Communication systems and methods

Abstract

Communication systems and methods support communication between multiple devices. In some embodiments, a method initiates a communication session between a first device and a second device via a server. The method identifies a first user associated with the first device and identifies a second user associated with the second device. An interaction history between the first user and the second user is accessed from the server and communicated to the first device for display on the first device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 establishing a communication session between a first device and a second device, the first device associated with a user and the second device associated with a merchant, the communication session established by a server;   the server automatically determining that the second device is associated with a merchant; and   the server communicating the merchant association with the second device to the first device, the first device maintaining a contact list of merchants with which the first device has previously established a communication session.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising communicating information associated with the merchant from the server to the first device. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , the information associated with the merchant including at least one of the name of the merchant, contact information associated with the merchant, a product or service category associated with the merchant, and a history of products or services previously purchased by the user from the merchant. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , the communication session supporting interactive display screens that allow the user of the first device to obtain information about the merchant. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , the communication session supporting interactive display screens that allow the user of the first device to enter information in forms predefined by the merchant. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , the communication session supporting use of forms defined by the merchant, the forms being displayed to the user of the first device with at least a portion of the form completed using data cached in the first device. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , the communication session supporting use of forms defined by the merchant, the forms being displayed to the user of the first device with at least a portion of the form completed using data stored in the server. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 communicating an offer to a mobile device for display on the mobile device, the offer including an option to purchase a product;   receiving a request from a user of the mobile device to purchase the product;   receiving product purchase information from the user;   offering an additional service to the user, the additional service associated with the product purchase; and   validating, using one or more processors, a user identity responsive to acceptance of the offer for the additional service by receiving physical input from the user via the mobile device.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , the additional service including at least one of future updates associated with the product and supplemental information regarding the product. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , the physical input including at least one of the user pressing a designated portion of a display screen contained in the mobile device, the user swiping a designated portion of the display screen contained in the mobile device, and the user pressing a designated sequence of buttons displayed on the display screen contained in the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , the validating of the user identity further including receiving an audible utterance spoken by the user of the mobile device.