Handheld electronic device including automatic mobile phone number management, and associated method

Abstract

A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.

1 . A method for providing updated information at a message server, said method comprising:
 receiving a device-originated message that includes modified device-related information;   storing the modified device-related information, the modified device-related information available for subsequent access; and   providing access to the modified device-related information responsive to request for address book information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said receiving comprises receiving a device-originated message that includes SIM, subscriber identity module, card stored information. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the SIM card stored information comprises a device phone number. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said storing the modified device-related information comprises storing the modified device-related information at an address book maintained at the message server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said storing comprises storing the modified device-related information at a table separate from an address book maintained at the message server. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the table is maintained at the message server. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said providing access comprises providing access to the table at which the modified device-related information is stored. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said receiving comprises receiving a device-originated message that includes memory element stored information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the memory element stored information comprises device identifying information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a request for the address book information. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for providing updated address book information, said apparatus comprising:
 a message server configured to:
 receive a device-originated message that includes modified device-related information; 
 store the modified device-related information, the modified device-related information available for subsequent access; and 
 provide access to the modified device-related information responsive to request for address book information. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said message server is configured to receive a device-originated message that includes SIM, subscriber identity module, card stored information. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the SIM card stored information comprises a device phone number. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said message server is configured to store the modified device-related information at an address book maintained at the message server. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said message server is configured to store the modified device-related information at a table separate from an address book maintained at the message server. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the table is maintained at the message server. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said message server is configured to provide access to the table at which the modified device-related information is stored. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said message server is configured to receive a device-originated message that includes memory element stored information. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the memory element stored information comprises device identifying information. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said message server is further configured to receive a request for the address book information.