Abstract: Web applications such as email, photo-sharing website, or web widgets work only when the offsite server is available to provide content in real-time. The present invention provides a generic web standards based method of encapsulating the offline web application along with its runtime environment so that web applications can run even when connection to the server is not available. In addition the present invention combines methods for creating, provision, and running multiple offline web applications on a desktop computer or a mobile device such as cellular telephone or personal digital assistant. In addition the present invention also provides the ability to synchronize user data so that multiple devices can be provisioned for offline use with the same set of personalized user information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for managing content updates for web-based applications. In one set of embodiments, a configurable proxy cache is provided that executes rule-based content updates of web content on the behalf of an application (e.g., web browser) while the application is not running. This allows for better management of intermittent connection quality, memory/power savings for mobile devices, and caching of information that can be shared with the application and other network-aware applications/services. In various embodiments, the proxy cache is controlled by the application via standard web language constructs such as HTTP headers, thereby enabling interoperability with web-based applications that implement common asynchronous data-loading technologies.

Abstract: Web Applications run as software which is served through a portal or browser. However this precludes their use offline or when connectivity is not present. The present invention is a method for creating offline web applications and managing associated user data which is created offline and must later be reconciled with one or more central servers without a data collision. This allows the system to efficiently know which version of different pieces of user data are new and which need to be added to centralized servers. This method also applies to the actual web application program files so that software applications can be synchronized in addition to user data enabling a transparent online and offline user experience. The method described here also applies to mobile computing devices such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants. A side benefit of the method introduced here is that data sets can be distributed in manner which allows peer to peer synchronization and filedata distribution.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for wireless remote control of the operation of vehicle components such as a door lock or an entertainment system. An electronic host device, such as a PDA or a mobile telephone, is coupled to a vehicle-specific transponder, and a user interface program executed on the host device allows a user to select a desired vehicle component operating command for execution. The selected operating command is sent to the transponder for transmission to the vehicle, and a vehicle receiver forwards the selected command to the target component for execution. The transponder may contain vehicle-specific authorization information which the vehicle receiver may use to verify authorization to operate the vehicle. Additionally, information stored on the host device such as telephone numbers and addresses may be transferred via the transponder to vehicle components which may use such information for task such as navigation of initiating telephone calls.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for wireless remote control of the operation of vehicle components such as a door lock or an entertainment system. An electronic host device, such as a PDA or a mobile telephone, is coupled to a vehicle-specific transponder, and a user interface program executed on the host device allows a user to select a desired vehicle component operating command for execution. The selected operating command is sent to the transponder for transmission to the vehicle, and a vehicle receiver forwards the selected command to the target component for execution. The transponder may contain vehicle-specific authorization information which the vehicle receiver may use to verify authorization to operate the vehicle. Additionally, information stored on the host device such as telephone numbers and addresses may be transferred via the transponder to vehicle components which may use such information for task such as navigation of initiating telephone calls.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a personal digital media device is provided, the system and method using the controls of a vehicle audio system. An interface unit receives and translates vehicle audio system control signals and forwards the translated signals in a form interpretable by the personal digital media device for execution. The interface unit may also receive responses from the personal digital media device and forward translated responses to the vehicle audio system for, for example, display in the vehicle audio system's display device. In response to predetermined control signals from the vehicle audio system, the interface unit may command the personal digital media device to playback user-defined playlists named in accordance with a playlist naming convention. The vehicle operator is thus provided an intuitive way to control the personal digital media device remotely via the vehicle audio system's controls, including via steering wheel-mounted audio system controls.