Pervasive realtime framework
A pervasive realtime framework supports the execution of realtime software applications with high-level functions that significantly reduce the effort and time needed to develop realtime software applications in a new operating environment paradigm in which realtime connections between network nodes are pervasive. The pervasive realtime framework handles the complex tasks of connecting to communicants, virtual areas, and other network resources, as well as switching those connections in response to user inputs and thereby enables software application developers to focus on developing high-level realtime software application functionality.
1. A method performed by a computer system, the method comprising:
transmitting, by the computer system, electronic content to an application being executed on a client network node of a user who is a member of a group, wherein the electronic content is associated with a designation of the group, and a view of the electronic content is rendered by the application;
conditioned on a determination that a current focus of the user is on the rendered view of the electronic content, automatically by the computer system
establishing a presence for the user in an instance of a virtual area, and
exporting an indication of the presence of the user in the instance of the virtual area to an application being executed on a client network node of another member of the group.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instance of the virtual area supports realtime chat communications between the client network node of the user and the client network node of the other member of the group.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising based on the group designation, identifying one or more connection targets corresponding to one or more other members of the group.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein, in response to a determination that the user's current focus corresponds to the electronic content, transmitting to the one or more identified connection targets presence data indicating that the current focus of the user is on the electronic content.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising establishing a presence in the instance of the virtual area for the other member of the group, and establishing realtime communications between the client network node of the user and a client network node of the other member of the group.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising transmitting to the other member of the group an invitation to participate in a realtime communication session with the user in the instance of the virtual area.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic content comprises an electronic mail message addressed to the user.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application being executed on the client network node of a user comprises a web browser application.
9. A computer-readable data storage apparatus comprising a memory component storing executable instructions that are operable to be executed by a processor, wherein the memory component comprises:
executable instructions to transmit electronic content to an application being executed on a client network node of a user who is a member of a group, wherein the electronic content is associated with a designation of the group, and a view of the electronic content is rendered by the application;
executable instructions to, conditioned on a determination that a current focus of the user is on the rendered view of the electronic content, automatically
establish a presence for the user in an instance of a virtual area, and
export an inclination of the presence of the user in the instance of the virtual area to an application being executed on a client network node of another member of the group.
10. The computer-readable data storage apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the instance of the virtual area supports realtime chat communications between the client network node of the user and the client network node of the other member of the group.
11. The computer-readable data storage apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising executable instructions to, based on the group designation, identify one or more connection targets corresponding to one or more other members of the group.
12. The computer-readable data storage apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising executable instructions to, in response to a determination that the user's current focus corresponds to the electronic content, transmit to the one or more identified connection targets presence data indicating that the current focus of the user is on the electronic content.
13. The computer-readable data storage apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising executable instructions to establish a presence in the instance of the virtual area for the other member of the group, and establish realtime communications between the client network node of the user and a client network node of the other member of the group.
14. The computer-readable data storage apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the electronic content comprises an electronic mail message addressed to the user.
15. A system, comprising:
a communication interface arranged to transmit electronic content to an application being executed on a client network node of a user who is a member of a group, wherein the electronic content is associated with a designation of the group, and a view of the electronic content is rendered by the application;
a processor arranged to, conditioned on a determination that a current focus of the user is on the rendered view of the electronic content, automatically establish a presence for the user in an instance of a virtual area, and export an indication of the presence of the user in the instance of the virtual area to an application being executed on a client network node of another member of the group.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the instance of the virtual area supports realtime chat communications between the client network node of the user and the client network node of the other member of the group.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is arranged to, based on the group designation, identify one or more connection targets corresponding to one or more other members of the group.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the communication interface is arranged to, in response to a determination that the user's current focus corresponds to the electronic content, transmit to the one or more identified connection targets presence data indicating that the current focus of the user is on the electronic content.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is arranged to establish a presence in the instance of the virtual area for the other member of the group, and establish realtime communications between the client network node of the user and a client network node of the other member of the group.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the communication interface is arranged to transmit to the other member of the group an invitation to participate in a realtime communication session with the user in the instance of the virtual area.