Abstract: A user equipment (UE) device for programmatic runtime generation of an application. The UE device receives a UI definition file that includes definitions indicating visual appearance attributes of portions of the application, a set of components that are UI building blocks to be presented within the application, and a set of behaviors that may be performed by the components, where the definitions include attribute-value pairs. The UE device receives a set of component definition files that include code for implementing components that includes the components indicated by the UI definition file and after a beginning of an execution of the application, the UE device parses the UI definition file to identify the visual appearance attributes, the set of components, and the set of behaviors; and dynamically instantiates the set of components based upon the parsed UI definition file and the set of component definition files to create the application.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method in a server end station for efficiently providing customized user interfaces for an application is provided. The method includes transforming augmented style rules into style generation code. The augmented style rules includes both style syntax and a set of one or more expressions including a set of variables. The augmented style rules are not valid according to a style standard of the style syntax, and the style generation code, when executed by invocations using input variables corresponding to the set of variables, generates a set of valid style rules according to the style standard. The style generation code is transmitted to a user equipment device of a user, which when executed, causes a customized user interface to be presented to the user.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) device for programmatic runtime generation of an application. The UE device receives a UI definition file that includes definitions indicating visual appearance attributes of portions of the application, a set of components that are UI building blocks to be presented within the application, and a set of behaviors that may be performed by the components, where the definitions include attribute-value pairs. The UE device receives a set of component definition files that include code for implementing components that includes the components indicated by the UI definition file and after a beginning of an execution of the application, the UE device parses the UI definition file to identify the visual appearance attributes, the set of components, and the set of behaviors; and dynamically instantiates the set of components based upon the parsed UI definition file and the set of component definition files to create the application.

Abstract: A real time notification for updating online identities, known as avatars, is disclosed. For example, when a user updates his or her avatar(s), the changes are stored in a user database. The changes are also detected by an event router that sends a change notification in real time to all pertinent servers that are currently supporting on-line applications for the user. The servers will send the change notification in real time to pertinent clients, e.g., an instant messenger client, a mobile instant messenger client, an interactive game client and the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing flash based online identities is disclosed. For example, the present invention applies a multimedia animation component such as a Flash component in the present avatars architecture. In one embodiment, each avatar is represented using a plurality of layers, where each layer employs at least two objects. Using two objects for each layer allows the present invention to minimize flicking when the avatar is animated.

Abstract: Systems and methods allowing an instant messaging user to exchange messages with an e-mail user. To the instant messaging user, the experience is a seamless exchange of instant messages; to the e-mail user, the experience is a seamless exchange of e-mail messages. Conversion of an instant message to an e-mail message includes insertion of a token into the e-mail message, and conversion of an e-mail message to an instant message includes validating a token extracted from the e-mail message.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a guest user who is not a registered user of an instant messaging system to communicate by instant messaging with a registered user of the system. An indication that the guest user desires to communicate with the registered user by instant messaging is received. Browser-executable computer code comprising computer instructions for providing at least limited instant messaging functionality to the guest user at the guest user's client computer system, without requiring the guest user to download and install client side instant messaging application software and without requiring the guest user to register as a user of the instant messaging system, is sent to the guest user's client computer system. An instant messaging session between the guest user and the registered user is facilitated.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are provided that allow participants in an electronic messaging conversation (e.g. email or instant message) to retrieve information related to words and phrases in the electronic messaging conversation without leaving the electronic messaging environment. An electronic messaging environment is provided that includes user interface tools that allow a user to (1) select text within the EM conversation, (2) submit the text to an information retrieval service, such as a search engine, and (3) display the results generated by the information retrieval service. To facilitate the selection of relevant text, certain “suggested words” within the conversation may automatically be highlighted by the instant messaging client. Various techniques are provided for customizing which words are suggested, which sources are searched, and which search terms are used.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing flash based online identities is disclosed. For example, the present invention applies a multimedia animation component such as a Flash component in the present avatars architecture. In one embodiment, each avatar is represented using a plurality of layers, where each layer employs at least two objects. Using two objects for each layer allows the present invention to minimize flicking when the avatar is animated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing dynamic moods for updating online identities are disclosed. For example, when a user updates the moods and/or gestures of his or her avatar(s), the mood and/or gesture changes are stored in a user database. The changes are also detected by an event router that sends a mood change notification in real time to all pertinent servers that are currently supporting on-line applications for the user. The servers will send the mood change notification in real time to pertinent clients, e.g., an instant messenger client, a mobile instant messenger client, an interactive game client and the like. As a result, dynamic mood changes to a user's avatar can be shown in real time to other users interacting with the user.

Abstract: A real time notification for updating online identities, known as avatars, is disclosed. For example, when a user updates his or her avatar(s), the changes are stored in a user database. The changes are also detected by an event router that sends a change notification in real time to all pertinent servers that are currently supporting on-line applications for the user. The servers will send the change notification in real time to pertinent clients, e.g., an instant messenger client, a mobile instant messenger client, an interactive game client and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods allowing an instant messaging user to exchange messages with an e-mail user. To the instant messaging user, the experience is a seamless exchange of instant messages; to the e-mail user, the experience is a seamless exchange of e-mail messages. Conversion of an instant message to an e-mail message includes insertion of a token into the e-mail message, and conversion of an e-mail message to an instant message includes validating a token extracted from the e-mail message.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a guest user who is not a registered user of an instant messaging system to communicate by instant messaging with a registered user of the system. An indication that the guest user desires to communicate with the registered user by instant messaging is received. Browser-executable computer code comprising computer instructions for providing at least limited instant messaging functionality to the guest user at the guest user's client computer system, without requiring the guest user to download and install client side instant messaging application software and without requiring the guest user to register as a user of the instant messaging system, is sent to the guest user's client computer system. An instant messaging session between the guest user and the registered user is facilitated.