Abstract: Methods and systems for optimally controlling the operation of object oriented computer software applications use what we call “application wrappers”. An application wrapper is a software application that gives programmers the ability to extend their programs' functionality beyond the rigid constraints placed on them by the computer system's operating system. An application wrapper is associated with each software application stored on the computer system and is loaded when the system is powered up. An object oriented display of the application wrapper is generated for the computer user, which can take almost any identifiable form. Application wrappers provide a computer user more rapid modular access to the functional and data files contained within said software applications, saving computer system resources such as RAM and processing time.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a touch screen display in a touch screen device without inadvertently activating a feature or inputting unwanted data by touching the touch screen display. The method operates by entering a clean touch screen mode wherein individual touches of the touch screen display are not recognized by the touch screen device. This allows the user to clean the touch screen display by wiping it with a cloth without inadvertently activating a feature or inputting unwanted data. The touch screen display turns bright white when it is in the clean touch screen mode to illuminate dirt and oil on the touch screen display to allow for easier cleaning of the touch screen display. The touch screen device exits the clean touch screen mode in response to input from the user. The user can depress any key on a keyboard attached to the touch screen device or the user can simultaneously touch opposite corners of the touch screen display to exit the clean touch screen mode.

Abstract: A local access number is automatically determined for facilitating communication between a portable communication device and one or more local service providers. A new location of the portable communication device is detected, and a determination is made whether a local access number is stored in the portable communication device for the new location. If the local access number is not stored, the new location of the portable communication device is reported to a location server in the local service provider serving the new location. The location server provides an appropriate local access number for the new location, and this local access number is stored in the portable communication device.

Abstract: To provide message waiting notification in a wireless client/server environment, the server initiates a telephone call to the client using a telephone number assigned for message waiting notification. The server inserts a telephone number assigned for message waiting notification into a calling party number field and information pertaining to the message received into a calling party name field of the sent caller identification information. The telephone network then pages the client in response to the initiated telephone call. The server then terminates the telephone call. Upon receiving the page, a caller identification device positioned within the client receives the caller identification information sent with the initialed telephone call. The client compares the telephone number contained within the calling party member field of the caller identification information against the assigned telephone number. A match indicates that the call is a message waiting notification.

Abstract: A switch positioned on an exterior housing of a mobile computer has a first position associated with enablement of a wireless communication device incorporated within the mobile computer. When in the first position, the switch provides indication that the wireless communication device is enabled. The switch also has a second position associated with disablement of the wireless communication device. When in the second position, the switch provides indication that the wireless communication device is disabled. The switch having no affect on the enablement or disablement of the mobile computer. Also included is a means for enabling the wireless communication device when the switch is in the first position and disabling the wireless communication device when the switch is in the second position. Furthermore, light emitting diodes provide indication of the status of the wireless communication device within the mobile computer.

Abstract: A mouse mode manager for controlling operation of software objects on a display screen including a set of mouse mode buttons displayed on the display screen, the mouse mode buttons for selecting mutually exclusive operating modes of the software objects in response to a user supplied stimulus. To change the operating mode of the software objects a user stimulates the mouse mode button corresponding to the desired operating mode either by touching a touch sensitive screen over the desired mouse mode button or by pointing and clicking a mouse while the pointer is over the desired mouse mode button. The mouse mode manager stores the selected mouse operating mode in a storage device and informs the software objects as to the current mouse mode status.

Abstract: A touch screen input device includes a display screen adapted for receiving a touch input from a user; mechanism for sampling the touch screen input at any one of a plurality of sampling rates; mechanism for storing a predetermined sampling rate for each application or for each function; and mechanism for setting the sampling rate of the sampling mechanism to the sampling rate stored for a given application or a given function whenever that given application is being executed or that given function is being performed, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the rate of change of the touch screen input sample points is measured and the sampling rate increased or decreased when the rate of change of the sample points increases or decreases, respectively.

Abstract: A UART including a logic unit is disclosed, wherein the logic unit automatically enables or disables the UART receiver port whenever data is being processed by the UART for wireless transmission. More specifically, a logic unit is connected to a data store, to a transmit FIFO and to a UART processing unit as well as to an external CPU, wherein the logic unit analyzes the logic states of each of the signals from each of the specified connections to determine whether to enable or disable the receiver unit. An inventive method is also disclosed wherein the logic unit only enables the receiver when the data store is empty and the transmitter FIFO is empty and a receiver enable flag is set to true and a half duplex mode of operation has been specified by an external CPU. Otherwise, the logic enables the receiver only when a full duplex mode of operation has been specified and the receiver enable flag is set to a logic one.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the identity of an accessory device connected to an electronic device using a voltage divider circuit, an analog to digital converter, and a database associating various digital values with the identity of various accessory devices. The voltage divider circuit includes a first resistor located within the electronic device and having a single resistance value. The voltage divider circuit also includes a second resistor located within the accessory device whose resistance value varies between accessories such that a distinct voltage value is applied to the analog to digital converter for each accessory. The digital output value of the analog to digital converter is compared with a list of values stored within the database to determine the identity of the accessory device.

Abstract: An internal telephone directory for storing telephone numbers and communication protocol parameters. The telephone directory includes a contact entry type and a data service entry type, with both entry types possessing an entry type flag to distinguish between them, and an alphanumeric tag for identification. The contact entry further includes a set of entry fields for storing telephone numbers associated with the alphanumeric tag. The data service entry further includes a set of entry fields for storing a data service telephone number and communication protocol parameters.