Collaborative website presence

• US 9,336,527 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PurpleComm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PurpleComm Incorporated
• Inventors: Chang, Jack H., Tuan, Sherman, Sheu, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donaghue, Larry
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONAWAY, JAMES E
• Application Number:
  US12/070,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20090210358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,002 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-207, 709/217
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0876 Network utilisation, e.g. volume of load or congestion level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

Website presence includes receiving aggregated website presence information describing website presence information for one or more objects of a website, and displaying the aggregated website presence information based at least in part on a website object profile for an object of the website. Cross-website presence includes receiving aggregated website presence information from a first one or more websites, and publishing the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites. The website presence information describes one or more of the state of a website object regarding its participation in a communication session, the ability of the website object to participate in a communication session, and the willingness of the website object to participate in a communication session. Each of the one or more objects represents an entity associated with the website.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method comprising:

by a website owner, subscribing to aggregate website presence information of one or more other affiliated websites, the one or more other affiliated websites configured to provide aggregate website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects of the one or more other affiliated websites to the website of the website owner via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information from the website of the website owner and the one or more affiliated websites, and to publish the aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

by the website owner, agreeing to provide website presence information for the website to the one or more other affiliated websites;

receiving at a server hosting the website of the website owner a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of the one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites;

in response to receiving the request from the first visitor to the website, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the subscribing further comprises purchasing the website presence information of the one or more other affiliated websites.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a fee in response to providing the website presence information for the website to the one or more other affiliated websites.

4. A computer implemented method comprising:

by a website presence server, publishing aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the particular website and the one or more other affiliated websites configured to share website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

by the website presence server, receiving aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites;

by the website presence server, sending the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribers via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information, and to publish the aggregated website presence information;

receiving at the website presence server a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising applying one or more access controls to the aggregated website presence information before the sending.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the first one or more other websites and the second one or more other websites are the same.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the aggregated website presence information is further based at least in part on:

activity of the website object at the website.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

a state of a website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in a communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in a communication session.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the website presence information is based at least in part on a website visitor'"'"'s current activity.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

the website visitor is currently in a demo;

the website visitor is currently “

just looking”

;

the website visitor is currently “

shopping”

; and

the website visitor is currently “

checking out”

.

11. The method of claim 4 wherein the website presence information is derived from information known about a website object.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the website presence information derived from information known about a website object indicates a website visitor is confused.

13. The method of claim 4 wherein the website presence information comprises information regarding a product that a first website visitor visiting a vendor'"'"'s website is considering for purchase.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the information regarding the product is viewable by a second website visitor visiting the vendor'"'"'s website.

15. The method of claim 4, further comprising applying a privacy filter to a website visitor visiting a website, the privacy filter specifying how the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is collected, and which of the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is made available for viewing by other website visitors visiting the website.

16. A computer implemented method comprising:

by a collaboration server, receiving aggregated website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the aggregate website presence information from a first one or more websites via one or more website presence servers configured to;

publish aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receive aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites;

send the received aggregated website presence information; and

by the collaboration server, publishing the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites configured to share website presence information;

receiving a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying one or more access controls to the received aggregated website presence information before the publishing.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites are the same.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

a state of a website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in a communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in a communication session.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the website presence information is based at least in part on a website visitor'"'"'s current activity.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

the website visitor is currently in a demo;

the website visitor is currently “

just looking”

;

the website visitor is currently “

shopping”

; and

the website visitor is currently “

checking out”

.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the website presence information is derived from information known about a website object.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the website presence information derived from information known about a website object indicates a website visitor is confused.

24. The method of claim 16 wherein the website presence information comprises information regarding a product that a first website visitor visiting a vendor'"'"'s website is considering for purchase.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the information regarding the product is viewable by a second website visitor visiting the vendor'"'"'s website.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying a privacy filter to a website visitor visiting a website, the privacy filter specifying how the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is collected, and which of the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is made available for viewing by other website visitors visiting the website.

27. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

one or more processors configured to;

subscribe to aggregate website presence information of one or more other affiliated websites, the one or more other affiliated websites configured to provide aggregate website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects of the one or more other affiliated websites to the website of the website owner via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information from the website of the website owner and the one or more affiliated websites, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information, and to publish the aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects;

agree to provide website presence information for the website to the one or more other affiliated websites;

receive a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website of the website owner;

in response to the request, display on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites;

in response to the request from the first visitor, activate a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and display the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmit an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiate the network chat session.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the one or more processors are further configured to purchase the website presence information of the one or more other affiliated websites.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive a fee in response to providing the website presence information for the website to the one or more other affiliated websites.

30. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

one or more processors configured to;

publish aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the particular website and the one or more other affiliated websites configured to share website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receive aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites;

send the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribers via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information, and to publish the aggregated website presence information;

receive a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, display on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites;

in response to the request from the first visitor, activate a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and display the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmit an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiate the network chat session.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the processor is further configured to apply one or more access controls to the aggregated website presence information before the sending.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the first one or more other websites and the second one or more other websites are the same.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the aggregated website presence information is further based at least in part on:

activity of the website object at the website.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

a state of a website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in a communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in a communication session.

35. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the website presence information is based at least in part on a website visitor'"'"'s current activity.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

the website visitor is currently in a demo;

the website visitor is currently “

just looking”

;

the website visitor is currently “

shopping”

; and

the website visitor is currently “

checking out”

.

37. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the website presence information is derived from information known about a website object.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the website presence information derived from information known about a website object indicates a website visitor is confused.

39. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the website presence information comprises information regarding a product that a first website visitor visiting a vendor'"'"'s website is considering for purchase.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the information regarding the product is viewable by a second website visitor visiting the vendor'"'"'s website.

41. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the one or more processors are further configured to apply a privacy filter to a website visitor visiting a website, the privacy filter specifying how the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is collected, and which of the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is made available for viewing by other website visitors visiting the website.

42. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

one or more processors configured to;

receive aggregated website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the aggregate website presence information from a first one or more websites via one or more website presence servers configured to;

publish aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receive aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites;

send the received aggregated website presence information;

publish the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites configured to share website presence information;

receive a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, display on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites;

in response to the request from the first visitor, activate a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and display the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmit an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiate the network chat session.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the processor is further configured to apply one or more access controls to the received aggregated website presence information before the publishing.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites are the same.

45. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

a state of a website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in a communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in a communication session.

46. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the website presence information is based at least in part on a website visitor'"'"'s current activity.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

the website visitor is currently in a demo;

the website visitor is currently “

just looking”

;

the website visitor is currently “

shopping”

; and

the website visitor is currently “

checking out”

.

48. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the website presence information is derived from information known about a website object.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the website presence information derived from information known about a website object indicates a website visitor is confused.

50. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the website presence information comprises information regarding a product that a first website visitor visiting a vendor'"'"'s website is considering for purchase.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the information regarding the product is viewable by a second website visitor visiting the vendor'"'"'s website.

52. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the one or more processors are further configured to apply a privacy filter to a website visitor visiting a website, the privacy filter specifying how the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is collected, and which of the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is made available for viewing by other website visitors visiting the website.

53. An apparatus comprising:

means for, by a website owner, subscribing to aggregate website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects of one or more other affiliated websites, the one or more other affiliated websites configured to provide website presence information of the one or more other affiliated websites to the website of the website owner via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information from the website of the website owner and the one or more affiliated websites, and to publish the aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information; and

means for, by the website owner, agreeing to provide website presence information for the website to the one or more other affiliated websites;

a means for receiving at a server hosting the website of the website owner a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website;

a means for displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of the one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites and for displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface;

a means for activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface;

a means for transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

a means for initiating the network chat session.

