(12) United States Patent
`Monnes et al.
`
`USOO645944OB1
`US 6,459,440 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Oct. 1, 2002
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`(*)
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`(21)
`(22)
`(51)
`(52)
`(58)
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`(56)
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTOMATIC DELETION OF A POP-UP
`WINDOW
`
`Inventors: Peter J. Monnes, Boca Raton, FL
`(US); Randi Faris, Boca Raton, FL
`(US)
`Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US)
`Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Appl. No.: 09/351,490
`Filed:
`Jul. 15, 1999
`Int. Cl................................................... G06F 3/14
`U.S. Cl. ....................................................... 345/808
`Field of Search .....
`... 345/808, 809,
`345/710, 752, 780, 781, 788, 790, 806
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,555,775 A
`4,823,108 A
`5,414.810 A *
`5,546.525 A *
`
`11/1985
`4/1989
`5/1995
`8/1996
`
`Pike ........................... 345/790
`Pope ...............
`... 345/806
`Doyle et al. .....
`... 345/804
`Wolf et al.
`... 345/809
`
`APP 1 T 6 2 O
`
`APP 2
`
`APPLICATION
`MANAGER
`
`
`
`N
`
`5,821,928 A * 10/1998 Melkus et al. .............. 345/809
`5,825.358 A * 10/1998 Silvent et al. .............. 345/809
`5,847,705 A 12/1998 Pope .......................... 345/790
`6,008.810 A * 12/1999 Bertram et al. ............. 345/809
`6,118,451 A
`9/2000 Alexander et al. .......... 345/809
`6,232,971 B1 * 5/2001 Haynes ....................... 345/800
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Crescelle N. dela Torre
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Randi L. Dulaney
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An electronic device (12) includes in one embodiment a
`display (14), at least one application (20) that generates a
`pop-up window (10) which is displayed on the display (14);
`and an application manager (16). The application manager
`(16) deletes the pop-up window (10) in response to an input
`(26) from the application (20). The electronic device (12)
`includes in a Second embodiment a display (14) that displays
`a pop-up window (10), a plurality of applications (18)
`having corresponding application messages (42), a buffer
`(38) for Storage of application messages (42), a display
`controller (40), and an application manager (16). The appli
`cation manager (16) deletes an application message (33)
`stored in the buffer (38) in response to an input (26) from an
`application (20).
`
`9 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`14
`
`
`
`24
`
`EONEEE263.999;
`You have received
`3 new messages y
`21g
`23
`· Read now 1
`33
`Read later
`
`APP N-H
`
`- -
`
`APPLICATION 16
`MESSAGE 2
`---
`APPLICATION
`32
`MESSAGE N
`
`22-1 USER INPUT
`
`12
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 1, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`You have received
`3 new messages y
`23
`21 19
`:
`X Read now
`Read later
`33 :
`
`APPLICATION
`MANAGER
`
`32
`
`39
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLICATION 16
`MESSAGE 2
`APPLICATION
`MESSAGE N
`
`A ZG 7
`
`y 12
`
`14
`
`APPLICATION
`MANAGER
`
`You have received
`3 new messages y
`23
`21
`1.
`19
`Egg 19.
`33 E.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 002
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 1, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 0f 6
`
`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`mmmmmmms5:mE338SE:9.
