SmartPhone Technologies LLC v. Apple, Inc. et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against AT&T Mobility LLC, AT&T, Inc., Apple, Inc. ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3314474.), filed by SmartPhone Technologies LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Civil Cover Sheet)(Ward, Thomas)

EXHIBIT C

111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US006466236Bl

(54)

United States Patent

(10)

Pivowar et al.

(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 a!. ................. 709/217

(List continued on next page.)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
W099/06900

11/1999

(75)

Inventors: Alvin Plvowar; Steve Hanrahan; Pete
Grillo, all of Portland, OR (US)

WO

(73)

Assignee: Palm, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US)

(*)

Notice:

Puma Tecbnology, Intellisync, http://www.pumatecb.com/
intellisync.btml, Feb. 22, 1999.
TrueSync Technology, TrueSync Tebcnology Platform,
http://www.starfich.com/products/truetecb/truetech.hlml.
Feb. 22, 1999.
Wben.com, What is Wben.com?, http://www.when.com.
Apr. 7, 1999.
PointCast, PointCast Network, bttp://www.pointcast.com/
products/pcn/index.btml?bomepb, Apr. 7, 1999.
PointCast, PointCast Network, bttp://www.pointcast.com/
producL~/pcn/hwork.html?pcnidxbody Apr. 7, 1999.

Subject to any disclaimer, tbe term of this
patent is extended or adjusted uoder 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21)

App!. No.: 09/288,774

(22)

Filed:

(51)
(52)
(58)

Apr. 8,1999
7

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

(56)

References Cited
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

5/1989
7/1992
5/1993
11/1993
A
5/1995
A • 10/ 1995
A
12/1995
A • 6/1996
A
9/1996
A
11/1996
A • 4/1997
A
7/1997
A
11/1997
A
4/1998
A
4/1998
A
8/1998
A
A
A
A

•
•

Scully ct a!. ............... 345/329
Strope el al. ............... 345/348
Martin et a!. ............... 711/114
Scully ........................ 345/751
Martin et at ................ 711/114
Jenson ....................... 345/146
Klein ...................... 379/88.13
King ct al. ................. 345/326
Hyde-Thompson ...... 379/88.13
Judson .. ............ ......... 709/218
Mann et al. .............. .. 348/232
Brunson ..................... 709/206
Boothby ..... .. .............. 707/203
Reilly et a!. .................. 705/14
Carnegie et al. ...... ........ 705/34
Tognazzini ......... .. ...... 701/204

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Primary Examiner-Crescelle N. dela Torre
ABSTRACT

(57)

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 situa ted 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

""'" Willy Mills

""'" Dave Davies

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US 6,466,236 III
I'age 2

u.s. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,862,346 A
5,870,759 A

SIJ77.759 A
S,9Q7,618 A
5,933,811
5,949,975
5,966,714
5,982,891
5,999,912

A
A
A
A
A

6,(XX),ooo A

6,009,410 A
6,0 11 ,537 A
6,014,502 A

1/1999 Kit)' ............... .......... 109/245
2/1999 !bUt. cl .1. ................ 7071201
JlI9S19 IlaUt, ......................... 345/339

5/1999 Housel, III el.t. ......... 109/213
8/1999 AQ~C:S d .1. ................ 705/14
9/1999 lbuy eill. ................. 7(l9/213
1(V1999
II/1m
12/1999
12/1999
1211999
1!2000

HUD", ........................ WOO l

Ginter el II. ................. 705JS4
Wodon: ct II. ................ 705/14
Hawkins el al. .....•••.... 7fI1(201
uMole el al ................ 705J14
SloI-,,,,ick ...................• 345(733

112000 Morau ....................... 109/219

6,023,708
6,026,369
6,026,37 1
6,034,621
6,034,661
6,034,683
6,058,4 15
6,101,4&)
6,13 1,096
6,131,116
6,138,.245
6,15 1,606
6,16 1, 146

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

• ciled by examioor

2I2OOJ Mendez ...................... 707{2fJ3

>12000 Capek ......................... 71)5/14
eck
>12000 H ct ~l. ................... 705{14
3/2000 Kaurman .................. 34on.21
:112000 Serv.n-Scbd~r tl MI.. 345J668
3i2QOO Man$O\lr d'!. ............ 345/339
!'ole)'n ....................... 700/200
8/2000 Conmy (I a!. ................. 7Q5J!)

:!121m

,-

,<>2000 Ng .............................. 707110
' <>2000 lI.iggiM ...................... 7fJJ{2 19

''''''''''
' 2I2OOJ

Son (1.1. ................... 713/400

Mcnde:t ...................... 707/201
Klc), ............. .. ...........

7oo{248

u.s. Patent

Sheet 1 of 17

Oct. 15, 2002

US 6,466,236 HI

100

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FIG.3A

U.S. Patent

US 6,466,236 BI

Sheet 4 of 17

Oct. 15, 2002

CAL
PICKER
(v NAME)

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US 6,466,236 BI

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APP' 2

CALENDAR

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u.s. Patent

Oct. 15, 2002

START IN
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(PRIMARY CAL

US 6,466,236 BI

Sheet 6 of 17

400

402

408
HANDLE
SINGLE VIEW
EVENT FOR
APPROPRIATE CALENDAR

HANDLE
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NO

HANDLE
SELECT
CALENDARS

NO

412
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u.s. Patent

US 6,466,236 BI

Sheet 7 of 17

Oct. 15, 2002

408

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DETERMINE WHICH
CALENDARS ARE
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500

HANDLE
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508

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YES

512
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516
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NO

518

FIG. 5

U.S. Patent

Oct. 15, 2002

Sheet 8 of 17

516

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US 6,466,236 Bl

u.s. Patent

Oct. 15,2002

US 6,466,236 Bl

Sheet 9 of 17

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u.s. Patent

Oct. 15, 2002

US 6,466,236 BI

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CALENDAR

u.s. Patent

US 6,466,236 Bi

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2

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPIAYlNG
AND MANIPUIATlNG MULTlPLE
CALENDARS ON A PERSONAL DIGlTAL
ASSISTANT

