GB2434224A

GB2434224A - Method and apparatus for arranging a contacts list

Info

Publication number: GB2434224A
Application number: GB0600593A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kim Faro F Mortensen
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2006-01-12
Filing date: 2006-01-12
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Also published as: WO2007087105A2; WO2007087105A3; GB0600593D0

Abstract

A method of arranging entries in a contacts list of an electronic device. The electronic device being capable of being configured to operate in a plurality of modes. The method comprises the steps of: classifying the entries into one or more classifications; and configuring the electronic device to operate in one of the plurality of modes. One or more of the modes of operation correspond to one or more of the contact list entry classifications. The method further comprises the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation. The prioritising of entries in the contacts list provides the advantage of allowing required contacts to be located more effectively and efficiently. For example, a work mode and a home mode may be configured. When in work mode contacts from work are listed before personal contacts, when in home mode personal contacts are listed first.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ARRANGING A LIST OF

CONTACTS THEREIN

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for arranging a list of contacts. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for prioritising entries in a contacts list or database.

Background of the Invention

Electronic devices, such as mobile telephone handsets, portable or vehicular mounted radios, personal digital assistants (PDA5), personal/portable computers, etc., are increasingly being used as a means of communication. Such devices allow a user to store thereon information and details of contacts, to facilitate communication with those contacts. Such contact information is usually stored in the form of a contacts list or database.

Such contact lists or databases can be extensive, hindering the task of searching and locating required contact information. Furthermore, it is common for an individual to have the same device for both work and personal use, significantly increasing the number of contacts in the contacts list or database.

Traditionally, it is known to provide a means for searching a contacts list alphabetically (or alphanumerically) to improve the efficiency of locating required contact information. It is also known to enhance such alphabetic searching by allowing a user to enter the first characters of, for example, the name of a required contact in order to "jump" to the relevant section of the contacts list or database.

However, large contacts lists or databases can contain numerous entries for contacts having the same or similar names, especially for entries comprising common names.

Consequently, although this known method of searching improves the efficiency of searching a contacts list, it does not always allow a user to quickly and easily locate the required contact information.

In devices such as mobile telephone handsets, the user interface often comprises a relatively small display, and so the user is only able to view a small section of the contacts list or database at any given time.

Consequently, search criteria often have to be fairly precise when trying to locate a contact.

Furthermore, users of such devices desire minimal input (e.g. button pushes or "clicks") to achieve tasks. As a consequence, the more "clicks" required to locate a contact, the more frustrating it is for the user.

There is therefore a need for an improved method and mechanism for allowing a user to locate required contact information from a contacts list or database of an electronic device.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of arranging entries in a contacts list of an electronic device, the electronic device being capable of being configured to operate in a plurality of modes. The method comprises the steps of: classifying the entries into at least one classification; and configuring the electronic device to operate in at least one of the plurality of modes. In particular, at least one of the modes of operation correspond(s) to at least one of the contact list entry classifications. The method further comprises the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation.

The prioritising of entries in the contacts list provides an advantage of allowing required contacts to be located more effectively and efficiently, reducing the required input from a user, for example button pushes or "clicks".

Furthermore, by associating the classification of entries to the operational mode of the electronic device, the entries to be prioritised can easily be selected and/or changed, simply by changing the mode of operation of the device.

In one embodiment of this first aspect of the present invention, the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation is performed by a function of the electronic device. For example, the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation may be performed by at least one of the following functions: (i) a contacts list/database search function; (ii) a recent call list function; (iii) a view messages function.

Alternatively, the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation may be performed by a prioritisation function when the electronic device is configured to operate in one of the plurality of modes.

Accordingly, a user of the device may be able to add or remove at least one of: i. classifications into which entries of the contacts list can be classified; ii. modes in which the device can be configured to operate.

Furthermore, classifications or operating modes can be automatically added or removed accordingly. In this way, a user is able to customise the way in which entries are classified in order to suit their specific needs.

In a yet further embodiment of the present invention, the modes of operation of the device also control settings or a configuration of the device, including by way of example only, at least one of the following: i. ring tone; ii. ring volume; iii. wallpaper; iv. voicemail; v. WEB/WAP settings; vi. E-mail account settings; and/or vii. call divert settings.

In this way, the user is able to not only change the priorities for entries in the contacts list/database, but also other settings, etc. depending on their circumstances.

It is also envisaged that classifications and/or modes of operation of the device may be associated with individual users. For example, in the case of mobile telephone handsets, the classifications may be associated with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.

This would provide the advantage that the electronic device could be used by more than one individual, each individual having their own preferences, etc. with regard to classifications and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of prioritising and searching a contacts list of an electronic device. The method comprising the steps of: arranging the entries in a contacts list according to the first aspect of the present invention; and presenting to a user of the device prioritised entries.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of prioritising and representing a recent call list of an electronic communications device. The method comprises the steps of arranging the entries in a contacts list according to the first aspect of the present invention; and presenting, or otherwise providing, to a user of the device those recent calls in the list relating to prioritised entries of the contacts list.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of prioritising and representing communicated (received and/or sent) messages of an electronic communications device, the method comprising the steps of arranging the entries in a contacts list according to the first aspect of the present invention; and presenting, or otherwise providing, to a user of the device those messages relating to prioritised entries of the contacts list.

It is envisaged that the messages may be at least one of the following types: i. Multimedia Message Service (MNS) messages; ii. Short Message Service (SMS) messages; iii. E-mail messages For each of the second, third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is anticipated that both prioritised and non-prioritised entries may be presented, or otherwise provided, to the user, with the prioritised entries being presented, or otherwise provided, ahead of the non-prioritised entries. Alternatively, the user may be able to select non-prioritised entries to be presented (or otherwise provided) instead of the prioritised entries.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of prioritising and searching a contacts list of an electronic device, the method comprises the steps of: loading the contacts list; and displaying, or otherwise presenting, to a user appropriate entries from the contacts list in response to search criteria received from the user. The method further comprises, prior to the step of displaying the appropriate entries, the steps of determining a mode of operation of the electronic device; and prioritising those entries from the contacts list having a classification corresponding to the mode of operation of the electronic device.

The step of prioritising entries may comprise the steps of extracting those entries (prioritised entries) from the contacts list having a classification corresponding to the mode of operation of the electronic device; and creating a search list comprising the prioritised entries.

The step of prioritising entries may additionally comprise the steps of extracting the remaining entries (non-prioritised entries) from the contacts list; and appending the non-prioritised entries to the end of the search list, below the prioritised entries.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a search function for searching a contacts list, adapted in accordance with the second and/or fifth aspect of the present invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic device, adapted in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects of the present invention.

The electronic device may in particular be at least one of: i. A mobile telephone handset; ii. A portable or vehicular mounted radio; iii. A personal digital assistant (PDA); iv. A personal computer; v. A portable computer.

The advantages described are merely exemplary. The aforementioned and other advantages may be realized by the embodiments described herein, and not all advantages need be achieved by all embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication unit adapted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate an example of a method of prioritising and searching a contacts list according to embodiments of the present invention.

Description of Enthodiments of the Invention

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in terms of a wireless communication unit, such as a mobile telephone handset. However, it will be appreciated that the inventive concept may be embodied in any other type of electronic device, such as a portable or vehicular mounted radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer or portable computer, etc. In the context of some embodiments of the present invention the expression contacts list' is meant to encompass any inventory of contact information in any suitable form, such as a list or database or schedule, etc. Furthermore, in the context of some embodiments of the present invention the expression displaying' encompasses any suitable means to present information to a user.

Furthermore, in the context of some embodiments of the present invention the expression classification' is meant to encompass any mechanism to identify a function or operational mode of an item or user in any suitable form, such as a classification or mode of operation associated with a device, a user, a subscriber identity module, etc. Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a wireless communication unit, such as a mobile telephone handset and often referred to as a mobile station (MS), is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The MS 100 contains an antenna 102 coupled to a duplex filter or antenna switch 104 that provides isolation between receive and transmit chains within the MS 100. The receiver chain, as known in the art, includes receiver front-end circuitry 106 (effectively providing reception, filtering and intermediate or base-band frequency conversion) . The front-end circuitry 106 is serially coupled to a signal processing function 108. An output from the signal processing function 108 is provided to a user interface 110, which in a receiving context comprises a suitable output device, such as a screen or flat panel display. The receiver chain also includes received signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuitry 112, which in turn is coupled to a controller 114 that maintains overall subscriber unit control. The controller 114 may therefore receive bit error rate (BER) or frame error rate (FER) data from recovered information. The controller 114 is also coupled to the receiver front-end circuitry 106 and the signal processing function 108 (generally realised by a digital signal processor (DSP)) . In some embodiments, the controller functionality may be implemented by the signal processor function 108, as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

The controller 114 is also coupled to a memory device 116 that selectively stores operating regimes, such as decoding/encoding functions, synchronisation patterns, code sequences, message handling software, and the like.

