Mobile phone using tactile icons

• US 20020177471A1
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hemanus, Juha, Kaaresoja, Topi
• Granted Patent: US 6,963,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile phone or telecommunications terminal that sends and receives tactile icons (tactile sensation patterns, including vibration patterns) discernible by feel to a user of the mobile phone or terminal, indicative of a message desired to be communicated between users of such a mobile phone or terminal (not information concerning the operation of the mobile phone or terminal). The mobile phone or terminal includes a source of tactile sensations (such as a vibratory device) that produces a tactile sensation in response to control signals issued by a controller when a message including a tactile icon is received; the control signals are based on instructions included in the mobile phone or terminal on how to interpret a tactile sensation pattern. The source of tactile sensations is for example an eccentric electric motor, a source of puffs of air, an electric signal, a razor-type linear vibrator, a solenoid, or a piezoelectric material.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a) means (100) for producing a tactile sensation for a user of the apparatus in response to a control signal; and

b) a control means (106), responsive to a tactile sensation pattern signal and responsive to an instructions signal for instructing how to interpret a tactile sensation pattern, for providing the control signal;

wherein the tactile sensation is expressive of information intended to be communicated to the user of the apparatus and exclusive of information indicating a call is waiting to be answered.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means (140a) for providing the instructions on how to interpret a tactile sensation pattern.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising means (140b 140c 140d 140e) for creating a tactile sensation pattern and at least temporarily storing the tactile sensation.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the means (140b 140c 140d 140e) for creating a tactile sensation includes:

a) means (140b) for composing and editing a tactile sensation;

b) a data store (140e) for storing a plurality of tactile sensation patterns; and

c) means (140d) for selecting a tactile sensation pattern from the data store.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the means (140b 140c 140d 140e) for creating a tactile sensation includes:

a) means (140c) for downloading and editing a tactile sensation;

b) a data store (140e) for storing a plurality of tactile sensation patterns; and

c) means (140d) for selecting a tactile sensation pattern from the data store.

6. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the means (100) for producing a tactile sensation is selected from the group consisting of:

an eccentric electric motor, an intermittent source of air flow, an electric signal, a razor-type linear vibrator, a solenoid, a piezoelectric material, means for shaking a component of the apparatus, means for sliding back and forth a component of the apparatus, means for opening and closing a flip of the apparatus, and means for moving a sliding component back and forth.

7. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the means for producing a tactile sensation is electrically coupled to the control means but is physically attached to the user of the apparatus.

8. A wireless terminal including an apparatus as in claim 1.

9. A communication system including a base station and also including an wireless terminal as in claim 9.

10. A method for use by a wireless terminal, comprising:

a) a step (401), responsive to a tactile sensation pattern and responsive to instructions on how to interpret a tactile sensation pattern, of providing a control signal; and

b) a step (402), responsive to the control signal, of producing a tactile sensation sensible to a user of the mobile phone;

wherein the tactile sensation is expressive of information intended to be communicated to the user of the apparatus and exclusive of information indicating a call is waiting to be answered.