System and method for providing additional functionality to existing software in an integrated manner
First Claim
1. A computer program product in a non-transitory computer readable medium for use in a data processing system that comprises a processor coupled to a network interface, the computer program product holding computer program instructions that comprise a function block, the function block having audio/video (A/V) call functionality, the function block operative when executed by the processor to:
- receive from a superblock application a request for an audio/video (A/V) service;
determine that the superblock application is authorized to access the A/V service functionality;
determine that the AN service requires access to a resource that is external to the data processing system;
establish the A/V service between the superblock application and the resource via the network interface, wherein establishing is not otherwise supported by the superblock application;
provide video output for the A/V service to a video window within a display window associated with the superblock application, the video window displayable simultaneously with the display window of the superblock application; and
provide audio for the A/V service.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved system and method are disclosed for improving functionality in software applications. In one example, the method includes a computing entity having a network interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions. The instructions include instructions for a superblock application having instructions for a function block included therein. The function block is configured to provide functions that are accessible to the superblock application via an application programming interface (API). The functions are provided within the superblock application itself and are accessible within the superblock application without switching context to another application on the computing entity.
300 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer program product in a non-transitory computer readable medium for use in a data processing system that comprises a processor coupled to a network interface, the computer program product holding computer program instructions that comprise a function block, the function block having audio/video (A/V) call functionality, the function block operative when executed by the processor to:
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receive from a superblock application a request for an audio/video (A/V) service; determine that the superblock application is authorized to access the A/V service functionality; determine that the AN service requires access to a resource that is external to the data processing system; establish the A/V service between the superblock application and the resource via the network interface, wherein establishing is not otherwise supported by the superblock application; provide video output for the A/V service to a video window within a display window associated with the superblock application, the video window displayable simultaneously with the display window of the superblock application; and provide audio for the A/V service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer program product in a non-transitory computer readable medium for use in a data processing system that comprises a processor coupled to a network interface, the computer program product holding computer program instructions that comprise a function block, the function block having audio/video (A/V) call functionality, the function block operative when executed by the processor to:
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receive from a superblock application a request for a communication session, wherein the function block is configured to provide functionality for the communication session to the superblock application; notify the superblock application that the communication session is being requested; establish a connection with an external device via the network interface to support the communication session; and provide the communication session to the superblock application, wherein the steps of receiving, notifying, establishing, and providing are performed without switching context from the superblock application to another application on the data processing system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method implemented in a function block associated with a computing entity having a network interface, comprising:
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receiving from a superblock application a request for a communication session, wherein the function block is configured to provide functionality for the communication session to the superblock application; notifying the superblock application that the communication session is being requested; establishing a connection with an external device via a network interface of the computing entity to support the communication session; and providing the communication session to the superblock application, wherein the steps of receiving, notifying, establishing, and providing are performed without switching context from the superblock application to another application associated with the computing entity. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method implemented in a function block associated with a computing entity having a network interface, comprising:
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receiving from a superblock application a request for an audio/video (A/V) service; determining that the superblock application is authorized to access the A/V service functionality; determining that the A/V service requires access to a resource that is external to the computing entity; establishing the A/V service between the superblock application and the resource via the network interface, wherein establishing is not otherwise supported by the superblock application; providing video output for the A/V service to a video window within a display window associated with the superblock application, the video window displayable simultaneously with the display window of the superblock application; and providing audio for the A/V service. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification