System and method for timed profile changes on a mobile device

• US 7,272,388 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Koch, Zeke, Brown, Christopher R., Andrew, Felix G. T. I., Maquire, Justin M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US11/242,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/567
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications

Abstract

Described is a method and system for providing timed profile changes to a mobile device. The mobile device initiates a timed profile change in response to the user or an event associated with the mobile device. The mobile device monitors the profile period and provides a user with information regarding the length of the profile period remaining, as well as other information. When the period of the selected timed profile expires, the mobile device returns to a previous profile associated with the mobile device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing timed profile changes on a mobile device, wherein the mobile device includes a user interface, the method comprising:

providing a timed profile on the mobile device, wherein activation of the timed profile alters the user interface of the mobile device;

associating a default period with the timed profile, wherein the default period corresponds to a pre-selected interval of time and the default period selected is dependent on the timed profile provided;

activating the timed profile in response to an input, wherein the timed profile is activated for the default period;

providing a prompt to extend the default period associated with the timed profile at a prompt time that corresponds to a selected interval of time prior to the end of the period; and

returning the mobile device to a previous profile when the period of the timed profile is completed.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the input is a detected input that corresponds to a detection mechanism arranged to detect external stimuli.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the timed profile is selected to be activated in response to the detected input with minimal user input.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the input corresponds to an associated schedule entry of a scheduler program associated with the mobile device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the timed profile is automatically activated in response to an event.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the period associated with the timed profile corresponds to the duration of the event.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein returning the mobile device to a previous profile corresponds to returning the mobile device to a standard profile associated with the mobile device, wherein the standard profile is active for intervals of time that the timed profile is inactive.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein returning the mobile device to a previous profile corresponds to returning the mobile device to another timed profile associated with the mobile device.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the default period is replaced with a user-defined period when the user-defined period is received in association with the timed profile.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the input provided to the mobile device corresponds to a change in the status of the wireless network.

9. A method for providing timed profile changes on a mobile device, wherein the mobile device includes a user interface, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a timed profile from a list of timed profiles provided on the mobile device;

receiving a profile period associated with the selected timed profile when the selected timed profile is activated, wherein the profile period is a default profile period that corresponds to a default interval of time based on the timed profile selected unless profile period is associated with a user selection;

altering the user interface of the mobile device to correspond to the selected timed profile;

monitoring the profile period to determine a duration of the profile period remaining;

providing a prompt for extending the profile period at a prompt time, wherein the prompt time corresponds to an interval of time prior to completion of the profile period; and

changing the user interface to correspond to a previous profile when the profile period is complete.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the timed profile is automatically selected.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a prompt for changing a duration of the profile period prior to receiving the profile period.

12. A mobile device, comprising:

a processor;

a user interface;

a memory into which a plurality of computer-executable instructions are loaded, the computer-executable instructions performing a method comprising;

selecting a timed profile from a list of timed profiles provided on the mobile device;

entering a profile period associated with the selected timed profile when the selected timed profile is activated, wherein the profile period is a default profile period that corresponds to a default interval of time based on the timed profile selected unless the profile period is associated with a user selection;

altering the user interface of the mobile device to correspond to the selected timed profile;

monitoring the profile period to determine a duration of the profile period remaining;

prompting the user to extend the profile period at a prompt time, wherein the prompt time corresponds to a selected interval of time prior to completion of the profile period; and

changing the user interface to correspond to a previous profile when the profile period is complete.

13. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the mobile device selects the timed profile from a list of timed profiles to correspond to an event associated with the mobile device.

14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the user is notified of the imminent entry to the profile period prior to the occurrence of the profile period.

15. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein changing the user interface to correspond to a previous profile corresponds to returning the mobile device to a standard profile associated with the mobile device, wherein the standard profile is active for intervals of time that the timed profile is inactive.

16. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein changing the user interface to correspond to a previous profile corresponds to returning the mobile device to another timed profile associated with the mobile device.