A timer 118 is operably coupled to the controller 114 to control the timing of operations (transmission or reception of time-dependent signals) within the MS 100, particularly with regard to establishing a telephone connection, or transmitting an e-mail, multimedia message service (MMS) message, short message service (SMS) message, or similar in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

As regards the transmit chain, this essentially includes an input device such as a keypad, of the user interface 110. The user interface 110 is coupled in series via the signal processing function 108 through transmitter/ modulation circuitry 122 and a power amplifier 124 to the antenna 102. The transmitter! modulation circuitry 122 and the power amplifier 124 are operationally responsive to the controller 114, and as such are used in the establishing of a telephone call, and!or transmission of an e-mail or Mt'4S/SMS message.

A skilled artisan will appreciate that the signal processing function in the transmit chain may be implemented as distinct from a signal processing function in the receive chain. Alternatively, a single processor 108 may be used to implement processing of both transmit and receive signals, as shown in FIG. 1. Clearly, the various components within the MS 100 can be realised in discrete or integrated component form, with an ultimate structure therefore being merely dependent upon the prevailing design considerations.

In the context of establishing a telephone call, or transmitting an e-mail or MMS/SMS message, it is necessary for a user of the MS 100 to provide an identification of a recipient of the telephone call/message. Such an identification is typically in the form of a telephone number, in the case of establishing a telephone call or transmitting an MMS/SMS message, or an address, in the case of transmitting an e-mail message.

One method of providing the identification of the recipient is for the user to manually enter the telephone number/address using, for example, the keypad.

Alternatively, the user can retrieve the identification of the recipient from a contacts list located, for example in the memory device 116.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the MS 100 comprises means for allowing the user to search the contacts list to locate therein required contact information, such as the identification of the recipient of the telephone call/message.

Having located the required contact information, this information can be "selected" and thereby provided as the identification of the recipient for the telephone call/message.

Table 1 below provides an example of a section of a contacts list.

Last Name First Name Classification Andersen Anne Travel Andersen Bob Work Andersen Christine Private Andersen Kim Private Andersen Michael Private; Travel Andersen Niels Travel Andersen Poul Work

Table 1

Table 1 above illustrates three fields for each contact entry, namely: i) Last Name; ii) First Name; and iii) Classification.

A skilled artisan will appreciate that a contacts list can comprise further fields. Such further fields may include, by way of example only: i) Work phone number; ii) Mobile phone number; iii) Home phone number; and/or iv) Email address.

Such further fields have been omitted from Table 1 for simplicity, and it will be understood that the contacts list of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention described may therefore include at least one or more of

the above further fields.

As is known in the art, the entries in the contacts lists are usually arranged alphabetically (and/or alphanumerically) . In the illustrated embodiment of Table 1, the entries are first ordered by "Last Name", and then by "First Name". Further ordering may also be provided where two or more entries have the same "First Name" and "Last Name" values, for example by "Classification".

In accordance with the present invention, the

"Classification" field provides a means for

differentiating entries in the contacts list. In the illustrated embodiment, the entries have been put into three classifications: i) Work; ii) Private; and iii) Travel.

The entries can be classified by the user of the MS 100.

Such classification of an entry may be performed when the entry is added to the contacts list. Alternatively, the entry may be classified (or re-classified) at a later time or date.

The user of the MS 100 is also able to configure the MS to operate in different modes, at least some of which correspond to the classifications into which entries of the contacts list is/are arranged. By way of example, in the illustrated embodiment, the MS 100 can be set to operate in the following modes: i) Work; ii) Private; iii) Travel; or iv) All.

It is envisaged that various other combinations of the classifications may also be available to the user as modes in which the MS 100 may operate. For example, "Work and Private"; "Work and Travel"; etc. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when the user configures the MS 100 to operate in a particular mode, the entries that relate to the classification(s) corresponding to the mode are "prioritised".

