Methods and apparatus for controlling cellular and portable phones

• US 20070037605A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Logan
• Original Assignee: James Logan
• Inventors: Logan, James
• Application Number:
  US11/582,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20070037605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0236 Threshold setting
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0238 adding new units to the system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2749 Automatic dialling or redialling systems, e.g. on off-hook or redial on busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• 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 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/042 with variable loudness of the ringing tone, e.g. variable envelope or amplitude of ring signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 : Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 : Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system for controlling the magnitude or timing of the alert signal (e.g. ringing) generated to notify the user of a portable (e.g. cellular) telephone of an incoming phone call. Data values that indicate the status of the telephone are processed to control the character of the alert signals. These data values may include position data indicating the absolute location of the phone or the relative location of the phone with respect to another object, the level of ambient light or sound in the vicinity of the telephone, the time of day, the movement of the telephone, and/or whether the telephone is being held by the user.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a portable telephone comprising, in combination, the steps of:

producing an indication of the current position of said portable telephone, and

producing an alert that can be perceived by a human in response to an incoming telephone call directed to said portable telephone, said alert having one or more properties that are dependent upon said indication of the current position of said portable telephone.

2. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of producing said indication of the current position of said portable telephone specifies said position relative to the current location of another object, person or region.

3. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 2 wherein said current location of another object, person or region is the current location of a beacon that emits a signal that can be detected by a sensor in said portable telephone when said portable telephone is in the vicinity of said beacon.

4. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 2 wherein said current location of another object, person or region is the current location of the human user of said portable telephone.

5. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 2 wherein said current location of another object or person is a predetermined fixed geographical location.

6. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alert is an audible, visible or tactile notification signal having a magnitude which is dependent upon said indication of the current position of said portable telephone.

7. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 6 wherein said alert is an audible notification signal having a magnitude which is dependent upon said indication of the current position of said portable telephone.

8. A method for controlling a portable telephone as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alert is an audible notification signal whose timing is dependent on said indication of the current position of said portable telephone.

9. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone comprising, in combination,

one or more inputs for acquiring one or more data values indicating the current status of said portable telephone,

a signal generator for producing a notification alert in response to and indicative of an incoming telephone call directed to said portable telephone, and

means responsive to said one or more data values for altering one or more attributes of said notification signal.

10. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least one of said data values indicates the current location of said portable telephone.

11. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 10 wherein said one of said data values that indicates the current location of said portable telephone is obtained by detecting a signal transmitted from a remote beacon source having a known location.

12. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 10 wherein said one of said data values that indicates the current location of said portable telephone is obtained using the Global Positioning System.

13. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least one of said data values indicates the location of said portable telephone relative to the location of another object.

14. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least one of said data values indicates the level of ambient sound at said portable telephone.

15. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 14 wherein at least one of said data values indicates the level of ambient light at said portable telephone.

16. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means responsive to said one or more data values for altering one or more attributes of said notification signal alters the intensity of said notification signal.

17. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone in response to the changing distance between of said portable telephone and a remote object, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

an electronic device that can be identified at short range attached to or forming a part of said remote object,

detection means for generating position data indicating the distance between said portable telephone and said electronic device, and

means for controlling one or more functions performed by said portable telephone in accordance with said position data.

18. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 17 wherein said one or more functions includes producing an alert notification signal indicating that an incoming telephone call has been directed to said portable telephone wherein the magnitude or timing of said notification signal is controlled in accordance with said position data.

19. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 18 wherein said one or more functions includes generating said notification signal for a period of time prior to directing said incoming call to voice mail wherein said period of time is varied in accordance with said position data.

20. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable telephone as set forth in claim 18 wherein said remote object is carried by the human user of said portable telephone.