INITIATING COMMUNICATIONS WITH WEB PAGE VISITORS AND KNOWN CONTACTS
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for initiating communication between a first user and a second user among a plurality of users while the plurality of users are browsing web pages, the method comprising:
- collecting user information about each user among the plurality of users;
collecting page information, the page information including one or more of;
information about what web page each user among the plurality of users is browsing and information about a first predetermined criterion;
determining whether the first user and the second user among the plurality of users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site or a same web page of a web site;
determining whether the first predetermined criterion is met;
in response to determining that the first and second users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site or a same web page of a web site, and determining that the first predetermined criterion is met;
providing an indication to the first user when the second user is actively browsing one or more of the same web site, the same sub-site of a web site or the same web page of a web site, and the first predetermined criterion is met;
sharing a portion of the user information and page information for the first user with the second user; and
processing a request by the second user to initiate communication with the second user.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for initiating communication between two users among several users while at least one of the two users is browsing a web page. User information is collected about each user among the several users. Page information is collected about what web page each user among the several users is browsing. A portion of the user information and page information for a first user and a second user is shared between the first user and the second user when a predetermined criterion is met, and request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user is processed.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for initiating communication between a first user and a second user among a plurality of users while the plurality of users are browsing web pages, the method comprising:
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collecting user information about each user among the plurality of users; collecting page information, the page information including one or more of; information about what web page each user among the plurality of users is browsing and information about a first predetermined criterion; determining whether the first user and the second user among the plurality of users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site or a same web page of a web site;determining whether the first predetermined criterion is met; in response to determining that the first and second users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site or a same web page of a web site, and determining that the first predetermined criterion is met;providing an indication to the first user when the second user is actively browsing one or more of the same web site, the same sub-site of a web site or the same web page of a web site, and the first predetermined criterion is met; sharing a portion of the user information and page information for the first user with the second user; and processing a request by the second user to initiate communication with the second user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product, stored on a machine-readable storage device, for initiating communication between a first user and a second user among a plurality of users while the plurality of users are browsing web pages, comprising instructions operable to cause a computer to:
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collect user information about each user among the plurality of users; collect page information, the page information including one or more of; information about what web page each user among the plurality of users is browsing and information about a first predetermined criterion; determine whether the first user and the second user among the plurality of users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site, or a same web page of a web site;determine whether the first predetermined criterion is met; in response to determining that the first and second users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site, or a same web page of a web site, and determining that the first predetermined criterion is met;provide an indication to the first user when the second user is actively browsing one or more of the same web site, the same sub-site of a web site or the same web page of a web site, and the first predetermined criterion is met; share a portion of the user information page information for the first user with the second user; and process a request by the second user to initiate communication with the second user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer system for initiating communication between a first user and a second user among a plurality of users while the plurality of users are browsing web pages, the system comprising:
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a plurality of computers, wherein at least two of the computers in the plurality of computers each includes a web browser application allowing a user to browse web pages; and a computer network connecting the plurality of computers, wherein at least one web browser application is further operable to; collect user information about each user among the plurality of users; collect page information, the page information including one or more of; information about what web page each user among the plurality of users is browsing and information about a first predetermined criterion; determine whether the first user and the second user among the plurality of users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site, or a same web page of a web site;determine whether the first predetermined criterion is met; in response to determining that the first and second users are simultaneously browsing one of;
a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site, or a same web page of a web site, and determining that the first predetermined criterion is met;provide an indication to the first user when the second user is actively browsing one or more of the same web site, the same sub-site of a web site or the same web page of a web site, and the first predetermined criterion is met; share a portion of the user information page information for the first user with the second user; and process a request by the second user to initiate communication with the second user. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification