Mobile Device Group Control Mode for Call Disruption Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communications devices can disrupt group settings due to incoming and outgoing calls, frustrating intended interactions among group members, especially in settings where members should be undisturbed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a group control mode that specifies rules for handling calls based on defined parameters such as location and time, allowing for centralized or decentralized management of mobile communications devices to mute or forward calls, ensuring minimal disruption during designated group activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile communications devices are made universally accessible and always connected, then communication convenience is improved, but group interaction quality deteriorates due to disruptions from incoming and outgoing calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication accessibilityVSAvoidcall disruptions in group settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the operational state of mobile devices based on contextual parameters. When group setting parameters are detected (specific location, time, or proximity of multiple devices), the system automatically transitions devices from normal operation to group control mode, where call handling behaviors are modified. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making communication accessibility conditional rather than absolute, allowing full functionality when alone but restricted functionality when in group settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism that mediates between individual device functionality and group interaction needs. The group control mode acts as an intermediary layer that receives incoming call requests and applies rule-based decision logic before allowing the call to proceed. This intermediary layer filters and manages call disruptions, protecting group interactions while still maintaining the capability to communicate when appropriate according to the defined rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If group control rules are implemented to restrict call handling, then group interaction quality is improved, but device functionality is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall disruptionsVSAvoiddevice call handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different call handling rules to different devices within the group based on their specific roles and characteristics. Each mobile communication device can have customized rules assigned to it, allowing parents to have different call handling behaviors compared to children's devices. This local differentiation maintains device versatility for each user while collectively reducing disruptions through coordinated group control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of mobile devices based on the detected group setting context. When group parameters are satisfied (devices are in proximity, at specific location, or during designated time), the call handling parameters are modified according to predefined rules. This parameter-based control allows the devices to maintain full functionality when parameters indicate individual use, while automatically adjusting behavior when parameters indicate group settings, thus resolving the contradiction between restriction and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If centralized group control is implemented, then call disruption management is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall disruptionsVSAvoidgroup control system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The group control system is segmented into independent rule sets that can be individually configured and applied to different devices. Rather than implementing a complex centralized control system, the patent divides the control logic into discrete, manageable rules that govern specific behaviors (incoming calls, outgoing calls, text messages) under specific conditions. This segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture while effectively managing call disruptions through modular rule application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7738898B2Methods and devices for mobile communication device group behavior

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

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.