Quiet Or Transmission Prevention Mode Patents (Class 455/456.4)
  • Patent number: 8781500
    Abstract: A property could be covered by a mobile device policy map that defines a plurality of spaces within the property and associates each defined space with a respective notification policy regarding how one or more classes of mobile devices are permitted to provide notifications in response to incoming communications. The mobile device policy map for a property could be developed by the proprietor of the property and could be enforced by a server. A mobile device could report its location to the server, and the server could determine that the location is within or proximate to an area covered by a mobile device policy map. The server could then transmit at least a portion of the mobile device policy map to the mobile device, so that the mobile device can apply the relevant policies based on its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Uri Dekel
  • Patent number: 8774842
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting or disabling cellular telephone usage during operation of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a cell phone. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least an IR modulation circuit, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a wireless signal toward a driver of the motor vehicle. The cell phone, which includes at least an IR modulation detection circuit, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the cell phone. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetooth™, telephone calls, text messaging, emailing, its antenna, its keyboard, and/or its display) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Artifex Software Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel
  • Patent number: 8774754
    Abstract: A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device, such as making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. If a child or employee is using the device, there may be a need to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kajeet, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Donald Baker, Steven Ira Geller, Douglas Owen Kesser, Daniel John Neal, Carol Ann Politi, Ben Julian Weintraub
  • Patent number: 8768335
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication system and terminal for providing a wireless communication service, and more particularly, a method of effectively perform an operation of MDT (Minimization Driving Test) for a specific area or a specific cell in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS) evolved from a UMTS, Long Term Evolution (LTE) System or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seungjune Yi, Sungduck Chun, Sunghoon Jung, Youngdae Lee, Sungjun Park
  • Patent number: 8768311
    Abstract: The system and method prevents reception of calls to a mobile cellular device within a relatively small area or zone, with minimal inconvenience to the public by also permitting outgoing transmissions. The mobile cellular device has a wirelessly settable parameter associated therewith enabling establishment of an inbound call. A selective call blocker includes a receiver, a transmitter, and a selective call blocking controller cooperating with the receiver to determine the wirelessly settable parameter. The selective call blocking controller also cooperates with the transmitter to wirelessly change the wirelessly settable parameter to selectively block an inbound call to the mobile cellular device and without defeating the capability of the mobile cellular device to establish an outbound call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Beadle, John F. Dishman, Walter Divito
  • Patent number: 8768294
    Abstract: An notification and tracking system for a mobile device. The system includes a mobile device application that is adapted to be stored in memory on the mobile device. The application, upon activation, determines the GPS coordinates of the mobile device, records digital images over a period of time, sends a preset message from the mobile device to at least one recipient, preferably an emergency responder, such as a security monitoring station, and sends the GPS coordinates and the digital images. The coordinates and images may be sent to a remote server for storage and which can be accessed by the emergency responder. The coordinates and images are periodically updated and sent while the program is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Emergensee, LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Reitnour, Benjamin F. Reitnour, Nicholas R. Reitnour, John T. Reitnour
  • Publication number: 20140179356
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle are disclosed. A detection module receives a communication signal, determines that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, and a control module transmits a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone. The system further includes a monitoring logic to monitor a functional system of the vehicle activating the transmission of the control signal by the control module when the monitored functional system is activated and the detection module determines that the communication signal was transmitted by the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Marwan Hannon
  • Patent number: 8761779
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods (400, 900) and apparatuses (22, 26, 40)for detecting that a wireless communication device (40) in a serving cell (24, 27) is experiencing excessive interference variance (68), detecting a transmission pattern (74) of interfering transmissions (46) giving rise to such variance, and correspondingly adjusting scheduling of the device (40) as a function of the detected transmission pattern (74), to at least partly avoid the interfering transmissions (46). An advantageous feature of such operation is that the determination of excessive interference variance (68) and the determination of the transmission pattern (74) associated with that varying interference can be done by a network node (22, 26), e.g., the device's serving base station (22, 26), or by the device (40), without requiring backhaul signaling or other inter-node cooperation in the network (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Konstantinos Dimou, Bengt Lindoff
  • Patent number: 8761806
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system and device for implementing positioning measurement. The method includes the steps of: determining a Timing Advance (TA) report format according to obtained information on whether a User Equipment (UE) can support the measurement of the receiving-transmitting(Rx-Tx) time difference and information on whether a base station (e.g. eNB)can support the measurement of the Rx-Tx time difference of the base station and the measurement of the Rx-Tx time difference of the UE in an Enhanced Cell Identity (E-CID) positioning process of the user equipment, and after the base station processes the E-CID positioning measurement, the positioning measurement result is returned to the Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) in the determined timing advance report format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology
    Inventors: Dajun Zhang, Haiyang Quan, Jiayi Fang
  • Patent number: 8761733
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that utilize a set of heuristics to more intelligently determine when to utilize an audible tone associated with a notification profile or other mechanism used to alert a user of events such as an incoming instant message. The heuristics employed consider the layering of the message screens for the corresponding conversations, in combination with one or more device usage indicators such as the status of the backlight, the idle timer, and the orientation of the mobile device 10A itself as indicated by the orientation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Bradley Dennis Benninger
  • Patent number: 8761799
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides for employing timed fingerprint location information in location analytics. Timed fingerprint location information can provide a location for a user equipment. The location of the user equipment can be compared to a location analytics rule related to the location of a user equipment. Where the location satisfies a condition of the location analytics rule, the user equipment can be associated with a compliance status. Compliance, or noncompliance, can initiate further action. Further action can include reporting the compliance status, verifying the identity of a user associated with the user equipment, enforcing the location analytics rule, etc. Enforcing the location analytics rule can include alerts, fines, reporting to an authority figure or agency, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Meredith, Brandon Hilliard, Mario Kosseifi
  • Patent number: 8761797
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for varying location accuracy based on a current view of a digital map displayed at a user's mobile device. The displayed digital map includes a visual representation indicating a geographic location of a second mobile device of a second user on the digital map. A network request for an updated geographic location of the second mobile device is initiated based on the determined current map view and the geographic location of the second mobile device relative to the user's device. The network request specifies a degree of location accuracy for the updated geographic location of the second mobile device. The displayed visual representation for the second mobile device in the map view can then be updated based on the updated geographic location of the second mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Norton
  • Publication number: 20140171125
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a receiver configured to receive a measurement instruction comprising an indication of a first frequency, and at least one processing core configured to suppress causing sending of a proximity indication relating to a closed subscriber group cell operating substantially on at least the first frequency. In some embodiments, sending of redundant proximity indications may thus be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Dalsgaard, Jarkko Koskela, Jussi-Pekka Koskinen
  • Publication number: 20140171124
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided systems, apparatuses, and methods for saving GPS power by detecting indoor use. For example, in one embodiment, such means may include means for receiving a first reading of light within a visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation; means for receiving a second reading of light within an infrared spectrum of electromagnetic radiation; means for selecting an indoor environmental state when (a) the first reading of light within the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation is above a first threshold and (b) the second reading of light within the infrared spectrum of electromagnetic radiation is below a second threshold; and means for transitioning a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor to a power savings mode based on the indoor environmental state being selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen D. Goglin
  • Publication number: 20140171123
    Abstract: Systems and methods of configuring mobile electronic devices are provided. In one aspect, a system includes a vehicle, a mobile electronic device including a first manner of operation and a second manner of operation different than the first manner of operation, and a wireless charging system positioned in the vehicle and adapted to wirelessly charge the mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device operates in the first manner of operation outside of the vehicle, and the wireless charging system identifies the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is inside the vehicle and operation of the mobile electronic device changes from the first manner of operation to the second manner of operation with the mobile electronic device in the vehicle. In another aspect, the system includes a wireless charging system positioned at any location and adapted to communicate data to a mobile electronic device associated with the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dinu Petre Madau, John Robert Balint, III
  • Publication number: 20140162699
    Abstract: Disabling wireless access point notifications is described. In some implementations, wireless access point notifications on a mobile device can be disabled when movement of the mobile device is detected. In some implementations, wireless access point notifications on a mobile device can be re-enabled when the mobile device detects that the mobile device has been stationary for a specified period of time following movement of the mobile device. In some implementations, wireless access point notifications can be disabled on a per access point basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandre Naaman
  • Publication number: 20140162588
    Abstract: Systems and methods control operation of a mobile communication device in a vehicle by determining if the vehicle is moving; if the vehicle is stationary, allowing calls to reach a cell tower; if the vehicle is moving and the mobile communication device is used, disabling a transmission from the mobile communication device to the cell tower; and if the vehicle is moving and an emergency phone sequence is dialed, allowing the transmission from the mobile communication device to the cell tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Randolph Kemper
