TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to multi-device setup and, more particularly, to setup and distribution of operations among

interconnected devices, such as to facilitate operating mode setup and distribution among multiple devices.

BACKGROUND

In today's world, individuals use various user equipment devices, for example, smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, etc., for various purposes. Such user equipment devices may be connected to a wide area network (WAN) such as cellular network. Some user equipment devices may be connected to each other via an interconnected network such as a local network or other communication network. Within an interconnected network, the user equipment devices may be connected (e.g., paired) with another user equipment device. Typically when two user equipment devices are paired, the user equipment devices are connected for a specific purpose.

By way of example, as individuals move about from one place to another such individuals may have a number of user equipment devices proximate to him or her. The user equipment devices may be connected to a network such that the user equipment devices can access the Internet, communicate with an array of user equipment devices, or communicate among particular user equipment devices. If the user equipment devices have wireless communication capabilities, the wireless communication capabilities are usually active by default to allow such user equipment devices to connect to a network for the purposes of utilizing the services associated with the user equipment devices. For example, a person may have user equipment devices such as a smartphone, a tablet computer and a wearable device. The smartphone and tablet computer may be connected via an interconnected network such that when the smartphone is powered on or otherwise in use the tablet computer may stream content local to the smartphone.

Although a user equipment device is capable of streaming content that is local to another user equipment device, there are limitations to such sharing capabilities. When an individual desires each of the user equipment devices to function or otherwise operate in the same or like mode, each user equipment device must be configured separately even if such user equipment devices are paired. Therefore, use of the benefits of device pairing in an efficient and effective manner may sometimes prove challenging.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment to setup and distribute operating modes among

interconnected devices. In this regard, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may permit an individual to set or reset the operating modes of each of the paired user equipment devices of an individual by setting or resetting the operating mode of only a single one of the user equipment devices. Thus, an individual may set the operating mode on a user equipment device that is readily available or with which the individual is most accustomed to interacting, with the operating modes of all other paired user equipment devices then being automatically reset to the same operating mode without further input by the user.

In an example embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving an indication corresponding to a requested mode. The method also includes determining one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with an interconnected network, such as a network configured for paired connectivity. Further, the method includes providing a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode. The mode switch request of an example embodiment includes one or more mode parameters, the one or more mode parameters comprising at least one of a requested mode, mode type, or an

interconnected network type.

The method may determine, via the interconnected network, the one or more secondary user equipment devices by determining the one or more secondary user equipment devices based on one or more profiles associated with the one or more secondary user equipment devices. The method may provide the mode switch request to the one or more secondary user equipment devices by causing the mode switch request to be transmitted to the one or more secondary user equipment devices and receiving an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request.

The method of an example embodiment also includes causing a current mode to be switched to the requested mode. In this regard, the current mode may include an inactive flight mode and the requested mode may include an active flight mode. Alternatively, the current mode may include an active flight mode and the requested mode may include an inactive flight mode.

In another example embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving, via an interconnected network such as a network configured for paired connectivity, a mode switch request corresponding to a requested mode. The method also includes causing a current mode to be switched to the requested mode.

The method of an example embodiment may also include providing an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. The method may also include determining, via the interconnected network, one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with the interconnected network and providing the mode switch request corresponding to the requested mode to the one or more secondary user equipment devices. In this regard, the method may provide the mode switch request to the one or more secondary user equipment devices by causing the mode switch request to be transmitted to the one or more secondary user equipment devices and receiving an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. The mode switch request may include one or more mode parameters, such as at least one of a requested mode, mode type, or an interconnected network type.

A computer program product is also provided in accordance with an example embodiment that includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer- executable program code instructions include program code instructions configured to perform the foregoing methods.

In a further example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive an indication corresponding to a requested mode and determine one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with an

interconnected network, such as a network configured for paired connectivity. The at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode.

