Automatic Volume Control Based on Context and Location

Abstract

A request is received from a user of the mobile computing device. The request specifies that the mobile computing device should be set in a mute mode or in a vibrate mode when the mobile computing device is at a predetermined location. Thereafter, an arrival of the mobile computing at the predetermined location is determined. In response to the detecting the arrival, an audio output volume setting of the mobile computing device is recorded. In response to the detecting the arrival and after the recording, the mobile computing device is set in the mute mode or the vibrate mode. Thereafter, a departure of the mobile computing device from the predetermined location is detected. In response to the detecting the departure, the mobile computing device is restored to the recorded audio output volume setting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile computing device, comprising:
 an electronic memory storing executable instructions; and   one or more electronic processors configured to execute the instructions stored in the electronic memory to perform the following steps:
 receiving a request from a user of the mobile computing device, the request specifying that the mobile computing device should be set in a mute mode or in a vibrate mode when the mobile computing device is at a predetermined location; 
 thereafter detecting an arrival of the mobile computing at the predetermined location; 
 recording, in response to the detecting the arrival, an audio output volume setting of the mobile computing device; 
 setting, in response to the detecting the arrival and after the recording, the mobile computing device in the mute mode or the vibrate mode; 
 thereafter detecting a departure of the mobile computing device from the predetermined location; and 
 restoring, in response to the detecting the departure, the mobile computing device to the recorded audio output volume setting. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving is performed while the mobile computing device is at the predetermined location. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving is performed while the mobile computing device is located remotely from the predetermined location. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the steps further comprise: identifying, in response to user input and before the receiving the request, the predetermined location from an electronic map. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving is performed such that a facility at the predetermined location belongs to one of the following categories: a church, a movie theatre, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile computing device further comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, and wherein the detecting the arrival and the detecting the departure each comprise determining a location of the mobile computing device via the GPS sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the steps further comprise:
 analyzing a behavior pattern of the user to determine at least one time slot when the user sets the mobile computing device in the mute mode or the vibration mode; and   thereafter activating the GPS sensor during the at least one time slot.   
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-readable instructions executable to cause a machine to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request from a user of a mobile computing device, the request specifying that the mobile computing device should be set in a mute mode or in a vibrate mode when the mobile computing device is at a predetermined location;   thereafter detecting an arrival of the mobile computing at the predetermined location;   recording, in response to the detecting the arrival, an audio output volume setting of the mobile computing device;   setting, in response to the detecting the arrival and after the recording, the mobile computing device in the mute mode or the vibrate mode;   thereafter detecting a departure of the mobile computing device from the predetermined location; and   restoring, in response to the detecting the departure, the mobile computing device to the recorded audio output volume setting.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving is performed while the mobile computing device is at the predetermined location. 
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving is performed while the mobile computing device is located remotely from the predetermined location. 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the steps further comprise: identifying, in response to user input and before the receiving the request, the predetermined location from an electronic map. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving is performed such that a facility at the predetermined location belongs to one of the following categories: a church, a movie theatre, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the mobile computing device further comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, and wherein the detecting the arrival and the detecting the departure each comprise determining a location of the mobile computing device via the GPS sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the steps further comprise:
 analyzing a behavior pattern of the user to determine at least one time slot when the user sets the mobile computing device in the mute mode or the vibration mode; and   thereafter activating the GPS sensor during the at least one time slot.   
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a request from a user of the mobile computing device, the request specifying that the mobile computing device should be set in a mute mode or in a vibrate mode when the mobile computing device is at a predetermined location;   thereafter detecting an arrival of the mobile computing at the predetermined location;   recording, in response to the detecting the arrival, an audio output volume setting of the mobile computing device;   setting, in response to the detecting the arrival and after the recording, the mobile computing device in the mute mode or the vibrate mode;   thereafter detecting a departure of the mobile computing device from the predetermined location; and   restoring, in response to the detecting the departure, the mobile computing device to the recorded audio output volume setting.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving is performed while the mobile computing device is at the predetermined location. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving is performed while the mobile computing device is located remotely from the predetermined location. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: identifying, in response to user input and before the receiving the request, the predetermined location from an electronic map. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving is performed such that a facility at the predetermined location belongs to one of the following categories: a church, a movie theatre, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the detecting the arrival and the detecting the departure each comprise determining a location of the mobile computing device via a Global Positioning System sensor.