as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 0) Pub. No.: US 2004/0127263 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Jul. 1, 2004
`
`Vegh
`
`US 20040127263A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REPLY TO
`CALL
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Moshe Vegh, Netanya (IL)
`
`Ente C07 caccccsssssssssssnssessesnstsnssnstsevee H04Q 7/20
`(SL)
`(52) US. Ch.
`cecescsssssssscnsssssnssnsensssen 455/567; 455/415
`
`Correspondence Address:
`EITAN, PEARL, LATZER & COHEN ZEDEK
`LLP
`
`10 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, SUITE 1001
`NEW YORK, NY 10020 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/327,950
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Briefly, a method and a wireless communication system that
`may includeat least one mobile station and at least one base
`station to reply to an incoming call addressed to the mobile
`station with a predefined message. The mobile station may
`be configured to reply to the incoming call based on the
`preferences of a user of the mobilestation.
`
`
`
`
`Configure reply policyfor
`incoming calls based on user
`preferences
`
`400
`
`410
`Set alarmfor incoming calls |_)
`based onuser preferences
`
`
`Receive callfroma caller
`
`440
`
`Reply to call
`
`ds
`
`recipient
`able to
`
`HO
`
`reply to the
`call?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`480| Activate the alarm to remind
`recipient to answerthe call
`
`
`BS send a predefined reply
`message to the caller
`
`ms in operationor under
`system coverage?
`
`yes
`
`470
`
`Reply to the call with a
`pre-stored message
`
`
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 1
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`
`
`ns
`
`120
`
`
`
`Configuration
`Message
`module
`generator
`
`
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 2
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 2
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`(Dernerenrreeneaerteeereneenenaserene
`
` Message server 340
`
`RF transceiver
`
`Storage
`mediuin
`
`
`
`computer
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 3
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 3
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`Configure reply policyfor
`incoming calls based on user
`preferences
`
`
`400
`
`410
`
`based on user preferences 420
`
`Set alarmfor incoming calls
`
`
`
`Receive callfroma caller
`
`
`440
`
`Is
`
`
`recipient
`Reply to call
`able to
`ne
`
`
`reply to the
`
`call?
`
`
`\
`message to the caller
`BS send a predefined reply
`ms in operation or under
`
`system coverage?
`
`
`| yes
`
`470
`
`Reply to the call with a
`
`pre-stored message
`
`400 Activate the alarm to remind
`recipient to answerthe call
`
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 4
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 4
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`

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`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REPLY TO CALL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`for example,
`[0001] Mobile communications devices,
`handsets of a cellular communication system, may be used
`to send and receive calls between a caller and a recipient,
`e.g., a handset user. Types of calls may include voice calls,
`video calls, text calls, data calls and the like.
`
`In certain situations, the recipient may not be able
`[0002]
`to receive incomingcalls. Those situations may occur when,
`for example, the handset is not in operation, the handset is
`not under the coverage of a cellular communication system,
`the handset useris attending a social event or a meeting, the
`handset is operated in a restricted zone where operation of
`wireless communication devices is not authorized, e.g.,
`some hospitals, or in other situations in which a user does
`not respond to calls.
`
`[0003] Thus, the user may not respond to someofthecalls
`and the caller may have no indication whether or not the
`intended recipient receives the call.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0004] The subject matter regarded as the invention is
`particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the con-
`cluding portion of the specification. The invention, however,
`both as to organization and method of operation, together
`with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be
`understood by reference to the following detailed descrip-
`tion when read with the accompanied drawings in which:
`
`[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of
`wireless communication system according to an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile
`station according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`[0007] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a base
`station according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`
`[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method of
`automatically replying to incoming calls according to exem-
`plary embodiments of the present invention.
`
`It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity
`[0009]
`of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not
`necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimen-
`sions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative
`to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered
`appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the
`figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In the following detailed description, numerous
`[0010]
`specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
`understanding of the invention. However, it will be under-
`stood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present
`invention may be practiced without these specific details. In
`other instances, well-known methods, procedures, compo-
`nents and circuits may not have been described in detail so
`as not to obscure the present invention.
`
`[0011] Some portions of the detailed description, which
`follow, are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic
`representations of operations on data bits or binary digital
`signals within a computer memory. These algorithmic
`descriptions and representations may be the techniques used
`by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the
`substance of their work to others skilled in the art.
`
`[0012] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent
`from the following discussions,
`it
`is appreciated that
`throughoutthe specification discussionsutilizing terms such
`as “processing,”“computing,’“calculating,”“determining,”
`orthe like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer
`or computing system, or similar electronic computing
`device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as
`physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing
`system’s registers and/or memoriesinto other data similarly
`represented as physical quantities within the computing
`system’s memories, registers or other such information
`storage, transmission or display devices. In addition, the
`term “plurality” may be used throughout the specification to
`describe two or more components, devices, elements,
`parameters and the like. For example, “plurality of mobile
`stations” describes two or more mobile stations.
