WO2007149526A2

WO2007149526A2 - Group management and messaging

Info

Publication number: WO2007149526A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/014462
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trevor Fiatal; Atif Hussein; Jason Guesman
Original assignee: Seven Networks, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-06-20
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: WO2007149526A3

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing groups and group communications as well as for sending messages to a group using a preferred or an optimal communication medium for each individual in the group are provided. Groups of one or more individuals may be indicated by tags, which are associated with each individual in the group. Subsequent operations involving a tag may be associated with each individual in the group. Further, various kinds of information, such as messages, involving individuals in a group may be retrieved based on a search for the tag. Determining a preferred or optimal communication medium for each individual may be based on various factors, including predetermined preferences, presence, and/or activity. The present invention includes systems and methods for managing a plurality of groups with overlapping membership.

Description

GROUP MANAGEMENT AND MESSAGING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to messaging and information and communication management. More specifically, the present invention relates to group messaging and the management of groups and group communications in the context of communication devices such as cellular telephones, smart phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), wireless electronic mail devices, and the like.

Description of Related Art

[0002] Communication devices generally include a contacts database to store information concerning any and all individuals known to the user. A contacts database may include various types of information concerning each individual. For example, the database may include each individual's name, title, and place of work. The database may also include contact information such as addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and websites. Some individuals may be associated with the user and with each other in various ways; for example, work colleagues or soccer teammates. Some of these associations or groups may overlap. For example, a work colleague of the user's may also be a soccer teammate.

[0003] Contact information for each individual may include a variety of communication media, including short message service (SMS) text messaging, instant messaging (IM), and/or electronic mail (e-mail). Each of these media may be used to send and receive messages. Ih some instances, an individual may utilize multiple SMS messaging services, IM services, and/or e-mail providers. The variety of available communication media in conjunction with multiple service offerings thereof offers the advantage of options and alternatives should any of the one or more of the media fail to provide prompt access to the individual. The information concerning the various communication media, as well as the information concerning each individual's group affiliation, is saved in the contacts database. [0004] Such a comprehensive database complicates the process of managing and retrieving information. These multiple options for communicating with an individual also complicate the decision-making process with regard to which communication media to use and when. When communicating with a group of individuals with different communication media and different preferences, decisions concerning communication media become even more complicated. [0005] Some communication media presently allow for group messaging whereby an individual may send a message to a group of contacts. For example, e- mail services allow a user to send a message to a group of contacts by entering the name of each individual contact in a newly defined group or the individual contact may be added to a previously defined group or list of contacts. A list may be as simple as "everyone," which includes every individual contact in the user's contacts database. Alternatively, the user may make custom lists for various groups of contacts such as "family" for family members; "work" for work-related contacts; "soccer team" for soccer teammates; and "book club" for members of a book club. When an e-mail is addressed and sent to a particular group that e-mail is automatically sent to each member of the group at that member's respective e-mail address.

[0005] Some communication media lack the functionality for group messaging. For example, SMS text messaging cannot be used to send a message to a group. SMS text messaging can generally only send a short text message from one device to one other device. If a user wishes to send an SMS text message to a group, the user must retype and separately send the message to each individual in the group.

[0006] Because a group of contacts may include individuals with various communication media and different preferences concerning those available communication media, communicating with that group becomes complicated. For example, some individuals in the group may not be able to receive text messages. Alternatively, one individual in the group may prefer being contacted by text message while another prefers e-mail. There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved messaging with a group of individuals using each individual's preferred communication medium.

[0007] Further, while the ability to communicate with various groups of individuals using a variety of communications media allows for convenience and expediency in reaching each individual, managing all the communications to and from all those individuals becomes complicated. For example, a user may wish to retrieve a message concerning a work project from among various messages sent and received from various work colleagues through e-mail, IM, and/or SMS. Presently, the only way to retrieve the message is by searching the mailboxes of each communication media separately; this process quickly becomes tedious and time consuming. There is, therefore, a further need in the art for improved systems and methods for managing groups and group communications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Systems and methods of the present invention provide for managing groups and group communications. Information concerning a tag and a group of one or more individuals is provided in a contacts database. Tags may be used shorthand indicators for a group of individuals. The tag is associated with each member of the group and subsequent communications using a tag may be automatically sent to each group member. The tagged communication may be sent to each group member using a preferred communication medium. [0009] Various embodiments of the present invention allow for the retrieval of information (e.g., messages sent to and received from) concerning an individual based on a search for any of the tags associated with that individual. A user may create a "family" tag and designate a father, mother, and sister to be associated with the tag. Subsequently, communications using the "family" tag may be automatically sent to the user's father, mother, and sister. If the user wishes to find a communication sent to or received from a family member, the user may simply search for the "family" tag.

[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention include systems for managing groups and group communications, which may include input/output, contacts database, a processor, and a tagging module. An exemplary implementation may include a user inputting a new tag and designating a group of individuals in the contacts database. The tagging module associates the tag with the group of individuals, so that subsequent 'tagged' communications may be automatically sent to each group member.

[0011] Some embodiments of the present invention include computer media and instructions for managing groups and group communication by using tags associated with certain groups. The association between a tag and a group may be used to search and retrieve various information concerning the group or individual group members.

[0012] Systems and methods of the present invention may also provide for transmitting messages from a mobile device to groups of contacts using a preferred communication medium for each contact. A message is composed on a user's mobile device, addressed to a group using a tag associated with the group, and sent to the group. Each group member receives the message through his/her preferred communication medium.

[0013] Various embodiments of the present invention include methods for group messaging using a mobile device. A user may input a message into the user's mobile device. The user may choose to address the message to a group by using a tag associated with one or more individuals. The mobile device determines a preferred or optimal communication medium for each individual associated with the tag and sends the message using the determined media.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention include methods for using tags to manage a contacts database in a mobile device. Tags may be used as shorthand indicators for a group of individuals. Using tags to address messages allows the user to send a message to the group using a communication medium determined to be preferred or optimal for each individual.

[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention include systems for group messaging, which may include input/output, contacts database, a processor, and a group messaging module. An exemplary implementation may include a user inputting a message and a tag associated with a group of individuals in the contacts database. The group messaging module, in conjunction with processor, uses information associated with each individual to determine a preferred or optimal communication medium to use for that individual.

[0016] Some embodiments of the present invention include computer media and instructions for group messaging involving the use of tags where each individual associated with the tag can be messaged through a preferred or optimal communication medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] FIGURE 1 is an illustration of an exemplary mobile device that may be used in a system for managing groups and group communications as well as a group messaging system.

[0018] FIGURE 2A is an illustration of an exemplary contacts database that may be used in a system for managing groups and group communications as well as a group messaging system.

[0019] FIGURE 2B is an illustration of an exemplary contacts database sorted by contact.

[0020] FIGURE 2C is an illustration of an exemplary contacts database sorted by tag.

[0021] FIGURE 3 is an illustration of an implementation of an exemplary group messaging system.

[0022] FIGURE 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary group messaging method.

[0023] FIGURE 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for managing groups and group communications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention includes systems and methods for managing groups and group communications. A group of one or more individuals is associated with a tag. Operations involving any group member are also tagged. The association between the tag and the group allows for information retrieval based on a search for either the tag or for any of the group members. The information may include messages sent from and/or sent to each individual in the group. [0025] The present invention also includes systems and methods for sending messages to a group using a preferred communication medium for each individual in the group. Determining a preferred communication medium for each individual may be based on various factors including predetermined preferences, presence, and/or activity. The present invention also includes systems and methods for managing a plurality of groups with overlapping membership. [0026] FIGURE 1 is an illustration of an exemplary mobile device 100 that may be used in a system for managing groups and group communications as well as in the context of a group messaging system. Mobile device 100 may include cellular telephones, smart phones, PDAs, wireless e-mail devices, and handheld computers. Mobile device 100 may include input/output component(s) 110, a contacts database 120, a tagging module 130, a peercast module 140, a processor 150, an extensible communication application 160, a display 170, and an antenna 180. [0027] Input/output 110 may include any variety of hardware and/or software components configured to allow for communication between the user, other components of mobile device 100, and, in conjunction with antenna 180, other mobile devices. The communications may include audio/visual information, SMS text messages, IMs, and e-mail messages. Input/output 110 may include a keypad, keyboard, touchpad, touch screen, speech recognition applications, microphone, and/or speakers. One or more input/output 110 components may operate individually or in combination with one another.

