Electronic directory system and method

• US 6,320,943 B1
• Filed: 06/12/1997
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tumbleweed Holdings LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Legerity Incorporated (Microsemi Semiconductor Corp.)
• Inventors: Borland, David James
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUC MINH
• Application Number:
  US08/874,004
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111-114, 379/117-118, 379/120, 379/127, 379/133-134, 379/142, 379/156, 379/177, 379/216, 379/355-356, 397/211, 397/201, 455/73, 455/566, 455/567, 455/575
• US Class Current: 379/112.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2746 Sorting, e.g. according to history or frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/16 Sequence circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

An electronic directory and corresponding communication device is disclosed. The directory includes telecommunications numbers. The directory may further include priority information associated with each number which is used when accessing the directory to facilitate usability. The priority information may include an indication of usage of the communication device corresponding to the directory such that access to the directory is based on usage. The directory may be built up using caller identification information received with incoming calls and may searched to retrieve a desired number.

Claims

1. An electronic directory system, comprising:

a memory arrangement configured to store directory information for one or more communications devices, the directory information comprising a plurality of telecommunications numbers and priority information associated with each telecommunications number, wherein the priority information comprises an indication of use of any of the one or more communications devices associated with the directory;

a user interface configured to receive directory access information; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory arrangement and the user interface, the processing unit configured to identify a particular telecommunications number in response to the directory access information and the priority information, wherein the processing unit is further configured to remove directory entries from the memory arrangement to free up storage space in the memory arrangement, wherein the directory entries with a lowest priority value are removed before the directory entries with a higher priority value.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the priority information further comprises an indication of a number of times a call has been received from an associated telecommunications number.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the priority information further comprises an indication of a number of times the associated telecommunications number has been called.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

one or more filters coupled to the memory arrangement to control which information is placed in the directory information.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the one or more filters block entry of unavailable, private or blocked telecommunications numbers into the directory information.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein operation of the one or more filters is set during manufacture of the electronic directory structure.

7. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein operation of the one or more filters are controllable by a user.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the user interface is further configured to facilitate dialing of outgoing calls by searching in the directory information for telecommunications numbers that correspond to digits being dialed, wherein a corresponding telecommunications number is provided through the user interface in response to the digits being dialed and the priority information.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the user interface is further configured to auto-dial the corresponding telecommunications number in response to a user acceptance of the corresponding telecommunications number.

10. An electronic directory system, comprising:

a memory arrangement configured to store directory information for one or more communications devices, the directory information comprising a plurality of telecommunications numbers and priority information associated with each telecommunications number, wherein the priority information comprises an indication of use of any of the one or more communications devices associated with the directory;

one or more filters coupled to the memory arrangement to control which information is placed in the directory information, wherein the one or more filters block entry of unavailable, private or blocked telecommunications numbers into the directory information;

a user interface provided to receive directory access information; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory arrangement and the user interface, the processing unit configured to identify a particular telecommunications number in response to the directory access information and the priority information.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the priority information further comprises an indication of a number of times a call has been received from an associated telecommunications number.

12. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the priority information comprises an indication of a number of times the associated telecommunications number has been called.

14. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein operation of the one or more filters are controllable by a user.

15. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the user interface is further configured to facilitate dialing of outgoing calls by searching in the directory information for telecommunications numbers that correspond to digits being dialed, wherein a corresponding telecommunications number is provided through the user interface in response to the digits being dialed and the priority information.

16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the user interface is further configured to auto-dial the corresponding telecommunications number in response to a user acceptance of the corresponding telecommunications number.

13. The system as recited in claimed 10 wherein operation of the one or more filters is set during manufacture of the electronic directory structure.

17. A method of storing and looking up telecommunications directory information, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of telecommunications numbers;

filtering the plurality of telecommunications numbers prior to said storing to block storage of unavailable, private or blocked telecommunications numbers;

monitoring usage, in connection with a particular telecommunications number, of any of one or more communication devices associated with the directory;

associating the priority information with the particular telecommunications number based on the monitored usage;

receiving directory access information related to a telecommunications number to be retrieved;

identifying a sub-set of the telecommunications numbers based on the directory access information; and

presenting one or more telecommunications numbers in the sub-set of telecommunications numbers to a user based on the associated priority information.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the particular telecommunications number is that of an outgoing call, the priority information including an indication of a number of times a call has been initiated using any of the one or more communication devices to the particular telecommunications number.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the particular telecommunications number is an incoming call with caller identification information, the priority information including an indication of a time a call from the particular telecommunications number was received.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the particular telecommunications number is an outgoing call, the priority information including an indication of a time at which a call to the particular telecommunications number was made.

21. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein storing the telecommunications numbers comprises receiving telecommunications number information from caller identification information provided with an incoming call.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the method further includes:

storing the identification information associated with the telecommunications number.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the identification information includes name information received from caller identification information provided with the incoming call.

24. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein associating priority information comprises assigning a number representing a type of communications device associated with the telecommunications number.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein assigning a number representing a type of communications device associated with the telecommunications number comprises assigning a number representing a type of communications device associated with the telecommunications number, wherein the type of communications device is taken from the group consisting of a home voice telephone, a work voice telephone, a mobile phone, a home facsimile machine, a work facsimile machine, and a pager.

26. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

accepting one of the one or more telecommunications numbers presented; and

dialing the one of the one or more telecommunications numbers accepted.

27. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

removing one of the one or more telecommunications numbers and associated priority information to free up storage space based solely on the associated priority information.

28. A method of storing and looking up telecommunications directory information, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of telecommunications numbers;

monitoring usage, in connection with a particular telecommunications number of the plurality of telecommunications numbers, of one or more communication devices associated with the directory;

associating priority information with the particular telecommunications number based on the usage from monitoring usage of the one or more communication devices associated with the directory;

removing one of the one or more telecommunications numbers and associated priority information to free up storage space based solely on the associated priority information;

receiving directory access information related to a telecommunications number to be retrieved from the plurality of telecommunications numbers;

identifying a sub-set of the plurality of telecommunications numbers based on the directory access information; and

presenting one or more telecommunications numbers in the sub-set of the plurality of telecommunications numbers to a user based on the associated priority information.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, herein the particular telecommunications number is that of an outgoing call, the priority information including an indication of a number of times a call has been initiated using the communication device to the particular telecommunications number.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the particular telecommunications number is an incoming call with caller identification information, the priority information including an indication of a time a call from the particular telecommunications number was received.

31. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the particular telecommunication s number is an outgoing call, the priority information including an indication of a time at which a call to the particular telecommunications number was made.

32. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein storing the telecommunications numbers comprises receiving telecommunications number information from caller identification information provided with an incoming call.

33. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein the method further includes storing the identification information associated with the telecommunications number.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein the identification information includes name information received from caller identification information provided with the incoming call.

35. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein associating priority information comprises assigning a number representing usage of the telecommunications number.

36. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising:

accepting one of the one or more telecommunications numbers presented; and

dialing the one of the one or more telecommunications numbers accepted.

37. A communications device configured to communicate with a communications network, the communications device comprising:

a microphone configured to receive audio information;

a speaker configured to output audio information;

a directory configured to store and retrieve directory information including a plurality of numbers, the directory information further including identification information and priority information corresponding to each of the plurality of numbers, wherein the priority information comprises an indication of use of the communications device, and wherein the priority information further comprises an indication of a number of times a call has been received from one of the plurality of numbers;

an interface configured to receive look-up information from a user and to output at least one of the plurality of numbers, in response to receipt of the look-up information, based on the corresponding priority information, wherein the look-up information includes at least one of one or more numbers of a telecommunications number to be called and one or more letters associated with the telecommunications number to be called; and

a processing arrangement configured to monitor usage of the communications device and to update the directory based on the usage, wherein the processing unit is further configured to remove directory entries from the memory arrangement to free up storage space in the memory arrangement, wherein the directory entries with a lowest priority value are removed before the directory entries with a higher priority value.

38. The communications device as recited in claim 37, wherein the priority information comprises an indication of the usage of the communication device in connection with the corresponding number.

39. The communications device as recited in claim 37, wherein the usage of the communication device monitored by the processing arrangement comprises calls received by the communication device from the communication network.

40. The communications device as recited in claim 37, wherein the usage of the communication device monitored by the processing arrangement comprises calls initiated to the communication network from the communication device.

41. The system as recited in claim 37, wherein the priority information further comprises an indication of a number of times the one of the plurality of numbers has been called.

42. The communications device as recited in claim 37, further comprising:

one or more filters coupled to the memory arrangement to control which information is placed in the directory information.

43. The communications device as recited in claim 42, wherein the one or more filters block entry of unavailable, private or blocked telecommunications numbers into the directory information.

44. The communications device as recited in claim 42, wherein operation of the one or more filters is set during manufacture of the electronic directory structure.

45. The communications device as recited in claim 42, wherein operation of the one or more filters are controllable by a user.

46. The communications device as recited in claim 37, wherein the user interface is further configured to facilitate dialing of outgoing calls by searching in the directory information for telecommunications numbers that correspond to digits being dialed, wherein a corresponding telecommunications number is provided through the user interface in response to the digits being dialed and the priority information.

47. The communications device as recited in claim 46, wherein the user interface is further configured to auto-dial the corresponding telecommunications number in response to a user acceptance of the corresponding telecommunications number.

48. The communications device as recited in claim 37, wherein the processing unit is further configured to monitor usage of one or more additional communications devices and further to update the directory based on the usage of the one or more additional communications devices.

49. A communications system configured to communicate with a communications network, the communications system comprising:

a base station, comprising;

a directory configured to store and retrieve directory information including a plurality of numbers, the directory information further including identification information and priority information corresponding to each of the plurality of numbers, wherein the priority information comprises an indication of use of the communications device, and wherein the priority information further comprises an indication of a number of times a call has been received from one of the plurality of numbers; and

a processing arrangement configured to monitor usage of the communication system and to update the directory based on the usage; and

one or more handset units, wherein each of the one or more handset units comprises;

a microphone configured to receive audio information;

a speaker configured to output audio information; and

a user interface configured to receive look-up information from a user and to query the directory in the base station to output at least one of the plurality of numbers, in response to receipt of the look-up information, based on the corresponding priority information, wherein the look-up information includes at least one of one or more numbers of a telecommunications number to be called and one or more letters associated with the telecommunications number to be called;

wherein each of the one or more handset units is configured to communicate usage to the processing arrangement.

50. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the priority information comprises an indication of the usage of a particular handset unit of the one or more handset units in connection with the corresponding number.

51. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the usage of the communication system monitored by the processing arrangement comprises calls received by a particular handset unit of the one or more handset units from the communication network.

52. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the usage of the communication system monitored by the processing arrangement comprises calls initiated to the communication network from a particular handset unit of the one or more handset units.

53. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the directory is optimized for use by each of the one or more handset units based on individual usage.

54. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the one or more handset units includes a plurality of handset units, wherein the directory is optimized for use by each of the one or more handset units based on combined usage of the plurality of handset units.

55. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the base station further comprising:

one or more filters coupled to the memory arrangement to control which information is placed in the directory.

56. The system as recited in claim 55, wherein the one or more filters block entry of unavailable, private or blocked telecommunications numbers into the directory.

57. The system as recited in claim 55, wherein operation of the one or more filters is set during manufacture of the base station.

58. The system as recited in claim 55, wherein operation of the one or more filters is controllable by a user of each of the one or more hand set units.

59. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the user interface is further configured to facilitate dialing of outgoing calls by searching in the directory information for telecommunications numbers that correspond to digits being dialed, wherein a corresponding telecommunications number is provided through the user interface in response to the digits being dialed and the priority information.

60. The system as recited in claim 59, wherein the user interface is further configured to auto-dial the corresponding telecommunications number in response to user acceptance of the corresponding telecommunications number.

61. The system as recited in claim 49, wherein the directory is further configured to remove directory information to free up storage space in the directory, wherein the directory information with a lowest priority value is removed before the directory information with a higher priority value.

62. A system, comprising:

means for storing a plurality of telecommunications numbers;

means for filtering the plurality of telecommunications numbers prior to storing one of the plurality of telecommunications numbers to block storage of unavailable, private or blocked telecommunications numbers;

means for monitoring usage, in connection with a particular telecommunications number, of any of one or more communication devices associated with the means for storing the plurality of telecommunications numbers;

means for associating the priority information with the particular telecommunications number based on the monitored usage;

means for receiving directory access information related to a telecommunications number to be retrieved;

means for identifying a sub-set of the telecommunications numbers based on the directory access information; and

means for presenting one or more telecommunications numbers in the sub-set of telecommunications numbers to a user based on the associated priority information.

63. A system, comprising:

means for storing a plurality of telecommunications numbers;

means for monitoring usage, in connection with a particular telecommunications number of the plurality of telecommunications numbers, of one or more communication devices associated with the means for storing the plurality of telecommunications numbers;

means for associating priority information with the particular telecommunications number based on the usage from monitoring usage of the one or more communication devices associated with the means for storing the plurality of telecommunications numbers;

means for removing one of the one or more telecommunications numbers and associated priority information to free up storage space based solely on the associated priority information;

means for receiving directory access information related to a telecommunications number to be retrieved from the plurality of telecommunications numbers;

means for identifying a sub-set of the plurality of telecommunications numbers based on the directory access information; and

means for presenting one or more telecommunications numbers in the sub-set of the plurality of telecommunications numbers to a user based on the associated priority information.