Showing papers by "Patrick L. Coffman published in 2011"

Data-Driven Media Management Within An Electronic Device

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.

Email user interface

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a reply or forward command for a selected email message in an email user interface and display a composition window in response to the command, wherein the displaying includes a sequence of images to create the illusion of the composition window popping out of the selected email message, the sequence of images including an initial image that is a copy of the selected email message, a final image of the composition window including an editable body, and at least one image between the initial image and the final image that has characteristics of both the initial and final images.

Grouping email messages into conversations

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems determine that an indication that a received message was sent in response to another message is present in the received message, parse a stored message, in response to the indication being present, for at least a partial match between a subject of the received message and contents of a subject of the stored message, and for at least a partial match between sender and recipient participants of the received message and sender and recipient participants of the stored message, and display the received message as grouped with the stored message. A further exemplary feature includes parsing text of the received message for text that is redundant of text of the stored message, determining that a minimum threshold of consecutive matching characters has been reached, and displaying the received message with the consecutive matching characters at least partially hidden from view.

User Programmable Switch

Abstract: The various methods and devices described herein relate to devices which, in at least certain embodiments, may include at least one mechanical switch for user to select a user profile interface setting and at least one processor for causing the device to respond to the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch may be dedicated for the purpose of switching profiles and may allow for a selection of a plurality of profiles. Further, in conjunction with an optional shift key, the user may select preferences programmed within a profile.

User account for system protection or recovery

Abstract: In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a guest account that is configured to assist in the protection and recovery of the data processing system when it is lost or stolen. In one embodiment, the guest account can allow Internet access and can include a web browser to allow the guest, who might be a thief, to use the system to browse the Internet. While such use occurs, the system can perform actions specified by an authorized user of the system, and such actions can include determining a location of the system and transmitting the location to the authorized user, erasing data on the system, displaying a message, capturing an image, etc.

Method for optimizing transport channels of devices

Abstract: A first device and a second device communicate with each other using a first communications protocol over a first communications media The first device detects a need to modify a communications bandwidth with the second device based on an operating condition of the first device at a point in time The first device negotiates with the second device to identify a second communications protocol that is suitable for the operating condition based on a set of one or more rules associated with the first device Both the first and second devices switch, without user intervention, from the first communications protocol to the second communications protocol to communicate with the second device using the second communications protocol over a second communications media