METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTINCTIVE ALERT ACTIVATION
An approach is provided activating a distinctive alert in a mobile station. An input from a user is received for generating an alert on a mobile station. In response to the input, a control signal is generated to activate the alert on the mobile station irrespective of any pre-existing alert setting of the mobile station.
1 . A method comprising:
receiving an input from a user for generating an alert on a mobile station; and
generating, in response to the input, a control signal to activate the alert on the mobile station irrespective of any pre-existing alert setting of the mobile station.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the input includes a code assigned to the user for a find-device service to locate the mobile station through the alert emanated from the mobile station.
3 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the receiving step is performed at a voice mail system configured to receive the code as part of a voice call placed by the user to the voice mail system.
4 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the receiving step is performed at a text messaging system configured to receive the code as part of a text message entered by the user to the text messaging system.
5 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the receiving step is performed at a website configured to receive the code as part of a message entered by the user using a browser application.
6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the alert includes an aural indicator, a visual indicator, a vibratory indicator, or a combination thereof.
7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the input includes a code assigned to the user for an emergency override service to notify a subscriber associated with the mobile station of an emergency or urgent situation.
8 . A method according to claim 7 , wherein the control signal causes the alert to be activated during a call busy condition of the mobile station.
9 . A method according to claim 7 , wherein the mobile station is configured to display emergency contact information in response to the control signal.
10 . A system comprising:
a communication interface configured to receive an input from a user for generating an alert on a mobile station; and
a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to generate, in response to the input, a control signal to activate the alert on the mobile station irrespective of any pre-existing alert setting of the mobile station.
11 . A system according to claim 10 , wherein the input includes a code assigned to the user for a find-device service to locate the mobile station through the alert emanated from the mobile station.
12 . A system according to claim 11 , wherein the system includes a voice mail system configured to receive the code as part of a voice call placed by the user to the voice mail system.
13 . A system according to claim 11 , wherein the system includes a text messaging system configured to receive the code as part of a text message entered by the user to the text messaging system.
14 . A system according to claim 11 , wherein the system includes a website configured to receive the code as part of a message entered by the user using a browser application.
15 . A system according to claim 10 , wherein the alert includes an aural indicator, a visual indicator, a vibratory indicator, or a combination thereof.
16 . A system according to claim 10 , wherein the input includes a code assigned to the user for an emergency override service to notify a subscriber associated with the mobile station of an emergency or urgent situation.
17 . A system according to claim 16 , wherein the control signal causes the alert to be activated during a call busy condition of the mobile station.
18 . A system according to claim 16 , wherein the mobile station is configured to display emergency contact information in response to the control signal.
19 . A method comprising:
receiving, at a mobile station, a control signal to activate a distinctive alert on the mobile station irrespective of any pre-existing alert setting of the mobile station, wherein the control signal is generated based on a code provided to a subscriber associated with the mobile station, the code being assigned to the subscriber for a find-device service;
configuring the alert setting to provide the distinctive alert in response to the received control signal; and
activating the distinctive alert to permit determining location of the mobile station.
20 . A method according to claim 19 , wherein the code is input to a voice mail system configured to receive the code as part of a voice call placed by the subscriber.
21 . A method according to claim 19 , wherein the code is input to a text messaging system configured to receive the code as part of a text message entered by the subscriber.
22 . A method according to claim 19 , wherein the code is input to a website configured to receive the code as part of a message entered by the subscriber using a browser application.
23 . A method comprising:
receiving, at a mobile station, a control signal to activate a distinctive alert on the mobile station for notifying a subscriber associated with the mobile station of an emergency or urgent situation, wherein the control signal is generated based on a code provided to a subscriber, the code being assigned to the subscriber for an emergency override service;
activating the distinctive alert to notify the subscriber of the situation; and
selectively displaying emergency contact information.
24 . A method according to claim 23 , wherein the code is input to a voice mail system configured to receive the code as part of a voice call placed by the subscriber.