Enabling category-based filtering

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.

1 . A method of enabling category-based filtering of a plurality of data items, said method comprising:
 in an application that associates patterns of a first type with said plurality of data items, where said patterns of said first type satisfy a rule, associating a pattern of a second type with a category, where said pattern of said second type satisfies said rule.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising associating said pattern of said second type with a given data item among said plurality of data items. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pattern of said second type comprises a plurality of elements, one element of said plurality of elements having a value indicative that said pattern of said second type is a pattern of said second type. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of elements comprise an ordered array and said one element is a first element of said array. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said rule specifies that said pattern of said first type include elements of a predetermined length. 
     
     
         6 . A handheld computer adapted to:
 associate patterns of a first type with a plurality of data items, where said patterns of said first type satisfy a rule; and   associate a pattern of a second type with a category, where said pattern of said second type satisfies said rule.   
     
     
         7 . A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor in a handheld computer, cause said processor to:
 associate patterns of a first type with a plurality of data items, where said patterns of said first type satisfy a rule; and   associate a pattern of a second type with a category, where said pattern of said second type satisfies said rule.