WO2018137756A1

WO2018137756A1 - Communication apparatus, methods and computer program products for controlling sending of notifications

Info

Publication number: WO2018137756A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/051417
Authority: WO
Inventors: Parvez SHAIK
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-24
Filing date: 2017-01-24
Publication date: 2018-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-24
Also published as: CN110235454A

Abstract

According to an aspect, there is provided a communication apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a connected wireless device and a communication driver configured to control the wireless transceiver. The communication driver is configured to receive from an operating system of the communication apparatus a notification intended to be sent to the connected device via the wireless transceiver and to control, based on control data from the operating system, whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver. The control at the communication driver level enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

Description

COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR CONTROLLING SENDING OF NOTIFICATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly controlling sending of notifications from a communication apparatus to connected devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Users are currently using various electronic devices that may have a wireless connection, for example, a short range connection to a connected device. A connected device may be, for example, a smart watch, a health monitor etc. The connected device may be configured to provide audible and/or visible notifications initiated by an electronic device. For example, a smart watch may provide a notification when an incoming call or message is received. Similarly, a health monitor may vibrate in case of an incoming call or a message.

[0003] A user is required to install an application relating to the connected device in an electronic device of the user. The application may then enable configuring settings when/how the connected device provides notifications to the user. If the user uses multiple connected devices, a separate application for each connected device is installed in the user's electronic device. As notification settings are application- specific, the user needs to adjust desired settings in each application separately.

[0004] Further, a connected device may collect user information and this information may be uploaded to a cloud service relating to the connected devices. It may be possible that an application relating to a connected device has been programmed to collect sensitive information relating to the user and the user's electronic device. It could also be possible that in a store or a website providing such an application the application may have been compromised and changed with a tampered version of the application that is capable of collecting the user sensitive information and upload the information to a place not related to the original application provider. Thus, it should be possible to have control over the information transmitted from the user's electronic device to the connected device.

SUMMARY

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a solution for enabling control of notifications sent towards a connected device from a communication apparatus wirelessly connected to the connected device. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0007] According to a first aspect a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a connected device and a communication driver configured to control the wireless transceiver. The communication driver is further configured to receive from an operating system of the communication apparatus a notification intended to be sent to the connected device via the wireless transceiver, and to control, based on control data from the operating system, whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0008] In a first possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the communication driver is configured to receive the control data from the operating system, the control data comprising setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device, to determine, based on the setting data comprised in the control data, whether the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device, to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the determination, and to control the wireless transceiver to send the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the determination. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data received from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0009] In a second possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the communication driver is configured to request control instructions from the operating system whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver in response to the received notification, to receive the control instructions from the operating system in response to the request, to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the control instructions, and to control the wireless transceiver to send the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the control instructions. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on control instructions received from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0010] In a third possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect, the control data comprises at least one filter data, and the communication driver is configured to determine whether the notification comprises the at least one filter data and to block the notification when the notification comprises the at least one filter data. When setting one or more filters, it is possible to block sending of any predefined information content to the connected device. This also improves security as it is possible to block sending of device- sensitive or user- sensitive information to the connected device.

[0011] In a fourth possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the third implementation of the first aspect, the at least one filter data comprises data identifying an encryption or a decryption key. Thus, by having a control point in the communication driver level, it is possible to block sending sensitive information to the connected device, and security is improved. For example, when a secret device key is packaged in the data that a connected device application is trying to upload, the communication driver is able to prevent the upload. [0012] In a fifth possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the third implementation of the first aspect, the at least one filter data comprises a predefined keyword. Thus, by having a control point in the communication driver level, it is possible to block sending notifications including any predefined keyword to the connected device. This also improves security as it is possible to block sending of device- sensitive or user-sensitive information to the connected device.

[0013] In a sixth possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect, the control data is linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus. This enables, for example, a solution where transmissions of any notifications to connected devices can be blocked in accordance with the operation mode. This also enhances user experience as a single setting (i.e. operation mode) made by the user affects to all notifications.

[0014] In a seventh possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect, the control data is user-configurable. A user may be able to selectively control, for example, time periods, applications and connected device which are allowed to receive notifications. This gives the user a total and centralized control for allowing/blocking notifications instead of setting the configurations separately in each connected-device specific application.

