Abstract: A database proxy includes a request processor, a cache, a database plugin, and interfaces for coupling the database proxy client devices, other database proxies, and database servers. The request processor is configured to receive a read request from a client, determine whether the read request is assigned to the database proxy, and return results of the read request to the client. When the read request is not assigned to the database proxy, the read request is forwarded to another database proxy. When the read request is assigned to the database proxy, the read request is processed using data stored in the cache when the results are stored in the cache or forwarded to the database plugin, which forwards the read request to a database server, receives the results from the database server, and returns the results to the request processor for storage in the cache.

Abstract: A database proxy includes a request processor, a cache, a database plugin, and interfaces for coupling the database proxy client devices, other database proxies, and database servers. The request processor is configured to receive a read request from a client, determine whether the read request is assigned to the database proxy, and return results of the read request to the client. When the read request is not assigned to the database proxy, the read request is forwarded to another database proxy. When the read request is assigned to the database proxy, the read request is processed using data stored in the cache when the results are stored in the cache or forwarded to the database plugin, which forwards the read request to a database server, receives the results from the database server, and returns the results to the request processor for storage in the cache.

Abstract: A database proxy includes a request processor, a cache, a database plugin, and interfaces for coupling the database proxy client devices, other database proxies, and database servers. The request processor is configured to receive a read request from a client, determine whether the read request is assigned to the database proxy, and return results of the read request to the client. When the read request is not assigned to the database proxy, the read request is forwarded to another database proxy. When the read request is assigned to the database proxy, the read request is processed using data stored in the cache when the results are stored in the cache or forwarded to the database plugin, which forwards the read request to a database server, receives the results from the database server, and returns the results to the request processor for storage in the cache.

Abstract: A database proxy includes a request processor, a cache, a database plugin, and interfaces for coupling the database proxy client devices, other database proxies, and database servers. The request processor is configured to receive a read request from a client, determine whether the read request is assigned to the database proxy, and return results of the read request to the client. When the read request is not assigned to the database proxy, the read request is forwarded to another database proxy. When the read request is assigned to the database proxy, the read request is processed using data stored in the cache when the results are stored in the cache or forwarded to the database plugin, which forwards the read request to a database server, receives the results from the database server, and returns the results to the request processor for storage in the cache.

Abstract: An apparatus [100] includes an application layer [205] to present an application behavior specification and a presentation specification. An engine layer [305] receives at least one input corresponding to a proposed modification to at least one of the application behavior specification and the presentation specification. A modality interface layer [215] interprets the at least one input and merges the at least one input into an output. An interaction management layer [210] (a) receives the output; (b) determines permitted modifications to the at least one of the application behavior specification and the presentation specification based on a set of pre-defined rules; and (c) generates a new application by modifying the at least one of the application behavior specification and the presentation specification at run-time based on the permitted modifications.

Abstract: A portable communication device (10) having a customizable skin and theme on a display (30) of the communication device can include a transceiver (38 and 44), a display coupled to the transceiver, a memory (32 or 14) having stored therein at least two skin and theme types (24) and at least one encapsulated data entry associated with each of the skin and theme types, and a processor (12) coupled to the transceiver and the display. The processor can be programmed to dynamically update the display in the communication device based upon a selection of at least one among the skin and theme types and based upon at least one encapsulated data entry associated with a selected skin and theme type.

Abstract: A representation is rendered on the user interface of a mobile device using a presentation specification and a behavior specification. The presentation specification defines styles, and the behavior specification defines interactions. Each specification can be used to set corresponding rules and libraries for rendering the user interface. The mobile device can communicate with one or more cellular radio networks and render the user interface using at least one new presentation and behavior specification downloaded and corresponding to a new cellular radio network.

Abstract: A method (200) and mobile device (120, 130) for silently fetching data is disclosed. In one arrangement, the method can include the steps of receiving (218) a silent fetch request from an originating device (120) over a wireless communication channel (300) in which the silent fetch request requests information and checking (220) the authorization of the originating device. If the originating device is an authorized device, the requested information can be fetched (222) and transmitted (224) to the originating device. As an example, the requested information can be fetched from a receiving device (130) or from a network server (140) with which the receiving device is associated. As another example, the wireless communication channel can be a traffic channel that supports at least push-to-talk communications.

Abstract: A method (80) and system (90) of customizing multiple user interfaces mapped to functions can include receiving (82) a new user interface component, determining (85) if the new user interface component is received as a result of a user request or a service provider input, and setting (86) the new user interface component as a default user interface component when the new user interface component is received as the result of a user request or a service provider input. The method can further register (84) the new user interface component or components using a user interface manager. The method can also display (88) a representation of other available user interface schemes on the new user interface component. The method can display a representation of additional functionality and enable a transition to the additional functionality by selection of the representation of the additional functionality in the new user interface component.

Abstract: An apparatus [100] includes an application layer [205] to present an application behavior specification and a presentation specification. An engine layer [305] receives at least one input corresponding to a proposed modification to at least one of the application behavior specification and the presentation specification. A modality interface layer [215] interprets the at least one input and merges the at least one input into an output. An interaction management layer [210] (a) receives the output; (b) determines permitted modifications to the at least one of the application behavior specification and the presentation specification based on a set of pre-defined rules; and (c) generates a new application by modifying the at least one of the application behavior specification and the presentation specification at run-time based on the permitted modifications.

Abstract: When a wireless two-way communications device that has a plurality of user interfaces (and where at least two of these interfaces comprise different interface modalities) receives (101, 201) non-user input regarding an operational constraint (such as, but not limited to, an environmentally-sourced or an internally-sourced operational constraint), an automatic determination (102, 202) will follow regarding a plurality of differing user interface operational configurations as will comply with the operational constraint. One or more of these operational configurations are then presented (103, 203) to a user of the device in order to prompt provision of a user instruction regarding use of such operational configurations. Upon receiving (104, 204) a corresponding instruction from the user, the corresponding operational configuration is used (105, 205) to thereby accommodate the operational constraint in a manner that is relatively satisfactory to the user.

Abstract: A communication session is established between a mobile station (102) and an interactive voice response (IVR) system (106). One or more menu options in a speech form are received at the mobile station (102). The mobile station (102) converts these menu options from the speech form to a displayable form. A stored menu at the mobile station (102) is updated with the displayable form. The updated menu may then be presented to the user. The menu options reflected in the displayable form may be stored in at the mobile station (102) and/or at external devices that may or may not be associated with the IVR system (106).

Abstract: A method for presenting text (50) upon a mobile device (10) can include the step of establishing a string associative table (20) within the mobile device (20). The string associative table (20) can be remote from core software (32) embedded within the mobile device (20). The string associative table (20) can be searched for a request identifier that identifies text (50) to be presented upon the mobile device (10). When the request identifier is found in the string associative table (20), a string (40) within the string associative table (20) corresponding to the request identifier can be identified and presented upon the mobile device (10) as text (50). When the request identifier is not found in the string associative table (20), a string (40) corresponding to the request identifier can be found within a core table (22) and presented upon the mobile device (10) as text (50).

Abstract: A resource efficient content management and delivery system includes a pack manager (120) and one or more loadable packs (114). The pack manager (120) provides the control for the loading and unloading of packs from memory, such as flash memory (112) or any other nonvolatile memory. The pack manager (120) also keeps a master pointer table (304) which is used to access the different packs (114) loaded into radio (100). The content download method using the pack method of the present invention provides much needed flexibility and a potential reduction of memory requirements, since data can be downloaded into the radio (100) very easily and the technique can Execute in Place (XIP) which is not supported by prior art FDI file techniques. The data provided by packs (114) does not require the radio (100) to be powered off and on in order to use the data, making the content download system very useful for numerous applications.

Abstract: A system (10 or 80) for orienting a display image and mapping key functions includes a sensor portion (86) for sensing at least one characteristic of an object and a processor (84). The processor can be programmed to determine an orientation and orient a display image including a soft key function (81, 83, 85, 87, 95, 96, 97 or 98) relative to the determined orientation of the object. The processor can alter the function of the soft key function by remapping at least one soft key function based on the determined orientation of the object. Optionally, the processor alters the function of the soft key function by remapping a set of switches lying underneath a display (25 or 82). The processor can be further programmed to enable user selective reorienting (114) of the display image by (for example) enabling the selection of a key in a non-active zone.

Abstract: A method for presenting text (50) upon a mobile device (10) can include the step of establishing a string associative table (20) within the mobile device (20). The string associative table (20) can be remote from core software (32) embedded within the mobile device (20). The string associative table (20) can be searched for a request identifier that identifies text (50) to be presented upon the mobile device (10). When the request identifier is found in the string associative table (20), a string (40) within the string associative table (20) corresponding to the request identifier can be identified and presented upon the mobile device (10) as text (50). When the request identifier is not found in the string associative table (20), a string (40) corresponding to the request identifier can be found within a core table (22) and presented upon the mobile device (10) as text (50).

Abstract: A method (60) of reducing navigational keystrokes on an electronic device includes the steps of displaying (61) a plurality of options and associated references on a graphical user interface, dynamically associating (62) at least one among the plurality of options with at least one among the associated references, and activating (63) a desired option by activating an input on an input device having a corresponding reference. Note, the associated references correspond to references illustrated on the input device. The method can further calculate (64) a number of zones based on the number of options to be presented among the plurality of options. The number of zones can be calculated (65) based on the size of an image when the plurality of options to be presented is images or alternatively be calculated (66) based on the size of the font size when the plurality of options to be presented is textual.

Abstract: A language data package (102) includes a language pack section (104) that includes data for a particular language, text translations for the applications and the character font sets to support the particular language (e.g., Spanish, English, etc.). The language data package (102) further includes a rules database (108) for the language. The language data package (102) can be loaded into an electronic device (100) without the need to re-booting the electronic device and without the need for a file system.

Abstract: A resource efficient content management and delivery system includes a pack manager (120) and one or more loadable packs (114). The pack manager (120) provides the control for the loading and unloading of packs from memory, such as flash memory (112) or any other nonvolatile memory. The pack manager (120) also keeps a master pointer table (304) which is used to access the different packs (114) loaded into radio (100). The content download method using the pack method of the present invention provides much needed flexibility and a potential reduction of memory requirements, since data can be downloaded into the radio (100) very easily and the technique can Execute in Place (XIP) which is not supported by prior art FDI file techniques. The data provided by packs (114) does not require the radio (100) to be powered off and on in order to use the data, making the content download system very useful for numerous applications.

Abstract: A data structure (338) for use in providing a user interface appearance comprises idle screen data (350) corresponding to a first screen appearance and main menu screen data (352) corresponding to a second screen appearance, wherein the idle screen data and the main menu screen data are compiled versions of a text markup language. A method (FIG. 4) for generating the data structure comprises specifying a skin element set (400) and a theme element set (402) and associating each of the displayable items of the theme set with a display location (404) to create a theme description, and compiling to create a binary theme file (406) for customizing a user interface. A communication device (200) uses the data structure for displaying a user interface presentation.