Abstract: A portable intelligent communications device is provided which includes a cellular telephone and a computer-controlled touch screen display. The touch screen display is a high-resolution graphics display which acts as a graphical user interface. Since the touch screen display is smaller in size than a standard laptop computer's display, the information boxes and menu selections are re-sized so as to fit on the smaller screen, however, each of the choices is made large enough in surface area so that a human finger can tactilely operate the touch screen display without the need of a more precise pointing device. Instead of using pull-down menus or drop down lists, the graphical user interface provides a selection list based upon virtual control buttons and virtual “image buttons” in which each image button is labeled to describe the option that can be selected by pressing that button.

Abstract: A portable intelligent communications device is provided which includes a cellular telephone and a computer-controlled touch screen display. The touch screen display is a high-resolution graphics display which acts as a graphical user interface. Since the touch screen display is smaller in size than a standard laptop computer's display, the information boxes and menu selections are re-sized so as to fit on the smaller screen, however, each of the choices is made large enough in surface area so that a human finger can tactilely operate the touch screen display without the need of a more precise pointing device. Instead of using pull-down menus or drop down lists, the graphical user interface provides a selection list based upon virtual control buttons and virtual “image buttons” in which each image button is labeled to describe the option that can be selected by pressing that button.

Abstract: A messaging application is provided for use in a user communications device having a processor controlling a display and a user input device, and a communications terminal for transmitting and receiving a plurality of different types of electronic messages. The messaging application includes a mail provider program operated by the processor. The mail provider program includes a mail provider module for automatically controlling the transmittal and/or receipt of electronic messages by a user accessing the display and the user input device, a mail source module operatively associated with the mail provider module for receiving of electronic messages including a plurality of mail source protocols each associated with a different mail service provider, and a mail sink module operatively associated with the mail provider module for transmitting of electronic messages including a plurality of mail sink protocols each associated with a different mail service provider.

Abstract: A communication control software application is used in a user communication device having a processor and associated memory. The processor controls a display and a user input device. A communications terminal transmits and receives electronic mail. The communication control software application includes a phone application stored in the memory, the phone application including a business card database storing plural business cards. Each business card identifies characteristics of a particular card provider who electronic mail is to be sent to or received from. One or more of the business cards includes an associated business card agent defined by an agent software routine controlling how electronic mail is communicated between the user and the particular provider. A messaging application initiates communications to transmit or receive electronic mail.

Abstract: A mail forwarding system is provided for use in a private network system having a server, a fixed computer and a router for connection to a public network external to the private network, all interconnected via a data connection, with the server controlling electronic mail resources addressed to a user of the fixed computer received by the private network. The mail forwarding system includes a mail forwarding program operating in the fixed computer for controlling the fixed computer to selectively (a) retrieve electronic mail addressed to the user of the fixed computer from the private network and (b) transmit the received electronic mail via the router to an assigned address in the public network accessible by a communicator remote from the private network.

Abstract: A user operating system is provided for use in a user communications device having a processor controlling a display and a user input device, the processor operating plural application programs each using data files formatted to the particular application program, and a communications terminal for sending and receiving a plurality of different types of electronic mail including such formatted data files. The user operating system includes a messaging application operating in the processor for congruently categorizing electronic mail received at the user communications device based upon the type of electronic mail received. A mail module is operated by the processor to send and receive electronic mail via the communications terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for highlighting holidays in a calendar software application of a portable intelligent communications device or in a separate computer, including the steps of specifying a geographical location, determining holidays for the geographical location, depicting a calendar on a display screen of such portable intelligent communications device or computer, and depicting holidays in a fashion different from other days on the calendar. The geographical location information is specified by the current location of the portable intelligent communications device or via a graphical user interface. The holiday information is obtained from a database housed in the portable intelligent communications device or via an Internet address connected through communications circuitry of the portable intelligent communications device.