[0015] In an eighth possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect, the communication driver is configured to inform the operating system when blocking the notification. This enables a solution where the operation system is made aware of the blocking. This also enables notifying the user about the blocking.

[0016] In a ninth possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect, the communication apparatus is a user-operated apparatus.

[0017] In a tenth possible implementation of the communication apparatus according to the first aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect, the wireless transceiver comprises one of the following: a Bluetooth interface, a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface, and a near field communication (NFC) interface. [0018] According to a second aspect a method is provided. The method comprises receiving, by a communication driver from an operating system of a communication apparatus, a notification intended to be sent to a connected device via a wireless transceiver of the communication apparatus, and controlling, by the communication driver, whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver based on control data from the operating system. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device-specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0019] In a first possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, the method comprises receiving the control data from the operating system, the control data comprising setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device, determining, by the communication driver based on the setting data comprised in the control data, whether the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device, blocking, by the communication driver, sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the determination, and controlling, by the communication driver, the wireless transceiver to send the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the determination. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data received from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0020] In a second possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect, the method comprises requesting, by the communication driver, control instructions from the operating system whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver in response to the received notification, receiving, by the communication driver, the control instructions from the operating system in response to the request, blocking sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the control instructions, and controlling the wireless transceiver to send the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver when the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device based on the control instructions. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on control instructions received from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0021] In a third possible implementation of the method according to the second aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the second aspect, the control data comprises at least one filter data, and the method further comprises determining, by the communication driver, whether the notification comprises the at least one filter data, and blocking, by the communication driver, the notification when the notification comprises the at least one filter data. When setting one or more filters, it is possible to block sending of any predefined information content to the connected device. This also improves security as it is possible to block sending of device-sensitive or user-sensitive information to the connected device.

[0022] According to a third aspect a method is provided. The method comprises providing control data by an operating system of a communication apparatus, the control data being associated with sending of a notification to a connected device via a wireless transceiver, and sending the control data to a communication driver of the communication apparatus, the control data enabling or disabling the communication driver to send the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0023] In a first possible implementation of the method according to the third aspect, the control data is linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus. This enables, for example, a solution where transmissions of any notifications to connected devices can be blocked in accordance with the operation mode. This also enhances user experience as a single setting (i.e. operation mode) made by the user affects to all notifications.

[0024] In a second possible implementation of the method according to the third aspect as such or according to any of the preceding implementations of the third aspect, the control data is user-configurable. A user may be able to selectively control, for example, time periods, applications and connected device which are allowed to receive notifications. This gives the user a total and centralized control for allowing/blocking notifications instead of setting the configurations separately in each connected-device specific application.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium storing program code thereon is provided, the program code comprising instructions for executing a method comprising receiving, by a communication driver from an operating system of a communication apparatus, a notification intended to be sent to a connected device via a wireless transceiver, and controlling, by the communication driver, whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver based on control data from the operating system. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium storing program code thereon is provided, the program code comprising instructions for executing a method comprising providing control data by an operating system of a communication apparatus, the control data being associated with sending of a notification to a connected device via a wireless transceiver, and sending the control data to a communication driver of the communication apparatus, the control data enabling or disabling the communication driver to send the notification to the connected device via the wireless transceiver. As additional control is provided at the communication driver level, the communication driver is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data from the operating system to the connected device. This enables using settings applied at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices. [0027] Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a communication apparatus.

[0030] FIG. 2A illustrates a flowchart showing a method of controlling sending of notifications.

[0031] FIG. 2B illustrates another flowchart showing a method of controlling sending of notifications.

[0032] FIG. 3A is a schematic signaling diagram example illustrating signaling relating to controlling sending of a notification.

[0033] FIG. 3B is another schematic signaling diagram example illustrating signaling relating to controlling sending of a notification.

[0034] FIG. 3C is another schematic signaling diagram example illustrating signaling relating to controlling sending of a notification.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic illustration of a communication apparatus for controlling sending of notifications.

[0036] FIG. 5A illustrates a simplified view on a display of a communication apparatus for controlling sending of notifications to connected devices.

[0037] FIG. 5B illustrates another simplified view on a display of a communication apparatus for controlling sending of notifications to connected devices.

