One of my favourite New Scientist columns is where Barry Fox looks at old and new patents. This week, as well as looking at those wands they wave over you at airports, which transform to deliver a knock out electricity voltage if they "sniff" explosives on you, he featured a 2003 Sony Ericsson patent on Themes.

Themes, as we know, are the look and feel of a phone’s design and navigation, as well as the sound effects associated with it.You can download a plethora of amateur and professional ones at places like Esato, a hangout and information portal for SE enthusiasts and similar sites are available for Nokiaistas, Samsungers etc The picture gives an example from Mobile 9.

The patent covers how these themes might change automatically according to the time, place or date.

As an example, your phone might change from an austere, slick design for work, to grooved up, love boat when you’re out partying. All without you needing to do anything.

Or you get a screen full of gnomes, goblins and witches on Harry Potter’s birthday.

Or your ringtone might change to a bagpipe medley when you travel to Scotland, which on first thoughts, would be just very annoying indeed. Or, more useful perhaps, going into a church or theatre could automatically switch your phone to silent mode.

This is an interesting use of location, as well as time, and could well form the basis of a nice little earner for someone. I can see it really appealing to the youth sector. Especially if you got a new look and feel everyday, perhaps along ideas you choose, such as Hip Hop, or Fashion Victim.

Except, you’d probably be infringing the patent. Damn.

Anyone think up any other interesting ideas for this?