Abstract: A system and method for implementing an enhanced transport layer security (ETLS) protocol is provided. The system includes a primary server, an ETLS servlet and an ETLS software module. The primary server operates on a computer network and is configured to communicate over the computer network using a non-proprietary security protocol. The ETLS servlet also operates on the computer network and is securely coupled to the primary server. The ETLS servlet is configured to communicate over the computer network using an ETLS security protocol. The ETLS software module operates on a mobile device, and is configured to communicate over the computer network using either the non-proprietary security protocol or the ETLS security protocol. Operationally, the ETLS software module initially contacts the server over the computer network using the non-proprietary security protocol, and subsequently contacts the server through the ETLS servlet using the ETLS security protocol.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a database at a portable electronic device with a backup database including backup data records includes receiving information representative of data records of the database at the portable electronic device, determining if the database at the portable electronic device is to be updated with the backup data records, and if the database at the portable electronic device is to be updated, transmitting representative viewable or audible samples of ones of the backup data records.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for managing service for carrier subscribers and migrating them to service bundles. In an embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a list of existing services to which a subscriber is subscribed; comparing the list of services to available service bundles; determining if there is an exact match of services between the list of existing services and services included in one or more available service bundles, and if so, migrating the subscriber to the one or more available service bundles with the exact match. The method may further comprise identifying a main service in the list of existing services and determining if there is a partial match of services between the main service and a service included in one or more available service bundles, and if so, migrating the subscriber to the one or more available service bundles with the partial match. A subscriber may be manually migrated if migration is not possible with an exact match or partial match.

Abstract: An attachment server network including at least two attachment servers in communication with one another, each of the attachment servers for converting email attachments in response to view requests received from portable electronic devices, each of the attachment servers having a respective cache for storing data corresponding to previously converted attachments, the data being available to any of the attachment servers in the attachment server network.

Abstract: A system and method to automatically park a voice call on a mobile electronic device so that the device can receive data, comprising a switch for establishing a voice call at the at least one caller device, a database for storing at least one call processing rule, and an enterprise data server for receiving a data message, comparing contents of the data message with at least one rule in the database, and in the event that the contents match the rule then parking the call, switching the mobile electronic device to a data mode of operation, downloading the data message to the device and un-parking the call.

Abstract: Errors of e.g database synchrony between a radio-connected mobile-station and a server can be especially troublesome if continued and repeated, and can quickly deplete resources in the mobile-station. This problem is addressed by keeping an error-event-count in the server; when the count exceeds a threshold, the server signals the mobile to immediately transmit the recent-activity-log in the mobile, i.e the log in the mobile in which are recorded the detailed elements relating to assembling and transmitting the data packet in which the error was detected. Using the information in the recent-activity-log, the server can institute de-bugging strategies, etc, to correct the problem. The threshold is in two stages; above the initial threshold, the mobile-station is signalled to increase the level of detail as recorded in the recent-activity-logs (if the mobile is able to do so), and the actual transmission of the log only takes place above the main threshold.

Abstract: An electronic device and wireless base station for maintaining a persistent connection are provided. In an embodiment, a system includes an electronic device that connects to a web-server via a physical link that is bandwidth-constrained. The physical link also includes a wireless base station and at least one network address translation (“NAT”) router that is configured to terminate idle connections between the client and the web-server. One of the electronic device and the wireless base station is configured to send keep-alive packets to the web-server in order to reduce the likelihood of the NAT router terminating the connection. The keep-alive packets are sent on a variable basis that is intended to reduce bandwidth consumption while ensuring that the NAT router does not deem the connection idle and terminate the connection.

Abstract: An adjustable stand raises the height of a computer display to eye level, for greater viewing comfort and better ergonomics. A unique design allows the stand to collapse down to two thin plates. When disassembled, the stand is approximately the size of a magazine, making it ideal for carrying in a laptop bag together with the laptop itself. Smaller versions for smaller devices (e.g., smartphones, video players, etc.) are possible. Other applications are also possible (e.g., holding photos, artwork, books, etc.).

Abstract: A multiple-fold portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device in one embodiment includes a first, second and third planar sections. The first and second planar sections are connected by a first joint and foldable in relation to each other. The second and third planar sections are connected by a second joint and foldable in relation to each other. Each planar section can include an input device or an output device or both.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for managing loss of packets in data transmissions is provided. In a method embodiment, selective acknowledgements are received at a sending computer from a receiving computer. The sending computer is configured to analyze patterns in the selective acknowledgements and infer a type of packet loss. As a result of the inference, the packet delivery strategy from the sending computer can be adjusted.

Abstract: A data repository system and method are provided. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes an operation that can be used to port data from one or more existing database partitions to new database partitions according to a minimally progressive hash. The method can be used to increase the overall size of databases while a system runs hot, with little or no downtime.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a system for failover comprising at least one client selectively connectable to one of at least two interconnected servers via a network connection. In a normal state, one of the servers is designated a primary server when connected to the client and a remainder of the servers are designated as backup servers when not connected to the client. The at least one client is configured to send messages to the primary server. The servers are configured to process the messages using at least one service that is identical in each of the servers. The services are unaware of whether a server respective to the service is operating as the primary server or the backup server. The servers are further configured to maintain a library, or the like, that indicates whether a server is the primary server or a server is the backup server. The services within each server are to make external calls via its respective library.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a keyboard overlay adapted to indicate which one of a plurality of menu commands provided by a particular software application is invoked when an alphanumeric key is pressed together with a modifier key on a computer keyboard. In this embodiment, the keyboard overlay has a portion overlaying the modifier key and displaying a predetermined color thereby associating the color with the modifier key. The keyboard overlay has a portion overlaying the alphanumeric key and displaying the predetermined color together with closely associated indicia identifying the menu command. More complex arrangements are described that indicate keyboard equivalents that involve pressing an alphanumeric key together with more than one modifier key.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digital assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device or certain features of the device, if the battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined after the pre-flash test. If the battery level meets certain criteria, the full flash is permitted to proceed, else the full flash is not permitted to proceed.

Abstract: An internal mechanism for a musical instrument snare drum that supports the snares and allows adjustment of the snare strands in tension as well as relative position to the vibrating member or head of the drum is provided. The mechanism has a support beam that gives a stiffer and more stable base for increased accuracy of all adjustment. The support beam also provides increased guiding for the snare holders during the tension adjustment of the snares. The adjustment of the position of the snares in relation to the vibrating member or drum head is accomplished by deflecting the strands with a bridge like arrangement providing precise placement of the strands for optimum performance.

Abstract: A folding keyboard is set forth with a numeric keypad, and one fold line located between the edge of a standard continuous space bar and the edge of the numeric keypad. Preferably, the keyboard further includes left and right top cases, supporting inexpensive rubber dome switches, left and right bottom cases, membrane sheets with circuit traces connecting keyboard electronics to contact points under each key, two hinge screws or rivets (or the like) that hold the left and right sides of the keyboard together at the hinges, and a locking mechanism to keep the case closed when folded shut.

Abstract: An improved system and method for managing data on a handheld electronic device includes a server that periodically pushes data to a particular handheld electronic device, with the data being stored on the handheld electronic device by way of a routine running in the background whereby such reception and storage is generally transparent to a user. The data can be any type of data and may be data that is desired by the user or that fits a profile or preference of the user. The profile can, for instance, be predetermined and/or can be customized by the user and/or can reflect a preference of the user. The data pushed to the handheld electronic device can also be related in some fashion to a geographic disposition of the handheld electronic device. Such pushing of data and storage is managed by a routine running in the background of the handheld electronic device. The routine enables current data to be maintained on the handheld electronic device for ready access by a user.

Abstract: A method of conferencing communication devices in a system having (i) a conference server, (ii) a voice interface unit (VIU), and (iii) at least one conference bridge, the method including, at a first communication device: (a) establishing a first connection between the VIU and the first communication device via the switching point, the switching point enabled to establish connections for the communication devices; (b) sending first validation data from the first communication device to the VIU for forwarding to the conference server for validating the first validation data, and, in response to the validating the first validation data: (b)(i) terminating the first connection; and (b)(ii) establishing a second connection between the at least one conference bridge and said first communication device, to establish a conferencing session.

Abstract: A system and method for delivery of packets is provided. In an embodiment, a client is operable to query a first layer of the protocol stack used to provide a link that carries packets for said client. Based on the query, the client is operable to adjust how those packets are delivered over another layer of the protocol stack in order to help improve the likelihood of successful delivery of those packets.