Patent ID: 8423649

Claim:
A method of implementing a networked presence and messaging system, comprising: providing access to a HTTP based server for a first user of a first client device, wherein said access comprises receiving an HTTP request initiated from said first client device and opening a first socket; maintaining said first socket without providing a complete HTTP response to said HTTP request initiated from said first client device; maintaining presence data of said first user; providing access to said HTTP based server for a second user of a second client device, wherein said access comprises receiving an HTTP request initiated from said second client device and opening a second socket; providing an indication to said second user of the presence of said first user, utilizing said presence data, wherein said indication comprises notification that said first user is accessible; receiving a message sent by said second user to said first user via HTTP; and, providing at least part of an HTTP response to said HTTP request initiated from said first client device wherein said providing at least part of an HTTP response to said HTTP request further comprises sending said message to said first user.