Multi-mode handheld wireless device with shared mode to support cross-mode communications

摘要

Various embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-function handheld user device that may have multiple selectable modes of operation for different areas of the user's life, each mode with its own database, applications, preferences, operational restrictions, and access limitations. Various mechanisms may be provided for switching between modes. Within each mode, context awareness and situational awareness may be used to obtain additional information or perform additional functions not directly requested by the user.

主权项

1. A handheld electronic device, comprising:
a touchscreen and a radio, the device to operate in any of multiple operational modes; wherein each operational mode has a database and applications on the device that are separate and different from the database and applications of the other operational modes; wherein each operational mode has access limitations and operational restrictions that are separate and different from the access limitations and operational restrictions of each of the other operational modes, and wherein the device further includes a shared mode that provides control over the multiple operational modes of the device; wherein each operational mode pertains to a different segment of activities of a user of the device; wherein the device provides for cross-mode communication of information between selected operational modes of the device in response to a selection of the operational modes for the cross-mode communication by the user of the device, the device including permission checks by the shared mode based on at least the access limitations and the operational limitations for each of the selected operational modes to allow or prohibit certain flows of information between the selected operational modes, the cross-mode communication between the selected operations modes including one of:
placing the device into a multimode state for data entry simultaneously in each of the operational modes selected by the user of the device, orthe shared mode transferring data between the operational modes selected by the user of the device.