Contact information management methods and apparatus

US9603171B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Achim Luft · Braunschweig, DE
• Maik Bienas · Braunschweig, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Sep 30, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M3/56
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlled and/or secure distribution of contact information. In one embodiment, transfers of contact information must be authorized by the affected party. The party distributing the contact data, the party receiving the contact data, and the party described by the contact data initiate a secure dialog to exchange contact data. Various embodiments also enable piecemeal authorization and transfer of contact information, allowing the affected party to control the portion of contact data transferred, as well as apply specific rule sets or templates. In one variant, the authorization and transfer process is optimized to reduce the number of transaction steps. Additionally, solutions for distributing contact information among larger groups of participants are also disclosed.