Abstract:
A portable communication device includes a user interface responsive to user input, a controller, and a time management module coupled to the controller. A schedule tabled is created in accordance with the user input. The time management module periodically checks the schedule table and sends real time signals to the controller. The controller enables and disables the function in accordance with the schedule table. A method for enabling or disabling the functions of the communication device is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to consumer electronics, and particularly relates to an electronic device having muting capabilities. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Many electronic devices include alert functions that can be muted. Examples include cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and gaming devices. In the case of cell phones, for instance, one type of alert function is an incoming call signal. An alert of the incoming call signal can be either an audible ringer or a vibrational ringer. Many cell phones allow the user to switch between the audible ringer and the vibrational ringer. Another alert function that is common amongst electronic devices is a calendared event reminder that activates the alert upon the calendared event. Another common alert function is a count-down timer that triggers the alert after a predetermined time has elapsed. 
         [0005]    Typically, electronic devices allow the audible alerts to be muted because such alerts may not be appropriate in some environments. Thus, users commonly mute their electronic devices upon entering meetings, theaters, courtrooms, and so forth. However, users may forget to unmute the electronic devices, thereby missing important calls or messages. 
         [0006]    Therefore, what is needed is a way to automatically enable the mute function or alert functions as scheduled. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a communication device with muting function; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an operational flow diagram illustrating an operational sequence of the communication device of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0009]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a communication device  100  includes a controller  10 , a user interface  20 , a time management module  30 , a memory  40  for storing programs and data, a transceiver  50 , and a signal input/output (I/O)  60  coupled to the transceiver  50 . The transceiver  50  transmits or receives signals via the signal I/O  60 . 
         [0010]    The controller  10  utilizes signal processing techniques for processing signals received from the user interface  20 , the time management module  30 , the transceiver  50  of the communication device  100 . The controller  10  further sends commands to the user interface  20 , the time management module  30 , the memory  40 , and the transceiver  50 . 
         [0011]    The controller  10  is communicatively coupled to the user interface  20  for receiving activation signals from the user interface  20  and sending signals to the user interface  20  which shows corresponding information thereon. When an activation of the user interface  10  by a first user input for enabling a muting function is detected, a schedule table is stored. The controller  10  comprises an automatic scheduler which activates and deactivates the muting function according to the schedule table. For example, a user of the communication device usually has a meeting or a class starting from 9:00 to 11:00 am. every work day (i.e. Monday to Friday), the muting function is set to be activated from 9:00 to 11:00 am, Monday to Friday. 
         [0012]    Additionally, there is a call resistance function. When an activation of the user interface  10  by a second user input for enabling a call resistance function is detected, the communication device  100  is capable of rejecting unwelcome incoming calls by a manner of sending busy signals, sending text messages to the callers, and sending the call to voicemail. For example, if a user of the communication device  100  has to keep the communication device  100  power on all the day for important calls, but does not want to be interrupted by other inessential calls during usual sleep time, the call resistance function may be set to be activated to reject the unwelcome calls during a period of sleep time entered by the user. 
         [0013]    The user interface  20  can be a combination of an input unit (such as a group of keys or buttons) and a display unit for display corresponding information thereon, such as a plurality of user-selectable choices thereon. The user interface  20  can also be a touch screen having both input and display functions. 
         [0014]    The time management module  30  is coupled to the controller  10  and periodically checks the schedule table. If it&#39;s time to mute the communication device  100 , the time management block  30  sends a signal to the controller  10 , then the controller  10  sends commands to mute the communication device  100 . 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the communication device is a cell phone. The user can set the muting function and the call resistance function to be activated at desired times. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an operational sequence, according to one embodiment of the communication device  100 , includes the following blocks. 
         [0017]    In block S 01 , an activation of a user interface by the user input is detected. In block S 02 , the first user input for enabling muting function is detected. In a block S 03 , a schedule table is stored in the memory  40  of the communication device  100  according to the first user input for activation/deactivation of the muting function. In block S 04 , the time management module  30  checks the schedule table periodically and sends real time signals to the controller  10 ; the scheduler of the controller  10  is executed to activate or deactivate the muting function according to the schedule table. In block S 05 , the communication device  100  is in a mute mode for a set period of time specified in the schedule table. In block S 06 , the set period of time elapses. In block S 07 , the mute function is removed, the communication device  100  is in a normal mode which notifies the user for calls and messages using audible ring, vibration, audible vibration, screen illumination, and etc. 
         [0018]    In block S 08 , the second user input for enabling the call resistance function is detected. In block S 09 , predetermined conditions of the call resistance function are satisfied. The predetermined conditions include incoming calls of unwelcome callers, inessential incoming calls, and/or a time period (i.e. sleeping/resting time). In block S 10 , the call resistance function is enabled if the predetermined conditions are satisfied. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment, the schedule table is created after the first user input for enabling the muting function is detected. The schedule table contains codes of the muting function and time events for enabling or disabling the muting function. However, in other embodiments, the schedule table contains codes of the muting function and the call resistance functions and any other functions related to time events. 
         [0020]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of preferred embodiments thereof, and while the preferred embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.