TIME AND LOCATION BASED THEME OF MOBILE TELEPHONES

• US 20090163182A1
• Filed: 12/24/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: VINES, Michael, GATTI, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,515,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• 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 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment

Abstract

A cellular or wireless mobile handset includes a processor configured with software to monitor time, date, location and other parameters, and change customization settings, known as themes, based upon the monitored parameter. Multiple themes may be stored on the mobile handset and implemented by the mobile handset processor based upon a variety of circumstances. A theme server may be accessed by the mobile handset to download theme settings and files. Working together, mobile handsets and a theme server can provide location-specific as well as time/date specific themes to mobile handsets.

Claims

1. A mobile handset capable of being configured with a theme, comprising:

a memory having stored therein a plurality of theme data records; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with software to;

select one of the plurality of theme data records by comparing a parameter to a theme change criterion; and

use the selected one of the plurality of theme data records to change the theme implemented on the mobile handset.

2. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein the parameter is a present time and the processor is configured with software to:

select one of the plurality of theme data records by comparing the present time to a time-based theme change criterion, and select one of the plurality of theme data records corresponding to the time-based theme change criterion if the present time satisfies the time-based theme change criterion; and

change the theme implemented on the mobile handset by copying data stored in the selected one of the plurality of theme data records to a register controlling a theme configuration.

3. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein the parameter is a date and the processor is configured with software to:

select one of the plurality of theme data records by comparing the date to a date-based theme change criterion, and select one of the plurality of theme data records corresponding to the date-based theme change criterion if the present time satisfies the date-based theme change criterion; and

change the theme implemented on the mobile handset by copying data stored in the selected one of the plurality of theme data records to a register controlling a theme configuration.

4. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein the parameter is a location and the processor is configured with software to:

select one of the plurality of theme data records by comparing the present location of the mobile handset to a location-based theme change criterion, and select one of the plurality of theme data records corresponding to the location-based theme change criterion if the present location of the mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme change criterion; and

change the theme implemented on the mobile handset by copying data stored in the selected one of the plurality of theme data records to a register controlling a theme configuration.

5. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with software to:

access a theme server via a wireless data link; and

receive theme data from the theme server.

6. The mobile handset of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured with software to use the theme data received from the theme server to change the theme implemented on the mobile handset.

7. The mobile handset of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured with software to transmit a parameter to the theme server.

8. The mobile handset of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured with software to transmit a location of the mobile handset to the theme server.

9. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with software to:

receive a data call from a theme server via a wireless data link; and

receive theme data from the theme server.

10. A method for changing a theme on a mobile handset, comprising:

comparing a parameter to theme change criteria;

accessing a theme data record associated with a theme change criterion when the compared parameter satisfies the theme change criterion; and

changing the theme implemented on the mobile handset using the accessed theme data record.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

comparing a parameter to theme change criteria comprises comparing a current time to time-based theme change criteria; and

accessing a theme data record comprises accessing a time-based theme data record associated with a time-based theme change criterion when the current time satisfies the time-based theme change criterion.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

comparing a parameter to theme change criteria comprises comparing a date to date-based theme change criteria; and

accessing a theme data record comprises accessing a date-based theme data record associated with a date-based theme change criterion when the date satisfies the date-based theme change criterion.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein:

comparing a parameter to theme change criteria comprises comparing a location of the mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

accessing a theme data record comprises accessing a location-based theme data record associated with a location-based theme criterion when the location of the mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

accessing a theme server via a wireless data link; and

receiving theme data from the theme server.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising changing the theme implemented on the mobile handset using the theme data received from the theme server.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting a parameter to the theme server.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting a location of the mobile handset to the theme server.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting an event stored in a calendar database to the theme server.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a data call from a theme server via a wireless data link; and

receiving theme data from the theme server.

20. A mobile handset, comprising:

means for comparing a parameter to theme change criteria;

means for accessing a theme data record associated with a theme change criterion when the compared parameter satisfies the theme change criterion; and

means for changing the theme using the accessed theme data record.

21. The mobile handset of claim 20, wherein:

the means for comparing a parameter to theme change criteria comprises means for comparing a current time to time-based theme change criteria; and

the means for accessing a theme data record comprises means for accessing a time-based theme data record associated with a time-based theme change criterion when the current time satisfies the time-based theme change criterion.

22. The mobile handset of claim 20, wherein:

the means for comparing a parameter to theme change criteria comprises means for comparing a date to date-based theme change criteria; and

the means for accessing a theme data record comprises means for accessing a theme data record associated with a date-based theme change criterion when the date satisfies the date-based theme change criterion.

