Customisation of an electronic device
View Patent ↗The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with operating characteristics adopted while the phone is at a first location. The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with a theme that how an electronic device responds to user input.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a memory for associating a first location with a first plurality of operating characteristics, a first modified menu structure, and first contact information;
a detector for automatically detecting when the apparatus is at the first location; and
a controller configured to adopt the first plurality of operating characteristics, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information when the apparatus is at the first location, and for controlling the operation of the apparatus at least partially in accordance with the adopted first plurality of operating characteristics, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically adopt the first plurality of operating characteristics, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information when the apparatus is at the first location.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to un-adopt the first plurality of operating characteristics, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information when the apparatus is no longer at the first location.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first operating characteristics determine at least partially the form of output presentable by the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first operating characteristics define at least one of the colors, wall paper, background, or screen saver used.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising an alert device, wherein the first operating characteristics define at least one operating characteristic of the alert device.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first operating characteristics configure application data available for use by the apparatus.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first operating characteristics include a software application.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first operating characteristics include additional data for a software application.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory is additionally configured for associating a second location, exclusive of the first location, to a second plurality of operating characteristics, second modified menu structure, and second contact information, different from the first plurality of operating characteristics, first modified menu structure, and first contact information, and the controller is configured to adopt the second plurality of operating characteristics, second modified menu structure, and second contact information when the apparatus is at the second location.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface having a display and a user input device, wherein the first plurality of operating characteristics are themed, and define how an apparatus responds to user input.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the display is for displaying the first modified menu structure including a plurality of user selectable options, and the user input device is for navigating the displayed first modified menu structure to select an option and wherein the first plurality of operating characteristics defines the first modified menu structure, such that when a first theme is adopted, the first modified menu structure is displayable.
13. A method comprising:
associating a first location of an apparatus with a first plurality of operating characteristics, a first modified menu structure, and first contact information;
automatically detecting when the apparatus is at the first location;
adopting the first plurality of operating characteristics, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information in the apparatus when the apparatus is located at the first location; and
controlling the operation of the apparatus at least partially in accordance with the adopted first operating characteristics, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information.
14. A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium comprising programming instructions for performing the method of claim 13 .
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising automatically adopting the first plurality of operating characteristics and the first modified menu structure when the apparatus is at the first location.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising un-adopting the first plurality of operating characteristics and the first modified menu structure when the apparatus is no longer at the first location.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the operating characteristics determine at least partially the form of output presentable by the apparatus.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the operating characteristics define at least one of the colors, wall paper, background, or screen saver used.
19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising defining at least one operating characteristic of an alert device of the apparatus using the operating characteristics.
20. The method of claim 13 , further comprising configuring application data available for use by the apparatus using the operating characteristics.
21. The method of claim 13 , further comprising associating a second location, exclusive of the first location, to a second plurality of operating characteristics, a second modified menu structure, and second contact information, different from the first plurality of operating characteristics, first modified menu structure, and first contact information, and adopting the second plurality of operating characteristics when the apparatus is at the second location.
22. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
displaying the first modified menu structure including a plurality of user selectable options, and
navigating the displayed first modified menu structure to select an option.
23. An electronic device, having a plurality of user selectable options, comprising:
a user interface having a display and a user input device;
a memory for defining a first theme and a second theme, wherein the first theme defines a first user selectable menu structure and first contact information, and how the electronic device is controlled by the user input to select an option when the first theme is adopted by the electronic device and the second theme defines a second user selectable menu structure and second contact information, and how the electronic device is controlled by the user input to select an option when the second theme is adopted by the electronic device; and
a controller for selecting said first theme or said second theme for adoption by the electronic device and for controlling the operation of the electronic device at least partially in accordance with the adopted one of the themes.
24. An electronic device as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the display is for displaying a menu including a plurality of user selectable options and an user input device is for navigating the displayed menu to select an option such that when the first theme is adopted, the first user selectable menu and first contact information are displayable and when the second theme is adopted, the second user selectable menu and second contact information are displayable.
25. An electronic device as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the operating characteristics controls at least partially the applications provided by the device.
26. An electronic device as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the operating characteristics include a software application.
27. An electronic device as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the operating characteristics include additional data for a software application.
28. An electronic device as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the first theme defines a first plurality of operating characteristics and the second theme defines a second plurality of operating characteristics.
29. An electronic device as claimed in claim 28 , wherein the operating characteristics determine at least partially the form of output presentable by the electronic device.
30. An electronic device as claimed in claim 29 , further comprising an alert device, wherein the operating characteristics define at least one operating characteristic of the alert device.
31. An electronic device as claimed in claim 23 wherein the controller for selecting said first theme or said second theme for adoption by the electronic device is configured to associate the first theme with a first location, determine the location of the electronic device, and adopt the first theme when the electronic device is located at the first location.
32. An electronic device as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the controller is configured to associate the second theme with a second location and to adopt the second theme when the electronic device is located at the second location.
33. An electronic device as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the controller for selecting said first theme or said second theme for adoption by the electronic device is responsive to the user input device.
34. A method of customizing the manner in which an electronic device, having a plurality of user selectable options, is controlled by a user to select an option, comprising:
providing a first theme defining a first modified menu structure and first contact information, and how an electronic device is controlled by a user to select an option when the first theme is adopted by the electronic device;
providing a second theme that defines a second modified menu structure and second contact information, and how an electronic device is controlled by the user to select an option when the second theme is adopted by the electronic device; and
selecting the first theme or the second theme for adoption by the electronic device.
35. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium comprising programming instruction, when executed by a computer processor, for performing the method as claimed in claim 34 .
36. A mobile electronic device, having a plurality of user selectable options, comprising:
a user interface having a display and a user input device;
a memory for associating a first theme, a first modified menu structure, and first contact information with a first location, wherein the first theme defines how an electronic device is controlled by the user input to select an option when the first theme is adopted by the electronic device;
a detector for automatically detecting when the mobile device is at the first location; and
a controller for selecting said first theme for adoption by the electronic device when the mobile device is at the first location and for controlling the operation of the electronic device at least partially in accordance with the adopted first theme, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information.
37. A method of customizing the manner in which an electronic device, having a plurality of user selectable options, is controlled by a user to select an option, comprising:
providing a first theme, a first modified menu structure, and first contact information defining how an electronic device is controlled by a user to select an option when the first theme is adopted by the electronic device;
detecting when the mobile electronic device is at a first location; and
adopting the first theme, the first modified menu structure, and first contact information when the mobile electronic device is located at the first location.