`
`
`
`hm.go:new:A
`
`Lat:Emma
`
`DISPLAY
`CONTROLLER
`
`MANAGER
`
`ZO—E<Dmdmn~<
`
`flH0<mmm2
`
`ZOHE<OHQmm<
`
`NHw<mmm=z
`
`ZOHE<O~AQQ<
`
`ZH0<mmHE
`
`APPLICATION
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`
`Page 003
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 003
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 1, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 0f 6
`
`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`3338:3:m$383$8:no;
`
`Man30:EmitA
`
`DISPLAY
`CONTROLLER
`
`ZOHE<O~Qn~m<
`
`ZHw<mwm2
`
`ZO~B<OHAmm<
`
`ZO—E<O~Amm<
`
`amafimmmz
`~H¢<wmHE
`"3H
`
`V'
`
`APPLICATION
`MANAGER
`
`an
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`
`Page 004
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 004
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 1, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`CONTROLLER
`
`22- USER INPUT
`
`12
`
`At 7 G. A
`
`
`
`56
`
`POP-UP WINDOW
`on DISPLAY
`
`RESPONSE
`60
`
`58 NO
`
`-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`INPUT 2
`
`DETECT
`EVENT
`
`At 7 G. 6 64
`
`DELETE
`POP-UP WINDOW
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 1, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`FIRST POP-UP WINDOW
`ON DISPLAY
`
`66
`
`
`
`SECONRPOPUPWINDOW
`ON DISPLAY
`
`Esponse - YES
`60
`
`
`
`USER INPUT
`SECOND POP-UP
`
`NO
`
`
`
`DETECT
`EVENT 2
`
`Af7 G. 27
`
`72
`
`DELETE FIRST
`POP-UP WINDOW
`
`
`
`74 APPLICATION MESSAGE
`STORED IN BUFFER
`
`
`
`56
`
`
`
`RESPONSE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`N USER
`INPUT
`
`N DETECT
`EVENT
`
`DELETE
`APPLICATION MEssAGE
`
`
`
`DELETE
`PopUPWINDow
`
`At 7 G. S.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 1, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`POP-UP WINDOW
`ON DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`INPUT 2
`
`
`
`DETECT
`EVENT
`
`DELETE TEXT
`PORTION ?
`
`DELETE CHOICE
`PORTION ?
`
`DELETE GRAPHICS
`PORTION ?
`
`At 7 G. 9
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 007
`
`

`

`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTOMATIC DELETION OF A POP-UP
`WINDOW
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates in general to electronic devices, and
`in particular to the management of pop-up windows dis
`played on electronic devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Electronic devices, Such as personal digital assistants,
`pagers, cellular telephones, computers, GPS receivers, data
`base managers and wireleSS internet devices, continue to
`increase in functionality, complexity, and availability. Appli
`cation programs within the electronic device provide a
`multiplicity of functionality for the end user. Typical appli
`cation programs are Schedulers, address books, notepads,
`alarm clockS, System maintenance, and messaging.
`With increased functionality and complexity, Simplifica
`tion of the user interface grows in importance. Simplifica
`tion of the user interface in electronic devices today includes
`the use of pop-up windows. A pop-up window is a viewing
`area within a display that provides a visual alert when an
`event, Such as an incoming message, an alarm clock
`reminder, a calendar appointment, a low battery warning, a
`low memory warning or a printer error, has occurred.
`The pop up window may be a full Screen or a portion of
`the Screen and represents a bordered region, typically of
`rectangular shape into which a message is displayed. AS
`events occur, a pop-up window corresponding to each event
`is displayed. Typically, an audible or vibratory alert is also
`activated concurrently with the posting of the pop-up win
`dow. Pop-up windows pile up indefinitely, each on top of the
`previous like a deck of cards. The user views them in the
`reverse order from which they arrive, starting with the most
`recent. The user dismisses each one by Selecting one of the
`choices on the pop-up window typically through the preSS
`ing of a button on the electronic device. Each application
`program receives notification of the user's Selection as the
`corresponding pop-up window moves to the top of the pile
`and is acted upon by the user.
`An electronic device may also include a receiver, func
`tioning Similarly to a wireleSS communication device. Wire
`leSS applications provide the end user up to the minute Stock
`prices, weather, traffic reports, and other “need to know'
`information. Query applications further provide wireleSS
`access to information Such as restaurant reviews, Show
`times, Sports Scores and flight information. Sending and
`receiving Short messages also is possible. With wireleSS
`connectivity, pop-up windows additionally include notifica
`tion of the receipt of a message, or notification of an event
`received in a message Such as a Stock price or weather
`warning, out of range of the transmitter notification, and loSS
`of System contact.
`In Some electronic devices, pop-up windows can be
`changed if an event changes. For example, in a wireleSS
`communication device, a pop up window with the message
`“you have 2 messages is changed to “you have 3 messages'
`when a new message is received.
`The electronic device has a limited amount of memory
`that can be devoted to the Storage of pop-up window
`information. Also, the number of asynchronous events that
`can possibly occur while the user is not in the proximity of
`the device is theoretically unlimited. Since it is not possible
`to determine whether the user is viewing the display, pop-up
`
`2
`windows are continuously shown as the events that cause
`them occur. Additionally, the information in a particular
`pop-up window may become obsolete. For example, a
`pop-up window with the message “low battery' is still
`displayed even after the battery is replaced until the user
`interacts with the pop-up window. Similarly, a printer error
`Such as printer out of paper is still displayed even after the
`paper is replaced until the user interacts with the pop-up
`window. Messages Such as “cannot communicate with the
`System' Similarly remain until the user interacts with the pop
`up window. In this case, a user Sending a message to the
`System and receiving Such a pop up window would resend
`the message even though the System contact had been
`reinstated and the message Sent. The recipient then receives
`the message twice from the Sender, resulting in confusion for
`both the Sender and the recipient.
`To eliminate confusion and minimize the memory used
`for pop-up windows, it is desirable for an electronic device
`to have the capability to automatically delete a pop-up
`window when it is no longer necessary or has become
`obsolete without any user interaction.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are block diagrams of various
`embodiments of an electronic device that utilizes a pop-up
`window in accordance with the present invention; and
`FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating the opera
`tion of the electronic device.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an electronic
`device 12 in accordance with the present invention is shown.
`The electronic device 12 preferably includes a display 14, an
`application manager 16, a plurality of applications 18, and a
`user input 22.
`The plurality of applications 18 are preferably stored in a
`memory 32 of the electronic device 12 including such
`memory types as random access memory (RAM), read-only
`memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable
`read-only memory (EEPROM). At least a first application 20
`provides a value-added Service Such as calculator, Stock
`market analysis, notepad, or alarm clock. The electronic
`device 12 performs various functions within the first appli
`cation 20. For example, the end user Sets an alarm clock
`value within the first application 20 and the first application
`20 activates an alert when the alarm clock value Set is
`reached.
`The display 14 includes a display driver, a display
`memory and a viewing area for communication with other
`elements of the electronic device 12 and for control of visual
`notification to the end user. The visual notification of the
`display 14 may be, for example, accomplished on a full or
`partial Starburst liquid crystal display. It will be appreciated
`that other similar displays can be utilized for the display 14.
`The display 14 further includes a pop-up window 10 for
`Visual notification to the end user when an event, Such as an
`incoming message, an alarm clock reminder, a calendar
`appointment, a low battery warning, a low memory warning
`or a printer error, has occurred. The pop-up window 10 may
`be a full Screen or a portion of the Screen and represents a
`bordered region, typically of rectangular shape into which a
`message is displayed. The pop-up window 10 typically has
`recognizable decorative elements that Set it apart from other
`Similar display elements. The pop-up window consists of
`
`35
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`40
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`50
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`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 008
`
`

`

`3
`several parts. It has a text portion 19 that provides the user
`with information Such as what the event was, what the event
`means, and what to do about the event. It also has a choice
`portion 21, which provides the user with options for
`responding to or acknowledging the pop-up window 10.
`Lastly, the pop-up window 10 has a graphics portion 23 that
`provides a quick Visual of basic information about the first
`application 20, the urgency, or the type of event that gen
`erated the pop-up window 10. For example, the text portion
`19 of the pop-up window 10 may be “new phone entry', the
`choice portion 21 may be "do you want to Save phone
`entry'?” and the graphics portion 23 may be the symbol of a
`telephone.
`When the first application 20 generates a first application
`message 33 requiring visual notification to the end user, the
`application manager 16 preferably Sends a command 24 to
`the display 14 to generate a visual notification of the first
`application message 33 in response to an input 26 from the
`first application 20. When the display 14 receives the
`command 24 from the application manager 16, the pop-up
`window 10 including the first application message 33 is
`displayed. When the application manager 16 detects the user
`input 22, Such as a user depressing a button in response to
`the pop-up window 10, the application manager 16 Sends a
`response 30 to the first application 20 for use in the operation
`of the first application 20.
