Electronic apparatus capable of automatically switching notification devices

• US 6,195,571 B1
• Filed: 07/31/1997
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Osuge, Michihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gesesse, Tilahun
• Application Number:
  US08/904,310
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 455/567, 455/575, 455/90, 455/550, 455/351, 455/346, 340/825.48, 340/825.44, 340/825.46
• US Class Current: 340/7.58
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

An electronic apparatus of the present invention and capable of automatically replacing notification means includes a vibrator (7). On the receipt of a radio signal, the vibrator 7 notifies the user of the apparatus to an incoming call first. A vibration detector (12) detects the vibration of the body of the apparatus, transforms it to an electric signal, and sends the electric signal to a vibration decision circuit (10) via an low pass filter (LPF) 11. In response, the decision circuit (10) determines whether or not the user is performing any motion. A timer (8) counts a preselected period of time based on a basic clock output from a clock generator (9). When the user does not press an answer button (5) even after the notification and when the decision circuit (10) does not detect vibration ascribable to the user'"'"'s notion within the period of time counted by the timer (8), an call incoming and notifying control circuit (4) replaces the notification using the vibrator (7) with a notification using a buzzer 6. If the user is determined to be moving, the call incoming and notify controller 4 resets a timer 8 to its initial value and causes it to start counting again.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

first notification means using vibration for notifying users;

second notification means using sound for notifying users;

first counting means for counting a first preselected period of time;

reaction detecting means for detecting a user'"'"'s reaction to a notification;

movement detecting means for detecting movement of a user; and

switching means for automatically switching said first and second notification means in accordance with outputs of said reaction detecting means and said movement detecting means appearing within said first period of time,

wherein said movement detecting means comprises;

a vibration detector for detecting vibration;

an LPF for removing vibration caused by said first notification means from an output of said vibration detector; and

a vibration detection circuit for identifying the extraneous vibration out of an output of said LPF.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s reaction comprises a press of an answer button provided on said apparatus.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second notification means are responsive to a call incoming.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a radio communication apparatus.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a radio pager.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching means automatically replaces said first notification means with said second notification means when said reaction detecting means does not detect a user'"'"'s reaction within said first period of time counted by said counting means.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching means automatically replaces said first notification means with said second notification means when said movement detecting means does not detect an extraneous vibration other then vibration caused by said first notification means within said first period of time counted by said counting means.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching means automatically replaces said first notification means with said second notification means when said reaction detecting means does not detect a user'"'"'s reaction and said movement detecting means does not detect extraneous vibration within said first period of time counted by said counting means.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

second counting means for counting a second preselected period of time longer than said first period of time.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said switching means automatically replaces said first notification means with said second notification means when said reaction detecting means does not detect a user'"'"'s reaction within said second period of time counted by said second counting means.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said movement detecting means detects movement of a user by detecting an extraneous vibration other than vibration caused by said first notification means, and

wherein said switching means automatically replaces said first notification means with said second notification means when said movement detecting means detects the extraneous vibration within said second period of time counted by said second counting means.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said movement detecting means detects movement of a user by detecting an extraneous vibration other than vibration caused by said first notification means, and

wherein said switching means automatically replaces said first notification means with said second notification means when said reaction detecting means does not detect the user'"'"'s reaction, but said movement detecting means detects the extraneous vibration, within said second period of time counted by said second counting means.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an answering means for answering in response to either said first notification means or second notification means, and wherein said switching means for automatically switching also switches said first and second notification means in response activation or non activation of said answering means within said second period of time.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

control means for expanding a time to switch said notification means in case said movement detecting means detects movement of said user.

15. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a vibrator for notifying users;

a buzzer for notifying users;

a first timer for counting a first preselected period of time;

an answer button for detecting a user'"'"'s reaction to a notification;

a movement detector which detects movement of a user; and

switching means for automatically switching a notification using said vibrator and a notification using said buzzer on a basis of whether or not said answer button is pressed within said preselected period of time and whether or not said movement detector detects movement of said user within said preselected period of time,

wherein said movement detector includes;

a vibration detector which detects vibration;

an LPF for removing vibration caused by said vibrator from an output of said vibration detector; and

a vibration decision circuit which identifies extraneous vibration other than vibration caused by said vibrator out of an output of said LPF.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, comprising:

a second timer for counting a second preselected period of time longer than said first period of time.

17. A method of controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising the steps of:

receiving a radio signal;

causing first notification means to notify a user of said apparatus to an incoming call;

counting a first preselected period of time;

determining whether or not an answer button is pressed;

determining whether or not movement of a user is present; and

replacing said first notification means with second notification means when said answer button is not pressed and when movement of a user is not detected within said first preselected period of time,

wherein said step of determining whether or not movement of said user is present includes;

detecting vibration;

generating a first signal based on said vibration; and

generating a second signal by removing a portion of said first signal corresponding to vibration caused by said first notification means, said second signal identifying extraneous vibration other than vibration caused by said first notification means.

18. A method of controlling an electronic apparatus comprising the steps of:

receiving a radio signal;

causing first notification means to notify a user of said apparatus to a call incoming;

counting a first preselected period of time;

counting a second preselected period of time longer than said first period of time;

determining whether or not an answer button is pressed;

determining whether or not movement of a user is present; and

replacing said first notification means with second notification means when said answer button is not pressed and when movement of a user is not detected within said second period of time,

wherein said step of determining whether or not movement of said user is present includes;

detecting vibration;

generating a first signal based on said vibration; and

generating a second signal by removing a portion of said first signal corresponding to vibration caused by said first notification means, said second signal identifying extraneous vibration other than vibration caused by said first notification means.