Patent ID: 7403970
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for configuring a virtual address, comprising: receiving a destination address and a capability information associated with each destination entity of a plurality of destination entities associated with a destination party, the plurality of destination entities each being a push-capable, text-message-capable entity; associating the plurality of destination entities with a virtual address, the virtual address defining a destination remote from the destination party and remote from premises associated with the destination party; receiving an electronic message having a destination address corresponding to the virtual address, the electronic message including at least a text-based portion; dynamically sensing an availability of a destination entity from the plurality of destination entities without sending a user-perceivable indication to the first destination entity; and reassigning the destination address of the electronic message to a destination address associated with the first destination entity when the sensed availability associated with the first destination entity indicates that the first destination entity is available; and reassigning the destination address of the electronic message to a destination address associated with a second destination entity when the sensed availability associated with the first destination entity indicates that the first destination entity is unavailable, the reassigning of the destination address being performed without sending a user-perceivable indication to the first destination entity, and reformatting the electronic message based on the capability information associated with the destination entity designated as available.