Patent ID: 8027335

Claim:
An apparatus adapted to establish a voice communication session between a first endpoint communication device and a second endpoint communication device, said first endpoint communication device being an instant messaging based communication device and said second endpoint communication device being a non-instant messaging based communication device, said apparatus being remote from said first and second endpoint communication devices, comprising: a processor; and memory including computer program code configured to, with said processor, cause said apparatus to perform at least the following: maintain a status of and provide an indication of availability of said second endpoint communication device to said first endpoint communication device prior to a session request; receive said session request from an instant messaging client of said first endpoint communication device including a user identification associated with said second endpoint communication device; correlate said user identification to a directory number and routing information for said second endpoint communication device; process instant messaging messages for said second endpoint communication device compatible with said instant messaging client of said first endpoint communication device based upon said availability of said second endpoint communication device; notify said second endpoint communication device of said session request employing non-instant messaging based signaling in accordance with said routing information; receive an answer indication from said instant messaging client of said first endpoint communication device in response to an initiation of said voice communication session and provide an acknowledgement thereto; and establish a voice path for said voice communication session to and between said instant messaging client of said first endpoint communication device and said second endpoint communication device after said acknowledgment.