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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer
implemented instructions for mitigating the mobile phone nuisance
factor. The present invention causes a mobile phone to activate
an "In-Public-Use" profile when in a public establishment,
which has a policy for mobile phone usage. A transmitter in the
public establishment broadcasts an external control signal that
contains an encoded command. The circuitry, or processor instructions,
in a mobile phone decodes the command and activates the profile
with the identified settings from the command. When the profile
is activated, an icon is displayed indicating that the profile is
active. Additionally, the "In-Public-Use" profile is deactivated
when the mobile phone leaves the range of the signal and the previous
settings of the mobile phone are enabled.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method in a mobile communications device for activating a
profile, the method comprising: detecting an external control signal
transmitted from a transmitter in a location, wherein the external
control signal contains an encoded command; decoding the encoded
command to define features in the profile, wherein the features
are identified by a group of settings contained in the encoded command
and wherein the features were not defined in the profile prior to
detecting the external control signal; activating the profile, wherein
the features in the profile control attributes of the mobile communication
device, and wherein the profile implements a policy of mobile communications
device usage for the location and replaces a current profile for
the mobile communications device; and maintaining the profile only
while the external control signal continues to be detected.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: restoring the current
profile when reception of the external control signal is discontinued.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the attributes disable a call
from being received by a user of the mobile communications device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the attributes are at least one
of a ringer mode, a ringer volume, a rinser duration, a vibration
mode, a conversation mode, a conversation duration, and an informational
message, and wherein the conversation mode enables or disables a
call from being received by a user, the ringer mode turns a ringer
on or off, and the vibration mode turns a vibration on or off.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile cannot be activated
or modified by a user of the mobile communications device.
6. A method in a mobile communications device for activating a
profile when the mobile communications device is located in a location
with a policy for mobile communications device usage, the method
comprising: detecting an external control signal in the location,
wherein the external control signal contains an encoded command
that identifies settings for the mobile communications device; identifying
the settings in the external control signal to form identified settings,
wherein the identified settings define features in the profile that
comply with the policy for mobile communications device usage for
the location; activating the profile with the identified to settings
to form active profile, wherein the features in the profile control
attributes of the mobile communications device and were not defined
in the profile prior to detecting the external control signal; and
maintaining the active profile while the external control signal
is detected.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein a prior profile is deactivated
when the profile is activated and further comprising: restoring
the prior profile when an absence of the external control signal
is detected.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising: displaying an icon
indicating that the profile has been activated, wherein the icon
is displayed while the profile is active.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the location is a public establishment,
a home, an office, or a government building.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the external control signal
is broadcasted from a transmitter.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is programmed
by a control unit to broadcast the external control signal.
12. The method of claim 6, wherein the mobile communications device
contains circuitry that decodes the external control signal.
13. The method of claim 6, wherein the attributes are at least
one of a ringer mode, a ringer volume, a ringer duration, a vibration
mode, conversation mode, conversation duration, and informational
messages, and wherein the conversation mode enables or disables
a call from being received by the user, the ringer mode turns a
ringer on or off, and the vibration mode turns a vibration on or
off.
14. The method of claim 6, wherein the mobile communications device
is one of a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a two way
pager, or a laptop computer.
15. The method of claim 6, wherein the external control signal
is one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, or an ultrasonic
signal.
16. The method of claim 6, wherein an emergency phone call is always
allowed by the profile.
17. The method of claim 6, wherein the profile cannot be activated
or modified by a user of the mobile communications device.
18. A mobile communications device comprising: a bus system; a
communications unit connected to the bus system; a memory connected
to the bus system, wherein the memory includes as set of instructions;
and a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing
unit executes the set of instructions to detect an external control
signal transmitted from a transmitter in a location, wherein the
external control signal contains an encoded command; decode the
encoded command to define features in a profile, wherein the features
are identified by a group of settings contained in the encoded command
and wherein the features were not defined in the profile prior to
detecting the external control signal; activate the profile, wherein
the features in the profile control attributes of the mobile communication
device, and wherein the profile implements a policy of mobile communications
device usage for the location and replaces a current profile for
the mobile communications device; and maintain the profile only
while the external control signal continues to be detected.
19. A mobile communications device comprising: a bus system; a
communications unit connected to the bus system; a memory connected
to the bus system, wherein the memory includes as set of instructions;
and a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing
unit executes the set of instructions to detect an external control
signal in a location, wherein the external control signal contains
an encoded command that identifies settings for a mobile communications
device; identify the settings in the external control signal to
form identified settings, wherein the identified settings define
features in a profile that comply with a policy for mobile communications
device usage for the location; activate the profile with the identified
settings to form an active profile, wherein the features in the
profile control attributes of the mobile communications device and
were not defined in the profile prior to detecting the external
control signal; and maintain the active profile while the external
control signal is detected.
20. A mobile communications device for activating a profile, the
mobile communications device comprising: detecting means for detecting
an external control signal transmitted from a transmitter in a location,
wherein the external control signals contains an encoded command;
decoding means for decoding the encoded command to define features
in the profile, wherein the features are identified by a group of
settings contained in the encoded command and wherein the features
were not defined in the profile prior to detecting the external
control signal; activating means for activating the profile, wherein
the features in the profile control attributes of the mobile communication
device, and wherein the profile implements a policy of mobile communications
device usage for the location and replaces a current profile for
the mobile communications device; and maintaining means for maintaining
the profile only while the external control signal continues to
be detected.
21. A mobile communications device for activating a profile when
the mobile communications device is located in a location with a
policy for mobile communications device usage, the mobile communications
device comprising: detecting means for detecting an external control
signal in the location, wherein the external control signal contains
an encoded command that identifies settings for the mobile communications
device; identifying means for identifying the settings in the external
control signal to form identified settings, wherein the identified
settings define features in the profile that comply with the policy
for mobile communications device usage for the location; activating
means for activating the profile with the identified settings to
form an active profile, wherein the features in the profile control
attributes of the mobile communications device and were not defined
in the profile prior to detecting the external control signal; and
maintaining means for maintaining the active profile while the external
control signal is detected.
22. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for
activating a profile, the computer program product comprising: first
instructions for detecting an external control signal transmitted
from a transmitter in a location, wherein the external control signal
contains an encoded command; second instructions for decoding the
encoded command to define features in the profile, wherein the features
are identified by a group of settings contained in the encoded command
and wherein the features were not defined in the profile prior to
detecting the external control signal; third instructions for activating
the profile, wherein the features in the profile control attributes
of the mobile communication device, and wherein the profile implements
a policy of mobile communications device usage for the location
and replaces a current profile for the mobile communications device;
and fourth instructions for maintaining the profile only while the
external control signal continues to be detected.
23. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for
activating a profile when a mobile communications device is located
in a location with a policy for mobile communications device usage,
the computer program product comprising: first instructions for
detecting an external control signal in the location, wherein the
external control signal contains encoded command that identifies
settings for the mobile communications device; second instructions
for identifying the settings in the external control signal to form
identified settings, wherein the identified settings define features
in the profile that comply with the policy for mobile communications
device usage for the location; third instructions for activating
the profile with the identified settings to form an active profile,
wherein the features in the profile control attributes of the mobile
communications device and were not defined in the profile prior
to detecting the external control signal; and fourth instructions
for maintaining the active profile while the external control signal
is detected.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an improved data processing system.
In particular, the present invention relates to a method, apparatus,
and computer instructions for mitigating the mobile phone nuisance
factor.
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile phone systems refer to communications systems, especially
the Advance Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) that divide a geographic
region into sections, called cells. The purpose of this division
is to make the most use out of a limited number of transmission
frequencies. Each connection, or conversation, requires its own
dedicated frequency, and the total number of available frequencies
is about 1,000. To support more than 1,000 simultaneous conversations,
mobile systems allocate a set number of frequencies for each cell.
Two cells can use the same frequency for different conversations
so long as the cells are not adjacent to each other.
For digital communications, several competing mobile systems exist,
including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code-Division
Multiple Access (CDMA).
GSM is one of the leading digital mobile systems. GSM uses narrowband
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), which allows eight simultaneous
calls on the same radio frequency. GSM was first introduced in 1991.
As of the end of 1997, GSM service was available in more than 100
countries and has become the standard in Europe and Asia.
CDMA is a digital mobile technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques.
Unlike competing systems, such as GSM, that use TDMA, CDMA does
not assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel
uses the full available spectrum. Individual conversations are encoded
with a pseudo-random digital sequence. CDMA is a military technology
first used during World War II by the English allies to foil German
attempts at jamming transmissions. The allies decided to transmit
over several frequencies, instead of one, making it difficult for
the Germans to pick up the complete signal.
Mobile phones have proven to be a very beneficial tool for people
to exchange information when away from the home or office. At the
same time mobile telephones are becoming a public nuisance due to
the phones ringing in inappropriate places and people holding conversations
on the phones in places such as theatres and restaurants.
One solution to mobile phone nuisance is a jamming device for mobile
phone signals that disrupts the reception of the signal at the mobile
phone, making it impossible to receive service from the mobile network.
These devices have been used in Japan and other places. A permit
is usually required in order to used this device and it is currently
illegal to use such a device in the U.S. When this device is used,
functions such as Short Messaging Service (SMS), email, Internet
access, and mailbox access are all disabled.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method,
apparatus, and computer instructions for enforcing a policy governing
the operation of mobile phones when located in a public establishment
or a public space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer
implemented instructions for mitigating the mobile phone nuisance
factor. The present invention causes a mobile phone to activate
an "In-Public-Use" profile when in a public establishment,
which has a policy for mobile phone usage. A transmitter in the
public establishment broadcasts an external control signal that
contains an encoded command. The circuitry, or processor instructions,
in a mobile phone decodes the command and activates the profile
with the identified settings from the command. When the profile
is activated, an icon is displayed indicating that the profile is
active. Additionally, the "In-Public-Use" profile is deactivated
when the mobile phone leaves the range of the signal and the previous
settings of the mobile phone are enabled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are
set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however,
as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages
thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed
description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a data processing
system in which the present invention may be implemented;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system that may
be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a telephone device that may be implemented
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method to mitigate the
mobile phone nuisance factor in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
FIGS. 5A 5C display block diagrams of three mobile phones in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process for a mobile phone entering
a public establishment in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process for a mobile phone exiting
a public establishment in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference
to FIG. 1, a pictorial representation of a data processing system
in which the present invention may be implemented is depicted in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A computer 100 is depicted which includes system unit 102, video
display terminal 104, keyboard 106, storage devices 108, which may
include floppy drives and other types of permanent and removable
storage media, and mouse 110. Additional input devices may be included
with personal computer 100, such as, for example, a joystick, touch
pad, touch screen, trackball, microphone, and the like. Computer
100 is connected to transmitter 112, which may transmit signals
used to activate profiles to mitigate nuisances from mobile phones.
The control of the transmission of the signal is provided through
computer 100 in these examples.
Computer 100 can be implemented using any suitable computer, such
as an IBM RS/6000 computer or IntelliStation computer, which are
products of International Business Machines Corporation, located
in Armonk, N.Y. Although the depicted representation shows a computer,
other embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in
other types of data processing systems, such as a network computer.
Computer 100 also preferably includes a graphical user interface
(GUI) that may be implemented by means of systems software residing
in computer readable media in operation within computer 100.
With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processing
system is shown in which the present invention may be implemented.
