Personal notification device

• US 20060036702A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gerhard Kurt Theimer
• Original Assignee: Gerhard Kurt Theimer
• Inventors: Theimer, Gerhard Kurt
• Application Number:
  US10/884,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036702A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display

Abstract

A personal notification device for providing messaging and alert services from a plurality of different sources, compromising a hardware device with integrated display, a suitable connection method to a computer and appropriate software applications. -The different sources can include one or more business productivity programs, such as electronic mail, a spreadsheet, online auction, weather services, server monitoring programs, manufacturing machines, office equipment, or personal information manager software application, as well a messaging service that produces alerts transmitted over the Internet. The personal notification device provides an improved method to receive messages and alerts without requiring the user to be at or near a computer. The personal notification device can be physically placed at the users discretion to best facilitate his requirements. The personal notification device can be utilized for a multitude of applications by simply loading and activating software modules.

Claims

1. A personal notification device compromising:

A. A enclosure that contains the electronic circuitry;

B. A display to indicate arrival of messages and alerts;

C. A connection method to a computer data port;

D. An application software to drive the personal notification device.

4. A personal notification as recited in claim 1, wherein said display compromises one or more light emitting diodes.

5. A personal notification as recited in claim 1, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.

6. A personal notification device as recited in claim 1, wherein said connection method to a computer port may be via a PS/2 port, a serial port, a parallel port, a USB port, a FireWire port, and the like. The data port may also be a radio frequency (RF) link or optical infrared (IR) link.

7. A personal notification device as recited in claim 1, wherein said application software is modular in design for easy adaptation to different applications.

8. A personal notification device as recited in claim 1, wherein said enclosure can be manufactured in different colors to adapt to the users preferences.

2. A method for interacting with a graphical user interface produced on a display device of a computing device, said method comprising:

A. Displaying and activating available software modules;

B. Selecting software modules associated with a user input action;

C. Converting the user selection into a output signal depending on software selectable conditions; and

D. Displaying the user selected action on the display device of a computing device and on the personal notification device.

9. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said computing device is a general-purpose computer.

3. A method for mounting the personal notification device, said method comprising a tripod socket.