Patent Publication Number: US-2012036188-A1

Title: Method and Apparatus for Aggregating Document Information

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to receiving a document. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There has been a surge in the use of electronic devices for receiving documents. In addition, users may possess more than one electronic device capable of receiving documents. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims. 
     An apparatus, comprising a processor, memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, working with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving information from a first external apparatus indicating that the first external apparatus received a document associated with a uniform resource locator, evaluating the received information and the historic document information, aggregating at least part of the received information to the historic document information based at least in part on the evaluation, and providing at least part of the aggregated historic document information to a second external apparatus is disclosed. 
     A method comprising receiving information from a first external apparatus indicating that the first external apparatus received a document associated with a uniform resource locator, evaluating the received information and the historic document information, aggregating at least part of the received information to the historic document information based at least in part on the evaluation, and providing at least part of the aggregated historic document information to a second external apparatus is disclosed. 
     A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform: receiving information from a first external apparatus indicating that the first external apparatus received a document associated with a uniform resource locator, evaluating the received information and the historic document information, aggregating at least part of the received information to the historic document information based at least in part on the evaluation, and providing at least part of the aggregated historic document information to a second external apparatus is disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of embodiments of the invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  are diagrams illustrating apparatus communication according to at least one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram showing a set of operations for aggregating document information according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram showing a set of operations for aggregating document information according to an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to  FIGS. 1A through 4  of the drawings. 
     Computing devices are becoming more prevalent throughout people&#39;s lives. Mobile phones, netbooks, laptops, and media servers are increasing in popularity. As the number of heterogeneous devices increases, sharing a user&#39;s information across these devices may become difficult for a user. For example, a user may desire to start a task on a mobile phone and finish the task on another device, such as a laptop, desktop, and/or the like. 
     For example, a user may pass time while waiting in line to checkout at the grocery store by browsing on a mobile device, such as device  122  of  FIG. 1B , through Twitter feeds. One of the feeds may have comprised a link to a news story. The user may select the link, but be preempted in viewing the news story by her turn to check out. When the user gets home, the user may desire to use a laptop, such as device  123  of  FIG. 1B , instead of the mobile device. It may be desirable for the user to have a link to the news story that she selected while using her mobile device in the checkout line. 
     In another example, a user may receive an invitation to a party. The user may look up directions on his personal computer, such as device  102  of  FIG. 1A , to determine the location of the party before confirming his attendance. On the day of the party, the user may be away from his personal computer and fail to remember directions to the party. In such an example, it may be desirable for the user to be able to view, on his mobile device, such as device  103  of  FIG. 1A , recent map and direction searches he has made on all his personal devices. 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  are diagrams illustrating apparatus communication according to at least one example embodiment. The examples of  FIGS. 1A-1B  are merely examples of apparatus communication, and do not limit the scope of the claims. For example, apparatuses may vary by type, number, configuration, and/or the like. In another example, one or more communication paths may vary. 
       FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating apparatus communication according to at least one example embodiment. In the example of  FIG. 1A , apparatus  101  relates to an apparatus for aggregating document information. Apparatus  101  may be in communication with device  102  using communication path  111 . Apparatus  101  may be in communication with device  103  using communication path  112 . Device  102  may be in communication with document source  104  using communication path  113 . Device  103  may be in communication with document source  104  using communication path  144 . In the example of  FIG. 1A , the described behavior of devices  102  and  103  may be reversed in at least some circumstances. In an example embodiment, device  102  and device  103  are external to apparatus  101 . For example, device  102  may be mechanically separate, electronically separate, systematically separate, and/or the like, from apparatus  101 . 
     Information may be received using a communication path by way of a receiver, such as receiver  16  of  FIG. 4 . Information may be provided using a communication path by way of a transmitter, such as transmitter  14  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In an example embodiment, device  102  receives a document from document source  104 . Document source  104  may relate to one or more devices that provide the document to device  102 . For example, document source  104  may relate to a file server, a web server, a database, a computer, and/or the like. The document may relate to a webpage, a file, a video, a downloadable document, and/or the like. The document may be associated with a uniform resource locator. The device may receive the document in response to a request for the document, in association with a broadcast, and/or the like. Apparatus  101  may receive information from device  102  indication that device  102  received the document. 
     In an example embodiment, apparatus  101  accesses historic document information. Historic document information may relate to browser history, bookmark information, webpage history, and/or the like. Historic document information may comprise information relating to a source of the document, information relating to content of a document, information relating to a device which has received the document, chronological information associated with receiving the document, category information related to the document, and/or the like. Information relating to the source of the document may comprise a uniform resource locator, an address, a domain identification, and/or the like. For example, information relating to a webpage may comprise a uniform resource locator associated with the document, such as “www.ovi.com/services”, a uniform resource locator associated with the domain, such as “Ovi.com”, a text label associated with the domain, such as “Ovi by Nokia”, and/or the like. Information relating to content of a document may relate to image information, such as an image comprised in the document, an image representing the document, a thumbnail image indicating the document, and/or the like, text information, such as information indicating subject matter of the document, for example weather, business hours, phone number, locations. Information relating to a device which has received the document may relate to device identification information, such as an image, a unique identifier, a name, a description, and/or the like. Chronological information associated with receiving the document may relate to information indicating when the document was received, when the document was first received, when the document was last received, how many times the document has been received, how many times the document has been viewed, and/or the like. Category information related to the document may relate to a type of content, such as a map, a video, social networking content, and/or the like. In addition, category information may relate to other historic document information, such as chronological information, information relating to a device, and/or the like. For example, category information may relate to the most recent social networking documents. 
     Apparatus  101  may aggregate received information from device  102  to the historic document information and provide the aggregated historic document information to device  103 . Device  103  may utilize the aggregated historic document information to receive a document associated with the aggregate historic document information. For example, apparatus  101  may receive information indicating that device  102  received a document. In such an example, apparatus  101  may aggregate the information to historic document information, which apparatus  101  may provide to device  103 . Device  103  may receive the document using the aggregated historic document information. 
     In an example embodiment, apparatus  101  evaluates received information indicating that a document was received by a device and base the aggregation of the received information to the historic document information, at least in part, on the evaluation. Aggregation may relate to adding at least part of the received information to the historic document information, merging at least part of the received information with at least part of the historic document information, and/or the like. 
     In an example embodiment, evaluation comprises comparing at least part of the received information with, at least part of, the historic document information. For example, evaluation may comprise comparing received domain information to domain information associated with a part of the historic document information. Evaluation may relate to category information associated with document information. For example, evaluation may comprise comparing category information associated with the received information to category information associated with at least part of the historic document information. Evaluation may relate to chronological information. For example, evaluation may relate to comparing at least part of the received information relates to a document already represented in the historic document information. 
     Evaluation may comprise determining that at least part of the received information is related to at least part of the historic document information. For example, evaluation may comprise determining that at least part of the received information and part of the historic document information relate to a common source, a common domain, a common category, similar subject matter, a common document, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus may determine that at least part of the received information and at least part of the historic document information relate to a common social networking account. In another example, evaluation may comprise determining that at least part of the received information and a part of the historic document information have similar category information, such as maps to destinations close to each other. 
     Evaluation may comprise evaluating the content of the document to determine a category to associate with the received information. For example, the apparatus may evaluate an image to determine that the image is a map, a face, a building, and/or the like. The apparatus may use the determined category to associate the received information with a category associated with at least part of the historic document information. In such an example, evaluation may further comprise further evaluation based, at least in part on the determined category. 
     Evaluation may comprise determining which part of the received information to aggregate to the historic document information. For example, evaluation may comprise determining significance associated with received information and/or historic document information. In such an example, the apparatus may determine a higher significance based on chronological information, such as how many times a page was viewed, how long the page was viewed, and/or the like, category information, such as whether the page was associated with a domain common to at least part of the historic document information, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus may determine a higher significance to the last document of a domain that was received than to previous documents of the domain that were received. In another example, the apparatus may determine a higher significance for a document containing links to previously received documents than to documents without such links. 
     In an example embodiment, an apparatus aggregates at least part of the received information to the historic document information based at least in part on determination that at least part of the received information is related to at least part of the historic document information. For example, the apparatus may add received chronological information to a part of the historic document information that relates to a common uniform resource locator. In another example, the apparatus may merge received uniform resource locator information with a part of the historic document information associated with a common category. 
     In an example embodiment, apparatus  101  may base operations, at least in part, on identification of an account associated with a device. For example, apparatus  101  may maintain different historic document information associated with different accounts, common historic document information associated with all accounts, historic document information common to a subset of accounts, and/or the like. For example, apparatus  101  may utilize multiple historic document information. In such an example, apparatus may restrict operations associated with a particular historic document information to operations associated with an account that is associated with the particular historic document information. Apparatus  101  may identify an account associated with a device based on login, authentication, shared information, code, and/or the like. 
     In an example embodiment, information associated with the apparatus and/or devices is encrypted. For example, information received by apparatus  101  may be encrypted information. In another example, information provided by apparatus  101  may be encrypted information. In yet another example, information stored by apparatus  101  may be encrypted information. Encryption may be based on a key, a code, an algorithm, and/or the like. This basis may be shared between apparatus  101  and one or more devices. This basis may be common to one or more devices and/or may differ between one or more devices. For example, the basis for encryption may be common between apparatus  101  and all devices. In another example, the basis for encryption may differ between apparatus  101  and each device. In still another example, the basis for encryption for apparatus  101  and a first set of devices may differ from apparatus  101  and another set of devices. Furthermore, any encryption associated with any information stored by apparatus  101  may differ from any encryption between apparatus  101  and one or more devices. Encryption may be based, at least in part, on an account. For example, encryption may vary across different accounts. 
       FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating apparatus communication according to at least one example embodiment. Apparatus  121  is similar to apparatus  101  of  FIG. 1A . Devices  122  and  123  are similar to devices  102  and  103  of  FIG. 1A , respectively. Document source  124  is similar to document source  104  of  FIG. 1A . Communication paths  131 ,  132 ,  133 , and  134  are similar to communication paths  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104 , respectively. 
     In an example embodiment, it may be desirable for apparatus  121  to aggregate information to historic document information beyond the information received from device  122 . For example, the received information may fail to include information that might assist the user in understanding the aggregated historic document information, such as an image, content, and/or the like. In such circumstances, it may be desirable for apparatus  121  to communicate with document source  124 . 
     In an example embodiment, apparatus  124  may retrieve supplemental information associated with information received from device  122  indicating that device  122  received a document. Apparatus  121  may utilize communication path  135  to communicate to document source  124 . The communication may be similar as described with reference to  FIG. 1A . 
     In an example embodiment, apparatus  121  retrieves supplemental information associated with information received from device  122  indicating that a document was received by device  122 . Retrieving the supplemental information may comprise receiving the document. For example, apparatus  121  may utilize the received information from device  122  to receive the document, similar to the document receiving of device  122 . Apparatus  121  may evaluate the received document to determine information to aggregate to the historic document information. For example, apparatus may generate a thumbnail image of the document, copy an image form the document, examine the content of the document for categorization, and/or the like. When evaluating the received information, apparatus  121  may similarly evaluate the supplemental information. When performing aggregation, apparatus  121  may similarly aggregate the supplemental information to the historic document information. 
     Without limiting the scope of the invention in any way, one possible technical advantage associated with apparatus  121  retrieving supplemental information may be reducing the amount of information sent by device  122  to indicate that a document was received. Communication path  131  may be more expensive, less reliable, slower, and/or the like, than communication path  135 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram showing a set of operations  200  for aggregating document information according to an example embodiment. An apparatus, for example electronic device  10  of  FIG. 4  or a portion thereof, may utilize the set of operations  200 . The apparatus may comprise means, including, for example processor  20  of  FIG. 4 , for performing the operations of  FIG. 2 . In an example embodiment, an apparatus, for example device  10  of  FIG. 4 , is transformed by having memory, for example memory  42  of FIG.  4 , comprising computer code configured to, working with a processor, for example processor  20  of  FIG. 4 , cause the apparatus to perform set of operations  200 . 
     At block  201 , the apparatus receives information from a first external apparatus indicating that the first external apparatus has received a document associated with a uniform resource locator, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     At block  202 , the apparatus evaluates the received information and the historic document information, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     At block  203 , the apparatus aggregates at least part of the received information to the historic document information based at least in part on the evaluation, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . In an example embodiment, the apparatus aggregates at least part of the received information to the historic document information in response to the evaluation. 
     At block  204 , the apparatus provides at least part of the aggregated historic document information to a second external apparatus, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram showing a set of operations  300  for aggregating document information according to an example embodiment. An apparatus, for example electronic device  10  of  FIG. 4  or a portion thereof, may utilize the set of operations  300 . The apparatus may comprise means, including, for example processor  20  of  FIG. 4 , for performing the operations of  FIG. 3 . In an example embodiment, an apparatus, for example device  10  of  FIG. 4 , is transformed by having memory, for example memory  42  of  FIG. 4 , comprising computer code configured to, working with a processor, for example processor  20  of  FIG. 4 , cause the apparatus to perform set of operations  300 . 
     At block  301 , the apparatus receives information from a first external apparatus indicating that the first external apparatus has received a document associated with a uniform resource locator, similar as described with reference to block  201  of  FIG. 2 . 
     At block  302 , the apparatus identifies an account associated with the first external apparatus, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     At block  303 , the apparatus retrieves stored historic document information. The apparatus may retrieve the stored historic document information from nonvolatile memory, such as nonvolatile memory  42  of  FIG. 4 . In an example embodiment, the stored historic document information may have been stored externally to the apparatus, for example on a separate server, memory, and/or the like. In such circumstances, the apparatus may retrieve the stored historic document information from external storage. 
     At block  304 , the apparatus retrieves supplemental information associated with the received information and aggregate at least part of the supplemental information to the historic document information, similar as described with reference to  FIG. 1B . 
     At block  305 , the apparatus evaluates the received information, the supplemental information, and the historic document information, similar as described with reference to block  202  of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 1B . 
     At block  306 , the apparatus aggregates at least part of the received information and at least part of the supplemental information to historic document information based at least in part on the evaluation, similar as described with reference to block  203  of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 1B . 
     At block  307 , the apparatus stores the aggregated historic document information. The apparatus may store the historic document information from nonvolatile memory, such as nonvolatile memory  42  of  FIG. 4 . In an example embodiment, the apparatus may store the historic document information externally to the apparatus, for example on a separate server, memory, and/or the like. 
     At block  308 , the apparatus identifies a second apparatus associated with the account, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . The apparatus may identify the second apparatus to be associated with the account in response to communication with the second external apparatus. For example, the apparatus may determine that the account is associated with the second external apparatus, similar as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     At block  309 , the apparatus determines whether to generate an apparatus specific historic document information. The determination may be based, at least in part, on capability of the second external apparatus. For example, the second external apparatus may have a small display, such as display  28  of  FIG. 4 . In another example, the second external apparatus may have limited input capabilities, such as no keypad, such as keypad  30  of FIG.  4 , no mouse, no touch display, and/or the like. In another example, the second external apparatus might be associated with limited user attention, such as an automobile device, tablet, television, refrigerator display, and/or the like. The determination may be based, at least in part on a setting associated with the second external apparatus. For example the apparatus may have a setting associated with the second external apparatus that indicates whether to generate an apparatus specific historic document information. The determination may be based on communication with the second external apparatus. For example, the second external apparatus may send information indicating whether the apparatus should generate an apparatus specific historic document information. If the apparatus determines not to generate an apparatus specific historic document information, flow proceeds to block  310 . Otherwise, flow proceeds to block  311 . 
     If, at block  309 , the apparatus determines not to generate an apparatus specific historic document information, at block  310 , the apparatus provides at least part of the aggregated historic document information to the second external apparatus, similar as described with reference to block  204  of  FIG. 2 . The apparatus may provide at least part of the aggregated historic document information in response to determining that the second apparatus is associated with the account. The apparatus exits the flow. 
     If, at block  309 , the apparatus determines to generate an apparatus specific historic document information, at block  311 , the apparatus generates the apparatus specific historic document information. The apparatus may base generation, at least in part, on capability of the second external apparatus. The capability may be similar as described with reference to block  309 . For example, if the second external apparatus has a small display, such as display  28  of  FIG. 4 , the apparatus may reduce size of images, reduce number of images, reduce amount of text, reduce size of text, and/or the like. In another example, if the second external apparatus has limited input capabilities, such as no keypad, such as keypad  30  of  FIG. 4 , no mouse, no touch display, and/or the like the apparatus may provide information for speech input, information for tactile input, and/or the like. In another example, if the second external apparatus is associated with limited user attention, such as an automobile device, a tablet, a television, a refrigerator display, and/or the like, the apparatus may replace text with speech, reduce number of images, increase size of images, and/or the like. The generation may be based, at least in part on a setting associated with the second external apparatus. For example the apparatus may have a setting associated with the second external apparatus that indicates a generation parameter for apparatus specific historic document information. The generation may be based on communication with the second external apparatus. For example, the second external apparatus may send information indicating a generation parameter for the apparatus specific historic document information. 
     At block  312 , the apparatus provides at least part of the apparatus specific aggregated historic document information to a second external apparatus, similar as described with reference to block  204  of  FIG. 2 . The apparatus may provide at least part of the apparatus specific aggregated historic document information in response to determining that the second apparatus is associated with the account. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an apparatus, such as an electronic device  10 , according to an example embodiment. It should be understood, however, that an electronic device as illustrated and hereinafter described is merely illustrative of an electronic device that could benefit from embodiments of the invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the invention. While one embodiment of the electronic device  10  is illustrated and will be hereinafter described for purposes of example, other types of electronic devices, such as, but not limited to, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile computers, desktop computers, televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, media players, cameras, video recorders, global positioning system (GPS) devices and other types of electronic systems, may readily employ embodiments of the invention. Moreover, the apparatus of an example embodiment need not be the entire electronic device, but may be a component or group of components of the electronic device in other example embodiments. 
     Furthermore, devices may readily employ embodiments of the invention regardless of their intent to provide mobility. In this regard, even though embodiments of the invention are described in conjunction with mobile communications applications, it should be understood that embodiments of the invention may be utilized in conjunction with a variety of other applications, both in the mobile communications industries and outside of the mobile communications industries. 
     The electronic device  10  may comprise an antenna, (or multiple antennae), a wired connector, and/or the like in operable communication with a transmitter  14  and a receiver  16 . The electronic device  10  may further comprise a processor  20  or other processing circuitry that provides signals to and receives signals from the transmitter  14  and receiver  16 , respectively. The signals may comprise signaling information in accordance with a communications interface standard, user speech, received data, user generated data, and/or the like. The electronic device  10  may operate with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. By way of illustration, the electronic device  10  may operate in accordance with any of a number of first, second, third and/or fourth-generation communication protocols or the like. For example, the electronic device  10  may operate in accordance with wireline protocols, such as Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), second-generation (2G) wireless communication protocols IS-136 (time division multiple access (TDMA)), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), and IS-95 (code division multiple access (CDMA)), with third-generation (3G) wireless communication protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and time division-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), or with fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols, wireless networking protocols, such as 802.11, short-range wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth, and/or the like. 
     As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to all of the following: hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and to combinations of circuits and software and/or firmware such as to a combination of processor(s) or portions of processor(s)/software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions and to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor, multiple processors, or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network device. 
     Processor  20  may comprise means, such as circuitry, for implementing audio, video, communication, navigation, logic functions, and/or the like, as well as for implementing embodiments of the invention including, for example, one or more of the functions described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A-4 . For example, processor  20  may comprise means, such as a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, various analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, processing circuitry and other support circuits, for performing various functions including, for example, one or more of the functions described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A-4 . The apparatus may perform control and signal processing functions of the electronic device  10  among these devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor  20  thus may comprise the functionality to encode and interleave message and data prior to modulation and transmission. The processor  20  may additionally comprise an internal voice coder, and may comprise an internal data modem. Further, the processor  20  may comprise functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory and which may, among other things, cause the processor  20  to implement at least one embodiment including, for example, one or more of the functions described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A-4 . For example, the processor  20  may operate a connectivity program, such as a conventional internet browser. The connectivity program may allow the electronic device  10  to transmit and receive internet content, such as location-based content and/or other web page content, according to a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and/or the like, for example. 
     The electronic device  10  may comprise a user interface for providing output and/or receiving input. The electronic device  10  may comprise an output device such as a ringer, a conventional earphone and/or speaker  24 , a microphone  26 , a display  28 , and/or a user input interface, which are coupled to the processor  20 . The user input interface, which allows the electronic device  10  to receive data, may comprise means, such as one or more devices that may allow the electronic device  10  to receive data, such as a keypad  30 , a touch display, for example if display  28  comprises touch capability, and/or the like. In an embodiment comprising a touch display, the touch display may be configured to receive input from a single point of contact, multiple points of contact, and/or the like. In such an embodiment, the touch display and/or the processor may determine input based, at least in part, on position, motion, speed, contact area, and/or the like. 
     The electronic device  10  may include any of a variety of touch displays including those that are configured to enable touch recognition by any of resistive, capacitive, infrared, strain gauge, surface wave, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition or other techniques, and to then provide signals indicative of the location and other parameters associated with the touch. Additionally, the touch display may be configured to receive an indication of an input in the form of a touch event which may be defined as an actual physical contact between a selection object (e.g., a finger, stylus, pen, pencil, or other pointing device) and the touch display. Alternatively, a touch event may be defined as bringing the selection object in proximity to the touch display, hovering over a displayed object or approaching an object within a predefined distance, even though physical contact is not made with the touch display. As such, a touch input may comprise any input that is detected by a touch display including touch events that involve actual physical contact and touch events that do not involve physical contact but that are otherwise detected by the touch display, such as a result of the proximity of the selection object to the touch display. A touch display may be capable of receiving information associated with force applied to the touch screen in relation to the touch input. For example, the touch screen may differentiate between a heavy press touch input and a light press touch input. Display  28  may display two-dimensional information, three-dimensional information and/or the like. 
     In embodiments including the keypad  30 , the keypad  30  may comprise numeric (for example, 0-9) keys, symbol keys (for example, #, *), alphabetic keys, and/or the like for operating the electronic device  10 . For example, the keypad  30  may comprise a conventional QWERTY keypad arrangement. The keypad  30  may also comprise various soft keys with associated functions. In addition, or alternatively, the electronic device  10  may comprise an interface device such as a joystick or other user input interface. The electronic device  10  further comprises a battery  34 , such as a vibrating battery pack, for powering various circuits that are required to operate the electronic device  10 , as well as optionally providing mechanical vibration as a detectable output. 
     In an example embodiment, the electronic device  10  comprises a media capturing element, such as a camera, video and/or audio module, in communication with the processor  20 . The media capturing element may be any means for capturing an image, video and/or audio for storage, display or transmission. For example, in an example embodiment in which the media capturing element is a camera module  36 , the camera module  36  may comprise a digital camera which may form a digital image file from a captured image. As such, the camera module  36  may comprise hardware, such as a lens or other optical component(s), and/or software necessary for creating a digital image file from a captured image. Alternatively, the camera module  36  may comprise only the hardware for viewing an image, while a memory device of the electronic device  10  stores instructions for execution by the processor  20  in the form of software for creating a digital image file from a captured image. In an example embodiment, the camera module  36  may further comprise a processing element such as a co-processor that assists the processor  20  in processing image data and an encoder and/or decoder for compressing and/or decompressing image data. The encoder and/or decoder may encode and/or decode according to a standard format, for example, a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard format. 
     The electronic device  10  may comprise one or more user identity modules (UIM)  38 . The UIM may comprise information stored in memory of electronic device  10 , a part of electronic device  10 , a device coupled with electronic device  10 , and/or the like. The UIM  38  may comprise a memory device having a built-in processor. The UIM  38  may comprise, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM), a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), a removable user identity module (R-UIM), and/or the like. The UIM  38  may store information elements related to a subscriber, an operator, a user account, and/or the like. For example, UIM  38  may store subscriber information, message information, contact information, security information, program information, and/or the like. Usage of one or more UIM  38  may be enabled and/or disabled. For example, electronic device  10  may enable usage of a first UIM and disable usage of a second UIM. 
     In an example embodiment, electronic device  10  comprises a single UIM  38 . In such an embodiment, at least part of subscriber information may be stored on the UIM  38 . 
     In another example embodiment, electronic device  10  comprises a plurality of UIM  38 . For example, electronic device  10  may comprise two UIM  38  blocks. In such an example, electronic device  10  may utilize part of subscriber information of a first UIM  38  under some circumstances and part of subscriber information of a second UIM  38  under other circumstances. For example, electronic device  10  may enable usage of the first UIM  38  and disable usage of the second UIM  38 . In another example, electronic device  10  may disable usage of the first UIM  38  and enable usage of the second UIM  38 . In still another example, electronic device  10  may utilize subscriber information from the first UIM  38  and the second UIM  38 . 
     Electronic device  10  may comprise a memory device including, in one embodiment, volatile memory  40 , such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM) including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The electronic device  10  may also comprise other memory, for example, non-volatile memory  42 , which may be embedded and/or may be removable. The non-volatile memory  42  may comprise an EEPROM, flash memory or the like. The memories may store any of a number of pieces of information, and data. The information and data may be used by the electronic device  10  to implement one or more functions of the electronic device  10 , such as the functions described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A-4 . For example, the memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, which may uniquely identify the electronic device  10 . 
     Electronic device  10  may comprise one or more sensor  37 . Sensor  37  may comprise a light sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a location sensor, and/or the like. For example, sensor  37  may comprise one or more light sensors at various locations on the device. In such an example, sensor  37  may provide sensor information indicating an amount of light perceived by one or more light sensors. Such light sensors may comprise a photovoltaic element, a photoresistive element, a charge coupled device (CCD), and/or the like. In another example, sensor  37  may comprise one or more proximity sensors at various locations on the device. In such an example, sensor  37  may provide sensor information indicating proximity of an object, a user, a part of a user, and/or the like, to the one or more proximity sensors. Such proximity sensors may comprise capacitive measurement, sonar measurement, radar measurement, and/or the like. 
     Although  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an electronic device that may utilize embodiments of the invention including those described and depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 1A-4 , electronic device  10  of  FIG. 4  is merely an example of a device that may utilize embodiments of the invention. 
     Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on the apparatus, a separate device, or a plurality of separate devices. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on the apparatus, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a separate device, and part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a plurality of separate devices. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” may be any tangible media or means that can contain, or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted in  FIG. 4 . A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium that may be any tangible media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. 
     If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. For example, block  303  of  FIG. 3  may be performed after block  304 . Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. For example, blocks  303  and  307  of  FIG. 3  may be optional and/or combined with block  306 . 
     Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims. 
     It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.