Patent ID: 7451218

Claim:
A communications system of a computer, comprising: first logic of the computer configured to recognize that a communications account of a first user for a first communications service is being actively utilized by the first user on the computer, wherein the first communications service comprises one of an email service, an instant messaging service, a video conferencing service, and an Internet call waiting service; and second logic of the computer configured to direct a second communications service to assume an active state of service for the first user on the computer after the first logic recognizes that the communications account of the first user is being actively utilized on the computer, wherein for an active state of service, the communications services of the first user on the computer operate at a first level of service and for an inactive state of service, the communications services operate at a second level of service that provides reduced functionality than the first level of service, wherein the second communications service comprises one of an email service, an instant messaging service, a video conferencing service, and an Internet call waiting service that is different than the first communication service.