Automatic categorization of entries in a contact list

Abstract

Entries within a participant list of an electronic communications system may be categorized automatically into one or more groups based on attributes of users represented in the participant list. Categorizing users includes maintaining a list of identifiers that are selected by a first user and for which online presence information is made perceivable through the list. The list includes one or more categories into which the identifiers are categorized. At least one attribute associated with an identifier for which online presence information is to be made perceivable through the list and attributes stored relative to at least one of the categories are accessed. The attributes associated with the identifier are compared to the stored attributes. Based on results of the comparison, at least one category within the list that corresponds to the identifier is identified, and the identifier is categorized into the identified category.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for categorizing users, the method comprising:
 maintaining a list of identifiers that are selected by a first user and for which online presence information is made perceivable through the list, the list including one or more categories into which the identifiers are categorized;   accessing at least one attribute associated with an identifier for which online presence information is to be made perceivable through the list;   accessing attributes stored relative to at least one of the categories;   comparing the attributes associated with the identifier to the stored attributes;   based on results of the comparison, identifying at least one category within the list that corresponds to the identifier; and   categorizing the identifier into the identified category.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adding the identified category to the list after identifying the identified category. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying at least one category that corresponds to the identifier comprises identifying at least one category that corresponds to the identifier and into which the identifier is not already categorized. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying an attribute of the identifier comprises identifying an attribute associated with the identifier from a profile associated with the identifier. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein identifying an attribute associated with the identifier from a profile associated with the identifier comprises identifying an attribute of a user associated with the identifier from a profile of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein accessing at least one attribute associated with the identifier comprises accessing at least one indication of communications between the first user and the identifier of a user corresponding to the identifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein accessing at least one indication comprises accessing at least one indication from a group of indications comprising one or more instant messages sent between the first user and the identifier or a user corresponding to the identifier, e-mail messages sent between the first user and the identifier or a user corresponding to the identifier, and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone calls between the first user and the identifier or a user corresponding to the identifier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein:
 accessing at least one attribute associated with the identifier comprises accessing a time at which the first user exchanges messages with the identifier or a user corresponding to the identifier; and 
 identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers of users with which the first user communicated within a period of time that includes the accessed time. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers of users with which the first user communicated during a current day, a previous day, a previous week, or a previous month. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein:
 accessing at least one attribute associated with the identifier comprises accessing a frequency with which the first user exchanges messages with the identifier or a user corresponding to the identifier; and 
 identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers of users with which the first user communicated at a frequency within a range of frequencies that includes the accessed frequency. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers of users with which the first user communicated at least a particular number of times a day, at least a particular number of times a week, or at least a particular number of times a month. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  wherein:
 accessing at least one attribute associated with the identifier comprises accessing a length of one or more messages sent between the first user and the identifier or a user corresponding to the identifier; and 
 identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers with which the first user exchanged messages of lengths within a range of lengths that includes the accessed length. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers with which the first user exchanged messages of at least a threshold length. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers with which the first user exchanged messages of at most a threshold length. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 accessing at least one attribute associated with the identifier comprises accessing a location of a user corresponding to the identifier; and 
 identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one category reflecting identifiers of users that are located at the accessed location. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 accessing at least one attribute associated with the identifier comprises accessing at least one group within a second list of identifiers, the at least one accessed group including the identifier; and 
 identifying at least one category comprises identifying at least one group within the list that corresponds to the at least one accessed group within the second list as the category. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein:
 accessing at least one group within the second list comprises accessing at least one group within an address book of an e-mail system; and 
 identifying at least one group comprises identifying at least one group within a list of users of an instant messaging system for which presence is monitored that corresponds to the at least one accessed group within the address book. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein:
 accessing at least one group within the second list comprises accessing at least one group within a list of users of an instant messaging system for which presence is monitored; and 
 identifying at least one group comprises identifying at least one group within an address book of an e-mail system that corresponds to the at least one accessed group within the list of users of the instant messaging system. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a request to categorize the identifier into at least one category based on at least one attribute associated with the identifier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the list of users is an address book of an e-mail system.