Method and apparatus for informing a user through haptic signals

According to an embodiment, a computing device is provided that includes a receiver and a signal generator. The receiver may be configured to receive a user query for information regarding a received call or message. The user query may include a physical act performed on the computing device. The signal generator may be configured to generate a haptic signal indicating a response to the user query for the information regarding the call or message.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to mobile computing devices, and more particularly to a method of informing a user about received calls or messages through haptic signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cell phones, particularly smart phones, are becoming more ubiquitous and versatile. As demand grew, cell phones design also grew to support more functionality including telephone calls, emails, text messages, web browsing, Instant Messaging, social networking, and scheduling. When any of these functions receives a communication (for example, a call or an email), the cell phone notifies the user through a visual or audio signal. The user may then check the cell phone's display to view information about the received communication (for example, the source or urgency of the communication).

However, it may not always be convenient for the user to check his phone when the communication is received. For example, the user may be in a meeting, where it is hard to watch a display or to listen to a voice feature. Furthermore, the user may have to navigate through several windows and menus before ever seeing the information about the received communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a mobile communication device is provided that includes a receiver, a ringer, and a signal generator. The receiver may be configured to receive a swipe indicating a user query for the source of a received call or message. The ringer may be configured to produce an audible signal when the computing device receives a call or message. The mobile communication device may be operable to silence the ringer. The signal generator may be configured to generate a vibration with a first intensity corresponding to a first classification of the source of the call or message and with a second intensity corresponding to a second classification of the source of the received call or message.

According to another embodiment, a method for informing a user through haptic signals may begin by receiving, at a mobile computing device, a user query for information regarding a received call or message. The user query may include some physical act performed on the mobile computing device. The method further includes generating, by the mobile computing device, a haptic signal to indicate a response to the user query for the information regarding the call or message.

According to yet another embodiment, a computing device is provided that includes a receiver and a signal generator. The receiver may be configured to receive a user query for information regarding a received call or message. The user query may include a physical act performed on the computing device. The signal generator may be configured to generate a haptic signal indicating a response to the user query for the information regarding the call or message.

Technical advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure include providing a user a way to check for information about received calls or messages without disturbing others. Specifically, only the user may perceive the haptic signal generated in response to his query for information. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1Ais a schematic diagram of a computing device100. In particular embodiments, computing device100may be a mobile computing device. As an example, and not by way of limitation, computing device100may be a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, pager, or any other suitable mobile computing device. Computing device100may include a display110. Display110may be configured to display information to users of computing device100. In particular embodiments, display110may be a touchscreen configured to receive user input through tactile touch. As an example, and not by way of limitation, a user may select an item displayed on display110by touching display110relative to the location of the displayed item. As another example, and not by way of limitation, the user may scroll up or down by swiping up or down on display110. In some embodiments, display110may be configured to generate a haptic signal to the user. As an example and not by way of limitation, display110may be configured, according to well-known techniques, to present a texture to a user. For example, display110may be configured to feel rough and grainy like sandpaper when the user touches display110. Although this disclosure describes display110performing various functions, this disclosure contemplates display110performing any suitable functions.

Computing device100may include a trackball120. In particular embodiments, trackball120may be configured to navigate selections on display110. In some embodiments, a user of computing device100may use trackball120to make selections displayed on display110. Computing device100may further include a plurality of buttons130. In particular embodiments, buttons130may be pressed by a user of computing device100to perform various functions. As an example, and not by way of limitation, buttons130may be pressed to power on and power off computing device100. As another example, and not by way of limitation, buttons130may be pressed to initiate or to end telephone calls. In particular embodiments, buttons130may be located on the side of computing device100. Computing device100may further include a keyboard140configured to enter user input. In particular embodiments, keyboard140may include a plurality of buttons130. In some embodiments, buttons130on keyboard140may include alphanumeric characters.

Computing device100may be configured to receive calls or messages150. In particular embodiments, calls or messages150may be sent to computing device100wirelessly. In some embodiments, call or message150may be a telephone call, an email message, a text message, an SMS message, or any other suitable call or message received at computing device100. In some embodiments, computing device100may be configured to generate a visible or audible signal to indicate a call or message150is received. As an example and not by way of limitation, computing device100may include a ringer that produces a ringing noise or a light that flashes when a call or message150is received. In some embodiments, the ringer may be silenced.