54. An apparatus comprising:

means for, by a website presence server, publishing aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the particular website and the one or more other affiliated websites configured to share website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

means for, by the website presence server, receiving aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites; and

means for, by the website presence server, sending the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribers via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information, and to publish the aggregated website presence information;

a means for receiving a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

a means for displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites and for displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface;

a means for activating a visual indication associated with the second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface;

a means for transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

a means for initiating the network chat session.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising means for applying one or more access controls to the aggregated website presence information before the sending.

56. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the first one or more other websites and the second one or more other websites are the same.

57. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the aggregated website presence information is further based at least in part on:

activity of the website object at the website.

58. An apparatus comprising:

means for, by a collaboration server, receiving aggregated website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the aggregate website presence information from a first one or more websites via one or more website presence servers configured to;

publish aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receive aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites;

send the received aggregated website presence information; and

means for, by the collaboration server, publishing the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites configured to share website presence information;

receive a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, display on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of a first one or more other affiliated websites;

in response to the request from the first visitor, activate a visual indication associated with a second visitor of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and display the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmit an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiate the network chat session.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising means for applying one or more access controls to the received aggregated website presence information before the publishing.

60. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites are the same.

61. A nontransitory program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:

by a website owner, subscribing to aggregate website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects of one or more other affiliated websites, the one or more other affiliated websites configured to provide website presence information of the one or more other affiliated websites to the website of the website owner via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information from the website of the website owner and the one or more affiliated websites, and to publish the aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

by the website owner, agreeing to provide website presence information for the website to the one or more other affiliated websites;

receiving at a server hosting the website of the website owner a request from a first client computer of a first visitor of one or more visitors to access the website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other websites;

in response to receiving the request from the first visitor of the one or more visitors to the website, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

62. A nontransitory program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:

by a website presence server, publishing aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the particular website and the one or more other affiliated websites configured to share website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

by the website presence server, receiving aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites;

by the website presence server, sending the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribers via one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated website presence information, and to publish the aggregated website presence information;

receiving at the website presence server a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the first one or more other affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

63. The program storage device of claim 62, the method further comprising applying one or more access controls to the aggregated website presence information before the sending.

64. The program storage device of claim 62 wherein the first one or more other websites and the second one or more other websites are the same.

65. The program storage device of claim 62 wherein the aggregated website presence information is further based at least in part on:

activity of the website object at the website.

66. A nontransitory program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:

by a collaboration server, receiving aggregated website presence information, the aggregate website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the aggregate website presence information from a first one or more websites via one or more website presence servers configured to;

publish aggregated website presence information that includes a collection of website presence information for a plurality of website objects for a particular website to a first one or more other affiliated websites, the collection of website presence information aggregated based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receive aggregated website presence information from a second one or more other websites; and

send the received aggregated website presence information; and

by the collaboration server, publishing the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites, the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites configured to share website presence information;

receiving a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the particular website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of one or more affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

67. The program storage device of claim 66, the method further comprising applying one or more access controls to the received aggregated website presence information before the publishing.

68. The program storage device of claim 66 wherein the first one or more websites and the one or more subscribing websites are the same.

69. A computer implemented method comprising:

collecting website presence information regarding a website object, the website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the website object representing an entity associated with a website, the website presence information indicating one or more of;

a state of the website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

displaying the website presence information via a user interface comprising;

an icon representing a website visitor using a second user interface; and

an indication of presence information for the website visitor using the second user interface including one or more items in a shopping cart of the website visitor using the second user interface;

aggregating the web presence information based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receiving at the website presence server a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website;

in response to the request, displaying on a user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of one or more affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a second shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the second shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein the website presence information is further based at least in part on:

activity of the website object at the website.

71. The method of claim 69 wherein the website presence information is based at least in part on a website visitor'"'"'s current activity.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

the website visitor is currently in a demo;

the website visitor is currently “

just looking”

;

the website visitor is currently “

shopping”

; and

the website visitor is currently “

checking out”

.

73. The method of claim 69 wherein the website presence information is derived from information known about the website object.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein the website presence information derived from information known about the website object indicates the website visitor is confused.

