WO2017025769A1

WO2017025769A1 - Method and system for searching and communicating with contacts

Info

Publication number: WO2017025769A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/056009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hem Kant JOSHI
Original assignee: Joshi Hem Kant
Priority date: 2015-08-07
Filing date: 2015-08-07
Publication date: 2017-02-16

Abstract

The present invention discloses a computer implemented method for identifying lost contacts in a mailbox of a user, the mailbox comprising a plurality of emails exchanged between a user and one or more of plurality of contacts, the computer implemented method includes finding, by a processor, the date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts, wherein such identification is based upon analyzing exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of emails, storing the date of last exchanged emails for each of the one or more of plurality of contacts in a memory, receiving a user defined time range specifying a period in which there has been no contact with one or more of the plurality of contacts, identifying, by a processor, one or more of lost contacts for the user on the basis of the user defined time range and date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts, the date of last exchange being retrieved from the memory and presenting the lost contacts to the user on a display of the computing device.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SEARCHING AND COMMUNICATING WITH

CONTACTS

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The field of the present invention relates generally to systems and methods for communicating with contacts. More specifically to the field of searchingof contacts and keeping in touch with contacts in a mailbox of a user. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Email users receive email from a growing number of sources.

These sources include friends, family, professional associates, mailing list administrators, creditors, web services, advertisers, spammers and other sources. Some of these sources send email to a user periodically at regular intervals. For example, a user may receive monthly bank and other financial statements, account information from a department store, and sales information from a retail business or web service.

[0003] In most cases, periodic emails are only useful for a limited time. Typically, a subsequent email is received from the sender that includes an update to the information provided in the earlier email. The updated information may include an updated balance for an account, updated sale information for a business, or other information that typically replaces the information in the previous email. The subsequent email with updated information renders the previous email state and/or expired.

[0004] Users typically do not delete periodic emails upon receiving them because they contain time- sensitive information. As a result, previously received periodic emails are maintained in storage and made obsolete when the next periodic email from the sender is received. After a period of time, the number of obsolete periodic emails stored for a user account increases. Typical ways to search through an email involve looking for emails within a date range or with specific keywords, subject lines, labels or the existence of attachments. The results of these searches are usually displayed as a list of emails that fit the search criteria. Such methods are not suited for many scenarios. [0005] For example, if a person wants to search for people who he has sent an email to between June and July who never replied to the user, this is not possible using current methods. Alternatively, if the person wants to search for people he used to communicate with last year but haven't emailed this year that's also not possible.

[0006] It is also not possible to see the results of your search in a format other than a simple list of emails that match the user's search criteria.

[0007] Finally, following up on emails is mostly a manual process. Once a user has decided a person to follow up with they must compose their email by typing it out. This process is manual and time intensive.

[0008] Hence, there is a need to find an easier way to search through emails for specific things.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior-art and the needs as mentioned above, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method for searching lost contacts in a mailbox of a userthat is configured to include all advantages of the prior art and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art offering some added advantages.

To achieve the above objectives and to fulfill the identified needs, in one aspect, the present disclosure provides computer implemented method for identifying lost contacts in a mailbox of a user such that the mailbox comprises a plurality of emails exchanged between the user and one or more of plurality of contacts. The method includes finding, by a processor, the date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts, wherein such identification is based upon analyzing exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of emails, storing the date of last exchanged emails for each of the one or more of plurality of contacts in a memory, receiving a user defined time range specifying a period in which there has been no contact with one or more of the plurality of contacts, identifying, by a processor, one or more of lost contacts for the user on the basis ofthe user defined time range and date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts, the date of last exchange being retrieved from the memory and presenting the lost contacts to the user on a display of the computing device. [0010] In an aspect of the present invention, the user defined time range is taken as months or years during which there has been no exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts.

[0011] In an aspect of the present invention, the user defined time range is taken as dates between or on which there has been no exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts.

[0012] In an aspect of the present invention, the method includes finding the geographical location information of one or more of plurality of contacts, and presenting the geographical location on a visual medium.

