Abstract:
Mobile communications devices that are within a pre-defined group are controlled by rules specified for the group when those mobile communications devices are within a group setting. A group setting may be dictated by the location of the mobile communications devices of the group, their proximity to one another, a current time, and so forth. Once it is determined that the group setting exists, pre-defined rules specified for the mobile communications devices within the group setting are implemented to control behaviors of the mobile communications devices. Ringers may be muted, outbound calls may be disabled, inbound calls may be forwarded elsewhere, and so forth. The mobile communications devices then become less of a distraction to the group setting.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   Embodiments are related to the behavior of mobile communications devices. More particularly, embodiments are related to the behavior of groupings of mobile communications devices. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Mobile communications devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, and the like have become a ubiquitous part of life. These devices allow the user to be able to communicate with others at virtually any time and any place. The convenience and benefits of such connectivity are without question. As a result, many families have more than one, and often even children carry a mobile communications device. Individuals of a business also typically carry a mobile communications device to allow them to conduct their business while on the go. 
   Unfortunately, such accessibility can have drawbacks. Users of mobile communications devices may find that they cannot escape incoming communications and/or may feel the need to make outgoing calls at any time regardless of the surrounding circumstances. This is particularly troublesome in group settings where members of the group need to interact with one another or are in close proximity and should not disturb one another. The incoming and outgoing calls via the mobile communications devices of the group can disrupt the group setting. 
   For example, a family may have a time designated for a meal during which the family is expected to interact while they eat. Some or all of the family may be gathered at a common group location and/or some may be located remotely but may be connected to the group location through a video conference, phone call, etc. However, incoming and/or outgoing calls via a mobile communications device of any one of the family members during the group setting become disruptive. When multiple members of the group experience incoming and/or outgoing calls during the group setting, then these multiple calls may completely frustrate the intended purpose of gathering into the group. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments address these issues and others by providing a group control mode of operation for the mobile communications devices of the group. The group control mode may specify various rules for handling incoming and outgoing calls for the group. The rules may be the same for some mobile communications devices of the group while different for others. For example, the mobile communications device of a parent may handle calls differently than the mobile communications devices of the children. The rules may take effect on the basis of an occurrence of the group setting. The group setting may occur due to a specified time being reached, due to a collection of the group members being at a defined location, due to a gathering of the group members within a defined proximity relative to one another, and so forth. 
   Embodiments provide a method of applying rules to mobile communication devices. The method involves determining that a mobile communication device is within a defined group of mobile communication devices. Upon determining that the mobile communication device is within the defined group, at least one rule specified for the defined group of mobile communications devices is implemented for the mobile communications device. 
   Embodiments provide a computer readable medium containing instructions that perform acts that involve determining whether a parameter related to a mobile communications device falls within a threshold that defines a grouping of mobile communications devices. When the parameter falls within the threshold, then at least one rule defined for the group is implemented for the mobile communications device. 
   Embodiments further provide a mobile communications device that includes a transceiver for communicating with a mobile communications network. The mobile communications device also includes a memory storing rules for detecting when to implement actions to take in relation to calls based on at least one parameter defined for a group of mobile communications devices. A processor of the mobile communications device is configured to send and receive calls via the transceiver, to determine the parameter, and to implement the actions to take in relation to calls based on the determined parameter. 
   Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a mobile communications device in communication with a mobile communications network and/or other mobile communications devices to establish a group setting and related control modes. 
       FIG. 2  shows one example of a mobile communications device. 
       FIG. 3  shows one example of a group control server. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of a database structure for specifying groups, group setting parameters, and rules of various control modes. 
       FIG. 5  shows an example of logical operations performed to implement rules of control modes for detected group settings. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Embodiments provide for the control of mobile communications device activities in group settings by implementing rules across the group. Accordingly, the mobile communications devices may remain a significant tool in every day life while having less of an impact on group settings where the use of mobile communications devices should be limited to some degree. 
     FIG. 1  shows an example of groups where members have mobile communications devices subject to control by rules specified for the group. The mobile communications devices may be of any type such as cellular phones, PDAs, and the like. The mobile communications devices may be controlled on the basis of peer-to-peer communications or communications through a mobile communications network. Furthermore, a centralized point of control may be provided via the mobile communications network. 
   A first group of mobile communications devices  104 ,  106 ,  108  are grouped based on their proximity to one another and/or having a common location as indicated by perimeter  102 . For example, this first group may be a family of three seated together for a meal. As another example, this first group may be co-workers within a conference room. These mobile communications devices  104 ,  106 ,  108  may be in direct communication via peer-to-peer short range communication or may be in communication via a base station  110  and switching center  112  of a mobile communication network. Furthermore, these mobile communications devices  104 ,  106 ,  108  may be in communication with a group control server  130  via a data network  114  that is interfaced to the mobile communications network. 