75. The method of claim 69 wherein the website presence information comprises information regarding a product that a first website visitor visiting a vendor'"'"'s website is considering for purchase.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the information regarding the product is viewable by a second website visitor visiting the vendor'"'"'s website.

77. The method of claim 69, further comprising applying a privacy filter to a website visitor visiting a website, the privacy filter specifying how the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is collected, and which of the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is made available for viewing by other website visitors visiting the website.

78. An apparatus comprising:

a memory;

a user interface comprising;

an icon representing a website visitor using a second user interface; and

an indication of presence information for the website visitor; and

one or more processors configured to;

collect website presence information regarding a website object, the website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the website object representing an entity associated with a website, the website presence information indicating one or more of;

a state of the website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

display the website presence information of the website visitor using the second user interface via the user interface including one or more items in a shopping cart of the website visitor using the second user interface; and

aggregate the web presence information based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receive at a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website;

in response to the request, display on the user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of one or more affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activate a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more affiliated websites on the user interface and displaying the one or more items of a shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the user interface;

transmit an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiate the network chat session.

79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the website presence information is further based at least in part on:

activity of the website object at the website.

80. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the website presence information is based at least in part on a website visitor'"'"'s current activity.

81. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein the website presence information indicates one or more of:

the website visitor is currently in a demo;

the website visitor is currently “

just looking”

;

the website visitor is currently “

shopping”

; and

the website visitor is currently “

checking out”

.

82. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the website presence information is derived from information known about the website object.

83. The apparatus of claim 82 wherein the website presence information derived from information known about the website object indicates the website visitor is confused.

84. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the website presence information comprises information regarding a product that a first website visitor visiting a vendor'"'"'s website is considering for purchase.

85. The apparatus of claim 84 wherein the information regarding the product is viewable by a second website visitor visiting the vendor'"'"'s website.

86. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the one or more processors are further configured to apply a privacy filter to a website visitor visiting a website, the privacy filter specifying how the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is collected, and which of the website visitor'"'"'s website presence information is made available for viewing by other website visitors visiting the website.

87. An apparatus comprising:

means for collecting website presence information regarding a website object, the website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the website object representing an entity associated with a website, the website presence information indicating one or more of;

a state of the website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

means for displaying the website presence information comprising;

an icon representing a website visitor using a second user interface; and

an indication of presence information for the website visitor using the second user interface including one or more items in a shopping cart of the website visitor using the second user interface; and

means for aggregating the web presence information based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

a means for receiving a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website;

a means for displaying on a second user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of one or more affiliated websites and for displaying the one or more items of a second shopping cart associated with the first visitor on the second user interface;

a means for activating a visual indication associated with first visitor on the second user interface;

a means for transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the second shopping cart associated with the first visitor; and

a means for initiating the network chat session between the first visitor and the second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more affiliated websites.

88. A nontransitory program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:

collecting website presence information regarding a website object, the website presence information based on at least two of object-selectable information selected by a one or more website objects, object-supplied information provided by the one or more website objects, and new information derived from information known about the one or more website objects, the website object representing an entity associated with a website, the website presence information indicating one or more of;

a state of the website object regarding its participation in a communication session;

an ability of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

a willingness of the website object to participate in the communication session; and

displaying the website presence information via a first user interface comprising;

an icon representing a website visitor using a second user interface; and

an indication of presence information for the website visitor using the second user interface including one or more items in a shopping cart of the website visitor using the second user interface;

aggregating the web presence information based on a web presence scheme, the scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web presence information;

receiving a request from a first client computer of a first visitor to access the website;

in response to the request, displaying on the first user interface one or more website objects and website presence information of one or more visitors of one or more affiliated websites;

in further response to receiving the request from the first visitor, activating a visual indication associated with a second visitor of the one or more visitors of the one or more affiliated websites on the first user interface and displaying the one or more items of a second shopping cart associated with the second visitor on the first user interface;

transmitting an invitation to engage in a network chat session based on the items of the second shopping cart associated with the second visitor; and

in response to the second user accepting the invitation, initiating the network chat session.