Establishing two or more simultaneous channels of communication with a user

Abstract

One embodiment presented herein comprises a method of establishing at least two simultaneous forms of communication between at least two entities. The method can use a service to facilitate the communication or the entities can establish communications on their own (or one entity could be establishing multiple forms of communication with a service). One embodiment begins by connecting one of the entities to a service. The service is then used to establish an initial communication form between the entities. Alternatively, if a service is not used, the entities can establish the initial communication themselves. Next, a list of alternative communication forms that are possible between the entities is created. This list can be prioritized according to a number of different parameters. This list can be created using a previously established database maintained by the service or can be created by the entities themselves as they communicate over the initial communication channel. The alternative communication forms are tested (potentially in priority order) by the service and/or the entities. After or during the testing, the method establishes at least one additional communication form between the entities from the alternative communication forms that passed the testing, such that the entities simultaneously communicate over the initial communication form and the additional communication form.