[0038] FIG. 5C illustrates another simplified view on a display of a communication apparatus for controlling sending of notifications to connected devices.

[0039] Like references are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiment may be constructed or utilized. However, the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments. [0041] According to an aspect, a solution is provided where a communication apparatus is able to control the transmission of notifications from the communication apparatus to connected devices without using connected device- specific applications.

[0042] Although aspects and embodiments relating to a communication apparatus may be described in terms of a user-operated apparatus, for example, a mobile device or a smart phone, it is only by way of example and in no way a limitation. A communication apparatus, such as a mobile device or a smart phone, may include various types of devices used directly by an end user and capable of wirelessly communicating with a connected device. Further, although aspects and embodiments relating to a connected device may be described in terms of user devices (for example, a smart watch or a health monitor), it is only by way of example and in no way a limitation. A connected device may include various types of devices and systems used to wirelessly communicate with the communication apparatus.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a communication apparatus

100. In an aspect, the communication apparatus 100 comprises a wireless transceiver 106 configured to communicate with a connected device 108, a communication driver 104 configured to control the wireless transceiver 106 and an operating system 102. The communication driver 104 is further configured to receive from the operating system 102 of the communication apparatus 100 a notification intended to be sent to the connected device 108 via the wireless transceiver 106. The communication driver 104 is further configured to control, based on control data from the operating system 102, whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device 108 via the wireless transceiver 106. The operating system 102 used in the communication apparatus 100 may be any of the currently available or future operating systems, for example, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile etc. The communication driver 104 may be implemented as an enhanced software driver or software component that processes information from the operating system 102 to lower level embedded hardware, for example, Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN), near field communication (NFC) etc., for distribution to the connected device 108.

[0044] As the communication driver 104 is able to enable or disable sending of a notification based on the control data from the operating system, this enables using settings applied, for example, at the operation system to affect how notifications are sent to connected devices instead of using connected device- specific applications to control sending of notifications to respective connected devices. Thus, compared to a conventional communication driver, the communication driver 104 has the additional ability of verifying set conditions for the delivery of notifications to the connected device 108. This provides additional security for the communication apparatus 100.

[0045] Earlier a user had to install a separate application associated with the connected device in the communication apparatus 100, and settings specific (set by the user) only to this application were used when/how the connected device provides notifications to the user. Now that the user is able to apply settings at the operation system level, the user need not any more select application- specific settings via each application separately. Further, by having a control point in the communication driver level, it is possible to block sending sensitive information to the connected device, thus preventing collection of user- sensitive information, and thus improving security of the communication apparatus 100.

[0046] In another aspect, a method of controlling sending of notifications comprises steps 200 and 202, as exemplified in FIG. 2A. According to an embodiment, the method may be performed by a communication apparatus 100, such as the one described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

[0047] At 200 a communication driver 104 receives from an operating system 102 of the communication apparatus 100 a notification intended to be sent to a connected device 108 via a wireless transceiver 106 of the communication apparatus 100.

[0048] At 202 the communication driver 104 controls whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device 108 via the wireless transceiver 106 based on control data from the operating system 102.

[0049] In another aspect, a method of controlling sending of notifications comprises steps 204 and 206, as exemplified in FIG. 2B. According to an embodiment, the method may be performed by a communication apparatus 100, such as the one described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

[0050] At 204 control data is provided by an operating system 102 of the communication apparatus 100. The control data is associated with sending of a notification to a connected device 108 via a wireless transceiver 106 of the communication device 100.

[0051] At 206 the control data is sent to a communication driver 104 of the communication apparatus 100. The control data enables or disables the communication driver 104 to send the notification to the connected device 108 via the wireless transceiver 106.

[0052] FIG. 3A is a schematic signaling diagram example illustrating signaling relating to controlling sending of a notification. A connected device 108 may be wirelessly connected to the communication apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 100 comprises a user-operated apparatus, for example, a mobile device or a smart phone. The connected device 108 may be any device wirelessly connected to the communication apparatus 100 and being able to provide notifications from the communication apparatus 100 to a user, for example, a smart watch, a music player or system, a health monitor, a position tracker, a car entertainment system etc. The wireless connection between the communication device 100 and the connected device 108 may be implemented using any wireless technology, for example, Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN) or near field communication (NFC).

