Methods and systems for communicating using variable temperature control

• US 8,255,004 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2009
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Horodezky, Samuel Jacob, Huang, Joseph Jyh-Huei, Jalota, Ankur
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Jany
• Application Number:
  US12/388,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20100210313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455566-5759, 455 901- 903
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability

Abstract

Information can be communicated by a temperature change of a communication device equipped with one or more temperature modifying elements. A processor configured by software determines when a temperature change should be generated and accomplishes such a change by controlling the application of power to the temperature modifying element(s). The temperature modifying elements may be electric resistance heating elements, thermoelectric elements, or other elements. Users perceive the temperature change produced by the temperature modifying element(s) when they touch the device. Depending on user settings, the temperature change may communicate specific information to the user. For example, a temperature change may convey information regarding the importance of an incoming telephone call, e-mail message or SMS message, or the importance of an impending calendar event. Using temperature as a communication medium allows the communication device to convey information to a user being notice by others.

Claims

1. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon received temperature information selected from the group consisting of an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a temperature of another device, a temperature of another location, and a temperature of another geographic region, and upon comparing the temperature information to a temperature range criteria; and

activating the temperature modifying element so as to generate a temperature commensurate with the temperature information if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature change is an increase in temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature change is a decrease in temperature.

4. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

receiving an incoming telephone call;

determining a caller telephone number from the incoming telephone call;

using the caller telephone number to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the caller;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the caller; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

5. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

receiving an incoming e-mail message;

determining a sender address from the incoming e-mail message;

using the sender address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the sender;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the sender; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

6. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

receiving an incoming e-mail message;

determining a recipient address from the incoming e-mail message;

using the recipient address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the recipient;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the recipient; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

7. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

receiving an incoming e-mail;

determining a priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

8. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

recognizing a calendar event identified in a calendar application;

determining a priority assigned to the calendar event;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the calendar event; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

9. A method for communicating information by changing a temperature of a communication device equipped with a temperature modifying element, comprising:

receiving position data;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon comparing the position data to a desired location to determine a proximity to the desired location; and

activating a temperature modifying element so as to generate a temperature commensurate with the proximity to the desired location so as to become hotter when closer to the desired destination.

10. A communication device, comprising:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon data received in the form of temperature information selected from the group consisting of an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a temperature of another device, a temperature of another location, and a temperature of another geographic region and upon comparing the temperature information to a temperature range criteria; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated so as to generate a temperature commensurate with the temperature information.

11. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the switch is integrated within the temperature modifying element.

12. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the temperature modifying element comprises an electric resistance heating element.

13. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the temperature modifying element comprises a thermoelectric element.

14. A communication device comprising:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving an incoming telephone call;

determining a caller telephone number from the incoming telephone call;

using the caller telephone number to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the caller;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the caller; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

15. A communication device comprising:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising;

receiving an incoming e-mail message;

determining a sender address from the incoming e-mail message;

using the sender address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the sender;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the sender; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

16. A communication device, comprising:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving an incoming e-mail;

determining a priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

17. A communication device, comprising:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving an incoming SMS message;

determining a recipient address from the incoming SMS message;

using the recipient address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the recipient;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the recipient; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

18. A communication device, comprising:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

recognizing a calendar event identified in a calendar application;

determining a priority assigned to the calendar event;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the calendar event; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

19. A communication device, comprising;

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

a temperature modifying element;

a switch coupled to the power supply, the temperature modifying element and the processor, the switch being configured to electrically connect the temperature modifying element to the power supply in response to a signal received from the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a GPS receiver coupled to the processor and configured to receive position data,

wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based on received position data and on comparing the position data to a desired location-to determine a proximity to the desired location; and

activating the temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated so as to generate a temperature commensurate with the proximity to the desired location so as to become hotter when closer to the desired destination.

20. A communication device, comprising:

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon received information in the form of temperature information selected from the group consisting of an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a temperature of another device, a temperature of another location, and a temperature of another geographic region, and upon comparing the temperature information to a temperature range criteria; and

means for generating a temperature change commensurate with the temperature information if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

21. The communication device of claim 20, wherein the means for generating a temperature change comprises means for generating heat.

22. The communication device of claim 20, wherein the means for generating a temperature change comprises means for chilling a portion of an exterior of the communication device.

23. A communication device, comprising:

means for receiving an incoming telephone call;

means for determining a caller telephone number from the incoming telephone call;

means for using the caller telephone number to locate a contact record within an address book database;

means for determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the caller;

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the caller; and

means for generating a temperature change if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

24. A communication device, comprising:

means for receiving an incoming e-mail message;

means for determining a sender address from the incoming e-mail message;

means for using the sender address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

means for determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the sender;

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the sender; and

means for generating a temperature change if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

25. A communication device, comprising:

means for receiving an incoming e-mail message;

means for determining a priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender;

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the e-mail by the sender; and

means for generating a temperature change if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

26. A communication device, comprising:

means for receiving an incoming SMS message;

means for determining a sender telephone number from the incoming SMS message;

means for using the sender telephone number to locate a contact record within an address book database;

means for determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the sender;

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the sender; and

means for generating a temperature change if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

27. A communication device, comprising:

means for recognizing a calendar event identified in a calendar application;

means for determining a priority assigned to the calendar event;

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the calendar event; and

means for generating a temperature change if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

28. A communication device, comprising:

means for receiving position data;

means for determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon comparing the position data to a desired location to determine a proximity to the desired location; and

means for generating a temperature commensurate with the proximity to the desired location so as to become hotter when closer to the desired destination.

29. A non-transitory tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

receiving temperature data selected from the group consisting of an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a temperature of another device, a temperature of another location, and a temperature of another geographic region;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon comparing the received temperature data to temperature range criteria; and

activating a temperature modifying element so as to generate a temperature commensurate with the temperature information if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

30. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

receiving a telephone call;

determining a caller telephone number from the incoming telephone call;

using the caller telephone number to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the caller;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the caller; and

activating a temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

31. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

receiving an incoming e-mail message;

determining a sender address from the incoming e-mail message;

using the sender address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the sender;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the sender; and

activating a temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

32. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

receiving an incoming SMS message;

determining a recipient address from the incoming SMS message;

using the recipient address to locate a contact record within an address book database;

determining from a located contact record a priority designation assigned to the recipient;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority designation assigned to the recipient; and

activating a temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

33. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

receiving an incoming e-mail;

determining a priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the e-mail by a sender; and

activating a temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

34. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

recognizing a calendar event identified in a calendar application;

determining a priority assigned to the calendar event;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon the priority assigned to the calendar event; and

activating a temperature modifying element if it is determined that a temperature change should be initiated.

35. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions that would cause a processor of a mobile device to perform steps comprising:

receiving position data;

determining whether a temperature change should be initiated based upon comparing the position data to a desired location to determine a proximity to the desired location; and

activating a temperature modifying element so as to generate a temperature commensurate with the proximity to the desired location so as to become hotter when closer to the desired destination.