Intelligent interactive baby calmer using modern phone technology

• US 7,274,298 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Communications Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Frank, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R.
• Application Number:
  US10/951,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/573, 340/1, 455/411, 455/528, 455/421
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2491 Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for a wireless device to monitor a local vicinity of the wireless device is provided. The wireless device may monitor for an environmental parameter in the local vicinity of the wireless device. In response to an indication that the monitored for environmental parameter is detected, the wireless s device may provide notification of the detection.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless device, comprising:

activating operation of the wireless device to monitor for at least one environmental parameter in a vicinity of the wireless device;

automatically disabling a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device;

detecting the at least one environmental parameter after the disabling; and

activating, in response to the detection, operation of the wireless device to provide an action by the wireless device;

wherein the action provided is at least one of providing;

a sound through a speaker of the wireless device, a graphical presentation on a display of the wireless device, a vibration of the wireless device, or a combination thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental parameter is at least one of a sound, a movement, or a combination of the sound and the movement.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the disabling is in response to or concomitant with the activating operation of the wireless device to monitor.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising operation of the wireless device to provide notification of the detection.

5. A method of claim 4, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of:

originating a call, sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message, sending a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, sending a electronic mail message, or a combination thereof.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring occurs at a predetermined interval of time for a predetermined period of time.

7. A method of operating a wireless device, comprising:

activating operation of the wireless device to monitor for at least one environmental parameter in a vicinity of the wireless device;

automatically disabling a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device;

detecting the at least one environmental parameter after the disabling;

activating, in response to the detection, operation of the wireless device to provide an action by the wireless device; and

operating the wireless device to provide a notification of the detection;

wherein the action provided is at least one of providing;

a sound through a sneaker of the wireless device, a graphical presentation on a display of the wireless device, a vibration of the wireless device, or a combination thereof.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one environmental parameter is at least one of a sound, a movement, or a combination of the sound and the movement.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the disabling is in response to or concomitant with the activating operation of the wireless device to monitor.

10. A method of claim 7, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of:

originating a call, sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message, sending a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, sending a electronic mail message, ore combination thereof.

11. A method of claim 7, further comprising enabling operation of the radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device to facilitate the notification.

12. A wireless device comprising:

a processor;

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver, operatively coupled to the processor, for receiving and transmitting information;

a speaker operatively coupled to the processor;

a microphone operatively coupled to the processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor and storing software to control the processor to;

activate operation of the wireless device to monitor for at least one environmental parameter in a vicinity of the wireless device, said environmental parameter being monitored by said microphone;

automatically disable the functionality of the radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver in response to the activate operation;

determine a detection of the at least one environmental parameter after the disabling; and

activate, in response to the determination, operation of the wireless device to provide an action by the wireless device.

13. A wireless device telephone according to claim 12, further comprising a vibration device that, as part of the action provided by the wireless device, operates to vibrate the wireless device.

14. A wireless device according to claim 12, further comprising a softkey selectively associated with an initiation of the activation operation of the wireless device to monitor.

15. A wireless device according to claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises software to control the processor to operate the wireless device to provide notification of the detection remotely from the wireless device.

16. A wireless device according to claim 15, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of:

originating a call, sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message, sending a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, sending a electronic mail message, or a combination thereof.