Portable device

• US 6,850,150 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ironworks Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Ronkainen, Sami
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shimizo, M
• Application Number:
  US09/717,862
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 340/7.58, 340/7.6, 340/7.61, 340/7.62, 340/825.19, 340/407.1, 340/407.2, 341/21, 379/52
• US Class Current: 340/7.58
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72475 specially adapted for disabled users
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method of giving the user information on the operation of a portable device, and a portable device. In the method, an event that concerns the operation of the device and interests the user is detected by the control means of the device. If at least one silent alarm pattern producing a tactile sensation in the user is attached to the event, the user is given abstract information on the operation of the device by using at least one silent alarm pattern implemented with the alarm device and sensed by the user. Various alarm patterns differ from one another such that at least one alarm pattern characteristic sensed by the user varies. The characteristic can be the alarm pattern frequency, amplitude, changing rate of the amplitude, changing rate of the frequency or duration of the alarm pattern. One way to perform a silent alarm is vibration. The user interface is particularly intended for users with impaired hearing and/or vision.

Claims

1. A portable device, comprising:

control means for monitoring and controlling the operation of the device;

and a user interface which comprises alarm means for performing a silent alarm producing a silent, invisible, tactile sensation in the user;

wherein the control means are arranged to give the user abstract information on multiple internal operational events of the device by using various alarm patterns of silent, invisible sensations produced by the alarm means and sensed by the user, the alarm patterns differing from one another such that at least one alarm pattern characteristic sensed by the user varies, said abstract information comprising a notification of a selected item on a menu of the user interface.

2. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm means are a vibrating alarm.

3. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the characteristic is frequency of the alarm pattern.

4. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the characteristic is amplitude of the alarm pattern.

5. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the characteristic is changing rate of the amplitude of the alarm pattern.

6. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the characteristic is changing rate of the frequency of the alarm pattern.

7. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the characteristic is duration of the alarm pattern.

8. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means are arranged to receive alarm pattern programming performed by the user utilizing the user interface.

9. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface is intended for users with impaired hearing and/or vision.

10. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device is a subscriber terminal in a telecommunication system.

11. A method of giving the user information on the operation of the device, which comprises:

an event that concerns the operation of the device and interests the user is detected with the control means of the portable device;

if at least one silent alarm pattern producing silent, invisible, tactile sensation in the user is attached to the event, the user is given abstract information on multiple internal operational events of the device by using at least one silent alarm pattern, produced by the alarm means and sensed by the user, the various alarm patterns differing from one another such that at least one alarm pattern characteristic sensed by the user varies, said abstract information comprising a notification of a selected item on the menu of the user interface.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the alarm means are a vibrating alarm.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the characteristic is frequency of the alarm pattern.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the characteristic is amplitude of the alarm pattern.

15. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the characteristic is changing rate of the alarm pattern amplitude.

16. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the characteristic is changing rate of the alarm pattern frequency.

17. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the characteristic is duration of the alarm pattern.

18. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control means receive alarm pattern programming performed by the user utilizing the user interface.

19. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface is intended for users with impaired hearing and/or vision.

20. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the portable device is a subscriber terminal in a telecommunication system.