Enabling category-based filtering
First Claim
1. A method in a computing device for facilitating searching and retrieval of a personal information manager data item associated with a personal information manager application, said method comprising:
- consequent upon associating a given personal information manager data item with said personal information manager application,deriving a keyword pattern from a given keyword of said given data item in accordance with a first mapping function;
associating said keyword pattern with said given data item, said keyword pattern being an ordered plurality of elements;
receiving a selection for a category for said given data item and associating a category pattern with said given data item, said category pattern being a second ordered plurality of elements, said category pattern derived in accordance with a second mapping function different from said first mapping function such that no keyword search string maps to said category pattern;
consequent upon receiving a user search request comprising an entered keyword search string or an indication of a category to be searched;
generating a target pattern from said keyword search string or from said indication of said category to be searched;
searching personal information manager data items associated with said personal information manager application to identify personal information manager data items matching said target pattern, said searching comprising;
for each particular personal information manager data item encountered, comparing said target pattern with each category pattern and each keyword pattern associated with said particular personal information manager data item so that a single search on any given target pattern covers category patterns and keyword patterns associated with personal information manager data items;
returning each personal information manager data item having an associated category pattern or associated keyword pattern which matches said target pattern.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A category may be associated, in a personal information manager (PIM) application, with a data item by associating a category pattern with the data item. Where the PIM application already associates keyword patterns with data items for enabling keyword searching, the category pattern may have a format of an ordered plurality of elements that satisfies at least one rule for the format of the keyword patterns. Optionally, the first element of the ordered plurality of elements may be an element predetermined to be specific to pluralities of elements associated with categories. Advantageously, this approach to the association of a category with a data item allows for the association of more than one category with a single data item. Such an allowance provides for more accurate synchronization with a PIM application on a desktop that also allows the association of more than one category with a data item. Given the allowance of the association of multiple categories with a single data item, the user may filter a list of data items by one or more categories.
90 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method in a computing device for facilitating searching and retrieval of a personal information manager data item associated with a personal information manager application, said method comprising:
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consequent upon associating a given personal information manager data item with said personal information manager application, deriving a keyword pattern from a given keyword of said given data item in accordance with a first mapping function; associating said keyword pattern with said given data item, said keyword pattern being an ordered plurality of elements; receiving a selection for a category for said given data item and associating a category pattern with said given data item, said category pattern being a second ordered plurality of elements, said category pattern derived in accordance with a second mapping function different from said first mapping function such that no keyword search string maps to said category pattern; consequent upon receiving a user search request comprising an entered keyword search string or an indication of a category to be searched; generating a target pattern from said keyword search string or from said indication of said category to be searched; searching personal information manager data items associated with said personal information manager application to identify personal information manager data items matching said target pattern, said searching comprising; for each particular personal information manager data item encountered, comparing said target pattern with each category pattern and each keyword pattern associated with said particular personal information manager data item so that a single search on any given target pattern covers category patterns and keyword patterns associated with personal information manager data items; returning each personal information manager data item having an associated category pattern or associated keyword pattern which matches said target pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A handheld computer for facilitating search and retrieval of a personal information manager data item associated with a personal information manager application executing on said handheld computer, said handheld computer adapted to:
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consequent upon associating a given personal information manager data item with said personal information manager application; derive a keyword pattern from a given keyword of said given data item in accordance with a first mapping function; associate said keyword pattern with said given data item, said keyword pattern being an ordered plurality of elements; receive a selection for a category for said given data item and associate a category pattern with said given data item, said category pattern being a second ordered plurality of elements, said category pattern derived in accordance with a second mapping function different from said first mapping function such that no keyword search string maps to said category pattern; consequent upon receiving a user search request comprising an entered keyword search string or an indication of a category to be searched; generate a target pattern from said user search request; search personal information manager data items associated with said personal information manager application to identify personal information manager data items matching said target pattern, said search comprising; for each particular personal information manager data item encountered, comparing said target pattern with each category pattern and each keyword pattern associated with said particular personal information manager data item so that a single search on any given target pattern covers category patterns and keyword patterns associated with personal information manager data items; returning each personal information manager data item having an associated category pattern or associated keyword pattern which matches said target pattern. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A computer readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to facilitate search and retrieval of a personal information manager data item associated with a personal information manager application executing on a handheld computer, said computer-executable instructions, when performed by processor in said handheld computer, causing said processor to:
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consequent upon associating a given personal information manager data item with said personal information manager application; derive a keyword pattern from a given keyword of said given data item in accordance with a first mapping function; associate said keyword pattern with said given data item, said keyword pattern being an ordered plurality of elements; receive a selection for a category for said given data item and associate a category pattern with said given data item, said category pattern being a second ordered plurality of elements, said category pattern derived in accordance with a second mapping function different from said first mapping function such that no keyword search string maps to said category pattern; consequent upon receiving a user search request comprising an entered keyword search string or an indication of a category to be searched; generate a target pattern from said user search request; search personal information manager data items associated with said personal information manager application to identify personal information manager data items matching said target pattern, said search comprising; for each particular personal information manager data item encountered, comparing said target pattern with each category pattern and each keyword pattern associated with said particular personal information manager data item so that a single search on any given target pattern covers category patterns and keyword patterns associated with personal information manager data items; returning each personal information manager data item having an associated category pattern or associated keyword pattern which matches said target pattern. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification