Patent Publication Number: US-2003225847-A1

Title: Sending instant messaging personalization items

Description:
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/384,147, filed May 31, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/416,902, filed Oct. 9, 2002, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/305,015, filed Nov. 27, 2002, all of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002] This description relates to instant messaging communications and more particularly to communicating wallpaper associated with a sender of instant messaging communications.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003] Online service providers facilitate access to information and services by providing interactive User Interfaces (UIs) that help users navigate to desired resources. For example, in the case of a system for communicating using instant messages (IMs), a UI allows an IM sender to invoke actions, such as establishing a communications link, through the selection of screen objects such as icons, windows, and drop-down menus. The design of a UI has a significant impact on an IM sender&#39;s online experience. In particular, the icons, the windows, and the menus of a UI may be arranged to enable an IM sender to locate information and services quickly and easily.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004] Techniques are described for IM customization. In one general aspect, perception of wallpaper in an instant messaging communications session may be enabled by rendering, on an instant message recipient system, an instant messaging application user interface for an instant messaging communications session involving at least one instant message recipient and an instant message sender, receiving a message that includes a text message and wallpaper to be displayed by the IM recipient when perceiving the text message, the wallpaper being selected by the instant message sender system, and rendering the wallpaper at the instant message recipient system when rendering another portion of the message.  
       [0005] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, receiving the message includes receiving wallpaper that has been automatically selected by the instant message sender system. Receiving the message may also include receiving at least a portion of the wallpaper in an instant message from an instant message sender system, in a message generated upon a change in a presence state of the IM sender, or at least a portion of the wallpaper may be provided by a host other than the instant message host. The wallpaper may be enabled to be rendered in consideration of a payment. Also, the wallpaper may be configured to expire upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as passage of a predetermined length of time or passage of a predetermined date, or a predetermined number of uses. If it is determined that the predetermined event has occurred, display of the wallpaper may be disallowed. If it is determined that the wallpaper has been banned, display of the wallpaper may be disallowed. The determination of whether the wallpaper has been banned may be based, for example, on a report by a user or on a violation of a term of service agreement.  
       [0006] In another general aspect, transportation of wallpaper in an instant messaging communications session may be enabled by rendering, on an instant message sender system, an instant messaging application user interface for an instant messaging communications session involving at least one instant message recipient and an instant message sender, accessing wallpaper to be displayed by an instant message recipient, the wallpaper being selected by the instant message sender system, selecting an instant message recipient, and sending a message to the selected instant message recipient, the message including at least a portion of the wallpaper associated with the instant message sender.  
       [0007] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, wallpaper may be automatically selected by the instant message sender system. Wallpaper may be accessed on the instant message sender system or on an instant message host system, including a host system than an instant message host system.  
       [0008] Wallpaper may be selected by the instant message sender system, and may be stored on an instant message host system or on the instant message sender system.  
       [0009] The wallpaper may be sent in a message generated upon a change in a presence state of the IM sender, and at least a portion of the wallpaper may be provided by a host other than an instant message host. The wallpaper may be enabled to be rendered in consideration of a payment and may be configured to expire upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as the passage of a predetermined length of time or passage of a predetermined date, or a predetermined number of uses. If it is determined that wallpaper has expired based on determining whether the predetermined event has occurred, sending of the wallpaper may be disallowed. If it determined that the wallpaper has been banned, sending of the wallpaper may be disallowed. The determination of whether the wallpaper has been banned may be based, for example, on a report by a user or on a violation of a term of service agreement.  
       [0010] The wallpaper may be provided by a third party such as a server other than the IM host, and may be enabled to be rendered in consideration of a payment. The wallpaper also may be configured to expire upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as, for example, the passage of a predetermined length of time, the passage of a predetermined date, or a predetermined number of uses.  
       [0011] Aspects of the IM customization techniques may be implemented by an apparatus and/or by a computer program stored on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may comprise a disc, a client device, a host device, and/or a propagated signal. In addition, aspects of the IM customization techniques may be implemented in a client/host context or in a standalone or offline client device. The IM wallpaper may be rendered in a client/host context and may be accessed or updated through a remote device in a client/host environment. The IM wallpaper also may be rendered by the standalone/offline device and may be accessed or updated through a remote device in a non-client/host environment such as, for example, a LAN server serving an end user or a mainframe serving a terminal device.  
       [0012] Other features will be apparent from the following description, including the drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0013] FIGS.  1 - 4  are block diagrams of an exemplary communications system.  
     [0014]FIGS. 5 and 9 are flow charts of exemplary processes that may be implemented by systems such as those of FIGS.  1 - 4 .  
     [0015] FIGS.  6 - 8  and  10 - 13  are illustrations of different graphical user interfaces that may be implemented by systems such as those of FIGS.  1 - 4  when executing processes such as those of FIGS. 5 and 9.  
     [0016] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. For brevity, several elements in the figures described below are represented as monolithic entities. However, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, these elements each may include numerous interconnected computers and components designed to perform a set of specified operations and/or may be dedicated to a particular geographic region. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0017] Wallpaper associated with or selected by a sending party (sender) may be rendered by a receiving party (recipient) in an area associated with messages received from the sender, for instance, as a chrome (i.e., border) around a dialog area on a user interface. Such wallpaper may be sent or otherwise communicated by the sender to the recipient.  
     [0018] Moreover, wallpaper selected by the sender may be made available to a recipient by embedding and sending the wallpaper to the recipient in a message sent by the sender such as an instant message, or sending them with or in association with such a message. The wallpaper may be sent by the sender system to the recipient system, with a message or through a separate negotiation or communication, and also may be stored locally on the recipient system.  
     [0019] In one implementation, the sender&#39;s wallpaper may be contained in an instant message from the sender to the recipient, or in a computer-to-computer message, not under control of the sender or the recipient, from sender system to recipient system. In another implementation, a portion of the item is included in a message, and the item is progressively rendered to the recipient with the receipt of each successive message. In yet another implementation, a portion of the item is included in the message, and the recipient system waits over the course of one or more successive messages for the receipt of entire item before rendering the item. In this sense, a first communication by the sender may trigger a series of successive communications of the wallpaper or portions of the wallpaper to enable an iterative communication of that wallpaper that may occur in the background and without delaying receipt of the sender&#39;s original message and without delaying rendering of the wallpaper pending further overt communication between the sender and the recipient.  
     [0020] Upon receipt of the wallpaper, the IM recipient system renders the wallpaper for perception by the IM recipient.  
     [0021] Although wallpaper may be rendered at any time, wallpaper typically is rendered upon the occurrence of one or more particular events. For example, wallpaper selected by an IM sender may be made perceivable to an IM recipient during an IM conversation. In one instance, wallpaper selected by the IM sender appears on the IM recipient system when a message is received from the IM sender or when a message is returned to the IM sender by the IM recipient. As another example, the wallpaper may be displayed by the IM recipient system when changes are experienced in presence or state of the IM sender or other IM participant with whom they communicate (e.g., when the IM sender or other IM participant logs on, logs off, becomes inactive, or enables or disables the IM recipient&#39;s ability to detect the IM sender&#39;s presence).  
     [0022] Wallpaper may be rendered for an IM sender and/or an IM recipient at the IM sender system, the IM recipient system, or both. The IM wallpaper of the IM sender and the IM recipient may be rendered at the same time or at different times. Wallpaper of the IM recipient may be rendered at the IM sender system in a manner similar to that used to render wallpaper of the IM sender at the IM recipient system.  
     [0023] An IM sender may choose to have different wallpaper displayed for different IM recipients, and an IM recipient may choose to have different wallpaper displayed for different IM senders. Once a wallpaper is designated by an IM sender or an IM recipient, the wallpaper typically is made available for perception by the IM recipient or the IM sender automatically. The wallpaper also may be selected automatically for an IM sender or an IM recipient based upon a characteristic of the IM sender or the IM recipient.  
     [0024] In one implementation, an IM recipient may not change the wallpaper of an IM sender, and an IM sender may not change the wallpaper of an IM recipient.  
     [0025] Typically, IM communications involve an instantaneous or nearly instantaneous communication between two users, where each user is able to transmit, receive and display communicated information. Additionally, although IM communications may occur in the absence of online presence information, IM communication generally involves the display and perception of online presence information regarding other selected users (“buddies”). After a communication session is established or authentication is performed, the IM communications may be machine-to-machine communications that occur without intervention by or communication through an instant messaging server. Examples of IM communications exist over AIM (America Online Instant Messenger), AOL (America Online) Buddy List and Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and ICQ, among others.  
     [0026] For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a communications system for implementing techniques for transferring electronic data.  
     [0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a communications system  100  is capable of delivering and exchanging data between an IM sender system  105  and a host system  110  through a communications link  115 . The IM sender system  105  typically includes one or more client devices  120  and/or client controllers  125 , and the host system  110  typically includes one or more host devices  135  and/or host controllers  140 . For example, the IM sender system  105  or the host system  110  may include one or more general-purpose computers (e.g., custom computers), one or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices specifically programmed to communicate with each other and/or the IM sender system  105  or the host system  110 ), or a combination of one or more general-purpose computers and one or more special-purpose computers. The IM sender system  105  and the host system  110  may be arranged to operate within or in concert with one or more other systems, such as, for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”) and/or one or more WANs (“Wide Area Networks”).  