`
`It should be understood that the present invention
`[0013]
`may be used in a variety of applications. Although the
`present invention is not limited in this respect, the circuits
`and techniques disclosed herein may be used in many
`apparatuses such as mobile stations and base stations of a
`radiotelephone communication systems, for example a cel-
`lular communication system.
`
`[0014] Types of cellular communication systems intended
`to be within the scope of the present invention may include,
`although are not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access
`(CDMA) and WCDMAcellular radiotelephone portable
`devices for transmitting and receiving spread spectrum
`signals, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM)
`cellular radiotelephone, Time Division Multiple Access
`(TDMA), Extended-TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet
`Radio Service (GPRS), Extended GPRS, andthe like.
`
`[0015] Turning to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of a
`portion of cellular communication system 100 according to
`an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown.
`Although the scope of the present inventionis not limited in
`this respect, the cellular communication system may include
`mobile stations (MS) 110 and 120 and a base station (BS)
`130. In some embodiments of the invention, BS 130 may be
`operably coupled to a public switched telephone network
`(PSTN) 150 to enable MS 110 and 120 to receive calls
`and/or to place calls to a telephone 155 and/or a facsimile
`machine 157. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the
`present invention, BS 130 may be operably coupled to the
`Internet 160, allowing MS 110 and 120 to access services
`and other entities over the Internet, if desired. For example,
`using an Internet connection, MS 110 and 120 mayestablish
`access to electronic mail services, surfing services, voice
`over Internet protocol (IP) telephone calls and the like.
`Those services may be provided to a user of a personal
`computer (PC) 165 and/or to a user of a personal digital
`assistance 170, if desired.
`
`[0016] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, MS 110 mayreceive a call form MS
`120, for example, a voice call, or a data call such as, for
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 5
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
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`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`example, a text message, an image, a video clip andthelike.
`BS1130 may deliver the call from MS 120 to MS 110 via an
`air link 125, if desired.
`
`[0017] Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a mobile
`station (MS) 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention is shown. Although the scope of the
`present invention is not limited in this respect, MS 200 may
`include an antenna 210, a transceiver 220, a message gen-
`erator 230, a configuration module 240, a computer 250, a
`memory 260, and a user interface 270. In addition, a light
`source 280, an audio unit 285, and a vibrator 290 may be
`operably coupled to user interface 270.
`
`In operation, a user of MS 200 may configure MS
`[0018]
`200 to receive and reply to incoming calls according to
`user-selectable preferences. Accordingly,
`configuration
`module 240 may store a configuration of user-selectable
`preferences in a preference list 265 that may be located in
`memory 260. Although the scope of the present invention is
`notlimited in this respect, types of memory that may be used
`with embodiments of the present invention may include, for
`example, a shift register, a flip flop, a Flash memory, a
`random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),
`static RAM (SRAM)andthe like.
`[0019] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, the user may configure MS 200 to
`reply to an incoming call with a message, which may be
`generated by message generator 230. Accordingly, in some
`embodiments of the invention, message generator 230 may
`generate text messages, audio messages, video messages,
`data messages, and the like. Furthermore, configuration
`module 240 may be designed to configure message genera-
`tor 230 to generate a message with a predefined message
`type and a predefined message content, in accordance with
`the user preferences, which mayinclude rules defining reply
`criteria, i.e., how and when to reply to different types of
`incomingcalls.
`
`[0020] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, MS 200 may receive a call, for
`example, a voice call, a datacall, or the like, over anair link,
`for example, air link 125. Antenna 210, for example, a dipole
`antenna, may receive modulated signals that may carry the
`call. Transceiver 220 may demodulate the modulated signals
`and may provide data that may include a call property to
`computer 250. For example, the call property may include a
`telephone numberofa caller, a call type, e.g. voice, data and
`the like. Furthermore, a call property list 268 may be stored
`in memory and computer 250 may search call property list
`for the received property and maysearch preferencelist 265
`for a rule to generate a reply message based on the call
`property.
`
`[0021] Accordingly, in one mode of operation, which may
`be useful when the user is able to respond to the call,
`computer 250 may commanduserinterface 270 to notify the
`user that
`the call has been received. For example, user
`interface 270 may notify the user of MS 200 of an incoming
`call by providing an audible sound,e.g., a tune and/or a ring,
`which may be generated by audio unit 285. Additionally or
`alternatively, user interface 270 may notify the user of MS
`200 of the incomingcall by operating vibrator 295 and/or by
`blinking light source 280.
