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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A method and system provides automatic/timed silencing of a mobile
phone by a telecommunications network. The method has the steps
of: forming a schedule of silence at a mobile phone; sending the
schedule of silence to a mobile switching center; storing the schedule
of silence in a subscriber database in the mobile switching center;
blocking at least incoming calls at the mobile switching center
according to the stored schedule of silence, and sending a first
message to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to enter
a silence mode; transmitting, according to the stored schedule of
silence, a second message from the mobile switching center to the
mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to exit the silence
mode, and ceasing to block at least the incoming calls to the mobile
phone. The system implements the method.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
We claim:
1. A method for providing automatic and timed silencing of a mobile
phone by a telecommunications network, said method comprising the
steps of: storing a schedule of silence for a mobile phone in a
telecommunication network; and effecting by the telecommunication
network an automatic entering into a silence mode and exiting from
the silence mode of the mobile phone according to the stored schedule
of silence; wherein a mobile switching center in the telecommunication
network blocks all message alerts for the mobile phone and at least
incoming calls at the mobile switching center for the mobile phone
during at least one period of the schedule of silence, and wherein
the mobile switching center sends a control message to temporarily
disable audible and alerting devices on the mobile phone during
the schedule of silence, and wherein the mobile phone displays a
message to denote the silence mode during the schedule of silence.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of forming
the schedule of silence at the mobile phone, the schedule of silence
having at least one period during which the mobile phone is in the
silent mode.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing
the schedule of silence in a subscriber database in a mobile switching
center in the telecommunication network.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transferring
the incoming call to a voice mail system.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically cycling
the mobile phone into and out of the silence mode according to the
schedule of silence.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the silence mode of the mobile
phone comprises no audio output, no visual output, and no vibration
output.
7. A method far providing automatic and timed silencing of a mobile
phone by a telecommunications network, said method comprising the
steps of: forming a schedule of silence at a mobile phone, the schedule
of silence having at least one period during which the mobile phone
is in a silent mode; sending the schedule of silence from the mobile
phone to a mobile switching center; storing the schedule of silence
in a subscriber database in the mobile switching center; blocking,
by the mobile switching center, all message alerts for the mobile
phone and at least incoming calls at the mobile switching center
for the mobile phone during the at least one period of the schedule
of silence stored in the subscriber data base, and sending a control
message to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to enter
a silence mode, wherein the mobile switching center sends the control
message to temporarily disable audible and alerting devices on the
mobile phone during the schedule of silence; entering, in response
to the control message, the mobile phone into the silence mode,
wherein the mobile phone displays a message to denote the silence
mode during the schedule of silence; transmitting, at an end of
the at least one period of the schedule of silence a second message
from the mobile switching center to the mobile phone that instructs
the mobile phone to exit the silence mode, and ceasing to block
all message alerts for the mobile phone and at least the incoming
calls to the mobile phone; and exiting, in response to the second
message, the mobile phone from the silence mode.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the schedule of silence includes
at least one of a date, a day of a week, and a time period during
a day.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the schedule of silence includes
periodic time periods of mobile phone silence.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein the silence mode of the mobile
phone comprises no audio output, no visual output, and no vibration
output.
11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of transferring
the incoming call to a voice mail system.
12. The method of claim 7 further comprising in the step of forming
a schedule of silence at a mobile phone selecting a start time and
an end time for the at least one period.
13. A system for providing automatic and timed silencing of a mobile
phone by a telecommunications network, said system comprising: a
schedule of silence for a mobile phone; a mobile switching center
operatively connected to the mobile phone; a subscriber database
operatively connected to the mobile switching center and having
stored therein the schedule of silence for the mobile; a call blocking
module operatively connected to the mobile switching center; and
a mobile phone silencing controller operatively connected to the
mobile switching center and to the call blocking module; wherein
the mobile phone silencing controller automatically sends a control
message to temporarily disable audible and alerting devices on the
mobile phone and enters the mobile phone into a silence mode during
the schedule of silence and exits from the silence mode according
to the stored schedule of silence, and wherein the call blocking
module blocks at least incoming calls for the mobile phone according
to the stored schedule of silence, and wherein the mobile switching
center blocks all message alerts for the mobile phone during the
at least one period of the schedule of silence stored in the subscriber
data base, and wherein the mobile phone displays a message to denote
the silence mode during the schedule of silence.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the system further comprises
a mobile phone silencing module in the mobile phone, the mobile
phone silencing module operatively connected to the mobile phone
silencing module in the mobile switching center for forming the
schedule of silence in the mobile phone and transferring the schedule
of silence from the mobile phone to the mobile switching center.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the schedule of silence includes
periodic time periods of mobile phone silence.
