Patent ID: 8433767

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of handling electronic messages, the method comprising: receiving one or more electronic messages sent from a first user to an away or offline user; performing, by at least one processor, natural language processing on the one or more electronic messages to determine whether the one or more electronic messages include a request for information related to a status of the away or offline user or whether the one or more electronic messages are related to leaving a message for the away or offline user; in response to a determination that the one or more electronic messages include a request for information related to a status of the away or offline user: determining an appropriate response to the request for information related to the status of the away or offline user, and transmitting the appropriate response to the first user as an electronic message; and in response to a determination that the one or more electronic messages are related to leaving a message for the away or offline user: accessing a message for the away or offline user from the first user, and delivering the accessed message to the away or offline user.