobile device via the wireless network, a request for activating the second mobile device; and

activating the second mobile device for service.

13. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the computer instructions are further executable by one or more processors for:

refraining from switching the stored mapping when the request message is not from a received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping.

14. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the data synchronization comprises message synchronization for PIM items which include for electronic mail (e-mail) messages associated with the account for an e-mail application program.

15. A server which is configured to switch communications associated with an account by being further configured to store in memory of the server a mapping of the account to a first personal identification number which identifies a first mobile device; route messages between the server and the first mobile device via a wireless network for data synchronization of personal information manager (PIM) items in accordance with the stored mapping using the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device;

receive, via the wireless network, a request message for switching mobile devices for the account, the request message being provided with a second personal identification number which identifies a second mobile device; determine whether the request message is from a received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping; when the request message is from the received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping, switch the mapping of the account in the memory of the server to the second personal identification number provided with the request message; and

route messages between the server and the second mobile device via the wireless network for the data synchronization of the PIM items in accordance with the switched stored mapping using the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device.

16. The server of claim 15 , wherein the mapping of the account to the first personal identification number which identifies the first mobile device is maintained in the memory after switching the stored mapping to the second personal identification number which identifies the second mobile device, for a subsequent request for switching back to the first mobile device for the account.

17. The server of claim 15 , which is further configured to:

after switching the stored mapping, send a confirmation message to the second mobile device.

18. The server of claim 15 , which is further configured to receive, from the second mobile device, a request for activating the second mobile device and activating the second mobile device for service.

19. The server of claim 15 , which is further configured to:

refrain from switching the stored mapping when the request message is not from a received personal identification number that matches the first personal identification number of the stored mapping.

20. The server of claim 15 , wherein the data synchronization comprises message synchronization for PIM items which include for electronic mail (e-mail) messages associated with the account for an e-mail application program.