SETTING MOBILE DEVICE OPERATING MODE USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION

• US 20100099354A1
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: JOHNSON, Phillip Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• 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 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID

Abstract

A mobile communication device is capable of operation in accordance with a plurality of operation mode profiles. Data linking each operation mode profile to a respective operation identifier are stored in the device memory. The device controller, coupled to a contained near field communication (NFC) device, is responsive to operation mode identifier data received from the NFC device during near field communication with an external establishment to change operation from an initial mode to the operation mode linked to the received data.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising:

a controller configured to administer a plurality of device operation mode profiles;

a memory configured to store data linking each of the operation modes to a respective operation mode identifier; and

a near field communication (NFC) device coupled to the controller;

wherein the controller is responsive to operation mode identifier data received from the NFC device during near field communication with an external establishment to impose the operation mode linked to the received data.

2. A mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store data originated by the establishment.

3. A mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to change the device operation mode when the device is again in NFC communication with the establishment.

4. A mobile communication device as recited in claim 3, wherein the changed device operation mode is a default operation.

5. A method comprising:

defining a plurality of device operation mode profiles for a mobile communication device;

storing data in the device that are related to an external establishment;

detecting near field communication (NFC) between the mobile communication device and the external establishment; and

in response to the detection of the NFC communication, setting an operation mode of the device pertaining to a profile associated with the stored data.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the step of setting comprises changing from an initial operation mode to an operation mode linked to the establishment.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the mobile communication device comprises an NFC device, and the step of detecting comprises positioning the mobile communications device within NFC range of a designated location of an NFC tag in the establishment.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising repeating the positioning step and resetting the operation mode of the mobile communication device in response to the repeating step.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of resetting comprises imposing a default operation mode.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of resetting comprises imposing the initial operation mode.

11. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the stored data comprises data originated by the establishment and the setting step comprises accessing the stored data.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the profile related to stored data corresponds to an airplane mode of operation that precludes the mobile communication device from originating radio frequency transmission.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the stored data comprise airline ticket data, and the step of positioning comprises authorizing the user of the mobile communication device to flight access.

14. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the profile related to stored data corresponds to a silent mode of operation that precludes audible notification by the mobile communication device.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the content stored comprises event ticket data, and the step of positioning comprises authorizing the user of the mobile communication device to event access.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the silent mode comprises an office mode and the content stored comprises calendar application data.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of activating an automatic response notification to messages received during the office mode operation.