User-specified outputs in mobile wireless communication devices and methods therefor

Abstract

A mobile wireless communication device, and methods therefore, including producing a temporary user-configurable sensory output ( 620 ) of the mobile wireless communication device upon the occurrence of some event on the mobile wireless communication device, for example, upon entry into a wireless communication service area. In some embodiments, the user-configurable sensory output terminates ( 630 ) after a specified time period.

1 . A method in a mobile wireless communication device, comprising: 
 undergoing a change in reception of a radio signal from a source other than a communications service provider;    producing a user-configurable sensory output of the mobile wireless communication device upon the change in reception of the radio signal from the source other than a communications service provider.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , receiving a radio signal from a source other than a communications service provider by receiving a Bluetooth signal at the mobile wireless communication device.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , receiving a radio signal from a source other than a communications service provider by receiving an IEEE 802.11b signal at the mobile wireless communication device.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , terminating the sensory output after a specified time period.  
     
     
         5 . A method in a mobile wireless communication device, comprising: 
 receiving a communication signal upon entering a communication service area;    producing a temporary user-configurable sensory output at the mobile wireless communication device upon receiving the communication signal,    the temporary user-configurable sensory output indicating that the mobile wireless communication device has entered the communication service area.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , 
 receiving the communication signal upon entering the communication service area includes receiving a second communication signal upon entering a second communication service area while in a first service area, the first and second service areas overlapping,    producing the temporary user-configurable sensory output upon receiving the second communication signal in the second service area.    
     
     
         7 . A method in a mobile cellular communication device capable of receiving non-cellular signals, comprising: 
 receiving a non-cellular communication signal;    producing a temporary user-configurable sensory output at the mobile cellular communication device upon receiving the non-cellular communication signal,    the temporary user-configurable sensory output indicating that the mobile cellular communication device has entered a non-cellular service area.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , 
 receiving a non-cellular communication signal while the mobile cellular communication device is in a cellular communication service area.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , 
 receiving the non-cellular communication signal includes receiving a signal from a local area network.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , receiving the non-cellular communication signal includes receiving a Bluetooth signal.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , receiving the non-cellular communication signal includes receiving an IEEE 802 based signal.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , associating a user-configurable sensory output with the non-cellular communication signal before receiving the non-cellular communication signal.