Abstract: A method and system are provided for allowing a user to efficiently manage communications. A system for allowing a user having a unique identity is provided, wherein the unique identity is associated with a plurality of electronic devices. The system includes a service for assigning a reference to a user's unique identity, wherein other identities can access the user's unique identity only by using the reference. The system additionally includes permission controls for allowing the user to control access to the unique identity by restricting authorization to a selected set of other identities. Groups of individuals may receive different levels of authorization such that some individuals may be authorized to make live contact and others may be required to leave a message. Preference controls allow the system user to select at least one associated, device from a plurality of associated devices for receiving communication upon an access attempt by an authorized user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an audio recording/playback tool that is integrated with an information viewer that simplifies recording and playback of audio annotations. The invention also provides alternative techniques to retrieve, categorize and sort the audio annotations including the ability to associate audio annotations with either pages of a document or specific points inside a page. Further, the invention synchronizes audio playback and document navigation actions. The invention supports the storage of the audio annotations in a variety of formats including the annotations stored as discrete clips labeled with properties and stored in an external database that permits, among other things, exchanging of annotations between users.