U.S. patent application number 15/150250 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for collaborative website presence.
The applicant listed for this patent is PurpleComm, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jack H. Chang, William H. Sheu, Sherman Tuan.
Application Number | 20160255134 15/150250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40955996 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160255134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Jack H. ; et
al. |
September 1, 2016 |
Collaborative Website Presence
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.
Inventors: |
Chang; Jack H.; (Saratoga,
CA) ; Tuan; Sherman; (Cupertino, CA) ; Sheu;
William H.; (Fremont, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PurpleComm, Inc. |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40955996 |
Appl. No.: |
15/150250 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12070872 |
Feb 20, 2008 |
9336527 |
|
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15150250 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 99/00 20130101;
H04L 67/22 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04L 12/1813 20130101;
H04L 12/1822 20130101; H04L 43/0876 20130101; H04L 67/02
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08; H04L 12/26 20060101 H04L012/26 |
Claims
1-32. (canceled)
33. A system configured to aggregate website presence information
comprising: a web presence server in communication with a first
website server of a plurality of website servers, the web presence
server configured to receive a request from the first website
server of the plurality of website servers to subscribe to
aggregate website presence information of one or more affiliated
website servers of the plurality of website servers and configured
to receive aggregate website presence information that includes a
collection of website presence information for a plurality of
website objects of the one or more affiliated website servers; and
one or more collaboration servers configured to receive aggregated
website presence information from the first website server and the
one or more affiliated website servers, configured to aggregate the
website presence information into the collection of website
presence information based on a web presence scheme, the scheme
including an indication of a method for deriving web presence
information, and configured to publish the collection of website
presence information based on the web presence scheme to the first
website server and the affiliated website servers.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the web presence server is
further configured to apply one or more access controls to the
aggregated website presence information.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein the web presence server is
associated with one website server of the plurality of website
servers.
36. The system of claim 33, wherein the aggregated website presence
information is based at least in part on: a website presence
selected by a website object; a website presence supplied by the
website object; and activity of the website object at the
website.
37. The system of claim 33, wherein the one or more collaboration
servers are configured to monitor traffic through the one or more
collaboration servers.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein the one or more collaborations
servers are configured to detect an undesirable activity.
39. The system of claim 38, wherein the one or more collaboration
servers are configured to implement corrective measures to the
undesirable activity.
40. A distributed system configured to aggregate website presence
information comprising: a plurality of servers in communication
with a first website server of a plurality of website servers, the
plurality of servers configured to: receive a request from the
first website server of the plurality of website servers to
subscribe to aggregate website presence information of one or more
affiliated website servers of the plurality of website servers,
receive aggregate website presence information that includes a
collection of website presence information for a plurality of
website objects of the one or more affiliated website servers,
receive aggregated website presence information from the first
website server and the one or more affiliated website servers,
aggregate the website presence information into the collection of
website presence information based on a web presence scheme, the
scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web
presence information, and publish the collection of website
presence information based on the web presence scheme to the first
website server and the affiliated website servers.
41. The distributed system of claim 40, wherein the plurality of
servers are further configured to apply one or more access controls
to the aggregated website presence information.
42. The distributed system claim 40, wherein at least one of the
plurality of servers is associated with one website server of the
plurality of website servers.
43. The distributed system of claim 40, wherein the aggregated
website presence information is based at least in part on: a
website presence selected by a website object; a website presence
supplied by the website object; and activity of the website object
at the website.
44. The distributed system of claim 40, wherein at least one of the
plurality of servers is configured to monitor traffic through the
distributed system.
45. The distributed system of claim 44, wherein at least one of the
plurality of servers are configured to detect an undesirable
activity.
46. The distributed system of claim 45, wherein at least one of the
plurality of servers are configured to implement corrective
measures to the undesirable activity.
47. A method for aggregating website presence information
comprising: at a web presence server in communication with a first
website server of a plurality of website servers: receiving a
request from the first website server of the plurality of website
servers to subscribe to aggregate website presence information of
one or more affiliated website servers of the plurality of website
servers, and receiving aggregate website presence information that
includes a collection of website presence information for a
plurality of website objects of the one or more affiliated website
servers; and at one or more collaboration servers configured to
receive aggregated website presence information from the first
website server and the one or more affiliated website servers:
aggregating the website presence information into the collection of
website presence information based on a web presence scheme, the
scheme including an indication of a method for deriving web
presence information, and publishing the collection of website
presence information based on the web presence scheme to the first
website server and the affiliated website servers.
48. The system of claim 47, further comprising applying one or more
access controls to the aggregated website presence information.
49. The system of claim 47, wherein the aggregated website presence
information is based at least in part on: a website presence
selected by a website object; a website presence supplied by the
website object; and activity of the website object at the
website.
50. The method of claim 47 further comprising monitoring traffic
through the one or more collaboration servers.
51. The method of claim 47 further comprising detecting an
undesirable activity.
52. The method of claim 47 further comprising implementing
corrective measures to the undesirable activity.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application may be related to one or more of the
following commonly assigned U.S. patent applications filed on even
date herewith:
[0002] Ser. No. ______, entitled "Website Presence" (Attorney
Docket No. 037273-000012); and
[0003] Ser. No. ______, entitled "Website Presence Marketplace"
(Attorney Docket No. 037273-000014).
The related applications are hereby incorporated herein by
reference as if set forth fully herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to the field of computer
science. More particularly, the present invention relates to
collaborative website presence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Presence information for typical instant messenger services
is based on an invitation from one user to another user. Each user
must register with the instant messenger service and setup an
account to become a member in order to share the presence
information with others on the user's "buddy list." Users on each
other's buddy list can engage in instant messaging (usually in the
form of real-time text-based message exchange) or voice chat based
on the presence state of each user. The presence state of each user
is typically set manually by the user to values such as "busy,"
"do-not-disturb," "out to lunch," "available," and "appear
offline." This basic level of presence information is often a rough
approximation of the user's actual status and reveals very little
about the status of a user who is browsing a particular website.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved solution for
facilitating communication between website visitors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 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. 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
detailed description, serve to explain the principles and
implementations of the invention.
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for
implementing aspects of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a system for
website presence in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates privacy control
and access control in a system for website presence in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for website presence from the perspective of a website
visitor in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for website presence from the perspective of a website
presence server in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website visitor registration from the perspective of a website
visitor in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website visitor registration from the perspective of a website
presence server in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website presence from the perspective of a website visitor in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website presence from the perspective of a website presence server
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 10A is a block diagram that illustrates a website
object profile in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 10B is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence scheme in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates a user interface
in a system for website presence in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a block diagram that illustrates types of object
website presence information in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 13A is a block diagram that illustrates multiple
website objects and associated website presence information in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 13B is a block diagram that illustrates multiple kinds
of website presence information in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a block diagram that illustrates derived website
presence information in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a block diagram that illustrates privacy levels
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a block diagram that illustrates a system for
cross-website presence collaboration in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for cross-website presence collaboration in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for cross-website presence collaboration from the
perspective of a website owner in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for cross-website presence collaboration from the
perspective of a collaboration server in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a block diagram that illustrates agreements to
exchange website presence information in a cross-website
marketplace in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a block diagram that illustrates exchanging
website presence information based on agreements to exchange
website presence information in a cross-website marketplace in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
cross-website marketing from the perspective of a cross-website
marketing portal in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
cross-website marketing from the perspective of a website owner in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 24 is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 25A is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog interface in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 25B is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog entry description in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 25C is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog entry description for auctioned
website presence information in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in
the context of collaborative website presence. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will realize that the following detailed
description of the present invention is illustrative only and is
not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the
present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled
persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now
be made in detail to implementations of the present invention as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference
indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following
detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.
[0039] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It
will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions
must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application- and business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one
implementation to another and from one developer to another.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort
might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
components, process steps, and/or data structures may be
implemented using various types of operating systems (OS),
computing platforms, firmware, computer programs, computer
languages, and/or general-purpose machines. The method can be run
as a programmed process running on processing circuitry. The
processing circuitry can take the form of numerous combinations of
processors and operating systems, connections and networks, data
stores, or a stand-alone device. The process can be implemented as
instructions executed by such hardware, hardware alone, or any
combination thereof. The software may be stored on a program
storage device readable by a machine.
[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
components, processes and/or data structures may be implemented
using machine language, assembler, C or C++, Java and/or other high
level language programs running on a data processing computer such
as a personal computer, workstation computer, mainframe computer,
or high performance server running an OS such as Solaris.RTM.
available from Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.,
Windows Vista.TM., Windows NT.RTM., Windows XP, Windows XP PRO, and
Windows.RTM. 2000, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,
Wash., Apple OS X-based systems, available from Apple Inc. of
Cupertino, Calif., or various versions of the Unix operating system
such as Linux available from a number of vendors. The method may
also be implemented on a multiple-processor system, or in a
computing environment including various peripherals such as input
devices, output devices, displays, pointing devices, memories,
storage devices, media interfaces for transferring data to and from
the processor(s), and the like. In addition, such a computer system
or computing environment may be networked locally, or over the
Internet or other networks. Different implementations may be used
and may include other types of operating systems, computing
platforms, computer programs, firmware, computer languages and/or
general-purpose machines; and. In addition, those of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that devices of a less general purpose
nature, such as hardwired devices, field programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the
like, may also be used without departing from the scope and spirit
of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
[0042] In the context of the present invention, the term "network"
includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs),
metro area networks, residential networks, corporate networks,
inter-networks, the Internet, the World Wide Web, cable television
systems, telephone systems, wireless telecommunications systems,
fiber optic networks, token ring networks, Ethernet networks, ATM
networks, frame relay networks, satellite communications systems,
and the like. Such networks are well known in the art and
consequently are not further described here.
[0043] In the context of the present invention, the term
"identifier" describes an ordered series of one or more numbers,
characters, symbols, or the like. More generally, an "identifier"
describes any entity that can be represented by one or more
bits.
[0044] In the context of the present invention, the term
"processor" describes a physical computer (either stand-alone or
distributed) or a virtual machine (either stand-alone or
distributed) that processes or transforms data. The processor may
be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination
thereof.
[0045] In the context of the present invention, the term "data
stores" describes a hardware and/or software means or apparatus,
either local or distributed, for storing digital or analog
information or data. The term "Data store" describes, by way of
example, any such devices as random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static dynamic
random access memory (SDRAM), Flash memory, hard drives, disk
drives, floppy drives, tape drives, CD drives, DVD drives, magnetic
tape devices (audio, visual, analog, digital, or a combination
thereof), optical storage devices, electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), solid state memory devices
and Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage devices, and the like. The
term "Data store" also describes, by way of example, databases,
repositories, file systems, record systems, object oriented
databases, relational databases, SQL databases, audit trails and
logs, program memory, cache and buffers, and the like.
[0046] In the context of the present invention, the term "network
interface" describes the means by which users including website
visitors access a network for the purposes of communicating across
it or retrieving information from it.
[0047] In the context of the present invention, the term "user
interface" describes any device or group of devices for presenting
and/or receiving information and/or directions to and/or from
persons. A user interface may comprise a means to present
information to persons, such as a visual display projector or
screen, a loudspeaker, a light or system of lights, a printer, a
Braille device, a vibrating device, or the like. A user interface
may also include a means to receive information or directions from
persons, such as one or more or combinations of buttons, keys,
levers, switches, knobs, touch pads, touch screens, microphones,
speech detectors, motion detectors, cameras, and light detectors.
Exemplary user interfaces comprise pagers, mobile phones, desktop
computers, laptop computers, handheld and palm computers, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), keyboards,
keypads, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), control panels, horns,
sirens, alarms, printers, speakers, mouse devices, consoles, and
speech recognition devices.
[0048] In the context of the present invention, the term "system"
describes any computer information and/or control device, devices
or network of devices, of hardware and/or software, comprising
processor means, data storage means, program means, and/or user
interface means, which is adapted to communicate with the
embodiments of the present invention, via one or more data networks
or connections, and is adapted for use in conjunction with the
embodiments of the present invention.
[0049] In the context of the present invention, the term "website
presence" 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.
[0050] In the context of the present invention, the term "website
object" describes a representation of an entity associated with a
website. A website object may represent a visitor to the website. A
website object may also represent an event associated with the
website, such as a live demonstration session and a live
question-and-answer session. By way of example, a vendor's website
may feature a live question and answer session to answer questions
about the vendor's products. An object may also comprise an
interactive video session. By way of example, a vendor's website
may feature a live demonstration session to demonstrate the
operation of one or more of the vendor's products. The particular
presence information of a website object that is tracked and
published is configurable by the website object.
[0051] In the context of the present invention, the term
"aggregated website presence" describes a collection of website
presence information regarding multiple objects associated with the
same website. The aggregated website presence information includes
presence information of each website object, and website presence
information that describes the collection of website objects as a
whole. By way of example, the aggregated website presence
information may include the website page viewing activity presence,
discussion/forum/event presence, and sales activity presence.
[0052] In the context of the present invention, the term
"subscriber" refers to an entity that requests access to particular
website presence information. A subscriber may pay a fee in return
for receiving all or part of the requested website presence
information.
[0053] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a computer system 100
suitable for implementing aspects of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a bus 102 which interconnects
major subsystems such as a processor 104, an internal memory 106
(such as a RAM), an input/output (I/O) controller 108, a removable
memory (such as a memory card) 122, an external device such as a
display screen 110 via display adapter 112, a roller-type input
device 114, a joystick 116, a numeric keyboard 118, an alphanumeric
keyboard 118, directional navigation pad 126 and a wireless
interface 120. Many other devices can be connected. Wireless
network interface 120, wired network interface 128, or both, may be
used to interface to a local or wide area network (such as the
Internet) using any network interface system known to those skilled
in the art. Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be
connected in a similar manner. Also, it is not necessary for all of
the devices shown in FIG. 1 to be present to practice the present
invention. Furthermore, the devices and subsystems may be
interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 1. Code to
implement the present invention may be operably disposed in
internal memory 106 or stored on storage media such as removable
memory 122, a floppy disk, a thumb drive, a CompactFlash.RTM.
storage device, a DVD-R ("Digital Versatile Disc" or "Digital Video
Disc"-Recordable), a DVD-ROM ("Digital Versatile Disc" or "Digital
Video Disc" read-only memory), a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), or
a CD-ROM (Compact Disc read-only memory).
[0054] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a system for
website presence in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a system for website presence
comprises one or more website presence servers 216 communicatively
coupled to a website presence repository 234 and to one or more
processors (244, 224, 202). Embodiments of the present invention
that have multiple website presence servers 216 may implement
redundancy and HA (High Availability) so in the event one of the
website presence servers fails or otherwise must be taken offline,
a website presence capability can still be supported by the
remaining website presence servers. One or more website presence
servers can be specified by host names through a DNS service. Each
of processors (244, 224, 202) is associated with a respective user
(242, 222, 200) who may want to access each others' website
presence information. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, processors (244, 224, 202) are configured to receive
aggregated website presence information describing website presence
information for one or more objects of a website, and display the
aggregated website presence information based at least in part on
an object profile for a website object. A website object profile
comprises information related to a website object. Website object
profiles are discussed below in more detail with reference to FIG.
10A. Processors (244, 224, 202) may also include a website presence
plug-in providing added functionality to website visitors. By way
of example, the processor associated with a website visitor
desiring a voice chat capability can be configured with a website
presence functionality such as a plug-in providing a voice chat
capability.
[0055] The one or more website presence servers 216 are configured
to receive website presence information from one or more objects of
a website, aggregate the received website presence information
based at least in part on a website presence scheme for the website
to create aggregated website presence information, and send the
aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribers.
A website presence scheme identifies the aggregated website
presence information that is available from a particular website,
how the aggregated website presence information is determined, and
how the aggregated website presence information is to be
distributed. A website presence scheme is described in more detail
below with reference to FIG. 10B. The aggregated website presence
information may be stored in website presence repository 234.
Alternatively, the aggregated website presence information may be
kept in a cache associated with the one or more website presence
servers 216.
[0056] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
processors (244, 224, 202) are configured to determine whether this
is the first time that a website visitor has visited a particular
website, and if it is the first time, receive functionality such as
a website presence plug-in, receive a cookie identifying the
website visitor for subsequent website presence activities, and
create a website object profile. The one or more website presence
servers 216 are configured to determine whether this is the first
time that the website visitor has visited a particular website, and
if it is the first time that the website visitor has visited the
website, send functionality such as a website presence plug-in to
the website visitor's processor to provide communication
functionality not already present on the website visitor's
processor, send a cookie identifying the website visitor for
subsequent website presence activities, and create a website object
profile for the website visitor. Changes made to a website object
profile on a visitor's processor and changes made to a
corresponding website object profile on one or more website
presence servers 216 are synchronized, such as when the registered
website visitor makes a change to the website object profile, or
when the registered website visitor logs into the website using a
different processor.
[0057] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
processors (244, 224, 202) are configured to collect visitor
website presence information, apply a privacy filter to the visitor
website presence information to create filtered visitor website
presence information, send the filtered visitor website presence
information to one or more website presence servers, receive
aggregated website presence information from the one or more
website presence servers, and present the aggregated website
presence information based at least in part on a website object
profile for the visitor. Processors (244, 224, 202) are further
configured to repeat the collecting, applying, sending, receiving,
and presenting until the website visitor leaves the website. The
one or more website presence servers 216 are configured to receive
filtered visitor website presence information from one or more
objects of a website, aggregate the visitor website presence
information based at least in part on a website presence scheme for
the website, optionally apply one or more access controls to the
aggregated website presence information to potentially limit access
to all or part of the aggregated website presence information, and
send the aggregated website presence information that was not
excluded by application of the one or more access controls to one
or more subscribers.
[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
website visitor has at least one of three roles: anonymous visitor
222, registered visitor 242, and website agent 200. An anonymous
visitor 222 surfs the website without previously registering with
the website. According to one embodiment of the present invention,
an anonymous visitor 222 is identified based at least in part on
information about the anonymous visitor's processor, such as an
identifier for the primary hard drive of the processor or the
serial number of the processor's CPU. According to one embodiment
of the present invention, an anonymous visitor 222 is uniquely
identified based at least in part on information extracted from a
network connection associated with the anonymous visitor.
[0059] A registered visitor 242 surfs the website after registering
with the website. The website knows the identity of a registered
visitor 242. The registered visitor 242 is identified by the
registered visitor's login ID after registration.
[0060] A website agent 200 provides one or more services or offers
one or more products or services for sale at the website. A website
agent 200 must first register with the website. An agent 200 may
stay online and make its presence known to all visitors.
[0061] The presence information may be used to facilitate
interaction between one or more of event object 204, registered
visitor 242, anonymous visitor 222, and agent 200. An interaction
between agent 200 via processor 202 and registered visitor 242 via
processor 244 is shown at reference numeral 208. An interaction
between agent 200 via processor 202 and anonymous visitor 222 via
processor 224 is shown at reference numeral 210. An interaction
between anonymous visitor 222 via processor 224 and registered
visitor 242 via processor 244 is shown at reference numeral
242.
[0062] According to example embodiments of the present invention,
two or more anonymous visitors may interact. By way of example, a
first anonymous visitor visiting a vendor's website may view the
items in a second anonymous visitor's shopping cart (a type of
website presence information) and find that the second anonymous
visitor's shopping cart includes an item that the first anonymous
visitor is considering for purchase. The first anonymous visitor
might then invite the second anonymous visitor to a chat session to
discuss the item.
[0063] According to example embodiments of the present invention,
two or more registered visitors may interact. By way of example, a
first registered visitor visiting a vendor's website may view the
interests (a type of website presence information for registered
visitors) of a second registered visitor currently visiting the
same website. The first registered visitor may notice that the
second registered visitor has similar interests and then invite the
second registered visitor to a chat session to discuss their common
interests.
