Multi-level directory

• US 20070141875A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daigle, Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/304,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20070141875A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

Described is a method for providing contact information to a user. At least one embodiment of the method includes determining at least one direct contact of the user, where the at least one direct contact is associated with contact information and determining presence information related to the at least one direct contact of the user. At least one additional embodiment includes determining at least one indirect contact of the user and facilitating display of at least a portion of the contact information associated with the at least one indirect contact. Other methods and devices are provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing contact information, the method comprising:

determining at least one direct contact of the user, wherein the at least one direct contact is associated with contact information;

determining presence information related to the at least one direct contact of the user; and

in response to determining presence information related to the at least one direct contact of the user, determining at least one indirect contact of the user, wherein the at least one indirect contact is associated with contact information, wherein the at least one indirect contact is a contact of the at least one direct contact of the user, and wherein the at least one indirect contact is different than the at least one direct contact.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the presence of the at least one indirect contact of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising facilitating display of at least a portion of the contact information associated with the at least one indirect contact.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an option to save a link to the at least one indirect contact.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an option to save at least a portion of the contact information associated with the at least one indirect contact.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one indirect contact is a direct contact of the at least one direct contact.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one indirect contact is at least one of the following:

a second level contact of the user, a third level contact of the user, a fourth level contact of the user, a fifth level contact of the user, and a sixth level contact of the user.

8. A computer readable medium that includes a program for providing contact information, the program comprising:

logic configured to determine at least one direct contact of the user, wherein the at least one direct contact is associated with contact information;

logic configured to determine presence information related to the at least one direct contact of the user; and

logic configured to, in response to determining presence information related to the at least one direct contact of the user, determine at least one indirect contact of the user, wherein the at least one indirect contact is associated with contact information, wherein the at least one indirect contact is a contact of the at least one direct contact of the user, and wherein the at least one indirect contact is different than the at least one direct contact.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program further comprising logic configured to facilitate display of at least a portion of the contact information associated with the at least one indirect contact.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program further comprising logic configured to determine the presence of the at least one indirect contact of the user.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program further comprising logic configured to facilitate display of a relationship between the at least one indirect contact with the user.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program further comprising logic configured to provide an option to save a link to the at least one indirect contact.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program further comprising logic configured to provide an option to save at least a portion of the contact information associated with the at least one indirect contact.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program wherein the at least one indirect contact is a direct contact of the at least one direct contact.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one indirect contact is at least one of the following:

a second level contact of the user, a third level contact of the user, a fourth level contact of the user, a fifth level contact of the user, and a sixth level contact of the user.

16. A method for providing a user with contact information, the method comprising:

determining information related to at least one first level contact of the user, wherein the at least one first level contact is associated with user information, wherein the first level contact is associated with contact information;

determining, from the contact information related to the at least one first level contact, at least one second level contact of the user, wherein the at least one second level contact of the user is associated with user information, wherein the at least one second level contact is associated with contact information;

facilitating display of at least a portion of the user information associated with the at least one first level contact; and

facilitating display of at least a portion of the user information associated with the at least one second level contact.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining, from the contact information related to the at least one second level contact, at least one other level contact, wherein the at least one other level contact is different than the at least one second level contact, wherein the at least one other level contact is different than the at least one first level contact.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one other level contact included at least one of the following:

a third level contact of the user, a fourth level contact of the user, a fifth level contact of the user, a sixth level contact of the user, and a seventh level contact.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising at least one of the following:

determining presence information related to the at least one first level contact and determining presence information related to the at least one second level contact.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing an option to save at least a portion of the contact information associated with the at least one second level contact.