Mobile Device Ring Tone Management via RF Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In crowded areas, identical ring tones on multiple mobile devices can cause confusion, making it difficult for users to distinguish between their own calls and those of others with the same ring tone.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for mobile devices to detect nearby devices via radio frequency transmission, such as Bluetooth, and change their ring tone to an alternate tone if it matches another device's ring tone, allowing users to differentiate their alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple mobile devices use the same ring tone, then device simplicity and user convenience are maintained, but call distinction and user identification capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each mobile device to have a unique ring tone characteristic based on its local identification (device ID, manufacturer, model). Instead of requiring all devices to use different ring tones globally, each device's ring tone is customized locally to reflect its specific identity, enabling call distinction while maintaining ease of selection through automatic assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of ring tones by incorporating device-specific identifiers (such as device ID, manufacturer name, model name) into the ring tone characteristics. This transforms the ring tone from a generic sound into a uniquely identifiable signal that encodes device parameters, thereby improving call identification without complicating user operation.
2Loss of information
If ring tones are made unique to each device, then call distinction capability is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling mobile devices to automatically generate and configure their own unique ring tones using their inherent device identifiers. The system autonomously extracts device information (device ID, manufacturer, model) and uses it to create distinctive ring tones without requiring user intervention or complex manual configuration, thereby maintaining simplicity despite enhanced identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using the same device identifiers that already exist for other purposes (device ID for identification, manufacturer/model for specifications) to also serve ring tone generation. This multi-functional use of existing device attributes eliminates the need for separate complex configuration systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving unique ring tones.
3Ease of manufacture
If default ring tones are used across devices, then manufacturing and deployment simplicity is maintained, but user differentiation and personalization capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring each device with its unique identifiers (device ID, manufacturer, model) during manufacturing, which are then automatically utilized for ring tone generation upon device activation. This preliminary preparation of identification data enables both easy deployment (no manual configuration needed) and user differentiation (unique ring tones from the start), resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and personalization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for a mobile device for managing ring tones. A radio frequency transmission is detected from another mobile device. In response to detecting the radio frequency transmission from the other mobile device, a ring tone used by the other mobile device is identified to form an identified ring tone. The current ring tone is selectively changed for the mobile device to an alternate ring tone, depending on the identified ring tone.