Abstract: A network enabled device receives search criteria and accesses a memory that includes a plurality of network addresses. The memory associates each address with one or more classes of information. Each address in the memory locates a media network resource. A plurality of the addresses are selected using the search criteria. The selected addresses are signaled to the network enabled device. A media playback component on the network enabled device sequentially plays back the media resources provided by at least some of the selected addresses automatically.

Abstract: A method for minimizing errors in a modulated signal transmitted over a transmission medium. The method is applied to the entire data block, thereby incorporating information about the parities of each row of data to fix and correct the errors in the row. Thereafter ISI removal is applied on a row by row basis, with such corrections being applied via soft decision coding. In particular, the data samples are first collected in a data block (or FEC block). A soft decision buffer is thereafter created by taking each sample involved. An FEC word is created by processing down each row of the soft decision buffer and creating a binary stream out of the sign bits for each table entry. This creates an estimate of the word by thresholding it around the zero level. A syndrome is generated via a comparison of the parity bits for each FEC word. The syndrome provides the most likely bit error positions, represented by an offset into the FEC word.

Abstract: A handheld computer having a housing with a midframe construction is described. The housing includes a front shell and a back shell coupled to a midframe. The handheld computer also includes two accessory slots for a stylus or other devices on the left and right sides of the housing. The handheld computer also includes an infrared port which is an integral portion of the housing.

Abstract: A protocol for locating a server program on a workstation that is dynamically allocated IP address is disclosed. To located a desired server program, a special client program sends out an “Are you there?” message to the last known IP address of the desired server. If the server responds, the client may directly access the server program using the last known IP address. However, if there is no response then the client program sends out a directed broadcast “Are you there?” message to the subnet where the desired server last resided. If the desired server receives the directed broadcast message, the server program responds with the current IP address such that the client program can access the server. If no response is received from the directed broadcast, the client program will send directed broadcast messages to other similar subnets in order to located the server program. Ordinary Domain Name Service is used as a back-up if no response is received.

Abstract: A method of presenting a unified view of two mailboxes, each mailbox associated with a client is described. The unified view allows the user to see all actions she/he performed on a message in one mailbox performed in all other unified mailboxes. One of the clients has both a high cost, e.g. wireless, communication channel and a low cost, e.g. synchronization, communication channel. When a message is received by a client from its respective mailbox without an identifier, an identifier is generated and a copy of the message is sent to the other mailboxes with the identifier. When the user performs actions on a message with a client, the identifier for the message and the action can be conveyed to the other clients in a message to the other mailboxes. The unified view can be selectably updated either over the high cost communication channel or the low cost communication channel. The presence of two communication channels enables the cost of performing the unification to be contained.

Abstract: An electronically-enabled encasement for a handheld computer is provided. The encasement includes an encasement portion configured to cover at least a portion of the handheld computer, including a front surface of the handheld computer providing access to a display; a spine engageable with an accessory slot of the handheld computer to detachably couple the encasement with the handheld computer; a connector to electronically connect the encasement to the handheld computer; and at least one electronic component embedded in the encasement portion. The encasement may also include a wireless communication port such a radio frequency transmitter or an IR transceiver.

Abstract: A handheld computer is provided including a housing and a device slot formed into the housing. The device slot is configured to receive an elongated member. The flex member includes an internal structure to allow the elongated member to bend, while supporting the elongated member from yielding.

Abstract: A stylus assembly adapted to enter data into an electronic device and provide a user with a tool to access the electronic device to maintain and/or repair the electronic device. The stylus assembly includes a stylus body and a stylus point coupled to the stylus body. The stylus point further includes a first end for entering data into and electronic device, such as a personal data assistant, and a second end coupled to the stylus body. A tool is then detachably coupled to one of the stylus body and the second end of the stylus point. When the tool is not accessing the electronic device and the stylus body and the stylus point are coupled together the tool is disposed within the other of the stylus point and the stylus body to which it is not attached.

Abstract: A database or some portion thereof is partitioned into ownership groups. Each ownership group is assigned one or more database servers as owners of the ownership group. The database servers that are assigned as owners of an ownership group are treated as the owners of all data items that belong to the ownership group. That is, they are allowed to directly access the data items within the ownership group, while other database servers are not allowed to directly access those data items. A mechanism is provided for transitioning ownership of a data item. Ownership is transferred by disabling access to the data item, waiting for all transactions that have made changes to the data item to either commit or abort, changing data that indicates ownership of the data item from a first owner to a second owner, and enabling access to the data item.

Abstract: A tightly integrated the palmtop computer system and personal computer system is disclosed. The palmtop computer system and personal computer system synchronize with each other to share information. The synchronization software recognizes different synchronization environments including: synchronizing multiple palmtop computer systems with a single personal computer system, synchronizing a single palmtop computer system with multiple personal computer systems, synchronizing a palmtop computer system with a remote personal computer system across a network using a local personal computer system, and remotely synchronizing with a personal computer system across a telephone line. The synchronization software handles each different synchronization environment appropriately with minimal user interaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for detachable antennas. A wireless communications device includes: a cam body defining a rotation axis, the cam body including a retaining zone having a snap-fit receptacle; a signal pin including a first signal pin end and a second signal pin end; an antenna conductively coupled to the first signal pin end; a signal clip with a protrusion, a contact pad with a recess, and a key pin that extends from the signal pin, the key pin having a first key pin end and a second key pin end, and being snap-fit into the snap-fit receptacle. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the detachable antenna is easily replaced without tools.

Abstract: A portable computer system incorporates mechanical buttons that combine the task of powering-up the portable computer system and starting a particular computer application. The same mechanical buttons can be used to navigate the computer application to find the information that is most likely needed by the user. External computers can be coupled to the portable computer system in a manner that allows an external hardware device to initiate specific computer applications that cooperate with the external hardware device. Some embodiments of the portable computer system comprise an antenna for wireless communications with a base station. Wireless computer applications available in the portable computer system are activated by moving the antenna from a first position to a second position. Some embodiments of the invention provide a communication system comprising a portable computer system having such wireless application activation, and a base station.

Abstract: A pen-based palmtop computer system having a small dedicated text input area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dedicated text input area consists of a large digitizer pad laid on top of a smaller flat panel display screen such that a portion of the digitizer pad extends beyond the flat panel display screen. In this embodiment, the dedicated text input area is located in the region of the digitizer pad that extends beyond the flat panel display screen. Text can be entered by handwriting in the small dedicated text input area or tapping keys on an illustrated keypad.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide for a versatile connector that is capable of receiving any one of two types of connectors. The connector is preferably positioned on a bottom edge of a handheld computer to receive either pogo style or wiping style connectors. As a result, the connector enables the handheld computer to connect with accessory devices that use either style connectors. In particular, the handheld computer can connect with communication cradles using wiping style connectors, or smaller accessory devices that use pogo style connectors.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide for coupling an accessory device to a back face of a handheld computer while electrically connecting to the handheld computer through a communications or output port. In one embodiment, the accessory device “piggy-backs” on the handheld computer so that the accessory device and handheld computer form a portable combination. An insertion coupling may be used to detachably secure the accessory device with the handheld computer. The insertion coupling used with embodiments of the invention is preferably a snap-in coupling having one or more biased members. The biased members may be contracted to engage an aperture on a back face of the handled computer. When released, the biased members secure the accessory device to the handheld computer.

Abstract: An encasement for a handheld computer is provided. The encasement includes a spine that is slideably engageable with an accessory slot of a handheld computer; and an encasement portion joined to the spine. The encasement portion is dimensioned to encase the handheld computer when the spine is engaged to the handheld computer.

Abstract: A communications system and methods for securely transmitting a message between a wireless client and a proxy server are provided. A method for transmitting a message from the wireless client to a proxy server is provided. The message includes at least one packet of data and is encrypted using a data encryption key. The data encryption key is encrypted using a proxy server public key prior to sending the encrypted data encryption key to the proxy server. A method for transmitting a message from the proxy server to the wireless client is also provided. The proxy server recovers the data encryption key using the proxy server private key corresponding to the proxy server public key. The proxy server encrypts the message using the data encryption key and transmits the encrypted message to the wireless client. A communications system for secure communications comprising a source of data, a proxy server and a wireless client is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for direct skew control and interlock of a gantry. An apparatus includes a gantry that includes a first member defining a gantry primary axis Z, a cross member defining a secondary axis X that is coupled to the first member via a trunnion, and a second member defining a gantry primary axis Z′ coupled to the cross member via an elastic hinge. A method for controlling skew on a cross member moved by a first and second driver includes moving the first and second drivers to a first position, measuring a resulting skew value, and correcting the skew on the cross member by moving the first driver and/or the second driver.

Abstract: A computer cradle is described that includes a stylus holder that is at least partially light transmissive. The light transmissive material of the stylus holder transmits to a user light generated within the computer cradle. The stylus is seated in a funnel-shaped cavity formed in a stylus holder oriented nonperpendicularly to a cradle housing, so that a stylus supported by the stylus holder is more easily accessible.