WO2015010591A1

WO2015010591A1 - Method and terminal device for adding contacts

Info

Publication number: WO2015010591A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/082662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong Xie; Xinyu CUI
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-22
Filing date: 2014-07-22
Publication date: 2015-01-29
Also published as: CN104333643B; CN104333643A

Abstract

Various examples of the present disclosure provide a method and a terminal device for adding contacts. The method includes: receiving an instruction for adding a contact from a user; sending first contact information via a first near field communication (NFC) module; receiving via the first NFC module second contact information sent by a second client via a second NFC module; and adding the second contact information into a contact list.

Description

METHOD AND TERMINAL DEVICE FOR ADDING

CONTACTS

Related documents

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority of Chinese patent application No. 201310308907.X titled "method, system and terminal device for adding contacts" and filed on July 22, 2013 with the Patent Office of the People's Republic of China, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to communications technology, and particularly, to a method and a terminal device for adding contacts.

Background

[0003] Nowadays, people are using instant messaging (IM) services and social networking services (SNS) more and more in their work and daily life. People often want to add information of a contact into a contact list stored in a terminal device. The contact list may be a phone book stored in a terminal device, or a contact list maintained by a certain application, e.g., an IM application, an SNS application, etc. Currently, people usually have to do a lot of mannal work to add a contact, and sometimes may even mannually input the information of the contact, which is very inconvenient.

Summary

[0004] Various examples of the present disclosure provide a method and a terminal device for adding contacts to reduce the complexity of the process of adding contacts.

[0005] The method for adding contacts according to various examples may include: receiving, by a first client, an instruction sent by a user for adding a contact; sending, by the first client, first contact information via a first near field communication (NFC) module; receiving, by the first client via the first NFC module, second contact information sent by a second client via a second NFC module; and adding, by the first client, the second contact information into a contact list.

[0006] The terminal device according to various examples may include: a monitoring module, configured to receive an instruction sent by a user for adding a contact; a sending and receiving module, configured to send first contact information via a first NFC module, and to receive, via the first NFC module, second contact information sent by a second terminal device via a second NFC module; and an adding module, configured to add the second contact information into a contact list.

[0007] Various examples transport contact information by using NFC techniques. The NFC techniques feature in that there is no procedure for pairing two terminal devices. As such, a user may obtain contact information of a target user simply by placing his/her terminal device near the terminal device of the target user or making his/her terminal device in contact with the terminal device of the target user, thus does not have to mannually select the target terminal device for exchanging contact information. The process of adding contacts does not involve any mannual intervention, thus is fast and convenient.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limited in the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:

[0009] Fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0010] Fig. 2A is a flowchart illustrating a method for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0011] Fig. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a control for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0012] Fig. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating an image displayed on a screen of a terminal device when two terminal devices are exchanging contact information via respective NFC modules in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0013] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating modules of a terminal device in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0014] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating modules of a terminal device in accordance with examples of the present disclosure; [0015] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a system for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0016] Fig. 6A is a flowchart illustrating a system for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure;

[0017] Fig. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating two terminal devices exchanging contact information;

[0018] Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating modules of a terminal device; and

[0019] Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.

Detailed Descriptions

[0020] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to an example thereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "includes" means includes but not limited to, the term "including" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means based at least in part on. Quantities of an element, unless specifically mentioned, may be one or a plurality of, or at least one.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The method takes a process of adding a contact executed by a first terminal device as an example. The method may include the following procedures.

[0022] At block S 11, the first terminal device monitors whether a process of adding contact information has been started, and performs the procedure in block S 13 after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started.

[0023] At block S 13, after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started, the first terminal device may switch on a first wireless communication module to communicate with a second terminal device. The second terminal device may switch on a second wireless communication module to communicate with the first terminal device. The first terminal device may send a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receive a second message sent by the second terminal device via the second wireless communication module.

[0024] After the process of adding contact information is started in the first terminal device, the first terminal device may automatically switch on the first wireless communication module to communicate with the second terminal device, and automatically send the first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module. Meanwhile, the second terminal device may also start the process of adding contact information according to the needs to switch on the second wireless communication module and establish communications with the first terminal device. The second terminal device may also automatically send the second message to the first terminal device.

