WO2007072323A2

WO2007072323A2 - Communication terminal and server with presence database providing user acceptability levels for communication

Info

Publication number: WO2007072323A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/054805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip A. Rudland
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2005-12-20
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2008-06-20
Also published as: WO2007072323A3

Abstract

A communication terminal adapted to communicatively connect with other communication terminals over a communication network; in combination with a database located on the communication terminal, the database being adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of said communication terminal in being communicatively connected to one or more of said other communication terminals; and an inquiry communication-interface allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database to one or more of said other communication terminals before communicative connection of one or more of the other communication terminals with the communication terminal is attempted.

Description

COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and a communication method. In particular the invention relates to a communication apparatus and a method for establishing an acceptable time for communicatively linking two communication terminals. The communication terminals may, for example, be landline or mobile telephones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When making a telephone call using a conventional telephone system the caller dials the telephone number of the callee's telephone and awaits connection via the telephone network. When attempting to connect the call the status of the callee's telephone is established as not-engaged (free to receive a call) or engaged (call cannot be connected).

If it is established that the callee's telephone is not-engaged the call is passed to the callee's telephone which rings (or indicates that a call is being attempted by an alert signal). The callee then answers the phone or, depending upon his availability, chooses to ignore or reject the call without answering.

If it is established that the callee's telephone is engaged (for example it is already communicatively linked to another telephone or it is "off the hook") then it will be indicated to the caller, typically by an "engaged tone", that the call cannot be connected. The call will be routed to a voicemail system; or in some cases the caller will be invited to hold until the callee's telephone is no longer engaged and the call can be connected.

The conventional system has a number of disadvantages. For example, despite the callee's telephone being free for connection (not-engaged), the callee may not wish to receive the call. This may be for a number of reasons. For example the callee may be in a location where the use of a telephone is banned, disrupting or impolite (for example mobile telephones in meetings, cinema theatres or restaurants).

The callee in such a situation has a choice of either ignoring or rejecting the call; or leaving the location in order to accept the call.

Where the caller ignores or rejects the call the caller may believe the call was accidentally missed and immediately attempt to call again causing further disruption. The callee is also put in some uncertainty as to the urgency of the call and whether or not the call should be taken despite the disruption caused by leaving the location or accepting the call at the location.

To avoid disruption altogether the callee can turn off the phone if it is a mobile telephone or take it "off the hook" if it is a landline telephone. This is disadvantageous because the user of the phone may be willing to receive calls from a certain person or persons and so does not want all calls to be prevented. It would also be of concern to a user that potentially important or emergency calls are being prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a communication terminal adapted to communicatively connect with other communication terminals over a communication network; in combination with a database located on the communication terminal, the database being adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of said communication terminal in being communicatively connected to one or more of said other communication terminals; and an inquiry communication-interface allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database to one or more of said other communication terminals before communicative connection of one or more of the other communication terminals with the communication terminal is attempted.

In this manner the level of acceptability of the communication terminal in being communicatively connected with one of the other communication terminals is indicated to the other terminal before connection is attempted.

This allows the other terminal, or a user of the other terminal, to abort the process of attempting to connect to the communication terminal before any disruption is caused by the communication terminal indicating (by sounding an alert noise for example) that a connection is being attempted.

The other terminal or a user of the other terminal may for example abort the process of attempting to connect in the event that the acceptability of the communication terminal, which may be set to "important connections only", does not match the importance associated with the reason for the other terminal attempting connection. In this way disruption is avoided where the connection is of lower importance than the level of acceptability set for the communication terminal.

It is also clear to the communication terminal or user of the communication terminal that any attempted connections which do get to the point of causing the terminal to indicate that a connection is being attempted are of a level of importance which is acceptable for connection.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is also provided a modification communication-interface allowing data stored in the database to be modified via a communication terminal.

The provision of a modification communication-interface allows real-time changes to be made to the acceptability levels stored on the database. In this way an up to date level is stored on the database and changes to the level of acceptability can be made in real time to take into account unexpected changes in the circumstances of a user.

In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention the database is adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of at least one of the other communication terminals in being communicatively connected to the communication terminal.

In accordance with an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention the communication terminal is a telephone.

The communication terminal used to modify the database may be the communication device on which the database is located or an alternative communication terminal provided with access for amendment of the database.

In accordance with an alternative aspect of the current invention there is provided a communication apparatus comprising; a first communication terminal; a second communication terminal; a communication network for communicatively connecting the first and second terminals; a database adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of the first terminal in being communicatively connected to the second terminal; and an inquiry communication- interface between the database and the second communication terminal allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database to the second terminal before communicative connection of the second terminal with the first terminal is attempted.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention the database is located on the first communication terminal.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention the database is located on a server remote from the first communication terminal.

In accordance with an alternative aspect of the current invention there is provided a method of establishing an acceptable time for communicatively connecting first and second communication terminals comprising the steps of; maintaining a database of information pertaining to a current level of acceptability for the first terminal in being communicatively connected to the second terminal; providing an inquiry communication-interface between the database and the second terminal; communicating via the inquiry communication-interface the current level of acceptability to the second terminal prior to attempting to communicatively connect the second terminal with the first.

In accordance with a further alternative aspect of the invention there is provided a server comprising a database adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of a communication terminal in being communicatively connected to one or more other communication terminals; and an inquiry communication-interface allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database to one or more of said other communication terminals before communicative connection of one or more of the other communication terminals with the communication terminal is attempted.

The invention provides a potential callee with the ability to advertise how convenient a given time is for accepting a call and a potential caller the ability to be notified of this convenience level prior to causing disruption to the potential callee. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures of which:

Fig.1 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus having a database located on a central server;

Fig.2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus having a text message center linked to a central server;

Fig.3 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus with local databases provided on each mobile telephone;

Fig.4 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus similar to that shown in Fig.3 wherein communication is via text message;

Fig.5 illustrates a database for use with the invention;

Fig.6a illustrates a protocol for updating database information;

Fig.6b illustrates a protocol for updating database information;

Fig.6c is a flow diagram setting out the steps for updating database information;

Fig.7a illustrates a protocol for querying the acceptability level of a mobile telephone;

Fig.7b illustrates a protocol for querying the acceptability level of a mobile telephone;

Fig.7c is a flow diagram setting out the steps for querying the acceptability level of a mobile telephone;

Fig.8a illustrates a protocol for querying the acceptability level of a plurality of mobile telephones;

Fig.8b illustrates a protocol for querying the acceptability level of a plurality of mobile telephones;

Fig.8c is a flow diagram setting out the steps for querying the acceptability level of a plurality of mobile telephones;

Fig.9a illustrates a protocol for updating database information;

Fig.9b illustrates a protocol for updating database information; Fig.9c is a flow diagram setting out the steps for updating database information; Fig.10 is a flow diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following terminology will be used to describe the following embodiments of the invention.

Callee refers to a user who is to be contacted via a communication terminal.

Caller refers to a user who is attempting or who wishes to attempt to connect to a first communication terminal via a second communication terminal.

Level of acceptability includes within its scope convenience levels.

Telephone includes within its definition mobile telephones, DECT telephones; internet telephones; landline telephones; satellite telephones; video telephones; and other similar communication devices.

Inquiry communication-interface includes within its definition circuits for accessing a database for the purpose of extracting and reading information stored therein.

Modification communication-interface includes within its definition circuits for accessing a database for the purpose of amending information stored therein.

As illustrated in Fig.l there is provided a first communication terminal in the form of a first mobile telephone 5; a second communication terminal in the form of a second mobile telephone 6; a server 7 having a database 8 thereon; and a network 9 for communicatively connecting the first and second mobile telephones with each other or with other telephones or communication terminals 11. The database 8 is provided with information concerning the level of acceptability of the first mobile telephone 5 being communicatively connected to the second mobile telephone 6 at a given time.

When a user 4 of the second mobile telephone 6 wishes to make a call to the first mobile telephone the sequence is as follows: i) the second mobile telephone communicates with the server 7, in the illustrated example over the communication network 9, and interrogates, via an inquiry communication-interface, the database for the level of acceptability of the first telephone in being communicatively connected to the second mobile telephone 6; ii) the level of acceptability is communicated to the user 4 of the second mobile telephone 6; iii) on the basis of the level of acceptability communicated, the user 4 of the second mobile telephone decides whether the call is sufficiently important or urgent to meet the level of acceptability and either continues with attempting to connect the call or takes alternative action whereby communicative connection of the mobile telephones is not attempted. Such action may include requesting diversion to voicemail.

In this manner where the call is of a lower importance than the level of acceptability a caller can avoid causing the first mobile telephone to sound an alert and avoid unnecessarily disturbing the user 3 of the first mobile telephone. The first mobile telephone user 3 can also be confident that when the first mobile telephone signals an alert that a call is being attempted it will be of an acceptable importance.

In this way a potential callee is provided with the ability to advertise how acceptable a given time is for taking a call and a potential caller is provided the ability to be notified of this acceptability level or change therein, prior to causing disruption to the potential callee. For example when watching a film a potential callee might set the level of acceptability to a value indicating that it is not a good time to call. At the end of the film the level would be set back to a normal level.

Communication with the database 8 can be achieved by several means. For example in the system illustrated in Fig.l when the second mobile telephone 6 attempts to call the first mobile telephone 5 the call is routed via the server 7. The attempt to connect the call to the first mobile telephone 5 is delayed while the database is interrogated for the level of acceptability and the level of acceptability is communicated to the second mobile telephone user. Communication of the level of acceptability in this example is preferably via a voice message played to the user over the second mobile telephone. In the event that the user decides to continue the call, it is attempted to connect the call to the first mobile telephone.

In such a case the server 7, which interrogates the database 8, is preferably a speech server. Communication of instructions or information from the calling telephone to the server can be carried out either by speech recognition on the speech server or by touch tone dialing using the keypad of the mobile telephone. Alternatively the database 8 may be interrogated via text message. Fig.2 illustrates an arrangement whereby a text message is sent from the second mobile telephone 6 requesting information concerning the level of acceptability of the first mobile telephone. The text message is received at a text message center 10 which communicates with the server 7 to interrogate the database 8. The requested information, if available, is then sent to the second mobile telephone 6 via text message from the text message center 10. The user 4 of the second mobile telephone 6 then decides, based on the level of acceptability communicated, whether or not to attempt a call.

Preferably the database is also provided with information concerning the level of acceptability of the second mobile telephone 6 in being communicatively connected to the first mobile telephone 5 at a given time.

Further to this the database is preferably provided with information concerning the level of acceptability of a plurality of mobile telephones in being communicatively connected to any one or more of the other mobile telephones at a given time. This allows interrogation of a plurality of alternative mobile telephones' levels of acceptability to be carried out.

The information stored on the database and relating to the level of acceptability can be amended by instructions sent via a modification communication interface. The modification communication interface allows access to information on the database for amending purposes. Access is possible from the mobile telephone to which the information relates.

Preferably it is also possible to access the database information from other communication terminals on the basis of a secure access protocol requiring a user to login. For example the database information may be amended via the internet using a computer terminal or an internet enabled mobile telephone; or by dialing into a server, on which the database is located, using a touch tone telephone.

Communication may be via a speech server similar to that discussed previously; by text message protocol whereby instructions and information for updating the database, including login details for some communication terminals, are sent via text message; or by other communication means. In one embodiment a text message center with access to the database 8 is provided. A user wishing to amend the acceptability levels on the database sends a text message containing a short-code indicating the amendment and instructions, to the text message center.

Preferably the information on the database is updated automatically when a user amends the "profile" status on the mobile telephone they are using. Profiles are a feature commonly provided on conventional mobile telephones, which allows a mobile telephone user to adjust a plurality of alerting settings by making only one selection from the mobile telephone menu. For example when changing a profile from vibrate and loud ring volume to no-vibration and low ring volume.

In an alternative embodiment to those shown in Figures 1 and 2 the database may be located on the mobile telephone itself.

Fig.3 illustrates an embodiment where a local database 15 is stored on each of the mobile telephones. It is not essential to the invention that both or every phone which is to be communicatively connected is provided with a database.

When the second mobile telephone 6 attempts to call the first mobile telephone 5, the local database 15 of the first mobile telephone 5 is interrogated for the level of acceptability. The first mobile telephone's alert signal that a call is incoming is delayed while the database is interrogated and the level of acceptability is communicated to the second mobile telephone user 4. Communication of the level of acceptability in this example is preferably via a voice message played to the user over the second mobile telephone. In the event that the user 4 decides to continue the call with knowledge of the level of acceptability, only then will the first mobile telephone 5 activate its alert signal.

