Method and apparatus for processing electronic messages

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for processing electronic messages are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, for an outgoing message addressed to a mail address of a recipient, the mail client determines whether is an alternative messaging system available to the mail address of the recipient. If there is an alternative messaging system available, the mail client determines whether the recipient's alternative messaging system is online. If so, the mail client sends the mail message to the recipient via the alternative messaging system. Otherwise, the mail client sends the message via normal mail system. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing electronic messages, the method comprising:
 determining, at a mail client, for a mail message addressed to a mail address of a recipient at a remote site, whether there is an alternative delivery mechanism available for the recipient; and   sending the mail message to the recipient via the alternative delivery mechanism, if the alternative delivery mechanism is available.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending the mail message to a mail server which forwards the mail message to the recipient, if the alternative delivery mechanism is unavailable. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative delivery mechanism is capable of directly and substantial instantly delivering the mail message to the recipient and wherein the alternative delivery mechanism is capable of substantial instantly receiving a confirmation of arrival of the mail message at the remote site. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative delivery mechanism is an instant messaging (IM) system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the alternative delivery mechanism is available comprises looking up, in a database, an alternative address of the recipient used in the alternative delivery mechanism based on the mail address of the recipient. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein determining whether the alternative delivery mechanism is available further comprises determining whether the alternative delivery capability of the recipient is enabled. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining whether the alternative delivery mechanism is available further comprises determining whether the alternative delivery capability of the recipient is capable of receiving the mail message. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising converting the mail message to a message in accordance with a communication protocol of the alternative delivery mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising tagging the message with an identification indicating the message delivered by the alternative delivery mechanism is a mail message. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising substantial instantly receiving, at the mail client, a confirmation of an arrival of the mail message at the recipient via the alternative delivery mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a mail system corresponding to the mail client operates independently with respect to the alternative delivery mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A method for processing electronic messages, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at an instant messaging (IM) client from an originator over a network, the message received designated to an application communicably coupled to the IM client;   determining, at the IM client, which application the message is designated to; and   delivering the message to the designated application via an application programming interface (API).   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising presenting the message at a display of the IM client if the message is not designated to an application other than the IM client. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising examining a signature tagged with the message to determine which application the message is designated to. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising converting the message to a message compatible with the designated application prior to the delivering. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the designated application is an email client, wherein the method further comprises repackaging the message as an email message, such that the message is displayed at the email client as if it is received from a corresponding email server. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the designated application is capable of receiving data from a remote application. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising updating the designated application based on the message delivered transparently to a user of the designated application. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising determining whether the designated application is running. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein if the designated application is not running, the method further comprises returning an error indicating a failure of a delivery of the message.