Patent attributes
The present invention provides a presence system capable of monitoring state information derived from a plurality of sources over any number of disparate networks. The sources of state information are devices, which are frequently used by a user throughout a normal day and configured to provide state information to the presence system. The sources monitor normal user interactions and automatically provide corresponding state information to the presence system without requiring the user to enter or otherwise provide information bearing on their status or availability. Based on a profile provided by the user, the presence system evaluates the state information from one or more sources to create presence information to deliver to subscribers. The state information bears on the presence or availability of the user and may take many forms. The presence information may range from complex analysis of state information from many devices to simply the states of selected devices.