(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0215243 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 29, 2005
`Black et al.
`
`US 200502.15243A1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(60)
`
`AUTOMATIC MOBILE CALL FORWARDING
`WITH TIME-BASED AND LOCATION-BASED
`TRIGGER EVENTS
`
`Inventors: Kenneth R. Black, Lakeland, FL (US);
`Robert M. Jensen, Lakeland, FL (US);
`Craig D. Skiles, Largo, FL (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`MORRIS MANNING & MARTIN LLP
`1600 ATLANTA FINANCIAL CENTER
`3343 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE
`ATLANTA, GA 30326-1044 (US)
`Assignee: Black Cypress, Inc., Lakeland, FL
`Appl. No.:
`10/899,95
`8
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 27, 2
`004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/557,133, filed on Mar.
`26, 2004.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." .............................. H04Q 7/20: HO4M 3/42
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 455/417; 455/445; 455/456.3
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method of forwarding calls directed to a cellular phone to
`a target phone number based on time-based and location
`based trigger events. A call forward profile associated with
`the cellular phone is defined and Stored in memory in the
`cellular phone, wherein the profile includes call forward
`criteria and the target phone number. Call forward criteria
`includes time-based and location-based trigger events.
`Thereafter, the cellular phone periodically determines the
`current time and its location and, if the cellular phone
`determines that the time-based and location-based trigger
`events for a particular profile are both Satisfied, the cellular
`phone notifies the cellular provider associated with the
`phone to forward later-received calls to the target number
`using the cellular provider's own activation and deactivation
`codes. Notification by the cellular phone to the cellular
`provider may be set to automatic or only after a prompt to
`the cellular phone user.
`
`5
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`TxARx
`
`GPS Sensor
`
`0.
`
`
`
`58
`
`140-N
`
`al
`
`160
`
`Memory I Storage
`
`Cal Forward
`Application Memory
`Cal Fwd. Profile database
`
`Cawd
`Profile(s)
`
`Call Forward
`Application Settings
`
`Cal Forward
`Application
`Scratch Memory
`
`180
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`
`Page 1 of 26
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`SAMSUNG EX-1209
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 1 of 13
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`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`05
`
`
`
`5
`
`0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`120
`
`Tx/RX
`
`GPS Sensor
`
`130
`
`140 N
`
`160
`
`80
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Memory / Storage
`
`Cal Forward
`Application Memory
`Cal Fwd. Profile Database
`
`Call Fwd
`Profile(s)
`
`
`
`
`
`Call Forward
`Application Settings
`
`Cal Forward
`Application
`Scratch Memory
`
`Fig. 1
`
`100 A
`
`Page 2 of 26
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`
`
`20
`
`215
`
`220
`
`225
`
`230
`
`250
`
`25
`
`252
`
`253
`
`254
`
`255
`
`270
`
`280
`
`282
`
`Call Forward Profile
`
`180
`
`Profile Type
`
`Location Info
`
`Reminder Info
`Reminder Type
`
`Sound Info
`
`Fig. 2
`
`Page 3 of 26
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`Call Forward Application Settings DB
`
`18S
`
`310
`
`315
`
`320
`
`330
`
`332
`334
`
`336
`
`340
`
`350
`
`351
`
`352
`353
`
`360
`
`
`
`App Mode
`Current Fwd. State
`Current Profile
`
`Default Yes
`Dialog Timeout
`Dialog Verbosi
`Sound Control
`Fwd. On Tone
`Fwd. Off Tone
`Reminder Tone
`
`
`
`Sample Frequenc
`Anti Flail Ret
`Service Codes
`Fwd. All Activate
`Fwd. All Deactivate
`Fwd. NoAns Activate
`FwdNoAns. Deactivate
`Fwd. Busy Activate
`Fwd. Busy Deactivate
`Cancel All Features Code
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 3
`
`Page 4 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`405
`
`40
`
`45
`
`User selects
`Edit Profile
`from menu
`
`Display
`Profile list
`
`
`
`User Selects
`Profile from list
`O
`New Profile
`
`Load default
`values into
`blank new Profile
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`430
`
`Load values
`from selected Profile
`
`
`
`425.
