Method and apparatus for generating color based alerting signals

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to alerting devices, and more particularly to color alerting devices for obtaining a user's attention upon the occurrence of an event.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The use of wireless communication is increasing at an exponential rate, and as such there have been many attempts among service providers and manufacturers of the hardware implemented in wireless systems to provide options to the users that enable more convenient and more user friendly and discrete access to the available services. Among these attempts have been the implementation of alternative methods for alerting the user of the occurrence of a particular event, and more specifically the presence of an incoming communication signal. For example, with radio paging devices, the user generally has two options for setting the alert type when an incoming page is received: (i) an audible tone to indicate the presence of an incoming page, or (ii) a vibration mode to vibrate the device when an incoming page is received. The vibration mode of the radio pager serves the same function of seeking the user's attention when an incoming page is received but does so in a silent manner so as to not disturb the user or persons proximate the user when the page is received.

[0006] Some wireless telephones provide a similar vibration mode for indicating the presence of an incoming telephone call. The vibration mode has been implemented into these devices primarily to provide the user with the option of turning off the audible tones generated by the radio pager or wireless telephone so as to prevent inconvenient audible disturbances in a variety of different places, such as office meetings, libraries, movies, shows and any other place or circumstance that the user deems appropriate to eliminate the audible tones generated by the respective devices.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,686 to Lee discloses a device for generating waking vibrations or sounds. The device is implemented into alarm watches or in communications equipment such as cellular pagers or phones. The device utilizes an electromagnet, a coil and first and second sets of vibration members in a ring case. These elements are connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the device (e.g. watch, phone or pager) and, together, enable the selective generation of vibratory motion when the device receives an incoming call or, in the case of a watch, for implementing an alarm function.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,181 to Murray discloses a vibratory alerting device with audible sound generator. The alerting device simultaneously generates a vibration alert and an audible alert to notify the user as to the presence of an incoming call on a portable communication device such as a pager or wireless telephone.

[0009] As mentioned previously, the use of an audible alert signal can be undesirable when the user is located in a place or situation in which an audible alert signal might be considered an interruption. In addition, the devices used to implement a vibratory alert signal in a communication device are generally bulky in nature and have mechanical moving parts which require additional space within the device and thereby increase the size of the device. Furthermore, all of the existing alerting devices (e.g., audible and vibratory) are contained within the communication device (i.e., phone or pager) and therefor require the user to be carrying the same in order to receive the alerting signal.

[0010] It would be advantageous to provide a more discrete alerting device that is not physically connected or disposed within the user's communication device. This would enable the user to be alerted as to the presence of an incoming communication signal without requiring them to carry the communication device.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for generating a color based alerting signal for alerting a user as to the occurrence of a predetermined event comprises the steps of: providing a color based alerting device having a color-variable element disposed in a location visually observable by the user; initializing the color based alerting device to a first predetermined color state; setting a color change limit for the color based alerting device; changing the color of the color-variable element to a second predetermined color state upon occurrence of the predetermined event; and resetting the color of the color-variable element from the second color state to the first color state when the user has responded to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0012] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0013] In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the views:

[0014] FIG. 1ais a diagrammatic representation of a method for generating color based alerting signals in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 1bis a diagrammatic representation of a method for generating color based alerting signals in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of circuitry for a color based alerting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an operational amplifier implementation of the switch of the color based alerting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a jewelry ring implementing the device for generating color based alerting signals according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 5ais a perspective view of a computer as implemented into a device for generating color based alerting signals according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 5bis a plan view of a releasable strap having a transmitter for use in the generation of color based alerting signals according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 6ais a top view of a wristwatch incorporating the device for generating color based alerting signals according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 6bis a bottom view of a wristwatch incorporating the device for generating color based alerting signals according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a front view of an article of clothing incorporating a color based alerting device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of the inserting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] A method for use in an illustrative apparatus shown in FIG. 1aof a color based alerting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An incoming signal 12 is received from an outside source and applied to the user device 14. The user device is a wireless device such as a pager, cellular telephone, or any other known apparatus or device that receives wireless incoming signals and alerts the user upon receipt of those signals. As explained hereinabove, this alert to the user is typically performed by providing an audible signal, or a mechanical vibration signal when an audible alert is not desired.

[0026] User device 14 is modified to include an inserting device 15 which disables the audible ringing or paging signal upon receipt of incoming signal 12 and generates at least one predetermined signal S1, or a set of predetermined signals S1, to activate color based alerting device 18a. Signal S1 can be a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal of a fixed predetermined frequency, or short pulses of the predetermined frequency. The frequency range for such signals can be, for example, 45-49 MHz, or 800 through 900 MHz ranges. Inserting device 15 may be, for example, an oscillator circuit of an allowable non-interfering frequency using a timer chip, and signal S1 can be generated with a simple LRC combination circuit or an IC timer circuit. The signal strength of S1 should be sufficient to reach the color based alerting device which may be attached to the user's body parts as needed.

[0027] Inserting device 15 is shown integrated into user device 14; however, it is also contemplated that inserting device 15 may be externally implemented by a separate connector capable of engagement with existing connectors on the user device, such for example, as the battery charger connection, an earphone for hands-free operation, and an IR port. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when incoming signal 12 is detected by user device 14, inserting device 15 disables the ringer and generates signal S1. In another embodiment, inserting device 15 operatively generates signal S1 in conjunction with the audible ringing of user device 14.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of inserting device 15 according to the invention. When incoming signal 12 is detected by user device 14, it is provided to inserting device 15 via terminals 84 and 86. The presence of the ringer current on terminals 84 and 86 causes an inductive coupling between inductors L1 and L2. Once coupled, the current flows to control 80 which electronically disables the ringer within user device 14 and further causes the RF device 82 to modulate and transmit control signal S1 via antenna 83 to the alerting device 18a. Control 80 can be any suitable known processing device. In another embodiment, control 80 can enable inserting device 15 to generate signal S1 in conjunction with the audible ringing of user device 14.

[0029] In an external example previously mentioned, terminals 84 and 86 can be mechanically coupled to an earphone jack of the user device. Generally, the mechanical coupling of a jack to the ear phone input of the user device will cause the same to mechanically disable the earphone speaker, and thereby disables the audible alert signal generated by the user device. Upon receiving incoming signal 12, the ringer current ordinarily broadcast through the earphone speaker will pass through the earphone jack and cause the inductive coupling of inductors L1 and L2 as described above. Thus, inserting device 15 can be added to user device that is not designed to incorporate the same.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a color based alerting device (CBAD) 18ais connected with the user device via a wireless connection, such for example, a radio frequency (RF) link. The CBAD 18ais external and separate from the user device 14 and includes at least one color-variable element 23 that is visually observable by the user and is initially set to a predetermined color or is colorless in the inactive state. During this initial setting of color-variable element 23, a color change limit may also be set during the inactive state. An example of a color change limit would be for a multi-color variable element capable of illuminating in different colors based on different user settings. An example of such device well known in the art is a multi-color LED capable of illuminating different colors based on current applied thereto. In the embodiment of FIG. 1a, when incoming signal 12 is received by user device 14, inserting device 15 disables the ringer or paging signal of the user device and sends a control signal S1 to the CBAD 18ato cause it to change the color of the associated color element. The color change to be displayed may be predetermined or set by the user prior to use of the CBAD 18a. For example, the color change can be a steady change from one color to another, or an oscillatory change where the color oscillated between two color states (e.g. on and off which would be from a colorless state to a colored state, or from one color to another).

[0031] Since the color elements 23 are visually observable by the user, when a color element is activated to either illuminate a colorless element or to change its existing color to another, the user is thereby alerted to the presence of incoming signal 12; the user can then answer the phone or page (20a). Once the user responds to the incoming signal by either answering the call or acknowledging the incoming page, the CBAD 18aresets itself back to its initially set color or colorless state. The external disposition of the CBAD 18aenables a more discrete alerting signal to be provided to the user, and provides the user with the option of not carrying the user device 14 and yet continuing to be notified as the presence of an incoming communication signal 12.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, CBAD 18ais configured to directly receive 16 or share incoming signal 12 with the user device 14. Thus, upon receipt of an incoming signal 12, CBAD 18acan respond immediately as opposed to requiring that user device 14 provide a control signal S1 via inserting device 15 to CBAD 18ato indicate the presence of incoming signal 12. This alternate embodiment thus eliminates the need for the user device to send an RF signal to CBAD 18aafter receiving an incoming signal 12, by enabling the simultaneous receipt of the incoming signal by both the user device 14 and the CBAD 18a.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of CBAD 18 according to an embodiment of the invention. CBAD includes an antenna 24 for receiving the incoming signal either from the user device 14 or directly 16 from the source of incoming signal 12. Antenna 24 is preferably a thin film antenna internally arranged within CBAD 18 so that the CBAD can be implemented in various different structures as discussed hereinbelow. The received incoming signal is filtered by filter 26 which is adapted to reduce noise in the operating bandwidth. The filtered incoming signal is then fed to switch 28 which activates a light emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD) or a color dye capable of changing color when bombarded with a predetermined absorption spectra and which is disposed in visual contact with the user. Color elements and circuitry capable of changing color are well known in the art. Examples of such color elements and circuitry for enabling the changing of color of the same can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,902,166 and 5,903,329. Switch 28 may be, for example, a differential operational amplifier, or a relay or other electronic or mechanical switch for selectively passing battery power to the color element or corresponding circuitry to cause the same to change color. In other contemplated embodiments, CBAD 18 can include a microprocessor 29 that is connected to the antenna 24, battery 27 and switch 28 to operatively enable the monitoring functionality of the invention (discussed below with reference to FIG. 1b, 5aand 5b) by determining the cyclic or repetitive presence of an incoming signal and sending a control signal to switch 28 in the absence of an incoming signal 12.

