ADJUSTMENT OF A CONTACT LIST

• US 20110047212A1
• Filed: 08/20/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ruge, Alison, Roy, Heeral, Ratzlaff, Cordell, McMurry, Kathleen, Butt, David, Donovan, Steven, Levy, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US12/544,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20110047212A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

A method for adjusting a contact list is provided. The method includes obtaining a contact list having a list of one or more media types for a contact. Contact data is obtained. The contact data defines an accessibility of the contact to the one or more media types. The method may include determining an accessibility level for reaching the contact using the one or more media types based on the contact data. The accessibility level may be a probability of reaching the contact using the one or more media types. The contact list may be adjusted based on the determined accessibility level.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a contact list, the method comprising:

obtaining a contact list having a list of one or more media types assigned for a contact;

obtaining contact data, the contact data defining an accessibility of the contact to the one or more media types;

determining an accessibility level for reaching the contact using the one or more media types based on the contact data, the accessibility level indicating a probability of reaching the contact using the one or more media types; and

adjusting the contact list based on the determined accessibility level.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein adjusting includes changing the appearance of one or more media icons or one or more media type icons, the media icons representing an overall state of a media and the media type icons representing the one or more media types.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein changing the appearance includes changing a color of the one or more media icons or one or more media type icons from a first color to a second color when there is a change in the accessibility level, the first color being different than the second color.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the accessibility level includes comparing contact data to a set of hierarchical policies.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessibility level is a reduced level, increased level, or medium level of accessing the contact.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact data includes data about the location of the contact or data about a schedule of the contact.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising displaying the contact list on a communication device having a display, monitor, or screen.

8. A system for adjusting contact information, the system comprising:

an input configured to obtain contact data, the contact data defining an accessibility of a contact to a media type; and

a processor that is operable adjust a level associated with an ability to access the contact using the media type based on the contact data, the level may be determined by comparing the contact data to a set of policies,

wherein the processor is operable to adjust a contact list based on the level associated with the ability to access the contact using the media type.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor is operable to output the contact list to a communication device having a display.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the level is a level of accessing the contact via a media or media type.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein an appearance of a contact profile may be adjusted to reflect the level of accessing the contact.

12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein an appearance of a media icon or media type icon may be adjusted to reflect the level associated with the ability to access the contact using the media type.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein a background color of the media icon or media type icon may be adjusted.

14. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein a shape of the media icon or media type icon may be adjusted.

15. Computer readable storage media storing instructions that may be executed by a programmed processor, the instructions being executed to:

obtain a contact list having a list of one or more media or media types associated with a contact;

obtain a current accessibility of the contact to the one or more media types based on contact data; and

alter the contact list based on the current accessibility of the contact with the one or more media types.

16. The computer readable storage media as claimed in claim 15, wherein the instructions may be executed to change an appearance of one or more media icons and one or more media type icons, media icons representing an overall state of a media and the media type icons representing the one or more media types.

17. The computer readable storage media as claimed in claim 16, wherein the instructions may be executed to change a color of one or more media icons and one or more media type icons from a first color to a second color when there is a change in the accessibility level.

18. The computer readable storage media as claimed in claim 15, wherein the instructions may be executed to:

determine a first score for a first media type in the one or more media types; and

compare the first score to a level threshold, the level threshold indicating whether the accessibility level is an increased level or a reduced level.

19. The computer readable storage media as claimed in claim 15, wherein the accessibility level is a reduced level, increased level, or medium level of accessing the contact.

20. The computer readable storage media as claimed in claim 15, wherein the instructions may be executed to display the contact list on a communication device having a display, monitor, or screen.