`[0022] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, in other modes of operation which
`
`may be useful whenthe user is unable to respondto the call,
`computer 250 may identify the caller and may command
`message generator 230 to generate a reply message to the
`caller. Transceiver 220 may then demodulate the message
`and transmit the messageto the caller.
`
`[0023] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, computer 250 mayidentify the caller
`by searching an address list 267 and matching the caller
`information received by the call with entries stored in
`addresslist, if desired. Furthermore, message generator 230
`may generate a reminder message that may be sent and
`stored at BS 130. BS 130 may send the reminder messageto
`MS 200 in accordance with the preferences selected by the
`user of MS 200. In addition, user interface 270 may notify
`the user of the incoming call by operating at least one light
`source, e.g., light source 280, and/or audio unit 285 and/or
`vibrator 290.
`
`[0024] Turning to FIG.3, a schematic block diagram of a
`base station (BS) 300 according to exemplary embodiments
`of the present invention is shown. Although the scope of the
`present invention is not limited in this respect, BS 300 may
`include an antenna 310, for example, a dipole antenna, a
`Yagi antenna, a multi-pole antenna, andthe like. In addition,
`BS 300 may include a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver
`320, a computer 330, and a message server 340.
`
`In operation, antenna 310 may be used to receive
`[0025]
`and transmit modulated RF signals that may carry call
`information and the call content. RF transceiver 320, for
`example a cellular transceiver, may be used to modulate
`and/or demodulate the RF signals that carry the call, if
`desired. Message server 350 may be operably coupled to
`computer 330 and may include pre-stored messagesof users
`of cellular communication system 100.
`
`[0026] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, in certain situations, MS 200 maynot
`be in operation and maynotreceivecalls. In suchsituations,
`computer 330 may search message server 340 to locate a
`pre-stored messagethat the user of MS 200 may havestored
`for automatically replying to certain callers. If a reply
`intended for the identified caller is located, computer 330
`may reply to the caller using the intended pre-stored mes-
`sage, if desired.
`
`[0027] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, message server 340 mayinclude a
`storage medium 345 to store the predefined messages. In
`embodiments of the present invention, storage medium 345
`may include, for example, a hard drive, recordable digital
`versatile disk (DVD), recordable compactdisk, and the like.
`Furthermore,
`the predefined messages may be arranged
`accordingto a user list wherein a user name maybe an entry
`and/or an address to the predefined message.
`
`[0028] Alternatively or additionally computer 330 may
`search message server 340 according to a set of rules. The
`set of rules may be configured by the user, for example the
`user of MS 200, and the rules may instruct computer 330
`how to search message server 340 and what to search in
`message server 340. For example, the user of MS 200 may
`configure computer 330 to search for call property such as,
`for example, data,
`the preference for replying data call
`according to the type of data call e.g. SMS, email message,
`imageor the like.
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 6
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 6
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`

`

`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`[0029] Turing to FIG. 4, a schematic flowchart of a
`method to automatically reply to calls, according to exem-
`plary embodiments of the present
`invention,
`is shown.
`Although the scope of the present inventionis not limited in
`this respect, the method may begin with configuring a reply
`policy for incoming calls based on the MS 200 user-selected
`preferences (block 400). Although the scope of the present
`invention is not limited in this respect, the user of MS 200
`may bereferred to herein as the call recipient. For example,
`the user of MS 200 may attend a meeting or may participate
`in a social event where operating MS 200 and/or receiving
`calls and/or responding to calls using MS 200 may be
`restricted.
`
`[0030] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, message server 340 of BS 300 may
`reply to the incoming call with a predefined message, based
`on user-defined criteria, e.g., the call urgency which criteria
`may be configured into MS 200 bythe user. Furthermore, the
`user may configure and/or instruct MS 200 to generate
`different messages to different callers and/or to generate
`different messages to different types of calls. For example,
`the call urgency may be determined based on the identity of
`the caller. The recipient may designate the importance of
`callers in addresslist 267. For example, the user may instruct
`or configure MS 200 to reply to calls received from a “high
`importance”caller before less important callers, even if the
`less important calls are received earlier.
`[0031] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, the user may configure user interface
`270 to provide predefined alarm patterns based on the
`user-selected preferences. User interface 270 may set a
`predefined alarm pattern to notify the user of incoming calls
`based on the user preferences (block 410). For example, user
`interface 270 may set light source 280 to blink at different
`rates for different callers and/or different types of callers.
`Additionally or alternatively, the user may set vibrator 290
`to vibrate at different frequencies fordifferent callers and/or
`types of callers. Additionally or alternatively, the user may
`set the audio unit 285 to play different tunes and/ordifferent
`rings and/or a different tone for different callers and/or types
`of callers. Furthermore, the audio alarm may be configured
`to operate after the end of an event, e.g., after a meeting,
`and/or upon departure from a restricted zone, if desired.
`[0032] Although the scope of the present invention is not
`limited in this respect, a call may be received from a certain
`caller (block 420). If, for example, the recipient/user of MS
`200 is able to receive the call (diamond 430), then the user
`mayreply to the call (block 440). Howeverif, for example,
`the recipient of MS 200 may not be able to reply to the call
`(diamond 430) and MS 200 maybe in operation and under
`the coverage of cellular communication system 100 (dia-
`mond 450),
`then MS 200 may reply to the call with a
`pre-stored message based on the configuration configured by
`the recipient (block 470). In addition, the alarm may be
`activated to remind the recipient to reply to the call when
`available (block 480).
`[0033] Additionally or alternatively, if MS 200 is not in
`operation or not under the coverage of cellular communi-
`cation system 100 (diamond 450) then BS 300 mayreply to
`the call by sending a predefined message to the caller, if
`desired (block 460).
`[0034] While certain features of the invention have been
`illustrated and described herein, many modifications, sub-
`
`stitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occurto those
`skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the
`appended claimsare intendedto coverall such modifications
`and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. A method comprising:
`
`replying to an incomingcall received at a mobile station
`of a wireless communication system with a predefined,
`user-configurable message automatically generated by
`the mobile station in response to a property of the
`incoming call.
`2. The method of claim 1 wherein replying to the incom-
`ing call comprises replying to the incoming call when the
`mobile station is not in operation.
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein replying to the incom-
`ing call comprises replying to the incoming call when the
`mobile station is out of the wireless communication system
`coverage range.
`4. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeatedly
`notifying the mobile station for the incoming call having
`said property comprises call urgency.
`5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`
`activating a user-configurable alarm to notify a user of the
`mobile station of the incomingcall.
`6. The method of claim 5, comprising:
`
`setting the alarm to remind the user of the mobile station
`to reply to the call when the mobilestation is available.
`7. An apparatus comprising:
`
`a configuration module to configure at least one rule of
`replying to an incoming call based on a call property
`received with the incoming call; and
`
`a message generator to generate a reply message in
`response to said call property.
`8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:
`
`a user interface to set an alarm to notify a user of said
`incoming call based on the call property.
`9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising:
`
`a memory to provide user-configurable preferences; and
`
`a computer to search the memory for the user-config-
`urable preferences based on the call property.
`10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the call property is
`an address of a caller and the computer is configured to
`search an addresslist and preferencelist to provide a rule of
`replying to the incoming call based on the caller address.
`11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the computer is
`operably coupled to the configuration module and is able to
`control the message generator to reply to the incoming call
`with said reply message.
`12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the predefined
`message is based on the urgency of the incomingcall.
`13. An apparatus comprising:
`
`a configuration module of a mobile station to configure a
`message server of a base station to reply to a call
`addressed to the mobile station with a predefined
`message based on the urgencyof the call.
`14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the message server
`comprises a predefined message.
`15. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a
`transceiver to transmit the reply message.
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 7
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
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`US 2004/0127263 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the message server
`is configured to reply to the call when the mobile station is
`not in operation with the predefined message.
`17. An apparatus comprising:
`
`22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the predefined
`message is based on the urgency of the incomingcall.
`23. An article comprising a storage medium having stored
`thereon instructions that when executed result in:
`
`a dipole antenna to receive an incomingcall;
`
`a configuration module to configure at least one rule of
`replying to the incoming call based on a call property
`received with the incoming call; and
`
`a message generator to generate a reply message in
`response to said call property.
`18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
`
`a user interface to set an alarm to notify a user of said
`incoming call based on the call property.
`19. The apparatus of claim 18, comprising:
`
`a memory to provide user-configurable preferences; and
`
`a computer to search the memory for the user-config-
`urable preferences based on the call property.
`20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the call property is
`an address of a caller and the computer is configured to
`search an addresslist and preference list to provide a rule of
`replying to the incoming call based on the caller address.
`21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer is
`operably coupled to the configuration module andis able to
`control the message generator to reply to the incoming call
`with said reply message.
`
`replying to an incomingcall received at a mobile station
`of a wireless communication system with a predefined,
`user-configurable message automatically generated by
`the mobile station in response to a property of the
`incomingcall.
`24. The article of claim 23, wherein the instruction of
`replying when executed further results in:
`
`replying to the incoming call when the mobile station is
`not in operation.
`25. Thearticle of claim 23, wherein the instructions when
`executed result in:
`
`repeatedly notifying the mobile station for the incoming
`call having said property comprises call urgency;
`
`activating a user-configurable alarm to notify a user of the
`mobile station of the incoming call; and
`
`setting the alarm to remind the user of the mobile station
`to reply to the call when the mobilestation is available.
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 8
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2011
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 8
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`