[0034] A battery 27 is connected to a preamplifier (not shown) of the antenna 24, filter 26, microprocessor 29 and switch 28 to provide the necessary operating power to these devices and a current signal to the color elements 23 in response to the closing of switch 28 to cause a color element color change. Battery 27 is a miniature battery known in the art such as, for example, a solid state rechargeable thin film battery, a planar micro battery, lithium coin cells, thin film lithium battery, etc. The type of battery implemented and size thereof is a matter of design choice, and is dependent on the article in which alerting device 18 is incorporated.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary operational amplifier configuration of switch 28. Operational amplifier 35 has a predetermined gain, a reference input 38 that is connected to a preset reference color signal to provide a reference input, and another input 34 that receives a control signal via filter 26 (FIG. 2). The input reference signal applied to reference input 38 may be, for example, a predetermined reference signal generated and/or stored by microprocessor 29, preset according to a particular design choice for a predetermined application, user set, or dynamically set by microprocessor 29 based (for example) on the ambient lighting in the user's surroundings. This dynamic setting by microprocessor 29 shows a monitoring aspect of this embodiment that enables CBAD 18 to be used and adjusted according to the surrounding environment. Upon receipt of the incoming signal or control signal in the form of a predetermined frequency in the form of pulses or a continuous signal via input 34, operational amplifier 35 provides an output current signal 36 that is fed to the color elements 23a, 23b, 23c(FIGS. 4 and 6a) to change the color of the same. When the signal applied to input 34 is discontinued, opamp 25 discontinues its current signal output, and the color element changes are deactivated. The discontinuation of the incoming signal result from the user answering the call or page, or the incoming caller terminating the attempted communication before the user answers the call.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6b, the CBAD 18 can be implemented in or as part of numerous different and varied objects such as a jewelry ring 25 (FIG. 4) or a wristwatch 40 (FIG. 6a). In addition, it is contemplated that CBAD 18 may be a self contained device that can be removably fastened to different items or to a user's body. In the fixed position configuration, the size and shape of the object in which the CBAD 18 is implemented is a matter of design choice and left to the imagination of fashion and jewelry designers, for example. Other such objects that are contemplated by the present invention are finger rings, ear rings, bangle bracelets, shirts, pants, shoes, wrist watches, pocket watches, neck-ties, neck-tie pins, anklets, belt buckles, dress buttons, pens, necklaces, etc. In other contemplated embodiments, as for example for use with animals, the CBAD can be implemented in an animal's collar.

