Mobile communications device with distinctive vibration modes

• US 8,600,452 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (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:
  US12/855,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20100302003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/412.2, 455/420, 455/567, 455/566, 455/170.1, 455/414.1, 455/556.2, 455/283, 455/343, 455/415, 455/416, 455/156.1, 455/157.2, 455/159.2, 455/354, 455/292, 340/7.6, 340/825.44, 340/825.46, 340/825.19, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/683
• 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 wireless communication device, comprising:

a controller; and

a vibration element coupled to the controller, the vibration element generating a distinct mechanical vibration, the distinct mechanical vibration being applied to a communication event sensed by the controller, the communication event being an incoming data communication;

wherein the incoming data communication is a text message and the distinct mechanical vibration represents a selected word or a phrase from the text message.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising an internal derivation source operatively linked to a vibration definitions database, the internal derivation source containing a data source, a hardware, and a logic allowing the vibration definitions database to generate the distinct mechanical vibration based on a characteristic of a pre-existing data compilation on the data source.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the data source includes at least one of a music file, a video file, an audio-video file, and a mathematical equation.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the vibration definitions database and a configuration file database are located on a data storage medium.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 4, wherein the configuration file database supplies a configuration file to the controller, the configuration file being used to differentiate between different communication events based on a plurality of properties associated with each communication event.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of properties includes at least one of a communication event origin, a communication event type, or a communication event subtype.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver, the transceiver including a radio frequency transmitter amplifier coupled to the controller and a radio frequency receiver amplifier coupled to the controller.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the vibration element generates differing intensities for the distinct mechanical vibration.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 8, wherein the intensities vary based upon an urgency of the communication event.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the distinct mechanical vibration is created by varying at least one of a vibration strength, a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, a vibration intensity, or a vibration duration.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein a configuration file database supplies a configuration file to the controller, the configuration file used in distinguishing the communication event based on at least one of a communication event origin, a communication event type, a communication event subtype, or an importance of the communication event.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, further comprising a user interface operatively linked to the configuration file database, the user interface used in modifying the configuration file.

13. A system, comprising:

a network; and

a remote data storage medium on the network, the remote data storage medium containing a vibration definitions database, the vibration definitions database supplying a vibration definition to a controller of a wireless communication device for activating a vibration element of the wireless communication device, the vibration element generating a distinct mechanical vibration, the distinct mechanical vibration being applied to a communication event sensed by the controller, the communication event being an incoming data communication;

wherein the incoming data communication is a text message and the distinct mechanical vibration represents a selected word or a phrase from the text message.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the network connects a remote definition source to the vibration definitions database using at least one of a data connection, a wireless RF connection, or an infrared connection.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the vibration definition is sent to the wireless communication device in combination with the incoming data communication.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising an internal derivation source operatively linked to the vibration definitions database, the internal derivation source containing a data source, a hardware, and a logic allowing the vibration definitions database to generate the distinct mechanical vibration based on a characteristic of a pre-existing data compilation on the data source.

17. A method, comprising:

generating a distinct mechanical vibration using a vibration element of a wireless communication device, the distinct mechanical vibration being applied to a communication event sensed by a controller of the wireless communication device, the communication event being an incoming data communication;

wherein the incoming data communication is a text message and the distinct mechanical vibration represents a selected word or a phrase from the text message; and

wherein the vibration element is activated by the controller to generate the distinct mechanical vibration.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the controller is supplied with a vibration definition, the vibration definition being provided by a remote data storage medium containing a vibration definitions database.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein an internal derivation source operatively linked to the vibration definitions database generates the distinct mechanical vibration based on a characteristic of a pre-existing data compilation on a data source of the internal derivation source.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the vibration element is a subwoofer.