Can You Say Prior Art?

[Eric Lin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=1218' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=1218</a><br /><br /></div>"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved a new trademarked logo designed to denote areas where use of cellular telephones is restricted. The logo, signs and stickers are available from the company's website."<br /><br />"It is a simple but clear indicator to the public to refrain from using cell phones in places where their use would be inappropriate or potentially dangerous," said Sandy Middleton Marshall, designer of the trademarked logo. "Displaying the logo helps businesses and institutions gently remind patrons not to use their cellular phones in designated areas. They know immediately to turn off their phones while in that particular venue."<br /><br />The logo says "No Cellphone Zone" and has a silohuette of a cellphone with the classic no circle and line. As usual, the patent office approved something that there's no way to protect in court. Besides the fact that the uniqueness can't be defended in court, this sign doesn't really do what it says. Does "No Cellphone Zone" really tell people they should turn their phones off, as is required in hopitals, or will they interpret as meaning "don't talk on your phone here?"<br /><br />If the patent holder has a problem with annoying mobile phone users, he certainly doesn't have a problem with annoying websites, which is why we're pointing you to Geekzone. Theybraved the garish colors, a serious lack of information, and the loudest rendition of Pachelbel's Cannon you've ever heard (As if that song wasn't already tired. &lt;rant>Word to the wise, if you're getting married, i beg you not to play that song during your procession or ceremony.&lt;/rant>) to bring us pictures of the sign and additional information.<br /><br />Will this sign stop you from using your cellphone? What does make you think twice before answering that call?

[freitasm]

Yep... And now the nocellphone server is not responding. Perhaps too many complaints about noise :P

[encece]

I think cellphone manufactures should consistently add the functionality where if you walked into a church, theater, etc...your phone would switch to silent.

When entering a plane or hospital...your phone automatically switches off or to radio-off mode...when it is unsafe to operate.

[freitasm]

Have a look at this software (http://www.psiloc.com/?id=prod&nrp=44). Pretty cool, but user dependent.

One of the Bluetooth advocates "bright ideas" few years ago was to have a "control" of user's mobile in the way you described. Pretty bad idea I think. What if you really have the reason to be called in an emergency (of course you wouldn't go to the theatre or concert in this case, would you?)

But what about doctors always in stand by because of the possibility of a donor for a much needed heart transplant? Sure they still want to go and see a movie...

There are situations and situations...

[encece]

My real opinion is that hospitals and airlines sort out the problems themselves by operating on different dedicated frequencies that phones don't interfere with or by better shielding their equipment from outside radio wavs.

Then the automatic phone profile would be the only issue.

But that's probably not possible... or is it?