Abstract: A portable data processing device is provided with first and second display devices. The first display device receives signals for displaying a first set of information, and the second display device receives signals for displaying a second set of information. The second display device forms a skin of the portable data processing device. The device also has a graphics engine for receiving data for generating display signals for the first set information and the second set of information. Driver circuits are coupled to said first and second display devices, in which corresponding ones of the driver circuits are coupled to the first and second displays, the driver circuits being coupled to an output of the graphics engine. The first and second display devices have disjoint display areas.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for filtering and prioritizing instant messaging threaded conversations in an instant messaging system based on thread content. The instant messaging client analyzes an incoming message to determine the thread subject. Based on the thread subject analysis, the client determines the priority level associated with the incoming message. The message is then delivered and displayed to the recipient according to the priority level. The present invention also allows a participant initiating a thread of conversation to override filter settings on a messaging client. The authority to override settings may be predicated on an external list, such as a corporate telephone directory. As a result, the participant, having some authority or rights to override the recipient's instant messaging settings, may be allowed to conduct a messaging session with the recipient.

Abstract: A user input mechanism is provided that allows a user to enter words as gestures on a virtual keyboard presented on the display device. The user input mechanism combines two existing and prevalent forms of user input: cursive handwriting and keyboard input. A familiar keyboard layout is presented on the display. A user then may place an implement, such as a stylus or the user's finger, in contact with the display. Typically, the implement will first touch the screen at a position of a first character in a word. The user then may move the implement along the surface of the display from character to character, spelling out a word.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing multi-threaded conversations in an instant messaging system. The present invention provides a menu option to allow the start of a new topic of discussion within the current instant messaging session. When a new topic is selected, a new thread of conversation is created within the messaging window that is segregated from previous topics of discussion. This new thread of conversation may be created at all other locations for all of the parties involved in the instant messaging session. In this manner, each party to a messaging session containing multiple conversations may be able to understand which response is related to which thread of conversation. In addition, a menu option may be provided by the instant messaging application to allow a user to merge one or more of the threaded conversations into a single conversation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing multi-threaded conversations in an instant messaging system. The present invention provides a menu option to allow the start of a new topic of discussion within the current instant messaging session. When a new topic is selected, a new thread of conversation is created within the messaging window that is segregated from previous topics of discussion. This new thread of conversation may be created at all other locations for all of the parties involved in the instant messaging session. In this manner, each party to a messaging session containing multiple conversations may be able to understand which response is related to which thread of conversation. In addition, a menu option may be provided by the instant messaging application to allow a user to merge one or more of the threaded conversations into a single conversation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for conducting a confidential search. The method comprises accessing one or more terms associated with one or more nodes of a network, encrypting the accessed one or more terms and receiving an encrypted search term from a user. The method further comprises comparing the received encrypted search term with at least a portion of the encrypted accessed terms and providing a result of the comparison to the user.

Abstract: A data processing system for settling a bill for items ordered at a restaurant. A set of items for a bill is presented to one or more customers, for which payment is required. User input from one or more customers identifying items from the set of items for payment by a particular person is received to form identified items. Payment is processed for the identified items. The receiving and processing steps are repeated until all items in the set of items for the bill have been identified for payment.

Abstract: A parking management system is provided for optimizing parking situations based on preferences of individual drivers. A surveyor collects parking information, which identifies whether or not parking spaces are occupied by a vehicle. Parking information may be collected by sensors located near or within the parking spaces themselves. The parking information is stored in a parking data structure, such as a database, which also stores properties for the spaces. A profile data structure, such as a database, contains profiles for users of the parking structure. The parking management system identifies a user and retrieves the profile of the user from the profile data structure. The parking management system then searches the parking data structure for available spots and selects a spot or set of spots that most closely match the user's preferences. The parking management system then presents the spot of set of spots to the driver.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for handling instant messages. In response to receiving an instant message, a determination is made as to whether a picture of a sender of the instant message is associated with the instant message, wherein the picture is located in a preexisting database of pictures. The picture with the message is displayed on a display in the data processing system, if the picture is associated with the message.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method for providing a password to an application. Such exemplary embodiments include receiving, from a user, a passkey event uniquely associated with one of a plurality of applications requiring a password, and receiving, from a user, a same master password for access to each of the plurality of applications, applying a hashing algorithm associated with the separate input event to the master password to generate an application specific password, and submitting the application specific password to the application for access by the user. In some embodiments, receiving, from a user, a passkey event uniquely associated with any given one of the plurality of applications includes receiving, from a user, an event created by a user's engaging a keyboard key.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions to search for Web pages within a Web site. A search statement is received as a result of a user input in which the search statement includes a universal resource identifier and a regular expression. A set of universal resource identifiers associated with the universal resource identifier in the request are retrieved to form a set of retrieved universal resource identifiers. These retrieved identifiers are parsed using the regular expression to form search results. The search results are returned in which the search results include a list of universal resource identifiers associated with Web pages for the Web site.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for on-demand media streaming from a user's own media library to a user's receiving device that may be located in a different location from that where the media library is stored. The present invention provides an out-of-the box on-demand media server device that may be used by itself, in conjunction with a personal computer, or in conjunction with a personal home stereo system or video system. The on-demand media server includes security mechanisms that allow a user to establish a private server that only the user may communicate with and gain access to the user's media library. In one particular embodiment, a smart card or other removable media are used as a security device to ensure that access to the media files on the user's personal on-demand media streaming server is limited to the user. In addition, the system and method provides an on-demand conversion of the media in the user's personal media library to an appropriate format.

Abstract: A data processing configuration in which a data processing system communicates with a network medium via a wireless transmission link provided by a wireless bridge device pair. The pair includes first and second wireless bridge devices having connectors suitable for connecting to the network port of the data processing system and a wall jack or router jack connected to the LAN. The bridge devices share a common encryption key that is unique to the device pair. Each device implements the wireless link transparently to the data processing system. Each wireless bridge device is configured to receive an Ethernet packet and encrypt the packet with a strong and unique encryption algorithm or key. The bridge device might add additional protocol processing to ready the packet for wireless transmission according to the wireless transmission protocol employed by the device pair.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a graphical representation of an estimated time of completion of a content request and the current progress toward completion of the content request, taking into account the processes being performed to prepare the data for transfer to the requesting client device, are provided. With the apparatus and method, a table lookup in a request database is performed based on parameters included in a content request received from a client device. The closest matching entry in the request database is retrieved which includes an associated estimated time of completion of the request. This estimated time of completion of the request is then used along with current system conditions, to generate an estimated time of completion for the current content request. The estimated time of completion for the current content request is then forwarded to the requesting client device which generates a graphical and/or textual representation of the estimated time of completion.