Microsoft Corporation
Communication routing based on physical status

Abstract:

Routing of communications to group member(s) where group membership is identified by physical status. A computing system detects a communication that identifies targets of the communication at least in part by physical status. The system responds by identifying at least partial membership in a group that is identified by the physical status identified in the communication, and then dispatching the communication to at least one member of the members of that group. The identity of the members of the group may change dynamically as the physical status of particular physical entities changes over time. Accordingly, a user may communicate to individuals based on physical status, rather than identify any particular individual or status group. The communication may be directed to all members of the group. Alternatively, the communication may be initially directed towards a subset of the group, with the communication being conditionally later broadened.