  • Patent number: 8750903
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling cell phones and cellular phone system based wireless devices in a restricted environment, such as prisons, where the control system makes use of software defined radios to mimic the ambient wireless signals transmitted from nearby cell phone base stations. The system produces a multi-protocol beacon set based on the existing wireless environment and a pre-determined logic set to accomplish complete coverage of all relevant cell phone operating protocols. Cell phones within the desired target coverage area are then attracted to the system and their operation can be controlled. The cell phone control system is able to selectively deny or permit calls based upon a whitelist/blacklist database. The cell phone control system is interfaced to a distributed system of antennas in order to provide the proper control needed over the coverage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: CellAntenna Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Fitzsimmons, Howard Melamed
  • Patent number: 8750893
    Abstract: A mobile communication system includes a first base station and one or more base stations whose information is included in adjacent-base-station information notified by the first base station. The mobile communication system includes a transmitting unit that transmits information on one or more base stations whose information is not included in the adjacent-base-station information to a mobile station, and a position detecting unit that, by using the one or more base stations whose information is not included in the adjacent-base-station information, detects a position of the mobile station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yuji Kojima
  • Patent number: 8750905
    Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Charles Michael Lesher, Jeffrey Sweeney, Robert J. Morrill, Heather Ann Hull
  • Patent number: 8750895
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for monitoring a geofence using wireless access points are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device receives data defining a geofence. The mobile device can select, from multiple wireless access points, one or more wireless access points for monitoring the geofence. The selected wireless access points can be monitored by a wireless processor of the mobile device. The wireless processor can detect a potential entry of the geofence when at least one of the selected one or more wireless access points is detected. Upon a detection of the potential entry of the geofence by the wireless processor, the mobile device can use an application processor of the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device entered the geofence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yefim Grosman, Lukas M. Marti, Morgan Grainger, Robert Mayor, Ronald K. Huang
  • Patent number: 8750904
    Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium comprised of in-vehicle passive monitoring and information management system elements which together detect, identify, report and discourage unsafe wireless device use by the operator of a vehicle. An in-vehicle monitoring device determines the vehicle's operational state and location, identifies wireless device transmitter emissions within the vehicle and communicates to a remote information management system in real-time using a wireless network, or after-the-fact, using a locally-installed software version of the information management system. The information management system collects information retrieved from in-vehicle devices and correlates this information with other database information to provide users with timely alerts, tracking, and records of unsafe wireless device use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Guardity Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Mader, Thomas Edward Mader, Russell Carl McKown
  • Publication number: 20140155103
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method may be provided for validating communications permissions for an in progress communication. The system and method may include receiving location information, at a service provider, from a wireless communications device. The location information may be communicated to a database that is able to determine communications permissions based upon some predetermined criteria, such as time, date, and location. Based upon the received location information and a related database record, permissions for the wireless communications device may be determined. The determined permissions may be communicated to the service provider. The wireless communications device may be notified about restrictions on its communications, in response to receiving the permissions. The permissions determination may be repeated, as necessary, in response to receiving updated location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Cook, Jade Kerr, Mohit Mathur, Michael Morrissey, Clinton Smoyer
  • Patent number: 8744487
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to determining location of one or more mobile devices based on signals received by mobile device and signals received by fixed devices such as access points (APs) in a communications system are described. In accordance with various embodiments, mobile devices, e.g., peer devices, measure one or more signal characteristics, e.g., received signal power level, of signals received from peer devices and report this information along with information identifying the peer devices to which individual signal measurements correspond. The time of the signal measurements is also reported allowing a location determination server to time align signal measurements made by multiple different devices, e.g., mobile devices and access points, and use signals measurements from the multiple devices to determine the location of one or mobile devices, e.g., at one or more points in time, with more accuracy than if AP signal measurement alone were used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Aleksandar Jovicic, Cyril Measson, Thomas Richardson
  • Patent number: 8744481
    Abstract: Method and arrangement in a first node for providing geographical position related information. The first node and a second node are comprised within a wireless communication system. The first node and the second node are adapted to exchange wireless signals. The method comprises receiving a signal from the second node. Apart of the received signal that has propagated through a first channel path from the second node is detected by using a circular correlator. A timing estimate associated with the propagation time of the part of the signal which is received over the first channel path from the second node is calculated. Thus the calculated timing estimate is provided, which timing estimate is to be used when determining the geographical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Robert Baldemair, Martin Israelsson, Dirk Gerstenberger, Muhammad Kazmi, Torbjörn Wigren
  • Patent number: 8744492
    Abstract: A method of responding to incoming calls while driving includes establishing a connection between an electronic device and a mobile phone to enable the electronic device to receive calls through the mobile phone. The electronic device receives position signals, calculates a speed at which the electronic device is moving, and thereby calculates a driving speed. The electronic device determines whether the driving speed is greater than a speed threshold when the mobile phone has an incoming call. The electronic device presents the user of the electronic device with an option to answer the incoming call when the driving speed is less than the speed threshold, and the electronic device presents the user with the option to answer the incoming call when the driving speed is greater than the speed threshold and when a phone number associated with the incoming call is present in a list of important contact numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Juhang Kuo
  • Patent number: 8744493
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a localized silence area. A mobile device may be registered with an access point base station. Any direct communication links from the mobile device to any other base stations may be removed. An indication may be given to the mobile device that the mobile device is in a localized silence zone. The indication may include a request that the mobile device operate in a silent mode, information about making outgoing calls, information about receiving incoming calls, or a combination of these. Procedures for incoming voice calls to the mobile device may be different for different priority levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Via Telecom, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislaw Czaja, Mark E. Davis
  • Patent number: 8738031
    Abstract: Among other things, we describe a method that includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, receiving, from the application, a value indicating a condition for providing location data to the application, disabling a resource associated with the application, while the resource associated with the application is disabled, storing location data received from a location system of the mobile device, and when the condition indicated by the value is met, enabling the resource associated with the application, and providing the stored location data to the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Donald MacGougan, Jay N. Bruins, Robert Mayor, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Stephen J. Rhee, Jay L. Prunty, Pejman Lotfali Kazemi
  • Patent number: 8738772
    Abstract: A system and method for regulating use of a mobile computing device is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a location of the mobile computing device. A role of the user at the identified location is determined. Predetermined limitations are classified for the mobile computing device based on the role of the user at the identified location. A functionality of applications operating on the mobile computing device is regulated based on the predetermined limitations while the mobile computing device is at the identified location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Erb
  • Patent number: 8737965
    Abstract: Wireless device monitoring systems and monitoring devices include a communications module for receiving wireless communications of a wireless device. Processing circuitry is coupled with the communications module and configured to process the wireless communications to determine whether the wireless device is authorized or unauthorized to be present at the monitored area based on identification information of the wireless device. Methods of monitoring for the presence and identity of wireless devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Steven H. McCown, Kurt W. Derr, Kenneth W. Rohde
  • Patent number: 8738040
    Abstract: Method for monitoring the presence of a mobile station (200) in at least one special area (203, 203b), wherein a radio communication defining device (212, 212b) transmits one radio distinctive defining signal (214, 214b) that defines the special area by its coverage, the mobile station processes a signal received in order to determine whether or not it is a defining signal and more precisely a distinctive one that defines the special area, the mobile station sends an updating signal to a mobile telephone network, the network routes the updating signal to special operating means that adapt the value of an operating parameter. According to the invention, the special area is associated to the mobile station by transmitting to the mobile station a checking data used by the mobile station for determining whether or not the defining signal received is a distinctive defining signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Afirma Consulting & Technologies, S.L.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Pérez Lafuente
  • Patent number: 8738029
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for role- and locale-based mobile user device feature control are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for controlling at least one feature of a mobile user device based on a locale and a role of a user of the mobile user device is disclosed. The method includes storing, in a database, role information defining a plurality of different roles assigned to different user types and corresponding locale-based mobile user device feature control policies. In response to a mobile user device being within the locale, a role of the mobile user device is determined. A policy corresponding to the role is selected from a database. At least one feature of the mobile user device is controlled based on the locale-based feature control policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Armstrong, Quinton Co. LLC
    Inventors: Munindar P. Singh, Mona Singh
  • Patent number: 8731580
    Abstract: A terminal positioning system and terminal positioning method are provided. The system includes: a first distance acquiring module acquiring a first distance between a first base station and a terminal located in an overlapped coverage area of the first base station and a second base station according to first time offset information of the terminal; a second distance acquiring module acquiring a second distance between the second base station and the terminal according to second time offset information; an angle acquiring module acquiring a first signal arrival angle of the terminal relative to the first base station and a second signal arrival angle of the terminal relative to the second base station; a first positioning module obtaining an initial location of the terminal according to the first and second signal arrival angles, and a second positioning module determining the accurate location of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Pengfei Li, Shuai Su, Yujie Zhang
  • Patent number: 8725171
    Abstract: A method of providing mode changes to wireless devices is provided. The method may include receiving a request from a wireless device to connect with a network device and sending a signal to the wireless device to enter a location defined mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Virgina Walker Keating, Michael Barboni
  • Patent number: 8725167
    Abstract: A method of grouping cells of a radio communications network may include defining first and second groups of cells from a plurality of cells that transmit reference signals for positioning measurements. The first and second groups of cells may be defined according to a characteristic of the reference signals transmitted by the respective cells and/or of the respective cells that transmit the reference signals. Reference signals used for positioning measurements from the cells of the first group may be measured at a positioning target device. Reference signals used for positioning measurements from the cells of the second group may be measured at the positioning target device separately in time and/or separately in frequency from measuring the reference signals from the cells (103) of the first group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Iana Siomina, Muhammad Kazmi
  • Patent number: 8725162
    Abstract: A mobile communication device with positioning capability is provided, including: a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver; a communication circuit for generating a control signal; an oscillator shared between the communication circuit and the GNSS receiver, for providing a clock signal having a frequency value corresponding to the control signal; and a decision unit, coupled to the communication circuit and the GNSS receiver, for recording the control signal; wherein the GNSS receiver obtains the frequency value of the clock signal according to the control signal recorded in the decision unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ying-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 8725216
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for automatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device. Scheduling data is received which defines a predetermined period utilized to set the alert mode. The scheduling data may be received either by direct input in the wireless device or alternatively from an external edge device, such as a network server, in a communications network. In response to receiving the scheduling data, an alert mode on the wireless device is automatically set for the predetermined period. The alert mode may include a silent alert mode on the wireless device. The wireless device may include a sensor for receiving data indicative of a current external state. The sensor data may include location data, temperature data, and ambient noise data. The received sensor data may be utilized to automatically trigger the setting of an alert mode in the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Quenton Gilbert, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., Steven Tischer
  • Patent number: 8718287
    Abstract: A method for controlling a maximum signal level output to headphones of a wireless device is provided. The method includes: determining an impedance of the headphones; determining a carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having the impedance; and, adjusting an audio amplifier of the wireless device coupled to the headphones to restrict the maximum signal level output to the headphones to the carrier specific maximum signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Cyril Martin
  • Publication number: 20140120954
    Abstract: An information delivery system comprises a receiver component that receives information about the movement, velocity, acceleration, and/or locations over time of a user. A computation component using a predictive model generates a probability distribution relating to one or more of when the user will next be stopped, how long the user will be stopped, how long a pattern of motion, such as walking, driving in stop and go traffic, and smooth highway motion will last, based at least in part upon signals about motion over time. The system can further comprise an alerting component that determines when to provide the user with information based at least in part upon the probability distribution over some aspect of motion or cessation of motion, and optionally the content, or tagged or inferred urgency or importance, of a message or communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Horvitz, Murugesan S. Subramani, Johnson T. Apacible
  • Patent number: 8712443
    Abstract: In a mobile terminal (10), a position information which is received by a position information detecting section (12) is transmitted to a base station. A determining section (34) in the base station determines whether or not the received position information indicates a non-communication area which is then stored in a memory device (35). If the position information indicates a no-communication area, a communication impossible information is transmitted to the mobile terminal (10). When the communication impossible information is received, a wireless communication section (19) in the mobile terminal (10) is notified that a network is disconnected. By putting out a network disconnection request by a communication controlling section (36), the network is disconnected. Consequently, use of the mobile terminal is prohibited in an area where a mobile terminal should preferably be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Konno
  • Patent number: 8713173
    Abstract: A method for ensuring compliance with organizational policies is described herein. The method can include the step of monitoring one or more parameters of a managed computing device for compliance with one or more policies of an organization in which the organizational policies may include limitations on the managed computing device. The method can also include the step of detecting a non-conformance event at the managed computing device with respect to at least one organizational policy. In response to the detection of the non-conformance event, the operation of the managed computing device may be restricted with respect to features or data associated with the organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: OpenPeak Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Kacherov, Robert M. Dare, Gregory Paul Watson, Parag Goel
  • Publication number: 20140113662
    Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile terminal apparatus includes selecting, using a processor, a sensor from a plurality of sensors installed on the mobile terminal apparatus based on both of power consumption for determining whether the mobile terminal apparatus has moved based on an output of at least any one of the sensors and power consumption for identifying a position of the mobile terminal apparatus, determining whether the mobile terminal apparatus has moved based on an output of the sensor selected in the selecting, and identifying a position of the mobile terminal apparatus when it is determined that the mobile terminal apparatus has moved in the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Eiji HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8704658
    Abstract: A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista
  • Patent number: 8706143
    Abstract: Lock-out mechanisms for driver handheld computing devices. The lock-out mechanisms disable the ability of a handheld computing device to perform certain functions, such as texting, while one is driving. In one embodiment, a handheld computing device can provide a lock-out mechanism without requiring any modifications or additions to a vehicle by using a motion analyzer, a scenery analyzer and a lock-out mechanism. In other embodiments, the handheld computing device can provide a lock-out mechanism with modifications or additions to the vehicle, including the use of signals transmitted by the vehicle or by the vehicle key when engaged with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Greer Elias
  • Patent number: 8706134
    Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing navigation information for a requested listing to a mobile device caller of a directory assistance call. If the caller selects an option to receive driving directions to the listing destination, the directory assistance provider forwards the listing address to a platform that correlates the address with location coordinates. The platform can poll the calling device to obtain GPS identifying data for the mobile device and derive mapping and routing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Wasserman, Stephen L. Greene, Robert T. Winslow, Thaveesak Kraisornsuthasinee, Marianne Killelea, Richard A. Cucksey, Sundar Rajan Padmanabhan, Suzi Levas, Joseph Gu, Srinivas R. Karra
  • Publication number: 20140106787
    Abstract: A mobile phone 1 is arranged such that a display section (40) displays an image of image data carrying positional information which image data is stored in a storing section (40) and a security setting section (510) (i) specifies security setting information indicative of a content of a limitation on a function of the mobile phone 1 and (ii) stores, in the storing section (40), the security setting information in association with the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohisa Hangai
  • Publication number: 20140106788
    Abstract: Techniques are provided which may be implemented in various methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture for use by a device that is operable in a plurality of modes, including “higher power mode” and a “lower power mode”. In an example implementation, a device that is operable in a plurality of selectable power modes may measure a signal strength value for a signal acquired from a ground-based transmitter, and transition operation to a lower power mode, wherein at least a portion of a receiver used to acquire the signal is disabled, based, at least in part, on: (a) a profile test indicating that the device is within a characterized environment, wherein the profile test is satisfied, at least in part, by the signal strength value; or (b) an indication based, at least in part, on the signal strength value, that the device is in a constrained motion state; or (c) both (a) and (b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark L. Moeglein, Ahmad Jalali, Bin Tian, Scott King
  • Publication number: 20140106786
    Abstract: An extracting unit detects movement from a first area to a second area, the first area and the second area defined as areas having different priorities. When the extracting unit detects the movement, this changes a communication process defined in the first area to the communication process defined in the second area. A notifying unit notifies that the area changed when the movement is detected. Herein, the priority of the first area and the priority of the second area are defined according to importance of a signal, which should be broadcasted from a processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto NAGAI, Noriaki KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 8700063
    Abstract: Implementations relate to systems and methods for generating called device location based on cell sector information for the called mobile device. Implementations relate to platforms and techniques relate in which a calling device can call a called device, such as a cellular telephone or network-enabled media player. The network can locate the called device using a paging process transmitted via the mobile switch(es) and associated base station(s) of the called device service provider. The called device can respond to the paging process by transmitting a message. The cell sector location of the base station to which the called device responds can be captured as the current location of the called device. The network can report the location of the called device to the calling device using different message formats, including SMS or USSD messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Vikas Jagetiya, Ranganath Nacham
  • Patent number: 8699996
    Abstract: A system and method for managing communication rules on a mobile device are provided. In one embodiment, the communication rules are enforced by the mobile device without assistance from outside components. The communication rules a mobile device needs to enforce may be controlled by a component that is apart from the mobile device. The communication rules may take into account the application that requested the communication and the mobile device's present physical surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond Emilio Reeves, Ryan Alan Wick