Instant messaging with audio connection formation
Instant messaging with audio connection formation is described. In an implementation, a method includes forming a communication to authenticate a client with a proxy during an instant messaging session and forming an invitation by the client for communication to the proxy that identifies another client, with which, to communicate via an audio connection. An acceptance is received from the other client via the proxy to form the audio connection.
1. A method comprising:
forming a communication to authenticate a client with a proxy during an instant messaging session;
forming an invitation by the client for communication to the proxy that identifies another client with which to communicate via an audio connection;
storing the invitation at the proxy;
forming a notification at the proxy to be communicated to the other client that causes the other client to contact the proxy;
registering with the proxy by the another client to authenticate the other client;
forwarding the stored invitation to the other client when registered with the proxy; and
receiving an acceptance from the other client via the proxy to form the audio connection, wherein at least a portion of the method is implemented in hardware.
2. A method as described in claim 1 , wherein:
the audio connection is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection; and
the communication and the invitation comply with a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
3. A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the audio connection is configured to communicate streaming audio back and forth between the client and the other client in real time.
4. A method as described in claim 1 , further comprising forwarding the stored invitation when the other client contacts the proxy, wherein the stored invitation identifies the client that formed the invitation.
5. A method as described in claim 1 , wherein:
when the invitation is received at the proxy, the proxy does not have a network address of the other client; and
the notification is formed for communication to a presence server that is configured to locate the other client.
6. A method as described in claim 5 , wherein the notification is communicated to the other client from the presence server via a communication server.
7. A method as described in claim 6 , wherein the other client is communicatively coupled to the communication server to perform instant messaging.
8. A method comprising:
when an invitation is received to form a real-time audio connection between first and second clients at a proxy from the first client:
storing the invitation at the proxy;
forming a notification to be communicated to the second client that specifies a network address of the proxy that requests the second client to contact the proxy; and
when the second client contacts the proxy:
registering the second client with the proxy to authenticate the second client;
forwarding the stored invitation to the second client when registered with the proxy; and
receiving an acceptance from the second client via the proxy to form the real-time audio connection, wherein at least a portion of the method is implemented in hardware.
9. A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the invitation is received while the first client is already logged on to a messaging service that provides communication of instant messages.
10. A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the real-time audio connection is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection.
11. A method as described in claim 8 , wherein:
when the invitation is received at the proxy, the proxy does not have a network address of the second client; and
the notification is formed for communication to a presence server that is configured to locate the network address of the second client and to communicate the notification to the second client.
12. A method as described in claim 11 , wherein the notification does not specify that the audio connection is to be formed.
13. A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the invitation is configured such that the second client may respond to the invitation to participate in the audio connection.
14. A method as described in claim 8 , wherein the audio connection is further configured to communicate video.
15. One or more computer-readable memory device comprising executable instruction that, when executed, direct a client to perform a method, the method comprising:
form an instant messaging connection, with an instant messaging service, that does not include a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection; and
when an input is received to communicate with another client via VoIP:
forming a communication to authenticate the client with a proxy;
forming an invitation by the client for communication to the proxy that identifies the another client with which to communicate via VoIP;
storing the invitation at the proxy;
forming a notification at the proxy to be communicated to the another client that causes the another client to contact the proxy;
registering with the proxy by the another client to authenticate the another client;
forwarding the stored invitation to the another client when registered with the proxy; and
receiving an acceptance from the another client via the proxy to form a connection which enables communication via VoIP.
16. One or more computer-readable memory device as described in claim 15 , wherein the input is received while the instant messaging connection is formed.
17. One or more computer-readable memory device as described in claim 15 , wherein the input is received while the client is logged in to the instant messaging service.