[0028] Contacts database 120 is configured to store information regarding various contacts. Such contact information may include information concerning various communication media associated with each contact, including e-mail addresses, IM addresses, and SMS numbers/addresses. Information may be added, deleted, and edited in contacts database 120 using one or more input/output 110 components; for example, a keypad may be used to enter a new telephone number. Other examples of information maintenance may include automatic add options offered upon receipt of a phone call or message as well as synching operations as may be performed by cable or wirelessly.

[0029] Personal preferences may be included in contacts database 120 in association with each personal contact entry. For example, a person may have a preference about which e-mail/IM addresses to use. That person may be more likely to check that particular e-mail/IM address more frequently than other communication media. Thus, using the preferred address may allow a person to receive messages more quickly than messages sent to another address via another medium. Further, a person may have different preferences based on the context of the message, which may be related to a group affiliation. For example, a person may prefer to receive work-related messages through e-mail and to receive soccer team- related messages through text messages.

[0030] Contacts database 120 may further include information concerning the various groups to which a contact belongs. Group affiliation may be indicated by tags. A tag, created and managed by tagging module 130, may be used by the user as a shorthand indicator for all the individuals in the group. The tag may be stored in contacts database 120 and processed by, for example, processor 150 alone or in conjunction with other components and modules of mobile device 100. [0031] Tags may also be used beyond identifying recipients for a message.

Tags may be utilized as a form of predefined search. For example, based on specification of a tag, a user may be presented with all e-mail/SMS/IM/phone conversations to/from the set of contacts defined by that tag. In such an example, the tag may not immediately be used as a means to communicate a message to the tag- identified group. Peercast communication, as described further herein, may nonetheless occur at some point in such a scenario. In this particular example, however, the tag may be used to produce a narrowly scoped search result. [0032] A module (or application), as referenced in the present invention, is a collection of routines that perform various system-level functions. A module may be dynamically loaded and unloaded by hardware and device drivers as required. The modular software components described herein may also be incorporated as part of a larger software platform or integrated as part of an application specific component. [0033] Operating either independently or in conjunction with contacts database 120, tagging module 130 is configured to create and manage the various tags included in contacts database 120. Creating a tag using tagging module 130 may include receiving user input concerning the name of the tag and user input identifying one or more individuals in the contacts database 120 to be associated with the tag.

[0034] Tag creation may also occur implicitly. For example, a user may wish to have a tag for frequently e-mailed groups. A user may also have implicitly created tags for frequently IM'd groups and frequently SMS text messaged groups. Tags may also be imported from other sources including other databases and incoming messages. For example, a user may wish to synch contacts database 120 with an e- mail address book. Any tags that existed in the e-mail address book may be imported into contacts database 120 along with the contacts with which the tags are associated. Further, an implicit tag indicating the specific data source (e.g., "contacts from user@email.com") may be created and associated with the imported contacts. [0035] Categories may be inherited from an original data source such as a business or personal category in Microsoft Outlook. Such categories may be associated with tags and managed through tagging module 130. Using tagging module 130, a user may edit any tag, which may include changing the tag name or changing the membership of the group with which the tag is associated. [0036] Tagging module 130 allows for the user to associate ah individual with no tag, one tag, or a plurality of tags. Tagging module 130 may allow the user to sort the contacts database 120 by contact and/or by tag as can be seen in FIGURE 2. For example, a user may wish to send a message to all of the user's family members. Rather than individually look up and/or type out each family member's contact information, the user may simply address the message using the tag "Family." [0037] The tagging module 130 also allows the user to retrieve various types of messages addressed to or from a certain group or individual. For example, a user may wish to review all communications exchanged with a group of work colleagues. Rather than search through every e-mail, IM, and SMS inbox individually, a user may simply retrieve a categorized list of communications exchanged with all contacts associated with the "Work" tag.

[0038] Peercast module 140 is configured to allow a user to send a message to a group of contacts using each contact's preferred communication medium. User input concerning content or recipient of a message may be received by peercast module 140 from input/output 110. Peercast module 140 may operate in conjunction with contacts database 120 and tagging module 130 to allow the user to address the message to a group using a tag. After the message is addressed using a tag, peercast module 140 sends the message to each individual in the group using that individual's preferred communication medium by operating in conjunction with extensible communications application 160 as detailed below.

[0039] Processor 150 is configured to execute a variety of operations. These operations include taking into account various kinds of information, such as associations between tags and individuals, in retrieving information. The information retrieved may be contact information, communication information, or the like. For example, a user may wish to search contacts database 120 for an individual who is a member of the user's family. The user may use input/output 110 to indicate that the user wishes to find individuals associated with the "family" tag. Processor 150 may evaluate the search criterion and in conjunction with tagging module 130, retrieve a list of contacts from contacts database 120 that are associated with the "family" tag. The user may then choose to view the contact information of the individual family member.

[0040] ^• In another example, the user may wish to retrieve a specific message concerning a family matter: By basing the search on the tag "family," processor 150 is able to retrieve all messages sent to and/or received from all individuals in the "family" group. Processor 150 may use any of a variety of other factors, independently or in conjunction with each other, to retrieve information. [0041] Processor 150 may be further configured to evaluate such factors as location, preferences, and/or presence in determining a communication medium for reaching each individual. As disclosed in U.S. patent application 11/607,620 titled "Location-Based Operations and Messaging," filed December 1, 2006 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference), processor 150 may also use the individual's location as may be determined by GPS and/or A-GPS, to determine the communication medium most likely to be successful at contacting the individual. Processor 150 may use any of a variety of factors, independently or in conjunction with each other, to determine the most effective medium of communication for reaching the contact.

[0042] Processor 150 may determine a medium of communication based on factors such as predetermined personal preference, which may be indicated by, for example, user input into contacts database 120. For example, one individual in a group may have a decided preference for receiving messages through e-mail while the other group members may prefer to receive messages through text messaging. Processor 150 may execute a variety of operations, including determining that e-mail should be used to reach the first individual and providing that information to peercast module 140, so that a message sent to this group in conjunction with extensible communication application 160 would use e-mail for the first individual and text messaging for the other individuals.

[0043] Alternatively, and as referenced above, processor 150 may determine an effective medium of communication based on presence. For example, a group member may have indicated that e-mail is his/her preferred communication media, but that group member is not signed onto his/her e-mail service. That individual may, however, be signed onto his/her instant messaging service. A message may be sent to that individual by e-mail but the sender receives a notification concerning the recipient's lack of e-mail presence. The sender may alternatively or additionally receive information concerning the recipient's instant messaging presence. The presence information may be presented to the user first and the user may decide which communication medium to use. Determinations may also occur automatically without further user intervention. Such presence information may be received by mobile device 100 in a fashion like that described in U.S. patent application 11/363,912 and provided to processor 150, which may then use presence as a factor in determining which communication medium to use.

[0044] Information concerning lack of activity on a given communication medium may also be received by mobile device 100. An individual may have signed onto a service but still may not be immediately accessible through that service. The user may receive a notification of an individual's lack of activity on a certain medium and then be given the option of sending the message to that individual again using an alternative communication medium.

[0045] For example, a user may want to send an urgent message to the user's soccer team concerning an upcoming game. That message may be sent using each team member's preferred communication medium. One team member may have indicated that instant messaging is her preferred communication medium and have signed onto her instant messaging service. Lack of IM activity for a prolonged period of time, however, may indicate that she is not currently monitoring her instant messages, so the user may wish to contact her by other means. The user may be notified of the lack of activity and be given various options concerning other communication media. The determination to use an alternative medium may also occur automatically.

[0046] Extensible communication application 160 allows for the use of a single mobile device 100 in efficiently managing multiple communication media (IM, SMS, e-mail, etc.). Allowing for integration and cross-platform interoperability, extensible communication application 160 further allows a user of mobile device 100 to access various communications media in a cumulative, integrated setting so that a user does not have to log repeatedly into each individual service to be able to send and/or receive messages. Various embodiments of extensible communication application 160 allow for authentication and secure transmission for each communication medium. Extensible communication application 160 further integrates various address books, contact lists such as those in contacts database 120, calendars, and the like. Extensible communications application 160 may operate in conjunction with peercast module 140 and processor 150 to allow for delivery of messages to users utilizing a preferred communication medium. [0047] Extensible communication application 160 may include any of a variety of software applications configured to integrate the variety of protocols and/or applications required to access various communications media via mobile device 100. Such protocols may include Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Instant Message and Presence Service (IMPS), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIP/SIMPLE), Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), SMS, Internet Protocol (IP), and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). [0048] Extensible software application 160 may be similar to that described in

U.S. provisional patent application number 60/805,301, which has previously been incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments of the present invention, an extensible communications application 160 or other application offering similar functionality and that may assist in making communication media determinations may reside at a communication management server, as described in U.S. patent application 11/363,912, which has previously been incorporated herein by reference. [0049] A variety of communication applications may be accessible and integrated with extensible communication application 160. For example, an individual may have multiple e-mail addresses, such as Yahoo!®, Gmail®, and Microsoft® Outlook. An individual may have multiple IM addresses, such as Yahoo!® IM, America Online® (AOL) IM, Google Talk (GTalk™), and ICQ. Further, incorporating an application, such as Jabber® may enable increased interoperability with IM applications such as AOL/ AIM, Yahoo!® IM, GTalk™, and various other communications protocols. Extensible communications application 160 may further operate in conjunction with input/output component 110.

[0050] By operating in conjunction with peercast module 140 and extensible communication application 160, display 170 may be configured to display a user environment through which various communications applications can be conveniently accessed and used to send messages. Display 170 may also operate in conjunction with contacts database 120 to display information for a contact. For example, when a user searches for a contact the information concerning that contact's group affiliations and various communication media may be displayed by display 170. Display 170 may further reflect indications concerning the current presence, activity, and/or log-in status of the contact through each communication medium.

[0051] Antenna 180 may be configured to receive and transmit various electromagnetic waves, including, for example, radio signals. Antenna 180 is inclusive of external antennas, internal antennas, and wireless network antennas. The electromagnetic waves received and transmitted by antenna 180 may convey various kinds of information, including the communication information generated or received by input/output components 110.

[0052] FIGURE 2A is an illustration of an exemplary contacts database 120 that may be used in a system for groups and group communications and messaging. Contacts database 120 and tagging module 130 may operate in conjunction to allow for the creation and management of the various groups significant to the user. For example, FIGURE 2A illustrates an exemplary contacts database including information about various individuals. Such information may include communication media preferences and affiliation to groups such as family, work colleagues, soccer teammates, book club members, and others. Further, there may be overlap among the groups. For example, a family member may also be a soccer teammate, and a work colleague may also be a fellow book club member. [0053] FIGURE 2B is an illustration of an exemplary contacts database 120 sorted by contact. The user may desire to view and/or search the contacts database 120 by contact. For example, a user may wish to send a message to an individual contact. Viewing that contact's group affiliations may allow the user to include, in the message, information concerning the various groups. Sorting by contact may facilitate the user's ability to view and edit an individual's group affiliations (i.e., adding or removing the individual from various groups).

[0054] FIGURE 2C is an illustration of an exemplary contacts database 120 sorted by tag. When a user wishes to send a message to a group, the user may search contacts database 120 for the tag associated with that group. For example, if the user is sending a message to family members, the user may search for that group's tag, which may appear as "family" or be customized by user to appear as "Smith Family/' "The Brethren," or "My Clan." Sorting by tag may further help a user to edit the membership of the various groups associated with the tag. [0055] FIGURE 3 is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of a group messaging system 300. A sender's mobile device 310 sends a group message to recipient devices belonging to members of "Book Club," using each member's preferred communication medium. Sender's mobile device 310 may include some or all of the components referenced with respect to mobile device 100, illustrated in FIGURE 1. The recipient devices 320 may be mobile communication devices, like mobile device 100, with the ability to receive messages through various communication media. Recipient devices 320 may further include personal computers, laptop computers, cellular telephones, smart phones, PDAs, wireless e- mail devices, and handheld computers.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGURE 3, a sender may use sender's mobile device 310 to compose a message 330, address the message using a tag 340, and send that message to a group of contacts 350. The message is transmitted to recipient devices 320 belonging to the members of the book club. Further, the message is sent using the preferred communication medium of each group member. In the illustrated embodiment, the preferred communication media may be accessed by the intended recipients using their respective recipient devices 320. The message may be sent to one member's e-mail 320a and to another member's text messaging service 320b depending on user preferences or optimal communication media. [00571 FIGURE 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary group messaging method 400, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary method 400, a message is input, addressed to a group of contacts, and sent to each contact using the contact's preferred or optimal communication medium.

[0058] In step 410, a user inputs a message into mobile device 100 using input/output component 110. Inputting a message may include composing various types of content including text, images, and sound. Extensible communication application 160 allows the user to compose messages that can be received and processed by various communication applications.

[0059] In step 420, the user addresses the message to a group of contacts by inputting a tag associated with the group. Inputting the tag may include searching contacts database 120, speaking into a speech recognition component, using preset speed-dial buttons, or selecting from contacts database 120. Embodiments of the present invention may allow for a user to search for, speak, pre-set, and select the name of an individual or the tag of a group. Further, the user may search for an individual, view a list of that individual's group affiliations, and select a group from that list. The user may also use tagging module 130 to create, edit, and manage groups of contacts.

[0060] In step 430, a preferred or optimal communication medium is determined for each individual in the group. To determine a preferred communication medium for each individual, processor 150 takes various factors into account including predefined preferences. Optimal medium determination may include information related to log-in and/or activity status on various applications, and log-in status on various devices. Embodiments of the present invention may consider a combination of factors. Step 430 may also include utilizing various processes to weigh the various factors and determine which of the various communication media would be most effective (optimal) at reaching each individual. [0061] Further, step 430 may include determining alternative communication media, based on various factors, including, for example, presence and/or activity. For example, e-mailing may be a contact's preferred communication medium, then in descending order, instant messaging, text messaging, and home telephone. Therefore, the user may be given the option of attempting various alternative communication media in a determined order. In some embodiments of the present invention, an alternative communication medium may be suggested automatically or the caller may request an alternative communication medium. [0062] The aforementioned determinations may be the result of a software application stored in memory and/or in conjunction with extensible communication application 160. The user may override the determined communication medium for an individual or a plurality of individuals. For example, if the user knows that an individual is presently available only though text messaging then the user may opt to send a text message even though that individual's general preferred communication medium is e-mail.

[0063] In step 440, the message is sent to the group of contacts using each contact's determined communication medium via operations of peercast module 140 and extensible communication application 160. Each contact will receive the message through his/her preferred communication medium as determined in the previous step. Communication in step 440 may include e-mailing at a certain e-mail address, instant messaging using a certain service, or text messaging. [0064] FIGURE 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 500 for group and group communication management. In this exemplary method 500, input concerning a tag and a group is received, an association between the tag and group is created, and operations involving the tag are associated with each member of the group.

[0065] In step 510, a user inputs tag information into mobile device 100 using input/output component 110. The information will be stored in contacts database 120. Inputting tag information may include creating a new tag, editing an existing tag, importing a tag, and the like by using tagging module 130. Importing a tag may occur when a user transfers data from another database, syncs information on mobile device 100 with another device, or the like. Further, tag information may be implicitly defined through derivation from other information received by mobile device 100. Tags may be defined from frequently used groups. Specifically, a user may send e-mails frequently to soccer teammates. The user, in some instances, may not explicitly create a tag, as the tag for those group members has been implicitly defined through frequent use. Tags may also be implicitly defined based on usage information available on mobile device 100.

[0066] In step 520, the user inputs information concerning a group of one or more individuals. The information will be stored in contacts database 120. Inputting information concerning the group members may include inputting information on each individual separately, searching for individuals in contacts database 120, speaking into a speech recognition component selecting individuals from contacts database 120, selecting from messages, and/or a combination thereof. Further, the user may search for an existing tag, view a list of individuals associated with that tag, and select individuals from that list.

[0067] In step 530, the tag is associated with each member of the group. The association between the tag and group is created and managed by tagging module 130. The user may also use tagging module 130 to create, edit, and manage these associations between tags and groups of individuals. An individual may be associated with no tags, one tag, or a plurality of tags. For example, an individual may be a family member and a soccer teammate, so that individual would be associated with both the "family" and "soccer team" tags.

[0068] In step 540, operations using tags are associated with each member of the group. By associating the group with the tag, it becomes possible to expedite various operations involving groups and group communications. For example, messages may be addressed using a tag and sent out to each member of the group without having to enter each recipient name or resend messages individually. More specifically, a user who wishes to send a message to the user's book club may simply address the message using the "book club" tag. That message is automatically sent to each member of the book club. That message may be sent to each book club member using a preferred or optimal communication medium. [0069] The association between tags and groups may also allow for more efficient searches and message organization and retrieval. In step 550, the user may choose to retrieve a message by using a tag. For example, a user may wish to retrieve information concerning a work project from communications with various colleagues through multiple e-mails, IMs, and SMS text messages. To avoid having to individually search through various other messages, the user may simply do a search for the "Work" tag.

[0070] While the present invention has been described in connection with a series of preferred embodiment, these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth herein. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for managing groups comprising: receiving information concerning a tag; receiving information concerning one or more individuals in a contacts database; and associating the tag with the one or more individuals in the contacts database, wherein subsequent operations involving the tag are associated with the one or more individuals.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving information concerning a tag comprises creating a tag based on user input.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving information concerning a tag comprises importing information concerning the tag from a source.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein importing information concerning the tag comprises inheriting categories from the source.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein importing information concerning the tag comprises synching information concerning the tag with the source.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the source is another contacts database.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the source is an e-mail box.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the source is an instant messaging group.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving information concerning a tag comprises creating the tag based on usage categories.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more individuals are designated by a user.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving information concerning one or more individuals comprises importing the information from a source.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein importing the information concerning the one or more individuals comprises inheriting categories from the source.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein importing information concerning the one or more individuals comprises synching information concerning the one or more individuals with the source.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the source is another contacts database.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the source is an e-mail box.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the source is an instant messaging group.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the source is a tagged message received from another user.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving information concerning the one or more individuals comprises designating the one or more individuals based on usage categories.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the tag with a preferred communication medium for each of the one or more individuals.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising sending tagged messages to the one or more individuals using the preferred communication medium of each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving information based on at least the association between the tag and any of the one or more individuals.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information comprises messages sent by or sent to any of the one or more individuals.

23. A system for managing groups comprising: an input/output configured to receive information concerning a tag and one or more individuals; a contacts database configured to store the information concerning the tag and the one or more individuals; a tagging module configured to associate the tag with the one or more individuals in the contacts database, wherein subsequent operations involving the tag are associated with the one or more individuals.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising a processor configured to retrieve information based on at least the association between the tag and any of the one or more individuals.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the information comprises messages sent by or sent to the one or more individuals.

26. The system of claim 23, further comprising a messaging module configured to send tagged messages to each of the one or more individuals.

27. A computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a computer processor to perform a method for managing groups comprising: receiving information concerning a tag; receiving information concerning one or more individuals in a contacts database; and associating the tag with the one or more individuals in the contacts database, wherein subsequent operations involving the tag are associated with the one or more individuals..

28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the program further comprises executable instructions to retrieve information based on at least the association between the tag and any of the one or more individuals.

29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the information comprises messages sent by or sent to the one or more individuals.

30. A method for group messaging via a mobile device comprising receiving message input from a user of the mobile device via an input component of the mobile device; receiving tag input from the user of the mobile device, wherein the tag is associated with one or more individuals included in a contacts database of the mobile device; determining a communication medium for each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag; and sending the message to each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag, wherein the message is sent to each of the one or more individuals utilizing the communication medium of each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein each individual in the contacts database may be associated with one or more tags.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein determining a communication medium is based on at least predefined preference.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein determining a communication medium is based on at least presence.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein determining a communication medium is based on at least location.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein identifying a preferred communication medium further comprises determining each individual's current activity level in using the communication medium.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising notifying the user of the individual's inactivity on the preferred communication medium.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising determining an alternative communication medium.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein determining an alternative communication medium is based on at least predefined preference.

39. A system for group messaging comprising an input/output configured to receive user input concerning a message and a tag; a contacts database configured to store information concerning one or more individuals, wherein the information includes preferred communication media and tags associated with each of the one or more individuals; a processor configured to determine a communication medium for each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag; and a module configured to send the message to a group of one or more individuals associated with the tag using the determined communication medium for each of the one or more individuals.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the processor is configured to determine a communication medium is based on at least predefined preference.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the processor is configured to determine a communication medium is based on at least presence.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the processor is configured to determine a communication medium is based on at least location.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein the contact database is further configured to store information concerning associations between tags and a communication medium belonging to each individual associated with the tag.

44. The system of claim 39, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a current activity level of each individual on the preferred communication medium.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the user is notified concerning the individual's inactivity in using the determined communication medium.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an alternative communication medium.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an alternative communication medium based on at least predefined preference.

48. A computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for group messaging comprising: receiving message input from a user of the mobile device via an input component of the mobile device; receiving tag input from the user of the mobile device, wherein the tag is associated with one or more individuals included in a contacts database of the mobile device; determining a communication medium for each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag; and sending the message to each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag, wherein the message is sent to each of the one or more individuals utilizing the communication medium of each of the one or more individuals associated with the tag.

49. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 48, wherein the program further comprises executable instructions to cause a determination of an alternative communication medium.