Abstract:
Described are a method, a communication device, and a system for enabling a toy mode on a telephone. The method includes operating a device in a first operating mode, the first operating mode being a full functional mode, receiving a selection for a second operating mode while the device is operating in the first operating mode, the second operating mode being a reduced function mode, and configuring the device to operate in the second operating mode, wherein the configuration includes altering an operation of a communication interface of the device. The communication device includes a communication interface, a memory storing a plurality of operating profiles in an updatable database, each operating profile including at least one setting of the communication device, and a processor receiving a selection of an operating mode corresponding to one of the operating profiles, and configuring the at least one setting of the communication device to convert the communication device to the selected operating mode, the selected operating mode being a reduced communication function mode.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application generally relates to systems and methods for enabling a toy mode on a telephone. Specifically, the system and methods may allow a user of a device, such as a hand-held mobile phone or a landline phone, to convert the device from operating in a standard mode to operating in toy mode, thereby disabling or reducing specific functionalities of the standard mode. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Small children, by nature, like to imitate adults and as such, may pick up a telephone and begin dialing numbers at random. If the number is an actual number, an actual telephone call will be placed, which may result in accrued phone changes, minute usage, etc. In addition, it may create a nuisance call to an unknowing third-party recipient of the call. With technological advancements, many of the current phones have very user-friendly displays, such as touch screen displays, and easily accessible address books via one-touch dialing and voice command dialing. Therefore, the chances of a child inadvertently dialing an actual phone number while playing with the phone have greatly increased as the usability improves. 
         [0003]    While parents may utilize phone-locking mechanism (e.g., via keypad lock, etc.), this may make the child unhappy and may possibly result in the child damaging the phone due to frustration and/or attempts to unlock the phone. On the other hand, a locked phone may encourage a curious child to seek the unlocking mechanism, thereby likely defeating the purpose of the lock. Another alternative is to provide the child with an imitation phone. In fact, there are many imitation phones in the market, however it is difficult to deceive today&#39;s children with such imitations. Specifically, a child may realize that that the imitation phone is less sophisticated than an actual, usable phone. Thus, the child may naturally gravitate toward a more realistic phone and wish to play with the same phone that the parents are using. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a method, a communication device, and a system for enabling a toy mode on a telephone. The method includes operating a device in a first operating mode, the first operating mode being a full functional mode, receiving a selection for a second operating mode while the device is operating in the first operating mode, the second operating mode being a reduced function mode, and configuring the device to operate in the second operating mode, wherein the configuration includes altering an operation of a communication interface of the device. The communication device includes a communication interface, a memory storing a plurality of operating profiles in an updatable database, each operating profile including at least one setting of the communication device, and a processor receiving a selection of an operating mode corresponding to one of the operating profiles, and configuring at least one setting of the communication device to convert the communication device to the selected operating mode, the selected operating mode being a reduced communication function mode. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary system for activating a toy mode on an electronic device, such as mobile unit (“MU”) according to the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary method for converting a device, such as the MU of  FIG. 1 , from operating in a standard mode to operating in toy mode according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary method for activating/disabling specific applications and functionalities of an MU as the MU converts from the standard mode to operating in toy mode according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments are related to systems and methods for enabling a toy mode on a telephone. Specifically, the exemplary systems and methods may allow a user of a device, such as a hand-held mobile phone or a landline phone, to convert the device from operating in a standard mode to operating in a toy mode, thereby disabling or reducing specific functionalities of the standard mode. In other words, the device may contain multiple profiles (e.g., a toy profile, a standard profile, etc.), wherein the settings and the functionality of various device components may depend on a profile selected by a user. The toy profile for the device may disable or reduce the function of specific components of the device, while the standard profile allows for normal, unrestricted operation of the device. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be easily implemented into a device using the existing user interface software components and small modifications to a radio driver software layer. Accordingly, there is no need for additional hardware resources to be in operation. 
         [0009]    The toy mode may allow certain aspects of the phone to act similar to the standard mode, such as ring tones, displayed graphics and pictures, games, contact listings, etc. However, while in the toy mode, any changes made to these aspects may not be reflected or be applied on the device after exiting the toy mode and returning to standard mode. Furthermore, no (or limited) calls or other communication (e.g., text messages, e-mail, etc.) may be placed from the device while the device is set to toy mode. Specifically, one embodiment may disable a communication interface, such as an antenna or a communication transceiver, on the device, thereby preventing any calls from being placed. While another embodiment may allow for limited calls to designated number (e.g., parental contact numbers, etc.) while preventing communication to any other destinations. In addition, it should be noted that the toy mode may not make the subscriber line busy. Thus, incoming calls may be received, forwarded to another destination, and/or directed to a voicemail system. 
