HK1121622A - System and method for automatically downloading and storing contact information to a personal communication device - Google Patents

Description

System and method for automatically downloading and storing contact information to personal communication device

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a system and a method for inputting contact information into a contact list of communication equipment.

Background and prior art

Contact lists are a common feature of many modern communication devices, including mobile and landline telephones. Often, callers must manually enter phone numbers or other contact information of friends, acquaintances, businesses, or other parties into mobile phones, landline phones, and other communication devices. When a caller wishes to call someone from his contact list, he needs to select the party's telephone number in the contact list; and then select the auto-dial feature of his communication device to automatically dial the selected number. The advantage is that the caller does not need to remember the phone number of friends, acquaintances, businesses or other parties and other contact information, which is a difficult task in itself. The auto-dial feature of the contact list allows a caller to dial a telephone number in the contact list without having to manually dial the number. In particular, this feature of modern telephones allows the driver to talk securely while driving, as it allows the driver to talk from the contact list without having to be distracted to manually enter a telephone number.

However, the contact list of the current phone has considerable limitations in terms of performance, function and management; 1) it needs to manually input contact information into the contact list; 2) it can only retrieve those contact information that have been added to the contact list. When a caller must call a person who is not on the contact list of his phone, he must go elsewhere to find the party's contact information, say yellow pages, address book assistant, internet or other related resources. Once the contact information for the parties is found, they must be manually entered into the phone and stored in the contact list. This is a cumbersome and time consuming process. And contact information may not be found at all times because the resources that need to be found are not available at any time, for example, while driving a car.

Some modern phones, especially mobile phones, are capable of surfing the internet or allow surfing the internet. An example of such a service is a wireless internet service, which enables a caller to browse the internet via a mobile phone. This feature allows a user to find contact information, such as www.yellowpages.com, for someone on the internet. However, this system also has limitations and drawbacks: 1) it requires manual input of relevant information, including geographic location, of the object being queried to the browser of the mobile phone; 2) it cannot automatically store the searched contact information in the contact list of the telephone; 3) it does not enable the caller to automatically dial a telephone number using the search results; 4) a new search needs to be made for each person; 5) it requires callers to have long-term access to relatively expensive internet services.

It is known that most users search for contact information in order to search for phone numbers and contact information of local businesses. Another fact is that individuals engage in local business activities, typically within a radius of 50 miles from a residence or work site. However, there is no method, system or solution in the prior art that would allow a caller to download and save contact information for local businesses in the contact list of their communication devices without having to manually enter contact information for each local business. Manual entry is a cumbersome and time consuming process and is not possible if the user wishes to store all of the local business' contact information in their communication device.

Object of the Invention

The present invention is a system and method that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method: 1) the caller downloads and stores the telephone number and contact information of the local enterprise into own communication equipment, such as a mobile phone, without manually inputting the telephone number and contact information; 2) the caller dials the number from the contact list of the communication equipment by using the automatic dialing function; 3) the caller is enabled to query the contact information of the local business from the relevant contact information database of the local business stored in the contact list in his communication device without re-accessing the external contact information database.

Summary of The Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for a caller to download local business contact information from a "central contact information database" stored on a remote server to a contact list of his communication device without manually entering the contact information. A "central contact information database" contains business contact information for one or more regions. According to another aspect, a caller is provided with a means for automatically dialing a telephone number selected from its contact list using an automatic dialing function of the communication device. According to another aspect, a caller is provided with a means for automatically transferring contact information from a contact list of a communication device to a contact list of another communication device. The present invention can improve the trade relationship between local businesses and local residents by providing contact information (including telephone numbers) that the local business can find in the local consumer's communication device without requiring the local business to manually enter each of the contact information into its personal communication device. Therefore, the caller can automatically store a large amount of contact information of local enterprises in the private communication equipment of the caller without manually inputting the contact information, which is troublesome and impractical, especially when the contact information data is large.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a central server of a "central contact information database", and: 1) a process of inputting contact information data into a 'central contact information database'; 2) the process of transferring information between a central server and various communication devices.

Fig. 2 shows a process of transmission of a contact information database between various communication devices.

Fig. 3 shows the process of synchronization, input and output of the contact information database by means of database integration between the "central contact information database" of the central server and the contact lists of various communication devices, and between the contact lists of various communication devices.

Detailed description of the invention

According to one aspect of the invention, a "central contact information database" is established for all businesses. A better approach is based on Web environment establishment. As shown in fig. 1, a network port (10) is provided for an enterprise to enter its contact information into a "central contact information database". The "central contact information database" is stored on a remote device, preferably a central server (11) as shown in fig. 1. Alternatively, the contact information for the business may also be imported from an existing contact information database into a "central contact information database". An example of such a resource is "yellow pages" (YellowPages), both in printed and online form www.yellowpages.com. The contact information for a business on the "central contact information database" includes the business name, telephone number, fax number, street address, and web address. The additional information may include hours of operation, driving routes, and any other data relevant to the business being performed. The "central contact information database" may be created using one of the database programs, My SQL, MSSQL, MS Access, etc. The "central contact information database" provides a means to categorize the contact information stored therein according to various variables such as city, zip code, location, state of residence, type or category of business, business name, hours of business, etc.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for downloading contact information of local businesses from a central contact information database on a remote server to a contact list of communication devices, such as mobile phones (12), fixed phones (13), personal computers (14), PDAs (15), without manually entering contact information of each local business into the communication devices; however, this is now required. As shown in fig. 1. In a preferred method, means are provided for the caller to customize the contact information he or she wants downloaded. For example, a caller may want contact information for all businesses within a 10 mile radius of a particular zip code, or contact information for all businesses of all fast food restaurants within a 50 mile radius of a particular zip code, and so on. The method of downloading data from a "central contact information database" to a communication device depends on the characteristics of the communication device. 1) A mobile phone: the local business contact information database is downloaded from the central server by wireless download using a carrier network into the contact list of the mobile telephone (12). The downloaded database is stored on a memory chip of the mobile telephone (12). The memory chip is large enough to store a selected database of contact information. According to another method, an apparatus is provided that includes hardware and software for the mobile telephone (12) to connect to and communicate using a network-enabled personal computer (14), such as using a USB port. Means are provided for downloading from a central server a local business's contact information database to a personal computer's (14) contact list (e.g., MS Outlook); the contact list of the contact information database to the mobile telephone (12) is then derived as illustrated in fig. 2 and 3. According to another method, the contact information database of the local enterprise first downloads a contact list from the central server to the fixed telephone (13); wherein the stationary telephone (13) can receive and process data and sound. The contact information database is then exported to the contact list of the mobile telephone (12). Means are provided for connecting and communicating the stationary telephone (13) to the mobile telephone (12), as shown in figures 2 and 3. 2) A fixed telephone: in this case, the fixed telephone (13) is intended to be internet-enabled, with means for receiving and processing data and voice. According to one method, a contact information database of a local enterprise is downloaded from a central server to a contact list of the fixed telephone (13). According to another method, a local enterprise's contact information database is downloaded from a central server into the contact list of an internet-enabled personal computer (14) and then exported to the contact list of the fixed telephone (13). Means, including hardware and software, are provided to allow the landline telephone (13) to connect to and communicate with a personal computer (14), as shown in figures 2 and 3. According to another method, a contact information database of a local enterprise is downloaded from a central server to a contact list of a mobile telephone (12); and then output to the contact list of the fixed telephone (13). Providing means comprising hardware and software to enable the stationary telephone (13) to connect and communicate with the mobile telephone (12), as shown in figures 2 and 3; 3) personal computers or PDAs: according to one method, a local enterprise's contact information database is downloaded from a central server over the Internet to a contact list (e.g., MS Outlook) on the personal computer (14) or PDA (15). According to another method, a contact information database of a local enterprise is downloaded from a central server into a contact list of a fixed telephone (13) or mobile telephone (12). Means are provided, including hardware and software, for the personal computer (14)/PDA (15) to connect and communicate with the mobile telephone (12) and the stationary telephone (13), as shown in fig. 2 and 3. The personal computer (14) and the PDA (15) are led into the contact information database from the contact list of the fixed telephone (13) or the mobile telephone (12).

A hardware system for synchronizing, inputting or outputting contact information from one communication device to another, as shown in fig. 2. The communication device may be connected to each other through a wired connection or via a wireless network. The software system is used for synchronizing contact information among different communication devices, a central server and the communication devices; as shown in fig. 3; database integration methods used in many existing products are used. The database integration software system synchronizes, inputs or outputs data from a selected data field of one database (database 1) to a selected data field of another database (database 2); as shown in fig. 3. In a preferred approach, the contact information database is structured similarly between the central server and the various communication devices, so that data can be easily integrated and transmitted between the central server and the communication devices and the various communication devices. Means are provided, suitably in the form of software, for causing contact lists stored in the fixed telephone (13), mobile telephone (12), personal computer (14) and PDA (15) to process and execute meaningful products, such as automatic dialing of a selected telephone number from said contact list.

According to one aspect of the invention, a database of contact information for local businesses in a given area is downloaded from a "central contact information database" to a communication device such as a mobile telephone (12), a fixed telephone (13), a personal computer (14) or a PDA (15). Providing means to the caller for downloading a contact information database: 1) all local enterprises; 2) all local enterprises of a certain business class; 3) one or more selected local businesses; and loading the information into a contact list of the communication equipment. Once downloaded and stored to the communication device, the contact information database may be queried by business name, business category, or any other subject matter category. Therefore, when a caller needs to call a local enterprise, the caller inquires the contact information of the enterprise in the contact list of the communication equipment of the caller and dials the telephone number, and the caller does not need to go to other places to search the contact information of the enterprise and does not need to manually input the contact information into the communication equipment of the caller. Once the contact information database is downloaded and the communication device is stored, the contact information it contains can be queried and accessed by the communication device without having to revisit the "central contact information database" or any other external resource on the central server. According to another aspect, a means is provided for the caller to download the contact information database of the local business at the new address when he arrives at another location. For example, when a caller comes from Chicago to New York, he has a means to download a database of contact information for the local business in New York to his communication device. The communication device preferably downloads the contact information at the new address in accordance with the standards of the communication device downloading the enterprise contact information at the original address. The caller either chooses to use the new criteria for downloading the contact information at the new address.

According to another aspect of the invention, a contact information database of a local enterprise is automatically downloaded to a caller's communication device based on an automatic determination of the address of the communication device. The address of the communication device may be determined using one of many available methods, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), originating cellular tower location (originating cellular tower location), location of a fixed telephone (location of the telephone phone), IP address, etc. This aspect of the invention allows the caller to have means to download the local business's contact information database to his communication device without entering his location information. This feature is particularly suitable for frequent travelers. For example, one caller drives from chicago to new york, and wants to go to a nearby walma store while driving through cleveland. When he enters cleveland, the contact information of the local business of cleveland is automatically downloaded to his mobile phone or any other communication device. When the caller searches the contact list of his mobile phone for contact information of "walma", the contact information of walma shop is displayed. The communication device preferably downloads the contact information at the new address in accordance with the standards of the communication device downloading the enterprise contact information at the original address. The caller either chooses to use the new criteria for downloading the contact information at the new address.

In a preferred method of the invention, the contact information for the local enterprise is downloaded and stored on the user's communication device. However, according to another method of the present invention, the contact information for the local enterprise is stored at a remote central server and remotely accessed by various communication devices. According to the method, a caller dials a predetermined number on a communication device and enters contact information he wishes to obtain, such as an address, name or business category. Alternatively, the location of the caller may be automatically determined by its communications device using one of a number of available systems, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), originating cellular tower location (originating cellular telephone location), location of a fixed telephone (location of the telephone phone), IP address, etc. Once the central server with the "central contact information database" receives the information, the contact information for the selected business is transmitted to the caller's communication device where it is displayed. In a preferred method, the communication device may automatically dial the telephone number of the displayed contact information using an automatic dialing function. In addition, a device is provided, wherein the communication equipment stores the displayed telephone number and the contact information in a contact list of the communication equipment. According to another method of the present invention, the entire "central contact information database" may be downloaded from the central server to the communication device, and then the contact information of the local enterprise in the area of the address of the communication device may be queried in the contact list of the communication device. In the method, the address of the communication device is determined by 1) manually entering the address into the device, or 2) automatically by the communication device using one of a plurality of available systems, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), originating cellular tower location (originating cellular tower location), fixed telephone location (location of the landlinephone), IP address, etc.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Some variations of the invention are: 1) in discussing the present invention, contact information for a local business is illustrated. However, this is not limiting as the contact information for businesses in any geographic area may be similarly used; 2) in the discussion of the present invention, contact information for a business is discussed, however, contact information for other parties beyond the business category may be similarly used. The list is not exhaustive. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. A method, comprising:

determining the geographic position of the communication equipment;

and generating a contact list associated with the geographic position, wherein the contact list is obtained from a contact information database stored in the communication equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a contact associated with a geographic location;

obtaining contact information for the contact from a central database containing contact information for contacts for a plurality of geographic locations;

the contact information is downloaded to the internal storage of the communication device for the contact associated with the geographic location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the central database is a third party database.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the central database is established by desiring that its contact information can be automatically downloaded to a communication device geographically close to its address.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the contact comprises determining a zip code of the location of the communication device and a contact associated with the zip code.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically downloading comprises transmitting contact information for contacts of a particular category of interest determined by an operator of the communication device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device has a telephone assembly including circuitry supporting speed dial functionality and a dial pad.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the contact information includes a telephone number, wherein the contact information is stored in a memory of the communication device to allow an operator to dial a telephone number for a given contact using a speed dial function of the communication device without requiring the operator to manually enter the telephone number into a dial pad of the communication device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact is a business that provides a service at the geographic location.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising tracking calls on a communication device, determining a list of frequently contacted contacts, and automatically downloading contact information for similarly-named contacts when the communication device moves to a new geographic location.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing contact information for contacts at a plurality of geographic locations in a memory of the communication device.

12. A system for providing location-based contact information to a communication device, the system comprising:

a database comprising a plurality of tables, each containing contact information for a plurality of contacts associated with a plurality of geographic locations;

means for determining a current geographic location of a communication device having internal storage for storing contact information for a plurality of contacts;

a communication network facilitating the downloading of forms of contacts and associated contact information into the memory of the communication device based on the current geographic location of the communication device.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a portal connected to the database and allowing its contact information to be added to the database.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the communication device is one of a mobile phone, a PDA, a computer, and a fixed phone.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the contact is a business and the contact information includes one of a name, an address, a phone number, business hours, a driving route, and a business category.

16. A method, comprising:

determining the geographic position of the communication equipment;

collecting contact information for one or more contacts associated with a geographic location; and is

And automatically downloading the contact information to a contact list stored in the memory of the communication equipment.