SMART CALL ALERT

MOTOROLA

Technical Developments

SMART CALL ALERT

by Mah Ah Kow and Lee Chong Meng

ABSTRACT

Incorporating sensors to work with the call alert function of a communication device, such as a cellular phone, pager or a 2-way radio, allows the communication device to add low level "artificial intelligence" to the alert function by customizing or managing the alert mode types and volume dynamically, in response to the environment in which the device is located.

INTRODUCTION

A communication device produces one or more alerts to notify a user of such events as receipt of an incoming call or message via an audio tone or a physically detectable vibration or silent mode alert.

Typically in such a communication device, a variety of different tones and volume levels are user selectable.

Conventionally, changing the alert tones and the volume is not convenient. Hence, it is difficult for a user to make changes in the selections to suit changes in the user environment. Consequently, this difficulty may cause embarrassment to the users, when an audio alert goes off in the wrong environment or worse yet, an important call may be missed due to the earlier silent mode selection.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Most portable communication devices are either worn on the belt, stored in a pocket of a shirt or trousers, in a handbag, left on tabletops and used in office, homes and restaurants.

Motorola. Inc 2000

A smart call alert is proposed which activates an appropriate alert in accordance with the user's environment. For example a silent call mode would be changed to an audio tone alert mode if the device is not in the hands of the user, like when the communication device is placed on a table or placed in a handbag. In addition, the volume is automatically increased if the unit is worn on a belt as the listening distance is now greatly increased as compared to storing it in a shirt or coat...