Branded content

• US 20060184375A1
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Stacey, Scott D., Stone, Brion G., Hebenstreit, Eric W., Fleuchaus, Lucius B.C.A., Wallace, Oliver I., Blinn, Arnold Neil, Miranda-Steiner, Emmanuel
• Granted Patent: US 8,291,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Configuration of an application module to utilize branded content is described. In an implementation, a method includes identifying one of a plurality of business relationships which correspond to a request sent by a client over a network. A configuration file is the formed for communication to the client and for configuration of an application module of the client to utilize branded content which corresponds to the identified business relationship.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying one of a plurality of business relationships which correspond to a request sent by a client over a network; and

forming a configuration file for;

communication to the client; and

configuration of an application module of the client to utilize branded content which corresponds to the identified one said business relationship.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the business relationship involves the client and an application provider which generated the application module.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the business relationship involves the client and a branded content provider which is configured to provide the branded content.

4. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the configuration file includes a reference indicating where to locate the branded content over a network.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the configuration file includes the branded content.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein one or more said business relationships are arranged such that at least one said business relationship is given priority over another said business relationship.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the application module is configured as software which is selected from the group consisting of:

an operating system;

a browser;

a game;

a word processor;

a note-taking application;

an email application;

a presentation application;

a drawing application;

an application that is executable to provide content over an network;

a scheduling application and

a spreadsheet application.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the branded content is selected from the group consisting of:

a link to a web page a business entity, with which, the client has the identified said business relationship;

a logo of the business entity;

brand text; and

application configuration data.

9. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising determining whether a version of branded content stored locally on the client has an updated version as referenced by the configuration filed, and if so, obtaining the updated version.

10. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the application module which is configured to output generic content when branded content is not available; and

initiating an installation process to install the application module on the client, wherein the installation process includes the identifying and the configuring.

11. A method comprising determining whether a version of branded content stored locally on a client has an updated version, and if so, obtaining the updated version, wherein each said version of the branded content:

corresponds to a business relationship involving the client; and

is for configuration of an application module to include functionality which is selected based on the business relationship.

12. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the business relationship involves:

the client and an application provider which generated the application module;

or

the client and a branded content provider which is configured to provide the branded content.

13. A method as described in claim 11, wherein one or more said business relationships are arranged such that at least one said business relationship is given priority over another said business relationship.

14. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the determining is performed after installation of the application module on the client has been completed.

15. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the determining is performed during installation of the application module on the client.

16. A method comprising during an installation process of an application module on a client:

forming a request for communication to a branding system; and

receiving a configuration file in response to the request which includes at least one uniform resource locator (URL) for locating branded content which corresponds to a business relationship which involves the client.

17. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the business relationship involves:

the client and an application provider which generated the application module;

or

the client and a branded content provider which is configured to provide the branded content.

18. A method as described in claim 16, further comprising determining whether the branded content referenced by the URL is an updated version of branded content stored locally on the client, and if so, obtaining the branded content referenced by the URL.

19. A method as described in claim 16, further comprising selecting the business relationship which involves the client instead of another business relationship which involves the client based on a priority given to each said business relationship.

20. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the configuration file includes a brand association identifier (ID) for communication to a branded content provider which is accessible via the URL.