[0053] A communication driver 104 in the communication apparatus 100 receives control data 300 from an operating system 102 of the communication apparatus. The communication driver 104 may also store the control data or it may have access to a memory storing the control data. The control data comprises setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device 108. The setting data may be time dependent enabling allowing or blocking of notifications to the connected device 108 at set times. The setting data may also be linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus. For example, a specific operation mode (for example, a silent mode) may cause blocking of all notifications to the connected device 108 while being in this specific mode. In an embodiment, the operating system 102 sends a control data updates to the communication driver 104 every time when the control data relating to the connected device 108 changes.

[0054] The communication driver 104 receives a notification 302 from the operating system 102. If the connected device 108 is, for example, a health monitor, the notification may indicate an incoming call to a user of the health monitor. Or, if the connected device 108 is, for example, a smart watch, the notification may comprise a text message to be shown with the smart watch.

[0055] After receiving the notification the communication driver 104 accesses 304 the control data and determines 306 whether delivery of the notification to the connected device 108 is allowed. If communication driver 104 determines based on the control data that the delivery is not allowed, it blocks 308 the transmission of the notification to the connected device 108. On the other hand, if the control data does not restrict the sending of the notification to the connected device 108, the communication driver 104 controls a wireless transceiver 106 of the communication apparatus 100 to transmit 310 the notification to the connected device 108.

[0056] In an embodiment, the control data comprises at least one filter data, and the communication driver 104 is configured to determine whether the notification comprises the at least one filter data. The term "filter data" may refer to any piece of information that may be contained in the notification. For example, the filter data may comprise a predefined keyword or data identifying an encryption or decryption key. By filtering the notification for specific content, it is possible to block transmission of a notification comprising this content to the connected device 108.

[0057] In an embodiment, the communication driver may be configured to inform the operating system 102 when blocking the notification. This may be of importance in cases where the notification was determined to include user sensitive or device sensitive information, for example, encryption or decryption keys. The operating system, in turn, may then inform the user of the communication device about the blocked notification. This also improves security as it is possible to block sending of device- sensitive or user-sensitive information to the connected device 108.

[0058] FIG. 3B is another schematic signaling diagram example illustrating signaling relating to controlling sending of a notification. A connected device 108 may be wirelessly connected to the communication apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 100 comprises a mobile device or a smart phone. The connected device 108 may be any device wirelessly connected to the communication apparatus 100 and being able to provide notifications from the communication apparatus 100 to a user, for example, a smart watch, a music player or system, a health monitor, a position tracker, a car entertainment system etc. The wireless connection between the communication device 100 and the connected device 108 may be implemented using any wireless technology, for example, Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN) or near field communication (NFC).

[0059] The communication driver 104 receives a notification 312 from the operating system 102. If the connected device 108 is, for example, a health monitor, the notification may indicate an incoming call to a user of the health monitor. Or, if the connected device 108 is, for example, a smart watch, the notification may comprise a text message to be shown with the smart watch.

[0060] Instead of causing transmission of the notification to the connected device

108, the communication driver 104 is configured to request 314 control instructions from the operating system 102 whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device 108 via a wireless transceiver 106 in response to the received notification. In response to sending the request to the operating system 102, the communication driver 104 receives the control instructions from the operating system 102. The control instructions from the operating system 102 may be time dependent enabling allowing or blocking of notifications to the connected device 108 at set times. The control instructions from the operating system 102 may also be linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus. For example, a specific operation mode (for example, a silent mode) may cause blocking of all notifications to the connected device 108.

[0061] The communication driver 104 then determines 318 based on the control instructions whether delivery of the notification to the connected device 108 is allowed. If communication driver 104 determines that the delivery is not allowed, it blocks 308 the transmission of the notification to the connected device. On the other hand, if the control instructions do not restrict the sending of the notification to the connected device 108, the communication driver 104 controls a wireless transceiver 106 of the communication apparatus 100 to transmit 310 the notification to the connected device 108.

[0062] FIG. 3C is another schematic signaling diagram example illustrating signaling relating to controlling sending of a notification. A connected device 108 may be wirelessly connected to the communication apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 100 comprises a mobile device or a smart phone. The connected device 108 may be any device wirelessly connected to the communication apparatus 100 and being able to provide notifications from the communication apparatus 100 to a user, for example, a smart watch, a music player or system, a health monitor, a position tracker, a car entertainment system etc. The wireless connection between the communication device 100 and the connected device 108 may be implemented using any wireless technology, for example, Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN) or near field communication (NFC).