[0025] At block S15, the first terminal device may parse the second message sent by the second terminal device, obtain a command ID from the parsed second message, and add contact information in the second message to a specified location according to the command ID.

[0026] The command ID may include digits, character strings and the like. For example, a command ID set to be 1 indicates adding the contact information into a contact list in the first terminal device. A command ID set to be 2 may indicate adding account information of a contact into a contact list of a chatting application. The position where the contact information in the second message is to be added may be obtained from the command ID.

[0027] According to the method of various examples, after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started, the first terminal device switches on a first wireless communication module to establish communication with a second terminal device, sends a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receives a second message sent by the second terminal device. The first terminal device parses the second message received from the second terminal device, obtains a command ID from the second message, and adds contact information in the second message to a position specified by the command ID. As such, the method solves the problem that conventional methods for adding contacts are complex. The method automatically adds contact information, and contact information may be exchanged between the first terminal device and the second terminal device instead of being mannually inputted. Therefore, contact information may be added quickly, conveniently and completely. [0028] Fig. 2A is a flowchart illustrating a method for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The method takes a process of a first terminal device adding a contact as an example. The method may include the following procedures.

[0029] At block S21, the first terminal device may define a format of a first message in advance.

[0030] The format of the first message may include a command ID and contact information. The command ID may include digits, character strings and so on. For example, a command ID set to be 1 may indicate adding the contact information into a phone book in the first terminal device. A command ID set to be 2 may indicate adding an account ID of a contact into a contact list of a chatting application. The contact information may include a name, a phone number, an email address, a home address, an account ID of a chatting application service, and so on.

[0031] At block S23, the first terminal device judges whether a process of adding contact information has been started, performs the procedure of block S25 if the process of adding contact information has been started, or performs the procedure of block S23 if the process of adding contact information has not been started.

[0032] In an example, the process of the first terminal device judging whether the process of adding contact information has been started may include:

[0033] displaying a control for adding contacts, determining that the process of adding contact information has been started after detecting an operation on the control for adding contacts, or determining that the process of adding contact information is not started if no operation on the control is detected.

[0034] The process of adding contact information may be started by performing an operation on the control 220 as shown in Fig. 2B . Fig. 2B illustrates a control for adding contacts using Near Field Communication (NFC). In various examples, other controls may be provided according to the needs.

[0035] At block S25, the first terminal device may switch on a first wireless communication module to communicate with a second terminal device. The second terminal device may switch on a second wireless communication module to communicate with the first terminal device. The first terminal device may send a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receive a second message sent by the second terminal device via the second wireless communication module. [0036] After the process of adding contact information is started in the first terminal device, the first terminal device may automatically switches on the first wireless communication module to communicate with the second terminal device, and automatically send the first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module. Meanwhile, the second terminal device may also start the process of adding contact information according to the needs to switch on the second wireless communication module and establish communications with the first terminal device. The second terminal device may also automatically send the second message to the first terminal device. If the second terminal device is not going to send the second message to the first terminal device, the second terminal device may not start the process of adding contact information. The second terminal device may only switches on the second wireless communication module to establish communication with the first terminal device.

[0037] In an example, the procedure in block S25 may also include: the second terminal device starts the process of adding contact information, and switches on the second wireless communication module. In an example, the process for adding contact information may be started by an operation on the control 220 as shown in Fig. 2B. After an operation is performed on the control, the second wireless communication module may be switched on automatically.

[0038] The first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module may be an NFC module, a blue-tooth module or a WiFi module, and so on.

[0039] If the wireless communication modules are NFC modules, contact information may be exchanged simply by holding the two terminal devices close to each other (e.g., within 10 cm). For example, Fig. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating an image displayed on a screen of a terminal device when two terminal devices are exchanging contact information via respective NFC modules in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.

[0040] In an example, when generating the first message, the contact information in the first message may be obtained automatically according to the command ID. For example, when the command ID is 2, the account ID that logs on the chatting application installed in the terminal device may be obtained automatically and serve as the contact information.

