Patent ID: 7529766
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method executed at a hosting site, the method comprising steps of: interacting with a website owner (WSO) to create a customization data that, when combined with an add-on program module appears as an add-on element within a window generated by a browser program on a display of a user computer, wherein the add-on program module is incorporated in the browser program and the browser program is executed in the user computer, and information in the customization data imparts characteristics to the add-on element as chosen by the WSO in the interacting, wherein the add-on program module comprises code that causes a request to be sent to the hosting site, in accord with a repetition algorithm that is incorporated in the add-on program module, for updates of the customization data; generating an identifier for the created customization data that is known to the WSO; storing the created customization data in a database in association with the identifier; retrieving the customization data from the database when a party other than the WSO presents a request that includes the identifier, providing the retrieved customization data to the requesting party; registering the website owner ( WSO) with the hosting site by the WSO providing information requested by the hosting site, providing to the WSO a password, and the hosting site agreeing with the WSO on a username and the password to be used by the WSO; when receiving the password and the identifier or the username from the WSO, granting access to the customization data is stored in the database in order to modify the information contained in the customization data , wherein at least some of the information that is included in the customization data in step of the interacting is unique to the WSO, thereby presenting a presence of the WSO in a browser window of the display of the user computer when the add-on program module is executed following downloading of the customization data to the user computer to create an add-on element that embodies said presence, wherein the information included in the customization data is such that, when the add-on program module and the customization data are presented in a computer of the requesting party and a browser program is executed in the computer of the requesting party, an add-on element is created in a window of a browser that has a look reflecting the information included in the customization data; interacting with the WSO to modify the customization data; and replacing the customization data in the database with modified customization data.