Abstract: A user of a client device selects a service provider from a plurality of available service providers. The client device then queries the user for the user's information and formats the user's information into a predetermined data structure and format. The client device connects to the service provider and sends the formatted user's information to the service provider. The service provider responsively creates configuration data and provides it to the client device. The configuration data is used to configure a plurality of applications on the client device, allowing the user to establish future communication sessions with the service provider.

Abstract: Disclosed is software architecture and method for sharing data objects among multiple applications in a client device. The architecture includes a server process in the client device for processing a template, such as a SHTML template for the Extended Markup Language (XML), based on a template identifier value received from a user application. Each of multiple applications has a template. Each template identifies a series of objects identified by tag values, such as XML entities, that are to be incorporated into a display page. A database of objects, such as a database of XML entities identified by tag values, is maintained that contains data objects for the applications. An update process periodically establishes a communication link with a remote server and requests download of a data document containing content data corresponding to at least a portion of several of the templates.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for selecting wide area network resources, such as resources identified by URL values, using a rotary knob for user input. A client device having a display and a rotary knob is used for accessing network resources via a public network using an application program, such as a browser application. Rotation of the knob is detected by the client device, which adjusts the contents of a previewing window according to the rotation of the knob. The previewing window identifies graphics corresponding to predefined network resources and the graphics are output in a preview area of the display on the client device. As the user rotates the knob, the graphics for the network resources in the preview window are scrolled through the preview area of the display under control of the knob. The preview area includes a selection frame for selecting a network resource.