On Feb 27, 2008, at 5:04 PM, David VanHorn wrote:

> I've wondered why cell phones don't incorporate a
> receiver for a control signal to put them on silent/vibrate/no light
> etc that could be used for movie theaters etc.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6907254.html? 
highlight=6907254&stemming=on

  :-)

The problem is that in general a "cell" does not match up with the  
"quiet zone" area.  But something like this ought to be possible to  
implement now that phones are incorporating more "local" connectivity  
such as 802.11 or even bluetooth.  And the GPS on other phones might  
come into play as well, even if the connectivity isn't as localized.   
(hmm.  Wonder if that's worth updating the patent?)  All you really  
need is a way to determine that the phone is IN a "quiet area" and a  
way to tell it to be quiet.

BillW

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