System and method for controlling a feature of a mobile communication unit

• US 8,280,362 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrado Life & Safety Incorporated
• Original Assignee: West Corporation
• Inventors: Snapp, John Lawrence, Erkkila, Robin, Boyd, Mary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US12/128,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20090298488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/414.1, 455/418, 455/421, 455/425
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6081 Service authorization mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

A system for controlling at least one feature of at least one mobile communication unit includes: At least one sensor unit coupled with the at least one mobile communication unit. The at least one sensor unit senses at least one parameter associated with the at least one mobile communication unit. Each respective sensor unit of the at least one sensor unit presents a respective indicator relating to a respective sensed parameter of the at least one parameter. The system also includes at least one feature management system coupled with the at least one sensor unit. The at least one feature management system receives a representation of each respective indicator. The at least one feature management system employs the representation in cooperation with the at least one mobile communication unit to effect the controlling.

Claims

1. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system;

the system for controlling comprising;

(a) at least one sensor unit;

said at least one sensor unit being coupled with said respective mobile communication unit;

said respective mobile communication unit being configured for effecting two-way communication with a called station in said telecommunication system;

said at least one sensor unit sensing at least one parameter associated with an environment in which said respective mobile communication unit is operating;

each respective sensor unit of said at least one sensor unit presenting a respective indicator relating to a respective sensed parameter of said at least one parameter; and

(b) at least one feature management system coupled with said at least one sensor unit;

said at least one feature management system receiving a representation of each said respective indicator;

said at least one feature management system employing said representation in cooperation with said respective mobile communication unit to effect said controlling said at least one feature only for said respective mobile communication unit.

2. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one local sensor unit;

each respective local sensor unit of said at least one local sensor unit being connected for traveling with said respective mobile communication unit.

3. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one network-based sensor unit;

said at least one network based sensor unit being coupled with said respective mobile communication unit via a respective network.

4. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system unit as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one feature management system is substantially immobile.

5. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one feature management system includes at least one first feature management unit and at least one second feature management unit;

said at least one first feature management unit being substantially immobile;

each respective second feature management unit of said at least one second feature management unit being connected with said respective mobile communication unit.

6. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one network-based sensor unit;

said at least one network based sensor unit being coupled with said respective mobile communication unit via a respective network.

7. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one feature management system is substantially immobile.

8. A system for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one feature management system includes at least one first feature management unit and at least one second feature management unit;

said at least one first feature management unit being substantially immobile;

each respective second feature management unit of said at least one second feature management unit being connected with said respective mobile communication unit.

9. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system;

the system for affecting operation comprising;

(a) at least one sensor unit coupled with said mobile communication unit;

said at least one sensor unit sensing at least one parameter associated with said mobile communication unit;

said mobile communication unit being configured for effecting two-way communication with a called station in said telecommunication system;

each respective sensor unit of said at least one sensor unit presenting a respective indicator relating to a respective sensed parameter of said at least one parameter; and

(b) at least one feature management system coupled with said at least one sensor unit;

said at least one feature management system receiving a representation of each said respective indicator;

said at least one feature management system employing said representation in cooperation with said mobile communication unit to effect said affecting said operation only for said mobile communication unit.

10. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one local sensor unit;

each respective local sensor unit of said at least one local sensor unit being connected for traveling with said mobile communication unit.

11. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one network-based sensor unit;

said at least one network based sensor unit being coupled with said mobile communication unit via at least one network.

12. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one feature management system is substantially immobile.

13. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one feature management system includes at least one first feature management unit and a second feature management unit;

said at least one first feature management unit being substantially immobile;

said second feature management unit being connected with said mobile communication unit.

14. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 10 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one network-based sensor unit;

said at least one network based sensor unit being coupled with said mobile communication unit via at least one network.

15. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one feature management system is substantially immobile.

16. A system for affecting operation of a mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least one feature management system includes at least one first feature management unit and a second feature management unit;

said at least one first feature management unit being substantially immobile;

said second feature management unit being connected with said mobile communication unit.

17. A method for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system;

the method for controlling comprising;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) providing at least one sensor unit; and

(2) providing at least one feature management system;

(b) in no particular order;

(1) coupling said at least one sensor unit with said respective mobile communication unit;

said respective mobile communication unit being configured for effecting two-way communication with a called station in said telecommunication system; and

(2) coupling said at least one feature management system with said at least one sensor unit;

(c) operating said at least one sensor unit to sense at least one parameter associated with an environment in which said respective mobile communication unit is operating and to present a respective indicator relating to a respective sensed parameter of said at least one parameter;

(d) operating said at least one feature management system to receive a representation of each said respective indicator; and

(e) operating said at least one feature management system cooperatively with said respective mobile communication unit to employ said representation to effect said controlling said at least one feature only for said respective mobile communication unit.

18. A method for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one local sensor unit;

each respective local sensor unit of said at least one local sensor unit being connected for traveling with said respective mobile communication unit.

19. A method for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 18 wherein said at least one sensor unit includes at least one network-based sensor unit;

said at least one network based sensor unit being coupled with said respective mobile communication unit via a respective network.

20. A method for controlling at least one feature of a respective mobile communication unit in a telecommunication system as recited in claim 19 wherein said at least one feature management system includes at least one first feature management unit and at least one second feature management unit;

said at least one first feature management unit being substantially immobile;

each respective second feature management unit of said at least one second feature management unit being connected with said respective mobile communication unit.