Microsoft Corporation
Method and system of synchronizing communications in a communication environment

Abstract:

Enabling synchronous communications between a message sender and recipient includes receiving a message from the sender via a user interface of a communication application or a service, the message being intended for the recipient; upon receiving the message, determining if the message includes a question and if so, determining if a response to the question is received from the recipient within a predetermined time; if the response is not received within the predetermined time, examining at least one of: a presence status indicator associated with the communication application, an activity indicator, a calendar, an out of office indicator, and a to do list to determine an availability of the sender to engage in a communication with the recipient via the communication application; and enabling display of a notification to the sender based on the determined presence of the sender, the notification including a reminder about the question.