Remote alerting unit for signaling users

• US 20050159190A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dowling, Martin J.
• Application Number:
  US10/736,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20050159190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1325 Priority service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 Call screening

Abstract

A remote alerting device provides a user of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) with communications related to cellphone or other WTRU functions. This allows the user to respond and otherwise interact with the WTRU in a manner which enhances convenience and avoids disturbing others. In one configuration, the remote unit receives ring signals from calls which are identified as high priority, and provides the user with a vibratory signal corresponding to the ring. This permits the user to interact with the WTRU without having to physically access the WTRU.

Claims

1. A silent alerting system comprising:

a wearable device comprising;

a vibrator;

a receiver that activates the vibrator upon receiving a predetermined signal;

a power supply that powers the vibrator and receiver; and

a communication device comprising;

a mechanism to link to a wireless network;

a screening mechanism to accept a call of a predetermined classification; and

a mechanism to silence said communication device, record a message, and send the predetermined signal to said receiver upon receipt of said accepted call of a predetermined classification.

2. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a communications transceiver to communicate with a wireless network in accordance with network protocols;

a local radio link transmitter, receivable by a remote signaling unit, for providing a user with an indication of an incoming call;

circuitry to discriminate between classes of incoming calls and assign priorities to the classes; and

circuitry to transmit data through the local radio link transmitter concerning calls in accordance with at least one assigned priority.

3. The WTRU of claim 2 further comprising the WTRU using a caller response in said discrimination between classes of incoming calls.

4. The WTRU of claim 2 further comprising the local radio link transmitter further providing caller identification data for display on the remote signaling unit.

5. The WTRU of claim 2 further comprising the local radio link transmitter provided as part of a transceiver, thereby permitting the user to communicate through the WTRU by use of the local radio link.

6. The WTRU of claim 2 further comprising:

the WTRU including a circuit which uses a caller response in said discrimination between classes of incoming calls; and

the WTRU using CLID data in said discrimination between classes of incoming calls.

7. The WTRU of claim 2 further comprising:

the local radio transmitter provided a transceiver for providing communication with one or more remote communication units; and

circuitry to transmit data through the local radio link transceiver concerning calls, and to communicate with at least one of the remote communication units, thereby providing simultaneous communication between a wireless network connection and plural ones of the remote communication units.

8. A wearable device comprising:

a receiver to receive and respond to transmissions from a local wireless phone when said phone is called;

a vibrator that is actuated when said receiver receives said transmission; and

a battery to power said receiver and said vibrator,

whereby a user is alerted by said vibrator when said phone is called.

9. The wearable device of claim 8 additionally comprising a means to attach said wearable device in such a way as to maintain it in contact with said user'"'"'s body.

10. The wearable device of claim 8 additionally comprising a means to keep said wearable device in contact with said user'"'"'s wrist.

11. The wearable device of claim 8 further comprising an alpha-numeric display, whereby the caller'"'"'s ID can be displayed.

12. The wearable device of claim 8 further comprising:

an alpha-numeric display, whereby the caller'"'"'s ID can be displayed; and

a menu function control in communication with the local wireless phone; and

a two-way voice communications capability with the local wireless phone, thereby permitting a user to communicate through the local wireless phone by use of the wearable device.

13. The wearable device of claim 8 further comprising:

an alpha-numeric display, whereby the caller'"'"'s ID can be displayed; and

a menu function control in communication with the local wireless phone; and

a two-way voice communications capability with the local wireless phone using a shared channel, thereby permitting one or more users to simultaneously communicate through the local wireless phone by use of the wearable device.

14. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a communications transceiver to communicate with a wireless network in accordance with network protocols;

a local radio link transceiver for communication with at least one remote communication units;

circuitry to transmit data through the local radio link transceiver concerning calls, and to communicate with the at least one remote communication units.

15. A method for providing notifications to a user comprising:

using a wireless electronic device to determine a notification event; and

wirelessly transmitting a local signal in response to the determined notification event.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising providing a receiver capable of providing the user with a vibration signal and able to receive said local signal, thereby providing the notification signal.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising:

classifying at least one group of calls received from a communications system as higher priority calls; and

only providing the local signal in response to receiving said higher priority calls.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

classifying a second priority calls;

providing at least one additional user notification signal in response to receiving the second priority calls.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the classifying of the high and second priority calls utilizes a database on the communications transceiver.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the classifying of the high and second priority calls utilizes a database on a radio network.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the classifying of the high and second priority calls utilizes a response to a query, the query made to an operator making the call.