Predicting preferred communication patterns

A system for predicting preferred communications patterns, the system comprising:

• a memory comprising a plurality of factors concerning a second user;
• and
• a processor configured to execute instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive, in a remote server, a request from a first user to initiate communication with the second user by a first communication method,
• determine a communication preference hierarchy of the second user based on the plurality of factors concerning the second user, wherein the plurality of factors comprise a presence state and at least one of real-time activity, communication history, location, calendar, device states, or group relationships;
• select a second communication method from the communication preference hierarchy, wherein the second communication method is selected based on a determination that the second communication method is preferred over the first communication method in the communication preference hierarchy;
• from the remote server, in response to a determination that the first communication method is a non-preferred communication method of the communication preference hierarchy, actively prevent the first user from using the first communication method for communication with the second user;
• provide, in response to the request from the first user and based on the determination that the second communication method is preferred over the first communication method, a recommendation to the first user to communicate with the second user by the second communication method;
• and
• in response to a confirmation of the recommendation by the first user, initiate a new communication with the second user by the second communication method, wherein the recommendation is provided to the first user using the first communication method.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising machine-readable instructions for causing a processor to execute a method for predicting preferred communications patterns, comprising:

• receiving, in a remote server, a request from a first user to initiate communication with a second user by a first communication method,
• determining a communication preference hierarchy of the second user based on a plurality of factors concerning the second user, wherein the plurality of factors comprises a presence state and at least one of real-time activity, communication history, location, calendar, device states, or group relationships;
• selecting a second communication method from the communication preference hierarchy, wherein the second communication method is selected based on a determination that the second communication method is preferred over the first communication method in the communication preference hierarchy;
• from the remote server, in response to a determination that the first communication method is a non-preferred communication, actively preventing the first user from using the first communication method for communication with the second user;
• providing, in response to the request from the first user and based on the determination that the second communication method is preferred over the first communication method, a recommendation to the first user to communicate with the second user by the second communication method, wherein the recommendation is provided to the first user using the first communication method;
• and
• in response to a confirmation of the recommendation by the first user, initiating a new communication with the second user by the second communication method, wherein the recommendation is provided to the first user using the first communication method.