SmartPhone Technologies LLC v. Amazon.Com, Inc., et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against Amazon Digital Services, Inc., Amazon.Com, Inc., ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3263866.), filed by SmartPhone Technologies LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - US 6,950,645 BI, # 2 Exhibit B - US 7,506,064 Bl, # 3 Exhibit C - US RE40,459 E, # 4 Exhibit D - US 6,956,562 BI, # 5 Exhibit E - US 6,466,236 BI, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet)(Ward, Thomas)

111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US007506064Bl

United States Patent

(10)

Kruger et al.

(12)

(45)

(54)

HANDHELD COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT
ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH AN
ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK UPON
FAILING TO ESTABLISH A REQUESTED
NETWORK LINK

(75)

Inventors: Mark Kruger, Seattle, WA (US);
Stephane Maes, Mountain View, CA
(US); Ryan Robertson, Seattle, WA
(US); Gavin Peacock, Walnut Creek, CA
(US)

Patent No.:
US 7,506,064 Bl
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17,2009

6,400,681
6,493,321
6,681,252
6,721,269
6,735,630
6,769,009
200210004843
200210024940

Bl* 6/2002 Bertin et al. ................
Bl* 1212002 Partridge, III ...............
Bl* 112004 Schuster et al. .............
B2 * 4/2004 Cao et al. ...................
Bl* 5/2004 Gelvin et al. ...............
Bl* 7/2004 Reisman .....................
Al * 112002 Andersson et al. ..........
Al * 212002 Smith .........................

370/218
3701242
7091227
3701227
7091224
709/201
7091238
370/329

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
GB

2328845

*

3/1999

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(73)

Assignee: PalmSource, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US)

( *)

Notice:

Jonathan Homa et aI., "Inteligent Network Requirement for Personal
Communication Services", IEEE Communication Magazine, Feb.
1992. *

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 1129 days.

* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner-Zarni Maung
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Berry & Associates P.c.

(21)

Appl. No.: 09/847,720

(22)

Filed:

(51)

Int. Cl.
G06F 15116
(2006.01)
G06F 12/00
(2006.01)
U.S. Cl. ....................................... 7091239; 709/230
Field of Classification Search . ... ... ... ...... 340/7 .21;
455/433,432,443; 705/21; 709/201,250,
709/227-229,239,251,238,230; 370/328,
370/352-356
See application file for complete search history.

(52)
(58)

May 1, 2001

(56)

A computer system that attempts to establish an alternative
network link upon failing to establish a requested network
link is described. The computer system may encounter conditions where access to numerous networks, in particular
wireless networks, is not available. Rather than only providing an error message to the user upon a failed attempt to
establish the requested network link, the computer system
determines whether the user has designated an alternative
network link in case the requested network link cannot be
established, whereas the alternative network link is selected
from the plurality of network links that the computer system
is configured to support. If an alternative network link has
been designated, the computer system attempts to establish
the alternative network link. Hence, the user experience is
made smooth and uneventful when the requested network
link cannot be established.

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,428,663
5,606,596
5,862,480
5,933,422
6,192,414
6,311,165

A
A
A
A
Bl
Bl

* 611995
* 211997
* 111999
* 811999
* 212001
* 10/2001

ABSTRACT

(57)

Grimes et al ............... 34017.21
Jain et al. ................... 455/433
Wild et al. ............... 455/432.2
Kusano et al. .............. 370/331
Horn .......................... 7091239
Coutts et al ................... 705/21

31 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets

INFORM THE USER THAT ANOTHER NETWORK LINK WILL BE ATTEMPTED
BASED ON THE AL lERNAlIVE NETWORK LINK DESIGNATION

1240

NO

YES

AITEMPT TO ESTABLISH ANOTHER NETWORK LINK BASED ON
THE ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK DESIGNATION

1250

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 1 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

W
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f51

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u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 2 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

51A

64- _

54
CRADLE
60

o
LAPTOP COMPUTER
58
IBM COMPATIBLE

56

FIGURE 2A

HANDHELD COMPUTER
100

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 3 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

51B

[:J
0000
54

LAN

o
LAPTOP COMPUTER

I: .:.: :::::::i:J::I~1
CJ

58

IBM COMPATIBLE

56

FIGURE 28

55

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 4 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

-

~I

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 5 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

-

IJ..

~I

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 6 of 16

100

/ -- -- -- -- --

--

FIGURE 5

US 7,506,064 Bl

~

100

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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•
~

~

~

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PROCESSOR

ROM
NONVOLATILE

RAM
VOLATILE

DATA
STORAGE
DEVICE

101

103

102

104

COMMUNICATION
CIRCUIT
109

U

DSP 120

110

II

=
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I---------___ __________________________ L_________________________ l _________________________ J _________________________________________ _
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DISPLAY
DEVICE

105

(PAD)
ALPHANUMERIC
INPUT
106

ON-SCREEN
CURSOR
CONTROL
107

SIGNAL
TRANSMITTER!
RECEIVER
DEVICE
108

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FIGURE 6

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u.s. Patent
Mar. 17, 2009

Sheet 8 0[16

Us 7,506,064 Bl

FIGURE 7

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 9 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

APPLICATION
10
-

~
SHARED LIBRARY (API)
20
-

~
OPERATING SYSTEM
30
-

FIGURE 8

NETWORK LINK A
NETWORK LINK B
NETWORK LINK C
NETWORK LINK D

40
50
60
70

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

US 7,506,064 Bl

Sheet 10 of 16

NETWORK LINK

AL TERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK B, NETWORK
LINK D, NETWORK LINK C

40

-

40A
-

NETWORK LINK B

NETWORK LINK C

50
-

50A

-

NETWORK LINK C
SO

NETWORK LINK A, NETWORK
LINK B, NETWORK LINK D

-

SOA

-

NETWORK LINK D
70
-

NETWORK LINK C, NETWORK
LINK A
70A

-

FIGURE 9

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 11 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

NETWORK LINK

AL TERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A
140
-

NETWORK LINK B
140A
--

NETWORK LINK B
150
-

NETWORK LINK A
150A
--

NETWORK LINK C
160
-

NETWORK LINK D
160A
--

NETWORK LINK D
170
-

NETWORK LINK C
170A
--

NETWORK LINK

ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A
240
-

NETWORK LINK C
240A
--

NETWORK LINK B
250
-

NETWORK LINK A
250A
--

NETWORK LINK C
260
-

NETWORK LINK D
260A
--

NETWORK LINK D
270
-

NETWORK LINK A
270A
--

FIGURE 10

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 12 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

200

\
NETWORK LINK

AL TERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A
140
-

NETWORK LINK 8
140A
--

NETWORK LINK B
150

NETWORK LINK A
150A
--

NETWORK LINK C
160

NETWORK LINK D
160A
--

NETWORK LINK D
170
-

NETWORK LINK C
170A
--

NETWORK LINK

ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK 8

NETWORK LINK 8
150
-

NETWORK LINK A
150A
--

NETWORK LINK C

NETWORK LINK D

NETWORK LINK D

NETWORK LINK C

NETWORK LINK

AL TERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A
140
-

NETWORK LINK 8
140A
--

NETWORK LINK B

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK C

NETWORK LIN K D

NETWORK LINK D

NETWORK LINK C

~

300

\

t

1

400

\

t

2

FIGURE 11

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 13 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

500

\

NETWORK LINK

ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A
240
-

NETWORK LINK C
240A
--

NETWORK LINK B
250
-

NETWORK LINK A
250A
--

NETWORK LINK C
260
-

NETWORK LINK D
260A
--

NETWORK LINK D
270
-

NETWORK LINK A
270A
--

NETWORK LINK

AL TERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK C

NETWORK LINK B

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK C
260
-

NETWORK LINK D
260A
--

NETWORK LINK D

NETWORK L1NKA

NETWORK LINK

AL TERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK C

NETWORK LINK B

NETWORK LINK A

NETWORK LINK C

NETWORK LINK D

NETWORK LINK D
270
-

NETWORK LINK A
270A
--

600

\

11

r
\.

700

\

t

12

FIGURE 12

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 14 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

900

~
UNABLE TO ESTABLISH THE REQUESTED NETWORK LINK.
PROCEED TO ESTABLISH THE ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK?

CANCEL

920

FIGURE 13

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 15 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

1000

(

BEGIN

1005
--

)

CONFIGURE EACH NETWORK LINK

1010
--

ASSOCIATE AN ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK
DESIGNATION WITH A NETWORK LINK

1015
--

END

(

1020
--

J

FIGURE 14

u.s. Patent

Mar. 17,2009

Sheet 16 of 16

US 7,506,064 Bl

1200

OPEN THE NETWORK LIBRARY

1210
SEND NETWORK OPEN REQUEST TO THE NETWORK LIBRARY

1215
RECEIVE NETWORK OPEN REQUEST

1220

ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH THE REQUESTED NETWORK LINK

1225

END

1255

INFORM THE USER THAT ANOTHER NETWORK LINK WILL BE ATTEMPTED
BASED ON THE ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK DESIGNATION

1240

NO

ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH ANOTHER NETWORK LINK BASED ON
THE ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK DESIGNATION

1250

FIGURE 15

US 7,506,064 Bl
1

2

HANDHELD COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT
ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH AN
ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LINK UPON
FAILING TO ESTABLISH A REQUESTED
NETWORK LINK

nication port is positioned along the top edge of the personal
digital assistant so that a user can conveniently view and read
the electronic display device and at the same time communicate with another electronic system located across from the
user while the user holds the personal digital assistant.
Moreover, the network capability of the personal digital
assistant enhances a user's experience. As new network technologies emerge, additional network functionality is incorporated into the personal digital assistant. For example, a variety
of wireless networks are being deployed to serve a wide range
of devices including a personal digital assistant. Having
access to many different types of networks improves the
productivity ofthe user and increases demand for the personal
digital assistant. However, the personal digital assistant may
not always be able to establish a network link with some of
these emerging networks because of numerous reasons. Some
of these reasons include: insufficient network capacity, technical network difficulties, and slow rollout of the coverage
area of the emerging networks.
Typically, if the personal digital assistant fails to establish
a requested network link, the user has to reconfigure the
network functionality of the personal digital assistant so that,
on a subsequent attempt to establish a network link, another
type of network link is attempted. If the personal digital
assistant fails again to establish the requested network link,
the user again has to reconfigure the network functionality of
the personal digital assistant so that, on another attempt to
establish a network link, yet another type of network link is
attempted. Such intervention by the user degrades the user
experience and increases user frustration. Moreover, the situation can only get worse in the future with the continual
development of more network technologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of computer systems. More particularly, the present invention relates
to the field of network functionality that attempts to establish
a requested network link or, if necessary, attempts to establish
any other alternative network link that a user has previously
designated for the requested network link.
2. Related Art
Computers and other electronic systems or devices (e.g.,
personal digital assistants) have become integral tools used in
a wide variety of different applications, such as in finance and
commercial transactions, computer-aided design and manufacturing, health care, telecommunication, education, etc.
Computers along with other electronic devices are finding
new applications as a result of advances in hardware technology and rapid development in software technology. Furthermore, the functionality of a computer system or other type of
electronic system or device is dramatically enhanced by coupling these stand-alone devices together in order to form a
networking environment. Within a networking environment,
users may readily exchange files, share information stored on
a common database, pool resources, and communicate via
electronic mail (e-mail) and via video teleconferencing. Furthermore, computers or other types of electronic devices
which are coupled to the Internet provide their users access to
data and information from all over the world.
The functionality of an electronic system (e.g., a palmtop
computer system, a desktop computer system, a cellular
phone, a pager, etc.) is enhanced by including an electronic
display device. On occasion, the electronic system includes
one or more communication ports for exchanging or sharing
data with other electronic systems or with a network. For
example, an infrared (IR) communication port, a RF (radio
frequency) communication port, or other type of communication port can be incorporated into the electronic system. A
communication port is positioned in the electronic system
according to a variety of factors, such as space requirements,
industry standards, and convenience to a user.
A personal digital assistant (commonly referred to as a
PDA) is a palmtop computer system. It is appreciated that the
personal digital assistant is a portable handheld device that is
used as an electronic organizer which has the capability to
store a wide range of information that includes daily appointments, numerous telephone nnmbers of business and personal
acquaintances, and various other information. Moreover, the
personal digital assistant can also access information from the
Internet, as mentioned above. In particular, the personal digi tal assistant can browse Web pages located on the Internet.
Typically, the personal digital assistant includes an electronic
display device having a display area (e.g., a screen) that is
smaller in size relative to a display area associated with a
standard-sized electronic display device (e.g., 15 inch monitor, 17 inch monitor, etc.) which is part of a desktop computer
system or a laptop computer system.
Typically, the personal digital assistant includes one or
more communication ports (e.g., an IR communication port,
a RF (radio frequency) communication port, a serial communication port, an Ethernet communication port, a cellular
phone communication port, etc.). For example, aIR commu-

10

15

20

25

30

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
35

40

45

50

55

60

65

A computer system that attempts to establish an alternative
network link upon failing to establish a requested network
link is described. The computer system may encounter conditions where access to nnmerous networks, in particular
wireless networks, is not available. Rather than only providing an error message to the user upon a failed attempt to
establish the requested network link, the computer system
determines whether the user has designated an alternative
network link in case the requested network link cannot be
established, whereas the alternative network link is selected
from the plurality of network links that the computer system
is configured to support. If an alternative network link has
been designated, the computer system attempts to establish
the alternative network link. Hence, the user experience is
made smooth and uneventful when the requested network
link cannot be established.
In a chain implementation, the user designates one or several alternative network links for a particular network link.
Upon failure to establish the particular network link, the
computer system sequentially attempts to establish one of the
alternative network links. The user has wide flexibility. For
example, the user can omit providing an alternative network
link for some of the network links supported by the computer
system. Moreover, the user can designate any number of
alternative network links for any of the network links supported by the computer system.
In a loop implementation, the user designates one or several alternative network links for a particular network link.
The computer system attempts the particular network link
and then, if the particular network link cannot be established,
attempts to establish the alternative network link(s). If no
network link was established, the computer system again

US 7,506,064 Bl

3

4

attempts to establish the particular network link and, if necessary, again attempts to establish the altemative network
link(s). The computer system can continue this loop until a
network link is established or until the user decides to stop the
loop.
These and other advantages of the present invention will no
doubt become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
after having read the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the drawing
figures.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart showing a method of establishing a network link on a personal digital assistant in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The drawings referred to in this description should not be
understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically
noted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
10

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments
of the invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a first exemplary
network environment including a personal digital assistant on
which the present invention can be practiced.
FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a second exemplary
network environment including a personal digital assistant on
which the present invention can be practiced, whereas the
personal digital assistant is coupled to other computer systems and the Internet via a cradle device.
FIG. 2B illustrates a block diagram of a third exemplary
network environment including a personal digital assistant on
which the present invention can be practiced, whereas the
personal digital assistant is coupled to other computer systems and the Internet via a network port.
FIG. 3 illustrates a top side perspective view of a personal
digital assistant on which the present invention can be practiced.
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom side perspective view of the
personal digital assistant of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another personal
digital assistant on which the present invention can be practiced.
FIG. 6 illustrates a logical circuit block diagram of a personal digital assistant on which the present invention can be
practiced.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a cradle device for
connecting the personal digital assistant to other systems via
a communication interface.
FIG. 8 illustrates a software environment on which the
present invention can be practiced.
FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of network links each having
an alternative network link designation in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a first plurality of network links each
having an alternative network link designation and a second
plurality of network links each having an alternative network
link designation in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates operation of a first loop implementation
for attempting multiple network links in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 illustrates operation of a second loop implementation for attempting multiple network links in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates a message displayed to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart showing a method of
enabling a user to provide the alternative network link designations for the network links supported by a personal digital
assistant in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.

15

20

25

30

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred
embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended
to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary,
the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications
and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the
present invention, nnmerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary
skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well known
methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been
described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of
the present invention.
Although the description of the present invention will
focus on a personal digital assistant or handheld computer
system, the present invention can be practiced on other types
of computer systems.
Computer System Environment

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

One of the common types of computer systems which can
be used to practice the present invention is referred to as a
personal digital assistant, or commonly called a PDA. The
personal digital assistant is a pocket sized electronic organizer with the capability to store telephone nnmbers,
addresses, daily appointments, and software that keeps track
of business or personal data such as expenses, etc. Furthermore, the personal digital assistant also has the ability to
connect to a personal computer, enabling the two devices to
exchange updated information. Additionally, the personal
digital assistant can also be connected to a modem, enabling
it to have electronic mail (e-mail) capabilities over the Internet along with other Internet capabilities. Alternatively, the
personal digital assistant can have a network port (e.g., an
Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) port) to access a network coupled to the Internet, enabling the personal digital
assistant to have electronic mail (e-mail) capabilities over the
(Internet along with other Internet capabilities. Moreover, an
advanced personal digital assistant can have Internet capabilities over a wireless communication interface (e.g., radio
interface). In particular, the personal digital assistant can be
used to browse Web pages located on the Internet. The personal digital assistant can be coupled to a networking environment. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the
present invention are well suited to operate within a wide
variety of computer systems, some of which can be communicatively coupled to a networking environment.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first exemplary network
environment 50 including a personal digital assistant 100 on
which the present invention can be practiced. The personal
digital assistant 100 is also known as a palmtop or palm-sized
electronic system or computer system. Here, the personal
digital assistant 100 has the ability to transmit and receive

US 7,506,064 Bl

5

6

data and infonnation over a wireless connnunication interface (e.g., a radio interface). The personal digital assistant 100
is one exemplary computer system on which the present
invention can operate. The present invention can operate on
any other type of computer system.
In one embodiment, base station 32 is both a transmitter
and receiver base station which can be implemented by coupling it into an existing public telephone network 34. Implemented in this manner, base station 32 enables the personal
digital assistant 100 to connnunicate with a proxy server
computer system 36, which is coupled by wire 35 to the
existing public telephone network 34. Alternatively, a private
telephony system, a private data network, or any other communication network can be implemented as alternatives for
the existing public telephone network 34. Furthermore, proxy
server computer system 36 is coupled to the Internet 52,
thereby enabling the personal digital assistant 100 to connnunicate with the Internet 52. Alternatively, a router, a switch, or
any other interface device can be implemented as alternatives
for the proxy server computer system 36. It should be appreciated that within the present embodiment, one of the functions of proxy server 36 is to perfonn operations over the
Internet 52 on behalf of the personal digital assistant 100. For
example, proxy server 36 has a particular Internet address and
acts as a proxy device for the personal digital assistant 100
over the Internet 52. It should be further appreciated that other
communications networks may be utilized in practicing the
present invention.
The data and information which are connnunicated
between base station 32 and the personal digital assistant 100
are a type of infonnation and data that can conventionally be
transferred and received over a public telephone wire network
system. However, a wireless communication interface is utilized to connnunicate data and information between the personal digital assistant 100 and base station 32. It should be
appreciated that one embodiment of a wireless connnunication system in accordance with the present invention is the
Mobitex wireless connnunication system.
FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a second exemplary
network environment 51A including a personal digital assistant 100 on which the present invention can be practiced,
whereas the personal digital assistant 100 is coupled to other
computer systems and the Internet via a cradle device. Network system 51A comprises a host computer system 56
which can either be a desktop computer system as shown, or,
alternatively, can be a laptop computer system 58. Optionally,
more than one host computer system 56 can be used within
network system 51A. Host computer systems 58 and 56 are
shown connected to a connnunication bus 54, which in one
embodiment can be a serial connnunication bus, but could be
of any of a number of well known designs (e.g., a parallel bus,
Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), etc.). Optionally, bus
54 can provide connnunication with the Internet 52 using a
number of well known protocols.
Importantly, bus 54 is also coupled to a cradle 60 for
receiving and initiating connnunication with the personal
digital assistant 100. Cradle 60 provides an electrical and
mechanical connnunication interface between bus 54 (and
any device coupled to bus 54) and the personal digital assistant 100 for two-way connnunications. The personal digital
assistant 100 also contains a wireless infrared connnunication
mechanism 64 for sending and receiving information from
other devices.
FIG. 2B illustrates a block diagram of a third exemplary
network environment SIB including a personal digital assistant 100 on which the present invention can be practiced,
whereas the personal digital assistant 100 is coupled to other

computer systems 58 and 56 and the Internet 52 via a network
port 55. As depicted in FIG. 2B, the personal digital assistant
100 includes a network port 55 to couple to a connnunication
bus 54, whereas the desktop computer system 56 and the
laptop computer system, as well as the Internet 52, can be
coupled to the communication bus 54. The connnunication
bus 54 can be implemented in any fonnat, such as an Ethernet
Local Area Network (LAN).
With reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and2B, itis appreciated that
the personal digital assistant 100 can be used in a network
environment combining elements of networks 50, 51A, and
SIB. That is, the personal digital assistant 100 can include a
wireless infrared connnunication mechanism, a signal (e.g.,
radio) receiver/transmitter device, and a network port.
FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the top face 100a of
one embodiment of the personal digital assistant or palmtop
computer system 100. The top face 100a has a display screen
105 surrounded by a bezel or cover. A removable stylus 80 is
also shown. The display screen 105 is a touch screen able to
register contact between the screen and the tip of the stylus 80.
The stylus 80 can be of any material to make contact with the
display screen 105. The top face 100a also has one or more
dedicated and/or progrannnable buttons 75 for selecting
information and causing the computer system to implement
functions. The on/off button 95 is also shown. Moreover, a
user is able to control specific functionality of the personal
digital assistant 100 by using its plurality of buttons 75 (e.g.,
to invoke telephone/address data, calendar data, to-do-list
data, memo pad data, etc.). Furthermore, the user can utilize
the stylus 80 in conjunction with the display screen 105 in
order to cause the personal digital assistant 100 to perfonn a
multitude of different functions. One such function is the
selecting of different functional operations of the personal
digital assistant 100, which are accomplished by touching
stylus 80 to specific areas of display screen 105. Another such
function is the entering of data into the exemplary personal
digital assistant 100.
FIG.3 also illustrates a handwriting recognition pad 106 or
"digitizer" containing two regions 106a and 106b. Region
106a is for the drawing of alphabetic characters therein for
automatic recognition, and region 106b is for the drawing of
numeric characters therein for automatic recognition. The
stylus 80 is used for stroking a character within one of the
regions 106a and 106b. The stroke infonnation is then fed to
an internal processor for automatic character recognition.
Once characters are recognized, they are typically displayed
on the screen 105 for verification and/or modification.
FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom side 100b of one embodiment
of the personal digital assistant or palmtop computer system
100 that can be used in accordance with various embodiments
of the present invention. An extendible antenna 85 is shown,
and also a battery storage compartment door 90 is shown. The
antenna 85 enables the personal digital assistant 100 to be
connnunicatively coupled to a network environment (as
shown in FIG. 1) thereby enabling a user to connnunicate
information with other electronic systems and electronic
devices coupled to the network. A connnunication interface
180 is also shown. In one embodiment of the present invention, the connnunication interface 180 is a serial connnunication port, but could also alternatively be of any of a number
of well-known connnunication standards and protocols (e.g.,
parallel, SCSI (small computer system interface), Firewire
(IEEE 1394), Ethernet, etc.).
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another personal
digital assistant 100 on which the present invention can be
practiced. Here, the personal digital assistant 100 includes a
display screen 105 and a handwriting recognition pad 106 or

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"digitizer, as well one or more dedicated and/or programmable buttons 75 for selecting information and causing the
personal digital assistant 100 to implement particular functions. It should be understood that the present invention can
be practiced on personal digital assistants having other configurations and designs.
Referring now to FIG. 6, portions of the personal digital
assistant 100 are comprised of computer-readable and computer-executable instructions which reside, for example, in
computer-readable media of the personal digital assistant
100.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of interior components of a
personal digital assistant 100 on which the present invention
can be practiced. The personal digital assistant 100 includes
an address/data bus 110 for communicating information, a
central processor 101 coupled to the bus 110 for processing
information and instructions, a volatile memory 102 (e.g.,
random access memory, static RAM, dynamic RAM, etc.)
coupled to the bus 110 for storing information and instructions for the central processor 101 and a non-volatile memory
103 (e.g., read only memory, programmable ROM, flash
memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.) coupled to the bus 110 for
storing static information and instructions for the processor
101. The personal digital assistant 100 also includes an
optional data storage device 104 (e.g., memory card, hard
drive, etc.) coupled with the bus 110 for storing information
and instructions. Data storage device 104 can be removable.
As described above, the personal digital assistant 100 also
includes an electronic display device 105 coupled to the bus
110 for displaying information to the computer user. In one
embodiment, PC board 225 can include the processor 101, the
bus 110, the ROM 103 and the RAM 102.
With reference still to FIG. 6, the personal digital assistant
100 also includes a signal transmitter/receiver device 108
which is coupled to bus 110 for providing a communication
link between the personal digital assistant 100 and a network
environment (e.g., network environments 50 and 51 of FIGS.
1 and 2, respectively). As such, signal transmitter/receiver
device 108 enables central processor unit 101 to communicate wirelessly with other electronic systems coupled to the
network. It should be appreciated that within the present
embodiment, signal transmitter/receiver device 108 is
coupled to antenna 85 (FIG. 5) and provides the functionality
to transmit and receive information over a wireless communication interface. It should be further appreciated that the
present embodiment of signal transmitter/receiver device 108
is well-suited to be implemented in a wide variety of ways.
For example, signal transmitter/receiver device 108 could be
implemented as a modem.
In one embodiment, the personal digital assistant 100
includes a communication circuit 109 coupled to bus 110.
Communication circuit 109 includes an optional digital signal processor (DSP) 120 for processing data to be transmitted
or data that are received via signal transmitter/receiver device
108. Alternatively, some or all of the functions performed by
DSP 120 can be performed by processor 101.
Also included in the personal digital assistant 100 of FIG.
6 is an optional alphanumeric input device 106 which in one
implementation is a handwriting recognition pad 106 ("digitizer,,) having regions 106a and 106b (FIG. 3), for instance.
Alphanumeric input device 106 can communicate information and command selections to processor 101. The personal
digital assistant 100 also includes an optional cursor control
or directing device (on-screen cursor control 1 07) coupled to
bus 110 for communicating user input information and command selections to processor 101. In one implementation,
on-screen cursor control device 107 is a touch screen device

incorporated with display device 105. On-screen cursor control device 107 is capable of registering a position on display
device 105 where the stylus makes contact. The display
device 105 utilized with the personal digital assistant 100 may
be a liquid crystal display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a
field emission display device (also called a flat panel CRT) or
other display device suitable for generating graphic images
and alphanumeric characters recognizable to the user. In the
preferred embodiment, display device 105 is a flat panel
display.
FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of one embodiment of
the cradle 60 for receiving the personal digital assistant or
palmtop computer system 100. Cradle 60 includes a mechanical and electrical interface 260 for interfacing with communicationinterface 108 (FIG. 4) of the personal digital assistant
100 when the personal digital assistant 100 is slid into the
cradle 60 in an upright position. Once inserted, button 270 can
be pressed to initiate two-way communication between the
personal digital assistant 100 and other computer systems or
electronic devices coupled to serial communication 265.

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Although the description of the present invention will
focus on a personal digital assistant or handheld computer
system, the present invention can be practiced on other types
of computer systems.
In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant 100
attempts to establish an alternative network link upon failing
to establish a requested network link. The personal digital
assistant 100 may encounter conditions where access to
numerous networks, in particular wireless networks, is not
available. Rather than only providing an error message to the
user upon a failed attempt to establish the requested network
link, the personal digital assistant 100 determines whether the
user has designated an alternative network link in case the
requested network link cannot be established, whereas the
alternative network link is selected from the plurality of network links that the personal digital assistant 100 is configured
to support. If an alternative network link has been designated,
the personal digital assistant 100 attempts to establish the
alternative network link. Therefore, the user experience is
made smooth and uneventful when the requested network
link cannot be established. The present invention provides a
simple manner to improve the user experience and reduce
interruptions which annoy and frustrate the user.
In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant 100 can be
configured to support a plurality of network links for communicating with numerous networks. These network links
utilize a variety of network protocols and require a variety of
physical connections (i.e., wired and wireless) to establish
communication with the numerous networks. Examples of
network protocols include: PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol),
Ethernet, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), Bluetooth wireless communication protocol, and IPX/SPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange).
Examples of physical connections include: wireless phone
communication [e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access),
TDMA (Time Division MultipleAccess)], wired phone communication, serial line communication, network cable communication, parallel line communication, and wireless communication.
As discussed above, numerous wireless networks are being
deployed throughout the country. The personal digital assis-

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tant 100 can be configured to support several of these wireless
networks. However, the numerous wireless networks may not
be available in all regions of the country. The present invention enables the personal digital assistant 100 to easily initiate
an alternative network link (e.g., to a wireless network or a
wired network) when the requested network link (e.g., to a
wireless network) cannot be established because any of a
variety of reasons, such as insufficient network capacity, technical network difficulties, and spotty network coverage.
FIG. 8 illustrates a software environment on which the
present invention can be practiced. In an embodiment, the
software environment of the personal digital assistant 100
includes an application layer 10, a shared library layer 20, and
an operating system layer 30. This software environment
provides the network fnnctionality of the personal digital
assistant 100. Generally, an application 10 requests establishment of a network link (e.g., network link A 40, network link
B 50, network link C 60, or network link D 70) in response to
an action by the user or any other action. In particular, the
application 10 sends a network open request (or makes a call)
to a particular shared library 20 (e.g., a network library 20),
whereas the shared library 20 is a code resource database
which makes available a variety of API services that applications 10 can request. Specifically, the network library 20
makes available functions which perfonn network-related
tasks, such as opening a network link, sending data via the
network link, reading data from the network link, etc.
In an embodiment, the network library 20 interfaces with
the operating system 30 to establish (or open) the requested
network link (e.g., network link A 40, network link B 50,
network link C 60, or network link D 70). If the network
library 20 (which has network open code) fails to establish the
requested network link due to any of a variety of reasons (e.g.,
a network -related error, a time out error, anon-fatal operating
system error), the network library 20 subsequently attempts
to establish an alternative network link which has been previously designated by the user for the requested network link.
It is possible for the user to omit designating the alternative
network link. Moreover, the user can designate multiple alternative network links in case the first alternative network link
cannot be established. Thus, the present invention gives the
user a simple way to configure the personal digital assistant
100 to try an alternative network link whenhis/her first choice
of network link is not available. It should be nnderstood that
the present invention can be practiced in other types of software environments.
FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of network links supported by
a personal digital assistant 100, each having an alternative
network link designation in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. Here, the personal digital assistant
100 supports network link A 40 (e.g., a wireless TCP/IP link),
network link B 50 (e.g., a wired TCP/IP link), network link C
60 (e.g., a Bluetooth wireless link), and network link D 70
(e.g., wireless IPX/SPX link).
Moreover, FIG. 9 illustrates a chain implementation. In the
chain implementation, the user designates one or several
alternative network links for a network link. In particular, the
user selected network link B, network link D, and network
link C as the alternative network link designation 40A for
network link A 40. The user selected network link C as the
alternative network link designation 50A for network link B
50. Moreover, the user selected network link A, network link
B, and network link D as the alternative network link designation 60A for network link C 60. In addition, the user
selected network link C and network link A as the alternative
network link designation 70A for network link D 70. Upon

