Unified communications and commerce systems and methods, and device therefore

摘要

A client/server system that facilitates communications access. A miniature CD-ROM or other physical media can be used to distribute client software to users. Client distribution media may also include additional software, such as that used to encrypt a document, create a virtual private network, videoconference, and the like. Client distribution media can also be used as a credit card, telephone calling card, debit card, employee identification card, access control card, and for other purposes. A server may act as a central point through which communications services, such as data transmission, telephony, video conferencing, and the like, can be accessed. A server may also store user profile information, such as user preferences, user contact information, user calendar information, and other such information. A server can also allow creation of rule based commerce accounts, which can be accessed through client distribution media, or through methods associated with traditional commerce accounts, such as bank accounts.