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)

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111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 US006466236Bl (54) United States Patent (10) Pivowar et ai. (12) (45) Patent No.: US 6,466,236 BI Date of Patent: Oct. 15, 2002 5,809,242 A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AND MANIPULATING MULTIPLE CALENDARS ON A PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT 9/1998 Shaw et al. ................. 709/217 (List continued on next page.) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS W099/06900 11/1999 Inventors: Alvin Pivowar; Steve Hanrahan; Pete Grillo, all of Portland, OR (US) WO (73) Assignee: Palm, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US) ( *) Notice: (21) Appl. No.: 09/288,774 (22) Filed: (51) (52) (58) Int. CI? . ... ..... ... ... ... ..... ... ... ... ... ..... ... ... .... G06F 3/00 U.S. CI. ........................ 345/835; 345/864; 345/963 Field of Search ................................. 345/326, 329, 345/333, 334, 339, 340, 348, 350, 351, 352,354,357, 963, 169, 173,700,703, 733, 744, 764, 765, 775, 776, 781, 810, 835,840,843,864,854,866; 705/8, 9 Puma Technology, Intellisync, http://www.pumatech.com/ intellisync.html, Feb. 22, 1999. TrueSync Technology, TrueSync Tehcnology Platform, http://www.starfich.com/products/truetech/truetech.html. Feb. 22, 1999. When.com, What is When.com?, http://www.when.com. Apr. 7, 1999. PointCast, PointCast Network, http://www.pointcast.com/ products/pcn/index.html?homepb, Apr. 7, 1999. PointCast, PointCast Network, http://www.pointcast.com/ products/pcn/hwork.html?pcnidxbody Apr. 7, 1999. (75) Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.c. 154(b) by 0 days. Apr. 8, 1999 References Cited (56) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,831,552 5,129,057 5,214,768 5,261,045 5,412,791 5,457,476 5,479,411 5,528,745 5,557,659 5,572,643 5,621,458 5,647,002 5,684,990 5,740,549 5,745,884 5,790,974 A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A * 5/1989 Scully et al. ............... 345/329 * 7/1992 Strope et al. ............... 345/348 5/1993 11/1993 5/1995 * 10/1995 12/1995 * 6/1996 9/1996 11/1996 * 4/1997 7/1997 11/1997 4/1998 4/1998 8/1998 Martin et al. ............... 711/114 Scully ........................ 345/751 Martin et al. ............... 711/114 Jenson ....................... 345/146 Klein ...................... 379/88.13 King et al. ................. 345/326 Hyde-Thompson ...... 379/88.13 Judson ....................... 709/218 Mann et al. ................ 348/232 Brunson ..................... 709/206 Boothby ..................... 707/203 Reilly et al. .................. 705/14 Carnegie et al. .............. 705/34 Tognazzini ................. 701/204 136 140 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Primary Examiner---Crescelle N. dela Torre (57) ABSTRACT 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. 27 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets US 6,466,236 BI Page 2 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,862,346 5,870,759 5,877,759 5,907,678 5,933,811 5,949,975 5,966,714 5,982,891 5,999,912 6,000,000 6,009,410 6,011,537 6,014,502 A A A A A A A A A A A A A * 1/1999 2/1999 3/1999 5/1999 8/1999 9/1999 10/1999 11/1999 12/1999 12/1999 12/1999 1/2000 1/2000 Kley .......................... 709/245 Bauer et al. ................ 707/201 Bauer ......................... 345/339 Housel, III et al. ......... 709/213 Angles et al. ................ 705/14 Batty et al. ................. 709/213 Huang ........................ 707/201 Ginter et al. ................. 705/54 Wodarz et al. ................ 705/14 Hawkins et al. ............ 707/201 LeMole et al. ............... 705/14 Slotznick .................... 345/733 Moraes ....................... 709/219 6,023,708 6,026,369 6,026,371 6,034,621 6,034,661 6,034,683 6,058,415 6,101,480 6,131,096 6,131,116 6,138,245 6,151,606 6,161,146 A A A A A A A A A A A A A * * * cited by examiner 2/2000 2/2000 2/2000 3/2000 3/2000 3/2000 5/2000 8/2000 10/2000 10/2000 10/2000 11/2000 12/2000 Mendez ...................... 707/203 Capek ......................... 705/14 Beck et al. ................... 705/14 Kaufman ................... 340/7.21 Servan-Scheiber et al. . 345/668 Mansour et al. ............ 345/339 Polcyn ....................... 709/200 Conmy et al. ................. 705/9 Ng .............................. 707/10 Riggins ...................... 709/219 Son et al. ................... 713/400 Mendez ...................... 707/201 Kley .......................... 709/248 u.s. Patent Sheet 1 of 17 Oct. 15, 2002 US 6,466,236 BI 100 I 102 o 10S Y FIG. 1 u.s. Patent Sheet 2 of 17 Oct. 15, 2002 o US 6,466,236 BI co 0> o o . (!) u.. :::2 o 0::: u.s. Patent Sheet 3 of 17 Oct. 15, 2002 126 128 130 140 136 142 144 146 FIG.3A US 6,466,236 BI u.s. Patent US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 4 of 17 Oct. 15, 2002 302 CAL PICKER (V NAME) .. TAP ON CALENDAR NAME VIEW SUnON 146 ~ Lfi 0::rJ 0::rJ ~ 146 - - E'JIJ \. Y DIID DIID e e I~I!I~I!I DAY 0::IJ I WEEK db OLD da IT0 FIG. 38 MONTH u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 (DEFAULT) 150 CALENDAR r--+" APPT 0 APPT 1 AI:JPl ~Z CALENDAR 0 I US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 5 of 17 150 ~ t! APPJ 0 APPT 1 ....... ~l. CALENDAR 1 I 000 000 CALENDAR INFO FIG.3C 152 APPT 0 APPT 1 APPT 2 CALENDAR N u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 START IN NORMAL MODE (PRIMARY CAL) US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 6 of 17 400 402 408 HANDLE SINGLE VIEW EVENT FOR APPROPRIATE CALENDAR HANDLE MULTIPLE VIEW MULTIPLE [!] VIEW? • NO HANDLE SELECT CALENDARS NO 412 SELECT CALENDAR PICKER'\] FIG.4 HANDLE CALENDAR PICKER 410 u.s. Patent US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 7 of 17 Oct. 15, 2002 408 '" DETERMINE WHICH CALENDARS ARE ACTIVE 500 HANDLE SELECT CALENDARS 508 YES 512 SELECT AN EVENT? NO YES 514 NO HANDLE HEADING FIG. 5 518 516 .HANDLE SELECT EVENT 506 u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 Sheet 8 of 17 516 I US 6,466,236 BI u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 9 of 17 410 / 506 ~ 702 YES TOGGLE SELECTION BUTTON NO SELECTED? ~--. YES ACTIVATE EDIT BUTTON ARROWS 704 ~ EDIT/ADD SELECTION MOVE SELECTION NO FIG.7 HANDLE BUTTON u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 10 of 17 412 / 802 800 YES NO 804 806 CHANGE SELECTORS AS INDICATED 808 RE-DISPLAY 810 REMOVE PULLDOWN FIG. 8 SHOW SELECTED ONE CALENDAR u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 128 140 136 US 6,466,236 BI 1F~·Q.~ . 4~,:.,~.~i:, <1 S M T :'fj: T F S [> -----Willy Mills 134 130 Sheet 11 of 17 9: a ........................__._....._ _...... .........._ . a .... .......... 10: 00 .....§~~.fr.~Jt................................ ................ 11:00 12: 00 ..._.._.__....._ .._._..._.._...__..............._........... 1:\~1' :0"0'1 ........__........._ ............--_..•........._-...--...- _-_..._...._. .. 2: 00 ......__.__._.._._.._ .._....___.._.•••_._..•___.._ 3: 00 ........._..._..._...._..._......_................................... 4: 00 ....__.........__.._...___.._..........._.._............. s: 00 ................._........_......__..._ .......__............_._. 6: 00 .................___......_.___...._........__..._._........... ',: ; . ' . ( Details ) ( Go to ) " ~ :.';' 0- ,::' := :~ ,: ,,' .... . ~.~~ " FIG.9A * u.s. Patent ~ jF~~9,~.:,~.1.,: . ~~ t ~ Willy US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 12 of 17 Oct. 15, 2002 <l S M T ·'II T F S t> ~ Dave Mills Davies 9:00 ......•---.......................... .........•........•......•........•. 10:00 ................................-... .----.... ......•......••.......... See Fred 11:00 12:00 =:===--::'==j~~ill~:-== .- ~~~~ ------___~QJL1.---------------..............._ ................ ---. -~---.---.-.-----------.------ ... ~ 3:00 ..................--.......-------..---.-......--........---. 4:00 ..-.. ....----... ..---............................... 5:00 .--....-............................ ........--....- ...............-. ... 6:00 .................................... •.....-........... ................. -~--.--- ~ ----~-----....... ~ 1~f) \.- ~ , ~l--""--' ~ ~~~t~~ .... un ~ (Details ) ~ 140 ~ ~ - FIG. 98 ~ ~ ~ u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 13 of 17 703 Willy Mills [3' Dave Davies o Pete Grillo o Ben Earle o Mike Reed o Bob McKenzie o Steve Hanrahan o Allison Jones o Alvin Pivowar Freg FI int~to ne~1?::~~>~~~;~i~~!:~;\!1>~~;;M!~1;::~f,~~~~Xk~~ 701 o. @K] .,; ... (Cancel) '-4--J "-I~--' ~ :~:.. . . : :: ,.: ;.'~ .... ......." "':"':" G ~;: ' .."(." "-~.' . ~- """. ,." 706 FIG.9C 708 710 u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 US 6,466,236 BI Sheet 14 of 17 B' Willy Mills 701 [3' Dave Davies [3' Pete Grillo 703 Ben Earle o Mike Reed o Bob McKenzie o Steve Hanrahan D Allison Jones o Alvin Pivowar o Fred Flintstone (]KJ (Cancel) '-+-_ ~__ .. . . .' . i.. ~·l': ~ ., .::.. . ,,'.:" 706 FIG. 90 708 A. 710 u.s. Patent Oct. 15,2002 Sheet 15 of 17 US 6,466,236 BI Palm as Emulator;~i/~{:~//\;~(${:;:///~):?(:A~~f~i/~~{:;::bb~i;;::!{:;: ~If.~~·p. ~. ·.?1,.· . ~.~{ <l S M TlW.~ T F S t> WM DD PG 8:00..-------------.. 10:00 i5<J . ._._. _. . --_._. ._-12:00 ..._........._ .... i5<J. __. . _ . .. .. .. 2: 00 .................-.--. f-;..••••••-.--•••••-..... ••••••••••••••••_ ••-. 4: 00 _.--..........-_.- .__..__.._-- -_._-_.-.....6: 00 ...--......-._..-- .._ ..-.-....- ·.---------.-136 140--- 8:001-.----'------'------J "~.o;. ~ --- \~ti~~ ....Innl ~ ~ :'!~ ·e : · .· ",: ;"'~.l : ........ (Details J (Go to) • 0 .~~~.-': .. , ......\~... . ~ • .......::;0.0:- .;: (. ,~~ .. , .'...,..... ,. ,-~ FIG. 9E u.s. Patent Oct. 15,2002 Sheet 16 of 17 US 6,466,236 BI 902 8:00 ----._---........---------_._----...-----_..._-_._--.................._---_. 9: 00 ..........._....__....____._.___.._._..._............. 10:00 --------_...Fred __......_._........_..__....--...._ . See -.-............ .... 11 :00 .._ _..........._...._ _............_.____..._ _...___..._. .... .. ..... 12:00 ......._........_..._ ____....__.._ _ _..._..._. ...... .... ..... 1:00 ...__._...__............__.__..__._..__........_ __...._._ ... 2: 00 ._..__....._..._.___...._..._........._..._....._....._ .. 3: 00 ..._ _....._ ____.._..._ __._.___..._.___ .. ........ ..... 4: 00 ...................___________._..._..............__ _ ( New) ( Details ) (Go to ) .,: :t - ... ~ .' . . .' :. . ,' 1: ··· G ..~I " ~:~." '" .... .:.:...~. " ~~ .. ·1.:".•... '" FIG.9F u.s. Patent Oct. 15, 2002 Sheet 17 of 17 US 6,466,236 BI Palm OS Emulator;~i:;::0M::,+h~i./~~/f,{:,.~V;::i,:(:0~&::~/:.{}~i:;)~i:;/i(/;~;;;}f/;: ~ }f.Y~·PJ.,g1''':.~:~f:· <J S M T :'ll T F S (» :~Wil'y. Mills:{(~~~~;3~\~g~~~904 <> Dave Davies Pete Grillo Ben Earle Mike Reed Bob McKenzie Steve Hanra ~ ...........__. .........__ ._.... 8:00 --....-...----.-.................. - 803 9:00 ......_._..._...................._ 10:00 ..................._ .................. 11 :00 ........................_ ............. 12:00 ............._ ................._ _ .. 1:00 ........................._-----..........................-........._.----.-... 3: 00 ._..__.........._._.....__............_ _ ......... ........... 4: 00 ___....._. __......._......__...._........................._ .. .. f.\~¥l.}·"lnn (New) ( Details ] ( Go to ) ::'- ~ :" . . . ,: .,' , . ;.' ,;.;~: "':"':" G ...... ' -_.... ....,. :;;.