Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of computer databases using caching agents. In one embodiment, information is accessed from a first database. The information is stored into a persistent store, which may be a permanent media, such as a magnetic disk. The information is retrieved from the persistent store. Such retrieval may be in close time proximity to the storing, or the retrieval may be at a substantially different time from the storing. The synchronization is completed by updating a second database with the information retrieved by the caching agent from the persistent store. As an advantageous result, synchronization of computer databases is more efficient due to an optimized storage format for the information as well as maximum bandwidth access. As a further beneficial result, if a database is not present at the time of synchronization, embodiments of the present invention may enable synchronization capabilities unavailable under the prior art.

Abstract: A method for scheduling an event over a network in a calendar of an invitee includes creating a schedule request that includes at least a set of details of the event and an identifier if the event creator. The schedule request is sent to a server in communication with the network. The server has access to the calendar of the invitee and a calendar for the event creator. Upon receipt of the schedule request, an event record is created at the server that includes at least the set of details for the event and a link to the invitee's calendar. The event is also added to the calendar of the invitee. The schedule request may be created using a link associated with the event.

Abstract: A method for scheduling an event over a network in a calendar of an invitee includes creating a schedule request that includes at least a set of details of the event and an identifier if the event creator. The schedule request is sent to a server in communication with the network. The server has access to the calendar of the invitee and a calendar for the event creator. Upon receipt of the schedule request, an event record is created at the server that includes at least the set of details for the event and a link to the invitee's calendar. The event is also added to the calendar of the invitee. The schedule request may be created using a link associated with the event.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for scheduling an event. The method includes signaling a request from a first computer to schedule an event to a second computer. A schedule is then received from the second, the schedule includes indicators of available time periods in the calendar period from the second computer. A consolidated schedule is then generated. The consolidated schedule comprises information comparing the indicators of available time periods from the second computer with indicators of available time periods from the first computer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for scheduling an event. The method includes signaling a request from a first computer to schedule an event to a second computer. A schedule is then received from the second, the schedule includes indicators of available time periods in the calendar period from the second computer. A consolidated schedule is then generated. The consolidated schedule comprises information comparing the indicators of available time periods from the second computer with indicators of available time periods from the first computer.

Abstract: A browser-enabled device includes a browser-based user interface and control architecture, which has a browser core, a browser framework, and a user interface. The user interface is written using a markup language. In processing event registrations, the browser framework receives an event registration. The received event registration having a response unique resource identifier (URI) content and a priority field. The priority field of the received event registration is examined to determine priority of the received event registration. If the browser core is loading the response URI content of a prior event registration and if the priority of the received event registration is higher than the priority of the prior event registration, then the loading of the response URI content of the prior event registration is halted, and loading of the response URI content of the received event registration is begun.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a user interface jump list application is disclosed, which reduces multiple functions into a single user interface function for electronic devices such as portable or mobile devices having computing and communication capabilities. First, the user interface jump list application provides a list of applications executing in the background on the electronic device. Second, the user interface application provides for the ability for the user to close, kill or quit (by giving an instruction) the application running in the background without having to activate or launch that application. The user interface application indicates applications that are active in a different font so the user can easily differentiate an application that is active from one that is not. The user interface application additionally provides a list of important or favorite applications for quick access and a list of recently used applications for quick access.

Abstract: A palmtop computer system that incorporates mechanical buttons that combine the task of turning the palmtop computer system on and starting a particular application program. Furthermore, the same mechanical button can be used to navigate the application program to find the information that is most likely needed by the user. Additionally, external devices can be coupled to the palmtop computer system in a manner that allows the external hardware device to initiate specific application programs that cooperate with the external hardware device.

