Granted Patent B1

US 10,171,392 · App. 15/943,672 · Granted Jan 1, 2019

Inventor: Robert Paul Morris (Raleigh, NC)

Assignee: Gummarus LLC

H04L51/08H04L51/00H04L29/08072

Abstract

Claims (114)

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

creating at least a portion of an instant messaging network service application that is configured to cooperate with a device including a touchscreen and a client instant messaging application, the client instant messaging application, when executed, is configured to cause the device to:

display, via the touchscreen, an instant messaging interface including a text entry user interface element for receiving entered text, and one or more user interface elements for causing requests to be sent that are valid according to a criterion schema defining at least one of a format or a vocabulary, the one or more user interface elements including a first menu item with corresponding first text, wherein the instant messaging network service application, when executed, is configured to cause an apparatus to:

based on a touch selection on the first menu item with corresponding first text: receive, at the apparatus from the device and with a communicant identifier associated with a user of the client instant messaging application, a first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a first response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one first image that is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request,

based on entry, via the text entry user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the entered text: receive, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a second request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary, and

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the second request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a second response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of content that is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the second request, the content being based on a user profile of the user of the client instant messaging application; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instant messaging network service application.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that the content is automatically identified based on the second request, by performing a matching operation with only a portion of the entered text, where the portion of the entered text is part of a query entered by the user.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that the at least one first image is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request and the user profile of the user of the client instant messaging application.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that, based on the touch selection on the first menu item with corresponding first text, the apparatus is preconfigured to only cause the at least one first image to be displayed, in response to the first request; and is further preconfigured to only cause the content to be displayed, in response to the second request.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of: the at least one first image is stored by a system that is separate from the apparatus and separate from the device and the at least one first image is caused to be displayed by causing the at least one first image to be accessed via the system; or the content is stored by the system that is separate from the apparatus and separate from the device and the content is caused to be displayed by causing the content to be accessed via the system.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first image is displayed via the instant messaging interface via a balloon.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first image is a plurality of images that are displayed via the instant messaging interface using a user interface element that is capable of a sliding function.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first image is a plurality of images that are displayed via the instant messaging interface in a plurality of balloons that are capable of a sliding function.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first image is a plurality of images that are each displayed with a corresponding menu with at least one particular menu item via the instant messaging interface and are capable of a sliding function.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of:

the at least portion of the client instant messaging application includes an entirety of the client instant messaging application;

the at least portion of the instant messaging network service application includes an entirety of the instant messaging network service application;

the device includes at least one of a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, or a mobile device;

the at least portion of the client instant messaging application is created by a development thereof;

the at least portion of the instant messaging network service application is created by a development thereof;

the client instant messaging application is configured to cooperate with the apparatus by communicating with the apparatus;

the client instant messaging application is configured such that interaction therewith is capable of invoking a network browser application;

the apparatus includes at least one of one or more servers, or one or more relays;

the apparatus and the device are equipped with respective communications agents;

the communicant identifier includes at least one of a contactor identifier or a contactee identifier;

in each instance of the displaying, the displaying occurs in immediate response to the receiving;

in each instance of the displaying, the displaying occurs after at least one intermediate operation that occurs in immediate response to the corresponding receiving;

the first menu item includes a control that initiates a command in response to a user selection thereon;

the first menu item includes a hyperlink;

selection on the first menu item results in a call;

the first menu item is constructed using a mark-up language;

the first menu item is received as a message attachment;

the first menu item is associated with a uniform resource locator;

the first menu item includes the corresponding first text;

the first menu item is the only menu item of a menu;

the first menu item is one of a plurality of menu items of a menu;

the selection on the first menu item does not invoke a network browser application;

the selection on the first menu item is received via the instant messaging interface in response to a detection of a user touch on the touchscreen of the device;

the selection on the first menu item prompts a signal;

the selection includes selection information;

an indication of the selection on the first menu item is received from code associated with the instant messaging interface;

the content includes at least one second image;

the at least one first image is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request, by looking up the at least one first image based on the first request;

the at least one first image is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request, such that the at least one first image is included with the first response;

the at least one first image is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request, such that a link to the at least one first image is included with the first response;

the at least one first image is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request, for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of the at least one first image, such that the display is caused by sending the at least one first image to the device;

the at least one first image is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request, for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of the at least one first image, such that the display is caused by permitting access to the at least one first image by the device via at least one separate system;

the content is based on the user profile of the user of the client instant messaging application, by being identified based on the user profile;

the content is based on the user profile of the user of the client instant messaging application, by being identified by the apparatus based on the user profile;

the content is based on the user profile of the user of the client instant messaging application, by including at least a portion of the user profile of the user of the client instant messaging application;

the sliding function is implemented via a slider;

the vocabulary defines one or more valid values;

the format includes at least one of one or more image format types, one or more video format types, one or more markup languages, one or more scripting languages, one or more byte code, or one or more machine code;

the criterion schema defines at least one of a format or a vocabulary;

the entered text includes tag text;

the entered text is entered by the user of the client instant messaging application; or

the at least portion of the client instant messaging application is part of a system, where the system further comprises the apparatus and the device.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least one aspect of the content is capable of being saved, under the direction of the user, for subsequent identification of favorite user content by the user.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that the first menu item is conditionally caused to be displayed based on a signal that is sent from the apparatus to the device via at least one network.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 , wherein at least one second menu item with corresponding second text is displayed via the instant messaging interface independent of any signal that is sent from the apparatus to the device via the at least one network, and the instant messaging network service application, when executed, is configured to cause the apparatus to:

based on a touch selection on the second menu item with corresponding second text: receive, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a third request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary, and

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the third request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a third response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of additional content that is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the third request.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that at least a portion of the first menu item is sent with a particular image from the apparatus to the device via at least one network, for causing the first menu item to be displayed with the particular image.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that different images are sent from the apparatus to the device via at least one network for being displayed via the instant messaging interface, based on different menu selection by the user and different entered text.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that the entered text is capable of being as vague as language per the user, with the content being automatically identified by a network service associated with the apparatus based on the language.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that a signal is sent from the apparatus to the device to cause display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one menu with multiple menu items for, in response to a touch selection on at least one of the multiple menu items thereof, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via at least one network, of one or more images and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one of the multiple menu items.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that a signal is sent from the apparatus to the device to cause display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one menu with multiple menu items for, in response to a touch selection on at least one of the multiple menu items thereof, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via at least one network, of at least one additional menu with at least one additional menu item and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one of the multiple menu items, for, in response to a touch selection on the at least one additional menu item, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via the network, of additional content and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one additional menu item.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that a signal is sent from the apparatus to the device to cause display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one menu with one or more images and multiple menu items for, in response to a touch selection on at least one of the multiple menu items thereof, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via at least one network, of additional content including one or more additional images and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one of the multiple menu items.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that a signal is sent from the apparatus to the device to cause display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one menu with one or more images and multiple menu items for, in response to a touch selection on at least one of the multiple menu items thereof, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via at least one network, of at least one additional menu including one or more additional images with at least one additional menu item and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one of the multiple menu items, for, in response to a touch selection on the at least one additional menu item, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via the network, of content and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one additional menu item.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that a signal is sent from the apparatus to the device to cause display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least a portion of multiple menus each associated with a corresponding balloon with one or more images and one or more menu items for, in response to a touch selection on at least one of the one or more menu items thereof, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device, of additional content including one or more additional images and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one of the one or more menu items.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the instant messaging network service application is configured such that a signal is sent from the apparatus to the device to cause display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least a portion of multiple menus each in a corresponding balloon with one or more images and one or more menu items for, in response to a touch selection on at least one of the one or more menu items thereof, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via at least one network, of at least one additional menu including one or more additional images with at least one additional menu item and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one of the one or more menu items, for, in response to a selection on the at least one additional menu item, causing transmission, from the apparatus to the device via the network, of additional content and display thereof via the instant messaging interface simultaneously with the at least one additional menu item.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a relay is positioned between the apparatus and the device, and the first response is sent to the relay for causing the relay to send, from the relay to the device, the first response for causing the display, via the instant messaging interface, of the at least one first image.

24. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

creating at least a portion of a client instant messaging application that is configured to be installed on a touchscreen-equipped device for cooperation with an apparatus, the client instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause the device to:

display an instant messaging interface including:

a text entry user interface element for receiving entered text, and

one or more user interface elements for causing one or more requests to be sent that are valid according to a criterion schema defining at least one of a format or a vocabulary, the one or more user interface elements including a first menu item with corresponding first text, where the first menu item is conditionally displayed based on a receipt of a signal from the apparatus via at least one network;

creating at least a portion of an instant messaging network service application that is configured to be installed on the apparatus for cooperation with the device with the client instant messaging application installed thereon, wherein the client instant messaging application and the instant messaging network service application, when executed, are configured to cause the apparatus and the device to cooperate to:

based on a selection on the first menu item with corresponding first text, send, from the device to the apparatus and with a communicant identifier associated with a user of the client instant messaging application, a first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

receive, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a first response, and

receive, at the device from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one first image that is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request;

causing storage of the at least portion of the instant messaging network service application; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the client instant messaging application;

application;

wherein content is caused to be displayed that is based on a user profile of the user.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 24 , wherein the client instant messaging application and the instant messaging network service application, when executed, are configured to cause the apparatus and the device to cooperate to:

based on receipt of the entered text from the user, send, from the device to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a second request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

receive, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the second request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the second request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a second response, and

receive, at the device from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the second response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one second image that is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the second request.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 25 , wherein the client instant messaging application and the instant messaging network service application, when executed, are configured to cause the apparatus and the device to cooperate to:

based on a selection on a second selection item of the one or more user interface elements, send, from the device to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a third request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

receive, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the third request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the third request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a third response, and

receive, at the device from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the third response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of additional content that is automatically identified based on the third request.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 24 , wherein the first menu item is part of a menu that is displayed with at least one corresponding image via the instant messaging interface in connection with a balloon.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 24 , wherein the first menu item is part of one of a plurality of menus that each include at least one corresponding image and is displayed via the instant messaging interface in connection with a corresponding one of a plurality of balloons.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 , wherein the balloons are displayed via at least one user interface element that permits a sliding function.

30. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

creating at least a portion of a client instant messaging application that is configured to be installed on a touchscreen-equipped device for cooperation with an apparatus, the client instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause the device to:

display an instant messaging interface including:

a text entry user interface element for receiving entered text, and

one or more user interface elements for causing one or more requests to be sent that are valid according to a criterion schema defining at least one of a format or a vocabulary, the one or more user interface elements including a first menu item with corresponding first text, where the first menu item is conditionally displayed based on a receipt of a signal from the apparatus via at least one network;

creating at least a portion of an instant messaging network service application that is configured to be installed on the apparatus for cooperation with the device with the client instant messaging application installed thereon, wherein the client instant messaging application and the instant messaging network service application, when executed, are configured to cause the apparatus and the device to cooperate to:

based on receipt of the entered text from a user, send, from the device to the apparatus and with a communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

receive, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary,

after receiving, at the apparatus from the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first request that is valid according to the criterion schema defining at least one of the format or the vocabulary: send, from the apparatus to the device and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, a first response, and

receive, at the device from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the client instant messaging application, the first response for causing display, via the instant messaging interface, of at least one first image that is automatically identified by the apparatus based on the first request;

causing storage of the at least portion of the instant messaging network service application; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the client instant messaging application;

wherein content is caused to be displayed that is based on a user profile of the user.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (11)