Activity mode for a cellular connection

• US 10,512,025 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2017
• Issued: 12/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lovlekar, Srirang A., Venkataraman, Vijay, Shikari, Murtaza A., Burugupalli, Srinivas, Ramamurthi, Vijay Kumar, Nimmala, Srinivasan, Gurumoorthy, Sethuraman, Dhanapal, Muthukumaran, Xing, Longda, Singh, Ajoy K., Gutierrez Gomez, Jesus A., Krishnaswamy, Saran
• Primary Examiner(s): Sarwar, Babar
• Application Number:
  US15/812,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20190150060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A device sets an activity mode for a cellular connection. A method to set the activity mode is performed at a device located with a user that is configured to establish a network connection to a network. The method includes determining a status of the user, the status indicating an activity state or a non-activity state of the user. The method includes, when the status indicates the activity state, activating an activity mode on the device that restricts select types of mobile originating data traffic.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a device that is configured to establish a network connection to a network, the device located with a user;

determining a status of the user, the status indicating an activity state or a non-activity state of the user;

when the status indicates the activity state, activating an activity mode on the device that restricts select types of mobile data traffic and tracks at least one parameter corresponding to a motion of the device that is related to the user performing an activity; and

identifying a predetermined condition based on the at least one parameter corresponding to the motion of the device that is related to the user performing the activity, wherein during the activity mode the device restricts further types of mobile data traffic based on identifying the predetermined condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity state includes a first activity state that the activity is to be performed, a second activity state that the activity is being performed or a third activity state that the activity has been paused.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the status is determined based on a manual input, an automatic determination, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the manual input includes an indication of one of the first activity state, the second activity state or the third activity state.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein identifying the predetermined condition is further based on an implicit detection of one or more network metric measurements over a period of time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the network metric measurements include a receive channel signal variation or stabilization, a number of out of service events, a number of radio link failures, a number of cell selections, a number of cell reselections, a number of radio access technology ping pongs, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein identifying the predetermined condition is based on a motion co-processor, a sensor, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deactivating the activity mode based on identifying that the activity has ended; and

activating a connected mode that removes the restrictions of the activity mode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity mode is a first activity mode, wherein restricting select types of mobile data traffic includes utilizing an intermediary setting to allow mobile terminating data traffic, allow user initiated mobile originating data traffic, and prevent background mobile originating data traffic and wherein restricting further types of mobile data traffic includes utilizing a restricted setting to prevent non-emergency related mobile originating data traffic and filter mobile terminating data traffic for emergency related mobile terminating data traffic.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

activating a guard timer when the restricted setting has started to be used, the guard time indicating a maximum duration of time in which the restricted setting is to be used.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

activating a backoff timer when the guard timer has expired, the backoff timer indicating a duration of time in which the restricted setting is prevented from being used.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity mode is a second activity mode, wherein restricting select types of mobile data traffic includes utilizing an intermediary setting to allow mobile terminating data traffic, allow user initiated mobile originating data traffic, and prevent background mobile originating data traffic and wherein restricting further types of mobile data traffic includes utilizing a restricted setting to prevent non-emergency related mobile originating data traffic and filter mobile terminating data traffic for emergency related mobile terminating data traffic,

wherein the second activity mode uses a network lock to limit types of network characteristics that are used in establishing a connection.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the network characteristics include a radio access technology, a cell, a frequency, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second activity mode utilizes the intermediary setting in first time periods while the network lock is used and utilizes the restricted setting during second, remaining time periods.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second time periods are when the network lock is deter mined to prevent a predetermined minimum level of service.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity mode is a third activity mode, wherein the third activity mode utilizes a restricted setting to prevent non-emergency related mobile originating data traffic and filter mobile terminating data traffic for emergency related mobile terminating data traffic.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a user initiated mobile originating emergency session input;

exiting the restricted setting;

entering a connected setting; and

establishing an emergency session.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

completing the emergency session;

activating a callback timer to remain in the connected setting, the callback timer defining a period of time in which an emergency center is capable of initiating a further emergency session.

19. A device located with a user, the device comprising:

a transceiver configured to establish a connection to a network; and

a processor configured to perform operations, comprising;

determining a status of the user, the status indicating an activity state or a non-activity state of the user;

when the status indicates the activity state, the processor activating an activity mode on the device that restricts select types of mobile data traffic and tracks at least one parameter corresponding to a motion of the device that is related to the user performing an activity

identifying a predetermined condition based on the at least one parameter corresponding to the motion of the device that is related to the user performing the activity, wherein during the activity mode the device restricts further types of mobile data traffic based on identifying the predetermined condition.

20. A device located with a user, the device comprising:

first circuitry for establishing a connection to a network;

second circuitry for determining a status of the user, the status indicating an activity state or a non-activity state of the user;

when the status indicates the activity state, third circuitry for activating an activity mode on the device that restricts select types of mobile data traffic and tracks at least one parameter corresponding to a motion of the device that is related to the user performing an activity; and

identifying a predetermined condition based on the at least one parameter corresponding to the motion of the device that is related to the user performing the activity, wherein during the activity mode the device restricts further types of mobile data traffic based on identifying the predetermined condition.