-:- .;; ..... r~ .. : .. ••••• r ·I FIG.9G US 6,466,236 Bl 1 2 a plurality of users may be networked to a single computer, or server, which stores calendars for the users. During operation, each of the users may utilize the server in order to access and manipulate his or her calendar. One example 5 of this can be found on the Internet, wherein various client CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED computers may be connected to the Internet and access one APPLICATIONS of a plurality of calendars on a single server via a web site. The Internet has also allowed multiple users to access a The present application is related to co-pending applicasingle shared group calendar. Such system permits each user tions entitled "System and Method for Synchronizing Mul10 to view and edit various scheduled matters on the single tiple Calendars over a Wide Area Network" by Inventors calendar. As an option, an electronic message may be sent to Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No. each of the users of the group each time the shared group 09/289,764, filed concurrently herewith, and incorporated calendar is edited. herein by reference; "System and Method for Sharing Data In sharp contrast, PDA's currently do not allow the Among a Plurality of Personal Digital Assistants" by Inven- 15 display, let alone the storage of multiple calendars. This is a tors Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No. result of both the limited intended purpose of PDA's and 09/289,771, filed concurrently herewith, and incorporated also various technical limitations. For instance, PDA's are herein by reference; "System and Method for Synchronizing traditionally employed for the storage and manipulation of Data Among a Plurality of Users Via an Intermittently Accessed Network" by Inventors Alvin Pivowar, Steve 20 personal data, hence the name personal digital assistant. As such, PDA's conventionally allows the storage of only a Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No. 09/289,769, filed consingle personal calendar. currently herewith, and incorporated herein by reference; Even if the storage of multiple calendars on a PDA were and "System and Method for Advertising during a Data desired, many technical obstacles prevent such implemenTransfer Process" by Inventors Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No. 09/289,273, filed concur- 25 tation. This is at least partly due to the portable nature of PDA's which mandates that the various components of rently herewith, and incorporated herein by reference. PDA's, including the displays, are extremely compact. This FIELD OF THE INVENTION feature tends to preclude a feasible method of displaying the multiple calendars in a way that such information may be The present invention relates generally to displaying effectively read and manipulated. 30 calendars on personal digital assistants and, more Up to now, the intended purpose and various technical particularly, to a system and method for effectively controllimitations of PDA's has restricted the use of only one ling the presentation and manipulation of calendars on a calendar per PDA. This has limited PDA users to only personal digital assistant. organizing his or her own scheduled matters without regard to the scheduled matters of others. Inherent in this limited BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 35 system is a potential for increased disorganization amongst Personal digital assistants, or PDA's, are commonly various PDA owners who interact in normal everyday life. known hand-held computers that can be used to store, There is thus a need a system and method for storing display, and/or manipulate various personal information multiple calendars on a PDA and further allowing the including, but not limited to contact information, calendar display of such calendars to enable effective retrieval, information, etc. Such information can be downloaded from 40 addition, modification, and deletion of the calendars. other computer systems, or can be inputted by way of a DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION stylus and pressure sensitive screen of the PDA or any other type of input device such as a mechanical keyboard or a A portable, hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) is voice recognition module. Examples of PDA's are the provided for simultaneously depicting multiple calendars on Palm™ computer of 3Com Corporation, and Microsoft 45 a single display. The PDA includes a portable, hand-held CETM computers which are each available from a variety of housing including a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall vendors. therebetween for defining an interior space. An input device Unlike PDA's, conventional desktop computers, in the is situated on the top face of the housing for allowing input past, have allowed the storage and manipulation of multiple 50 of data. Associated therewith is a display situated on the top calendars thereon. This capability has been prompted by the face of the housing for depicting data. Situated in the interior fact that desktop computers are commonly utilized by mulspace of the housing is memory for storing a plurality of tiple users. Further, desktop computers are traditionally calendars each including a plurality of scheduled matters. equipped with the technical features that are necessary to Finally, control circuitry is situated in the interior space of enable such functionality. 55 the housing and connected between the input device, the For example, a desktop computer commonly runs softdisplay, and the memory. The control circuitry serves for ware that is capable of allowing various users to share a total simultaneously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the capacity of the computer. This may be done by allowing display. The controller is further adapted for executing each user to log on and retrieve, add, modify, and delete multiple methods to facilitate the simultaneous display of information, i.e. calendars, that are unique to such user. In 60 the calendars on the display of the PDA. By conveniently terms of technical features, desktops are equipped with an displaying the multiple calendars, the present invention abundance of memory which may be allocated to the calallows a user to more effectively manipulate the same. endars of each of the different users. Also, screens of desktop In order to allow the storage, display, and manipulation of computers are typically have larger than 12" in size. This the calendars, the calendars and scheduled matters may be even allows multiple calendars to be displayed if desired. 65 stored in separate calendar databases. Further included is a Networking of computers has augmented the number of common database including a plurality of identification data calendars that may be stored on one computer. For instance, sets each corresponding to the calendar of one of the SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AND MANIPULATING MULTIPLE CALENDARS ON A PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT US 6,466,236 Bl 3 4 calendar databases. Such identification data sets each FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation 516 of FIG. 5 include attributes corresponding to the associated calendar in greater detail; database. Examples of such attributes may indicate that one FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations 410 and 506 of the calendars is selected, a primary calendar, read only, of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, in greater detail; and/or a foreign calendar. In operation, the calendars of the 5 FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation 412 FIG. 4 in calendar databases in accordance with the attributes that are greater detail; stored in the common database. FIG. 9Ais an illustration of a user interface display of the Further, various methods may be employed to display the present invention showing a single calendar in increments of calendars to allow more effective manipulation. For 10 hours; example, in one embodiment of the present invention, at FIG. 9B is an illustration of a user interface display of the least one calendar is depicted along with a plurality of icons present invention showing a pair of calendars in increments each corresponding to increments of time, i.e. hours, days, of hours along with a marked duration of a scheduled matter; and weeks. Next, the present invention allows the selection FIG. 9C is an illustration of a user interface display of the of one of the icons after which the calendar is divided into increments of time corresponding to the selected icon. As an 15 present invention showing window for selecting which calendars are to be displayed simultaneously; option, the selected icon is enlarged upon a plurality of FIG. 9D is an illustration of a user interface display of the calendars being displayed simultaneously. present invention showing window for selecting which In another embodiment, upon the selection of a desigcalendars are to be displayed simultaneously, wherein an nated icon, a window is depicted which identifies each of the 20 additional calendar is selected by way of a check box; calendars and allows the selection of the calendars by way FIG. 9E is an illustration of a user interface display of the of any graphical interface such as check boxes. Thereafter, present invention showing three calendars in increments of the selected calendars are displayed. While the selected hours, wherein the sections corresponding to each increment calendars are being displayed, any of the selected calendars of time is augmented since a large number of calendars are may be replaced with another calendar using a pull-down 25 displayed at once; window. FIG. 9F is an illustration of a user interface display of the In yet another embodiment, each calendar that is dispresent invention showing one calendar in increments of played is divided into sections corresponding to increments hours with a marked duration of a scheduled matter along of time. Further, the scheduled matters are depicted in the with descriptive text; and sections. In use, a size of the sections is altered as a function 30 of a number of the calendars simultaneously depicted so as FIG. 9G is an illustration of a user interface display of the to allow a sufficient amount of space for depicting the present invention showing a pull-down window for selecting scheduled matters. one of the calendars to be displayed. In accordance with still yet another embodiment, a user is DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED allowed to move the scheduled matters of one of the 35 EMBODIMENTS calendars to another one of the calendars. This may be accomplished by dragging the scheduled matter on the With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the display between the calendars. present invention includes a personal digital assistant (PDA) 100. As shown, the PDA 100 includes portable, hand-held These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed 40 housing 102 having a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall therebetween for defining an interior space. Situated on the description and studying the various figures of the drawings. top face of the housing 102 is an input device 104 which is BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS adapted for allowing input of data. Associated therewith are a plurality of pushbuttons 108 also for input purposes. A The foregoing and other objects, aspects, and advantages are better understood from the following detailed description 45 display 110 is situated on the top face of the housing 102 for depicting data. It should be noted that the pushbuttons 108, of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to input device 104, and/or the display 110 may be amalgamthe drawings, in which: ated into a single device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the personal digital As shown in FIG. 2, memory 112 is typically situated in assistant of one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the interconnec- 50 the interior space of the housing 102. In use, the memory 112 serves for storing a plurality of calendars each including tion of the various electrical components of the personal multiple scheduled matters. As shown, the memory 112 may digital assistant of FIG. 1; take the form of a DRAM or ROM. Also included is a FIG. 3Ais an illustration of a user interface display of the controller 113 situated in the interior space of the housing present invention showing the various features associated 102 and connected between the input device 104, the display 55 therewith; 110, and the memory 112 via at least one bus 116. It should FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying be noted that the controller 113 may include a microprocesmultiple calendars on a display the personal digital assistant sor and accompanying software stored in the memory 112. of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present Alternatively, the controller 113 may take the form of any invention; 60 hardware and/or software combination that is capable of FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a data structure in controlling the various components of the present invention accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; in order to carry out the intended functions. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of simultaIn one embodiment, the PDA 100 may include a handneously displaying multiple calendars on a display of the held Palm™ PDA available from 3Com Corporation or a personal digital assistant of FIG. 1; 65 Microsoft CETM computer. In the alternative, the PDA may take the form of any other type of portable data storage FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation 408 of FIG. 4 in greater detail; module which is capable storing, editing, and/or synchro- US 6,466,236 Bl 5 6 nizing sets of personal data. This may be accomplished by allowing the selection of multiple calendars to be displayed any type of I/O mechanisms including, but not limited to a simultaneously in the third state 304. display 110, a plurality of push buttons, a keyboard, a data In the third state 304, the pull-down icon 134 of any of the port, an electronic writing pad using a stylus 106, a voice calendar headings 132 can be used in a manner similar to recognition unit, and/or any other type of I/O device capable 5 that in the previous states in order to select one of the of inputting and/or outputting personal data. It should be available calendars in place of the currently displayed calnoted that any of the foregoing I/O devices may be mechaniendars. Further, the calendar headings 132 may be selected cal in nature or, in the alternative, be incorporated into a for reverting to the second state 302, herein a single calendar "touch-sensitive" display. is displayed. During use of the PDA 100 of the present invention, 10 As shown in FIG. 3B, in each of the states, the calendars various features are displayed during operation in a "calenmay be divided into various selected increments of hours, dar" mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A the display days, and weeks. It should be noted that the calendars may 110 generally includes a header 120 including a day selector include any type of calendars including a sports calendar, a bar 122 having a plurality of day select icons 124, a current personal calendar, a work-related calendar, and/or another date field 126, and a calendar select icon 128. Below the 15 person's calendar. Such calendars may be manually header 120 is a plurality of data fields 129 each correspondinputted, downloaded, or synchronized in any fashion. ing to specific times which are identified by time identifiers FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a data structure 130. The data fields 129 also have a calendar heading 132 which facilitates the display of multiple calendars on a and an associated pull-down icon 134 positioned there above display 110 of the PDA 100 of FIG. 1. In order to facilitate for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter. 20 handling the various calendars stored within the PDA 100, With continuing reference to FIG. 3A, positioned along a each of the calendars and associated scheduled matters may lower portion of the display 110 is a time increment selector be stored in separate databases 150. Further, a common bar 136 including three time increment icons 140 each database 152 may be provided including a plurality of corresponding to a unique time increment. Ideally, the icons identification data sets each corresponding to the calendar of of the time increment selector bar 136 include three squares 25 one of the calendar databases. each having a number of indicia elements that corresponds In one embodiment, each identification data set includes to an associated time increment. It should be noted that when a system name, i.e. CALO, CALI, CAL2, etc.; a username, selected, the day select icons 124, time increment icons 140, i.e. Willie Mills, Dave Davies, etc.; and a plurality of and time identifiers 130 may be highlighted or otherwise 30 attributes. As shown in FIG. 3C, such attributes may indidistinguished with respect to the remaining icons and idencates that one of the calendars is selected, a primary calendar tifiers. Also shown in FIG. 3Ais a new button 142, a details (default), read only, or a foreign calendar. It should be noted button 144, and a goto button 146. that the attributes may be selectively determined by the user It should be noted that while the calendars are being or automatically assigned depending on a