US6701348B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for automatically updating contact information within a contact database
Assignee: Goodcontacts Research Ltd
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Filing: 2000-12-22
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Granted: 2004-03-02
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Expires: 2020-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A method is proposed for automatically updating and maintaining contact information for various contacts stored in a contact database without requiring an individual to manually update their contacts by using an automated reply process for the maintaining of contact information, as well as only requiring one individual to be a member of the service. Updating of the contacts with the automated reply process installed is more frequent.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Sommerer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00206; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0065; H04N2201/0068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method comprising: updating an electronic contact information database, the contact information comprising address data, phone data, and electronic mail data of an individual including: a) sending at least one message requesting updated contact information comprising address data, phone data, and electronic mail data of an individual for at least one contact of a plurality of contacts stored within the electronic contact information database of a user; the at least one contact relating to other than the user; and b) upon receiving a return message with updated contact information for the individual and comprising at least one of address data, phone data, and electronic mail data of the individual from the at least one contact, automatically updating the contact information database with the updated contact information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method comprising: updating an electronic contact information database, the contact information comprising address data, phone data, and electronic mail data of an individual including: a) sending at least one message requesting updated contact information comprising address data, phone data, and electronic mail data of an individual for at least one contact of a plurality of contacts stored within the electronic contact information database of a user; the at least one contact relating to other than the user; and b) upon receiving a return message with updated contact information for the individual and comprising at least one of address data, phone data, and electronic mail data of the individual from the at least one contact, automatically updating the contact information database with the updated contact information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 wherein the message is a facsimile message and comprising: analysing an electronic image of the received return facsimile message to automatically determine the updated contact information in an electronic form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 2 wherein analysing an electronic image of the received return facsimile message includes performing optical character recognition on the received return facsimile message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 3 comprising generating an electronic image of the received return facsimile message.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 4 wherein upon receiving a transmission error when contacting the at least one contact, automatically storing an indication of a transmission error on association with the contact information in the contact information database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 5 comprising determining a success of sending and when sending fails, providing an indication of the contact and of the transmission failure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 6 wherein the contact request update transmission is resent to verify that the return message was not received due to a temporary communication failure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 wherein the message is an electronic message and comprising: automatically extracting from the received return electronic message updated contact information there.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 8 wherein the user is a subscriber to a contact list update service and wherein the at least a contact is other than a user to the contact list update service.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 9 comprising: verifying the authenticity of each electronic contact information message received at the contact system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 8 wherein the electronic message comprises: message body text containing contact information for at least one contact information field for verification.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 8 wherein the electronic message comprises data for, when activated within a system, providing an automated reply process for automatically intercepting update request electronic messages and for automatically replying thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 12 wherein the automated reply process is electronic message platform independent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 12 wherein the automated reply process includes processes for entering and storing of contact data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 14 comprising: entering contact information of the contact; and storing the contact information of the contact within memory accessible to the automated reply process.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 14 wherein an electronic flag associated with the at least one contact is stored indicative of one of the automated reply process being installed on the contact system of the at least one contact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 16 where update request messages are sent more frequently to contacts with the electronic flag enabled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 17 where the information is only updated when the user initiates an update request.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
106 words
A method comprising: receiving a user request to update an electronic contact information database; updating the electronic contact information database, the contact information comprising address data, phone data, and electronic mail data including: a) sending at least one message requesting updated contact information to a contact destination of at least one contact from a plurality of contacts stored within the electronic contact information database of a user; the at least one contact relating to other than the user; and b) upon receiving a return message with updated contact information from the at least one contact, automatically updating the contact information database with the updated contact information.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
106 words
A method comprising: receiving a user request to update an electronic contact information database; updating the electronic contact information database, the contact information comprising address data, phone data, and electronic mail data including: a) sending at least one message requesting updated contact information to a contact destination of at least one contact from a plurality of contacts stored within the electronic contact information database of a user; the at least one contact relating to other than the user; and b) upon receiving a return message with updated contact information from the at least one contact, automatically updating the contact information database with the updated contact information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 19 wherein the message is a facsimile message and comprising: analysing an electronic image of the received return facsimile message to automatically determine the updated contact information in an electronic form.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 20 wherein analysing an electronic image of the received return facsimile message includes performing optical character recognition on the received return facsimile message.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 21 comprising generating an electronic image of the received return facsimile message.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 22 wherein upon receiving a transmission error when contacting the at least one contact, automatically storing an indication of a transmission error on association with the contact information in the contact information database.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 23 comprising determining a success of sending and when sending fails, providing an indication of the contact and of the transmission failure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 24 wherein the contact request update transmission is resent to verify that the return message was not received due to a temporary communication failure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 19 wherein the message is an electronic message and comprising: automatically extracting from the received return electronic message updated contact information therein.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 26 wherein the user is a subscriber to a contact list update service and wherein the at least a contact is other than a user to the contact list update service.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 27 comprising: verifying the authenticity of each electronic contact information message received at the contact system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 26 wherein the electronic message comprises: message body text containing contact information for at least one contact information field for verification.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 26 wherein the electronic message comprises data for, when activated within a system, providing an automated reply process for automatically intercepting update request electronic messages and for automatically replying thereto.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 30 wherein the automated reply process is electronic message platform independent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 30 wherein the automated reply process includes processes for entering and storing of contact data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 32 comprising: entering contact information of the contact; and storing the contact information of the contact within memory accessible to the automated reply process.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 32 wherein an electronic flag associated with the at least one contact is stored indicative of one of the automated reply process being installed on the contact system of the at least one contact.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 34 where update request messages are sent more frequently to contacts with the electronic flag enabled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-09-01 | 2008-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-02 | 2011-09-01 | 2012-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-02 | 2015-09-01 | 2016-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |