WO2016133436A1

WO2016133436A1 - Method and apparatus for adapting operational characteristics of a mobile device

Info

Publication number: WO2016133436A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/050183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Athanasios KARAPANTELAKIS; Nina WASHINGTON; Maxim TESLENKO; Elena Fersman
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2015-02-18
Filing date: 2015-02-18
Publication date: 2016-08-25

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, disclosed is a method and an apparatus thereof for broadcasting information about one or more environmental requirements at a location of the network entity. The information about environmental requirements is intended for use by mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity for configuring their operational characteristics.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTING OPERATIONAL

CHARACTERISTICS OF A MOBILE DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a method and devices for assisting a mobile device to adapt its operational characteristics to corresponding environmental requirements of a current location.

BACKGROUND

Devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, smart watches, smart glasses, etc. are commonplace in today's society. These devices can have various modes of operation, such as audio loudness, cellular/WiFi on or off, brightness level, type of incoming call notification etc., which can be preset by a user of the device. However, a certain mode of device operation in the context of the surrounding environment may lead to inappropriate or even dangerous situations. For example, open radio can cause interference with medical devices in hospitals, and navigation or communication systems in aircrafts. As another example, audio ringing during a movie play or a conference speech may be annoying.

Although the user may change the mode of operation by switching a mobile device off when entering an airplane or by muting the phone during a movie play, users can often forget to do so. Therefore automating the mode of operation of devices is of value.

In some solutions the issue has been addressed from the point of view of a device. A device that is equipped with sensors that sense the surrounding environment may adjust its method of alerting a user of an incoming communication (e.g. audible, visual or haptic notification) in response to a detected environmental condition. Environmental conditions detected by device's sensors may comprise motion, light, and sound.

The identification of the surrounding environment is, however, probabilistic rather than deterministic. For example, a phone equipped with a luminosity sensor to sense the amount of light in the ambient environment may make false deductions about that environment being really dark because it is in its user's pocket, therefore making the method imprecise.

Moreover, it is assumed that a number of sensors exist in devices, thus restricting

applicability of the method to specific devices with suitable sensors. SUMMARY

An object of the present teachings is to solve or at least alleviate at least one of the above mentioned problems by enabling automating the mode of operation of mobile devices.

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

According to a first aspect, a method is performed by a network entity. The method comprises storing information about one or more environmental requirements at a location of the network entity, wherein said information about environmental requirements is intended for use by mobile devices for configuring their operational characteristics. The method further comprises broadcasting said information to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity. The information about environmental requirements comprises one or more of: an audio loudness threshold, a light level, and a list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges for which radio operation is restricted.

According to a second aspect, a method is performed by a user device for adapting its operational characteristics to environmental requirements of a current location. The method comprises receiving information about environmental requirements from a network entity and configuring operational characteristics of the user device based on said received information.

The operational characteristics of the user device comprise one or more of: an audio loudness level, status of one or more radios, and a brightness level.

According to a third aspect, a network entity comprises a memory operable to store information about environmental requirements at a location of the network entity. The information about environmental requirements is intended for use by mobile devices for configuring their operational characteristics. The network entity further comprises a processor operable to retrieve said information about environmental requirements from the memory and to provide said retrieved information for transmission. The network entity comprises an interface operable to broadcast said information to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity.

According to fourth aspect, an apparatus comprises an interface operable to receive information about environmental requirements from a network entity. The apparatus further comprises a processor operable to configure operational characteristics of the apparatus based on said received information.

The apparatus may be comprised in a mobile device.

According to fifth aspect, a computer program comprises computer readable code units which when run on a network entity causes the network entity to perform the method according to the first aspect. According to sixth aspect, a computer program comprises computer readable code units which when run on an apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the second aspect.

According to seventh aspect, a computer program product comprises computer readable medium and a computer program according to the fifth or the sixth aspect stored on the computer readable medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the

accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows example methods according to embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of operation between a network entity and a user device. Figures 3A - 3C show possible operations after sending a renewal request message by the user device.

Figure 4A illustrates an example where a context field comprises a spatial delimiter.

Figure 4B illustrates an example where a context field comprises a temporal delimiter Figure 5 illustrates a network entity and an apparatus.

Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of a network entity.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of a user device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments relate to a system that makes mobile communication devices aware of environmental context and possibly enforce certain mode of operation by means of transmitting notifications from a network entity. Solutions that are based on detecting environmental conditions, or a change in those conditions, by sensors of a device have drawbacks related to reliability of sensor readings. They also require that a device has suitable sensors. Moreover, sensor based methods function on the point of view of a user device. In those solutions, however, a mode of operation of a user device is not influenced by the owner of the environment, such as a cinema, a medical institution, an airplane, a border area, etc. That is, there is no control on operational characteristics of a user device by environment.

The present embodiments enable control on operational characteristics of a user device, such as a mobile communication device, by surrounding environment. Presented is a method for adapting operational characteristics of the user device to environmental requirements of a current location. The presented system considers devices, which broadcast the requirements of the surrounding environment to all nearby devices. These requirements are either enforced (mandatory) or they are optional and it is up to implemented functionality in the device and user preferences to configure operational characteristics of the device according to requirements of the environment.

One advantage of this solution is its ability to precisely control or inform mobile

communication devices about environmental change. The mobile communication devices do not need to have neither sensors nor computational power onboard to adapt to ambient environment. The system comprises a network entity (node) called "Operation Profile Beacon" (OPB) that broadcasts the requirements of the surrounding environment to nearby devices. For broadcasting the OPB has one or more network interfaces, including but not limited to GSM (Global System Mobile), third generation (3G) technology (e.g. UMTS and CDMA2000), fourth generation (4G) technology (e.g. LTE), Wi-Fi, RFID (Radio Frequency

IDentification) radio transceivers and/or wired connectivity.

The OPB can be programmed or hardcoded with proximate environment requirements. The information about the environmental requirements that is stored in the OPB can be

configured directly at the OPB itself or remotely, and pushed to or polled from the OPB.

Alternatively, the OPB may receive environmental requirements from another network entity, e.g. a server or servers in a cloud. In this case the environmental requirements are configured and stored at a network server in the cloud and provided to the OPB for broadcasting to nearby devices.

The information about environmental requirements comprises at least some of the following data: an audio loudness threshold, a list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges, and a light level. The loudness threshold is given in dB. Noises emanating from the mobile communication device are not allowed to cross this threshold. The list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges comprises spectrum ranges for which radio operation is restricted. The list comprises electromagnetic spectrum ranges in Hz and an uplink/downlink indication for frequencies that are not allowed for radio operation. The mobile communication device should check if any of its radios transmit and/or receive in indicated range(s) and turn them off. The light level in the area is measured in lux (lumen/m2) or foot-candles (lumen/ft2). The mobile communication device should adjust its operation mode accordingly, for example by managing brightness levels.

Figure 1 illustrates a method 100 performed by a network entity, such as OPB. The information about one or more environmental requirements at a location of the network entity, i.e. proximate environment requirements, is stored in the network entity as shown in step 102. The stored information is intended for use by mobile devices for configuring their operational characteristics. The information is therefore broadcasted to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity as shown in step 104. The environmental requirements packet (message) is broadcasted from OPB to the surrounding environment in order to inform devices of the requirements valid for the area in proximity. Packets carrying information about environmental requirements comprise at least one of: an audio loudness threshold, a list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges, and a light level. Packets may further comprise context information, for example timespan information and/or spatial information. Packets may also comprise an indication whether configuration of operational characteristics of a mobile device based on said information is optional or mandatory. In the following description, changing operation profile of the device is performed by configuring operational characteristics of the device, and thus those expressions are used interchangeably. Example of packets is illustrated in Table 1.

Mandatory/ Loudness List of spectrum Light level Context Notification Message

Optional threshold ranges radio in the area (Optional)

Bit in dB operation is not in lux

allowed in MHz

1 30 1920-1980u 320-500 Spatial Environment must be

21 10-2170d relatively quiet. Well-lit

(60N 10' 2.29",

1820-191 Ou environment. Radios

24E 55' 20.00";

1930-1990d operating in LTE band radius(IOOm));

1 and 2 are not allowed here. Valid indefinitely at a specified area.

1 80 2400-24835ud 1000 - timespan Loudness must be

1500 kept at conversational

(10 Oct 2014

level. Very bright 1 1 :00:00 - environment.

10 Oct 2014

Bluetooth radios are 13:00:00);

not allowed here. Valid for a specific period of time.

0 80 2400-24835ud 1000 - timespan It is recommended to

1500 keep loudness at

(10 Oct 2014

conversational level. 13:00:01 - Very bright

10 Oct 2014

environment. It is 23:59:59)

recommended that

Spatial Bluetooth radio

(59N 24' 17.30", remains closed. Valid 17E 56' 57.27"; for a specific period of

radius(10 m)); time at a specified area.

Table 1 : Example of packets carrying information about environmental requirements.

In an example of Table 1, an initial bit designates whether the operation profile of the receiving device must be changed or optionally could be changed. If the bit has been set, i.e. it has the value 1, then the change is mandatory, if it has not been set, i.e. the value is 0, then the change is optional. In an alternative implementation the bit value 1 may indicate optional change while the bit value 0 indicates mandatory change. An optional value means that the change in the operational characteristics has to be confirmed by the user. Depending on the device and/or implementation from the device vendor, an optional value may result in some form of notification to be displayed by the device and user's acknowledgement is required before operational characteristics are changed. Alternatively the device may make a choice based on a preset user setting. A subsequent value in the example shows the loudness threshold in dB that devices in the area have to operate in. This field is recommended but not limited to be 8 bits long. The loudness threshold value means that any noises coming from the devices' speakers must (if mandatory/optional bit is 1) or are recommended to (if mandatory/optional bit is 0) not exceed the value specified here.

The next value in the example comprises frequency band(s), or electromagnetic spectrum ranges, that the devices' radios are not allowed or not recommended to use. This value may comprise one frequency band or a list of frequency bands for which radio operation is restricted. If the mandatory/optional bit indicates mandatory change, then radios are not allowed to use restricted frequency bands. If the mandatory/optional bit indicates optional change, then usage of restricted frequency bands is not recommended. A "u", "d" or "ud" designation after each range designates whether the rule applies for uplink "u", i.e. data transmission, for downlink "d", i.e. data reception, or for both "ud". In an embodiment, the usage of indicated frequency band(s) is not fully forbidden but emitted energy level is limited to some maximum value. In this case, a maximum allowed emitted energy level at a defined spectrum range is indicated in the message. The light level in the area, expressed in lux, shows the range of lighting in the current environment. The interpretation of this value is up to the device manufacturer of the device(s). One possible use being adjustment of the screen brightness.

A set of context parameters defines the spatial, temporal or any other type of delimiters where operation profile change is applicable.

A timespan defines the duration for which the operation profile change is valid. If this value is 0, not specified, or missing, then the change of the operation profile is interpreted to be valid indefinitely. In one embodiment shown in Table 1, the timespan is a timestamp until which the environmental requirements are valid. In another embodiment, the timespan can be an integer, indicating the time span the requirements are valid for. In this case the unit of measurement includes but is not limited to microseconds, milliseconds, seconds, and hours. The time span starts at the moment the operation profile is in effect rather than starting from the moment the message is received. After the time specified by a timespan parameter is elapsed, the previous operational characteristics may be restored, that is a previous operation profile that was used before the change is reinstated.

A spatial delimiter could be expressed as a pair of GPS coordinates which defines opposite corners of a rectangle or as a point with radius, etc. The spatial delimiter defines the area within which the operation profile change is valid. That is, the operation profile change is valid indefinitely at a specified area. When the device moves outside the specified area, the previous operational characteristics may be restored. If this value is 0, not specified, or missing, then the change of the operation profile is interpreted to be valid as long as indicated by the timespan value.

It is also possible to include both the timespan value and the spatial value to the context field of the packet. In this case the change of the operation profile is interpreted to be valid for a specific period of time at a specified area. If the device moves outside the specified area, the previous operational characteristics may be restored. Or if the time indicated by the timespan value elapses, although the device is still within the specified area, the previous operational characteristics may be restored. If neither of the timespan value or the spatial value is defined in the packet carrying information about environmental requirements, then the change of the operation profile is valid as long as the mobile device is within a transmission range of the network entity broadcasting the information. In one embodiment the mobile device starts a timer substantially at the same time as changing the operation profile. When the time set to the timer has elapsed the mobile device may send a renewal request to OPB. Alternatively it may listen to broadcasted messages from OPB. It is also possible that the device moves to the transmission range of another OPB and the operational characteristics are reconfigured based on information received from this another OPB. In this case the previous operation profile that was used before the change required by the first OPB are not necessarily reinstated before changing to the profile required by the second OPB.

The context delimiters may also be conditional on values received from any kind of sensors installed on a device. For example, the profile change is valid only when ambient noise is above certain level in dB, or when the device is connected to a specific base station, etc.

Different context delimiters may be combined by different logical operations into proposition formula. The change of the operation profile is valid as long as the proposition formula evaluates to true. In an embodiment, if no context is provided then the change of the operation profile is permanent until further notification or the device is reset.

Figure 1 further illustrates a method 200 performed by a user device, such as a mobile communication device, for adapting its operational characteristics to environmental requirements of a current location. The user device receives information about environmental requirements from a network entity as shown in step 202. Then it configures its operational characteristics, i.e. changes its operation profile, based on the received information as shown in step 204. The user device receives information about environmental requirements in one or more packets (messages) broadcasted by the network entity. Packets carry information about at least one of: a list of restricted electromagnetic spectrum ranges, an audio loudness threshold and a light level in the area where the user device is located. Based on this information the user device changes its operation profile by configuring its operational characteristics. The operational characteristics comprise at least one of: an audio loudness level, status of one or more radios, and a brightness level. The received information may also comprise an indication whether it is optional or mandatory to change the operation profile of the device. If the change is indicated to be optional an acknowledgment may be needed. In this case the operational characteristics are configured only in response to a confirmation from a user of the device. Alternatively, the user may give permission to always accept optional profile change by presetting that option in user settings of the device.

Reference is again made to Table 1. When the user device receives a broadcasted packet from a network entity, it examines the fields of the packet. If a mandatory/optional bit is present it is determined whether it is optional or mandatory to change the operation profile. If it is determined to be mandatory, the device configures its operational characteristics without confirmation from the user. The may, however, be informed about the change in operation profile. If it is determined to be optional, a confirmation request may be issued to the user of the device, for example in a form of a notification on a display of the device or via speakers of the device. The user may also be informed about the requested changes that are discussed next.

If the loudness threshold value is present, the device must (if mandatory/optional bit indicates mandatory change) or is recommended to (if mandatory/optional bit indicates optional change) adjust its audio loudness level to or below the indicated dB value. That is, any noises coming from the device's speaker(s), such as a ringing tone, music from device's music player (e.g. MP3 player or FM radio), sounds from video clips or movies played by device's media player, etc. do not exceed the loudness threshold value. There might be an exception if a headset is connected to the device. In that case, the loudness threshold value may be ignored as long as the headset is not disconnected, or the allowed dB value may be higher than the value intended for device's speakers (without a headset). If the packet comprises a list of spectrum ranges, note that the list may comprise only one spectrum range, the list is examined and the device determines whether any of its radios is switched on and using any of the listed spectrum ranges, i.e., operating on a frequency band within indicated ranges. When a frequency band value is associated with an "ud" annotation, meaning uplink and downlink, both data transmission and reception is either forbidden or not recommended depending on the value of the mandatory/optional bit (if present). In that case the device may switch off radio(s) operating on the restricted frequency band. In case of "u" (uplink) annotation only, the data transmission is forbidden or not recommended and then it is enough to refrain from transmitting data instead of switching off the radio.

Correspondingly, in case of "d" (downlink) annotation only, the data reception is forbidden or not recommended and then it is enough to prevent data reception instead of switching off the radio. In an embodiment, radio(s) using forbidden frequency band(s) are always switched off independent of uplink/downlink annotation, or if said annotation is absent. The packet may further comprise a maximum value for emitted energy level at a defined spectrum range. In this case it is not required to switch off radios using the defined spectrum range(s) but to limit energy level to or below the maximum value.

To give some examples of frequency bands whose usage may be restricted Table 1 lists following frequency bands: 2400 - 24835 MHz for Bluetooth radio, 2110 - 2170 MHz for LTE band 1 downlink, 1920 - 1980 MHz for LTE band 1 uplink, 1930 - 1990 for LTE band 2 downlink, 1850 - 1910 MHz for LTE band 2 uplink.

If the packet comprises value for a light level in the area, the device may adjust brightness of its display based on this value. For example, if the value indicates very bright environment the brightness of the display may be increased, and correspondingly if the value indicates very dark environment the brightness of the display may be decreased to adapt the brightness of the display to the ambient environment. Also this configuration may be mandatory or optional.

The packet may also comprise context information defining spatial, temporal or any other type of delimiters where operation profile change is applicable. In case the temporal delimiter is present, the previous operational characteristics may be restored (i.e. a previous operation profile that was used before the change is reinstated) after a determined time has elapsed. In case the spatial delimiter is present, previous operational characteristics are restored when the device moves outside a determined spatial area. In case both the timespan value and the spatial value are present, the previous operational characteristics may be restored if the device moves outside the specified area or the time indicated by the timespan value elapses.

The example packets of Table 1 are interpreted as follows. The first packet has

mandatory/optional bit set meaning that it is mandatory to change device's operation profile by adjusting its audio loudness to 30dB or below and by switching off radios using LTE bands 1 or 2. It is further indicated that the ambient lighting level is between 320 - 500 lux so that the device should for example adjust the brightness of its display based on this information. Context information defines validity area as a circle with 100 m radius whose center is given by GPS coordinates. As an optional notification message fields shows, this information is interpreted to mean that the environment is well-lit and it must be relatively quiet. Radios operating in LTE band 1 and 2 are not allowed. These requirements are valid indefinitely at the specified area.

The information carried by the second packet in the example is interpreted to mean that this environment is very bright, 1000 - 1500 lux, and loudness must be kept at conversational level, max 80 dB, and Bluetooth radios switched off between 11.00 and 13.00 on October 10^th 2014.

The third example packet indicates the same loudness, brightness and radio restrictions as the second packet but after 13.00 until midnight on October 10^th 2014 this configuration is optional. Further, the requirements are valid only at a specified area with 10 m radius. That is, it is recommended to change the device's operation profile when entering this area at a specified time span.

It should be noted that examples of packets given in Table 1 may be modified several ways. For example, the mandatory/optional bit may be defined separately for each value so that configuration is partly mandatory and partly optional. For example, list of spectrum ranges value may be mandatory meaning that it is mandatory to switch off radios operating on indicated frequencies while the loudness threshold value may be optional meaning that it is optional to adjust the audio loudness level of the device.

Further, the requirements are not limited to audio loudness level, status of radio(s) and a brightness level. Any other operation of the device may be restricted. For example, in some areas, such as customs territory and some museums, usage of a camera of a mobile device is forbidden. In this kind of situation it is advantageous to signal also this information within environmental requirements. The information packet may for example comprise one bit for camera usage, e.g. value 1 meaning that device's camera must be disabled.

The requirements may also comprise for example a vibration mode status. This can also be signaled with one bit, e.g. value 1 meaning that device's vibration alert must (or is recommended to) be turned off. Alternatively, vibration mode status requirement may be associated with audio loudness value. For example, in case the loudness threshold value is 0 dB (i.e. audio must be turned off) or very low, a vibration mode status bit can be used to indicate whether vibration alert is still allowed or whether it has to be turned off also. In very quiet environments even the sound generated by a motor causing a device to vibrate may be disruptive. The context limiter may have value indicating permanent change that is valid until further notification or until the device is reset.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of operation between an OPB broadcasting an environmental requirements message and a nearby user device receiving it.

Initially, OPB broadcasts a message containing information about environmental

requirements 300. The user device receives the broadcasted message and decides whether to change the operation profile or not depending on the optional/mandatory parameters (if present) and corresponding user settings. If the decision to change the operation profile is valid, then the device acknowledges the reception and registers its session ID to the OPB 304 and updates its operation profile 302, potentially switching off all or some of its radios and performing other required configurations such as adjusting audio loudness, display brightness etc. The OPB registers session ID 306 in response to acknowledge reception message 304 from the device.

In this example a context field does not contain either spatial delimiter or timespan delimiter. In order to be able to resume operation of the radios, there is a timeout. When the timeout elapses 308, the device switches on its radios (if switched off) 310 and sends a renewal request 312 to the OPB using the session ID registered previously.

Figures 3 A - 3C show possible scenarios after sending the renewal request message 312. In an example shown in Figures 3 A and 3B the OPB receives the renewal request 314 and verifies session ID 316. If the session ID is determined to be valid 318, the OPB sends acknowledge message 322 to the device as shown in Figure 3 A. By the acknowledge message the OPB confirms that environment requirements are still valid and the device keeps the current operation profile.

In case the OPB determines that the session ID is not valid 320, it sends non-acknowledge message 324 informing the device that the session ID does not exist as shown in Figure 3B. If the device does not receive a response from the OPB, as shown in Figure 3C where the OPB does not receive the renewal request 326, or the OPB does not acknowledge the renewal request 324 the device either reverts to the previous operation profile 332 or uses a default profile stored in its memory. A device user or a device manufacture may set whether a previous profile is restored or rather a default profile used.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate an example of operation in case a context field includes either spatial delimiter or timespan delimiter.

Similar to the operation illustrated in Figure 2, the OPB broadcasts a message containing information about environmental requirements 300. The user device receives the broadcasted message and decides whether to change the operation profile or not depending on the optional/mandatory parameters (if present) and corresponding user settings. If the decision to change the operation profile is valid, then the device acknowledges the reception and registers its session ID to the OPB 304 and updates its operation profile 302, potentially switching off all or some of its radios and performing other required configurations such as adjusting audio loudness, display brightness etc. The OPB registers session ID 306 in response to acknowledge reception message 304 from the device.

Figure 4A illustrates an example where the context field comprises a spatial delimiter. It may be given in GPS coordinates as a center of a circle with length of a radius of the circle.

Alternatively it may be given as a pair of GPS coordinates which defines opposite corners of a rectangle. The spatial delimiter is, however, not limited to these two examples but more complex shapes may be defined for an area where the environmental requirements are valid. The device keeps track on its position by continuously monitoring its current position or by regularly checking its current position 328. The device may comprise a positioning receiver that is configured to receive satellite signals from one or multiple navigation satellite systems such as the American Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and the future European system Galileo. The embodiments are, however, not limited to usage of satellite positioning but any other accurate enough positioning technique may be used, where the accuracy requirement depends on how strictly the environmental requirements are tied to the boundaries of the validity area. Consider for example movie theaters that are typically much smaller than hospitals that usually comprise several buildings. Movie theaters may also have other business premises next to them on contrast to hospitals often having surrounding gardens or parking lots. Therefore, in case of a movie theater the area boundaries are stricter than for hospitals. Further, satellite positioning is not useful for indoor positioning and thus if the environmental requirements are valid for example in some specific part of a building (e.g. gates at airports) some indoor positioning techniques, e.g. based on wireless access points, need to be used. Therefore, the packet (message) broadcasted from the OPB may comprise an indication of the preferred positioning method or a list of preferred/suitable methods.

When the user device moves outside a determined spatial area, where the environmental requirements are valid, previous operational characteristics may be restored 332.

Alternatively a default operation profile may be reverted.

Figure 4B illustrates an example where the context field comprises a temporal delimiter or a timespan value. The timespan value may be a timestamp until which the environmental requirements are valid. Alternatively, the timespan can be an integer, indicating the time span the requirements are valid for.

To keep track on time the device may start a timer or it may regularly check the current time either from its internal clock or from the network (provided that environmental requirements do not prevent connection to the network.) Previous operational characteristics are restored after a determined time. That is, when it is determined that the specified time (specified by the context parameter) has elapsed the device either reverts to the previous operation profile 332 or uses a default profile stored in its memory.

As mentioned earlier, it is possible that both the timespan value and the spatial value are present in a context field. In that case the device keeps track on both, its location and the current time. If the device moves outside the specified area or if the specified time elapses, the previous operational characteristics may be restored.

Environments where the above described method could be advantageous include but are not limited to hospitals, airports, cinemas, theaters, auditoriums, and libraries. Possible use cases related to some of those environments are discussed next. The OPB located near a hospital's main entrance may broadcast information about environmental requirements to each device approaching the main entrance, i.e. to devices within a transmission range of the OPB. The information may contain mandatory requirement to switch off device's radios and adjust audio loudness to correspond to conversational level. The validity area may be expressed as a pair of GPS coordinates which defines opposite corners of a rectangle covering the hospital area. The timespan value is not needed since the requirements are valid whenever the device is within the specified area.

The OPB located near a cinema's or theater's entrance may broadcast information containing optional requirement to adjust the audio loudness to a very low level or even to mute the audio. It may also contain light level value indicating relatively dark environment. The timespan value may correspond to the duration of the movie or the play. Alternatively, it might be mandatory to adjust the audio loudness level but other values may be optional such as restrictions in usage of cellular radios. The OPB located near a gate at the airport may broadcast information containing mandatory requirement to switch off all radios of the device. In this case the transmission range of the OPB must, however, be well delimited so that the broadcast is received only by devices entering that particular gate not to disturb device users at nearby gates not yet entering an airplane. The timespan value may correspond to an expected duration of the flight or preferably it is set to indicate permanent change that is valid until further notification, e.g. at an arrival gate, or until the device is reset. The OPB near the arrival gate may then broadcast new environmental information or information that the previous profile can now be restored.

Figure 5 illustrates a network entity 10 and an apparatus 20. The network entity 10, such as an OPB, comprises a memory 14 that stores information about environmental requirements at a location of the network entity 10. The network entity further comprises a processor 12, e.g. a central processing unit (CPU), that retrieves the information from the memory and provides it for transmission. The processor is communicatively coupled to the memory 14. The network entity 10 further comprises a computer program product in the form of a memory 14 or a separate memory that stores the instructions, e.g. computer program 16 that, when retrieved from the memory 14 (or from a separate memory) and executed by the processor 12 causes the network entity 10 to perform processes connected with embodiments of the present invention.

The information about environmental requirements is intended to for use by mobile devices, such as the apparatus 20, for configuring their operational characteristics. Therefore the network entity 10 comprises an interface 18, communicatively coupled to the processor 12, for broadcasting said information to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity 40.

In addition to broadcasting messages to mobile devices, the interface 18 receives renewal request from mobile devices. The interface may have GSM, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, RFID and/or wired connectivity, to name a few. The interface 18, or another interface comprised in the network entity 10, may also receive data comprising information about environmental requirements when the present requirements are to be updated, e.g. after a change in the environmental requirements. The processor 12 replaces the information being stored in the memory 14 with said received information.

The apparatus 20 is a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, laptop computer, tablet, smart watch, smart glasses, etc. It comprises an interface 28 for receiving information about environmental requirements from a network entity 10. The processor 22 that is

communicatively coupled to the interface 28 configures operational characteristics of the apparatus 20 based on the received information. The apparatus further comprises a computer program product in the form of a memory 24 that stores the instructions, e.g. computer program 26 that, when retrieved from the memory 24 and executed by the processor 22 causes the apparatus 20 to perform processes connected with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus may further comprise storage, either a memory 24 or a separate memory that is communicatively coupled to the processor 22, for storing operation profiles of the apparatus. For example a profile that was in use before changing the profile based on received operational requirements may be stored so that it can be restored when the environmental requirements are not valid anymore. It may also store a default profile that may be used after the environmental requirements are not valid anymore.

The apparatus may optionally have a GPS receiver 34 for keeping track of the apparatus position. It should be noted that positioning receiver may alternatively be a GLONASS or Galileo receiver, or the apparatus may have two or more positioning receivers. The apparatus may also comprise a display 30 for displaying video clips, movies, notifications to the user, etc. It may comprise speakers 32 for playing music, sounds from video/media player, FM radio, notification sounds, ringing tones etc.

By way of example, the software or computer programs 16 and 26 may be realized as a computer program product, which is normally carried or stored on a computer-readable medium, preferably non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium may include one or more removable or non-removable memory devices including, but not limited to a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a Blue-ray disc, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) storage device, a flash memory, a magnetic tape, or any other conventional memory device. Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of a network entity or node 60 that is configured to inform nearby mobile devices about environmental requirements at a location of the network entity 60. The network entity 60 comprises an information storing module 62 that is configured to store information about one or more environmental requirements at a location of the network entity, wherein said information about environmental requirements is intended for use by mobile devices for configuring their operational characteristics. Information broadcasting module 64 is configured to broadcast said information to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity. The network entity 60 may further comprise an information receiving module 66 configured to receive renewal request from mobile devices and/or data comprising information about environmental requirements to replace the information about environmental requirements being stored in the information storing module 62.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of a user device 70 that is configured to adapt its operational characteristics to environmental requirements of its current location. The user device 70 comprises an information receiving module 72 that is configured to receive information about environmental requirements from the network entity 60. Configuration module 74 is configured to configure operational characteristics of the user device based on said received information. In some embodiments, the user device 70 comprises information sending module 76 that is configured to send renewal request(s) to the network entity 60. The user device 70 may further comprise an information storing module 78 configured to store an operation profile that was in use before changing the profile based on received operational requirements so that it can be restored when the environmental requirements are not valid anymore. It may further been configured to store a default profile that may be used after the environmental requirements are not valid anymore.

