Service Preview And Access From an Application Page

• US 20090228804A1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Risney, Dave, Kim, Jane T, Pavlicic, Miladin, Benny, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/042,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20090228804A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/745
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/95 Retrieval from the web
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

In one or more embodiments, users are able to access small previews of a service from within their present application context. For example, users can install various services in an application, such as a Web browser. Based upon a user action within the application, a user interface instrumentality can be presented to the user to enable them to access a list of services that are installed in the application. By taking an action with respect to the list of services, a user can access a preview of the service. Further service functionality can be accessed from a preview by interacting with the preview in a particular way.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

presenting a user interface instrumentality, based upon a user action within an application, the user interface instrumentality enabling a user to access a menu of Web-accessible services that are installed in the application; and

responsive to a user action with respect to the menu of Web-accessible services, accessing a preview of a service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said user action with respect to the menu of Web-accessible services comprises hovering a cursor over a listed service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said user action within an application comprises making a selection using an input device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality, wherein a user can access further service functionality by clicking on the preview.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality, wherein access to further service functionality is provided by performing a web navigation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the application comprises a Web browser.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the application does not comprise a Web browser.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface instrumentality comprises an in-page discovery button.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said presenting is performed by presenting said user interface instrumentality relative to an end point of a user'"'"'s selection.

11. A system comprising:

one or more computer-readable storage media;

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable storage media which, when executed, provide a Web browser configured to;

present a user interface instrumentality, based upon a user action within the Web browser, the user interface instrumentality enabling a user to access a default menu of Web-accessible services that are installed in the Web browser;

responsive to a user action with respect to the default menu of Web-accessible services, access a preview of a service; and

access, from the default menu, a cascading menu that shows multiple services grouped by category.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said user action with respect to the default menu of Web-accessible services comprises hovering a cursor over a listed service.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said user action within the Web browser comprises making a selection using an input device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality, wherein a user can access further service functionality by clicking on the preview.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality, wherein access to further service functionality is provided by performing a Web navigation.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the preview is configured to provide further access to service functionality, wherein access to further service functionality is provided by performing a Web navigation, wherein the Web navigation opens a new tab in the Web browser.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the user interface instrumentality comprises an in-page discovery button.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said user interface instrumentality is presented relative to an end point of a user'"'"'s selection.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein said user action within the Web browser comprises taking an action on a user interface feature comprising part of the Web browser.