Cellular alert device

• US 20080014900A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doug L. Rich, Jason R. Maxwell, Vance Finch
• Original Assignee: Doug L. Rich, Jason R. Maxwell, Vance Finch
• Inventors: Maxwell, Jason R., Finch, Vance, Rich, Doug L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like

Abstract

A cellular alert device according to the present invention notifies a user that a cellular call is being received by an associated cellular telephone even when the alert device is not in close proximity or in data communication with the associated telephone. The cellular alert device includes a receiver for acquiring the same cellular paging signal that is also received by an associated cellular telephone. The alert device also includes a processor and an alarm such that the processor actuates the alarm when the receiver acquires a paging signal that is the same as that received by the associated telephone. The alert device and telephone are “associated” in that they both have the same mobile identification code.

Claims

1. A cellular alert device for use with a cellular telephone, said alert device comprising:

a receiver for acquiring a cellular transmission;

an alarm; and

a processor in communication with said receiver and said alarm to actuate said alarm when said receiver acquires the cellular transmission.

2. The alert device as in claim 1, wherein:

the telephone includes a mobile identification number;

said processor includes a mobile identification number equivalent to the mobile identification number of the telephone; and

the cellular transmission is a paging signal.

3. The alert device as in claim 1, wherein:

said alert device does not include a transmitter; and

said alert device operates independently of the cellular telephone.

4. The alert device as in claim 1, further comprising a power source in electrical communication with said receiver, said alarm, and said processor.

5. The alert device as in claim 1, wherein said alarm is selected from the group consisting of a visual alarm, an audible alarm, and a tactile alarm.

6. The alert device as in claim 1, wherein said alarm includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of a display, a speaker, and a vibrator.

7. The alert device as in claim 1, wherein said receiver, said alarm, and said processor are situated inside a housing.

8. The alert device as in claim 7, further including means for attaching said housing to a user.

9. The alert device as in claim 1, wherein:

the telephone includes a mobile identification number;

said processor has a mobile identification number equivalent to the mobile identification number of the telephone;

the cellular transmission is a paging signal;

a power source is in electrical communication with said receiver, said alarm, and said processor;

said alarm includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of a display, a speaker, and a vibrator.

10. The alert device as in claim 9, wherein:

said alert device does not include a transmitter; and

said alert device is not in communication with the cellular telephone.

11. The alert device as in claim 10, further comprising:

a housing containing said receiver, said alarm, and said processor; and

means for attaching said housing to a user.

12. A cellular alert device for notifying a user of an incoming telephone call being received on an associated cellular telephone independently of the telephone, said alert device comprising:

a receiver for acquiring a cellular transmission also received by the telephone;

an alarm; and

a processor in communication with said receiver and said alarm to actuate said alarm when said receiver acquires the cellular transmission.

13. The cellular alert device as in claim 12, wherein said receiver and the telephone are capable of acquiring the cellular transmission substantially simultaneously and independently.

14. The cellular alert device as in claim 12, wherein:

the telephone has a mobile identification number;

said processor has a mobile identification number equivalent to the mobile identification number of the telephone; and

the cellular transmission is a paging signal.

15. The cellular alert device as in claim 14, wherein:

said alarm includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of a display, a speaker, and a vibrator;

a power source is in electrical communication with said receiver, said alarm, and said processor; and

said alert device does not include a transmitter.

16. A cellular communications system, comprising:

a stationary unit having;

a stationary transmitter for transmitting paging signals to notify of incoming calls and incoming communications signals to provide incoming communications;

a stationary receiver for receiving outgoing communications signals; and

a stationary processor in data communication with said stationary transmitter and said stationary receiver for actuating said stationary transmitter to transmit at least one said incoming communications signal after said stationary receiver receives at least one said outgoing communications signal;

a telephone having;

a telephone receiver for acquiring at least one said paging signal and at least one said incoming communications signal;

a telephone transmitter for transmitting at least one said outgoing communications signal; and

a telephone processor in data communication with said telephone receiver and said telephone transmitter for actuating said telephone transmitter to transmit at least one said outgoing communications signal after said telephone receiver receives at least one said paging signal;

an alert device separate from said telephone, said alert device having;

an alert receiver for acquiring said at least one paging signal acquired by said telephone receiver;

an alarm; and

an alert processor in communication with said alert receiver and said alarm for actuating said alarm when said alert receiver acquires said at least one paging signal acquired by said telephone receiver.

17. The system as in claim 16, wherein said alert device is not in direct data communication with said telephone.

18. The system as in claim 16, wherein said telephone and said alert device respectively acquire said at least one paging signal acquired by said telephone receiver substantially simultaneously.

19. The system as in claim 16, wherein:

said paging signals respectively include at least one item selected from the group consisting of caller identification data and time data; and

said alert device includes a display for displaying said at least one item included in said paging signals.

20. The system as in claim 16, wherein:

said telephone has a mobile identification number to associate said telephone with a predetermined said paging signal; and

said alert device has a mobile identification number equivalent to the mobile identification number of said telephone to associate said alert device with said predetermined paging signal associated with said telephone.