System and Method for Alerting a User on an External Device of Notifications or Alerts Originating from a Network-Connected Device

• US 20130040610A1
• Filed: 11/25/2010
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Migicovsky, Eric B., Bennett, Jonathan V., Snider, Cory D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,560,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1867 Arrangements specially adapted for the transmitter end
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724095 Worn on the wrist, hand or arm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72484 wherein functions are triggered by incoming communication events
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 : Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Users are experiencing an increasing number of alerts and notifications on their mobile devices. When it is inconvenient or not possible to view the network-connected device, an accessory can be used to save time and avoid missing notifications. A system comprising a network-connected device and an accessory are provided to address these problems. The accessory is capable of notifying the user of alerts from the network-connected device, allowing the user to quickly be advised of alerts without needing to first interact with the network-connected device. The system includes a method to selectively filter alerts so as to avoid unnecessarily interrupting the user in cases where the network device is inaccessible. The system is also capable of pushing new interface designs and themes from the network device to the accessory to alter the appearance and configuration of its display.

Claims

1. A method of communicating alerts or notifications originating from a network or a network connected device to an external device to enable the external device to provide the alerts or notifications, the method comprising:

detecting an alert or notification on the network connected device;

sending data from the network connected device which is associated with the alert or notification;

determining if an acknowledgement of receipt of the data has been sent by the external device; and

if the acknowledgement is not received by the network connected device, storing the data for subsequent transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adding the data to a queue and re-sending the data.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining whether or not to send the data according to one or more filtering parameters and, if the data is not to be sent, storing the data for subsequent transmission.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data comprises a message corresponding to a communication handled by the network connected device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data is indicative of the alert or notification.

36. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that when executed by a computing device perform the method according to claim 1.

37. A system comprising one or more of a network connected device and an external device, the system being configured to perform the method according to claim 1.

6. A method of an external device receiving alerts or notifications originating from a network or a network connected device to enable the external device to provide the alerts or notifications, the method comprising:

detecting a wireless signal using a wireless antenna;

receiving data from the network connected device, the data being associated with a particular alert or notification;

returning an acknowledgement to the network connected device to confirm a successful transfer of the data; and

providing the data on the external device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the external device is configured to sample the wireless radio frequency spectrum periodically and without user intervention to receive new data from the network connected device.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the data comprises a message corresponding to a communication handled by the network connected device.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the data is indicative of the alert or notification.

38. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that when executed by a computing device perform the method according to claim 6.

39. A system comprising one or more of a network connected device and an external device, the system being configured to perform the method according to claim 6.

10-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A method of an external device obtaining a new interface from a network connected device to enable the external device to utilize the new interface, the method comprising:

the external device receiving new data from the network connected device, the new data comprising any one or more of an new interface display, and a setting that has changed from a present setting to a new setting;

the external device storing the new data in a memory; and

the external device updating a display to reflect the new interface, the new setting, or both.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the external device is configured to sample the wireless radio frequency spectrum periodically and without user intervention to receive new data from the network device.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the external device verifying the integrity of the new data.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein if the integrity of the new data cannot be verified, generating an error message.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the external device transferring the new data to internal memory.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the setting is associated with configuration settings or configuration applications running on the network connected device.

40. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that when executed by a computing device perform the method according to claim 15.

41. A system comprising one or more of a network connected device and an external device, the system being configured to perform the method according to claim 15.

21-35. -35. (canceled)