`For example, the first application 20 may be a calendar
`application and the pop-up window 10 may be a meeting
`notification message including two choices for the user:
`dismiss and reminder. When the user input 22 selects
`“reminder, the application manager 16 then sends the
`response 30 of “reminder chosen” to the first application 20.
`The first application 20 upon receipt of the response 30
`updates its database to initiate a reminder notification at a
`later predetermined time.
`Preferably, the application manager 16 is similar to the
`MC68328 micro-controller manufactured by Motorola, Inc.
`of Schaumburg, Ill. It will be appreciated that other similar
`processors can be utilized for the application manager 16,
`and that additional processors of the same or alternative type
`can be added as required to handle the processing require
`ments of the application manager 16.
`After the pop-up window 10 is displayed for viewing on
`the display 14, the pop-up window 10 displayed may
`become obsolete or no longer necessary. In prior art Systems,
`the user input 22 is required in order to remove the pop-up
`window 10 from the display 14, often resulting in end user
`confusion.
`In the present invention, this confusion is eliminated. In
`the present invention, the first application 20 Sends the input
`26 to the application manager 16 informing the application
`manager 16 that the pop-up window 10 is obsolete or no
`longer necessary. The application manager 16 is pro
`grammed to Send the command 24 to the display 14 to delete
`the pop-up window 10 in response to the input 26. The
`pop-up window 10 then disappears from Viewing without
`receiving a signal from the user input 22. For example, a low
`battery warning would disappear when a new battery was
`installed, a system fault would be removed when the fault
`was corrected, and a lack of communication notification
`would disappear when communication was re-established.
`For added security, the pop-up window 10 preferably
`includes a unique identifier. The unique identifier may be the
`name of the controlling application or a password. Deletion
`of the pop-up window 10 is dependent therein also on receipt
`of the unique identifier confirming that the deletion of the
`pop-up window 10 is appropriate.
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`US 6,459,440 B1
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`4
`In Some instances, a portion of the pop-up window 10
`becomes obsolete or no longer necessary while the display
`of the other portions of the pop-up window 10 are still valid.
`The present invention further provides for the automatic
`deletion of the text portion 19, the choice portion 21, or the
`graphics portion 23 of the pop-up window 10. In the present
`invention, the first application 20 sends the input 26 to the
`application manager 16 informing the application manager
`16 that the text portion 19, the choice portion 21, or the
`graphics portion 23 of the pop-up window 10 is obsolete or
`no longer necessary. The application manager 16 is pro
`grammed to Send the command 24 to the display 14 to delete
`the obsolete portion of the pop-up window 10 in response to
`the input 26. The obsolete portion of the pop-up window 10
`then disappears from the pop-up window 10 without the
`receipt of a signal from the user input 22.
`For example, the pop-up window 10 may be a message
`informing the end user of a remote alarm whereby the text
`portion 19 is “alarm activated”, the choice portion 21 is
`“request more information or dismiss?” and the graphics
`portion 23 is an emergency Symbol. If the alarm is later
`turned off, the emergency Symbol may no longer be needed
`whereas the end user still desires to know of the alarm. The
`deletion of the emergency Symbol could Serve the purpose of
`letting the end user know that the emergency had passed
`while the information in the text portion 19 and choice
`portion 21 would still be valid for informing the end user of
`the occurrence.
`Automatically deleting the pop-up window or a portion of
`the pop-up window without user input is an extremely
`powerful addition to the electronic device eliminating user
`confusion caused by the viewing of an obsolete Status or
`Warning message.