For example, if the user configures the MS 100 to operate in "Work" mode, the entries in the contacts list relating to the Classification of "Work" will be prioritised.

Therefore, from Table 1, the following entries will be prioritised: 1) Bob Andersen; and ii) Poul Andersen.

As previously mentioned, the MS 100 comprises means for allowing a user to search the contacts list to locate therein required contact information. Such information may be required to provide the identification of a recipient of a telephone call/message. Alternatively, the user may simply desire to view the contact information for a particular contact.

Having located the required contact, the user can then "select" that contact. The relevant contact information can then be provided to, for example, a telephony function or messaging function.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MS 100 comprises a search function, which allows a user to search the contacts list. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the search function utilises the mode in which the MS 100 is operating to prioritise the entries, as mentioned above, and present (or otherwise provide to the user) the prioritised entries ahead of non-prioritised entries.

To explain further, in the case where the user has configured the MS 100 to operate in the "All" mode, all entries are given equal priority. If a user subsequently performs a search for entries with a Last Name of "Andersen", the results would be ordered as illustrated in Table. 1, with "Anne Andersen" being the top entry.

The entries are ordered as if no classification system were present, as is the case with prior art methods.

If the user is searching for the entry for Foul Andersen, then the user would subsequetitly have to scroll down six entries to locate the required entry.

In the case where the user has configured the MS 100 to operate in the "Work" mode, those entries relating to the "Work" Classification are given priority. If the user subsequently performs the same search, the entries for "Bob Andersen" and "Foul Andersen" would be given priority. The results would therefore be ordered as illustrated in Table 2 below.

First Name Last Name Classification Bob Andersen Work Poul Andersen Work Anne Andersen Travel Christine Andersen Private Kim Andersen Private Michael Andersen Private; Travel Niels Andersen Travel In this scenario, if the user is searching for the entry for Poul Andersen, the user would subsequently only have,.

to scroll down one entry to locate the entry for Poul Andersen.

As will be appreciated, embodiments of the present invention allow a user to prioritise entries within a contacts list by setting the mode in which the MS 100 operates. In this way, the user is provided with a more efficient method of searching the contacts list.

In a particular example, the user can set, or configure, the MS 100 to operate in the "Work" mode whilst the user is at work. Consequently, by classifying those contacts that the user commonly requires at work as "Work" entries in the contacts list, these contacts will be prioritised Conversely, the user can set, or configure, the MS 100 to operate in "Private" mode whilst the user is at home.

Consequently, by classifying those contacts that the user commonly requires at home as "Private" entries in the contacts list, these contacts will be prioritised when the user is at home.

As will be appreciated by a skilled artisan, by classifying entries within the contacts list, and prioritising those entries relating to a specified classification, embodiments of the present invention significantly facilitate the location of a required entry within the contacts list. Furthermore, by associating the classification of entries to the operational mode of the MS 100, entries can easily be re-prioritised.

In the above described embodiment, prioritised entries are presented to the user ahead of non-prioritised entries in a list or similar format. In this way, the user is still able to locate entries that have a classification other than one corresponding to the mode of operation of the MS 100.

In an alternative embodiment, only those entries that have been prioritised, i.e. those entries that have a classification corresponding to the mode of operation of the MS 100 are displayed. This provides the additional advantage of minimising the entries that are presented to the user, thereby simplifying the task of locating an entry to the user.

However, since it is likely that the user will, at times, need to locate an entry having a different classification, the user can be provided with the ability to "override" the prioritisation. For example, the searching function may comprise an options menu that the user is able to access. In the options menu there may be an option for the user to view non-prioritised entries.

On selection of this option by the user, the non-prioritised entries are displayed to the user, either with the prioritised entries (for example as above) or without the prioritised entries.

Alternatively, the options menu may contain a list of the various classifications (including combinations of classifications), allowing the user to select the required classification(s) to prioritise, instead of the one corresponding to the current mode of operation.

It is envisaged that the use of the classification of contact entries, and the selection of a mode of operation of the MS 100, is not limited to the function of searching the contacts list.

