Systems and methods for providing remote incoming call notification for cellular phones

• US 8,682,398 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mullen Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey David Mullen
• Inventors: Mullen, Jeffrey David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US13/453,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20120208596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.2, 455/567, 455/66.1, 455/88, 455/575.3, 455/557, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/92
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724095 Worn on the wrist, hand or arm
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits

Abstract

The present invention provides a remote notification to a user of a cellular, or mobile, phone as the result of a particular activity or any activity at all (e.g., an incoming call from a particular person, group, or just an incoming call). In one embodiment, a sensing device is provided on the cellular phone that communicates/routes an alert to a remote notification device. In one economical embodiment, the notification device may have a short wire-based communication channel (e.g., roughly 1 foot to 5 feet) and only have a single output device (e.g., a light-emitting device). Thus, a woman may be able to quietly receive notifications of a cell phone event when her cell phone is stored in her purse.

Claims

1. A system for use with a mobile telephonic device that provides notification of an incoming call, said system comprising:

a sensing device that is operable to be attached to said mobile telephonic device, wherein said sensing device is an autonomous sensing devices that senses user-perceivable signals from said mobile telephonic device and said sensing device provides communication signals indicative of an incoming call; and

a remote communication device configured to receive said communication signals, wherein said communication device includes a battery, said communication device is configured to provide notification signals that are only light-based, and said notification signals are dependent upon said received communication signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device and said remote communication device are electrically coupled via a wire.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication signals are communicated wirelessly.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes an input device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes memory.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device includes a sensing device battery.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device is a watch.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes a band.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes a first band and a second band.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes a buckle.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes a first band, a second band, and a buckle.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device includes a fastening device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device includes a clip.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device and said sensing device are electrically coupled via an extension between one and five feet in length.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device communicates one-way to said remote communication device.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device communicates two-ways with said remote communication device.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes an ON/OFF switch.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device is a watch and includes an ON/OFF switch.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote communication device includes control circuitry.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing device includes control circuitry.