US 6,937,868 B2 · Apparatus and method for managing a mobile phone answering mode and outgoing message based on a location of the mobile phone

Abstract

An apparatus and method for managing a mobile phone answering mode and outgoing message or other indicator based on a location of the mobile phone are provided. The apparatus and method make use of a location system to ascertain the current location of a mobile telephone being carried by a user. Based on the current location, the apparatus and method determine whether operation of the mobile telephone to receive and/or send calls should be restricted. In addition, the apparatus and method determine an appropriate outgoing message to be provided to calling parties while the mobile telephone is located in an area where use of the mobile telephone to receive calls is prohibited. The particular outgoing message provided is customized to the current location of the mobile telephone and optionally, the caller ID of the calling party.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A method of managing operation of a portable device, comprising:

determining a geographical location of the portable device, in response to receiving a communication destined for the portable device;
determining if the geographical location of the portable device is within a geographical area of restricted use of the portable device;
restricting use of the portable device based on the determination of whether the geographical location of the portable device is within a geographical area of restricted use;
and
sending an outgoing message to a source of the communication if use of the portable device is restricted, wherein the outgoing message includes content automatically determined based on the geographical location of the portable device, first preferences of a user of the portable device and second preferences of an owner/operator of an establishment at the geographical location of the portable device.

2 more elements

An apparatus for managing operation of a portable device, comprising:

a controller;
a portable unit database coupled to the controller;
and
a geographical database coupled to the controller, wherein the controller retrieves a geographical location of the portable device from the portable unit database, in response to receiving a communication destined for the portable device, determines if the geographical location of the portable device is within a geographical area of restricted use of the portable device based on geographical information in the geographical database, restricts use of the portable device based on the determination of whether the geographical location of the portable device is within a geographical area of restricted use, and sends an outgoing message to a source of the communication if use of the portable device is restricted, wherein the outgoing message includes content automatically determined based on the geographical location of the portable device, first preferences of a user of the portable device and second preferences of an owner/operator of an establishment at the geographical location of the portable device.

1 more element

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for managing operation of a portable device, comprising:

first instructions for determining a geographical location of the portable device, in response to receiving a communication destined for the portable device;
second instructions for determining if the geographical location of the portable device is within a geographical area of restricted use of the portable device;
third instructions for restricting use of the portable device based on the determination of whether the geographical location of the portable device is within a geographical area of restricted use;
and
fourth instructions for sending an outgoing message to a source of the communication if use of the portable device is restricted, wherein the outgoing message includes content automatically determined based on the geographical location of the portable device, first preferences of a user of the portable device and second preferences of an owner/operator of an establishment at the geographical location of the portable device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for managing a mobile phone answering mode and outgoing message based on a location of the mobile phone

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for managing a mobile phone answering mode and outgoing message based on a location of the mobile phone

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42