Specifying monitored user participation in messaging sessions

1. A method, in at least one server system for enabling at least one messaging session via a network between a plurality of client systems communicatively connected to said network, for specifying output of monitored user participation in said messaging session, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring, at said server system, a time status for at least one first user logged on at at least one first client system from among said plurality of client systems, wherein said time status comprises at least one from among a period of time said first user has been logged on at said first client system, a period of time said first user has remained inactive from participation in said messaging session while logged on at said first client system, and a period of time said first user has participated in said messaging session;

assigning, at said server system, a separate output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes to represent said time status for output to each of a plurality of other users at a selection of said plurality of client systems according to each separate output preference from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes for each of said plurality of other users; and

transmitting, from said server system, each said separate output attribute to each of said selection of said plurality of client systems for specifying at least one graphical output attribute of an online representation of said first user within a separate user interface at each of said selection of said plurality of client systems.

2. The method for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 1 , said step of monitoring, at said server system, a time status for at least one first user further comprising the step of:

determining said time status, wherein said time status further comprises at least one from among a rate of participation by said first user in at least one messaging session, an estimated time for said first user to return to participation in said messaging session, and a time said first user interacts in a web browser window while logged on at said first client system.

3. The method for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

assigning a time value for specifying output of said online representation of said first user to represent said time status, wherein each of said selection of said plurality of client systems receiving said time value is enabled to utilize said time value to assign a separate graphical output specification for said online representation of said first user.

4. The method for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 1 , said step of assigning, at said server system, a separate output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes to represent said time status further comprising the step of:

assigning each said separate output attribute as a particular level of transparency to represent said time status according to each said separate output preference for each of said plurality of other users.

5. A system for specifying output of monitored user participation in a messaging session, said system comprising:

a server system communicatively connected to a network for enabling at least one messaging session via said network between a plurality of client systems communicatively connected to said network;

said server system further comprising:

means for monitoring a time status for a at least one first user logged on at at least one first client system from among said plurality of client systems, wherein said time status comprises at least one from among a period of time said first user has been logged on at said first client system, a period of time said first user has remained inactive from participation in said messaging session while logged on at said first client system, and a period of time said first user has participated in said messaging session;

means for assigning a separate output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes to represent said time status for output to each of a plurality of other users at a selection of said plurality of client systems according to each separate output preference from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes for each of said plurality of other users; and

means for transmitting each said separate output attribute to each of said selection of said plurality of client systems for specifying at least one graphical output attribute of an online representation of said first user within a separate user interface at each of said selection of said plurality of client systems.

6. The system for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 5 , said means for monitoring a time status for at least one first user further comprising:

means for determining said time status, wherein said time status further comprises at least one from among a rate of participation by said first user in at least one messaging session, an estimated time for said first user to return to participation in said messaging session, and a time said first user interacts in a web browser window while logged on at said first client system.

7. The system for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 5 , said means for assigning a separate output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes to represent said time status from among a plurality of distinctive output attributes further comprising:

means for assigning said separate output attribute as a particular level of transparency to represent said time status according to each said separate output preference for each of said plurality of other users.

8. The system for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 5 , said server system further comprising:

means for assigning a time value for specifying output of said online representation of said first user to represent said time status, wherein each of said selection of said plurality of client systems receiving said time value is enabled to utilize said time value to assign a separate graphical output specification for said online representation of said first user.

9. A program for specifying output of monitored user participation in a messaging session, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for monitoring a time status for a at least one first user logged on at at least one first client system from among said plurality of client systems, wherein said time status comprises at least one from among a period of time said first user has been logged on at said first client system, a period of time said first user has remained inactive from participation in said messaging session while logged on at said first client system, and a period of time said first user has participated in said messaging session;

means for assigning a separate output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes to represent said time status for output to each of a plurality of other users at a selection of said plurality of client systems according to each separate output preference from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes for each of said plurality of other users; and

means for controlling transmission of each said separate output attribute to each of said selection of said plurality of client systems for specifying at least one graphical output attribute of an online representation of said first user within a separate user interface at each of said selection of said plurality of client systems.

10. The program for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 9 , said program further comprising:

means for determining said time status, wherein said time status further comprises at least one from among a rate of participation by said first user in at least one messaging session, an estimated time for said first user to return to participation in said messaging session, and a time said first user interacts in a web browser window while logged on at said first client system.

11. The program for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 9 , said program farther comprising:

means for assigning each said separate output attribute as a particular level of transparency to represent said time status according to each said separate output preference for each of said plurality of other users.

12. The program for specifying output of monitored user participation according to claim 9 , said program further comprising:

means for assigning a time value for specifying output of said online representation of said first user to represent said time status, wherein each of said selection of said plurality of client systems receiving said time value is enabled to utilize said time value to said assign a separate graphical output specification for said online representation of said first user.

13. A method for reflecting user participation in at least one messaging session, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a particular client system from among a plurality of client systems communicatively connected via a network to a chat server enabled to facilitate said messaging session, an output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes assigned by said chat server in association with an online representation of at least one other user logged on to said chat server according to output preferences of a particular user logged in at said particular client system, wherein said output attribute represents a time status comprising at least one from among a period of time said other user has been logged on at another client system, a period of time said other user has remained inactive from participation in said messaging session while logged on at said another system, and a period of time said other user has participated in said messaging session; and

adjusting, by said particular client system, a graphical output of said online representation of said at least one other user in said user interface according to said output attribute, such that said user interface is adjusted to reflect said user participation by said at least one other user in said messaging session as directed by said chat server according to output preferences of said particular user.

14. The method for reflecting user participation according to claim 13 , said method further comprising the step of:

receiving said output attribute set to a particular level of transparency to represent said time status of said other user as specified by said chat server according to said output preference for said particular user.

15. The method for reflecting user participation according to claim 13 , said method further comprising the step of:

adjusting a plurality of other messaging session elements within said user interface, in response to said adjustment of said online representation of said at least one other user according to said output attribute.

16. A system for reflecting user participation in at least one messaging session, said system comprising:

a user system communicatively connected to a network for accessing a chat server enabled to facilitate said messaging session between a plurality of user systems;

said user system further comprising:

means for receiving an output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes assigned by said chat server in association with an online representation of at least one other user logged on to said chat server according to output preferences of a particular user logged in at said user system, wherein said output attribute represents a time status comprising at least one from among a period of time said other user has been logged on at another client system, a period of time said other user has remained inactive from participation in said messaging session while logged on at said another system, and a period of time said other user has participated in said messaging session; and

means for adjusting a graphical output of said online representation of said at least one other user in said user interface according to said output attribute, such that said user interface is adjusted to reflect said user participation by said at least one other user in said messaging session as directed by said chat server according to output preferences of said particular user.

17. The system for reflecting user participation according to claim 16 , said user system further comprising:

receiving said output attribute set to a particular level of transparency to represent said time status of said other user as specified by said chat server according to said output preference for said particular user.

18. The system for reflecting user participation according to claim 16 , said user system further comprising:

means for adjusting a plurality of other messaging session elements within said user interface, in response to said adjustment of said online representation of said at least one other user according to said output attribute.

19. A program for reflecting user participation in at least one messaging session, residing on a tangible computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for receiving an output attribute from among a plurality of distinct graphical output attributes assigned by a chat server in association with an online representation of at least one other user logged on to said chat server according to output preferences of a particular user, wherein said output attribute represents a time status comprising at least one from among a period of time said other user has been logged on at another client system, a period of time said other user has remained inactive from participation in said messaging session while logged on at said another system, and a period of time said other user has participated in said messaging session; and

means for controlling adjustment of a graphical output of said online representation of said at least one other user in said user interface according to said output attribute, such that said user interface is adjusted to reflect said user participation by said at least one other user in said messaging session.

20. The program for reflecting user participation according to claim 19 , said program further comprising:

means for receiving said output attribute set to a particular level of transparency to represent said time status of said other user as specified by said chat server according to said output preference for said particular user.

21. The program for reflecting user participation according to claim 19 , said program further comprising:

means for controlling adjustment of a plurality of other messaging session elements within said user interface, in response to said adjustment of said online representation of said at least one other user according to said output attribute.

22. A method for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting, at a client messaging system logged onto by a first user and communicatively connected via a network to a plurality of distinct messaging service systems, a plurality of separate user participation rates from said plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein each of said plurality of separate user participation rates specifies a time period of participation by at least one other user participating in at least one from among a plurality of chat sessions each separately facilitated by one from among said plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein each of said plurality of distinct messaging service systems distributes user participation rates in a separate format from among a plurality of distinct formats;

adjusting each separate user participation rate in one from among said plurality of distinct formats into a particular output format at said client messaging system; and

graphically displaying each separate user participation rate in said particular output format, such that display of user participation for said plurality of distinct messaging service systems is enabled at a client messaging system.

23. The method for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems according to claim 22 , said step of detecting a plurality of separate user participation rates further comprising the step of:

detecting each of said plurality of separate user participation rates by receiving a plurality of graphical output attributes each assigned to at least one other user, wherein said plurality of output attributes each represent one from among said plurality of user participation rates.

24. The method for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems according to claim 22 , said step of graphically displaying each separate user participation rate in said particular output format, further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said plurality of separate user participation rates according user preferences for said first user logged onto said plurality of distinct messaging service systems via said client messaging system.

25. A system for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems, said system comprising:

a client messaging system communicatively connected via a network to a plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein a first user logs onto said plurality of distinct messaging server systems via said client messaging system;

said client messaging system further comprising:

means for detecting a plurality of separate user participation rates from said plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein each of said plurality of separate user participation rates specifies a time period of participation by at least one other user participating in at least one from among a plurality of chat sessions each separately facilitated by one from among said plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein each of said plurality of distinct messaging service systems distributes user participation rates in a separate format from among a plurality of distinct formats;

means for adjusting each separate user participation rate detected in one from among said plurality of distinct formats into a particular output format; and

means for graphically displaying each separate user participation rate in said particular output format.

26. The system for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems according to claim 25 , said means for detecting a plurality of separate user participation rates further comprising:

means for detecting each of said plurality of separate user participation rates by receiving a plurality of graphical output attributes each assigned to at least one other user, wherein said plurality of output attributes each represent one from among said plurality of user participation rates.

27. The system for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems according to claim 25 , said means for graphically displaying each separate user participation rate in said particular output format, further comprising:

means for graphically displaying said plurality of separate user participation rates according user preferences for said first user utilizing said client messaging system.

28. A program for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for detecting a plurality of separate user participation rates from a plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein each of said plurality of separate user participation rates specifies a time period of participation by at least one other user participating in at least one from among a plurality of chat sessions each separately facilitated by one from among said plurality of distinct messaging service systems, wherein each of said plurality of distinct messaging service systems distributes user participation rates in a separate format from among a plurality of distinct formats;

means for adjusting each separate user participation rate in one from among said plurality of distinct formats into a particular output format; and

means for enabling graphical display of each separate user participation rate in said particular output format.

29. The program for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems according to claim 28 , said program further comprising:

means for detecting each of said plurality of separate user participation rates by receiving a plurality of graphical output attributes each assigned to at least one other user, wherein said plurality of output attributes each represent one from among said plurality of user participation rates.

30. The system for reflecting user participation in a plurality of distinct messaging systems according to claim 28 , said program further comprising:

means for enabling a graphical display of said plurality of separate user participation rates according user preferences for said first user.