Abstract: The method and system guides a user to easily and effectively communicate with a potential recipient via an integrated communication server. The integrated communication server will track and aggregate user presence information about the potential recipient. The aggregated user presence information includes the current state, activity, and/or availability of the potential recipient. The integrated communication server dynamically analyzes and compares the aggregated user presence information with user preference information of the potential recipient in order to identify an appropriate communication method. The identified appropriate communication method is published to the user indicating that it has a great likelihood of reaching the potential recipient successfully in the right way at the right time.

Abstract: A relationship engine provides for the management of relationship information between entities. The relationship information indicates the level (or degree) of relationship between an entity and another entity or entities. The relationship engine allows applications to access the relationship information that is being managed by the relationship engine. For example, when an application needs to process an interaction between one entity and another entity, the application can query the relationship engine for the relationship between the entities. The application can then base its processing behavior at least in part on the relationship information obtained from the relationship engine.

Abstract: The method and system guides a user to easily and effectively communicate with a potential recipient via an integrated communication server. The integrated communication server will track and aggregate user presence information about the potential recipient. The aggregated user presence information includes the current state, activity, and/or availability of the potential recipient. The integrated communication server dynamically analyzes and compares the aggregated user presence information with user preference information of the potential recipient in order to identify an appropriate communication method. The identified appropriate communication method is published to the user indicating that it has a great likelihood of reaching the potential recipient successfully in the right way at the right time.

Abstract: A method and system for processing initiate notifications for a mode of communication received during a conversation of a current mode of communication is provided. A conversation system coordinates a real-time conversation for a current mode of communication. When the conversation system receives an initiate notification that a user requests to initiate a conversation with the user using a mode of communication different from the current mode of communication, the conversation system displays an indication of the notification in a display space that is outside the context of the current mode of communication. The displayed indication may include status information and controls that allow the user to accept or dismiss the request.

Abstract: A relationship engine provides for the management of relationship information between entities. The relationship information indicates the level (or degree) of relationship between an entity and another entity or entities. The relationship engine allows applications to access the relationship information that is being managed by the relationship engine. For example, when an application needs to process an interaction between one entity and another entity, the application can query the relationship engine for the relationship between the entities. The application can then base its processing behavior at least in part on the relationship information obtained from the relationship engine.