`
`User edits
`Profile
`
`440
`
`
`
`1000
`
`100
`
`
`
`changes affect
`current triggers
`
`Fig. 4
`
`400
`
`Page 5 of 26
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`505
`
`510
`
`515
`
`520
`
`User selects
`Edit Settings
`from menu
`
`Display
`current Settings
`
`User edits
`Settings
`
`Save
`Settings
`
`S25
`
`
`
`
`
`Mode Y
`Changed from
`Auto to Manual
`
`S35
`
`Mode
`Changed from
`Manual to Auto
`
`530
`
`Copy
`Current Profile into
`FNOW Profile
`
`
`
`Settings
`changes affect
`current triggers
`
`N
`
`End
`
`Fig. 5
`
`500
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OOO
`
`100
`
`
`
`Schedule
`Triggers
`
`Process
`Triggers
`
`
`
`Page 6 of 26
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`605
`
`610
`
`615
`
`
`
`User selects
`Forward Now
`from menu
`
`Display
`Profile list
`
`User selects
`Profile from list
`O
`New Number
`
`62S
`
`
`
`Load Default
`values into
`FNOW Profile
`
`635
`
`640
`
`1000
`
`1100
`
`Schedule
`Triggers
`
`Process
`Triggers
`
`620
`
`Y
`
`645
`
`
`
`User edits
`FNOW Profile
`
`Save
`FNOW Profile
`
`FNOW Profile
`affect
`current triggers
`
`
`
`630
`
`N
`
`Load values
`from selected Profile
`Into
`FNOW Profile
`
`Page 7 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`
`
`705
`
`900
`
`User selects
`Stop Forward
`from menu
`
`Disable Fwd
`With
`FORCE FLAG
`
`Fig. 7
`
`700
`
`Page 8 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`805
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`820
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Is call
`fwding
`already on
`
`
`
`Is call
`fwding
`State unknown
`
`
`
`810
`
`
`
`
`
`IS New
`Profile Fwd. Type
`SaaS
`Current Fwd. State
`
`900
`
`
`
`N
`
`Disable Fwd
`with
`Current Profile
`
`900
`
`Disable Fwd
`with
`FORCE FLAG
`
`830
`
`835
`
`840
`
`850
`
`
`
`
`
`Read Settings
`Service Code
`for New Profile
`Fwd. Type
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Concatenate
`Service Code
`& New Profile
`Target Phone Num
`
`Do
`Phone Call
`
`Update
`Current Profile &
`Current Fwd. State
`with New Profile
`
`End
`
`Fig. 8
`
`800
`
`Page 9 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`905
`
`90
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ls call
`fwding state
`FWD NONE
`
`Y
`
`920
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is call
`fwding
`state unknown
`?o
`
`Read Settings
`Service Code(s) to
`deactivate
`all fivd features
`
`Do Phone Call
`w/
`deactivate svc code
`for each feature
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`95
`
`
`
`922
`
`97
`
`Read Settings
`Service Code to
`deactivate
`Current Fwd. State
`
`Do Phone Call
`w/
`deactivate Svc code
`
`More features
`to cancel
`
`
`
`
`
`N
`
`
`
`925
`
`930
`
`940
`
`Set Current Fwd. State
`to FWD NONE
`
`Disable
`Reminder Display
`
`End
`
`Fig. 9
`
`-
`
`Page 10 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`005
`
`
`
`1010
`
`
`
`Read Profiles
`and Settings
`
`s
`there a
`uTent Profile
`
`
`
`05
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Y
`
`Current Profile
`still have a current
`Time window
`
`NextProf = Next
`Active Profile
`
`urrent Profile
`A Location
`Profile
`p
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1025
`
`Schedule a
`Location Sample
`Trigger
`
`030
`
`
`
`
`
`Schedule a
`Reminder
`Trigger
`
`
`
`
`
`1035
`
`Schedule a
`
`Next Prof
`A location
`Profile
`
`N
`
`Schedule a
`
`Schedulea
`Start
`Trigger
`
`More Profiles
`to process
`
`
`
`070
`
`Activate any
`Scheduled
`Triggers
`
`End
`
`Fig. 10 to f
`
`Page 11 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`1200
`
`Do
`Current Process Triggers
`
`(e)
`
`
`
`Enable Forward
`(Next Prof)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`800
`
`OS
`
`Read Profiles
`and Settings
`
`O
`
`Y
`
`
`
`is there
`2
`Current Profile
`
`N
`
`
`
`
`
`Aethere
`Active Prof
`tly TOeS
`with a current
`Time window
`
`30
`
`N
`
`1-0
`
`
`
`
`
