Abstract: On a computing device making use of removable storage media, the mechanical nature of the process for removing of the media enables the device to detect the beginning of this process before it reaches the point where the removable media has been removed to the extent that it is no longer operable. The minimum time taken to reach this point from the detection of the beginning of the process is with the present invention used to compute the size a data chunk which is guaranteed to be completely written provided the write begins before the start of removal is detected. By breaking down all lengthy write operations into chunks which can be written within this minimum time period, the risk of corruption of the removable media and the loss of data can be eliminated.

Abstract: A computing device is operated in a manner such that, where application software includes a unique software identifier, this can be taken from an unprotected range (which can be allocated to any application software) or from a protected range (which can only be used by digitally signed software). On installation, the unique software identifiers are checked to ensure they do not clash with any belonging to software already on the device, and that, if they are from the protected range, the software being installed was digitally signed. Checks for ownership of the unique identifiers can also made at the time an application is signed.

Abstract: A personality layer running above an operating system kernel puts any threads that the personality layer is responsible for into new states which the kernel does not know about. This prevents the kernel from performing operations on a thread which has been placed in one of these new states where these operations are sensitive to state of the thread itself (such as kill, suspend, change priority). Instead, the kernel redirects these thread operations to a handler in the personality layer which then handles the operation. The kernel is thus, in essence, extensible through the use of the added personality layers, and it can therefore be used to run legacy real-time applications written for other real-time operating systems.

Abstract: An installer for a computing device determines firstly whether or not a software package for installation has been signed. If the package is signed it is installed on the device. However, if the package is unsigned, the installer will only install the package on the device if it contains a non-null VID (vendor identity).

Abstract: Coprocessor support on a computing device is provided by means of external modules attaching themselves to the operating system (OS) kernel controlling the device at system boot time, with the modules registering themselves as valid coprocessor handlers. Threads initially execute with coprocessors disabled; the consequent exceptions caused by executing coprocessor instructions are then passed to the relevant registered handler. The technique can be used either to support installed coprocessors or to emulate absent coprocessors.

Abstract: A computing system is operated such that its file server is arranged not to block a client application and distinguishes between synchronous devices, which respond to requests immediately, and asynchronous devices, which do not. For asynchronous devices, it also distinguishes between synchronous operations, which complete immediately, and asynchronous operations, which take time to complete. The device drivers for the computing system only pass file server requests to separate drive threads when they involve asynchronous operations made on asynchronous devices.

Abstract: A computing device is arranged to include a resource manager that controls access to all power resources on the device. The resource manager detects unused devices by counting the components that have requested usage and powers down unused resources, and for those resources offering multiple power levels, it guarantees that the operating level is no higher than is needed.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates scanning technology and secure payment technology into the operating system (OS) of a mobile device such as a smartphone. In a preferred embodiment, the scanning technology comprises RFID interrogation capability. This enables smartphone users to validate transactions during a shopping session at a retail location (i.e., scan items as they are added to their shopping cart) and streamline the payment process by electronically transmitting their credit/debit card information directly to their financial institution to authorize payment to finish the transaction, all while within the retail location.

Abstract: In mobile phones, delays can occur when the parameters that determine the characteristics of the network connection are changed or updated. The present invention sets the characteristics of the network connection in advance by anticipating the likely future use for network connections by analysing common or past usage. In a preferred embodiment the required network connection characteristics are triggered automatically by the opening of specific applications or a communication channel directed to a particular network address, or the use of specific bookmarks or Favourites.

Abstract: An incremental release to a body of software is carried out by using automated tools on a computing device. The tools are provided with access to the files comprising a whole body of software to be released, the files comprising the last release of the whole body of software, and also to a component database storing details which include but are not limited to the name, component, and time/date stamp of the files comprising the contents of each one of the components included in the release.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device programmed with a file system which is partitioned into multiple root directories. The partitioning of the file system ‘cages’ processes as it prevents them from seeing any files they should not have access to. A Trusted Computing Base verifies whether or not a process has the required privileges or capabilities to access root sub-trees. The particular directory a file is placed into automatically determines its accessibility to different processes—i.e. a process can only access files in certain root directories.

Abstract: A computing device comprises a display screen, the computing device is able to display on the screen a contact list of several names or words, in which the step of scrolling through the contact list automatically causes the relative prominence of one or more letters in one or more names to alter. For example, only the first letter of each name may be displayed; this facilitates fast scrolling through the contact list to the desired target.

Abstract: A computing device comprises a display screen, the computing device is able to display on the screen a contact list automatically causes the relative prominence of one or more letters in one or more names to alter. For example, only the first letter of each name may be displayed; this facilitates fast scrolling through the contact list to the desired target.

Abstract: A mobile telephone which can supply or post ‘pre-answer’ information which the device owner considers of relevance to a potential call recipient. This information enables a potential call recipient to be given useful information about a potential call before actually answering that call. The information is dynamic, unlike Caller ID information. Examples include: information about the subject of an intended voice call, a mood, a current activity, part or whole of a schedule of meetings or events, information about the urgency of an intended voice call, personal information, expected call duration, commercial inducements to a consumer to answer a call (special offers, loyalty points etc.), location information.