The level of acceptability can be communicated from the database to the second communication terminal via the communication network for communicatively linking the first and second terminals or via an alternative communication network.

Fig.4 illustrates an alternative embodiment whereby the interrogation and communication of the level of acceptability between mobile telephones can be carried out by text message protocols sent between mobile telephones. It will be clear that for either the database located on a server or a local database, communication between the database and an enquiring mobile telephone may be via a number of alternative or complementary communication means, for example the communication may take place along the signaling channel of the GSM protocol.

Where a central database or a plurality of connected databases are provided containing information pertaining to the levels of acceptability of a plurality of mobile telephones it is possible to arrange multi-party/conference calls on the basis of the levels of acceptability at various times.

Fig.5 illustrates an example of the contents of a suitable database. The levels of acceptability provided in the database are set on a graded scale, in the illustrated example on a scale of 0 to 10. The numeral on the scale of 0 to 10 can be communicated to potential callees or a written message or voice message may be associated with each level by the user to indicate more clearly the level of the acceptability. The graded scale is for example set with 0 to indicate that calls are "totally unacceptable" and 10 to indicate that "a call is wanted by the user". A user sets the level to 10 when they wish to receive a call.

Different levels of acceptability can be associated with different potential callers or different groups of potential callers. For example work colleagues may be presented with a different level of acceptability at a given time than a family member or friend. During office hours the level of acceptability to friends and family would be low and that to colleagues would be at a normal level. After office hours the level of acceptability offered to friends and family would be higher and the level of acceptability to work colleagues lowered. Preferably the level of acceptability can be set to block all incoming calls or to block calls from certain persons or groups of persons.

Potential callers are identified by their telephone number.

Levels of acceptability can be set on the database for periods of time in the future on a calendar style database. A user is able to set up a standard daily or weekly schedule as a basic template, for example based on their usual working hours. This standard template is amendable to take into account changes in the schedule; it being possible to set a low level of acceptability immediately before entering an unexpected meeting. The level of acceptability stored in the database by the user may be automatically adjusted according to a variety of protocols before it is communicated to a potential caller. For example a certain person or group of persons may be permanently set to have the level adjusted according to: communicated level = "stored current level" + 2 levels where they are friends and family; or: communicated level = "stored current level" - 2 levels

An automatic averaging system may also be utilized to give a more accurate indication of the true level of acceptability. The averaging system calculates an average of the acceptability levels for a preceding period of time (1 to 7 days for example) and subtracts a fraction of this value from the current level to obtain the level to be communicated to a potential caller. In one embodiment of this feature an average of the acceptability level is calculated from the past 7 days (or 5 days in the case of a working week), this is subtracted from the current level and then a predetermined number of levels is added (on a scale of 0 to 10 this could be an addition of 5). In this manner a potential callee who is constantly busy but never particularly more busy than any other time will obtain a steady value indicating that all times are equally convenient or inconvenient. A preferred system assigns greater importance to data from the previous day or hour to boost its effect on the resulting value to be communicated.

In a preferred embodiment a status alert mechanism is provided which acts to alert a potential caller when the acceptability level is changed to a certain level or to within a certain range of levels. This mechanism functions for either or both of a potential callee or a potential caller.

In the case of the potential callee it is possible to transmit to a potential caller or a group of potential callers that a particular time would be very convenient to receive a call from them. For example where a potential callee has unexpectedly found themselves in a situation where they are unoccupied, for example they have a long of time period in which to wait for a train, an indication that a call would be very convenient is transmitted to the potential callers.

In the case of the potential caller it is possible to set up a "watch status" whereby the potential caller is alerted once the acceptability level of the user he wishes to call reaches a particular level or a selected threshold level. A potential caller adds the level of acceptability at which they wish to be alerted, to the information on the database 8. The database may be either their own database or that of the user they wish to call. A further preferable embodiment of this feature includes automatically attempting connection of the two mobile telephones.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention includes privacy levels which can be set per person to allow or block different people from accessing different levels or areas of the database information. For example unknown numbers may be blocked from access to future levels of acceptability or be blocked from access to all levels of acceptability including the current settings. In the latter case a callee may still wish to block the unknown number's call depending upon how urgent the call is. This can be achieved by the server or inquiry communication-interface requesting the unknown number caller to input a level of urgency for the call. If the urgency level is above the current setting for unknown callers the connection will be attempted, if it is not the call will be automatically blocked. In this way calls can be automatically screened.

In place of unknown numbers, calls from known persons or groups of persons may also be designated for the type of processing described above. Instead of providing a caller with direct visibility of the acceptability levels of the callee the system requests an indication of the urgency of the callers call. If the urgency meets or is above the acceptability level set for the known person then the connection of the call is attempted, if it is not then the call is blocked. This removes the need for the caller to have actual visibility of the acceptability level whilst assuring them that the call will only be connected if appropriate. A caller's handset may be provided with an "urgent" button to quickly adjust their urgency level setting.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with access for selected or all potential callees to the future acceptability levels on a database so that an acceptable time in the future can be chosen for attempting a call.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides access to other user's watch conditions in order to determine whether or not a particular person is likely to be called by somebody else at a particular time.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with a software module for comparing the predicted acceptability levels of the potential caller with those of the callee to determine when would be a convenient time for connection. Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes means to interrogate the database for past acceptability levels of a particular person in order to ascertain whether or not that person has their level set to a low level of acceptability at all or most of the time. This is important in ascertaining a convenient time to call because the level may be permanently set to a low level and therefore a call should then be made at a time when it is most acceptable even if that level is still low. This may be supplemented by an averaging system which takes into account the usual level of acceptability and provides an amended level to the potential callee to give a more accurate indication of the true level.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a "low battery" warning incorporated into the acceptability levels, so that the acceptability level on the database is automatically updated to a low level when the battery is low on power.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with a "call me now" application to automatically adjust acceptability levels, or request calls from suitable target callers, for example by scanning the acceptability levels of a list of potential callers.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes automatic updating of the levels of acceptability stored on the database for a particular mobile telephone. In one embodiment the level of acceptability increases in proportion to the period of time since the last connection to the particular mobile telephone. For example the level of acceptability for a call from a person who a user has not telephoned in a long time will increase according to the period of time. In another embodiment the acceptability level is automatically adjusted according to the anticipated cost of the call based on the cost of using the communication network at a particular time, while abroad or when using different communication network providers.

Figures 6a-c to 9a-c illustrate protocol interaction diagrams and flow diagrams utilizing text messages. The apparatus in figures 6a to 9a comprises a first mobile telephone 5; a second mobile telephone 6; local databases 15; and a communication network 9. The apparatus shown in figures 6b to 9b comprises a server 16, having a database located thereon, in addition to the components shown in figures 6a to 9a. It is clear that the various protocols can be used or are adaptable for use with a number of alternative apparatus architectures to those shown in figures 6a-c to 9a-c. Alternatives include at least the centralized apparatus of claims 1 and 2, where a server 7, having a database 20 located thereon, is provided.

In figures 6a to 8a, the local databases 15 on each mobile telephone may be constantly updated with new information as it is added to any one of the local databases on the other mobile telephones with local databases. When the acceptability level of the first mobile telephone 5 is updated in its own local database a communication is automatically broadcast to the local database of the second mobile telephone 6 and the information thereon is updated. In this way each of the local databases contains the same information as the others. This allows the current acceptability of the first mobile telephone to be obtained by the second mobile telephone from its own local database. This avoids network traffic which would result from the second mobile telephone interrogating the first mobile telephone's local database.

Alternatively to this the local databases 15 may contain information relating only to the mobile telephone on which they are located so that in order to ascertain the current acceptability level of a particular mobile telephone another mobile telephone must interrogate the local database on the mobile telephone of interest.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate the process involved in updating the acceptability level of the second mobile telephone 6 in communicatively connecting to the first mobile telephone 5. The flow diagram of Fig.6c illustrates the steps involved.

Referring to figures 6a and 6c the level of acceptability of the user 3 of the first mobile telephone 5 in receiving a call from the user of the second mobile telephone 6 changes, as shown in step 100. For example the user 3 of the first mobile telephone 5 may enter a business meeting. The user 3 of the first mobile telephone 5 updates the current acceptability level on the local database 15 of the first mobile telephone 5, for example by changing the mobile telephone profile to "business meeting profile", step 110. This triggers a text message to be sent to the local database 15 on the second mobile telephone 6 updating that database, step 120. The local database 15 on the second mobile telephone 6 is updated with the new acceptability of the first mobile telephone, step 130. Optionally, changes in the database may trigger other actions. For example, if the local database on the second mobile telephone 6 contains a watch command the new level of acceptability is compared to the watch command's trigger level and if the trigger level is met either a call is initiated to the first mobile telephone 5 or a call suggestion is made to the user 4 of the second mobile telephone 6, step 140.

Fig.βb illustrates a similar series of events but differs in that a server 16, having a database 20 thereon, is provided. In this case a text message is sent from the first mobile telephone 5 in step 120 and the server 16 is updated in step 130. The database 20 on the server 16 contains information relating to the second mobile telephone 6 as well as the first mobile telephone. The server 16 compares the new level of acceptability to trigger levels of any watch commands. If a trigger level is met, either a call is initiated between the first and second mobile telephones or a call suggestion is made to the user 4 of the second mobile telephone 6. Any call suggestion alerts to the second mobile telephone 6 are sent by text message in step 140.

Referring to figures 7a to 7c the current level of acceptability of the second mobile telephone 6 is queried by the first mobile telephone 5. A user first decides they are interested in making a telephone call to a specified callee, step 200. In Fig.7a the local database 15 of the first mobile telephone 5 is interrogated for the level of acceptability stored therein, step 210. The stored level is communicated in step 220. In Fig.7b the level of acceptability is interrogated via text message to the server 16, the server 16 interrogates the database 20 located thereon, step 210. The stored level is communicated via text message from the server 16 to the first mobile telephone 5 in step 220. In step 230 the user 3 of the first mobile telephone decides whether or not to make a call on the basis of the current level of acceptability.

Referring to figures 8a to 8c, the user 3 of the first mobile telephone 5 is interested in making a telephone call to one of a number of potential callees and wishes to determine which mobile telephones have an acceptability level set to receive a call. That is mobile telephones which have favourable acceptability levels. This is similar to the situation illustrated in figures 7a to 7c but instead of receiving information regarding just one other mobile telephone information is retrieved relating to a plurality of mobile telephones. Preferably an ordered list of the mobile telephones having the most favourable acceptability levels is communicated; the list showing the level of acceptability for each mobile telephone. In step 310 the database containing the acceptability levels is interrogated and in step 320 the information is communicated to the first mobile telephone.

Figures 9a to 9c illustrate the process of updating the acceptability levels of the first mobile telephone 5 on the first mobile telephone's local database 15 without communicating the same to the local database of the second mobile telephone 6. The current acceptability settings are browsed by the user in step 400. The modifications to the settings are added in step 410 and the modifications are communicated to the database on which the information is stored in step 420. The database is updated in step 430. Optionally the changes to the database may trigger other actions. For example if a watch command is in place a call may be initiated automatically or a call suggestion alert may be activated.

Fig.10 illustrates a flow diagram for updating a database including information on "Alert Trigger Levels". In step 500 an acceptability level update is passed to the database via the modification communication-interface. In the case of a central database containing information for a plurality of mobile telephones the particular device to which the update relates is identified in step 510. The updated acceptability level for the specified device is stored on the database in step 520. At step 530 the updated acceptability level is compared to any alert triggers set to watch the specified device. If the updated acceptability level is higher than the alert trigger level an alert is sent to the watcher in step 540, for example by text message if the user is not local. An "autodial on trigger" feature is provided which when activated automatically dials the telephone number of the watcher in step 550 when an alert level is triggered. Preferably the acceptability level of the watcher is queried prior to automatically attempting to connect the call, thereby avoiding disturbance of the watcher if a call is not acceptable at the time. Confirmation from the watcher may also be requested before attempting to connect the call.

In combination or separately from this the watcher may update the trigger level depending on changes to their own level of acceptability. For example the watcher's alert trigger level may be amended to a level of more acceptability when it becomes less acceptable for the watcher to receive a call. The watcher's alert trigger level may be automatically varied according to the level of acceptability of the watcher. For example when a watcher amends the profile on their mobile telephone the alert trigger level is updated accordingly.

