System and method for configuring a communication device

The disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for configuring a communication device. In one embodiment, a method is presented that includes monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile. In response to the communication device detecting the presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile, the method retrieves the user profile from the mobile device. The method configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The principles of the present invention relate to telecommunications, and more specifically, to configuring a communication device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some communication devices utilize user profiles for configuring settings specific to a user, such as, but not limited to, the identity of a preferred network carrier, a telephone number assigned to the user, speed call/contact information, class of service allowed, and/or other custom calling features. However, a problem arises when a user uses a communication device that is not already configured with the user's profile. In such case, the user is unfamiliar with the settings of the communication device and/or unable to obtain contact information that is associated with the user's profile. A current method for solving this dilemma requires the user to enter a code and/or call a specific number to have the user's profile retrieved from a central database for user in configuring the desired communication device. This method may be cumbersome due to a number of factors, such as, but not limited to, the user's familiarity with the process of retrieving the user's profile, the amount of time required to retrieve the user profile from the central database, the amount of user interaction needed to retrieve the user profile, and/or the user remembering his/her assigned user code. Thus, the disclosed embodiments present a method for configuring a communication device that overcomes the above deficiencies.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for configuring a communication device is presented. The method includes monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile. In response to the communication device detecting the presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile, the method retrieves the user profile from the mobile device. The method configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1depicts a network environment100in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Network environment100includes network110, which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers, such as, but not limited to, data processing system120and a plurality of communication devices, such as communication device102, communication device106, and communication device114. Network110may include connections180a-180f, such as, but is not limited to, wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables to each of the devices.

Communication device102, communication device106, and communication device114may be any type of communication device including, but not limited to, a telephone connected by wired network, a cellular phone, and/or any other communication device capable of being configured to a specified user profile. In one embodiment, a user profile configuration application104, user profile configuration application108, and user profile configuration application112executes respectively on communication device102, communication device106, and communication device114.

User profile configuration applications104,108, and112include computer executable instructions for detecting the presence of at least one mobile device storing a user profile, such as, but not limited to, mobile device130, mobile device134, and mobile device138respectively storing user profile132, user profile136, and user profile140. A user profile, such as, but not limited to, user profile132is a data set that includes configuration settings and/or other personal data specific to a particular user, such as, but not limited to, the identity (of a preferred network carrier, a telephone number assigned to the user, speed call/contact information, class of service allowed, and/or other custom calling features.

In one embodiment, a mobile device130storing a user profile132may be capable of communicating data, such as, but not limited to, user profile132, wirelessly to a communication device via communication links180g-180j. For example, in one embodiment, mobile device130utilizes the Bluetooth™ protocol along with the Object Exchange (OBEX) communication protocol to facilitate data transmission over short distances between mobile device130and a communication device, such as, but not limited to, communication device102. Alternatively, in some embodiments, other types of wireless protocols may be used including, but not limited to, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) for transmitting data between the mobile device and a communication device.

In addition, in some embodiments, a mobile device storing a user profile may be physically connected to a data/communication port of the communication device to enable the communication device to access the user profile stored on the mobile device. For example, in some embodiments, mobile device130may be, but is not limited to, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive and/or a dongle. A dongle is a piece of hardware that attaches to a computing device in order to make a piece of secured software run and/or to authenticate a user.

As previously stated, communication device102, communication device106, and communication device114are connected via network110. In one embodiment, network110is the Internet. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that interchange data using the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). The Internet includes millions of private and public networks that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, and other technologies. Alternatively, in some embodiments, network110may also be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as, but not limited to, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).

The disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for configuring a communication device, such as, but not limited to, communication device102. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile. In response to the communication device detecting the presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile, the method retrieves the user profile from the mobile device. The method configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile.

In addition, in some embodiments, the method records data associated with communications made while the communication device is configured with the user profile and transmits the data from the communication device to a remote data processing system, such as, but not limited to, data processing system120. Further, in some embodiments, the method records data associated with changes made to the user profile while the communication device is configured with the user profile and updates the user profile on the mobile device with the updated data.

Data processing system120may include one or more computing device, such as, but not limited to, one or more servers and/or network computers. In addition, in some embodiments, data processing system120may communicate with one or data stores, such as, but not limited to, data store122. Data store122may be a local data store associated with data processing system120. Alternatively, in some embodiments, data store122may be stored on a remote computing device.

With reference now toFIG. 2, an embodiment of communication device102in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented is presented. In this embodiment, communication device102includes a processor298. Processor298is connected to an internal power source294via power switch258. Processor298is also connected to receive control signals from dialing keypad262, volume control keys264, microphone270, miscellaneous control keys272and speaker phone control274. Speaker phone control key274transmits a signal to the processor298to activate or deactivate speaker268on communication device102. Volume control keys264transmit a signal to increase or decrease the volume of the speaker268when the speaker268is activated by the speaker phone control key274. Dialing keypad262is used for entering input into communication device102, such as, but not limited to, telephone numbers and/or a user selection from a list of items. Communication device102also includes a receiver290connected to a speaker268and ringer292for receipt of audio signals and telephone ringing signals. In some embodiments, communication device102stores user input, data, and/or software applications, such as, but not limited to, user profile configuration application104in a memory200. In one embodiment, communication device102includes a transmitter288for detecting a wireless signal of a mobile device, such as, but not limited to, mobile device130. Additionally, in some embodiments, transmitter288may also be used to transfer data, such as, but not limited to, user profile132between communication device102and mobile device130. Further, in some embodiments, communication device102may include data ports266for detecting and transferring data between communication device102and a mobile device connected to a data port of communication device102such as, but not limited to, a serial port, a parallel port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, and/or a memory card reader.

The different components illustrated for communication device102are not meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in a communication device including components in addition to or in place of those illustrated for communication device102.

FIG. 3is an embodiment of user profile configuration application104for configuring a communication device. In some embodiments, user profile configuration application104includes, among other modules, a mobile device detector module302, user profile retriever module304, user access module306, communication device configuration module308, and communication device data tracker module310.

Mobile device detector module302comprises executable instruction code for detecting the presence of a mobile device. The mobile device, such as, but not limited to, mobile device130stores a user profile, such as, but not limited to, user profile132. In some embodiments, mobile device detector module302detects the presence of mobile device130by detecting the presence of a wireless signal transmitted by mobile device130. In addition, in some embodiments, mobile device detector module302may also detect the presence of mobile device130by detecting mobile device130connected to a data port of a communication device, such as, but not limited to, communication device102.

User profile retriever module304retrieves a user profile stored on a detected mobile device. In some embodiments, user profile retriever module304may automatically retrieve the user profile upon detection of a mobile device and stores the user profile in data file312. Alternatively, in some embodiments, user profile retriever module304retrieves a user profile of a detected mobile device after a user selection is received. For example, in some embodiments, communication device102may present a user interface that includes a list of detected mobile devices. A user may select from the list a desired user profile for configuring communication device102. Further, in some embodiments, the data/user profile on the mobile device may be in an encrypted state to provide additional security. In these embodiments, user profile retriever module304may be used to decrypt the user profile after receiving the user profile from the mobile device.

In some embodiments, user profile configuration application104includes user access module306for verifying that a user associated with a selected user profile has access rights to a communication device prior to configuring the communication device in accordance with the user profile. For instance, in some embodiments, communication device102may be a secured communication device only accessible to users with a particular level of security clearance. Access rights, along with other data, may be stored locally by the communication device, such as, but not limited to, in data file312. Alternatively, access rights for a particular communication device may be retrieved from an external data source, such as, but not limited to, data store122. Further, in some embodiments, user access module306may maintain a data file, such as, but not limited to, data file312. Data file312may include identifying information of a user along with a time stamp of when a mobile device was detected by the communication device. For example, data file312may be used to determine the identity of people who access restricted locations and/or private areas. Additionally, in some embodiments, user access module306may alter access rights associated with a particular user profile, such as, but not limited to, when a mobile device associated with the user profile is lost and/or stolen.

Communication device configuration module308executes instruction code for configuring a communication device, such as, but not limited to, communication device102with a selected user profile. In some embodiments, communication device configuration module308may configure a communication device on an as needed basis. For instance, in some embodiments, communication device configuration module308may configure communication device102with only essential features, such as, but not limited to, enabling a particular user associated with a user profile of a detected mobile device to access and/or use communication device102. Communication device configuration module308may also configure an options menu for enabling a user to select particular features/functions associated with the user's profile. In response to receiving a particular selection, communication device configuration module308retrieves the information/data requested by the user from the mobile device and provides the information to the user. For example, in some embodiments, if the user selects a list of preset phone numbers option, communication device configuration module308retrieves the list from the mobile device and presents the list to the user. Thus, user profile configuration application104may enable a user quicker access to a communication device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, communication device configuration module308automatically retrieves the as needed data in the background after the user is granted access to the communication device and stores the data locally for quicker access when needed.

Further, in some embodiments, if mobile device detector module302detects the presence of two or more mobile devices, communication device configuration module308may present a selection menu600, as depicted inFIG. 6, for selecting a user profile between the two or more user profiles corresponding to the two or more detected mobile devices. In response to receiving the selected user profile, communication device configuration module308configures the communication device in accordance with the selected user profile.

Communication device data tracker module310records data associated with communications made while the communication device is configured with the user profile. For example, in some embodiments, communication device data tracker module310records the time, data, phone numbers, and length of calls made while configured with a particular user profile. In addition, in some embodiments, communication device data tracker module310maintains a data file that includes identifying information of users corresponding to user profiles stored on detected mobile devices. For example, in some embodiments, communication device data tracker module310records the identity of a user and the time period that the communication device detects a mobile device that is associated with the user's profile. For instance, the recorded data may be used to determine the identity of the people who were present for a teleconference and/or the amount time that they were present. Communication device data tracker module310may store the recorded data in a data file, such as, but not limited to, data file312. Further, in some embodiments, communication device data tracker module310may transmit the data from the communication device to a remote data processing system, such as, but not limited to, data processing system120.

Additionally, in other embodiments, communication device data tracker module310records any changes made to a user profile while configured on a communication device and transmits the changes to the mobile device to update the user profile stored on the mobile device. For example, if a user updates the phone number of a contact associated with a user profile stored on mobile device130while using communication device102, communication device data tracker module310records the changes to the user profile and transmits data to mobile device130to update the user profile stored on mobile device130.

With reference now toFIG. 4, an embodiment of a process400for configuring a communication device is presented. Process400begins by monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device storing a user profile at step402. At step404, the process determines whether the presence of at least one mobile device storing a user profile is detected. In response to detecting at least one mobile device storing a user profile, the process retrieves the user profile from the at least one mobile device at step406. The process configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile at step408, with process400terminating thereafter.

FIG. 5is another embodiment of a process500for configuring a communication device. Process500begins by monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device storing a user profile at step502. At step504, the process determines whether the presence of at least one mobile device storing a user profile is detected. In response to detecting at least one mobile device storing a user profile, the process determines whether the presence of two or more mobile devices is detected by the communication device at step508. If the communication device detects the presence of two or more mobile devices, the process presents a selection menu for selecting a selected user profile between the two or more user profiles corresponding to the two or more detected mobile devices at step510. The process monitors for a user-selection of a selected user profile from the selection menu at step512. At step514, the process determines whether a user-selection has been received. If a user-selection is received, the process retrieves the user profile from the selected mobile device at step516.

Alternatively, if at step508, the process does not detect the presence of two or more mobile devices, the process proceeds directly to step516and retrieves the user profile from the detected mobile device. At step518, the process determines whether the retrieved user profile is encrypted. If the retrieved user profile is encrypted, the process, at step520, decrypts the user profile. At step522, the process determines whether a user associated with the retrieved user profile has access rights to use the particular communication device. If the user does not have access rights to the communication device, the process, at step530, records identifying information such as, but not limited to, information identifying the detected mobile device(s) and corresponding time information.

However, if the user does have access tights to the communication device, the process configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile at step526. In some embodiments, the process records data associated with communications made while the communication device is configured with the user profile at step528. Additionally, in some embodiments, the process also records, in a data file, identifying information such as, but not limited to, information identifying the detected mobile device(s) and corresponding time information at step530. Further, in some embodiments, the process transmits the data file from the communication device to a remote data processing system at step528, with process500terminating thereafter.

Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for configuring a communication device. In one embodiment, a method is presented that includes monitoring for a presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile. In response to the communication device detecting the presence of at least one mobile device that stores a user profile, the method retrieves the user profile from the mobile device. The method configures the communication device in accordance with the user profile.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented entirely with hardware or as a software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification and/or the claims, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but 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 without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and 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.