[0013] In an aspect of the present invention, the visual medium is a map, a chart, and a graph. [0014] This together with the other aspects of the present invention along with the various features of novelty that characterized the present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present invention. For better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified objective attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: [0016] FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate a block diagram of a system for identifying contacts in a mailbox of a user of the present invention, according to various embodiments of the present invention; [0017] Fig. 1C illustrates an example for storing the various dates of last exchange of emails between user and various contacts, according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] FIGS. 2 and 3illustrateflow charts of tracking and searching of email based on exchange of emails between various users, according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4illustrates a flow chart for providing the geographical location of user contacts based on exchange of emails between various users, according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for generating an automated email response to the user, according to various embodiments of the present invention; and [0021] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates a user interface example of the system according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0023] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0024] The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0025] The terms "having", "comprising", "including", and variations thereof signify the presence of a component. [0026] The present invention relates to a computer implemented method and system which allows user to identify those contacts in a mailbox with whom there has been no exchange of emails for certain period of time, the mailbox comprising a plurality of emails exchanged between a user and one or more of plurality of contacts. The method and system include identifying lost contacts from a mailbox, identifying geographical location of the contacts and generating an automated response to the corresponding lost contacts. The system and method and its usage are described with reference to Figs. 1-7.

[0027] In various embodiments, the term "lost contacts" refer to any kind of contacts like email contacts, email ID, address etc., with whom no communication has happened for a certain period of time. Further, the present invention provides a method and system for identification of location of lost contacts. The present invention is also capable of generating an automated response email based on the content of the last exchange of email happened between the one or more contacts and the user.

[0028] The term "contacts" refers to email address or any other contact information.

[0029] The present invention allows a user to search lost contacts and identify their geographical location on a map based on the user defined criteria in the mailbox of the user. The user can search lost contacts and identify location of the lost contacts and send an automated email response via a computer, a web browser, a mobile device (tablet or smartphone), smart TV, wearable technology, or virtual reality system but not limited to these computational devices. [0030] The present invention provides a software application not limited to a plug-in, mobile application etc., which will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, is described herein for allowing such interactive searching for finding lost contacts. The plugin disclosed in the present invention is referred to as "method" or "plugin" hereinafter. The system and computer implemented method embodied therein is explained below in conjunction with Figs 1-7.

[0031] Referring to Figs. 1A and IB, there is shown a system 100 which includes a computing device 20such as mobile phone tablet, computer, laptop and the like. The computing device 20 is adapted to allow user 10 to provide search input. Further, the computing device 20 includes a memory 26 for storing instruction or software application, all email, chat, user information, address book or contact book, email data and a processor 28 for executing instructions or software application (i.e plugin 24) stored in the memory 26.

[0032] Furthermore, the memory 26 includes a plugin 24 adapted to perform various functions automatically and based on user input. The plugin24may be a software application or computer implemented method having computer readable instruction, computer program and the like.

[0033] In one embodiment, the plugin24 may be downloadable in the memory 26 of the computing device 20. Particularly, the plugin24 may be downloadable from any network or storage source, for example, but not limited to, Internet, CD ROM, USB and the like. For example, a user may download the plugin24 from the internet and install the said plugin 24 on any hardware or software for searching the lost contacts.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plugin 24 is adapted to perform various functions. In one embodiment, the plugin 24 is adapted to classify all the email into one or more categories (such as awaiting response, losing touch, and all contacts (as shown in fig.5) based on date of last exchange of emails. The classification categories for awaiting response, losing touch, and contacts are as follow:

• Awaiting response: contacts fall in the categories which have not replied back to user or may be user has not replied back to an email • Losing touch: contacts fall in the categories,where noexchange of email happens for certain period of time

• All contacts: all the contacts present in the user'saddress book [0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plugin 24 is adapted to store the dates of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of the plurality of contacts into the memory 26. Fig. 1(c) of the accompanying drawings illustrate the manner of storing such last dates of exchange of emails between the user and contacts in various memory locations.

[0036] Below is an example showing such storing of the dates of last exchange of emails between the user and one or more plurality of contacts:

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plugin 24 executed by a processor, is adapted to retrieve all emails, contacts and information about exchange of emails from the memory26 or remote database via wired or wireless internet 50. It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the mailbox 22 of the user may be present in a computing device or a server. It is further understood that a user may access his mailbox using email clients such as MS Outlook or web browser like Gmail, Yahoo etc. After receiving data containing emails, contacts, and information about exchange of emails, the plugin 24 is adapted to classify the data into above described categories based on the information about exchange of emails (as shown in Fig. 5). [0038] Further, the computing device 20 includes a communication interface (not shown)which may include a wireless trans-receiver which is capable oftransmitting or receiving data. [0039] Further, the system 100 includes a server 60 whichis adapted to communicate with the computing device 20 via wireless or wired internet 50and a remote database 70 on server 60 for storing external data like geographical location information, contacts, email addresses, information about exchange of emails and emails.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, plugin24 isstored at the memory 26 of the computing device 20 or a server 60. Further, user 10 can access and perform all the function (such as searching, send or receive emails etc.) in the plugin 24 through the server 60via wired or wireless internet 50. The mailbox 22 is any of email applications such as MS Outlook, Thunderbird etc. or mailbox in an email browser such as Yahoo, Gmail, MSN, Hotmail etc.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, Fig.2 illustrates a simplistic flow chart of how the plugin 24 allows user 10 to search the contacts or emails based on the user input wherein the user input includes the duration of time range for which there has been no exchange of email between the user and plurality of contacts in the mailbox of the user or the time range may be dates between or on which there has been no communication between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts. [0042] The plugin 24 is a computer implemented method which performs various steps for searching the lost contacts in a mailbox 22 of a user. As shown in Fig.2,the methodfinds the date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts at step 202 of the method. Such finding of the date of last exchange of emails is based upon the analysis of the exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of the plurality of contacts. At step 204, the method is adapted to receive a search input from the user 10 from the computing device 20. The input being the duration of time during which the user 10 desires to search for such contacts who have either not responded to user's emails or with whom there has been no exchange of emails during that duration of time. The time range may also be of the form say for example, "older than 6 months". Additionally, the user may opt to input a range of dates during which he wants to find out the contacts who have either not responded to the user or with whom there has been no exchange of emails during the specified date range. For example, the range of dates may be 1^st January 2015 to 31^st March 2015. Another example may be "last six months".

[0043] Thereafter at step 206, the method is adapted identify one or more of lost contacts to the user on the basis of search input and display the lost contacts to the user on computing device 208.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, Fig.3 illustrates a flow chart of how the computer implemented method allows the user 10 to search the contacts or emails based on the user defined time range. As shown in Fig.3, at step 302, the method is adapted to determine the time of last exchange of email between user and plurality of contacts. Thereafter at step 302, the method checks if the time of last exchange of email falls within the user-defined time duration. If yes, then the contacts are displayed to the user at step 304. If the answer at step 304 is no, then no results are displayed. [0045] In another embodiment of the present invent,Fig.4 illustrates a flow chart of how the computer implemented method finds geographical location information for the search contacts. As shown in Fig.4, at step 402, the computer implemented method is adapted to determine the geographical location information of the plurality of contacts from the plurality of emails in the mailbox of the user. The geographical location information is the physical location of the plurality of contacts on a world map. For example, a contact in the mailbox may be located in China. Then the geographical location information of the contact will be taken as China. Furthermore, the system also displays more detailed location information to the user if the user wishes to see.

[0046] Thereafter at step 404, the computer implemented method checks if geographical location information of the contact is available in the email. If geographical location information is not present, the method is adapted to identify the domain name from the email address of the contact used for exchanging the emails to retrieve domain register information via internet 50at step 406. Further, the computer implemented method is adapted to use domain registration information to find where the user's organization is located at step 408. Once the geographical location information of the contacts is obtained from the emails, then this information is stored in a remote database 70 on a server 60.

[0047] If the answer at step 404 is a yes, then the geographical location information of the contacts is retrieved and stored in a remote database 70 on a server 60. [0048] Thereafter at step 410, the computer implemented method is adapted to use the geographical location information to localize the user's location on a map (as shown in Fig 5) while presenting the contacts to the user.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plugin 24 finds the geographical location of one or more of the plurality of contacts from the domain name without looking for the location in the body of the email.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the plugin 24 is adapted to find the geographical location of one or more of the plurality of contacts from the last extension of the domain names. For example of the domain name ends with co.uk, then the plugin 24 understands and stores the location of the contact as UK.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plugin24 includes a geographical map for representing the geographical location information of the lost contacts for their respective emails. In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts who match the search criteria provided by the user 10 are shown on a map (as shown in Fig.5) by accessing the external data which is the geographical location information through the server 60 from a geolocation database stored in the remote database 70 to find their physical location and display their location on geographical map present in the plugin 24 on the computing device 20.

[0052] The map is integrated into the mailbox of the user using a plugin.

Hence, it becomes easier for the user to locate the said contacts. The user need not have to visit a separate website to see the actual location of the plurality of contacts. [0053] In another embodiment of the present invention,Fig.5 illustrates a flow chart of a method of how the plugin 24provides an automated email response to selected contacts. As shown in Fig.5the method starts at step 502. Thereafter, the plugin 24allows user to select at least one contact from identified contacts for sending an automated response at step 504. Further at step 506, the plugin 24provides an option to the user to select between automated email response and self-customize email response. If the user selects automated email response input, then at step 510, the plugin 24is adapted to analyze the content of emails exchanged between the selected contact and the user.

[0054] Further, the plugin 24is adapted to generate the automated response email for the user selected contact at step 512. Further, the plugin 24 is adapted to providethe automated response email to the user 10 on the user computing device 20 at step 514. Then at step 516, the plugin 24is adapted to send the automated email response to the user selected contact.

[0055] Optionally, in the automated response email, the user has the opportunity to modify the content of the emails prior to sending the response email to the lost contacts.

[0056] At step 506, if the user selects to send self-customized response, then the plugin 24 allows the user to perform the same.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plugin24 is adapted to follow-up with a contact who either didn't get back to the sender or someone who we are losing touch with, plugin24 include a "Follow-up" feature integrated into the software represented as "follow up" button.

[0058] This plugin 24is adapted to use past datasuch as last exchange emails, notes, search queries etc. to generate a draft email to the user selected contact. For example, if the last communication was on April 2 and it is August, the email can say "Hi John, it's been a while since we last spoke in April so I just wanted to follow-up and see if there was any update on the project". [0059] Another example would be if the user searches for customers who mentioned the word "Quote", the system can draft follow-up emails to such customers as follows: "Hi John, it's been a while since we last spoke in April so I just wanted to follow-up and see if there was any update on the quote." Consequently, the plugin is adapted to allow the user to modify the content of the emails which the user wishes to send.

[0060] The system and method could even analyze contents of the past email to make a more intelligent draft. For example, if the last email has keywords such as "Purchase Order", it can choose from a list of user specified email templates designed for "Purchase Order". That email could look like ""Hi John, it's been a while since we last spoke in April so user just wanted to follow-up and see if everything is going well with the last shipment. Similarly if contacts who didn't get back to main user, the system could draft a follow-up email as follows "Hi John, I had sent an email last Thursday and didn't hear back. I understand you're busy but if you could get back to me I'd appreciate it."

[0061] In another embodiment of the present invention, the plugin 24 is adapted to analyze todays' date to see if any customization can be added. For example, if today is Monday then the email can be "Hi John, hope you had a nice weekend "

[0062] Alternatively, it can compare today's date against a remote database of dates to further customize. For example, the remote database can be a list of long weekends and holidays so the system could write "Hi John, Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving." if the email is within 5 days of Thanksgiving.

[0063] Figs. 6 and 7providea user interface of the present invention integrated in a mailbox for searching the contacts based on user-defined time period and presenting the geographical location of the searched contacts on a geographical map to the user.The present invention is capable of being integrated in the email application (mailbox 22) such as MS Outlook or any email browser like Yahoo, Gmail etc. As shown in Figs.6 and 7, the plugin24 categorizes the search contacts based on three categories, such as awaiting response, losing touch and all contacts. The user can select any of the categories based on his requirement (for e.g user has selected losing touch categories in fig.6 and awaiting response in fig.7) and user has provided the time duration to the pluginas shown in figs 6 and 7. [0064] However, such function of the plugin24 should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. Accordingly, the pluginmay be capable of performing other functions in the computing device 20.

[0065] The present system and method find wide applicability where a user is involved in areas such as marketing and sales. Following up with contacts is essential in such areas in real world. The system and method provide efficient and quicker way of keeping in touch with people across the world.

[0066] The system, as described in the disclosed teachings or any of its components, may be embodied in the form of a computer system. Typical examples of a computer system include a general-purpose computer, a PDA, a cell phone, a programmed microprocessor, a micro-controller, a peripheral integrated circuit element, and other devices or arrangements of devices that are capable of implementing the steps that constitute the method of the disclosed teachings.

