I-RINGER FOR PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE
The invention provides an accessory that can be called an i-RINGER, for use with a portable electronic device (PED). The accessory includes a station that can support a PED, and sense when the PED would be notifying its user about a wireless signal that it receives for an incoming call or text. When the station so senses, it further generates a human-perceptible indication to help notify the user, who might have walked away. The human-perceptible indication can include a call sound or a light signal. This way, when the PED is only vibrating, the call sound can be such that the station rings like a regular home telephone. As such, the user can keep the PED at the “Silent” annunciation mode continuously, confident that they will learn about a call, even if they do not have it on their person.
1 . A station for use with a Portable Electronic Device (PED) distinct from the station, the PED including an antenna operable to receive a wireless signal from a remote transmitter at least 500 feet away from the PED, the PED further including a PED mechanism to operate for generating a human-perceptible first call signal to notify a user about the received wireless signal, the station comprising:
a body for supporting the PED, the body including an upward facing-cavity for receiving the PED therein in a manner such that the PED is freely slidable along a bottom of the cavity;
a sensor for sensing when the PED mechanism is operating to generate the human-perceptible first call signal while the PED is received in the cavity in the manner that the PED is freely slidable along the bottom of the cavity, and for outputting a second call signal responsive to so sensing; and
a station notifier for generating a human-perceptible indication responsive to the second call signal.
2 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the wireless signal is received in conjunction with receiving a telephone call.
3 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the wireless signal is received in conjunction with receiving a text message.
4 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the PED mechanism includes a vibration mechanism for causing a mechanical vibration as the human-perceptible first call signal, and
the sensor includes a vibration sensor for perceiving the mechanical vibration.
5 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the PED mechanism includes a PED speaker for emitting a ring tone as the human-perceptible first call signal, and
the sensor includes a microphone for perceiving the ring tone.
6 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the PED mechanism further includes a vibration mechanism for causing a mechanical vibration as the human-perceptible first call signal, and
the sensor further includes a vibration sensor for perceiving the mechanical vibration.
7 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the sensor is incorporated within the body.
8 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the body includes a feature for hanging the base on a wall.
9 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the station includes a base and a receptacle for supporting the PED, in which the cavity is formed in the receptacle, and
the vibration sensor is operable to sense a vibration between the base and the receptacle.
10 . The station of claim 1 , further comprising:
a battery for powering an operation of the station notifier.
11 . The station of claim 1 , in which
the station notifier includes a station speaker incorporated within the body, and
the human-perceptible indication includes a call sound.
12 . The station of claim 11 , further comprising:
a volume controller for adjusting a volume of the call sound.