     [0028] The client device  120  and the host device  135  are generally capable of executing instructions under the command of, respectively, a client controller  125  and a host controller  140 . The client device  120  and the host device  135  are connected to, respectively, the client controller  125  and the host controller  140  by, respectively, wired or wireless data pathways  130  and  145 , which are capable of delivering data.  
     [0029] The client device  120 , the client controller  125 , the host device  135 , and the host controller  140  typically each include one or more hardware components and/or software components. An example of a client device  120  or a host device  135  is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a custom computer) or software on such a computer capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. Other examples include a special-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a component, other physical or virtual equipment or some combination of these capable of responding to and executing instructions. The client device  120  and the host device  135  may include devices that are capable of establishing peer-to-peer communications.  
     [0030] An example of client controller  125  or host controller  140  is a software application loaded on the client device  120  or the host device  135  for commanding and directing communications enabled by the client device  120  or the host device  135 . Other examples include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a combination of these for independently or collectively instructing the client device  120  or the host device  135  to interact and operate as described. The client controller  125  and the host controller  140  may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of providing instructions to the client device  120  and the host device  135 .  
     [0031] The communications link  115  typically includes a delivery network  160  that provides direct or indirect communication between the IM sender system  105  and the host system  110 , irrespective of physical separation. Examples of a delivery network  160  include the Internet, the World Wide Web, WANs, LANs, analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), radio, television, cable, or satellite systems, and other delivery mechanisms for carrying data. The communications link  115  may include communication pathways  150  and  155  that enable communications through the one or more delivery networks  160  described above. Each of the communication pathways  150  and  155  may include, for example, a wired, wireless, cable or satellite communication pathway.  
     [0032]FIG. 2 illustrates a communications system  200  including an IM sender system  105  communicating with a host system  110  through a communications link  115 .  
     [0033] The IM sender system  105  includes a client device  120  that typically includes a general-purpose computer  270  having an internal or external memory  272  for storing data and programs such as an operating system  274  (e.g., DOS, Windows™, Windows 95™, Windows 98™, Windows 2000™, Windows Me™, Windows XP™, Windows NT™, OS/2, or Linux) and one or more application programs. Examples of application programs include authoring applications  276  (e.g., word processing programs, database programs, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs) capable of generating documents or other electronic content; client applications  278  (e.g., America Online (AOL) client, CompuServe client, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) client, interactive television (ITV) client, Internet Service Provider (ISP) client, or instant messaging (IM) client) capable of communicating with other computer users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content; and browser applications  280  (e.g., Netscape&#39;s Navigator or Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer) capable of rendering standard Internet content and other content formatted according to standard protocols such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).  
     [0034] One or more of the application programs may be installed on the internal or external storage  272  of the general-purpose computer  270 . Alternatively, in another implementation, the client controller  125  may access application programs externally stored in and/or performed by one or more device(s) external to the general-purpose computer  270 .  
     [0035] The general-purpose computer  270  also includes a central processing unit  282  (CPU) for executing instructions in response to commands from the client controller  125 , and a communication device  284  for sending and receiving data. One example of the communication device  284  is a modem. Other examples include a transceiver, a set-top box, a communication card, a satellite dish, an antenna, a network adapter, or some other mechanism capable of transmitting and receiving data over the communications link  115  through a wired or wireless data pathway  150 . The general-purpose computer  270  optionally includes a television (“TV”) tuner  286  for receiving television programming in the form of broadcast, satellite, and/or cable TV signals. The TV tuner  286  permits the client device  120  to selectively and/or simultaneously display network content received by communications device  284  and TV programming content received by the TV tuner  286 .  
     [0036] The general-purpose computer  270  may include an input/output interface  288  that enables wired or wireless connection to various peripheral devices  290 . Examples of peripheral devices  290  include, but are not limited to, a mouse  291 , a mobile phone  292 , a custom digital assistant (PDA)  293 , an MP3 player (not shown), a keyboard  294 , a display monitor  295  with or without a touch screen input, a TV remote control  296  for receiving information from and rendering information to users, and an audiovisual input device  298 .  
     [0037] Although FIG. 2 illustrates devices such as a mobile telephone  292 , a PDA  293 , and a TV remote control  296  as being peripheral with respect to the general-purpose computer  270 , in another implementation, such devices may themselves include the functionality of the general-purpose computer  270  and operate as the client device  120 . For example, the mobile phone  292  or the PDA  293  may include computing and networking capabilities and function as a client device  120  by accessing the delivery network  160  and communicating with the host system  110 . Furthermore, the IM sender system  105  may include one, some or all of the components and devices described above.  
     [0038]FIG. 3 illustrates a communications system  300  including an IM sender system  105  communicating with an IM recipient system  305  and an IM host system  310  through a communication link  115 . Such a communications system may be used by users of IM service providers, such as, for example, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, and Microsoft Messenger.  
     [0039] In one implementation, the IM host system  310  may have characteristics similar to those described above with respect to the host system  110 , the IM recipient system  305  may have characteristics similar to those described above with respect to the IM sender system  105 , and the IM sender system  105  and the IM recipient system  305  may include communication software to enable users of the client systems to access the IM host system  310 .  
     [0040] The IM host system  310  may support IM services irrespective of an IM sender&#39;s network or Internet access. Thus, the IM host system  310  may allow users to send and receive IMs, regardless of whether they have access to any particular ISP. The IM host system  310  also may support associated services, such as administrative matters, advertising, directory services, chat, and interest groups related to the IM. The IM host system  310  has an architecture that enables the devices (e.g., servers) within the IM host system  310  to communicate with each other. To transfer data, the IM host system  310  employs one or more standard or exclusive IM protocols.  
     [0041] To access the IM host system  310  to begin an IM session in the implementation of FIG. 3, the IM sender system  105  establishes a connection to the IM host system  310 . Once a connection to the IM host system  310  has been established, the IM sender system  105  may directly or indirectly transmit data to and access content from the IM host system  310 . By accessing the IM host system, an IM sender can use the IM client application to view whether particular users (“buddies”) are online, exchange IMs with particular buddies, participate in group chat rooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, find other buddies with similar interests, get customized information such as news and stock quotes, and search the Web. IM recipient system  305  may be similarly manipulated to establish contemporaneous connection with IM host system  310 .  
     [0042] Once connectivity is established, an IM sender who is using IM sender system  105  may view whether an IM recipient using IM recipient system  305  is online, and typically may view whether the IM recipient is able to receive IMs. If the IM recipient is online, the IM sender may exchange IMs with the IM recipient.  
     [0043] In one implementation, the IMs sent between IM sender system  105  and IM recipient system  305  are routed through IM host system  310 . In another implementation, the IMs sent between IM sender system  105  and IM recipient system  305  are routed through a third party server (not shown), and, in some cases, are also routed through IM host system  310 . In yet another implementation, the IMs are sent directly between IM sender system  105  and IM recipient system  305 .  
     [0044]FIG. 4 illustrates a communications system  400  including an IM sender system  105  communicating with an IM recipient system  305  and an IM host system  310  through a communication link  115 . System  400  illustrates a possible implementation of the communications system  300  of FIG. 3.  
     [0045] In system  400 , the IM host system  310  includes a login server  470  for enabling access by users and routing communications between the IM sender system  105  and other elements of the IM host system  310 . The IM host system  310  also includes an IM server  490 . To enable access to and facilitate interactions with the IM host system  310 , the IM sender system  105  and the IM recipient system  305  may include communication software, such as for example, an OSP client application and/or an IM client application.  
     [0046] As described with respect to FIG. 3, the IM host system  310  may support IM services irrespective of an IM sender&#39;s network or Internet access. Thus, the IM host system  310  may allow users to send and receive IMs, regardless of whether they have access to any particular ISP. The IM host system  310  also may support associated services, such as administrative matters, advertising, directory services, chat, and interest groups related to the IM. The IM host system  310  has an architecture that enables the devices (e.g., servers) within the IM host system  310  to communicate with each other. To transfer data, the IM host system  310  employs one or more standard or exclusive IM protocols.  
     [0047] In one implementation, the IM sender system  105  establishes a connection to the login server  470  in order to access the IM host system  310  and begin an IM session. The login server  470  typically determines whether the particular IM sender is authorized to access the IM host system  310  by verifying the IM sender&#39;s identification and password. If the IM sender is authorized to access the IM host system  310 , the login server  470  usually employs a hashing technique on the IM sender&#39;s screen name to identify a particular IM server  490  within the IM host system  310  for use during the IM sender&#39;s session. The login server  470  provides the IM sender (e.g., IM sender system  105 ) with the IP address of the IM server  490 , gives the IM sender system  105  an encrypted key, and breaks the connection. The IM sender system  105  then uses the IP address to establish a connection to the particular IM server  490  through the communications link  115 , and obtains access to the IM server  490  using the encrypted key. Typically, the IM sender system  105  will be able to establish an open TCP connection to the IM server  490 . The IM recipient system  305  establishes a connection to the IM host system  310  in a similar manner.  
     [0048] In one implementation, the IM sender system  105  may directly or indirectly transmit data to and access content from the IM server  490  once a connection to the IM server  490  has been established. By accessing the IM server, an IM sender can leverage the IM client application to determine whether particular users (“buddies” or potential IM recipients) are online, exchange IMs with particular buddies, participate in group chat rooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, find other buddies with similar interests, get customized news and stock quotes, and search the Web. For example an IM sender who is using IM sender system  105  may view whether a buddy using IM recipient system  305  is online, and if so, may exchange IMs with that buddy. In one implementation, the IMs sent between IM sender system  105  and IM recipient system  305  are routed through IM host system  310 . In another implementation, the IMs sent between IM sender system  105  and IM recipient system  305  are routed through a third party server (not shown) and, in some cases, are also routed through IM host system  310 . In yet another implementation, the IMs are sent directly between IM sender system  105  and IM recipient system  305 .  
     [0049] In one implementation, the IM host system  310  also includes a user profile server (not shown) connected to a database (not shown) for storing large amounts of user profile data. The user profile server may be used to enter, retrieve, edit, manipulate, or otherwise process user profile data. In one implementation, an IM sender&#39;s profile data includes, for example, the IM sender&#39;s screen name, buddy list, identified interests, and geographic location. The IM sender may enter, edit and/or delete profile data using an installed IM client application on the IM sender system  105  to interact with the user profile server.  
     [0050] Because the IM sender&#39;s data are stored in the IM host system  310 , the IM sender does not have to reenter or update such information in the event that the IM sender accesses the IM host system  310  using a new or different IM sender system  105 . Accordingly, when an IM sender accesses the IM host system  310 , the IM server can instruct the user profile server to retrieve the IM sender&#39;s profile data from the database and to provide, for example, the IM sender&#39;s buddy list to the IM server. Alternatively, user profile data may be saved locally on the IM sender system  105 .  
     [0051] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, the IM sender system  105  and the IM host system  310  interact according to exemplary procedure  500  to enable an IM sender to select a wallpaper, and the IM sender system  105 , the IM host system  310 , and the IM recipient system  305  interact according to exemplary procedure  900  to make the wallpaper selected in procedure  500  perceivable to the IM recipient.  
     [0052] Procedures  500  and  900  may be implemented by any type of hardware, software, device, computer, computer system, equipment, component, program, application, code, storage medium, or propagated signal. Although not shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the IM sender system  105  and the IM host system  310  may be directly or indirectly interconnected through known or described delivery networks, examples of which are described with respect to network  160 .  
     [0053] Procedures  500  and  900  may be implemented in a client/host context, or a standalone or offline client context. For example, while some functions of procedures  500  and  900  may be performed entirely by the IM sender system  105  or the IM recipient system  305 , other functions may be performed by the IM host system  310  or the collective operation of the IM sender system  105 , and/or the IM recipient system  305 , and/or the IM host system  310 . The wallpaper may be respectively selected and rendered by the standalone/offline device, and the wallpaper may be accessed or updated through a remote device in a non-client/host environment such as, for example, a LAN server serving an end user or a mainframe serving a terminal device. Thus, the procedures  500  and  900  described below may be implemented for any OSP, ISP, browser and/or other software program having a graphical user interface, such as programs for instant messaging, chat, electronic mail and stand-alone browsers.  
     [0054] Procedure  500  generally involves selecting a wallpaper. In the procedure  500 , the IM sender system  105  logs into or otherwise accesses the IM host system  310  (step  505 ). For instance, IM sender system  105  may connect to the IM host system  310  across a network (e.g., network  160 ) by supplying credentials to a server (e.g., a login server). More specifically, a browser may be used to access a web-available interface, an instant message may be used to access a selectable interface, or an IM client that has an interface to a host may be used, among other options.  
     [0055] The IM host system  310  accesses wallpaper appropriate for and selectable by the IM sender system  105  (step  510 ). In one implementation, the IM host system  310  may use a screen name of the IM sender system  105  or another identification of the IM sender system  105  to select/identify wallpaper available to the IM sender system  105 .  
     [0056] Next, the IM host system  310  enables perception by the IM sender system  105  of wallpaper and/or menus enabling the selection of wallpaper by the IM sender system  105  (step  515 ). FIGS.  6 - 8  describe various interfaces available to the user, which may be used to select wallpaper.  
     [0057] Based on the wallpaper or menus provided or otherwise made perceivable to the IM sender system, the IM sender system selects wallpaper of interest (step  520 ).  
     [0058] The IM sender may have selected wallpaper from a location including the IM sender system  105 , the IM host system  310 , or another host system. When the IM sender chooses wallpaper that is locally stored on the IM sender system  105 , an identifier may be created for the chosen wallpaper based upon a hash of the item data. The identifier, when sent to the a remote location such as the IM host  310 , may be checked to determine if the chosen wallpaper is already known to the host system, and if so, whether the wallpaper is designated as, for example, an official item. This allows the IM sender to select wallpaper from the IM sender&#39;s own client system, but prevents the host system or other remote location from needing to store duplicate copies of the same items. Also, the host system or other remote location is able to determine if such items are specially designated as, for example, official items and may be rendered to users who desire to view only items so designated.  