23. The mobile handset of claim 20, wherein:

the means for comparing a parameter to theme change criteria comprises means for comparing a location of the mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

the means for accessing a theme data record comprises means for accessing a theme data record associated with a location-based theme criterion when the location of the mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

24. The mobile handset of claim 20, further comprising:

means for accessing a theme server via a wireless data link; and

means for receiving theme data from the theme server.

25. The mobile handset of claim 24, further comprising means for changing the theme implemented on the mobile handset using the theme data received from the theme server.

26. The mobile handset of claim 25, further comprising means for transmitting a parameter to the theme server.

27. The mobile handset of claim 25, further comprising means for transmitting a location of the mobile handset to the theme server.

28. The mobile handset of claim 25, further comprising means for transmitting an event stored in a calendar database to the theme server.

29. The mobile handset of claim 20, further comprising:

means for receiving a data call from a theme server via a wireless data link; and

means for receiving theme data from the theme server.

30. A processor readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable software instructions configured to cause a mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising:

comparing a parameter to theme change criteria;

accessing a theme data record associated with a theme change criterion when the compared parameter satisfies the theme change criterion; and

changing the theme using the accessed theme data record.

31. The processor readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising:

comparing a current time to time-based theme change criteria; and

accessing a time-based theme data record associated with a time-based theme change criterion when the current time satisfies the time-based theme change criterion.

32. The processor readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising:

comparing a date to date-based theme change criteria; and

accessing a date-based theme data record associated with a date-based theme change criterion when the date satisfies the date-based theme change criterion.

33. The processor readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising:

comparing a location of the mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

accessing a location-based theme data record associated with a location-based theme criterion when the location of the mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

34. The processor readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising:

accessing a theme server via a wireless data link; and

receiving theme data from the theme server.

35. The processor readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising changing the theme implemented on the mobile handset using the theme data received from the theme server.

36. The processor readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising transmitting a parameter to the theme server.

37. The processor readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising transmitting a location of the mobile handset to the theme server.

38. The processor readable storage medium of claim 34, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising transmitting an event stored in a calendar database to the theme server.

39. The processor readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable software instructions are configured to cause the mobile handset processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a data call from a theme server via a wireless data link; and

receiving theme data from the theme server.

40. A server configured to receive and transmit data via a network, comprising:

a server memory having stored thereon a plurality of theme data records; and

a server processor coupled to the server memory and configured to send data to and receive data from at least one mobile handset, wherein the server processor is configured with software to perform steps comprising;

determining that one of the plurality of theme data records should be downloaded to the at least one mobile handset;

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records to be downloaded to the at least one mobile handset; and

downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset.

41. The server of claim 40, wherein the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising:

comparing a current time to time-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a time-based theme criterion when the current time satisfies the time-based theme criterion.

42. The server of claim 40, wherein the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising:

receiving a location of the at least one mobile handset;

comparing the received location of the at least one mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a location-based theme criterion when the received location of the at least one mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

43. The server of claim 40, wherein the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising:

receiving notification of an event;

comparing the event to event-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with an event-based theme criterion when the event satisfies the event-based theme criterion.

44. The server of claim 40, wherein the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising establishing a data link to the at least one mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset.

45. The server of claim 42, wherein the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising receiving a data link initiated by the at least one mobile handset prior receiving a location of the at least one mobile handset.

46. The server of claim 43, wherein:

the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising receiving a data link initiated by the at least one mobile handset prior receiving the notification of the event; and

the notification of the event is received from the at least one mobile handset.

47. The server of claim 40, wherein:

the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising establishing a data link to the at least one mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset; and

the notification of the event is received from a calendar application operating on the server.

48. The server of claim 40, wherein the server is further configured with software to perform steps comprising accessing theme data records stored on another server via the Internet.

49. The server of claim 40, wherein the downloaded one of the plurality of theme data records includes a speed dial configuration.

50. A method for providing theme data to a mobile handset, comprising:

determining that one of a plurality of theme data records should be downloaded to the mobile handset;

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records to be downloaded to the mobile handset; and

downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the mobile handset.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

comparing a present time to time-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a time-based theme criterion when the present time satisfies the time-based theme criterion.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

receiving a location of the mobile handset;

comparing the received location of the mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a location-based theme criterion when the received location of the mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

receiving notification of an event;

comparing the event to event-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with an event-based theme criterion when the event satisfies the event-based theme criterion.

54. The method of claim 50, further comprising establishing a data link to the mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the mobile handset.