16. The system of claim 13 wherein the silence mode of the mobile
phone comprises no audio output, no visual output, and no vibration
output.
17. The system of claim 13 further comprising a voice mail system
that incoming calls for the mobile phone are transferred to when
the mobile phone is in the silence mode.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to wireless telephony in general,
and, more particularly, to a method and system for providing automatic/timed
silencing of a mobile phone from a telecommunications network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless telephones, which include both cellular telephones and
the higher frequency personal communication devices (PCDs), are
growing in numbers and also shrinking in size and weight. The growth
in numbers is influenced by the convenience and the per call cost
of wireless telephones with respect to pagers and wire line telephones
or coin telephones for completing calls, especially when the user
is away from home or office. The shrinking size is influenced by
two related technologies: more efficient receive/transmit processing
circuits and higher power density batteries.
Telephone service subscribers with mobile phones do not necessarily
want to answer all the telephone calls they receive. Many situations
prevent a user from even activating a mobile phone, for example
when the user is inside a hospital or at a theater performance.
Although mobile phones can be set to vibrate, instead of ring, some
users do not want to be interrupted during certain times that occur
periodically, for example a weekly church service.
Many times a user forgets to turn his phone off or to change it
from ring to vibrate. This often results in embarrassment to the
user when the phone rings at an inopportune time. Furthermore, the
user may forget to turn the mobile phone back on, and may therefore
miss an important call. Thus, prior art mobile phones have a significant
drawback. There is therefore a need in the art for an improved method
and system for providing automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone
by a telecommunications network.
SUMMARY
The following summary of embodiments of the invention is provided
to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features
unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full
description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention
can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings,
and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of an embodiment of the present method
and system to provide a method and system for, especially on a mobile
phone in a telecommunications network, providing automatic/timed
silencing of a mobile phone from a telecommunications network.
It is a further aspect of an embodiment of the present method and
system to provide for automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone
for a predetermined period of time.
It is a further aspect of an embodiment of the present method and
system to provide for blocking incoming calls and/or message alerts
during automatic/timed silence periods of a mobile.
It is a further aspect of an embodiment of the present method and
system to provide for automatically sending incoming calls and/or
message alerts to an associated voice mail system during automatic/timed
silence periods of a mobile.
In general terms one embodiment of the present method is for providing
automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone by a telecommunications
network. The method has the steps of: forming a schedule of silence
at a mobile phone, the schedule of silence having at least one period
during which the mobile phone is in a silent mode; sending the schedule
of silence from the mobile phone to a mobile switching center; storing
the schedule of silence in a subscriber database in the mobile switching
center; blocking, by the mobile switching center, at least incoming
calls at the mobile switching center for the mobile phone during
the at least one period of the schedule of silence stored in the
subscriber data base, and sending a first message to the mobile
phone that instructs the mobile phone to enter a silence mode; entering,
in response to the first message, the mobile phone into the silence
mode; transmitting, at an end of the at least one period of the
schedule of silence a second message from the mobile switching center
to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to exit the
silence mode, and ceasing to block at least the incoming calls to
the mobile phone; and exiting, in response to the second message,
the mobile phone from the silence mode.
Also, in general terms one embodiment of the present system is
for providing automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone by a telecommunications
network. The system has: a schedule of silence for a mobile phone;
a mobile switching center operatively connected to the mobile phone;
a subscriber database operatively connected to the mobile switching
center and having stored therein the schedule of silence for the
mobile; a call blocking module operatively connected to the mobile
switching center; and a mobile phone silencing controller operatively
connected to the mobile switching center and to the call blocking
module. The mobile phone silencing controller automatically enters
the mobile phone into a silence mode and exits from the silence
mode according to the stored schedule of silence. The call blocking
module blocks at least incoming calls for the mobile phone according
to the stored schedule of silence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer
to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate
views and which are incorporated in and form part of the specification,
further illustrate the present invention and, together with the
detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles
of the present invention.
FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrative of a mobile switching
center, base station and mobile station for use with the present
method and system.
FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed block diagram illustrative of
a mobile switching center, base station, and mobile station according
to one embodiment of the present method and system.
FIG. 3 illustrates a very general flow chart of logical operational
steps that may be followed in accordance with one embodiment of
the present method and system.
FIG. 4 illustrates another flow chart of logical operational steps
that may be followed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
method and system.
FIG. 5 illustrates yet a further flow chart of logical operational
steps that may be followed in accordance with one embodiment of
the present method and system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting
examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate an embodiment
of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope
of the invention.
The present method provides for automatic/timed silencing of a
mobile phone by a telecommunications network. In very general terms
the method has the steps of: storing a schedule of silence for a
mobile phone in a telecommunication network; and effecting by the
telecommunication network an automatic entering into a silence mode
and exiting from the silence mode of the mobile phone according
to the stored schedule of silence.
Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 is depicted for automatic/timed
silencing of mobile handsets (also referred to as mobile phones).
System 100 has a mobile switching center (MSC) 102. The system may
be, or may be part of, one or more of a telephone network, a local
area network ("LAN"), the Internet, and a wireless network.
In the depicted embodiment, a public switched telephone network
(PSTN) 104 is connected to MSC 102. The PSTN 104 routes calls to
and from mobile users through the MSC 102. The PSTN 104 also routes
calls from and to wireline stations 106. The MSC 102 is also connected
to one or more base stations (BS) 110. Each of the base stations
110 communicates with mobile station(s) 112 in its service area.
The PSTN 104 generally can be implemented as the worldwide voice
telephone network accessible to all those with telephones and access
privileges (e.g., AT&T long distance network).
Each of the mobile stations 112 has a home location register (HLR)
114 where data about each of the mobile stations 112 resides. Some
of the mobile stations 112 may be remotely located from their home
location, and in that case, a visiting location register (VLR) 116
is set up locally for each mobile station 112 that is visiting in
its service area. HLR 114 can be implemented as a permanent SS7
database utilized in cellular networks, such as, but not limited
to, for example, AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System), GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communications), and PCS.
HLR 114 can be utilized generally to identify/verify a subscriber,
and also contains subscriber data related to features and services.
HLR 114 is generally utilized not only when a call is being made
within a coverage area supported by a cellular provider of record,
but also to verify the legitimacy and to support subscriber features
when a subscriber is away from his or her home area. VLR 116, on
the other hand, can be implemented as a local database maintained
by the cellular provider whose territory is being roamed. Mobile
station 112 can be implemented as a cellular device, personal communication
device, short message service device or wireless communications
device (e.g., a wireless personal digital assistant).
The MSC 102 may have, or be operatively connected to, a silencing
system 101 that provides for automatic/timed silencing of a mobile
phone, such as mobile station 112. The MSC 102 may also have, or
be operatively connected to, a voice mail system 103 as is known
in the art.
Referring to FIG. 2, a system 200 is shown for automatic/timed
silencing of a mobile phone. FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram that
is illustrative of a mobile switching center 202 operatively connected
a PSTN 204, base station 210, and mobile station 212 according to
one embodiment of the present method and system. The PSTN 204 routes
calls to and from mobile users through the MSC 202, as well as routing
calls from and to wireline stations 206. The MSC 202 is connected
to one or more base stations 210. The base station(s) 210 communicates
through the air to mobile stations 212, which may be of a cellular
telephone type or of the wider bandwidth personal communication
device type. Mobile stations 212 may be wireless handsets or automobile
mounted stations the same as those shown in FIG. 1.
The MSC 202 may have a call blocking module 201 that prevents incoming
calls from the PSTN 204 from reaching the mobile station 212. The
call blocking module 201 may be operatively connected to a voice
mail system 203 to which incoming calls may be diverted. The voice
mail system 203 may operate in a known manner for storing messages
related to the mobile station 212. The call blocking module 201
may also block other communications, such as message alerts, destined
for the mobile station 212.
The mobile switching center 202 may have a mobile phone silencing
controller 205 that is operatively connected to the call blocking
module 201 and to a subscriber database 207 that stores data related
to the mobile station 212. The mobile station 212 may have a mobile
phone silencing controller 215 that communicates with the mobile
phone silencing controller 205 in the mobile switching center 202.
A schedule of silence is formed by the mobile phone silencing controller
215 in the mobile phone 212. In general, one embodiment of forming
a schedule of silence at a mobile phone consists of selecting a
start time and an end time for the at least one period of time.
The schedule of silence is transmitted from the mobile phone 212
to the mobile switching center 202 where the schedule of silence
is stored in the subscriber database 207.
The schedule of silence may include at least one of a date, a day
of a week, and a time period during a day. Furthermore the schedule
of silence may include periodic time periods of mobile phone silence.
The call blocking module 201 operates by checking the HLR 214 or
VLR 216 of the called party to determine whether the called party's
telephone 212 is in the silent mode; if silent mode is active, the
incoming call is routed to the voice mail system 203; if silent
mode is not active, the call is routed to the mobile phone in the
normal way.
The MSC mobile phone silencing controller 205 operates by sending
a control message to the mobile station mobile phone silencing controller
215, which then temporarily disables the audible and alerting devices
on the phone and displays a message such as "SILENT MODE"
on the telephone display during the schedule of silence.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of the present
method. In very general terms the method has the steps of: storing
a schedule of silence for a mobile phone in a telecommunication
network (step 300); and effecting by the telecommunication network
an automatic entering into a silence mode and exiting from the silence
mode of the mobile phone according to the stored schedule of silence
(step 302).
FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting another embodiment of the present
method. This embodiment of the method in a telecommunications network
has the steps of: forming a schedule of silence at a mobile phone,
the schedule of silence having at least one period during which
the mobile phone is in a silent mode (step 400); sending the schedule
of silence from the mobile phone to a mobile switching center (step
402); storing the schedule of silence in a subscriber database in
the mobile switching center (step 404); blocking, by the mobile
switching center, at least incoming calls at the mobile switching
center for the mobile phone during the at least one period of the
schedule of silence stored in the subscriber data base, and sending
a first message to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone
to enter a silence mode (step 406); entering, in response to the
first message, the mobile phone into the silence mode (step 410);
transmitting, at an end of the at least one period of the schedule
of silence a second message from the mobile switching center to
the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to exit the silence
mode, and ceasing to block at least the incoming calls to the mobile
phone (step 412); and exiting, in response to the second message,
the mobile phone from the silence mode (step 414);.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting yet another embodiment of the
present method. In this embodiment of the method for providing automatic/timed
silencing of a mobile phone by a telecommunications network, the
method has the steps of: forming a schedule of silence at a mobile
phone, the schedule of silence having periodic time periods of mobile
phone silence during which the mobile phone is in a silent mode
(step 500); sending the schedule of silence from the mobile phone
to a mobile switching center (step 502); storing the schedule of
silence in a subscriber database in the mobile switching center
(step 504); checking the schedule of silence for entry of the mobile
phone into the silence mode (step 506); sending, if the mobile phone
is not in a silence mode, a first message to the mobile phone that
instructs the mobile phone to enter a silence mode (step 508); entering,
if the mobile phone is not in a silence mode and in response to
the first message, the mobile phone into the silence mode (step
510); blocking, by the mobile switching center, at least incoming
calls at the mobile switching center for the mobile phone, and transferring
the incoming call to a voice mail system (step 512); sending, if
the mobile phone is in a silence mode, a second message to the mobile
phone that instructs the mobile phone to exit the silence mode (step
514); exiting, if the mobile phone is in a silence mode and in response
to the second message, the mobile phone from the silence mode (step
516); and ceasing to block at least the incoming calls to the mobile
phone (518).
The present system and method may be used with non-mobile phones,
as well as, mobile phones. Also, different types of data storage
devices may be used with the present method and system. For example,
a data storage device may be one or more of a magnetic, electrical,
optical, biological, and atomic data storage medium. The present
invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and provides
an improved method and system in a telecommunications network for
automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone by the telecommunications
network.
The method and system of the present invention may be implemented
in hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and software.
In a software embodiment, portions of the present invention may
be computer program products embedded in computer readable medium.
Portions of the system may employ and/or comprise a set and/or series
of computer instructions written in or implemented with any of a
number of programming languages, as will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art. For example, the mobile phone silencing controllers
in the mobile station and in the mobile switching center may be
implemented in software. The call blocking module may also be implemented
in software.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to
best explain the present invention and its practical application
and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize
the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize
that the foregoing description and examples have been presented
for the purpose of illustration and example only. Other variations
and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those
of skill in the art, and it is the intent of the appended claims
that such variations and modifications be covered. The description
as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope
of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope
of the following claims. It is contemplated that the use of the
present invention can involve components having different characteristics.
It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined
by the claims appended hereto, giving full cognizance to equivalents
in all respects. |