|
Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
Themes provide the mobile phone with changeable characteristics
pertaining to the appearance and sound presented by the mobile phone.
A theme profile associated with the mobile phone contains data pertaining
to which theme to apply to the mobile phone and when to transition
to another theme as well as where theme content data is located.
The mobile phone then waits for a triggering event to occur. When
such a triggering event occurs, it causes a transition from the
currently active theme to another theme. A new theme based on an
associated triggering event is applied to the mobile phone changing
its look and feel.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A method of managing themes applicable to a mobile phone wherein
themes provide the mobile phone with changeable characteristics
pertaining to the appearance and sound presented by the mobile phone,
said method comprising: checking a theme profile associated with
the mobile phone to determine which theme is currently active, wherein
the theme profile includes data pertaining to triggering events
that cause the mobile phone to transition from one theme to another
theme, a priority setting that determines which theme shall be applied
to the mobile phone in the event of conflicting triggering events,
and pointers to where the content data associated with a theme is
located; waiting for a triggering event to occur to cause a transition
from the currently active theme to a new theme; and applying the
new theme based on an associated triggering event.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a triggering event is time based
such that a theme transition occurs at a predetermined time.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein a triggering event is location
based such that a theme transition occurs when the mobile phone
approaches a predetermined location.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the mobile phone utilizes a location
determination system to determine when the mobile phone is approaching
predetermined location.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the theme profile associated with
the mobile phone is stored locally on the mobile phone.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the content data associated with
a theme is stored locally on the mobile phone.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the content data associated with
a theme is stored remotely on the network to which the mobile phone
subscribes to and the mobile phone establishes a connection with
the network to access and download the content data associated with
a theme.
8. A method of managing themes applicable to a mobile phone wherein
themes provide the mobile phone with changeable characteristics
pertaining to the appearance and sound presented by the mobile phone,
and wherein a theme profile associated with the mobile phone is
stored remotely on the network to which the mobile phone subscribes
to, wherein the theme profile includes data pertaining to triggering
events that cause the mobile phone to transition from one theme
to another theme, a priority setting that determines which theme
shall be applied to the mobile phone in the event of conflicting
triggering events, and pointers to where the content data associated
with a theme is located, said method comprising: receiving current
theme data upon network registration when the phone is powered on
based on the associated stored theme profile; applying the current
theme to the mobile phone; waiting for a triggering event to occur
to cause a transition from the current theme to a new theme; and
applying the new theme based on an associated triggering event.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the content data associated with
a theme is stored locally on the mobile phone.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the content data associated with
a theme is stored remotely on the network to which the mobile phone
subscribes to and the mobile phone establishes a connection with
the network to access and download the content data associated with
a theme.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein a triggering event is time based
such that a theme transition occurs at a predetermined time.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein a triggering event is location
based such that a theme transition occurs when the mobile phone
approaches a predetermined location.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the mobile phone utilizes a
location determination system to determine when the mobile phone
is approaching a predetermined location.
14. A computer program product for managing themes applicable to
a mobile phone wherein themes provide the mobile phone with changeable
characteristics pertaining to the appearance and sound presented
by the mobile phone, the computer program product comprising: computer
program code for checking a theme profile associated with the mobile
phone to determine which theme is currently active, wherein the
theme profile includes data pertaining to triggering events that
cause the mobile phone to transition from one theme to another theme,
a priority setting that determines which theme shall be applied
to the mobile phone in the event of conflicting triggering events,
and pointers to where the content data associated with a theme is
located; computer program code for waiting for a triggering event
to occur to cause a transition from the currently active theme to
a new theme; and computer program code for applying the new theme
based on an associated triggering event.
15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein a triggering
event is time based such that a theme transition occurs at a predetermined
time.
16. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein a triggering
event is location based such that a theme transition occurs when
the mobile phone approaches a predetermined location.
17. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the mobile
phone utilizes a location determination system in conjunction with
computer program code to determine when the mobile phone is approaching
a predetermined location.
18. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the theme
profile associated with the mobile phone is stored locally on the
mobile phone.
19. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the content
tent data associated with a theme is stored locally on the mobile
phone.
20. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the content
data associated with a theme is stored remotely on the network to
which the mobile phone subscribes to and the mobile phone includes
computer program code for establishing a connection with the network
to access and download the content data associated with a theme.
21. A computer program product for managing themes applicable to
a mobile phone wherein themes provide the mobile phone with changeable
characteristics pertaining to the appearance and sound presented
by the mobile phone, and wherein a theme profile associated with
the mobile phone is stored remotely on the network to which the
mobile phone subscribes to, wherein the theme profile includes data
pertaining to triggering events that cause the mobile phone to transition
from one theme to another theme, a priority setting that determines
which theme shall be applied to the mobile phone in the event of
conflicting triggering events, and pointers to where the content
data associated with a theme is located, the computer program product
comprising: computer program code for receiving current theme data
upon network registration when the phone is powered on based on
the associated stored theme profile; computer program code for applying
the current theme to the mobile phone; computer program code for
waiting for a triggering event to occur to cause a transition from
the current theme to a new theme; and computer program code for
applying the new theme based on an associated triggering event.
22. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the content
data associated with a theme is stored locally on the mobile phone.
23. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the content
data associated with a theme is stored remotely on the network to
which the mobile phone subscribes to and the mobile phone establishes
a connection with the network to access and download the content
data associated with a theme.
24. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein a triggering
event is time based such that a theme transition occurs at a predetermined
time.
25. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein a triggering
event is location based such that a theme transition occurs when
the mobile phone approaches a predetermined location.
26. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the mobile
phone utilizes a location determination system to determine when
the mobile phone is approaching a predetermined location.
27. A system for managing themes applicable to a mobile phone wherein
themes provide the mobile phone with changeable characteristics
pertaining to the appearance and sound presented by the mobile phone,
the system comprising: means for checking a theme profile associated
with the mobile phone to determine which theme is currently active,
wherein the theme profile includes data pertaining to triggering
events that cause the mobile phone to transition from one theme
to another theme, a priority setting that determines which theme
shall be applied to the mobile phone in the event of conflicting
triggering events, and pointers to where the content data associated
with a theme is located; means for waiting for a triggering event
to occur to cause a transition from the currently active theme to
a new theme; and means for applying the new theme based on an associated
triggering event.
28. The system of claim 27 wherein a triggering event is time based
such that a theme transition occurs at a predetermined time.
29. The system of claim 27 wherein a triggering event is location
based such that a theme transition occurs when the mobile phone
approaches a predetermined location.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein the mobile phone utilizes a
location determination system in conjunction with means for determining
when the mobile phone is approaching a predetermined location.
31. The system of claim 27 wherein the theme profile associated
with the mobile phone is stored locally on the mobile phone.
32. The system of claim 27 wherein the content data associated
with a theme is stored locally on the mobile phone.
33. The system of claim 27 wherein the content data associated
with a theme is stored remotely on the network to which the mobile
phone subscribes to and the mobile phone includes computer program
code for establishing a connection with the network work to access
and download the content data associated with a theme.
34. A system for managing themes applicable to a mobile phone wherein
themes provide the mobile phone with changeable characteristics
pertaining to the appearance and sound presented by the mobile phone,
and wherein a theme profile associated with the mobile phone is
stored remotely on the network to which the mobile phone subscribes
to, wherein the theme profile includes data pertaining to triggering
events that cause the mobile phone to transition from one theme
to another theme, a priority setting that determines which theme
shall be applied to the mobile phone in the event of conflicting
triggering events, and pointers to where the content data associated
with a theme is located, the computer program product comprising:
means for receiving current theme data upon network registration
when the phone is powered on based on the associated stored theme
profile; means for applying the current theme to the mobile phone;
means for waiting for a triggering event to occur to cause a transition
from the current theme to a new theme; and means for applying the
new theme based on an associated triggering event.
35. The system of claim 34 wherein the content data associated
with a theme is stored locally on the mobile phone.
36. The system of claim 34 wherein the content data associated
with a theme is stored remotely on the network to which the mobile
phone subscribes to and the mobile phone establishes a connection
with the network to access and download the content data associated
with a theme.
37. The system of claim 34 wherein a triggering event is time based
such that a theme transition occurs at a predetermined time.
38. The system of claim 34 wherein a triggering event is location
based such that a theme transition occurs when the mobile phone
approaches a predetermined location.
