Communication between parties over the internet without revealing personal or security information

Abstract

Anonymous voice communication between a first station and a second station is facilitated by providing an interface that allows input of a transaction specification from at least one of the first and second stations. A reference code associated with the transaction is generated, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the address of the second station for voice communication. The reference code is supplied to the first station, and a voice communication request and the reference code are received from the first station. The reference code is used to recover said address and a channel for voice communication is opened between said first and second stations. Voice communication can thereby be established between the first and second stations without providing the address of the second station to the first station.A controlling apparatus providing communication service between two parties over the Internet, without revealing personal or security information between the two parties. The apparatus may receive information related to a second party as well as security information from the second party. The apparatus may provide or publish over the Internet part of the information related to the second party that does not include the security information. The apparatus may subsequently receive a communication request from a first party identifying the second party. The apparatus may verify the identity of the first party, and may provide the first party a reference code relating to the second party's contact information. The reference code may include one or more of an image, graphics, symbols and or a video. The first party may employ the reference code for establishing communication with the second party using a device that is directly connected to the Internet.

1. A method of facilitating anonymous communication between a first station and a second station, the second station having an address for communication, and each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
 providing a transaction specification from at least one of the first and second stations,   generating a reference code in response to the transaction specification, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and said address,   supplying the reference code to at least the first station,   receiving a communication request from the first station,   receiving the reference code from the first station,   using the reference code to recover said address, and   opening a channel for communication between said first and second stations,   whereby anonymous communication can be established between the first and second stations without providing said address to the first station.   
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said address specifies a node on a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said address specifies a node on a packet switched network. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said address specifies a node on a packet switched network, including Voice over IP. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the transaction specification includes inputting said transaction specification through a packet data network. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a first party at the first station and a second party at the second station, and the step of providing the transaction specification includes the first party posting an inquiry, the second party posting a response, and the first party accepting or rejection the response. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the transaction specification includes providing an interface that allows negotiation between parties at the first and second stations respectively regarding the transaction specification. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the transaction specification includes inputting said transaction specification through a packet data network, including one of wired or wireless Internet. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising generating a connection instruction based on the transaction specification. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising generating the reference code based on a connection instruction. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 1 , including storing a database of user profiles including said address. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 1 , including supplying the reference code to the first station over a packet data network. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 1 , including supplying the reference code to the first station over a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising storing the reference code until after the transaction has been completed and then erasing the reference code. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising supplying the reference code to both the first station and the second station. 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising connecting the first station and second station for voice communication over a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       17. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising connecting the first station and second station for voice communication over a packet data network. 
     
     
       18. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising connecting the first station and second station for voice communication through voice over IP. 
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising verifying the communication request against at least one criterion specified in the transaction specification before opening the channel for communication. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising rejecting the communication request if at least one criterion specified in the transaction specification is not satisfied. 
     
     
       21. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a party at the second station and the method comprises verifying the identity of the party at the second station before opening the channel for communication. 
     
     
       22. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises generating a communication record including data regarding the transaction, including at least one of start time, end time, reference code, duration of communication, fee information, and billing information. 
     
     
       23. A method according to  claim 22 , wherein first and second identities are associated with the first and second stations respectively and the communication record includes at least one of the first identity and the second identity. 
     
     
       24. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising issuing a prompt to the first station to enter the reference code. 
     
     
       25. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a first party at the first station and a second party at the second station, the first party is a purchaser of information and the second party is a seller of information, and the method comprises negotiating the transaction specification. 
     
     
       26. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a first party at the first station and the method includes the first party initiating a request for communication. 
     
     
       27. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying the transaction specification includes specifying a time or time interval for the communication request and the method includes determining whether the communication request is received from the first station at the specified time or time interval. 
     
     
       28. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of opening a communication channel includes attempting to establish a connection between the first and second stations, testing whether a connection is established, and, if not, scheduling a time for another attempt. 
     
     
       29. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises receiving from the second station specified times or time intervals at which a party is available at the second station for communication. 
     
     
       30. A method of establishing anonymous communication between a first station and a second station, the second station having an address for communication, and each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
 supplying a transaction specification as packet data over the packet data network from at least one of the first and second stations to a controller,   generating a reference code in response to the transaction specification at the controller, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and said address,   supplying the reference code from the controller to at least the first station,   making a communication request from the first station to the controller,   supplying the reference code from the first station to the controller,   using the controller to recover said address from the reference code, and   opening a channel for communication between said first and second stations.   
     
     
       31. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the method comprises making the communication request automatically by the first station contacting the controller unit. 
     
     
       32. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein there is a first party at the first station, and the method comprises making the communication request by the first party contacting the controller. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus for facilitating anonymous communication between a first party and a second party employing first and second stations respectively, each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the second party having an address for communication, including
 a means for enabling negotiation of a transaction specification over the packet data network,   a means for generating a reference code, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and said address, and for supplying the reference code to at least the first party, a means for receiving a communication request from at least the first party and for receiving the reference code from at least the first party,   a means for using the reference code to recover said address, and   a means for opening a communication channel between said first party and said address without supplying said address to the first party.   
     
     
       34. An apparatus according to  33 , wherein the means for opening a communication channel includes a means to test whether a connection is established. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus according to  33 , further comprising means to verify the communication request against at least one criterion specified in the transaction specification before opening a communication channel between the first party and said address. 
     
     
       36. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the anonymous communication is voice communication being one of telephone, cellular and voice-over Internet protocol communication. 
     
     
       37. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the anonymous communication is data communication being one of email, chat, messaging and web publishing. 
     
     
       38. A method of facilitating voice communication between a first station and a second station, the first station and second station being associated with a first party and a second party at least partly operating the first station and the second station, respectively,
 the second station being associated with a connection instruction for communication, the connection instruction including an address and/or security information related to the second station or the second party,   the first station including an Internet-enabled device having a user interface for interacting with the first party, and the Internet-enabled device being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
 receiving by the Internet-enabled device over the user interface at least a parameter associated with a transaction specification, the parameter including at least an indication related to communicating with the second party, 
 sending by the Internet-enabled device the transaction specification over the packet data network from the first station, 
 supplying by the Internet-enabled device using the user interface a reference code to the first party, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the connection instruction, the reference code including at least an image or graphics; 
 receiving by the Internet-enabled device over the user interface a communication request from the first party for communication with the second party, the communication request employing at least part of the reference code, the reference code having been previously supplied by the Internet-enabled device to the first party, 
 sending by the Internet-enabled device the communication request over the packet data network from the first station, and 
 opening by the Internet-enabled device a communication channel at the first station providing communication with the second station without supplying over the user interface screen said connection instruction, address and/or security information to the first party, the communication channel including at least a packet data network that is connected directly to the Internet-enabled device. 
   
     
     
       39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising supplying by the Internet-enabled device over the user interface a starting time and duration in which the channel for voice communication is opened. 
     
     
       40. The method according to claim 38, in which the Internet-enabled device includes a smart phone. 
     
     
       41. The method according to claim 38, in which the connection instruction further includes billing or charging information related to the second party or the second station, and the anonymous communication is established between the first and second stations, without providing said billing or charging information to the first party. 
     
     
       42. The method according to claim 38, in which the user interface includes a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       43. The method according to claim 38, in which supplying the reference code over the user interface includes one or more of displaying a symbol, displaying graphics, displaying an image, outputting a voice pattern as sound, and displaying a video. 
     
     
       44. The method according to claim 38, further including sending by the Internet-enabled device over the communication channel communication data, the communication data including one or more of audio, video, and text data. 
     
     
       45. A first station facilitating voice communication with a second station, the first station and second station being associated with a first party and a second party at least partly operating the first station and the second station, respectively, the second station being associated with a connection instruction for communication, and the connection instruction including an address and/or security information related to the second station or the second party, the first station comprising
 an Internet-enabled device including a user interface for interacting with the first party, the Internet-enabled device being connected directly to a packet data network and being enabled to transmit and receive packet data, the Internet-enabled device for receiving over the user interface at least a parameter associated with a transaction specification, the parameter including at least an indication related to communicating with the second party, sending the transaction specification over the packet data network, supplying over the user interface a reference code symbol, there being a defined relationship between the reference code symbol and the connection instruction, the reference code symbol including at least an image or graphics; receiving over the user interface a communication request from the first party for communication with the second party, the communication request employing at least part of the reference code symbol, the reference code symbol having been previously supplied by the Internet-enabled device to the first party, sending the communication request over the packet data network, and opening a communication channel at the first station providing voice communication with the second station without supplying over the user interface said connection instruction, address and/or security information to the first party, the communication channel including at least the packet data network that is connected directly to the Internet-enabled device.   
     
     
       46. The first station according to claim 45, in which the Internet-enabled device is further for supplying over the interface the starting time and duration in which the channel for voice communication is opened. 
     
     
       47. The first station according to claim 45, in which the Internet-enabled device includes a smart phone. 
     
     
       48. The first station according to claim 45, in which the interface includes a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       49. The first station according to claim 45, in which the communication channel includes voice over Internet protocol. 
     
     
       50. The first station according to claim 45, in which the Internet-enabled device is further for sending over the communication channel communication data, the communication data including one or more of audio, video, and text data, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       51. A method of facilitating voice communication between a first party and a second party operating at least partly a first station and a second station, respectively, the second station having a connection instruction for communication, the connection instruction including connection information relating to one or more of a time frame available for communication, chat alias, contact information, billing or charging information, and security information, the connection information being related to the second party or second station, the first station including an Internet-enabled device having a software program executable by the Internet-enabled device to facilitate communication, the Internet-enabled device including a user interface for interacting with the first party, and the first station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
 providing by the Internet-enabled device a transaction specification from the first station over the user interface to the first party,   supplying by the Internet-enabled device over the user interface a reference code to the first party, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the connection instruction,   receiving by the Internet-enabled device over the user interface a communication request from the first party, the communication request employing at least information related to the reference code,   sending by the Internet-enabled device over the packet data network the communication request,   receiving by the Internet-enabled device over the packet data network part of the connection instruction, without at least one or more of billing or charging information, and security information,   opening at the first station a channel providing communication with the second station in accordance at least partly to the said connection instruction without supplying over the user interface said one or more of billing or charging information, and security information to the first party, the channel providing communication including at least a packet data network that is connected directly to the first station.   
     
     
       52. The method according to claim 51, in which supplying the reference code over the interface includes one or more of displaying graphics, displaying an image, outputting a voice pattern as sound, and displaying a video, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       53. The method according to claim 51, in which the communication channel includes voice over Internet protocol. 
     
     
       54. The method according to claim 51, in which the packet data network includes a wireless network. 
     
     
       55. A first station facilitating voice communication with a second station, there being a first party at least partly operating the first station and a second party at least partly operating the second station, the second station having a connection instruction for communication, the connection instruction including connection information relating to one or more of a time frame available for communication, contact information, billing or charging information, chat alias, and security information, the connection information being related to the second party or second station, the first station comprising:
 an Internet-enabled device having a user interface for interacting with the first party and a software program, the Internet-enabled device being connected directly to a packet data network for executing the software program for transmitting and receiving packet data, supplying over the user interface a transaction specification and a reference code to the first party, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the connection instruction, receiving over the user interface a communication request from the first party, the communication request employing at least part of the reference code, sending over the packet data network the communication request, receiving over the packet data network part of a connection instruction, without one or more of billing or charging information, and security information, and opening at the first station a channel providing communication with the second station in accordance at least partly to the said connection instruction, without supplying over the user interface said one or more of billing or charging information, and security information, to the first party, the channel providing communication including at least the packet data network that is connected directly to the Internet-enabled device.   
     
     
       56. The first station according to claim 55, in which the interface includes a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       57. The first station according to claim 55, further comprising a wireless component and the Internet-enabled device being at least one of a screen phone, a smart phone, a super phone, a wireless PDA, an Internet-enabled cellular phone, a wireless Internet appliance, a wireless laptop, and a wireless personal computer. 
     
     
       58. The first station according to claim 55, in which the Internet-enabled device is further for supplying the identity of the first station or the first party over the packet data network. 
     
     
       59. The first station according to claim 55, in which the communication channel includes voice over Internet protocol. 
     
     
       60. An apparatus for facilitating communication between a first station and plurality of second stations, each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the first station being operated at least partly by a first party and each second station being operated at least partly by a respective second party, the first station including an Internet-enabled device and a user interface for interacting with the first party, the apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving a transaction specification from the plurality of second stations, the transaction specification from each of the plurality of second stations defining a transaction involving one or more of a product, a service, and information, individually or in any combination, related to the associated second station or second party providing the transaction specification;   means for receiving a connection instruction from each of the associated second stations or second parties, each connection instruction including an address or security information related to the associated second station or second party;   means for posting over the Internet at least part of the information related to the transaction specification of each of the second stations or second parties;   means for verifying the identity of the first party;   means for receiving a transaction specification from the first party for communication with a selected second station or second party among the plural second stations or second parties;   means for providing a reference code to the first station in response to the transaction specification from the first party, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the connection instruction of the selected second station or party;   means for receiving a request for communication from the first station or the first party employing at least in part the said reference code;   means for processing the communication request from the first station or the first party for communication with the second station or the second party; and   means for opening a channel of communication between the first and second station without requiring said address and/or security information related to the second party or the second station to be provided to the first party, the communication channel including the packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.   
     
     
       61. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the apparatus is located in one or more nodes over a network that includes the Internet. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus according to claim 60, in which the reference code includes at least one of an image, a graphics, and a video, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising means for charging at least one of the first and second parties a fee. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus according to claim 60, in which the channel of communication includes one or more of a chat, a messaging, a voice communication, a video conferencing, a Web publishing and an e-mail, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       65. The apparatus according to claim 60, in which the transaction specification from the first party or the first station or the transaction specification from the second station or the second party includes one or more parameters specifying a time or time availability for communication. 
     
     
       66. The apparatus according to claim 65, further comprising means for rejecting a communication request from the first station or the first party based at least in part on whether the communication request satisfies a time or a time availability related to the second station or the second party as specified in the transaction specification from the second station or the second party. 
     
     
       67. The apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising means for sending the second station or second party at least part of the transaction specification from the first station or the first party, and means for receiving from the second station or the second party an acceptance of the transaction specification sent from the first station or the first party. 
     
     
       68. A processor-readable non-transitory storage component containing a program of commands executable by one or more processors for facilitating communication between a first station and a second station associated with and operated at least partly by a first party and a second party, respectively,
 the second station having a connection instruction for communication that includes at least one of an address, a security information, and an identifier, individually or in any combination related to the second station or the second party,   the first station and the second station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the first station including an Internet-enabled wireless device, a user interface for interacting with the first party, one or more memory for storing data, and one or more processors, the program contained in the processor-readable non-transitory storage component being executable to:   verify the identity of the first party;   receive over the Internet at least part of a transaction specification involving at least one of a product, a service, and information, individually or in any combination, related to the second station or the second party;   send a transaction specification from the first station related at least in part to communication with the second station or the second party;   receive a reference code at the first station in response to sending the transaction specification related at least in part to communication with the second station or the second party, the reference code having a defined relationship with the connection instruction related to the second station or the second party, at least part of the reference code including at least one of an image, a graphics, and a video, individually or in any combination, the reference code providing a means for the first station or the first party to make a communication request with the second station or the second party without providing the first party at least the said address and/or security information related to the second station or the second party;   send a communication request from the first station for communication with the second station or the second party employing at least part of the said reference code; and   open a channel for communication with the second station without requiring the said address and/or security information related to the second station or the second party to be provided to the first party, the channel for communication including at least the packet data network that is connected directly to the first station.   
     
     
       69. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 68, in which the program is further executable to determine that the identity of the first party is not verified, and to reject the first party for communication. 
     
     
       70. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 68, in which the program is further executable to support negotiation of a transaction specification between the first party and the second party. 
     
     
       71. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 70, in which the support for the negotiation of the transaction specification between the first party and the second party includes receiving at the first station an indication that the second station or the second party has accepted the transaction specification sent from the first station or the first party. 
     
     
       72. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 70, in which support for the negotiation of the transaction specification includes an indication as to whether voice communication is accepted or rejected or to be accepted or rejected. 
     
     
       73. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 68, in which the communication further includes one or more of a chat, a messaging, a voice communication, a video conferencing, a Web publishing and an e-mail, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       74. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 68, in which the transaction specification from the second station or the second party further includes one or more parameters specifying a time or a time availability for communication. 
     
     
       75. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 68, in which the user interface included in the first station includes a touch-sensitive screen display interface. 
     
     
       76. A processor-readable non-transitory storage component containing a program of commands executable by one or more processors for facilitating communication between a first station and a second station associated with and operated at least partly by a first party and a second party, respectively,
 the first station and second station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the second station including an Internet-enabled device, a user interface for interacting with the second party, one or more memory for storing data, and one or more processors, the program contained in the processor-readable non-transitory non-transitory storage component being further executable to:   verify the identity of the second party;   send a transaction specification from the second station, the transaction specification involving one or more of a product, a service and information, individually or in any combination related to the second station or the second party;   post over the Internet at least part of the information included in the transaction specification related to the second station or the second party;   send a connection instruction from the second station or the second party that includes at least one of an address, a security information, and an identifier, individually or in any combination related to the second station or the second party;   provide at least part of a reference code from the second station, the reference code including at least one of an image, a graphics, and a video, individually or in any combination, the reference code having a defined relationship with the said connection instruction, the reference code for enabling the first station to make a communication request with the second station or the second party without providing the first party at least the said address and/or said security information related to the second station or the second party;   receive a communication request from the first station; the communication request employing at least part of the said reference code, and   open a channel for communication with the first station without requiring at least the said address and/or said security information related to the second station or the second party to be provided to the first party, the channel for communication including at least the packet data network that is connected directly to the second station.   
     
     
       77. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 76, in which the Internet-enabled device corresponds to a mobile wireless device. 
     
     
       78. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 76, in which the transaction specification sent from the second station further includes one or more parameters specifying a time or a time availability for communication related to the second party or the second station. 
     
     
       79. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 78, in which the program is further executable to reject the communication request from the first station or the first party if the communication request does not fall within the time or time availability of the second station or the second party specified in the transaction specification from the second station or the second party. 
     
     
       80. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 76, in which the program is further executable to receive the communication request from the first station or the first party including at least an identifier related to the first party. 
     
     
       81. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 76, in which the device corresponds to one or more of a screen phone, a smart phone, a super phone, an Internet-enabled cellular phone, an Internet appliance, a laptop, and a personal computer, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       82. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 76, in which the program is further executable to determine that the identity of the second party is not verified, and to reject the second party for communication. 
     
     
       83. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 76, in which the program is further executable to receive a transaction specification from the first party or the first station that includes communication with the second party. 
     
     
       84. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 83, in which the program is further executable to send at the second station an acceptance of the transaction specification from the first party or the first station. 
     
     
       85. An Internet-enabled device included in a first station for facilitating communication between the first station and a second station, wherein the first station and second station are associated with and operated at least partly by a first party and a second party, respectively,
 the second station having a connection instruction for communication that includes at least one of an address, a security information, and an identifier, individually or in any combination related to the second station or the second party,   the first station and the second station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the Internet-enabled device including a user interface for interacting with the first party, the interface including a touch sensitive display screen and a push button, individually or in any combination, one or more memory for storing data, one or more processors for executing one or more software programs, the Internet-enabled device further comprising:   means for verifying the identity of the first party;   means for receiving over the Internet at least part of a transaction specification involving at least one of a product, a service, and information, individually or in any combination, related to the second station or the second party;   means for sending a transaction specification from the first station related at least in part to communication with the second station or the second party;   means for receiving a reference code at the first station in response to sending the transaction specification, the reference code having a defined relationship with the connection instruction related to the second station or the second party, at least part of the reference code including at least one of an image, a graphics, and a video, individually or in any combination, the reference code providing a means for the first party to make a communication request to the second station or the second party without providing the first party at least the said address and/or said security information related to the second station or the second party;   means for sending a communication request from the first station for communication with the second station or the second party employing at least part of the said reference code received at the first station; and   means for opening a channel for communication with the second station without requiring the address and/or security information related to the second station or the second party to be provided to the first party, the channel for communication including at least the packet data network that is connected directly to the Internet-enabled device.   
     
     
       86. The Internet-enabled device according to claim 85, further comprising means for receiving at the first station a time or a time availability associated with the second station or the second party. 
     
     
       87. The Internet-enabled device according to claim 85, in which the means for sending a transaction specification from the first station includes an indication of a time or a time availability related to the first station or first party. 
     
     
       88. The Internet-enabled device according to claim 85, in which the communication further includes one or more of a chat, a messaging, a voice communication, a video conferencing, a web publishing and an e-mail, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       89. The Internet-enabled device according to claim 85, further comprising one or more of a screen phone, a smart phone, a super phone, an Internet-enabled cellular phone, an Internet appliance, a laptop, and a personal computer, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       90. The Internet-enabled device according to claim 85, corresponding to a wireless mobile device that includes a touch sensitive display screen. 
     
     
       91. The Internet-enabled device according to claim 85, further comprising means for charging the first party a fee. 
     
     
       92. A processor-readable non-transitory storage component containing a program of commands executable by a processor for facilitating communication between a first station and a second station associated with and operated at least partly by a first party and a second party, respectively,
 the first station and second station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the second station including an Internet-enabled device and a user interface for interacting with the second party, the program contained in the processor-readable non-transitory storage component being further executable by the processor to:   verify the identity of the second party;   receive a transaction specification from the second station or the second party, the transaction specification including at least one of a product, a service, and information, individually or in any combination related to the second station or the second party;   receive a connection instruction from the second station or the second party that includes an address or a security information, individually or in combination, related to the second station or the second party;   verify the identity of the first party;   provide at least part of the transaction specification from the second station or the second party to the first station or the first party;   provide at least part of a reference code to the first station or the first party, the reference code including at least one of an image, a graphics, and a video, individually or in any combination, the reference code having a defined relationship with the said connection instruction related to the second station or the second party, the reference code providing a means for the first station or the first party to make a communication request with the second station or the second party without providing the first party at least the said address and/or said security information related to the second station or the second party;   receive a communication request from the first station or the first party, the first station or the first party employing at least part of the said reference code; and   open a channel for communication between the first station and the second station without requiring at least the said address and/or said security information related to the second station or the second party to be provided to the first party, the channel for communication including at least the packet data network that is connected directly to the second station.   
     
     
       93. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 92, in which the program is further executable to provide the first station or the first party a time or time availability for communication with the second party or the second station. 
     
     
       94. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 93, in which the program is further executable to verify the communication request from the first station or the first party of whether the communication request falls within the time or time availability of the second station or the second party. 
     
     
       95. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 92, in which the program is further executable to post over the Internet at least part of the information associated with the transaction specification received from the second station or the second party. 
     
     
       96. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 92, in which the program is further executable to receive a transaction specification from the first party or the first station that includes communication with the second party. 
     
     
       97. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 96, in which the program is further executable to send an acceptance by the second party of the transaction specification from the first party. 
     
     
       98. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 96, in which the communication further includes one or more of a chat, a messaging, a voice communication, a video conferencing, a Web publishing and an e-mail, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       99. The processor-readable non-transitory storage component according to claim 96, in which the program is further executable to store a history of transactions related to the communication between the first party and the second party.