Method and apparatus for low cost cellular roaming
View Patent ↗A wireless device (WD) is associated with a preprogrammed user roaming setting and an automated adjustment algorithm stored in operative communication with the device. The algorithm is initiated and run when the device enters a roaming area, thereby automatically activating the roaming setting. A user response query is operatively connected to the automated adjustment algorithm, and operates as a switch for the automated adjustment algorithm, which initiates changing the user settings in accordance with the roaming setting. A user available query is connected to the user response query, to determine if the wireless device is in use, and to generate a notification if the device is idle or a prompt if the device is in use. An output from the switch of the user response query selectively enables the automated adjustment algorithm responsive to at least one of a responsive and a nonresponsive input to the user response query.
1. A wireless device comprising:
a memory having a plurality of roaming profile settings stored therein, wherein each roaming profile setting in the plurality of roaming settings restricts one or more features of the wireless device during a roaming mode of operation of the wireless device on a roaming provider network;
a processor operably coupled to the memory and configured to
determine when the wireless device is actively roaming on a roaming provider network;
determine that a particular one of the plurality of roaming profile settings is to be automatically enabled in response to determining the wireless device is actively roaming on a roaming provider network; and
in response to determining that a particular one of the plurality of roaming profile settings is to be automatically enabled, automatically present, for only a limited period of time while the wireless device is actively roaming on the roaming provider network, a user opportunity to disable automatic enablement of the particular one of the roaming profile settings while the wireless device is actively roaming on the roaming provider network, wherein disablement of the automatic enablement of the particular one of the roaming profile settings prevents the one or more features from being restricted while the wireless device is actively roaming on the roaming provider network.
2. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of roaming profile settings comprise user settings.
3. The wireless device of claim 1 further comprising at least one button and wherein the user opportunity includes an opportunity for the user to employ the at least one button to signal a user desire regarding automatic use of the particular one of the roaming profile settings.
4. The wireless device of claim 1 further comprising at least one user-interface display screen and wherein the user opportunity includes an opportunity for the user to employ a touch-responsive icon as displayed on the user-interface display screen to signal a user desire regarding automatic use of the particular one of the roaming profile settings.
5. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to:
respond in a first way with respect to automatic use of the particular one of the roaming profile settings when a user responds to the user opportunity; and
respond in a second way when the user does not respond to the user opportunity within the limited period of time.
6. The wireless device of claim 5 wherein the second way is different than the first way.
7. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to:
automatically determine whether the wireless device is presently idle or is being operated by the user in order to determine whether to supplement the user opportunity with a user notification.
8. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the particular one of the roaming profile setting is automatically enabled by an automated adjustment algorithm in response to the roaming mode of operation, and wherein disablement of the automatic use of the particular one of the roaming profile setting comprises disabling the automated adjustment algorithm.
9. The wireless device of claim 7 wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the wireless device is presently idle or is being operated by the user in response to determining that the wireless device is actively roaming on the roaming provider network.