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
of this can be found on the Internet, wherein various client
computers may be connected to the Internet and access one
of a plurality of calendars on a single server via a web site.
The Internet bas also allowed mUltiple users to access a
single sbared group calendar. Such system permits each user
to view and edit various scheduled matters on the single
calendar. As an option, an electronic message may be sent to
each of tbe users of the group each time the shared group
calendar is edited.
In sbarp contrast, PDA's currently do not allow the
display, let alone the storage of multiple calendars. This is a
result of both the limited intended purpose of PDA's and
also various tecbnical limitations. For instance, PDA's are
traditionally employed for the storage and manipUlation of
personal data, hence the name personal digital assistant. As
such, PDA's conventionally allows the storage of only a
single personal calendar.
Even if the stnrage of multiple calendars on a PDA were
desirt:d, many technical obstacles prevent such implementation. This is at least partly due to the portable nature of
PDA's whicb mandates that the various components of
PDA's, including the displays, are extremely compact. This
feature tends to preclude a feasible method of displaying the
mUltiple calendars in a way that such information may be
effectively read and manipulated.
Up to now, the intended purpose and various technical
limitations of PDA's has restricted the use of only one
calendar per PDA. This has limited PDA users to only
organizing his or her own scheduled matters without regard
to the scheduled matters of others. Inherent in this limited
system is a potential for increased disorganization amongst
various PDA owners who interact in normal everyday life.
There is thus a need a system and method for storing
mUltiple calendars on a PDA and further allowing the
display of such calendars to enable effective retrieval,
addition, modification, and deletion of the calendars.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
The present application is related to co-pending applications entitled "System and Method for Synchronizing Mul10
tiple Calendars over a Wide Area Network" by Inventors
Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No .
09/289,764, filed concurrenlly herewith, and incorporated
herein by reference; "System and Method for Sharing Data
Among a Plurality of Personal Digital Assistants" by Inven- 15
tors Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No.
09/289,771, filed concurrently herewith, and incorporated
herein by reference; "System and Method for Synchronizing
Data Among a Plurality of Users Via an Intermittently
Accessed Network" by Inventors Alvin Pivowar, Steve 20
Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No. 09/289,769, filed concurrently herewith, and incorporated herein by reference;
and "System and Method for Advertising during a Data
Transfer Process" by Inventors Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan and Pete Grillo, Ser. No. 09/289,273, filed concur- 25
renLly herewith, and incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to displaying
calendars on personal digital assistants and, more
particularly, to a system and method for effectively controlling the presentation and manipUlation of calendars on a
personal digital assistant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Personal digital assistants, or PDA's, are commonly
known hand-held computers that can be used to store,
display, and/or manipulate various personal information
including, but not limited to contact information, calendar
information, etc. Such information can be downloaded from
other computer systems, or can be inputted by way of a
stylus and pressure sensitive screen of the PDAor any other
type of input device such as a mechanical keyboard or a
voice recognition module. Examples of PDA's are the
Palm™ computer of 3Com Corporation, and Microsoft
CETM computers which are eacb available from a variety of
vendors.
Unlike PDA's, conventional desktop computers, in tbe
past, have allowed tbe storage and manipulation of multiple
calendars thereon. This capability has been prompted by the
fact tbat desktop computers are commonly utilized by multiple users. Further, desktop computers are traditionally
equipped with the technical features that are necessary to
enable sueb functionality.
For example, a desktop computer commonly runs software that is capable of allowing various users to sbare a total
capacity of the computer. This may be done by allowing
each user to log on and retrieve, add, modify, and delete
information, i.e. calendars, that are unique to such user. In
terms of technical features, desktops are equipped with an
abundance of memory which may be allocated to the calendars of each of the different users. Also, screens of desktop
computers are typically have larger than 12" in size. This
even allows multiple calendars to be displayed if desired.
Networking of computers has augmented the number of
calendars that may be stored on one computer. For instance,

30

35

40

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
45

50

55

60

65

A portable, hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) is
provided for simultaneously depicting multiple calendars on
a single display. The PDA includes a portable, hand-held
hnusing including a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall
tberebetween 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 eacb including a plurality of scheduled matters.
Finally, control circuitry is situated in the interior space of
the housing and connected between the input device, the
display, and the memory. The control circuitry serves for
simultaneously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the
display. The controller is further adapted for executing
multiple methods to facilitate the simultaneous display of
the calendars on the display of the PDA. By conveniently
displaying the multiple calendars, the present invention
allows a user to more effectively manipulate the same.
In order to allow the storage, display, and manipulation of
the calendars, the calendars and scheduled matters may be
stored in separate calendar databases. Furtber included is a
common database including a plurality of identification data
sets each corresponding to the calendar of one of the

