Systems and methods for visual alerting mechanisms on a mobile communication device

• US 7,970,439 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Becze, Karoly, Steer, Marc A, Sitachitt, Sidney, Baar, Kenneth W
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Pablo N
• Application Number:
  US11/070,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20060199618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,310 Days
• Field of Search: 455/567, 455/566, 455/569.1, 455/67.7, 455/418, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/415, 455/466, 455/550.1, 455/556.1, 455558-559, 455/575.1, 455/90.3, 455/90.31, 379/373.01, 379/373.02, 348/705, 345/87, 340/7.61, 340/7.62
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits

Abstract

A mobile communication device includes an alerting mechanism comprising a light source, wherein the light source is configured to alert the user via a visual alert that an event has, or is, occurring. The event can be an incoming communication, a voice message, an alarm etc. The visual alert can be synchronized with an audible alert also included in the mobile communication device.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:

an audible alert mechanism configured to issue an audible alert in response to an event, wherein the event comprises receiving an incoming communication;

a main board within a housing;

a main board processor disposed on the main board;

a first light source disposed on the main board;

a second light source disposed on the main board;

a display module that sits above the main board;

a display module processor disposed on the display module;

a liquid crystal display (LCD) disposed on the display module;

a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the display module;

a first light pipe operatively coupled to the first light source on the main board, wherein the first light pipe is configured to convey light from the first light source to a first point of delivery;

a second light pipe operatively coupled to the second light source on the main board, wherein the second light pipe is configured to convey light from the second light source to a second point of delivery;

a first lens associated with the main board that conveys light originated by the first light source, wherein the first lens is operatively coupled to the first light pipe at the point of delivery and the first lens is configured to convey light from the first light pipe;

a second lens associated with the main board that conveys light originated by the second light source, wherein the second lens is operatively coupled to the second light pipe at the point of delivery and the second lens is configured to convey light from the second light pipe;

an electrical connection between the display processor and the display module, wherein the electrical connection is multiplexed so that signals used to control the LCD can also be used to control the LED; and

a register placed between the main board processor and the light sources on the main board, wherein the processor is configured to write to the register and control the light sources of the main processor, the main board processor configured to control the light sources so as to produce light responsive to the event in a synchronous manner with the audible alert issued from the audible alert mechanism.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the incoming communication comprises a mobile telephone call.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the light source for the main board comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the light source for the main board comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the main board processor is configured to control the light source so as to produce light responsive to an event via a signal sent through one of the electrical connections to control at least one other function related to the display module using the electrical connection.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the lens is colored to match the color of the housing.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the light pipe is configured to deliver light from the first light source location corresponding to a printed circuit board to the point of delivery that is adjacent the housing.