Microsoft has had a patent approved that will eliminate the need for users of its Xbox Live service to visit the Marketplace to download content.

The streamlined system will allow you to purchase DLC during a game, rather than having to quit and navigate back through the menus. A small feature perhaps, but we've all been there when you're kicked out of game because you haven't downloaded the relevant content, so it's a welcome amendment to the current system.

Here's a snippet of the patent...

An automated direct transaction and delivery system for digital content ("ATDDC") provides for automated detection of missing digital content or resources required for a player or participant to participate in a multimedia application in either a single player or multiplayer environment is described. The ATDDC automatically detects that a player may not have installed particular required content or that a title update is required in order to participate in a media session or video game. Upon detection of missing content or resources the ATDDC provides direct bid to purchase the content or resources, provides for automatic download, installation and configuration of the content while allowing the player to remain in contact with other players within a party.

Yep, what we said.