Methods and computer program products for browsing using a communicant identifier

• US 10,033,672 B1
• Filed: 11/05/2017
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gummarus, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Sitting Man LLC
• Inventors: Morris, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Thanh
• Application Number:
  US15/803,823
• Time in Patent Office: 261 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/02 using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4547 for personal communications, i.e. using a personal identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided, comprising: creating at least a portion of an instant messaging application that is configured to cooperate with an apparatus, the instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause a device to: display an instant messaging interface including a communicant message user interface element and a send user interface element, and receive, from the apparatus and utilizing a communications agent on the device configured to receive incoming messages addressed to a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, one or more user interface elements including a first button.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

creating at least a portion of an instant messaging application that is configured to cooperate with an apparatus, the instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause a device to;

display an instant messaging interface including a communicant message user interface element and a send user interface element,

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing a communications agent on the device configured to receive incoming messages addressed to a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, one or more user interface elements including a first button,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the one or more user interface elements including the first button;

display, in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the one or more user interface elements including the first button,

receive, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

generate a first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the generation of the first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first response including at least one first image and a second button,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the first response including the at least one first image;

update the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface to include, with the one or more user interface elements including the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one first image and the second button,

receive, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second button;

generate a second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the generation of the second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second response including at least one second image,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the second response including the at least one second image;

update the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface to include, with the one or more user interface elements including the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, and with the at least one first image and the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one second image,

in automatic response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated to include the at least one first image and the second button without requiring additional user input after the selection on the first button, and

in automatic response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated to include the at least one second image without requiring additional user input after the selection on the second button; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instant messaging application.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated to include the at least one second image with the first button, the second button, and the at least one first image, such that the at least one second image is displayed simultaneously with at least a portion of the at least one first image and the second button.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated to include the at least one second image with the first button, the second button, and the at least one first image, such that the at least one second image, the first button, the second button, and the at least one first image are viewable in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface utilizing a scroll function.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated such that the at least one second image, the first button, the second button, and the at least one first image are combined on the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated such that the at least one second image, the first button, the second button, the at least one first image, the first request, and the second request, are included in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the first button is displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface as a part of a menu that is accompanied by a third image and includes at least one other button in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the second button is displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface as a part of a menu that accompanies the at least one first image and includes at least one other button in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the at least one first image and the second button are included as at least one attachment to the first response, and the at least one second image is included as at least one attachment to the second response.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the communicant message user interface element is a dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface that permits the user to browse different content by displaying the different content as instant messages in response to an indication of a selection on different buttons that cause different requests such that the different content and the different requests are both displayed together as the instant messages in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface where at least one of the instant messages includes one or more additional different buttons to allow additional browsing in response to an indication of a selection thereon, where the instant messaging interface includes a static portion that includes one or more other user interface elements that are displayed regardless of the different content and the different requests being displayed as the instant messages in the dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, in response to the indication of the selection on at least one of the different buttons in the dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface, at least one of the different content is capable of being received after an extended amount of time since the instant messaging application is not a network browser.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

the instant messaging application is configured to utilize the communications agent on the device to communicate the incoming messages when the user is a contactee and the outgoing messages when the user is a contactor, utilizing a communications protocol, such that the incoming messages and the outgoing messages are addressed using the communicant identifier which takes the form of a communication address associated with a communicant alias corresponding to the user;

the instant messaging interface is configured to simultaneously display at least a portion of at least one of the incoming messages and at least a portion of at least one of the outgoing messages simultaneously with at least a portion of at least one of;

the at least one first image or the at least one second image.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the communications protocol includes a real-time, store and forward, instant messaging, request/reply protocol on top of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed:

the one or more user interface elements are included in connection with an instant message received previously, from the apparatus, at the device; and

the first request and the second request are not sent in a message portion of instant messages, while the first response and the second response are displayed as instant messages.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the at least portion of the instant messaging application includes an entirety of the instant messaging application;

the device includes at least one of a personal computer or a mobile device;

the at least portion of the instant messaging application is created by a development thereof;

the instant messaging application is configured to cooperate with the apparatus by communicating with the apparatus;

the instant messaging application is configured such that interaction therewith is capable of invoking a network browser application;

the apparatus includes at least one of one or more servers, or one or more relays;

the apparatus is equipped with another communications agent;

the communicant identifier includes at least one of a contactor identifier or a contactee identifier;

in each instance of an operation including at least one of the generation, the updating, or the sending, in response to the receiving, the operation occurs in immediate response to the receiving;

in each instance of an operation including at least one of the generation, the updating, or the sending, in response to the receiving, the operation occurs after at least one intermediate operation that occurs in immediate response to the receiving;

each instance of receiving includes receiving, from the apparatus, that which was received by the apparatus from a web service;

each instance of sending includes sending, to the apparatus, that which is sent by the apparatus to a web service;

at least one of the first button or the second button includes a button control that initiates a command in response to a user selection thereon;

at least one of the first button or the second button includes a hyperlink;

selection on at least one of the first button or the second button results in a call;

at least one of the first button or the second button is constructed using a mark-up language;

at least one of the first button or the second button is received as a message attachment;

at least one of the first button or the second button is associated with a uniform resource locator;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button does not invoke a network browser application;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button is received via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface in response to a detection of a user touch on a touchscreen of the device;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button includes a signal;

the indication of the selection includes selection information;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button is received from code associated with the communicant message user interface element;

the communications agent is separate from the instant messaging application;

the communications agent is integrated with the instant messaging application;

the communications agent receives the incoming messages and sends the outgoing messages;

the incoming messages include automatically generated messages and the outgoing messages include messages edited by the user;

the incoming messages include automatically generated messages and the outgoing messages include messages prompted by the user;

the outgoing messages include the first request and the second request;

the incoming messages include the first response and the second response;

the addressing is automatic;

the addressing is manual;

the communicant message user interface element is uneditable;

the communicant message user interface element is uneditable by being incapable of receiving free-form textual input;

the communicant message user interface element is editable;

the communicant message user interface element is editable by being capable of receiving free-form textual input;

each instance of the generation includes construction;

each instance of the generation includes creation;

each instance of the generation includes retrieving at least one already-existing data structure from memory for use;

each instance of the automatic response involves a response with no intermediate operation;

each instance of the automatic response involves a response with one or more intermediate automatic operations;

each instance of the automatic update involves an update with no intermediate operation;

each instance of the automatic update involves an update with one or more intermediate automatic operations;

the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated to include the at least one first image and the second button without requiring additional user input after the selection on the first button, by not requiring the additional user input after the selection on the first button while nevertheless allowing the additional user input after the selection on the first button prior the communicant message user interface element being automatically updated;

the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated to include the at least one first image and the second button without requiring additional user input after the selection on the first button, such that the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated whether or not the additional user input is received after the selection on the first button;

at least one of the first button or the second button includes at least one of an add button or a cart button;

the send user interface element includes a forward user interface element;

the send user interface element serves to send by forwarding;

the send user interface element includes the word “

send”

;

each instance of the updating to the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface includes adding to the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

each instance of the updating does not include replacing;

the first request is an initial request;

the first request corresponds to the first button by being prompted by the selection thereon;

the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated to include, with the one or more user interface elements including the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, and with the at least one first image and the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one second image;

without requiring that the first button, the at least one first image, the second button, and the at least one second image be simultaneously displayed;

or

the at least portion of the instant messaging application is part of a system, where the system further comprises the apparatus and the device.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions of an instant messaging application, that when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to:

display an instant messaging interface including a communicant message user interface element and a send user interface element,

receive, from an apparatus and utilizing a communications agent on the device configured to receive incoming messages addressed to a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, one or more user interface elements including a first button,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the one or more user interface elements including the first button;

display, in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the one or more user interface elements including the first button,

receive, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

generate a first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the generation of the first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request corresponding to the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first response including at least one first image and a second button,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the first response including the at least one first image;

update the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface to include, with the one or more user interface elements including the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one first image and the second button,

receive, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second button;

generate a second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the generation of the second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request corresponding to the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second response including at least one second image,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the second response including the at least one second image;

update the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface to include, with the one or more user interface elements including the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, and with the at least one first image and the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one second image,

in automatic response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated to include the at least one first image and the second button without requiring additional user input after the selection on the first button, and

in automatic response to the receipt, via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second button displayed in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the communicant message user interface element is automatically updated to include the at least one second image without requiring additional user input after the selection on the second button.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein:

the instant messaging application is configured to utilize the communications agent on the device to communicate the incoming messages when the user is a contactee and the outgoing messages when the user is a contactor, utilizing a communications protocol, such that the incoming messages and the outgoing messages are addressed using the communicant identifier which takes the form of a communication address associated with a communicant alias corresponding to the user;

the instant messaging interface is configured to simultaneously display at least a portion of at least one of the incoming messages and at least a portion of at least one of the outgoing messages, such that the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated so that the at least one second image, the first button, the second button, and the at least one first image are included together in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface; and

the communications protocol includes a real-time, store and forward, instant messaging, request/reply protocol on top of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

17. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein:

the at least one first image and the second button are included as at least one attachment to the first response, and the at least one second image is included as an attachment of the second response;

the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface is updated to include the at least one second image with the first button, the second button, and the at least one first image, such that the at least one second image is displayed with at least a portion of the at least one second image, the first button, and the second button, either simultaneously, or viewable together via a scroll function; and

the communicant message user interface element is a dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface that permits the user to browse different content by displaying the different content as instant messages in response to an indication of a selection on different buttons that cause different requests such that the different content and the different requests are both displayed together as the instant messages in the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, where at least one of the instant messages includes one or more additional different buttons to allow additional browsing in response to an indication of a selection thereon, where the instant messaging interface includes a static portion that includes one or more other user interface elements that are displayed independent of the different content and the different requests being displayed as the instant messages in the dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein at least one of:

the first button is displayed as a part of a menu that is accompanied by a third image and includes at least one other button, or

the second button is displayed as a part of a menu that is accompanied by the first image and includes at least one other button.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, where the instant messaging application is configured such that the first request and the second request are not sent in a message portion of instant messages, while the first response and the second response are displayed as instant messages.

20. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

creating at least a portion of an instant messaging application that is configured to cooperate with an apparatus, the instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause a device to;

display an instant messaging interface including a message user interface element and a send user interface element,

receive, from the apparatus and with a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, one or more user interface elements including a first menu item,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item;

display, in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item,

receive, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the first menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

generate a first request,

in response to the generation of the first request;

send, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request,

after sending, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request;

receive, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first response including at least one first image and a second menu item,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the first response including the at least one first image;

add, to the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one first image and the second menu item in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

receive, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the second menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second menu item;

generate a second request,

in response to the generation of the second request;

send, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request,

after sending, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request;

receive, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second response including at least one second image,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the second response including the at least one second image;

add, to the at least one first image displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one second image in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in automatic response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the at least one first image and the second menu item are automatically added to the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface without requiring additional user input after the selection on the first menu item, and

in automatic response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the at least one second image is automatically added to the at least one first image displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface without requiring additional user input after the selection on the second menu item; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instant messaging application.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein:

the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item is displayed in a dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface that displays the at least one first image, the at least one second image, the first request, and the second request as instant messages; and

the message user interface element and the send user interface element are part of a static portion of the instant messaging interface such that the message user interface element and the send user interface element are displayed independent of the instant messages; and

the instant messaging application is configured to utilize a first communications agent on the device to communicate incoming messages when the user is a contactee and outgoing messages when the user is a contactor, utilizing a communications protocol, such that the incoming messages and the outgoing messages are addressed using the communicant identifier which takes the form of a communication address associated with a communicant alias corresponding to the user.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the communications protocol includes a real-time, store and forward, instant messaging, request/reply protocol on top of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and the apparatus communicates with a web service utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the communications protocol includes a publish-subscribe protocol on top of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

24. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions of an instant messaging application, that when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to:

display an instant messaging interface including a message user interface element and a send user interface element,

receive, from an apparatus and with a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, one or more user interface elements including a first menu item,

in response to the receipt, from an apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item;

display, in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item,

receive, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the first menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

generate a first request,

in response to the generation of the first request;

send, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request,

after sending, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request;

receive, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first response including at least one first image and a second menu item,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the first response including the at least one first image;

add, to the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one first image and the second menu item in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

receive, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the second menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second menu item;

generate a second request,

in response to the generation of the second request;

send, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request,

after sending, to the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request;

receive, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second response including at least one second image,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the second response including the at least one second image;

add, to the at least one first image displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface;

the at least one second image in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface,

in automatic response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the at least one first image and the second menu item are automatically added to the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface without requiring additional user input after the selection on the first menu item, and

in automatic response to the receipt, via the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second menu item displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface, the at least one second image is automatically added to the at least one first image displayed in the message user interface element of the instant messaging interface without requiring additional user input after the selection on the second menu item.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 24, wherein:

the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item is displayed in a dynamic portion of the instant messaging interface that displays the at least one first image, the at least one second image, the first request, and the second request as instant messages; and

the message user interface element and the send user interface element are part of a static portion of the instant messaging interface such that the message user interface element and the send user interface element are displayed independent of the instant messages; and

the instant messaging application is configured to utilize a first communications agent on the device to communicate incoming messages when the user is a contactee and outgoing messages when the user is a contactor, utilizing a communications protocol, such that the incoming messages and the outgoing messages are addressed using the communicant identifier which takes the form of a communication address associated with a communicant alias corresponding to the user.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 25, wherein the communications protocol includes a real-time, store and forward, instant messaging, request/reply protocol on top of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and the apparatus communicates with a web service utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), where the web service is a source of the one or more user interface elements including the first menu item, the at least one first image, the at least one second image, the first request, and the second request.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 26, wherein the communications protocol includes a publish-subscribe protocol on top of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and the first request is capable of being a first network communication of an exchange between the device and the apparatus.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 25, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, at least one of:

the first menu item or the second menu item is displayed to engage the user in connection with at least a portion of a shopping transaction.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 28, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, at least another, subsequent portion of the shopping transaction is initiated via a network browser application, in response to a selection of at least one user interface element that is received in connection with at least one instant message.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 25, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, at least one user interface element is received, from the apparatus and with the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, to permit the user to save browsed content in connection with favorites of the user.