Method and a system relating to a mobile communication device

• US 6,718,175 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2000
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Wireless Technology, LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Edstam, Anders Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Application Number:
  US09/588,461
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/88, 455/450, 455/433, 455/435, 455/456.3, 455/456.4, 455/456.5, 455/456.6
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In a stand-alone device arranged to transmit messages to mobile communication devices, the massages are transmitted without affecting the normal communication in the mobile communication networks. The system can be located at any suitable location where mobile telephone communication is not desired. The system is arranged to transfer a predefined message in form of text or voice to the mobile communications device. This is obtained in that the system is designed to detect and force the mobile to lock on to a control channel of the system. Thereafter the system transmits a predefined text or voice message to the mobile telephony device users within the coverage area of the system. An application area is to prevent mobile telephony device users to have the device switched on in radiosensitive areas such as hospitals and aeroplanes. The device could also suitably be located in libraries, churches and theatres where ring signals and conversation is of disturbing nature.

Claims

1. A stand-alone device for reducing the disturbance of a mobile station located in a restricted area covered by the device, comprising:

means for making the mobile station register with the stand-alone device when the mobile station enters the restricted area, and

means for transmitting a message to the mobile station from the stand-alone device, which message comprises a request to the user of the mobile station to turn off the power supply to the mobile station,

wherein the stand-alone device is separate from any mobile communication network.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising

means for checking if the mobile station has confirmed the reception of the transmitted message, and

means for retransmitting the message if the mobile station has not confirmed the reception of the message.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a calling register for storing an identity of the mobile station when the mobile station has registered in the stand-alone device.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a visiting register for storing an identity of the mobile station when the mobile station has confirmed the reception of the message.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter unit arranged to intercept transmission of signals to and/or from a mobile station located in the area covered by the stand-alone device.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the stand-alone device is arranged to control the control channel of a mobile network in order to make the mobile station register in the area covered by the stand-alone device.

7. A device according to claim 1, when the mobile station is a GSM mobile station, wherein the message transmitted to the mobile station is an SMS-message.

8. A device according to claim 4, further comprising

means for receiving a paging signal for a mobile station having an identity stored in the visiting register, and

means for sending a message to the mobile station indicating that an incoming call is waiting.

9. A method of reducing the disturbance of a mobile station, which mobile station is located in a restricted area, the method comprising:

first forcing the mobile station to register in a disturbance reducing stand-alone device covering at least a part of the restricted area when the mobile station enters the coverage area of the stand-alone device, the device being separate from any mobile communication network, and

transmitting a message to the mobile station, the message comprising a request to the user of the mobile station to turn off the power supply of the mobile station.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising checking if the mobile station has confirmed the reception of the message, and retransmitting the message if the mobile station has not confirmed the reception of the message.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising storing an identity of the mobile station in a calling register when the mobile station has registered in the stand-alone device.

12. A method according to claim 9, further comprising storing the identity of the mobile station in a visitor register when the mobile station has confirmed the reception of the message.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein any transmission to and/or from the mobile station is intercepted by the stand-alone device when the mobile station is located in the area covered by the stand-alone device.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the stand-alone device is arranged to control the control channel of a mobile network in order to make the mobile station register in the area covered by the stand-alone device.

15. A method according to claim 9, when the mobile station is a GSM mobile station, wherein the stand-alone device transmits messages to the mobile station in an SMS-message format.

16. A method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving a paging signal for a mobile station having an identity stored in the visiting register, and sending a message to the mobile station indicating that an incoming call is waiting.