Patent ID: 7587482
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a user interface for controlling a communication mode, comprising: displaying on a first client device a plurality of presences, each of which at least partially indicates a user's availability to communicate through the first client device with another user of a second client device, wherein each of the plurality presences is associated with at least one type of communication mode; enabling the user of the first client device to select a presence from the plurality of presences; enabling the user of the first client device to select a preferred type of communication mode from a plurality of types of communication modes available for communication through the first client device with the second client device; if the second client device initiates communication over an incompatible type of communication mode with the first client device, providing at least the selected presence and the selected preferred type of communication mode to the second client device with which the first client device initially communicates; if the selected preferred type of communication mode is available, employing that communication mode for communication between the second client device and the selected presence of the user of the first client device; if the selected preferred type of communication mode is unavailable, determining another type of communication mode for optimized communication between the second client device and the selected presence of the user of the first client device; displaying a plurality of contacts with which the first client device can communicate using at least one of the types of communication modes; and displaying at least one type of communication mode in association with each of the plurality of contacts indicating the at least one type of communication mode with which each of the plurality of contacts can communicate with the first client device.