Signaling system

• US 10,412,209 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2015
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Bron, Andries, Ypenburg, Renger
• Primary Examiner(s): Ayotunde, Ayodeji O
• Application Number:
  US15/314,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20180205814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,560 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID

Abstract

A signaling system comprises a user device, and a personal computing device separate from the user device and configured to inform a user about the user device based on information received by the personal computing device from a remote server. In accordance with the present invention, the user device has an indicator to alert the user to use the personal computing device to get information relating to the user device.

Claims

1. A signaling system comprising:

a user device including an indicator, the user device being configured to activate the indicator when a remote server has information relating to the user device; and

a personal computing device comprising a display, the personal computing device being separate from the user device and configured to inform a user about the user device via the display based on the information relating to the user device received by the personal computing device from the remote server;

wherein the indicator alerts the user to use the personal computing device to get the information relating to the user device from the remote server.

2. The signaling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal computing device is further configured to switch on the indicator of the user device when the remote server has the information relating to the user device.

3. The signaling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information is provided to the personal computing device in response to a communication sent by the user device to the remote server.

4. The signaling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user device is further configured to activate the indicator in order to trigger the user to establish a connection between the user device and the personal computing device.

5. The signaling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal computing device is a smartphone, a tablet or a PC.

11. The signaling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the user device is a domestic appliance.

12. The signaling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the user device is a personal care device.

15. The signaling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator of the user device comprises a visual signal, an audible signal or a tactile signal.

6. A user device comprising:

an indicator for alerting a user to use a personal computing device separate from the user device to get information relating to the user device, the information being received by the personal computing device from one of a memory or a remote server, and displayed via a display of the personal computing device; and

a communication unit configured to communicate with the remote server and/or with the personal computing device,

wherein the user device is configured to activate the indicator in response to a request from the remote server, or in response to a request from the personal computing device when the personal computing device is informed that the remote server has the information relating to the user device.

7. The user device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the indicator further triggers the user to establish a connection between the user device and the personal computing device.

16. The user device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the indicator comprises a visual display on the user device or an audible signal or a tactile signal output by the user device.

8. A method of providing information relating to a user device to a user through a personal computing device separate from the user device, the information being displayed on a display of the personal computing device, the method comprising:

receiving the information relating to the user device at the personal computing device from a memory in the personal computing device or from a remote server; and

communicating from the personal computing device to the user device to switch on an indicator of the user device to alert the user to view the information relating to the user device on the personal computing device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the personal computing device is a smartphone, a tablet or a PC.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a communication sent by the user device, wherein the information relating to the user device is received in response to the communication sent by the user device.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user device is a domestic appliance.

14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user device is a personal care device.