More than two mobile telephones may be provided when using the protocols on flow diagrams of figures 6 to 10. Each of the mobile telephones being able to be communicatively linked with any one or more of the other mobile telephones. For example for the interrogation of multiple databases, multicast text messages to all or a portion of the mobile telephones having local databases may be used. Alternative architectures and protocols could be used for communication means other than text messages.

It will be clear that, although the above specific description discusses the invention primarily in relation to mobile telephones, the invention is not restricted to mobile telephones and that the invention may also be implemented using for example DECT telephones; internet telephones; landline telephones; satellite telephones; video telephones; and other communication terminals.

The present invention allows a potential callee to advertise how acceptable it is for them to receive a call at the present moment and allows a potential caller to obtain an indication of this acceptability level, prior to causing disruption to the potential callee.

This allows a potential caller to avoid disrupting a potential callee with a nonurgent or unimportant call when the callee does not wish to be disturbed by such calls. In this way potential callers can be confident as to whether or not their call would be acceptable if placed at the moment. This avoids potential callers having to guess how acceptable their call would be if placed at the moment. A potential callee, not wishing to cause unwanted disruption, may miss the appropriate time wrongly guessing that it is an inappropriate time. They may then place the call at an inappropriate time wrongly guessing it to be appropriate. With the current invention such a problem is avoided because the caller can be confident that before the callee is disrupted they will be given the opportunity to avoid such disruption on the basis of the callee's acceptability level at the time. A caller's time is utilised more efficiently in this way. A more efficient use of a potential callee's time also results because of the reduced number of interruptions resulting from calls of minor importance or minor urgency when the callee does not wish to be disturbed by such calls. For example a potential callee may wish to be uninterrupted, apart from for very important issues, when they are working to a deadline. With the present invention the potential callee can set the acceptability level to a low level so that callers with non-important calls will call at a different time. Important calls will, however, still be attempted and the potential callee can be confident that important matters will still be dealt with.

It should be noted that the term "comprising" as used in the claims or description of this application does not exclude other elements or steps; and the terms "a" and "an" do not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to one embodiment may also be used in other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A communication terminal (5,6) adapted to communicatively connect with other communication terminals (5,6) over a communication network (9); in combination with a database (15) located on the communication terminal (5,6), the database (15) being adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of said communication terminal (5,6) in being communicatively connected to one or more of said other communication terminals (5,6); and an inquiry communication-interface allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database (15) to one or more of said other communication terminals (5,6)before communicative connection of one or more of the other communication terminals (5,6) with the communication terminal is attempted (5,6).

2. A communication terminal according to claim 1 comprising; a modification communication-interface allowing data stored in the database to be modified via a communication terminal.

3. A communication terminal according to claim 2 wherein the communication terminal via which the database is modified is the communication terminal.

4. A communication terminal according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the database is adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of at least one of the other communication terminals in being communicatively connected to the communication terminal.

5. A communication terminal according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the communication terminal is a telephone (5,6).

6. A communication apparatus comprising; a first communication terminal (5,6); a second communication terminal (5,6); a communication network (9) for communicatively connecting the first and second terminals; a database (8, 15, 20) adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of the first terminal in being communicatively connected to the second terminal; and an inquiry communication-interface between the database and the second communication terminal allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database to the second terminal before communicative connection of the second terminal with the first terminal is attempted.

7. A communication apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the database is located on the first communication terminal.

8. A communication apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the database is located on a server (7, 16) remote from the first communication terminal.

9. A method of establishing an acceptable time for communicatively connecting first and second communication terminals (5,6) comprising the steps of; maintaining a database (8, 15, 20) of information pertaining to a current level of acceptability for the first terminal in being communicatively connected to the second terminal; providing an inquiry communication-interface between the database and the second terminal; communicating via the inquiry communication-interface the current level of acceptability to the second terminal prior to attempting to communicatively connect the second terminal with the first.

10. A server (7, 16) comprising a database adapted to store information pertaining to a current level of acceptability of a communication terminal (5,6) in being communicatively connected to one or more other communication terminals (5,6); and an inquiry communication-interface allowing communication of the current level of acceptability from the database to one or more of said other communication terminals before communicative connection of one or more of the other communication terminals with the communication terminal is attempted.