Communications: electrical – Tactual indication
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-27
2001-10-16
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Tactual indication
C340S007220, C340S870030, C310S081000, C379S373040, C455S567000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304170
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an alerting device for electronic equipment. It is particularly suitable for use in a portable radiotelephone to alert the user to an incoming call.
Traditionally, a portable radiotelephone or mobile station (MS) alerts the user to an event such as an incoming call or text message (SMS), through use of an audible tone. A great variety of tones are normally provided, allowing the user to customise his alert so that it can be easily identified from amongst other telephone alerts. ‘Incoming call’ herein includes an incoming message.
Such tones can, however, be intrusive and annoying to people in close proximity to the intended recipient. Currently available portable radiotelephones often come equipped with the option of a vibrating alert instead of, or as well as, the traditional audible alert. The vibrating alert causes the telephone to vibrate, and is designed to discreetly inform the user of an incoming call, if the telephone is, for instance, in the user's pocket. The vibrations can be sensed by the user without the need for an intrusive, audible tone.
The vibrating alert solution is not always appropriate, as the user must be in close physical contact with the telephone in order for the vibrations to be noticed. There are often situations in which the user will not be in physical contact with the telephone, but will wish to be alerted to an incoming call without disturbing others with an audible tone. For instance, a telephone may normally be kept in a handbag or a briefcase, where the volume of an audible tone may be disruptive, but a vibrating alert will be ineffective.
In addition to the aforementioned alerting methods, some telephones are equipped with a small light, such as an LED, which may alternatively, or additionally, be used to signal an incoming call. However, such an alert may not be noticed, unless the telephone is at all times clearly visible. It is especially easy to miss such an alert in a brightly lit environment.
Prior art techniques of notifying the user of an incoming call either require the telephone to produce an audible tone which may disturb others, vibrate, which requires the user to be in physical contact with the telephone, or activate an LED which is easily missed, unless the telephone is constantly within the user's field of vision.
Similar problems are encountered with other portable electronic equipment. For instance, portable electronic organisers or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are often equipped to alert the user in response to a pre-programmed diary reminder for instance. The audible alert can cause similar problems in this situation. ‘Portable computer’ will herein include laptop computers, PDAs, personal organisers, data capture devices and the like.
It is notable that many portable radiotelephones now include many of the features of portable computers.
It is desired to produce a portable electronic apparatus which may alert a user to an event, in a manner which avoids the above mentioned disadvantages.
It is particularly desired to produce a portable radiotelephone which may alert a user to an incoming call, in a manner which avoids the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having a first axis of rotation, comprising a surface upon which the apparatus may be supported, and a motor, said motor comprising a rotor shaft having a second axis of rotation, the motor being activated in order to alert a user of the apparatus to an event, wherein said motor is positioned within the apparatus such that the second axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, and activation of the motor produces a turning moment causing the apparatus to rotate about the first axis.
The information processing apparatus may be a portable radiotelephone. The telephone is made to spin about an axis when the internal motor is activated. The principle of conversation of angular momentum ensures that all moving parts can be kept internal to the telephone housing.
The event may be an incoming telephone call or message. A user of the telephone is thus made aware of the call without any intrusive and distracting audible alerts. Neither does he need to be in physical contact with the telephone.
The information processing apparatus may be a portable computer. Portable computers are often used to remind a user of an upcoming appointment, and can potentially distract others with such audible reminders. Portable computers adapted according to the invention can alert the user discreetly.
The apparatus may be made to rotate about an axis orthogonal to, or parallel to, the structure, e.g. a table, upon which it is resting. The axis is defined by the positioning within the apparatus of the rotor shaft of the motor. Angular momentum is a vector quantity, and so the rotation induced in the apparatus is in the same direction as the rotation of the rotor shaft.
The apparatus may rest upon any one of its suitable surfaces. It is preferable that the surface used is curved. This combines a small contact area with the supporting structure, with a pleasing look and feel.
Alternatively, or in addition, a surface may be provided with a projection upon which it may be made to rotate.
Rather than replacing an audible alert, the alert may be activated synchronous to such an audible alert. Thus, the apparatus will appear to rotate in time to the audible alert. With the various ring tones which are commonly provided with portable radiotelephones, the telephone may appear to ‘dance’ in time to the ring tone.
The motor may be a vibrator motor. Such a motor offers the additional benefit that the apparatus may additionally make use of a vibrating alert.
The motor may be operable in two opposing, i.e. forward and backward, directions. Apparatus so equipped may be made to oscillate about the axis of rotation.
It is an advantage of the present invention that a user of an apparatus according to the invention may be alerted to an event concerning the apparatus in a manner which is both easily noticeable, yet relatively nondisruptive to others.
It is a particular advantage of the present invention, that a user of a portable radiotelephone may be alerted to an incoming call in a manner which is both easily noticeable, yet relatively non-disruptive to others.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3911416 (1975-10-01), Feder
patent: 4707855 (1987-11-01), Pasinski et al.
patent: 4974392 (1990-12-01), Selinko
patent: 5327486 (1994-07-01), Wolff et al.
patent: 5439408 (1995-08-01), Wilkinson
patent: 5497506 (1996-03-01), Takeysu
patent: 5533920 (1996-07-01), Arad et al.
patent: 5642413 (1997-06-01), Little
patent: 5683284 (1997-11-01), Christen
patent: 5801466 (1998-09-01), Odagiri et al.
patent: 2765431 (1998-12-01), None
patent: 63272148 (1988-11-01), None
patent: 01103344 (1989-04-01), None
patent: 03013151 (1991-01-01), None
Armstrong Andrew
Mote Steve
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Goins Davetta W.
Lefkowitz Edward
Nokia Mobiles Phones Limited
LandOfFree
Alerting apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Alerting apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Alerting apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2603126