[0037] Shown in FIG. 4 is a jewelry ring 25 having the CBAD 18 implemented therein, and at least one color element 23aand/or 23bdisposed on or proximate the outer surface thereof. Color elements 23a, 23bare connected to CBAD 18 and change color in response to an output current of CBAD 18 as explained above. Color element 23acan be an LED, INDIGLOW light, or color dye that changes color upon application of a predetermined absorption spectra that may be provided by an LED device. Other color dyes that change color in the presence of RF energy, or thermochromic materials that change color in response to changing temperatures may also be implemented as color element 23awithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. In FIG. 4, color element 23ais shaped like a gemstone so as to provide a discreet appearance when not in use. In an alternative embodiment, color element 23bcan be disposed on the upper surface of ring 25 using a color dye or a miniature LCD display. It should be understood that FIG. 4 is presented solely as an example of an implementation of a CBAD 18 in an article of jewelry, and that CBAD 18 may be incorporated in any article of jewelry or clothing without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0038] FIGS. 6aand 6bdepict a wristwatch 40 having the CBAD 18 and at least one color element 23c, 44 and 46 implemented therein. FIG. 6ashows three examples of locations of a color element 23c, 44 and 46. Color element 42 can be an LED, LCD or color dye that is located remote from watch face 44 but disposed on watch body 43. In another embodiment, color element 46 can be disposed around face 44 and may comprise one or more LEDs, an INDIGLOW light, an LCD or a color dye. In yet another embodiment, watch face 44 may itself light up (INDIGLOW), or be formed of an LCD or one or more LEDs to provide a visible alert signal to the user in the presence of an incoming signal 12.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment in which an article of clothing houses the color based alerting device 18 of the present invention. Shirt 60 has the color based alerting device 18 disposed under the collar 16 and the color element 23dembodied in one of the buttons, for example on a long sleeve cuff button or a cuff link. It should be understood that the location of CBAD 18 and color element 23don the shirt 60 are shown here for exemplary purposes only, and that the actual location can change as a matter of design choice and/or user preference.

[0040] In a further embodiment diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1b, CBAD 18bmay also be used to alert the user as to the presence, or more particularly to the absence of an object, animal or person. For example, a transmitter may be implemented to provide CBAD 18bwith an RF signal on a cyclic or repetitive basis. In this particular embodiment, the user device 14 (FIG. 1a) is not required for communicating the presence or lack of presence of the incoming signal 12. As described previously, CBAD 18bcan include a microprocessor 29 (FIG. 2) that enables monitoring of the presence of the RF signal (i.e. incoming signal 12). When the RF signal is not detected for a predetermined period of time (e.g. 1-30 seconds), CBAD 18bwill alert the user by changing the color of the attached or associated color elements. Lack of detection of the RF (incoming) signal can for example be the result of movement of the object, person, or animal from which the transmission emanates beyond a predetermined range. Once the user has been alerted to the lack of detection of the incoming RF signals via a color change in the color elements 23a, 23b(FIG. 4) or color elements 23c, 44, 46 (FIG. 6a) the user can proceed to look for the transmitting device to determine its current location. When the user is or returns to within the transmitting range of the transmitting device, the CBAD 18breceives the RF signal and resets itself to its initial color or colorless state. Examples of contemplated objects for tracking are a portable computer, remote control devices, and any other readily movable object. This presence monitoring embodiment may also be used to monitor the presence or proximity of a child or animal provided with a transmitter 34 (FIG. 5b) that transmits the RF incoming signal 12 for monitoring by CBAD 18b.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5a, a transmitter 34ais shown attached to a portable laptop type computer 30. Transmitter 34acan be externally attached to computer 30 or disposed internally so that it transmits RF signals 32 of a predetermined frequency and format (e.g. pulse, continuous, etc.) that CBAD 18bis adapted to receive. The transmission of signals 32 can be intermittent or cyclic based on a predetermined timing scheme. In this embodiment, CBAD 18bis operative to receive the intermittent or cyclic signals and only generates a current signal to activate the color elements when the intermittent or cyclic signals are not received for a predetermined period of time. Through the transmission of RF signals at predetermined time periods (e.g. every second), CBAD 18bperforms a monitoring function and alerts the user when the RF signals cease to be detected due to absence of the object, person or animal being monitored.

[0042] FIG. 5bshows a strap 36 having a transmitter 34bmounted thereon. Strap 36 can be releasably attached to an object, child or animal so as to provide a mobile embodiment of the transmitting signals 32 to the CBAD 18b. Thus, when the transmitter 34bis attached to an animal or a child via strap 36, the owner or person watching after the animal or child can monitor their presence within a specified range of the transmitter 34band CBAD 18b. In this embodiment, CBAD 18bis implemented as before either in a piece of jewelry, on clothing or in a releasable device worn by the user, and the transmitter 34bcan be attached in any convenient fashion to an object, animal, or person to be monitored.

[0043] It is thus contemplated that CBAD can be incorporated into many different known and common articles and items whose size and shape can be suitably configured to accord with the desired application. Examples of these items include any and all types of jewelry such as finger rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and wrist watches; clothing such as hats, caps, shirts, pants, shoes, shoe soles and socks; and other articles such as pens and pencils. In such a monitoring embodiment, the CBAD 18 can be configured for portability to facilitate its releasable transfer from one source or body to another, such as a pet or child.

[0044] While there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.