[0067] The computer-based data processing system and method described above is for purposes of example only, and may be implemented in any type of computer system or programming or processing environment, or in a computer program, alone or in conjunction with hardware. The present invention may also be implemented in software stored on a computer-readable medium and executed as a computer program on a general purpose or special purpose computer. For clarity, only those aspects of the system germane to the invention are described, and product details well known in the art are omitted. For the same reason, the computer hardware is not described in further detail. It should thus be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific computer language, program, or computer.

[0068] In a computer system comprising a general-purpose computer, such may include an input device, and a display unit. Specifically, the computer may comprise a microprocessor, where the microprocessor is connected to a communication bus. The computer may also include a memory. The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The computer system further comprises a storage device, which can be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage device can also comprise other, similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer system. [0069] The computer system may comprise a communication device to communicate with a remote computer through a network. The communication device can be a wireless communication port, a data cable connecting the computer system with the network, and the like. The network can be a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet and the like. The remote computer that is connected to the network can be a general-purpose computer, a server, a PDA, and the like. Further, the computer system can access information from the remote computer through the network.

[0070] It is further contemplated that the present invention may be run on a stand-alone computer system, or may be run from a server computer system that can be accessed by a plurality of client computer systems interconnected over an intranet network, or that is accessible to clients over the Internet. In addition, many embodiments of the present invention have application to a wide range of industries. To the extent the present application discloses a system, the method implemented by that system, as well as software stored on a computer-readable medium and executed as a computer program to perform the method on a general purpose or special purpose computer, are within the scope of the present invention. Further, to the extent the present application discloses a method, a system of apparatus configured to implement the method are within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method for identifying lost contacts in a mailbox of a user, the mailbox comprising a plurality of emails exchanged between a user and one or more of plurality of contacts, the computer implemented method comprising: finding, by a processor, the date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts, wherein such identification is based upon analyzing exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of emails;

receiving a user defined time range specifying a period in which there has been no contact with one or more of the plurality of contacts;

identifying, by a processor, one or more of lost contacts for the user on the basis of the user defined time range and date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts; and

presenting the lost contacts to the user on a display of the computing device.

2. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein analyzing exchange of emails comprises analyzing content of the emails stored in the mailbox of the user.

3. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user defined time range is taken at least as days, weeks, months or years during which there has been no exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts.

4. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user defined time range is taken as dates between or since which there has been no exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts.

5. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising finding geographical location information of the one or more of plurality of contacts, and presenting the geographical location on a visual medium.

6. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the visual medium is a map, a chart, and a graph.

7. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 5, wherein finding the geographical location information of the one or more of plurality of contacts comprises identifying the geographical location information of a person from registered domain name of contact's work organization.

8. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the geographical location information of the one or more of plurality of contacts is stored in a remote database.

9. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising automatic composing of response email and sending the email to the one or more of the plurality of contacts.

10. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the emails are sent to the lost contacts.

11. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the automatic composing of response email comprises allowing the user to edit the response email before sending it to the one or more of the plurality of contacts.

12. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the automatic composition of the response email is based on the analysis of the emails exchanged between the user and the one or more of the plurality of contacts.

13. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the response email comprises a personalized information based on the date on which the response email is being sent to the one or more of the plurality of contacts.

14. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lost contacts are those contacts with whom the user has not exchanged any emails in the said user defined time range.

15. The computer implemented method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising storing the date of last exchanged emails for each of the one or more of plurality of contacts in a memory, and retrieving the date of last exchange from the memory when required.

16. A computer readable mediumfor identifying lost contacts in a mailbox of a user, the mailbox comprising a plurality of emails exchanged between a user and one or more of plurality of contacts, the computer readable medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:

finding the date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts, wherein such finding of date is based upon analyzing exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of emails; receiving a search input from the user, the search input being a user- defined time range;

identifying one or more of lost contacts for the user on the basis of search input and date of last exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts; and

presenting the lost contacts to the user.

17. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 16, wherein analyzingthe exchange of emails comprises analyzing content of the emails stored in the mailbox of the user.

18. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 16, wherein the user defined time range is taken at least as days, weeks, months or years during which there has been no exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts.

19. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 16, wherein the user defined time range is taken as dates between or on which there has been no exchange of emails between the user and the one or more of plurality of contacts.