Patent ID: 8139752

Claim:
A system, comprising: an automated agent, wherein the automated agent interacts with one or more users of a plurality of users communicating electronically using a first communication mode and to facilitate an alternative communication mode conversation for use by two or more users of the plurality of users, the system executing the steps of: displaying a list of potential participants of an instant messaging conversation, the list including an automated agent that is available for selection as a participant of the instant messaging conversation; adding the automated agent as a participant of the instant messaging conversation in response to receiving, at a graphical user interface of an instant messaging platform, user input that indicates to add the automated agent as a participant of the instant messaging conversation, the instant messaging platform being a first mode of communication; receiving an instant message transmitted to the automated agent from a participant of the instant messaging conversation, the instant message having a textual command to be executed by the automated agent, the textual command being a natural language command or quasi natural language command; in response to receiving the textual command from the instant message to the automated agent, converting the textual command into instructions that cause initiation of a voice conferencing platform as an alternative mode of communication, the voice conferencing platform connecting participants of the instant messaging conversation via a voice conference call; interfacing with the instant messaging platform and with the voice conferencing platform; archiving information generated from the first mode of communication and from the alternative mode of communication; and managing the voice conference call via instant messages received from one or more participants and received by the automated agent.