Patent Abstract:
A device for proximity detection of a wireless terminal includes: a transmitter for transmitting signals inside an area; and a processor operable for instructing the transmitter to transmit a control signal notifying the wireless terminal of a preferred operational mode of the wireless terminal for the area.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Mobile or wireless terminals, such as cell phones, mobile phones, and similar wireless devices are no longer the hallmark of traveling business executives and other professionals, but have become essential personal items that are always carried by many people all over the world on their persons.  
         [0002]     Modern cell phones are equipped with a feature know as enhanced home network. This feature allows cell phone users to operate their phone throughout North America or the European Community commonly without incurring roaming charges. Because the cell phones are, therefore, operational at no additional prohibitive cost across borders between states or countries, there is no reason to leave them behind while traveling. In a sense, the cell phone goes where its owner goes, and this, unfortunately, includes environments in which the use of a cell phone is undesirable, dangerous, or even illegal.  
         [0003]     In entertainment places, such a theaters, opera houses, symphony and music halls, ringing of cell phones is not only disruptive, but it may also interfere with aesthetic or other aspects of the performance. In government buildings and courthouses, security reasons may place additional restrictions on the use or even admittance of cell phones. In airplanes, explosives handling sites, hospitals, and other places in which radio-operated equipment may be used, the operation of cell phones may lead to spurious radio transmissions that may cause interference, malfunction, and may even trigger catastrophic events.  
         [0004]     Currently, X-Ray machines and scanners are used to discover and confiscate cell phones at the entrance to courthouses and other places in which these devices are prohibited. Spotting miniature cell phones through X-Ray machines is not only difficult but it is also time consuming.  
         [0005]     Another solution being used is a jamming device for mobile phone signals that disrupts the reception of the signal at the mobile phone, making it impossible to receive service from the mobile network. A permit is usually required in order to operate this device and it is currently illegal to use such a device in the United States. When this device is used, functions such as Short Messaging Service (SMS), email, and Internet access are all disabled.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     Exemplary embodiments include a device for proximity detection of a wireless terminal including: a transmitter for transmitting a control signal inside an area; and a processor operable for instructing the transmitter to notify the wireless terminal of a preferred operational mode for the area.  
         [0007]     Exemplary embodiments also include a method for proximity detection of a wireless terminal including: determining a preferred operational mode of the wireless terminal inside an area; and transmitting a control signal indicating the preferred operational mode for the area to the wireless terminal.  
         [0008]     Exemplary embodiments further include a computer program product for proximity detection of a wireless terminal, the computer program product including: a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for facilitating a method including: determining a preferred operational mode of the wireless terminal inside an area; and transmitting a control signal indicating the preferred operational mode for the area to the wireless terminal.  
         [0009]     Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to exemplary 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.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a detection device in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a detection device in an operation environment in exemplary embodiments; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the operation of the detection device in exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     Referring now to the Figures for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it is to be understood that standard components or features that are within the purview of an artisan of ordinary skill and do not contribute to the understanding of the various embodiments of the invention are omitted from the Figures to enhance clarity.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the detection device  20  in exemplary embodiments for use in a restricted area  32 , shown in  FIG. 2 . Exemplary embodiments of the detection device  20  include a transmitter  22  and a receiver  24 . While shown as distinct elements, it should be appreciated that the transmitter and the received may be incorporated into a single transceiver. The detection device  20  may also include a processor  26 , the processor  26  including a data storage device, a microprocessor, and a logic controller. The processor  26  may be in operable communication with a display and an input device. The input device may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard, a switch, or a knob. The detection device  20  may also include an antenna  36  for transmitting a control signal to the wireless terminals  34  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The antenna  36  is in operable communication with the transmitter  22  and the receiver  24  and is utilized to facilitate communication between both the transmitter  22  and the receiver  24  and the wireless terminals  34 . The antenna  36  may be any suitable antenna type including, but not limited to, dipole, monopole, patch, bicone, monocone, notch, horn, or reflector antenna.  
         [0016]     In exemplary embodiments, the detection device  20 , labeled as a locator in  FIG. 2 , may be portable or may be mounted on a wall or surface. The detection device  20  may be used with any wireless terminal  34  including, but not limited to, cell phones, pagers, wristwatch phones, and PDA devices that can communicate wirelessly by means of electromagnetic radiation regardless of the service carrier. Both analog and digital wireless terminals  34  may be utilized without modification and regardless of the underlying network protocols. The underlying network protocols may include, but is not limited to, AMPS, NAMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM-NA, PACS, etc. Wireless terminals  34  may also include email and pager devices that operate through the various underlying network protocols. In exemplary embodiments, the receiver  24  is capable of receiving an overhead signal from the wireless terminal  34 . The overhead signal includes the wireless communication signal between the wireless terminal  34  and a wireless service provider.  
         [0017]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a diagrammatic view of exemplary embodiments of the detection device  20  in an operation environment is shown. The detection device  20  may be programmed to transmit a control signal to wireless terminals  34  within a restricted area  32 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the control signal includes a preferred operational mode for the wireless terminal  34  inside of the restricted area  32 . The restricted area  32  is defined as an area in which the unrestricted use of the wireless terminals  34  is undesirable or prohibited. In exemplary embodiments, the restricted area  32  may be a stationary structure or facility including but not limited to, a government building, a courthouse, a hospital, a restaurant, or a theater. In other exemplary embodiments, the restricted area  32  may be a mobile facility such as an airplane or a boat.  
         [0018]     The preferred operational mode may include an availability of a feature of the wireless terminal  34  and a setting of the wireless terminal  34 . The features of the wireless terminal  34  may include, but are not limited to, a voice call, a SMS, an email, a camera functionality, a video functionality, and a pager. Additionally, the settings of the wireless terminal  34  may include, but are not limited to, a ring volume, a ring tone, an alert volume, an alert tone, a flash, and a backlight intensity. After receiving the control signal with the preferred operational mode, the wireless terminal  34  presents the user with an option to accept the preferred operational mode while in the restricted area  32 . In exemplary embodiments, the processor  26  may store a previous operational mode of the wireless terminal  34  when the user elects to adopt the preferred operational mode. Additionally, the processor  26  may revert the wireless terminal  34  to the previous operational mode when the control signal is no longer detected.  
         [0019]     In exemplary embodiments the detection device  20  can use the processor  26  to store information about wireless terminals  34 , including the preferred operating mode of the wireless terminal  34  in the restricted area  32 . For example, if the restricted area  32  is a church, movie theater, or some other place that an individual visits on a regular basis, the processor  26  may keep track of the preferred operational mode of the user&#39;s wireless terminal  34 . In exemplary embodiments, the user may be prompted to have the detection device  20  store the preferred operation mode of their wireless device  34  and automatically switch the operational mode of the wireless terminal  34  when it is present in the restricted area.  
         [0020]     Turning now to  FIG. 3 a  flowchart of the operation of exemplary embodiments of the detection device  20  is illustrated generally as  50 . As shown in process block  52 , when inside of the restricted area  32  the wireless terminal  34  detects a control signal emitted by the detection device  20 . After detecting the control signal, the wireless terminal  34  receives the preferred operational mode for the wireless terminal  34 , as depicted in process block  54 . Upon receiving the preferred operation mode for the wireless terminal  34 , the wireless terminal  34  presents the user with an option for changing the operational mode of the wireless terminal  34  to the preferred operational mode, as shown in process block  56 .  
         [0021]     Continuing with  FIG. 3 , as depicted at process block  58  the wireless terminal  34  receives a command from the user indicative of a desired operational mode of the wireless terminal  34 . If the user indicates that the operational mode of the wireless terminal  34  should be changed to the preferred operational mode the process proceeds to process block  60 . Otherwise, the operational mode of the wireless terminal  34  remains unchanged, as shown at process block  62 . If the user adapts the preferred operational mode for the wireless terminal  34 , the wireless terminal may store a previous operational mode of the wireless device, as shown at process block  60 . Additionally, the wireless terminal  34  may restore the operational mode of the wireless terminal to the previous operational mode when the control signal is no longer detected, as shown at process block  64 . The restoration of the previous operational mode may occur automatically once the wireless terminal  34  no longer detects the presence of the control signal or responsive to a user command to restore the previous operational mode.  
         [0022]     In additional exemplary embodiments, the detection device  20  may be used to broadcast a message to wireless terminals  34  within the restricted area  34 . For example, the control signal may include a command that instructs the wireless terminals  34  to present a message on a display of the wireless terminal  34 . The message may include advertisements or announcements pertaining to people in the restricted area  34 . In exemplary embodiments, a movie theater may use the message to advertise specials at the concession stand. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the message may include an announcement of the features of the preferred operating mode or any other announcement pertaining to people in the restricted area.  
         [0023]     As described above, embodiments may be in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. In exemplary embodiments, the invention is embodied in computer program code executed by one or more network elements. Embodiments include computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. Embodiments include computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.  
         [0024]     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7