what does it mean when one of my contacts has a bar on their chat smiley?

[Fuzz]

using the regular chat feature in the email screen, there is sometimes a blue or gray vertical mark on the smiley next to the contacts name. Does this mean the person is busy chatting with someone else?
I wonder what the difference betw blue and gray is...(?)

 

[Lisha]

I believe that happens when the contact is actively typing something. I see this when I use Adium chat or Live Person chat sometimes.