Systems and methods for group communication using a mobile device with mode depending on user proximity or device position

• US 10,187,759 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2015
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Subbaramoo, Shobha, Lindner, Mark Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Holliday, Jaime
• Application Number:
  US14/694,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20150230066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: 455418, 455567, 4555501
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3246 by software initiated power-off
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and systems for controlling group communications using a mobile device includes detecting a motion of the mobile device corresponding to a user placing the device on a surface, maintain a communication session with another mobile device while the user is detected in proximity to the first mobile device, and entering a non-active communication mode when the user is not detected in proximity to the device. The communication session may be maintained for a time-out period before entering the non-active mode. Further methods and systems include transitioning to a non-active communication mode in response to detecting a motion of the mobile device corresponding to a user placing the device on a surface.

Claims

1. A method of group communication using a first mobile device, comprising:

establishing a communication session with at least one second mobile device;

detecting a motion of the first mobile device corresponding to a user placing the first mobile device facedown on a surface;

entering a non-active communication mode in response to the detected motion, wherein;

the non-active communication mode comprises suppressing at least one communication from the at least one second mobile device received at the first mobile device; and

the at least one communication is recorded for later playback while the first mobile device is in the non-active communication mode;

sending, by the first mobile device, a message to the at least one second mobile device, the message indicating;

that the first mobile device has entered a non-active communication mode; and

that the communication session will end;

maintaining the first mobile device in a non-active communication mode for a pre-determined timeout period;

ending the communication session upon expiration of the pre-determined timeout period;

detecting a movement of the first mobile device during the pre-determined timeout period; and

resuming the communication session in an active mode in response to the detected movement.

2. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

establishing a communication session with at least one second mobile device;

detecting a motion of the mobile communication device corresponding to a user placing the mobile communication device facedown on a surface;

entering a non-active communication mode in response to the detected motion, wherein;

the non-active communication mode comprises suppressing at least one communication from the at least one second mobile device received at the mobile communication device; and

the at least one communication is recorded for later playback while the mobile communication device is in the non-active communication mode;

sending a message from the mobile communication device to the at least one second mobile device, the message indicating;

that the mobile communication device has entered a non-active communication mode; and

that the communication session will end;

maintaining the mobile communication device in a non-active communication mode for a pre-determined timeout period;

ending the communication session upon expiration of the pre-determined timeout period;

detecting a movement of the mobile communication device during the pre-determined timeout period; and

resuming the communication session in an active mode in response to the detected movement.

3. A mobile communication device, comprising:

means for establishing a communication session with at least one second mobile device;

means for detecting a motion of the mobile communication device corresponding to a user placing the mobile communication device facedown on a surface;

means for entering a non-active communication mode in response to the detected motion, wherein;

means for entering a non-active communication mode comprises means for suppressing at least one communication from the at least one second mobile device received at the mobile communication device; and

the at least one communication is recorded for later playback while the mobile communication device is in the non-active communication mode;

means for sending a message from the mobile communication device to the at least one second mobile device, the message indicating;

that the mobile communication device has entered a non-active communication mode; and

that the communication session will end;

means for maintaining the mobile communication device in a non-active communication mode for a pre-determined timeout period;

means for ending the communication session upon expiration of the pre-determined timeout period;

means for detecting a movement of the mobile communication device during the pre-determined timeout period; and

means for resuming the communication session in an active mode in response to the detected movement.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a first mobile communication device to perform operations comprising:

establishing a communication session with at least one second mobile device;

detecting a motion of the first mobile communication device corresponding to a user placing the first mobile communication device facedown on a surface;

entering a non-active communication mode in response to the detected motion, wherein;

the non-active communication mode comprises suppressing at least one communication from the at least one second mobile device received at the first mobile communication device; and

the at least one communication is recorded for later playback while the first mobile communication device is in the non-active communication mode;

sending a message from the first mobile communication device to the at least one second mobile device, the message indicating;

that the first mobile communication device has entered a non-active communication mode; and

that the communication session will end;

maintaining the first mobile communication device in a non-active communication mode for a pre-determined timeout period;

ending the communication session upon expiration of the pre-determined timeout period;

detecting a movement of the first mobile communication device during the pre-determined timeout period; and

resuming the communication session in an active mode in response to the detected movement.