US006160489A
`6,160,489
`(11) Patent Number:
`United States Patent 55
`
`Perry et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Dec. 12, 2000
`
`[54] WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`ADAPTED TO GENERATE A PLURALITY OF
`DISTINCTIVE TACTILE ALERT PATTERNS
`
`2-27821
`2146153
`2237703
`
`Japan .
`1/1990
`4/1985 United Kingdom............ 340/825.44
`5/1991 United Kingdom.............. 340/825.44
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Theresa Sue Perry, Waukesha, Wis.;
`Pamela Ann Dillard, Lake Zurich, Il.
`
`[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg,Tl.
`
`Rakolta, Pamela A. and Goldenberg, Michael P., “Unique
`Uscr-Sclectable Cadenec For Silent Alcrt Devices”,
`Motorola Technical Developments, vol. 15, May 1992
`Schaumberg, US, p. 96.
`DeLuca, Mike, “Local Infrared Control of Reciever Alerts”,
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/264,817
`Motorola Technical Developments, vol. 12, Apr. 1991,
`.
`Schaumburg, US, p. 168.
`Filed:
`Jun. 23, 1994
`[22]
`aoneee eeeOeoheGORTATAQench.
`IM. C1? aacsesssecnneinntieennnntnenee 1040 700
`[SU]
`
`[52] US. CM. ceeseessesesssesseneentn 340/825.44; 340/825.46 neneeic Re lnements”.op.fi-14 witen-
`[58] Field of Search 0... 340/825.19, 825.44,
`EtwrtTA Interim
`Standyd,
`IS 54-B, Apr.
`1992, Cellul
`340/825.46, 825.47, 825.48, 407.1, 407.2
`er NT Os OPE
`Boe Sar
`311 1: 370/52: B4/11D . ti4 16
`System Dual-Mode Mobile Station—Base Station Compat-
`”
`>
`>
`,
`ibility Standard, pp. i-8, 187-188.
`
`[56]
`
`
`
`...
`
`Primary Examiner—Michael Horabik
`References Cited
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Kevin D. Kaschke; Sylvia Chen
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`H117394/1993 Davis et al. wee 340/825.46 [57] ABSTRACT
`
`Taeeo tos Noeid al.
`aa 340,foe
`A radiotelephone (101) is adapted to generate a plurality of
`4.352.091
`9/1982 Yamasaki
`.....
`“ 340/311.1
`distinctive vibrating alert patterns. An antenna (201)
`4,421.953
`12/1983 Zielinski...
`99/2 EC
`receives radio frequency (RF)signals including an incoming
`4,701,759
`10/1987 Nadir et al.
`.. 340/825.44
`telephone call signal (121). A receiver (205), operably
`4,755,816
`7/1988 Deluca ......
`340/825.44
`coupled to the antenna (201), receives the incomingtele-
`4,918,438
`4/1990 Yamasaki
`..
`340/825 .46
`phone call signal (121). A vibrating alert generator (223)
`4,922,221
`5/1990 Sato etal. .....
`340/825.47
`generates a vibrating alert pattern when enabled. A controller
`5,272,475
`12/1993 Eaton etal.
`+ 340/825.44
`(215), operably coupled to the receiver (205) and the vibrat-
`5,287,099
`oiled TSUNOdA oo.eeesseeeteeeee 340/82544
`ing alert generator (223), enables the vibrating alert genera-
`ere hood MacDonald-seseoesereseecenees eecat
`tor (223) to generate the vibrating alert pattern (301) as one
`. 340/825.44
`5381138
`1/1995 Stair oPaL
`of a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns (301-312)
`
`3/1995 Miyauchi......
`340/825 44
`5,396,229
`when the incoming telephone call signal (121) is received.
`
`
`cevccsssseessesseeeee 340/825.44
`5,422,635
`6/1995 Morishima
`The present invention advantageously permits the user or the
`....csccesseseceeneseeee 340/825.44
`5,495,236
`2/1996 Minami
`radiotelephone system (1.00) to select a preferred distinctive
`vibrating alert pattern (301), or to assign a particular dis-
`tinctive vibrating alert pattern (301)to a particular incoming
`telephone call signal (121).
`
`.......... 340/825.44
`
`2 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`255
`
`121
`
`DUPLEXER
`
`FREQUENCY
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`RECEIVER oi
`of
`
`
`
`
`
`233
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`219
`
` Valve Exhibit 1036
`
`Valve Exhibit 1036
`Valve v. Immersion
`Valve v. Immersion
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`552484 12/1959 Belgium .
