MOBILE DEVICE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS PROTOCOL

• US 20090239508A1
• Filed: 03/18/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Waddell, Scott Vaughn
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• 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 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229

Abstract

A technique where mobile devices can receive configuration settings tailored to a situation to avoid embarrassing disruptions of meetings and other events through a Mobile Device Situational Awareness Protocol (MDSAP). The MDSAP could also provide location-specific information to the mobile devices that would include presentations and multimedia files or maps and other physical location detail that could be useful in emergencies.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to receive a signal containing mobile device situational awareness data indicating a desired operational mode for the mobile device; and

control logic in communication with the wireless transceiver;

wherein the control logic is configured to change a configurable setting to achieve the desired operational mode in response to the signal containing mobile device situational awareness data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an audio output;

wherein the mobile device situational awareness data represents a type of location; and

wherein the control logic mutes the audio output in response to receiving the data.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the type of location is a meeting room.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the type of location is a performance venue.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver comprises:

a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver;

wherein the mobile device situational awareness data contains data indicating the wireless transmitter should be switched off; and

wherein the control logic is configured to switch off the transmitter in response to receiving the mobile device situational awareness data.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control logic is further configured to switch off the receiver in response to receiving the mobile device situational awareness data.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control logic automatically changes the operational mode in response to the data.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface;

wherein the control logic is configured to provide an output on the user interface requesting confirmation that the operational mode should be changed; and

wherein the control logic is configured to change the operational mode responsive to receiving data via the user interface confirming the change.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control logic is configured to transmit data via the wireless interface indicating whether the user has confirmed the change.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device situational awareness data comprises data representative of a scheduled event;

and

wherein the control logic is configured to change the configurable setting to change the operational mode responsive to the scheduled event.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an audio output device in communication with the control logic;

a video output device in communication with the control logic;

wherein the control logic is configured to switch off the audio output device in response to the mobile device situational awareness data; and

wherein the control logic is configured to display event-specific data on the video output device.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver further comprises:

a transmitter and a receiver;

wherein the control logic is configured to enable the transmitter and receiver to operate responsive to receiving data indicating a location and a first situation; and

wherein the control logic is configured to switch off the transmitter and receiver responsive to receiving data indicating the first location is in a second situation.

13. A method, comprising:

receiving mobile device situational awareness data indicative of a desired mode of operation for a current situation;

determining an appropriate configuration for the current situation; and

changing a configurable setting to match the desired mode of operation for the current situation.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the data indicating a desired mode of operation is a quiet mode of operation;

and

wherein the changing of a configurable setting comprises muting audio output.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

receiving event-specific data associated with the current situation; and

displaying the event-specific data associated with the current situation.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the data indicates a scheduled event is beginning;

and

wherein the changing of a configurable setting comprises muting audio output.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

control logic in communication with the wireless transceiver;

wherein the control logic is configured to send mobile device situational awareness data, via the wireless transceiver, indicative of a current situation; and

wherein the control logic is configured to send event-specific data for a scheduled event via the wireless transceiver associated with the current situation.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the event-specific data is selected from a group consisting of map data, data indicating a nearest emergency exit, data indicating a nearest fire extinguisher, and data indicating a nearest location of predetermined equipment.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the event-specific data is selected from a group consisting of presentation data, event-specific advertising, and event-specific marketing materials.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the data indicative of a current situation comprises data instructing a recipient to mute audio output.

21. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

a user interface for providing data to an associated user;

wherein the control logic is configured to receive a message from the wireless transceiver comprising data indicating whether a mobile device changed configuration responsive to the current situation; and

wherein the control logic is configured to provide data on the user interface responsive to determining a mobile device did not change configuration responsive to to the current situation.

22. A method, comprising:

determining a current situation;

sending mobile device situational awareness data indicative of a current situation; and

sending event-specific data for a scheduled event associated with the current situation.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the event-specific data is selected from a group consisting of map data, data indicating a nearest emergency exit, data indicating a nearest fire extinguisher, and data indicating a nearest location of predetermined equipment.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the event-specific data is selected from a group consisting of presentation data, event-specific advertising, and event-specific marketing materials.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein the data indicative of a current situation comprises data instructing a recipient to mute audio output.