(12) United States Patent
`US 6,253,075 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`Beghtol et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`US006253075B1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`INCOMING CALL REJECTION
`
`(75)
`
`-
`Inventors: Justin Beghtol; Kenneth Mar, both of
`san Dlego’ CA (Us)
`(73) Assignee: N0kia Mobile Phones Ltd., Espoo (F1)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(60)
`
`(21) Appl. NO‘: 09/212’757
`(22)
`Filed:
`Dec. 16, 1998
`Related US. Application Data
`PIOVisional application N0. 60/086,032, filed on May 19,
`1998'
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... H04M 3/42
`(51)
`(52) us. Cl.
`.......................... 455/415; 455/412; 455/567;
`379/142
`(58) Field of Search .................................... 455/404 33.1
`455/541 90 525 550 422 567 455—458’
`412_41’5 565‘ 5’79/142 1’27 67—69 201’
`207 211 373 372 3’74 376 350’ 140’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’ 19§_200’
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5 329 578 *
`7/1994 Brennan et al.
`....................... 379/67
`
`9/1996 Martensson .....
`5:553:125
`379/140
`
`9/1996 Mizikovsky
`..... 379/58
`5,559,860
`8/1997 Ahlberg et a1.
`.
`.. 455/414
`5,657,372
`
`8/1997 Chin .....
`5,661,788
`379/142
`5/1998 Sheerin .................................. 379/67
`5,748,709 *
`
`5/1998 Kimura ................................ 455/412
`5,758,280 *
`5,835,582 * 11/1998 Matsuda et al.
`..
`379/373
`
`5,930,351 *
`7/1999 Lappen et al.
`379/373
`
`e1 e ............
`29(9):??43‘:
`: ggggg SBlllorll
`.............
`431337313451
`6:108:630 *
`8/2000 Kuechler et al.
`704/270
`
`9/2000 Borland .................................. 379/70
`6,122,347 *
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`
`9/1992 (JP) ................................. H04B/7/26
`4-258029 *
`* cited by examiner
`Primar Examiner—Daniel Hunter
`Assist/zit Examiner—Pablo Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brian T. Rivers
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Amethod and apparatus for rejecting incoming calls for use
`in a mobile communications device. The method and appa-
`ratus permit a user Of a mobile communications device to
`automatically reject calls intended to be tacaiVed by the
`device. In an exemplary embodiment, a rejection memory
`Within the mobile device is preprogrammed With identifica-
`tion information representative of transmitting stations to.be
`rejected. When a call IS 1ncom1ng, 1dent1ficatlon mformat1on
`included with the incoming call is compared with identifi-
`cation information contained in the rejection memory. When
`a match is detected, a rejection message is automatically sent
`by the mobile communications device to the transmitting
`station. Upon receipt of the rejection message, the transmit-
`ting station terminates the call and may reroute the call to a
`mice messaging SyStem‘ Additionally’ upon dismay 0f the
`identification information of an incoming call, the user may
`manually trigger the transmission of the rejection message
`from the mobile communications device.
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`200
`
`202
`
`MOBILE PHONE 0N STANDBY
`
`
`ENTER PHONE NUMBERS TO
` 204
`
`BE REJECTED INTO
`REJECTION MEMORY OF PHONE
`
`
`
`206
`INCOMING CALL
`
`
`
`IS NUMBER
`IN REJECTION
`MEMORY?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOES USER
`NO
`WANT TO REJECT
`
`
`
`CALL?
`CALL HAN DLED
`
`
`NORMALLY
`21 4
`
`USER INTERACTION
`
`
`PHONE SENDS REJECTION
`
`
`MESSAGE TO BASE
`216
`STATION IMMEDIATELY
`
`
`
`CALL RELEASED
`
`
`CALL SENT TO VOICE MAIL
`
`
`210
`
`
`
`218
`
`220
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 1
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f4
`
`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`7
`
`110
`
`100
`\‘
`
`104
`
`REJECTI ON
`MEMORY
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`CALL
`
`INDICATOR
`
`11
`
`4
`
`120
`
`MESSAGE
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`116
`
`121
`122
`
`124
`
`118
`
`123
`
`DETERMINER
`
`300
`
`
`
`
`MESSAGE TYPE
`
`FEATURE DESCRIPTION RECORD TYPE((BINARY)
`
`FLASH WITH IINFORMAT 0N MESSAGE
`
`FEATURE INDICATOR
`
`00000010
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3 a
`
`302
`
`
`
`
`
`TYPE SPECIFIC FI ELD
`
`INCOMING CALL REJECTION
`
`RESERVED
`
`FEATURE IDENTIFI ERS BITS)
`
`
`
`
`OOOO
`
`XXXX
`
`FIG. Sb
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 2
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`402
`
`400\
`
`ENTER PHONE NUMBERS
`
`TO BE REJECTED INTO
`REJECTION MEMORY
`OF PHONE
`
`200
`
`MOBILE PHONE ON STANDBY
`
`7—02
`
`ENTER PHONE NUMBERS TO
`BE REJECTED INTO
`REJECTION MEMORY OF PHONE
`
`204
`
`INCOMING CALL
`
`205
`
`YES
`
`208
`
` IS NUMBER
`IN REJECTION
`MEMORY?