39. The system of claim 38 wherein the mobile phone utilizes a
location determination system to determine when the mobile phone
is approaching a predetermined location.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Mobile phones today include sophisticated hardware and software
designed to enhance the user experience. Unfortunately, there is
still a lack of exciting content to fully exploit the mobile phone's
capabilities. Most mobile phones allow a user to individually set
backgrounds, wallpapers, and ringtones. One manufacturer, Sony Ericsson,
has even taken this a step further and bundled backgrounds, wallpapers,
and ringtones into themes that can be set as a group in a single
action. Themes give the mobile phone an overall character. A theme
remains active on a mobile phone until the user deactivates the
theme or changes to another theme.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention facilitates managing themes that are associated
with the look and feel of a mobile phone. Themes provide the mobile
phone with changeable characteristics pertaining to the appearance
and sound presented by the mobile phone. A theme profile associated
with the mobile phone determines which theme is currently active.
The mobile phone then waits for a triggering event to occur to cause
a transition from the currently active theme to another theme. When
the triggering event occurs, a new theme based on an associated
triggering event is applied to the mobile phone changing its look
and feel.
A theme profile primarily includes three types of data. The first
is data pertaining to triggering events that cause the mobile phone
to transition from one theme to another theme. The second is a set
of rules that determine which theme shall be applied to the mobile
phone in the event of conflicting triggering events. The third type
of data in the theme profile is information about the theme content
itself, i.e. wallpapers, ringtones, screen savers, etc.
The theme profile associated with the mobile phone can be stored
locally on the mobile phone or it can be stored remotely on the
network to which the mobile phone subscribes to. For remote network
storage, the mobile phone establishes a connection with the network
to access the theme profile.
Similarly, the content data associated with a theme can be stored
locally on the mobile phone or on the network. If on the network,
the mobile phone establishes a connection with the network to access
and download the content data associated with a theme. Once theme
data is downloaded it is then applied to the mobile phone.
Triggering events can be time based such that a theme transition
occurs at a predetermined time. Or, a triggering event can be location
based such that a theme transition occurs when the mobile phone
approaches a predetermined location. If the triggering event is
location based the mobile phone utilizes a location determination
system (LDS) to determine when the mobile phone is approaching a
predetermined location. One such location determination system is
the global positioning satellite (GPS) system. Other LDSs can be
used by those of ordinary skill in the art without affecting the
scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating how themes would be managed
when the themes are stored within the mobile phone or reside on
the cellular network.
FIGS. 2A 2C illustrate a mobile phone as it changes themes based
on a triggering event.
FIGS. 3A 3C illustrate another example of a mobile phone changing
themes based on a triggering event.
FIG. 4 illustrates a timeline that shows a hierarchy of themes
throughout a month and throughout a particular day of the month.
FIG. 5 illustrates the types of data that make up a theme profile,
triggering event, and theme content.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating how themes would be managed
when the themes are stored within the mobile phone or reside on
the cellular network. When a mobile phone that supports dynamic
theme management is powered on 102, one of the boot processes is
to check the current theme profile 104 to determine which theme
should currently be active. The determination of the current theme
at power up depends on where the theme profile is maintained. If
the theme profile is stored locally on the mobile phone, then it
is incumbent upon the mobile phone to check the theme profile to
determine which theme should be active. If the theme is stored on
the network, then the network can push the currently active theme
to the mobile phone as part of the network registration process
that occurs each time a phone is powered on.
Once the current theme has been determined, a check is made 106
to see if the theme content data associated with the theme is stored
locally on the mobile phone or if the theme data is to be retrieved
from the mobile phone network. Locally stored theme data is executed
and applied to the mobile phone 108 without having to communicate
with the network. Theme data that is stored on the network is downloaded
over a data connection between the mobile phone and the network
before being executed and applied to the mobile phone 110.
Once a theme is active, the software that controls and manages
themes for the mobile phone slips into a wait state 112. The wait
state waits for a triggering event to signal a change in themes.
When the triggering event occurs, the mobile phone again checks
whether the new theme is locally stored or on the network 114. Locally
stored themes associated with the triggering event are executed
and applied to the mobile phone 116 directly while network themes
are downloaded before being executed and applied to the mobile phone
118. The mobile phone then returns to the wait state 112 for the
next triggering event to occur.
FIGS. 2A 2C illustrate a mobile phone as it changes themes based
on a triggering event. In this example, the themes are triggered
by the time of day. In the morning the mobile phone 202 displays
an image of sunrise 204. At noon, the triggering event 206, the
sunrise theme is replaced with an afternoon theme of sun and clouds
208. At 6:00 PM, another triggering event 210, the afternoon theme
is replaced with an evening theme showing the moon and stars 212.
