Portable message waiting indicator
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method are provided for easily indicating to a user that a communication has been received for him or her. A portable message waiting indication device (MWID) includes a power source (e.g., battery), signal receiver and a visual and/or audible indicator. The indicator is activated in response to receipt of a first wireless signal at the receiver. In response to a second signal the indicator is deactivated. A MWID may also include a user-actuable switch or sensor to deactivate the indicator. In one method of using a MWID to inform a user that a communication has been received, the user registers the MWID and may identify when the MWID indicator should be activated (e.g., for certain types of messages (e.g., voice-mail, electronic mail), certain senders, a category of senders, time of day, message priority). Multiple MWIDs may be configured and employed by a user, and each may be configured similarly or differently.
1. A system for indicating receipt of a communication, comprising:
means for associating one or more different types of communication with a first receiver and for associating said one or more different types of communication with a second receiver, which second types may overlap said first types;
first receiving means for receiving, by said first receiver, one or more signals, each signal associated with one of said first one or more different types of communications, in response to said first one or more different types of communication sent to a user;
first activating means for activating a first indicator, said first indicator associated with said first receiver, in response to receiving said one or more signals;
first deactivating means for deactivating said first indicator;
second receiving means for receiving, by said second receiver, one or more signals, each signal associated with one of said second one or more different types of communications, in response to said second one or more different types of communication sent to a user;
second activating means for activating a second indicator, said second indicator associated with said second receiver, in response to receiving said one or more signals; and
second deactivating means for deactivating said second indicator.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for associating said one or more different types of communication with said first receiver uses a first identification scheme of said first receiver and wherein said means for associating said one or more different types of communication with said second receiver uses a second identification scheme of said second receiver.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said different types of communication comprise any of:
a telephone call;
a page;
an electronic mail message; and
a facsimile.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said each signal transmits digital data streams along a network and wherein said each signal is any of:
electrical;
electromagnetic; and
optical.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein an indicator is any of:
light emitting diode (LED);
a vibrating alarm; and
audible alarm.
6. A method for indicating receipt of a communication, comprising the steps of:
associating a first set of one or more different types of communication with a first receiver and associating a second set of one or more different types of communication with a second receiver;
said first receiver receiving one or more first signals, each signal associated with one of said first set of one or more different types of communications, in response to said first set of one or more different types of communication sent to a user;
activating a first indicator, said first indicator associated with said first receiver, in response to receiving said one or more first signals;
deactivating said first indicator;
said second receiver receiving one or more signals, each signal associated with one of said second set of one or more different types of communications, in response to said second set of one or more different types of communication sent to a user;
activating a second indicator, said second indicator associated with said second receiver, in response to receiving said one or more signals; and
deactivating said second indicator.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said associating said first set of one or more different types of communication with said first receiver uses a first identification scheme for said first receiver and wherein said associating said second set of one or more different types of communication with said second receiver uses a second identification scheme for said second receiver.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said different types of communication comprise any of:
a telephone call;
a page;
an electronic mail message; and
a facsimile.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein said each signal transmits digital data streams along a network and wherein said each signal is any of:
electrical;
electromagnetic; and
optical.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein an indicator is any of:
light emitting diode (LED);
a vibrating alarm; and
audible alarm.
11. A system for indicating receipt of a message, comprising:
a message from one or more types of communication available to and of some interest to a user;
a first selection scheme and first detection means for detecting and filtering said message according to said first selection scheme, and first sending means to send information about a message selected by said first detection means;
a second selection scheme different from said first selection scheme, and second detection means for detecting and filtering said message according to said second selection scheme, said second detection means different from said first detection means, and second sending means to send information about a message selected by said second detection means;
a first receiver for receiving information from said first detection means through said first sending means, said first receiver associated with first indicator means;
a second receiver for receiving information from said second detection means through said second sending means, said second receiver associated with second indicator means;
wherein said user can receive indications about a message selected by said first selection scheme through a first receiver and indicator and
can receive separate indications about a message selected by said second selection scheme through a second receiver and indicator.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:
means for associating said first sending means with said first receiver and
means for associating said second sending means with said second receiver.
13. The system of claim 11 further comprising:
means for associating said first sending means with said first receiver through an identification scheme associated with said first receiver, and
means for associating said second sending means with said second receiver through an identification scheme associated with said second receiver.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein said different types of communication comprise any of:
a telephone call to any of one or more selected phone numbers;
a page to any of one or more selected pager numbers;
an electronic mail message to any of one or more selected electronic mail addresses; and
a facsimile to any of one or more selected facsimile numbers.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein an indicator is any of:
light emitting diode (LED);
a vibrating alarm; and
audible alarm.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the indicator can present a variety of responses according to said first or second selection scheme and can present a first or a second or another indication.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein said first or second or another indication can be any of:
a first lighting color;
a second lighting color;
another lighting color;
a first light blinking pattern;
a second light blinking pattern;
another light blinking pattern;
a first vibrating alarm pattern or sequence;
a second vibrating alarm pattern or sequence;
another vibrating alarm pattern or sequence;
a first audible alarm tone;
a second audible alarm tone;
another audible alarm tone;
a first audible alarm repeat pattern;
a second audible alarm repeat pattern; and
another audible alarm repeat pattern.