Abstract: There is provided a method of representing new email messages on a communication device having a display. This method comprises setting a new message flag when an email message is received by the device; and displaying a new message indicator on the display when the new message flag is set. The new message indicator can be displayed on a home screen on the display. The new message flag can be unset when a messages screen is selected on the device. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.

Abstract: A virtual teaching system includes a semi-autonomous device to perform a task such as cleaning a target environment. The semi-autonomous device includes one or more sensors configured to record environmental data from the target environment that can be used to construct a virtual environment. The semi-autonomous device is operably coupled to an analysis system. The analysis system includes a processor to perform multiple functions, such as constructing the virtual environment from the recorded environmental data and supporting operation of a user interface. The user interface can be operably coupled to the processor, allowing a human operator to teach a virtual device in the virtual environment to perform an action sequence. Once the virtual device has been taught an action sequence in the virtual environment, the analysis system can transfer the recorded action sequence to the semi-autonomous device for use in the target environment.

Abstract: A user interface and method for viewing communications events on a mobile device includes a user interface, a communications event handler, and a communications event database is disclosed herein. The communications event handler interfaces with the database and the user interface to provide a user of the mobile device with a communications event history associated with the correspondent of an incoming communications event. Additionally the communications event handler interfaces with the database and the user interface to provide a user of the mobile device with a communications event history for a specified correspondent.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring the position of semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous devices for safe navigation in a dynamic, unstructured environment can include processes to detect localization errors via an odometry check, a laser map alignment check, or a bimodal distribution check; detect tracking errors to monitor and/or control device trajectory and/or to avoid device rollover; regulate velocity control based on static or dynamic safety zones for collision avoidance; perform system integrity checks to maintain desired performance over time; and/or the like. These processes may interface with and/or utilize sensors on the device and may provide inputs for a safety monitor system that oversees device safety. In addition, an onboard computer system with a real time operating system may be used to enable real time monitoring and response during device navigation and to execute relevant processes associated with this system independent of other processes performed.

Abstract: A virtual teaching system includes a semi-autonomous device to perform a task such as cleaning a target environment. The semi-autonomous device includes one or more sensors configured to record environmental data from the target environment that can be used to construct a virtual environment. The semi-autonomous device is operably coupled to an analysis system. The analysis system includes a processor to perform multiple functions, such as constructing the virtual environment from the recorded environmental data and supporting operation of a user interface. The user interface can be operably coupled to the processor, allowing a human operator to teach a virtual device in the virtual environment to perform an action sequence. Once the virtual device has been taught an action sequence in the virtual environment, the analysis system can transfer the recorded action sequence to the semi-autonomous device for use in the target environment.

Abstract: A method of displaying data items on handheld devices. The device displays data items in a scrollable viewport of vertically arranged fields. Date separators included in the vertically arranged fields to enable a user to associate the data items with a date. The date separators have “sticky” operation, meaning that the device ensures a date separator always appears within the viewport, even when the viewport has been scrolled to the middle of a long list of fields all associated with the same date. The device may ensure that the top field of the viewport always contains a date separator associated with the data item immediately below.

Abstract: There is provided a method of representing new email messages on a communication device having a display. This method comprises setting a new message flag when an email message is received by the device; and displaying a new message indicator on the display when the new message flag is set. The new message indicator can be displayed on a home screen on the display. The new message flag can be unset when a messages screen is selected on the device. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.

Abstract: A user interface and method for composing a message to be sent over a wireless network environment using a handheld device is disclosed. According to the method, upon receipt of a user request to compose a message, a screen is displayed with a recipient field for a recipient address, an associated label to indicate that the recipient field is for a recipient address, and a message body field for holding message content. The method further includes, upon each keystroke entry of text to the recipient field, looking up entries from an address book which match the text, and displaying a selection menu representing addresses from at least a portion of the entries as well as cached entries previously looked up from a global address book.

Abstract: A user interface and method for viewing communications events on a mobile device includes a user interface, a communications event handler, and a communications event database is disclosed herein. The communications event handler interfaces with the database and the user interface to provide a user of the mobile device with a communications event history associated with the correspondent of an incoming communications event. Additionally the communications event handler interfaces with the database and the user interface to provide a user of the mobile device with a communications event history for a specified correspondent.

Abstract: A user interface and method for viewing communications events on a mobile device includes a user interface, a communications event handler, and a communications event database is disclosed herein. The communications event handler interfaces with the database and the user interface to provide a user of the mobile device with a communications event history associated with the correspondent of an incoming communications event. Additionally the communications event handler interfaces with the database and the user interface to provide a user of the mobile device with a communications event history for a specified correspondent.

Abstract: A method of displaying data items on handheld devices. The device displays data items in a scrollable viewport of vertically arranged fields. Date separators included in the vertically arranged fields to enable a user to associate the data items with a date. The date separators have “sticky” operation, meaning that the device ensures a date separator always appears within the viewport, even when the viewport has been scrolled to the middle of a long list of fields all associated with the same date. The device may ensure that the top field of the viewport always contains a date separator associated with the data item immediately below.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device, the method comprising: receiving from an enterprise server an information technology (IT) policy message which includes an encryption key; storing the encryption key in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; receiving a request to backup data stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting the data using the encryption key stored in the protected memory; and transferring the encrypted data from the mobile communication device to an electronic device for storage.

Abstract: A telephone station apparatus that is arranged to operate on two, or more, communication lines, receives an instruction to access a voicemail server. The telephone station apparatus switches from a first communication line to a second communication line and initiates a call to the voicemail server. At the voicemail server, calling line identification allows the voicemail server to present an interface to the voicemail box associated with the second communication line.

Abstract: A method includes displaying information on a touch-sensitive display, detecting a touch at location associated with the information, rendering an indicator and a cursor at a position within the information, detecting a moving touch associated with the indicator, and moving the cursor along the information as the indicator is moved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a contact-list entry of an IM contact-list interface to designate an IM game in progress to facilitate switching between an IM conversation and an IM game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a contact-list entry of an IM contact-list interface to designate an IM game in progress to facilitate switching between an IM conversation and an IM game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating short-range wireless communications between a mobile wireless device and an auxiliary device. The wireless device includes a short-range transceiver for communicating with an auxiliary device; a signal module for providing a mode control signal; and, a control module for controllably shifting a short-range transceiver between a power saver mode and a search mode based on the mode control signal received from the signal module. When in the search mode, the short-range transceiver is operable to search for the auxiliary device to communicate therewith. When in a power saver mode, the short-range transceiver is not operable to search for the auxiliary device.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device, the method comprising: receiving from an enterprise server an information technology (IT) policy message which includes an encryption key; storing the encryption key in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; receiving a request to backup data stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting the data using the encryption key stored in the protected memory; and transferring the encrypted data from the mobile communication device to an electronic device for storage.

Abstract: A technique for use in communicating data messages to a mobile device with use of a host service in a communication system is described. The host service connects with a service node for establishing and maintaining an IP connection between the host service and the service node. The host service receives a data message for the mobile device, and determines whether the mobile device is logged on. In response to determining that the mobile device is logged on, the host service sends the data message to the mobile device without aid of the service node. Otherwise, the host service creates an enable message which identifies the mobile device and includes a subset of the data message, and sends it to the service node over the IP connection for subsequent forwarding to the mobile device in a wireless network.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being in communication with the external computing device, the method includes: receiving a request to backup one or more data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; and transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device for storage by the external computing device. A method of restoring backup data to a mobile communication device from an external computing device is also provided, as are mobile communication devices and computing devices configured for implementing the backup and restore operations.