METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CHANGING OPERATING MODES IN A MOBILE DEVICE

• US 20100159998A1
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Kao, Yih-Feng, Tsuei, Yuan-Mao, Chen, Yu-Chuan, Luke, Hok-Sum H., Chang, Wen-Chi
• Granted Patent: US 8,886,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/68 with means for recording information, e.g. telephone number during a conversation recording of telephone conversations H04M1/656

Abstract

A method and system for automatically changing the operating mode of a mobile device in response to changes in positioning or the use of the device includes multiple sensors that provide information relating to the mobile device and its environment. The sensors determine positioning information, incident light intensity, and object proximity and detect the presence of a pointer device. The system monitors the sensors and applications executed by the operating system. Based on the monitoring, the system changes the operating mode of the mobile device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a form factor suitable for hand-held use, wherein the housing has a front face and a back face;

a call notification component contained in the housing configured to provide an incoming call notification in response to an incoming telephone call, wherein the incoming call notification comprises an audible component;

one or more sensor components contained in the housing configured to provide information associated with the physical environment of the mobile device;

a memory contained in the housing; and

a processor contained in the housing and coupled among the call notification component, the one or more sensor components, and the memory;

wherein the processor is configured to execute various components, wherein the components comprise;

a call monitor component configured to receive a notification of the incoming telephone call;

a sensor monitor component configured to monitor, while a telephone call is incoming, the one or more sensor components to detect an object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device; and

a mode control component configured to automatically change the operating mode of the mobile device in response to the detection of the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device, wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing at least the audible component of the incoming call notification.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more sensor components comprises a G sensor configured to provide positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device; and

the sensor monitor component is further configured to;

when detecting the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device, determine based on a set of positioning information whether the orientation of the mobile device is in a face-up state, wherein the face-up state exists when the front face of the mobile device is facing in a upward direction,

wherein changing the operating mode comprises changing the operating mode in response to detecting the object and determining that the orientation of the mobile device is in the face-up state.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the one or more sensor components comprises a G sensor configured to provide positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device;

the sensor monitor component is further configured to

determine a first set of positioning information from the G sensor at a first time;

determine a second set of positioning information from the G sensor at a second time, wherein the second time occurs after the first time;

compare the first set of positioning information and the second set of positioning information; and

determine based on the comparison whether the orientation of the mobile device has changed to a face-down state, wherein the face-down state exists when the front face of the mobile device is facing in a downward direction; and

wherein changing the operating mode comprises changing the operating mode in response to the detection of the object and determining that the orientation of the mobile device has changed to a face-down state.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensor components comprises a proximity sensor and wherein detecting an object comprises using the proximity sensor to determine if the object is within a specified distance from the front face of the mobile device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensor components comprises a light sensor and detecting an object comprises:

determining a first intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device;

determining a second intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device;

comparing the first intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device and the second intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device; and

detecting the object based on the comparison of the first intensity level and the second intensity level.

6. A method for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the mobile device having at least a front face and a back face, the method comprising:

receiving a notification of an incoming telephone call;

providing an incoming call notification for the incoming telephone call to a user, wherein the notification comprises an audible component;

while providing the incoming call notification to the user, detecting the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device; and

automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device in response to detecting the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device, wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing at least the audible component of the incoming call notification.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

when detecting the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device, determining based on a set of positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device whether the orientation of the mobile device is in a face-up state, wherein the face-up state exists when the front face of the mobile device is facing in a upward direction,

wherein changing the operating mode comprises changing the operating mode in response to detecting the object and determining that the orientation of the mobile device is in the face-up state.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining a first set of positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device at a first time;

determining a second set of positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device at a second time, wherein the second time occurs after the first time;

comparing the first set of positioning information and the second set of positioning information; and

determining based on the comparison whether the orientation of the mobile has changed to a face-down state, wherein a face-down state exists when the front face of the mobile device is facing in a downward direction, and

wherein changing the operating mode comprises changing the operating mode in response to detecting the object and determining that the orientation of the mobile device has changed to the face-down state.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the object comprises using a proximity sensor to determine if the object is within a specified distance from the front face of the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the object comprises:

determining a first intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device;

determining a second intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device;

comparing the first intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device and the second intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobile device; and

detecting an object based on the comparison of the first intensity level and the second intensity level.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to a silent mode or a vibrate-only mode.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises muting the audible component of the incoming call notification.

13. A method for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the mobile device having at least a front face and a back face, the method comprising:

establishing a telephone call between the mobile device and a remote device;

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, determining a first set of positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device at a first time;

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, determining a second set of positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device at a second time, wherein the second time occurs after the first time;

comparing the first set of positioning information and the second set of positioning information;

determining whether the position of the mobile device has changed between a face-down state and a non-face-down state based on the comparison, wherein a face-down state exists when the front face of the mobile device is facing in a downward direction; and

automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device to a speakerphone mode based on the determination, wherein the operating mode changes while the telephone call is in progress.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the operating mode of the mobile device changes while the mobile device is in an out-going ringing state.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device comprises establishing a multi-party call between the mobile device and multiple remote devices.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

detecting whether the mobile device is stable,

wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the operating mode based on both of the determination and on detecting the mobile device is stable.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, detecting an object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device; and

wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the operating mode based on the determination and detection of the object placed in proximity to the front side of the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the first set of positioning information comprises using a G sensor to determine a first orientation of the mobile device and determining the second set of positioning information comprises using the G sensor to determine a second orientation of the mobile device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the first set of positioning information comprises a first orientation of the mobile device, the second set of positioning information comprises a second orientation of the mobile device, and determining whether the position of the mobile device has changed to the face-down state comprises determining if the first orientation of the mobile device indicates that the mobile device is in a non-face-down state and if the second orientation of the mobile device indicates that the mobile device is in the face-down state.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the volume of a speaker associated with the mobile device.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the sensitivity of a microphone associated with the mobile device.

22. An apparatus for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a form factor suitable for hand-held use, wherein the housing has a front face and a back face;

one or more sensor components contained in the housing configured to provide information associated with the physical environment of the mobile device, wherein the one or more sensor components comprises a positioning sensor configured to provide positioning information associated with a position of the mobile device;

a memory contained in the housing; and

a processor contained in the housing and coupled among the one or more sensor components, and the memory;

wherein the processor is configured to execute various components, wherein the components comprise;

a call monitor component configured to receive information associated with a telephone call between the mobile device and a remote device;

a sensor monitor component configured to;

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, determine a first set of positioning information from the positioning sensor at a first time;

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, determine a second set of positioning information from the positioning sensor at a second time, wherein the second time occurs after the first time;

compare the first set of positioning information and the second set of positioning information; and

determine whether the position of the mobile device has changed to a face-down state based on the comparison, wherein a face-down state exists when the front face of the mobile device is facing in a downward direction; and

a mode control component configured to automatically change the operating mode of the mobile device to a speakerphone mode based on the determination, wherein the operating mode changes while the telephone call is in progress.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein:

the sensor monitor component is further configured to determine whether the mobile device is stable based on the one or more sensor components,

wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the operating mode based on the determination and on determining that the mobile device is stable.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein:

the sensor monitor component is further configured to monitor the one or more sensor components to detect an object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobile device;

wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the operating mode based on the determination and on detecting the object placed in proximity to the front side of the mobile device.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more sensor components comprises a G sensor and determining a first set of positioning information comprises using the G sensor to determine a first orientation of the mobile device and determining a second set of positioning information comprises using the G sensor to determine a second orientation of the mobile device.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises ending the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device.

27. A method for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device that is configured to communicate using a wireless network, the method comprising:

establishing a telephone call between the mobile device and a remote device;

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, monitoring the mobile device to detect the activation of a specified mobile application;

automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device in response to the activation of the specified mobile application, wherein the operating mode is changed while the telephone call is in progress.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to a speakerphone mode.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the specified mobile application is a notepad application.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

receiving information from a user defining a set of high-priority mobile applications,

wherein detecting the activation of the specified mobile application comprises detecting the activation of an application from the set of high-priority mobile applications.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring the mobile device comprises polling an operating system of the mobile device to determine if the specified mobile application has been activated.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring the mobile device comprises receiving an event notification from an operating system of the mobile device, wherein the event notification comprises information specifying that the specified mobile application has been activated.

33. An apparatus for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a form factor suitable for hand-held use;

a memory contained in the housing; and

a processor contained in the housing and coupled to the memory;

wherein the processor is configured to execute various components, wherein the components comprise;

a call monitor component configured to receive information associated with a telephone call between the mobile device and a remote device;

an application monitor component configured to monitor the mobile device to detect the activation of a specified mobile application during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device; and

a mode control component configured to automatically change the operating mode of the mobile device in response to the activation of the specified mobile application, wherein the operating mode is changed while the telephone call is in progress.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to a speakerphone mode.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the specified application is a notepad application.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the application monitor component is configured to monitor the mobile device by polling an operating system on the mobile device to determine if the specified mobile application has been activated.

37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein monitoring the mobile device comprises receiving an event notification from an operating system of the mobile device, wherein the event notification comprises information indicating that the specified mobile application has been activated.

38. A method for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the method comprising:

establishing a telephone call between the mobile device and a remote device;

during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device, monitoring the mobile device to detect the removal of a pointer device from a holder associated with the mobile device; and

automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device based on whether the pointer device has been removed from the holder, wherein the operating mode is changed while the telephone call is in progress.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to a speakerphone mode.

40. An apparatus for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a form factor suitable for hand-held use;

a pointer holder contained in the housing;

a memory contained in the housing; and

a processor contained in the housing and coupled among the pointer holder and the memory;

wherein the processor is configured to execute various components, wherein the components comprise;

a call monitor component configured to receive information associated with a telephone call between the mobile device and a remote device;

a sensor monitor component configured to monitor the mobile device to detect the removal of a pointer device from the pointer holder during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remote device; and

a mode control component configured to automatically change the operating mode of the mobile device in response to the removal of the pointer device from the pointer holder, wherein the operating mode is changed while the telephone call is in progress.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to a speakerphone mode.