Mobile communications device with distinctive vibration modes

• US 7,801,569 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zellner, Samuel N.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US11/689,636
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 455/567, 455/418, 455/556.2, 455/283, 455/343, 455/415, 455/416, 455/156.1, 455/157.2, 455/159.2, 455/354, 455/170.1, 455/292, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 455/567
• 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 providing distinctive vibration alerts are described herein. In different aspects, the methods may include sensing an event and determining a corresponding vibration definition for the event based on one or more properties of the event. The methods also include providing the corresponding vibration definition. The methods then further include producing mechanical vibrations of the device based on the vibration definition.

Claims

1. A method of providing vibrating alerts using a device, comprising:

sensing an event, wherein the event includes receipt of a message;

determining a corresponding vibration definition for the event based on one or more properties of the event, the properties including contents of the message;

providing the corresponding vibration definition; and

producing mechanical vibrations of the device based on the vibration definition, such that one or more of select words and select phrases from the contents of the message produces a unique vibration pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing a second event, wherein sensing the second event includes sensing one of an incoming communication event, an outgoing communication event, a device event, and a scheduled event.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a corresponding vibration definition further includes determining a corresponding vibration definition based on at least one of origin, type, subtype, and importance of the event.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the corresponding vibration definition includes providing a vibration definition that is one of stored in the device and delivered to the device from a remote source.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the corresponding vibration definition includes providing a vibration definition that is delivered to the device from a remote source in near real-time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the corresponding vibration definition includes providing a vibration definition based on at least one of a data compilation, an audio compilation, a visual compilation, an audiovisual compilation, a mathematical equation, and manually inputted data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data compilation at least includes one or more telephone numbers, one or more names, and one or more event occurrence times.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising producing at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal, and wherein producing a mechanical vibration includes producing mechanical vibrations in combination with the at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing an event includes sensing one of a voice call reception, incoming data reception, outgoing data transmission, a device event, and a scheduled event.

9. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a data storage medium configured to store at least one of a first database of one or more vibration definitions and a second database of one or more vibration configuration files;

a vibration element configured to produce mechanical vibrations of the wireless communication device; and

a controller configured to activate the vibration element based on at least one vibration definition and at least one vibration configuration file,

wherein when the wireless communication device receives a message, one or more of select words and select phrases from the message produces a unique vibration pattern from the one or more vibration definitions according to the one or more vibration configuration files.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to sense one or more events, determine a corresponding vibration definition for the event based on one or more properties of the event, and activate the vibration element for each event.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising at least one of an audio signal generator and a visual signal generator configured to provide a signal upon at least one event, and wherein the controller is further configured to sense the same event and activate the vibration element.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more events include at least one of receiving an incoming voice call, receiving incoming data, transmitting outgoing data, a device event, and a scheduled event.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein one or more properties of the event includes at least one of origin, type, subtype, and importance of the event.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the second database is configured to receive one or more vibration definitions from at least one of a remote source and a user interface.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the second database is configured to receive one or more vibration definitions from a remote source in near real-time.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the data compilation includes at least one of one or more telephone numbers, one or more names, and one or more event times.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one vibration definition is based on at least one of a data compilation, an audio compilation, a visual compilation, an audiovisual compilation, and a mathematical equation.

18. The device of claim 9, further comprising a transceiver configured to at least one of providing the vibration controller with an event and providing the second database with one or more vibration definitions.

19. A method of providing vibrating alerts on a wireless communication device, comprising:

sensing an event, wherein the event includes receipt of a message;

determining a corresponding vibration definition for the event based on contents of the message and at least one of origin, type, subtype, and importance of the event;

providing the corresponding vibration definition; and

producing mechanical vibrations of the wireless communication device based on the vibration definition, such that one or more of select words and select phrases from the contents of the message produces a unique vibration pattern.