Abstract:
A mobile station in a wireless communication system associates a plurality of context tags with corresponding reference information. The reference information may define a characteristic, such as the location of the mobile station or a time frame. The context tags assigns an easily defined term to the reference information. The mobile station may then run programs that refer to the context tags, and not specifically to the reference information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to providing context tags to handsets in wireless communication systems.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The desire to use information in wireless communication systems is constantly increasing. With the increased use of the wireless web on cellular telephones, the versatility and potential of the wireless communication system is increasing. For example, many cellular phones also include personal information managers (PIMs). The PIMs may be set to give reminders based on certain conditions being met, such as arriving at the office or the end of the workday. However, each of these conditions may be different for each individual. What is desired is a technique that allows each individual to define a set of conditions based upon the individuals own data, and use those conditions with their wireless telephone.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    A mobile station in a wireless communication system associates a plurality of context tags with corresponding reference information. The reference information may define a characteristic, such as the location of the mobile station or a time frame. The context tags assigns an easily defined term to the reference information. The mobile station may then run programs that refer to the context tags, and not specifically to the reference information. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 illustrates components of a wireless communication system appropriate for use with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing features of a mobile station according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a table illustrating the association between a context tag and the related defining information.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 illustrates a process for defining the context tags according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 illustrates a process for using the context tags in a program according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates components of a wireless communication system. A mobile switching center  102  communicates with a base station  104 . The base station  104  broadcasts data to and receives data from mobile stations  106  within a cell  108 . The cell  108  is a geographic region, roughly hexagonal, having a radius of up to 35 kilometers or possibly more.  
         [0011]    The mobile station  106  is capable of receiving data from and transmitting data to a base station  104 . Additional cells adjacent to the cell  108  permit mobile stations  106  to cross cell boundaries without interrupting communications. This is because base stations  104  in adjacent cells assume the task of transmitting and receiving data for the mobile stations  106 . The mobile switching center  102  coordinates all communication to and from mobile stations  106  in a multi-cell region, thus the mobile switching center  102  may communicate with many base stations  104 .  
         [0012]    The mobile stations  106  may move about freely within the cell  108  while communicating either voice or data. The mobile stations  106  not in active communication with other telephone system users may, nevertheless, scan base station  104  transmissions in the cell  108  to detect any telephone calls or paging messages directed to the mobile station  106 .  
         [0013]    One example of such a mobile station  106  is a cellular telephone used by a pedestrian who, expecting a telephone call, powers on the cellular telephone while walking in the cell  108 . The cellular telephone synchronizes communication with the base station  104 . The cellular telephone then registers with the mobile switching center  102  to make itself known as an active user within the wireless network.  
         [0014]    The mobile station  106  scans data frames broadcast by the base station  104  to detect any telephone calls or paging messages directed to the cellular telephone. In this call detection mode, the mobile station  106  receives, stores and examines paging message data, and determines whether the data contains an identifier matching an identifier of the mobile station  106 . If a match is detected, the mobile station  106  establishes a call with the mobile switching center  102  via the base station  104 . If no match is detected, the mobile station  106  enters an idle state for a predetermined period of time, then exits the idle state to receive another transmission of paging message data.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the mobile station  106  and the processing that occurs in that mobile station  106 . The processor  200  is driven by a program stored in a memory  205 . Context tags and associated information for the mobile station  106  may also be stored in another part of memory shown here as  210 . The memory  210  stores various conditions including information obtained from searches to base stations.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a table  300  illustrating the association between a context tag  305  and the related defining information  310 . The information shown in the table  300  is stored in the memory  210  of the mobile station  106 . Thus, only the mobile station  106  knows what defines each of the tags  305 . The table  300  includes a plurality of tag identifications  305  and corresponding definition information  310 . The context tags may define a variety of items, including but not limited to location information and time frame information.  
         [0017]    Examples of the types of context tags are illustrated in the table  300 . A location tag is shown in line  315 . Here, the mobile station is at a user&#39;s house, and the current position information is saved within the mobile station. The position information may be obtained from a variety of sources, including global positioning, triangulation, current base station in use, or any other method that is known in the art. How the position information is obtained is not important for the purposed of defining the context identification. Further, the mobile station  106  does not even have to currently be at the defined position. The position information may be taken from the memory  205  or input directly by the user. However, once the position information is obtained, the user inputs the context tag “Home” to define that position information to mean the mobile is at the user&#39;s residence. The same procedure may be used to define other locations, such as “Office” or “Theater”.  
         [0018]    An example of a time frame tag is illustrated in line  320  of table  300 . A time frame, such as 9am-5pm may be input into the mobile station  106 . This time frame is then assigned a context identification such as “Work Hours”.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a process according to one embodiment for defining the context tags  305 . The processor  200  executes a process  400  shown in FIG. 4. The process  400  begins at a START state  405 . Proceeding to block  410 , the mobile station  106  obtains the reference information that defines the context tag  305 . As stated above, this information may include position information, time information, or any other information that helps define a state.  
         [0020]    Proceeding to block  415 , the process  400  allows for a context tag identifier  305  to be input into the mobile station  106 . The tag identifier  305  may be input using the keypad of the mobile station  106 , or using any other method of data entry known in the art. Preferably, the tag identifier  305  may be a common term that clearly defines a state for the user.  
         [0021]    Proceeding to block  420 , the mobile station  106  correlates the tag identifier  305  with the defining information  310 . This correlated information is then stored in the memory  210  of the mobile station  106 . Thus, only the mobile station knows what defines each of the context tags  305 . The process then terminates in an END block  425 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 illustrates a process  500  according to one embodiment for using the context tags  305  of the present invention. The process  500  begins in START block  505 . Proceeding to block  510 , the mobile station  106  retrieves a program to run. The program may be retrieved from a wireless web browser, from the wireless service provider, or may be stored within the mobile station. The program may be loaded into the memory  205  of the mobile station  106 .  
         [0023]    Proceeding to block  515 , the mobile station  106  determines what context tags  305  are included in the program, and then retrieves the appropriate context tags  305  from the memory  210  based on the current information and stored relationships. For example, if it is 2pm, the mobile station  106  will find the time frame definition including 2pm, such as 9am-5pm, and retrieve the associated context tag, such as “Work Hours.” The mobile station  106  may retrieve as many context tags  305  are necessary.  
         [0024]    Proceeding to block  520 , the stored program is then executed using the retrieved context tags  305 . For example, the program may set the ringing volume and type based on the context tag  305 . If a context tag  305  of “Staff Meeting” is active, the ringer may be turned off and the vibrate mode activated. Conversely, for an “Outdoor” context tag  305 , the ringer may be set to high. Other context tags  305  may also be used by the program to cause other actions to occur.  
         [0025]    It can be appreciated that the program does not need to know the data that defines the context tag, thus enhancing the privacy for the user. For example, a user may work nights and defines his work hours as 1am-10am. When a program executes during work hours, the program may simply query the mobile station  106  to determine if the “Work Hours” context tag is currently true. The program may never know what is the exact definition of the “Work Hours” context tag, thus enhancing the privacy for the user.  
         [0026]    Numerous variations and modifications of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.