US 6,466,236 Bl

3

4

calendar databases. Such identification data sets each
include attributes corresponding to the associated calendar
database. Examples of such attributes may indicate that one
of the calendars is selected, a primary calendar, read only,
and/or a foreign calendar. In operation, the calendars of the
calendar databases in accordance with the attributes that are
stored in the common database.
Further, various methods may be employed to display the
calendars to allow more effective manipulation. For
example, in one embodiment of the present invention, at
least one calendar is depicted along with a plurality of icons
each corresponding to increments of time, i.e. hours, days,
and weeks. Next, the present invention allows the selection
of one of the icons after which the calendar is divided into
increments of time corresponding to the selected icon. As an
option, the selected icon is enlarged upon a plurality of
calendars being displayed simultaneously.
In another embodiment, upon the selection of a designated icon, a window is depicted which identifies each of the
calendars and allows the selection of the calendars by way
of any graphical interface such as check boxes. Thereafter,
the selected calendars are displayed. While the selected
calendars are being displayed, any of the selected calendars
may be replaced with another calendar using a pull-down
window.
In yet another embodiment, each calendar that is displayed is divided into sections corresponding to increments
of time. Further, the scheduled matters are depicted in the
sections. In use, a size of the sections is altered as a function
of a number of the calendars simultaneously depicted so as
to allow a sufficient amount of space for depicting the
scheduled matters.
In accordance with still yet another embodiment, a user is
allowed to move the scheduled matters of one of the
calendars to another one of the calendars. This may be
accomplished by dragging the scheduled matter on the
display between the calendars.
These and other advantages of the present invention will
hecome apparent upon reading the following detailed
description and studying the various figures of the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation 516 of FIG. 5
in greater detail;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations 410 and 506
of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, in greater detail;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation 412 FIG. 4 in
greater detail;
FIG. 9Ais an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing a single calendar in increments of
hours;
FIG. 9B is an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing a pair of calendars in increments
of hours along with a marked duration of a scheduled mailer;
FIG. 9C is an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing window for selecting which
caleod ars are to be displayed simultaneously;
FIG. 9D is an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing window for selecting which
calendars are to be displayed simultaneously, wherein an
additional calendar is selected hy way of a check box;
FIG. 9E is an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing three calendars in increments of
hours, wherein the sections corresponding to each increment
of time is augmented since a large number of calendars are
displayed at once;
FIG. 9F is an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing one calendar in increments of
hours with a marked duration of a scheduled mattcr along
with descriptive text; and
FIG. 9G is an illustration of a user interface display of the
prcscnt invention showing a pull-down window for selecting
one of the calendars to he displayed.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, aspects, and advantages
arc better understood from the following detailed description
of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to
the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the personal digital
assistant of one emhodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the interconnection of the various electrical components of the personal
digital assistant of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is an illustration of a user interface display of the
present invention showing the various features associated
therewith;
FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying
multiple calendars on a display the personal digital assistant
of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a data structure in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of simultaneously displaying multiple calendars on a display of the
personal digital assistant of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation 408 of FIG. 4
in greater detail;

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes a personal digital assistant (PDA)
100. As shown, the PDA 100 includes portable, hand-held
housing 102 having a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall
therebetween for defining an interior space. Situated on the
top face of the housing 102 is an input device 104 which is
adapted for allowing input of data. Associated therewith are
a plurality of pushbuttons 1118 also for input purposes. A
display 110 is situated on the top face of the housing 102 for
depicting data. It should he noted that the pushbuttons 108,
input device 104, and/or the display 110 may be amalgamated into a single device.
As shown in FIG. 2, memory 112 is typically situated in
the interior space of the housing 102. In use, the memory 112
serves for storing a plurality of calendars each including
mUltiple scheduled matters. As shown, the memory 112 may
take the form of a DRAM or ROM. Also included is a
controller 113 situated in the interior space of the housing
102 and connected between the input device 104, the display
110, and the memory 112 via at least one bus 116. It should
be noted that the controller 113 may include a microprocessor and accompanying software stored in the memory 112.
Alternatively, the controller 113 may take the form of any
hardware and/or software combination that is capable of
controlling the various components of the present invention
in order to carry out the intended functions.
In one embodiment, the PDA 100 may include a handheld Palm™ PDA available from 3Com Corporation or a
Microsoft CETM computer. In the alternative, the PDA may
take the form of any other type of portable data storage
module which is capable storing, editing, and/or synchro-

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allowing the selection of multiple calendars to be displayed
nizing sets of personal data . This may be accomplished by
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
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 tbe 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 arc 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 thereabovc
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 associ ated 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 tinle increment icons 140 each
database 152 may be provided including a plurality of
identification data sets each corresponding to the calendar of
corresponding to a unique time increment. Ideally, the icons
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, CA12, 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
attributes. As shown in FIG. 3C, such attributes may indidistinguished with respect to the remaining icons and iden- 30 cates 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. lt should be noted
button 144, and a goto button 146.
that tbe 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 creatc, edit, modify various aspects of the calenreferenced to display the calendars of the calendar databases
in accordance with the attributes. Further, the common
dar information such as data, security rights, or sharing
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 tbat the data structure of FIG. 3C is
,10
FIG. 3D 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 compatibility is enabled by allowing the data of each of the
depict a plurality of the calendars 146 on the display 110.
This is accomplished by permitting operation in a plurality 45 calendars including the original calendar to be stored independently. The correlation data in the form of attributes, on
of states. For example, in a first state 300, a single primary,
the other hand, is stored in a separate common database.
or default, calendar is displayed. A second state 302 is used
to depict a single calendar other than the primary calendar.
FIG. 4 shows a more detailed flowchart of tbe 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, tbe 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
selected in decision 404, the multiple views are handled in
While in the second state 302, the pull-down icon 134
operation 408. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the
may be used in a manner similar to that in the first state 300
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 currenlly displayed calendar. Further, the calendar select
is determined that the pull-down icon 134 was selected in
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decision 404, the calendars are picked in operation 4U.
Additional details regarding operations 4S, 410, and 412 will
be set forth hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and S.
FIG. 5 is a more detailed flowchart delineating the method
associated with the operation 40S shown in FIG. 4 when one
of the time increment icons 140 is selected. As shown in
FIG. 5, it is first determined which calendars are active, or
selected, in operation 500 after which such active calendars
are displayed side-by-side in operation 502 and divided into
the time increments associated with the time increment icon
that was selected. In other words, the calendar(s) is divided
into increments of time corresponding to one of the time
increment icons 140 that is currently seh:cted. As an option,
the selected icon may be altered, i.e. enlarged, upon a
plurality of calendars being displayed simultaneously,
wherein the selected time increment icon is augmented as a
function of a number of the calendars being displayed
simultaneously. Note, for example, FIGS. 9B and 9E.
With continuing reference to FIG. 5, after the selected
calendars are displayed, it is then determined in decision 504
whether the calendar select icon 128 has been selected. If so,
the selected calendars are handled in operation 506. If not,
it is then determined in decision 508 whether a specific time,
i.e. date, has been selected. If so, then a portion of the
process is repeated. If a specific time is not determined in
decision 508, it is determined in decision 510 whether one
of the time increment icons 140 has been selected . If so, the
present method ceases. If not, however, it is then determined
whether a calendar heading 132 or an event, i.e. scheduled
matter, has been selected in decisions 512 and 514, respectively. Thereafter, tbe calendar heading 132 or event is
handled in operations 516 and 518, respectively.
FIG. 6 is a more detailed flowchart illustrating the method
associated with operation 516 shown in FIG. 5. In particular,
as sbown in decision 600 of FIG. 6, it is first determined
whether tbere is more than one calendar displayed on the
PDA 100 or, in other words, whether the present invention
is operating in the third state 304 of FIG. 3B. If the present
invention is operating in the third state 304, details relating
to the instant event, or scheduled matter, are presented in an
unillustrated pop-up window in operation 602. At that point,
the user may decide whether to move the instant event in
decision 604. If so, in operation 606, the event may be
moved to another one of the simultaneously displayed
calendars by dragging the scheduled matter on the display
between the calendars using the stylus 106 or any other input
device.
With continuing reference to FIG. 6, it is shown tbat the
events, or scheduled matters, of the calendars may be
modified. This is accomplished by first determining whether
the detail button 144 bas been selected in decision 608. If it
bas, the event is displayed in operation 610 for modification
if desired in operation 612.
FIG. 7 is a more detailed flowchart delineating the method
associated witb operations 410 and 506 shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, respectively, when the calendar select icon 128 is
selected. Upon such selection, a window 701 is displayed
which identifies each of the calendars. Note FIGS. 9C and
9D. As indicated in decision 700 and operation 702, a user
may select among the calendars by toggling tbrough the
identifiers and using the check boxes 703 of the window.
Thereafter, the calendars may be edited, added, or moved in
operations 704 using a new button 706, edit button 70S, and
a pair of arrow buttons 710.
Finally, FIG. 8 is a more detailed flowchart delineating the
method associated witb operation 412 shown in FIG. 4 when

