Setting mobile device operating mode using near field communication

• US 8,014,721 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Phillip Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun; Eugene
• Application Number:
  US12/254,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20100099354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/69, 455/411, 455/412.1, 455/127.4
• 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;

determine a plurality of operation modes of the mobile communication device, and

receive, based on user registration with an establishment related to a transaction between a user and the establishment, a data message that includes a particular operation mode identifier;

a memory configured to;

store the data message that includes the particular operation mode identifier, and

store data linking ones of the plurality of operation modes, to a respective operation mode identifier; and

a near field communication (NFC) device, coupled to the controller, to receive an NFC communication from an NFC tag at a location associated with the establishment;

wherein the NFC communication directs the controller to access the stored data message that includes the particular operation mode identifier, upon receiving the NFC communication, to activate a particular operation mode, of the plurality of operation modes, linked to the particular operation mode identifier.

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 further configured to change the particular operation mode, to another operation mode, when the NFC device receives another NFC communication from another NFC tag at another location associated with the establishment.

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

5. A method comprising:

determining a plurality of operation modes for a mobile communication device;

storing a data message, in a memory of the mobile communication device, related to an a transaction between a user of the mobile communication device and an establishment with which the user has registered, wherein the data message includes a particular operation mode identifier corresponding to one of the plurality of operation modes;

detecting near field communication (NFC) between the mobile communication device and an NFC tag at a location associated with the establishment; and

in response to the detection of the NFC communication;

accessing the stored data message, and

setting an operation mode of the mobile communication device, that differs from a current operation mode of the mobile communication device, and corresponds to the particular operation mode identifier stored with the data message.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein setting an operation mode of the mobile communication device comprises changing from a default operation mode to an operation mode determined by the establishment.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the mobile communication device comprises an NFC device, and detecting the NFC communication comprises positioning the mobile communication device within NFC range of a designated location of multiple NFC tags located at different locations associated with the establishment.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising resetting the current operation mode of the mobile communication device in response to positioning the mobile communication device within NFC range of the designated location of another NFC tag located at a another one of the different locations.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein resetting the current operation mode of the mobile communication device comprises activating a default operation mode.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein resetting the current operation mode of the mobile communication device comprises activating an initial operation mode of the mobile communication device in effect prior to the detection of the NFC communication.

11. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the particular operation mode identifier stored with the data message corresponds to an airplane mode of operation that precludes the mobile communication device from transmitting radio frequency transmission.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the stored data message comprises airline ticket data, and the method further comprises:

automatically authorizing, based on the airline ticket data, the user of the mobile communication device to flight access.

13. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the particular operation mode identifier stored with the data message corresponds to a silent mode of operation that precludes audible notification to be presented by the mobile communication device.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the silent mode comprises an office mode of operation and the stored data message comprises calendar application data.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

generating an automatic response notification to messages received, at the mobile communication device, during the office mode of operation.

16. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the stored data message comprises event ticket data, and the method further comprises:

automatically authorizing, based on the event ticket data, the user of the mobile communication device to event access.