Abstract: A data processing apparatus comprising a sensor and a context engine module. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor output signal representative of a value for one or more context aspects of the data processing apparatus and a confidence factor associated with each of the values for the one or more context aspects. The context engine module is configured to process the sensor output signal to generate and make available a final value for one or more context aspects of the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus (and method) is configured to perform an operation on a plurality of items of data. A memory stores data identifying said items. The apparatus generates a list of selected items identifying an item in response to a first selection signal; performs a selection operation to add an item to said list of selected items by: responsive to (a) a first move cursor signal: identifying a first item of said plurality of items stored in said memory; and adding said first identified item to said list of selected items if said item is not already on said list and (b) a second move cursor signal: identifying a second item of said plurality of items stored in said memory; removing said first identified item from said list of selected items. The apparatus adds said second identified item to said list of selected items if said second item is not on said list.

Abstract: A communications device capable of communicating via any one of a number of communication modes comprises a mode comparator configured to determine which of the available modes is likely to be most appropriate for selection when initiating communication with a destination call party based at least in part on availability status data representative of a state of availability of the destination call party. The device displays the mode as a suggestion for selection by the user together with an ordered list of available communication modes for use in contacting a particular party, the list being ordered according to the likelihood of communication being successful.

Abstract: A computing device includes a communication port, memory resources, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to combine with the memory resources to operate one or more of the plurality of modules. The plurality of modules are operative in order to handle exchange of communications with a primary computer over the communication port. The one or more modules include a first module that is operative in a first communication mode in enabling exchange of communications with the primary computer over the communication port. The exchange of communications causes the primary computer to access and execute one or more autorun files from the computing device. The one or more modules may also include a second module that is operative in a second communication mode to be operative in enabling an alternative function to be performed with or for the primary computer over the communication port.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine is configured to manage availability status of a user. The presence engine comprises an input configured to receive a signal representative of an audio signal and an output configured to send a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine also comprises a processor configured to encode availability status of a user into a signal representative of an audio signal and/or configured to decode availability status of a user from a signal representative of an audio signal.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine is configured to manage availability status of a user. The presence engine comprises an input configured to receive a signal representative of an audio signal and an output configured to send a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine also comprises a processor configured to encode availability status of a user into a signal representative of an audio signal and/or configured to decode availability status of a user from a signal representative of an audio signal.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine is configured to manage availability status of a user. The presence engine comprises an input configured to receive a signal representative of an audio signal and an output configured to send a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine also comprises a processor configured to encode availability status of a user into a signal representative of an audio signal and/or configured to decode availability status of a user from a signal representative of an audio signal.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a terminating device for a communications network which comprises an application program configured to utilize an availability status of a user; a communications interface configured to receive and/or transmit data and a presence engine. The presence engine is configured to provide the communications interface with data representative of an availability status of a user, and cause the communications interface to transmit the data directly to another terminating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the presence engine is configured to receive data representative of an availability status of the user directly from another terminating device, and make available data representative of the received availability status of a user to the application program.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a data processing apparatus (200) is described which comprises a plurality of application programs (206, 210) configured to utilize an availability status of a user; and a presence engine (208). The presence engine (208) is configured to receive data representative of the availability status of the user and generate one or more representations of the received availability status suitable for one or more of the plurality of application programs (206, 210). The one or more representations of the received availability status are made available to the corresponding one or more of the plurality of application programs (206, 210).

Abstract: A communications device capable of communicating via any one of a number of communication modes comprises a mode comparator configured to determine which of the available modes is likely to be most appropriate for selection when initiating communication with a destination call party based at least in part on availability status data representative of a state of availability of the destination call party. The device displays the mode as a suggestion for selection by the user together with an ordered list of available communication modes for use in contacting a particular party, the list being ordered according to the likelihood of communication being successful.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus comprising a sensor and a context engine module. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor output signal representative of a value for one or more context aspects of the data processing apparatus and a confidence factor associated with each of the values for the one or more context aspects. The context engine module is configured to process the sensor output signal to generate and make available a final value for one or more context aspects of the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A computing device includes a communication port, memory resources, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to combine with the memory resources to operate one or more of the plurality of modules. The plurality of modules are operative in order to handle exchange of communications with a primary computer over the communication port. The one or more modules include a first module that is operative in a first communication mode in enabling exchange of communications with the primary computer over the communication port. The exchange of communications causes the primary computer to access and execute one or more autorun files from the computing device. The one or more modules may also include a second module that is operative in a second communication mode to be operative in enabling an alternative function to be performed with or for the primary computer over the communication port.

Abstract: An apparatus (and method) is configured to perform an operation on a plurality of items of data. A memory stores data identifying said items. The apparatus generates a list of selected items identifying an item in response to a first selection signal; performs a selection operation to add an item to said list of selected items by: responsive to (a) a first move cursor signal: identifying a first item of said plurality of items stored in said memory; and adding said first identified item to said list of selected items if said item is not already on said list and (b) a second move cursor signal: identifying a second item of said plurality of items stored in said memory; removing said first identified item from said list of selected items. The apparatus adds said second identified item to said list of selected items if said second item is not on said list.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus (200), comprising a processor (204), a memory (202) and a user interface (210) is described. The data processing apparatus is configured to present to a user via the user interface a plurality of options indicative of a different state a user application operative on the data processing apparatus can have. The data processing apparatus is configured to receive via the user interface a user selection of a one of the plurality of options and to respond to a user selection to establish a user identity in the user application and to automatically set the state of said user application in accordance with the selected option.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine is configured to manage availability status of a user. The presence engine comprises an input configured to receive a signal representative of an audio signal and an output configured to send a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine also comprises a processor configured to encode availability status of a user into a signal representative of an audio signal and/or configured to decode availability status of a user from a signal representative of an audio signal.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a terminating device for a communications network which comprises an application program configured to utilize an availability status of a user; a communications interface configured to receive and/or transmit data and a presence engine. The presence engine is configured to provide the communications interface with data representative of an availability status of a user, and cause the communications interface to transmit the data directly to another terminating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the presence engine is configured to receive data representative of an availability status of the user directly from another terminating device, and make available data representative of the received availability status of a user to the application program.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a data processing apparatus (200) is described which comprises a plurality of application programs (206, 210) configured to utilize an availability status of a user; and a presence engine (208). The presence engine (208) is configured to receive data representative of the availability status of the user and generate one or more representations of the received availability status suitable for one or more of the plurality of application programs (206, 210). The one or more representations of the received availability status are made available to the corresponding one or more of the plurality of application programs (206, 210).