[0063] An operating system 102 of the communication apparatus 100 comprises a notification manager 322. For example, in Android an application developer of an application may register 324 to the notification manager 322 to be able to list its application notifications in the communication apparatus 100 and push notifications to other connected devices of the user. If any of the listed applications has registered to push the notification to the connected devices or if a third party application has explicitly requested to listen to the notifications, then the notification manager 322 is configured to push the notifications to the respective communication driver for transmission to the respective connected device. Although Android has been given here as an example of a possible operating system, in other examples, any other operating system may be used.

[0064] When a messaging service 320 (for example, a short messaging service) receives 326 a message, the messaging service 320 sends 328 an update to the notification manager 328. After receiving the update, the notification manager 322 checks the registered applications relating to the messaging service. If an entry or entries is/are found, the notification manager 322 sends a notification 330 to the communication driver or drivers 104 corresponding to the entry or entries.

[0065] The communication driver 104 may store the control data or it may have access to a memory storing the control data. The control data comprises setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device 108. The setting data may be time dependent enabling allowing or blocking of notifications to the connected device 108 at set times. The setting data may also be linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus. For example, a specific operation mode (for example, a silent mode) may cause blocking of all notifications to the connected device 108. In an embodiment, the operating system 102 sends a control data update to the communication driver 104 every time when the control data relating to the connected device 108 changes.

[0066] After receiving the notification 300, the communication driver 104 may access 304 the control data and determines 332 whether delivery of the notification to the connected device 108 is allowed. If communication driver 104 determines based on the control data that the delivery is not allowable, it blocks 308 the transmission of the notification to the connected device 108. On the other hand, if the control data does not restrict the sending of the notification to the connected device 108, the communication driver 104 controls a wireless transceiver 106 of the communication apparatus 100 to transmit 310 the notification to the connected device 108.

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a communication apparatus

100. The communication apparatus 100 comprises a processor or processors 400 connected to a transceiver 404. The transceiver 404 is configured to transmit wireless transmissions via an antenna 408 that enables reception and transmission of wireless signals.

[0068] The communication apparatus 100 may also comprise a memory or memories 402 connected to the processor 400. The memory 402 may store at least one computer program comprising instructions for execution by the processor 400.

[0069] FIG. 5A illustrates a simplified view 500 on a display of a communication apparatus 100 for configuring sending of notifications to connected devices. In this example, it is assumed that the communication apparatus is a smart phone.

[0070] The view 500 is an operating system view that enables a user of the smart phone to set specific settings for notifications 502 to connected devices. The view 500 shows a high-level view for enabling or disabling control of notifications 502. A block 504 illustrates that the controlling function is currently disabled. [0071] FIG. 5B illustrates another simplified view 506 for configuring sending of notifications to connected devices. Compared to the view 500, the user has now enabled the notification controlling function 504. After the enabling, the user may be provided with a list of possible connected devices. FIG. 5B shows some examples of possible connected devices: a health monitor 508, a smart watch 510, a car audio system 512, and an audio player 514. FIG. 5B also illustrates that a user may select an option 516 that applies to all connected devices.

[0072] FIG. 5C illustrates another simplified view 518 when the user has selected the

"apply to all" option 516 from the view 506. A text section 520 may provide indication of the selection path.

[0073] A variety of options may be provided for the user. FIG. 5C illustrates only some possible examples of them. At block 522 the user may specify applications that are allowed to receive notifications. At block 524 the user may specify times setting when notifications to the connected devices are enabled or disabled. At block 526 the user may specify filter data settings in order to block sending of notifications comprising the filter data to the connected devices. In the filter data settings, the user may be able to select one or more options among options provided by the operating system. Alternatively or additionally, the user may also be able to specify his own filter data, for example, keywords.

[0074] Although FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate some example views, the settings configurable by the user of the smart phone may take various forms not necessarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C.

[0075] When enabling notification settings in the operating system level, user friendly settings enable to control the amount of notifications sent to the connected device right from the trusted operating system settings of the communication apparatus. Further, a user is given the option to easily disable notifications right from the operating system of the smart phone rather than separately going to applications relating to the connected devices.

