Extraneous control of mobile telephone

• US 20050107093A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dowling, Martin J.
• Application Number:
  US10/842,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20050107093A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.400
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) responds to a predetermined sequence of broadcast signals in order to enter a quiet mode of operation. A reverse sequence provides an indication for returning to a normal mode of operation. The sequence permits control of the WTRU by crossing an entrance threshold or the like, and also allows control by general area broadcast of the sequence.

Claims

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) programmed to respond to a disabling signal, the WTRU comprising:

a receiver circuit capable of receiving signals of predetermined characteristics; and

the receiver configured so that, on receipt of the signals of the predetermined characteristics, the receiver enters a predetermined quiet mode of operation.

2. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the signals of predetermined characteristics including a predetermined sequence of signals corresponding to at least two distinct transmissions, such that the receipt of the signals in the predetermined sequence provides an indication of an environment for the predetermined quiet mode of operation.

3. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the signals of predetermined characteristics including a predetermined sequence of signals, such that the receipt of the signals in the predetermined sequence provides an indication of an environment for the predetermined quiet mode of operation.

4. The WTRU of claim 3, wherein a reverse sequence provides an indication of termination of an environment for the predetermined quiet mode of operation.

5. The WTRU of claim 3, wherein the WTRU responding to the received signals by entering one of a plurality of predetermined quiet modes of operation, the predetermined quiet mode of operation selected in accordance with at least one of the received signals.

6. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the predetermined quiet mode established in accordance with a programmed selection of the modes of operation.

7. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the WTRU providing an indication to the user of crossing a threshold of an area of implementation of the predetermined mode of operation.

8. The WTRU of claim 1, comprising an override function, whereby the user may override the predetermined quiet mode of operation.

9. A method of providing operating control for wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), the method comprising:

providing signals of predetermined characteristics for receipt by WTRUs in a first predetermined sequence, whereby the signals in the first predetermined sequence of the signals provide an indication for the WTRUs to enter a predetermined mode of operation; and

providing signals of the predetermined characteristics for receipt by WTRUs in a second sequence, whereby the signals provided in the second predetermined sequence provide an indication for the WTRUs to terminate the predetermined mode of operation.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising providing the second predetermined sequence of operation as at least a partial reverse order of the first predetermined mode of operation, thereby providing an ability to control the WTRUs according to movement across a predetermined threshold location.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising providing the signals at the threshold when using movement across the threshold as a criterion, and providing the signals in a general area when using a combination of time and location as criteria.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising providing at least one additional signal, thereby providing a plurality of predetermined quiet modes of operation in accordance with the received signals.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the signals of predetermined characteristics including a predetermined sequence of signals corresponding to at least two distinct transmissions, such that the receipt of the signals in the predetermined sequence provides an indication of an environment for the predetermined quiet mode of operation.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the signals of predetermined characteristics including a predetermined sequence of signals corresponding to at least two distinct transmissions from transmission locations defining a directional threshold crossing, such that the receipt of the signals in the predetermined sequence provides an indication of an environment for the predetermined quiet mode of operation, the second predetermined sequence of operation provided as at least a partial reverse order of the first predetermined mode of operation, thereby providing an ability to control the WTRUs according to movement across the threshold crossing.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the WTRU responding to the received signals by entering one of a plurality of predetermined quiet modes of operation, the one predetermined quiet mode of operation selected in accordance with at least one of the received signals.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined mode established in accordance with a programmed selection of the modes of operation.

17. The method of claim 9, comprising using the WTRU to provide an indication to the user of crossing a threshold of an area of implementation of the predetermined mode of operation.

18. The method of claim 9, comprising providing an override function, whereby the user may override the predetermined quiet mode of operation.

19. A program product for use in controlling the operation of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the program product comprising:

code to recognize receipt of signals of predetermined characteristics designated for external control of an operating mode of the WTRU; and

code to control the receiver so that, on receipt of the signals of the predetermined characteristics, the receiver enters a predetermined quiet mode of operation in accordance with the programming.

20. The program product of claim 19, wherein:

the code to recognize receipt of the signals responsive to signals provided for receipt by the WTRU in a first predetermined sequence, whereby the signals in the first predetermined sequence of the signals provide an indication for the WTRU to enter a predetermined mode of operation; and

the code to recognize receipt of the signals responsive to signals provided for receipt by the WTRU in a second sequence, whereby the signals provided in the second predetermined sequence provide an indication for the WTRU to terminate the predetermined mode of operation.

21. The program product of claim 20, wherein the second predetermined sequence provided as a reverse order of the first predetermined mode of operation, thereby providing an ability to control the WTRUs according to movement across a predetermined threshold location.

22. The program product of claim 20, wherein the response to the first and second predetermined sequence providing control response to movement across a threshold wherein the program product controls the WTRU at the threshold when using movement across the threshold as a criterion, and the response to the first and second predetermined sequence providing control response to a combination of time and location used as criteria.

23. The program product of claim 19, comprising code to respond to at least one additional signal, thereby providing a plurality of predetermined quiet modes of operation in accordance with the received signals.

24. The program product of claim 19, wherein the second predetermined sequence of operation manifested as at least a partial reverse order of the first predetermined mode of operation, thereby providing an ability to control the WTRUs according to movement across a predetermined threshold location.

25. The program product of claim 19, comprising a routine to cause the WTRU to respond to the received signals by entering one of a plurality of predetermined modes of operation, the predetermined quiet mode of operation selected in accordance with at least one of the received signals.

26. The program product of claim 19, further characterized by a routine to provide an indication to the user of crossing a threshold of an area of implementation of the predetermined mode of operation.

27. The program product of claim 19, comprising an override function, whereby the user may override the predetermined quiet mode of operation.