`The application manager 16 preferably is programmed to
`provide for the sharing of the pop-up window 10 by the
`plurality of applications 18. The application manager 16
`gives ownership to one application at a time using a pre
`programmed ownership algorithm. Ownership of the pop-up
`window 10 may be decided based on chronological receipt,
`priority of the application message, or priority of the cat
`egory or application. Application messages are displayed on
`the pop-up window 10. Examples of application messages
`are a meeting description, a System failure description, or a
`weather report. When the first application 20 has ownership
`of the pop-up window 10, and a corresponding first appli
`cation message 33 displayed on the pop-up window 10
`becomes obsolete, the application manager 16 deletes the
`first application message 33 and gives ownership of the
`pop-up window 10 to a Second application 36 having the
`next highest priority, and the Second application message 34
`is displayed on the pop-up window 10.
`Further, all applications that do not have ownership of the
`pop-up window 10 Store their application messages in their
`application memory until Ownership is given to them. If the
`Second application message 34 of the Second application 36
`not having ownership of the pop-up window 10 becomes
`obsolete, the Second application 36 deletes the Second appli
`cation message 34 without the Second application message
`34 ever taking time, Space or memory of the pop-up window
`10. The end user thereby never is notified of the second
`application message 34, Simplifying the operation of the
`electronic device 12. The automatic deletion both within the
`applications without ownership and by the application hav
`ing ownership assures optimal use of the pop-up window 10
`by the plurality of applications 18. AS electronic devices
`continue to decrease in size and increase in complexity, the
`display area and memory usage become more valuable.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 009
`
`

`

`S
`Sharing the pop-up window and automatically deleting
`obsolete messages ensures minimization of the required
`display size and memory, thereby maximizing device value
`and utilization.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of
`the electronic device 12 of FIG.1. The reference numbers of
`the embodiment of FIG. 1 have been retained for those
`elements that are common. The electronic device 12
`includes all the elements and functionality illustrated in FIG.
`1, and further comprises a receiver 35 and an antenna 37.
`The antenna 37 intercepts RF signals from a wireless
`communication System. It will be appreciated that the wire
`leSS communication System may function utilizing any wire
`leSS RF channel, for example, a one or two way pager
`channel, a mobile cellular channel, or a mobile radio chan
`15
`nel. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the wireleSS com
`munication System may function utilizing other types of
`channels. Such as infrared channels. In the following
`description, the wireleSS communication System refers to
`any of the wireleSS communication Systems mentioned
`above or an equivalent.
`The antenna 37 is coupled to the receiver 35. The receiver
`35 includes circuitry for receiving Signals from the wireleSS
`communication System Such as a message 39. Radio fre
`quency Signals received by the receiver 35 produce demodu
`lated information. The receiver 35 further includes circuitry
`for processing the demodulated information using conven
`tional demodulation techniques. The receiver 35 also
`includes message management capability for performing
`functions within the electronic device 12 in response to
`receipt of the message 39. For example, the receiver 35
`Stores the message 39 in a memory, and sends a command
`to activate an audible, Vibratory, or visual alert to notify the
`user that the message 39 has been received.
`To perform the necessary functions of the electronic
`device 12, the receiver 35 is coupled to the application
`manager 16. The application manager 16 operates as
`described previously for the electronic device 12 of FIG. 1.
`Further, upon receipt of the message 39, the receiver 35
`informs the application manager 16 that the pop-up window
`10 is to be deleted. The application manager 16, in response
`to notification of receipt of the message 39, then sends the
`command 24 to the display 14 to delete the pop-up window
`10 and the display 14 deletes the pop-up window 10. The
`message 39 may include notification of an information
`update, correction of a System fault, or cancellation of an
`event. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the message
`39 may contain one of the one of the previously mentioned
`notifications or an equivalent.
`In another Scenario, the message 39 prompts only a
`portion of the pop-up window 10 to be deleted. Upon receipt
`of the message 39, the receiver 35 informs the application
`manager 16 that the text portion 19, the choice portion 21,
`or the graphics portion 23 of the pop-up window 10 is to be
`deleted. The application manager 16, in response to notifi
`cation of receipt of the message 39, then sends the command
`24 to the display 14 to delete the text portion 19, the choice
`portion 21, or the graphics portion 23 of the pop-up window
`10. Upon receipt of the command 24, the display 14 deletes
`the affected portion of the pop-up window 10. The message
`39 may include notification of an information update, cor
`rection of a System fault, or cancellation of an event. One
`skilled in the art will appreciate that the message 39 may
`contain one of the one of the previously mentioned notifi
`cations or an equivalent.
