Palm, Incorporated

Palmsource Inc.

Pete Grillo

Alvin I Pivowar

Steve Hanrahan

A non-modal help mode uses a verb/object paradigm where the current context of the application program for which the user needs help is determined and a help screen is provided which shows all of the actions that can be taken from that context. The non-modal help system includes a display screen providing a window for a number of output displays of an application program, a collection of pre-defined images mapped to the output displays by their context, a user input device for initiating non-modal help, and a non-modal displayer which displays one of the predefined images within the window in the place of its contextually-related output display. Preferably, the predefined images are stored as static bit map images including a dithered representation of the context in which the help was requested and a number of help balloons strategically positioned on the dithered image. Even more preferably, the balloons are positioned manually by a graphic artist to maximize their placement on the dithered image. By providing a balloon to described the functionality of every (or most) of the active elements, a user is provided with a quick framework or &ldquo;Skeleton&rdquo; view of the meaning and operation of the various elements in the display.

Computerized help system with modal and non-modal modes

A system and method are provided for sharing data among a plurality of users. Included are a plurality of personal digital assistants, or PDA's, each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon. Associated therewith is a server including a plurality of server data sets stored thereon. A communication link between the PDA's and the server is adapted for synchronizing the server data sets with the personal data sets in order to obtain the personal data set of one PDA on another PDA, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different PDA's. The personal data sets of each of the PDA's have personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server have server identification codes assigned thereto. A map correlating the personal identification codes and the server identification codes is stored on at least one of the PDA's, the server, and a computer in which the communication link is resident for identification purposes during synchronization of the personal data sets and the server data sets.

System and method for sharing data among a plurality of personal digital assistants

A system and method are provided for sharing data among a plurality of users via an intermittently accessed network. Included are a plurality of personal digital assistants, or PDA's, each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon. Also provided is a server for synchronizing a plurality of server data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets stored on the PDA's. A plurality of client computers are included for providing a communication link between the PDA's and the server. Each communication link is suitable for obtaining the personal data set of one PDA on another PDA, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different PDA's. In the absence of communication between the client computer and the server, the communication link is further suitable for interfacing local memory of the corresponding client computer to synchronize a plurality of local data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets during synchronization.

System and method for synchronizing data among a plurality of users via an intermittently accessed network

A portable, hand-held personal digital assistant is provided for simultaneously depicting multiple calendars on a single display. The personal digital assistant includes a portable, hand-held housing including a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall therebetween for defining an interior space. An input device is situated on the top face of the housing for allowing input of data. Associated therewith is a display situated on the top face of the housing for depicting data. Situated in the interior space of the housing is memory for storing a plurality of calendars each including a plurality of scheduled matters. Finally, controller is situated in the interior space of the housing and connected between the input device, the display, and the memory. The controller serves for simultaneously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the display. By conveniently displaying the multiple calendars, the present invention allows a user to more effectively manipulate the same.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Pete Grillo