Patent ID: 8103734

Claim:
A system for providing real-time communication over a global network in a session between two or more users, each of said two or more users using a device communicatively coupled to the global network, said system comprising: a plurality of user devices, each including a processor operatively coupled with a device interface, a network interface, and a memory; an instant messaging server comprising: a processor for executing one or more application; a memory for storing a plurality of third party applications; a registration interface application configured to provide said plurality of users with an interface for registering one or more IMLets for accessing one or more third party application with their user device; a client messaging application which runs on said plurality of user devices, said client application providing a user interface communicated to said users via said device interface, said user interface comprising: a message entry window for the user to enter data; a communication window for displaying messages entered in a session, wherein said IMLet is associated with users' screen names, aliases, icons, or combinations of users' screen names, aliases, and icons; and a selection window for accessing one or more of said plurality of third party applications located remotely from the plurality of user devices and configured for providing enhanced communication capability beyond instant text messaging; wherein said plurality of devices are configured to access, via said network interface, said one or more third party application if they have registered the IMLet corresponding to said one or more third party application; wherein when any of said one or more third party applications is activated, the third party application represented by said activated application agent runs on top of the client messaging application such that all users in said session can instantly, simultaneously use the third party application represented by said activated third party application agent without leaving said session and without having to load said third party application from said memory if said users have registered the IMLet corresponding to said one or more third party application.