`
`
`
`NO
`
`210
` DOES USER
`
`WANT TO REJECT
`
`
`9
`
`CALL
`CALL HANDLED
`YES
`NORMALLY
`
`
`
`USER INTERACTION
`
`212
`
`PHONE SENDS REJECTION
`
`MESSAGE TO BASE
`STATION IMMEDIATELY
`
`216
`
`CALL RELEASED
`
`218
`
`CALL SENT TO VOICE MAIL
`
`220
`
`FIG. 2
`
`MOBILE PHONE
`ON CURRENT CALL
`
`404
`
`406
`
`408
`
`YES
`
`NO INDICATION
`
`TO USER ABOUT
`INCOMING CALL
`
`18
`
`MEMORY?
`
`NO
`
`418
`
`410
`
`PROVIDE USER
`INDICATION OF SECOND
`INCOMING CALL
`
`
`
`NUMBER OF SECOND
`
`CALL IN REJECTION
`
`
`
`
`420
`
` DOES USER
`WANT TO REJECT
`
`
`
`USER INTERACTION
`
`NO
`
`CALL?
`
`YES
`
`412
`
`414
`
`41 6
`
`424
`
`PHONE SENDS REJECTION
`MESSAGE TO BASE
`STATION IMMEDIATELY
`
`SECOND CALL SENT
`TO VOICE MAIL
`
`CALL HANDLED NORMALLY
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 3
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f4
`
`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`501
`/
`MOBILE STATION
`
`503
`N
`COMMUNICATION
`CHANNEL
`
`502
`/
`BASE STATION
`
`500
`/
`
`5%?
`MESSAGE
`
`SENDS PAGE RESPONSE
`
`512
`
`SETS UP TRAFFIC CHANNEL
`
`RECEIVES N CONSECUTIVE
`VALID FRAMES \
`513
`BEGIN SENDING TRAFFIC
`CHANNEL\PREAMBLE
`514
`
`51‘3
`
`BEGIN TRANSMI1TING
`NULL TRAFFIC DATA 523
`/
`BEGIN PROCESSING PRIMARY
`TRAFFIC IN ACCORDANCE
`WITH SERVICE OPTION 1
`
`526
`
`COMPARE ID TOf
`REJECTION MEMORY;
`
`527
`IF MATCH, THEN TRANSMIT
`REJECTION MESSAGE;
`
`530
`IF NO MATCH, RING /
`AND DISPLAY CALLER ID.
