Abstract: Security is improved in a communication system in which a communication connection is established when a user who has received a software button on his computing device (a Recipient) clicks on the button. When a Recipient first actuates a software button, a basic type of communication connection is established, during which the Recipient's identity can be verified. The Recipient then establishes a personal identification code, which he will have to provide upon future actuations of the software button. The system then enables other types of communication connections to be established by the Recipient. After the Recipient actuates the software button and verifies his identity, the system remembers the identity and location of the computing device he is using. When the Recipient subsequently actuates the software button, the identity and location of his computing device are checked, and verification of his identity is suppressed if they have not changed.

Abstract: Online searching related to a physical object by a user making use of a computing device is accomplished by creating a representation of the object at the user's computing device. A software button originating remote from the user's computing device is provided to the user's computing device, and the button is constructed based upon the representation of the object. The software button is associated with a second device in use by a subscriber associated with the object, the button and it is actuable by the user. Upon actuation of the software button by the user, an executable agent is downloaded to his computing device, effective to establish a connection between the user's computing device and the second device.

Abstract: A software button and software agent downloaded to a computing in response to actuation of the button make it possible to create a communication connection providing privacy, security and dynamic control of service. In one embodiment an online telephone directory comprised of software buttons is provided, in which a calling party can select a called party by clicking a software button dedicated to the called party. The button provides an identification of the called party, but all contact information is hidden and inaccessible to the calling party. Upon actuation of the button server containing the directory causes download of a software agent to the calling party's computing device, causing it to establish communication with the called party. In a second embodiment, software buttons provide a communication service which is dynamic, the nature or type of service changing based on conditions predefined by the called.

Abstract: Online searching related to a physical object by a user making use of a computing device is accomplished by creating a representation of the object at the user's computing device. A software button originating remote from the user's computing device is provided to the user's computing device, and the button is constructed based upon the representation of the object. The software button is associated with a second device in use by a subscriber associated with the object, the button and it is actuable by the user. Upon actuation of the software button by the user, an executable agent is downloaded to his computing device, effective to establish a connection between the user's computing device and the second device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that may include a directory server on a network, the server having a network interface that includes a plurality of actuatable software buttons, each button identifying a listed party; a database of private information for listed parties; a button server on the network containing executable software agents constructed to create a communication interface for a communication connection; wherein the buttons are constructed to transfer to the user's computing device information describing the type of connection and private address information for the listed party identified by the actuated button, the button server then downloading, to the computing device of the user actuating the button, a software agent constructed to create a communication interface to the private address of the listed party identified by the actuated button.

Abstract: A software button and software agent downloaded to a computing in response to actuation of the button make it possible to create a communication connection providing privacy, security and dynamic control of service. In one embodiment an online telephone directory comprised of software buttons is provided, in which a calling party can select a called party by clicking a software button dedicated to the called party. The button provides an identification of the called party, but all contact information is hidden and inaccessible to the calling party. Upon actuation of the button server containing the directory causes download of a software agent to the calling party's computing device, causing it to establish communication with the called party. In a second embodiment, software buttons provide a communication service which is dynamic, the nature or type of service changing based on conditions predefined by the called.