Method and apparatus for configuring unique profile settings for multiple services

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for configuring unique profile settings for multiple services associated with an application in an electronic device. A profile system is provided having multiple programmable profile settings and a default profile setting for the application. Service records are received at the electronic device for each of the multiple services. The multiple services register with the profile system using a unique ID for each of the service records and include data for identifying the default profile setting for the application. Initially, the default profile setting is assigned to each of the multiple services. Subsequently, the multiple programmable profile settings are assigned to respective ones of the multiple services.

1 . A method for configuring a unique profile for a service associated with an application in an electronic device, comprising:
 providing a profile system having multiple programmable profile settings and a default profile setting for said application;   receiving a service record for said service;   registering said service with said profile system using said service record;   configuring said multiple programmable profile settings using profile data retrieved from said service record to provide said unique profile; and   identifying said unique profile using a name retrieved from said service record;   wherein if said service record does not include profile data, said default profile setting is used for said service.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said unique ID identifies said unique profile in a user-selectable menu. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selection of said name launches an editable profile settings screen. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said data of said unique profile is editable via a user interface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of said multiple programmable profile settings are assigned to said service as a result of downloading profile setting data during synchronization between said electronic device and a synchronization server. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for configuring unique profile settings for multiple services associated with an application in an electronic device, comprising:
 a profile system having multiple programmable profile settings and a default profile setting for said application;   means for receiving service records for said multiple services;   means for registering said multiple services with said profile system using said service records; and   means for assigning unique profiles to each of said multiple services using data from said service records.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a user interface for assigning said multiple programmable profile settings to respective ones of said multiple services. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each of said multiple programmable profile settings is editable via said user interface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said data includes a name for identifying each of said multiple services. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a synchronization server for downloading profile setting data to said electronic device whereupon said multiple programmable profile settings are assigned to said respective ones of said multiple services. 
     
     
         11 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 an antenna and radio device for receiving service records for multiple services associated with an application of said portable electronic device, at least one of said service records including unique profile data and a name corresponding to said unique profile data;   a profiles system in communication with said application, said profile system including multiple programmable profile settings and a default profile setting corresponding to said application;   a processor for programming at least one of said multiple programmable profile settings based on said unique profile data from said at least one service record and assigning said at least one of said multiple programmable profile settings to a corresponding one of said multiple services, said default profile setting being assigned to others of said multiple programmable profile settings; and   a display screen for displaying a list of said multiple services, said corresponding one of said multiple services being identified by said name.   
     
     
         12 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said application is an email application. 
     
     
         13 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a user interface including said display screen for assigning said multiple programmable profile settings to respective ones of said multiple services. 
     
     
         14 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said multiple programmable profile settings are editable via said user interface.