Automatic setting of an alert mode on a wireless device

• US 20090088221A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Quenton, Tischer, Steven, Bedingfield, James Carlton SR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,260,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• 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: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Abstract

Embodiments are provided for automatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device. Scheduling data is received which defines a predetermined period utilized to set the alert mode. The scheduling data may be received either by direct input in the wireless device or alternatively from an external edge device, such as a network server, in a communications network. In response to receiving the scheduling data, an alert mode on the wireless device is automatically set for the predetermined period. The alert mode may include a silent alert mode on the wireless device. The wireless device may include a sensor for receiving data indicative of a current external state. The sensor data may include location data, temperature data, and ambient noise data. The received sensor data may be utilized to automatically trigger the setting of an alert mode in the wireless device.

Claims

1. A method of automatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device, comprising:

receiving scheduling data utilized in setting the alert mode on the wireless device for a predetermined period; and

automatically setting the wireless device to the alert mode for the predetermined period utilizing the received scheduling data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving scheduling data utilized in setting the alert mode on the wireless device for a predetermined period, comprises:

logging previous scheduling data for setting a previous alert mode on the wireless device; and

receiving a request that the previous scheduling data be utilized as the predetermined period for setting the alert mode on the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving scheduling data utilized in setting the alert mode on the wireless device for a predetermined period comprises receiving the scheduling data from an edge device in communication with the wireless device in a communications network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically setting the wireless device to set the alert mode for the predetermined period utilizing the received scheduling data comprises automatically setting the wireless device to emit a silent mode alert during the predetermined period.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining, during the predetermined period, whether the predetermined period for the alert mode is near expiration;

if the predetermined period is determined to be near expiration, then alerting a user of the wireless device of the expiring alert mode;

determining, during the predetermined period, whether an input on the wireless device to extend the predetermined period for the alert mode an additional period has been received; and

if the input has been received, then extending the predetermined period for the alert mode the additional period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically setting the wireless device to the alert mode for the predetermined period utilizing the received scheduling data comprises checking the scheduling data upon receiving at least one communication on the wireless device in response to a trigger, wherein the scheduling data comprises venue data.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising, if the at least one communication is received during the predetermined period for the alert mode, then sending a message to a party sending the at least one communication, the message comprising a notification that a receiving party associated with the wireless device is unavailable for a period equal to the time remaining in the predetermined period for the alert mode.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising, upon the expiration of the predetermined period for the alert mode, sending a message to the wireless device listing the at least one communication received during the predetermined period for the alert mode.

9. A device for automatically setting an alert mode, comprising:

at least one sensor operative to receive data indicative of a current external state;

a memory for storing executable program code; and

a processor, functionally coupled to the memory and the at least one sensor, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program code and operative to automatically set the alert mode based on the current external state.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor, in automatically setting the alert mode based on the current external state, is operative to cause the device to emit at least one of a silent mode alert and an audible mode alert.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor, in automatically setting the alert mode based on the current external state, is operative to automatically set the alert mode in response to the at least one sensor receiving a signal comprising data indicative of a current state from an additional device in proximity to the device.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the data comprises at least one of location data, temperature data, and ambient noise data.

13. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed on a computer, will cause the computer to perform a method of automatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device, the method comprising:

receiving scheduling data utilized in setting the alert mode on the wireless device for a predetermined period; and

automatically setting the wireless device to the alert mode for the predetermined period utilizing the received scheduling data.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein receiving scheduling data utilized in setting the alert mode on the wireless device for a predetermined period, comprises:

logging previous scheduling data for setting a previous alert mode on the wireless device; and

receiving a request that the previous scheduling data be utilized as the predetermined period for setting the alert mode on the wireless device.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein receiving scheduling data utilized in setting the alert mode on the wireless device for a predetermined period comprises receiving the scheduling data from an edge device in communication with the wireless device in a communications network.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein automatically setting the wireless device to set the alert mode for the predetermined period utilizing the received scheduling data comprises automatically setting the wireless device to emit a silent mode alert during the predetermined period.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 further comprising:

determining, during the predetermined period, whether the predetermined period for the alert mode is near expiration;

if the predetermined period is determined to be near expiration, then alerting a user of the wireless device of the expiring alert mode;

determining, during the predetermined period, whether an input on the wireless device to extend the predetermined period for the alert mode an additional period has been received; and

if the input has been received, then extending the predetermined period for the alert mode the additional period.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein automatically setting the wireless device to the alert mode for the predetermined period utilizing the received scheduling data comprises checking the scheduling data upon receiving at least one communication on the wireless device in response to a trigger, wherein the scheduling data comprises venue data.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18 further comprising, if the at least one communication is received during the predetermined period for the alert mode, then sending a message to a party sending the at least one communication, the message comprising a notification that a receiving party associated with the wireless device is unavailable for a period equal to the time remaining in the predetermined period for the alert mode.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 further comprising, upon the expiration of the predetermined period for the alert mode, sending a message to the wireless device listing the at least one communication received during the predetermined period for the alert mode.