Network support for mobile special alerting

Abstract

An apparatus in one example has: a mobile terminal having at least first and second modes of operation; and a special alerting code; wherein, in response to the calling party entering the special alerting code, the mobile terminal changes from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. The system allows a mobile terminal in a silent/meeting mode to go into a vibrate and/or ring mode when a calling party enters a special alerting code.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 sending a special alerting code to a mobile terminal having at least first and second modes of operation; and    changing, in response to the special alerting code, the mobile terminal from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises providing a calling terminal with the special alerting code, the calling terminal sending a special alerting code to the mobile terminal.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the special alerting code is entered at the calling terminal during receiving a ring back tone at the calling terminal.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the special alerting code is entered at the calling terminal during receiving a voice mail prompt at the calling terminal.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mobile terminal has a plurality of operational modes.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of operational modes has a silent mode, a vibrate mood, a ring mode, and a vibrate and ring mode.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein, when the mobile terminal is in the silent mood and in response to receiving the special alerting code, changing the mode of operation of the mobile terminal from the silent mode to one of the vibrate mode, the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the silent mode to one of the vibrate mode, the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the mobile terminal is operatively coupled to a network, wherein the mobile terminal sends a silent alert message to the network when the mobile terminal is changed to the silent mode, wherein the network sends an alerting change interval to the mobile terminal, and in response the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the silent mode to one of the vibrate mode, the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for the alerting change interval, and wherein the network sends a change alert message to the mobile terminal to return the mode of operation to the vibrate mode.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein, when the mobile terminal is in the vibrate mood and in response to receiving the special alerting code, changing the mode of operation of the mobile terminal from the vibrate mode to one of the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the vibrate mode to one of the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the mobile terminal is operatively coupled to a network, wherein the mobile terminal sends a silent alert message to the network when the mobile terminal is changed to the silent mode, wherein the network sends an alerting change interval to the mobile terminal, and in response the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the vibrate mode to one of the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for the alerting change interval, and wherein the network sends a change alert message to the mobile terminal to return the mode of operation to the vibrate mode.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a mobile terminal having at least first and second modes of operation; and    a special alerting code;    wherein, in response to receiving the special alerting code, the mobile terminal changes from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein a calling terminal has the special alerting code, and wherein the calling terminal sends the special alerting code to the mobile terminal.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the special alerting code is entered at the calling terminal during receiving a ring back tone at the calling terminal.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the special alerting code is entered at the calling terminal during receiving a voice mail prompt at the calling terminal.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the mobile terminal has a plurality of operational modes.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of operational modes has a silent mode, a vibrate mood, a ring mode, and a vibrate and ring mode.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein, when the mobile terminal is in the silent mood and in response to receiving the special alerting code, the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the silent mode to one of the vibrate mode, the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the silent mode to one of the vibrate mode, the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the mobile terminal is operatively coupled to a network, wherein the mobile terminal sends a silent alert message to the network when the mobile terminal is changed to the silent mode, wherein the network sends an alerting change interval to the mobile terminal, and in response the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the silent mode to one of the vibrate mode, the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for the alerting change interval, and wherein the network sends a change alert message to the mobile terminal to return the mode of operation to the vibrate mode.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein, when the mobile terminal is in the vibrate mood and in response to receiving the special alerting code, the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the vibrate mode to one of the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the vibrate mode to one of the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the mobile terminal is operatively coupled to a network, wherein the mobile terminal sends a silent alert message to the network when the mobile terminal is changed to the silent mode, wherein the network sends an alerting change interval to the mobile terminal, and in response the mode of operation of the mobile terminal is changed from the vibrate mode to one of the ring mode and the vibrate and ring mode for the alerting change interval, and wherein the network sends a change alert message to the mobile terminal to return the mode of operation to the vibrate mode.