`0467071A2
`6/1991
`European Pat. Off.
`585118
`2/1994 European Pat. Off.
`
`.
`
`

`

`Dec. 12, 2000
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`6,160,489
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`6it
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`YIETYOSANS
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 12, 2000
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`6,160,489
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 12, 2000
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`6,160,489
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 12, 2000
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`6,160,489
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`WASIAYOJIGAY
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`

`6,160,489
`
`1
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`ADAPTED TO GENERATE A PLURALITY OF
`DISTINCTIVE TACTILE ALERT PATTERNS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to wireless com-
`munication devices having alert generators and more par-
`ticularly to a wireless communication device adapted to
`generate a plurality of distinct tactile alert patterns.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`A wireless communication device operates in a wireless
`communication system to provide a user of the device with
`portable communications. A wireless communication device
`communicates with the wireless communication system or
`other wireless communication devices via electromagnetic
`signals, such as those in the radio frequency (RF) range, for
`example. The wireless communication device may commu-
`nicate voice only, data only or both voice and data. The
`format of the electromagnetic signal communicated between
`the wireless communication device and the wireless com-
`munication system or other devices maybeeither analog or
`digital. Examples of wireless communication devices com-
`prise radiotelephones, pagers, two-wayradios, personal data
`assistants, and personal notebooks. The radiotelephones
`comprise cellular and cordless subscriber units.
`Wireless communication devices use various alert tech-
`niques to indicate to a user of a wireless communication
`device that an incoming desired signal has been received.
`For example, a radiotelephone alerts the user when an
`incomingcall signal is received, and a pageralerts the user
`when an incoming page signal is received. Generally, these
`alert
`techniques include audible, visual and tactile alert
`generators. The audible alert generator is typically imple-
`mented with an acoustic transducer, ie. a speaker, some-
`times known as a ringer. The visual alert generator is
`typically implemented with a displayor a separate indicator.
`The tactile alert generator is typically implemented with an
`axially offset counterweight driven by a motor to cause a
`vibrating sensation.
`Audible alert generators are generally knownto be imple-
`mented in virtually all wireless communication devices.
`When a desired signal has been received,
`the wireless
`communication device activates the audible alert generator
`to produce a sound, such as a ring or beep, thereby alerting
`the user. A problem with audible alert generators is that the
`sound produced can be disturbing to others in environments
`where there is a low ambient noise level, and may not be
`heard by the user in environments where there is a high
`ambient noise level.
`
`In landline telephone systems, landline telephone sub-
`scriber units have audible alert generators and can generate
`distinctive audible alert patterns, such as distinctive ringing
`or distinctive call-waiting, responsive to signals generated
`by the landline telephone system. Generally, distinctive
`ringing and distinctive call-waiting consists of sequenced,
`variable-length bursts of power ringing interspersed with
`variable length silent intervals. Distinctive ringing and dis-
`tinctive call-waiting for landline telephone subscriber units
`is described in Bellcore’s LATA Switching Systems Generic
`Requirements, Class *” Feature: Distinctive Ringing/Call
`Waiting, FSD 01-01-1110, TR-TSY-000219,
`Issue 2,
`November 1988, Revision 1, May 1992.
`In a radiotelephone system, radiotelephone subscriber
`units have audible alert generators and can generate distinc-
`tive audible alert patterns, such as distinctive ringing,
`
`2
`responsive to alert codes generated by the radiotelephone
`system. Generally, distinctive ringing in the radiotelephone
`system is implemented by varying the pitch and cadence or
`duty cycle, of the audible alert signal. Pitch represents a
`distinction between tones, usually based on frequency.
`Cadence or duty cycle is the on/off pattern of the tones.
`Distinctive ringing for radiotelephone subscriber units is
`described in EIA/TIA INTERIM STANDARD, Cellular
`System Dual-Mode Mobile Station-Base Station Compat-
`ibility Standard, IS-54-B, Section 2.7.3.1.3.3.1, Telecommu-
`nications Industry Association, April 92.
`Visual alert generators are generally known to be imple-
`mented in most wireless communication devices. When a
`
`desired signal has been received, the wireless communica-
`tion device activates the visual alert generator to produce a
`visual indicator, such as a flashing icon in the display or a
`flashing light,
`thereby alerting the user. A problem with
`visual alert generators is that the visual indicator produced
`can go undetected by the user for some period of time until
`the user actually looksat the visual indicator. Therefore, the
`audible alert generator is typically used as a primary alert
`and the visualalert generatoris typically used as a secondary
`or redundantalert.
`
`Tactile alert generators are generally known to be imple-
`mented in only some wireless communication devices. Tac-
`tile alert generators are typically used in wireless commu-
`nication devices that are small enough to be portable and
`worn on the user such that the tactile sensation is felt. Some
`
`pagers, for example, have the motor driving the axially offset
`counter-weight to produce a vibrating sensation against the
`user. When a desired signal has been received, the wireless
`communication device activates the tactile alert generator to
`producea tactile sensation, such as vibration, thereby alert-
`ing the user. A problem with tactile alert generators is that
`the tactile sensation produced can go undetected by the user
`whenthe wireless communication device is not worn bythe
`user or closely coupled to the user in some manner. Another
`problem with tactile alert generators is that various uscrs
`maynot be responsive to the sametactile sensation produced
`by the tactile alert generator due to the physiology and
`clothing of the various users and the location of the wireless
`communication device on the user’s body. Therefore, the
`tactile alert generator is typically used in environments
`where the ambientnoise level is very low suchthat others in
`the area are not disturbed or where the ambient noise level
`
`very high suchthat the user is alerted when the audible alert
`cannot be heard.
`
`Accordingly, there is a need for a wireless communication
`device that generates a plurality of distinctive tactile alert
`patterns.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication
`system in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless commu-
`nication device in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating a plurality of
`distinctive tactile alert patterns in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a distinctive
`audible alert pattern and a distinctive silent alert in accor-
`dance with the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`FIG. 1 isa block diagram of a communication system 100,
`in accordance with the present invention. The communica-
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`6,160,489
`
`3
`tion system of FIG. 1 generally comprises a wireless com-
`munication system 102 coupled to a wireline communica-
`tion system 104. The wireless communication system 102
`generally comprises a switch 113 coupled to a plurality of
`fixed sites 107, 109 and 111, and a plurality of wireless
`communication devices 101, 103 and 105. The communi-
`cation system 100 provides communications between the
`wireline communication system 104 and one or more wire-
`less communication devices 101, 103 and 105.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`wireless communication system 102 is a radiotelephone
`system, and in particular, a cellular radiotelephone system.
`Alternatively, the wireless communication system 102 may
`comprise a cordless radiotelephone system, a satellite com-
`munication system, a paging system, a trunked radio system
`or a personal communication system (PCS).
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
`wircless communication devices 101, 103 and 105 arc
`radiotelephone subscriber units 101, 103 and 105, and in
`particular, cellular radiotelephone subscriber units.
`Alternatively, the wireless communication devices 101, 103
`and 105 may comprise cordless radiotelephones, pagers,
`two-way radios, personal data assistants, and personal note-
`books.In the preferred embodimentof the present invention,
`the wireless communication devices 101, 103 and 105 are
`portable devices that operate in a wireless communication
`system 102 to advantageously provide users of the devices
`101, 103 and 105 with portable communications.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`wireless communication devices 101, 103 and 105 commu-
`nicate with one of the plurality of fixed sites 107, 109 and
`111 via electromagnetic signals 121, 123 and 125, such as
`those in the radio frequency (RF) range, for example. In the
`preferred embodiment, the radio frequency signals 121, 123
`and 125 are radiotelephonecalls transmitted and received by
`the radiotelephones 101, 103 and 105. The wireless com-
`munication devices 101, 103 and 105 may communicate
`voice only, data only or both voice and data. The format of
`the electromagnetic signal communicated between the wire-
`less communication devices and the fixed sites 107, 109 and
`111 may be either analog or digital. Alternatively,
`the
`electromagnetic signals 121, 123 and 125 maybe infra-red
`signals.
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`each wireless communication device 101, 103 and 105 has
`a unique telephone directory number, corresponding to the
`telephone number which would be dialed in the public
`switched telephone network 104, to access the communica-
`tions link which would couple the wireless communication
`device 101, 103 and 105 to the appropriate telephoneline.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`fixed sites 107, 109 and 111 are land-base stations. The
`wireless communication devices 101, 103 and 105 commu-
`nicate with the fixed sites 107, 109 and 111, which in turn,
`couple two-way communication through a switch 113. Inthe
`preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the fixed
`sites 107, 109 and 111 provide communications, throughout
`discrete radio coverage areas 115, 117, and 119, respectively,
`enabling the wireless communication devices 101, 103 and
`105 to communicate with the wireless communication sys-
`tem 102 over a wide geographic area. Alternatively, the fixed
`sites 107, 109 and 111 may comprisesatellites orbiting about
`the earth to communicate either directly with the wireless
`communication devices 101, 103 and 105 or through other
`land-base stations.
`
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`switch 113 is a telephone exchange, and in particular, a
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`cellular telephone exchange. Alternatively, the switch 113
`may be a cordless telephone exchange such as used in PCS
`systems.
`In the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the switch 113 performs the operation of call
`placement, control, and interconnection with the wireline
`communication network 104.
`
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`wireline communication network 104 is a public switched
`telephone network, as is well known in theart.
`Generally, the fixed sites 107, 109 and 111, the switch 113
`and the wireline communication network 104 are individu-
`
`ally well knownin the art, and hence no additional descrip-
`tion need be provided here except as may be necessary to
`facilitate the understanding of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of one of the wireless
`communication device 101, 103 and 105, such as 101 for
`example,
`in accordance with the present invention. The
`wireless communication device 101, configured as a radio-
`telephonein the preferred embodiment, generally comprises
`an antenna 201, a duplexer 203, a receiver 205, a transmitter
`207, a speaker 209, a microphone 211, a frequency synthe-
`sizer 213, a controller 215, a power supply 255, a keypad
`217, a hook switch 219, a silent alert generator 227, and an
`audible alert generator 225. The silent alert generator 227
`may comprise a visual alert generator 221 ora tactile alert
`generator 223. Generally, the antenna 201, the duplexer 203,
`the receiver 205, the transmitter 207, the speaker 209, the
`microphone 211, the frequency synthesizer 213, the control-
`ler 215, the power supply 255, the keypad 217, the hook
`switch 219, the silent alert generator 227, and the audible
`alert generator 225 are each individually well known in the
`art, and hence no additional description need be given except
`as may be necessary to facilitate the understanding of the
`present invention.
`The antenna 201 transmits and receives radio frequency
`(RF) signals via the duplexer 203. The duplexer 203,
`coupled to both the transmitter and the receiver, permits RF
`signals to be transmitted and received at the same time
`without interfering with one another. The receiver 205 is
`coupled to the duplexer andis operative to receive a desired
`signal 121 to produce a received signal at line 229. The
`speaker 209 is coupled to receive the received signal and
`operative to generate an acoustic signal for a user of the
`radiotelephone to hear. The microphone 211 receives an
`acoustic spokenby the user to produce an input signalat line
`231. The transmitter 207 is coupled to receive the input
`signal at line 231 and operative to produce a transmitted
`signalat line 233. The frequency synthesizer 213 is coupled
`to both the receiver 205 and the transmitter 207 and operable
`to provide frequency reference signals at lines 235 and 237,
`respectively. The controller 215 is coupled to the frequency
`synthesizer 213, the receiver 205 and the transmitter 207 and
`operable to communicate control signals via lines 239, 241
`and 243, respectively. The keypad 217 and the hook switch
`219 are coupled to the controller 215 and operable to provide
`input control signals via lines 245 and 247, respectively. The
`controller 215 is coupledto the silent alert generator 227 and
`the audible alert generator 225 and operable to provide
`output control signals via lines 249 and 251, and 253,
`respectively.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`audible alert generator 225 is a ringer. The audible alert
`generator 225 is operable to generate an audible alert pattern
`when enabled by the controller 215 via the output control
`signalat line 253. When desired signal 121 is received by the
`receiver 205, the receiver 205 sendsthe control signal at line
`
`

`

`6,160,489
`
`5
`241 to the controller 215. The controller 215 is operable to
`enable the audible alert generator 225 responsive to the
`control signal at line 241.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`visual alert generator 221 is a display. The visual alert
`generator 221 is operable to generate an visual alert pattern
`when enabled by the controller 215 via the output control
`signal at line 249. When desired signal 121is received by the
`receiver 205, the receiver 205 sends the control signal atline
`241 to the controller 215. The controller 215 is operable to
`enable the visual alert generator 221 responsive to the
`control signal at line 241.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`tactile alert generator 223 is a vibrator. The tactile alert
`generator 223 is operable to generate antactile alert pattern
`when enabled by the controller 215 via the output control
`signal at line 251. When the desired signal 121 is received
`by the receiver 205, the receiver 205 sends the control signal
`at line 241 to the controller 215. The controller 215 is
`operable to enable the tactile alert generator 221 responsive
`to the control signal at line 241.
`Poweris typically supplied to the wireless communication
`device 101 via a power supply 255, such as a portable
`battery, for example. The portable battery permits the wire-
`less communication device 101 to be conveniently carried
`by the user. The power supply 255 generally supplies power
`to the elements of the wireless communication device 101
`
`requiring power.
`USS. patent application Ser. No. 07/823,738 discloses
`subject matter related to the present invention andis herein
`incorporated byreference.
`FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating a plurality of
`distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312 in accordance with
`the present invention. The plurality of distinctivetactile alert
`patterns 301-312 generated bythe tactile alert generator 223
`are preferably controlled by the controller 215. A high value
`signifies that the tactile alert generator 223 is “on”, and a low
`value signifies that the tactile alert generator 233 is “off”.
`However,
`the plurality of distinctive tactile alert patterns
`301-312 generated by the tactile alert generator 223 may
`also be controlled by the tactile alert generator 223itself if
`so desired.
`
`According to the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, the receiver 205 receives the desired communi-
`cation signal 121. The tactile alert generator 223 generates
`a tactile alert pattern 301 when enabled. The controller 215,
`operably coupled to the receiver 205 and the tactile alert
`generator 223, for enabling the tactile alert generator 223 to
`generate the tactile alert pattern 301 as one of a plurality of
`distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312 when the desired
`communication signal 121 is received.
`Generally,
`the desired communication signal 121 is
`indicative of an occurrence of a particular event in a radio-
`telephone system 102 in which the radiotelephone 101
`operates.
`In the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the desired communication signal 121 is an
`incoming telephone call signal. However, alternate desired
`communication signals 121 mayinclude, without limitation,
`an incoming page signal.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`one of the plurality of distinctive tactile alert patterns
`301-312 is determined by a user of the radiotelephone 101.
`This determination can be made by the user through the
`keypad 217 of the radiotelephone 101. Thus,
`the present
`invention permits the user to select a distinctive tactile alert
`pattern based on the user’s preference. The user’s preference
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`may be influenced by a oumber of variables including the
`user’s physiology, clothing, and location of the radiotele-
`phoneonthe user’s body. Further, the user may program the
`radiotelephone 101 to selected distinctive tactile alert pat-
`terns 301-312 to be generated when a selected correspond-
`ing phone numbersare received by the radiotelephone 101.
`Altermatively, the one ofthe plurality of distinctive tactile
`alert patterns 301-312 is determined by the radiotelephone
`system 102 in which the radiotelephone 101 operates. When
`the radiotelephone system 102 transmits the desired com-
`munication signal 121 to the radiotelephone 101, the desired
`communication signal 121 further comprises a code corre-
`spondingto the oneofthe plurality of distinctive tactile alert
`patterns 301-312 to be generated. Thus, the radiotelephone
`system 102 may cause the radiotelephone 101 to generate
`the distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312. For example,
`the radiotelephone system 102 may cause one of the par-
`ticular distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312 to be gen-
`erated when the desired communication signal 121 is an
`incoming telephone call signal and another one of the
`particular distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312 to be
`generated when the desired communication signal 121 is a
`incoming page call signal. As another example, the radio-
`telephone system 102 may cause one of the particular
`distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312 to be gencrated
`whenthe desired communication signal 121 is an incoming
`telephone call signal within one radiotelephone system and
`another one ofthe particular distinctive tactile alert patterns
`301-312 to be generated when the desired communication
`signal 121 is an incoming telephone call signal within
`another radiotelephone system.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`plurality of distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312 are
`made distinctive from each other by varying at least one of
`duty cycle and frequency of each of the plurality of distinc-
`tive tactile alert patterns. Such variationis illustrated in FIG.
`3 by the variety of distinctive tactile alert patterns 301-312.
`Further, the intensity of the distinctive tactile alert patterns
`may also be varied if so desired.
`FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a distinctive
`audible or visual alert pattern 401 and the distinctive tactile
`alert pattern 301 in accordance with the present invention. A
`high value signifies that the tactile generator 223is “on”, and
`a lowvalue signifies that the tactile alert generator 233 is
`“off”.
`
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`audible alert generator 225 generates an audible alert pattern
`401. The controller 215, operably coupled to the receiver
`205 and the audible alert generator 225, enables the audible
`alert generator 225 to generate the audible alert pattern 401
`as one of a plurality of distinctive audible alert patterns when
`the desired communication signal 121 is received. The one
`of the plurality of distinctive audible alert patterns 401 and
`the oncof the plurality of distinctive tactile alert patterns 301
`have substantially the same distinctive alert pattern. For
`example, the ringer 225 and the vibrator 223 both produce
`substantially the same distinctive alert pattern. Thus, the
`useris alerted to the desired communication signal 121 with
`the samedistinctive alert pattern recognized by the user no
`matter whether the user is alerted by the ringer 225 or the
`vibrator 223.
`
`Alternatively, the visual alert generator 221 generates a
`visual alert pattern 401. The controller 215, operably
`coupled to the receiver 205 and the visual alert generator
`221, enables the visual alert generator 221 to generate the
`visual alert pattern 401 as one of a plurality of distinctive
`
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`visual alert patterns when the desired communication signal
`121 is received. ‘The one of the plurality of distinctive visual
`alert patterns 401 and the one of the plurality of distinctive
`tactile alert patterns 301 have substantially the same dis-
`tinctive alert pattern.
`Alternatively, the receiver receives the desired commu-
`nication signal 121. The audible alert generator 225 gener-
`ates an audible alert pattern 401 when enabled. The silent
`alert generator 227 for generating a silent alert pattern 301
`when enabled. The controller 215, operably coupled to the
`receiver 215, the audible alert generator 225 and the silent
`alert generator 227, enables at least one of the audible alert
`generator 225 and the silent alert generator 227 when the
`desired communication signal 121 is received. The audible
`alert generator 225 generates the audiblealert pattern 401 as
`one of a plurality of distinctive audible alerts and the silent
`alert generator 227 generates the silent alert pattern 301 as
`one of a plurality of distinctive silent alerts 301-312. The
`one of the plurality of distinctive audible alert patterns 401
`and the one ofthe plurality of distinctive silent alert patterns
`301 have substantially the same distinctive alert pattern. In
`the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the
`audible alert generator 225is a ringer 225 andthesilentalert
`generator 227 is a vibrator 223. Alternatively, the silent alert
`gencrator 227 may be a display 221.
`Thus, a wireless communication device 101 is adapted to
`generate a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns.
`The controller 215, operably coupled to the receiver 205 and
`the vibrating alert generator 223, enables the vibrating alert
`generator 223 to generate the vibrating alert pattern 301 as
`one of a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns
`301-312 when the desired communication signal 121 is
`received. The present invention advantageously permits the
`user or the communication system to select a preferred
`distinctive tactile alert pattern (301), or to assign a particular
`distinctive vibrating alert pattern (301)
`to a particular
`desired communication signal (121).
`Whatis claimed is:
`1. A wireless communication device comprising:
`a receiver, for receiving a desired communication signal;
`a tactile alert generator, for generating a tactile alert
`pattern when enabled;
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`an audible alert generator, for generating an audible alert
`pattern; and
`the tactile alert
`a controller, coupled to the receiver,
`generator, and the audible alert generator, for enabling
`the tactile alert generator to generate a particulartactile
`alert pattern as one of a plurality of distinctive tactile
`alert patterns when a particular desired communication
`signal is received, wherein different particular tactile
`alert patterns are generated when different correspond-
`ing particular desired communication signals are
`received, and for enabling the audible alert generator to
`generate the audible alert pattern as one of a plurality
`of distinctive audible alert patterns when the desired
`communication signal is received,
`wherein the one ofthe plurality of distinctive audible alert
`patterns and the oneofthe plurality ofdistinctivetactile
`alert patterns have substantially the same distinctive
`alert pattern.
`2. A wireless communication device comprising:
`a receiver, for receiving a desired communication signal;
`a tactile alert generator, for generating a tactile alert
`pattern when enabled;
`a visual alert generator, for generating a visual alert
`pattern;
`a controller, operably coupled to the receiver, the tactile
`alert generator, and the visual alert generator, for
`enabling the tactile alert generator to generate a par-
`ticular tactile alert pattern as one of a plurality of
`distinctive tactile alert patterns when a particular
`desired communication signal
`is received, wherein
`different particular tactile alert patterns are generated
`when different corresponding particular desired com-
`munication signals are received and for enabling the
`visual alert generator to generate the visualalert pattern
`as one ofa plurality of distinctive visual alert patterns
`when the desired communication signal is received,
`wherein the one of the plurality of distinctive visual alert
`patterns and the oneofthe plurality of distinctive tactile
`alert patterns have substantially the same distinctive
`alert pattern.
`
`