Devices, systems, and methods for notification of events on a wireless communication device

• US 8,676,274 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2010
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2010
• 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: Li, Kevin Ansia
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Zhiyu
• Application Number:
  US12/870,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20120052922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wearable alert device that emits a physical stimulation upon receiving a signal from a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is in wireless communication with the wearable alert device, and the wireless communication device sends alerts to the wearable alert device each time it receives an incoming call. The alert is received by the wearable alert device, which in turn emits the physical stimulation to the user wearing it.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

determining an alert based upon a selected wearable alert device, wherein the alert corresponds to a physical stimulation;

determining a voltage based on a resistance measurement, the resistance measurement being a function of at least a skin temperature, a skin moisture, an electrode surface area or an electrode proximity to a skin of a user;

transmitting the alert to the selected wearable alert device along with the voltage of the alert; and

receiving, from the selected wearable alert device, a confirmation of delivery of the physical stimulation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a selection of the wearable alert device comprises at least one of an earring back, a bracelet, a ring, or a necklace pendant.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable alert device comprises a transformer and electrical contacts.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the wearable alert device further comprises a resistance sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an inductive charger coupled to a battery.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the inductive charger charges the wearable alert device via a complimentary inductive charger on the wearable alert device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable alert device comprises an electromagnet.

8. The device in claim 7, wherein the wearable alert device comprises an earring, wherein the alert comprises an activation of the electromagnet, and wherein the activation of the electromagnet causes the earring to move and squeeze an ear of the user.

9. The device in claim 1, wherein communication with the wearable alert device occurs via one of near-field communication, RFID, BLUETOOTH, or WiFi.

10. A wireless communication device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing a logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising;

establishing a communication with a wearable alert device, the wearable alert device comprising a stimulator to apply a voltage to a skin of a user, the wearable alert device being one of a plurality of wearable alert devices selectable via a user interface,

determining the voltage to apply to the skin of the user based on a resistance measurement, the resistance measurement being a function of at least one of a temperature of the skin, an amount of moisture of the skin, and a proximity of the stimulator to the skin,

sending an alert along with the voltage to the wearable alert device upon an event, the alert selected from a plurality of alert types based upon the selected wearable alert device, and

receiving, from the wearable alert device, a confirmation that the physical stimulation has been delivered.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication device further comprises an inductive charger.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the inductive charger charges a battery of the wearable alert device.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the wearable alert device is associated with at least one of an earring back, a bracelet, a ring, or a necklace pendant.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the wearable alert device comprises a contactless integrated circuit.

15. A method comprising:

receiving, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor via a user interface associated with the wireless communication device, a selection of a wearable alert device;

determining, by the processor, a voltage based on a resistance measurement, the resistance measurement being a function of at least one of a skin temperature, a skin moisture, an electrode surface area or an electrode proximity to a user'"'"'s skin;

transmitting, by the processor, an alert to the wearable alert device along with the voltage, the alert selected from among a plurality of alerts based on the selection; and

receiving, from the wearable alert device, a confirmation that the voltage has been applied to the user'"'"'s skin.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising inductively charging the wearable alert device.