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J2ME
Weblicon is currently developing a complete Personal Information Manager (PIM) based on the Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME). The J2ME client will be fully functional including calendar, address book, to-do list and messaging. More than the WAP client, the J2ME client will be able to provide a rich user interface, including drag-and-drop and graphical representation of schedule data.
The Weblicon J2ME client adds significant value to Java-enabled mobile phones providing a graphical user interface to local storage and tight integration with core phone functionality. In addition, it supports the next-generation concept of centrally hosted PIM data accessible from multiple devices including PC based browsers and SyncML synchronization with desktop PIM software. For network operators, the J2ME client can generate additional revenue by driving air-time when using the online mode of the J2ME client or synchronizing Over-The-Air with the centrally hosted Weblicon PIM.
The Weblicon J2ME client can be pre-installed on Java-enabled mobile phones or downloaded to the devices from a PC or Over-The-Air (OTA) from a central server directly to the device. The client will communicate with the centrally hosted Weblicon PIM server for live access to centrally stored user data. In addition, the J2ME client will also support offline storage of user data in the device enabling users to access their data in areas without network coverage. Synchronization of the offline device storage and the centrally hosted server will be ensured using the SyncML synchronization protocol.
User Interface
Java-enabled mobile phones such as the Siemens SL 45i, Motorola Accompli 008 or the Nokia Communicator 9210 support a common standard functionality described in the MIDP specification of the J2ME standard. Some phones, such as the SL 45i, provide a push-button interface, while others, such as the Motorola Accompli, have a stylus for user interaction comparable to a PDA. A list of Java-enabled mobile phones can be found at http://www.javamobiles.com/
The Weblicon J2ME client can be used on devices using a push-button interface, but offers additional features (such as drag-and-drop) when used on devices supporting a stylus.
J2ME
Weblicon has chosen J2ME to develop its next-generation mobile PIM application because this standard is becoming widely adopted by mobile phone manufacturers. J2ME promises cross platform compatibility among different devices and has the potential to run applications pre-installed as well as dynamically loaded over the network.
The Weblicon J2ME client will be based on the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) which is supported by most Java-enabled mobile phones.
It will be implemented as a MIDlet utilizing standard Screen objects for data input and custom Canvas objects for graphical display of schedule data.
The Weblicon J2ME client will support devices with and without pointer input devices to achieve maximum device compatibility. Drag-and-drop functionality will be accessible only on devices supporting pointer input devices.
Online communication with the Weblicon PIM server is implemented using an XML protocol utilizing HTTP as the transport protocol. Using the XML protocol, the J2ME client dynamically loads data from the central server while the user is accessing data. Changes to user data is propagated back to the server using the same protocol.
Local data storage will be implemented utilizing the standard RMS package storing serialized objects into the local storage of the device. By supporting local data storage, the weblicon J2ME client will be fully functional on the mobile phone, even in areas without coverage. Changes to existing data or new data entries can be synchronized with the centrally hosted server using the SyncML protocol.
SyncML
The Weblicon PIM server architecture already supports the SyncML protocol on the server side and is compatible with 3rd party SyncML clients such as the Nokia Communicator 9210. The Weblicon J2ME client will implement support for the SyncML protocol supporting synchronization with the Weblicon PIM server as well as other SyncML servers.
Architecture
The architecture diagram illustrates the dual protocol architecture; XML for live access to the centrally stored user data and SyncML for synchronizing the local device storage. Both, the XML API server and the SyncML server access the address book information stored in the central LDAP server and the schedule data stored in the RDBMS.
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