   A second group of mobile communications devices  116 ,  118  are grouped based on a current time as represented by clock  120  but may not be located closely together. For example, this second group may be a family of two but living or working at separate locations who interact with one another through a phone call, video conference, instant messaging, or other mode of communication during set periods of time. As another example, this second group may be co-workers located in different locales. This second group may be in communication via one or more base stations  122 ,  126  and switching centers  124 ,  128 . Furthermore, these mobile communications device  116 ,  118  may also be in communication with the group control server  130  via the data network  114 . 
   For each of these groups, the group control may be implemented as a function of a master device, as a function of the devices acting collectively, or as a function of the group control server  130 . For example, where a master device is designated for the group, the master device may store the parameters that define whether the group setting exists and associates a set of rules for the devices of the group to the group setting. As another example, where the devices act collectively, each device may store the parameters that define the group setting and may store the associations of the rule sets pertinent to that device for the particular group setting that has been defined. 
   Likewise, where a group control server  130  implements a group setting control service subscribed to by the various groups, the server  130  may store the parameters that define the group setting, in association with the device IDs for each of the group members and with a set of rules for the group. The server  130  may maintain a database  132  that stores an identifier for each of the groups, identifiers for each of the group members, the parameters that define the group setting, and the rules to implement for the various mobile devices when in the group setting. 
     FIG. 2  shows the components of one example of the mobile communications device  104  for implementing the rules specified for the group. The mobile communications device  104  includes a processor  202 , a memory  204 , input device(s)  206 , and output device(s) such as a display device  208  or other output such as an audio speaker  216 . The mobile communications device  104  also includes a transceiver  210  with an antenna  212  for communicating with a wireless endpoint such as a cellular base station and/or directly via peer-to-peer communications with other mobile communications devices. Additionally, the mobile communications device  104  may include a location device  214 , such as a geonavigational positioning system (GPS) receiver, a cellular signal triangulation receiver, and the like which detects the physical location of the mobile communications device  104  at virtually all times. 
   The processor  202  performs actions based on instructions either hard coded into the processor  202  or stored in the memory  204 . An example of the logical operations performed is discussed below in relation to  FIG. 5 . The processor  202  may be a dedicated/special purpose processor or a general purpose programmable processor or some combination. The memory  204  may be volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof. The processor  202  and/or memory  204  are examples of computer readable media which store instructions that when performed implement various logical operations. Such computer readable media may include various storage media including electronic, magnetic, and optical storage. Computer readable media may also include communications media, such as wired and wireless connections used to transfer the instructions or send and receive other data messages. 
   The memory  204  may store the set of parameters that defines the group setting and the rules to be implemented. In the case of a master device, the memory  204  may store the rules to be implemented for each of the devices of the group. The memory  204  may further store instructions for communicating with the group control server  132  and/or other devices of the group(s) for which the mobile communications device  104  is a member. 
   The input device  206  may include a keypad, keyboard, touchscreen, voice recognized input, and so forth. The input device  206  provides data to the processor  202  which acts upon the input to perform requested tasks. The input device  206  may be used to manually initiate a group setting control, to override group setting rules when the mobile communications device  104  has such authority for the group, and so forth. 
   The display device  208  may provide an interface allowing the user to make selections during the period of group control. The selections, for example, may be to initiate or cancel the group setting controls including the rules being applied to the mobile communications device  104  and/or the rules being applied to other devices of the group. 
     FIG. 3  shows components of an example of the group control server  130 . The control server  130  may include the standard components of a server computer including a processor  302 , memory  304 , input/output devices  306 , mass storage  310 , and a network interface  308 . The processor  302  communicates with external devices including mobile communication device  104  via the network interface  308 . The processor  302  determines when the group setting exists based on the parameters stored for the group and submits commands to the mobile communications devices based on the rules specified for each one. Examples of the logical operations performed by the processor are also discussed below in relation to  FIG. 5 . 
   The memory  304  may be volatile or non-volatile or a combination thereof and may store instructions to be performed by the processor  302  when providing the group control service. As discussed above in relation to the mobile communications device  104 , the processor  302  and the memory  304  are examples of computer readable media. 
   The input/output  306  may be used for local operation and management of the group control server  116 . The input/output  306  may include a keyboard, mouse, display, and the like. 
   The mass storage device  310  may contain applications such as an operating system and a group control service application. Thus, the processor  302  may access the storage device  310  when implementing the group control service. The mass storage device  310  is another example of a computer readable medium. 
   The database  132  of  FIG. 1  may be contained within the mass storage device  310 . As an alternative, the database  132  may be present as network storage, accessible via the network interface  308 . 
     FIG. 4  shows on example of data maintained in a table  400  by the database  132  for purposes of implementing the group control service. The group control server  130  may access the data from the table  400  when detecting whether a group setting currently exists for a particular defined group and to implement the rules defined for the group across the mobile communications devices of the group. 
