Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating databases is disclosed. A database is updated transparently using an IDL (Interface Descriptive Language) to interface with websites on the WWW (World Wide Web). Multi-media information is parsed such that the relevant information can be integrated into an application or application framework for a user's use. The update can be performed when the device moves to a new location or a particular event occur and can be used to re-configure an entire system or just a particular application. In some embodiments, the device checks to see if a particular database is already available before obtaining a new database. The device can purge unused databases to provide space for new or additional databases.

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: 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 portable intelligent communications device is provided which includes a cellular telephone and a computer-controlled touch screen display. The touch screen display is a high-resolution graphics display which acts as a graphical user interface. Since the touch screen display is smaller in size than a standard laptop computer's display, the information boxes and menu selections are re-sized so as to fit on the smaller screen, however, each of the choices is made large enough in surface area so that a human finger can tactilely operate the touch screen display without the need of a more precise pointing device. Instead of using pull-down menus or drop down lists, the graphical user interface provides a selection list based upon virtual control buttons and virtual “image buttons” in which each image button is labeled to describe the option that can be selected by pressing that button.

Abstract: A method for processing information using a personal digital assistant utilizes a standardized status bar manager (“SBM”) and status bar interfaces. All applications and the operating system's launch pad support the status bar which can be uniformly used to both show and interact with status bar messages. The SBM links together all of the status bar areas of all applications (and the operating system launch pad as well) whenever necessary. The present invention routes global status messages corresponding to incoming events to each status bar of every active application. The SBM also routes all messages to the status bar, regardless whether the message requires an action by the user or is for information only. Minimized applications are displayed on and launched from a status bar of an active application without having to first access the operating system launch pad. Finally, the SBM creates an unanswered telephone call list that includes a reason code explaining why the call went unanswered.

Abstract: A portable intelligent communications device is provided which includes a cellular telephone and a computer-controlled touch screen display. The touch screen display is a high-resolution graphics display which acts as a graphical user interface. Since the touch screen display is smaller in size than a standard laptop computer's display, the information boxes and menu selections are re-sized so as to fit on the smaller screen, however, each of the choices is made large enough in surface area so that a human finger can tactilely operate the touch screen display without the need of a more precise pointing device. Instead of using pull-down menus or drop down lists, the graphical user interface provides a selection list based upon virtual control buttons and virtual “image buttons” in which each image button is labeled to describe the option that can be selected by pressing that button.

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 portable intelligent communications device is provided which includes a cellular telephone and a computer-controlled touch screen display. The touch screen display is a high-resolution graphics display which acts as a graphical user interface. The touch screen display is provided with an area that displays various informative meter icons that sequentially switches from one icon to the next. This is very desirable since the touch screen display is rather small in size, and there may not be enough space to simultaneously show the user all the information required by various meters. Standard meters include: battery power, signal strength, print status, status of messages, and the like. The switching or “rotating” meters are controlled by a user selectable timetable, and one of the meters can take a higher priority in situations where the value displayed by the meter has changed state.

Abstract: A messaging application is provided for use in a user communications device having a processor controlling a display and a user input device, and a communications terminal for transmitting and receiving a plurality of different types of electronic messages. The messaging application includes a mail provider program operated by the processor. The mail provider program includes a mail provider module for automatically controlling the transmittal and/or receipt of electronic messages by a user accessing the display and the user input device, a mail source module operatively associated with the mail provider module for receiving of electronic messages including a plurality of mail source protocols each associated with a different mail service provider, and a mail sink module operatively associated with the mail provider module for transmitting of electronic messages including a plurality of mail sink protocols each associated with a different mail service provider.

Abstract: An object-linking interface for a computer system dynamically links a selected target object within an host application with a second user application. The operating environment includes a plurality of means testers, each of which is associated with a specific user application, and an object mapper. The means tester is passed a copy of the target object and tests the suitability of the associated application for processing the target object and generates a corresponding likelihood score. The object mapper queries each means tester to obtain the likelihood score and identifies, based upon said likelihood score, one or more applications suitable for processing the target object. The object mapper may automatically launch the recruited application or may allow the user to select a recruited application from among a list of candidates. The target object is then passed to the recruited application for processing.

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.