Abstract:
An apparatus and method for use with a television and a telephone line. In response to reception of a ring signal carried on the telephone line, at least one stored remote control command (e.g., “mute”) is wirelessly transmitted to the television for effectuating remote control operations of the television in conjunction with the ring signal being carried on the telephone line. Preferably, the electrical energy of the ring signal is converted to appropriate DC voltage levels to power on component(s) of the apparatus where permitted. The at least one remote control command is preferably supplied by operation of a wireless remote control unit and stored in non-volatile memory for subsequent transmission.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/594,756 filed May 3, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to mechanisms for generating an alert notification of an incoming telephone call suitable for the hard of hearing or deaf. 
   2. State of the Art 
   It is difficult for those that are hard of hearing or deaf to be alerted of an incoming call by a traditional telephone ring. Several devices have been developed that provide additional mechanisms for alerting a hard of hearing user to an incoming telephone call. 
   One such device, which is sold commercially under the name “Teleflash”, generates an amplified audible sound and strobe light to alert an individual of an incoming phone call. The device detects the incoming phone call by a piezo microphone that is placed under a phone and is powered by connection to mains power. 
   Another such device, which is sold commercially under the name “Silent Call Indicator”, generates a bright flash to alert an individual of an incoming phone call. The device interfaces to a standard telephone socket in order to detect the incoming phone call and is powered by connection to mains power. 
   Hard of hearing people often maintain the television volume at a high level. In these situations, the prior art devices require a line of site between the device and the user in order effectively alert the user of the incoming telephone call. This line of site may not be practical in many situations. Moreover, the visual alerts generated by the prior art devices can be ineffective in grabbing the attention of the user and can also be cumbersome because the user is required to take further steps to lower the volume of the television in order to take the incoming call. 
   Thus, there remains a need in the art for improved mechanisms for alerting a hard of hearing or deaf user to an incoming telephone call, especially in a noisy environment where the television volume is maintained at a high level. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mechanism that effectively and efficiently alerts a hard of hearing user to an incoming telephone call, especially in a noisy environment where the television volume is maintained at a high level. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide such a mechanism that can be customized by the user as desired to provide for effective call notification. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide such a mechanism that can be quickly and easily installed by users with varying use requirements and installation requirements. 
   In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, an apparatus and method are provided for use with a television and a telephone line. In response to the reception of a ring signal carried on the telephone line, at least one stored remote control command (e.g., “mute” command) is wirelessly transmitted to the television for effectuating remote control operations of the television in conjunction with the ring signal being carried on the telephone line. Preferably, the electrical energy of the ring signal is converted to appropriate DC voltage levels to power on component(s) of the apparatus where permitted. The at least one remote control command is preferably supplied by operation of a wireless remote control unit and stored in non-volatile memory for subsequent transmission. 
   It will be appreciated that such device and methodology enable a hard of hearing user, who might turn up the volume of the television, to be alerted to the incoming telephone call. 
   In one embodiment, the apparatus is realized by two distinct parts that interface to one another over a wireless communication interface therebetween. The first part is interfaced to the telephone line and preferably sends a coded radio frequency signal to the second part upon receiving a ring signal on the telephone line. The second part receives the signal wireless communicated from the first part and operates in response thereto to wirelessly transmit the stored remote control command (e.g., “mute” command) to the television for effectuating remote control operations of the television in conjunction with the ring signal being carried on the telephone line. This “two-part” design provides for greater flexibility in certain installations. 
   Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and the environment in which it is used. 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the circuit block  31  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and the environment in which it is used. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and the environment in which it is used. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a functional block diagram of a device for generating an alert notification of an incoming telephone call in accordance with the present invention. The device  10  includes a port  11  that interfaces to a telephone line  13  which provides telephony services between one or more telephones  15  (one shown for simplicity of description) and a telephone network  17 . The telephone network  17  transmits a ring signal over the telephone line  13  to announce an incoming telephone call. The ring signal is an alternating current waveform, typically at 20 HZ in the United States and 16.67 Hz in Europe. The voltage of the ring signal on the telephone line  13  depends upon the length of line  13  and the number of telephones attached to the telephone line  13 , but typically varies between 40 and 150 Volts. The timing of the ring signal varies over telephone networks. The telephone network  17  is typically realized by a local loop (of which the telephone line  13  is part) that is connected to a central office switching device managed by a telephone company. Alternatively, the telephone network  17  can be realized by a VOIP gateway device that interfaces the one or more telephone devices  15  to an IP network (e.g., the Internet) to carry voice call data over the IP network as is well known. 
   The device  10  includes a microcontroller  21  and supporting components that operate in one of two modes of operation (i.e., “record” mode and “play” mode) as dictated by a mode-select switch  23 . The mode-select switch  23  can be automatic or manually-operated. The automatic mode-select switching can be accomplished by monitoring the power levels generated by the circuit block  31 . For the “record” mode where a battery powers the device, the voltage appears immediately. In contrast, for the “play” mode where the ring signal powers the device, the voltage produced by the ring signal builds up over time (e.g., a second or two) due to the limited current available in the ring signal. The manually-operated mode-select switching can be accomplished by manual operation of the mode-select switch between a “record” mode switch position and a “play” mode switch position. These two modes are described in more detail below. 
   With the mode-select switch  23  in the “record” mode, the microcontroller  21  and supporting circuitry (circuit blocks  24 ,  27 ,  29 ) are preferably powered by a battery  25  or possibly mains power after suitable AC-DC power conversion (not shown). In this configuration, the port  11  of the device  10  need not be coupled to the telephone line  11  for the “record” mode. Alternatively, the battery  25  may be omitted and replaced by a momentary switch that enables the device  10  to go “off hook” and power the microcontroller  21  and supporting circuitry (circuit blocks  24 ,  27 ,  29 ) from the power supplied to the telephone line  11 . The microcontroller  21  interfaces to a wireless receiver  27  and to a wireless transmitter  29 . These interfaces may utilize a serial-type interface, a parallel-type interface, and/or a general purpose I/O interface that are realized on the microcontroller  21 . 
   In the “record” mode, the microcontroller  21  cooperates with a wireless receiver  27  to receive one or more commands transmitted wirelessly from a wireless remote control transmitter  31 . The command(s) received by operation of the wireless receiver  27  is stored in non-volatile memory  24 , which is preferably realized by flash semiconductor memory. 
   The wireless remote control transmitter  31  interfaces wirelessly to a television  33  (or a set top box or other control function operably coupled thereto) to remotely control the operation of the television, such as turning the television on or off, changing the channel up or down, changing the channel to a designated channel number, muting the audio volume, raising or lowering the audio volume, invoking setup menus that enable user control of various parameters such as brightness, contrast, saturation, etc. 
   The particular command(s) transmitted by the wireless remote control transmitter  31  and received and stored by the device  10  in the “record” mode is dictated by the user. It can be any of the commands supported by the wireless interface between the wireless remote control transmitter  31  and the television  33  (or set top box or control function coupled thereto). It is preferable that the particular command selected by the user be effective in capturing the attention of the user when watching the television. For simplicity of description, it is assumed that the particular command selected by the user mutes the audio volume of the television  33 . This command is useful because it aids the user in hearing the ring announcement for the incoming phone call on the telephone  15 . 
   Preferably, the microcontroller  21  cooperates with wireless transmitter circuitry  29  to wirelessly transmit the command recorded and stored in the non-volatile memory  24 . Such transmission is preferably repeated on a period basis (e.g., every two seconds) for a predetermined time period or possibly until the device is powered down (i.e., the battery power source is disconnected from the device). This allows the user to verify that the particular command has been correctly recorded and actually controls the television  33  as desired (i.e., the TV is actually muted). It also allows the user to place the device  10  in a location such that when it is in “play” mode, it will control the television  33  as desired. Because the command is stored in the non-volatile memory  24 , the battery  25  can be removed, if need be, and the command will be retained. 
   The wireless remote control transmitter  31  typically interfaces to the television  33  (or set top box or other control function) via transmission of infra-red wireless signals. Accordingly, the wireless receiver  27  and the wireless transmitter  29  of the device  10  are preferably capable of respective reception and transmission of such infra-red signals. Alternatively, other wireless signals (such as coded radio-frequency (RF) wireless signals) can be supported. 
   When the user operates the mode-select switch  23  to select the “play” mode, the port  11  is connected to the telephone line  13 . A circuit block  31 , which interfaces to the telephone line  13  via the port  11 , receives the ring signal transmitted on the telephone line and converts the electrical energy in the ring signal to an appropriate DC voltage level that powers on the microcontroller  21  and the supporting circuitry of blocks  24  and  29 . Upon power up in “play” mode, the microcontroller  21  cooperates with the wireless transmitter  29  to transmit the one or more commands recorded and stored in the non-volatile memory  24  during “record” mode for communication to the television  22 . In this manner, the particular command(s) recorded during the “record” mode is transmitted to the television  33  in response to the ring signal generated on the telephone line  13 . Thus, if the particular command(s) recorded during the “record” mode is the “TV mute” command, the television  33  would be muted when the telephone(s)  15  rings. 
   The device  10  can also include a second port (not shown) that is connected internally to the port  11 . The user can connect telephony equipment (e.g., the telephone  15 ) to this second port, which connects such equipment to the telephone line  13  connected thereto via port  11 . 
   Advantageously, the device  10  allows a hard of hearing user, who might turn up the volume of the television  22 , to be alerted to the incoming telephone call. 
     FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of the circuit block  31  of  FIG. 1 . It includes a bridge rectifier  51  that achieves full-wave rectification of the AC signal waveform of the ring signal. The rectified voltage levels (typically around 12 volts) are stored on the capacitor  55 . A voltage regulator  53  converts and regulates the voltage levels stored on the capacitor  55  to an appropriate DC voltage level (typically on the order of 5 volts) that is appropriate for powering on the microcontroller  21  and the supporting circuitry of block  24 . The circuit block  53  also preferably includes a flyback converter for supplying the appropriate DC voltage level (typically on the order of 1.2V) to the wireless transmitter block  29 . The output of the circuit block  53  is supplied to the DC power input of the microcontroller as well as to DC power inputs of the supporting circuitry of blocks  24  and  29  for powering on these components in the “play” mode. The zener diode  57  limits the maximum voltage that can appear across the storage capacitor  55 . 
   Note that in the “play” mode, the battery  25  is removed and the device is connected to the telephone line  13 . In this configuration, the battery  25  and the telephone line connection are not present at the same time, which allows the battery  25  to be connected to the input of the voltage regulator  53  in parallel with the output of the bridge rectifier  51  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention whereby the electrical components of the device  10 ′ are powered in both the “record” and “play” modes by a battery  25 ′ or possibly by mains power after suitable AC-DC power conversion (not shown). In this configuration, the circuit block  31 ′ is adapted to receive and detect the ring signal on the telephone line  13  and convey the detection of the ring signal to the microcontroller  21  via an interface therebetween (e.g., by raising an interrupt assigned to the interface therebetween or by other suitable means). When the microcontroller receives the ring signal detect event conveyed by the circuit block  31 ′, the microcontroller  21  cooperates with the wireless transmitter  29  to transmit the one or more commands recorded and stored in the non-volatile memory  24  during “record” mode for communication to the television  22 . In this manner, the particular command(s) recorded during the “record” mode is transmitted to the television  33  in response to the ring signal generated on the telephone line  13 . Thus, if the particular command(s) recorded during the “record” mode is the “TV mute” command, the television  33  would be muted when the telephone(s)  15  rings. 
   In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the device is split into two distinct parts  10 - 1  and  10 - 2 . The first part  10 - 1  includes a housing  41 A that houses the port  11 , circuit block  31  and a wireless transmitter  37 . The port  11  is connected to the telephone line  13  preferably by a pigtail connection of a few inches long that plugs into a telephone wall socket. The circuit block  31 , which interfaces to the telephone line  13  via the port  11 , receives the ring signal transmitted on the telephone line  13  and converts the electrical energy in the ring signal to an appropriate DC voltage level that powers on the wireless transmitter  37 . In the powered on state, the wireless transmitter  37  transmits a wireless signal for reception by the wireless receiver  39  of the second part  10 - 2 . In the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmitter  37  transmits a coded RF signal that represents a unique code. This code can be set at the factory or could be set by small switches mounted on the part  10 - 1 . The first part  10 - 1  can also include a second port (not shown) that is connected internally to the port  11 . The user can connect telephony equipment (e.g., the telephone  15 ) to this second port, which connects such equipment to the telephone line  13  connected thereto via port  11 . 
   The second part  10 - 2  includes a housing  10 -B that houses the wireless receiver  39  and microcontroller  21 . The microcontroller  21  interfaces to a wireless receiver  27  and to a wireless transmitter  29 . These interfaces may utilize a serial-type interface, a parallel-type interface, and/or a general purpose I/O interface that are realized on the microcontroller  21 . The electrical components of the second part  10 - 2  are powered by a battery  25 ′ or possibly mains power after suitable AC-DC power conversion (not shown). The microcontroller  21  and the supporting components operate in one of two modes of operation (i.e., “record” mode and “play” mode) as dictated by a mode-select switch  23 . The mode-select switch  23  is manually operated between a “record” mode switch position and a “play” mode switch position. These two modes are described in more detail below. 
   With the mode-select switch  23  in the “record” mode, the wireless receiver  39  is adapted to receive and record (e.g., learn) information contained in the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the first part  10 - 1 . To trigger the transmission of this wireless signal, the user preferably places a call to the telephone line to activate the transmission of the wireless signal by the transmitter  37 . The wireless receiver  39  preferably stores the information in its non-volatile memory. In the “record” mode, the microcontroller  21  cooperates with a wireless receiver  27  to receive one or more commands transmitted wirelessly from a wireless remote control transmitter  31 . The command(s) received by operation of the wireless receiver  27  is stored in non-volatile memory  24 , which is preferably realized by flash semiconductor memory. The particular command(s) transmitted by the wireless remote control transmitter  31  and received and stored by the device  10  in the “record” mode is dictated by the user. It can be any of the commands supported by the wireless interface between the wireless remote control transmitter  31  and the television  33  (or set top box or control function coupled thereto). It is preferable that the particular command selected by the user be effective in capturing the attention of the user when watching the television. For simplicity of description, it is assumed that the particular command selected by the user mutes the audio volume of the television  33 . This command is useful because it aids the user in hearing the ring announcement for the incoming phone call on the telephone  15 . 
   In the “record” mode, the microcontroller  21  preferably cooperates with wireless transmitter circuitry  29  to wirelessly transmit the command recorded and stored in the non-volatile memory  24 . Such transmission is preferably repeated on a period basis (e.g., every two seconds) for a predetermined time period. This allows the user to verify that the particular command has been correctly recorded and actually controls the television  33  as desired (i.e., the TV is actually muted). It also allows the user to place the device  10  in a location such that when it is in “play” mode, it will control the television  33  as desired. Because the command is stored in the non-volatile memory  24 , the battery  25  can be removed, if need be, and the command will be retained. 
   The wireless remote control transmitter  31  typically interfaces to the television  33  (or set top box or other control function) via transmission of infra-red wireless signals. Accordingly, the wireless receiver  27  and the wireless transmitter  29  of the device  10  are preferably capable of respective reception and transmission of such infra-red signals. Alternatively, other wireless signals (such as coded radio-frequency (RF) wireless signals) can be supported. 
   With the mode-select switch  23  in the “play” mode, the wireless receiver  39  is adapted to receive the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the first part  10 -A and confirm that the received wireless signal carries the information stored in its non-volatile memory. This feature is useful for certain applications (such as in apartment buildings) where like or similar frequency signals can be present and interfere with the operation of the device. In order to save power, the wireless receiver is preferably powered on several times a second but only for very brief periods, which are just long enough to detect a signal from the wireless transmitter  37 . If the wireless receiver  39  detects a signal, it will remain powered on for a period that allows for full detection of the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter  37 . 
   Upon reception and confirmation of the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the first part  10 -A, the wireless receiver  39  conveys this event to the microcontroller  21  via an interface therebetween (e.g., by raising an interrupt assigned to the interface therebetween or by other suitable means). When the microcontroller receives this event as conveyed by the wireless receiver  39 , the microcontroller  21  cooperates with the wireless transmitter  29  to transmit the one or more commands recorded and stored in the non-volatile memory  24  during “record” mode for communication to the television  22 . In this manner, the particular command(s) recorded during the “record” mode is transmitted to the television  33  in response to the ring signal generated on the telephone line  13 . Thus, if the particular command(s) recorded during the “record” mode is the “TV mute” command, the television  33  would be muted when the telephone(s)  15  rings. 
   Advantageously, this “split-part” design provides for greater flexibility in certain installations, such as those where a telephone jack is not readily available near the television viewing area. In these situations, the first part can be located adjacent the telephone jack and the second part located remotely therefrom in the television viewing area. 
   There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of an apparatus and corresponding method that receives a ring signal that announces an incoming telephone call and activates a wireless transmitter for remote control of television in response thereto. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular power supply arrangements have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other power supply arrangements for the apparatus can be used as well. In addition, while particular types of circuitry and interfaces between circuit blocks have been disclosed, it will be understood that other circuit types and interfaces can be used. For example, and not by way of limitation, the microcontroller of the apparatus can be substituted by a microprocessor, one or more ASICs, one or more gate arrays, dedicated logic or other circuit elements. Similarly, some or all of the circuit elements can possibly be integrated together as part a System on a Chip. Furthermore, while a particular ring signal has been disclosed, it will be understood that any other ring signal that is used to announce a telephone call can be similarly used. This could include cell phones whose transmissions involved in announcing an incoming call could be detected. Moreover, while particular control configurations have been disclosed in reference to the record and play mode operations described herein, it will be appreciated that other control configurations could be used as well. It can also be used by others that are not hard of hearing. For example, hearing users may find it useful as a convenience feature because they no longer need to fumble for the remote control when the telephone rings. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.