In various embodiments, two-dimensional (2D) barcodes are used in conjunction with a general purpose reloadable debit card (GPR card) to facilitate various user administration and management actions. The 2D barcode allows a user to easily perform various actions without having to enter account information. The actions may be initiated upon reading the 2D barcode, and may include accessing a web site, initiating a voice call, sending a text message, or sending an email message. The communications may include indication of the account number, so that a contact center, upon receiving the communication, can quickly ascertain the purchase transaction history. In addition, a destination address encoded in the 2D barcode may be used to uniquely identify the brand of GPR card and/or type of card within a brand. An originating address associated with the communication may be verified against address information associated with the account number.

In various embodiments, advertising campaigns can be defined that incorporate technologies such as two-dimensional barcodes or embedded links in electronic material, for directing a user to communicate with a call center. For instance, in particular embodiments, the reading of a two-dimensional barcode by a user with a smart phone may cause various forms of communication requesting a return communication. The communication from the smart phone may be sent to, and received at, the call center, where a calling campaign associated with an advertising campaign is identified using information associated with the communication. A responding communication may be initiated from the call center to the user.

A server performs a method for determining a communication target and facilitating communications with the target based on an object descriptor. The method includes the server receiving, from a requestor in a communication system, an object descriptor for an object, a description of a relationship between the object and a target in the communication system, and a request for a communication action with the target. The server then determines the target using the object descriptor and the relationship between the object and the target and facilitates the communication action with the target.

Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications via a telephonic apparatuses that support data communications. In one embodiment, a telephonic apparatus includes: a network interface to submit a query over a data communication network and to receive a listing with embedded information about the query; and a call module coupled to the network interface, the call module to embed the information about the query in a call signaling message for a telephonic connection according to the listing.

Disclosed is a system for controlling the information that is shared during electronic device communication. Devices communicate with a server and one another through a network. Requests for connections between users are received and connection records are created. Information is shared and communications are managed according to instructions specified by users.