failure to establish the network link, the personal digital assistant 100 sequentially attempts to establish one of the alternative network links.
For example, in the case where the requested network link
is the network link A, if the personal digital assistant 100 fails
to establish the network link A 40, the personal digital assistant 100 attempts to establish the network link B 50 based on
the order specified in the alternative network link designation
40A. Then, if the personal digital assistant 100 fails to establish the network link B 50, the personal digital assistant 100
attempts to establish the network link D 70 based on the order
specified in the alternative network link designation 40A.
Moreover, if the personal digital assistant 100 fails to establish the network link D 70, the personal digital assistant 100
attempts to establish the network link C 60 based on the order
specified in the alternative network link designation 40A.
Thus, the user is able to chain together a list of alternative
network links for the personal digital assistant 100 to attempt
in case the requested network link cannot be established. It is
possible to proceed in a loop by attempting again to establish
the network link A 40 if the network link C 60 cannot be
established. The personal digital assistant 100 proceeds in a
similar manner in the case where the requested network link
is the network link B 50, the network link C 60, or the network
link D 70.
The user has wide flexibility in creating the alternative
network link designations 40A, 50A, 60A, and 70A, as is
evident in FI G. 9. For example, the user can omit providing an
alternative network link for some of the network links supported by the personal digital assistant 100. Moreover, the
user can designate any number of alternative network links
for any of the network links supported by the personal digital
assistant 100. The alternative network link designations 40A,
50A, 60A, and 70A reflect choices made by the user based on
the user's priorities and the network links supported by the
personal digital assistant 100. It should be understood the
present invention can be practiced with other number of network links.
FIG. 10 illustrates a first plurality of network links 140,
150, 160, and 170 supported by a personal digital assistant
100, each having an alternative network link designation, and
a second plurality of network links 240, 250, 260, and 270
supported by a personal digital assistant 100, each having an
alternative network link designation, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
Moreover, FIG. 10 illustrates a first loop implementation in
the case of the first plurality of network links 140, 150, 160,
and 170 supported by a personal digital assistant 100. In the
first loop implementation, the user designates an alternative
network link for a network link. The personal digital assistant
100 attempts to establish the network link (e.g., network link
A 140, network link B 150, network link C 160, or network
link D 170) and then, if the network link cannot be established, attempts to establish the respective alternative network link (e.g., alternative network link designation 140A,
150A, 160A, or 170A). If no network link was established,
the personal digital assistant 100 again attempts to establish
the network link and, if necessary, again attempts to establish
the respective alternative network link. The personal digital
assistant 100 can continue this loop until any network link is
established, until the user decides to stop the loop, until a
predefined number of loop cycles have been performed, or
until any other event occurs. Operation of the first loop implementation is depicted in FIG. 11.
In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates a second loop implementation in the case of the second plurality of network links 240,
250, 260, and 270 supported by a personal digital assistant

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100. In the second loop implementation, the user creates a
loop having several altemative network links. The personal
digital assistant 100 attempts the network link (e.g., network
link A 240, network link B 250, network link C 260, or
network link D 270) and then, if the network link cannot be
established, attempts to establish a respective alternative network link (e.g., alternative network link designation 240A,
250A, 260A, or 270A). If the respective alternative network
link cannot be established, the personal digital assistant 100
proceeds to establish the particular alternative network link
which is designated for the respective alternative network
link. The personal digital assistant 100 proceeds in a similar
manner if the particular alternative network link cannot be
established. Moreover, the personal digital assistant 100 can
continue this loop until any network link is established, until
the user decides to stop the loop, until a predefined number of
loop cycles have been performed, or until any other event
occurs. Operation of the second loop implementation is
depicted in FIG. 12.
FIG. 11 illustrates operation of a first loop implementation
for attempting multiple network links in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. For example, (as illustrated in table 200) in the case where the requested network
link is the network link A 140, if the personal digital assistant
100 fails to establish the network link A 140, the personal
digital assistant 100 attempts to establish the network link B
150 based on the alternative network link designation 140A.
In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant 100 provides a message to the user before proceeding to attempt the
network link B 150. FIG. 13 illustrates a message 900 displayed to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The message 900 informs the user that the
requested network link could not be established. In addition,
the message 900 enables the user to control whether the
personal digital assistant 100 proceeds to the alternative network link. By selecting the option 910, the user enables the
personal digital assistant 100 to attempt to establish the alternative network link. By selecting the option 920, the user
stops the loop and prevents the personal digital assistant 100
from attempting to establish the alternative network link.
Continuing, (as illustrated in table 300 and by arrow 10) if
the personal digital assistant 100 fails to establish the network
link B 150, the personal digital assistant 100 attempts again to
establish the network link A 140 based on the alternative
network link designation 150A, since the network link A 140
is the respective alternative network link for the network link
B 150. The personal digital assistant 100 can display the
message 900 (FIG. 13) before proceeding to attempt once
again the network link A 140.
Moreover, (as illustrated in table 400 and by arrow 20) if
the personal digital assistant 100 fails to establish the network
link A 140, the personal digital assistant 100 attempts again to
establish the network link B 150 based on the alternative
network link designation 140A, since the network link B 150
is the respective alternative network link for the network link
A 140. The personal digital assistant 100 can display the
message 900 (FIG. 13) before proceeding to attempt once
again the network link B 150. The first loop implementation
can continue in a manner illustrated in tables 200, 300, and
400.
Moreover, the personal digital assistant 100 proceeds in a
similar manner in the case where the requested network link
is the network link B 150, the network link C 160, or the
network link D 170.
FIG. 12 illustrates operation of a second loop implementation for attempting multiple network links in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. For example,

