PRESENTING A CONTEXTUAL MULTI-CHANNEL CONTACT PRESENCE
There is provided a method for presenting on a communication device of a user, multi-channel presence information concerning a contact of the user. The method includes (a) obtaining a first score that indicates an availability of the contact to accept a communication via a first channel of communication, and a second score that indicates an availability of the contact to accept a communication via a second channel of communication, (b) determining, based on the first score and the second score, a preference between the first channel and the second channel, and (c) presenting the preference on the communication device of the user. There is also provided a system that performs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions that cause a processor to perform the method.
1 . A method for presenting on a communication device of a user, multi-channel presence information concerning a contact of said user, the method comprising:
obtaining a first score that indicates an availability of said contact to accept a communication via a first channel of communication, and a second score that indicates an availability of said contact to accept a communication via a second channel of communication;
determining, based on said first score and said second score, a preference between said first channel and said second channel;
presenting said preference on said communication device of said user.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said obtaining:
receiving data that indicates information concerning a context of said contact;
applying a value to a parameter, based on said data, thus yielding a valued parameter; and
calculating said first score and said second score, based on said valued parameter.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
time where said contact is located;
location of said contact;
whether said contact is in a meeting;
a time to a next scheduled meeting for said contact;
whether said contact is presently on call; and
whether said contact is presently driving.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said receiving:
receiving data that indicates information concerning a context of a communication device of said contact;
applying a value to a parameter, based on said data, thus yielding a valued parameter; and
calculating said first score and said second score, based on said valued parameter.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
a battery power level of said communication device of said contact;
a mobile reception level of said communication device of said contact;
a condition of said communication device of said contact, wherein said communication device of said contact is a desktop computer;
a condition of said communication device of said contact, wherein said communication device of said contact is a landline device; and
a time a message was last typed on said communication device of said contact.
6 . A system for presenting on a communication device of a user, multi-channel presence information concerning a contact of said user, the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory that contains instructions that are readable by said processor to cause said processor to perform actions of:
obtaining a first score that indicates an availability of said contact to accept a communication via a first channel of communication, and a second score that indicates an availability of said contact to accept a communication via a second channel of communication;
determining, based on said first score and said second score, a preference between said first channel and said second channel;
presenting said preference on said communication device of said user.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said instructions, prior to said obtaining, also cause said processor to perform actions of:
receiving data that indicates information concerning a context of said contact;
applying a value to a parameter, based on said data, thus yielding a valued parameter; and
calculating said first score and said second score, based on said valued parameter.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
time where said contact is located;
location of said contact;
whether said contact is in a meeting;
a time to a next scheduled meeting for said contact;
whether said contact is presently on call; and
whether said contact is presently driving.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said instructions, prior to said obtaining, also cause said processor to perform actions of:
receiving data that indicates information concerning a context of a communication device of said contact;
applying a value to a parameter, based on said data, thus yielding a valued parameter; and
calculating said first score and said second score, based on said valued parameter.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
a battery power level of said communication device of said contact;
a mobile reception level of said communication device of said contact;
a condition of said communication device of said contact, wherein said communication device of said contact is a desktop computer;
a condition of said communication device of said contact, wherein said communication device of said contact is a landline device; and
a time a message was last typed on said communication device of said contact.
11 . A non-transitory storage device for presenting on a communication device of a user, multi-channel presence information concerning a contact of said user, the non-transitory storage device comprising instructions that are readable by a processor to cause said processor to perform actions of:
obtaining a first score that indicates an availability of said contact to accept a communication via a first channel of communication, and a second score that indicates an availability of said contact to accept a communication via a second channel of communication;
determining, based on said first score and said second score, a preference between said first channel and said second channel;
presenting said preference on said communication device of said user.
12 . The non-transitory storage device of claim 11 , wherein said instructions, prior to said obtaining, also cause said processor to perform actions of:
receiving data that indicates information concerning a context of said contact;
applying a value to a parameter, based on said data, thus yielding a valued parameter; and
calculating said first score and said second score, based on said valued parameter.
13 . The non-transitory storage device of claim 12 , wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
time where said contact is located;
location of said contact;
whether said contact is in a meeting;
a time to a next scheduled meeting for said contact;
whether said contact is presently on call; and
whether said contact is presently driving.
14 . The non-transitory storage device of claim 11 , wherein said instructions, prior to said obtaining, also cause said processor to perform actions of:
receiving data that indicates information concerning a context of a communication device of said contact;
applying a value to a parameter, based on said data, thus yielding a valued parameter; and
calculating said first score and said second score, based on said valued parameter.
15 . The non-transitory storage device of claim 14 , wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
a battery power level of said communication device of said contact;
a mobile reception level of said communication device of said contact;
a condition of said communication device of said contact, wherein said communication device of said contact is a desktop computer;
a condition of said communication device of said contact, wherein said communication device of said contact is a landline device; and
a time a message was last typed on said communication device of said contact.