Abstract: A data processing apparatus is described having a first operational mode and a second operational mode comprising: a first group of control elements to perform a first predefined set of functions in a first orientation associated with the first operational mode and to perform a second predefined set of functions in a second orientation associated with the second operational mode; and a display to render images having a first image orientation associated with the first operational mode and to render images having a second image orientation associated with the second operational mode.

Abstract: A computing device may execute an application to generate application content on a defined region of a display surface. The computing device may respond to a user-input to over-scroll the application content by displaying content that is indicative of an over-scroll state. Upon completion of a designated duration, the computing device automatically displays the application content in the defined region without the content that is indicative of the over-scroll state.

Abstract: A computing device is capable of intelligently interpreting input movement. The computing device detects a movement of a finger or object over an input interface. The movement is interpreted as one-dimensional or two-dimensional.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is described comprising: a body having a surface defining a first plane, the body comprising a first group of control elements and a second group of control elements for entering data and performing control operations; a display having a display area defining a second plane, the display coupled to the data processing apparatus at a pivot point and rotatable around the pivot point from a first position to a second position, wherein the display is viewable in both the first position and the second position and wherein both the first and second groups of control elements are exposed when the display is in the second position, and wherein only the second group of control elements are exposed when the display is in the first position, wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel when the display is in the first position, and wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel when the display is in the second position.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a configuration for layout of keys of a keyboard. In one embodiment, a keyboard configuration includes a set of keys having a first character value and a second character value. The set of keys is configured in a layout in which a row of keys has consecutive characters corresponding to the first character value, for example, ‘Q’, ‘W’, ‘E’, ‘R’, ‘T’, and ‘Y. The second character values on the keys are grouped according to one of a plurality of groupings. Each grouping of the plurality of groupings comprises adjacent keys of the plurality of keys. The plurality of groupings is distributed across the keyboard, for example, in different zones. The groupings include, for example, mathematical operands, punctuations, and numerals. In one embodiment a symbol key, the symbol key configured to toggle between the first character value and the second character value of each of the plurality of keys having a first character value and a second character value.

Abstract: A computing device operates a plurality of messaging programs that use different messaging transports. The computing device includes processing resources that operate to provide a messaging database that interfaces with the plurality of messaging programs to record instances of incoming or outgoing messages using anyone of the plurality of messaging programs. The processing resources execute in connection with maintaining the messaging database in order to associate individual incoming messages or outgoing messages with either a new messaging thread or an existing messaging thread. The incoming messages and outgoing messages of each new or existing messaging thread being received or sent through any one of the plurality of messaging programs, so that the messaging threads can be mixed in the type of messages that are provided.

Abstract: A computing device includes a display surface, a human interface feature, and processing resources. The human interface features enables a user of the computing device to enter a non-discrete directional input action. The processing resources execute to: (i) provide content on the display surface; (ii) detect the user performing the input action; (ii) determine a vector from the input action; and (iv) select a region of the display surface based on the vector.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for regulating receipt of content by a mobile computing device. A status indicator is generated and used to describe whether content has been received or is currently being received. An interaction with the status indicator while content is being received causes stops receipt of content by the mobile computing device. After content has been received, an interaction with the status indicator transmits a request to a remote device, such a server, to update the content previously received by the mobile computing device. The visual appearance of the status indicator can also be modified to indicate whether data is currently being received or has been received.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for users to manage calendars in mobile computing devices. The system retrieves calendar entries from multiple calendars of distinct calendar platforms, extracts event information from the retrieved calendar entries, and aggregates extracted event information. The system can simultaneously display calendar entries extracted from multiple calendars of distinct platforms. The system provides various features for users to operate the calendars, such as (1) hiding calendar entries from some calendars and visually distinguishing the time scheduled for the hidden entries from free time; (2) compressing the display of extended free time periods; and enabling users to (3) navigate time as a scrolling list not subject to the limitations of arbitrary calendar units (e.g., month, week).

Abstract: A mobile electronic device is provided having a display with a display centerpoint; a first softkey and a second softkey, each substantially equidistant from the display centerpoint; and a third softkey and a fourth softkey, each substantially equidistant from the display centerpoint, wherein the first softkey and the third softkey are positioned on opposite sides of the display and on a first axis that passes through the display centerpoint, and wherein the second softkey and the fourth softkey are positioned on opposite sides of the display and on a second axis that passes through the display centerpoint.

Abstract: In a computing device, event notifications take the form of alerts that can be presented in different ways. The particular form of each event notification depends on the nature of the event, the user task being performed at the time the event occurs, the user's preferences, or any combination thereof. In one aspect, the present invention presents event notifications in the form of banner alerts. Obtrusiveness is minimized by presenting the notification at a location near the edge of the screen (such as a bottom edge), and slightly shrinking the active display area to make room for the event notification. In this manner, event notifications can be presented without obscuring any part of the active display area. In addition, the user can obtain more information about the event by activating the notification (for example by tapping on it). In another aspect, the present invention provides a summary of pending event notifications.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is described having a first operational mode and a second operational mode comprising: a first group of control elements to perform a first predefined set of functions in a first orientation associated with the first operational mode and to perform a second predefined set of functions in a second orientation associated with the second operational mode; and a display to render images having a first image orientation associated with the first operational mode and to render images having a second image orientation associated with the second operational mode.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store user-specific data. The processor is configured to access data indicating a position of the mobile device and provide advertisement data based upon the position of the mobile device and the user-specific data.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) for managing a set of images is described comprising: a thumbnail region for displaying a first group of thumbnail images; a highlight element to highlight a specified one of the first group of thumbnail images responsive to user input; and a navigation map positioned adjacent to the thumbnail region for graphically displaying an indication of the particular thumbnail image currently being highlighted and further graphically displaying a positional relationship between the first group of thumbnail images and a second group of thumbnail images not currently displayed in the thumbnail region.

Abstract: A curved-listing file hierarchy and a preview window for more efficiently displaying file hierarchy information on a data processing device. Curved-listing file hierarchies may allow more elements of a file hierarchy to be displayed in a smaller space. This may be especially useful for the smaller screens of some data processing devices like Personal Digital Assistants and cellular phones. A preview screen may allow a user to view preview information on a file in the hierarchy without actually opening the file.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device is provided having a display with a display centerpoint; a first softkey and a second softkey, each substantially equidistant from the display centerpoint; and a third softkey and a fourth softkey, each substantially equidistant from the display centerpoint, wherein the first softkey and the third softkey are positioned on opposite sides of the display and on a first axis that passes through the display centerpoint, and wherein the second softkey and the fourth softkey are positioned on opposite sides of the display and on a second axis that passes through the display centerpoint.