         [0010]    As will be described in great detail below, the device may continue to receive actual phone calls (or other forms of communication) while the device is in the toy mode. While the exemplary systems and method described herein may refer to the device as a mobile phone, the devices according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include devices such as voice over IP (“VoIP”) telephone receivers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), Fixed Wireless Terminals (“FWTs”), smartphones, laptop computers, and any other electronic devices. FWTs may be described as terminals (e.g., stationary desktop telephones) that utilize radio based telecommunications technologies to connect with a network, whereby the FTWs may be limited to a substantially permanent location, with little to no roaming abilities. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary system  100  for activating a toy mode on an electronic device, such as mobile unit (“MU”)  101 , according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to the exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows a block diagram view of the handheld MU  101  (e.g., a wireless telephone) according to the present invention. The MU  101  may include a processor  110 , a memory  120 , a display screen  130 , a keypad  140 , a microphone  150 , a speaker  160 , an antenna  170 , and a timer  180 . The processor  110  may regulate the operation of the MU  101  by facilitating communications between the various components such as the memory  120 , the display screen  130 , the keypad  140 , etc. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor  160  may regulate the operation of the MU  101  by facilitating the communications between the various components of the MU  101 . For example, the processor  160  may include a microprocessor, an embedded controller, a further application-specific integrated circuit, a programmable logic array, etc. The processor  160  may perform data processing, execute instructions and direct a flow of data between components coupled to the processor  160  (e.g., the memory  120 , the display screen  130 , the keypad  140 , etc.). As will be explained below, the exemplary processor  160  may receive instructions from a user to switch operating mode from the standard mode to the toy mode, and vice versa. 
         [0013]    As will be described in greater detail below, the user of the MU  101  may switch from the standard mode to the toy mode by inputting a special key sequence on the keypad  140 . It should be noted that the activation key sequence may be a short, simple sequence (e.g., one similar to a keypad lock sequence). Therefore, switching from the standard mode to the toy mode may be performed relatively quickly by the user. Accordingly, it may not necessarily be a pass code, as no security needed. The switching from the toy mode back to the standard mode may require a further special key sequence. The further special key sequence may be a difficult to guess key combination, such as a passcode. This passcode may be known only to the user (e.g., unknown to the child) and may also be used by the user to switch from the toy mode back to the standard mode. Thus, a child may be prevented from switching the MU  101  from the toy mode to standard mode without the knowing the passcode. However, in the event that the MU  101  receives an actual phone call while the MU  101  is in toy mode, the user may enter a further special key sequence to accept the call. If the child is capable of (and permitted to) answer phone calls from the MU  101  while the MU  101  is in toy mode, the further special key sequence, such as an “answer code”, may be set to a single key that may only be active (or available) during an incoming call. In addition to the passcode, this answer code may be a selection within a settings tab of a graphical user interface (“GUI”) of the display screen  130 . Alternatively, the MU  101  may include a physical switch for switching between different operating modes. For example, the physical switch may be hidden from plain view (e.g., in a battery compartment) to prevent the child from switching the MU  101  from the toy mode to the standard mode. 
         [0014]    According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the memory  120  may be any storage medium capable of being read from and/or written to by the processor  110 , or another processing device within the MU  101 . The memory  120  may include any combination of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, EPROM, Flash, etc.) The memory  120  may also include one or more storage disks such as a hard drive. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the memory  120  may be a temporary memory in which data may be temporarily stored until it is transferred to a permanent storage location (e.g., uploaded to a personal computer). In another embodiment, the memory  120  may be a permanent memory comprising an updateable database. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, it should be noted that each of the settings and functionalities for specific components of the MU  101  may be stored in the memory  120 . In other words, each of the different operating modes of the MU  101  may utilize distinct settings and functionalities from other operating modes. Any changes made to the settings while the MU  101  is in a first operating mode (e.g., the standard mode) may not apply when the MU  101  is switched to a second operating mode (e.g., the toy mode). For example, the memory  120  may include specific profiles, such as a toy profile or a standard profile, which may be referred to by the processor  110  based on the current operation mode of the MU  101 . In addition, the memory  120  may include a contact listing database (e.g., a phone book), image/video data, applications such as games, etc. Certain portions of the content within the memory  120  may continue to be available to the user of the MU  101  while the MU  101  is operating the toy mode. For example, games may continue to be accessible for use while the MU  101  is operating in the toy mode. In addition, a limited phone book may be accessible to a child while the MU  101  is in the toy mode, wherein the limited phone book may allow for only selected number to be dialed (if the MU  101  is able to place limited calls while in the toy mode). 
         [0016]    According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the antenna  170  may be in communication with the processor  110  via a transceiver (not shown) and may transmit communication data between the MU  101  and a communication network. Optionally, the user may disable the antenna  170  when the user places the phone in toy mode. Specifically, in the context of mobile devices (e.g., cellular telephones), a user may wish to disable the antenna  170  to eliminate any radiation risk associated with a child&#39;s prolonged usage of the MU  101 . Furthermore, by disabling the antenna  170 , the user may prevent inadvertent calls (or any other form of communication) from being placed from the MU  101  while a child plays with the MU  101 . Alternatively, the antenna  170  may remain active while the MU  101  is operating in the toy mode. According to this alternative embodiment, a call may not be placed (or only limited calls may be placed) while the MU  101  is in the toy mode, however the MU  101  may continue to receive incoming calls. For example, in the exemplary embodiments where the MU  101  is a mobile phone, the MU  101  may receive incoming calls while in the toy mode and automatically direct the call to a voicemail box or automatically forward the incoming call to another destination (e.g., another phone number, a personal computer, a PDA, etc.). In another example, any incoming calls may trigger a distinctive ringtone, which may alert the user (e.g., owner) that the MU  101  is receiving an actual call while the MU  101  is in the toy mode. The limitations of outgoing and incoming calls will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0017]    As described above, the exemplary MU  101  may be described as a mobile phone. However, it should be noted that the incorporation of an antenna on an exemplary devices according to alternative embodiments of the present invention may be omitted. For example, in the event the device is a landline telephone, there may not be an antenna on the device. Thus, the above-mentioned functionalities of the antenna  170  may not apply to such an embodiment. It should be noted that if the device is a landline telephone, the toy mode settings may prevent the subscriber line from being busy. Even if the receiver of the landline telephone is off of its cradle, the phone line may remain available for incoming calls. 
         [0018]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MU  101  may include a timer  180 . The timer  180  may be used to automatically switch the operating mode of the MU  101  upon the expiration of a predetermined time during inactivity. For example, the MU  101  may be placed in the toy mode prior to handing the MU  101  to a child. As the child plays with the MU  101 , the child may interact with the MU  101  via the keypad  140 . However, when child stops playing with the MU  101  (e.g., fails to press a key), the timer  180  may begin to count. If the timer  180  is set to 30 minutes, the MU  101  may switch from the toy mode to the standard mode at the expiration of 30 minutes. Accordingly, the MU  101  is able to automatically return to the standard mode once the child is finished playing with the MU  101 . 
         [0019]    Alternatively, or additionally, the MU  101  may be programmed to automatically switch from the standard mode to the toy mode after a prolonged period of inactivity. In other word, if the user of the MU  101  steps away from the MU  101 , the processor  110  of the MU  101  may automatically switch the operating mode to toy mode. By placing the MU  101  in toy mode, a child may be prevented from placing an inadvertent call while the user is away from the MU  101 . Thus, the child may continue to play with the MU  101  if the MU  101  was left in an accessible location for a period of time, and there may be no risk of transmitting any form of communication (or only transmitting limited communications) from the MU  101  as the child plays with the MU  101 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary method  200  for converting a device, such as the MU  101 , from operating in a standard mode to operating in toy mode according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary method  200  will be described with reference to the exemplary system  100  of  FIG. 1 . As described above, the exemplary MU  101  may be a device such as a mobile phone. Alternatively, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may apply to other devices, such as fixed landlines, cordless phones, FWTs, PDAs, laptop computers, etc. 
         [0021]    In step  210 , the MU  101  may initially operate in a standard mode. While in standard mode, the processor  110  may instruct the MU  101  to function for normal operation, wherein incoming and outgoing communications (e.g., phone calls, text messages, email) may continue to be transmitted and received by the MU  101  (e.g., via a communication interface, such as the antenna  170 ). Furthermore, any changes applied to the settings by the user may be stored in the memory  120 . For example, additions/deletions made to a contact listing, changes to the display theme, addition/removal of any files (e.g., software applications, video files, image files, music files, ringtones, etc.) may be stored in the memory  120 . 
         [0022]    As described above, the user (e.g., a parent) of the MU  101  may switch the operating mode from the standard mode to the toy mode prior to allowing a child to play with the MU  101 . Specifically, in step  220 , the user may activate the toy mode on the MU  101 . The user of the MU  101  may activate the toy mode by pressing a designated key or a special sequence of keys on the keypad  140 . Alternatively, the activation may be a physical switch located in the MU  101 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, the activation of the toy mode may be preformed automatically by the processor  110 . As described above, the MU  101  may include a timer  180 . The timer  180  may measure a duration of inactivity (e.g., idle time) for a predetermined period of time. For example, if the MU  101  is idle for the duration of the predetermined period, the processor  110  may automatically switch from the standard mode to the toy mode. Therefore, if a child is able to access the MU  101  without the user&#39;s knowledge (e.g., the user steps away from the MU  101 ), the MU  101  may “self-switch” to toy mode, thereby preventing inadvertent communications from being placed by the child. 
         [0023]    In step  230 , the MU  101  may operate in toy mode. While the MU  101  is in the toy mode, the MU  101  may operate in a similar manner to the standard mode. However, the placement of outgoing communication from the MU  101  may be disabled. In other words, if the child dials a number on the keypad  140  and attempts to initiate a phone call, all calls placed by the MU  101  in the toy mode may be ineffective (e.g., dummy calls). Accordingly, no call will take place, thereby avoiding any potential toll charges and/or call-time minute usage on the MU  101 . Furthermore, the would-be recipient of the attempted phone call would not be bothered by the call placed by the child, thereby avoiding a potential nuisance call from the MU  101 . 
         [0024]    Furthermore, while the MU  101  is operating in toy mode, any display menus, ringtones, images, game, etc. may be active. However, any changes made by the child may not be reflected on the MU  101  after processor  110  exits the toy mode and returns to the standard mode. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the memory  120  of the MU  101  may include contact listing (e.g., phone book) customized for the child and prerecorded messages for the child to listen to while the MU  101  is operating in the toy mode. The contact listing may include persons, personas, characters, animals, etc. For example, the customized phone book may list one or more popular characters recognizable to the child and corresponding images representing each of the character displayable on the display screen  130 . The child may select one of the characters to “call” from the MU  101 , wherein the selection of a specific character may trigger a corresponding prerecorded message (e.g., audio file, video file) featuring the voice and/or image of the character for the child&#39;s amusement. In addition, while the MU  101  is operating in the toy mode, the processor  110  of the MU  101  may occasionally (e.g., at random intervals) simulate an incoming “call” from one of the characters in the customized phone book. The simulated call may trigger a distinctive ringtone playable through the speaker  160  and display an image/video of the character on the display screen  130 . When the child presses a key on the keypad  140 , the processor  110  may activate the prerecorded message corresponding to the character. 
         [0025]    As described above, while the MU  101  is operating in the toy mode, the MU  101 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, may continue to receive actual incoming communications (e.g., phone calls, text messages, etc.). The incoming communication may activate a distinctive ringtone identifying the communication as being valid (e.g., intended for the user of the MU  101 , not the child). Alternatively, the incoming communication may be forwarded to another device (e.g., alternate phone, computer, etc.), or may be directed to a voicemail system accessible to the user. Accordingly, the user of the MU  101  may continue to receive communication when a child plays with the MU  101  while operating in toy mode. 
         [0026]    In step  240 , the user (e.g., a parent) of the MU  101  may switch the operating mode from the toy mode back to the standard mode prior to allowing the MU  101  to function normally. Similar to the activation of the toy mode, the user of the MU  101  may activate the standard mode by pressing the designated key or the special sequence of keys on the keypad  140 . Alternatively, the activation may be a physical switch located in the MU  101 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, the activation of the standard mode may be preformed automatically by the processor  110 . As described above in reference to the toy mode, the timer  180  may measure a duration of inactivity (e.g., idle time) for a predetermined period of time. Accordingly, if the MU  101  is idle for the duration of the predetermined period, the processor  110  may automatically switch from the toy mode back to the standard mode. Therefore, if a child stops playing with the MU  101  for an extended period of time, the MU  101  may “self-switch” to standard mode. Regardless of the manner in which the operating mode is switched back to the standard mode, the method  200  may return to step  210  upon a switch from toy mode to standard mode, thereby allowing the method  200  to repeat as the operating mode is switched between standard mode and toy mode. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary method  300  for activating/disabling specific applications and functionalities of the MU  101  as the MU  101  converts from the standard mode to operating in toy mode according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the method  300  may allow the MU  101  to operate according to different profiles within the memory  120  of the MU  101 . These profiles, as described above, may include a standard mode operating profile and a plurality of toy mode operating profiles. Furthermore, any transitions between the operating profiles may require the user to enter a valid pass code, or a key sequence. 
         [0028]    In step  310 , the MU  101  may prompt the user for a key sequence to enter into the toy mode. As described above, the key sequence may be a code that may allow the user of the MU  101  to change the current operating mode. The key sequence may be treated as secret authentication data used to control access to the MU  101 . Accordingly, the activation of the toy mode may provide limited usage to the MU  101  to a person other that the user, such as a child. As described above, entering the toy mode of the MU  101  may be a fast and easy task, however, exiting back to the standard mode for normal operation may be difficult. For example, returning back to the standard mode may require a long, preset key sequence with a time out or a menu item requesting a pass code. 
         [0029]    In step  320 , the MU  101  may receive the key sequence from the user and the processor  110  may validate the key sequence. If the processor  110  is able to validate the key sequence, the method  300  may continue to step  330 . However, if the processor  110  is unable to validate the key sequence, the method  300  may return to step  310 . 
         [0030]    In step  330 , the MU  101  may receive a selection of one of the toy mode profiles from the user. Specifically, the processor  110  may display the choices of toy profiles available for the MU  101  and access the selected toy mode profile from the memory  120 . Each of the toy mode profiles may indicate distinctive setting preferences, such as display themes and instructions on handling incoming calls. Accordingly, a different toy mode profile may be activated depending on the specific child that will be playing with the MU  101 . For example, a first child may have a toy mode profile having a display theme designed for a girl, while a second child may have a toy mode profile having a display theme designed for a boy. Other variations may allow the user (or the child) to further customize the display theme, ringtones, as well as other settings, and stored the settings within a corresponding toy mode profile. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, it should be noted that each of the toy mode profiles may instruct the processor  110  as to how the MU  101  should function while operating in the selected toy mode. Specifically, one of the toy modes may deactivate a communication interface, thereby preventing the receipt of any incoming communication. Accordingly, the MU  101  with the deactivated communication interface may appear similar to a powered-off device from the prospective of another device (e.g., an outside caller). Other toy mode profiles may keep the communication interface active while using various methods for handling incoming calls. As described above, an incoming call may be forwarded to another device, may be directed to a voicemail system, or may trigger a distinctive ringtone to notify the user of the incoming call. 
         [0032]    Assuming that the communication interface remains active while the MU  101  is in the toy mode, in step  340 , the processor  110  may detect whether the MU  101  is receiving an incoming communication (e.g., call, text message, etc.). In step  350 , the processor  110  may refer to the toy mode profile from the memory  120  to determine how the incoming call should be handled. For example, in step  351 , the processor  110  may forward the communication to a predetermined destination (e.g., another phone number, a personal computer, a PDA, etc.). Alternatively, in step  352 , the processor  110  may direct the communication to a voicemail system. In a further alternative, in step  353 , the processor  110  may instruct the speaker  160  to play a distinctive ringtone indicating to the user that the MU  101  is currently receiving a valid incoming communication. Following step  353 , the method  300  may continue to step  360 . 
         [0033]    In step  360 , the MU  101  may prompt the user for a further key sequence to exit from the toy mode. While, the further key sequence may be the same key sequence referred to in step  310 , it should be noted that the further key sequence may be a longer and more difficult sequence for deactivating the toy mode than the key sequence used for activating the toy mode. Similar to step  320  for transitioning from the standard mode to the toy mode, the MU  101 , in step  370 , may receive the further key sequence from the user and the processor  110  may validate the further key sequence in order to transition the MU  101  back to the standard mode. If the processor  110  is able to validate the further key sequence, the MU  101  returns to standard mode, wherein the settings and functionality of the MU  101  returns to normal operation. However, if the processor  110  is unable to validate the further key sequence, the method  300  may return to step  330  and continue to operate in the toy mode. 
         [0034]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claimed and their equivalents.