Abstract: A method for maintaining a user profile representing evolving user profile data of a first user, the user profile accessible by a first organization and a second organization without communication between the first organization and the second organization. The method includes creating the user profile by a remote computer based on feedbacks from a corresponding users of the first organization communicating with the remote computer via an application programming interface operating on the remote computer. The user profile data of the user profile is stored on a data source operated only by the third organization. The application programming interface and the remote computer enable connection, over a second network, between a second computer operated by the second organization and the data source having the user profile data. The method further includes thereafter granting access to the user profile to the second computer via the application programming interface.

Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requestor unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a user profile representing evolving user profile data of a first user, the user profile accessible by a first organization and a second organization without communication between the first organization and the second organization. The method includes creating the user profile by a remote computer based on feedbacks from a corresponding users of the first organization communicating with the remote computer via an application programming interface operating on the remote computer. The user profile data of the user profile is stored on a data source operated only by the third organization. The application programming interface and the remote computer enable connection, over a second network, between a second computer operated by the second organization and the data source having the user profile data. The method further includes thereafter granting access to the user profile to the second computer via the application programming interface.

Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requestor unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.

Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requestor unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.

Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requestor unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.

Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requestor unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.

Abstract: The method of gathering information within a social network of identities in which people or other identities have social relationships with one another, such as personal or business relationships, and each person has an identity account (101) containing information about that person. The identity accounts reside on identity servers (150A, 150B, 150N) connected by way of a computer network (110A, 110B, 110N). Information, such as address and telephone information, is held in each person's identity account (101). The identity accounts (101) can be queried based on the social relationships to find information. One person can query a second person's contact information. The second person can then query others known to that second person for the information. Electronic contracts embody agreements between the people in the social network, specify the terms and conditions for using data in the identity accounts, and can limit the information returned to the person making the query.