Abstract: A method for supporting anonymous transactions includes storing a first profile comprising first information associated with a first client. The first information includes identifying data and non-identifying data associated with the first client. The method also includes storing a second profile including second information associated with the first client. The second information includes at least a portion of the non-identifying data from the first profile. The method further includes receiving a request from the first client to engage in an anonymous transaction. The anonymous transaction is associated with a product. In addition, the method includes communicating an order for the product to one of the clients and facilitating completion of the order using the first profile. The second client can gain at least partial access to the second profile but not to the first profile associated with the first client.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing disparate customized address books which each include contact information including an email address for a customer. The method includes storing identification information for each communications partner. Each communications partner is associated with a different disparate customized address book. The identification information is used to update the disparate customized address books when the contact information of the customer is changed to changed contact information. The method also includes determining when the contact information of the customer changes to changed contact information. The method further includes updating each of the disparate customized address books to include the changed contact information when the contact information of the customer is changed to the changed contact information.

Abstract: A method for creating an electronic marketplace includes receiving from a first client a request to create an electronic marketplace and receiving information about a product associated with the marketplace. The information includes at least one of first product information and a reference to second product information. The method also includes creating a marketplace metacatalog associated with the marketplace using a template, storing the first product information in the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the first product information, and associating the reference to the second product information with the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the reference. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of at least one of the first product information and the second product information to a second client using the marketplace metacatalog.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adaptably maintaining a taxonomy defined by a plurality of nodes arranged hierarchically.

Abstract: A method for creating an electronic marketplace includes receiving from a first client a request to create an electronic marketplace and receiving information about a product associated with the marketplace. The information includes at least one of first product information and a reference to second product information. The method also includes creating a marketplace metacatalog associated with the marketplace using a template, storing the first product information in the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the first product information, and associating the reference to the second product information with the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the reference. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of at least one of the first product information and the second product information to a second client using the marketplace metacatalog.

Abstract: A multi-modal address book for a customer associated with at least one account in an electronic communications environment is provided. The multi-modal address book is associated with a customized profile of the customer and has multiple entries. Each entry of the multi-modal address book is associated with a communications partner and includes at least one address. Information of a centrally stored copy of the address book is automatically synchronized with a copy of the address book provided at a remote communications device when information of an entry is altered at either the centrally stored address book or the copy of the address book. An indicator can be stored in association with at least one of the entries of the address book. The indicator indicates that an address book of a communications partner corresponding to an entry is to be automatically updated when the profile of the customer is altered. The updating occurs without regard to the modality used to communicate with the stored address.

Abstract: A portable communication device has an integrated metering component to monitor a rechargeable battery in the portable communication device, and to determine a battery replacement condition based thereon. The portable communication device has a second component responsive to the metering component to generate a message to order a replacement battery based on the battery replacement condition. The message is communicated using a wireless transmitter of the portable communication device.

Abstract: A multi-modal address book for a customer associated with at least one account in an electronic communications environment is provided. The multi-modal address book is associated with a customized profile of the customer and has multiple entries. Each entry of the multi-modal address book is associated with a communications partner and includes at least one address. Information of a centrally stored copy of the address book is automatically synchronized with a copy of the address book provided at a remote communications device when information of an entry is altered at either the centrally stored address book or the copy of the address book. An indicator can be stored in association with at least one of the entries of the address book. The indicator indicates that an address book of a communications partner corresponding to an entry is to be automatically updated when the profile of the customer is altered. The updating occurs without regard to the modality used to communicate with the stored address.

Abstract: A method for supporting anonymous transactions includes storing a first profile comprising first information associated with a first client. The first information includes identifying data and non-identifying data associated with the first client. The method also includes storing a second profile including second information associated with the first client. The second information includes at least a portion of the non-identifying data from the first profile. The method further includes receiving a request from the first client to engage in an anonymous transaction. The anonymous transaction is associated with a product. In addition, the method includes communicating an order for the product to one of the clients and facilitating completion of the order using the first profile. The second client can gain at least partial access to the second profile but not to the first profile associated with the first client.

Abstract: A method for creating an electronic marketplace includes receiving from a first client a request to create an electronic marketplace and receiving information about a product associated with the marketplace. The information includes at least one of first product information and a reference to second product information. The method also includes creating a marketplace metacatalog associated with the marketplace using a template, storing the first product information in the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the first product information, and associating the reference to the second product information with the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the reference. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of at least one of the first product information and the second product information to a second client using the marketplace metacatalog.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adaptably maintaining a taxonomy defined by a plurality of nodes arranged hierarchically.