Performing support functions on a portable device
Among other things, on a portable device on which one or more AV items received from an external source are performed for a user during performance periods, at least one support function other than performing AV items, including receiving schedule information related to AV items, is performed in a background mode.
1 . A method comprising
on a portable device on which one or more AV items received from an external source are performed for a user during performance periods, executing at least one support function other than performing AV items for the user, the support function including receiving schedule information related to AV items, the support function being executed in a background mode.
2 . The method of claim 1 in which the support function includes receiving AV items from an external source.
3 . The method of claim 1 in which the support function includes receiving the schedule information from an external source.
4 . The method of claim 1 in which at least one of the support functions is executed without intervention by a user.
5 . The method of claim 1 in which aspects of the execution of the support function are specified by a user.
6 . The method of claim 1 in which the support function is performed beginning automatically when the portable device is initialized.
7 . The method of claim 1 in which the support function continues to be performed automatically as long as the portable device is powered.
8 . The method of claim 1 in which execution of at least one of the support functions is dependent on a power state of the portable device.
9 . The method of claim 8 in which the power state comprises information about battery life.
10 . The method of claim 1 in which execution of at least one of the support functions is dependent on a communication state of the portable device.
11 . The method of claim 10 in which the user is alerted if the communication state affects the execution of a support function.
12 . The method of claim 1 in which the support function is executed without knowledge of the user.
13 . The method of claim 1 also enabling the user to specify a schedule or conditions for execution of at least one of the support function.
14 . The method of claim 1 also including notifying the user when a support function cannot be performed.
15 . The method of claim 1 in which the user is not enabled to terminate the performance of the support function in the background mode.
16 . The method of claim 1 in which the support function is performed by an AV support application that runs at times when none of the support functions is being executed.
17 . A method comprising
on a portable video-capable device, performing AV items that have been received from an external esource, and
in a background mode, receiving schedules of other AV items that will be available at specified times.
18 . The method of claim 17 also including receiving the AV items at the specified times.
19 . The method of claim 18 in which aspects of the receiving of the AV items are specified by a user.
20 . The method of claim 18 in which the receiving is performed beginning automatically when the portable device is initialized.
21 . The method of claim 18 in which receiving continues to be performed automatically as long as the portable device is powered.
22 . The method of claim 18 in which the receiving is dependent on a power state of the portable device.
23 . The method of claim 18 in which the power state comprises information about battery life.
24 . The method of claim 18 in which the receiving is dependent on a communication state of the portable device.
25 . The method of claim 24 in which the user is alerted if the communication state affects the receiving.
26 . The method of claim 18 including notifying the user when a support function cannot be performed.