`NextProf. = Next
`Active Profile with current
`Time window
`
`Next Prof
`A location
`Profile
`p
`
`45
`
`Y
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`is it
`time to check
`Location
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Get Current
`Location
`
`
`
`
`
`s
`Next Prof
`Location
`good
`
`More Profiles
`to process
`y
`
`70
`
`
`
`Schedule Triggers
`
`End
`
`Fig. 11
`
`... /
`
`Page 12 of 26
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
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`20
`
`
`
`ls it
`time to check
`Location
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Get Curtent
`Location
`
`Y
`
`ls it time
`for a reminder
`o
`
`N
`
`23S
`
`Display
`
`Reminde
`and Sound
`
`GO
`
`(d)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(c)
`
`205
`
`
`
`
`
`240
`
`Y'
`
`Current Profile
`still have a current
`Time window
`
`N
`
`
`
`
`
`Active Profiles
`with a current
`Time window
`
`
`
`
`
`250
`
`NextProf = Next
`Active Profile with current
`Time window
`
`255
`
`
`
`
`
`NextProf
`A Location
`Profile
`?
`
`
`
`260
`
`Get Current
`Location
`
`
`
`Y
`
`s
`Next Prof
`Location
`good
`2
`
`More Profiles
`to process
`
`280
`
`
`
`Enable Forward
`(NextProf)
`
`Disable Forward
`(Current Profile)
`
`800
`
`900
`
`Fig. 12
`
`... /
`
`Page 13 of 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 29, 2005 Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`320
`
`
`
`Gct
`CT = Current Tine &
`Today (of the week)
`
`Get Profile
`Stan & Stop-Time,
`Repeat-Flag, and
`Days. To Repeat Mask
`
`is Profile
`Start Time < Stop-Time
`
`SS
`
`s
`Today in
`Profile Days. To Repeat
`Mask
`p
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`s
`CTime >= Start Time
`and
`CTime < Stop Time
`
`340
`
`Profile Days. To Repeat
`
`350
`
`ls
`Yestcraay in
`Profile Days. To Repeat
`Mask
`
`
`
`
`
`Profile Time Window
`is Current
`
`Profile Time Window
`is NOT Current
`
`330
`
`360
`
`Fig. 13
`
`... /
`
`Page 14 of 26
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`

`

`US 2005/0215243 A1
`
`Sep. 29, 2005
`
`AUTOMATIC MOBILE CALL FORWARDING
`WITH TIME-BASED AND LOCATION-BASED
`TRIGGER EVENTS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001) This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
`S 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/557,
`133, entitled “AUTOMATIC MOBILE CALL FORWARD
`ING USING ACTIVE PROFILES AND TIME OR LOCA
`TION BASED TRIGGER EVENTS, filed Mar. 26, 2004,
`which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
`0002 The present invention relates generally to the field
`of mobile wireleSS communication Systems, and more Spe
`cifically, to the field of wireless call forwarding Systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT
`INVENTION
`0003. Many cellular communication service provider
`plans allow cellular Subscribers to manually forward incom
`ing telephone calls, directed initially to the Subscriber's
`handset, to an alternate target telephone number. In Some
`Subscriber plans, for example, users forward calls by
`depressing a feature access code, Such as “72” or Some
`other key Sequence, entering a forwarding telephone num
`ber, and then depressing the "send' key. Several cellular
`communications Service providers allow for Several types of
`call forwarding features. For example, a typical "Forward
`All-Calls' feature will forward all incoming calls to the
`designated target phone number, while a "Forward No
`Answer Busy” feature will forward incoming calls if the
`mobile telephone is already on a phone call or if an incoming
`call is not answered by the mobile telephone. One negative
`aspect of these manual Systems is that there is no visual
`indication of the current call forwarding state of the mobile
`phone, and it is highly likely that the user will inadvertently
`miss phone calls because the user will forget to disable call
`forwarding.