55. The method of claim 52, further comprising receiving a data link initiated by the mobile handset prior to receiving a location of the at least one mobile handset.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising receiving a data link initiated by the mobile handset prior to receiving the notification of the event, wherein the notification of the event is received from the at least one mobile handset.

57. The method of claim 50, further comprising establishing a data link to the mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset, wherein the notification of the event is received from a calendar application operating on the server.

58. The method of claim 50, further comprising accessing theme data records stored on another server via the Internet.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein the downloaded one of the plurality of theme data records includes a speed dial configuration.

60. A server for providing theme data to a mobile handset, comprising:

means for determining that one of a plurality of theme data records should be downloaded to the mobile handset;

means for obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records to be downloaded to the mobile handset; and

means for downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the mobile handset.

61. The server of claim 60, further comprising:

means for comparing a current time to time-based theme change criteria; and

means for obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a time-based theme criterion when the current time satisfies the time-based theme criterion.

62. The server of claim 60, further comprising:

means for receiving a location of the mobile handset;

means for comparing the received location of the mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

means for obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a location-based theme criterion when the received location of the mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

63. The server of claim 60, further comprising:

means for receiving notification of an event;

means for comparing the event to event-based theme change criteria; and

means for obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with an event-based theme criterion when the event satisfies the event-based theme criterion.

64. The server of claim 60, further comprising means for establishing a data link to the mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the mobile handset.

65. The server of claim 62, further comprising means for receiving a data link initiated by the mobile handset prior to receiving a location of the at least one handset.

66. The server of claim 63, further comprising means for receiving a data link initiated by the mobile handset prior to receiving the notification of the event, wherein the notification of the event is received from the at least one handset.

67. The server of claim 60, further comprising means for establishing a data link to the mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one handset, wherein the notification of the event is received from a calendar application operating on the server.

68. The server of claim 60, further comprising means for accessing theme data records stored on another server via the Internet.

69. The server of claim 60, wherein the downloaded one of the plurality of theme data records includes a speed dial configuration.

70. A processor readable storage medium having stored therein processor executable software instructions configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising:

determining that one of a plurality of theme data records should be downloaded to at least one mobile handset;

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records to be downloaded to the at least one mobile handset; and

downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset.

71. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising:

comparing a current time to time-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a time-based theme criterion when the current time satisfies the time-based theme criterion.

72. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a location of the at least one mobile handset;

comparing the received location of the at least one mobile handset to location-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with a location-based theme criterion when the received location of the at least one mobile handset satisfies the location-based theme criterion.

73. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving notification of an event;

comparing the event to event-based theme change criteria; and

obtaining the one of the plurality of theme data records associated with an event-based theme criterion when the event satisfies the event-based theme criterion.

74. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising establishing a data link to the at least one mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset.

75. The processor readable storage medium of claim 72, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising receiving a data link initiated by the at least one mobile handset prior receiving a location of the at least one mobile handset.

76. The processor readable storage medium of claim 73, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising receiving a data link initiated by the at least one mobile handset prior to receiving the notification of the event, wherein the notification of the event is received from the at least one mobile handset.

77. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising establishing a data link to the at least one mobile handset prior to downloading the one of the plurality of theme data records to the at least one mobile handset, wherein the notification of the event is received from a calendar application operating on the server.

78. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored server executable software instructions are further configured to cause a server processor to perform steps comprising accessing theme data records stored on another server via the Internet.

79. The processor readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the downloaded one of the plurality of theme data records includes a speed dial configuration.

80. A system, comprising:

a wireless communication system;

a mobile handset configured to communicate via the wireless communication system; and

a server configured to communicate via the wireless communication system,

wherein the server comprises;

a server memory having stored thereon a plurality of additional theme data records; and

a server processor coupled to the server memory and configured to send data to and receive data from the mobile handset, wherein the server processor is configured with software to perform steps comprising;

determining that one of the plurality of additional theme data records should be downloaded to the mobile handset;

obtaining the one of the plurality of additional theme data records to be downloaded; and

downloading the one of the plurality of additional theme data records to the mobile handset via the wireless network, and wherein the mobile handset comprises;

a mobile handset memory having stored therein a plurality of theme data records; and

a mobile handset processor coupled to the mobile handset memory, wherein the mobile handset processor is configured with software to perform steps comprising;

receiving the downloaded one of the plurality of additional theme data records via the wireless network;

storing the received downloaded one of the plurality of additional theme data records in a data file of theme data records stored in the mobile handset memory;

selecting one theme data record from the data file of theme data records stored in the mobile handset memory by comparing a parameter to a theme change criterion; and

using the one theme data record from the data file of theme data records stored in the mobile handset memory to change the theme implemented on the mobile handset.