Context-aware and location-aware cellular phones and methods are described. In one embodiment, cellular phones are configured to wirelessly receive information that pertains to their current context or location. The phones then automatically use the information to modify one or more cellular phone behaviors, e.g. by turning the phone off, changing the ringer's pitch, or placing the phone in a vibrate mode. In one particular embodiment, various location types are defined and have associated attributes that define a desired cellular phone behavior. One or more transmitters at a location for which a behavior is desired transmit information that pertains to the location's class type. The cell phones can carry an association of class types and their behaviors so that when the phones receive the class type information, they can automatically adjust their behavior.

Context-aware and location-aware cellular phones and methods

A communication system includes a plurality of recipient processors (14, 15, 16) located at geographically remote locations with respect to each other and connected for communication with an information provider processor (12), over the communications network. The provider (12) and recipient processors (14, 15, 16) may comprise respective computers coupled for communication on the Internet or WWW. The provider processor is capable of providing information from any suitable source, by communicating such information over a communications network. However, access to the information by the recipient processors is controlled, based on the geographic location or region of the recipient processors. Each recipient processor is operably associated with a positioning system for providing geographic location information corresponding to the location or region in which the positioning system is located, such as a global positioning system GPS (20, 21, 22). The geographic position information is used to determine whether or not the processor requesting the information is within a restricted or non-restricted region.

System and process for limiting distribution of information on a communication network based on geographic location

Context-aware systems and methods, location-aware systems and methods, context-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same, and location-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same are described. In various embodiments, a context or location service module, implemented in software, determines a vehicle context or a vehicle location based upon information that it receives from various context providers or location providers respectively. Software executing on a vehicle's computer can then cause one or more applications that are associated with a vehicle computer to be modified in a manner that changes their behavior. The behavior modification is based on the current context or location of the vehicle and thus provides a context-specific or location-specific user experience. The context or location can be ascertained through the use of one or more hierarchical tree structures that comprises individual nodes. Each node is associated with a context or location. The nodes are traversable by the vehicle's software to ascertain a more complete context or location.

Context-aware systems and methods, location-aware systems and methods, context-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same, and location-aware vehicles and methods of operating the same

A communications system includes a plurality of recipient processors located at remote locations with respect to each other and connected to an information provider processor (12) over a communication network. The provider (12) and recipient (124) processors may communicate through the Internet (18). The provider processor (12) can provide information from any suitable source over a communication network. However, access to the information by the recipient processors is controlled based on the geographic location or region of the recipient processors (124). Each recipient processor is operably associated with a positioning system, such as a global positioning system GPS (130, 126) to provide its location. The location information is used to determine whether or not the processor requesting the information is within a restricted or non-restricted region. This determination may be made by comparing the geographic information of the recipient processor with a list of non-restricted or restricted geographic locations or regions.

System and process for distribution of information on a communication network

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for restricting operation of a cellular telephone to well delineated geographical areas. The cellular telephone is equipped with a location device for ascertaining the current geographical location of the cellular telephone. The ascertained geographical location is compared with information pertaining to the allowability of operation of cellular telephones in various geographical locations. A determination is made as to whether the cellular telephone is allowed to operate in its current geographical location. The cellular telephone accordingly enables or disables transmitting by the transceiver of the cellular telephone.

Method and apparatus for restricting operation of cellular telephones to well delineated geographical areas

A method (200) and apparatus (100)is provided for a radio having adjustable operating parameters to adjust at least one such adjustable operating parameter based on the current location of the radio. Operating parameters which may be so adjusted include, but are not limited to, the following: transmitting power, operating channel, operating band, modulation type, modulation index, frequency deviation, squelch setting, channel spacing, control channel (for trunked communications), noise blanker characteristic, and receive bandwidth. In another embodiment, transmissions by the radio can be inhibited as a function of the location when it is determined that the location is within a hazard area.

Location-based adaptive radio control

A communication system 100 comprising a dispatch sub-system 100A, a plurality of transmitters 100B, and a plurality of mobile transceivers 100C is disclosed. An antenna coupler 410 and a location sensor 414 are coupled to one another via a coax cable 412. The bias current to the coupler is supplied by the location sensor 414 via the resistor 406. A detector 200 measures the voltage across the resistor 406 which is relative to the current flowing in to the antenna coupler 410. The detector 200 compares the measured voltage via comparators 218 and 238 and determines if the measured voltage is beyond a certain boundary. The NOR gate 244 routes the comparison result to a MPU 250. The MPU 250 processes the result and transmits a signal to a base station 104 via the mobile transceiver 118. The base station 104 decodes the received signal and presents it to a dispatch center 106. A screen display 600 of a terminal at the dispatch center 106 has a dedicated column 602 for the presentation of the coupling status of the antenna coupler 410.

Automatic antenna coupler fault detector and indicator

A receiver 700 having an audio output device 326 is disclosed. The receiver 700 receives a carrier signal modulated with data, voice, or a combination of both. The receiver 700 includes a demodulator 708 for demodulating the received carrier signal. The demodulated audio signal 302 is coupled to a delay circuit 300 where it is delayed and coupled to a detector 318. The detector 318 detects the presence of data or voice in the demodulated audio signal 302 and mutes or unmutes the audio output device 326 respectively. The delay circuit 300 stops any portion of the data signal to reach the audio output device 326.

David W. Heinzelmann

Papers

Location-based adaptive radio control

Automatic antenna coupler fault detector and indicator

Data muting method and apparatus using delay circuits for communication systems