Content formatting and installation techniques

• US 20060069736A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Czeisler, Adam C., Paradise, Paul M., Figueroa-Morales, Jose J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,341,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/207
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

Content formatting and installation techniques are described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving one or more inputs for initiating an installation process of one or more content items and performing the installation process without user intervention. The performing of the installation process includes obtaining a content package, from over a network, which includes a manifest which describes a content type for each of the content items. Each of the content items is installed for use by an application module based on a respective content type.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

collecting one or more content items for output by a messaging module in an instant messaging session; and

forming a content package that includes the one or more content items and a manifest which;

describes a content type for each said content item; and

is parseable for automatic installation of each said content item for use by the messaging module based on a respective said content type.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more content items are selected from the group consisting of:

a display picture;

a dynamic display picture;

a background picture;

an emoticon;

a wink;

a dynamic menu;

video content;

audio content; and

a theme.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the automatic installation includes:

obtaining the content package from over a network; and

installing each said content item for use by the messaging module.

4. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising providing the content package for distribution over a network to a client having the messaging module.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the manifest conforms to an XML schema and each said content type is specified by a respective tag.

6. A method comprising:

receiving one or more inputs for initiating an installation process of one or more content items; and

performing the installation process without user intervention by;

obtaining a content package, from over a network, which includes a manifest that describes a content type for each said content item; and

installing each said content item for use by an application module based on a respective said content type.

7. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the one or more content items are included in the content package.

8. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the content package includes one or more references of where the one or more said content items are located.

9. A method as described in claim 6, wherein at least one said input is confirmation that initiation of the installation process is desired.

10. A method as described in claim 6, wherein at least one said input specifies selection of a download link or button on a web page for initiating the installation process.

11. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the manifest conforms to an XML schema and each said content type is specified by a respective tag.

12. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the application module is selected from a group consisting of:

an audio content player;

an email application;

a browser;

a note-taking application;

a word processor;

an operating system; and

a spreadsheet application.

13. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the application module is a messaging module which is configured to perform instant messaging over a network.

14. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the one or more content items are selected from the group consisting of:

a display picture;

a dynamic display picture;

a background picture;

an emoticon;

a wink;

a dynamic menu;

video content;

audio content; and

a theme.

15. A method as described in claim 6, further comprising:

communicating at least one said content item from the client to another client; and

outputting the at least one said content item at the other client, wherein the at least one said content item is selectable during the outputting to initiate an automatic installation process of the at least one said content item such that the other client is configured to cause an output of the at least one said content item.

16. A method comprising during an instant messaging session:

communicating a content item from a first client to a second client; and

outputting the content item at the second client, wherein the content item is selectable during the outputting to initiate an automatic installation process of the content item such that the second client is configured to cause an output of the content item.

17. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the content item is selected from the group consisting of:

a display picture;

a dynamic display picture;

a background picture;

an emoticon;

a wink;

a dynamic menu;

video content;

audio content; and

a theme.

18. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the automatic installation process of the content item includes:

obtaining a content package, from over a network, which includes the content item and a manifest which describes a content type of the content item; and

installing the content item for use by an application module on the second client based on the content type.

19. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the manifest conforms to an XML schema and the content type is specified by a tag.

20. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the automatic installation process is performed after communication of payment information from the second client.