`For added security, the pop-up window 10 preferably
`includes a unique identifier. The unique identifier may be the
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`name of the controlling application or a password. Deletion
`of the pop-up window 10 is dependent therein also on the
`received message 39 including the unique identifier, con
`firming that the deletion of the pop-up window 10 or a
`portion of the pop-up window 10 is appropriate.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the
`electronic device 12. The reference numbers of the embodi
`ment of FIG. 1 have been retained for those elements that are
`common. The electronic device 12 of FIG. 3 comprises the
`plurality of applications 18, the application manager 16, a
`buffer 38, a display controller 40, the display 14, and the user
`input 22.
`The plurality of applications 18 is preferably stored in the
`memory 32 of the electronic device 12 including such
`memory types as random access memory (RAM), read-only
`memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable
`read-only memory (EEPROM). As described previously, at
`least a first application 20 provides a value-added Service
`Such as calculator, Stock market analysis, calendar, or alarm
`clock or an equivalent; and the electronic device 12 per
`forms various functions within the first application 20.
`The buffer 38 resides in random access memory (RAM),
`flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only
`memory (EEPROM), or an equivalent. A plurality of appli
`cation messages 42 is stored in the buffer 38. The application
`messages 42 include the text portion 19, the choice portion
`21, and the graphics portion 23 of the information typically
`displayed on the pop-up window 10.
`The display controller 40 is coupled between the buffer 38
`and the display 14. The display controller 40 retrieves the
`first application message 33 from the buffer 38 and sends a
`command 24 to the display 14 to generate a visual notifi
`cation of the first application message 33. When the display
`14 receives the command 24 from the display controller 40,
`the pop-up window 10 is displayed. When the application
`manager 16 detects the user input 22, Such as a user
`depressing a button in response to the pop-up window 10,
`the application manager 16 Sends the response 30 to the first
`application 20 for use in the operation of the first application
`2O.
`Preferably, the display controller 40 is similar to the
`MC68328 micro-controller manufactured by Motorola, Inc.
`of Schaumburg, Ill. It will be appreciated that other similar
`processors can be utilized for the display controller 40, and
`that additional processors of the same or alternative type can
`be added as required to handle the processing requirements
`of the display controller 40.
`After the pop-up window 10 is displayed for viewing on
`the display 14, the pop-up window 10 may become obsolete
`or no longer necessary. Preferably, the first application 20
`Sends the input 26 to the application manager 16 informing
`the application manager 16 that the first application message
`33 is obsolete or no longer necessary. The application
`manager 16 is programmed to delete the first application
`message 33 stored in the buffer 38 in response to the input
`26. The display controller 40 periodically samples the buffer
`38. When the display controller 40 detects a deletion of the
`first application message 33 from the buffer 38, the display
`controller 40 sends the command 24 to the display 14 to
`delete the pop-up window 10.
`Automatically deleting both the application message from
`the buffer memory and the pop-up window from the display
`memory decreases memory and display requirements of the
`electronic device thereby allowing for lower cost and
`Smaller Size devices while simplifying the device operation.
`The display controller 40 preferably is further pro
`grammed to provide for the sharing of the pop-up window
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 010
`
`

`

`US 6,459,440 B1
`
`15
`
`7
`10 by the plurality of application messages 42. The display
`controller 40 gives ownership to one application at a time
`using a preprogrammed algorithm. When the first applica
`tion message 33 of the first application 20 displayed in the
`pop-up window 10 becomes obsolete, the application man
`ager 16 deletes the first application message 33 from the
`buffer 38. The display controller 40 detects the deletion of
`the first application message 33 from the buffer 38 and in
`response to the deletion gives ownership of the pop-up
`window 10 to the Second application message 34 having the
`next highest priority. The automatic deletion assures optimal
`use of the pop-up window 10 by the plurality of applications
`18 while decreasing memory and display requirements.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of
`the electronic device 12 of FIG. 3. The reference numbers of
`the embodiment of FIG. 3 have been retained for those
`elements that are common. The electronic device 12
`includes all the elements and functionality illustrated in FIG.
