Method and system for managing changes to a contact database

• US 20050208970A1
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chin, Peter G., Fuller, Jason William, Tenenbaum, Jessica Dale, Pappalardo, Susan Elizabeth
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/558
• 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

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. :

A computer-implemented method for managing changes to a contact database, the 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;

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

receiving a selection of a contact card to be updated within the contact list;

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

replacing the existing contact card in the contact database with the updated contact card.

30. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the contact list comprises a list of contact names associated with contact cards stored in the contact database.

31. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the call information comprises a phone number.

32. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the call information further comprises a name of a caller.

33. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the call information comprises a date of the phone call.

34. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the call information comprises a time of the phone call.

35. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the call information comprises a duration of the phone call.

36. :

A computer-implemented method for managing changes to a contact database, the 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 the contact card stored in the contact database or a request to create a new contact card in the contact database;

pre-populating a predetermined data field of a new contact card with call information;

receiving contact data to be associated with the call information;

modifying data fields in the new contact card with the received contact data; and

updating the contact database with the modified contact card.

37. :

The computer-implemented method of claim 36, wherein the predetermined data field includes at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, a pager phone number, a car phone number, a radio phone number, an assistant phone number, and a mobile phone number.

38. :

A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable components, comprising;

a contact database configured to store contact cards, wherein contact cards include data fields configured to contain contact information;

a call log configured to record incoming and outgoing phone calls, wherein each phone call corresponds to a call entry in the call log, and each call entry includes call information; and

a contact manager coupled to the contact database and the call log, wherein the contact manager is arranged to receive a request to save the call information related to a phone call;

determine 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;

update at least one data field in the contact card in the contact database with call information from a call entry in the call log in response to a user instruction.

39. :

The computer-readable medium of claim 38, wherein the call information comprises a phone number.

40. :

The computer-readable medium of claim 38, wherein the call information comprises a name of a caller.

41. :

A mobile communications device for creating a new contact card in a contact database, comprising;

a contact database configured to store contact cards, wherein the contact cards include a data field for containing contact information;

a call log configured to log incoming and outgoing phone calls, wherein each phone call has a corresponding entry in the call log, and wherein each call entry includes call information; and

a contact manager coupled to the contact database and the call log, wherein the contact manager is arranged to receive a request to save the call information related to a phone call;

determine 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; and

create the new contact card in the contact database with call information from a call entry in the call log in response to a user instruction.

42. :

The mobile communications device of claim 41, wherein creating the new contact card in the contact database further comprises pre-populating a data field within the new contact card with call information.

43. :

The mobile communications device of claim 41, wherein the pre-populated data field comprises at least one of a home phone number, a work phone number, a pager phone number, a car phone number, a radio phone number, an assistant phone number, and a mobile phone number.