[0041] At block S27, the first terminal device may parse the second message sent by the second terminal device, obtain a command ID from the parsed second message, and add contact information in the second message to a specified position according to the command ID.

[0042] The command ID may include digits, character strings and the like. For example, a command ID set to be 1 may indicate adding the contact information into a contact list in the first terminal device. A command ID set to be 2 may indicate adding a contact ID into a contact list maintained by a chatting application. The position where the contact information in the second message is to be added may be obtained from the command ID.

[0043] In various examples, the format of the first message may be any format. The first message may include information other than the contact inforamtion, so that the information sent by the second terminal device is received and added to a specified position.

[0044] In an example, after the command ID is obtained from the second message at block S27, the method may also include the following procedures.

[0045] The first terminal device stores in advance a list of relationships which associate command IDs with specified positions where the contact information is to be added.

[0046] The first terminal device searches the list using the obtained command ID, and finds the specified position identified by the command ID to add the contact information.

[0047] For example, the command ID is 2, and a pre-stored relationship indicates adding contact information into a contact list of a chatting application when the command ID is 2. According to the relationship, it may be determined based on the list of relationships that the obtained command ID 2 indicates adding the contact list into a contact list of the chatting application.

[0048] In an example, the process of adding the contact information in the second message to a specified position accordign to the command ID in block S27 may include the following procedures.

[0049] If the search result based on the command ID indicates adding the contact information to the contact list of the chatting application, the first terminal device may send the contact information to a server of the chatting application. The server may add the contact information into the contact list of the chatting application.

[0050] If the search result based on the command ID indicates adding the contact list into a phone book, the first terminal device adds the contact information into the phone book. [0051] The method for adding contacts may also include: generating the first message based on a pre-defined format, and sending the first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module. Therefore, needed messages may be generated based on pre-defined configurations, and the user does not have to mannually input the contact information and mannually send the message from the first terminal device to the second terminal device. The contact information may be received and added to a specified position fast and conveniently.

[0052] The following are examples of the terminal device. Details are omitted to avoid repeated description, and may be found in the above method examples.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating modules of a terminal device in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The terminal device may include a monitoring module 301, a sending and receiving module 303 and an adding module 305.

[0054] The monitoring module 301 judges whether a process of adding contact information has been started.

[0055] In an example, the monitoring module 301 may display a control for adding contacts, determine that the process of adding contact information has been started after detecting an operation performed on the control for adding contacts, or determine that the process of adding contact information has not been started if no operation on the control is detected.

[0056] After it is detected that the process of adding contact information has been started, the sending and receiving module 303 may switch on a first wireless communication module to communicate with a second terminal device. The second terminal device may switch on a second wireless communication module to communicate with the first terminal device. The sending and receiving module 303 may send a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receive a second message sent by the second terminal device.

[0057] The first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module may be NFC modules, blue-tooth modules or WiFi modules, or the like.

[0058] The adding module 305 may parse the second message sent by the second terminal device, obtain a command ID from the parsed second message, and add contact information in the second message to a specified position according to the command ID. [0059] The terminal device of various examples switches on a first wireless communication module after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started to establish communication with a second terminal device, sends a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receives a second message sent by the second terminal device; parses the second message received from the second terminal device, obtains a command ID from the second message, and adds contact information in the second message to a position specified by the command ID. As such, the terminal device solves the problem that conventional methods for adding contacts are complex. The terminal device automatically adds contact information, and contact information may be exchanged between the first terminal device and the second terminal device instead of being mannually inputted. Therefore, contact information may be added quickly, conveniently and completely.

[0060] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating modules of a terminal device in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The terminal is different from the terminal device as shown in Fig. 3 in that the terminal further includes a configuring module 401.

[0061] The configuring module 401 may pre-define a format of the first message. The format of the first message may include a command ID and contact information.

[0062] In an example, the sending and receiving module 303 may include an information generating module 403.

[0063] The information generating module 403 may generate the first message according to the pre-defined format, send the first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module. The contact information in the first message is obtained automatically according to the command ID.

[0064] In an example, the adding module 305 may include a storage module 405 and a searching module 407.

[0065] The storage module 405 may store a list of relationships which associate command IDs with specified positions where the contact information is to be added.

[0066] The searching module 407 may search the list using the obtained command ID, and find the specified position identified by the command ID to add the contact information.

[0067] In an example, the searching module 407 may also send the contact information to a server of a chatting application if the search result based on the command ID indicates that the contact information is to be added to a contact list maintained by the chatting application, so that the server adds the contact information into the contact list of the chatting application. The searching module 407 may add the contact information into a phone book if the search result based on the command ID indicates that the contact information is to be added to the phone book.

[0068] The terminal device for adding contacts may generate the first message based on a pre-defined format, and send the first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module. Therefore, needed messages may be generated based on pre-defined configurations, and the user does not have to mannually input the contact information and mannually send the message from the first terminal device to the second terminal device. The contact information may be received and added to a specified position fast and conveniently.

[0069] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a system for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The system may include a first terminal device and a second terminal device. The first terminal device may include a first monitoring module 501, a first sending and receiving module 503 and a first adding module 505. The second terminal device may include a second monitoring module 521, a second sending and receiving module 523 and a second adding module 525.

[0070] The first monitoring module 501 judges whether a process of adding contact information has been started.

[0071] The second monitoring module 521 judges whether a process of adding contact information has been started.

[0072] The first sending and receiving module 503 switches on a first wireless communication module to establish communication with the second terminal device after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started, sends a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receives a second message sent by the second terminal device.

[0073] The second sending and receiving module 523 switches on a second wireless communication module to establish communication with the first terminal device after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started, sends the second message to the first terminal device via the second wireless communication module, and receives the first message sent by the first terminal device. [0074] The first adding module 505 parses the second message sent by the second terminal device, obtains a command ID from the parsed second message, and adds contact information in the second message to a specified position according to the command ID.

[0075] The second adding module 525 parses the first message sent by the first terminal device, obtains a command ID from the parsed first message, and adds contact information in the first message to a specified position according to the command ID.

[0076] According to the system of various examples, the first terminal device switches on a first wireless communication module to establish communication with a second terminal device after detecting the process of adding contact information has been started, sends a first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module, and receives a second message sent by the second terminal device. The first terminal device parses the second message received from the second terminal device, obtains a command ID from the second message, and adds contact information in the second message to a position specified by the command ID. As such, the system solves the problem that conventional methods for adding contacts are complex. The system adopts a manner which automatically adds contact information, and contact information may be exchanged between the first terminal device and the second terminal device instead of being mannually inputted. Therefore, contact information may be added quickly, conveniently and completely.

[0077] Fig. 6A is a block diagram illustrating a system for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The system is different from the system as shown in Fig. 5 in that the first terminal device also includes a configuring module 601 and that the second terminal device also includes a configuring module 621.

[0078] The configuring module 601 pre-defines a format of the first message. The format of the first message includes a command ID and contact information.

[0079] The configuring module 621 pre-defines a format of the second message. The format of the second message includes a command ID and contact information.

[0080] In an example, the first sending and receiving module 503 includes a first information generating module 603. The second sending and receiving module 523 may include a second information generating module 623.

[0081] The first information generating module 603 generates the first message according to the pre-defined format, sends the first message to the second terminal device via the first wireless communication module. The contact information in the first message is obtained automatically according to the command ID during the process of generating the first message.

[0082] The second information generating module 623 generates the second message according to the pre-defined format, sends the second message to the first terminal device via the second wireless communication module. The contact information in the second message is obtained automatically according to the command ID during the process of generating the second message.

[0083] In an example, the first adding module 505 includes a first storage module 605 and a first searching module 607. The second adding module 525 includes a second storage module 625 and a second searching module 627.

[0084] The first storage module 605 stores a list of relationships which associate command IDs with specified positions where the contact information is to be added.

[0085] The first searching module 607 searches the list using the obtained command ID, and finds the specified position identified by the command ID to add the contact information.

[0086] In an example, the first searching module 607 may also send the contact information to a server of a chatting application if the search result based on the command ID indicates that the contact information is to be added to a contact list maintained by the chatting application, so that the server adds the contact information into the contact list of the chatting application. The first searching module 407 may add the contact information into a phone book if the search result based on the command ID indicates that the contact information is to be added to the phone book.

[0087] The second storage module 625 stores a list of relationships which associate command IDs with specified positions where the contact information is to be added.

[0088] The second searching module 627 searches the list using the obtained command ID, and finds the specified position identified by the command ID to add the contact information.

[0089] In an example, the second searching module 627 may also send the contact information to a server of a chatting application if the search result based on the command ID indicates that the contact information is to be added to a contact list of the chatting application, so that the server adds the contact information into the contact list of the chatting application. The searching module 407 may add the contact information into a phone book if the search result based on the command ID indicates that the contact information is to be added to the phone book.

[0090] Fig. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating two terminal devices (e.g., mobile phone 631 and mobile phone 633) exchanging contact information. After the process of adding contact informtion is started in mobile phone 631, mobile phone 631 may automatically switches on a first wireless module to establish communication with mobile phone 633. Meanwhile, mobile phone 633 may also start the process of adding contact information, automatically switches on a second wireless communication mobile to establish communication with mobile phone 631. Mobile phones 631 and 633 may send contact information automatically to each other via respective wireless communication modules. Mobile phones 631 and 633 parse received messages respectively. Regarding mobile phone 631, if the command ID in the message received by mobile phone 631 indicates adding an account ID of a contact into a contact list of a chatting application, mobile phone 631 may send the account ID in the message to server 635. Server 635 adds the contact information into the contact list of the chatting application.

[0091] The system for adding contacts of various examples may also generate a message based on a pre-defined format, and send the message to another terminal device via a wireless communication module. Therefore, needed messages may be generated based on pre-defined configurations, and the user does not have to mannually input the contact information to send the contact information. The contact information may be received and added to a specified position fast and conveniently.

[0092] Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adding contacts in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

[0093] At block S81, a first client receives an instruction for adding contacts sent by a user.

[0094] The first client may be an application provided by an operating system in a terminal device, e.g., a phone book app, or an application installed in the terminal device, e.g., an IM app, or an SNS app or the like. The first client may provide a control for adding contacts via NFC in a user interface. When a user performs an action on the control, e.g., clicks on the control, the first client may regard the operation on the control by the user as the instruction for adding contacts.

[0095] At block S82, the first client sends first contact information via a first NFC module. [0096] In an example, the first client may send an account ID or namecard data of a user logging on the first client via the first NFC module as the first contact information.

[0097] For example, if the first client is an IM client or an SNS client, the account ID or namecard data or other information of a user who accesses an IM server or an SNS server via the first client may be used as the first contact information and be sent via the NFC module. When two users holds respective terminal devices close or in contact with each other, the account information or namecard data of each other may be received via NFC modules in respective terminal devices.

[0098] In an example, the first client may take an account ID or namecard data stored in the first client that is of a user other than the user logging on the first client as the first contact information, and send the account ID or the namecard data via the first NFC module.

[0099] For example, the first client may take an account ID or namecard data of a contact stored a contact list maintained by the first client or in the terminal device (e.g., an account ID or namecard data of a contact in IM services or SNS services, or information of a contact in a phone book) as the first contact information, and send the information via the NFC module in the terminal device. As such, when two terminal devices are held close or in contact with each other, they may share contacts or buddies via respective NFC modules.

[0100] It may be statically configured in the client as to which information will serve as the contact information. Alternatively, plural options regarding the information that may serve as contact information may be provided for the user to select from. In an example, the client may specify the type of contact information and the storage manner of the contact information by using the format of "command ID+contact information" as defined in the above examples. Other formats may also be used in various examples. The format is not elaborated herein.

[0101] At block S83, the first client receives via the first NFC module second contact information sent by a second client via a second NFC module.

[0102] In an example, the second client may receive an instruction from another user for adding contacts, and sends second contact information via an NFC module of a second terminal device. When the two terminal devices are held close to or in contact with each other, the first client may receive the second contact information sent by the second client, and the second client may receive the first contact information sent by the first client.

[0103] At block S84, the first client adds the second contact information into a contact list. [0104] Various examples exchange contact information by using NFC techniques. The NFC techniques feature in that there is no procedure for pairing two communicating devices. As such, the user may obtain contact information of a target user simply by placing his/her terminal device near the terminal device of the target user or making his/her terminal device contact with the terminal device of the target user, thus does not have to mannually select the target for sending the contact information. The process of adding contacts does not involve any mannual intervention, is fast and convenient.

[0105] In an example, after receiving the instruction for adding contacts from the user, the first client may judge whether the NFC module has been switched on. If the NFC module has not been switched on, the first client switches on the NFC module. If the NFC module has been switched on, the first client may prepare to send and receive contact information via the NFC module.

[0106] In an example, besides adding the second contact into the contact list, the first client may also add the second contact into a list of contacts the user recently contacted with, also referred to as recent contact list. As such, the user is enabled to fast locate the newly added contact.

[0107] In an example, the first client may add the second contact into the contact list by sending a request to a server. The request may include the second contact information and a pre-defined identity. The server may add the second contact into the contact list of the user according to the pre-defined identity without obtaining consent from the second contact, i.e., without asking the second contact whether the second contact agrees adding the second contact into the contact list of the user of the first client according to the pre-defined identity. The pre-defined identity may be set to be a pre-defined value which indicates the information of the second contact is obtained via NFC. Since NFC communications require two terminal devices be placed very close to each other or in contact with each other with both NFC modules switched on, this example regards the fact that the first client has obtained the second contact information (e.g., information of the user of the second client in this example) means the user of the first contact has obtained approval of the second contact in person, thus, there is no need to ask the second contact for approval before adding the second contact into the contact list of the user of the first client. Therefore, the process of adding contacts is further simplified. [0108] In an example, a terminal device of a user may include an NFC module, and the modules as shown in Fig. 3.

[0109] The monitoring module 301 may receive an instruction sent by a user for adding a contact.

[0110] The sending and receiving module 303 may send first contact information via a first NFC module, and receive via the first NFC module second contact information sent by a second terminal device via a second NFC module.

[0111] The adding module 305 may add the second contact information into a contact list.

[0112] In an example, the sending and receiving module 303 may send an account ID or namecard data of the user stored in the terminal device via the first NFC module as the first contact information. Alternatively, the sending and receiving module 303 may send an account ID or namecard data of a second user other than the user of the terminal device via the first NFC module as the first contact information.

[0113] In an example, the sending and receiving module 303 may send a request to a server. The request may include the second contact information and a pre-defined identity so that the server may add the second contact into a contact list of the user without obtaining consent from the second contact according to the pre-defined identity.

[0114] In an example, the adding module 305 may also add the second contact into a recent contact list so that the user may quickly locate the newly added contact.

[0115] In an example, the terminal device may also include a user interface module. The user interface module provides a control for adding contacts via NFC. The monitoring module may take an operation performed on the control by the user as the instruction for adding contacts.

[0116] In an example, after receiving the instruction for adding contacts, the monitoring module 301 may judge whether the first NFC module has been switched on, and switch on the NFC module if the first NFC module has not been switched on.

[0117] Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating modules of a terminal device. As shown in Fig. 7, the terminal device includes a memory 702, a memory control 704, one or multiple processors 706 (Fig. 7 only shows one processor), a peripheral interface 708, a radio frequency (RF) module 710, a camera 714, an audio module 716, a touch screen 718 and a keyboard 720. The components communicate with each other via at least one bus/signal wire. [0118] The modules as shown in Fig. 7 are merely an example. The terminal device may include fewer or additional components, or the components may be arranged differently from the arrangement as shown in Fig. 7. The components as shown in Fig. 7 may be implemented by hardware modules, software modules, or a combination of hardware and software modules.

