System and method for managing a plurality of local lists of a single user

• US 6,957,776 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2000
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ng, Yvonne
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Seung H
• Application Number:
  US09/538,767
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: 235/474, 235/492, 235/375, 235/376, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/474
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/357 Cards having a plurality of specified features
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A system for managing a plurality of local lists of a single user includes a compact user-carried smart card including a microprocessor and a memory storing a master list. The plurality of local lists is located at a plurality of remote appliances. Each appliance holds a corresponding local list and includes a card reader. The master list is configured for synchronizing with each local list. The microprocessor is programmed to synchronize the master list with the local list on a remote appliance when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader. Synchronization allows the user to carry the smart card with the master list stored in the smart card memory to various remote appliances and synchronize the master list with the various local lists of the appliances.

Claims

1. A system for managing a plurality of local lists of a single user, the plurality of local lists being located at a plurality of remote appliances wherein each appliance holds a corresponding local list and includes a card reader, the system comprising:

a compact user-carried smart card including a microprocessor and a memory storing a master list composed of personal data entries including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses, the master list being configured for synchronizing with each local list, the microprocessor being programmed to synchronize the master list with a local list on a remote appliance when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader to allow the user to carry the smart card with the master list stored in the smart card memory to various remote appliances and synchronize the master list with the various local lists of the appliances.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein an access type of remote appliance is configured to display a list and includes a card reader, and wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to send the master list to the access type remote appliance for display thereon when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader of the access type remote appliance.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the entries is an electronic bookmark.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory also stores an electronic wallet.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the entries is a password.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory stores an encrypted smart card password to control access to the master list.

7. A system for managing a plurality of local lists of a single user, the system comprising:

a plurality of remote appliances for use on different networks wherein each appliance holds a corresponding local list of the plurality of local lists, and each appliance includes a card reader; and

a compact user-carried smart card including a microprocessor and a memory storing a master list composed of personal data entries including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses, the master list being configured for synchronizing with each local list, the microprocessor being programmed to synchronize the master list with a local list on a remote appliance when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader to allow the user to carry the smart card with the master list stored in the smart card memory to various remote appliances and synchronize the master list with the various local lists of the appliances.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of remote appliances includes at least one access type of remote appliance configured to display a list and including a card reader, and wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to send the master list to the access type remote appliance for display thereon when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader of the at least one access type remote appliance.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of remote appliances includes web-enabled appliances and non-web-enabled appliances.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of the entries is an electronic bookmark.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the memory also stores an electronic wallet.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of the entries is a password.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein the memory stores an encrypted smart card password to control access to the master list.

14. A method for managing a plurality of local lists of a single user, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of local lists on a plurality of corresponding remote appliances, each appliance including a card reader; and

storing a master list composed of personal data entries including names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses on a compact user-carried smart card including a microprocessor and a memory for storing the master list, the master list being configured for synchronizing with each local list, the microprocessor being programmed to synchronize the master list with a local list on a remote appliance when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

synchronizing the master list with at least one of the local lists.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the plurality of remote appliances includes an access type of remote appliance configured to display a list and including a card reader, and wherein the method further comprises:

sending the master list to the access type remote appliance for display thereon when the smart card is engaged with the remote appliance card reader of the access type remote appliance.