For example, embodiments of the present invention may also be utilised in a "recent call list". Recent call lists are well known in the field of mobile telephones, and are a list of, for example, the last 10 telephone calls made, received, and/or missed (i.e. where the user did not answer an incoming call) . All such recent calls may be included in a single list. Alternatively, separate lists may be provided for each of the recently made, received and missed calls. For simplicity, a combined list will be described, but it will be appreciated that the teachings herein could equally be applied to separate lists.

When a user of the MS 100 accesses the recent calls list, a function of the recent calls list retrieves the list of telephone numbers that make up the recent calls list, and determines those that relate to entries in the contacts list. The function then prioritises those numbers that relate to entries that have a classification corresponding to the mode in which the MS 100 is operating. In this way, the prioritised entries can be displayed to the user ahead of non-prioritised entries.

In this way, the user is able to more easily identify/find the more relevant recent calls, depending on the circumstances (e.g. whether the user is at work or at home) It is likely that the recent calls list contains unknown telephone numbers that do not relate to any entries in the contacts list. These unknown numbers may also be prioritised by default, and thus treated equally to those prioritised numbers that relate to entries within the contacts list.

Alternatively, such unknown numbers may be treated in the same way as non-prioritised entries.

Alternatively still, such unknown numbers may be treated as "semi" prioritised, whereby they are prioritised ahead of non-prioritised entries, but behind numbers relating to prioritised entries within the contacts list.

Another example of where the present invention may be utilised is when viewing received and/or sent messages, such as MMS, SMS and/or email messages. It is known for a user of devices, such as the MS 100, to view a list of such messages. Typically, such messages are viewed in chronological order. However, it is within the contemplation of the present teachings that such messages may be prioritised in accordance with the present embodiments. In this way, those messages that were sent to/received from a telephone number/address relating to an entry in the contacts list that has a classification corresponding to the mode of operation of the MS 100 are prioritised (e.g. listed first) . The messages may then be further ordered in chronological order or otherwise.

In the same way as for the recent calls list, the user is able to identify/find the most relevant messages, depending on the circumstances (e.g. whether the user is at home or at work) Although in the exemplary embodiment described herein the contacts list entries have been prioritised by the search function, or in the case of the recent calls list and/or viewing messages their corresponding functions, it is contemplated that such prioritisation may be performed by an alternative function of the MS 100.

By way of example, when a mode of operation is selected, a dedicated prioritisation function may be initiated.

This prioritisation function creates an instance of the contacts list, in which the relevant entries are prioritised. Subsequently, when thesearch function (or recent calls list function, or viewing messages function) is initiated, it uses this prioritised instance of the contacts list.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that the user of the MS 100 is able to add and/or remove classifications (and modes of operation) . In this way, the user is able to classify the contacts into as many or as few groups as required.

By adding and/or removing classifications, the modes of operation of the MS 100 available to the user can be automatically updated to represent the classifications.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the user may be able to add and/or remove modes of operation for the MS 100, and the classifications available to the user are automatically updated to represent the modes of operation.

It is further within the contemplation of the present embodiments that the modes of operation of the MS 100 do not solely relate to prioritising entries within the contacts list. In particular, it is contemplated that modes of operation may also control settings and/or configuration of the MS 100. Such settings and/or configuration may include, by way of example only: 1) ring tone; ii) ring volume; iii) screen saver; iv) wallpaper; v) voicemail; vi) WEB/WAP settings; vii) E-mail account settings; and/or viii) Call divert settings.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that classifications and/or modes of operation are associated with individual users.

For example, in the case of GSM mobile telephone handsets, each user has their own Subscriber Identity Module, generally known as a SIM card. The configuration of modes of operation and classifications of contact list entries may then be associated with a specific SIM card.

In this way, the same MS 100 can be used by different users, each having their own configurations of modes of operation and classifications. By identifying the SIM card, the MS 100 is able to determine which configuration is appropriate for the current user.

The operation of GSM mobile telephone handsets, and in particular SIM cards is well known in the art, and as such have not been described in further detail herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flow diagram 200 of an example of a method of prioritising and searching a contacts list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method 200 comprises the first step 210 of initiating a search function. Having been initiated, the search function loads the contacts list from, for example, flash memory or other persistent memory, into operational memory, for example, random access memory (RAN), as illustrated in step 220.

Next, the search function determines the mode of operation of the MS 100, in step 230. This step may alternatively be performed ahead of step 220 above.

