WO2012135869A2

WO2012135869A2 - Application for communication control in cell phones

Info

Publication number: WO2012135869A2
Application number: PCT/US2012/031920
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Blackburn; Brandon CLARK; Kenneth Lynch; Charles GARCIA
Original assignee: Jjscb, Llc
Priority date: 2011-04-01
Filing date: 2012-04-02
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: WO2012135869A3

Abstract

A communication control application for a mobile device which assists in the prevention of sending regrettable messages and initiating unwanted phone calls by providing an extra layer of control between the commands to initiate and complete certain communications identified by the user.

Description

APPLICATION FOR COMMUNICATION CONTROL IN CELL PHONES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[001] This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent

Application Serial No.: 61/471,037, filed April 1, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] This invention relates to an application for use in mobile devices to improve the control of the mobile device's communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control system application to assist in the prevention of initiating unwanted calls and sending unwanted text and e-mail messages, among other communication functions.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[003] An increasing number of people rely on smart phones or other mobile devices to conduct personal and professional business, communicating through a variety of ways including voice calls and messages, text messages, and e-mail. Anyone familiar with smart phones and mobile devices is aware of the frequency in which errors may occur. Since smart phones are small and portable, and thus have a touch screen or smaller keyboard to type with, it is common for users to make mistakes both in initiating communication and in the content of their messages. Further, due to the mobile nature of smart phones, users often send messages while on the go and do not have the time (or attention) to catch mistakes they might have made. In addition, with the sensitivity of the touch screen on many of these mobile devices, it is common for users to send inadvertent calls, text messages or other communications while the phone is stored in a purse or pocket if the device is not properly locked before storage.

[004] Many smart phones attempt to solve user errors in messages by providing a spell check function or auto correct capability. These tools assist the user in correcting their mistakes before the message is sent. However, there are many times where these tools either do not function properly or they are overlooked by the user, and the user may send a message containing mistakes. Sometimes an error may be critical, and not correcting such an error may be detrimental, especially in a business setting. This is particularly true if the message accidentally contains profanity or other similarly offensive language.

[005] Unintentionally initiating calls or initiating calls against better judgment is another issue with smart phone usage. Dialing particular contacts can be harmful if they were not intended, such as dialing your boss's cellular phone number late at night, or calling an estranged contact at an inconvenient time. Many smart phones allow a user to place a call simply by selecting a certain contact. Some phones contain a locking mechanism to prevent accidental phone calls. However, even with this locking mechanism, phone calls and other communications are often inadvertently placed when users forget to turn on the applicable locking function. In addition, phone calls are often placed by accident while a user is navigating through on-screen commands.

[006] Accordingly, a need exists for a mobile device application that prompts the user depending on mistakes in the content of the message, the person the message is being sent to, or depending on the time of day as described and claimed herein.

SUMMARY

[007] Because of these and other problems with the art, described herein, among other things, is a communication control application which may help to prevent smart phone users from sending regrettable text or email messages and initiating unwanted phone calls.

[008] In one embodiment, the communication control application comprises a method for providing a secondary security confirmation for sending communications for users of a mobile device, the method comprising: providing a user with a software application which interfaces with a smart phone device; having said user carry said smart phone ;said user engaging certain filters for messages sent from said smart phone device through said software application; said software application providing a secondary security confirmation prompt for a user for messages identified by said engaged filter; and said software application preventing the sending of messages identified by said engaged filter unless said user accents to said secondary security confirmation prompt.

[009] In one embodiment, the filter identifies messages by contacts chosen by said user. In another, the filter identifies messages by the content of said messages. In yet another, the filter identifies messages by a time period chosen by said user. In still another the filter identifies all messages sent by the smartphone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[010] FIG. 1 provides a representation of the physical structure of a smart phone system and its components.

[Oi l] FIG. 2 provides a flowchart detailing the process of the message control system.

[012] FIG. 3 provides an embodiment of a screenshot of the message setting options on the main screen.

[013] FIG. 4 provides an example of a screenshot of controls for time settings if the hour range option is enabled.

[014] FIG. 5 provides an example of a screenshot of controls for contacts settings if the specific contacts setting is enabled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[015] In adding an additional checking step to chosen mobile phone communications prior to the sending of these communications, the disclosed mobile device application assists in preventing smart phone users from sending regrettable text or email messages and initiating unwanted phone calls. In its essence, the disclosed application provides an extra layer of control between the user commands to initiate a communication and the user commands to complete a communication. For purposes of clarity, when used herein, the term "messages" may refer to e-mail communications, text messages, tweets, telephone call or other types of communications means which can be received or sent by a cellular phone.

[016] In one embodiment, the communication control application is associated with a "piece" of closely cooperating hardware, a mobile device. Generally, any mobile device which is capable of connecting to a network (e.g., a cellular network, the internet, a local area network (LAN), or any other network known to those of ordinary skill in the art which is capable of using network protocols) and rendering multimedia formats, in addition to being enabled to be programmed for running an additional application is contemplated.

[017] Generally, the mobile device will include computing resources in the form of a processor, an associated processor RAM-unit for loading and running applications, such as a JAVA Applet, and, in some embodiments, a Flash ROM in order to run multiple program applications. Accordingly, contemplated mobile devices include, but are not limited to, mobile cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, MP3 players, handheld media players (e.g., an iTouch™), Bluetooth™ or other mobile devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A "smartphone," as that term is used herein, is interpreted broadly to include a simple, but programmable, and in so far as a little bit "smart" phone. Further, contemplated programming for the mobile device includes, but is not limited to JAVA programming, the Android™ operating system, iPhone OS™, or other mobile device programming system known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[018] In general, the mobile device contains send/receive functionality in order to exchange digital information. Preferred communication modalities include wireless communication, like IR, however cable-based alternatives may also be implemented as these alternatives generally provide a cheaper interface without a sender and receiver circuit, antennae, etc., and without encryption, decryption, and user authentication software modules which can be required with wireless communication modalities.

[019] An embodiment of one contemplated mobile device is provided in FIG. 1. As depicted, this embodiment of a mobile device (12) generally includes a user input mechanism (14), which in this embodiment is comprised of a touchscreen, a camera and voice communication means (16) known to those of ordinary skill in the art which allows for the sending and receiving of voice communications. It is contemplated that in other embodiments the user input mechanism (14) may include a greater or lesser number of elements known to those of ordinary skill in the art for communicating with a mobile device, including, for example, a keyboard, or other device used for typing.

[020] In one embodiment, the RAM unit of the mobile device (12) is loaded with a

JAVA Applet (or other comparable application software which is commonly referred to as an "app" or an "application"), which implements most of the steps of the intentional method as they will be described in more detail herein. In general, the JAVA applet comprises a program which allows for the addition of another layer of control (start/stop) for communications received by and generated from the mobile device (12).

[021] In certain embodiments, the JAVA applet will include the following. First, a user interface. This user interface will generally contain a main menu listing to, among other things, control the message and control settings of the communication control application disclosed herein. This provides the user easy access to and control of the communication control application of the mobile device. FIG. 3 provides an embodiment of the user interface. In this embodiment of the user interface (10) a user is presented with one or more filters (36) which the user has the option of enabling; i.e., turning on or off. When a given filter (36) is enabled, it results in heightened scrutiny and security for that communication function. Contemplated filters (36) include, but are not limited to, the global setting filter, the profanity filter, the hour range filter, the specific contacts filter, the contacts/range filter and the all contacts filter. Notably, each of the filters is independent of each other. If one filter is turned on by a user, its functionality will be active, while other filters may be in the off, inactive position. Conversely, when an individual filter is in the off position, that specific filter (36) will not be applied, though other filters (36) in the on position may be.

[022] The global settings filter provides a secondary security layer for all messages sent from the mobile device (12). For example, if the global setting filter is on, every attempt to send a message prompts the user for a secondary confirmation prior to sending message. The message will not be sent until the user ascents to this secondary confirmation. When the global filter is in the off setting, this secondary confirmation will no longer be engaged; a message will be sent from the mobile device (12) after the first send command.

