Notification system and method for a mobile data communication device

Abstract

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.