Abstract: A virtual Slide-to-Lock feature for communication devices running a PTT application. When the Slide-to-Lock feature is activated, a PTT locking function on the communication device is activated. As a result, messages on the communication device may be created, without the need of the user to continuously hold or select a Hold-to-Talk or similar PTT feature. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the virtual Slide-to-Lock feature is activated when a finger is moved from a first region to a second region on a touch-sensitive display screen and de-activated with the opposite motion.

Abstract: A Tap-to-End feature for unlocking a virtual Slide-to-Lock lock feature on a display screen of the communication device running a PTT application. In one embodiment, the Tap-to-End is implemented by simply tapping the display screen. In a second embodiment, the Tap-to-End feature is implemented by contacting the display screen on the communication device running the PTT application for a predetermined period of time. When the threshold is exceeded, the Slide-to-lock feature is unlocked. In various embodiments, the threshold is 3 seconds or less. In yet other embodiments, the Tap-to-End feature may be implemented anywhere on the display screen of the communication device running the PTT application including, but not limited to, in the vicinity of where the virtual Slide-to-lock feature is implemented.

Abstract: A Tap-to-End feature for unlocking a virtual Slide-to-Lock lock feature on a display screen of the communication device running a PTT application. In one embodiment, the Tap-to-End is implemented by simply tapping the display screen. In a second embodiment, the Tap-to-End feature is implemented by contacting the display screen on the communication device running the PTT application for a predetermined period of time. When the threshold is exceeded, the Slide-to-lock feature is unlocked. In various embodiments, the threshold is 3 seconds or less. In yet other embodiments, the Tap-to-End feature may be implemented anywhere on the display screen of the communication device running the PTT application including, but not limited to, in the vicinity of where the virtual Slide-to-lock feature is implemented.

Abstract: A virtual Slide-to-Lock feature for communication devices running a PTT application. When the Slide-to-Lock feature is activated, a PTT locking function on the communication device is activated. As a result, messages on the communication device may be created, without the need of the user to continuously hold or select a Hold-to-Talk or similar PTT feature. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the virtual Slide-to-Lock feature is activated when a finger is moved from a first region to a second region on a touch-sensitive display screen and de-activated with the opposite motion.

Abstract: A method of displaying traffic information, comprising: providing a graphical interface to display information related to traffic routes; displaying a first bar to represent a total distance of a first traffic route; and displaying segments of the first bar, each segment of the first bar representing a corresponding range of traffic speeds along the first traffic route, and each segment of the first bar located on the bar in rough proportion to where the corresponding range of traffic speeds occurs along the first traffic route.

Abstract: A messaging application supports a mode of communication in which users can add audio effects to text messages in order to express emotions. These audio effects are described as audiocons. The audiocons may also alternatively include visual effects. In one implementation the message application supports system-defined audiocons, user-defined audiocons, and text-to-speech audiocons. Additionally, the audiocons may be inserted into a communication stream having a mixture of calls, text messaging, and instant messaging including a system having a real-time mode for time-based media and a time-shifted mode.

Abstract: A User Interface or UI that generates a progressive timeline visualization of a conversation, including representations of the media contribution of each participant and tools to navigate and review the representations of the media of the conversation.

Abstract: A method of displaying traffic information, comprising: providing a graphical interface to display information related to traffic routes; displaying a first bar to represent a total distance of a first traffic route; and displaying segments of the first bar, each segment of the first bar representing a corresponding range of traffic speeds along the first traffic route, and each segment of the first bar located on the bar in rough proportion to where the corresponding range of traffic speeds occurs along the first traffic route.

Abstract: A method is described comprising: assigning to each of a first group of keys of an alphanumeric keyboard a specific alphabetic character; assigning to each of a second group of keys of the alphanumeric keyboard both a specific alphabetic character and a specific number; and monitoring keys on the keyboard selected in sequence by an end user, and if all keys within the sequence are keys within the second group of keys, generating within the display a contact list containing contact entries, each of the contact entries within the list identified based on the alphabetic characters associated with the sequence of selected keys and/or the numbers associated with the sequence of selected keys.