According to the teachings of the disclosure, computing device100may allow a user to check for calls or messages in a manner that does not disturb others. For example, a user may be in a meeting or any other setting not conducive to checking computing device100, when computing device100receives a call or message150. The user may wish to check certain information regarding call or message150, such as the source, without disrupting the meeting. Computing device100may be silenced, but the user may still disturb others if the user begins operating the computing device in plain view. In these situations, computing device100may allow the user to perceive information about the call or message150without disrupting the meeting by generating a haptic signal in response to a user action. The haptic signal may be perceived only by the user and would not disturb other meeting participants. As an example and not by way of limitation, the user may swipe up or down on display110to request information on the source of call or message150. Computing device100may generate a vibration with a particular intensity to indicate the source of call or message150. For example, computing device100may generate a very intense vibration if the user's family member sent call or message150or a light vibration if the user's boss or coworker sent call or message150. By using computing device100, the user may check for the source of a call or message without disturbing others. The user may swipe display110while computing device100is in the user's pocket, and computing device100may generate a vibration that only the user may perceive. Computing device100would allow the user to check for information regarding received calls or messages150regardless of the people around the user.

FIGS. 1B-3describe particular embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 1Bdescribes certain functional components of computing device100.FIG. 1Cdescribes a physical implementation of computing device100configured to execute software.FIG. 2describes computing device100receiving a user query for information regarding a received call or message, and generating a haptic signal in response to the user query.FIG. 3describes a method executed by computing device100to inform a user through haptic signals.

FIG. 1Billustrates certain functional components of the computing device ofFIG. 1A. InFIG. 1B, computing device100is provided. Computing device100may include a receiver160, a haptic signal generator170, and a ringer180. Receiver160may be configured to receive a request for information regarding a received call or message. Haptic signal generator170may be configured to generate a haptic signal in response to the request. Ringer180may be configured to generate an audible signal when computing device100receives a call or message150. Computing device100may be operable to silence ringer180.

Computing device100may include a receiver160. In particular embodiments, receiver160may be a touchscreen or a sensor configured to detect a button press. Although this disclosure describes receiver160being particular a component, this disclosure contemplates receiver160being any suitable component. In particular embodiments, receiver160may be configured to receive a user query for information regarding a received call or message. In particular embodiments, the user query may include a physical act performed on computing device100. As an example and not by way of limitation, the user query may be a swipe, a shaking of computing device100, or a push of a button on computing device100. In particular embodiments, receiver160may be configured to receive a user query for the source of a call or message. In some embodiments, receiver160may be configured to receive a user query for the urgency of a call or message. Although this disclosure describes receiver160receiving user queries for particular properties of calls or messages, this disclosure contemplates receiver160being configured to receive user queries for any suitable property of a call or message.

Computing device100may further include haptic signal generator170. In particular embodiments, haptic signal generator170may be a motor, a processor operable to execute software to control a vibration component, or a processor configured to execute software to generate a texture on display110. Although this disclosure describes haptic signal generator170being a particular component, this disclosure contemplates haptic signal generator170being any suitable component. In particular embodiments, haptic signal generator170may be configured to generate a haptic signal indicating a response to the user query for the information regarding the call or message. In particular embodiments, haptic signal generator170may vary particular aspects of the generated haptic signal to indicate particular responses to the user query. As an example and not by way of limitation, haptic signal generator170may generate a haptic signal with a particular intensity to indicate a particular response. As another example and not by way of limitation, haptic signal generator170may generate a haptic signal with a particular duration to indicate a particular response. As yet another example and not by way of limitation, haptic signal generator170may generate a particular texture on display110to indicate a particular response.

FIG. 1Cillustrates a physical implementation of the computing device ofFIG. 1Aconfigured to execute software. As provided inFIG. 1C, computing device100may include a processor185, a memory190, a storage196, an I/O interface192, and a communication interface194.

In particular embodiments, processor185includes hardware for executing instructions, such as those making up a computer program. As an example and not by way of limitation, to execute instructions, processor185may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, memory190, or storage196; decode and execute them; and then write one or more results to an internal register, an internal cache, memory190, or storage196. In particular embodiments, processor185may be configured to execute instructions to generate a haptic signal indicating a response to a user query for information regarding a call or message.

In particular embodiments, memory190includes main memory for storing instructions for processor185to execute or data for processor185to operate on. In particular embodiments, storage196includes mass storage for data or instructions. As an example and not by way of limitation, storage196may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate.

In particular embodiments, I/O interface192includes hardware, software, or both providing one or more interfaces for communication between computing device100and a user. Computing device100may include one or more of these I/O devices, where appropriate. As an example and not by way of limitation, an I/O device may include a keyboard140, touchscreen, microphone, display110, speaker, camera, trackball120, video camera, another suitable I/O device or a combination of two or more of these. In particular embodiments, I/O interface192may be configured to receive requests for particular properties of calls or messages.

