Abstract: A system and method for immediate and delayed real-time communication activities using availability data from and communications through an external instant messaging system, that operates to obtain aggregated user online presence information through its own client software, through interception of client-server communications between an external instant messaging client and server, and through other available interfaces to user account information on such external instant messaging systems. The system operates to gather user online presence information in part by intercepting communications between an instant messaging client and the Internet. The aggregate presence data, as well as other information describing the availability of a user, is used to intelligently route real-time communications, such as instant messages and phone calls.

Abstract: A rules-based real-time messaging system for groups of users, in which an availability status may be maintained in association with each user. Clients are communicably coupled to a real-time messaging server, which maintains indications of the online/offline presence status of each user, as well as other user attributes. Rules and a rules engine are maintained in the real-time messaging server for controlling the delivery of messages to users, and for controlling how the availability of users is provided to other users. Based on the specific rules stored on the real-time messaging server, the rules engine determines the state of various relevant conditions, such as the availability status of users of the system, and also detects the occurrence of various real-time events, such as a user logging-on to or logging-off from the system, in order to control the delivery of various types of messages and/or performance of resulting actions.

Abstract: A rules-based real-time messaging system for groups of users, in which an availability status is maintained in association with each user. Clients are communicably coupled to a real-time messaging server, which maintains indications of the online/offline presence of each user, as well as other user attributes. Rules and a rules engine are maintained in the real-time messaging server for controlling the delivery of messages to the users, and for controlling how the availability of users is provided to other users. Based on the specific rules stored on the real-time messaging server, the rules engine determines the state of various relevant conditions such as the availability of users of the system, and detects the occurrence of various real-time events such as a user logging-on to or logging-off from the system for controlling the delivery of various types of messages and/or the performance of resulting actions.

Abstract: A rules-based real-time messaging system for groups of users, in which an availability status is maintained in association with each user. Clients are communicably coupled to a real-time messaging server, which maintains indications of the online/offline presence of each user, as well as other user attributes. Rules and a rules engine are maintained in the real-time messaging server for controlling the delivery of messages to the users, and for controlling how the availability of users is provided to other users. Based on the specific rules stored on the real-time messaging server, the rules engine determines the state of various relevant conditions such as the availability of users of the system, and detects the occurrence of various real-time events such as a user logging-on to or logging-off from the system for controlling the delivery of various types of messages and/or the performance of resulting actions.