Method for automatically switching incoming call signal output mode from vibration to ringtone using vibration detection unit in mobile communication terminal

• US 7,912,509 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Hun Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D
• Assistant Examiner(s): GONZALES, APRIL GUZMAN
• Application Number:
  US11/301,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20060128439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,926 Days
• Field of Search: 455/567, 455/575.6, 455/38.3, 455/343, 455/550, 455/575, 455/90, 455/351, 455/346, 340/825.46, 340/825.44, 340/825.47, 340/825.48, 340/311.1, 340/825.56, 340/663, 340/636, 340/384.71, 340/566, 340/500, 340/545.4, 340/582, 340/7.6, 368/245, 381/87
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

A method for automatically switching an incoming call signal output mode in a mobile communication terminal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining whether or not a present incoming call signal output mode is a vibration mode when receiving incoming call, driving a vibrator to output vibration if it is determined that the present incoming call signal output mode is set to the vibration mode, detecting an intensity of actual vibration of the terminal via a vibration detection sensor when the vibration is output, followed by calculating transfer energy using the intensity of the actual vibration on the terminal, and automatically switching the incoming call signal output mode from the vibration mode to a ringtone mode according to comparison of the calculated transfer energy with a reference value. With the method, a user can easily recognize the incoming call signal.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal, comprising:

a vibrator configured to generate vibration when an indication mode is set to a vibration mode;

a speaker configured to output an audible sound when the indication mode is set to a ringtone mode;

a vibration detection sensor configured to measure an actual intensity of vibration of the terminal changed according to external circumstances of the terminal when the vibrator operates and to detect an intensity of energy supplied to drive the vibrator; and

a controller configured to calculate a vibration transfer energy transferred to an outside of the terminal using both the measured actual intensity of the vibration and the detected intensity of energy, and to output an indication mode control signal,

wherein the controller outputs the indication mode control signal for switching the indication mode of the terminal from the vibration mode to the ringtone mode when the calculated vibration transfer energy is lower than a reference value.

2. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein, when the indication mode is switched to the ringtone mode, a predetermined sound message is output through the speaker.

5. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller sets the indication mode to the vibration mode if a predetermined period time passes after switching to the ringtone mode.

6. The terminal of claim 5, wherein the predetermined period could be preset by a user.

3. A method for automatically switching an incoming call signal output mode by controlling output of an incoming call signal in a mobile communication terminal, comprising the steps of:

determining whether or not a present indication mode is a vibration mode;

driving a vibrator to output vibration if it is determined that the present indication mode is set to the vibration mode;

measuring an actual intensity of vibration of the terminal changed according to external circumstances of the terminal via a vibration detection sensor when the vibrator operates;

detecting an intensity of energy supplied to drive the vibrator;

calculating a vibration transfer energy transferred to the outside of the terminal using both the measured actual intensity of the vibration and the detected intensity of energy; and

switching the vibration mode to a ringtone mode when the calculated vibration transfer energy is lower than a reference value.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, when a predetermined period of time passes after switching the vibration mode to the ringtone mode, the ringtone mode is switched to an original vibration mode.