Alert muting method through indirect contact for portable devices

• US 20050018834A1
• Filed: 07/25/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William J. Furnas
• Original Assignee: William J. Furnas
• Inventors: Furnas, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/376.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a method for muting an alerting portable device such as a ringing cell phone or alarming PDA. Specifically where muting is activated in a means not requiring direct contact with the keys of the device. The indirect contact such as a hand pat or smack is detected within the device by a sensor such as a microphone or accelerometer. Control circuitry detects active indirect contact and then mutes the alert, and or does some other programmable operation.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising

means for receiving a call signal from a remote source,

an audible ring generator for activating a ring signal responsive to the receipt of the call signal,

deactivation means for turning off an activated ring signal, and

means for operating said deactivation means to turn of a ring signal by striking the communication device.

2. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein said means for operating said deactivation means to turn off a ring signal by striking the communication device comprises

signal generating means for generating a struck signal when the communication device is struck,

processing means for receiving a generated struck signal and producing a control signal, and

ringer control means for actuating said means for operating said deactivation means to turn of a ring signal by striking the communication device upon the receipt of a control signal.

3. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein said means for operating said deactivation means to turn off a ring signal by striking the communication device comprises

microphone means for receiving environmental noise,

signal generating means for generating a struck signal when the received environmental noise corresponds to noise resulting from the stiking of the communication device,

processing means for receiving a generated struck signal and producing a control signal, and

ringer control means for actuating said means for operating said deactivation means to turn of a ring signal by striking the communication device upon the receipt of a control signal.

4. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein

said communication device is a mobile phone.

5. A portable device comprising

an audible alert generator for activating an alert signal responsive to the user of some required action,

deactivation means for turning off an activated alert signal, and

means for operating said deactivation means to turn off the alert signal by striking the communication device.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said means for operating said deactivation means to turn off the alert signal by striking the device comprises

signal generating means for generating a struck signal when the device is struck,

processing means for receiving a generated struck signal and producing a control signal, and

alert control means for actuating said means for operating said deactivation means to turn off an alert signal by striking the device upon the receipt of a control signal.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said means for operating said deactivation means to turn off an alert signal by striking the device comprises

microphone means for receiving environmental noise,

signal generating means for generating a struck signal when the received environmental noise corresponds to noise resulting from the striking of the device,

processing means for receiving a generated struck signal and producing a control signal, and

alert control means for actuating said means for operating said deactivation means to turn off an alert signal by striking the device upon the receipt of a control signal.

8. A device according to claim 5, wherein the action taken after the contact has been detected is programmable.

9. A device according to claim 5, where there is a pattern of interaction from the user to select a programmable action by the device.

10. A device according to claim 5, wherein said communication device is a mobile phone.

11. A device according to claim 5, wherein said device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

12. A device according to claim 5, wherein said device is a personal mobile device.