Patent ID: 7945861

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for initiating communication between two users among a plurality of users while the plurality of users are browsing web pages, the method comprising: collecting user information about each user among the plurality of users, using a toolbar installed in a web browser in each user's computer; collecting page information using the toolbars, the page information including one or more of: information about what web page each user among the plurality of users is browsing, and what web pages each user among the plurality of users has bookmarked; determining whether a first user and a second user among the plurality of users are simultaneously browsing one of: a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site, or a same web page of a web site; in response to determining that the first and second users are simultaneously browsing one of: a same web site, a same sub-site of a web site, or a same web page of a web site, and further in response to determining that a predetermined criterion is met: providing an indication to the first user when the second user is actively browsing one or more of: a web page bookmarked by the second user, a sub-site of a web site containing a web page bookmarked by the second user, or a web site containing a web page bookmarked by the second user; providing an indication to the second user when the first user is actively browsing one or more of: a web page bookmarked by the first user, a sub-site of a web site containing a web page bookmarked by the first user, or a web site containing a web page bookmarked by the first user; sharing a portion of the user information and page information for the first user and the second user between the first user and the second user; and processing a request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user.