`
`IF USER ”REJECT” INPUT
`DETECTED TRANSMIT \
`REJECTION MESSAGE
`531
`
`IF USER ”ANSWER” INPUT
`DETECTED TRANSMIT CONNECT
`ORDER
`\
`534
`
`< PAGINg CHANNEL <
`505
`50/7
`
`> ACCESS CHANNEL >
`
`511
`/
`< PAGING CHANNEL <
`
`515
`/
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`CHANNEL
`< FORWARD TRAFFIC <
`51/5 CHANNEL
`
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`525 CHANNEL
`
`< FORWARD TRAFFIC <
`CHANNEL \
`522
`
`SENDS PA§\EJ MESSAGE
`504
`(598
`
`SETS UP TRAFFIC CHANNEL
`
`BEGINS SENDING NULL;509
`TRAFFIC CHANNEL DATA
`
`SENDS CHANNEL
`
`ASSIGNMENT/ MESSAGE
`510
`515
`/
`ACOUIRES THE REVERSE
`TRAFFIC CHANNEL
`501
`SENDS BASE STATION /
`ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ORDER
`
`521
`
`SENDS SERVICE OPTION
`RESPONSE ORDER
`
`< FORWARD TRAFFIC <
`CHANNEL \
`525
`
`524
`SENDS ALERT WITH /
`INFORMATION MESSAGE
`(CALLER TO AND RING)
`
`
`
`537
`
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`/ CHANNEL
`528
`
`532
`/
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`CHANNEL
`
`RELEASE CALLx529
`
`RELEASE CALL\533
`
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`CHANNEL \
`535
`
`CONNECT CALL\536
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 4
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f4
`
`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`601
`MOBILE STATION/
`
`693
`COMMUNICATION
`CHANNEL
`
`600
`
`'/
`
`6/02
`BASE STATION
`
`USER CONVERSATION WITH
`FIRST PARTY
`\
`604
`
`< FORWARD AND REVERSE USER CONVERSATION WITH
`TRAFFIC CHANNELS >
`FIRST PARTY
`\
`/
`605
`606
`
`DETECTS INCOMING CALLf
`
`607
`
`6/10
`$332? ID TO REJECTION
`
`6/09
`< FORWARD TRAFFIC <
`CHANNEL
`
`LERT WITH S08
`SENDS
`A
`INFORMATION MESSAGE.
`(CALLER ID, CALL WAITING TONE)
`
`IF (ID MATCHES)
`
`611
`THEN; /
`TRANSMIT REJECTION MESSAGE
`
`614
`ELSE;/
`GIVE CALL WAITING TONE,
`DISPLAY ID INFORMATION
`
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`CHANNEL
`/
`512
`
`RELEASE CALLx513
`
`IF (DETECT USER MANUAL
`REJECT INPUT) \
`615
`
`616
`IF YES;/
`TRANSMIT REJECTION MESSAGE
`
`617
`/
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`CHANNEL
`
`RELEASE CALLXBTS
`
`IF (DETECT USER REQUEST TO
`CHANGE PARTIES)\
`619
`
`IF YES THEN;
`TRANSMIT FLASH WITH
`
`INFORMATION MESSAGE
`
`620
`
`621
`/
`> REVERSE TRAFFIC >
`
`622
`/
`MUTE SPEECH PATH TO FIRST
`
`CHANNEL
`
`PARTY, CONNECTS SECOND PARTY.
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 5
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 5
`
`

`

`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`INCOMING CALL REJECTION
`
`CLAIM OF PRIORITY FROM A COPENDING
`PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION
`
`Priority is herewith claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from
`copending Provisional Patent Application 60/086,032, filed
`May 19, 1998, entitled “Incoming Call Rejection,” by Justin
`Beghtol and Kenneth Mar. The disclosure of this Provisional
`Patent Application is incorporated by reference herein in its
`entirety.
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to call processing
`techniques in cellular telecommunications systems. More
`particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus, and
`associated method, for rejecting incoming calls to a mobile
`communications device within a cellular telecommunica-
`
`tions system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Wireless telecommunications systems provide a conve-
`nient way for users to communicate when landline phones
`are unavailable. What was once an expensive luxury is now
`an affordable convenience. By simply carrying a small,
`lightweight mobile communications device, users may place
`or receive calls of excellent quality in any geographic region
`offering such wireless service.
`Typically, wireless telecommunications systems are made
`up of a series of base stations connected to landline tele-
`communications networks through the use of base station
`controllers. The base stations have the capacity to commu-
`nicate with each other via the base station controllers and to
`
`establish a fixed number of radio frequency (RF) commu-
`nications channels with remote mobile phones. The RF
`communications channels act as a conduit by which the
`mobile phones may ultimately communicate with landline
`phones. Thus, as long as a mobile user remains within the
`geographic coverage area of the wireless system, commu-
`nication with other mobile and landline users is possible.
`To standardize the operation of wireless systems, several
`communication implementations have been developed. One
`such implementation, currently used in numerous wireless
`communication system deployments,
`is known as Code
`Division Multiple Access (CDMA). This communication
`technique is described under the TIA/EIA/IS-95-A standard
`(IS-95). Accordingly, the 18-95 standard is incorporated by
`reference in its entirety so as to provide the reader with
`adequate background information regarding mobile phone
`operation in an 18-95 telecommunications environment. As
`defined in the 18-95 standard, analog voice signals are
`converted to the digital domain, orthogonally encoded and
`then spread by a pseudo-random spreading signal so as to
`occupy a 1.23 MHZ frequency band. From this spread signal,
`inphase and quadrature phase signals are generated which
`are then combined and modulated onto RF carrier signals for
`transmission between remote mobile stations and fixed base
`stations.
`
`Current wireless systems allow landline users to place and
`receive calls with mobile phone users. Additionally, mobile
`phone users can place and receive calls with other mobile
`phone users. Fixed base stations facilitate these calls by
`routing the calls between users and handling necessary
`overhead activities required to establish the RF communi-
`cations channels used to conduct the calls.
`
`2
`Typically, when a landline user calls a mobile phone user,
`the base station acts as an intermediary by alerting the
`mobile of the attempted call via at least one RF channel.
`After alerting the mobile, the base station waits for a fixed
`time period, which defines a ringing cycle,
`to receive a
`response from the mobile. The response indicates the mobile
`is ready to accept the call. If the mobile does not respond
`within the ringing cycle time period, the base station releases
`the call by terminating the call alert
`to the mobile and
`signaling to the caller that the mobile is unavailable. During
`the ringing cycle, the mobile phone produces an audible
`ringing or mechanical vibration to alert the mobile phone
`user of the incoming call. If the mobile phone user decides
`to answer the incoming call, a response is sent from the
`mobile to the base station indicating that the call is to be
`accepted. The base station then sets up a connection on the
`existing RF channel or establishes a second RF channel
`where the call will ultimately be connected.
`Included in the call alert to the mobile phone may be
`identification information about
`the caller, sometimes
`referred to as caller ID. This identification information can
`
`be displayed by the mobile phone allowing the mobile phone
`user to determine who is calling before the call is answered.
`If the mobile phone user decides not to receive calls from
`specific callers, the identification information can be viewed,
`and if desired, the incoming call can be left unanswered for
`the entire ringing cycle.
`One of the major benefits to users of mobile phones is the
`ability to place or receive calls without being restricted to a
`fixed location as when using a landline phone. So long as the
`mobile phone maintains an RF communication channel with
`at least one base station, communication services are gen-
`erally available. This allows mobile users to send and
`receive calls when away from their home or office and even
`while traveling in automobiles.
`However, having accessibility to instant communications
`may at times have undesirable consequences. In particular,
`unless the mobile phone is powered off, there may be no
`action a user may take to prevent the phone from proceeding
`through the entire ringing cycle. This means that for every
`unanswered incoming call, the phone will ring for the entire
`ringing cycle until the call is released by the base station.
`Even if the user is able to mute the audible ringing, the call
`is still processed by the phone until released, which may
`prevent the phone from handling other calls. There may also
`be times when a user desires to refuse all communications
`
`from certain callers. Such times may occur when prank
`callers or telemarketers repeatedly call or when users simply
`do not want to receive calls originating from specific calling
`stations. Unfortunately, present systems do not allow mobile
`phones to refuse to accept calls nor do they provide mobile
`phone users with a rej ection-on-demand capability to imme-
`diately reject any incoming call as desired.
`Mobile phone systems have also adopted some of the
`features available in landline systems. For instance, a call-
`waiting feature may be implemented in a mobile phone
`system. During operation of call waiting, a user of a mobile
`phone may be connected and in active communication with
`a first caller when a second caller attempts a call to the same
`mobile phone. Instead of the second caller getting an imme-
`diate busy signal, a ringing cycle occurs where the mobile
`phone user receives a call alert indicating that there is an
`incoming call. The mobile phone user may then switch over
`to the second call and put the first call on hold, or may ignore
`the second call and continue on the first call. If the second
`
`call is not answered, the call alert to the mobile phone user
`will continue for a time period defining the ringing cycle.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 6
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 6
`
`

`

`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`3
`Unless the mobile phone user answers the second call, there
`is currently no way to terminate the call alert until
`the
`ringing cycle is complete.
`There currently eXists a need in the mobile communica-
`tions industry for a method and apparatus wherein a user of
`a mobile phone has the capability to reject an incoming call.
`Such a method and apparatus should provide the user an
`automatic mode of rejection and a manual mode of rejection.
`The automatic mode should allow the user to preprogram the
`mobile phone with information descriptive of calling sta-
`tions whose calls are to be rejected. When an incoming call
`from a pre-selected calling station is detected, the mobile
`phone should automatically reject
`the call. The prepro-
`grammed information should include wild card characters,
`thereby allowing entire groups of calling stations to be
`rejected from a single entry.
`In the manual mode of
`operation, the method and apparatus should allow a user to
`manually reject any incoming call as desired. Thus, the user
`can conveniently and effectively screen incoming calls,
`prevent undesirable audible ringing and minimize unneces-
`sary utilization of the phone.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a
`method and apparatus for use in a mobile communications
`device that overcomes the foregoing and other problems.
`Another object and advantage of this invention is to
`provide a method and apparatus allowing mobile phone
`users to selectively reject incoming calls, wherein the deter-
`mination process is done at the mobile phone.
`It is a further object and advantage of this invention to
`provide a method and apparatus for automatically rejecting
`an incoming call.
`It is a further object and advantage of this invention to
`provide a method and apparatus for automatically rejecting
`incoming calls by utilizing wildcard characters to reject all
`calls having common identification information.
`It is a further object and advantage of this invention to
`provide a method and apparatus for use in a mobile com-
`munications device for allowing a user manually to reject an
`incoming call.
`It is a further object and advantage of this invention to
`provide a method and apparatus to allow a second call to be
`rejected, either manually or automatically, while the user is
`actively involved in a first call.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a method and apparatus
`for rejecting calls to a mobile communications device.
`Incoming calls received by the mobile device may contain
`information that is descriptive of the origin of the call. Based
`on the descriptive information, automatic rejection can
`occur. Additionally, a manual rejection feature is provided to
`allow the user to reject any call as desired.
`In an embodiment of the invention,
`the mobile phone
`comprises an input actuator, a rejection memory and a
`message processor. The rejection memory contains informa-
`tion descriptive of calling stations whose calls are to be
`rejected. In the automatic mode, identification information
`associated with an incoming call is compared with identi-
`fication information stored in the rejection memory. A deter-
`mination is made, and if the incoming call is to be rejected,
`the message processor automatically transmits a rejection
`message from the mobile station to the base station. In the
`manual mode, upon receipt of an incoming call, the user may
`
`4
`immediately actuate the input actuator. This causes the
`message processor to immediately transmit the rejection
`message to the base station. Once the base station receives
`the rejection message, the call is released by the base station
`and the caller is notified of the unavailability of the mobile.
`The method and apparatus is especially suited to provide
`convenience to the mobile user by allowing unwanted calls
`to be easily rejected.
`In these and other aspects, therefore, a method of select-
`ably rejecting an incoming call to a mobile phone is pro-
`vided. The mobile phone has a transceiver circuit for trans-
`mitting and receiving transmissions with a remote
`transceiver. An incoming transmission is selectively rejected
`in a process beginning when the incoming transmission from
`the remote transceiver is received by the mobile phone. A
`determination is made at
`the mobile phone whether the
`incoming transmission is to be rejected. If it is determined
`that the incoming transmission is to be rejected, a rejection
`message is transmitted to the remote transceiver, wherein the
`rejection message indicates to the remote transceiver that the
`incoming transmission is to be rejected.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above set forth and other features of the invention are
`
`made more apparent in the ensuing Detailed Description of
`the Invention when read in conjunction with the attached
`drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
`and in which:
`
`FIG. 1 depicts an apparatus constructed according to the
`teachings of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram representing call processing
`according to the teachings of the present invention;
`FIG. 3a depicts a message as defined under the 18-95
`standard known as Flash with Information Message;
`FIG. 3b depicts a Rejection Message for use according to
`the teachings of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram representing call processing
`of an incoming call according to the teachings of the present
`invention, wherein the mobile communications device is
`currently processing an active call;
`FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary message sequence for reject-
`ing a call according to the teachings of the present invention;
`and
`
`FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary message sequence for reject-
`ing an incoming call according to the teachings of the
`present
`invention, wherein the mobile communications
`device, while currently processing an active call, may reject
`a subsequent incoming call.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, therein is depicted apparatus 100 for
`rejecting an incoming call according to an embodiment of
`the invention. Apparatus 100 comprises controller 102,
`rejection memory 104, determiner 106, message processor
`108, display 110, keypad 112, call indicator 114, transmitter
`116 and receiver 118. Transmitter 116 and receiver 118 are
`used to communicate with a base station over communica-
`
`tion channel 124. Transmitter 116 is capable of transmitting
`information from the mobile phone to the base station over
`access channel 120 and reverse traffic channel 121. Receiver
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`118 is capable of receiving information transmitted from the
`base station to the mobile station over paging channel 122
`and forward traffic channel 123. The combination of chan-
`
`65
`
`nels 120, 121, 122 and 123 comprise communication chan-
`nel 124.
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 7
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 7
`
`

`

`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`5
`In a telecommunications system operating according to
`the TIA/EIA/IS-95-A standard, when a remote mobile sta-
`tion is powered on, a registration process occurs. The
`registration process comprises a series of messages sent
`between the base station and the remote mobile station over
`communication channel 124. Registration allows the mobile
`station to obtain system parameters from the base station
`regarding operation of the telecommunications system. Reg-
`istration also allows the base station to determine which
`
`mobile stations are operating in the base station’s geo-
`graphic area. After the registration process is complete, the
`mobile station may enter a standby mode where it waits to
`process incoming and outgoing calls. The registration pro-
`cess is well known to those skilled in the art and is not
`
`relevant to the disclosed embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. Therefore, the registration messaging sequence will not
`be discussed in detail. However, the reader may refer to the
`18-95 standard for a complete description.
`Referring again to FIG. 1, rejection memory 104 is used
`to store information identifying callers whose calls are to be
`automatically rejected. The information in rejection memory
`104 may reference individual callers,
`lists of callers or
`contain “wild card” characters referencing entire groups of
`callers. Partial entries may also be used wherein,
`for
`example, a few numbers are used, such as 234, to reject all
`calls from originating stations having at least the numbers
`234 included in their complete numbers. Stored information
`may also contain alphanumeric characters, such as the name
`of the calling party or other information used to identify the
`calling party or calling station. This capability allows the
`invention to operate more efficiently as more caller identi-
`fication information becomes available for use. Information
`
`may be entered into the rejection memory through user
`inputs, such as inputs entered on a keypad 112. These inputs
`may be received by controller 102 and then input
`into
`rejection memory 104. Additionally, a computer interface
`such as a hardwired connection or an infrared (IR) link may
`be used to enter information into rejection memory 104.
`Information may also be downloaded to the mobile station
`from a network such as a wireless telecommunications
`
`network for entry into rejection memory 104. In this method
`of entry, rejection information is received at receiver 118,
`passed to message processor 108, sent to controller 102 and
`then entered into rejection memory 104.
`Referring now to FIG. 2,
`therein is depicted a call
`processing flow diagram 200 according to an embodiment of
`the present invention. Call flow diagram 200 illustrates how
`a call to a mobile station may be automatically or manually
`rejected. In the embodiment, the mobile station begins in the
`standby mode at block 202 where it waits to process calls.
`Entering the standby mode may occur, for example, after
`completion of the registration process described above.
`When in the standby mode, the user can enter information
`descriptive of calls to be automatically rejected into the
`rejection memory 104 as shown at block 204. The user can
`accomplish this through the use of keypad 112, wherein
`controller 102 receives user input from keypad 112 and
`stores the information into rejection memory 104.
`After rejection information has been placed in the rejec-
`tion memory, an indication of an incoming call may be
`received as shown at block 206. The incoming call indica-
`tion is received at receiver 118 via communication channel
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`124. The incoming call indication may contain information
`about the origin of the call, such as the caller ID information
`described above. At block 208 a determination is made
`
`65
`
`whether or not to automatically reject the incoming call. The
`determination can be made when the information about the
`
`6
`incoming call received at receiver 118 is sent to determiner
`106 via message processor 108. In addition, information
`about calls to be rejected is received at determiner 106 from
`rejection memory 104. Determiner 106 then determines if
`the call is to be rejected by utilizing one or more of the
`comparison techniques described above. If it is determined
`that the call is to be rejected, a rejection message is trans-
`mitted as shown at block 216 when determiner 106 informs
`
`message processor 108 to generate a rejection message and
`send it to transmitter 116 for transmission to the base station.
`
`the base station
`After receiving the rejection message,
`releases the call from the mobile as shown at block 218. The
`
`release occurs when the base station sends a release message
`to the mobile phone over communication channel 124.
`Receiver 118 receives the release message and transfers it to
`message processor 108 and further to controller 102. After
`controller 102 receives the release message, it responds by
`re-initializing the call process to return to block 202 where
`the phone enters the standby mode again. In the meantime,
`the base station may terminate the incoming call or transfer
`the call to a voice messaging system as shown at block 220.
`If a determination is made at block 208 that the call is not
`
`to be automatically rejected, a call alert is activated and the
`user is given the opportunity to manually reject the call at
`block 210. The call alert occurs when controller 102 displays
`the incoming call identification information on display 110
`and activates the call indicator 114. Call indicator 114 is
`
`capable of generating rings, tones or other audible sounds, as
`well as mechanical vibration or other physical indications
`detectable by the mobile phone user. If the user decides to
`manually reject the call, the user indicates this to the phone
`by, for example, pressing a button on keypad 112, or some
`other available input actuator,
`thereby providing a user
`interaction as shown at block 214. A user interaction at
`
`keypad 112 is received at controller 102 which in turn directs
`message processor 108 to send the rejection message to
`transmitter 116 for transmission to the base station. As
`
`before, when the base station receives the rejection message,
`the call will be released.
`
`If the user does not want to manually reject the call at
`block 210, the call is processed normally as shown at block
`212. This means the user has the option to answer the call or
`let it continue to ring. The user may answer the call by
`entering a user input on keypad 112, for example. If the user
`does not answer after a fixed period of time, for example, a
`ringing cycle, a time out will occur and the base station will
`release the call.
`
`The rejection message is used to notify the base station
`that the mobile phone user would like to immediately reject
`the attempted incoming call. In a cellular system operating
`according to the 18-95 standard, a rejection message could
`be incorporated under IS-95 section 6.7.4, Reverse Traffic
`Channel
`Information Records. On the reverse traffic
`
`channel, information records may be included in a Flash
`with Information Message. FIG. 3a depicts an information
`record type 300 known as a Feature Indicator, which could
`be used to provide the rejection message in a Flash with
`Information Message. Under the 18-95 standard, section
`6.7.4.1 defines a Feature Indicator message. Referring to
`FIG. 3b,
`therein is depicted message format 302 for the
`Feature Indicator, which can be used to indicate a rejection
`message to the base station. In this format, the first four bits
`may be used to signify call rejection by setting them to the
`value of “0000.” The next four bits are reserved. The
`
`the
`rejection message indicates to the base station that
`mobile phone user desires to have the attempted incoming
`call immediately rejected. This is different from merely
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, |PR2018—01279
`Page 8
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2013
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 8
`
`

`

`US 6,253,075 B1
`
`7
`indicating to the base station that the mobile phone cannot
`receive the call because it is busy. By transmitting a rejection
`message to the base station, the base station can distinguish
`between a busy message and a rejection message and
`thereby process the call as appropriate for each situation. For
`instance, if the mobile phone indicates it is busy, the caller
`may hear a message indicating this and be given an oppor-
`tunity to leave a voice message. If the mobile phone indi-
`cates that the call is to be rejected as an undesired call, for
`example, the caller may be given no opportunity to leave a
`message and the call may be immediately terminated.
`Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention
`is depicted by call processing flow graph 400.
`In this
`embodiment, the mobile phone user is connected to a current
`call when the incoming call is attempted. Block 402 func-
`tions identically to block 202 of FIG. 2. At block 404, the
`mobile phone user is connected to a current call. The current
`call may become active when the phone goes through the
`stages of call process 200 to reach block 212. At block 212
`the user decides to accept the incoming call which is then
`connected. While processing the connected call, an indica-
`tion of an incoming call arrives as shown at block 406. The
`incoming call
`indication is received at receiver 118 via
`communication channel 124. The incoming call indication
`may contain identification information about the origin of
`the call, such as the caller ID information described above.
`At block 408 a determination in made whether or not to
`
`automatically reject the incoming call. The determination
`can be made when the information about the incoming call
`received at receiver 118 is sent
`to determiner 106 via
`
`message processor 108. In addition, information about calls
`to be rejected is received at determiner 106 from rejection
`memory 104. Determiner 106 then determines if the call is
`to be rejected by utilizing one or more of the comparison
`techniques described above. If a determination is made to
`reject the incoming call, no indication of the incoming call
`is given to the user as shown at block 410. Therefore, the
`user who is on the current call
`is undisturbed by the
`attempted incoming call. The mobile phone then automati-
`cally sends the rejection message to the base station as
`shown at block 412. Determiner 106 informs message
`processor 108 to generate a rejection message and send it to
`transmitter 116 for transmission to the base station.
`
`Alternatively, a user notification may be provided, via call
`indicator 114, indicating to the user a