Architecture optimized for application data sharing within a mobile communications device

• US 20060239215A1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Munje, Arun
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3325 Reformulation based on results of preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a scheme for sharing data among multiple applications within a mobile communications device. The scheme involves performing a remote database inquiry with respect to a remote database accessible via a wireless packet data service network, wherein the remote database inquiry is performed as part of a first application available on the mobile communications device. The information resulting from the remote database inquiry is then stored in a local common database object that is accessible to a second application available on the mobile communications device.

Claims

1. A mobile communications device, comprising:

a local common address database object accessible to an address book application and a second application disposed on the mobile communications device;

a logic structure for receiving a user query relating to an address record, wherein the user query is received as part of the address book application;

a logic structure for performing a local address database inquiry for the user query with respect to the local common address database object, wherein the local address book inquiry is performed as part of the address book application;

a logic structure for performing a remote address database inquiry with respect to a remote address database accessible via a wireless packet data service network whenever the address record is not retrieved in response to the local address database inquiry, wherein the remote address database inquiry is performed as part of the address book application; and

a logic structure for storing information resulting from the remote address database inquiry in the local common address database object.

2. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless data service network comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network.

3. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless data service network comprises an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE) network.

4. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless data service network comprises a 3rd Generation (3G) network.

5. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, the wireless data service network comprises an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN).

6. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, the wireless data service network comprises a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network.

7. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote database is disposed in a server operably connected to the Internet.

8. The mobile communications device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second application comprises an electronic mail application.

9. A method for sharing address book data among multiple applications within a mobile communications device, comprising:

generating a user query relating to an address record;

performing a local address book inquiry for the user query with respect to a local common address book disposed within the mobile communications device and accessible to an address book application and a second application available on the mobile communications device, wherein the local address book inquiry is performed as part of the address book application;

performing a remote address book inquiry for the user query with respect to a remote address book accessible via a wireless packet data service network whenever the address record is not retrieved in response to the local address book inquiry, wherein the remote address book inquiry is performed as part of the address book application; and

storing information resulting from the remote address book inquiry in the local common address book.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless data service network comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wherein the wireless data service network comprises an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE) network.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless data service network comprises a 3rd Generation (3G) network.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless data service network comprises an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN).

14. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless packet data service network comprises a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network.

15. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the remote database is disposed in a server operably connected to the Internet.

16. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the second application comprises an electronic mail application.

17. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of storing information resulting from the remote database inquiry is performed by a portion of an operating system disposed within the mobile communications device.

18. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of storing information resulting from the remote database inquiry is performed by a third application disposed within the mobile communications device.

19. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of storing information resulting from the remote database inquiry is performed by a virtual operating system disposed within the mobile communications device.

20. A system for sharing address book data among multiple applications within a mobile communications device, comprising:

means for generating a user query relating to an address record;

means for performing a local address book inquiry for the user query with respect to a local common address book disposed within the mobile communications device and accessible to an address book application and a second application available on the mobile communications device, wherein the local address book inquiry is performed as part of the address book application;

means for performing a remote address book inquiry for the user query with respect to a remote address book accessible via a wireless packet data service network whenever the address record is not retrieved in response to the local address book inquiry, wherein the remote address book inquiry is performed as part of the address book application; and

means for storing information resulting from the remote address book inquiry in the local common address book.