     [0059] The IM host system  310  receives the wallpaper selection from the IM sender system  105  (step  525 ), and responsive thereto, the IM host system  310  sends and/or stores one or more of the selected wallpaper (step  530 ). The IM host system  310  may store the item(s) in a memory or other storage, either local or remote to the IM host system  310 . The IM host system  310  also may send the item(s) to the IM sender system  105  in a communication such as an instant message, or in communication associated with such a message.  
     [0060] Finally, the IM sender system  105  receives the selected wallpaper (step  535 ). The items may include information allowing the wallpaper to be rendered by the IM recipient system. For example, the wallpaper may include a type identifier that identifies the wallpaper as wallpaper. Also, the wallpaper may include one or more flags to indicate, for example, if the wallpaper is a custom item or an “official” item, has been banned, or has expired. The wallpaper may further include information concerning its size. The wallpaper may be in a predetermined format and may be of a predetermined length.  
     [0061] The relative order of steps  505 - 535  with respect to other steps in procedure  500 , and also with respect to each other, may vary. Furthermore, certain steps may be omitted entirely, as appropriate.  
     [0062]FIG. 6 illustrates one example of an IM sender UI  600  for enabling an IM sender to select wallpaper (e.g., see step  520  of FIG. 5). The UI  600  may be presented to an IM sender of an IM service provider. In general, the UI  600  is rendered on the IM sender system  105  using software stored on the IM sender system  105 . The wallpaper to be selected by the IM sender may be stored on the IM sender system  105 , on the IM host system  310 , or on a different host system  110  such as a host system of an authorized partner.  
     [0063] The UI  600  includes menu tabs  605 ,  635  and  640  that each have a corresponding menu to assist the IM sender with selecting wallpaper. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the menu  605   a  corresponding to menu tab  605  enables an IM sender to make selections of wallpaper  615 , and, for example, smiley (i.e., emoticon) themes  620 . The IM sender&#39;s current selections of wallpaper  615   a , and smiley theme  620   a  are displayed.  
     [0064] A control  615   b  is provided to enable selection of wallpaper  615   a , and a control  615   c  is provided to enable reset of the wallpaper selection back to a default setting. Another control  620   b  is provided to enable a smiley theme  620   a , and a control  620   c  is provided for the IM sender to reset the smiley theme selection back to a default setting.  
     [0065] Other controls  625  are provided for functions such as, for example, showing the names of users who are not on a buddy list, displaying a timestamp on instant messages, using an address book to automatically suggest screen names, displaying the wallpaper of people who send instant messages to the IM sender, and displaying smileys as art. Controls  630  are provided for the IM sender to save the changes made, apply the changes, cancel the changes, or get help.  
     [0066] If the IM sender&#39;s wallpaper selection is not available, a suitable message may be displayed to the IM sender informing the IM sender that the item is not available, and a link may be provided to an interface, such as one of the interfaces shown in FIGS.  6 - 8 , to allow the IM sender to select another wallpaper.  
     [0067]FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a UI  700  for enabling an IM sender to select wallpaper. The UI  700  is rendered in response to user manipulation of a control  615   b  (shown in FIG. 6). In the example of FIG. 7, the IM sender is presented with a list of wallpaper categories  705 . When an IM sender selects a category  705 , a window  710  displays the wallpaper available in the selected category. The IM sender may select a wallpaper by, for example, using a mouse or other input device to make a selection among the available items in the window  710 . Also, an archive  715  of old wallpaper may be provided for user selection. In another implementation, the IM sender may provide a custom wallpaper.  
     [0068]FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a UI  800  for enabling an IM sender to select smiley themes. The UI  800  is rendered in response to user manipulation of a control  620   b  (shown in FIG. 6). In the example of FIG. 8, the IM sender is presented with a list of smiley theme categories  805 . When an IM sender selects a category  805 , a window  810  displays the wallpaper available in the selected category. The IM sender may select wallpaper by, for example, using a mouse or other input device to make the selection among the available items in the window  810 . Also, an archive of old wallpaper may be provided for IM sender selection. In another implementation, the IM sender may provide a custom smiley theme.  
     [0069] As discussed with respect to FIGS.  6 - 8 , the wallpaper perception and selection may be assisted by user interfaces  600 ,  700  and  800 , and the IM sender may make the selection using a mouse or other input device. Wallpaper may be selected manually by the IM sender or the wallpaper may be automatically selected for the IM sender.  
     [0070] Procedure  900  generally involves transporting and rendering wallpaper. In procedure  900 , the IM sender system  105  accesses the IM host system  310  as described with respect to FIG. 5 ( 505 ).  