`3, and further comprises the receiver 35 and the antenna 37.
`The antenna 37 intercepts RF signals from a wireless
`communication System. It will be appreciated that the wire
`leSS communication System may function utilizing any wire
`leSS RF channel, for example, a one or two way pager
`channel, a mobile cellular channel, or a mobile radio chan
`nel. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the wireleSS com
`25
`munication System may function utilizing other types of
`channels. Such as infrared channels. In the following
`description, the wireleSS communication System refers to
`any of the wireleSS communication Systems mentioned
`above or an equivalent.
`The antenna 37 is coupled to the receiver 35. The receiver
`35 includes circuitry for receiving Signals from the wireleSS
`communication System Such as a message 39. Radio fre
`quency Signals received by the receiver 35 produce demodu
`lated information. The receiver 35 further includes circuitry
`for processing the demodulated information using conven
`tional demodulation techniques. The receiver 35 also
`includes message management capability for performing
`functions within the electronic device 12 in response to
`receipt of the message 39. For example, the receiver 35
`Stores the message 39 in a memory, and sends a command
`to activate an audible, Vibratory, or visual alert to notify the
`user that the message 39 has been received.
`To perform the necessary functions of the electronic
`device 12, the receiver 35 is coupled to the application
`manager 16. The application manager 16 operates as
`described previously for the electronic device 12 of FIG. 3.
`Further, upon receipt of the message 39, the receiver 35
`informs the application manager 16 that the first application
`message 33 is to be deleted. The application manager 16
`then deletes the first application message 33 in response to
`notification of receipt of the message 39, without the user
`input 22. The message 39 may include notification of an
`information update, correction of a System fault, or cancel
`lation of an event. One skilled in the art will appreciate that
`the message 39 may contain one of the one of the previously
`mentioned notifications or an equivalent.
`FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the electronic
`device 12. The electronic device 12 of FIG. 5 includes the
`plurality of applications 18, the display controller 40, the
`display 14, and the user input 22.
`The plurality of applications 18 includes the first appli
`cation 20 and the second application 36. The first application
`20 and the second application 36 each provide a value added
`Service Such as calculator, Stock market analysis, calendar,
`or alarm clock, and the electronic device 12 performs
`various functions within these applications.
`
`35
`
`8
`The display controller 40 preferably sends the command
`24 to the display 14 to generate a visual notification in
`response to a first input 52 from the first application 20.
`When the display 14 receives the command 24 from the
`display controller 40 in response to the first input 52, a first
`pop-up window 44 is displayed. The display controller 40,
`responsive to the user input 22, initiates the response 30 to
`the first application 20 for use in the operation of the first
`application 20 when the user input 22 is initiated in response
`to the first pop-up window 44.
`The display controller 40 also preferably sends the com
`mand 24 to the display 14 to generate a visual notification in
`response to a Second input 54 from the Second application
`36. When the display 14 receives the command 24 from the
`display controller 40 in response to the second input 54, a
`Second pop-up window 46 is displayed. The display con
`troller 40, responsive to the user input 22, initiates a Second
`response 55 to the second application 36 for use in the
`operation of the Second application 36 when the user input
`22 is initiated in response to the Second pop-up window 46.
`Preferably, the second pop-up window 46 is displayed on
`the display 14 overlapping the first pop-up window 44 to
`either partially or fully hide the first pop-up window 44 from
`view. After the first pop-up window 44 is displayed for
`Viewing on the display 14 and Subsequently hidden from
`View by the overlapping Second pop-up window 46, the first
`pop-up window 44 may become obsolete or no longer
`necessary. In the present invention, the first application 20
`sends the first input 52 to the display controller 40 informing
`the display controller 40 that the first p