The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of an example embodiment to determine, via the interconnected network, the one or more secondary user equipment devices by determining the one or more secondary user equipment devices based on one or more profiles associated with the one or more secondary user equipment devices. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of another example embodiment to provide the mode switch request to the one or more secondary user equipment devices by causing the mode switch request to be transmitted to the one or more secondary user equipment devices and receiving an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request.

The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of an example embodiment to cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode. The current mode may include an inactive flight mode and the requested mode may include an active flight mode.

Alternatively, the current mode may include an active flight mode and the requested mode may include an inactive flight mode. The mode switch request may include one or more mode parameters, such as at least one of a requested mode, mode type, or an interconnected network type.

An apparatus is provided in accordance with another example embodiment that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive, via an interconnected network, such as a network configured for paired connectivity, a mode switch request corresponding to a requested mode and cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode.

The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of an example embodiment to provide an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine, via the interconnected network, one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with the interconnected network and to provide the mode switch request corresponding to the requested mode to the one or more secondary user equipment devices.

The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of an example embodiment to provide the mode switch request to the one or more secondary user equipment devices by causing the mode switch request to be transmitted to the one or more secondary user equipment devices and receiving an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. The mode switch request may include one or more mode parameters, such as at least one of a requested mode, mode type, or an interconnected network type.

In a further example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for receiving an indication corresponding to a requested mode. The apparatus also includes means for determining one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with an interconnected network. Further, the apparatus includes means for providing a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a representation of interconnected devices configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a block diagram of a system that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention to provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices;

Figure 2B is a block diagram of a system that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention to cause a current mode to be switched to a requested mode;

Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2B, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2B, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms "data," "content," "information," and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Additionally, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (for example, implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term 'circuitry' as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

As defined herein, a "computer-readable storage medium," which refers to a non- transitory physical storage medium (for example, volatile or non-volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a "computer-readable transmission medium," which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention to setup and distribute operating modes among interconnected devices. In this regard, a user equipment device may be configured to receive an indication corresponding to a requested mode such as a request to activate the flight mode. In turn, the user equipment device may determine one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with, e.g., in communication with, the interconnected network (e.g., the network configured for paired connectivity as described herein). The user equipment device may then provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode through the established connection to the one or more secondary user equipment devices. The one or more secondary user equipment devices may receive, via the interconnected network, the mode switch request corresponding to the requested mode and cause the current mode which one or more secondary user equipment devices may be using for operations or otherwise utilizing to switch to the requested mode.

Referring now to Figure 1 , a representation of interconnected user equipment devices is depicted. In this example embodiment, the interconnected devices are included in a restricted area such an airplane cabin. However, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may be configured to setup and distribute operating modes among interconnected devices at any of a wide variety of other areas whether the area is restricted or not, such as at a theatrical venue, concert venue, or otherwise when a user desires to inactivate or activate transmission capabilities or radios associated with user equipment devices. Additionally, although a flight mode may be used in example embodiments, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may be configured to setup and distribute any of a wide variety of operating modes among interconnected devices such as a non- disturbance mode, volume control mode, or otherwise any mode or like setting included in a user equipment device including those that define the operational state, e.g., active or inactive, of one or more radios, transceivers, transmitters, receivers or the like.

As shown in Figure 1 , a plurality of user equipment devices may be positioned throughout an area, for example, the cabin of an airplane. The user equipment devices may be any of a wide variety of different types of user equipment devices. For example, the user equipment devices may include an electronic device configured for wireless and/or paired communication via an interconnected network 120, 160. In this regard, the user equipment devices may include an electronic device, such as a mobile terminal, e.g., a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer or the like, or another type of computing device, e.g., a personal computer or the like.

