Method and system for managing changes to a contact database

• US 9,065,902 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Pappalardo, Susan Elizabeth, Fuller, Jason William, Chin, Peter G., Tenenbaum, Jessica Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu X
• Application Number:
  US11/115,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20050208971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,710 Days
• Field of Search: 455/415, 455/425, 455/556.2, 455/566, 455/551, 455/560, 715/271, 715/273, 715/819, 715/820
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/275 Synchronous replication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27457 Management thereof, e.g. manual editing of data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• 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 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

Described is a system and method for updating a contact and adding a new contact from a call log in a communications device. The system includes a contact manager that is directed towards creating and updating call contact cards in a contact database with information retrieved from call logs of phone calls made to or from the communications device. In one embodiment, information is pre-populated into a predetermined data field of the contact card, thereby reducing workload to a user. The method includes determining if a request is for updating an existing contact card or for adding a new contact card to the contact database. The update or addition is made with information retrieved from call logs. Call information is pre-populated into a predetermined data field of the contact card, when it is determined that the request is to add a new contact card to the contact database.

Claims

1. A method executing on a processor of a computing device for updating a contact data store, comprising:

determining if a request to save call information that is obtained from a phone call is an update to information that is already stored in the contact data store;

when the request to save the call information is an update to the information that is already stored in a contact card in the contact data store, then retrieving and displaying a contact list of contact cards that are stored in the contact data store;

receiving a selection from a user of one of the displayed contact cards;

in response to receiving the selection of the one of the displayed contact cards, modifying a data field of the selected contact card with the call information; and

storing the modified data field of selected contact card in the contact data store.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact list comprises a list of at least one contact name associated with a contact card stored in the contact data store.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the call information comprises a phone number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the call information comprises a name of a caller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the call information comprises a date of the phone call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the call information comprises a time of the phone call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the call information comprises a duration of the phone call.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a pre-populated data field is displayed that includes at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, and a mobile phone number.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a pre-populated data field that is displayed is determined by evaluating a time associated with the phone call.

10. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for updating a contact data store, comprising:

determining if a request to save call information that is obtained from at least one of an incoming phone call and an outgoing phone call is an update to information that is already stored in the contact data store;

when the request to save the call information is an update to the information that is already stored in a contact card in the contact data store, then retrieving and displaying a contact list of contact cards that are stored in the contact data store;

receiving a user selection of one of the displayed contact cards; and

in response to receiving the selection, storing and modifying a data field of the selected contact card with call information related to a phone call.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the contact list comprises a list of at least one contact name associated with a contact card stored in the contact data store.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the request to save the call information is received after the phone call.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the call information comprises at least one of:

a phone number;

a name of a caller, a date of the phone call;

a time of the phone call; and

a duration of the phone call.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein a pre-populated data field is displayed that includes at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, and a mobile phone number.

15. A system for updating a contact data store, comprising:

a processor and a memory;

a contact data store that stores contacts; and

using the processor to perform actions, comprising;

determining if a request to save call information that is obtained from at least one of an incoming phone call and an outgoing phone call is an update to information that is already stored in the contact data store;

when the request to save the call information is an update to the information that is already stored in a contact card in the contact data store, then retrieving and displaying a contact list of contact cards stored in the contact data store;

receiving a user selection of one of the displayed contact cards; and

in response to receiving the selection, storing and modifying a data field of the selected contact card with call information related to a phone call.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the contact list comprises a list of at least one contact name associated with a contact card stored in the contact data store.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the request to save the call information is received after the phone call.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the call information comprises at least one of:

a phone number;

a name of a caller, a date of the phone call;

a time of the phone call; and

a duration of the phone call.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein a pre-populated data field is displayed that includes at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, and a mobile phone number.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein a pre-populated data field is determined by evaluating a time associated with the phone call.