It should be noted that other than the broadcasting functionality of the OPB may be located somewhere in a network or in a cloud, e.g., the environmental requirements may be configured and stored in a network server or in a datacenter in a cloud environment. For example, network operators could offer OPB service to cinemas to deliver OPB messages through their cellular network, while backend is located somewhere at their core datacenter.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that a change of mobile devices' mode of operation is automated. Further technical effect is that the embodiments enable control on operational characteristics of a user device by surrounding environment. It is possible to precisely control or inform user devices about environmental change.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network entity, the method comprising:

storing (102) information about one or more environmental requirements at a location of the network entity, wherein said information about environmental requirements is intended for use by mobile devices for configuring their operational characteristics; and

broadcasting (104) said information to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information about environmental

requirements comprises at least one of: an audio loudness threshold, a list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges, and a light level.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges comprises spectrum ranges for which radio operation is restricted.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information about

environmental requirements comprises context information, said context information comprising at least one of: timespan information or spatial information.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information about

environmental requirements comprises an indication whether configuration of operational characteristics of a mobile device based on said information is optional or mandatory.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising receiving renewal requests from mobile devices.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising receiving data

comprising information about environmental requirements and replacing the information about environmental requirements being stored with said received information.

8. A method performed by a user device for adapting its operational characteristics to environmental requirements of a current location, the method comprising:

- receiving (202) information about environmental requirements from a network entity, and

- configuring (204) operational characteristics of the user device based on said received information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the operational characteristics of the user device comprises at least one of: an audio loudness level, status of one or more radios, and a brightness level.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said received information further comprises an indication whether it is optional or mandatory to configure operational characteristics of the user device based on said received information, and when it is optional the operational characteristics are configured in response to a confirmation from a user of the user device.

11. The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein previous operational

characteristics are restored after a determined time.

12. The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein previous operational

characteristics are restored when the user device moves outside a determined spatial area.

13. A network entity (10) comprising:

- a memory (14) operable to store information about environmental requirements at a location of the network entity, wherein said information about environmental requirements is intended for use by mobile devices for configuring their operational characteristics;

- a processor (12) operable to retrieve said information about environmental requirements from the memory (14) and to provide said retrieved information for transmission; and - an interface (18) operable to broadcast said information to mobile devices located within a transmission range of the network entity.

14. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the information about

environmental requirements comprises at least one of: an audio loudness threshold, a list of electromagnetic spectrum ranges, and a light level.

15. The network entity according to claim 14, wherein the list of electromagnetic

spectrum ranges comprises spectrum ranges for which radio operation is restricted.

16. The network entity according to any of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the information about environmental requirements comprises context information, said context information comprising at least one of: timespan information or spatial information.

17. The network entity according to any of the claims 13 to 16, wherein the information about environmental requirements comprises an indication whether configuration of operational characteristics of a mobile device based on said information is optional or mandatory.

18. The network entity according to any of the claims 13 to 17, wherein the interface is further configured to receive renewal requests from mobile devices.

19. The network entity according to any of the claims 13 to 18, wherein the interface is further configured to receive data comprising information about environmental requirements, and the processor is configured to replace the information about environmental requirements being stored in the memory with said received information.

20. An apparatus (20) comprising: - an interface (28) operable to receive information about environmental requirements from a network entity (10), and

- a processor (22) operable to configure operational characteristics of the apparatus (20) based on said received information.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the operational characteristics of the apparatus comprises at least one of: an audio loudness level, status of one or more radios, and a brightness level.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein said received information further comprises an indication whether it is optional or mandatory to configure operational characteristics of the apparatus based on said received information, and when it is optional the operational characteristics are configured in response to a confirmation from a user of the apparatus.

23. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein previous operational characteristics are restored after a determined time.

24. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein previous operational characteristics are restored when the apparatus moves outside a determined spatial area.

25. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein said apparatus is

comprised in a mobile device.

26. A computer program (16) comprising computer readable code units which when run on a network entity causes the network entity to perform the method according to claims 1 - 7.

27. A computer program (26) comprising computer readable code units which when run on an apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the method according to claims 8 - 12.

28. A computer program product (14, 24), comprising computer readable medium and a computer program according to claim 26 or 27 stored on the computer readable medium.