[0076] The functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components such as software components. According to an embodiment, the communication apparatus may comprise a processor configured by the program code when executed to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described. Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field- programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Program- specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program- specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

[0077] Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought. Also any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly disallowed.

[0078] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[0079] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item may refer to one or more of those items.

[0080] The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought.

[0081] The term "comprising" is used herein to mean including the method, blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

[0082] It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus (100) comprising:

a wireless transceiver (106) configured to communicate with a connected device (108); and

a communication driver (104) configured to control the wireless transceiver (106) and configured to:

receive from an operating system (102) of the communication apparatus (100) a notification intended to be sent to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106); and

control, based on control data from the operating system (102), whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106).

2. The communication apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the communication driver (104) is configured to:

receive the control data from the operating system (102), the control data comprising setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device (108); determine, based on the setting data comprised in the control data, whether the communication driver (104) is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108); block sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the determination; and

control the wireless transceiver (106) to send the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the determination.

3. The communication apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the communication driver (104) is configured to:

request control instructions from the operating system (102) whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) in response to the received notification;

receive the control instructions from the operating system (102) in response to the request; block sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the control instructions; and

control the wireless transceiver (106) to send the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the control instructions.

4. The communication apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the control data comprises at least one filter data, wherein the communication driver (104) is configured to:

determine whether the notification comprises the at least one filter data; and block the notification when the notification comprises the at least one filter data.

5. The communication apparatus (100) of claim 4, wherein the at least one filter data comprises data identifying an encryption or a decryption key.

6. The communication apparatus (100) of claim 4, wherein the at least one filter data comprises a predefined keyword.

7. The communication apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the control data is linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus (100).

8. The communication apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the control data is user-configurable.

9. The communication apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the communication driver (104) is configured to inform the operating system (102) when blocking the notification.

10. The communication apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the communication apparatus (100) is a user-operated apparatus.

11. The communication apparatus (100) of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the wireless transceiver (106) comprises one of the following:

a Bluetooth interface;

a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface; and

a near field communication (NFC) interface.

12. A method comprising:

receiving, by a communication driver (104) from an operating system (102) of a communication apparatus (100), a notification intended to be sent to a connected device (108) via a wireless transceiver (106) of the communication apparatus (100); and

controlling, by the communication driver (104), whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) based on control data from the operating system (102).

13. The method of claim 12, the method further comprises:

receiving the control data from the operating system (102), the control data comprising setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device (108);

determining, by the communication driver based on the setting data comprised in the control data, whether the communication driver is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108);

blocking, by the communication driver, sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the determination; and

controlling, by the communication driver (104), the wireless transceiver (106) to send the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the determination.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

requesting, by the communication driver (104), control data from the operating system (102) whether to block sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) in response to the received notification;

receiving, by the communication driver (104), the control data from the operating system (102) in response to the request, the control data comprising setting data for enabling or disabling sending of notifications to the connected device (108);

determining, by the communication driver (104) based on the setting data comprised in the control data, whether the communication driver (104) is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108); blocking sending of the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is not allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the determination; and

controlling the wireless transceiver (106) to send the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106) when the communication driver (104) is allowed to send the notification to the connected device (108) based on the determination.

15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the control data comprises at least one filter data, and the method further comprises:

determining, by the communication driver (104), whether the notification comprises the at least one filter data; and

blocking, by the communication driver (104), the notification when the notification comprises the at least one filter data.

16. A method comprising:

providing control data by an operating system (102) of a communication apparatus (100), the control data being associated with sending of a notification to a connected device (108) via a wireless transceiver (106); and

sending the control data to a communication driver (104) of the communication apparatus (100), the control data enabling or disabling the communication driver (104) to send the notification to the connected device (108) via the wireless transceiver (106).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the control data is linked to an operation mode of the communication apparatus (100).

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the control data is user-configurable.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium storing program code thereon, the program code comprising instructions for executing a method comprising:

receiving, by a communication driver (104) from an operating system (102) of a communication apparatus (100), a notification intended to be sent to a connected device (108) via a wireless transceiver (106); and

20. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium storing program code thereon, the program code comprising instructions for executing a method comprising: