Patent ID: 7406501
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for exchanging messages between an instant messaging user who is subscribed to an instant messaging service and an e-mail user, the method comprising: receiving a first outgoing instant message from the instant messaging user for delivery to an e-mail address of the e-mail user; creating a first outgoing e-mail message from the first outgoing instant message prior to delivery of the first outgoing e-mail message to the e-mail user; generating a token that represents a unique pairing identifier of the instant messaging user and the e-mail user; including the token, in a username portion of a fully qualified e-mail address in a sender-identifying header of the first outgoing email message; and transmitting the first outgoing e-mail message to the e-mail address, wherein a subsequently received e-mail message addressed to a fully-qualified e-mail address that includes the token as a username portion is deliverable to the instant messaging user as an incoming instant message from the e-mail user, and wherein the token cannot be used by another instant messaging user to deliver an instant message to the e-mail user.