Patent US6317593B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6317593B1
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Intelligent cellular telephone function
Assignee: Gateway Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-12
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Granted: 2001-11-13
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Expires: 2016-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A programmable cellular telephone activates selected functions based on a user modifiable schedule, The user stores schedule information in a schedule table for automatic function activation/deactivation. A controller controls all cellular telephone functions, and comprises a memory and a clock. The controller also comprises an automatic scheduler which activates and deactivates cellular telephone functions according to the entries in the schedule table. Cellular telephone functions are activated and deactivated either manually or when the automatic scheduler is enabled and the real time corresponds with the scheduled time in the schedule table. By using the scheduler, a user can select time periods when calls are receivable without having to remember to turn on the cellular phone, extending battery life and minimizing unwanted interruptions.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen P. Vossler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72448; H04M1/72451; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/72463; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72409; H04M1/72412; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M19/04; H04M19/045; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/02; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0209; H04W52/0251; H04W52/0258; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A programmable cellular telephone, comprising: communication circuitry for sending and receiving telephonic signals; and a controller for controlling the cellular telephone coupled to the communication circuitry, wherein the controller enables and disables at least one selected function of the communication circuitry in accordance with a schedule specifying an absolute time set by a user of the celluar telephone to enable or disable the at least one selected function, wherein the at least one selected function is contained in an activation schedule table having a plurality of functional codes that represent cellular telephone features.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A programmable cellular telephone, comprising: communication circuitry for sending and receiving telephonic signals; and a controller for controlling the cellular telephone coupled to the communication circuitry, wherein the controller enables and disables at least one selected function of the communication circuitry in accordance with a schedule specifying an absolute time set by a user of the celluar telephone to enable or disable the at least one selected function, wherein the at least one selected function is contained in an activation schedule table having a plurality of functional codes that represent cellular telephone features.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cellular telephone of claim 1 , further comprising user interface circuitry coupled to the controller, and wherein the controller further enables and disables selected functions of the user interface circuitry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cellular telephone of claim 2 , wherein the user interface further comprises an output interface, the output interface comprising a display of a status of the cellular telephone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cellular telephone of claim 3 , wherein the schedule comprises a plurality of events ordered by time, and the output interface further comprises a display of an event which is next in chronological order in the plurality of events.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cellular telephone of claim 1 , wherein the controller enables and disables complete operation of the communication circuitry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cellular telephone of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises a memory device coupled to the circuitry for storing the schedule.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cellular telephone of claim 6 , wherein the user interface circuitry comprises an input interface for modifying the schedule stored in the memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cellular telephone of claim 1 , wherein the user interface further comprises a user-activated switch coupled to the controller for enabling and disabling the schedule.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cellular telephone of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises a real-time clock, and wherein the real-time clock issues one or more interrupts according to the schedule.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cellular telephone of claim 9 , wherein the controller displays a message on the output interface in response to the one or more interrupts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cellular telephone of claim 9 , wherein the controller sounds an audible alarm in response to the one or more interrupts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cellular telephone of claim 1 , wherein the at least one selected function is selected from a group consisting of power switching between the communication circuitry and a power source, call timing, automatic shut off, automatic call answering, call forwarding, call waiting, and alarm functions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cellular telephone of claim 12 , wherein multiple functions from the group are selected, and enabled and disabled by the controller.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of internally controlling cellular telephone functions, the cellular telephone comprising a power switch and a controller, the controller comprising a clock and a memory, the method comprising the steps of: providing a clock signal representative of time; providing an activation schedule table comprising a plurality of functional codes that represent cellular telephone functions to be enabled or disabled and an associated absolute time when each telephone function is to be enabled or disabled; comparing the clock signal with the activation schedule table; and enabling or disabling selected functions based on the comparison of the clock signal with the activation schedule table.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of internally controlling cellular telephone functions, the cellular telephone comprising a power switch and a controller, the controller comprising a clock and a memory, the method comprising the steps of: providing a clock signal representative of time; providing an activation schedule table comprising a plurality of functional codes that represent cellular telephone functions to be enabled or disabled and an associated absolute time when each telephone function is to be enabled or disabled; comparing the clock signal with the activation schedule table; and enabling or disabling selected functions based on the comparison of the clock signal with the activation schedule table.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of controlling cellular telephone functions of claim 14 , and further comprising the step of revising the schedule using a user interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of controlling cellular telephone functions of claim 14 , wherein the step of enabling or disabling selected functions is deferred when the cellular telephone is actively sending or receiving telephonic signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of controlling cellular telephone functions of claim 14 , wherein the step of enabling or disabling selected functions is enabled or disabled by a user-activated switch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
A programmable cellular telephone, comprising: an activation schedule table having a plurality of functional codes that represent cellular telephone features, a controller for controlling the cellular telephone enclosing the activation schedule table, wherein the controller enables and disables one or more of the plurality of functional codes in accordance with a schedule specifying an absolute time set by a user of the cellular telephone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
A programmable cellular telephone, comprising: an activation schedule table having a plurality of functional codes that represent cellular telephone features, a controller for controlling the cellular telephone enclosing the activation schedule table, wherein the controller enables and disables one or more of the plurality of functional codes in accordance with a schedule specifying an absolute time set by a user of the cellular telephone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The programmable cellular telephone as in claim 18 , wherein the activation schedule table has the functional codes for receiving a cellular telephone call.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The programmable cellular telephone as in claim 18 , wherein the controller controls the cellular telephone availability for purposes of minimizing unwanted interruptions and extending battery life.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The programmable cellular telephone as in claim 18 , wherein the controller controls the cellular telephone availability by disabling less than all of the cellular telephone's functions at one time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The programmable cellular telephone as in claim 18 , wherein the controller controls the cellular telephone availability, wherein one function that remains enabled even though other functions are disabled is that of a call out function.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-05-14 | 2005-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | 2009-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-12 | 2013-05-14 | 2013-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |