Method and apparatus for disabling the RF functionality of a multi-function wireless communication device while maintaining access to local functionality

US 8,019,384 B2
Filed: 09/30/2009
Issued: 09/13/2011
Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
Status: Expired due to Fees

First Claim

Patent Images

1. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing power to communications circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit communication signals over a radio frequency communication link;

means for providing power to data processing circuitry;

means for disabling the power provided to the wireless communications circuitry in response to receiving a signal from a base station; and

means for wirelessly transmitting a notification signal before disabling the power provided to the wireless communications circuitry.

View all claims

6 Assignments

Timeline View

Assignment View

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

A method and apparatus for disabling the communication functionality (i.e., disabling the transmission and/or reception of RF signals) of an integrated device, while still providing access to the local functionality of such device. A control and select function, such as a switch that is implemented by hardware or software or a combination thereof, is provided in an integrated device to allow the end user of the device to access the local data processing functionality of the device, even while the wireless communication functionality of such device is disabled.

45 Citations

View as Search Results

29 Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:
- means for providing power to communications circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit communication signals over a radio frequency communication link;
  
  means for providing power to data processing circuitry;
  
  means for disabling the power provided to the wireless communications circuitry in response to receiving a signal from a base station; and
  
  means for wirelessly transmitting a notification signal before disabling the power provided to the wireless communications circuitry.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- - 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data processing circuitry comprises:
    - means for storing data; and
      
      means for retrieving the stored data.
  - 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base station comprises an adaptive array.
  - 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for wirelessly transmitting the notification signal causes an external device to allocate additional bandwidth to other apparatus or store incoming data or voice requests.

5. An apparatus, comprising:
- a power supply capable of providing power to communications circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit communication signals over a radio frequency communication link and capable of providing power to data processing circuitry; and
  
  a switching mechanism capable of disabling power to the communications circuitry;
  
  wherein the communications circuitry is configured to wirelessly transmit a notification signal before the switching mechanism disables power to the communications circuitry; and
  
  wherein the switching mechanism is configured to operate in response to a signal broadcast from a base station.
- View Dependent Claims (6)
- - 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the switching mechanism comprises at least one of a software or a hardware implemented switch.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
- enabling a first mode of operation of a portable communication device in which wireless communication functionality and local functionality of the portable communication device are enabled;
  
  enabling a second mode of operation of the portable communication device in which the wireless communication functionality is disabled;
  
  in response to receiving a control signal from an external device, switching from the first mode to the second mode of operation; and
  
  transmitting a notification signal to the external device prior to switching from the first mode to the second mode of operation.
- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
- - 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - using a first power supply to power local circuitry that provides the local functionality in the portable communication device;
      
      using a second power supply to power communication circuitry that provides the wireless communication functionality in the portable communication device;
      
      enabling the first mode of operation by powering the portable communication device with both the first and second power supply; and
      
      enabling the second mode of operation by selectively disconnecting the second power supply.
  - 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - in response to transmitting the notification signal, causing the external device to allocate additional bandwidth to other devices or to store incoming data or voice requests.
  - 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - disabling at least a portion of a radio communication functionality in the second mode of operation.
  - 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - transmitting the notification signal to at least one base station over a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

12. An article of manufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
- enabling power to computing circuitry configured to transmit voice communications over a radio frequency link;
  
  enabling power to power radio communication circuitry configured to transmit or receive signals;
  
  providing access to the computing circuitry and the radio communication circuitry through the radio frequency link;
  
  disabling at least a portion of the radio communication circuitry in response to a control signal sent by a base station; and
  
  transmitting a notification signal to the base station before disabling the at least a portion of the radio communication circuitry.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- - 13. The article of manufacture of claim 12, wherein the disabling of the at least a portion of the radio communication circuitry comprises disabling at least a portion of a radio frequency (RF) unit.
  - 14. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the disabling of the at least a portion of the RF unit comprises disabling the at least a portion of the RF unit using a switch.
  - 15. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the disabling the at least a portion of the RF unit comprises disabling a local oscillator of the RF unit.
  - 16. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the disabling the local oscillator of the RF unit comprises sending a software command to a local oscillator control circuit to cause the local oscillator to cease operation.
  - 17. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the disabling the local oscillator of the RF unit comprises triggering a hardware selection mechanism to cause the local oscillator to cease operation.
  - 18. The article of manufacture of claim 12, wherein the disabling the at least a portion of the radio communication circuitry comprises disabling an antenna.
  - 19. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the disabling of the antenna comprises disconnecting the antenna from a power supply.
  - 20. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the disabling of the antenna comprises increasing electromagnetic shielding of the antenna.
  - 21. The article of manufacture of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise disabling the access to transmitting the signals in response to selection of a soft key on the computing device.
  - 22. The article of manufacture of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise disabling the access to transmitting the signals in response to toggling of a mechanical switch on the computing device.
  - 23. The article of manufacture of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise disabling the access to transmitting the signals in response to actuating a button of the computing device.

24. An article of manufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
- enabling access to interactive data processing functionality and wireless signal communication functionality of a device;
  
  in response to detecting an event enabled by an external device, disabling the wireless signal communication functionality; and
  
  transmitting a notification signal to the external device before disabling the wireless signal communication functionality.
- View Dependent Claims (25)
- - 25. The article of manufacture of claim 24, wherein the operations further comprise disabling a functionality to place calls to a public switched telephone network.

26. An article of manufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
- enabling a first operation mode to a communication device having operational both wireless communication functionality and computing functionality;
  
  enabling a second operation mode to the communication device having operational the computing functionality and having non-operational the wireless communication functionality;
  
  automatically switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode in response to a trigger signal sent by a base station; and
  
  transmitting a notification signal to the base station before enabling the second operation mode.
- View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
- - 27. The article of manufacture of claim 26, wherein the communication device comprises a cell phone with personal digital assistant functionality.
  - 28. The article of manufacture of claim 26, wherein the communication device comprises a personal digital assistant with a wireless communication unit.
  - 29. The article of manufacture of claim 26, wherein the operations further comprise generating the trigger signal in response to actuating a button on the communication device.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Wireless Switch IP, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
Original Assignee
Durham Logistics LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
Inventors
Shah, Nitin J.
Primary Examiner(s)
Dao; Minh D

Application Number

US12/571,372
Publication Number

US 20100022272A1
Time in Patent Office

713 Days
Field of Search

455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/574, 455/343.1, 455/343.5
US Class Current

455/556.1
CPC Class Codes

H04W 4/12   Messaging; Mailboxes; Annou...

H04W 52/028   switching on or off only a ...

H04W 8/22   Processing or transfer of t...

Y02D 30/70   in wireless communication n...

Method and apparatus for disabling the RF functionality of a multi-function wireless communication device while maintaining access to local functionality

First Claim

6 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

45 Citations

29 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links

Method and apparatus for disabling the RF functionality of a multi-function wireless communication device while maintaining access to local functionality

First Claim

6 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

45 Citations

29 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links