Having determined the mode of operation, the search function prioritises the entries in the contacts list, in step 240.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the prioritising of entries (i.e. step 240 in FIG. 2) will be described in further detail.

The entries of the contacts list having a classification corresponding to the current mode of operation of the MS (prioritised entries) are extracted from the contacts list, in step 310. Next, in step 320, the prioritised entries are ordered alphabetically (or alphanumerically), and a search list is created.

In step 330, the remaining entries (non-prioritised entries) are extracted, and in step 340 the non-prioritised entries are ordered alphabetically (or alphanumerically) and appended to the end of the search list, below the prioritised entries.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, non-prioritised entries are included in searches performed by the search function, and are listed after the prioritised entries.

However, as previously mentioned, non-prioritised entries may be omitted from the search. In such a case, the search function could provide a user with a means of "overriding" the priority mechanism, or prioritising other classifications, to allow the user to search for entries having other classifications.

Referring back to FIG. 2, having prioritised the entries in step 240, the search function then displays, or otherwise presents, to the user, the appropriate entries, as illustrated in step 250. For example, the size of the display of the MS 100 may permit up to seven entries to be displayed to the user at one time. Therefore, the search function displays to the user the first seven entries from the search list created in step 240.

The search function then waits for input from the user 260. Upon receipt of input from the user, the search function determines whether the received input is search criteria, in step 270.

If the received input is search criteria, the search function refines the search of the entries, in step 280.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the step of refining the search of entries will be described in more detail.

In step 410, prioritised entries that meet the search criteria are extracted from the previous search list.

These are then ordered alphabetically (or alphanumerically) and used to create a new search list, in step 420.

Next, in step 430, the non-prioritised entries that meet the search criteria are extracted from the previous search list. The extracted non-prioritised entries are then ordered alphabetically (or alphanumerically) and appended to the end of the new search list, below the prioritised entries, in step 440.

Referring back to FIG. 2, following the refining of the search in step 280, the search function returns to step 250 to display the appropriate entries to the user, namely the first seven entries in the new search list.

By way of example, the user may enter an alphanumeric character such as an "A". The search function will therefore create a search list containing all prioritised entries beginning with the character "A" followed by all the non-prioritised entries beginning with the character "A". This search list is then displayed to the user.

The search function then again waits for an input from the user in step 260.

The user may then input a further search criteria, for example the character "N". The search function will then create a new search list containing all prioritised entries beginning with the characters "AN" followed by all the non-prioritised entries beginning with the characters "AN". This new search list is then displayed to the user.

As will be appreciated by a skilled artisan, the user is able to continue to enter search criteria until the required entry is located (i.e. displayed) Referring back to step 270, if the search function receives a user input that is not a search criteria, the search function determines whether the received input is an entry selection, in step 290.

If the received input is an entry selection, the search function then obtains the contact information for the selected entry, in step 295. Such information may then be displayed to the user, or provided to another function, for example a telephony function or messaging function, as required.

If the received input is not an entry selection, the search function returns to step 260 and awaits further input from the user.

It will be understood that the improved method and apparatus for prioritising entries in a contacts list, as described above, tends to provide at least one or more of the following advantages, but may also provide further advantages not so listed: i) Faster locating of required contact information, recent calls and/or sent/received messages through the use of classification of entries, and the prioritisation of such classifications; ii) Simply switching of priorities between classifications through the selection of modes of operation; iii) Personalisatiofl/customisation of prioritisation through allowing a user to add/change/remove classifications and/or modes of operation.

Whilst specific and preferred implementations of the embodiments of the present invention are described above, it is clear that one skilled in the art could readily apply variations and modifications of such an inventive concept.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of arranging entries in a contacts list of an

electronic device, the electronic device being capable of being configured to operate in a plurality of modes, the method comprising the steps of: classifying the entries into at least one classification; and configuring the electronic device to operate in one of the plurality of modes, the method characterised in that at least one of the modes of operation corresponds to at least one of the contacts list entry classifications; and prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation.

2. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to Claim 1, the method further characterised in that the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation is performed by a function of the electronic device.

3. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to Claim 0, the method further characterised in that the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation is performed by at least one of the following functions: i. a contacts list search function; ii. a recent call list function; iii. a view messages function.

4. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to Claim 2, the method further characterised in that the step of prioritising those entries that relate to the classification corresponding to the configured mode of operation is performed by a prioritisation function when the electronic device is configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes.

5. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to any of the preceding Claims, the method further characterised in that the electronic device functions as at least one of the following: i. a mobile telephone handset; ii. a portable or vehicular mounted radio; iii. a personal digital assistant (PDA); iv. a personal/portable computer.

6. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to any of the preceding Claims, the method further characterised in that a user of the device is able to add or remove at least one of: i. classifications into which entries of the contacts list can be classified; ii. modes in which the device can be configured to operate.

7. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to Claim 6, the method further characterised in that by adding or removing a classification, corresponding classifications are automatically added or removed accordingly.

8. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to any of the preceding Claims, the method further characterised in that the modes of operation of the device also control a configuration of the device, for example, including at least one of the following: i. ring tone; ii. ring volume; iii. wallpaper; iv. voicemail; v. WEB/WAP settings; vi. E-mail account settings; vii. call divert settings.

9. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to any of the preceding Claims, the method further characterised in that a classification of the device is associated with an individual user.

10. The method of arranging entries of a contacts list according to Claim 9, the method characterised in that a classification is associated with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

11. A method of prioritising and searching a contacts list of an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: arranging entries in a contacts list according to any one of Claims 1 to 5; and displaying prioritised entries to a user of the device.

12. A method of prioritising and representing a recent call list of an electronic communications device, the method comprising the steps of: arranging entries in a contacts list according to any one of Claims 1 to 5; and displaying to a user of the device recent call information in a list relating to prioritised entries of the contacts list.

13. A method of prioritising and representing communicated messages of an electronic communications device, the method comprising the steps of: arranging entries in a contacts list according to any one of Claims 1 to 5; and presenting to a user of the device messages relating to prioritised entries of the contacts list.

14. The method of prioritising and representing communicated messages of an electronic communications device according to Claim 13, the method further characterised in that the messages comprise at least one of the following type: i. Multimedia Message Service (MMS) messages; ii. Short Message Service (SMS) messages; iii. E-mail messages.

15. The method of searching a contacts list, or of representing a recent call list, or of representing communicated messages according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, the method further characterised in that both prioritised and non-prioritised entries are presented to the user, with the prioritised entries presented ahead of the non-prioritised entries.

16. The method of searching a contacts list, or of representing a recent call list, or of representing received or sent messages according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, the method further characterised in that a selection to view non-prioritised entries (when dependent on Claim 11), or recent calls relating to non-prioritised entries (when dependent on Claim 12), or messages relating to non-prioritised entries (when dependent on Claims 13 or 14), is user-definable.

17. A method of prioritising and searching a contacts list of an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: loading the contacts list; and displaying to a user appropriate entries from the contacts list in response to search criteria received from the user, the method characterised by performing, prior to the step of displaying the appropriate entries, the steps of: determining a mode of operation of the electronic device; and prioritising entries from the contacts list having a classification corresponding to the mode of operation of the electronic device.

18. The method of prioritising and searching a contacts list according to Claim 17, the method further characterised in that the step of prioritising entries comprises the steps of: extracting priorities entries from the contacts list having a classification corresponding to the mode of operation of the electronic device; and creating a search list comprising the prioritised entries.

19. The method of prioritising and searching a contacts list according to Claim 18, the method further characterised in that the step of prioritising entries further comprises the steps of: extracting remaining non-prioritised entries from the contacts list; and appending the non-prioritised entries to the end of the search list, below the prioritised entries.

20. A search function for searching a contacts list, adapted in accordance with the method of any of Claims 11 and 15 to 19.

21. An electronic device adapted in accordance with the method of any of Claims 1 to 19.

22. An electronic device according to Claim 21, characterised in that the electronic device is at least one of: i. a mobile telephone handset; ii. a portable or vehicular mounted radio; iii. a personal digital assistant (PDA); iv. a personal computer v. a portable computer.

23. A method of arranging a contacts list substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, of the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of searching a contacts list substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, of the accompanying drawings.

25. A search function substantially as hereinbefOre described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by FIG. 2 or FIG 4, of the accompanying drawings.

26. An electronic device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by FIG. 1, of the accompanying drawings.