   In this example, the data is arranged in the table  400  so a group identifier in column  402  is associated with a mobile device identifier of each of the members of the group in column  404 . Each group receiving the group control service is shown as a separate row  410 ,  412 , and it can be seen that some mobile communications devices are members of multiple groups where the order of application is indicated as primary or secondary. The mobile communication device identifier of column  404  may be an electronic serial number, phone number, or other identifier unique to each of the mobile communications devices. 
   The table  400  further associates a set of parameters of column  406  with the group identifier of column  402 . The set of parameters of column  406  define the group setting for which a set of control rules for the group apply. A given group may have multiple group settings specified in an order of application. The set of control rules are specified for each group setting of a group in column  408 . 
   The parameters of column  406  may be based upon one or more factors including location related factors, time, and/or other detectable factors that may indicate a group setting. The location related parameters may include the proximity of one or more mobile communications devices to other mobile communications devices of the group. The location related parameters may include whether the mobile communications devices of the group are within a defined location. Other parameters that may be used to determine the group setting may include whether a current time falls within a specified span of time. These parameters may operate independently or in conjunction. Furthermore, in determining whether a group setting currently exists, the group control service may be configured so that fewer than all group members may match a parameter in order to conclude that a group setting does exist. 
   The rules as set forth in column  408  may specify one or more actions for a particular mobile communications device to implement and/or for the mobile communications network to implement for the mobile communications device. As shown, the rules include such actions as disabling the ability to generate outbound calls, muting the ringer, forwarding incoming calls to a particular phone number such as one of the mobile communications device of the group, forwarding to voicemail or a group voicemail account, and enabling a vibration ringer. 
   Note that “call” or “calls” as used herein can refer to any type of inbound or outbound communication, not just to traditional connection-oriented voice communications, and so may be considered in terms of virtually any application including packet data and data applications such as email, instant messaging, SMS (Short Message Service) messaging, other types of messaging, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), alerts/alarms, RSS (Real Simple Syndication) updates, other types of updates, etc. Also, for applications other than voice communications a suitable repository may be used rather than a voicemail account. For instance, for instant messaging (IM), the appropriate repository might be a special folder the user could review later, or later be reminded to look at, because the user&#39;s mobile device did not buzz or otherwise alert when the instant message was received but instead remained silent and the IM message was redirected to the special folder. For maximum convenience, the special folder would not just be the IM inbox, but might be a specially-designated sub-folder of that inbox, and might even be separately instantiated and named with the specific time period so that the user could easily and separately locate redirected messages stored during different group gathers. 
   For rules where the action is taken directly by the mobile communications device, such as to mute the ringer, enable a vibration ringer, or even disable outbound calls, the group control server  130  may send a command directly to the particular mobile communication device via the mobile communication network. The mobile communications device may then act on the received command without any action being taken by the user. 
   For rules where the action is taken by the mobile communications network, such as switching center  112 , the group control server  130  may send a command to the appropriate network component. Examples of such actions may include forwarding an incoming call to another number, forwarding to a voicemail account of the mobile communications device or a voicemail account for the group, or even disabling outbound calls. As the mobile communications network maintains awareness of which switching center and base station that the mobile communications devices are in communication with, the group control server  130  may rely on the mobile communications network&#39;s ability to find the appropriate switching center and/or base station equipment that may implement the rule for the mobile communications device of interest. 
   As a specific example of group control, the group 1234 includes two mobile communications devices and three different group settings. When the two devices are both within a 50 foot proximity of one another, then the 6789 device disables its outbound calling and mutes its ringer. Alternatively, the mobile communications network disables the outbound calling. Also, the mobile communications network forwards inbound calls to the other mobile communications device of the group. For example, the 6789 device may belong to a child while the 6780 device belongs to the parent. When the two are close together, then calls to the child go to the parent so that the parent may filter who is allowed to speak to the child at that time. The 6780 device sets its ringer to vibrate mode except for inbound calls from a specific number, such as the number of the other parent or a work number. 
   As another group setting for group 1234, they are determined to be a group during specific spans of time during the day, such as at the times when meals will be eaten. During those times, the 6789 device disables its outbound calls, or the network disables those outbound calls, and the device mutes the ringer. The 6780 device mutes its ringer. 
   As another group setting for group 1234, they are determined to be a group during periods when both devices are present at a specific location, like when at home. During those instances, the 6789 device or the network disables the outbound calls and mutes the ringer. The 6780 device disables outbound calls and sets its ringer to vibrate mode. 
   As another specific example, the group 5678 includes three mobile communications devices and two group settings. The group control server  130  may be configured to require all three devices to meet the same group setting parameter prior to engaging the rules or may be configured to require only two of the three devices to meet the same group setting parameter and then may implement the rules for only those two devices. 
   For instance, when the multiple devices are within 100 feet of one another during the specified time period, then all devices within that group setting forward to their voicemail. When the multiple devices are within 25 feet of one another, regardless of the time, then all devices within the group setting forward to their voicemail while 9876 and 6789 also disable outbound calls. The 9870 device remains capable of making outbound calls. 
   Regarding the three group settings for group 1234 and the two group settings for group 5678, the order of priority may be specified so that when the group settings overlap, the higher priority group setting is the one whose rules are implemented. For example, for the 5678 group, the top-most group setting of the table may be considered the highest priority while the bottom-most group setting is has the lowest priority. As an example, for group 5648, when multiple devices are within 25 feet of one another and the time does meet the time span shown, then the top group setting rules are applied. When the multiple devices are within 25 feet of one another and the time does not meet the time span shown, then the bottom group setting rules are applied. 
   Regarding the presence of the mobile communications device having the identifier 123-035-6789 appearing in both groups 1234 and 5678, the order of priority may be specified so that when the group settings overlap, the higher priority group is the one whose rules are implemented. For example, the 1234 group is specified as the primary group while the group 5678 is specified as the secondary group for this mobile communications device. One may be a family group while the other is a work group. As an example, should at least one group setting for group 1234 and at least one group setting for group 5678 that includes device 123-035-6789 simultaneously exist, then the 123-035-6789 device will follow the rule specified for group 1234 since that is the primary group for that device. 
   As discussed above, the table  400  may be stored within the database  132  accessible by the group control server  130 . For embodiments where a master mobile communications device of the group initiates the group control, or where each of the mobile communications devices of the group independently implements the rules to collectively result in group control, then the information of the table may be stored and accessed within the mobile communications devices themselves. For actions to be taken that require mobile communications network implementation, then a mobile communications device that is implementing the rules itself, rather than relying on a group control server  130 , may then send such instructions to the mobile communications network to request that such action be taken on its behalf, such as to forward to another phone number. 
     FIG. 5  shows an example of logical operations that may be performed by a group control server  130  providing the group control service or by a mobile communications device  104  that is implementing the group control service itself. Initially, the parameters are measured at measurement operation  502 . Here, the mobile communications device gets its location. Where the service is being provided by an external device, then the mobile communications device  104  may upload the location to the mobile communications network at least for the purpose of sharing the location with the group control server  130 . 
   Depending upon the parameters specified for the group, either the mobile communications device or the group control server utilizes the current location of each of the mobile communications devices to prepare a comparison to the parameters specified for the group. For example, the proximity may be computed based on knowledge of the absolute location of each device. The group control server  130  is provided with that information. A master communications device of the group may also be provided that information for purposes of calculating proximity to group members. As an alternative, proximity to other devices of the group may be determined directly by the mobile communications devices themselves by utilizing short-range peer-to-peer communications to measure distance, for instance by using well-known ranging techniques with available short-range radio communications such as WiFi or Bluetooth. As another example, the current location may be compared to a geographical information system to determine whether the users are at a particular address. 
   Upon measuring the parameters, the data relevant to the group setting is then compared to the target parameter values specified for the group such as those of column  406  of  FIG. 4  at comparison operation  504 . Where the group control server  130  is implementing the service for the group, then the server looks-up the group in the table  400  and obtains the parameter values to perform the comparison. If the mobile communications device is implementing the service itself, then it obtains the parameter values from its own storage, from the mobile communications network, or from another external device where they may be stored. 
   At query operation  506 , either the group control server  130  or the mobile communications device detects whether the data relevant to the group setting matches any of the group parameters that indicate a group setting exists. If not, the operations repeat by measuring parameters again, such as after a small delay. If the parameters do match, then the rules are implemented for the group setting at rules operation  508 . 
   For implementation of the rules, if the group control server  130  is providing the service, then the server sends a command to each of the mobile communications devices within the group setting to implement the device actions. Such actions might include muting the ringer. The group control server then implements the other rules by commanding the mobile communications network to implement the internal rules. Such actions of the network might include forwarding incoming calls to voicemail or to a particular device. 
   If the mobile communications device is implementing the service or a portion of it such as the proximity detection, it may instruct the server  130  regarding a group setting existing so that the server may implement the internal rules and/or instruct other mobile communications device to implement rules. Alternatively, the mobile communications device may directly instruct other mobile communications devices of the group to implement the particular rules that are designated for them. 
   Thus, through the group-based control of mobile communications devices, the group setting may continue to co-exist with the presence of mobile communications devices of the group members. The mobile communications devices may introduce the amount of distraction, if any, that the administrator of the group has decided is allowable by configuring the rules to limit what behaviors of the mobile communications device remain active. 
   While embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention