Integrated instant messaging and web browsing client and related methods

• US 20100279720A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Genmobi Incorporated
• Inventors: Schultz, Michael J., Headley, Paul, Marsh, Shaun, Kehoe, Bill
• Granted Patent: US 8,290,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

An integrated web browser, instant messaging system is presented. The system operates on mobile devices and other types of embedded devices. The system is an integrated instant messaging and web browsing application controlled by an embedded application on a mobile device. Today most web browsers, instant messaging, and other programs are separate or discrete applications that are executed on an either/or type of situation. The present system provides an integrated application environment that is a single application that shares data between instant messaging and web browser sub-modules, which allows users to simultaneously message and browse. The system may also be deployed as part of an overall method for enhancing safety and producing revenue for communications networks.

Claims

1. An instant messaging and web browsing system comprising:

an instant messaging subsystem;

a web browsing subsystem; and

a display and control module adapted to operate the instant messaging subsystem and the web browsing subsystem substantially simultaneously;

wherein a user may view instant messages or web page content and

wherein the instant messaging and web browsing system connect to a network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a personal digital assistant.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is the network of a mobile communication device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging and web browsing system will only permit preapproved web page content to be viewed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a network owner preapproves the webpages.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the preapproval process of the network owner is based, at least in part, on a fee paid to the network owner.

18. The mobile device of claim 1G, wherein the integrated instant messaging and web browsing system functions of receiving instant messages, sending instant messages, and receiving web page content occur substantially simultaneously.

8. A machine-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon executable by a processing unit for performing the steps of:

receiving instant messages;

sending instant messages; and

receiving web page content;

wherein receiving of instant messages, sending of instant messages, and receiving of web page content occurs substantially simultaneously.

9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a display and control interface adapted to manage the receipt of instant messages, sending of instant messages, and receipt of web page content.

10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the management function further manages output of instant messages sent, instant messages received, and web page content to a display.

11. The machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the management function further receives input from users and maps one or more inputs to at least one command.

12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the medium is adapted to be installed on a mobile device.

13. The machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.

14. The machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the medium is adapted to be installed on a mobile device.

15. The machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.

16. A mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

a network connection; and

an integrated instant messaging and web browsing application executable by the processor for;

receiving instant messages;

sending instant messages; and

receiving web page content.

17. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.

19. A method comprising:

providing a network offering;

providing a software for use on mobile devices;

preapproving a list of web site content to be downloadable to a mobile device, the preapproval list being based on a criteria; and

providing access via the software to the preapproved web site content.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the preapproval requires at least the payment of a fee.