Abstract: A system including a client and a server in a client-server architecture. The client transmits requests to the server for content subject to a sorting criterion that is ultimately used to sort results of the search. The server identifies an item matching the sorting criterion from its items collection. The server further generates an identifier for the directory item. The identifier is generated from the sorting criterion and is transmitted to the client. The client uses the identifier to sort the matching items.

Abstract: A system (and/or a method) are disclosed to launch an application directly from a menu on a screen of a handheld computing device. In one embodiment, the handheld computing device is configured to receive an event signal corresponding to executing an application assigned to the switch when actuated for a first time period. When the switch is maintained actuated for a second predetermined period of time, the system is configured to transmit an identifier corresponding to the switch to a preferences manager. The system retrieves a plurality of application identifiers from a database of the preferences manager, where each application identifier linking an executable for a corresponding application. The system displays the menu on the screen of the mobile computing device. The menu includes a plurality of application identifiers that are being selectable for execution of a different application.

Abstract: A system (and/or a method) are disclosed to launch an application directly from a menu on a screen of a handheld computing device. In one embodiment, the handheld computing device is configured to receive an event signal corresponding to executing an application assigned to the switch when actuated for a first time period. When the switch is maintained actuated for a second predetermined period of time, the system is configured to transmit an identifier corresponding to the switch to a preferences manager. The system retrieves a plurality of application identifiers from a database of the preferences manager, where each application identifier linking an executable for a corresponding application. The system displays the menu on the screen of the mobile computing device. The menu includes a plurality of application identifiers that are being selectable for execution of a different application.

Abstract: Techniques to provide automatic reminders are described. A mobile computing device may comprise a memo database and a memo application. The memo application may be arranged to set a memo reminder value for a memo, store the memo with the memo reminder value in the memo database, and provide a memo reminder for the memo with the memo reminder value. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: In a user-interface application, a computing apparatus has a user-interface to assist the user in searching for information from a data array. In an example embodiment according to the present invention, the data array is an ordered list of addresses. In a UI so equipped, the user experiences a particular sequence of events. The user begins at a point on a list of addresses. After the user presses the scroll key, the list rolls down a low rate. As the user continues to hold down the scroll button the scroll accelerates. After a predetermined time, a helper character is displayed. This character may represent a first letter of a name or a first digit of a telephone number. The UI displays the helper character to the user. The user continues to hold the scroll button until a help character, corresponding to his/her desired selection, appears. The user releases the scroll button and may slowly browse among a smaller group of data to locate the particular selection.

Abstract: A system (and/or a method) are disclosed to launch an application directly from a menu on a screen of a handheld computing device. In one embodiment, the handheld computing device is configured to receive an event signal corresponding to executing an application assigned to the switch when actuated for a first time period. When the switch is maintained actuated for a second predetermined period of time, the system is configured to transmit an identifier corresponding to the switch to a preferences manager. The system retrieves a plurality of application identifiers from a database of the preferences manager, where each application identifier linking an executable for a corresponding application. The system displays the menu on the screen of the mobile computing device. The menu includes a plurality of application identifiers that are being selectable for execution of a different application.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved device and method for automated cooking foods with a liquid such as water.

Abstract: The user is enabled to upload, to a server on the Internet, information from a first contact data base in a first communications apparatus. The server manipulates the uploaded information and extracts or converts the format of the records for a second contact data base of a second communications apparatus.

Abstract: A system including a client and a server in a client-server architecture. The client transmits requests to the server for content subject to a sorting criterion that is ultimately used to sort results of the search. The server identifies an item matching the sorting criterion from its items collection. The server further generates an identifier for the directory item. The identifier is generated from the sorting criterion and is transmitted to the client. The client uses the identifier to sort the matching items.