In regards to the example depicted in Figure 1 , as an individual is travelling, the individual may carry or otherwise have with them one or more user equipment devices (e.g. a smartphone 110, tablet 130, and a wearable device 135) up to an order of N user equipment devices within his or her travel items. The user equipment devices may be configured to associate with, e.g., be in communication with, an interconnected network 120, 160 in order to connect (e.g., pair) each of the user equipment devices for inter- device communication, Internet access etc. The interconnected network may include any of various types of networks that provide for a direct connection between devices, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other proximity based networks

In an area where the usage of transmission protocols, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, are restricted, for example, in the airplane 102, the individual may need to operate the devices in a certain mode (e.g., flight mode) to effectively inactivate wireless interfaces. The individuals may be accustomed to selecting or changing a mode on, for example, a smartphone. While traveling on the plane 102, whether or not the individual may intend to use some of the user equipment devices 1 10, 130, and 140, each user equipment device 110, 130, 140 should be switched into flight mode during the flight. The user equipment devices 1 10, 120, 130 may be located in the cabin of the airplane 102 such as in an overhead luggage compartment or under a seat, while other user equipment devices 135 and 137 may be stored in the individual's luggage proximate to the cabin of the plane.

Because it may be cumbersome, or otherwise challenging, to individually change the operating mode on each device separately, the user equipment device (e.g., the user equipment device 1 10) may be configured to receive an indication corresponding to a requested mode (e.g., an activate flight mode). In turn, the user equipment device 110 may determine one or more secondary user equipment devices 130, 140 associated with, e.g., in communication with, the interconnected network 120 (e.g., the network configured for paired connectivity as described herein). The user equipment device 110 may then provide a mode switch request, via the interconnected network 120, to the one or more secondary user equipment devices 130, 140 with which the user equipment device is paired based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode. In this regard, the one or more secondary user equipment devices 130, 140 may receive, via the

interconnected network 120, the mode switch request corresponding to the requested mode. In turn, the user equipment device 1 10 and the secondary user equipment devices 130 and 140 may cause the current mode which each respective device may be using for operation or otherwise utilizing to switch to the requested mode.

As shown in Figure 2A, the user equipment devices may be configured to communicate with a computing device 14 that is, in turn, configured to provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices. The computing device of an example embodiment may be embodied by or otherwise co-located with one of the user equipment devices or may be distributed amongst a plurality of paired user equipment devices. Alternatively, the computing device may be in communication with, but distinct and separate from the user equipment devices. In this example embodiment, the computing device may be embodied as a server, a personal computer, a computer workstation or the like. As shown in Figure 2A, the computing device is in communication with the user equipment device utilizing any of a wide variety of communication techniques including wireline communications and/or wireless communications, such as cellular communications, wide area network (WAN) communications, local area network (LAN) communications or proximity-based communications, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communications (NFC) or other proximity-based communications techniques. Further, the user equipment device may directly communicate with other user equipment devices, such as via the interconnected network utilizing wireless or wireline

communication techniques including, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other proximity based networks via with the user equipment devices may be paired. Although not every user equipment device is shown to communicate with every other user equipment device in the embodiment of Figure 1 , the system of another example embodiment may be configured to permit each user equipment device to individually and directly communicate with every other user equipment device.

The user equipment devices that communicate with the computing device 14 include user equipment device 110 embodied by a mobile terminal in accordance with the example of Figure 1 that is configured to provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices 130, 140 that are paired with the user equipment device 110 via the interconnected network based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode. The user equipment device 110 may be configured to receive an indication corresponding to a requested mode. In order to identify one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with an interconnected network, the computing device 14 may be configured to determine one or more secondary user equipment devices. Having determined one or more secondary devices associated with the interconnected network, the user equipment device 110 may be configured to provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode.

The computing device 14, such as the user equipment device 1 10 that is configured to provide a mode switch request to one or more secondary devices, may include, be associated with or otherwise be in communication with an apparatus 20, such as depicted in Figure 2B, that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, the apparatus may include, be associated with or otherwise in communication with a processor 22, a memory device 24, a user interface 26 and a communication interface 28. In some embodiments, the processor (and/or co-processors or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or nonvolatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (for example, a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (for example, bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (for example, a computing device like the processor). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor.

As noted above, the apparatus 20 may be embodied by the computing device 14, such as a user equipment device (e.g., any one of the user equipment devices 1 10, 130, 135, 137, and 140). However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (for example, chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (for example, a circuit board). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

The processor 22 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processor may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and/or multithreading.

In an example embodiment, the processor 22 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 24 or otherwise accessible to the processor. Alternatively or additionally, the processor may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor may represent an entity (for example, physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

However, in some cases, the processor may be a processor of a specific device (for example, the user equipment device 1 10) configured to employ an embodiment of the present invention by further configuration of the processor by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processor may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processor.

The apparatus 20 of an example embodiment may also include or otherwise be in communication with a user interface 26. The user interface may include a touch screen display, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick or other input/output mechanisms. In some embodiments, the user interface, such as a display, speakers, or the like, may also be configured to provide output to the user. In this example embodiment, the processor 22 may comprise user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more input/output mechanisms. The processor and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more input/output mechanisms through computer program instructions (for example, software and/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (for example, memory device 24, and/or the like).

The apparatus 20 of the illustrated embodiment may also include a

communication interface 28 that may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a computing device and/or user equipment device 1 10 in communication with the apparatus. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication.

As shown in Figure 2A, the secondary user equipment devices may be configured to communicate with a computing device 16 that is, in turn, configured to cause a current mode of the secondary user equipment device to be switched to a requested mode. The computing device of an example embodiment may be embodied by or otherwise co- located with the user equipment device 110 with which the secondary user equipment devices are paired or with one of the secondary user equipment devices or may be distributed amongst a plurality of secondary user equipment devices as described above with reference to Figure 2A.

The user equipment devices that communicate with the computing device 16 include secondary user equipment devices 130, 135, 137, and 140 embodied by a tablet, wearable device, and laptop respectively in accordance with the example of Figure 1. However, other types of secondary user equipment devices may be utilized. The secondary user equipment devices may be configured to cause a current mode to be switched to a requested mode. The secondary user equipment devices 130, 135, 137, and 140 may be configured to receive, via an interconnected network, a mode switch request corresponding to a requested mode. As will be appreciated, one or more secondary user equipment devices that communicate with the computing device 16 may be associated with, e.g., paired with, the user equipment device 1 10 and with other secondary user equipment devices as embodied by the tablet 130, wearable device 135, and tablet 137 with reference to Figure 1. To that end, the secondary user equipment devices may be configured to determine other secondary user equipment devices so as to identify other associated secondary user equipment devices with which to pair. Having determined one or more secondary devices, the computing devices may be configured to provide a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based. In turn, the secondary user equipment devices 130, 135, 137, and 140 may be configured to cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode.

The secondary user equipment devices 130, 135, 137, and 140 that are configured to cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode may include, be associated with or otherwise be in communication with an apparatus 20, such as depicted in Figure 2B, that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. As will be appreciated, the functioning of the apparatus 20 may be similar with respect to the secondary user equipment devices as described above with respect to Figure 2B. For the sake of brevity, additional description of the apparatus 20 is omitted.

Referring now to Figure 3, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 20 of Figure 2B, to provide a mode switch request to one or more secondary devices are illustrated. As shown in block 32, the apparatus may include means, such as the processor 22, the user interface 26, or the like, for receiving an indication corresponding to a requested mode. The indication may be provided by the user who sets the operation mode of the user equipment device 1 10. In an example embodiment in which the computing device is distinct from the user equipment device 110, the computing device may receive the indication from the user equipment device 110. For example, when the one or more user equipment devices are in a restricted area (e.g., an airplane), the individual associated with the one or more user equipment devices may provide an indication corresponding to a requested mode to the user equipment device to place the particular user equipment devices with which the individual is interacting into flight mode. For example, the user interface 26 may be configured to receive an indication

corresponding to a requested mode (e.g., user input to activate flight mode). The indication corresponding to the requested mode may be received in response to a user selecting, via the user interface 26, a user interface element (e.g., a mode button such as a flight mode button) via a user equipment device (e.g., the smartphone 110). The apparatus 20, such as the processor 22, may be configured to cause the user interface element to be presented by the user interface 26, such as upon the display of the user equipment device 1 10, such as a smartphone or other mobile terminal. The user interface element may be presented in various other manners, for example, the user interface element may be presented in an audible form via a user interface 26 (e.g., via a speaker). In turn, the user equipment device may receive an indication corresponding to a requested mode by way of a user input such as the individual's speech to "activate flight mode" (e.g., the individual's speech is converted to digital form via a microphone 126). Regardless of the manner in which the user interface element is presented, the indication corresponding to the requested mode may be received by the apparatus, such as the processor, the user interface or the like as shown in block 32.

The apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, for determining one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with, e.g., paired with, the interconnected network 120 as shown at block 34. The interconnected network 120 may comprise a local area network (e.g., a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth configured network) or other network otherwise configured for paired connectivity. For example, the apparatus, such as the processor, may be configured to determine one or more secondary user equipment devices 130 and/or 140 associated with the interconnected network 120. The one or more secondary devices 130 and/or 140 may be associated with the

interconnected network 120 by being paired via a local area network, such as a network configured for paired connectivity (e.g., a Bluetooth network). In that regard, the user equipment device 1 10 may communicate (e.g., establish a connection to) with one or more secondary user equipment devices 130, 140 to which the user equipment device 110 has been paired.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 20 may monitor (e.g., listen) for one or more secondary user equipment devices. In turn, the apparatus 20 may determine whether one or more secondary user equipment devices are associated with the interconnected network, such as by being paired with the user equipment device 110. If the apparatus 20 determines that a secondary user equipment device is not associated with the

interconnected network, the operations may proceed to block 34 where the apparatus 20 may resume determining whether one or more secondary user equipment devices are associated with the interconnected network, such as by being paired with the user equipment device 1 10.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus 20 may be configured to determine the one or more secondary user equipment devices based on, for example, one or more profiles associated with the one or more secondary user equipment devices. For example, the apparatus 20 may be configured to access one or more profiles that include user equipment device data (e.g., the user equipment device name, device features, network configuration, etc.). The apparatus 20 may access the one or more profiles via the memory 24 or via the interconnected network (e.g., via the established connection to the one or more secondary user equipment devices 130 and 140 associated with the interconnected network). The profiles may define the user equipment devices that may be paired vie the interconnected network 120. Although two secondary user equipment devices 130, 140 associated with the interconnected network 120 are depicted in Figure 1 , the apparatus 20 may be configured to determine one secondary user equipment device up to an order of N secondary user equipment devices associated with an interconnected network such as the interconnected network 120.

As shown in block 36, the apparatus 20 of an example embodiment includes means, such as the processor 22 or the like, for providing a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices based on the indication corresponding to the requested mode. Through the established connection (e.g., the paired connectivity as described herein above) to the one or more secondary user equipment devices, the apparatus 20 may provide the mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices to activate a mode (e.g., turn flight mode on). The mode switch request may include one or more mode parameters (e.g., a requested mode, mode type, or an interconnected network type). For example, the apparatus 20 may be configured to provide a mode switch request that includes the requested mode (e.g., flight mode) to the one or more secondary user equipment devices associated with the interconnected network. In that regard, the user equipment device 110 may provide a mode switch request to the secondary user equipment devices 130 and 140 to activate (e.g., switch on) flight mode on each of these respective devices as well. The mode switch request may include the mode parameters such as the requested mode (e.g., flight mode), the mode type (e.g., activate), and the interconnected network type (e.g., a network configured for pair connectivity such as Bluetooth). In some example embodiments, the one or more mode parameters may include a request propagation flag. The request propagation flag may designate whether the mode switch request may propagate from one secondary user equipment device to another secondary user equipment device paired on the same, or different, interconnected network as described herein with reference to Figure 4.

In some embodiments, providing a mode switch request to the one or more secondary devices may include transmitting the mode switch request to the one or more secondary user equipment devices. For example, the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processor 22, the communication interface 28 or the like, for transmitting, via the interconnected network 120, the mode switch request to the one or more secondary user equipment devices 130, 140. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus 20 may be configured to receive an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. For example, the apparatus 20 may receive an acknowledgement or other confirmation that confirms receipt of the mode switch request from the one or more secondary user equipment devices. Figure 4 as described herein below provides further description with respect to the secondary user equipment devices.

As shown in block 38 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, configured to cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode. To that end, the apparatus 20 may be configured to cause the current mode to switch to the requested mode in response to receiving the indication of receipt corresponding to the requested mode as described herein with respect to Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 4, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus the one or more secondary user equipment devices comprising the apparatus 20 of Figure 2B, in order to cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode are illustrated. The apparatus 20 of this example embodiment also includes means, such as the processor 22 or the like, for receiving, via an interconnected network, a mode switch request corresponding to a requested mode as shown in block 42. The mode switch request may include one or more mode parameters as described herein with respect to Figure 3 (e.g., a requested mode, mode type, or an interconnected network type). For example, the mode switch request from the user equipment device 1 10 may be received by the secondary user equipment devices 130 and/or 140 associated with, e.g., in communication with, the interconnected network (e.g., the interconnected network 120 which may be configured for paired connectivity such as Bluetooth) and paired with the user equipment device 110. In this example, the mode switch request is configured to activate (e.g., switch on) the flight mode on each of the respective devices. As shown in block 44, the apparatus may also include means, such as the processor 22, the user interface 26 or the like, for providing an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. For example, the apparatus 20 may provide an acknowledgement or other confirmation that confirms receipt of the mode switch request from a user equipment device (e.g., the user equipment device 1 10).

The apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, configured to determine, via an interconnected network, one or more other secondary user equipment devices associated with the interconnected network as shown in block 46. As described above with reference to Figure 3, the apparatus 20 may be configured to determine the one or more other secondary user equipment devices based on, for example, one or more profiles associated with the one or more secondary user equipment devices. For example, the apparatus 20 may be configured to determine that the wearable device 135 and the tablet 137 are associated, e.g., paired, via the interconnected network 160, with the tablet 130. When the secondary user equipment devices (e.g., the tablet 130), have at least tried to connect to the each of the associated (e.g., paired) secondary user equipment devices, the operations may proceed to block 48.

In some example embodiments, the one or more mode parameters may include a request propagation flag. The request propagation flag may designate whether the mode switch request may propagate from one secondary user equipment device to another secondary user equipment device paired on the same or different interconnected network (e.g., the interconnected network 160). For example, when the apparatus 20 receives a mode switch request (e.g., the one or more secondary user equipment devices receives a mode switch request) and the request propagation flag is set to true, or otherwise indicates that the mode request should be propagated, the respective one or more secondary devices (e.g., the tablet 130) may establish a connection to the paired devices (e.g., other secondary user equipment device(s) such as the wearable device 135). In turn, the operations may proceed to block 48 where the apparatus 20 may be configured to provide the mode switch request corresponding to the requested mode to the one or more other secondary user equipment devices.

Alternatively, if the request propagation flag is set to false, or otherwise indicates that the request should not be propagated, the respective one or more secondary devices (e.g., the tablet 130) may not provide the mode switch request to the other secondary user equipment devices (e.g., the tablet 137 and/or the wearable devices 135). In turn, the operations may proceed to block 50 where the apparatus 20 may be configured to cause a current mode to be switched to the requested mode as described herein.

As shown in block 48, the apparatus 20 includes means, such the processor 22, the communication interface 28 or the like, for providing the mode switch request corresponding to the requested mode to the one or more secondary user equipment devices. In that regard, the secondary user equipment device (e.g., the tablet 130) may provide a mode switch request to one or more secondary user equipment devices (e.g., the wearable device 135 and/or the tablet 137) associated with the secondary user equipment device 130 to activate (e.g., switch on flight mode) the same mode on each of the other respective devices as well. The mode switch request may include the mode parameters such as the requested mode (e.g., flight mode), the mode type (e.g., activate), and the interconnected network type (e.g., a network configured for Bluetooth protocols).

Additionally, the apparatus 20, such as the processor 22, may be configured to receive an indication of receipt corresponding to the mode switch request. For example, the apparatus 20 may receive from one or more secondary user equipment devices (e.g., the wearables device 135) an acknowledgement or other confirmation that confirms receipt of the mode switch request from the secondary user equipment device. As shown in block 50 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, configured to cause a current mode associated with each user equipment device (e.g., the user equipment device 110 and the secondary user equipment devices 130, 140) to be switched to the requested mode. In some

embodiments, the current mode may include an inactive mode (e.g., the mode type may be set to inactive) and the requested mode (e.g., flight mode) may be associated with an active mode (e.g., the mode type may be set to active). While in the current mode (e.g., the inactive mode), for example, the cellular services and/or transmission signals associated with the user equipment devices may be operable. For example, the user equipment device may transmit and receive text messages, calls, etc.

To that end, the apparatus 20 may be configured to cause, via the interconnected network, the current mode to switch to the requested mode. In some embodiments, the apparatus 20 may be configured to cause, via the interconnected network, the current mode to switch to the requested mode in response to receiving the indication of receipt corresponding to the requested mode as described herein above. For example, the apparatus 20 may determine, via the mode switch request, the requested mode (e.g., flight mode) and the mode type (e.g., activate) in response to receiving a confirmation that the one or more secondary devices received the mode switch request. In turn, the apparatus 20 may cause the current mode (e.g., the flight mode setting corresponding to the inactive mode) to switch to the requested mode (e.g., the flight mode setting corresponding to the active mode).

Conversely, through the established connection (e.g., the paired connection as described herein above) to the one or more secondary user equipment devices, the apparatus 20 may request the one or more secondary devices to inactivate a mode (e.g., turn flight mode off). To that end, the current mode may comprise an active flight mode and the requested mode may comprise an inactivate flight mode. In that regard, the current mode may include an active mode (e.g., the mode type may be set to active) and the requested mode (e.g., flight mode) may be associated with an inactive mode (e.g., the mode type may be set to inactive). While in the current mode (e.g., the active flight mode), for example, the cellular services and/or transmission signals associated with the user equipment devices may be inoperable. For example, the user equipment device may not transmit and receive text messages, calls, etc. The apparatus 20 may determine, via the mode switch request, the requested mode (e.g., flight mode) and the mode type (e.g., inactive) in response to receiving a confirmation that the one or more secondary devices received the mode switch request. In turn, the apparatus 20 may cause the current mode (e.g., the flight mode setting corresponding to the active mode) to switch to the requested mode (e.g., the flight mode setting corresponding to the inactive mode).

The user interface 26 may be configured to indicate the current mode switched to the requested mode. For example, the user interface 26 may be configured to output (e.g., display) a user interface element (e.g., a flight mode button) that is caused to change in color, illumination, or otherwise indicate a change in mode. The change in mode may be presented via the user interface 126 in various manners, for example, the change in mode may be indicated via audible form (e.g., a digital voice may indicate the flight mode is active or inactive via a speaker).

The method, apparatus and computer program product therefore permit an individual to set or reset the operating modes of each of the paired user equipment devices of an individual by setting or resetting the operating mode of only a single one of the user equipment devices. Thus, an individual may set the operating mode on a user equipment device that is readily available or with which the individual is most accustomed to interacting, with the operating modes of all other paired user equipment devices then being automatically reset to the same operating mode without further input by the user.

As described above, Figures 3 and 4 illustrate flowcharts of an apparatus 20, method and computer program product according to example embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and/or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device 24 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 22 of the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware- based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included, such as indicated by the boxes with dashed outlines in Figures 3 and 4. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.