Abstract: A system and methods for synchronizing information in datasets via a communication medium are provided that are suitable for synchronizing even across communication mediums that are susceptible to high latency, non-FIFO (non-First-In-First-Out) delivery order, or other adverse characteristics. According to an aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is for synchronizing user data in a first dataset with user data in at least a second dataset via a communication medium. The user data in the first dataset and the user data in the second dataset are capable of having been independently modified prior to the synchronization.

Abstract: Synchronization of databases is made to allows use of already-received changes in target datasets even if the synchronization session fails, and even before the failed synchronization session is re-performed or resumed to completion. Further, already-received changes received in a synchronization session are handled such that the need to re-send them in a subsequent synchronization session is minimized, even if the present synchronization should fail before completion. In synchronizing datasets to a reference dataset, after receipt of some number of changes from a dataset, changes are propagated into the reference dataset, to the extent that they can be reconciled with the reference dataset, without requiring that all changes from the dataset have already been received.

Abstract: A system and methods for synchronizing information in datasets via a communication medium are provided that are suitable for synchronizing even across communication mediums that are susceptible to high latency, non-FIFO (non-First-In-First-Out) delivery order, or other adverse characteristics. According to an aspect of the invention, in an information processing system, a method for synchronizing a first dataset with at least a second dataset via a communication medium includes a step of storing information that is indicative of a first version of user data of the first dataset, wherein the first version has been involved in prior use for synchronizing with the second dataset.

Abstract: A portable computing device or “information appliance” having terse user input (e.g., limit set of keys) is provided with a user interface for navigating user data. Application programs, which are provided for user operation of the device, are implemented as separate modules controlled by a module selector. The module selector serves as a user interface or shell representing the top-level or “home” display presented to a user. The module selector presents the user with selection icons for navigating to different applications or modules of functionality. The user interface implements a “single-click” style of button operation, so that users can associate each button with a particular task for a given program context. In addition to the single-click style, “click consistency” is imposed for each button.

Abstract: A system and methods for synchronizing datasets are provided that are especially suitable and efficient for a user who has three or more datasets that need to be occasionally synchronized, with no one dataset or synchronization system being guaranteed to participate in every synchronization. Synchronization status information, such as correspondences between data records of particular multiple datasets, is stored with more than one of the datasets. When two datasets that contain synchronization status information synchronize with each other, they not only synchronize user data and exchange status information involving each other, but they also synchronize and exchange status information involving “third-party” datasets that may not be participating in the synchronization.

Abstract: A portable computing device or “information appliance” having terse user input (e.g., limit set of keys) is provided with an improved user interface. A six-key embodiment is described that provides a “super-key” light entry and editing input system for ultra-portable devices, thus making it well suited for use with credit card-sized devices. In a preferred six-button embodiment, a credit card-sized device is modified to include an additional input button, an EDIT key. In user operation, pressing the EDIT key brings up a context sensitive pop-up menu, thus invoking the super-key feature. Customized user input controls, such as a Text Input Control (e.g., letter and number strips), are provided at appropriate times, for facilitating input. Underlying the super-key input is a heuristic sub-system that remembers and anticipates user input.

Abstract: An alerting device generates a variable alert that is varied to continuously or continually indicate the amount of time that has elapsed since the alert began. The alerting device has an alert signal detector, a timing unit, an alert signal generator and an alert unit. The alert signal detector responds to an activation signal to activate the timing unit, and the alert signal detector responds to a deactivation signal to reset the timing unit. The timing unit generates timing information to the alert signal generator indicating the elapsed time since the occurrence of the activation signal. The alert signal generator responds to the activation signal and to the timing information to generate an alert signal that indicates the elapsed time since the occurrence of the activation signal. The alert signal generator further responds to the deactivation signal to disable the alert signal.