Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W56/00—Synchronisation arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/40—Circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
  • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
  • H04M1/72448—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
  • H04M1/72451—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
  • H04M15/83—Notification aspects
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
  • H04M1/663—Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
  • H04M1/667—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M19/00—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems
  • H04M19/02—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
  • H04M19/04—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations
  • H04M19/045—Call privacy arrangements, e.g. timely inhibiting the ring signal
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
  • H04M2215/82—Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
  • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
  • H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
  • H04W52/0251—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
  • H04W52/0258—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
  • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
  • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Definitions

• the present invention is directed generally to a wireless communication device, and, more particularly, to a system and method for time-based information management in a wireless communication device.
• Wireless communications devices such as cellular telephones, typically include a keyboard, a display, and an incoming-call alert device, such as a ringer or vibrator.
• many wireless communications devices can be configured to operate in different modes, such as a power saving or deep sleep mode of operation to conserve battery power.
• Several wireless communications devices also include scheduling software applications, sometimes known as personal information managers or calendars.
• a wireless communications device user will frequently desire the device to operate in a particular manner based on the time of day or the day of the week.
• the cost associated with using a wireless communications device frequently varies based on the type of call and the time /day when the call is placed or received.
• the user To operate the wireless communication device in a particular manner, the user must manually configure each feature, such as the incoming-call alert device, to its desired manner operation each time the user desires to change the manner of operation of that feature. It is inconvenient for the user to reconfigure the wireless communication device frequently during the day or week. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there is a significant need for automatic time-based control of the manner of operation of a wireless communications device.
• the present invention provides this and other advantages, as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
• the present invention is embodied in a system and method for time- based control of the manner of operation of a wireless communications device.
• the system includes a housing, a timer, and a feature such as an incoming-call alert device or a display.
• the system also includes a scheduler.
• the feature can be operated in more than one manner and the scheduler generates control signals to select the manner in which the feature will operate.
• an incoming-call alert device may indicate the arrival of a call by alternatively not signaling the call arrival or make a noise at a certain level, or to vibrate based on the control signals.
• FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device implementing the present invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of FIG. 1 using data received from external sources.
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system of FIG. 1 to automatically control the incoming-call alert device of a wireless communication device based on time-related data.
• the present invention provides automatic control of the features or functions of a wireless communication device and, as a result, reduces user intervention in setting the manner of operation of the features or functions.
• the present invention may be readily implemented in any wireless communication device. Although the examples presented herein refer to a cellular phone, the principles of the present invention are applicable to any wireless communication device, including, but not limited to, analog and digital cellular telephones, personal communications system (PCS) devices, and the like.
• the present invention is embodied in a system 100 illustrated in the functional block of FIG. 1.
• the system 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102, which controls operation of the s y stem.
• a memory 104 which may include both readonly memory (ROM) and random-access memories (RAM), provides instructions and data to the CPU 102.
• a portion of the memory 104 may also include non-volatile random-access memory.
• the system 100 which is typically embodied in a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone, also includes a housing 106 that contains a transmitter 108 and a receiver 110 to allow transmission and reception of data, such as audio communications and programming data, between the system 100 and a remote location, such as a base transceiver station (BTS) 150 (see FIG. 2).
• BTS base transceiver station
• the transmitter 108 and the receiver 110 may be combined into a transceiver 112.
• An antenna 114 is attached to the housing 106 and electrically coupled to the transceiver 112.
• the operation of the transmitter 108, receiver 110, and antenna 114 is well-known in the art and need not be described herein.
• FIG. 1 illustrates the antenna 114 is extending from the housing 106, some designs may include an internal antenna that is contained completely within the housing.
• the transmitter 108, the receiver 110, and the antenna 114 operate in
• a user input device 116 such as a microphone 118 or keypad 120, is attached to the housing 106 for operation by the user in a conventional manner.
• the user input device 116 provides a convenient means by which destination telephone numbers, commands, and data may be entered by the user.
• FIG. 1 illustrates the user input device 116 as comprising a microphone 118, and a keypad 120, other user input devices may be used, including a data input jack (not shown), and the like, and in various combinations.
• the system 100 also includes a display 122 that may be conveniently used to display data to the user, such as instructions, user-entered data, outgoing or incoming telephone numbers, applicable calling charges, alphanumeric text, and other data.
• the display 122 will display the time, date, and cost information for incoming and outgoing calls processed by the transceiver 112. This information provides visual cues to the user and thereby assists the user in the operation of the system 100.
• the system 100 also includes a timer 124, which may typically be included in the CPU 102. As will be discussed in more detail below, system 100 may use the timer 124 to determine the time, date, day of the week and day of the month.
• the timer 124 may be implemented in a variety of ways.
• the user enters time-related data using the user input device 116.
• the user-entered time-related data is used to set the timer 124 or clock, whose time and date information may be shown on the display 122.
• the timer 124 receives a time-related data message from the BTS 150 via a cell-site controller (not shown).
• the time- related data message is used to set the timer 124 or clock, whose time and date may be shown on the display 122.
• the techniques used to transmit the time- related data message to the system 100 are well-known in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein.
• the timer 124 can be set based on a combination of user-entered data and a data message received from a remote location.
• the system 100 also includes a scheduler 126, which may typically be included in the CPU 102. As will be discussed in greater detail below, system 100 may use the scheduler 126 to generate alternate control signals for controlling operation of the features of the system 100 in one or more different manners.
• the scheduler 126 may be readily implemented as a series of software instructions placed in the memory 104 and executed by the CPU 102. Thus, minor software modifications to existing hardware will allow the implementation of the system 100.
• the system 100 includes a call processor 128, which processes incoming and outgoing calls and which may typically be implemented by the CPU 102.
• the system 100 also includes an incoming-call alert device 130, which signals the arrival of an incoming call to the user in a number of different manners.
• an incoming-call alert device 130 may be a ringer, a buzzer, a vibrator, a flashing light, a speaker to play a musical tune, and the like, and various combinations thereof.
• the scheduler 126 may generate alternate control signals based on time-related data to selectively operate an incoming- call alert device 130 in a second manner.
• Electrical components of the system 100 receive power from a battery
• the battery 132 is a rechargeable battery.
• the system 100 may include a connector (not shown) for the connection of an external power source, such as an automobile power adapter, AC power adapter, or the like.
• the various components of the system 100 are coupled together by a bus system 134 which may include a power bus, control bus, and status signal bus in addition to a data bus.
• a bus system 134 which may include a power bus, control bus, and status signal bus in addition to a data bus.
• the scheduler 126 uses the time and date information from the timer 124 to selectively generate alternate control signals for one or more features of the system 100 during predetermined periods of time.
• the scheduler 126 is pre-programmed to automatically generate alternate control signals based on default time-related data.
• the user can program the scheduler 126 using the user input device 116 in the same way used to select other operational parameters of a typical cellular phone.
• the scheduler 126 can receive a data message from the BTS 150.
• the data message is used to program the scheduler 126.
• the techniques used to transmit a data message to the system 100 are well-known in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed based on a combination of default data, user-entered data, and data received from a remote location.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to selectively enable the call processor 128 authorization for certain types of incoming and outgoing calls.
• the system 100 may be configured to enable the call processor 128 authorization to place outgoing long-distance calls.
• Information related to calling charges may be pre-stored, manually entered by the user using the user-input device 116, or received from a remote location and stored in the memory 104.
• the scheduler 126 is programmed to generate alternate control signals to selectively disable the call processor 128 authorization to place longdistance calls whenever the applicable calling charge exceeds a certain amount.
• the selective enabling /disabling of this call processor 128 may be done on the basis of time of day (e.g., disable long-distance calling during the day and/or enable long-distance calling after 11:00 p.m.)
• the scheduler 126 can selectively enable /disable the call processor 128 based on the cost data itself (e.g., disable long-distance calling if the cost at this time is above a first predetermined threshold and enable long-distance calling if the cost at this time is below a second predetermined threshold).
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to selectively disable the call processor 128 authorization to receive incoming long-distance calls on weekends.
• the types of calls and time periods used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific types of calls or time periods of operation.
• a number of cellular phone charging plans are based on a fixed number of minutes of calling for a particular time period at a particular price. Other calling plans are based on different calling charges for different time periods, such as lower rates on evenings and weekends.
• the scheduler 126 is programmed to generate alternate control signals to cause the display 122 to display time- related information, such as the number of minutes already used during a given time period or the applicable calling charges at the time a call is placed or received.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to disable the call processor 128 authorization to place outgoing calls or receive incoming calls when the number of called minutes in a particular time period exceeds the number of minutes provided for in the calling plan and to re-enable the call processor 128 authorization when the next time period occurs.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to disable call processor 128 authorization when the number of usage minutes in a month exceeds 500 minutes and to re- enable call processor 128 authorization at 12:01 a.m. on the first date of the next month.
• the types of calling plans, types of calls and time periods used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific calling plans, types of calls or time periods of operation.
• the call processor 128 can be selectively enabled or disabled to allow processing of incoming calls and outgoing calls.
• the scheduler 126 generates a control signal to control operation of the call processor 128 based on a number of different factors, such as time of day, day of the week, date, cost of call, and the like.
• the call processor 128 operates in a number of different manners based on control signals generated by the scheduler 126, which may be based on one or more factors, such as those described above, either singly or in one or more combinations.
• the system 100 may be configured to generate control signals causing the incoming-call alert device 130 to operate in a first manner upon receiving an incoming call.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals causing the incoming-call alert device 130 to operate in a second manner based on a variety of factors, such as arrival of an incoming call between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekdays.
• the scheduler 126 may be further programmed to generate alternate control signals causing the incoming-call alert device 130 to operate in a third manner upon receiving an incoming call on weekends.
• the system 100 may be programmed to activate the incoming-call alert device 130 to vibrate upon receiving an incoming call between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to ring at a low volume between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
• the scheduler 126 can be programmed to generate alternate control signals for controlling a plurality of features.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to disable the call processor 128 authorization for longdistance calling between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and to generate alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in a vibration mode between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• the hours of operation, the features, and the manner of operation of the features used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific hours, features, or manners of operation.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals for controlling a plurality of features as a set.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to place the system 100 into a particular mode of operation, such as a deep-sleep mode, during particular time periods, such as over weekends.
• the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in a low-power mode and to disable call processor 128 authorization to receive long-distance calls.
• the scheduler 126 may also be programmed to generate alternate control signals to place the system 100 into a work-day mode between 9:00 a.m.
• the system 100 receives time-related data, which may be received from default data stored in the memory 104, from the user-input device 116, or from the BTS 150 (see FIG. 2), or some other source or combination of sources.
• the system 100 sets its internal clock. As noted above, the timer 124 (see FIG. 1) also serves the function of the internal clock.
• the system 100 receives scheduling data, which may be received from default data stored in the memory 104, from the user-input device 116, or from the BTS 150 (see FIG. 2), or some other source or combination of sources.
• scheduling data may be programmed by the user to customize the operation of the system 100 for one or more operational features.
• the system 100 may be preprogrammed for multiple manners or modes of operation. The user can accept the pre-programmed modes of operation or customize one or more features either individually or as a set.
• decision 168 the system 100 determines whether there is an incoming call. If there is an incoming call, the result of decision 168 is YES. In that event, the system 100 proceeds to decision 170. If there is no incoming call, the result of decision 168 is NO. In that event, the system 100 returns to decision 168 to await an incoming call.
• decision 170 the system 100 determines whether the incoming-call alert device 130 should be operated in a first manner or whether instead, based upon the clock and the scheduling data, the incoming-call alert device 130 should be operated in a second manner.
• the actual time is compared with predetermined time-periods for operating the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner.
• Decision 170 compares the actual time with the predetermined time period for operating the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner to determine whether to generate alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner.
• the scheduler 126 does not generate alternate control signals for operating the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner, and, in step 172, the incoming-call alert device 130 is activated in the first manner.
• the scheduler 126 If the actual time is within the time period for operating the incoming- call alert device 130 in the second manner, the result of decision 170 is YES. In that event, the scheduler 126 generates alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner, and, in step 174, the incoming-call alert device 130 is activated in the second manner.
• the system 100 ends the operation at step 176.
• decisions 168 and 170 need not be made in any particular order. Decision 168 is shown as occurring before decision 170 in order to simplify FIG. 3.
• the system 100 may be programmed to activate the incoming-call alert device 130 in the first manner (i.e., step 172) as a default value or may activate the incoming-call alert device in the second manner (i.e., step 174) as the default value.
• FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the system 100 for the specific example of operation of the incoming-call alert device 130 in first and second manners.
• the incoming-call alert device 130 may be operated in more than two manners based on other user-selectable or preprogrammed operational parameters.
• the data associated with the first and second manners of operation and the parameters used by the scheduler 126 are readily stored in the memory 104.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
• Telephone Function (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=23937794

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (5)

• 2001
  • 2001-01-19 KR KR1020027007031A patent/KR20020068364A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-01-19 EP EP01903156A patent/EP1264496A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-01-19 WO PCT/US2001/001891 patent/WO2001054381A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-01-19 AU AU2001231007A patent/AU2001231007A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-01-19 JP JP2001553747A patent/JP2003521159A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (5)

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