Architecture for a System of Portable Information Agents

• US 20090193068A1
• Filed: 12/23/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brice Rive, Jean-Christophe Arnulfo, Michael Tolson
• Original Assignee: Brice Rive, Jean-Christophe Arnulfo, Michael Tolson
• Inventors: Tolson, Michael, Rive, Brice, Arnulfo, Jean-Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 8,051,175 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements

Abstract

A method and system for providing enhanced intelligent agents that are moveable by a user from a browser application to a desktop. In specific embodiments, agents provide advanced interactive graphics and communications back to a server.

Claims

14. A method comprising:

providing a first information agent for access by a first application, the first application providing a first execution context for the first information agent;

providing a second information agent for access by a second application, the second application providing a second execution context for the second information agent;

composing the second information agent into the first information agent;

allowing a user to select the first information agent and relocate the first information agent outside of the first application;

contacting an agent server to request logic;

downloading and installing the logic; and

moving the first information agent to a new location.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the new location is selected from the group comprising a desktop provided by an operating system, a different application, and a different computer platform with a different operating system.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the first information agent is associated with a graphic object constructed from presentation primitives.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the first information agent includes logic allowing communication with a data server for tracking user interaction.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first information agent and the logic allow communication with a data server for tracking user interaction after the first information agent has been moved to the new location.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising moving the first information agent to the new location such that the first information agent becomes part of a composition that provides a third execution context for the first information agent.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the first application comprises a web browser and the first information agent comprises a portion of a web page.

21. A system comprising:

a first information agent that is accessed by a first application;

a first system configured for allowing selection of the first information agent and relocation of the first information agent outside of the first application;

a second system configured for determining if sufficient logic exists to allow the first information agent to operate in a new location;

the second system configured for contacting an agent server to request the logic;

the second system configured for downloading and installing the logic; and

the first system and the second system configured for moving the first information agent to the new location.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the first application is an email client and the first information agent is an email message.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the second system is configured for determining if infrastructure logic exists to allow the first information agent to operate in the new location.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the second system is configured for contacting an agent server to request the infrastructure logic.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the second system is configured for downloading and installing the infrastructure logic.

26. The system of claim 23 further comprising a second information agent that is accessed by a second application, wherein the second information agent is composed into the first information agent.

27. The system of claim 21 wherein the new location is selected from the group comprising a desktop provided by an operating system, a different application, and a different computer platform with a different operating system.

28. A method comprising:

providing a first information agent for access by a first application, the first application providing a first execution context for the first information agent;

allowing a user to select the first information agent and relocate the first information agent outside of the first application;

contacting an agent server to request logic;

downloading and installing the logic; and

moving the first information agent to a new location.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the new location is selected from the group comprising a desktop provided by an operating system, a different application, and a different computer platform with a different operating system.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the first information agent is associated with a graphic object constructed from presentation primitives.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the first information agent includes logic allowing communication with a data server for tracking user interaction.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the first information agent and the logic allow communication with a data server for tracking user interaction after the first information agent has been moved to the new location.

33. The method of claim 28 further comprising moving the first information agent to the new location such that the first information agent becomes part of a composition that provides a third execution context for the first information agent.