Techniques for Populating a Contact List

• US 20080247531A1
• Filed: 04/02/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: YMAX Communications Corporation (B. Riley Financial, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: YMAX Communications Corporation (B. Riley Financial, Inc.)
• Inventors: Borislow, Daniel M., Wood, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US12/061,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20080247531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/18 Comparators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/554 Data synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 Click to dial services

Abstract

The invention relates to a system, device, computer readable medium, and process for populating a contact list using a client device with service provider contact information based on location information.

Claims

1. A process for populating a contact list using a client device coupled to a first processor based device, said process comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said client device;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said client device, such that said client device implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a customer identifier.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a serial number associated with said client device.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said unique client identifier further comprises a password.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a customer phone number.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein said unique client identifier comprises an Internet Protocol Address.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein said unique client identifier is a network interface code.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein data of said client database and service provider database are stored in a memory accessible by a second processor-based device.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one communications network to said second processor-based device.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one data network to said second processor-based device.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein said data network is a packet-switched network.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein said client device comprises a USB device.

13. The process of claim 1, wherein said client device comprises a DECT phone.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein said client device comprises a cellular phone.

15. The process of claim 1, further comprising a step of determining whether said unique client identifier is an authorized unique client identifier.

16. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises a zip code.

17. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises a state.

18. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises a municipality.

19. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises a street address.

20. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

21. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises global positioning system coordinates.

22. The process of claim 1, wherein said location identifying information comprises information defining an area based on certain market characteristics.

23. The process of claim 1, further comprising a step of retrieving demographic information associated with said unique client identifier from said client database.

24. The process of claim 23, wherein said demographic information comprises the age of a person.

25. The process of claim 23, wherein said demographic information comprises the employment status of a person.

26. The process of claim 23, wherein said demographic information comprises the gender of a person.

27. The process of claim 23, wherein said demographic information comprises the income of a person.

28. The process of claim 23, wherein said demographic information comprises the marital status of a person.

29. The process of claim 23, further comprising retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to both said location identifying information and said demographic information from said service provider database.

30. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same zip code as reflected in said location identifying information.

31. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same state as reflected in said location identifying information.

32. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same municipality as reflected in said location identifying information.

33. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same street address as reflected in said location identifying information.

34. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same latitude and longitude coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

35. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same global positional system coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

36. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same information defining an area based on certain market characteristics as reflected in said location identifying information.

37. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a first zip code included within a first group of zip codes that also includes a second zip code reflected in said location identifying information.

38. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a geographic area that is also associated with said location identifying information, said geographic area being defined by a predetermined set of market characteristics.

39. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if any of said service provider phone numbers that have been retrieved are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

40. The process of claim 39, wherein the step of sending comprises sending only those service provider phone numbers that are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

41. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if any of said service provider numbers are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

42. The process of claim 41, wherein said step of retrieving comprises retrieving only those service provider phone numbers which are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

43. The process of claim 1, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is by hypertext transfer protocol.

44. The process of claim 1, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is implemented via TCP/IP protocol.

45. The process of claim 1, wherein said customer information is input into client database upon receipt from said client device.

46. The process of claim 1, wherein said retrieving further comprises retrieving service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

47. The process of claim 46, wherein said sending further comprises sending said service provider information.

48. The process of claim 1, wherein said contact list includes service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

49. The process of claim 1, wherein said client database is a relational database.

50. The process of claim 1, wherein said service provider database is a relational database.

51. A process for populating a contact list for a client device coupled to a first processor based device, said process comprising:

receiving a unique client identifier from said client device;

conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said first processor based device, such that said first based processor device implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

52. The process of claim 51, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a customer identifier.

53. The process of claim 51, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a serial number associated with said client device.

54. The process of claim 51, wherein said unique client identifier further comprises a password.

55. The process of claim 51, wherein said unique client identifier is a customer phone number.

56. The process of claim 51, wherein said unique client identifier is an Internet Protocol Address.

57. The process of claim 51, wherein said unique client identifier is a network interface code.

58. The process of claim 51, wherein data of said client database and service provider database are stored in a memory accessible by a second processor-based device.

59. The process of claim 51, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one communications network to said second processor-based device.

60. The process of claim 51, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one data network to said second processor-based device.

61. The process of claim 60, wherein said data network is a packet-switched network.

62. The process of claim 51, wherein said client device comprises a USB device.

63. The process of claim 51, wherein said client device comprises a DECT phone.

64. The process of claim 51, wherein said client device comprises a cellular phone.

65. The process of claim 51, further comprising a step of determining whether said unique client identifier is an authorized unique client identifier.

66. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises a zip code.

67. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises a state.

68. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises a municipality.

69. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises a street address.

70. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

71. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises global positioning system coordinates.

72. The process of claim 51, wherein said location identifying information comprises information defining an area based on certain market characteristics.

73. The process of claim 51, further comprising a step of retrieving demographic information associated with said unique client identifier from said client database.

74. The process of claim 73, wherein said demographic information comprises the age of a person.

75. The process of claim 73, wherein said demographic information comprises the employment status of a person.

76. The process of claim 73, wherein said demographic information comprises the gender of a person.

77. The process of claim 73, wherein said demographic information comprises the income of a person.

78. The process of claim 73, wherein said demographic information comprises the marital status of a person.

79. The process of claim 73, further comprising retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to both said location identifying information and said demographic information from said service provider database.

80. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same zip code as reflected in said location identifying information.

81. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same state as reflected in said location identifying information.

82. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same municipality as reflected in said location identifying information.

83. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same street address as reflected in said location identifying information.

84. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same latitude and longitude coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

85. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same global positional system coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

86. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same information defining an area based on certain market characteristics as reflected in said location identifying information.

87. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a first zip code included within a first group of zip codes that also includes a second zip code reflected in said location identifying information.

88. The process of claim 51, further comprising determining whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a geographic area that is also associated with said location identifying information, said geographic area being defined by a predetermined set of market characteristics.

89. The process of claim 51, further comprising the step of determining if any of said service provider phone numbers that have been retrieved are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

90. The process of claim 89, wherein the step of sending comprises sending only those service provider phone numbers that are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

91. The process of claim 51, further comprising the step of determining if any of said service provider numbers are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

92. The process of claim 91, wherein said step of retrieving comprises retrieving only those service provider phone numbers which are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

93. The process of claim 51, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is by hypertext transfer protocol.

94. The process of claim 51, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is implemented via TCP/IP protocol.

95. The process of claim 51, wherein said customer information is input into client database upon receipt from said first processor based device.

96. The process of claim 51, wherein said retrieving further comprises retrieving service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

97. The process of claim 96, wherein said sending further comprises sending said service provider information.

98. The process of claim 51, wherein said contact list includes service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

99. The process of claim 51, wherein said client database is a relational database.

100. The process of claim 51, wherein said service provider database is a relational database.

101. A system for implementing a contact list using a client device coupled to a first processor-based device comprising:

a first database containing customer information;

a second database containing service provider information; and

a second processor based device having a memory, said memory storing data of said first database and said second database, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to conduct a search of said first database to identify location identifying information associated with said client device;

search said second database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said client device;

retrieve at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said second database, and then send said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor based device is configured to search for a unique client identifier.

103. The system of claim 102, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a customer identifier.

104. The system of claim 102, wherein said unique client identifier comprises a serial number associated with said client device.

105. The system of claim 102, wherein said unique client identifier further comprises a password.

106. The system of claim 101, wherein said unique client identifier is a customer phone number.

107. The system of claim 101, wherein said unique client identifier is an Internet Protocol address.

108. The system of claim 101, wherein said unique client identifier is a network interface code.

109. The system of claim 101, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one communications network to said second processor-based device.

110. The system of claim 101, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one data network to said second processor-based device.

111. The system of claim 110, wherein said data network is a packet-switched network.

112. The system of claim 101, wherein said client device comprises a USB device.

113. The system of claim 101, wherein said client device comprises a DECT phone.

114. The system of claim 101, wherein said client device comprises a cellular phone.

115. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether the unique client identifier is an authorized unique client identifier.

116. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises a zip code.

117. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises a state.

118. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises a municipality.

119. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises a street address.

120. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

121. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises global positioning system coordinates.

122. The system of claim 101, wherein said location identifying information comprises information defining an area based on certain market characteristics.

123. The system of claim 101, further comprising a step of retrieving demographic information associated with said unique client identifier from said client database.

124. The system of claim 123, wherein said demographic information comprises the age of a person.

125. The system of claim 123, wherein said demographic information comprises the employment status of a person.

126. The system of claim 123, wherein said demographic information comprises the gender of a person.

127. The system of claim 123, wherein said demographic information comprises the income of a person.

128. The system of claim 123, wherein said demographic information comprises the marital status of a person.

129. The system of claim 123, further comprising retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to both said location identifying information and said demographic information from said service provider database.

130. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same zip code as reflected in said location identifying information.

131. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same state as reflected in said location identifying information.

132. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same municipality as reflected in said location identifying information.

133. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same street address as reflected in said location identifying information.

134. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same latitude and longitude coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

135. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same global positioning system coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

136. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same information defining an area based on certain market characteristics as reflected in said location identifying information.

137. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a first zip code included within a first group of zip codes that also includes a second zip code reflected in said location identifying information.

138. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a geographic area that is also associated with said location identifying information, said geographic area being defined by a predetermined set of market characteristics.

139. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine if any of said service provider phone numbers that have been retrieved are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

140. The system of claim 139, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to send only those service provider phone numbers that are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

141. The system of claim 101, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine if any of said service provider numbers are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

142. The system of claim 141, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to retrieve only those service provider phone numbers which are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

143. The system of claim 101, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is by hypertext transfer protocol.

144. The system of claim 101, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is implemented via TCP/IP protocol.

145. The system of claim 101, wherein said customer information is input into client database upon receipt from said client device.

146. A system for implementing a contact list using a client device coupled to a first processor-based device comprising:

a first database containing customer information;

a second database containing service provider information; and

a second processor based device having a memory, said memory storing data of said first database and said second database, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to conduct a search of said first database to identify location identifying information associated with said client device;

search said second database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said client device;

retrieve at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said second database, and then send said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said first processor based device to facilitate populating said contact list.

147. The system of claim 146, wherein said unique client identifier is a customer phone number.

148. The system of claim 146, wherein said unique client identifier is an Internet Protocol address.

149. The system of claim 146, wherein said unique client identifier is a network interface code.

150. The system of claim 146, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one communications network to said second processor-based device.

151. The system of claim 146, wherein said first processor-based device is coupled via at least one data network to said second processor-based device.

152. The system of claim 151, wherein said data network is a packet-switched network.

153. The system of claim 146, wherein said client device comprises a USB device.

154. The system of claim 146, wherein said client device comprises a DECT phone.

155. The system of claim 146, wherein said client device comprises a cellular phone.

156. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether the unique client identifier is an authorized unique client identifier.

157. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises a zip code.

158. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises a state.

159. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises a municipality.

160. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises a street address.

161. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

162. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises global positioning system coordinates.

163. The system of claim 146, wherein said location identifying information comprises information defining an area based on certain market characteristics.

164. The system of claim 146, further comprising a step of retrieving demographic information associated with said unique client identifier from said client database.

165. The system of claim 164, wherein said demographic information comprises the age of a person.

166. The system of claim 164, wherein said demographic information comprises the employment status of a person.

167. The system of claim 164, wherein said demographic information comprises the gender of a person.

168. The system of claim 164, wherein said demographic information comprises the income of a person.

169. The system of claim 164, wherein said demographic information comprises the marital status of a person.

170. The system of claim 164, further comprising retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to both said location identifying information and said demographic information from said service provider database.

171. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same zip code as reflected in said location identifying information.

172. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same state as reflected in said location identifying information.

173. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same municipality as reflected in said location identifying information.

174. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same street address as reflected in said location identifying information.

175. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same latitude and longitude coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

176. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same global positioning system coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

177. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same information defining an area based on certain market characteristics as reflected in said location identifying information.

178. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a first zip code included within a first group of zip codes that also includes a second zip code reflected in said location identifying information.

179. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine whether said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information based on whether said service provider phone numbers are associated with a geographic area that is also associated with said location identifying information, said geographic area being defined by a predetermined set of market characteristics.

180. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine if any of said service provider phone numbers that have been retrieved are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

181. The system of claim 180, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to send only those service provider phone numbers that are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

182. The system of claim 146, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to determine if any of said service provider numbers are duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

183. The system of claim 180, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to retrieve only those service provider phone numbers which are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

184. The system of claim 146, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is by hypertext transfer protocol.

185. The system of claim 146, wherein communication between said first processor-based device and said second processor-based device is implemented via TCP/IP protocol.

186. The system claim 146, wherein said customer information is input into client database upon receipt from said first processor device.

187. A process for populating a contact list using a client device, said process comprising:

(i) transmitting a unique client identifier to a server, wherein said server is adapted to provide a customer location identifier corresponding to said unique client identifier; and

(ii) receiving entries for said contact list, wherein said entries include service provider phone numbers corresponding to said customer location identifier.

188. The process of claim 187, wherein said unique client identifier is a customer phone number.

189. The process of claim 187, wherein said unique client identifier is an Internet Protocol address.

190. The process of claim 187, wherein said unique client identifier is a network interface code.

191. The process of claim 187, wherein said client device is coupled via at least one communications network to said server.

192. The process of claim 187, wherein said client device is coupled via at least one data network to said server.

193. The process of claim 192, wherein said data network is a packet-switched network.

194. The process of claim 187, wherein said client device comprises a USB device.

195. The process of claim 187, wherein said client device comprises a DECT phone.

196. The process of claim 187, wherein said client device comprises a cellular phone.

197. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises a zip code.

198. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises a state.

199. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises a municipality.

200. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises a street address.

201. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

202. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises global positioning system coordinates.

203. The process of claim 187, wherein said location identifying information comprises information defining an area based on certain market characteristics.

204. The process of claim 187, wherein demographic information is associated with said unique client identifier.

205. The process of claim 204, wherein said demographic information comprises the age of a person.

206. The process of claim 204, wherein said demographic information comprises the employment status of a person.

207. The process of claim 204, wherein said demographic information comprises the gender of a person.

208. The process of claim 204, wherein said demographic information comprises the income of a person.

209. The process of claim 204, wherein said demographic information comprises the marital status of a person.

210. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same zip code as reflected in said location identifying information.

211. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same state as reflected in said location identifying information.

212. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same municipality as reflected in said location identifying information.

213. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same street address as reflected in said location identifying information.

214. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same latitude and longitude coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

215. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same global positioning system coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

216. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with the same information defining an area based on certain market characteristics as reflected in said location identifying information.

217. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with a first zip code included within a first group of zip codes that also includes a second zip code reflected in said location identifying information.

218. The process of claim 187, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with a geographic area that is also associated with said location identifying information, said geographic area being defined by a predetermined set of market characteristics.

219. The process of claim 187, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving only those service provider phone numbers that are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers already received by said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

220. The process of claim 187, wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving only those service provider phone numbers which are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously sent to said client device to facilitate populating said contact list.

221. The process of claim 187, wherein communication between said client device and said server is by hypertext transfer protocol.

222. The process of claim 187, wherein communication between said client device and said server is implemented via TCP/IP protocol.

223. The process of claim 187, wherein said contact list includes service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

224. A device capable of receiving service provider phone numbers to facilitate populating a contact list, the device comprising a processor component configured to transmit a unique client identifier to a server that determines a customer location identifier that corresponds to said unique client identifier and that identifies said service provider phone numbers based on said customer location identifier, said processor component receiving said service provider numbers from said server and populating said contact list with said service provider phone numbers.

225. The device of claim 224, wherein said unique client identifier is a customer phone number.

226. The device of claim 224, wherein said unique client identifier is an Internet Protocol address.

227. The device of claim 224, wherein said client identifier is a network interface code.

228. The device of claim 224, wherein said device is coupled via at least one communications network to said server.

229. The device of claim 224, wherein said device is coupled via at least one data network to said server.

230. The device of claim 229, wherein said data network is a packet-switched network.

231. The device of claim 224, wherein said device comprises a USB device.

232. The device of claim 224, wherein said device comprises a DECT device.

233. The device of claim 224, wherein said device comprises a cellular device.

234. The device of claim 224, wherein said location identifying information comprises a zip code.

235. The device of claim 224, wherein said location identifying information comprises a state.

236. The device of claim 224, wherein said location identifying information comprises a municipality.

237. The device of claim 224, wherein said location identifying information comprises a street address.

238. The device of claim 224, wherein said location identifying information comprises information defining an area based on certain market characteristics.

239. The device of claim 224, wherein demographic information is associated with said client identifier.

240. The device of claim 239, wherein demographic information comprises the age of a person.

241. The device of claim 239, wherein demographic information comprises the employment status of person.

242. The device of claim 239, wherein demographic information comprises the gender of a person.

243. The device of claim 239, wherein demographic information comprises the income of a person.

244. The device of claim 239, wherein demographic information comprises the marital status of a person.

245. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same zip code as reflected in said location identifying information.

246. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same state as reflected in said location identifying information.

247. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same municipality as reflected in said location identifying information.

248. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same street address as reflected in said location identifying information.

249. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same latitude and longitude coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

250. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same global positioning system coordinates as reflected in said location identifying information.

251. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifier information if said provider phone numbers are associated with the same information defining an area based on certain market characteristics as reflected in said location identifying information.

252. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with a first zip code included within a first group of zip codes that also includes a second zip code reflected in said location identifying information.

253. The device of claim 224, wherein said service provider phone numbers correspond to said location identifying information if said service provider phone numbers are associated with a geographic area that is also associated with said location identifying information, said geographic area being defined by a predetermined set of market characteristics.

254. The device of claim 224, wherein said processor component is configured to receive only those service provider phone numbers that are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers already received by said processor component to facilitate populating said contact list.

255. The device of claim 224, wherein said processor component is configured to receive only those service provider phone numbers which are not duplicative of a set of service provider phone numbers previously received by the processor component to facilitate populating said contact list.

256. The device of claim 224, wherein communication between said device and said server is by hypertext transfer protocol.

257. The device of claim 224, wherein communication between said device and said server is implemented via TCP/IP protocol.

258. The device of claim 224, wherein said receiving service provider phone numbers further comprises receiving service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

259. The device of claim 224, wherein said populating said contact list with said service provider phone numbers further comprises populating said contact list with service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

260. The device of claim 224, wherein said contact list includes service provider information, wherein said service provider information includes one or more of the following:

(i) one or more service provider categories;

(ii) one or more a service provider names;

(iii) one or more service provider addresses;

(iv) one or more service provider phone numbers;

(v) one or more service provider advertisements;

(vi) information specific to one or more service providers'"'"' business;

(vii) one or more link to service providers'"'"' websites; and

(viii) one or more link to one or more service providers'"'"' phone number.

261. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of populating a contact list for a client device, said method comprising:

(i) transmitting a unique client identifier to a server, wherein said server is adapted to provide a customer location identifier corresponding to said unique client identifier; and

(ii) receiving entries for said contact list, wherein said entries include service provider phone numbers corresponding to said customer location identifier.

262. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of populating a contact list using a client device coupled to a first processor based device, said method comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said client device;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said client device, such that said client device implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

263. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of populating a contact list for a client device coupled to a first processor based device, said method comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said client device;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said client device, such that said first processor device implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

264. A process for populating a contact list using a computer having a first processor based device, said process comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said computer;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said computer, such that said computer implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

265. A process for populating a contact list for a computer having a first processor based device, said process comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said computer;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said first processor based device, such that said first processor based device implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

266. A system for implementing a contact list using a computer having a first processor based device comprising:

(i) a first database containing customer information;

(ii) a second database containing service provider information; and

(iii) a second processor based device having a memory, said memory storing data of said first database and said second database, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to conduct a search of said first database to identify location identifying information associated with said computer device;

search said second database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said computer;

retrieve at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said second database, and then send said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said computer to facilitate populating said contact list.

267. A system for implementing a contact list using a computer having a first processor based device comprising:

(i) a first database containing customer information;

(ii) a second database containing service provider information; and

(iii) a second processor based device having a memory, said memory storing data of said first database and said second database, wherein said second processor-based device is configured to conduct a search of said first database to identify location identifying information associated with said computer;

search said second database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said computer;

retrieve at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said second database, and then send said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said first processor based device to facilitate populating said contact list.

268. A process for populating a contact list using a computer, said process comprising:

(i) transmitting a unique client identifier to a server, wherein said server is adapted to provide a customer location identifier corresponding to said unique client identifier; and

(ii) receiving entries for said contact list, wherein said entries include service provider phone numbers corresponding to said customer location identifier.

269. A computer capable of receiving service provider phone numbers to facilitate populating a contact list, the computer comprising a processor component configured to transmit a unique client identifier to a server that determines a customer location identifier that corresponds to said unique client identifier and that identifies said service provider phone numbers based on said customer location identifier, said processor component receiving said service provider numbers from said server and populating said contact list with said service provider phone numbers.

270. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of populating a contact list for a computer, said method comprising:

(i) transmitting a unique client identifier to a server, wherein said server is adapted to provide a customer location identifier corresponding to said unique client identifier; and

(ii) receiving entries for said contact list, wherein said entries include service provider phone numbers corresponding to said customer location identifier.

271. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of populating a contact list using a computer having a first processor based device, said method comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said computer;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said computer, such that said computer implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.

272. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of populating a contact list for a computer having a first processor based device, said method comprising:

(i) receiving a unique client identifier from said computer;

(ii) conducting a first search of a client database to determine if said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iii) retrieving from said client database location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier, if a determination is made that said unique client identifier is present in said client database;

(iv) searching a service provider database to identify service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information associated with said unique client identifier;

(v) retrieving at least one of said service provider phone numbers that correspond to said location identifying information from said service provider database; and

then

(vi) sending said at least one of said service provider phone numbers to said computer, such that said first processor device implements said contact list using said at least one of said service provider phone numbers.