`0004 Some cellular phone manufacturers have provided
`Software programs in their phones to allow the user to
`configure these feature access code(s) manually, and Save a
`telephone number to be used on Subsequent call forwarding
`manual operations in order to minimize the keystrokes
`needed to activate and deactivate call forwarding. These call
`forwarding Schemes provide users with only a single target
`phone number, which is to be used for all call forwarding
`actions, and the user must Still manually activate or deacti
`Vate the call forwarding feature.
`0005. Several location-based call forwarding schemes
`and methods have been developed to provide call forward
`ing based on a mobile telephone's geographic location. For
`example, Alperovich et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,673 entitled
`“Providing Location-Based Call Forwarding Within A
`Mobile Telecommunications Network' teaches a method of
`Storing a plurality of forwarding numbers, each forwarding
`number correlated with a specific Service area in a home
`location register (HRL) associated with a particular mobile
`Station, and then forwarding calls to the forwarding number
`asSociated with the particular Service area in which the
`mobile Station is located. The Storage, correlation, and
`
`forwarding of calls in Alperovich all occur on the network
`Side of the communication System. In addition, Such System
`only provides for location-based call forwarding.
`0006 Further, Carr U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,948 entitled “One
`Number Service Using Mobile Assisted Call Forwarding
`Facilities' teaches Storing Several forwarding numbers on
`the mobile telephone, each forwarding number correlated
`with a specific location, and providing automatic activation
`and deactivation of call forwarding upon power-up and
`power-down of the mobile telephone. A similar System is
`disclosed in Phillips U.S. Pat. App. No. 2002/0173297. In
`both of these Systems, call-forwarding automation occurs
`only during the power-up and power-down Sequence of the
`mobile telephone. Thus, Such Systems do not enable activa
`tion or de-activation of call forwarding when the phone is on
`and as the user moves from place to place. Correspondingly,
`Such Systems are only able to provide for location-based call
`forwarding automation, but not time-based automation.
`0007. Other known location-based call forwarding
`Schemes are based on hardware-Supported call forwarding.
`Special hardware, Such as a landline residential base Station
`in a dual mode cordless/cellular System, detects the presence
`of the mobile unit when within range of the special hardware
`(i.e., the mobile unit is at work or at home) or when the
`mobile unit is sitting within its charging base Station. The
`Special hardware then notifies the WireleSS telephone System
`to forward all calls to the preprogrammed land line tele
`phone at that location. This Solution requires an additional
`investment by the user in the special hardware, may also
`require System infrastructure modifications, and only works
`if the mobile unit is within range of or plugged into the
`Special hardware.
`0008. Other known call forwarding schemes forward
`calls by modeling the subscriber's activity to predict where
`the Subscriber is likely to be reached based upon past
`behavior. See, for example, Will U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,789
`entitled “Call-Forwarding Scheme Using Adaptive Model of
`User Behavior.” The modeling in Will is performed on the
`network Side of the communication System.
`0009 For these and many other reasons, there is a need
`for a System and method for a call forwarding automation
`feature in a wireleSS telephone that provides automated
`activation and deactivation of conventional cellular provider
`System call forwarding Services utilizing multiple active
`user-defined profiles.
`0010. There is a further need for a wireless telephone that
`includes logic, a time Source, a method for discovering the
`wireleSS telephone's geographic location, and memory for
`Storing multiple call forwarding profiles which include tar
`get phone numbers and other configuration items, Selecting
`a call forwarding profile based upon either or both a time or
`geographic location information, and automatically activat
`ing and deactivating call forwarding to the Selected profile's
`target telephone number. There is a need for programming
`installed in the device that enables the user manually to
`activate and deactivate call forwarding utilizing a user
`defined profile, that enables the user to add and configure
`new profiles, change parameters in existing profiles, and to
`configure and enable the call forwarding automation feature
`control Settings, and to provide the user with audible and/or
`Visual reminders of the current call forwarding State.
