Abstract: A method and system which allow a user to define and edit workflow applications for a mobile device, screens associated with the applications, and workflow process is described. The states or schemas for these applications may be stored as records in databases.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting data within a portable electronic device to prevent unauthorized access to that data. Encryption of data within the portable electronic device and automatic erasure of data upon unauthorized attempted access is provided. A limited number of attempts to access the portable electronic device are allowed, and if exceeded, the data is automatically erased without notification. Data transfer functions of the portable electronic device are also disabled when the device is locked. Erasing of data is also provided if the portable electronic device is not synced with another device during a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A system is described in which, under certain conditions, a wireless data processing apparatus and/or the service to which the apparatus communicates, will enter a batch processing mode. Under the batch processing mode, the apparatus and/or service will combine a series of message transactions (e.g., message viewings, message deletions, . . . etc) before synchronizing with the service and/or apparatus, respectively. Various types of batch processing parameters may be set to determine whether the system should enter batch processing mode and/or how batch processing should be performed once batch processing mode has been entered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving signal transmission on a wireless device such as a personal digital assistant, wireless messaging device, or cellular phone. An initial transmission power level is selected based on received signal strength. If subsequent transmissions at the initial power level are unreliable, then the power is increased by a predetermined amount. Power level increases continue until signal transmission is reliable or the highest power level is reached. One embodiment of the system maintains its heightened power level across multiple communication dialogs.

Abstract: A method for compressing a message is disclosed, comprising: identifying a block of data within the message which is found in a previous message; generating a pointer identifying the block of data in said previous message; and replacing the block of data with the pointer in the message.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for compressing information to be sent from a server to a client such as a portable communication device. The server maintains first and second dictionaries for each portable device in the system. The first dictionary is provided to the portable communication device. The server generates more recent second dictionaries as new data comes into the server to be sent to a particular portable device. Communication between the server and a particular portable device is possible over a low cost wire line connection or a more expensive wireless connection. The more recent and accurate second dictionary, together with data compressed using the second dictionary, is sent to the portable device when the portable device is connected to the server by the less expensive wire line connection.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for allowing a user to selectively display tabular data on a display screen of a mobile device wherein an operating system of the mobile device does not provide a low memory solution to display tabular data. After selecting at least one set of tabular data stored on a remote database to be displayed on the display screen of the mobile device, the tabular data is downloaded to the mobile device. One or more columns of the tabular data are selected to be displayed, and the selected columns of the tabular data are displayed on the limited display screen of the mobile device. A master column can be specified so that it will remain unchanged when the user scrolls the tabular data around.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a handheld device is disclosed. The handheld device includes a housing, a display mounted within the housing, and a font magnification mechanism. The font magnification mechanism automatically magnifies a font being displayed on the display to a larger font whenever the handheld device is operating in dim lighting conditions.

Abstract: A user interface for a data processing device is described comprising: an input wheel rotatably mounted to the data processing device and configured to generate input signals to the data processing device when rotated or clicked down, wherein clicking and holding down the input wheel for less than a threshold amount of time causes a first function to be executed by the data processing device, and wherein clicking and holding down the input wheel for greater than the threshold amount of time causes a second function to be executed by the data processing device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a handheld device is disclosed. The handheld device includes a housing, a display mounted within the housing, and a light sensor mounted within the housing to detect light beams through the display. In a further embodiment, the handheld device includes a plurality of keypads mounted on the housing, and an electro luminescent (EL) sheet. The EL sheet is mounted within the housing below the display and the keypads, and illuminates the display and keypads whenever the handheld device is in a dark environment. In yet another embodiment, the handheld device includes a thumbwheel. The EL sheet or an LED illuminates the thumbwheel whenever the handheld device is in a dark environment.

Abstract: An enclosure for a wireless device is described which may be used as the device's antenna. In one embodiment, the enclosure is comprised of two charged front and back conducting plates which propagate an electric field used to transmit and receive vertically polarized omnidirectional electromagnetic signals from a first orientation. In addition, the size of the plates are selected to propagate a second electric field which is used to transmit and receive vertically polarized electromagnetic signals in a second orientation, where, in one embodiment, the second orientation is orthogonal to the first orientation.