(as illustrated in table 500) in the case where the requested
network link is the network link A 240, if the personal digital
assistant 100 fails to establish the network link A 240, the
personal digital assistant 100 attempts to establish the network link C 260 based on the alternative network link designation 240A.
In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant 100 provides a message 900 (FIG. 13) to the user before proceeding
to attempt the network link C 260.
Continuing, (as illustrated in table 600 and by arrow 11 0) if
the personal digital assistant 100 fails to establish the network
link C 260, the personal digital assistant 100 attempts to
establish the network link D 270 based on the alternative
network link designation 260A, since the network link D 270
is the respective alternative network link for the network link
C 260. The personal digital assistant 100 can display the
message 900 (FIG. 13) before proceeding to attempt the
network link C 260.
Moreover, (as illustrated in table 700 and by arrow 120) if
the personal digital assistant 100 fails to establish the network
link D 270, the personal digital assistant 100 attempts again to
establish the network link A 240 based on the alternative
network link designation 270A, since the network link A 240
is the respective alternative network link for the network link
D 270. The personal digital assistant 100 can display the
message 900 (FIG. 13) before proceeding to attempt once
again the network link A 240. The second loop implementation can continue in a manner illustrated in tables 500, 600,
and 700.
Moreover, the personal digital assistant 100 proceeds in a
similar manner in the case where the requested network link
is the network link B 250, the network link C 260, or the
network link D 270.
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart showing a method 1000 of
enabling a user to provide the alternative network link designations for the network links supported by a personal digital
assistant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
At step 1005, the method 100 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention begins.
Continuing, at step 1010, each network link supported by
the personal digital assistant 100 is appropriately configured
in the personal digital assistant 100 so that the personal digital
assistant 100 can initiate and establish the network link when
requested by an application or the user. For example, a network link set-up application can be invoked to configure each
network link. The network link set-up process includes: identifYing the type of network link, inputting network protocol
values, and providing any other information (e.g., type of
modem, number to be dialed by a wired or wireless modem,
initialization string, etc.) to enable the personal digital assistant 100 to initiate and establish the network link.
At step 1015, the user designates one or several alternative
network links for a network link supported by the personal
digital assistant 100, whereas the alternative network link is
selected from the plurality of network links that the personal
digital assistant 100 is configured to support. Also, the user
can specifY whether the personal digital assistant 100 proceeds as described with respect to FIG. 9 (i.e., chain implementation), as described with respect to FIG. 11 (i.e., first
loop implementation), or as described with respect to FIG. 12
(i.e., second loop implementation). The user can omit providing an alternative network link for some of the network links
supported by the personal digital assistant 100. Moreover, the
user can designate any number of alternative network links
for any of the network links supported by the personal digital
assistant 100. Additionally, each network link and its corre-

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sponding alternative network link designation are associated
such that if the network link cannot be establish, the personal
digital assistant 100 attempts to establish another network
link based on the alternative network link designation. In an
embodiment, the alternative network link designation is a
user-defined preference property stored with the configuration information of the corresponding network link.
At step 1020, the method 1000 ends.
FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart showing a method 1200 of
establishing a network link on a personal digital assistant 100
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Reference is made to FIGS. 8-13.
At step 1205, the method 1200 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention begins.
Continuing, at step 1210, an application on the personal
digital assistant 100 opens the network library (described
with respect to FIG. 8), whereas the network library has
network open code that interfaces with the operating system
to initiate and establish a requested network link.
Furthermore, at step 1215, the application sends a network
open request to the network library so that the requested
network link is initiated. At step 1220, the network library
receives the network open request.
At step 1225, the personal digital assistant 100 attempts to
establish the requested network link. The personal digital
assistant 100 initiates the requested network link by performing the network interface tasks (e.g., powering the modem,
instructing the modem to dial a particular number, performing a handshake routine, etc.) that are required for the
requested network link.
Moreover, at step 1230, the personal digital assistant 100
determines whether an error message was generated due to
any of a variety of reasons (e.g., a network-related error, a
time out error, anon-fatal operating system error), preventing
the network link from being established. If the error message
was not generated, the personal digital assistant 100 completes establishing the network link and the method 1200
proceeds to step 1255.
Otherwise, the method 1200 proceeds to step 1235. At step
1235, the personal digital assistant 100 determines the appropriate alternative network link designation based on the chain
implementation, first loop implementation, or second loop
implementation. In an embodiment, the network library
receives the error message and determines the alternative
network link designation corresponding to the network link.
If the network link does not have an alternative network link
designation or if there is no additional alternative network
link, the method 1200 proceed to step 1255.
Otherwise, the method 1200 proceeds to step 1240. At step
1240, the personal digital assistant 100 informs the user that
the requested network link cannot be established and that
another network link will be attempted based on the alternative network link designation. In an embodiment, the message
900 (FIG. 13) is displayed, allowing the user to prevent the
personal digital assistant 100 from proceeding to the alternative network link. Alternatively, the personal digital assistant
100 can proceed to the alternative network link without
informing the user that the requested network link could not
be established.
At step 1245, the personal digital assistant 100 determines
whether the user desires the personal digital assistant 100 to
continue to the alternative network link. If the user does not
want the personal digital assistant 100 to continue to the
alternative network link, the method proceeds to step 1255
and ends.
Otherwise, at step 1250, the personal digital assistant 100
attempts to establish another network link based on the alter-

native network link designation. The personal digital assistant 100 initiates the network link by performing the network
interface tasks (e.g., powering the modem, instructing the
modem to dial a particular number, performing a handshake
routine, etc.) that are required for the network link. The
method 1200 then proceeds to step 1230.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that portions of the
present invention may be incorporated as computer instructions stored as computer program code on a computer-readable medium such as a magnetic disk, CD-ROM, and other
media common in the art or that may yet be developed.
Finally, aspects of the present invention can be implemented as an application, namely, a set of instructions (e. g.,
program code) which may, for example, be resident in the
random access memory of a computer system. Until required
by the computer system, the set of instructions may be stored
in another computer memory, for example, in a hard drive, or
in a removable memory such as an optical disk (for eventual
use in a CD-ROM) or floppy disk (for eventual use in a floppy
disk drive), or downloaded via the Internet or other computer
network. In addition, although the various methods of the
present invention described above can be conveniently implemented in a computer system selectively activated or reconfigured by software, one of ordinary skill in the art would also
recognize that such methods of the present invention may be
carried out in hardware, firmware, or in a more specialized
apparatus constructed to perform the required methods of the
present invention.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed,
and obviously many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen
and described in order to best explain the principles of the
invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various
embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of
the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.

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What is claimed is:
1. A method of establishing one of a plurality of network
links of a plurality of protocols and diverse types of connection on an electronic system, comprising the steps of:
a) associating one or more alternative network link designations with one or more of said network links based
upon a priority order assigned by the user of said electronic system and residing on said electronic system;
b) requesting a first network link of said plurality of network links;
c) attempting to initiate said first network link;
d) determining whether a particular alternative network
link designation is associated with said first network
link; and
e) if said step c) fails to establish said first network link and
if said particular alternative network link designation is
associated with said first network link, attempting to
initiate, by said electronic system, a particular network
link of said plurality of network links based on said
particular alternative network link designation.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the
steps of:
f) determining whether a second alternative network link
designation is associated with said particular network
link; and

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g) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link and if said second alternative network link designation is associated with said particular network link, initiating a second network link of said plurality of network
links based on said second alternative network link designation.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the
step of:
f) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link, attempting to initiate, by said computer system,
said first network link.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the
step of:
f) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link, initiating a second network link of said plurality of
network links based on said alternative network link
designation.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the
steps of:
indicating to a user whether said first network link was
established; and
enabling said user to discontinue establishment of said
particular network link.
6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step b)
includes:
sending a network open request to a shared library of said
computer system.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer
system comprises a personal digital assistant.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said request
for said first network link is based on said priority order.
9. A computer-readable medium comprising computerexecutable instructions stored therein for performing a
method of establishing one of a plurality of network links of
a plurality of protocols and diverse types of connection on an
electronic system, comprising the steps of:
a) associating one or more alternative network link designations with one or more of said network links based
upon a priority order assigned by the user of said electronic system and stored on the electronic system;
b) requesting a first network link of said plurality of network links;
c) attempting to initiate said first network link;
d) determining whether a particular alternative network
link designation is associated with said first network
link; and
e) if said step c) fails to establish said first network link and
if said particular alternative network link designation is
associated with said first network link, attempting to
initiate, by said computer system, a particular network
link of said plurality of network links based on said
particular alternative network link designation.
10. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
f) determining whether a second alternative network link
designation is associated with said particular network
link; and
g) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link and if said second alternative network link designation is associated with said particular network link, initiating a second network link of said plurality of network
links based on said second alternative network link designation.
11. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said method further comprises the step of:
f) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link, attempting to initiate said first network link.

12. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said method further comprises the step of:
f) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link, initiating a second network link of said plurality of
network links based on said alternative network link
designation.
13. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
indicating to a user whether said first network link was
established; and
enabling said user to discontinue establishment of said
particular network link.
14. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said step b) includes:
sending a network open request to a shared library of said
computer system.
15. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said computer system comprises a personal digital
assistant.
16. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 9,
wherein said request for said first network link is based on
said priority order.
17. An electronic system comprising:
a data bus;
a processor coupled to said data bus; and
a memory device coupled to said data bus and having
computer-executable instructions stored therein for performing a method of establishing one of a plurality of
network links of a plurality of protocols and diverse
types of connection on said electronic system, comprising the steps of:
a) associating one or more alternative network link designations with one or more of said network links based
upon a priority order assigned by the user of said electronic system and stored on the memory device;
b) requesting a first network link of said plurality of network links;
c) attempting to initiate said first network link;
d) determining whether a particular alternative network
link designation is associated with said first network
link; and
e) if said step c) fails to establish said first network link and
if said particular alternative network link designation is
associated with said first network link, attempting to
initiate, by said computer system, a particular network
link of said plurality of network links based on said
particular alternative network link designation.
18. An electronic system as recited in claim 17, wherein
said method further comprises the steps of:
f) determining whether a second alternative network link
designation is associated with said particular network
link; and
g) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link and if said second alternative network link designation is associated with said particular network link, initiating a second network link of said plurality of network
links based on said second alternative network link designation.
19. An electronic system as recited in claim 15, wherein
said method further comprises the step of:
f) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link, attempting to initiate, by said computer system,
said first network link.
20. An electronic system as recited in claim 17, further
comprising the step of:

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f) if said step e) fails to establish said particular network
link, initiating a second network link of said plurality of
network links based on said alternative network link
designation.
21. An electronic system as recited in claim 17, wherein
said method further comprises the steps of:
indicating to a user whether said first network link was
established; and
enabling said user to discontinue establishment of said
particular network link.
22. An electronic system as recited in claim 17, wherein
said step
b) includes:
sending a network open request to a shared library of
said computer system.
23. An electronic system as recited in claim 17, wherein
said computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.
24. The electronic system as recited in claim 17, wherein
said request for said first network link is based on said priority
order.
25. An electronic system comprising;
a data bus;
a memory device coupled to said data bus; and
a processor coupled to said data bus, wherein the processor
is configured to attempt to initiate a first network link of
a plurality of network links of a plurality of protocols
and diverse types of connection in response to a request

for said first network link based upon a priority order
assigned by the user of said electronic system and stored
on the computer system, and wherein if said first network link is not established and if a user has previously
designated an alternative network link for said first network link, said processor is further configured to attempt
to initiate said alternative network link.
26. An electronic system as recited in claim 25, wherein if
said alternative network link is not established, a second
alternative network link previously designated by said user is
initiated, based on said priority.
27. An electronic system as recited in claim 25, wherein if
said alternative network link is not established, said first
network link is initiated.
28. An electronic system as recited in claim 25, wherein
whether said first network link was established is indicated to
said user, and wherein said user is enabled to discontinue
establishment of said alternative network link.
29. An electronic system as recited in claim 25, wherein
said request is sent to a shared library of said computer system.
30. An electronic system as recited in claim 25, wherein
said computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.
31. The electronic system as recited in claim 25, wherein
said request for said first network link is based on said priority
order.

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