Method and system for managing changes to a contact database

• US 10,409,829 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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:
  US14/711,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20150242475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,581 Days
• 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 system comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory encoding computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a method comprising;

receiving a request to save call information related to a phone call;

determining if the request to save the call information is an update to existing information in a contact card stored in the contact database or a request to create a new contact card in the contact database;

when the request is to update existing information;

displaying a contact list of contact cards stored in the contact database;

in response to displaying the contact list, receiving a selection of a contact card to be updated within the contact list; and

updating the selected contact card with the call information related to the phone call; and

saving the updated contact card;

when the request is to create a new contact card;

automatically populating at least one data field of the new contact card with at least a subset of the call information;

receiving, via a user interface, contact data to be associated with the new contact card;

modifying at least one additional data field in the new contact card with the received contact data; and

saving the new contact card.

2. The system 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 database.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. A method comprising:

receiving a request to save call information related to a phone call;

determining if the request to save the call information is an update to existing information in a contact card stored in the contact database or a request to create a new contact card in the contact database;

when the request is to update existing information;

displaying a contact list of contact cards stored in the contact database;

in response to displaying the contact list, receiving a selection of a contact card to be updated within the contact list; and

updating the selected contact card with the call information related to the phone call; and

saving the updated contact card;

when the request is to create a new contact card;

automatically populating at least one data field of the new contact card with at least a subset of the call information;

receiving, via a user interface, contact data to be associated with the new contact card;

modifying at least one additional data field in the new contact card with the received contact data; and

saving the new contact card.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-populated data field includes at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, and a mobile phone number.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-populated data field is determined by evaluating a time associated with the phone call.

13. The method 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 database.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the call information comprises a phone number.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the call information comprises a name of a caller.

16. A mobile device comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory encoding computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a method comprising;

receiving a request to save call information related to a phone call;

determining if the request to save the call information is an update to existing information in a contact card stored in the contact database or a request to create a new contact card in the contact database;

when the request is to update existing information;

displaying a contact list of contact cards stored in the contact database;

in response to displaying the contact list, receiving a selection of a contact card to be updated within the contact list; and

updating the selected contact card with the call information related to the phone call; and

saving the updated contact card;

when the request is to create a new contact card;

automatically populating at least one data field of the new contact card with at least a subset of the call information;

receiving, via a user interface, contact data to be associated with the new contact card;

modifying at least one additional data field in the new contact card with the received contact data; and

saving the new contact card.

17. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the pre-populated data field includes at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, and a mobile phone number.

18. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the pre-populated data field is determined by evaluating a time associated with the phone call.

19. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the contact list comprises a list of at least one contact name associated with a contact card stored in the contact database.

20. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the call information comprises a phone number.