Abstract: Methods and systems to obtain information in a virtual reality environment for real time communication connections. One embodiment includes: a virtual reality server to host a virtual reality world and an avatar representing a participant of the virtual reality world, the virtual reality world including a virtual object to receive a message from an avatar; a controller to determine a context of the message and select an advertisement based on the context for presentation via the virtual object, the presented advertisement including an embedded reference to be used to request for a connection for real time communications; a session border controller to interface with a packet switched network; and one or more telecommunication servers coupled to the session border controller to connect the avatar to an advertiser of the advertisement for real time communications in response to a user of the avatar selecting the reference.

Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and/or commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to a request from a first member of a social network, determining a preference of a second member of the social network based at least in part on a characteristic of a social connection between the first and second members who are not socially directly connected in the social network; and facilitating real time communications between the first and second members in accordance with the preference. In one embodiment, the presentation of the advertisement or the advertiser is at least partially based on the social network.

Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and commerce via answers presented to questions. One embodiment includes one or more web servers to receive from a second user an answer to a question of a first user, and to present the answer with a communication reference of a connection provider to a third user; a session border controller of the connection provider to interface with a packet switched network; and one or more telecommunication servers of the connection provider coupled with the session border controller to connect the third user to the second user for real time communications in response to a request made via the communication referenced. One embodiment includes: receiving from a second user an answer to a question of a first user; and presenting to a third user the answer with a reference for requesting fee-based content from or real time communications with the second user.

Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and/or commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining data representing a social network of a plurality of members, including a first member and a second member; and providing the first member with information to present the second member, the information including a communication reference of a connection provider, the communication reference to be used to request the connection provider to establish a connection for real time communications between the first and second members without revealing a communication reference of the second member to the first member. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to search listings using a social network. One embodiment includes: receiving a search request from a first user of a social network, the search request including a specified distance in the social network; in response to the search request, identifying listings of a plurality of entities based at least in part on identifying one or more second users within the specified distance from the first user in the social network, the one or more second users being priori customers of the entities; and presenting the listings to the first user on behalf of the entities.

Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, a social network is used to provide information about an advertiser to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the advertiser to potential customers. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request from a customer for a document; and providing the customer with an advertisement embedded in the document, the advertisement including information to identify an advertiser of the advertisement based on a social network. In one embodiment, the presentation of the advertisement or the advertiser is at least partially based on the social network. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements on mobile/wireless media channels. In one embodiment, a method includes: assigning a telephone number to an advertiser, one of the telephone number and a reference to the telephone number to be included in an advertisement provided to an end user via a wireless media; and, monitoring telephone connections to the telephone number to bill the advertiser for the advertisement in response to each telephone connection to the telephone number. In one embodiment, a method includes: a first party providing an advertisement to a mobile device on behalf of an advertiser, the advertisement to include at least a reference to a telephonic connection with the advertiser; and, the first party collecting a fee from the advertiser in response to a telephonic connection being established between the advertiser and customer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to facilitate connections between peoples for real time communications. In one embodiment, a method includes: identifying an entity based at least in part on relevancy to a content of a document to be presented to a user; and for presentation to the user adding a communication reference separately from the content used to identify the entity; where the communication reference has been assigned to the entity and the communication reference can be used to request a connection for real time communications with the entity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to initiate callback with confirmation. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a reference (e.g., a callback phone number) in a request for a connection to a destination; providing a code via the reference in response to the request; receiving a code to confirm the request; determining whether the received code matches the provided code; and initiating a connection via the reference for the connection to the destination if the received code matches the provided code.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to facilitate searches for information to request for real time communication connections. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a request, via a communication reference embedded in a web page and storing data to associate the communication reference with the web page based on the request. The communication reference is assigned to represent contact information of a callee. In one embodiment, a search is performed using the stored data that associates the communication reference with the web page; and web pages in the search result are ranked based at least in part upon the usage of the communication reference embedded in the corresponding web page.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect a user of a telephony device to a selected one of service providers of a predefined category. One embodiment includes: providing a user interface element on a dial interface of a telephonic device to represent a communication reference associated with a pre-defined category of services; and responsive to a user selection of the user interface element, initiating a request from the telephonic device using the communication reference for a telephone connection to a service provider of the pre-defined category; where the service provider is to be selected from a plurality of service providers of the pre-defined category in response to the request and to be charged in response to a telephone lead connected to the service provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements for groups of advertisers. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining a geographic area after receiving a telephone call to a first telephone number publicized in an advertisement; determining a telephone number of a first advertiser; and connecting the telephone call to the telephone number of the first advertiser, the first advertiser billed for the advertisement based on telephonic connections made to connect the first advertiser and telephone calls to the first telephone number.

Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively block calls from reaching destinations based on an input received from a callback connection. One embodiment includes a web server to receive a selection of an advertisement from an customer and to obtain a communication reference from the customer in response to the selection; a session border controller to interface with a packet switched network; and one or more telecommunication servers coupled to the session border controller and the web server, the one or more telecommunication servers to establish a connection for real time communications using the communication reference, to initiate a connection for real time communications with an advertiser of the advertisement after receiving an indication of acceptance of the connection established using the communication reference; where the advertiser is charged an advertisement fee in response to establishing a connection for real time communications between the advertiser and the customer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements for groups of advertisers. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining a geographic area after receiving a telephone call to a first telephone number publicized in an advertisement; determining a telephone number of a first advertiser; and connecting the telephone call to the telephone number of the first advertiser, the first advertiser billed for the advertisement based on telephonic connections made to connect the first advertiser and telephone calls to the first telephone number.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to dynamically allocate location dependent telephone numbers to facilitate voice connections between people. One embodiment includes: responsive to a request from a user, selecting a telephone number from a plurality of telephone numbers of a connection server to match a location indicator of the request; embedding the telephone number in an advertisement, the telephone number to be used by the user to initiate a telephone call to the connection server for further connection to an advertiser of the advertisement; and providing the advertisement with the telephone number of the connection server as a response to the request. In one embodiment, responsive to receiving the telephone call at the telephone number of the connection server from the user, whether to play a prompt message to the user is determined based at least in part on statistic data about telephone calls collected at the connection server.

Abstract: A system for recording and distributing information is described. The system includes a controller computer capable of establishing a communications connection via a communications interface with information providers and users. The controller computer also maintains a web site through which information providers can list and describe the information services to be distributed through the web site and through which users can browse to find information services to purchase. Information providers record information over the communications connection, which is stored in a database maintained on the controller computer. Users select to receive recorded information, which is delivered over the communications connection by the controller computer. The controller computer further has the capability of automatically billing users and crediting information providers for the information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide services to people who wish to make connections for real time communication, such as live telephone conversation, chat, video conferencing, etc. In one embodiment, a method includes: presenting a listing, including a reference to establish a connection for real time communications with a first entity and a price for a first predetermined period of real time communication with the first entity; in response to a request from a second entity received via the reference, determining contact information of the first entity based on the reference used to received the request; and connecting the second entity and the first entity for a first session of real time communications using the determined contact information according to the price.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide services to people who wish to make connections for real time communication, such as live telephone conversation, chat, video conferencing, etc. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a seller with a code to be embedded in a document, the document to be distributed by the seller, the code to generate a display of a call button when the document is displayed; in response to a selection of the call button, initiating a process to make a telephonic connection between the seller and a buyer; and charging the buyer on behalf of the seller for a service delivered by the seller over the telephonic connection to the buyer.

Abstract: A system for recording and distributing information is described. The system includes a controller computer capable of establishing a communications connection via a communications interface with information providers and users. The controller computer also maintains a web site through which information providers can list and describe the information services to be distributed through the web site and through which users can browse to find information services to purchase. Information providers record information over the communications connection, which is stored in a database maintained on the controller computer. Users select to receive recorded information, which is delivered over the communications connection by the controller computer. The controller computer further has the capability of automatically billing users and crediting information providers for the information.