Method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for establishing persistent messaging sessions

A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a server, cause the processor to perform operations for creating a persistent messaging session, the operations comprising:

• providing a web application that enables browser-to-browser multimedia communications via the persistent messaging session between a plurality of users comprising at least a first user and a second user;
• creating the persistent messaging session in response to a request from the first user, wherein the creating comprises:
• assigning to the persistent messaging session a unique identifier;
• assigning to the persistent messaging session a searchable handle that allows the persistent messaging session to be located;
• and
• storing the unique identifier and the searchable handle in a database;
• setting the persistent messaging session to an idle state when all users of the plurality of users have exited the persistent messaging session, wherein the idle state is monitored by the web application, wherein the idle state allows the persistent messaging session to be discovered even when the idle state indicates that no users of the plurality of users are currently participating in the persistent messaging session;
• receiving a search criterion from a third user;
• determining based on a database query, that the persistent messaging session satisfies the search criterion;
• identifying the persistent messaging session to the third user in a search result;
• receiving a selection by the third user to join the persistent messaging session;
• and
• joining the third user to the persistent messaging session, wherein the third user is distinct from the plurality of users.

A system for joining a persistent messaging session, the system comprising:

• a processor of a third endpoint device of a third user;
• and
• a computer-readable storage device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
• querying using a search criterion, a server hosting a web application that supports and tracks a plurality of persistent messaging sessions, the plurality of persistent messaging sessions comprising the persistent messaging session between a plurality of users comprising at least a first user of a first endpoint device and a second user of a second endpoint device, wherein the persistent messaging session is in an idle state when all users of the plurality of users have exited the persistent messaging session, wherein the idle state is monitored by the web application, wherein the idle state allows the persistent messaging session to be discovered even when the idle state indicates that no users of the plurality of users are currently participating in the persistent messaging session, wherein the search criterion comprises a searchable handle, wherein the server stores a unique identifier and the searchable handle in a database of the plurality of persistent messaging sessions;
• receiving a search result from the server, wherein the search result indicates that the persistent messaging session satisfies the search criterion;
• sending a selection to join the persistent messaging session;
• and
• joining the persistent messaging session, where the joining allows the third endpoint device to exchange browser-to-browser multimedia communications directly with at least one of the first endpoint device or the second endpoint device, wherein the third user is distinct from the plurality of users.