Systems for messaging senders and recipients of an electronic message

摘要

Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data between users of a communications system include a host system structured and arranged to receive and deliver messages of various types between users of the communications system. The host system includes an instant messaging network; a mail gateway; and a configuring network in communication with both the instant messaging network and the mail gateway. The instant messaging network enables instant messaging communication between users of the communications system and has the capability to monitor whether a certain user is capable of receiving an instant message at a particular moment. The mail gateway receives and delivers e-mail messages to users of the communications system. The configuring network is dedicated to automatically configuring instant messaging communication between an intended recipient of an e-mail message and the sender of the e-mail message.

主权项

1. A communications system comprising:
an instant messaging network enabling instant messaging communication between users of the communications system, the instant messaging network having the capability to monitor whether a certain user of the communications system is capable of receiving an instant message; a messaging gateway for receiving and delivering electronic messages other than instant messages to users of the communications system; a look-up server that associates electronic messages addresses with instant message addresses of the user of the communication system; and a configuring network in communication with both the instant messaging network and the messaging gateway, wherein the configuring network configures instant messaging communication using instant message addresses provided by the look-up server between an intended recipient of an electronic message and the sender of the electronic message.