Data processing system 200 is an example of a computer, such as
computer 100 in FIG. 1, in which code or instructions implementing
the processes of the present invention may be located.
Data processing system 200 employs a peripheral component interconnect
(PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs
a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Accelerated Graphics
Port (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may be used.
Processor 202 and main memory 204 are connected to PCI local bus
206 through PCI bridge 208. PCI bridge 208 also may include an integrated
memory controller and cache memory for processor 202. Additional
connections to PCI local bus 206 may be made through direct component
interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example,
local area network (LAN) adapter 210, small computer system interface
SCSI host bus adapter 212, and expansion bus interface 214 are connected
to PCI local bus 206 by direct component connection. In contrast,
audio adapter 216, graphics adapter 218, and transmitter adapter
219 are connected to PCI local bus 206 by add-in boards inserted
into expansion slots. Transmitter adapter 219 may be used to control
transmissions of signals from a transmitter, such as transmitter
112 in FIG. 1.
Expansion bus interface 214 provides a connection for a keyboard
and mouse adapter 220, modem 222, and additional memory 224. SCSI
host bus adapter 212 provides a connection for hard disk drive 226,
tape drive 228, and CD-ROM drive 230. Typical PCI local bus implementations
will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors.
An operating system runs on processor 202 and is used to coordinate
and provide control of various components within data processing
system 200 in FIG. 2. The operating system may be a commercially
available operating system such as Windows 2000, which is available
from Microsoft Corporation. Instructions for the operating system
and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such
as hard disk drive 226, and may be loaded into main memory 204 for
execution by processor 202. These instructions may include programs
or other code used to control transmissions for managing profiles
in mobile phones, such as those transmitted by transmitter 112 in
FIG. 1.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware
in FIG. 2 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal
hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent
nonvolatile memory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be
used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG.
2. Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to
a multiprocessor data processing system.
For example, data processing system 200, if optionally configured
as a network computer, may not include SCSI host bus adapter 212,
hard disk drive 226, tape drive 228, and CD-ROM 230, as noted by
dotted line 232 in FIG. 2 denoting optional inclusion. In that case,
the computer, to be properly called a client computer, must include
some type of network communication interface, such as LAN adapter
210, modem 222, or the like. As another example, data processing
system 200 may be a stand-alone system configured to be bootable
without relying on some type of network communication interface,
whether or not data processing system 200 comprises some type of
network communication interface. As a further example, data processing
system 200 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is configured
with ROM and/or flash ROM to provide non-volatile memory for storing
operating system files and/or user-generated data.
The depicted example in FIG. 2 and above-described examples are
not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data
processing system 200 also may be a notebook computer or hand held
computer in addition to taking the form of a PDA. Data processing
system 200 also may be a kiosk or a Web appliance.
The processes of the present invention are performed by processor
202 using computer implemented instructions, which may be located
in a memory such as, for example, main memory 204, memory 224, or
in one or more peripheral devices 226 230.
With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a hardware configuration
of a telephone device is depicted in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Telephone device 300 includes
a processor 302 for controlling operation of the telephone device
and a memory 304. The processor may be a general-purpose microprocessor
operating under the control of instructions stored a memory, such
as memory 304, or device-specific circuitry for controlling the
operation of the telephone device. Processor 302 is connected by
system bus 306 to transmitter 308, receiver 310, keypad 314, display
316, and audio processor 318.
Transmitter 308 and receiver 310 are coupled to a telephone signal
by couple 324 to provide full duplex communication. Audio processing
circuit 318 provides basic analog audio outputs to speaker 320 and
accepts analog audio inputs from microphone 322. Received signals
demodulated and decoded by receiver 310. Transmitter 308 encodes
and modulates signals passed to it by processor 302 or audio processor
318. The output of the transmitter is amplified by power amplifier
312 to control the power level at which the signal is transmitted.
Processor 302 or audio processor 318 may detect audible call status
information and call status codes received by receiver 310. Memory
304 may include a look-up table associating call status information
or call status codes with visual call status information, such as
text messages. Processor 302 detects or receives a call status code
and displays an appropriate call status message on display 316.
Receiver 326 decodes the encoded command transmitted in the signal
of the present invention for presentation to processor 302. This
receiver may receive different types of signals depending on the
implementation. For example, the signals may be infrared, untrasonic,
or radio frequency. Alternatively, the decoding function implemented
in receiver 326 may be located in receiver 310 to receive and decode
this control signal.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware
depicted in FIG. 3 may vary.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method to mitigate the
mobile phone nuisance factor in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
To implement the present invention in these examples, mobile phones
will be designed with a factory programmed "In-Public-Use"
profile and means for external activation of the profile. This profile
will control the behavior of the mobile phone in public places.
For example, public establishment 400 contains transmitter 410,
which broadcasts a constant signal. The signal contains an encoded
command that can activate the "In-Public-Use" profiles
in mobile phones. For example, mobile phones 420 and 430 enter the
range of the signal and the "In-Public-Use" profiles of
these phones are activated when the circuitry, or processor instructions,
of the mobile phones decode the signal.
When activated, the profile can control the attributes of the mobile
phone, such as the ringer, conversation mode, conversation duration,
and informational messages. The ringer can be shut off, set to its
minimum volume, set to a non-auditable mode, such as vibrate, or
the duration of the ring can be limited. The conversation mode can
be enabled or disabled so that a call between parties cannot be
accomplished. If the "In-Public-Use" profile has been
activated in the no conversation mode, it would still allow emergency
calls to be placed. Certain numbers such as 911 would be designated
as emergency numbers. The duration of a call can also be limited
to some preset amount of time, such as 30 seconds. Additionally,
a display message, stating that the use of a mobile phone is prohibited
in the establishment, could be displayed on the phone.
The "In-Public-Use" profile cannot be activated or modified
by the user of the mobile phone according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. Although depending on the implementation,
these profiles may be changed by a user or other authorized person.
The profile is activated in the mobile phone when it is in the presence
of an external control signal, such as a radio frequency, infrared,
ultrasonic, or other control signal. The control signal is generated
by a transmitter, such as transmitter 410, which is located in a
public establishment, such as a theater or restaurant. The signal
is localized in nature so that it only affects the mobile phone
usage in that public place. The signal may be broadcasted within
the structure of the public establishment or may include areas outside
the structure such as the parking lot of the public establishment.
Additionally, areas within the public structure may not broadcast
the signal so that the phones may be used as desired in that area.
The mechanism of the present invention would allow the establishment
to set aside a special area where the control signal is not present
thereby allowing normal use of mobile phones in that area analogous
to a smoking area in a restaurant.
Receiver 326 in telephone device 300 of FIG. 3 may be used to receive
the control signal transmitted from transmitter 410.
The control signal will have the capability to select various settings
of the profile to reflect the policy desired in that public place.
The signal contains an encoded command, which can be decoded by
the circuitry, or processor instructions, of the mobile phones in
the present invention. Control unit 460 has the ability to program
the control signal that is broadcasted by transmitter 410. The control
unit of the present invention may be a data processing system, such
as data processing system 200 in FIG. 2, a black box, or any other
type of control unit capable of programming the control signal for
the transmitter.
When the mobile phone is out of range of the control signal it
will revert back to its previous mode of operation. For example,
mobile phones 440 and 450 are outside the range of the control signal
and would not have the "In-Public-Use" profile activated.
If mobile phones 420 and 430 leave the range of the control signal
in the public establishment, these mobile phones would return to
their previous mode of operation.
Mobile phones 420, 430, 440, and 450 may be, for example, telephone
devices, such as telephone device 300 in FIG. 3. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware of the present
invention may vary. The mechanism of the present invention may be
applied to any mobile communications device depending on the particular
implementation.
Turning to FIGS. 5A 5C, block diagrams of three mobile phones are
displayed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5A shows mobile phone 510 with display 520. Display 520 is
a typical display for mobile phones, such as mobile phones 440 and
450 in FIG. 4, prior to entering a location with a policy for mobile
phone usage.
FIG. 5B illustrates mobile phone 530 with display 540. If mobile
phones, such as mobile phones 420 and 430 in FIG. 4, enter a public
establishment broadcasting an external control signal to enforce
its policy for mobile phone usage, an "In-Public-Use"
icon, such as icon 550, may be displayed. When the profile is activated,
the mobile phone will display an icon that indicates that the "In-Public-Use"
profile is activated.
FIG. 5C illustrates mobile phone 560 with display 570. Mobile phone
560 displays icon 580, which is another example of an icon that
may be displayed while the mobile phone is within the range of the
external control signal that activates the "In-Public-Use"
profile.
The icon discussed in the present invention may include text or
graphics, and may vary with each implementation of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process for a mobile phone entering
a public establishment in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. This process may be implemented in a mobile
phone, such as telephone device 300 in FIG. 3.
The process begins when a mobile phone enters a public establishment
with a policy for mobile phone usage and the mobile phone detects
the external control signal, which is constantly broadcasted within
the public establishment (step 610). The process identifies the
settings in the external control signal by decoding the command
in the signal (step 620). The "In-Public-Use" profile
of the mobile phone is activated with the identified settings (step
630). The "In-Public-Use" icon is displayed on the mobile
phone (step 640) with the process terminating thereafter.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process for a mobile phone exiting
a public establishment in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. This process may be implemented in a mobile
telephone, such as telephone device 300 in FIG. 3.
A determination is made as to whether an external control signal
exists (step 710). This step is used to determine whether to continue
to use the "In-Public-Use" profile. If the external control
signal exists, the process returns to step 710. This condition means
that the mobile phone is still within range of the transmitter and
the profile should continue to be active. If the external signal
does not exist, the mobile phone settings are returned to the previous
settings prior to entering the public establishment with a policy
for mobile phone usage (step 720). The "In-Public-Use"
icon is no longer displayed (step 730) with the process terminating
thereafter.
The present invention presents a way for a public establishment
to set a policy governing the operation of mobile phones when located
in a public establishment or a public space. It provides advantages
and flexibility in the way the mobile phone nuisance problem is
handled. Email, SMS, mailbox, and Internet access are still possible
with the implementation of the present invention. The present invention
allows for an area where normal mobile phone use is possible and
for emergency calls to be made in any location. The present invention
is configurable, since the location using the present invention
can modify the profile to have different behaviors. For example,
one public establishment may only desire to mute the ringer whereas
another public establishment may want to mute the ringer and prohibit
conversation unless in a designated area. The present invention
is less expensive for a business to implement and does not require
approval by a regulating authority to use.
Therefore, the present invention provides an improved method, apparatus,
and computer instructions for mitigating the mobile phone nuisance
factor.
It is important to note that while the present invention has been
described in the context of a fully functioning data processing
system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed
in the form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a
variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally
regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually
used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable
media include recordable-type media, such as a floppy disk, a hard
disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and transmission-type media,
such as digital and analog communications links, wired or wireless
communications links using transmission forms, such as, for example,
radio frequency and light wave transmissions. The computer readable
media may take the form of coded formats that are decoded for actual
use in a particular data processing system.
The description of the present invention has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to
be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art. For example, the illustrations of uses for the
mechanism of the present invention are show with respect to public
establishments. The mechanism of the present invention may be used
in any area or situation in which normal mobile phone or other mobile
communications device operations are undesirable. The mechanism
of the present invention may be applied to other mobile communications
devices, such as a PDA, a laptop computer, or a two-way pager. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable
others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention
for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited
to the particular use contemplated. |