[023] The profanity filter provides a control mechanism for the content, or words, of messages. When the profanity filter is selected by the user to be applied, the communication control system will check the content of messages for profanity prior to sending the messages. Generally words will be categorized as profanity by an applicable dictionary, database or other resource means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. If a message includes any words from an associated profanity dictionary, or similar control data source, a secondary security confirmation will be activated and the user will be prompted to confirm whether or not to send the message. It is contemplated that, in one embodiment, the communication control system may include a user customizable dictionary that allows the user to identify words or phrases that trigger a confirmation prompt by the profanity trigger. The user customizable dictionary may be particularly well adapted for the screening of slang, abbreviations, acronyms or other tenns that might not otherwise be identified in a typical dictionary or database. It is contemplated that the user customizable dictionary may be preconfigured and edited by the user at any time, and may include any words or phrases the user wishes.

[024] Another contemplated filter is the hour range filter. When the hour range filter is enabled, the user receives a secondary security confirmation prompt for all messages sent during user specified hours during the day. Accordingly, the secondary security confirmation in this filter is triggered temporally; i.e., by a specified time range. Thus, rather than a simple on/off enabling logic associated with the global setting and profanity filters, the hour range filter further includes user selectable settings hour range settings for the implementation of the hour range filter. For example, the filter may provide various user selectable settings for various times of day and days of the week. In one embodiment it is contemplated that there may be separate weekday and weekend filters. FIG. 4 provides an example of additional settings related to the hour range filter. In the example provided, the user may choose an hour range for which the filter is to be applied. Though not shown, it is understood that selections for various time ranges and related days of the week may be provided such that the user may enable the filter, for example, every night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Similarly, the user may enable the filter, for example, to apply on a recurring basis each weekend or other time period.

[025] Yet another contemplated filter is the specific contacts filter. When engaged, this filter allows a user to select contacts for which the filter is to be applied. Once contacts are selected for filtering, every message to the selected contacts triggers the confirmation prompt, no matter the time of day. Contacts from a stored contact list may be individually selected for filtering, as demonstrated in the interface embodiment depicted in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, in this interface embodiment, when the specific contact filter is selected to be applied, each of the user's saved contacts is presented such that the user may selectively apply the filter to each chosen contact. For each contact for which the filter is to be applied, any message sent to the selected contact triggers a secondary security confirmation prompt to be presented to the user. It is also contemplated that groups of contacts can be chosen with this filter. For example, a user could chose to provide a secondary security confirmation for all co-workers and contacts associated with the user's business.

[026] Yet another contemplated filter (36) is the contacts/range filter. When this filter is engaged, a user may choose specific contacts for which a confirmation prompt will be provided only during specified time periods. Though not shown, the contacts/range filter is an example of a combination filter in which multiple queries are made to determine whether or not to apply the filter. In use, this filter will provide a secondary security confirmation prompt, when engaged, for certain identified contacts during certain identified periods. For example, a user could set this filter to engage a secondary security confirmation prompt for his or her co-workers between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Another contemplated combination filter would be a filter that, when engaged, provides a secondary security confirmation prompt only when a message to a specified contact (or set of contacts) includes profanity. Any combination of any number of filters (36) may be provided and the examples given herein are not intended to be limiting in any manner.

[027] Another contemplated filter is the all contacts filter. If activated, this filter triggers a secondary security confirmation prompt anytime a message is to be sent to any of the stored contacts in a user's address book. Conversely, the all contacts filter may also be structured to be applied such that a confirmation prompt is triggered anytime a message is to be sent to any contact not stored in the user's address book.

[028] As stated above, although not shown in FIG. 3, there are any number of other filters (36) that may be incorporated into or provided by the communication control system application described herein. For instance, a user may enable a confirmation prompt for any message in which an autocorrect function has been used. Such a filter may help prevent users from sending messages where the phone has automatically corrected a word in the message which the user has not noticed. As such, this filter may prevent mistakes in communication caused by autocorrect features.

[029] In general, the workflow between mobile device (12) and the disclosed application, in certain embodiments, will proceed as follows. As a preliminary matter, while FIG. 2 and this description is focused on an example of a method of implementing a communication control system in which the communication control system 10 is adapted for controlling the message services of a smartphone, it should be understood that the communication control system may be adapted for controlling any type of communication service from any mobile device, as will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art in light of the disclosures herein.

[030] In a first step, a user will start the application. In a second step, the user will engage with the user interface and enable the user's desired filters, turning the desired filtered into the "on" mode. In a third step, the user inputs a message into the mobile device and commands the mobile device to send the message (20). In a fourth step (22), the application determines whether or not a filter has been enabled that is applicable to the message; e.g., if the profanity filter is turned on, the application determines whether or not the message contains profanity. [031] As shown in FIG. 2, the next steps depend on whether the one or more user selected filters engaged at the time the message is sent identify the message as one which requires the presentation of a confirmation prompt to the user. If the message is identified as requiring the presentation of a confirmation prompt as indicated in step (24), the next step (30) is providing a confirmation prompt asking the user to confirm the message should be sent. In one embodiment, the secondary security confirmation prompt will be comprised of a question such as, "Are you sure?", "Do you want to send this message?" or some other secondary security confirmation prompt that forces a user to instruct the mobile device to send the message for a second time. For example, in one embodiment, the confirmation prompt may require a more complex response, such as a password or other challenge response. The addition of a confirmation step may help to prevent the instance of unintentional or otherwise regrettable communications. Notably, it is contemplated that in alternative embodiments any type of message security confirmation that prompts a user to confirm with the mobile device (12) that the message should be sent may be used. In the next step (32), the application receives the user's command to send or not send the message. In the last step in this course, step (34), the communication control system either sends or refrains from sending the message based on the user's command received in step (32) in response to the secondary security confirmation.

[032] Going back to step (22) in FIG. 2, if the message is identified as not requiring the presentation of a confirmation prompt as indicated in step (24) (i.e., the engaged filter does not recognized the message as qualifying for a secondary security confirmation) then the message will simply be sent without a secondary security prompt according to the normal modality for the mobile device, as illustrated in step (28). In such case, no secondary security confirmation prompt is provided and the completion of the communication is unimpeded by a secondary prompt. [033] As described above, the communication control system is adapted to apply one or more filters to identify messages, or other communication requests, for which the user would like to apply a higher level of scrutiny before initiating and/or completing. The examples provided herein are merely representative examples of such filters and the methods of implementing them. It is understood that additional filters may be incorporated into the communication control system.

[034] The communication control system application described herein may be further adapted to prevent the mobile device system functionality from interfering with the intended communication. For example, a user may be composing an SMS message, or other text message methodology loiown to those of ordinary skill in the art, when the system receives an SMS message. In some mobile devices, the receipt of a message will disrupt the composition of a message. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the communication control system application, the receipt of a message may trigger a conformation prompt for any communication being composed at the time of receipt of the incoming message. Accordingly, a filter (36) may apply when a user is writing a text message to contact A, receives a text message from contact B and mistakenly continues to write the text message meant for contact A to contact B.

[035] In addition to the functions described above it is further contemplated that versions of the communication control system application described herein may be functionality adapted, not just to confirm the intention of the user to complete a communication, but to actually prevent certain communications from being made. For example, a user may lock out certain contacts during certain time periods such that no communications can be made to (and, in certain embodiments, no communications can be received from) the contact during the specified time period. The controls provided may additionally prevent the user from adjusting the settings for a locked out contact during the lock out period.

[036] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

[037] For example, the communication control system application may provide a plurality of user selected commands to personalize the operation of the system. In use, the system is inserted between the user's messaging and communication commands and the operation of the communication functions by the mobile device. Accordingly, the communication control system application may monitor and limit the operation of the communication systems in the associated mobile device.

[038] In sum, the communication control system application described herein provides numerous benefits and advantages directed to the user, offering the user customizable control of communications on their mobile device. Advantages of the communication control system application include, but are not limited to: preventing users from sending regrettable messages, allowing users to edit their settings for particular contacts, allowing users to edit their settings for certain times of day, allowing users to edit their settings depending on the content of the message, providing control mechanisms for helping to prevent automatic system functions from interfering with intended communications, providing functionality to prospectively lock out certain types of communications.

[039] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for providing a secondary security confirmation for sending communications for users of a mobile device, the method comprising:

providing a user with a sof ware application which interfaces with a smart phone device; having said user carry said smart phone;

said user engaging certain filters for messages sent from said smart phone device through said software application;

said software application providing a secondary security confirmation prompt for a user for messages identified by said engaged filter; and

said software application preventing the sending of messages identified by said engaged filter unless said user accents to said secondary security confirmation prompt.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said filter identifies messages by contacts chosen by said user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said filter identifies messages by the content of said messages.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said filter identifies messages by a time period chosen by said user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said filter identifies all messages sent by the smartphone.