Alerting apparatus

• US 6,304,170 B1
• Filed: 10/27/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Incorporated (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Armstrong, Andrew, Mote, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/427,625
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407.1, 340/404.2, 340/390.1, 340/391.1, 340/825.36, 340/7.22, 310/81, 381/287, 381/490, 455/567, 455/90, 455/412, 455/575, 379/37, 379/41, 379/164, 379/179, 379/433, 379/373
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls

Abstract

An information processing apparatus with a first axis of rotation, including a surface upon which the information processing apparatus may be supported, and a motor. The motor has a rotor shaft with a second axis of rotation. The motor is activated to alert a user of the apparatus to an event. The motor is positioned within the information processing apparatus such that the second axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, and activation of the motor produces a turning moment, causing the information processing apparatus to rotate about the first axis. The information processing apparatus can be a portable radiotelephone or a portable computer.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a first axis of rotation, a surface upon which the information processing apparatus may be supported, and

a motor,

said motor comprising a rotor shaft having a second axis of rotation,

wherein said motor is activated in order to alert a user of the information processing apparatus to an event, wherein said motor is positioned within the information processing apparatus such that the second axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, and activation of the motor produces a turning moment causing the information processing apparatus to rotate about the first axis.

2. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable radiotelephone.

3. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the event is an incoming call or message.

4. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable computer.

5. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation is substantially orthogonal to a structure support the apparatus.

6. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation is substantially parallel to a structure supporting the information processing apparatus.

7. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface is curved.

8. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface is provided with a projection, about which rotation may occur.

9. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface is a lower surface of the information processing apparatus.

10. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer surface is a rear surface of the information processing apparatus.

11. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is activated synchronous to an audible alert.

12. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is a vibrator motor.

13. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is capable of operation in two opposing directions.