Patent ID: 7924825

Claim:
A system, comprising: a portable device that includes a processor and memory having a set of information stored thereon that includes first information; and a telephony service that includes a remote server system having associated therewith a database that includes a user telephone number that is associated with the portable device; wherein the system is configured so that in the event the portable device is coupled to a first computer via an external peripheral interface of the first computer, the first information stored in the memory is coupled via the first computer and a first network connection to the telephony service, and in the event a first incoming telephone call is received that designates the user telephone number while the portable device is coupled to the first computer, the telephony service uses at least a portion of the first information to cause the first incoming telephone call to be directed as a first VoIP call via a first call path to the first computer, wherein the system is configured so that the first VoIP call is converted into a first PSTN telephone compatible call which is coupled to a first telephony device external to the first computer, wherein the system is configured so that in the event the portable device is coupled to a second computer via an external peripheral interface of the second computer, the first information stored in the memory is coupled via the second computer and a second network connection to the telephony service, and in the event a second incoming telephone call is received that designates the user telephone number while the portable device is coupled to the second computer, the telephony service uses at least a portion of the first information to cause the second incoming telephone call to be directed as a second VoIP call via a second call path to the second computer, wherein the system is configured so that the second VoIP call is converted into a second PSTN telephone compatible call which is coupled to a second telephony device external to the second computer, and wherein the first call path and the second call path include respective call path segments that include respective portions of the global Internet.