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.