In particular embodiments, communication interface194includes hardware, software, or both providing one or more interfaces for communication (such as, for example, packet-based communication) between computing device100and one or more other computing devices100or one or more networks. As an example and not by way of limitation, communication interface194may include an antenna or a wireless NIC. This disclosure contemplates any suitable network and any suitable communication interface194for it. As an example and not by way of limitation, computing device100may communicate with an ad hoc network, a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or one or more portions of the Internet or a combination of two or more of these. As an example, computing device100may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN) (such as, for example, a BLUETOOTH WPAN), a WI-FI network, a WI-MAX network, a cellular telephone network (such as, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network), or other suitable wireless network or a combination of two or more of these. Computing device100may include any suitable communication interface194for any of these networks, where appropriate. Communication interface194may include one or more communication interfaces194, where appropriate. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular communication interface, this disclosure contemplates any suitable communication interface.

FIG. 2illustrates the computing device ofFIG. 1Areceiving a user query for information regarding a received call or message, and generating a haptic signal in response to the user query. As provided inFIG. 2, computing device200may include display110, track ball120, and buttons130.

Computing device200may have received call or message150. In particular embodiments, a user may want to check the urgency of call or message150, but the user may be in a setting where the user cannot take computing device200out of the user's pocket to check call or message150. In this situation, the user may send a request for information regarding the received call or message150. In particular embodiments, computing device200may generate a haptic signal in response to the request. In this manner, the user may check different properties of call or message150by performing different actions.

In particular embodiments, a user may a request information regarding the received call or message150. As an example and not by way of limitation, the user may perform a horizontal swipe210on display194to send the request. As another example and not by way of limitation, the user may perform a vertical swipe220on display110. As yet another example and not by way of limitation, the user may scroll or push on track ball120to send the request. As yet another example and not by way of limitation, the user may push one of buttons130to send the request. In particular embodiments, different actions performed by the user may indicate requests for different types of information regarding the received call or message150. As an example and not by way of limitation, a horizontal swipe210on display110may indicate a request for the source of call or message150, and a vertical swipe220on display110may indicate a request for the urgency of the received call or message150.

In particular embodiments, computing device200may generate a haptic signal in response to the user query. As an example and not by way of limitation, computing device200may generate a vibration230in response to the user query. As another example and not by way of limitation, computing device200may generate a texture on display110in response to the user query. In particular embodiments, computing device200may vary particular aspects of the generated haptic signal to indicate different responses to the user query. As an example and not by way of limitation, computing device200may vary the intensity of vibration230to indicate a particular response to the user query. As another example and not by way of limitation, computing device200may vary the duration of vibration230to indicate a particular response to the user query.

In particular embodiments, a user may check different properties of a received call or message150by performing different actions. As an example and not by way of limitation, a user may perform a horizontal swipe210to send a user query regarding the source of call or message150. Computing device200may generate an intense vibration230to indicate the call or message150is from the user's spouse. Computing device200may generate a less intense vibration230to indicate the call or message is from the user's boss. As another example and not by way of limitation, the user may perform a vertical swipe220on display110to send a user query for information regarding the urgency of call or message150. Computing device200may generate an intense vibration to indicate the call or message150is urgent or a less intense vibration230to indicate the call or message is not urgent. In some embodiments, computing device200may vary the duration of vibration230to indicate the different responses to the user queries. In some embodiments, computing device200may vary a texture on display110to indicate the responses to the user queries.

FIG. 3illustrates a method of informing a user of the computing device ofFIG. 1Athrough haptic signals. As provided inFIG. 3, method300begins at step310by receiving a user query for information regarding a received call or message. In particular embodiments, the user query may include a swipe, a scroll, a shake, a push of a button, or any other suitable action to indicate a user query. In step320, the computing device may retrieve the requested information. In step330, the computing device determines if the information should cause a haptic signal response. If the information should not cause a haptic signal response, then method300ends. If the information should cause a haptic signal response, then in step340, the computing device determines what haptic signal should be generated. In step350, the computing device generates the haptic signal to indicate a response to the user query. As an example and not by way of limitation, the computing device may generate a vibration with a particular intensity or duration to indicate the response to the user query. As another example and not by way of limitation, the computing device may generate a particular texture to indicate the response to the user query. In step360, the computing device transmits the haptic signal to the user.

Although the present invention has been described above in connection with several embodiments, changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.