[0064] According to example embodiments of the present invention, a
registered visitor may interact with an event object. By way of
example, a registered visitor may attend a live product
demonstration (a type of event object) at the website.
[0065] According to example embodiments of the present invention,
an anonymous visitor may interact with an event object. By way of
example, a registered visitor may attend a live question-and-answer
session (a type of event object) at the website.
[0066] While FIG. 2 illustrates one registered visitor, 242, one
anonymous visitor 222, and one agent 200, embodiments of the
present invention may be applied to a system having any number of
registered visitors, anonymous visitors, and agents.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates privacy control
and access control in a system for website presence in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. Website presence
repository 316 of FIG. 3 provides more detail for reference numeral
234 of FIG. 2. Website repository 316 comprises an individual
presence database 308 for storing website presence information for
individuals such as individual 306, and for events 300, such as
live demonstration event 302 and live question & answer session
event 304. Website presence repository 316 also comprises a website
presence database for storing website presence information from
individual presence database 308 as specified by the website's site
presence scheme 312.
[0068] Still referring to FIG. 3, privacy filter 310 enables each
individual 306 visiting the website to specify how the individual's
306 website presence information is collected, and which of the
individual's 306 website presence information is made available for
viewing by other individuals visiting the same website 318,
including an agent. An individual's 306 website presence
information is filtered according to the privacy filter 310 before
being sent to a website presence server.
[0069] According to one embodiment, a separate privacy filter 310
for an anonymous website visitor is stored on the anonymous website
visitor's processor. According to another embodiment of the present
invention, a registered website visitor's privacy filter 310 is
stored both on the registered website visitor's processor, and on
the website's website presence repository. Changes made to both
copies of a registered website visitor's privacy filter are
synchronized, such as when the registered website visitor makes a
change to the filter, or when the registered website visitor logs
into the website using a different processor.
[0070] Referring again to FIG. 3, website presence scheme 312
comprises a definition of how website presence information is
calculated and aggregated from the individual website presence
information collected. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the website presence scheme 312 comprises a set of
queries for implementing in programming code in a website presence
server, or as a database stored procedure. Individual presence
information from individual presence database 308 is processed
according to the website presence scheme 312, and the results of
the processing are stored in website presence database 320. Both
individual presence database 308 and website presence database 320
are updated to reflect the current website presence state of
website visitors and website events.
[0071] Still referring to FIG. 3, an access control list (ACL)
specifies the access rights one or more individuals or group of
individuals have to particular website presence information. The
access rights include whether the one or more individuals or group
of individuals (authorization group) is allowed to view the
particular website presence information (presence object group).
The access rights may also include whether the one or more
individuals or group of individuals is prohibited from viewing the
particular website presence information. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, the authorization group is
based at least in part on the website visitor's characteristics or
attributes, such as the website visitors' geographical region
(possibly derived from an IP address), a website visitor's
subscription level as indicated during account sign-up. According
to one embodiment of the present invention, a presence object group
is categorized based at least in part on the website presence
scheme, e.g. all live demonstration sessions, all registered
visitors, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, access control list 322 is
stored in website presence repository 316.
[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
search interface (314) is configured to enable a website visitor to
search individual presence data under the access control mechanism
discussed above. If the website visitor in an authorization group
has access to a presence object group, the website visitor is
allowed to perform a search for individual website presence
information within the presence object group.
[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
search interface allows a website visitor to search for website
visitors, activities, and events having a particular status. By way
of example, a website visitor may search for a website visitor
whose presence information includes "checking out products," so
that the two website visitors might talk about shopping experiences
at the website. As a further example, an agent may search for a
website visitor whose presence status is "need help" or confused,"
so that the agent may initiate a conversation with the website
visitor. As a further example, a website visitor may search for a
live demonstration event whose event presence information is "Hot
Event," so that the website visitor may participate in the
event.
[0074] FIG. 4 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for website presence from the perspective of a website
visitor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
The processes illustrated in FIG. 4 may be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 400, aggregated
website presence information describing website presence
information for one or more objects of a website is received. Each
of the one or more objects represents a website visitor. At 402,
the aggregated website presence information is displayed based at
least in part on an object profile for a visitor to the
website.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for website presence from the perspective of a website
presence server in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The processes illustrated in FIG. 5 may be implemented
in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 500,
website presence information from one or more objects of a website
is received. At 502, the received website presence information is
aggregated based on a website presence scheme for the website, to
create aggregated website presence information. At 504, the
aggregated website presence information is sent to one or more
subscribers.
[0076] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website registration from the perspective of a website visitor in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
processes illustrated in FIG. 6 may be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 600, a website
visitor visits a website. According to one embodiment of the
present invention, a website which deploys a website presence
facility embeds appropriate code into its Web pages, such as the
following Javascript excerpt:
TABLE-US-00001 <script type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.purplegoods.com/seed/sitepresence.php?
department=1&what=hidden&pingtimes=15">
</script>
The code shown above invokes an ActiveX plug-in program which
implements a communication protocol such as SIP SIMPLE to
communicate presence information between peers. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that other programming languages
and communication protocols may be used.
[0077] Still referring to FIG. 6, at 602, a determination is made
regarding whether this is the first time that the visitor has
visited the website. If this is the first time the visitor has
visited the website and if the visitor desires communication
functionality not already present on the visitor's processor, at
604 functionality such as a website presence plug-in is received.
At 606, a cookie identifying the website visitor for subsequent
website presence activities is received. At 608, a website object
profile is created. Website object profiles are discussed below in
more detail with reference to FIG. 10A.
[0078] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website visitor registration from the perspective of a website
presence server in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The processes illustrated in FIG. 7 may be implemented
in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 700,
a website visitor visits a website. At 702, a determination is made
at a website visitor's processor regarding whether this is the
first time that the visitor has visited the website. If this is the
first time the website visitor has visited the website and if the
website visitor desires communication functionality not already
present on the visitor's processor, at 704, functionality such as a
website presence plug-in is sent from the website presence server
to the website visitor's processor. At 706, a cookie generated by
the website and identifying the website visitor for subsequent
website presence activities is sent to the website visitor's
processor. The website visitor's browser stores the cookie on the
website visitor's browser. At 708, a website object profile is
created by the website visitor's processor.
[0079] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website presence from the perspective of a website visitor in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
processes illustrated in FIG. 8 may be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 800, visitor
website presence information is collected. At 802, a privacy filter
is applied to the visitor website presence information to create
filtered visitor website presence information. Privacy filters are
described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 10A. At 804,
the filtered visitor website presence information is sent to one or
more website presence servers. At 806, aggregated website presence
information is received from the one or more website presence
servers. At 808, the aggregated website presence information is
presented based at least in part on a website object profile for
the visitor. At 810, a determination is made regarding whether the
website visitor has left the website. If the website visitor has
not left the website, processing continues at 800.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
website presence from the perspective of a website presence server
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
processes illustrated in FIG. 9 may be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 900, visitor
website presence information is received from one or more objects
of a website. At 902, the visitor website presence information is
aggregated based at least in part on a website presence scheme for
the website. At 904, one or more access controls are optionally
applied to the aggregated website presence information, potentially
limiting access to all or part of the aggregated website presence
information. Access controls are discussed in more detail below
with reference to FIG. 10B. At 906, the aggregated website presence
information that was not excluded by application of the one or more
access controls is sent to one or more subscribers. Updated website
presence information processing continues at 900. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, the updated website presence
information processing is performed at a predetermined
interval.
[0081] FIG. 10A is a block diagram that illustrates a website
object profile in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 10A, a website object profile comprises
information related to a website object. By way of example, a
website object profile may comprise an indication of one or more of
the object's interests 1000 if the object represents a visitor to
the website, or the visitor's contact information 1002.
[0082] The website object profile may also comprise an indication
of the type of aggregated website presence information to exclude
from display 1004 to the object if the object represents a visitor
to the website. By way of example, indication 1004 may indicate
that information about another website visitor's interests is not
to be displayed to the website visitor associated with the website
object profile.
[0083] A website object profile is maintained on a website
visitor's processor. A website object profile may be updated by the
website visitor. Additionally, a website visitor may authorize a
website presence server to update the visitor's website object
profile with information learned about the website visitor. By way
of example, the website visitor may authorize a website presence
server to update the visitor's website object profile to indicate
how frequently the website visitor visits the website. As a further
example, the website visitor may authorize a website presence
server to update the visitor's website object profile to indicate
the number of purchases made at the website during a particular
period.
[0084] The website object profile may also comprise a privacy
filter 1006 indicating website presence information not for
publication. By way of example, privacy filter 1006 may indicate
that information about the interests of the website visitor
associated with the website object profile is not to be made
available for publication to other objects of the website.
[0085] FIG. 10B is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence scheme in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. A website presence scheme is specific to a particular
website. As shown in FIG. 10B, a website presence scheme comprises
an identification of the website presence information that is
available from a particular website. By way of example, a website
presence scheme may indicate that visitor website presence
information is available, as well as aggregated website presence
information (e.g. number of visitors currently visiting the
website). A website presence scheme may also comprise an indication
the method for deriving certain website presence information. By
way of example, a website presence scheme may indicate that a
website visitor's status may be set to "confused" if the website
visitor's browsing activity includes frequently switching between a
small number of web pages. A website presence scheme may also
comprise one or more access controls for limiting access to all or
part of the aggregated website presence information. By way of
example, an access control may indicate that all or part of the
aggregated website presence information should not be sent to one
or more website objects. The determination to limit the website
presence information to less than the website presence information
subscribed to may be based on one or more factors, including
whether the subscriber paid for the website presence information,
whether the subscriber's interactions at the website are determined
to be objectionable, and whether the subscriber is determined to
have violated a service agreement between the subscriber and the
owner of the website presence information.
[0086] FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates a user interface
in a system for website presence in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, user interface 1100
comprises tabbed information regarding a product overview 1102,
product pricing 1106, how to use the product 1108, product details
1110, product reviews 1112, and product frequently-asked-questions
(FAQs) 1114. User interface 1100 also comprises a button 1130 for
adding the product to the website visitor's shopping cart.
[0087] Still referring to FIG. 11, user interface 1100 also
comprises an icon representing the website visitor 1126, and an
indication of presence information for the website visitor 1128.
Reference numeral 1124 indicates three website agents (Sophi,
Helen, and Factor) that may be consulted regarding additional
information about the website. The additional information may be
provided via a recorded message. Alternatively, the additional
information may be provided via a live chat session (e.g.
text-based message exchange or voice chat) with an individual agent
associated with the website. The balloon next to "Sophi" in section
1124 indicates a chat session between agent Sophi and another
website visitor.
[0088] Still referring to FIG. 11, user interface 1100 also
comprises an indication of other visitors currently visiting the
same website, and the website presence information of the
respective other visitors. Reference numeral 1118 indicates five
website visitors ("Angie," "Lucie," "Heng," "Visitor 22," and
"Visitor 44") with a website presence of "Checking out." Visitors
"Angie," "Lucie," and "Heng," are registered visitors of the
website, while visitors "Visitor 22" and "Visitor 44" are anonymous
visitors of the website and have not registered with the
website.
[0089] Reference numeral 1120 indicates five website visitors with
a website presence of "Continue shopping." Reference numeral 1122
indicates one of five website visitors with a website presence of
"Just looking."
[0090] The shopping cart icons indicated in 1118 and 1120 represent
items a website visitor has decided to purchase. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, a website visitor may click on
the shopping cart icon associated with another website visitor to
view the items in that other website visitor's shopping cart.
[0091] The balloons indicated next to "Angie" and "Visitor 22" in
1118, "Wilson" and "Visitor 38" in 1120, and "Ken" in 1122 indicate
a current or past chat session between the respective website
visitor and another website visitor, or between the respective
website visitor and a website agent. According to one embodiment of
the present invention, a website visitor may click on the balloon
associated with a particular website visitor to view one or more
chat sessions involving the particular website visitor.
[0092] FIG. 12 is a block diagram that illustrates types of object
website presence information in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, a website visitor selects from among multiple
pre-configured website object presence information (1204). By way
of example, a website visitor may be presented with a list of
website object presence information such as ("Busy," "Available to
chat," and "Idle"), and the website visitor may select one of the
website object presence information options. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the website visitor supplies
an indication of the visitor's presence information (1202). By way
of example, a website visitor may define a website object presence
information of "doing my homework," "vacationing in Bermuda," or
"mowing the lawn." According to another embodiment of the present
invention, website object presence information is based upon a
website visitor's current activity (1208). By way of example, the
website object presence information may be "checking out products,"
"in a demo," "talking to an agent," "been viewing the website for
43 minutes today," or "shopping cart contains one book by Robert
Ludlum and one fondue set."
[0093] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the object's presence information is derived from information known
about the website object (1206). Derived website presence
information is explained in more detail below with reference to
FIGS. 13B and 14.
[0094] FIG. 13A is a block diagram that illustrates multiple
website objects and associated website presence information in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A
represents an example snapshot of the current website presence
information for website objects, where each object represents a
website event or a website visitor. As shown in FIG. 13A, website
1300 comprises ten objects, including seven visitors (1302, 1314,
1306, 1316, 1310, 1318, and 1320). Objects 1304, 1308, and 1312
represent events taking place on the website 1300. Object 1312
represents a live video session event, object 1304 represents a
live question-and-answer session event, and object 1308 represents
a live demonstration session. Each of the objects is associated
with website presence information indicated by the quoted
information below the respective objects.
[0095] Depending on how a website owner chooses to implement a
website presence service as specified in the website presence
scheme, each website presence information shown in FIG. 13A could
be the result of a website visitor or event selecting from among
multiple pre-configured website object presence information, as
discussed above regarding reference numeral 1204 of FIG. 12. In
other words, if a website presence scheme indicates that a website
visitor or event may select a website presence from a list of
website presence information that includes the ones indicated in
FIG. 13A, a website visitor or event would be able to select a
particular one of those listed.
[0096] Alternatively, each website presence information shown in
FIG. 13A could be the result of a website visitor or event
supplying an indication of the visitor's or event's presence
information, as discussed above regarding reference numeral 1202 of
FIG. 12. Thus, if a website presence scheme indicates that a
website visitor or event may supply an indication of the visitor's
or event's presence information, a website visitor or event would
be able to indicate any of the particular website presence
information illustrated in FIG. 13A, or any other website presence
information that the website visitor desires.
[0097] Website presence information shown by reference numeral 1320
("In a Demo") in FIG. 13A could based upon a website visitor's
current activity, as discussed above regarding reference numeral
1208 of FIG. 12. Website presence information shown by reference
numeral 1318 ("Confused") in FIG. 13A could be derived from
information known about the website object, as discussed above
regarding reference numeral 1206 of FIG. 12.
[0098] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
website object my have multiple presence states simultaneously. By
way of example, a website object may have the presence states
"Viewing pages" and "Ready to interact" simultaneously. As a
further example, a website object may have the presence states
"Just looking" and "Browsing website for 45 minutes"
simultaneously.
[0099] FIG. 13B is a block diagram that illustrates multiple kinds
of website presence information in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. Each of the particular website presence
information shown in FIG. 13B may be selected by a website object,
provided by the website object, or derived based on other
information known about the website object. Example website
presence information associated with a website visitor is shown at
reference numeral 1324. Example website presence information
associated with a website event is shown at reference numeral
1326.
[0100] FIG. 14 is a block diagram that illustrates derived website
presence information in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, a website presence deriver
1422 is configured to derive website presence 1424 based at least
in part on an analysis of information associated with the website
object and not excluded by a privacy filter associated with the
website object. The information about the website object may
comprise the website object's identity 1412, the website last
visited by the website visitor 1418 if the website object
represents a website visitor, the website object's time zone 1414,
computer activities performed by the website object 1410, the
website visitor's navigation history if the website object
represents a website visitor, the website object's current
location, the particular Web browser used by the website visitor
1408 (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer.TM., Firefox.RTM., or
Safari.TM.) if the website object represents a website object, and
other information about the website object 1416.
[0101] By way of example, a vendor website visitor's presence may
be set to "confused" if the website visitor swaps repeatedly
between two different product information pages.
[0102] Examples of information for use in determining a website
object's identity 1412 include the website object's IP address,
location, and information provided by the website object. Visitor
registration information may also be used to determine a website
object's identity, if the visitor registered. Example computer
activities 1410 that may be used in deriving a website object's
website presence comprise the current or previous websites visited
by the website visitor if the website object represents a website
visitor, the time and duration of each visit to the current or
previous websites, interaction with other website objects, the
website visitor's participation in other website events, and the
website visitor's shopping activity.
[0103] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
website presence of an event is based at least in part on the
event's explicit status and website visitor participation in the
event. By way of example, if the event's explicit status was "Opens
at 7 PM" and the number of participants signed up for the event
exceeds a predetermined number, the event's website presence may be
assigned a value of "Hot Event."
[0104] FIG. 15 is a block diagram that illustrates privacy levels
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 15, various privacy levels may be implemented to
determine information about website objects that is tracked or
reported to a website presence server. The various privacy levels
may be specified in a privacy filter associated with a website
object. A website visitor may have different privacy filters for
different websites. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, both website object identity and activity are tracked
and reported 1508. According to another embodiment of the present
invention, website object identity and activity are tracked, but
only website object activity is displayed 1506. According to
another embodiment of the present invention, website object
identity and activity are tracked, neither website object identity
nor website object activity are displayed as individual presence,
and both website object identity and website object activity form
part of an aggregated website presence 1504. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, website object identity is not
tracked, website object activity is tracked but is not displayed as
individual presence, and website object activity forms part of an
aggregated website presence 1502. According to another embodiment
of the present invention, neither website object identity nor
website object activity is tracked or reported 1500.
[0105] FIGS. 16-19 illustrate cross-website presence collaboration
in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. A
website owner subscribes to the website presence information of one
or more other affiliated websites, and agrees to provide website
presence information to the one or more other affiliated
websites.
[0106] FIG. 16 is a block diagram that illustrates a system for
cross-website presence collaboration in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, a system
for cross-website presence collaboration comprises one or more
collaboration servers 1640 communicably coupled to an aggregated
website presence repository 1642 and to one or more website
presence servers (1612, 1678), where each of the website presence
servers (1612, 1678) is associated with a different website. The
one or more website presence servers (1612, 1678) are configured to
publish aggregated website presence information for a particular
website to a first one or more other websites, receive aggregated
website presence information from a second one or more other
websites according to a subscription, optionally apply one or more
access controls to the received aggregate website presence
information, and send the received aggregated website presence
information that was not excluded to one or more subscribers. The
one or more collaboration servers 1640 are configured to receive
aggregated website presence information from a first one or more
websites, optionally apply one or more access controls to the
aggregated website presence information to potentially limit access
to all or part of the website presence information, and publish the
received aggregated website presence information that was not
excluded by application of the one or more access controls. The
aggregated website presence information may be stored in aggregated
website presence repository 1642. Alternatively, the aggregated
website presence information may be kept in a cache associated with
the one or more collaboration servers 1640.
[0107] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
one or more collaboration servers 1640 are further configured to
monitor traffic through the one or more collaboration servers 1640
to detect undesirable activity and implement appropriate corrective
measures. Example undesirable activity may include resource hogging
by a particular one or more subscribers. Corrective measures may
include suspending or halting delivery to particular one or more
subscribers
[0108] The presence information may be used to facilitate
interaction between one or more of event objects (1616, 1662),
registered visitors (1624, 1646), anonymous visitors (1606, 1666),
and agents (1600, 1674). Website visitors visiting the same website
may still interact as described above with respect to other
embodiments. In addition, website visitors of a particular website
may interact with objects of one or more other affiliated websites.
As shown in FIG. 16, visitors of website A 1650 may interact with
each other. Specifically, an interaction between agent 1600 via
processor 1610 and registered visitor 1624 via processor 1628 is
shown at reference numeral 1602. An interaction between agent 1600
via processor 1610 and anonymous visitor 1606 via processor 1608 is
shown at reference numeral 1604. An interaction between anonymous
visitor 1606 via processor 1608 and registered visitor 1624 via
processor 1628 is shown at reference numeral 1626.
[0109] Likewise, visitors of website B 1652 may interact with each
other. Specifically, an interaction between agent 1674 via
processor 1688 and registered visitor 1646 via processor 1646 is
shown at reference numeral 1690. An interaction between agent 1674
via processor 1688 and anonymous visitor 1666 via processor 1670 is
shown at reference numeral 1672. An interaction between anonymous
visitor 1666 via processor 1670 and registered visitor 1646 via
processor 1648 is shown at reference numeral 1664.
[0110] Additionally, visitors of different websites may interact
with each other. An interaction between website A 1650 anonymous
visitor 1606 via processor 1608 and website B registered visitor
1646 via processor 1648 is shown at reference numeral 1692. An
interaction between website A 1650 registered visitor 1624 via
processor 1628 and website B 1652 anonymous visitor 1666 via
processor 1670 is shown at reference numeral 1644.
[0111] FIG. 17 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for cross-website presence collaboration in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. The processes illustrated
in FIG. 17 may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a
combination thereof. At 1700, a website owner subscribes to the
website presence information of one or more other affiliated
websites. At 1702, an agreement to provide website presence
information to the one or more other affiliated websites is
made.
[0112] FIG. 18 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for cross-website presence collaboration from the
perspective of a website owner in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. The processes illustrated in FIG. 18 may be
implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination
thereof. At 1800, aggregated website presence information for a
particular website is published to a first one or more other
websites according to a subscription. The aggregated website
presence information may be published to the one or more other
websites via a collaboration server that collects website presence
information from multiple websites and distributes the information
according to subscriptions for the information. At 1802, aggregated
website presence information is received from a second one or more
other websites according to a subscription. The aggregated website
presence information may be received from the collaboration server
described previously. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the first one or more other websites and the second one
or more other websites are the same.
[0113] Still referring to FIG. 18, at 1804, one or more access
controls are optionally applied to the received aggregated website
presence information, potentially limiting access to all or part of
the received aggregated website presence information. At 1806, the
received aggregated website presence information that was not
excluded by application of the one or more access controls is sent
to one or more subscribers.
[0114] FIG. 19 is a high-level flow diagram that illustrates a
method for cross-website presence collaboration from the
perspective of a collaboration server in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The processes illustrated in
FIG. 19 may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a
combination thereof. At 1900, aggregated website presence
information from a first one or more subscribing websites is
received. At 1902, one or more access controls are optionally
applied to the aggregated website presence information, potentially
limiting access to all or part of the website presence information.
At 1904, the received aggregated website presence information that
was not excluded by application of the one or more access controls
is published to one or more subscribing websites. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, the first one or more websites
and the one or more subscribing websites are the same.
[0115] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
interaction allowed between website objects is context-sensitive.
By way of example, an action list may indicate a website visitor
can join only an event with an "Open" presence. As a further
example, a "Chat" action may be disabled while the website visitor
is "just looking."
[0116] According to one embodiment of the present invention,
website presence information comprises aggregated information
regarding web page viewing activities of a website, such as the
current most-viewed page, the most-viewed page in a past time
period, the current most-viewed product, and the most-viewed
product in a past time period, the current most-purchased items,
the most-purchased items an a past period, and the most popular
item currently in people's shopping carts. The past time period may
be, for example, 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days.
[0117] FIGS. 20-25B illustrate exchanging website presence
information in a cross-website presence marketplace in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention.
[0118] A cross-website marketing portal interfaces between website
presence information buyers and website presence information
sellers to facilitate the exchange of website presence
information
[0119] FIGS. 20 and 21 are block diagrams that illustrate
exchanging website presence information in a cross-website
marketplace in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 20 illustrates making agreements to exchange
website presence information in a cross-website marketplace, and
FIG. 21 illustrates exchanging website presence information based
on the agreements. While four website owners are illustrated in
FIGS. 20 and 21, embodiments of the present invention apply to any
number of website owners. As shown in FIG. 20, a cross-website
marketing portal 2012 is configured to facilitate agreements for
exchange of website presence information between website presence
information buyers and website presence information sellers. Each
of website owners 2000, 2010, 2014, and 2024 may be a buyer of
website presence information, a seller of website presence
information, or both. As shown in FIG. 21, a cross-website
marketing portal 2112 is also configured to facilitate the exchange
of the website presence information in accordance with agreements
made to exchange the website presence information discussed above
with respect to FIG. 20.
[0120] In more detail, cross-website marketing portal 2112 is
configured to publish one or more website presence information
catalogs. Each of the one or more website presence information
catalogs lists one or more groupings of website presence
information for sale from a particular website. Cross-website
marketing portal 2112 is further configured to receive website
presence information from one or more websites associated with the
one or more website presence information catalogs. Cross-website
marketing portal 2112 is further configured to send website
presence information to one or more buyers of the website presence
information.
[0121] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
cross-website marketing portal 2112 is further configured to
receive one or more payments from the one or more buyers and send
the one or more payments to one or more sellers of the website
presence information sent to the one or more buyers.
[0122] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
payments are made using a monetary currency (e.g., euros or U.S.
dollars). According to another embodiment of the present invention,
payments are made using a virtual money system, where a buyer buys
website presence information using credits, and a seller earns
credits for selling its website presence information.
[0123] A processor associated with a website owner (2100, 2110,
2114, 2120) is configured to publish a website presence information
catalog listing one or more groupings of website presence
information for sale. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the processor is configured to publish the website
presence information catalog listing via cross-marketing portal
2112. The processor is further configured to receive one or more
offers for the one or more groupings. The processor is further
configured to accept at least one of the one or more offers from
one or more buyers. The processor is further configured to send
website presence information to the one or more buyers.
[0124] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the processor is further configured to receive one or more payments
from the one or more buyers and send the one or more payments to
one or more sellers of the website presence information sent to the
one or more buyers.
[0125] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
cross-website marketing from the perspective of a cross-website
marketing portal in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The processes illustrated in FIG. 22 may be implemented
in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 2200,
one or more website presence information catalogs, each listing one
or more groupings of website presence information for sale from a
particular website, are published. At 2202, website presence
information from one or more websites associated with the one or
more website presence information catalogs is received. At 2204,
website presence information is sent to one or more buyers of the
website presence information. At 2206, payments received from the
one or more buyers is optionally sent to the one more sellers.
Alternatively, the one or more buyers may pay the one or more
sellers directly, with out involvement of the cross-website
marketing portal.
[0126] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
cross-website marketing from the perspective of a website owner in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
processes illustrated in FIG. 23 may be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At 2300, a website
presence information catalog listing one or more groupings of
website presence information for sale is published. According to
one embodiment of the present invention, the website presence
information catalog is published via a cross-website marketing
portal. At 2302, one or more offers for the one or more groupings
are received. At 2304, at least one of the one or more offers are
accepted from one or more buyers. At 2306, website presence
information is sent to the one or more buyers. At 2308, payment is
optionally received from the cross-website marketing portal for the
website presence information sent to the one or more buyers.
Alternatively, payment is received directly from the one or more
buyers without involvement of the cross-website marketing
portal.
[0127] FIG. 24 is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 24, website presence
information catalog 2400 comprises multiple website presence
information selections (2402-2476) available for purchase.
[0128] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
website presence information catalog comprises website presence
selections at multiple levels of granularity. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, entries in a website presence
information catalog are categorized based at least in part on the
geographic region that registered website visitors are from. Both
of these embodiments are illustrated at reference numerals
2402-2434. For example, a buyer of selection 2472 would be entitled
to receive website presence information from all registered
visitors of the website that are from North America. At a lower
level of granularity, a buyer of selection 2404 would be entitled
to receive website presence information from all registered
visitors of the website that are from the United States. At a still
lower level of granularity, a buyer of selection 2412 would be
entitled to receive website presence information from all
registered visitors of the website that are from the Western region
of the United States.
[0129] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
entries in a website presence information catalog are categorized
based at least in part on a monetary amount spent by registered
website visitors at the website. For example, a buyer of selection
2402 would be entitled to receive website presence information from
all registered visitors that purchased more than $5,000 worth of
items from the website during the last year.
[0130] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
entries in a website presence information catalog are categorized
based at least in part on whether registered website visitors
purchased a particular product at the website. According to a
further embodiment of the present invention, entries in a website
presence information catalog are categorized based at least in part
on whether registered website visitors purchased a particular
product at the website within a specified period. For example, a
buyer of selection 2474 would be entitled to receive website
presence information from all registered visitors that purchased
product "X" within the last six months.
[0131] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
entries in a website presence information catalog are categorized
based at least in part on a monetary amount spent on a particular
product type at the website. For example, a buyer of selection 2476
would be entitled to receive website presence information from all
registered visitors that purchased more than $1,000 worth of
cosmetics in the last year.
[0132] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
entries in a website presence information catalog are categorized
based at least in part on one or more interests of registered
website visitors. For example, a buyer of selection 2478 would be
entitled to receive website presence information from all
registered visitors that indicated an interest in boating.
[0133] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
entries in a website presence information catalog are categorized
based at least in a website event type. For example, a buyer of
selection 2436 would be entitled to receive website presence
information for all live demonstration sessions at a website
(2438-2452), and a buyer of selection 2444 would be entitled to
receive website presence information for all live waffle iron
demonstration sessions at the website. Likewise, a buyer of
selection 2454 would be entitled to receive website presence
information for all live question and answer sessions at the
website (2456-2470), and a buyer of selection 2468 would be
entitled to receive website presence information for all hedge
trimmer live question and answer sessions at the website.
[0134] FIG. 25A is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog interface in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 25A, website
presence information catalog interface 2500 comprises a website
presence data catalog browser 2502, a website presence information
catalog searcher 2504, and a website presence information catalog
search results displayer 2506. Website presence information catalog
browser 2502 is configured to present website presence information
catalog entries to an individual based on input from the
individual, and to accept an individual's selection of one or more
website presence information entries. Website presence information
catalog searcher 2504 is configured to search for website presence
information catalog entries based upon search criteria entered by
the individual. Website presence information catalog search results
displayer 2506 is configured to display search results from the
website presence information catalog searcher 2504.
[0135] FIG. 25B is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog entry description in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25B illustrates
information regarding website presence information catalog entries
for display to an individual looking for website presence
information using website presence information catalog browser 2502
or website presence information catalog searcher 2504. According to
one embodiment of the present invention, a website presence
information catalog entry description includes an indication of the
method used to collect the web presence information (2508). By way
of example, an entry description may indicate the web presence
information is updated once per second.
[0136] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
website presence information catalog entry description includes an
indication of the entry's offer period (2510). By way of example,
an entry description may indicate the offer is for site presence
data from June 1 to August 31 of the current year. As a further
example, an entry description may indicate the offer is for site
presence data starting immediately and continuing for three
months.
[0137] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
website presence information catalog entry description includes a
price for receipt of the website presence information corresponding
to the entry (2512). The price may be based on a flat fee. For
example, the price may be fixed for a predetermined period,
regardless of the amount of website presence information delivered
to a buyer. Alternatively, the price may be based on a metered fee,
where the price is based on the amount of website presence
information delivered to the buyer.
[0138] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
buyer pays in advance. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, a buyer pays after the website presence
information is delivered.
[0139] FIG. 25C is a block diagram that illustrates a website
presence information catalog entry description for auctioned
website presence information in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. According to this embodiment of the present
invention, a cross-website marketing portal is further configured
to exchange website presence information via an auction. A seller
of website presence information may include in its website presence
information catalog entry description, an identification of the
auction period. For example, the entry description may indicate an
auction for the website presence information started two hours ago
and will end in 15 minutes. The entry description may also include
an indication of a reserve price, i.e. the lowest price acceptable
to the seller. The entry description may also include an indication
of the maximum number of buyers. According to this embodiment of
the present invention, buyers submit bids or offers until the end
of the auction period 2514. The website presence information is
sold to the buyers with highest bids that are at least as much as
the reserve price 2516. If there number of bids at or above the
reserve price 2514 exceeds the maximum number of buyers 2518, the
website presence information is sold to the N bidders with the
highest bids, where N equals the maximum number of buyers 2518.
[0140] The information represented in FIGS. 25B and 25C are merely
examples of information that may be stored in a website presence
information catalog entry description. A particular website
presence information catalog entry description may include all or
part of the information illustrated in FIG. 25B, FIG. 25C, or both.
A particular website presence information catalog entry description
may also include other information not shown in FIGS. 25B and
25C.
[0141] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
cross-website marketing portal is configured to maintain one or
more payment accounts for buyers of website presence information
and for sellers of website presence information.
[0142] While embodiments and applications of this invention have
been shown and described with respect to website presence,
embodiments of the present invention apply more broadly to presence
on any type of computer network, including the Internet or a LAN
communicatively coupled using protocols including, for example,
HTTP, SIP, and FTP.
[0143] While embodiments and applications of this invention have
been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure that many more
modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing
from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is
not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended
claims.
* * * * *
References