source of the displayed, a user may utilize anyone or more of the I/O 35 associated calendar. In use, the common database may be devices to create, edit, modify various aspects of the calenreferenced to display the calendars of the calendar databases dar information such as data, security rights, or sharing in accordance with the attributes. Further, the common rights. In various alternate embodiments, the foregoing database allows the scheduled matters to be shared among principles may also be applied to other information such as the calendar databases. contact information. It should be noted that the data structure of FIG. 3C is 40 FIG. 3B generally shows the operation of one embodifurther critical for allowing the features of the present ment of the present invention. In use, the controller of the invention to be utilized with PDA's that are capable of PDA 100 is adapted for allowing a user to simultaneously handling only a single calendar. This backwards compatdepict a plurality of the calendars 146 on the display 110. ibility is enabled by allowing the data of each of the This is accomplished by permitting operation in a plurality 45 calendars including the original calendar to be stored indeof states. For example, in a first state 300, a single primary, pendently. The correlation data in the form of attributes, on or default, calendar is displayed. A second state 302 is used the other hand, is stored in a separate common database. to depict a single calendar other than the primary calendar. FIG. 4 shows a more detailed flowchart of the method of In still yet another state, a third state 304, a plurality of simultaneously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the calendars may be depicted. 50 display. In operation 400 of FIG. 4, the primary calendar, as During use, a user may maneuver between the various indicated by the attributes, is displayed, as shown in FIG. states by selecting certain items on the PDA 100. For 9A. Next, in decisions 402 and 404, a wait loop is executed example, while in the first state 300, a user may shift to the until a multiple-view event, i.e. an event that requires the second state by selecting the pull-down icon 134 which in display of multiple calendars, is detected. If such event is not turn provides a pull-down window for allowing the selection 55 detected, the display continues normally in operation 406 of of any available calendars in place of the primary calendar FIG. 4. Note FIG. 9A. in the second state 302. In the alternative, the calendar select If, however, a multiple-view event is detected, it is then icon 128 may be selected which provides a separate full-size determined which type of multiple-view event has taken window for allowing the selection of multiple calendars to place. It should be noted that a multiple-view event may be displayed simultaneously in the third state 304. Further 60 include the selection of the calendar select icon 128, one of details regarding the operation of the pull-down window and the time increment icons 140, or the pull-down icon 134. If full-size window will be set forth later. it is determined that one of the time increment icons 140 was While in the second state 302, the pull-down icon 134 selected in decision 404, the multiple views are handled in may be used in a manner similar to that in the first state 300 operation 408. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the in order to select one of the available calendars in place of 65 calendar select icon 128 was selected in decision 404, the selected calendars are handled in operation 410. Finally, if it the currently displayed calendar. Further, the calendar select icon 128 may be selected to provide the full-size window for is determined that the pull-down icon 134 was selected in US 6,466,236 Bl 7 8 decision 404, the calendars are picked in operation 412. the pull-down icon 134 was selected. As shown, it is first Additional details regarding operations 4S, 410, and 412 will determined whether the calendar associated with the pullbe set forth hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and S. down icon 134 is a primary calendar in decision SOO. If so, then any selected calendar is shown in addition to the FIG. 5 is a more detailed flowchart delineating the method associated with the operation 40S shown in FIG. 4 when one 5 primary calendar in operation S02. If, however, the calendar associated with the pull-down icon 134 is not a primary of the time increment icons 140 is selected. As shown in calendar and there are not many calendars that are selected(l FIG. 5, it is first determined which calendars are active, or or 2), then a pull-down window S03 is displayed in operation selected, in operation 500 after which such active calendars S04. Note FIG. 9G. Thereafter, a new calendar may be are displayed side-by-side in operation 502 and divided into the time increments associated with the time increment icon 10 selected in operation S06 after which such selected calendar replaces the previous calendar in operation SOS in the that was selected. In other words, the calendar(s) is divided corresponding section of the display. Finally, the pull-down into increments of time corresponding to one of the time window is disabled in operation S10. increment icons 140 that is currently selected. As an option, With specific reference now to FIGS. 9A-9G, various the selected icon may be altered, i.e. enlarged, upon a plurality of calendars being displayed simultaneously, 15 graphical user interfaces are shown that may occur during use of the present invention. FIG. 9A depicts a single wherein the selected time increment icon is augmented as a calendar divided into increments of hours. As shown, the function of a number of the calendars being displayed time increment icons 140 of the time increment selector