SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USERS TO RECEIVE AND/OR REPLY TO INFORMATION AFFILIATED WITH COMMUNICATION ATTEMPTS WHILE REMAINING SUBSTANTIALLY DISCONNECTED FROM MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE(S) AND/OR NETWORKS

• US 20130084923A1
• Filed: 10/04/2012
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Schuman
• Original Assignee: Joseph Schuman
• Inventors: Schuman, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 10,869,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

The invention generally relates to systems and methods that enable processor readable instruction(s) (e.g., an un-wired algorithm, an un-wired application, an un-wired services, etc.), stored in processor readable media(s), to be accessed and/or processed on mobile electronic devices (e.g., “mobile phones”) and/or networks such that, for example, when activated by user(s) and/or authorized parties, the mobile electronic device'"'"'s alert (e.g., audiovisual alert, vibrator, etc.) can be deactivated. Further, when the un-wired application is activated customizable replies can automatically and/or substantially automatically be communicated in response to missed communication attempts (e.g., voice calls, video calls, texts, e-mail, etc.).

Claims

1. A method of disabling audiovisual communications alerts on a portable communications device, comprising:

providing a user with the option to block certain audiovisual communications alerts generated in response to incoming communications;

receiving incoming communications on said portable communications device;

disabling audiovisual communications alerts in accordance with the user'"'"'s preferences;

maintaining a log of missed communications for which no alerts were generated; and

providing said log to the user when said option is disabled.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of sending an automated response to the sender of an incoming communication indicating that the user is presently unavailable.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said automated response is customizable.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said automated response is transmitted in the same communications mode as the incoming message.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein user is provided with means for selecting the type of communications alerts that should be disabled.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user is provided with means for disabling communications alerts generated by incoming communications from specific sources or groups of sources.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said option is invoked via any one of:

(i) a one-button interface of said portable communications device;

(ii) a finger-swipe across the screen of said portable communications device;

or (iii) voice activation.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said option is invoked according to a predetermined schedule.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said option is invoked based upon the user'"'"'s location.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said option is invoked based upon the status of the portable communications device.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said audiovisual communications alerts are disabled by the network prior to reaching the portable communications device.

19. The portable communications device of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured such that said audiovisual communications alerts are disabled according to a predetermined schedule.

20. The portable communications device of claim 10 wherein said processor is further configured such that said communications alerts are disabled by the network prior to reaching the communications device.

12. A portable communications device comprising:

circuitry for receiving communications from a network;

a processor configured to;

provide a user interface for disabling audiovisual communications alerts generated in response to incoming communications;

disable audiovisual communications alerts in response to a user'"'"'s preferences;

maintain a log of missed communications for which no alerts were generated; and

provide said log to the user when said audiovisual communications alerts have been re-enabled.

13. The portable communications device of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to send an automated response to the sender of an incoming communication indicating that the user is presently unavailable.

14. The portable communications device of claim 13 wherein said processor is further configured to enable the user to customize said automated response.

15. The portable communications device of claim 13 wherein said processor is further configured to transmit said automated response in the same communications mode as the incoming message.

16. The portable communications device of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to enable the user to select the type of communications alerts that should be disabled.

17. The portable communications device of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to enable the user to select to disable communications alerts generated by incoming communications from specific individuals or entities.

18. The portable communications device of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured such that said audiovisual communications alerts may be disabled via any one of:

(i) a one-button interface of said portable communications device;

(ii) a finger-swipe across the screen of said portable communications device;

or (iii) voice activation.

21. A portable communications device comprising:

circuitry for receiving communications from a network;

a storage medium readable by the portable communications device storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to;

provide a user interface that permits a user to enable or disable select audiovisual communications alerts generated in response to incoming communications;

receive incoming communications over a network;

disable audiovisual communications alerts related to said communications in response to the user'"'"'s selections;

maintain a log of missed communications for which no audiovisual alert was generated; and

provide said log to the user when said audiovisual communications alerts have been re-enabled.

22. The portable communications device of claim 21 wherein said processor is further configured such that said communications alerts are disabled by said network prior to reaching the communications device.