IP Library Granted Patent US 8,494,574
Granted Patent B2
US 8,494,574 · App. 12/258,099 · Granted Jul 23, 2013

System and method for controlling a feature of a telecommunications device based on the body temperature of a user

Inventor: Shekhar Gupta (Overland Park, KS)
Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,494,574
App. No.
12/258,099
Granted
Jul 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for controlling a feature of a telecommunications device includes determining a proximity of a user to the telecommunications device by detecting the body heat of the user. In response to determining proximity of the user, a feature of the telecommunications device is toggled between an activated state and a deactivated state.

Claims (51)

1. A method for controlling a call-forwarding function of a telecommunications device comprising:

detecting, with the telecommunications device, temperature information based on body heat of a user;

communicating, with the telecommunications device, detected temperature information;

receiving, at a network server, the detected temperature information;

determining, with the network server, that the telecommunications device should be in a call forwarding mode, based on the detected temperature information;

receiving a telephone call directed to the telecommunications device;

receiving, with the network server, global positioning system (“GPS”) coordinates from the telecommunications device;

receiving, with the network server, GPS coordinates from a plurality of secondary telecommunications devices;

determining, based on the received GPS coordinates, whether any secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device;

if it is determined that a secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device, forwarding the telephone call to the secondary telecommunications device that is within the predetermined range of the telecommunications device; and

if it is determined that no secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device, forwarding the telephone call to a voicemail system for the telecommunications device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the call-forwarding mode is toggled to an activated state when the user's body heat is not detected.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the call-forwarding mode is toggled to a deactivated state when the user's body heat is detected.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

storing, at the network server, a list identifying the plurality of secondary telecommunications devices.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

identifying a secondary telecommunications device in close proximity to the telecommunications device.

6. A system, comprising:

a telecommunications device configured to:

detect temperature information based on body heat of a user; and

communicate detected temperature information; and

a network server configured to:

receive the detected temperature information;

determine that the telecommunications device should be in a call forwarding mode, based on the detected temperature information;

receive a telephone call directed to the telecommunications device;

receive global positioning system (“GPS”) coordinates from the telecommunications device;

receive GPS coordinates from a plurality of secondary telecommunications devices;

determine, based on the received GPS coordinates, whether any secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device;

if it is determined that a secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device, forward the telephone call to the secondary telecommunications device that is within the predetermined range of the telecommunications device; and

if it is determined that no secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device, forward the telephone call to a voicemail system for the telecommunications device.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the call-forwarding mode is toggled to an activated state when the user's body heat is not detected.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the call-forwarding mode is toggled to a deactivated state when the user's body heat is detected.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the network server is further configured to:

store a list identifying the plurality of secondary telecommunications devices.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the network server is further configured to:

identify a secondary telecommunications device in close proximity to the telecommunications device.

11. A network server configured to:

receive detected temperature information, based on body heat of a user, from a telecommunications device;

determine that the telecommunications device should be in a call forwarding mode, based on the detected temperature information;

receive a telephone call directed to the telecommunications device;

receive global positioning system (“GPS”) coordinates from the telecommunications device;

receive GPS coordinates from a plurality of secondary telecommunications devices;

determine, based on the received GPS coordinates, whether any secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device;

if it is determined that a secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device, forward the telephone call to the secondary telecommunications device that is within the predetermined range of the telecommunications device; and

if it is determined that no secondary telecommunications device is within a predetermined range of the telecommunications device, forward the telephone call to a voicemail system for the telecommunications device.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the call-forwarding mode is toggled to an activated state when the user's body heat is not detected.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the call-forwarding mode is toggled to a deactivated state when the user's body heat is detected.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the network server is further configured to:

store a list identifying the plurality of secondary telecommunications devices.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the network server is further configured to:

identify a secondary telecommunications device in close proximity to the telecommunications device.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REPLACE ERRONEOUSLY FILED PATENT #7358718 WITH THE CORRECT PATENT #7358178 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038669 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jun 8, 2017
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 043079/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2016
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038669/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 11, 2013
From: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
To: CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC
Reel/Frame 029967/0639 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2008
From: GUPTA, SHEKHAR
To: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 021736/0317 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100105423A1 · Apr 29, 2010