Network based archiving of user-specific information in a communication system

• US 7,280,817 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Comp, Lynn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Duc M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thier; Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/190,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20040203579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,924 Days
• Field of Search: 455405-410, 379/219, 37935502-35601
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

User-specific information (e.g., call log information, contact information, etc.) normally stored within a mobile user device associated with a user is also maintained at one or more network storage locations within a communication system. The information may thereafter be easily transferred from the network storage location(s) to a new user device associated with the user.

Claims

1. A method for supporting an address book storage and retrieval service within a communication system that services mobile users, comprising:

receiving a call from a user device requesting storage, at a network storage location, of user-specific contact information;

determining whether a user associated with the user device is a subscriber to an address book service;

facilitating transfer of user-specific contact information from the user device to a network storage location when it is determined that the user is a subscriber to the address book service;

determining the validity of the call by checking whether a user associated with the user device has an agreement in place allowing outgoing calls to be made from the corresponding user device; and

wherein;

determining whether a user associated with the user device is a subscriber includes determining whether the user associated with the user device is one of the selected users of all users having an agreement in place additionally being a subscriber to the address book service separate from the agreement; and

facilitating transfer of user-specific contact information includes facilitating transfer of user-specific contact information from the user device to a network storage location when it is determined that the user has an agreement in place and is a subscriber to the address book service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

determining whether the user subscribes to the address book service is performed as part of a call authentication process.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transferring contact information from the network storage location to another mobile user device associated with the user when an appropriate request is received.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

said appropriate request is received from said another mobile user device during an initial programming of said another mobile user device by a vendor.