Patent ID: 7398296
Filing Date: 2008-07-08
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: enabling a first user to log in using at least one of a plurality of communication devices; enabling a second user to log in using at least one of a plurality of communication devices; sending information indicating an address of the first user to a first server associated with the at least one communication device used by the first user to log in; specifying at least one network port associated with a collaboration service supported by the at least one communication device used by the first user to log in; enabling the second user to listen for a real-time communication request for the collaboration service; sending information indicating an address of the second user to a second sever associated with the at least one communication device used by the second user to log in, the second server being separated from the first server by at least one wide area network; causing display of a graphical rolodex on a display of the communication device used by the first user to log in, the graphical rolodex having a scrollable listing of user identifiers of potential participants; causing display of a quick-dial panel on the display of the communication device used by the first user to log in, the quick-dial panel listing identifiers in the form of icons for potential participants for selection by the first user, the quick-dial panel having been previously created by the first user by selecting user identifiers of potential participants from the graphical rolodex; enabling the first user to initiate real-time communication with the second user by selecting an identifier for the second user from at least one of the graphical rolodex and the quick-dial panel; notifying the second user of the request for real-time communication and the identity of the first user; and if the second user accepts the request, enabling automatic establishing of a selected real-time communication type or a default communication type if no real-time communication type is selected, wherein the real-time communication is established over the at least one wide area network, between the first and second users using the specified network port.