Call timers specific to each type of cellular telephone call

• US 6,684,066 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2000
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Kaplan, Diego A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US09/489,598
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 455/565, 455/405, 455/411, 455/550, 455/410, 455/462, 455/9, 455/17, 379/201, 379/111, 379/93.02, 379/88.23, 379/88.25, 379/196, 379/197, 379/201.01, 379/114.01, 379/115.01
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/62 based on trigger specification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

Systems and methods for tracking the length of time spent by a user on different types of transmissions from a wireless communication device are disclosed. The systems include a keypad that is operated by a user to generate keypad data indicative of a destination telephone number. The systems also include a storage area for storing data related to the calling plan. The data is stored in the storage area by a processor in the form of a state data table that indicates the present machine state of the wireless communications device. The present machine state of the device is updated in response to each entry of keypad data, and is indicative of the type of call that would be originated if the keypad data string were processed as a call at that moment. The systems also include a call timer that is initiated when a complete telephone number has been entered by the user and the telephone call is originated. The system also includes various memory locations wherein the cumulative total length of time spent on specific types of telephone calls are stored. A display may also be provided to allow the user to view how much time has been spent on each type of telephone call.

Claims

1. A system for tracking the amount of time spent on specific types of calls originated from a wireless communications device to a central controller having a dialing plan, said system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting data from said wireless communications device to said central controller;

a keypad operable by a user for generating keypad data;

a storage area for storing a state table indicative of a present machine state of said wireless communication device, said present machine state being altered in response to each entry of keypad data, and for storing data indicative of the amount of time spent on specific types of calls originated from said wireless communications device;

a timer for tracking the length of each call originated from said wireless communications device; and

a processor for determining the specific type of calls originated from said wireless communications device and for generating said data indicative of the amount of time spent on specific types of calls.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises local calls.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises domestic long distance calls.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises international long distance calls.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises special services calls.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises special features calls.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises user defined calls.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor determines said specific type of calls originated from said wireless communications device by analyzing a call type data byte.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said call type data byte comprises an 8-bit storage area of said state table.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said dialing plan comprises the United States dialing plan.

12. The system of claim 1 comprising the additional element of a display for viewing said data indicative of the amount of time spent on specific calls.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display.

14. A method of tracking the amount of time spent on specific types of calls originated from a wireless communications device to a central controller having a dialing plan, comprising the steps of:

(A) generating keypad data in response to keypad entries;

(B) storing a state table indicative of a present state of said wireless communications device, said present state being altered in response to each entry of keypad data;

(C) initiating a call timer in response to a final machine state;

(D) determining the specific type of call originated from said wireless communications device from said final machine state; and

(E) adding the value of said call timer to the present value of a memory location dedicated to said specific type of call following the termination of said specific type of call.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises local calls.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises domestic long distance calls.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises international long distance calls.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises special services calls.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises special features calls.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said specific types of calls tracked comprises user defined calls.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein said wireless communications device comprises a cellular telephone.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein said dialing plan comprises the United States dialing plan.

23. The method claim 14 wherein said state table includes a call type data byte.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said call type data byte comprises an 8-bit storage area of said state table.

25. An apparatus for tracking the amount of time spent on specific types of calls originated from a wireless communications device to a central controller having a dialing plan, comprising:

(A) a keypad for generating keypad data in response to keypad entries;

(B) means for generating a state table indicative of a present state of said wireless communications device operatively connected to said keypad, said present state being altered in response to each entry of keypad data;

(C) means for storing said state table operatively connected to said means for generating;

(D) means for timing a call in response to a final machine state operatively connected to said keypad and said means for generating;

(E) means for determining from said final machine state the specific type of call originated from said wireless communications device operatively connected to said means for generating and said means for storing; and

(F) means for adding the value of said means for timing to the present value of a memory location dedicated to said specific type of call following the termination of said specific type of call, said means for adding operatively connected to said means for timing and said means for determining.