Abstract: A method for software control using a user-interactive display screen feature is disclosed that reduces stylus or other manipulations necessary to invoke software functionality from the display screen. According to the method, a graphical feature having a surface area is displayed on a touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen is coupled to at least one processor and the graphical feature is generated by an operating system and uniquely associated with a particular software program by the operating system. To control software executing on the processor, a user-supplied writing on the surface area is received and the software is controlled responsive to the writing. In alternate embodiments, the method further controls data stored in a memory device responsive to the writing or further controls transmission of data from a radiation emitter, which may be coupled to voice and data networks.

Abstract: A palmtop computer system that incorporates mechanical buttons that combine the task of turning the palmtop computer system on and starting a particular application program. Furthermore, the same mechanical button can be used to navigate the application program to find the information that is most likely needed by the user. Additionally, external devices can be coupled to the palmtop computer system in a manner that allows the external hardware device to initiate specific application programs that cooperate with the external hardware device.

Abstract: A system, method, and user interface of presenting telephone functions as interactive elements on an electronic device with telephone capabilities such as a mobile device is disclosed. The system and method provides a user with a mechanism for focusing on a call, where the call is selected by user activation from one or more calls occurring on the mobile device. The system and method displays contextual buttons related to the call to the user, where the contextual buttons are configured for operating on the call.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying and navigating content on a electronic device is disclosed. The system and method provides information describing files stored in one or more memory units in a electronic device by first cataloging file metadata residing at a plurality of memory units into a corresponding plurality of databases. The system and method then aggregates the file metadata cataloged in the plurality of databases into a single list, and delivers the aggregated file metadata list to an application running on the electronic device.

Abstract: A unified launcher user interface system and method for integrating a plurality of applications in different runtime environments on an electronic device, for example a mobile device is disclosed. The unified launcher user interface system includes a user interface presenting icons representing the plurality of applications configured to run in separate runtime environments, wherein the applications are launched from the unified launcher user interface system within a normalized environment.

Abstract: An interface for integrating and presenting user notifications and alerts consistently on an electronic device such as a mobile device is disclosed. First, an application programming interface provides the segregation to multiple preselected levels of priority notifications and alerts from all applications on the mobile device. Second, the application programming interface provides for the ability to display the notifications and alerts in a consistent manner for the user to handle.

Abstract: A method for fully exposing fully editable text fields on a mobile device is disclosed. The text fields are configured for flags where the flags indicate the type of content stored in the text fields. The method includes assigning a third flag to a disclose property where the disclose property configures the display of editable text in the text field and exposing the text fields according to the third flag.

Abstract: In an electronic device, a method of enabling a first application to employ an action/data handler of a second application includes registering the handler of the second application, receiving an incoming request for the handler from the first application, matching the handler in the request to the handler registered by the second application, delivering the request to the second application for execution and returning a result of execution to the first application. An electronic device comprises an operating system supporting i) an application layer that includes one or more applications having action/data type handlers. The electronic device also includes ii) an exchange manager interfacing with the application layer to provide a central location for registry of the handlers of the one or more applications, and iii) transports coupled to the application layer and exchange manager and adapted to receive incoming requests to employ the handlers of the one or more applications.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of enabling an execution thread of an application running on a communication device to access a communication service is provided. The method includes selecting a connection profile that supports the communication service and attaching the execution thread to a data channel associated with the connection profile. In another aspect, a computing device is provided capable of running an application having one or more execution threads and communication capability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of storing information for drawing an object on a computer system that includes providing a palette file that includes a set of first labels matched with numerical values, tagging a vector graphics file for drawing the object with second labels, translating the second labels into one or more of the first labels, and plugging in values stored in the palette file associated with the translated second labels into the tagged vector graphics file.

Abstract: A system and method for persistently providing at least one status notification regarding a device component or application on an electronic system or device is provided. A selectable status notification icon (status gadget) is assigned for each of a number of applications and/or components for which status is monitored, each status notification icon reflecting changes in the monitored status. The status gadgets are persistently displayed in a user interface on the display screen of the electronic system or device. A contextual dialog is also displayed when a status gadget is selected.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. An application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.