SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TIME-BASED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) may include a display (122), an incoming-call alert device (130), a call processor (128) and other features. A scheduler (126) selectively generates control signals to provide for intelligent control of the manner of operation of the features of a wireless communications device (100). In one embodiment, a receiver (110) receives a time-related data message from a remote location to set a timer (124) with the current time, including the date. The current time is compared with predetermined time-periods and the scheduler (126) generates alternate control signals to control the features during predetermined time-periods.

Description: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TIME-BASED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed generally to a wireless communication device, and, more particularly, to a system and method for time-based information management in a wireless communication device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wireless communications devices, such as cellular telephones, typically include a keyboard, a display, and an incoming-call alert device, such as a ringer or vibrator. In addition, many wireless communications devices can be configured to operate in different modes, such as a power saving or deep sleep mode of operation to conserve battery power. Several wireless communications devices also include scheduling software applications, sometimes known as personal information managers or calendars. A wireless communications device user will frequently desire the device to operate in a particular manner based on the time of day or the day of the week. The cost associated with using a wireless communications device frequently varies based on the type of call and the time /day when the call is placed or received. To operate the wireless communication device in a particular manner, the user must manually configure each feature, such as the incoming-call alert device, to its desired manner operation each time the user desires to change the manner of operation of that feature. It is inconvenient for the user to reconfigure the wireless communication device frequently during the day or week. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there is a significant need for automatic time-based control of the manner of operation of a wireless communications device. The present invention provides this and other advantages, as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is embodied in a system and method for time- based control of the manner of operation of a wireless communications device. In one embodiment the system includes a housing, a timer, and a feature such as an incoming-call alert device or a display. The system also includes a scheduler. The feature can be operated in more than one manner and the scheduler generates control signals to select the manner in which the feature will operate. For example, an incoming-call alert device may indicate the arrival of a call by alternatively not signaling the call arrival or make a noise at a certain level, or to vibrate based on the control signals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device implementing the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of FIG. 1 using data received from external sources. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system of FIG. 1 to automatically control the incoming-call alert device of a wireless communication device based on time-related data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides automatic control of the features or functions of a wireless communication device and, as a result, reduces user intervention in setting the manner of operation of the features or functions. The present invention may be readily implemented in any wireless communication device. Although the examples presented herein refer to a cellular phone, the principles of the present invention are applicable to any wireless communication device, including, but not limited to, analog and digital cellular telephones, personal communications system (PCS) devices, and the like. The present invention is embodied in a system 100 illustrated in the functional block of FIG. 1. The system 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102, which controls operation of the s y stem. A memory 104, which may include both readonly memory (ROM) and random-access memories (RAM), provides instructions and data to the CPU 102. A portion of the memory 104 may also include non-volatile random-access memory. The system 100, which is typically embodied in a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone, also includes a housing 106 that contains a transmitter 108 and a receiver 110 to allow transmission and reception of data, such as audio communications and programming data, between the system 100 and a remote location, such as a base transceiver station (BTS) 150 (see FIG. 2). The transmitter 108 and the receiver 110 may be combined into a transceiver 112. An antenna 114 is attached to the housing 106 and electrically coupled to the transceiver 112. The operation of the transmitter 108, receiver 110, and antenna 114 is well-known in the art and need not be described herein. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the antenna 114 is extending from the housing 106, some designs may include an internal antenna that is contained completely within the housing. The transmitter 108, the receiver 110, and the antenna 114, however, operate in a conventional manner regardless of the location of the antenna. A user input device 116, such as a microphone 118 or keypad 120, is attached to the housing 106 for operation by the user in a conventional manner. The user input device 116 provides a convenient means by which destination telephone numbers, commands, and data may be entered by the user. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the user input device 116 as comprising a microphone 118, and a keypad 120, other user input devices may be used, including a data input jack (not shown), and the like, and in various combinations. The system 100 also includes a display 122 that may be conveniently used to display data to the user, such as instructions, user-entered data, outgoing or incoming telephone numbers, applicable calling charges, alphanumeric text, and other data. In an exemplary embodiment of the system 100, the display 122 will display the time, date, and cost information for incoming and outgoing calls processed by the transceiver 112. This information provides visual cues to the user and thereby assists the user in the operation of the system 100. The system 100 also includes a timer 124, which may typically be included in the CPU 102. As will be discussed in more detail below, system 100 may use the timer 124 to determine the time, date, day of the week and day of the month. The timer 124 may be implemented in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the user enters time-related data using the user input device 116. The user-entered time-related data is used to set the timer 124 or clock, whose time and date information may be shown on the display 122. In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the timer 124 receives a time-related data message from the BTS 150 via a cell-site controller (not shown). The time- related data message is used to set the timer 124 or clock, whose time and date may be shown on the display 122. The techniques used to transmit the time- related data message to the system 100 are well-known in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein. One skilled in the art will recognize that the timer 124 can be set based on a combination of user-entered data and a data message received from a remote location. The system 100 also includes a scheduler 126, which may typically be included in the CPU 102. As will be discussed in greater detail below, system 100 may use the scheduler 126 to generate alternate control signals for controlling operation of the features of the system 100 in one or more different manners. The scheduler 126 may be readily implemented as a series of software instructions placed in the memory 104 and executed by the CPU 102. Thus, minor software modifications to existing hardware will allow the implementation of the system 100. The system 100 includes a call processor 128, which processes incoming and outgoing calls and which may typically be implemented by the CPU 102. In one embodiment, the system 100 also includes an incoming-call alert device 130, which signals the arrival of an incoming call to the user in a number of different manners. One skilled in the art will recognize that an incoming-call alert device 130 may be a ringer, a buzzer, a vibrator, a flashing light, a speaker to play a musical tune, and the like, and various combinations thereof. [As will be discussed in more detail below, the scheduler 126 may generate alternate control signals based on time-related data to selectively operate an incoming- call alert device 130 in a second manner.] Electrical components of the system 100 receive power from a battery 132, which is attached to and supported by the housing 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 132 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the system 100 may include a connector (not shown) for the connection of an external power source, such as an automobile power adapter, AC power adapter, or the like. The various components of the system 100 are coupled together by a bus system 134 which may include a power bus, control bus, and status signal bus in addition to a data bus. For the sake of clarity, however, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 1 as the bus system 134. The scheduler 126 uses the time and date information from the timer 124 to selectively generate alternate control signals for one or more features of the system 100 during predetermined periods of time. In one embodiment, the scheduler 126 is pre-programmed to automatically generate alternate control signals based on default time-related data. In another embodiment, the user can program the scheduler 126 using the user input device 116 in the same way used to select other operational parameters of a typical cellular phone. In yet another embodiment, the scheduler 126 can receive a data message from the BTS 150. The data message is used to program the scheduler 126. The techniques used to transmit a data message to the system 100 are well-known in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein. One skilled in the art will recognize that the scheduler 126 may be programmed based on a combination of default data, user-entered data, and data received from a remote location. One skilled in the art will recognize that a number of operational features of a wireless communication device may function in different ways. For the sake of brevity, the system 100 will be described using a limited number of examples. In one embodiment, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to selectively enable the call processor 128 authorization for certain types of incoming and outgoing calls. For example, the system 100 may be configured to enable the call processor 128 authorization to place outgoing long-distance calls. Information related to calling charges may be pre-stored, manually entered by the user using the user-input device 116, or received from a remote location and stored in the memory 104. In this embodiment, the scheduler 126 is programmed to generate alternate control signals to selectively disable the call processor 128 authorization to place longdistance calls whenever the applicable calling charge exceeds a certain amount. The selective enabling /disabling of this call processor 128 may be done on the basis of time of day (e.g., disable long-distance calling during the day and/or enable long-distance calling after 11:00 p.m.) Alternatively, the scheduler 126 can selectively enable /disable the call processor 128 based on the cost data itself (e.g., disable long-distance calling if the cost at this time is above a first predetermined threshold and enable long-distance calling if the cost at this time is below a second predetermined threshold). In another example, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to selectively disable the call processor 128 authorization to receive incoming long-distance calls on weekends. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the types of calls and time periods used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific types of calls or time periods of operation. It is known that a number of cellular phone charging plans are based on a fixed number of minutes of calling for a particular time period at a particular price. Other calling plans are based on different calling charges for different time periods, such as lower rates on evenings and weekends. In another example of the system 100, the scheduler 126 is programmed to generate alternate control signals to cause the display 122 to display time- related information, such as the number of minutes already used during a given time period or the applicable calling charges at the time a call is placed or received. For example, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to disable the call processor 128 authorization to place outgoing calls or receive incoming calls when the number of called minutes in a particular time period exceeds the number of minutes provided for in the calling plan and to re-enable the call processor 128 authorization when the next time period occurs. For example, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to disable call processor 128 authorization when the number of usage minutes in a month exceeds 500 minutes and to re- enable call processor 128 authorization at 12:01 a.m. on the first date of the next month. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the types of calling plans, types of calls and time periods used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific calling plans, types of calls or time periods of operation. Thus, the call processor 128 can be selectively enabled or disabled to allow processing of incoming calls and outgoing calls. The scheduler 126 generates a control signal to control operation of the call processor 128 based on a number of different factors, such as time of day, day of the week, date, cost of call, and the like. The call processor 128 operates in a number of different manners based on control signals generated by the scheduler 126, which may be based on one or more factors, such as those described above, either singly or in one or more combinations. In another example, the system 100 may be configured to generate control signals causing the incoming-call alert device 130 to operate in a first manner upon receiving an incoming call. The scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals causing the incoming-call alert device 130 to operate in a second manner based on a variety of factors, such as arrival of an incoming call between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekdays. The scheduler 126 may be further programmed to generate alternate control signals causing the incoming-call alert device 130 to operate in a third manner upon receiving an incoming call on weekends. For example, the system 100 may be programmed to activate the incoming-call alert device 130 to vibrate upon receiving an incoming call between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to ring at a low volume between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Monday through Friday, and to ring at a loud volume from 7:00 p.m. on Friday through 9:00 a.m. Monday. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hours and manner of activation of the incoming-call alert device 130 used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific hours or manners of operation. In the examples provided above a single feature was controlled in a plurality of different manners. In another embodiment, the scheduler 126 can be programmed to generate alternate control signals for controlling a plurality of features. For example, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to disable the call processor 128 authorization for longdistance calling between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and to generate alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in a vibration mode between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hours of operation, the features, and the manner of operation of the features used above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited by specific hours, features, or manners of operation. In yet another embodiment, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals for controlling a plurality of features as a set. For example, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to place the system 100 into a particular mode of operation, such as a deep-sleep mode, during particular time periods, such as over weekends. During the time period selected for deep-sleep mode, for example, the scheduler 126 may be programmed to generate alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in a low-power mode and to disable call processor 128 authorization to receive long-distance calls. The scheduler 126, for example, may also be programmed to generate alternate control signals to place the system 100 into a work-day mode between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, enabling long-distance calling and selecting the vibrator, by way of example, as the manner of signaling the arrival of an incoming call. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the time periods, modes, features, and manners of operation above are illustrative only and that the present invention is not limited to the specific time periods, modes, features, or manners of operation mentioned. The operation of the system 100 to automatically control the incoming- call alert device of a wireless communication device based on time-related data is illustrated in FIG. 3. At a start 160, the wireless communication device is under power. In step 162, the system 100 receives time-related data, which may be received from default data stored in the memory 104, from the user-input device 116, or from the BTS 150 (see FIG. 2), or some other source or combination of sources. In step 164, the system 100 sets its internal clock. As noted above, the timer 124 (see FIG. 1) also serves the function of the internal clock. In step 166, the system 100 receives scheduling data, which may be received from default data stored in the memory 104, from the user-input device 116, or from the BTS 150 (see FIG. 2), or some other source or combination of sources. As noted above, the scheduling data may be programmed by the user to customize the operation of the system 100 for one or more operational features. Alternatively, the system 100 may be preprogrammed for multiple manners or modes of operation. The user can accept the pre-programmed modes of operation or customize one or more features either individually or as a set. In decision 168, the system 100 determines whether there is an incoming call. If there is an incoming call, the result of decision 168 is YES. In that event, the system 100 proceeds to decision 170. If there is no incoming call, the result of decision 168 is NO. In that event, the system 100 returns to decision 168 to await an incoming call. In decision 170, the system 100 determines whether the incoming-call alert device 130 should be operated in a first manner or whether instead, based upon the clock and the scheduling data, the incoming-call alert device 130 should be operated in a second manner. The actual time is compared with predetermined time-periods for operating the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner. Decision 170 compares the actual time with the predetermined time period for operating the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner to determine whether to generate alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner. If the actual time is not within the predetermined time period for operating the incoming call alert device 130 in the second manner, the result of decision 170 is NO. In that event, the scheduler 126 does not generate alternate control signals for operating the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner, and, in step 172, the incoming-call alert device 130 is activated in the first manner. If the actual time is within the time period for operating the incoming- call alert device 130 in the second manner, the result of decision 170 is YES. In that event, the scheduler 126 generates alternate control signals to operate the incoming-call alert device 130 in the second manner, and, in step 174, the incoming-call alert device 130 is activated in the second manner. The system 100 ends the operation at step 176. Those skilled in the art will recognize that decisions 168 and 170 need not be made in any particular order. Decision 168 is shown as occurring before decision 170 in order to simplify FIG. 3. In addition, the system 100 may be programmed to activate the incoming-call alert device 130 in the first manner (i.e., step 172) as a default value or may activate the incoming-call alert device in the second manner (i.e., step 174) as the default value. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the system 100 for the specific example of operation of the incoming-call alert device 130 in first and second manners. The incoming-call alert device 130 may be operated in more than two manners based on other user-selectable or preprogrammed operational parameters. The data associated with the first and second manners of operation and the parameters used by the scheduler 126 (see FIG. 1) are readily stored in the memory 104. Furthermore, a similar flowchart may be executed for other operational features, such as the operation of the call processor 128 in more than one manner. For the sake of brevity, that flowchart will not be repeated herein. However, those of ordinary skill in the art may readily implement such a process based on the present disclosure. If the operational features are programmed to operate in multiple manners as a set, the memory 104 (see FIG. 1) may store the various features and operational manners in association with the selection criteria. It is to be understood that even though various embodiments and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, the above disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, yet remain within the broad principles of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims. What is claimed is:

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A system for controlling a wireless communication device, the system comprising: a housing; an operational feature of the wireless communication device, the feature being controlled by control signals to control operation of the feature in a first manner; and a scheduler to generate alternate control signals to control the operation of the feature in a second manner, the scheduler automatically generating the alternate control signals based on a determined characteristic. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user input device coupled to the housing to receive user input, wherein the scheduler generates the control signals and the alternate control signals based at least in part on the user input. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver to receive communications signals from a location remote from the receiver, wherein the scheduler generates the control signals and the alternate control signals based at least in part on the received communications signals. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of features are controlled by control signals to control operation of each of the plurality of features in a first manner and the scheduler generates alternate control signals to control operation of each of the plurality of features in a second manner. 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the scheduler generates alternate control signals to control operation of each of the plurality of features in a second manner based on the same determined characteristic. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a call control processor to process calls, a transmitter to transmit communication signals to a remote location, and a receiver to receive communication signals from a remote location, wherein the feature is call processor authorization to place certain types of calls. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a call control processor to process calls, a transmitter to transmit communication signals to a remote location, and a receiver to receive communication signals from a remote location, wherein the feature is call processor authorization to receive certain types of calls. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver to receive communication signals from a remote location, and an incoming-call alert device, wherein the control signals control operation of the incoming-call alert device. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device has a selectively-activated power-saving mode and the alternate control signals selectively activate the power-saving mode. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a timer wherein the determined characteristic is at least based in part on the timer. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a user input device coupled to the housing to receive user input, wherein the timer is set based at least in part on the user input. 12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a receiver to receive communication signals from a location remote from the receiver, wherein the timer is set based at least in part on the received communications signals. 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the timer tracks a time of day and the scheduler generates the alternate control signals based at least in part on the time of day. 14. The system of claim 10 wherein the timer tracks a day of a week and the scheduler generates the alternate control signals based at least in part on the day of the week. 15. The system of claim 10 wherein the timer tracks a date and the scheduler generates the alternate control signals based at least in part on the date. 16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display secured to the housing, wherein the feature is information shown on the display and the control signals control the display of data on the display. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a call control processor to process calls, a transmitter to transmit communication signals to a remote location, and a receiver to receive communication signals from a remote location, wherein the information shown on the display includes applicable call charges. 18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a user input device to receive user input, wherein the information is based at least in part on the user input. 19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a receiver to receive communication signals from a location remote from the receiver, wherein the information is based at least in part on the received communications signals. 20. A method for automatic control of an operational feature in a wireless communication device, the method comprising: operating the feature in a first manner; receiving scheduling data; and automatically altering operation of the feature to cause the feature to operate in a second manner based at least in part on the scheduling data. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising storing of scheduling data. 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving time data wherein the feature operates in the second manner based at least in part on the time data. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising sensing user entry of data wherein a selected one of the scheduling data and the time data is based at least in part on user-entered data. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein at least a selected one of the scheduling data or the time data is based at least in part on data received from a remote location. 25. The method of claim 20 wherein the scheduling data comprises a time of day. 26. The method of claim 20 wherein the scheduling data comprises a day of a week. 27. The method of claim 20 wherein the scheduling data comprises a date. 28. The method of claim 20 wherein the scheduling data comprises a calling charge. 29. The method of claim 20, further comprising processing calls wherein the feature is authorization to place certain types of calls. 30. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving an incoming call and signaling the incoming call wherein the feature is the signaling the incoming call. 31. The method of claim 20, further comprising operating the wireless communication device in a power-saving mode, wherein the feature is the power-saving mode of operation of the communication device. 32. The method of claim 20, further comprising displaying information on a display of the communication device, wherein the feature is information to be shown on the display of the communication device. 33. The method of claim 20 further comprising automatically controlling a plurality of operational features. 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the plurality of operational features are automatically controlled as a set.

Inventors: LEKVEN ERIC JOHN, LEKVEN, ERIC, JOHN
Applicants: QUALCOMM INC, QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: H04M1, H04M15, H04M19