IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,130,388

Granted Patent B1

US 7,130,388 · App. 09/759,116 · Granted Oct 31, 2006

Portable message waiting indicator

Assignee: America Online, Inc.

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,130,388
App. No.: 09/759,116
Granted: Oct 31, 2006
Kind: B1

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Abstract

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.

Claims (78)

1. A method of indicating receipt of a communication, comprising:

registering a first message-indicating device for a user, said first device comprising an indicator;

registering a second message-indicating device for said user, said second device comprising an alarm;

registering said second message-indicating device for activation in response to receipt of one of multiple types of communications;

receiving notification of receipt of a first communication directed to a communication device associated with the user;

initiating a first wireless signal to said first message-indicating device;

initiating said first wireless signal to said second message-indicating device;

wherein in response to said first signal, said indicator of said first device and said alarm of said second device activate to alert the user;

wherein said first message-indicating device and said communication device are separate devices; and

deactivating said indicator upon acknowledgement of said receipt of said communication by said user.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

initiating a second wireless signal to said first message-indicating device;

wherein in response to said second signal said indicator deactivates.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said second wireless signal is initiated after the user accesses said first communication.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said indicator deactivates in response to manipulation of the first message-indicating device by the user.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said registering comprises:

receiving an identification code of said first message-indicating device from the user; and

associating said identification code with one or more types of communications.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said first communication is a voice-mail message.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said first communication is an electronic mail message.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

initiating said first signal to said second device when said first signal is initiated to said first device.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

initiating said first signal to said second device when notification of receipt of a second communication directed to the user is received, but not when said notification of said first communication is received.

10. A method of using a message-waiting device to notify a user of receipt of a communication for the user, the method comprising:

receiving a communication directed to a communication device associated with said user;

registering a second message-indicating device for activation in response to receipt of one of multiple types of communications;

initiating a first electronic signal to a first message-waiting device associated with the user, wherein said first message-waiting device includes an indicator and said first electronic signal is configured to activate said indicator;

initiating said first electronic signal to a second message-waiting device associated with the user, wherein said second message-waiting device includes an alarm and said first electronic signal is configured to activate said alarm;

providing said communication to said user; and

after said providing, automatically initiating a second electronic signal to said first message-waiting device, wherein said second electronic signal is configured to deactivate said indicator upon acknowledgement of said receipt of said communication by said user;

wherein said first message-waiting device and said communication device are separate devices.

11. A method of indicating receipt of a communication, comprising:

receiving a first wireless signal at a first message-indicating device, wherein said first device includes a first alarm;

receiving said first wireless signal at a second message-indicating device immediately after said receipt of said first wireless signal at said first device, wherein said second device includes a second alarm;

registering said second message-indicating device for activation in response to receipt of one of multiple types of communications;

activating said first alarm and said second alarm in response to said first wireless signal; and

deactivating said first alarm upon acknowledgement of said receipt of said communication by said user;

wherein receipt of said first wireless signal indicates that a first communication was directed to a communication device associated with a user of said first device; and

wherein said first message-indicating device and said communication device are separate devices.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein deactivating said first alarm comprises deactivating said first alarm in response to a second wireless signal.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said second signal is received after the user accesses said first communication.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein deactivating said first alarm comprises deactivating said first alarm in response to manipulation of the first device by the user.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising registering said first device for activation in response to receipt of one of multiple types of communications including said first communication.

16. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of indicating receipt of a communication, the method comprising: