Abstract:
A cell phone interaction device which communicates with a cell phone. The cell phone interaction device allows a user to locate a misplaced cell phone by signaling the cell phone to produce an audible, physical, or visual signal that aids the user in locating the misplaced cell phone.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/070,359, filed on Mar. 20, 2008, and U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 12/381,752, filed on Mar. 16, 2009, herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of remote control devices and more specifically to a device which interacts with a cell phone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system diagram of a cell phone interactive system in which the interactive device is a keychain. 
           [0004]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate exemplary embodiments of an interactive device capable of communicating remotely with a cell phone and receiving a mutually agreed to signal associated with an identified cell phone. 
           [0005]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate exemplary embodiments of an external mount assembly for externally mounting communication components to a cell phone for use in an exemplary cell phone interactive system. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate exemplary placement of internally mounted components on the inner surface of a cell phone battery cover for use in an exemplary cell phone interactive system. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate exemplary structural configurations of a battery cover adapted for mounting components within a cell phone housing for use in an exemplary cell phone interactive system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6   a  illustrates exemplary components of a system which displays caller identification information for incoming calls on a cell phone interactive device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6   b  illustrates exemplary components of a system which displays location data for a cell phone on a cell phone interactive device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  illustrates exemplary components of a system which inter-operatively interacts with electronic locking systems. 
       
    
    
     TERMINOLOGY 
       [0011]    As used herein, the term “caller identification data” refers to data which identifies a caller. 
         [0012]    As used herein, the term “cell phone interactive device” or “interactive device” refers to any electronic device which may be associated with a cell phone. A cell phone interactive device may or may not have the ability to make outgoing calls. Cell phone interactive devices may also have dimensions smaller than an associated cell phone. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the term “digital information” refers to information which may be displayed by a cell phone interactive device. Digital information may include, but is not limited to, location data and caller identification data. Digital information may be transmitted in any other format known in the art. 
         [0014]    As used herein, the term “display component” refers to an interface on which a phone number, text message, missed call message, GPS coordinates, or another piece of information may be visible. 
         [0015]    As used herein, the term “identified signal” refers to an electronic communication signal that is at least in one way identified with an associated cell phone, including but not limited to subscriber identity module (SIM) card identifying number or other quasi-unique identification number or other identifying system known in the art. An identified signal may be formatted to transfer information. 
         [0016]    As used herein, the term “location data” refers to data which provides information regarding the location of a cell phone. 
         [0017]    As used herein, the term “operatively coupled” means two or more components which are configured to function integrally with one another with or without a physical connection. 
         [0018]    As used herein, the term “quasi-unique identification number” refers to a means of identifying a specific device, including, but not limited to, a series of numbers stored on a SIM card which authenticate and identify a specific mobile device, an authenticating program or any other identification means known in the art which may authenticate and identify a specific mobile device. 
         [0019]    As used herein, the term “signaling component” refers to a component capable of producing an audible, physical, or visual indication. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the term “structural interlocking component” refers to elements used to secure two or more components together, including but not limited to clamps, grooves, straps, adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, and materials attracted by magnetic force. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0021]    Individuals are increasingly reliant on their cell phones, and it is currently estimated that there are over 5 billion cell phones in use worldwide. Cell phone use has caused specific habits and social norms to develop. For example, many users keep their cell phones with them at all times unless they are specifically prohibited from doing so. There is also an increasing expectation that individuals can be reached in emergency situations by cell phone. Consequently, issues may arise in environments where cell phones are not permitted. For example, school and workplace environments may place restrictions on bringing cell phones on the premises because receiving and making calls may be distracting and/or interfere with tasks. This presents a problem when individuals must be reached in an emergency or notified to contact a third party regarding a work-related or authorized task. 
         [0022]    Cell phones are relatively small devices that are easily dropped or inadvertently left in an unknown location. Numerous issues are presented when a user misplaces a cell phone. If the cell phone is out-of-battery or not close by, the individual cannot simply call the cell phone to locate it. A dead cell phone battery may also result in an inability to reach the cell phone owner in an emergency. 
         [0023]    Since considerable data and information may be stored on a cell phone, a lost cell phone can result is a loss of privacy and security for the owner. It may be critical to locate a misplaced cell phone. Data loss (e.g., sales contacts) may be costly to a business user, and some data may not be easily retrievable. 
         [0024]    Devices used to track lost cell phones are known in the art. One example is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/946,793 (Merrem &#39;793). Merrem &#39;793 teaches a personal digital assistant (PDA) protection system that alerts a user if his or her PDA is located at a distance which exceeds a predetermined threshold. The PDA protection system contains a transmitting apparatus that provides a signal, and a receiving apparatus that receives the signal to determine whether the PDA has been forgotten. However, this system is only capable only of alerting a user if the distance between the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus has been exceeded. 
         [0025]    In addition, many environments restrict the use of a cellular device or require a user to relinquish a device entirely while on the premises. Prior art has been directed to limiting the use of cell phones in certain environments. U.S. Pat. No. 7,110,753 (Campen &#39;753) is directed to a system and method for remotely controlling functional aspects of a wireless device. The system and method taught by Campen &#39;753 is complex because it requires an administrator or third party to create control parameters for the use of the cell phone. 
         [0026]    It is also known, based on market research, that cell phones are commonly kept with a user (e.g., in a pocket or purse). A cell phone is an object that is more frequently and uniformly within reach of users than most other possessions. 
         [0027]    It is desirable to have a device capable of locating a misplaced cell phone, particularly when a battery has lost power. 
         [0028]    It is desirable to have a device capable of communicating with a cell phone. 
         [0029]    It is further desirable to have a device which can be used in place of a cell phone in areas where cell phones are prohibited. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The present invention is a cell phone interactive device comprised of a housing component, a power source, a receiver capable of receiving a signal associated with a specific cell phone, and at least one signaling component for alerting a user that the cell phone has received a signal. The receiver and signaling component are operatively coupled to the power source. A battery/power source, transceiver, and signaling component are mounted to an internal or external surface of a cell phone housing, allowing the interactive device and the cell phone to communicate. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0031]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a cell phone interactive device, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent materials and configurations may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
         [0032]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
         [0033]    Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system diagram of cell phone interactive system  100  in which interactive device  50  is designed to be mounted on a keychain thus allowing interactive device  50  to communicate with cell phone  10  for purposes of locating cell phone  10  or for being alerted when cell phone  10  receives an incoming signal (e.g., call or text). 
         [0035]    In various embodiments, interactive device  50  may communicate with cell phone  10  via signals  98  transmitted from cell phone  10  to interactive device  50  and/or interactive device  50  may communicate interactively with cell phone  10  through signals  96   a  and  96   b  emitted from paging component  40  (not shown) in cell phone  10  and paging component  60  (not shown) in interactive device, respectively. 
         [0036]    In other embodiments, interactive device  50  may receive signals  94   b  from a cell phone tower as mutually established between interactive device  50  and cell phone  10  when interactive device  50  is associated with cell phone  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, interactive device  50  is associated with a quasi-unique identifying number which corresponds to the identifying information on the SIM card of cell phone  10 , allowing interactive device  50  to receive signals designated for cell phone  10 . 
         [0037]    In still other embodiments, cell phone  10  may be in communication with a GPS satellite through GPS signal  92  and may be programmed to broadcast an automatic reading of its coordinates to a cell phone tower via signal  94   a . Signal  94   a  is transformed into signal  94   b , which is demodulated, interpreted, and displayed by interactive device  50 . In various embodiments, cell phone  10  may be programmed to directly broadcast identified signals which may be directly received by interactive device  50 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate exemplary embodiments of interactive device  50  capable of communicating remotely with cell phone  10  (not shown). In the embodiments shown, interactive device  50  is adapted to be attached to a key ring. 
         [0039]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , interactive device  50  is comprised of upper housing  52   a  and lower housing  52   b . Located on the outer surface of upper housing  52   a  is display component  55  and paging component  60 . Secured to the inner surface of lower housing  52   b  are circuit board  72 , receiver  80 , transmitter  73 , signaling component  74 , battery/power source  76 , and demodulator  78 . 
         [0040]    In the embodiment shown, receiver  80  is capable of receiving indentified signals  94   b ,  96   a , and  98  (from a cell tower, cell phone paging component  40 , and cell phone  10 , respectively). Demodulator  78  receives identified signal  94   a ,  96   a ,  98  (i.e., a radio transmission containing data associated with a quasi-unique identification number), extracts the information from the identified signal, and displays it on display component  55 . In an exemplary embodiment, the information displayed is caller identification information ( FIG. 6   a ) or location data ( FIG. 6   b ). In various embodiments, data contained within an identified signal may include but is not limited to text messages, caller identification information, and any other data capable of being communicated with a radio transmission (e.g., from a cell phone, satellite, computer, or other device containing a modulator for sending such signals). 
         [0041]    In various embodiments, transmitter  73  may be a modulator or any device capable of sending an electronic transmission. 
         [0042]    In various embodiments, demodulator  78  may be a full-duplex demodulator (i.e., capable of two-way simultaneous transmission) or a half-duplex demodulator (i.e., capable of transmitting only one way at a time). 
         [0043]    In the embodiment shown, battery/power source  76  is a watch battery; however, in various other embodiments, battery/power source  76  may be another type of battery or power source known in the art. In further exemplary embodiments, battery/power source  76  may be any lithium, nickel or alkaline battery known in the art. In still further exemplary embodiments, battery/power source  76  may be an RFID (or radio-frequency identification) tag. Batteries/power sources may be disposable or rechargeable through any method known in the art, including direct charging (i.e., through a wall outlet), indirect charging (i.e., e-coupling to an exterior power source or cell phone  10  itself), and solar charging. If battery/power source  76  is charged by e-coupling to cell phone  10 , the battery in cell phone  10  may contain a transmitting device. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   b , interactive device  50  further includes memory component  75 , port  82 , and SIM card  85 . In an exemplary embodiment, SIM card  85  is formatted with the quasi-unique identification number of cell phone  10  using a method known in the art, allowing information to be transferred from cell phone  10  to interactive device  50  and stored on memory component  75 . In various other embodiments, receiver  80  and transmitter  73  are replaced with a transceiver, which allows interactive device  10  to send a signal to cell phone  10  either directly or indirectly (e.g., via a cell phone tower). 
         [0045]    In the exemplary embodiment shown, interactive device  50  is a keychain device; however, in other embodiments, interactive device  50  may be any lightweight, compact device easily carried by an individual or stored in a pocket or purse. For example, interactive device  50  may be a device small enough to be easily carried by a runner or sports participant when it is impractical to carry a heavier, larger device, such as a cell phone, or when the individual is concerned about losing his or her cell phone. 
         [0046]    In various other embodiments, interactive device  50  may further include one or more processing components capable of functions including but not limited to processing GPS coordinates, controlling timing and calendar components, controlling alarms and alerts, blocking data, converting signals into data, and changing display formats. In still other embodiments, interactive device  50  may be integrated with the operating system of cell phone  10 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate exemplary embodiments of an external mount assembly for externally mounting communication components to cell phone  10  for use in cell phone interactive system  100 . In  FIG. 3   a , the communication components are mounted on an external surface of cell phone  10 ; in  FIG. 3   b , the communication components are mounted inside a cell phone case. 
         [0048]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3   a , external mount assembly  45  is comprised of base  46  and cover  48 . Secured to base  46  are circuit board  20 , battery/power source  28 , transceiver  18 , and signaling component  22 . Cover  48  includes aperture  25  and paging component  40 . 
         [0049]    Circuit board  20  controls signaling component  22 . In an exemplary embodiment, signaling component  22  is capable of producing an audible, physical, or visual indication. For example, an audible signal may include but is not limited to a chirp, beep, buzz, ring tone, song, and a recorded voice; a physical signal may include but is not limited to vibration; and a visual signal may include but is not limited to a blinking light. 
         [0050]    In the embodiment shown, circuit board  20  is an LED circuit board known in the art configured to modulate, demodulate, or direct electronic signals and control components, such as displays, power switches, and volume controls. 
         [0051]    In the embodiment shown, base  46  is secured to battery cover outer surface  12   b  of cell phone  10  using adhesive  42 . Cover  48  is then positioned over base  46  and secured (e.g., using adhesive placed around the edges of cover  48 ). When external mount assembly  45  is assembled, aperture  25  in cover  48  is centered over signaling component  22 , enabling signaling component  22  to be heard. In an exemplary embodiment, external mount assembly  45  is positioned so that it does not interfere with antenna  15  located on the battery cover inner surface. 
         [0052]    In the embodiment shown, adhesive  42  is double-sided tape. In other embodiments, external mount assembly  45  is assembled and secured to cell phone  10  using another method known in the art. For example, external mount assembly  45  may secured to cell phone  10  or a cell phone case using structural interlocking components, such as clamps, grooves, straps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and magnets. 
