Apple patents Event-based modes for electronic devices
Abstract.
Event-based modes of operation are supported on an electronic device. One or more event-based modes of operation may be automatically or selectively applied to the device when a new life event is detected. The device's previous mode of operation may be backed up to the device or a network location and restored after the event-based mode of operation is no longer applied. The event-based modes of operation may be used to restrict access to certain applications or functionalities on the device, enforce or restrict certain user interface or other types of settings, and add or remove or rearrange the priority of device assets. The new life events associated with event-based modes of operation may be of various types, including location-based events, environment-based events, calendar-based events, news-based events, and usage-based events.
Description
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]This can relate to systems and methods for supporting various event-based modes of operation on an electronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002]One benefit of electronic devices (e.g., personal computers and portable telephones) is their ability to perform many various tasks. For example, certain electronic devices may perform multiple functions, such as play music, display video, store pictures, receive and transmit telephone calls, and the like. Another benefit of electronic devices, particularly portable electronic devices, is the ability of a user to take such devices wherever he or she goes. For example, a portable electronic device may accompany a user while he or she is traveling in an automobile, airplane, train, or any other type of vehicle. Sometimes, the portable electronic device may even be physically attached or strapped to the user so that the device may be accessible at all times. In other circumstances, the portable electronic device may be carried by the user, for example, in a pocket, article of clothing, purse, or bag. Because of the ease of portability of such electronic devices, a portable electronic device may accompany its user in almost every facet of life.
[0003]In some instances, however, certain functions or settings of an electronic device may not be appropriate or authorized depending on the situation or environment in which the user may find himself or herself. For example, the user may be inside a movie theater where the use of an electronic device may be discouraged or inappropriate. As another example, the user may be operating a motorized vehicle, at which time the use of an electronic device may be unsafe or even illegal. As yet another example, a user may be attending a live concert where using the electronic device for recording purposes is strictly prohibited.
[0004]Moreover, in some instances, certain assets of an electronic device may not be appropriate or authorized depending on the situation or environment in which the user may find himself or herself. For example, the user may be in China and the contact information stored on the device for the user's friends residing in the United States may not be as useful to the user as may be the contact information for the user's friends in China. As still yet another example, certain assets or functionalities may be useful and added to or enabled on the device upon detecting a new life event, such as emergency contact information for a particular city upon the device entering that city.
[0005]Due to the unlimited number of different situations a user may encounter in his or her lifetime, existing electronic devices are unable to automatically adapt to all of them. In addition, existing electronic devices are inadequate for automatically enabling or disabling certain functions of the electronic device and/or for automatically altering the priority or availability of certain assets available to the device based on, for example, the location or environmental conditions of the device (or of the user associated with the device). Accordingly, what is needed are systems and methods for supporting various event-based modes of operation on an electronic device in response to detecting various life events.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006]Systems and methods for supporting various event-based modes of operation on an electronic device in response to detecting various life events are provided.
[0007]According to one embodiment, a method for supporting event-based modes of operation on an electronic device includes accessing life event information associated with the electronic device. The method also includes determining, based at least in part on the accessed life event information, if the electronic device is experiencing at least one new event. Furthermore, in response to determining that the electronic device is experiencing the at least one new event, the method also includes applying at least one event-based mode of operation to the electronic device.
[0008]According to another embodiment, a method for supporting event-based modes of operation on an electronic device includes detecting a wireless network with the electronic device. The method also includes accessing an identification of at least one event-based mode of operation associated with the wireless network, presenting a listing comprising the identification of the at least one event-based mode of operation, and receiving a user selection of the at least one event-based mode of operation from the listing. Furthermore, in response to receiving the user selection, the method also includes applying the at least one event-based mode of operation to the electronic device.
[0009]According to one embodiment, a system for supporting event-based modes of operation on an electronic device comprises memory configured to store defined event information about at least one new event. The system also comprises the electronic device. The electronic device of the system comprises a life event detection module configured to determine at least one life event condition of the electronic device. The electronic device of the system also comprises a control module coupled to the life event detection module. The control module is configured to access the defined event information about the at least one new event, compare the at least one life event condition of the electronic device to the defined event information about the at least one new event, and apply at least one event-based mode of operation to the electronic device based at least in part on the comparison.
