Method, system and apparatus using a sensory cue to indicate subsequent action characteristics for data communications

#A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosures, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

#This invention relates generally to the field of information communications. In particular, the invention relates to a method for providing a user with prior knowledge of certain characteristics of a subsequent action that includes data communications.

#Different types of communications can occur between two communications devices. For example, a server and a client can exchange messages wirelessly or in a wired system. The communications can require a variety of security measures including communications that require no security measures. Among other characteristics of data communications, the expense and wait time associated with different types of actions can vary greatly.

#The figures illustrate the invention by way of example, and not limitation. Like references indicate similar elements.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communications device communicating with a web server.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a method of communicating between a wireless communications device and a web server.

#1 Table of Contents METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS USING A SENSORY 1 CUE TO INDICATE SUBSEQUENT ACTION CHARACTERISTICS FOR DATA COMMUNICATIONS RELATIONSHIP TO COPENDING APPLICATIONS 1 COPYRIGHT NOTICE 1 FIELD OF INVENTION 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS. 9 THE DESCRIPTION 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS 11 OVERVIEW 12 DEFINITIONS 16 SYSTEM INTRODUCTION 17 Browser 23 Browser and HTML Compatibility 26 Example Method of Communicating Between a Wireless 28 Communications Device and a Web Server Example User Interface 30 WIRELESS NETWORK TOPOLOGY 31 Intranet Topology 37 CONTENT LAYER 38 Compact Markup Language (CML) 40 Compact Data Structure Notation 42 Basic Compact Data Structure Types 43 CML Structure 44 CML Tags 45 Tag Definitions 51 TagHyperlink 73 HTML Element Functionality 78 The Head Elements 78 The Body 82 TRANSFER LAYER 106 Wireless Client Software Block Diagram 106 Compact Transfer Protocol 109 CTP Structure 111 CTP Requests 112 CTP Responses 113 CTP Data Types 114 CTP Commands 117 Hot Link Indices 126 Encoding Indirect Hyperlinks 128 Forms Processing 129 Encoding Normal Form Submissions 130 Encoding Server Dependent Form Submissions 133 Secure Communications 137 Security Requirements 138 Security Protocol 139 Strength and Possible Attacks 149 Encryption Algorithms 152 Administration 153 INDICATING SUBSEQUENT ACTION 153 CHARACTERISTICS Method for Indicating Subsequent Action 153 Characteristics Method for Indicating Subsequent Action 156 Characteristics Using Compact Markup Language Method for Displaying Link Type Icons 160 Device and System for Indicating Subsequent 165 Action Characteristics RELIABLE MESSAGE LAYER AND RELIABLE 166 MESSAGE PROTOCOL On Wireless Networks 167 The RMP Header 168 The RMP Data Area 169 Re-transmission of Lost Packets 170 The Reliable Message Protocol 172 On Wireline Networks 174 Reliable Message Layer Application Program Interface 175 (API) Using the Reliable Message Layer on the Wireless 176 Communications Device Implementation of RMP 178 Implementation of RMP on the Proxy Server 179 Implementation of RMP on the Wireless 184 Communications Device WIRELESS NETWORK INTERFACE 190 Structure of the Wireless Network Interface 192 Enhancements to the Network Library 192 HEADER COMPRESSION 193 The C-UDP Header 196 The C-UDP Header for Compressed Packets 197 The C-UDP Header for Generic UDP Packets 198 The C-UDP Header for Other IP Packets 199 PROXY SERVER DETAILS 200 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM DETAILS 203 Tunneling Support 205 ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM 206 THE CLAIMS 209 ABSTRACT 221

#This overview section generally describes some of the more important features of various embodiments and then briefly reviews the material in the subsequent sections.

#One goal of the invention is to provide the user with prior notice of subsequent action characteristics via a sensory cue. The portion of the detailed description providing the most concentrated discussion of the subject matter related to this goal is provided in the Indicating Subsequent Action Characteristics section of this document. The subsequent action includes data communications. By informing the user of the data communication characteristics before the user selects the data communication action, the invention appropriately sets user expectations regarding the data communication characteristics. For example, one embodiment of the invention is implemented in a portable communications device with a screen. The portable communications device simultaneously displays a wireless link icon next to a user interface graphic element. The user interface element is used to select a wireless transaction. The wireless link icon informs the user that the subsequent action corresponding to the user interface element requires wireless communication and the expense and time associated therewith.