         [0053]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3   b , base  46  with attached circuit board  20 , battery/power source  28 , transceiver  18 , and signaling component  22  are configured inside case  90 . Paging component  40  is secured to the outside of case (so that positioned over circuit board  20 ). The outside of case  90  further includes aperture  25  positioned over signaling component  22 . Cover  48  includes aperture  25  and paging component  40 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate exemplary placement of internally mounted components on battery cover inner surface  12   a  for use in cell phone interactive system  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of cell phone interactive system  100 , the battery cover of cell phone  10  is removed and replaced with a battery cover with internally mounted components on battery cover inner surface  12   a.    
         [0055]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4   a , antenna  15 , transceiver  18 , circuit board  20 , signaling component  22 , battery/power source  28 , and terminals  32  are mounted to battery cover inner surface  12   a.    
         [0056]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4   b , the positioning of antenna  15 , transceiver  18 , circuit board  20 , signaling component  22 , battery/power source  28 , and terminals  32  differ from that illustrated in  FIG. 4   a . In addition, in  FIG. 4   b , battery cover inner surface  12   a  further includes primary battery connection  35  and relay switch  38 . Primary battery connection allows the components mounted to battery cover inner surface  12   a  to be powered off of the cell phone&#39;s battery in addition to or instead of battery/power source  28 . Relay switch  38  is used to designate which battery(ies) are being used as a power source. Relay switch  38  may select between using battery/power source  28  or the cell phone&#39;s battery to power internally mounted components shown in  FIG. 4   b . In further exemplary embodiments, relay switch  38  may be used to power cell phone  10  off of battery/power source  28 . In still further exemplary embodiments, battery cover of cell phone  10  may contain a harness or plug that works in conjunction with the cell phone&#39;s battery. 
         [0057]    In both embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the components mounted on battery cover inner surface  12   a  are positioned so they do not interfere with antenna  15 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate exemplary structural configurations of a battery cover adapted for mounting components within a cell phone housing for use in an exemplary cell phone interactive system  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5   a , cell phone battery cover  12   b  has a uniform thickness whereas the cover shown in  FIG. 5   b  has a protruding portion which accommodates transceiver  18 , circuit board  20 , signaling component  22 , and battery/power source  28 . Also visible in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are aperture  25  and paging component  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , transceiver  18 , circuit board  20 , signaling component  22 , paging component  40 , aperture  25  and battery/power source  28  are arranged to not interfere with antenna  15 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6   a  illustrates exemplary components of a system which displays caller identification information  87  for incoming calls on a cell phone interactive device  50 . 
         [0060]    In the embodiment shown, when cell phone  10  receives a radio frequency signal (signal  94   a ) associated with its quasi-unique identification number, cell phone  10  sends signal  98  directly to interactive device  50  and caller identification data  87  appears on the display component of interactive device  50 . In the embodiment shown, interactive device  50  further includes a SIM card  85  (not visible) associated with the same quasi-unique identification number as cell phone  50 , allowing interactive device  50  to receive a radio frequency signal (signal  94   b ) directly from the cell tower. 
         [0061]      FIG. 6   b  illustrates exemplary components of a system which displays location data  89  for a cell phone on a cell phone interactive device  50 . In the embodiment shown, cell phone  10  is configured with GPS software so that when cell phone  10  receives an incoming call, text message, or another type of signal, the GPS coordinates of cell phone  10  are broadcast via satellite (signal  92 ) to cell phone  10 , which then broadcasts the GPS coordinates to interactive device  10  (signal  98 ) so that location data  89  appears on the display component of interactive device  50 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  illustrates exemplary components of cell phone interactive system  100  which inter-operatively interacts with electronic locking systems. In the embodiment shown, interactive device  50  interacts with a commercially available remote locking device. If the user locks his or her keys in the car, cell phone  10  may be used to send a signal (signal  98 ) to interactive device  50 . Cell phone  10  identifies the specific frequency of the signal, opening and closing a circuit which activates the electronic locking mechanism in the car (signal  97 ), unlocking the car door. 
         [0063]    In various other embodiments, interactive device  50  may be able to lock/unlock the car doors from the outside of the car, allowing a user to leave his or her keys in the car and take only interactive device  50 .