Method and apparatus for a user to avoid unintentional calls in a mobile telephone network
First Claim
1. A method of alerting a user of a mobile telephone that the user is connected to a second network other than a usual first network, comprising:
- allocating a first set of specific user-definable non-text settings in the user'"'"'s telephone to a situation where the user is connected to a first network;
allocating a second set of specific user-definable non-text settings in the user'"'"'s telephone to a situation where the user is connected to a second network;
switching the settings automatically to said first set when user'"'"'s telephone becomes connected to said first network;
switching the settings automatically to said second set when the telephone becomes connected to the second network;
alerting the user immediately before a call is activated, by an indication caused by said first and second non-text settings respectively that the user is connected to the first or second network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a mobile telephone network, apparatus and method assist the user of a mobile station registered with a first network (-home network-) to abstain from completing a call when the mobile station gets involved with a foreign/international network other than the first network, which might result in unwanted charges. The mobile station includes first and second settings to identify respectively the first network and the foreign/international network. If the mobile station during roaming is connected to a foreign/international network, before a call is consummated, the mobile station produces an ‘indication’ which may be distinct from a normal ringing tone, e.g., a distinct beep or noise or click or even a vibration of the hand held mobile station casing. Simultaneously and optionally, a graphic display in the user'"'"'s mobile station indicates the identity of the foreign/international network, to show that the call indeed will be routed through a foreign/international network resulting in additional charges. The user thus has the option of not completing initiating/receiving the call, thus avoiding unwanted charges. The first and second settings in the mobile station are user selectable first and second non-text settings where the settings automatically shift to a first setting in the event of a call being a first network call, and to a second setting in the event of the call being a foreign/international call. The first and second non-text settings may be stored in memory within the telephone and can be used to provide one or more different kinds of ‘distinct indication’ which can identify foreign networks from the user'"'"'s first network or home network.
47 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of alerting a user of a mobile telephone that the user is connected to a second network other than a usual first network, comprising:
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allocating a first set of specific user-definable non-text settings in the user'"'"'s telephone to a situation where the user is connected to a first network;
allocating a second set of specific user-definable non-text settings in the user'"'"'s telephone to a situation where the user is connected to a second network;
switching the settings automatically to said first set when user'"'"'s telephone becomes connected to said first network;
switching the settings automatically to said second set when the telephone becomes connected to the second network;
alerting the user immediately before a call is activated, by an indication caused by said first and second non-text settings respectively that the user is connected to the first or second network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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15. Apparatus in a user'"'"'s mobile telephone to alert the user that the user is connected to a second network other than a usual first network, comprising:
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a first set of specific user-definable non-text settings in the user'"'"'s mobile telephone for use when the user'"'"'s mobile telephone is connected to a first network;
a second set of specific user-definable non-text settings in the user'"'"'s mobile telephone for use the user'"'"'s mobile telephone is connected to a second network;
circuitry for switching automatically to said first set when user'"'"'s mobile telephone is connected to said first network, and for switching automatically to said second set when user'"'"'s mobile telephone is connected to the second network;
an indicator for alerting the user immediately when the phone is used, by use of said first and second sets of non-text settings that the user is connected to the first or second network.
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24. Apparatus as in 23, wherein the second network may be a network other than the user'"'"'s home network/preferred network.
Specification