Motion activated communication device

• US 7,102,485 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2001
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gene Williams
• Original Assignee: Gene Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US09/851,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20020167392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,946 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.17, 379/74, 379/80, 379/88.04, 379/100.08, 367/197, 367/198, 367/199, 340/3.3, 704/273, 704/275, 704/246
• US Class Current: 340/3.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/652 Means for playing back the recorded messages by remote control over a telephone line H04M1/658 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Abstract

A motion activated, voice control communications device interactive with voice mail systems and electronic mail systems and effective as a stand-alone unit. In general, when a motion detector detects motion in the vicinity of the device, a microprocessor receives input therefrom to initiate a software command to check for messages. If messages are present, the device provides an audible report stating the number of messages waiting and provides a list of voice commands by which the user may initiate the next action, which may include review, erase or skip message or end session. The presently described communications device can be used in conjunction with voice messaging platforms or electronic messaging systems via a personal computer.

Claims

1. A communication system for managing messages, comprising:

means for retrievably storing at least one message on-board;

means for retrieving said at least one message;

means for transmitting said at least one message to a user;

at least one motion detector for detecting motion within a selected range of said communication system, wherein said means for retrievably storing said message, said means for retrieving said message and said means for transmitting said message to a user are in communication with said at least one motion detector, wherein said at least one motion detector transmits a signal upon detection of motion within said selected range of said communication system and activates said means for transmitting said at least one message, wherein upon activation, said means for transmitting said at least one message transmits a message status statement to the user, wherein said means for transmitting said at least one message requires a direct order to perform a task, said direct order selected from a group of orders comprising play, erase, save, repeat, forward, reply, datestamp, playback, stop, and delete, wherein a voice control system receives, recognizes and interprets each said direct order from the user irrespective of the sequence, and directs a microprocessor in accordance with a task objective of each said direct order, and

a timer apparatus, wherein operation of said at least one motion detector may be prevented by said timer apparatus.

2. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein said at least one motion detector is an infrared radiation detector.

3. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein said at least one motion detector is an optical system.

4. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor utilizes a software programmed vocabulary to execute said task objective of each said direct order.

5. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein a message to be delivered to a user may, at the direction of the message creator, be stored for retrieval at a designated date.

6. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein said means for retrievably storing at least one message is a recording unit, said recording unit enabling receipt, storage and playback of a plurality of messages;

and wherein said means for retrieving said at least one message and said means for transmitting said at least one message to a user comprise said microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor receives said direct orders from a voice control system, said voice control system having a microphone and said voice control system enabling the user to verbally command said microprocessor;

a speaker, wherein said speaker is activated by said microprocessor in response to said signal from said at least one motion detector, wherein said speaker audibly announces information regarding status and operation of said recording unit, and wherein said speaker is responsive to said microprocessor via said voice control system and audibly communicates each message of said plurality of messages received and stored by said recording unit and selected for playback; and

a message monitoring means.

7. The communication system for managing messages of claim 6, wherein said message monitoring means is an event counter, wherein said event counter increases by an incremental unit for each said message of said plurality of messages received and stored by said recording unit, and wherein said event counter decreases by said incremental unit for each said message of said plurality of messages deleted from said plurality of messages received and stored by said recording unit.

8. The communication system for managing messages of claim 7, wherein said voice control system, said recording unit, said microprocessor, said speaker and said event counter are carried within a housing unit.

9. The communication system for managing messages of claim 6, wherein said recording unit receives each said message of said plurality of messages at least from incoming telephone messages.

10. The communication system for managing messages of claim 6, wherein said recording unit receives each said message of said plurality of messages at least from said microphone.

11. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein said means for retrieving said message and said means for transmitting said message to a user comprise a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor receives said signal from said at least one motion detector, wherein said microprocessor includes communication software for controlling communications in a telephone system, and wherein said microprocessor receives commands from a voice control system, said voice control system having a microphone and said voice control system enabling a user to verbally command said microprocessor;

a speaker, wherein said speaker is activated by said microprocessor in response to said signal from said at least one motion detector, wherein said speaker audibly announces information regarding status and operation of a voice mail system, and wherein said speaker is responsive to said microprocessor via said voice control system and audibly communicates each message of said plurality of messages received and stored by the voice mail system; and

a message monitoring means, wherein said message monitoring means responds to an audible indicator of the voice mail system to indicate the presence of at least one message received and stored by the voice mail system, and

wherein said means for retrievably storing a message is a voice mail systems interface, said voice mail systems interface enabling said microprocessor to utilize an external telephone line to access and operate the voice mail system.

12. The communication system for managing messages of claim 11, wherein said microprocessor converts said commands received from said voice control system into corresponding tone frequencies of a telephone keypad.

13. The communication system for managing messages of claim 1, wherein said means for retrieving said message and said means for transmitting said message to a user comprise a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor receives said signal from said at least one motion detector and wherein said microprocessor receives commands from a voice control system, said voice control system having a microphone and said voice control system enabling a user to verbally command said microprocessor;

a speaker, wherein said speaker is activated by said microprocessor in response to said signal from said at least one motion detector, wherein said speaker audibly announces information regarding status and operation of an electronic mail system, and wherein said speaker is responsive to said microprocessor via said voice control system and audibly communicates each message of said plurality of messages received and stored by the electronic mail system; and

a message monitoring means, wherein said message monitoring means responds to an indicator of the electronic mail system to indicate the presence of at least one message received and stored by the electronic mail system, and

wherein said means for retrievably storing a message is a computer unit interface, said computer unit interface enabling said microprocessor to access and operate the electronic mail system.

14. The communication system for managing messages of claim 13, wherein said microprocessor includes software enabling said microprocessor to direct the electronic mail system via said computer unit interface, wherein said verbal commands from said voice control system are utilized for operative control of a computer unit.

15. The communication system for managing messages of claim 14, wherein said verbal commands from said voice control system are substituted for manipulation of a pointing device for control of motion of a cursor on a computer display and are utilized for operative control of the computer unit.

16. The communication system for managing messages of claim 13, further comprising an audible reminder, wherein said audible reminder is programmable for delivery at a specified time.