Advisory alert of low signal strength for cell phone user
First Claim
1. In a cellular telephone having a keypad, a method of alerting a user to possible loss of a call due to low signal strength comprising:
- a. measuring incoming signal strength;
b. calculating changes in incoming signal strength;
c. comparing changes in incoming signal strength; and
d. providing an advisory alert to said user that indicates the possible loss of a call due to low signal strength when, during a designated time interval, the incoming signal strength decreased by a designated percentage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides an advisory alert indicating conditions are such that an ongoing telephone call involving a cellular telephone may be dropped due to insufficient signal strength. A decrease in signal strength over time that exceeds a specified percentage decrease provides the primary basis for triggering the advisory alert. This advisory alert warns one or more participants of the call of the possibility of the call ending due to low signal strength. The advisory alert provides for conclusion of the call before the call is lost, and/or lowers the frustration level associated with a call lost for an unknown reason. In operation, signal strength is assessed during a series of time intervals. Signal strength of consecutive time intervals is compared. If the percentage drop in signal strength exceeds a specified percentage, an advisory alert is effectuated. The criteria that trigger an advisory alert may be non-programmable, or is modifiable in programmable embodiments.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a cellular telephone having a keypad, a method of alerting a user to possible loss of a call due to low signal strength comprising:
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a. measuring incoming signal strength;
b. calculating changes in incoming signal strength;
c. comparing changes in incoming signal strength; and
d. providing an advisory alert to said user that indicates the possible loss of a call due to low signal strength when, during a designated time interval, the incoming signal strength decreased by a designated percentage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for providing an advisory alert that a telephone call involving a cellular telephone may be dropped due to low signal strength, comprising:
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a. a measurement component adapted to measure signal strength for each of a specified series of time intervals;
b. a calculation component adapted to calculate a percentage change in signal strength between two or more of said time intervals; and
c. a comparison component adapted to compare said percentage change to a percentage change criterion, operatively linked to an advisory alert generator to provide an advisory alert when said percentage change exceeds said percentage change criterion. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system for providing an advisory alert that a telephone call involving a cellular telephone may be dropped due to low signal strength, comprising:
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a. a means for measuring signal strength for each of a specified series of time intervals;
b. a means for calculating a percentage change in signal strength between two or more of said time intervals; and
c. a means for comparing said percentage change to a percentage change criterion, operatively linked to an advisory alert generator to provide an advisory alert when said percentage change exceeds said percentage change criterion. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A cellular telephone comprising an advisory alert system for potential lost calls due to low signal strength, comprising
a. a receiver comprising an earpiece, an earpiece speech processor, an earpiece demodulator, a filter, and a duplexer and an antenna shared with a transmitter; -
b. said transmitter comprising a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece speech processor, a mouthpiece modulator, an amplifier, and said duplexer and said antenna;
c. a user control interface comprising a display and a keypad comprising a number of separate keys;
d. a battery; and
e. a central processing unit comprising means for measuring signal strength for each of a specified series of time intervals, means for calculating a percentage change in signal strength between two or more of said time intervals, and means for comparing said percentage change to a percentage change criterion, operatively linked to an advisory alert generator to provide an advisory alert when said percentage change exceeds said percentage change criterion. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification