Abstract: An electronic mail computer program running as a client application permits a user to determine in a single user interface application window, for example an “in-box,” the on-line status of those persons who have sent e-mail messages to the user. Once such a sender has been identified as being currently on-line and available for real-time messaging, the user may use the same application window to initiate real-time messaging with the sender. The client application cooperates with a messaging system server that manages and provides the on-line state of senders of electronic mail to the user's client computer, including for example the following states: on-line, off-line, do-not-disturb, and accepting real-time messaging.

Abstract: A window defined by an add-on program is displayed to a user of an application program in a computer system. The add-on program detects the display to the user of an application window created by the application program. In response to this detection, the add-on program displays an add-on window to the user. The add-on window may enable the user to initiate new functions in the computer system, and the add-on window may be a child window (which is defined by the add-on program) that is embedded in a parent window displayed by the application program.

Abstract: A client-based method and system for managing the transfer of a file having data from a networked device to a client system having a network connection. The method involves monitoring the utilization of the network connection and determining whether to receive data based on the utilization of the network connection. It is determined to receive data, the method includes the steps of determining whether to adjust the amount of data received in the current iteration, adjusting the amount of data to receive according to the network connection type, and receiving the amount of data. If it is determined not to receive data, the method pauses a predetermined amount of time before proceeding.

Abstract: A system for developing and processing a complex graphical user interface for a computer application program includes a computer system for executing a application program process. The process is driven by a graphics engine that manages a plurality of corresponding graphics file and configuration file pairs that together define the entire user interface for the application, and each of the plurality of graphics file and configuration file pairs corresponds to a window that forms at least a portion of the user interface. Each graphics file contains at least one image defining a window that is part of the user interface, and the configuration file contains parameters that define how the graphics engine processes the graphics file. These parameters also define actions and point to software or content that may be initiated or embedded by the user through the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rules evaluation system for a user's computer comprising a rules-based agent having a plurality of rule clauses for evaluating data; a plurality of triggers having functionality to notify the rules-based agent to begin evaluating; a plurality of data providers to provide data for evaluation; and a plurality of actions for providing information to a user based upon the evaluated data.