Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specified indicator structure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-28
2003-04-15
Pham, Toan (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specified indicator structure
C340S565000, C340S384100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06549142
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to providing, in a physical environment, audio alerts in respect of categorised events to be reported.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide an audible alert at a user's PC of the receipt of new e-mail in the user's e-mailbox inbox. It is also known from JP 9081176 to automatically announce messages when a person enters a porch or a room. The advantage of such techniques is that the user is informed without having to look in any particular direction and without having specifically asked if a message has been received.
It is an object of the present invention to extend and improve the usefulness of audio alerts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing, in a physical environment, audio alerts in respect of categorised events to be reported; the method involving the steps of:
(a) detecting a person crossing a boundary of a space of the environment;
(b) no later than immediately following the detection of the person in step (a), determining what categories of events that are to be reported, have occurred;
(c) selecting from a set of predetermined audio signatures that each corresponds to a different possible category of event, the signature or signatures appropriate for the event categories determined in step (b); and
(d) outputting, within the hearing of the person detected in step (a), the signatures selected in step (c).
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing, in a physical environment, audio alerts in respect of categorised events to be reported; the apparatus comprising:
a sensor arrangement for detecting a person crossing a boundary of a space of the environment;
a processing subsystem comprising:
first means operative, no later than immediately following the detection of a person crossing a boundary by the sensor arrangement, to determine what categories of events that are to be reported, have occurred; and
second means for selecting from a set of predetermined audio signatures that each corresponds to a different possible category of event, the signature or signatures appropriate for the event categories determined by the first means;
an audio output arrangement for outputting, within the hearing of the person detected by the sensor arrangement, the signatures selected by the second means of the processing subsystem either simultaneously or sequentially.
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Mynatt, Elizabeth D., et al., “Designing Audio Aura,” Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. JP9081176 “Message Information Arrangement Device”.
Abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. JP8077462 “Operation State Notifying Device Using Sound”.
Hinde Stephen John
Sadler Martin
Thomas Andrew
Hewlett--Packard Company
Pham Toan
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