System and method for managing trusted relationships in communication sessions using a graphical metaphor

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for linking participants in a communication session. The method includes presenting a set of connected graphical elements on a graphical user interface (GUI) representing a structure of the communication session and a trusted relationship between a first participant and a second participant in the communication session, establishing a bidirectional link between the first participant and the second participant, wherein the communication device exchanges trusted information between the first participant and the second participant, and displaying a depiction of the bidirectional link to at least one participant in the communication session. The method optionally includes negotiating a calendar event with the second participant via the bidirectional link based on the trusted information. Graphical elements associated with the first and second participants can depict one or more of presence, context, and persona information.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.