`0011. There is yet a further need for a wireless telephone
`that automatically prompts the user for activation or deac
`
`Page 15 of 26
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`US 2005/0215243 A1
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`Sep. 29, 2005
`
`tivation of call forwarding upon each trigger event. Such
`trigger event is usable to Select an active call forwarding
`profile, but preferably the selected call forwarding profile is
`used only to provide a Suggested change to the call forward
`ing State, rather than automatically activating or deactivating
`call forwarding without user input. There is a corresponding
`need for a System in which, if user input is not received
`during a defined period in response to the prompt, the
`wireleSS telephone automatically activates or deactivates
`call forwarding only if a call forwarding automation feature
`control Setting time-out default option is enabled.
`0012. There is also a need for a system that includes all
`of the above functionality without the need for discovering
`the wireleSS telephone's geographic location, and thus hav
`ing no location-based trigger events.
`0013 There is a need for such systems in which the call
`forwarding automation feature described above is preferably
`embedded in a mobile telephone by the equipment provider
`or, alternatively, added as an independently developed Soft
`ware application that is downloaded and installed upon the
`handset by the user.
`0.014.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to
`provide a wireleSS telephone feature which automatically
`enables a wireleSS telephone Subscriber to be contacted at
`various locations and at various times by using a single
`telephone number.
`0015. Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding activation and
`deactivation automation feature.
`0016. Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding automatic activa
`tion and deactivation feature that requires a Small number of
`keystrokes during use.
`0.017. Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding manual activation
`and deactivation feature that requires a minimum number of
`keystrokes during use.
`0.018. Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding activation and
`deactivation feature that provides the user with audible
`and/or visual reminders of the current call forwarding State
`to minimize accidental lost calls because the user forgot to
`disable call forwarding.
`0.019 Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding activation and
`deactivation feature that automatically interacts with a con
`ventional call forwarding System of a cellular provider.
`0020. Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding activation and
`deactivation feature that provides System-specific interac
`tion with multiple conventional call forwarding Systems of
`various cellular providers.
`0021 Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding feature that intel
`ligently Selects a proper call forwarding telephone number
`based on time-based trigger events that occur within the
`wireleSS telephone based on the WireleSS telephone's knowl
`edge of the current time.
`
`0022. Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a wireleSS telephone call forwarding feature that intel
`ligently Selects a proper call forwarding telephone number
`based on location-based trigger events that occur within the
`wireleSS telephone based on the WireleSS telephone's knowl
`edge of its location.
`0023 The present invention meets one or more of the
`above-referenced needs or objects as described herein in
`greater detail. Other objects, features, and advantages of the
`present invention will also become apparent upon reading
`and understanding the present Specification, when taken in
`conjunction with accompanying drawings and claims.
`SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
`0024. The present invention relates generally to the field
`of mobile wireleSS communication Systems, and more spe
`cifically, to the field of wireleSS call forwarding Systems.
`Briefly described, aspects of the present invention include
`the following.
`0025. In a first aspect of the present invention, a method
`of forwarding calls directed to a cellular phone to a target
`phone number, comprises the Steps of defining a call forward
`profile associated with the cellular phone, the call forward
`profile defining call forward criteria and identifying the
`target phone number associated with the call forward crite
`ria, the call forward criteria including time-based and loca
`tion-based trigger events for activating call forwarding;
`Storing the call forward profile in memory in the cellular
`phone; and thereafter, (a) determining the current time; (b)
`determining the current location of the cellular phone, and
`(c) if the cellular phone determines that the time-based and
`location-based trigger events for activating call forwarding
`are both Satisfied based on the current time and the current
`location of the cellular phone, then notifying a cellular
`provider associated with cellular phone to forward later
`received calls intended for the cellular phone to the target
`number.
`0026. In a feature of the first aspect of the present
`invention, the method further comprises the Step of notifying
`the cellular provider to deactivate call forwarding to the
`target phone number when either the time-based or location
`based trigger events for activating call forwarding are no
`longer satisfied. Preferably, the cellular phone provides the
`cellular provider with the time-based and location-based
`trigger events during the Step of notifying the cellular
`provider to forward later-received calls to enable the cellular
`provider to deactivate call forwarding in accordance with the
`call forward profile. Also preferably, when either the time
`based or location-based trigger events are no longer Satis
`fied, the cellular phone notifies the cellular provider to
`deactivate call forwarding to the target number.