Abstract: A medicine-dispensing system has a medication reminder to assist the patient in following a drug regimen. In an example embodiment, a medication reminder comprises a timer programmable to a predetermined interval. A user-alert is responsive to the timer, reminding the user to take a dose of medicine at the predetermined interval. A sensor detects whether a dose of medicine has been taken and a dose-indication informs the user of the time since a last medication. The dose indication further informs the user as to whether to take a next medication dose. Time of the last dose is determined by the timer receiving a signal from the sensor. A communications interface enables programming of a parameter associated with administering a medication.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are disclosed for providing audio that is sensitive to a context of which the audio is a part, comprising a first computer, operatively connected to a data network, that has category data representative of a plurality of categories that are associatable with a context of executable software; a second computer, operatively connected to the data network, executing at least a portion of the executable software and further comprising a plurality of audio data files that are associated with at least one of the categories; and selection software, executing in the second computer, responsive to category data sent by the first computer to select a local audio data file for reproduction at the second computer. In an embodiment, categorization software may also be present at the second computer to locate and categorize preexisting audio files.

Abstract: A method for detecting and correcting incorrect hand position of a computer user performing the steps of: a) receiving a word having a plurality of characters from an input device; b) comparing the received word with a plurality of entries contained in a dictionary word list; c) generating a shifted word by shifting at least one of the plurality of characters to a new character if the received word is not found in the dictionary word list; d) comparing the shifted word with the plurality of entries contained in the dictionary word list; e) correcting for the incorrect hand position of the computer user if the shifted word is contained in the dictionary word list; and f) performing again steps C through E if the shifted word is not found in the dictionary word list of step C.

Abstract: A medicine-dispensing system has a medication reminder to assist the patient in following a drug regimen. In an example embodiment, a medication reminder comprises a timer programmable to a predetermined interval. A user-alert is responsive to the timer, reminding the user to take a dose of medicine at the predetermined interval. A sensor detects whether a dose of medicine has been taken and a dose-indication informs the user of the time since a last medication. The dose indication further informs the user as to whether to take a next medication dose. Time of the last dose is determined by the timer receiving a signal from the sensor. A communications interface enables programming of a parameter associated with administering a medication.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved device and method for automated cooking foods with a liquid such as water.

Abstract: A method for detecting and correcting incorrect hand position of a computer user performing the steps of: a) receiving a word having a plurality of characters from an input device; b) comparing the received word with a plurality of entries contained in a dictionary word list; c) generating a shifted word by shifting at least one of the plurality of characters to a new character if the received word is not found in the dictionary word list; d) comparing the shifted word with the plurality of entries contained in the dictionary word list; e) correcting for the incorrect hand position of the computer user if the shifted word is contained in the dictionary word list; and f) performing again steps C through E if the shifted word is not found in the dictionary word list of step C.

Abstract: A business model is provided for the entertainment industry. In this model a service provider delivers a content information to a device of a subscriber. Upon a first fee, the user is provided with the content information that comprises a commercial information. The device of the user is configured to enable the user to manually skip the commercial information when playing out the buffered content information. In this business model, a second tier of service level is offered. In return to an additional fee, the user is offered to have his device enabled to automatically skip the commercial information.

Abstract: Bandwidth is saved in Internet radio transmission, by substituting content locally stored at the client for unicast content. The unicast content is then omitted from the transmission. The locally stored content is mixed with studio content from the Internet radio station. Control data within a content stream instructs the listener's client to use the locally content together with the studio content. The studio content, recorded content for which local content can be substituted, and the control data are separately compressed prior to transmission. The locally stored content can be provided from a jukebox module or another source on the home network. The transmission and reception techniques are applicable to any type of streamed media, including video.

Abstract: In a user-interface application, a computing apparatus has a user-interface to assist the user in searching for information from a data array. In an example embodiment according to the present invention, the data array is an ordered list of addresses. In a UI so equipped, the user experiences a particular sequence of events. The user begins at a point on a list of addresses. After the user presses the scroll key, the list rolls down a low rate. As the user continues to hold down the scroll button the scroll accelerates. After a predetermined time, a helper character is displayed. This character may represent a first letter of a name or a first digit of a telephone number. The UI displays the helper character to the user. The user continues to hold the scroll button until a help character, corresponding to his/her desired selection, appears. The user releases the scroll button and may slowly browse among a smaller group of data to locate the particular selection.