TWO-WAY REAL TIME COMMUNICATION SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS ASYMMETRIC PARTICIPATION IN CONVERSATIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE ELECTRONIC PLATFORMS

摘要

Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving from responders conversation selection criteria and mode of communication information. A request for a conversation is received, from an initiator using a first communication mode that identifies a topic, but does not identify any responders. A conversation identifier is created. Possible responders are determined based on the topic and the conversation selection criteria. The topic of the conversation is sent to the possible responders, without identifying the initiator. A first response from a first responder is received using a second communication mode that is different than the first communication mode. The first response is mapped to the conversation based in part on the conversation identifier. The response is sent to the initiator using the first communication mode.

主权项

1. A real-time communication system comprising:
one or more electronic processors configured to:
receive from each of a plurality of responders conversation selection criteria;receive from each of the plurality of responders a mode of communication information comprising at least one of an email address, a telephone number, or an instant message identifier;receive, from an initiator, a request for a conversation, using a first real-time communication mode, comprising conversation information that identifies a topic of the conversation, wherein the request for conversation does not identify any responders;create a conversation identifier associated with the request;determine one or more possible responders based at least upon the topic of the conversation or the conversation selection criteria;determine a mode of communication for each of the one or more possible responders based at least on the received mode of communication information;send, without identifying the initiator, the topic of the conversation to the one or more possible responders using the determined mode of communication associated with each of the one or more possible responders, and wherein at least one of the determined mode of communication of the one or more possible responders is a second real-time communication mode different than the first real-time communication mode;receive a first response from a first responder using the second real-time communication mode;receive a second response from a second responder different than the first responder, wherein the second response is received via email;map the first response to the conversation associated with the initiator based in part on the conversation identifier; andsend the first response to the initiator using the first real-time communication mode.