Palmsource Inc.

Palm, Incorporated

3com Corporation

Access Systems Americas, Inc.

Roger Flores

Steven C Lemke

Ain McKendrick

Monty Boyer

Vitaly Kruglikov

Art Lamb

Rob Haitani

Ron Marianetti

Bob Ebert

Ben Bostwick

David Zachary Creemer

Chris Raff

Guy McIlroy

Jeff Parrish

Shawn Robert Gettemy

Francis James Canova, Jr

Jesse Donaldson

Robert Ebert

Guy McLlroy

A method and system of determining the screen capability and rendering the appropriate display attribute is herein described. The present invention performs this task by using a color table, which contains a list of object types and a corresponding list of display attributes. The application program obtains the correct display attribute for the object by calling the color table, giving it an identifier of the object. The color table is indexed by the identifier of the object and a screen capability flag that is obtained, in one embodiment, from the operating system. The color table provides the display attribute for the specified object based on the screen capability flag. Advantageously, the application program does not need to know the computer's display capability. Furthermore, the application program needs only one piece of computer code, regardless of the number of display capabilities which are possible. Thus, memory space in the palmtop is conserved. In another embodiment of the present invention, the application program is allowed to modify the default values of the display attributes in the color table. Thus, an application program could use its own color to display an object if the default color is undesirable.

Method and apparatus for using a color table scheme for displaying information on either color or monochrome display

A method for automatically tracking application and content usage is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method first recites the step of accessing an application interface (API) call with a parameter specifying a first portion of content to be measured. For example, the amount of time for which the portion of content is used is measured. Next the method recites, in response to the accessed call, measuring usage for the first portion of content. Then, the method recites continuing to access API calls specifying additional portions of content to be measured until the program making the calls finishes execution. In this fashion, content usage is tracked. Application developers may determine, from the content usage, where users are getting stuck in a game or what segments of an electronic document are being viewed.

Automatic tracking of usage of a software application having different versions

A method and system for gathering, collecting, and supplying geographically distributed data. In one embodiment, geographically distributed data is gathered in a server-commanded mode, such that the user of an electronic device need not participate in the capturing or transmitting of the data. In another embodiment, a server initiates requests the user of an electronic device to input data and the data then transmitted to the server. In another embodiment, a user initiates the capture of data with an electronic device and the electronic device transmits the data to a computer server. In another embodiment, the gathering of geographically distributed data is accomplished by the user of an electronic device instructing his electronic device to automatically collect input data and the data is then transmitted to a computer server. In embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device is a palm-sized computer system.

Method and apparatus for wirelessly networked distributed resource usage for data gathering

A method and system providing automatic collection and updating of application usage on large number of electronic devices without user intervention. The electronic devices may be palm-sized computer systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or wireless telephones. On an electronic device, application usage statistics, for example, the number of times a user uses an application, are gathered and stored. Once gathered and stored, the usage statistics are transferred to a host computer, and subsequently to a server (alternatively, the electronic device can send the gathered statistics directly to a server). The server tabulates usage statistics gathered from a plurality of electronic devices and publishes the results. The users of the electronic devices that gather usage statistics can be compensated in a variety of ways (e.g., monetary, chances in a raffle, discounts on purchases etc.).

Automatic collection and updating of application usage

A method and system for synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. An application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.

Method and apparatus for synchronization of two computer systems

A method and system of selecting one set of data from among multiple related data sets and beaming the data set from one handheld electronic device to another handheld electronic device. One embodiment discloses a method and system, which uses multiple cards, one for each category. The transmitter of the business card can transmit a business card from the active category of the device. Upon an attempt to transmit a business card from a category which does not have a pre-selected business card, the system issues a warning providing the user with a selection. The user has choices of sending a business card from any one category with pre-defined business card or sends a pre-defined default business card. In another embodiment, the transmitter of the business card can make a selection of a business card from a number of pre-defined electronic cards in the system and upon review of the business cards on the screen the user may decide to send the selected business card. In a third embodiment the transmitter of the business can edit a pre-defined business card and may make appropriate changes to the data field in the business card before transmitting it to the second device.

Method and apparatus for selection of one data set from among multiple related data sets and beaming the selected data set

A display device having a display matrix (m+2x by n+2x) including an active, e.g., controllable, pixel border located around the edge locations of a frame buffer matrix for improved character viewability. The border can be several pixels wide, e.g., 1&#x3c;x&#x3c;5. In one embodiment, the border is two pixels wide and surrounds a liquid crystal display (LCD) matrix area having (m&#xd7;n) pixels that are controlled by a frame buffer memory. In one embodiment, the pixels of the border are active pixels and each contain a red, a green and a blue subpixel. The pixel border is useful for increasing viewability, e.g., contrast, of characters that are displayed along the edge of the LCD matrix area in a frame buffer region. The invention includes a border attribute register for containing a color attribute and a brightness attribute, in one embodiment. The border attribute register can be set by an operating system command and can be read by a timing generator which generates the appropriate signals for controlling the border pixels. These signals are generated during special periods which otherwise carry invalid data with respect to the frame buffer matrix. In this way, the invention is backward compatible with application programs that use only the frame buffer memory region. Therefore, the active pixel border is advantageous in that it can be used with conventional character generation and display processes and formats. In one embodiment, the novel display can be used within a portable computer system or other portable electronic device.

Controllable pixel border for improved viewability of a display device

A method and system of providing compatibility between a software application and an electronic device are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing an electronic device having a processor and a memory, the processor running an operating system. The method also includes providing access to a software application configured to run on the process of the electronic device. Further, the method includes checking operating system compatibility information. The operating system compatibility information is included in the software application.

Verification of software application attributes for optimal compatibility with a software system

Automatic tracking of user progress in a software application

A method and system of selecting one set of data from among multiple related data sets and beaming the data set from one handheld electronic device to another handheld electronic device. One embodiment discloses a method and system, which uses multiple cards, one for each category. The transmitter of the business card can transmit a business card from the active category of the device. Upon an attempt to transmit a business card from a category which does not have a pre-selected business card, the system issues a warning providing the user with a selection. The user has choices of sending a business card from any one category with pre-defined business card or sends a pre-defined default business card. In another embodiment, the transmitter of the business card can make a selection of a business card from a number of pre-defined electronic cards in the system and upon review of the business cards on the screen the user may decide to send the selected business card. In a third embodiment the transmitter of the business can edit a pre-defined business card and may make appropriate changes to the data field in the business card before transmitting it to the second device device.

A method and system for implementing an application on a computer system, in particular a portable computer system, by binding an interface (e.g., a function call and required address translations) in the application to a specific memory address. The application is installed on the computer system with a reference to a section of computer code. The reference is for transferring execution of the application to that section of computer code. After a specified criterion is satisfied, the reference is replaced with a specific memory address of the computer system's memory map, such as a line number, thus binding the application to that memory address for that function call. Accordingly, when the application makes a call to that function, the execution of the application can proceed directly to the line number where that function is located.

Binding using absolute memory references

Signaling a user of a computer system that a particular event has occurred. The present invention performs this task by using a color table, which contains a list of event types and a corresponding list of display attributes. The application program signals the user that an event has occurred by displaying an event object. The application program obtains the correct display attribute for the event object by calling the color table, giving it the event type. The color table is indexed by the event type and a screen capability flag that is obtained from the operating system. The color table provides the display attribute for the specified event type based on the screen capability flag.

Method and apparatus for an event based, selectable use of color in a user interface display

A system and method for installing an application on a client device (e.g., a palmtop computer system) communicatively coupled to a host device (e.g., a host computer system). Instead of transferring an application to the client device from another client device, the client device receives a description of the application from the other client device. When the client device and the host device are synchronized, the description is automatically communicated by the client device to the host device, which is also in communication with a source (e.g., an application source). Additional information, such as the type of hardware or the type of operating system used by the client device, is also automatically communicated to the host device by the client device. The host device communicates to the source a specification comprising the description of the application as well as the additional information pertaining to the client device. The host device receives from the source a software element (e.g., a component, object or file for the application, or the application itself) characterized by the specification. The host device automatically makes the software element ready for installation on the client device. The software element is then installed on the client device when the host device and the client device are subsequently synchronized. The process of identifying and retrieving an application and making it ready for installation is performed automatically without user intervention, thereby simplifying for users the process of finding and downloading applications onto the client device.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Roger Flores