Communication routing plans that are based on communication device contact lists

Abstract

In a communication system, a processing system receives contact lists with contact items from wireless communication devices and processes the contact lists to identify a redundant contact item. In response, the processing system transfers a notification to a master wireless communication device. The processing system receives a response from the master wireless communication device and processes the response to generate and transfer a routing instruction. A routing system receives the routing instruction. The routing system receives a message for the master wireless communication device, and in response, selects another wireless communication device for the message based on the routing instruction and transfers the message to the other wireless communication device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a communication system for a plurality of wireless communication devices including a master wireless communication device, the method comprising:
 in a processing system, receiving a plurality of contact lists comprising contact items transferred by the wireless communication devices and processing the contact lists to identify a redundant one of the contact items, and in response, transferring a notification for delivery to the master wireless communication device;   in the processing system, receiving a response transferred by the master wireless communication device and processing the response to generate and transfer a routing instruction;   in a routing system, receiving the routing instruction; and   in the routing system, receiving a message for the master wireless communication device, and in response, selecting another one of the wireless communication devices for the message based on the routing instruction and transferring the message for delivery to the other one of the wireless communication devices.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the contact items comprise telephone numbers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the contact items comprise message addresses. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the message comprises a telephone call. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the message comprises an email. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the message comprises a text message. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, in the processing system, transferring requests for the contact lists for delivery to the wireless communication devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, in the processing system, transferring requests for the contact lists on a periodic basis for delivery to the wireless communication devices. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the response and the routing instruction indicate a priority when the master communication device is unavailable; 
 selecting the other one of the wireless communication devices for the message based on the routing instruction comprises selecting the other one of the wireless communication devices based on the priority. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the master wireless communication device comprises a telephone. 
     
     
         11 . A communication system to serve a plurality of wireless communication devices including a master wireless communication device, the communication system comprising:
 a processing system configured to receive a plurality of contact lists comprising contact items transferred by the wireless communication devices and process the contact lists to identify a redundant one of the contact items, and in response, transfer a notification for delivery to the master wireless communication device;   the processing system configured to receive a response transferred by the master wireless communication device and process the response to generate and transfer a routing instruction; and   a routing system configured to receiving the routing instruction and receive a message for the master wireless communication device, and in response, select another one of the wireless communication devices for the message based on the routing instruction and transfer the message for delivery to the other one of the wireless communication devices.   
     
     
         12 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the contact items comprise telephone numbers. 
     
     
         13 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the contact items comprise message addresses. 
     
     
         14 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the message comprises a telephone call. 
     
     
         15 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the message comprises an email. 
     
     
         16 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the message comprises a text message. 
     
     
         17 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the processing system is configured to transfer requests for the contact lists for delivery to the wireless communication devices. 
     
     
         18 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the processing system is configured to transfer requests for the contact lists on a periodic basis for delivery to the wireless communication devices. 
     
     
         19 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the response and the routing instruction indicate a priority when the master wireless communication device is unavailable and the processing system is configured to select the other one of the wireless communication devices for the message based on the priority. 
     
     
         20 . The communication system of  claim 11  wherein the master one of the master wireless communication device comprises a telephone.