[0119] The memory 702 may store software program and modules, e.g., the program instructions/modules corresponding to the method for adding contacts in the terminal device. The processor 706 may implement the software program and modules stored in the memory 702 to implement various functions and data processing to implement the method for adding contacts in the terminal device.

[0120] The memory 702 may include a cache, or a non-transitory memory, e.g., at least one magneto storage, flash memory or other non-transitory solid state memory. In various examples, the memory 702 may also include a remote memory located away from the processor 706. The terminal device may access the remote memory via a network. The network may include, but not limited to, any or any combination of the Internet, an enterprise network, a local network, a mobile communication network. The memory control 704 may control the access of the processor 706 and other possible components to the memory 702.

[0121] Peripheral interface 708 couples various input/output devices to the CPU and the memory 702. The processor 706 runs various software and instructions in the memory 702 to implement various functions of the terminal device and to perform data processing.

[0122] In various examples, the peripheral interface 708, the processor 706 and the memory control 704 may be implemented within a single chip. In other examples, they may be implemented by individual chips respectively.

[0123] The RF module 710 may receive and send electromagnetic wave, implement electromagnetic wave/electric signal conversion to communicate with a communication network or other devices. The RF module 710 may include various conventional circuit elements implementing those functions, e.g., an antenna, an RF transceiver, a DSP, an encryption/decryption chip, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory, and so on. The RF module 710 may communicate with various networks, e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network, a wireless network, etc., or with other devices via a wireless network. The above wireless network may be a cellular mobile phone network, a wireless local network or a metropolitan area network. The wireless network may use various communication standards, protocols and techniques, including, but not limited to, the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), Code division access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDM A), blue-tooth, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi, e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802. l lg, and/or IEEE 802.11η), Voice over internet protocal (VoIP), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and any other protocols for email, instant messaging and SMS, and any other applicable communication protocols, even those protocols that have not been proposed yet.

[0124] The camera module 714 may capture photos or videos. The photos or videos captured may be stored into the memory 702, and may be transmitted via the RF module 710.

[0125] The audio module 716 provides audio interfaces for users, e.g., one or multiple microphones, one or multiple loudspeakers and audio circuits. The audio circuits receives audio data from the peripheral interface 708, converts the audio data into electric signals, and transmits the electric signals to the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker converts the electric signal into audio waves that may be heard by human ears. The audio circuit also receives electric signal from a microphone, converts the electric signal into audio data, and transmits the audio data to the peripheral interface 708 for further processing. The audio data may be obtained from the memory 702 or via the RF module 710. The audio data may be stored in the memory 702 or transmitted via the RF module 710. In various examples, the audio module 716 may include a headphone socket providing an audio interface for a headphone or other devices.

[0126] The touch screen 718 provides an output and input interface between the terminal device and a user. In an example, the touch screen 718 may display video output for the user. The video output may include any or or any combination of text, image and video. The output may be in the form of objects in a user interface. The touch screen 718 may also receive input information of the user, e.g., a click operation of the user, a finger gesture of the user, e.g., sliding or the like. The objects in the user interface may respond to the input information of the user. The method for sensing the input of the user may be resistive, capacitive or any other possible touch sensing methods. The touch screen 718 may be, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting polymers display (LEPD), or the like. [0127] The keyboard module 720 may also provide an input interface for users. The user may press different keys to make the terminal device implement different functions.

[0128] Various examples also provide a computer-readable storage medium which stores computer-executable instructions. The computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, e.g., a compact disk, a hard drive, or a flash memory. The computer-executable instructions may make a computer or a computing device to implement the method for adding contacts.

[0129] It should be understood that in the above processes and structures, not all of the procedures and modules are necessary. Certain procedures or modules may be omitted according to the needs. The order of the procedures is not fixed, and may be adjusted according to the needs. The modules are defined based on function simply for facilitating description. In implemention, a module may be implemented by multiple modules, and functions of multiple modules may be implemented by the same module. The modules may reside in the same device or distribute in different devices. The "first", "second" in the above descriptions are merely for distinguishing two similar objects, and have no substantial meanings.

[0130] The hardware modules according to various examples may be implemented by hardware or a hardware platform with necessary software. The software may include machine-readable instructions which are stored in a non-statutory storage medium. Thus, the examples may be embodied as software products.

[0131] In various examples, the hardware may be dedicated hardware or general-purpose hareware executing machine-readable instruction. For example, a hardware module may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) to perform certain operations. A module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations.lt will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. [0132] A machine -readable storage medium is also provided, which is to store instructions to cause a machine to execute a method as described herein. Specifically, a system or apparatus having a storage medium which stores machine -readable program codes for implementing functions of any of the above examples and which may make the system or the apparatus (or CPU or MPU) read and execute the program codes stored in the storage medium. Computer readable instructions may make an operating system in a computer to implement part or all of the above described operations. A non-statutory computer-readable storage medium may be a storage device in an extension board inserted in the computer or a storage in an extension unit connected to the computer. Program codes-based instructions may make a CPU or a processor installed in an extension board or an extension unit to implement part or all of the operations to implement any example of the present disclosure.

[0133] The non- statutory computer-readable storage medium for providing the program codes may include floppy disk, hard drive, magneto-optical disk, compact disk (such as CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW), magnetic tape drive, Flash card, ROM and so on. Optionally, the program code may be downloaded from a server computer via a communication network.

[0134] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A method for adding contacts, comprising: receiving, by a first client, an instruction from a user for adding a contact; sending, by the first client, first contact information via a first near field communication (NFC) module; receiving, by the first client via the first NFC module, second contact information sent by a second client via a second NFC module; and adding, by the first client, the second contact information into a contact list.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending by the first client first contact information via a first NFC module comprises: sending, by the first client via the first NFC module, an account ID or namecard data of a user logging on the first client as the first contact information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending by the first client first contact information via a first NFC module comprises: sending, by the first client via the first NFC module, an account ID or namecard data which is stored in the first client and is of a user other than the user logging on the first client as the first contact information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending, by the first client, a request to a server, the request comprising second contact information and a pre-defined identity; and adding, by the server, the second contact information into the contact list of the user without obtaining consent from the second contact according to the pre-defined identity.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adding, by the first client, the second contact information into a list of recent contacts.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving by a first client an instruction from a user for adding a contact comprises: providing, by the first client in a user interface, a control for adding contacts via NFC, receiving an operation performed the control by the user as the instruction for adding a contact.

7. A method of claim 1, further comprising: judging, by the first client, whether the first NFC module has been switched on; switching on, by the first client, the first NFC module if the first NFC module has not been switched on.

8. A terminal device, comprising: a monitoring module, configured to receive an instruction for adding a contact sent by a user; a sending and receiving module, configured to send first contact information via a first near field communication (NFC) module, and receive, via the first NFC module, second contact information sent by a second terminal device via a second NFC module; and an adding module, configured to add the second contact information into a contact list.

9. The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the sending and receiving module is configured to send an account ID or namecard data which is of a user of the terminal device and stored in the terminal device as the first contact information.

10. The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the sending and receiving module is configured to send an account ID or namecard data which is of a second user other than the user of the terminal device and is stored in the terminal device as the first contact information.

11. The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the sending and receiving module is further configured to send a request to a server, wherein the request comprises the second contact information and a pre-defined identity to enable the server to add the second contact into a contact list of the user without obtaining consent from the second contact according to the pre-defined identity.

12. The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the adding module is further configured to add the second contact information into a list of recent contacts.

13. The terminal device of claim 8, further comprising: a user interface module, configured to provide in a user interface a control for adding contacts via NFC; wherein the monitoring module is configured to take an operation performed by the user on the control as the instruction for adding a contact.

14. The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the monitoring module is further configured to judge whether the first NFC module has been switched on, and to switch on the first NFC module if the first NFC module has not been switched on.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising: a series of computer-executable instructions capable of causing a processor to perform the following operations: receiving an instruction for adding a contact from a user; sending first contact information via a first near field communication (NFC) module; receiving via the first NFC module second contact information sent by a second client via a second NFC module; and adding the second contact information into a contact list.