Personal electronic device notification system

• US 6,424,251 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew T. Byrne
• Original Assignee: Matthew T. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Matthew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US09/709,844
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 340/311.1, 340/407.1, 340/825.19, 455/66, 455/96, 455/567
• US Class Current: 340/7.58
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls

Abstract

Systems and methods for alerting users of personal electronic devices are provided. In a first aspect of the invention, these systems and methods alert a user to the occurrence of an event in one or more of the devices by receiving a wireless transmission from the device(s) and then by providing an acoustic, optical, electrical, or mechanical stimulus to the user. In a second aspect of the invention, these systems and methods may also provide a quiet mode control mechanism through which personal electronic devices are automatically put into a low volume or silent alert operation mode so as not to disturb persons in the vicinity of the devices. This control mechanism may use a wireless transmitter to transmit a signal to any personal electronic device within a given area.

Claims

1. A personal electronic device control system comprising:

a control mechanism that at least periodically transmits a wireless control signal that covers a given area irrespective of an occurrence of an event; and

a personal electronic device that includes a receiver that receives the wireless control signal when the personal electronic device is in the given area, that enters a quiet mode in response to the wireless control signal being received, and in which the occurrence of the event takes place.

2. The personal electronic device control system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism transmits the wireless control signal as a radio frequency signal.

3. The personal electronic device control system of claim 1, wherein the personal electronic device vibrates when in the quiet mode.

4. The personal electronic device control system of claim 1, wherein the personal electronic device transmits a wireless signal to an alert mechanism when both in the quiet mode and an event occurs.

5. A method for controlling and alerting a user to an event in a personal electronic device, comprising:

transmitting a wireless control signal that covers a given area at least periodically irrespective of an occurrence of the event;

receiving the wireless control signal when the personal electronic device is in the given area;

putting the personal electronic device into a quiet mode when the wireless control signal is received;

transmitting a wireless alert signal when the event occurs in the personal electronic device;

receiving the wireless alert signal transmitted from the personal electronic device; and

alerting the user that the event has occurred when the wireless alert signal is received.