`0027. In other features, the method further comprises the
`Step of automatically notifying the cellular provider to
`forward calls to a Second target phone number based upon
`an occurrence of a new time-based trigger event or auto
`matically notifying the cellular provider to forward calls to
`a Second target phone number based upon a change of
`location of the cellular phone.
`0028 Preferably, the location of the cellular phone is
`determined by the cellular phone using GPS technology or
`based on Signals received from one or more cell phone
`transmitters in communication with the cellular phone.
`
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`0029. In yet another feature, the cellular phone is asso
`ciated with a user and the user is not required to know call
`forward service codes of the cellular provider.
`0.030. In a further feature, the step of notifying is per
`formed automatically by the cellular phone without further
`input by a user of the cellular phone or by the cellular phone
`after Specific authorization is received from a user of the
`cellular phone.
`0.031
`Preferably, the cellular phone provides a user
`interface for the user to define the call forward profile and/or
`provides a call forward Status indicator to a user of the
`cellular phone. The call forward Status indicator is displayed
`on a Screen of the cellular phone and/or is a Sound generated
`by the cellular phone, wherein the Sound includes a beep,
`Series of notes, or spoken words.
`0032. In preferred embodiments, the call forward status
`indicator is generated upon the forwarding of each call to the
`target phone number or after notifying the cellular provider
`to forward calls to the target number or merely on a periodic
`basis.
`0033. In a second aspect of the present invention, a
`method of pre-programming a cellular telephone having a
`cellphone number to forward calls to a target phone number,
`the cellular telephone being associated with a cellular pro
`vider, comprises defining a call forward profile associated
`with the cellular phone, the call forward profile identifying
`time-based and location-based trigger events for activating
`call forwarding, the call forward profile further identifying
`the target phone number associated with the trigger events,
`Storing the call forward profile in memory in the cellular
`telephone; and thereafter, (a) determining the current time
`and current location of the cellular phone; (b) on a periodic
`basis, determining whether the time-based and location
`based trigger events are both Satisfied based on the current
`time and current location of the cellular phone; and (c) if the
`time-based and location-based trigger events for activating
`call forwarding are both Satisfied, notifying the cellular
`provider to forward later-received calls directed to the cell
`phone number to the target number.
`0034.
`In a feature of the second aspect of the invention,
`the Step of detecting trigger events is performed by the
`cellular phone. Alternatively, the Step of detecting trigger
`events is performed by both the cellular phone and cellular
`provider.
`0.035
`Preferably, the method further comprises the step
`of notifying, by the cellular phone, the cellular provider to
`deactivate call forwarding to the target phone number when
`either the time-based or location-based trigger events for
`activating call forwarding are no longer Satisfied.
`0036). In further features, the cellular phone provides the
`cellular provider with the trigger events during the Step of
`notifying the cellular provider to forward later-received calls
`to enable the cellular provider to deactivate call forwarding
`in accordance with the call forward profile. In another
`embodiment, when either the time-based or location-based
`trigger events are no longer Satisfied, the cellular phone
`notifies the cellular provider to deactivate call forwarding to
`the target number. In another embodiment, the method
`further comprises the Step of automatically notifying the
`cellular provider to forward calls to a Second target phone
`number based upon an occurrence of a new time-based
`
`trigger event and/or the Step of automatically notifying the
`cellular provider to forward calls to a Second target phone
`number based upon a change of location of the cellular
`phone.
`0037 Preferably, the location of the cellular phone is
`determined by the cellular phone using GPS technology, by
`the cellular phone based on Signals received from one or
`more cell phone transmitters in communication with the
`cellular phone, or by the cellular provider based on Signals
`received from the cellular phone.
`0038 Also preferably, the cellular phone is associated
`with a user and the user is not required to know call forward
`Service codes of the cellular provider.
`0039. In another feature, the step of notifying is per
`formed automatically by the cellular phone without further
`input by a user of the cellular phone or is performed by the
`cellular phone after prompting a user of the cellular phone
`and receiving authorization from the user.
`0040 Preferably, the cellular phone include software
`installed thereon to enable a user of the cellular phone to
`create the call forward profile.
`0041. In yet another feature, the cellular phone provides
`a call forward Status indicator to a user of the cellular phone,
`wherein the call forward Status indicator is displayed on a
`Screen of the cellular phone and/or is a Sound generated by
`the cellular phone. The Sound includes a beep, Series of
`notes, musical tones, or spoken words.
`0042 Preferably, the call forward status indicator is gen
`erated upon the forwarding of each call to the target phone
`number.
`0043. In a third aspect of the present invention, a method
`of enabling activation and deactivation of call forwarding in
`a cellular phone, comprises enabling a user of the cellular
`phone to define a plurality of call forward profiles associated
`with the cellular phone, each call forward profile defining
`time-based and location-based activation and deactivation
`trigger events, each call forward profile having associated
`there with a target phone number for call forwarding pur
`poses; Storing the call forward profiles in memory in the
`cellular phone, and upon the occurrence of trigger events
`asSociated with a respective call forward profile, activating
`or deactivating call forwarding to the respective target phone
`number in accordance with the respective call forward
`profile.
`0044) In a feature, the method further comprises the step
`of notifying, by the cellular phone, the cellular provider to
`activate call forwarding to the respective target phone num
`ber when the time-based and location-based trigger events
`for activating call forwarding associated with the respective
`call forward profile are both satisfied.
`0045 Alternatively, the method further comprises the
`Step of notifying, by the cellular phone, the cellular provider
`to deactivate call forwarding to the respective target phone
`number when either the time-based or location-based trigger
`events for activating call forwarding associated with the
`respective call forward profile are no longer Satisfied.
`0046 Preferably, the location of the cellular phone is
`determined by the cellular phone using GPS technology, by
`the cellular phone based on Signals received from one or
`
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`more cell phone transmitters in communication with the
`cellular phone, or by the cellular provider based on Signals
`received from the cellular phone.
`0047. In another feature, the cellular phone is associated
`with a user and the user is not required to know call forward
`activation and deactivation Service codes of the cellular
`provider.
`0.048. In yet another feature, the step of activating or
`deactivating call forwarding comprises automatically noti
`fying the cellular provider by the cellular phone without
`further input by a user of the cellular phone or notifying the
`cellular provider by the cellular phone after Specific autho
`rization is received from a user of the cellular phone.
`0049 Preferably, the cellular phone provides a user
`interface for the user to define the call forward profiles and
`provides a call forward Status indicator to the user of the
`cellular phone. The call forward Status indicator is displayed
`on a Screen of the cellular phone and/or is a Sound generated
`by the cellular phone, wherein the Sound includes a beep,
`Series of notes, musical tones, or spoken words.
`0050 Also preferably the call forward status indicator is
`generated upon the forwarding of each call to the respective
`target phone numbers.
`0051. In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a
`cellular phone associated with a cellular provider has Soft
`ware installed thereon that is configured to perform the Steps
`of providing a user-interface to a user of the cellular phone
`to define a call forward profile, the call forward profile
`defining time-based and corresponding location-based trig
`ger events for activating and deactivating call forwarding
`asSociated with the cellular phone, the call forward profile
`identifying a target phone number associated therewith;
`Storing the call forward profile in memory in the cellular
`phone; thereafter, determining the occurrence of both time
`based and location-based trigger events for activating call
`forwarding, and, if both time-based and corresponding loca
`tion-based trigger events are Satisfied, notifying the cellular
`provider to forward Subsequent calls intended for the cellu
`lar phone to the target phone number.
`0.052
`In a feature of the fourth aspect, the software
`further performs the Steps of determining the occurrence of
`any time-based or location-based trigger events for deacti
`Vating call forwarding and automatically notifying the cel
`lular provider to deactivate call forwarding to the target
`phone number.
`0053. In another feature, the Software further performs
`the Steps of determining the occurrence of any time-based or
`location-based trigger events for deactivating call forward
`ing and notifying, after receiving authorization from the
`user, the cellular provider to deactivate call forwarding to the
`target phone number.
`0.054
`Preferably, the step of notifying is performed auto
`matically by the cellular phone or is performed by the
`cellular phone after receiving Specific authorization from the
`user. The specific authorization is preferably provided by the
`user in advance or by the user in response to a prompt by the
`cellular phone.
`0