Patent ID: 6430604
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium in a computing environment for enabling an instant messaging system (IMS) to use alternative message delivery mechanisms, comprising:a message sender; one or more message recipients; a registry comprising an entry for one or more of said message recipients, wherein each of said entries comprises: (i) an alternative message delivery mechanism, and (ii) addressing information for said alternative; computer-readable program code means for receiving, from said message sender, a message to be delivered to a selected one of said message recipients; computer-readable program code means for determining, by said IMS, whether said selected one is currently logged on to said IMS or another IMS; computer-readable program code means for delivering said message to said selected one when said computer-readable program code means for determining has a positive result; and computer-readable program code means for forwarding said message on a particular alternative delivery mechanism associated with said recipient when said computer-readable program code means for determining has a negative result and when said particular mechanism is available.