Abstract: A computer program or method provides away messages from a first user to other users of a communications system, where the first user has grouped the other users into two or more groups. An interface is provided to the first user that displays representations of the other users in a manner that identifies how the first user has grouped the other users into the groups. The first user is able to select a selected group from the groups using the interface. The first user also is able to set a group away message for the selected group using the interface. The group away message is sent to a second user that has been grouped in the selected group when the second user attempts to communicate with the first user using the communications system and the first user is offline.

Abstract: Architecture for integrating application-dependent information into a constraints component at deployment time or when available. In terms of a general grammar, the constraints component can include or be a general grammar that comprises application-independent information and is structured in such a way that application-dependent information can be integrated into the general grammar without loss of fidelity. The general grammar includes a probability space and reserves a section of the probability space for the integration of application-dependent information. An integration component integrates the application-dependent information into the reserved section of the probability space for recognition processing. The application-dependent information is integrated into the reserved section of the probability space at deployment time or when available. The general grammar is structured to support the integration and improve the overall system.

Abstract: One implementation provides monitoring a user's activity within a first window that is visible to the user in a graphical user interface (GUI), receiving notification of an incoming message intended for the user, and, upon receipt, opening a second window that is visible to the user in the GUI, the second window being distinct from any other window currently open in the GUI. When a predetermined condition is satisfied based upon the user's activity being monitored in the first window, the implementation further provides deactivating the first window in the GUI and activating the second window to provide the user with notification of the incoming message.

Abstract: Transferring instant messaging sessions includes receiving a selection, from a user within a user interface, of at least one instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from a first instant messaging controller on a first device to at least a second instant messaging controller on a second device, where the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device. At least a portion of the selected instant messaging session is transferred from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device and the transferred portion of the instant messaging session is made perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

Abstract: Real-time query expansion (RTQE) is a process of supplementing an original query with addition terms or expansion choices that are ranked according to some figure of merit and presented while users are still formulating their queries. As disclosed herein, phrases may be presented and one or more terms of a focused-on phrase may be pinned (as desirable to the user). Subsequent lists may be presented as a function of pinned terms and/or user input. In one embodiment, a placeholder may be substituted for one or more pinned terms if less than some predetermined threshold of phrases is able to be presented based upon the pinned terms and/or user input, and another list of phrases may be presented as a function of a query using fewer than all the pinned terms. The placeholder may allow out-of-index phrases to be formed, for example, based upon two or more phrases and/or terms input by the user.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a display device of a computer enables communications using a computer service. The graphical user interface includes a list of potential message recipients selected by a user as significant to the user. The graphical user interface also includes a mobile device identifier associated with one or more of the listed potential message recipients and a user account identifier associated with one or more of the listed potential message recipients. At least one of the listed potential recipients includes a mobile device identifier as the only available conduit for data delivery to the potential message recipient using the computer service.

Abstract: A method, program storage device and mobile device provide speech disambiguation. Audio for speech recognition processing is transmitted by the mobile device. Results representing alternates identified to match the transmitted audio are received. The alternates are displayed in a disambiguation dialog screen for making corrections to the alternates. Corrections are made to the alternates using the disambiguation dialog screen until a correct result is displayed. The correct result is selected. Content associated with the selected correct result is received in parallel with the receiving of the results representing alternates identified to match the transmitted audio.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a display device of a computer enables communications using a computer service. The graphical user interface includes a list of potential message recipients selected by a user as significant to the user. The graphical user interface also includes a mobile device identifier associated with one or more of the listed potential message recipients and a user account identifier associated with one or more of the listed potential message recipients. At least one of the listed potential recipients includes a mobile device identifier as the only available conduit for data delivery to the potential message recipient using the computer service.

Abstract: Routing and displaying instant messages includes receiving a first request to establish a first instant messaging session associated with an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user using a first instant messaging controller. The first instant messaging session is established in response to the first request, where the first instant messaging session includes a first state. A second request from the user is received to establish a second instant messaging session associated with the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user using a second instant messaging controller that differs from the first instant messaging controller. The second instant messaging session is established in response to the second request, where the second instant messaging session includes a second state. An instant message designated for the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user is received and a determination is made on where to route the instant message based on routing criteria.

Abstract: Transferring instant messaging sessions includes receiving a selection, from a user within a user interface, of at least one instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from a first instant messaging controller on a first device to at least a second instant messaging controller on a second device, where the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device. At least a portion of the selected instant messaging session is transferred from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device and the transferred portion of the instant messaging session is made perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

Abstract: One implementation provides monitoring a user's activity within a first window that is visible to the user in a graphical user interface (GUI), receiving notification of an incoming message intended for the user, and, upon receipt, opening a second window that is visible to the user in the GUI, the second window being distinct from any other window currently open in the GUI. When a predetermined condition is satisfied based upon the user's activity being monitored in the first window, the implementation further provides deactivating the first window in the GUI and activating the second window to provide the user with notification of the incoming message.

Abstract: Routing and displaying instant messages includes receiving a first request to establish a first instant messaging session associated with an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user using a first instant messaging controller. The first instant messaging session is established in response to the first request, where the first instant messaging session includes a first state. A second request from the user is received to establish a second instant messaging session associated with the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user using a second instant messaging controller that differs from the first instant messaging controller. The second instant messaging session is established in response to the second request, where the second instant messaging session includes a second state. An instant message designated for the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user is received and a determination is made on where to route the instant message based on routing criteria.

Abstract: Transferring instant messaging sessions includes receiving a selection, from a user within a user interface, of at least one instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from a first instant messaging controller on a first device to at least a second instant messaging controller on a second device, where the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device. At least a portion of the selected instant messaging session is transferred from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device and the transferred portion of the instant messaging session is made perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

Abstract: One implementation provides monitoring a user's activity within a first window that is visible to the user in a graphical user interface (GUI), receiving notification of an incoming message intended for the user, and, upon receipt, opening a second window that is visible to the user in the GUI, the second window being distinct from any other window currently open in the GUI. When a predetermined condition is satisfied based upon the user's activity being monitored in the first window, the implementation further provides deactivating the first window in the GUI and activating the second window to provide the user with notification of the incoming message.

Abstract: Architecture for integrating application-dependent information into a constraints component at deployment time or when available. In terms of a general grammar, the constraints component can include or be a general grammar that comprises application-independent information and is structured in such a way that application-dependent information can be integrated into the general grammar without loss of fidelity. The general grammar includes a probability space and reserves a section of the probability space for the integration of application-dependent information. An integration component integrates the application-dependent information into the reserved section of the probability space for recognition processing. The application-dependent information is integrated into the reserved section of the probability space at deployment time or when available. The general grammar is structured to support the integration and improve the overall system.

Abstract: Notifying a user of multiple concurrent instant messaging sessions includes receiving a first request to establish a first instant messaging session associated with an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user using a first instant messaging controller and establishing the first instant messaging session in response to the first request. A second request is received to establish a second instant messaging session associated with the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user using a second instant messaging controller that differs from the first instant messaging controller. The second instant messaging session is established in response to the second request. A notification is communicated to at least the first instant messaging controller indicating the establishment of the second instant messaging session.

Abstract: Perception of a personalization item is enabled in an instant messaging communications session by rendering, on an instant message recipient system, an instant messaging application user interface for an instant messaging communications session involving at least an instant message recipient and an instant message sender. An identifier that enables identification of a personalization item of an individual instant message user is obtained, and the identifier is associated with the personalization item. The personalization item is obtained independently of the message used to obtain the identifier, and the personalization item is rendered at the instant message recipient system.