System for storing and supplying wireless contacts information

• US 20020068551A1
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Search Security LLC
• Original Assignee: Flatwire Incorporated
• Inventors: Butler, Tracy K., Strunk, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,558,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4936 Speech interaction details speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

A computer-based system for gathering, storing and transmitting contact information for wireless communication devices. The system includes a network station for compiling contact information received from wireless communication service providers. The compiled information is periodically updated and transmitted upon request. The system can be accessed by interface facilitators as well as by individuals interested in obtaining contact information, such as, for example, the calling number for a particular cellular phone.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system to provide a directory of contact information associated with wireless communications devices, the system comprising:

a. a network station designed to carry out software-based instructions in the generation of a database system of the contact information for wireless communication devices;

b. a contact information gathering system which implements a process to gather from one or more sources the contact information for one or more wireless communication devices; and

c. an exchange system which receives from said information gathering system and transmits the contact information to one or more parties upon request.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication devices are cellular phones.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one or more sources of said contact information are one or more wireless communication service providers.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a router switch station for coupling said network station to said wireless communication service providers.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising means to enable said network station to poll said wireless communication service providers one or more times per day to update said contact information of said database system.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising software means suitable for use with the wireless communication devices, wherein said software means is configured to enable a device user to enter contact information and update said database system for access of particular individually created contact information.

7. A method for providing contact information associated with wireless communication devices, the method comprising the steps of:

a. gathering the contact information from one or more sources of wireless communication device service providers;

b. generating a database system of the contact information; and

c. transmitting from said database system to one or more receivers upon request the contact information associated with one or more wireless communication devices.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the step of gathering the contact information includes the step of linking said database system to said service providers through a router switch station.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the step of gathering the contact information includes the step of polling said service providers one or more times per day for updates of the contact information.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said wireless communication devices are cellular phones.