Electronic messenger

• US 20030107492A1
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Inventors: Lin, Yu-Chieh
• Granted Patent: US 6,961,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/691.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers

Abstract

An apparatus for taking an electronic message from a user and actively notifying a receiver is disclosed. The apparatus includes a message input device for receiving the electronic message from the user, a message storing device for storing the electronic message therein, a message playing device for playing the electronic message, a vibration detector for detecting a certain level of vibration, a controller electrically connected to the message input device, the message storing device, the message playing device and the vibration detector, and a case accommodating the message input device, the message storing device, the message playing device, the vibration detector and the controller therein. The vibration detector sends out a trigger signal in response to the vibration, and the controller allows the electronic message to be read out from the message storing device and played by the message playing device in response to the trigger signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for taking an electronic message from a user and actively notifying a receiver, comprising:

a message input device for receiving said electronic message from said user;

a message storing device for storing said electronic message therein;

a message playing device for playing said electronic message;

a vibration detector for detecting a certain level of vibration, and sending out a trigger signal in response to said vibration;

a controller electrically connected to said message input device, said message storing device, said message playing device and said vibration detector, and in response to said trigger signal, allowing said electronic message to be read out from said message storing device and played by said message playing device; and

a case accommodating said message input device, said message storing device, said message playing device, said vibration detector and said controller therein.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said message storing device is a memory device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said message input device includes at least one units selected from a group consisting of an image input device, a voice input device, a digital tablet and a touch panel.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said image input device is one selected from a group consisting of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said message playing device includes a liquid crystal display for presenting an image message selected from a group consisting of a designed pattern, a handwriting note, a photo picture and a motion picture.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said message input device is a touch panel integrated with said liquid crystal display, which allows said user to leave said electronic message by pointing one of predetermined selective items on said liquid crystal display.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said liquid crystal display is one selected from a group consisting of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, a color super twisted nematic liquid crystal display and a monochrome super twisted nematic liquid crystal display.

8. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said voice input device is a microphone.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said message playing device includes a speaker for presenting a voice message.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said controller is one selected from a group consisting of a digital signal processor (DSP) and an application specific IC (ASIC).

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vibration detector is one selected from a group consisting of a spring-type vibration detector and a mercury-type vibration detector.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a button for starting said controller to play said electronic message in response to a pressing operation of said receiver exerted thereon.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a timer electrically connected to said controller for playing said electronic message at a preset time point.

14. An apparatus for taking an electronic message from a user and actively notifying a receiver, comprising:

a message input device for receiving said electronic message from said user, and receiving a surrounding information in real time;

a message storing device for storing said electronic message therein;

a message playing device for playing said electronic message;

a controller electrically connected to said message input device, said message storing device and said message playing device, and in response to a change of said surrounding information exceeding a threshold level, allowing said electronic message to be read out from said message storing device and played by said message playing device; and

a case accommodating said message input device, said message storing device, said message playing device and said controller therein.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said message input device includes an image input device.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said image input device is one selected from a group consisting of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said message input device includes a voice input device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said voice input device is a microphone.

19. An apparatus for taking an electrical message from a user and active notifying a receiver, comprising:

a message input device for receiving said electronic message from said user;

a message storing device for storing said electronic message therein;

a message playing device for playing said electrical message;

a motion detector for detecting a movement of an environmental object, and sending out a trigger signal in response to a certain level of said movement;

a controller electrically connected to said message input device, said message storing device, said message playing device and said motion detector, and in response to said trigger signal, allowing said electronic message to be read out from said message storing device and played by said message playing device; and

a case accommodating said message input device, said message storing device, said message playing device, said motion detector and said controller therein.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said motion detector is an infrared-ray motion detector.