the pull-down icon 134 was selected. As shown, it is first
determined whether the calendar associated with the pulldown icon 134 is a primary calendar in decision 800. If so,
then any selected calendar is shown in addition to the
primary calendar in operation 802. If, however, the calendar
associated with the pull-down icon 134 is not a primary
calendar and there are not many calendars that are selected(l
or 2), then a pull-down window 803 is displayed in operation
804. Note FIG. 9G. Thereafter, a new calendar may be
selected in operation S06 after which such selected calendar
replaces the previous calendar in operation 808 in the
corresponding section of the display. Finally, the pull-down
window is disabled in operation 810.
Witb specific reference now to FIGS. 9A-9G, various
graphical user interfaces are shown that may occur during
use of tbe present invention. FIG. 9A depicts a single
calendar divided into increments of hours. As shown, the
time increment icons 140 of tbe time increment selector bar
136 are of a similar size when a single calendar is displayed.
FIG . 9B shows a pair of calendars displayed simultaneously in a side-by-side relationship and eacb divided into
increments of hours. It sbould be noted that the time
increment icon 140 that corresponds to the increments of
hours is enlarged since multiple calendars arc displayed.
Further, a time duration bar 900 is included for indicating a
time period during which a scheduled matter is arranged.
FIG. 9C depicts the full-size window 701 which displays
all of the calendars available to be picked. As shown,
checkboxes 703 are available to facilitate such selection. As
mentioned earlier, in order for the full-size window 701 to
be displayed, the calendar select icon 128 of FIG. 3A must
be selected. FIG. 9D also shows the full-size window 701,
but with an additional selected calendar. As shown, selection
of a calendar is facilitated by way of a highlight bar 903.
FIG . 9E depicts three calendars displayed simultaneously
in a side-by-side relationship and each divided into increments of bours. As shown, the sections of each calendar are
enlarged to compensate for the smaller areas in which the
calendars are fitled. In the present display, the time increment icon 140 that corresponds to the increments of hours is
enlarged.
FIG. 9F shows a single calendar similar to that of 9A with
the exception of an open appointment icon 902 that indicates
that a specific time period is open. FIG. 9G is an illustration
showing tbe pull-down window 803 which may be accessed
by selecting the pull-down icon 134. In one embodiment, the
pull-down window requires only a part of the display 110 of
the PDA 100. As shown, a currently selected calendar is
indicated by way of a highlight bar 904.
While various embodiments have been described above,
it should be understood tbat they have been presented by
way of example only, and not limitation . Thus, the breadth
and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited
by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following
claims and their equivalents.
What is claimed is:
1. A portable data storage module for simultaneously
depicting multiple calendars on a single display comprising:
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 situated on the top face of the housing and
adapted for allowing input of data;
a display situated on the top face of the housing and
adapted for depicting data;

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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
17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein each
and connected between the input device, the display,
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
display.
of calendars on a display of a portable data storage module
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 calemlars are divided into increments of hours.
display of a portahle 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 tbe sections as a function of a number of
wherein the controller is suitable for manipulating the caltbe 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 tbe operations of:
20. A method for controlling the presentation of a plurality
storing various calendars within a portable data storage
of calendars on a display of a portable data storage module
module in separate databases,
25
comprising the operations of:
depicting at least one calendar on a display of a pOrLahle
storing various calendars within a portable data storage
data storage module, the display situated on a top face
module in separate datahases;
of tbe 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 tbe 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 metbod as recited in claim 20, wberein scheduled
8. The metbod 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 (;alaltering one of the icons upon a plurality of calendars
endars on a display of a portable data storage module
being displayed simultaneously.
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 eacb 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 tbe 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, wberein one of the
module which identifies eacb 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 tha t 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, wberein 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. Tbe method as recited in claim 22, and further
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein upon a
comprising tbe operation of:
plurality of calendars being selected, one of the selected
manipUlating the calendars of the calendar databases.
calendars may be replaced with another calendar.
14. TIle met bod as recited in claim 11, wberein the 65
selection of the calendars is executed using check boxes.
*
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