bar simultaneously. Note, for example, FIGS. 9B and 9E. 136 are of a similar size when a single calendar is displayed. With continuing reference to FIG. 5, after the selected FIG. 9B shows a pair of calendars displayed simultacalendars are displayed, it is then determined in decision 504 20 neously in a side-by-side relationship and each divided into whether the calendar select icon 12S has been selected. If so, increments of hours. It should be noted that the time the selected calendars are handled in operation 506. If not, increment icon 140 that corresponds to the increments of it is then determined in decision 50S whether a specific time, hours is enlarged since multiple calendars are displayed. i.e. date, has been selected. If so, then a portion of the process is repeated. If a specific time is not determined in 25 Further, a time duration bar 900 is included for indicating a time period during which a scheduled matter is arranged. decision 50S, it is determined in decision 510 whether one of the time increment icons 140 has been selected. If so, the FIG. 9C depicts the full-size window 701 which displays present method ceases. If not, however, it is then determined all of the calendars available to be picked. As shown, whether a calendar heading 132 or an event, i.e. scheduled checkboxes 703 are available to facilitate such selection. As matter, has been selected in decisions 512 and 514, respec- 30 mentioned earlier, in order for the full-size window 701 to tively. Thereafter, the calendar heading 132 or event is be displayed, the calendar select icon 12S of FIG. 3A must be selected. FIG. 9D also shows the full-size window 701, handled in operations 516 and 51S, respectively. but with an additional selected calendar. As shown, selection FIG. 6 is a more detailed flowchart illustrating the method associated with operation 516 shown in FIG. 5. In particular, 35 of a calendar is facilitated by way of a highlight bar 903. FIG. 9E depicts three calendars displayed simultaneously as shown in decision 600 of FIG. 6, it is first determined in a side-by-side relationship and each divided into increwhether there is more than one calendar displayed on the ments of hours. As shown, the sections of each calendar are PDA 100 or, in other words, whether the present invention enlarged to compensate for the smaller areas in which the is operating in the third state 304 of FIG. 3B. If the present invention is operating in the third state 304, details relating 40 calendars are fitted. In the present display, the time increment icon 140 that corresponds to the increments of hours is to the instant event, or scheduled matter, are presented in an enlarged. unillustrated pop-up window in operation 602. At that point, the user may decide whether to move the instant event in FIG. 9F shows a single calendar similar to that of 9A with decision 604. If so, in operation 606, the event may be the exception of an open appointment icon 902 that indicates moved to another one of the simultaneously displayed 45 that a specific time period is open. FIG. 9G is an illustration calendars by dragging the scheduled matter on the display showing the pull-down window S03 which may be accessed between the calendars using the stylus 106 or any other input by selecting the pull-down icon 134. In one embodiment, the device. pull-down window requires only a part of the display 110 of the PDA 100. As shown, a currently selected calendar is With continuing reference to FIG. 6, it is shown that the events, or scheduled matters, of the calendars may be 50 indicated by way of a highlight bar 904. modified. This is accomplished by first determining whether While various embodiments have been described above, the detail button 144 has been selected in decision 60S. If it it should be understood that they have been presented by has, the event is displayed in operation 610 for modification way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth if desired in operation 612. and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited FIG. 7 is a more detailed flowchart delineating the method 55 by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following associated with operations 410 and 506 shown in FIGS. 4 claims and their equivalents. and 5, respectively, when the calendar select icon 12S is What is claimed is: selected. Upon such selection, a window 701 is displayed 1. A portable data storage module for simultaneously which identifies each of the calendars. Note FIGS. 9C and 9D. As indicated in decision 700 and operation 702, a user 60 depicting multiple calendars on a single display comprising: a portable, hand-held housing including a top face, a may select among the calendars by toggling through the bottom face, and a side wall therebetween for defining identifiers and using the check boxes 703 of the window. an interior space; Thereafter, the calendars may be edited, added, or moved in operations 704 using a new button 706, edit button 70S, and an input device situated on the top face of the housing and a pair of arrow buttons 710. adapted for allowing input of data; 65 a display situated on the top face of the housing and Finally, FIG. S is a more detailed flowchart delineating the method associated with operation 412 shown in FIG. 4 when adapted for depicting data; US 6,466,236 Bl 9 10 memory situated in the interior space of the housing for 15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the storing a plurality of calendars each including a pluwindow is enabled upon selecting an icon. rality of scheduled matters; and 16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the window is a pull-down window. a controller situated in the interior space of the housing and connected between the input device, the display, 5 17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein each calendar that is selected is given a calendar heading. and the memory, the controller suitable for simulta18. Amethod for controlling the presentation of a plurality neously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the of calendars on a display of a portable data storage module display. comprising the operations of: 2. The portable data storage module as recited in claim 1, wherein the scheduled matters are depicted on the display 10 storing various calendars within a portable data storage with each calendar. module in separate databases; 3. The portable data storage module as recited in claim 1, depicting a plurality of calendars simultaneously on a wherein the calendars are divided into increments of hours. display of a portable data storage module, the display 4. The portable data storage module as recited in claim 1, situated on a top face of the portable data storage wherein the calendars are divided into increments of days. 15 module, wherein each calendar is divided into sections 5. The portable data storage module as recited in claim 1, corresponding to increments of time and scheduled wherein the calendars are divided into increments of weeks. matters are depicted in the sections; and 6. The portable data storage module as recited in claim 1, altering a size of the sections as a function of a number of wherein the controller is suitable for manipulating the calthe calendars simultaneously depicted. 20 endars. 19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the size of 7. A method for controlling the presentation of at least one the sections is inversely proportional to the number of calendar on a display of a portable data storage module calendars simultaneously depicted. comprising the operations of: 20. Amethod for controlling the presentation of a plurality storing various calendars within a portable data storage 25 of calendars on a display of a portable data storage module module in separate databases, comprising the operations of: depicting at least one calendar on a display of a portable storing various calendars within a portable data storage data storage module, the display situated on a top face module in separate databases; of the portable data storage module; depicting a plurality of calendars with scheduled matters depicting a plurality of icons each corresponding to 30 on a display of a portable data storage module, the increments of time selected from the group of incredisplay situated on a top face of the portable data ments of time including hours, days, and weeks; storage module; and allowing the selection of one of the icons; and allowing movement of the scheduled matter of one of the dividing the at least one calendar into increments of time calendars to another one of the calendars. 35 corresponding to one of the icons that is selected. 21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein scheduled 8. The method as recited in claim 7, and further comprismatter is moved by dragging the scheduled matter on the ing the operation of: display between the calendars. 22. A method for simultaneously depicting multiple calaltering one of the icons upon a plurality of calendars being displayed simultaneously. endars on a display of a portable data storage module 9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the selected 40 comprising the operations of: icon is altered upon a plurality of the calendars being providing a plurality of calendar databases each including displayed simultaneously. a calendar having a plurality of scheduled matters; 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the selected providing a common database including a plurality of icon is altered as a function of a number of the calendars identification data sets each corresponding to the cal45 being displayed simultaneously. endar of one of the calendar databases, the identifica11. A method for controlling the presentation of a plurality tion data sets each including attributes corresponding to of calendars on a display of a portable data storage module the calendar database; and comprising the operations of: displaying the calendars of the calendar databases on a top storing various calendars within a portable data storage 50 face of the portable data storage module in accordance module in separate databases; with the attributes. providing a window on a display of a portable data storage 23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein one of the module which identifies each of the calendars, the attributes indicates that one of the calendars is selected. display situated on a top face of the portable data 24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein one of the storage module; 55 attributes indicates that one of the calendars is a primary calendar. allowing the selection of the identified calendars dis25. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein one of the played in the window; and attributes indicates that one of the calendars is read only. simultaneously displaying all of the selected calendars. 26. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein one of the 12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein upon a plurality of calendars being selected, each of the selected 60 attributes indicates that one of the calendars is a foreign calendar. calendars are depicted simultaneously. 27. The method as recited in claim 22, and further 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein upon a comprising the operation of: plurality of calendars being selected, one of the selected calendars may be replaced with another calendar. manipulating the calendars of the calendar databases. 14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the 65 selection of the calendars is executed using check boxes. * * * * *

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