Event dependent notification system and method

• US 8,255,006 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2009
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synchronoss Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FusionOne Incorporated (Synchronoss Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ridgard, Leighton, Chavez, John Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Addy, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US12/615,644
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.3, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/414.1, 455415-420, 455/556.2, 455/566, 455/567, 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 379/88.12, 379/179, 379/207.08, 379/207.09, 379/207.1, 379/252, 379/373.01
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• 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

Abstract

An event dependent notification system and method presents a message to a user of a mobile device suggesting the user to perform an action during and/or after an event is detected. The event is detected by an accelerometer or another sensor. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to a message being presented, the action is automatically taken. The message is able to encourage users to perform actions they do not typically perform or enroll in programs/services they are not currently utilizing, ultimately providing better and/or more secure functionality of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method of responding to an event detected on a mobile phone of a user comprising:

a. monitoring a plurality of sensors on the mobile phone for an event, the plurality of sensors comprising a passage of time sensor, a camera, and a memory utilization sensor;

b. detecting the event, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting the user moving towards the mobile phone using the camera during an incoming call to the mobile phone, the mobile phone being programmed to take a default action when the call is not answered within an initial threshold number of rings;

c. automatically performing an action in response to the event, wherein the action comprises notifying the user of the occurrence of the event, the notification including a plurality of selectable actions, and performing an action further comprises automatically increasing the threshold number of rings before the default action is taken; and

d. notifying the caller of an increase in time before the default action occurs, the increase in time resulting from the increase in the threshold number of rings.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors include at least one of an accelerometer, a moisture sensor, a shock sensor, a temperature sensor, a number of contacts sensor, and a pressure sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting a temperature above a threshold representing the heat of a hand upon the mobile phone during an incoming call to the mobile phone, the mobile phone being programmed to take a default action when the call is not answered within an initial threshold number of rings, and performing an action comprises automatically increasing the threshold number of rings before the default action is taken.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein notifying the user includes at least one of displaying text, presenting an advertisement, sending an SMS text message, playing a voice message, sounding an alarm, playing a video and sending a notification to a server.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the user selectable action includes subscribing to a product/service.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the user selectable action includes providing promotional pricing/offers.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the event includes a threshold being reached.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein automatically performing the action includes backing up information stored on the mobile phone.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein automatically performing the action includes notifying a server/service of the event.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable actions comprise one of:

backing up the mobile phone memory, getting a coupon associated with an advertisement presented to the user, deleting data, powering off the mobile phone, and purchasing additional memory.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting that memory utilization exceeds a threshold value.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting the elapse of a threshold value of time.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting that a threshold number of contacts have been entered on the mobile phone.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting a surge in an electrical supply that exceeds a threshold value.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting a temperature in the mobile phone exceeding a threshold value.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting a moisture sensor in the mobile phone exceeding a threshold value and the selectable actions comprise purchasing a protective case for the mobile phone.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors further comprise one of a display screen sensor, a battery sensor, a processor sensor, and a keyboard sensor and detecting the event comprises detecting a failure of the hardware associated with the additional sensor.

18. A system comprising:

a. a server; and

b. a mobile phone coupled to the server, the mobile phone including;

i. a plurality of sensors for detecting an event, the plurality of sensors comprising a memory utilization sensor, a camera, and a time passage sensor; and

ii. one or more applications operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors, the one or more applications configured to;

(1) receive information from the plurality of sensors;

(2) detect an event by the plurality of sensors, wherein detecting the event comprises detecting the user moving towards the mobile phone using the camera during an incoming call to the mobile phone, the mobile phone being programmed to take a default action when the call is not answered within an initial threshold number of rings;

(3) automatically performing an action in response to the event, wherein the action comprises notifying the user of the occurrence of the event, the notification comprising a plurality of selectable actions for responding to the event, and performing an action further comprises automatically increasing the threshold number of rings before the default action is taken; and

(4) notifying the caller of an increase in time before the default action occurs, the increase in time resulting from the increase in the threshold number of rings.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of sensors include at least one of an accelerometer, a moisture sensor, a shock sensor, a heat sensor, an electrical surge sensor, a time passage sensor, and a number-of-contacts sensor.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein notifying the user includes at least one of displaying text, presenting an advertisement, sending an SMS text message, playing a voice message, sounding an alarm, playing a video and sending a notification to a server.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein notifying the user includes suggesting the user to subscribe for a product/service.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the event includes a threshold being reached.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein the one or more applications automatically perform an action in response to the event.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the action includes backing up information stored on the mobile phone to the server.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the information comprises user-entered information.

26. The system of claim 18 wherein the one or more applications monitor one or more data events.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the one or more data events include at least one of an amount of elapsed time, a database update, a percent of memory used and an amount of data changes.