     [0071] The IM sender opens an IM application on the IM sender system  105  (step  910 ). Examples of IM applications include AIM and ICQ.  
     [0072] As shown in FIG. 6, an IM sender may open an IM application by acting on general actionable item  620 .  
     [0073] Next, one or more wallpaper are selected, for example, in the manner discussed with respect to FIG. 5, and the selected items are accessed by the IM sender system  105  (step  915 ). As discussed with respect to FIGS.  6 - 8  the selection may be made with the assistance of IM sender interfaces  600 ,  700 , and  800 , and the IM sender may make the selection using a mouse or other input device. The wallpaper may be selected manually by the IM sender or may be automatically selected for the IM sender. Typically, the items are stored at the IM sender system  105 . However, the items may be stored at other locations such as the IM host system  310  or another host system.  
     [0074] Next, an IM recipient is selected (step  920 ). For example, as shown with respect to FIG. 10, a buddy  1025   a  may be selected from a buddy list  1025 .  
     [0075] Thereafter, an instant message, including the selected wallpaper, is generated by the IM sender system  105  and sent to the IM recipient system  305  (step  930 ). The IM sender system  105  need not supply the IM host system  310  with the selected wallpaper. Rather, the IM host system  310  may append or otherwise communicate the wallpaper to the IM recipient, even if a message without wallpaper is sent by the IM sender system  105 , based upon the host having knowledge of the wallpaper selected by the IM sender system  105 , or based upon an identifier that may be provided by the IM sender system  105  to the IM host system  310  rather than the wallpaper itself.  
     [0076] The IM host system  310  receives the instant message and the item (step  935 ). The IM host system  310  then may optionally authenticate the instant message for security purposes (step  940 )  
     [0077] The IM host system  310  sends the IM message and the selected wallpaper(s) to the IM recipient system  305  (step  945 ).  
     [0078] The IM recipient system  305  receives the IM with the wallpaper(s) from the IM host system  310  (step  950 ). The wallpaper(s) may be received in a single message, or portions of the wallpaper(s) may be transported in more than one message and the complete wallpaper assembled at the IM recipient system  305 .  
     [0079] The IM recipient system  305  accesses the wallpaper(s) or portions of the wallpaper(s) available at the IM recipient system (step  955 ).  
     [0080] Next, the IM recipient system  305  determines whether the wallpaper is ready to be rendered (step  960 ).  
     [0081] If the corresponding wallpaper is ready for rendering, the IM recipient system  305  renders the wallpaper (step  965 ), as described below with respect to step  965 . The wallpaper may be ready for rendering in its entirety if the entire wallpaper has been received. The IM recipient system  305  may wait until the entire wallpaper is received to render the wallpaper. Otherwise, the wallpaper may be progressively rendered by the IM recipient system  305 .  
     [0082] If the wallpaper is not available for rendering, the IM recipient system  305  waits until the wallpaper is available for rendering.  
     [0083] The relative order of steps  910 - 965  with respect to other steps in procedure  900 , and also with respect to each other, may vary. For example, a recipient may be selected in step  920  before accessing wallpaper in step  915 .  
     [0084]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a UI  1000  that may be presented to a user of an online service provider. The UI  1000  includes a toolbar  1002  for quickly enabling activation of features such as, for example, reading or writing e-mail, exchanging IM messages with another user, entering chat areas with other users, shopping or accessing the internet. The toolbar  1002  may include one or more general interface actionable items  1020 - 1060 , each of which is configured to enable activation of an associated user interface. An actionable item may be, for example, a button or a tab. For example, general actionable item  1020  is configured to enable activation of associated Instant Message (IM) interface  1003 . IM interface  1003  represents a distinct and concurrent communications session. A buddy list  1025  is provided, and includes a list of the intended IM recipient and may include other potential IM recipients. As shown in interface  1003 , the IM sender is able to view a communications session with IM recipient “SurfinDiane.” 
     [0085]FIG. 11 illustrates one example of an IM UI  1100  that may be presented to an IM sender. The UI  1100  is rendered in response to user manipulation of the general interface tab  1020  of FIG. 10. In general, the UI  1100  is rendered on the IM sender system  105  using software stored on the IM sender system  105 .  
     [0086] The UI  1100  includes an IM display area  1105  to display the messages  1105   a  of an active IM session. In the example of FIG. 11, the active IM session involves a conversation between the IM sender having a screen name of “ChattingChuck” and the IM recipient having a screen name of “SurfinDiane.” An IM compose area  1110  may be used to compose a message to send to the IM recipient in the active IM session, typically by clicking on the send control button  1115  in the UI. A control button  1120  may be provided to close the active IM session. Font and appearance controls may be provided on toolbar  1005  to control how the message being entered in the IM compose area  1110  is displayed to the IM recipient and in the IM display area  1105  once the message in the IM compose area  1110  is sent. For example, the IM sender may select control  1010  to choose, for example, an emoticon to be sent in an IM message from the IM sender to the IM recipient. The IM sender system sends the wallpaper in the IM message, and the IM recipient system renders the wallpaper.  
     [0087] The UI  1100  includes wallpaper  1107  from the IM recipient and wallpaper  1112  from the IM sender. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, the IM recipient “SurfinDiane” has provided wallpaper  1107  to the IM sender “ChattingChuck.” Typically, the wallpaper  1107  is transported from the IM recipient to the IM sender by inserting the wallpaper  1107  into an instant message from the IM recipient to the IM sender. The IM sender system  105  receives the instant message containing the embedded wallpaper and renders the wallpaper  1107 .  
     [0088] Similarly, wallpaper  1112  chosen by the IM sender may be rendered in UI  1100 . When the IM sender sends an instant message to IM recipient “SurfinDiane,” wallpaper  1112  is transported along with the IM. Once received, the IM recipient system  305  renders the wallpaper  1112 .  
     [0089] In one implementation, the IM sender may generate the instant message by manipulating a UI, such as the UI  1100  shown in FIG. 11. The UI  1100  may include wallpaper  1107  of the IM recipient (“SurfinDiane”) and wallpaper  1112  of the IM sender.  
     [0090] The IM sender system  105  sends the instant message with the wallpaper of the IM sender to the IM host system  310 . Referring to FIG. 10, the IM sender may manipulate a general interface actionable item  1020  to render an IM sender interface  1003 . The instant message may be transmitted, for example, by selecting a send control  1015 .  
     [0091]FIG. 12 illustrates yet another example of an IM UI  1200  that may be presented to an IM recipient. One or more wallpaper may be provided for the IM UI. The IM sender may select the wallpaper manually, or the wallpaper may be selected automatically for the IM sender. The wallpaper may be rendered to the IM recipient as described above with respect to FIGS. 5A and 9.  
     [0092] In the example of FIG. 12, an IM sender “AIMUIGIRL” may provide wallpaper  1205 ,  1210 ,  1220 , and  1225  to the IM recipient “AIMMUIUSER” in the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 5A, 9, and  11 . In particular, the IM sender may provide a sidebar image  1205 , a background image  1210 , and a sound  1225  to the IM sender. The sidebar image  1205  may include images and links to content. The background image  1210  may include an image, and typically is a washed out image. The sound  1225  may be a sound or a sequence of sounds played to the IM sender.  
     [0093]FIG. 13 is an example of an instant messaging buddy list UI  1300  that enables an IM sender of an instant messaging service to, among other things, perceive the presence state of other IM recipients that the IM sender has added to a buddy list, and to send instant messages to IM recipients on the buddy list. The buddy list may include wallpaper such as a buddy list bar  1305 , a buddy list image  1310 , a buddy list background image  1315 , and a buddy list fill pattern  1320 . The IM sender may select the wallpaper manually, or the wallpaper may be selected automatically for the IM sender. The wallpaper may be rendered to the IM sender as described above with respect to step  532  of FIG. 9 and may be made perceivable to the IM recipient as described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 9.  
     [0094] The buddy list bar  1305  may contain customized links  1305   a ,  1305   b ,  1305   c , and  1305   d  to content and may have a customized appearance. The buddy list image  1310  and the buddy list background image  1315  may be, for example, image files. The buddy list background image  1315  may have a washed out appearance. The buddy list fill pattern  1320  may be a color or pattern background for the buddy list, or may also be an image. One or more of these wallpaper may be transmitted to an IM recipient and rendered on the IM recipient system  305 . The transmission of the wallpaper may occur during machine-to-machine communications that are not visible to the user.  
     [0095] In one implementation, the IM recipient and/or the IM sender may pay a subscription fee to access/use certain wallpaper, and the wallpaper may be provided by a third party. In another implementation, the wallpaper expire and must be replaced after a predetermined event such as a predetermined length of time, passage of a predetermined date, or a predetermined number of uses. Also, a wallpaper may be banned if, for example, it is deemed to be offensive, inappropriate, or to otherwise violate a term of service agreement. If it is determined that the wallpaper is expired or banned, display of such a wallpaper will be disallowed and the user typically will be required to choose a different wallpaper.  
     [0096] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, although the description above primarily refers to wallpaper, other customization items may be used, including non-buddy icons and other items that are not identifiers of a user. For instance, customization items may include sounds, animation, video clips and emoticons. Also, although the examples above are given in an instant message context, other communications systems with similar attributes may be used. For example, customization items may be used in a chat room or in e-mail communications. Also, the user interface may be a viewable interface, an audible interface, a tactile interface, or any combination of these.