PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8515470-B2
Application Number: US-201213455553-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Contact information updating via SMS

Abstract:
A source mobile telephone detects that a telephone number of the telephone has changed to a new number, and in response, sends a text or short message service (SMS) notice message to contacts identified in the mobile telephone to indicate that the source mobile telephone has a new telephone number. In response to receiving the text or SMS notice message, a contact telephony device may update its contact list to reflect the new number. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A machine-implemented method in a mobile telephone, comprising:
 the mobile telephone detecting that a telephone number of the mobile telephone has chanced from a first telephone number to a new telephone number; and 
 in response to said detecting, the mobile telephone sending a contact change notice message to each of a plurality of contacts identified in a contacts list of the mobile telephone, wherein the message indicates to its recipient that the mobile telephone has the new telephone number over a finite indicated period of time or until an indicated date and time; and 
 after sending the contact change notice message, the mobile telephone sending another contact change notice message, to each of the plurality or contacts, to indicate to its recipients that the mobile telephone has reverted back to the first telephone number prior to at least one of the finite indicated period of time or the indicated date and time. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending comprises:
 prompting a user of the mobile telephone that sends the contact change notice message to indicate one of a finite period of time over which to have the new telephone number, and a date and time until which to have the new telephone number prior to sending the contact change notice message. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending comprises:
 prompting a user to select the plurality of contacts to be sent the contact change notice message; and 
 receiving user selections identifying the plurality of contacts of the user from the contact list. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending comprises the mobile telephone automatically sending a text or SMS contact change notice without prompting the user to identify the contacts. 
     
     
       5. A machine-implemented method in a telephony device, comprising:
 the telephony device g a change notice message from mobile telephone, wherein the message indicates that a number of the mobile telephone has changed from a first telephone number to a new number; and 
 in response to said receiving, the telephony device updating a contacts list of the telephony device to reflect the new number for said mobile telephone, wherein the received message indicates to its recipient that the mobile telephone will have the new telephone number over a finite indicated period of time or until an indicated date and time; and 
 reverting back to the first telephone number prior to the finite indicated period of time and prior to the indicated date and time received in the contact change notice message in response to another contact change notice message from the mobile telephone. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein updating comprises the telephony device that received the message displaying to a user of the telephony device, the finite indicated period of time or the indicated date and time received in the contact change notice message. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein updating comprises the telephony device prompting a user of the telephony device to accept the update. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein receiving comprises the telephony device:
 monitoring received messages including the contact change notice message and other messages; 
 distinguishing the contact change notice message from the other messages; and 
 automatically updating the contacts list without prompting a user of the telephony device to accept the update. 
 
     
     
       9. A mobile telephone comprising:
 a memory to store a contacts list and a mobile telephone number; 
 a processing system coupled to the memory, the processing system to, upon detecting that the telephone number of the mobile telephone has changed from a first telephone number to a new telephone number send a contact change notice message to each of a plurality of contacts identified in the contacts list, wherein the message indicates to its recipient that the mobile telephone has the new telephone number over a finite indicated period of time or until an indicated date and time, and the processor to send, after sending the contact change notice message, another contact change notice message to each of the plurality of contacts to indicate to its recipients that the mobile telephone has reverted back to first telephone number prior to at least one of the finite indicated period of time or the indicated date and time. 
 
     
     
       10. The mobile telephone of  claim 9 , further comprising an input to prompt a user of the mobile telephone that sends the contact change notice message to indicate a finite period of time over which to have the new telephone number, or a date and time until which to have the new telephone number prior to sending the contact change notice message. 
     
     
       11. The mobile telephone of  claim 9 , further comprising an input to prompt a user to select the plurality of contacts to be sent the contact change notice message from the contact list, and to receive user selections identifying the contacts from the contact list. 
     
     
       12. The mobile telephone of  claim 9 , wherein the memory stores a user identity; and further comprising:
 an interface coupled to the processor, the interface detachably coupled to a subscriber identity module (SIM) card storing the user identity and the new mobile telephone number. 
 
     
     
       13. A machine readable non-transitory storage medium storing executable instructions which when executed perform a method in a mobile telephone, the method comprising:
 the mobile telephone detecting that a telephone number of the mobile telephone has changed from a first telephone number to a new telephone number; and 
 in response to said detecting, the mobile telephone sending a contact change notice message to each of a plurality of contacts identified in a contacts list of the mobile telephone, wherein the message indicates to its recipient that the mobile telephone has the new telephone number over a finite indicated period of time or until an indicated date and time; and 
 after sending the contact change notice message, the mobile telephone sending another contact change notice message, to each of the plurality of contacts, indicate to its recipients that the mobile telephone has reverted back to the first telephone number prior to at least one of the finite indicated period of time or the indicated date and time. 
 
     
     
       14. The medium of  claim 13 , wherein sending comprises:
 prompting a user of the mobile telephone that sends the contact change notice message to indicate one of a finite period of time over which to have the new telephone number, and a date and time until which to have the new telephone number prior to sending the contact change notice message. 
 
     
     
       15. The medium of  claim 13 , wherein sending comprises:
 prompting a user to select the plurality of contacts to be sent the contact change notice message; and 
 receiving user selections identifying the plurality of contacts of the user from the contact list. 
 
     
     
       16. The medium of  claim 13 , wherein sending comprises the mobile telephone automatically sending a text or SMS contact change notice without prompting the user to identify the contacts. 
     
     
       17. A machine readable non-transitory storage medium storing executable instructions which when executed perform a method in a telephony device, the method comprising:
 the telephony device receiving a contact change notice message from a mobile telephone, wherein the message indicates that a number of the mobile telephone has changed from a first telephone number to a new number; and 
 in response to said receiving, the telephony device updating a contacts list of the telephony device to reflect the new number for said mobile telephone, wherein the received message indicates to its recipient that the mobile telephone will have the new telephone number over a finite indicated period of time or until an indicated date and time; and 
 reverting back to the first telephone number prior to the finite indicated period of time and prior to the indicated date and time received in the contact change notice message in response to another contact change notice message from the mobile telephone. 
 
     
     
       18. The medium if  claim 17 , wherein updating comprises the telephony device that received the message displaying to a user of the telephony device, the finite indicated period of time or the indicated date and time received in the contact change notice message. 
     
     
       19. The medium of  claim 17 , wherein updating comprises the telephony device prompting a user of the telephony device to accept the update. 
     
     
       20. The medium of  claim 17 , wherein receiving comprises the telephony device:
 monitoring received messages including the contact change notice message and other messages; 
 distinguishing the contact change notice message from the other messages; and 
 automatically updating the contacts list without prompting a user of the telephony device to accept the update.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/270,798 filed on Nov. 13, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,170,588. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to a mobile phone sending text or short message service (SMS) messages to contacts listed in the mobile telephone to indicate that the mobile telephone has a new telephone number. Other embodiments are also described. 
     BACKGROUND 
     While continuing to grow in popularity, portable or mobile electronic devices, such as cellular phones or mobile phones have also been growing in complexity. In addition to supporting wireless voice communication, mobile devices or phones, such as the iPhone™multifunction device by Apple, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., include additional functionality such as built-in digital photo and video camera, digital music and movie file playback, self-location capability, and global positioning system (GPS). 
     Moreover, most mobile phones are configurable to allow a user to customize features such as the display background image, ring-tones, notification sounds, volume levels, and display brightness levels. They can also typically be customized to select which additional functionalities to include, and to customize the features of those functionalities. Moreover, mobile phones may be configurable to allow a user to program the phone with telephone contacts, and text (or short message service (SMS)) message contacts. Mobile phones may also be configurable to allow a user to send, receive, take and/or store various media in the phone, including text (or SMS) messages, photos, audio files (e.g., songs and voice recordings) and videos. Thus, a user may desire and find more useful, a mobile phone configured to have the features, customization, functionality, contacts, and media the user most frequently uses. 
     When a mobile phone user travels or relocates, the user may want to change phone services (e.g., phone service providers, such as to reduce calling costs, messaging costs, and/or other phone function costs, while maintaining the same mobile phone. For instance, when a user of a mobile phone travels, such as to a region or country where the user desires to use a different phone service, that user may replace the current subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the user&#39;s mobile phone with a new or different SIM card that provides service with the desired service provider. Replacing the SIM card allows the user to retain the functionality, and customization of the user&#39;s current mobile phone, while using a different telephone service provider. Thus, by using or maintaining his phone when traveling or relocating to different regions or countries, a phone user may make more efficient use the functionality of his phone, as compared to another phone, due to the users familiarity with that device, while reducing costs for calling, messaging, and using the phone functionalities. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a source mobile telephone is able to detect that a telephone number of the telephone has changed to a new number, and in response, is able send a notice message to contacts identified in a contact list of the mobile telephone to indicate to the contact recipients that the sending mobile telephone has anew telephone number. 
     For instance, replacing the SIM card of the user&#39;s phone may require the mobile phone to have a different, new phone number and/or service provider. The user&#39;s mobile phone contacts may not know that the user&#39;s phone has a new phone number or service provider. An embodiment of the invention alleviates such a situation by automatically modifying those contacts, of the user&#39;s new number. 
     The user may be prompted by his telephone to select amongst the contacts to be sent the messages. It may receive, from the user, selections identifying the contact, such as from the contact list, Also, the source mobile telephone may prompt its user to indicate a period of time over which the new telephone number is to be in service, or a date and time until which the new telephone number is to remain in service. 
     In some embodiments, upon detecting that the telephone number has changed, the mobile telephone may automatically send the notice messages to the contacts, without requiring explicit approval from the user for each of the contacts. 
     In response to receiving the notice message, a contact telephony device may update its contact list to reflect the new number. The contact telephony device may monitor such received notice messages and distinguish them from other messages and notices. 
     The user of the contact telephony device may be prompted to accept the change of source mobile telephone phone number. 
     In the case where the received notice message includes a selected period of time or a selected date and time, the contact telephony device may display to its user that the sending mobile telephone will have the new telephone number over the selected period of time or until the selected date and time. 
