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

• US 20050266891A1
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mullen Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D. Mullen
• Inventors: Mullen, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,165,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 cellular phone that provides notification of an incoming call, said system comprising:

a sensing device that is operable to be attached to said cellular phone that provides communication signals indicative of an incoming call; and

a remote communication device configured to receive said communication signals, wherein said communication device is configured to provide notification signals to a user dependent upon said received communication signals.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote communication device includes an amplifier and a speaker, wherein said notification signals are audible notifications.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote communication device includes a vibrating device and a source of electrical energy, wherein said notification signals are vibrational notifications.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote communication device includes a light emitting device and a source of electrical energy, wherein said notification signals are light-emitted notifications.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote communication device includes a display device and a source of electrical energy, wherein said notification signals are text notifications.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensing device is an autonomous sensing device.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensing device directly communicates with said cellular phone to determine when said incoming call occurs.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensing device and said remote communication device wirelessly communicate.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said wireless communication is a one-way communication from said sensing device to said remote communication device.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said wireless communication is a two-way communication between said sensing device and said remote communication device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensing device and said remote communication device communicate through an wire-based extension.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said wire-based communication is a one-way communication from said sensing device to said remote communication device.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said wire-based communication is a two-way communication between said sensing device and said remote communication device.

14. A system for use with a cellular phone that provides notification of an incoming call, said system comprising:

a sensing device that is operable to be attached to said cellular phone that provides communication signals indicative of an incoming call; and

a remote communication device configured to receive said communication signals, wherein 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.