Event-based modes of operation are supported on an electronic device. One or more event-based modes of operation may be automatically or selectively applied to the device when a new life event is detected. The device's previous mode of operation may be backed up to the device or a network location and restored after the event-based mode of operation is no longer applied. The event-based modes of operation may be used to restrict access to certain applications or functionalities on the device, enforce or restrict certain user interface or other types of settings, and add or remove or rearrange the priority of device assets. The new life events associated with event-based modes of operation may be of various types, including location-based events, environment-based events, calendar-based events, news-based events, and usage-based events.
Description
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]This can relate to systems and methods for supporting various event-based modes of operation on an electronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002]One benefit of electronic devices (e.g., personal computers and portable telephones) is their ability to perform many various tasks. For example, certain electronic devices may perform multiple functions, such as play music, display video, store pictures, receive and transmit telephone calls, and the like. Another benefit of electronic devices, particularly portable electronic devices, is the ability of a user to take such devices wherever he or she goes. For example, a portable electronic device may accompany a user while he or she is traveling in an automobile, airplane, train, or any other type of vehicle. Sometimes, the portable electronic device may even be physically attached or strapped to the user so that the device may be accessible at all times. In other circumstances, the portable electronic device may be carried by the user, for example, in a pocket, article of clothing, purse, or bag. Because of the ease of portability of such electronic devices, a portable electronic device may accompany its user in almost every facet of life.
[0003]In some instances, however, certain functions or settings of an electronic device may not be appropriate or authorized depending on the situation or environment in which the user may find himself or herself. For example, the user may be inside a movie theater where the use of an electronic device may be discouraged or inappropriate. As another example, the user may be operating a motorized vehicle, at which time the use of an electronic device may be unsafe or even illegal. As yet another example, a user may be attending a live concert where using the electronic device for recording purposes is strictly prohibited.
[0004]Moreover, in some instances, certain assets of an electronic device may not be appropriate or authorized depending on the situation or environment in which the user may find himself or herself. For example, the user may be in China and the contact information stored on the device for the user's friends residing in the United States may not be as useful to the user as may be the contact information for the user's friends in China. As still yet another example, certain assets or functionalities may be useful and added to or enabled on the device upon detecting a new life event, such as emergency contact information for a particular city upon the device entering that city.
[0005]Due to the unlimited number of different situations a user may encounter in his or her lifetime, existing electronic devices are unable to automatically adapt to all of them. In addition, existing electronic devices are inadequate for automatically enabling or disabling certain functions of the electronic device and/or for automatically altering the priority or availability of certain assets available to the device based on, for example, the location or environmental conditions of the device (or of the user associated with the device). Accordingly, what is needed are systems and methods for supporting various event-based modes of operation on an electronic device in response to detecting various life events.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006]Systems and methods for supporting various event-based modes of operation on an electronic device in response to detecting various life events are provided.
[0007]According to one embodiment, a method for supporting event-based modes of operation on an electronic device includes accessing life event information associated with the electronic device. The method also includes determining, based at least in part on the accessed life event information, if the electronic device is experiencing at least one new event. Furthermore, in response to determining that the electronic device is experiencing the at least one new event, the method also includes applying at least one event-based mode of operation to the electronic device.
[0008]According to another embodiment, a method for supporting event-based modes of operation on an electronic device includes detecting a wireless network with the electronic device. The method also includes accessing an identification of at least one event-based mode of operation associated with the wireless network, presenting a listing comprising the identification of the at least one event-based mode of operation, and receiving a user selection of the at least one event-based mode of operation from the listing. Furthermore, in response to receiving the user selection, the method also includes applying the at least one event-based mode of operation to the electronic device.
[0009]According to one embodiment, a system for supporting event-based modes of operation on an electronic device comprises memory configured to store defined event information about at least one new event. The system also comprises the electronic device. The electronic device of the system comprises a life event detection module configured to determine at least one life event condition of the electronic device. The electronic device of the system also comprises a control module coupled to the life event detection module. The control module is configured to access the defined event information about the at least one new event, compare the at least one life event condition of the electronic device to the defined event information about the at least one new event, and apply at least one event-based mode of operation to the electronic device based at least in part on the comparison.
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