Method of monitoring a location and a mobile phone employing the same

• US 20040029557A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pugliese, Pierluigi
• Application Number:
  US10/391,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20040029557A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of monitoring a location and a mobile phone incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a sound at a monitoring location and determining if the sound is above a predetermined threshold. The method also includes sending a message to a location distal from the monitoring location if the sound is above the predetermined threshold. In a related but alternative embodiment, the mobile phone includes a detector configured to detect a sound and a discriminator configured to determine if the sound is above a predetermined threshold. The mobile phone also includes a transmitter configured to send a message to a location distal from the mobile phone if the sound is above the predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a location, comprising:

detecting a sound at a monitoring location;

determining if the sound is above a predetermined threshold; and

sending a message to a location distal from the monitoring location if the sound is above the predetermined threshold.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising storing destination numbers to send the message.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising sending a request for notification of delivery of the message.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising resending the message if a predetermined time period has lapsed.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the message is selected from the group consisting of:

a Short Message Service (SMS) message,

a fax message, and

a voice message.

6. A mobile phone, comprising:

a detector configured to detect a sound;

a discriminator configured to determine if the sound is above a predetermined threshold; and

a transmitter configured to send a message to a location distal from the mobile phone if the sound is above the predetermined threshold.

7. The mobile phone as recited in claim 6 further comprising memory configured to store destination numbers to send the message.

8. The mobile phone as recited in claim 6 wherein the transmitter is configured to send a request for notification of delivery of the message.

9. The mobile phone as recited in claim 6 wherein the transmitter is configured to resend the message if a predetermined time period has lapsed.

10. The mobile phone as recited in claim 6 wherein the message is selected from the group consisting of:

a Short Message Service (SMS) message,

a fax message, and

a voice message.

11. The mobile phone as recited in claim 6 wherein the detector comprises a microphone.

12. The mobile phone as recited in claim 6 wherein the transmitter is configured to send the message to a receiver located distal from the mobile phone via a radio network.

13. A mobile phone comprising:

means for detecting a sound;

means for discriminating that determines when the sound is above a predetermined threshold value; and

means for sending that sends a message to a location distal from the mobile phone if the sound is above the predetermined threshold.

14. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 further comprising means for storing that stores destination numbers to send the message.

15. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for sending sends a request for notification of delivery of the message.

16. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for sending resends the message if a predetermined time period has lapsed.

17. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 wherein the message is selected from the group consisting of:

a Short Message Service (SMS) message,

a fax message, and

a voice message.

18. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for detecting comprises a microphone.

19. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for sending sends the message to a receiver located distal from the mobile phone via a radio network.

20. The mobile phone as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for discriminating is embodied in a digital signal processor.