Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-16
2001-10-16
Hunter, Daniel (Department: 2744)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S550100, C455S090300, C340S007570, C340S007580, C340S007590, C379S433020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304765
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to foldable communication devices such as mobile phones or two-way radios with alerts to alert users to communication calls for such devices. In particular, this invention relates to foldable communication devices with two-part housings that are movable to automatically reduce volume of audible alerts when communication calls are received.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Communication devices, such as mobile phones or two-way radios, are known to have alerts to alert a user to a communication call. These alerts can be audible, tactile, visual alerts or a combination of such alerts. Conventionally, alerts can be selected for a communication device according to a user's preferences. Once selected, the alerts are then provided in response to communication calls addressing the device.
Audible alerts can be annoying and disruptive to people attending, for example, meetings or classes. Although tactile or visual alerts are possible alternatives, such tactile or visual alerts are not effective when a user cannot sense them. For example, tactile or visual alerts are generally ineffective if, for example, a mobile phone with these alerts is placed out of the user's sight or feel such as in a handbag. Consequently, audible alerts are sometimes preferred and the user will quickly answer a communication call to avoid the audible alerts annoying others.
In some communication devices, an electronic display is enclosed within folded or covered portions of a housing. Users of such devices have to unfold or uncover such portions in order to answer communication calls. To shorten a time duration in which it takes the user to answer a communication call, unfolding or uncovering the portions to thereby reveal the display automatically connect the user to a calling party. However, there are times when the user wants to review indicia displayed on the display and identify the calling party before answering a communication call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a foldable communication device comprising:
a housing having at least two portions pivotably mounted to each other to allow relative movement therebetween;
a transceiver housed in said housing;
an alert transducer associated with said transceiver;
a controller coupled to said transducer,
wherein, in use, said transducer provides an audible alert having a predetermined volume when a communication call for said device is received by said transceiver and wherein, in response to said relative movement, said volume of said audible alert is reduced without said communication call being answered.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method to control an audible alert of a foldable communication device, said device having a housing with two portions pivotably mounted to each other, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving an alert request in response to reception of a communication call for said device;
determining respective positions of said portions based on relative movement of said portions, said positions being a closed position and an open position; and
controlling, in response to said step of determining, a predetermined volume of an audible alert without said communication call being answered.
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Cosgrove Steven John
Lim Kim Hock
Collopy Daniel R.
Hunter Daniel
Le Lana
Motorola Inc.
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