     In some cases, the contact telephony device may revert back to the original senders mobile telephone number after the selected period of time or after the selected date and time. The user of the contact telephony device may be prompted to accept the reversion back to the original senders mobile telephone number after the selected period of time, or after the selected date and time. 
     In some embodiments, upon or in response to receiving the notice message, contact telephony device may automatically to accept the change of source mobile telephone phone number, and/or revert back to the original senders mobile telephone number after the selected period of time, or after the selected date and time, without prompting the contact user to accept the change, or reversion back to the original senders mobile telephone number. 
     Embodiments also include program instructions stored on a storage medium and/or electronic circuitry to perform the functions and processes described above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment of the invention in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1  is flow diagram describing a process for detecting that a telephone number of a sender mobile telephone has changed, and a response to detecting, sending a contact change notice message to contacts of the source mobile telephone. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram describing a process of a contact telephony device receiving a message from a source mobile phone, and in response, updating a contact list of the contact telephony device to reflect the new number for the sender mobile telephone. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a source mobile phone, contact telephony devices, and messages sent by the source mobile phone to the contact telephony devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention provide mobile phone users who change their phone&#39;s contact information (e.g., service provider and/or phone number) a more efficient process for notifying their phone&#39;s contacts of the new number. For example, according to embodiments, a source mobile telephone is able to detect that a telephone number of the telephone has changed to a new number, and in response, is able send a notice message to contacts identified in a contact list of the mobile telephone to indicate to the contact recipients that the sending mobile telephone has a new telephone number. 
     Embodiments also provide the contact with a more efficient process for updating their contact list with the new number. For example, according to embodiments, in response to receiving the notice message, a contact telephony device is able to update a contact list to reflect the new number. 
     For instance, a mobile phone user may want to change a phone number or service of their mobile phone to correspond with or as a result of changing to a new job, a new residence, a new location, a new state, a new country or travel (e.g. travel to a new location, such as when a user buys a “China SIM” to insert into their cell phone for service in China). The phone user may change or replace a mobile phone&#39;s subscriber identity module (SIM) card (having the user&#39;s identification (ID), service provider information, and mobile phone number) with a different SIM card (having the same user&#39;s identification, but a different service provider information, and/or a different mobile phone number). If changing the SIM card changes the phone&#39;s service and/or phone number, the user&#39;s contacts may not know of the change. Thus, it may be necessary for the user to notify the contacts of the user that the user is at a different telephone number, and/or is using a different phone service. 
     The notice messages or “messages” describedtherein may be any type of text message or other data carried On channels or services such as short message service (SMS). In some embodiments, the text messages may include SMS text messages that are designed as part of GSM, or another network, such as a  3 G network. The text messages may also include text messages as part of non-GSM networks, E-mail messages from phones, standard mail protocol networks (such as SMTP over TCP/IP). It is also considered that the text messages may include contact cards, vCards and the like, such as files or objects that can be passed instead of just “text messages”. 
     The processes, instructions and/or circuitry describedtherein may solve the problem of notifying the contacts in the user&#39;s phone of the contact information change, without the time consuming process of calling, or manually sending separate messages to each contact, and requiring each contact to go through the hassle of changing the number on their phone once notified. Moreover, the processes, instructions, or circuitry describedtherein will help the sender and receiver better manage the number change, by providing a more accurate “automated” change leading to fewer number transcription errors during the change; and allowing the change to revert back to the original number, at the appropriate time, if the change is not permanent (e.g., such as in the case of the China SIM travel example). 
       FIG. 1  is flow diagram describing a process for detecting that a telephone number of a source or sender mobile telephone has changed and a response to detecting, sending a contact change notice message to contacts of the source mobile telephone (e.g., to contacts listed in the source mobile phone as having telephony devices).  FIG. 1  shows process  100  that may be implemented by program instructions stored on a storage medium and/or electronic circuitry of a mobile telephone (e.g., a “source” or “sender” mobile phone), as describedtherein. 
     At block  110  a source mobile telephone detects that a telephone number of the telephone has changed to a new number. For example, block  110  may include a processor, SIM card interface, or circuitry of the phone detecting the change, such as by comparing a phone number of a changed, new or replacement SIM card with that in a memory from the prior SIM card, and detecting a difference or change in the number (e.g., a change in any one of the numbers of the total phone number, such as including area code, prefix and suffix). If the numbers are different, the processor, SIM card interface, or circuitry may send a change notice, including the new number, as noted at block  140 . 
     It can be appreciated that a phone number, as describedtherein may include all of the numbers of the total phone number required to call a mobile phone (e.g., the source phone) or landline phone, such as including area code, prefix and suffix (e.g., for a United States of America (USA) number); or country code and all other required numbers to call the source (e.g., for a Non-USA number). 
     In some embodiments, at block  120 , the user may be prompted by the telephone to select the contacts, such as from amongst a contact list of the phone, to be sent the messages. At block  120 , the telephone may also receive from the user selections identifying the contacts, such as from the contact list. 
     For example, a dialog may be displayed to the user, asking if the user wants to send an SMS update to “all or some” of the user&#39;s contacts stored in the phone? If the user selects “all”, then an SMS is sent to each contact. If the user selects “some”, then the user may be prompted to select which contacts of the list to send a message to. It can be appreciated that all or some of the contacts send the messages may not be in the phones contact list, but may be entered by the user, in response to prompting for “new” contacts to send a message to. This prompting may provide benefits of notice to the user of the change of phone number notice messages, and selection of which contacts to notify of the change and/or user&#39;s travel. 
     In some embodiments, at block  130 , the source mobile may prompt the user to indicate a period of time over which to have the new telephone number or a date and time until which to have the new telephone number. For example, a dialog may be displayed to the user, prompting the user to select either “for how long” or “until when” the new number will be used, or neither? If the user selects “for how long” then a dialog may be displayed prompting the user to indicate a period of time over which the new telephone number is to be in service. If the user selects “for how long” then a dialog may be displayed prompting the user to select (e.g., from a calendar listing) or indicate a date time until which the new telephone number is to remain in service. This prompting may provide benefits of notice to the user of sending the contacts the change of phone number notice messages with the period of time, or date and time for the end of the change, and/or end of the user&#39;s travel. 
     At blocks  120  and  130 , a display (such as a touch screen) may be used to prompt the source user to select the contacts to be sent the messages, a period of time over which to have the new telephone number, and/or a date time until which to have the new telephone number. Also, an input, such as a touch screen or keypad may be used to receive inputs from the user to select the contacts, period of time, and/or date and time. 
     In some embodiments, block  120  and/or block  130  may not occur or may not be performed. For example, in some embodiments, upon detecting that the telephone number has changed, the mobile telephone may “automatically” send the notice messages to the contacts without prompting the user to select the contacts, to indicate a period of time, or to select (or indicate) a time and date as noted above. In this case, referring back to block  110 , if the numbers are different, the processor, SIM card interface, or circuitry may automatically send a change notice as noted at block  140  without prompting the user and without requiring explicit approval from the user for each of the contacts. 
     At block  140 , in response, to detecting, the source phone sends a change notice message (e.g., a “notice message”) to contacts identified in a contact list of the mobile telephone to indicate to the contact recipients that the sending mobile telephone has a new telephone number. One message may be sent to each of the contacts to indicate the new number or phone number change. Each notice message sent to each of the contacts may be a message addressed only to that one contact (e.g., to a single phone number or URL). Alternatively, each notice may be a message addressed to all of the contacts that notification messages are sent to. The message may be sent based on possible prompting, selecting, or automatically as noted above. In some cases it is only necessary to send one message to make the change and a reversion (see below). However, in other cases, more than one message may be sent to make the change and a reversion. 
     For example, block  140  may include a processor, transmitter, or circuitry of the phone sending a separate notice message to each contacts identified in a contact list, or selected by the user to indicate to the contact recipients that the sending mobile telephone has a new telephone number. For example, the message may notify to each contact that the sending mobile telephone has a new telephone number (such as by including the sending phone user ID) and identify what that new phone number is. 
     The notice message may include message data or headers having a predetermined code that identifies the message as a contact change notice message, and the new phone number (e.g., see block  110 ). Specifically, the notice message with new contact information (e.g. including the new phone number, and also the source user or source mobile phone identification) may be sent in a message that is specifically formatted, such as by including a header (e.g., see header  331  of  FIG. 3 ) indicating that the message is a “Contact Information Change” message (e.g. the header may specify “Contact Information Change”). Each message may include the period of time, or to select a time and date selected above at block  130 . It can be appreciated that a benefit of the source phone having detecting and sending capability is being able to send multiple messages to update the source phone number at multiple contacts without having to take the time or effort to make a separate or individual call or notify each contact. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram describing a process of a contact or receiver telephony device (e.g., a mobile or landline (elephone) receiving a notice message from a source mobile phone, and in response, updating a contact list of the contact telephony device to reflect the new number for the sender mobile telephone (e.g., the receiver telephony device may have the source phone listed in its contact list as having a mobile phone). 
       FIG. 2  shows process  200  that may be implemented by program instructions stored on a storage medium and/or electronic circuitry of a telephony device (e.g., a “contact” or “receiver” mobile phone capable device, or landline phone capable device), as describedtherein.  FIG. 2  shows process  200  that may be implemented by program instructions stored on a storage medium and/or electronic circuitry of a mobile telephone (e.g., a “contact” or “receiver” telephony device), as describedtherein.  FIG. 2  may be a process that occurs as a result of a telephony device receiving the notice message sent in block  140  of  FIG. 1 . 
     At block  210 , in response to receiving the notice message at a contact telephony device indicating that a number of the source mobile telephone has changed to a new number. For example, a contact device may receive a message notifying the device that the sending mobile telephone has a new telephone number (such as by including the sending phone user ID) and identifying what that new phone number is. 
     For example, block  210  may include a processor, receiver, or circuitry of the device monitoring received messages including the contact change notice message and other notices; and distinguishing or detecting the change notice message from other messages and notices. In accordance with embodiments, the processor, receiver, or circuitry may detect the change by comparing the received message data or headers to a predetermined code that identifies a message as a contact change notice message. For example, a specially formatted notice message having new contact information (e.g. a new source phone number, and also including a source user or mobile phone identification) may be detected by detecting the message has a header (e.g., see header  331  of  FIG. 3 ) indicating “Contact Information Change” (e.g. such as by the header stating that the message is a “Contact Information Change” message). If a notice message is detected the processor, receiver, or circuitry may update a contacts list of the contact device to include or reflect the new number provided in the notice message as noted at block  240 . In some cases, “other” messages and notices may include TV voting, product promotion, advertisement, quiz, spam, political campaign, social, work, non-phone related, and other non-phone number change messages and notices. 
     In some embodiments, at block  220 , the user of the contact telephony device may be prompted by the telephony device to accept the change of source mobile telephone phone number. At block  220 , the telephony device may also receive from the contact user, selections identifying accepting the change, such as to update or include the new number in a contact list of the telephony device. For example, a dialog may be displayed to the contact user, asking if the user wants to accept the new number to update a contact of the user&#39;s contact list stored in the device? If the user selects “yes”, then the contact is updated. In some embodiments, if the source user or source phone is not listed in the devices contact list, the contact user may be prompted to add a “new” contact to the list having the new number and source user as the contact. This prompting may provide benefits of notice to the contact user of the change of phone number, and possibly of the source user&#39;s travel. 
     In some embodiments, in the case where the notice message includes an indicated period of time or a selected (or indicated) date and time (e.g., see block  130 ), at block  230  the contact telephony device may display to its user (e.g., using a dialog displayed to the user) that the sending mobile telephone will have the new telephone number over the indicated period of time, or until the selected (or indicated) date and time. This displaying may provide benefits of notice to the contact user of the period of time, or date and time for the end of the change, and/or end of the source user&#39;s travel. 
     Also, in some embodiments, at block  230 , the contact device may prompt the contact user to accept “selected automatic” or “prompted” reversion to the original phone number, after the selected period of time or at the selected date and time. For example, a dialog may be displayed to the user, prompting the user to select either “selected automatic” or “prompted” reversion, or “neither”? If “selected automatic” reversion is selected at block  230 , then selected automatic reversion may occur as discussed further below at block  250 . If “prompted” reversion is selected at block  230 , then prompted reversion may occur as discussed further below at block  250 . If “neither” is selected at block  230 , then reversion may not occur as discussed further below at block  250 . 
     At block  240 , the contact telephony device may update a contact list to reflect the new number for the source mobile telephone. Block  240  may describe the contact telephony device being able to or performing an update of a contact list in response to receiving the notice message. Updating may also be based on possible prompting, selecting (e.g., see blocks  220  and/or  230 ), or fully automatically as noted herein. Reflecting the new number may include updating, changing replacing a prior phone number in a contact list of the contact device, for the source user or mobile phone. The new number may then be included in the contact list (e.g., all of the numbers of the total phone number area code, prefix and suffix). 
     For example, block  240  may include a processor, receiver, or circuitry of the device updating a contact identified in a contact list, or selected by the user, with the new number provided in the notice message. The new number may be reverted back to the prior number after the period of time, or to select a time and date noted above at block  230 . 
     In some embodiments, block  220  and/or block  230  may not occur or may not be performed. For example, in some embodiments, upon or in response to receiving the notice message, the contact telephony device may “automatically” accept the change of source mobile telephone phone number without prompting the contact user to accept the change. In this case, referring back to block  210 , if the notice is detected, the processor, receiver, or circuitry may automatically accept and make the change to the contact list as noted at block  240  without prompting the user at block  220  or block  230 . 
     At block  250 , in some embodiments, the contact telephony device may revert back to the original senders mobile telephone number after the indicated period of time, or after the selected (or indicated) date and time received in the notice message from the source phone. In some cases, at block  250 , the contact device may prompt the contact user when reverting back to the original senders mobile telephone number after the indicated period of time, or after the selected (or indicated) date and time, without prompting the contact user to accept the change, or reversion back to the original senders mobile telephone number. This prompting may provide benefits of notice or of a reminder to the contact user that the period of time, or date and time of the number change, and/or source user&#39;s travel has ended. 
     For example, if “selected automatic” reversion is selected at block  230 , then selected automatic reversion may occur without further displaying or prompting the contact user, at the time of reversion, about the reversion. If “prompted” reversion is selected at block  230 , then prompted reversion may occur by displaying to the contact user, at the time of reversion, that the reversion is going to occur. Prompted reversion may include the contact user selecting (e.g., by dialog and selection) not to revert the new number to the original number. If “neither” is selected at block  230 , then reversion may not occur, at the time of reversion. 
     At blocks  220 ,  230  and  250 , a display (such as a touch screen may be used to display information and to prompt the contact user to make selections noted for those blocks. Also, an input, such as a touch screen or keypad may be used to receive inputs from the contact user to make selections noted for those blocks. 
     At block  250 , in some embodiments, upon or in response to receiving the notice message, the contact telephony device may “fully automatically” revert back to the original senders mobile telephone number after the indicated period, of time or after the selected (or indicated) date and time, without displaying or prompting the contact user about the reversion. In this case, referring back to block  210 , if the notice is detected, the processor, receiver, or circuitry may fully automatically revert to the prior number and make the change to the contact list as noted at block  250  without prompting the user at block  230 . It can be appreciated that an advantage of the processes describedtherein is a reduction in half of the amount of message traffic required to update the contact lists of contact devices to the new phone number and revert them back to the prior phone number. For example, if “selected automatic” reversion or “fully automatic” reversion is used, it is not necessary for the source phone to send another message to the contact phone to cause the reversion to occur (e.g., the change message need only be sent once). 
     Alternatively, if the phone number of the source phone is changed back to the original or prior number, without reversion (or if it is changed to another number), another notice message with the new contact information (e.g. the new phone number) may be sent in a subsequent message to the contact device(s). That is,  FIG. 1  may be repeated to send a subsequent message to revert to the prior number, the source phone number, back to the prior number at contact devices of contacts of the source phone. 
     Additional benefits of the contact phone having receiving and updating capabilities, include a contact user being able to update one (or multiple) contacts of the device&#39;s contact list with new phone numbers, for one or various) periods of time, with reduced user effort and reduced error. For example, the contact user does not need to think about or write down each new phone number, or possibly when they will be used until. Also, the contact user will know each source user is using a different service and new number, and can avoid calling, texting, sending photos, or sending videos to the source user if the new number or different service will increase the costs of the call, texting, sending photos, or sending videos as compared to the prior number or service. 
     It is considered that more than one message (e.g., ten or more messages) may be received by contact device from various source phones to indicate the new numbers or phone number changes. In these cases, the benefits above will be multiplied by the number of messages received. For instance, a contact user&#39;s device will be able to accurately and efficiently detect and update (and may revert) phone number changes for ten or more source notice messages received by the contact device from various source phones that are using new or changed numbers during an overlapping time period. It can be appreciated that a benefit of the contact phone having receiving and updating capability (and possibly changing numbers for a received time period, such as until a received date and time), will reduce user effort, confusion and errors in accurately and timely changing multiple contact phone numbers. 
     In some embodiments, for telephony devices that do not have updating capability, the contact user may make the contact list change manually, such as by writing down the new number; cut and paste (or block and copy) the number, or using a menu structure of the device. In this case, the source user still realized benefits noted above for  FIG. 1 , and the contact user realized benefits of knowing the source user is using a different service and new number, and can avoid calling the source user if the new number or different service will increase the costs of the call, as compared to the prior number or service. 
     The blocks of process  100  and  200  may be performed sequentially in the order shown, with the exception that any one or more of blocks  120 ,  130 ,  220 ,  230 , and  250  may be omitted form those processes. In some embodiments, only blocks  110  and  140  of process  100  will be performed. In some embodiments, only blocks  210  and  240  of process  200  will be performed. 
     Embodiments may include software application instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g. a machine-readable medium) that when executed by a processor cause the processor (e.g. a machine such as a mobile phone, telephony device, and the like) to perform some or all of the operations describedtherein (e.g., see  FIG. 1  and/or  FIG. 2 ) (e.g. cause some or all of the processes describedtherein to be performed by the machine). A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), such as a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), USB memory device, and/or Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM). 
     In other embodiments, some of these operations might be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic. Such embodiments include various electronic circuitry, such as electronic hardware, logic, processors, transistors, resistors, inductors, capacitors, registers, processors, memory, signal traces, other hardware describedtherein (e.g., see  FIG. 3 ) and the like to perform the functions and processes described herein. Those operations might alternatively be performed by any combination of software application instructions components and hardware components. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of network  300  including a source mobile phone  310 , contact telephony devices  340 ,  360 , and  380 , and messages  330 ,  332 , and  334  sent by the source mobile phone to the contact telephony devices. Network  300  may be a wireless telephony network, or may be a network that includes a wireless telephony network, as well as other network types as further noted below. Mobile phone  310  and contact telephony devices  340 ,  360 , and  380 , may be configurable to allow a user to input or program them with telephone contacts (e.g., including user contact identification (ID); and mobile and/or landline phone numbers), and/or message contacts (e.g., including user contact identification (ID); and phone numbers and/or email addresses). A user may perform such inputting or programming by using a display and input of the phone or device. 
     Embodiments of the invention include a source or sender mobile telephone  310  having memory  304  to store contact list  320 , user identification  324  (e.g. identifying the source user and/or phone  310 ), and new phone number  326 . Memory  304  may also include the original, old, or prior phone number  325  for phone  310 , such as for comparison with new phone number  326  as noted above. Contact list  320  includes contacts  322  such as user identifications and phone numbers of the contacts of contact list  320  which may include user identification and/or phone numbers for phone  340 ,  360 , and  380 . Memory  304  may be a mobile phone memory or computer memory (e.g., a main memory) as know in the industry, such as Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), and/or Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM). 
     Display  306  known in the industry, such as by being apart of a graphical user interface (GUI). A display  306  (such as a touch screen) may also be used to prompt the source user to select the contacts to be sent the messages, a period of time over which to have the new telephone number, and/or a date time until which to have the new telephone number, such as noted above for  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Input  308  may be an input as known in the industry. Input  308  may be part of a GUI, such as by working with display  306  to provide GUI functionality. Input  308  may be an input, such as a touch screen or keypad may be used to receive inputs from the user to select the contacts, period of time, and/or date and time. 
     Phone  310  also includes SIM card interface  328 , such as including circuitry and a plug-in connector for receiving and removably attaching a SIM card. SIM card  329  is show physically and electronically attached to interface  328 . SIM card  329  may include new phone number  326  and user ID  324 . 
     In some embodiments, new phone number  326 , stored in memory  304 , is a different phone number than the original or prior phone number  325  of phone  310  stored in memory  304 . New phone number  326  and may be the phone number stored in SIM card  329 . New phone number  326  and user ID  324  may be received from card  329  by phone  310 , memory  304 , and/or processor  302 , such as for comparison with the prior phone number and for inclusion in notice messages. 
     Phone  310  also includes processor  302  coupled to memory  304 , interface  328 , input  308 , display  306 , and transmitter  312 . Processor  302  may be a computer processor or microprocessor as known in the mobile phone and/or computer industry. Processor  302  may be a processor to, upon detecting the telephone number change, such as by comparing phone number  326  to an original phone number stored in memory  304 , send a notice message, such as sending one or more of notice messages  330 ,  332  and  334 , using transmitter  312 . A message (e.g., such as message  330 ) may be sent to all or some of contacts  322 , by sending a message to phone numbers or text message addresses identified in contacts  322 . 
     New phone number  326  and user ID  324  received from SIM card  329  by phone  310  may be compared (e.g., by processor  302 ) with prior phone number  325  of phone  310  stored in memory  304  (and an original or prior user IDs phone  310 , which may be the same as user ID  324 ) to detect or identify if number  326  is a new phone number  326  received from card  329 . If it is different, then the source telephony device (e.g., caused by processor  302 ) may send a message to contacts, such as sending one or more of notice messages  330 ,  332  and  334 , using transmitter  312  (e.g., see block  140  of  FIG. 1 ). If the numbers are the same, or if the original or prior user IDs phone  310  is different than user ID  324 , phone  310  may not send a notification message. 
     Embodiments of the invention also include a contact or receiver telephony device  340  having receiver  352  to receive the notice message  330  from transmitter  312 . Memory  344  is coupled to receiver  352  to store contact list  352  of the contact telephony device  340 . Contact list  354  includes contacts  356 , and may be a list including a different contact user identification (e.g. including user identification (ID)  324 ) and a different contact phone number  357  (e.g. including prior or original phone number for phone  310 ) for each contact of contacts  356 . Memory  344  may be a mobile phone or computer memory (e.g., a main memory) as know in the industry, such as Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), and/or Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM). 
     Phone  340  includes display  346 , which may be a display as known in the industry. Display  346  may be part of a GUI display  346  (such as a touch screen) may be made to prompt the contact user to accept the change of source mobile telephone phone number  326 such as noted above for  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Input  348  may be an input as known in the industry. Input  348  may be part of a GUI, such as by working with display  346  to provide GUI functionality. Input  348  may be an input, such as a touch screen or keypad may be used to receive inputs from the contact user to accept the change of source mobile telephone phone number, as noted above for  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Phone  340  also includes SIM card interface  359 , which may be an interface such as described above for interface  328 . Phone  340  is also shown including SIM card  358 , which may be a card similar to that described above for card  329 , except for having the user identification and phone number for phone  340 . 
     Phone  340  also includes processor  342 , such as a computer processor or microprocessor as known in the industry for a mobile phone, telephony device or computer. Processor  342  may be a processor to, in response to receiving notice message  330 , update contact list  354  of the contact telephony device to reflect the new number  326 , such as noted above for  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In some embodiments, new phone number  326 , received in message  330  by phone  340  is a different phone number than the prior or original phone number of phone  310 , which may be stored in memory  334  (e.g., stored in contact list  354  at the contact of contacts  356  having user ID  324 ). New phone number  326  and user ID  324  may be received in message  330  by phone  340  and compared with user IDs of contacts  356  to determine or identify the contact of contacts  356  having user ID  324 . Once the contact having ID  324  is identified, new phone number  326  received in message  330  may be compared with the prior or original phone number of phone  310 , to determine or identify whether new phone number  326  is different than the prior or original phone number of phone  310 . If it is different, then the contact telephony device may update the contact list having user ID  324  to reflect the new number for the source mobile telephone (e.g., see block  240  of  FIG. 2 ). If the numbers are the same, phone  340  may not update the contact list having user ID  324 . 
     Alternatively, in some embodiments, once the contact having ID  324  is identified, the contact telephony device will update the contact list having user ID  324  to reflect the new number for the source mobile telephone, regardless of whether the phone numbers are different. In this case, the contact telephony device may save battery life and computing power by performing the update without comparing the phone numbers. 
     In some embodiments, even if a contact having ID  324  is not identified, new phone number  326  received in message  330  may be used to update the contact list, such as by creating a contact having user ID  324  and the new number for the source mobile telephone (e.g., see block  240  of  FIG. 2 ). 
     Finally, the contact telephony device  340  may include signal processing circuitry to monitor received messages to distinguish the notice message from other notices and messages, such as by monitoring message headers to detect or identify a header indicating that the message is a “Contact Information Change” message (e.g. the header may specify “Contact Information Change”). This signal processing circuitry may be part of processor  342  or separate circuitry couple to processor  342 . 
     Phones  360  and  380  may have components that correspond to those described above for phone  340 . However, each of SIM card  358 ,  378 , and  398  will have a unique user identification and telephone number. As noted above for  FIGS. 1 and 2 , contact list  354 ,  374 , and/or  394  may include the user identification and original or prior phone number for phone  310 . However, in some cases, one or all of those lists may not have user ID  324  and the prior phone number of phone  310  (e.g such as in the case where the user of the contact telephony device has not yet entered phone  310  into the devices contact list). 
     Arrows  314 ,  315  and  316  are show to represent transmitter  312  sending messages  330 ,  332 , and  334 , respectively, such as using network  300  (e.g., including a wireless telephony network). Likewise, arrows  337 ,  338 , and  339  are show to represent receivers  352 ,  372 , and  392  receiving messages  330 ,  332 , and  334  respectively, such as using network  300  (e.g., including a wireless telephony network). Messages  330 ,  332 , and  334  may include header  331 , such as a header indicating that the message is a “Contact Information Change” message (e.g. the header may specify “Contact Information Change”). Messages  330 ,  332 , and  334  may also include user identification (ID)  324 , which may identifies the user as the same user and/or identifies the phone as phone  310 . In addition, messages  330 ,  332 , and  334  include new phone number  326 , which may be a different phone number than the prior or original phone number  325  of phone  310  and may be the phone number stored in SIM card  329  (and received from card  329  by phone  310 , memory  304 , and/or processor  302 ). In some embodiments, each message may include the period of time; or a time and date, as noted above at block  130 . 
     It is contemplated, that messages  330 ,  332 , and  334  may be sent over a wireless telephony network that may be combined with other communications networks, capable of sending text and/or SMS messages. Specifically, it is considered that phone  310 ,  340 ,  360 , and  380  may be any of various mobile phones known in the art capable of sending and receiving tcxt or SMS messages. 
     The wireless telephony network (e.g. included in network  300 ) may be in accordance with known cellular telephone communication network protocols including, for example, global system for mobile communications, GSM, enhanced data rate for GSM evolution, EDGE, and worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX. In some embodiments, the network may include a 3G network, a non-GSM network, standard mail protocols such as SMTP over TCP/IP,” and/or networks that support contact cards, vCards, files or objects. Thus, mobile phone  310  and devices  340 ,  360 , and  380  may have a subscriber identity module, SIM, card, which is a detachable smart card that contains the subscription information of its user (e.g. user ID  324  for phone  340 ), and may also contain a contacts list of the user (e.g. list  320  for phone  310 ). 
     Mobile phone  310  and devices  340 ,  360 , and  380  may be made of a housing within which are integrated several components including those described above, as well as a receiver (earpiece speaker), a microphone (mouthpiece), a speakerphone, and a vibration actuator. Additional circuitry, including a combination of hardware circuitry and software, are, of course, included to obtain the needed functionality describedtherein. These are not described in detail as they would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art of mobile phone circuits and software. It is sufficient to appreciate that the mobile phone telephony or devices include a processor and circuitry (e.g. a telephone module) which is responsible for coordinating various tasks during a call. The telephone module may be one or more pieces of software or firmware, to coordinate tasks such as dialing a call, directing audio signals during the call (between the microphone and the called party and between the called party and the receiver or speakerphone), and ending the call. 
     A user or caller of source phone or contact device may own the mobile phone or device, or may otherwise be its primary user. The phone or device may be assigned a unique address by a wireless telephony network operator (e.g., service provider), such as an eleven-digit international telephone number or an Internet Protocol, IP, address. 
     Any of contact devices  340 ,  360  and/or  380 , may be a mobile phone, or instead may be a land-based device that is coupled to a telephony network through wires or cables. Each of contact devices  340 ,  360  and/or  380  may also be identified with a unique address, such as a telephone number within the public switched telephone network. The contact devices  340 ,  360  and/or  380  may also have an Internet protocol (IP) address if it performs calls through a voice over IP (VOIP) protocol. The contact devices  340 ,  360  and/or  380  may thus be a cellular handset, a plain old telephone service, POTS, analog telephone, a VOIP telephone station, or a desktop or notebook computer running telephony software. 
     As noted above, embodiments may include machine accessible medium stored on a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, USB memory device or other medium that store program instructions, that when executed, cause a machine or processor (e.g., of a mobile phone and/or telephony device) to perform the functions and processes describedtherein. This storage medium may be included in, accessible by, read by, or used to program memory  304  and/or another memory accessible by processor  302  to execute instructions to perform processes described above for  FIG. 1 . Similarly, such a storage medium may be accessible by memory  344 ,  364 , and  384  and/or another memory accessible by processor  302  to execute instructions to perform processes described above for  FIG. 2 . 
     The processes, instructions, and circuitry herein may be designed and/or sold by handset manufacturers, such as manufacturers of a “source device” that sends a notice when its phone number has been changed; and/or a “contact” device or a recipient device that receives the notice of the phone number change. 
     The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. For example, although source contact information has been described in the context of updating a source phone number, the concept is applicable to updating other contact information of a contact listing, such as a personal or job email address, phone service provider, or a residence or job street address, such as in response to a change of residence, phone service provider, email address, or job. In this situation, the notice message (e.g. message  330 ,  332 , and  334 ) may include a new email address and/or a new street address, in place of the phone number (e.g. in place of phone number  320 , but the message will also still include user ID  324  and header  331 ). Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120425
Publication Date: 20130820
Grant Date: 20130820
Priority Date: 20081113
Inventors: TAMCHINA PHILLIP GEORGE
LEE MICHAEL M.
SEGUIN CHAD G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04W4/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/2757", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/2757", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W4/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72436", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72436", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 42165695