In addition, the themes can include more than just imagery on the
mobile phone's display. Sounds and alerts can be customized to fit
in with a theme. Different ring tones can be associated with the
images to create a more robust theme. For instance, the morning
theme can include a ring tone that plays revilee while the evening
theme can include a ring tone that plays taps.
FIGS. 3A 3C illustrate another example of a mobile phone changing
themes based on a triggering event. In this example, the themes
are triggered by holiday seasons. The month of October can be set
to a Halloween theme. The display could show a pumpkin 302 and the
ring tone can be set to play Halloween music or scary sounds. Once
the calendar hits November 1.sup.st, the next theme is triggered
304. This event is easily detected by the mobile phone's internal
clock/calendar. The Halloween theme is replaced with a Thanksgiving
theme that displays a cornucopia 306. The next triggering event
is December 1.sup.st 308 and the Thanksgiving theme is replaced
with a Holiday theme. In this example, festive holiday flowers 310
are displayed. The ring tones can be set to play a variety of Holiday
music.
Themes can overlap one another. When an overlap occurs, one theme
will be given precedence over another based on the triggering event.
A user can set general themes for seasons of the year and specific
themes for holidays, vacations, business trips, sporting events,
etc. . . . Moreover, themes can change from hour to hour within
a day based on the events of that day.
FIG. 4 illustrates a timeline that shows a hierarchy of themes
throughout a month and throughout a particular day of the month.
In this example, a timeline for the month of October 402 is illustrated.
The overall theme for the month of October is an autumn theme 404.
The autumn theme 404 can display images associated with autumn such
as leaves turning color on a tree. Within the month of October,
several events are scheduled that will trigger a change of themes
on the mobile phone. On October 6 8, the user has a business trip
scheduled. When the mobile phone clock/calendar determines that
it is October 6.sup.th, the mobile phone will replace the autumn
theme 404 with a business trip theme 406. The business trip theme
can display icons such as a briefcase and airplane to signify work
related travel. The ring tone can be set to sound more professional.
A second timeline 408 is illustrated for the day of October 7.sup.th.
The theme for the mobile phone remains a general business trip theme
406 until 8:00 AM. Between 8:00 and 10:00 AM the theme changes from
the business trip theme to a meeting theme 410. Perhaps one of the
most important aspects of the meeting theme 410 is to set the ring
tone to silent. Once the meeting is complete, the theme is switched
back to the previous business trip theme 406 until the next trigger.
The next trigger occurs at noon and the theme is changed to a lunch
theme. Once complete the lunch theme 412 again reverts to the business
trip theme 406. The final theme for October 7.sup.th is triggered
at 5:00 PM. It is a happy hour theme 414 that indicates a more festive
relaxing mood. The mobile phone could display a martini glass or
the like. Once happy hour is over, the theme reverts back to the
business trip theme 406.
When the user returns from his business trip the mobile phone's
theme will revert back to the autumn theme 404 that was in place
prior to the trip. The next theme in October is triggered on October
12.sup.th. This theme represents a vacation 416. This theme could
include images of beaches and sounds like reggae music for the ring
tones. Once the vacation is over, the autumn theme 404 is installed
again. On October 23.sup.rd, a special event theme is set to trigger.
This theme centers on a sporting event 418 contested by the user's
favorite team. It could be a college football game played by the
user's alma mater. The theme could display the school logo or mascot
and periodically play the school's fight song. The day after the
big game the mobile phone switches themes back to the autumn theme
404.
The last theme in October is a holiday theme 420 for Halloween.
The user may choose to set the last two days, in this example, to
display Halloween images and emit scary sounds.
The hierarchy of themes shown in FIG. 4 are all time triggered.
A theme profile within the mobile phone stores the triggering events
and a pointer to the theme data associated with the triggering event.
The pointer can either point to an internal memory location or to
a network location where the theme data can be retrieved. Themes
on the network require the mobile phone to establish a data connection
with the network upon a triggering event. Once the data connection
has been established, the theme data can be downloaded and applied
to the mobile phone. When a time triggered theme has expired the
mobile phone reverts back to the theme in place before the triggering
event.
A triggering event need not be solely time based. Mobile phones
equipped with location determination capabilities such as global
positioning satellite (GPS) can trigger themes based on the location
of the mobile phone. For instance, when the mobile phone is at or
near the user's residence, the theme can be more relaxed and irreverent.
When the mobile phone approaches and arrives at a user's place of
work, the theme can become more professional.
FIG. 5 illustrates the types of data that make up a theme profile,
triggering event, and theme content. Theme profiles are a collection
of triggering events, data pointers, and priorities for sorting
conflicts among triggering events. The priorities are especially
important when a time trigger conflicts with a location trigger
or a 3.sup.rd party push trigger. The theme profile is a set of
data that identifies multiple themes and their triggering events.
The mobile phone user has the ability to edit and set the parameters
of the theme profile. The main parameters of the theme profile include
the triggering event, a priority, a duration for the theme, and
a pointer to the theme content to be applied to the mobile phone.
A triggering event can be time based, location based, or event
based. Time based triggering events trigger a theme transition at
a specific time. Location based triggering events trigger a theme
transition when the mobile phone approaches a predetermined location.
Event based triggering events trigger a theme transition when the
mobile phone senses or is informed of a specific event. For instance,
an event based triggering event could occur when the mobile phone
(and user) enter a restaurant. The restaurant could broadcast, via
Bluetooth.TM., for instance, a theme for the restaurant that included
various background displays and restaurant offerings like the day's
specials.
Event based triggering events can become annoying to the mobile
phone user if everywhere the user goes, that location wants to push
a theme to the mobile phone. Thus, the mobile phone user can opt
out of event based themes or can set the mobile phone to query each
time an event based theme is detected.
The priority parameter governs the application of themes having
conflicting triggers. A theme can be given a priority value on a
scale of 1 to 10, for instance. The lower the number, the higher
the priority. Then, when two or more themes have triggering events
that conflict, the them with the highest priority will get applied
to the phone. This scenario can occur when a time based triggering
event conflicts with a location based triggering event. An event
based triggering event can also occur that would conflict with another
theme. On the scale in the in the example above, up to 10 different
themes can conflict and be resolved. One of ordinary skill in the
art, however, could readily devise an alternative priority conflict
resolution system without departing from the spirit or scope of
the present invention.
The duration parameter for a theme is an optional parameter. It
allows the user to set an expiration period for a particular theme.
After a certain period of time the theme can transition back to
the previous theme or to a default theme. The other setting for
the duration parameter can indicate that the current theme will
remain until a new theme is requested or the next triggering event
occurs.
The pointer to the theme content data tells the mobile phone where
to obtain the theme data to be applied to the mobile phone. The
content data itself is a collection of display characteristics,
ringtones, ringtone settings (e.g., volume, silent, vibrate), requests
for specific data, and rules for applying the content to the mobile
phone. When an theme is triggered, the mobile phone determines the
location of the content data and retrieves same. The rules dictate
how the display shall appear and how the ringtones shall sound.
The rules can also act as subtriggers in that they can cause the
retrieval of updated information to display on the phone. For instance,
if the theme is business related and one of the content items is
a stock quote, the rules can tell the mobile phone to obtain and
display an updated stock quote every 15 minutes. Or, if the theme
is a weather theme, the rules can tell the mobile phone to obtain
and display an updated weather radar map.
The rules can also cause display characteristics to change based
on sub-triggers. Consider a theme broadly characterized as a time
of day theme. The rules could indicate that the display image should
change from a picture of the sun to a picture of a moon after 8:00
PM.
Computer program elements of the invention may be embodied in hardware
and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,
etc.). The invention may take the form of a computer program product,
which can be embodied by a computer-usable or computer-readable
storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program
instructions, "code" or a "computer program"
embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with the instruction
execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable
or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain,
store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use
by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus,
or device. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be,
for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,
electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device,
or propagation medium such as the Internet. Note that the computer-usable
or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable
medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be
electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of
the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise
processed in a suitable manner. The computer program product and
any software and hardware described herein form the various means
for carrying out the functions of the invention in the example embodiments.
Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One
of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention
may have other applications in other environments. In fact, many
embodiments and implementations are possible. The following claims
are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention
to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation
of "means for" is intended to evoke a means-plus-function
reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do
not specifically use the recitation "means for", are not
intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the
claim otherwise includes the word "means". |