DE20122148U1 - radio set - Google Patents

Abstract

Radio device (1) with an interface for receiving at least one message and with a display device (16), the display device being provided to assume at least one switched-on and at least one switched-off operating state, characterized in that the radio device (1) has a message indicator (15) The input of the message can be signaled by the message indicator (15) independently of the operating state of the display device (16) by means of signaling.

Description

State of the art

In mobile radio systems, such as after the GSM standard (groupe speciale mobile) functioning mobile radio systems, it is provided that Send and receive short messages in the mobile network can. An example for one such short message service is the so-called SMS service (Short Message Service). The receipt of such a short message is the addressee in typical mobile phones by a corresponding display on the phone display.

Advantages of invention

The radio device according to the invention with the features of the main claim has the Advantage that without change the operating state of the display device can be communicated to a user of the radio is that a message, such as a short message, has arrived for him. This is particularly advantageous if the display device in a switched off or an energy-saving Operating state. The display device can then be turned off or save energy and the receipt of a message can still be communicated to the user. This is the energy requirement of the radio device according to the invention can be reduced, so that a longer one Battery or accumulator life time results. Furthermore is the user according to the invention the receipt of the message can be signaled instantaneously. He must therefore not perform an action For example, operate a control element of the radio to check the input status - i.e. if a message for him available and, if so, how many messages are available messages sent to him.

Another advantage is that the Message is assigned at least one message parameter that the radio Has means for evaluating the message parameter, wherein the signaling depending the evaluation of the message parameter is provided. Thereby Is it possible, the user of the radio by varying the signaling, in particular by changing over time the signal intensity the output signal to receive information about the message parameter allow.

Another advantage is that as Message parameters the number of at least one received Message and / or the type of the at least one received message and / or the sender of the at least one received message is provided. This makes it possible for the user of the radio, depending on the definition of the signaling depending on the or the message parameters, information about the number, the type and / or receives the sender of the at least one received message.

Another advantage is that the Message indicator provides an output signal and that signaling by at least one predetermined intensity or change in intensity of the output signal is provided. This is done by signaling to be transferred information about transmit the message parameter to the user in a simple manner.

Another advantage is that the Number of at least one change in intensity a multiple of Corresponds to the number of at least one received message. This makes it possible to transmit the information to the user with simple means, how many messages have been received.

Another advantage is that the Output signal is an optical signal and that signaling by a given color or color change of the output signal is provided. This makes it possible more information about the message parameters or the same information content safer, i.e. easier to recognize and distinguishable to the user to transmit.

Another advantage is that the Message indicator is a light emitting diode. This is the information transmission according to the invention by means of the message indicator to the user with simple Means, i.e. with low costs and low manufacturing costs possible.

It is also advantageous that operational information is provided by the message indicator ( 15 ) can be signaled by means of further signaling. As a result, the message indicator can be used at least one after the other both by means of the signaling to signal the receipt of the message and by means of the further signaling to signal the operating information of the radio. As a result, it is not necessary to provide an indicator on the radio device according to the invention both for one function and for the other function.

It is also advantageous that a Operating information by means of a further message indicator further signaling can be signaled. This is one easy separation between the operational information and the information that play the message status, possible.

drawing

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and in the description below explained in more detail. It demonstrate

1 a radio device according to the invention,

2 connected to a cellular network whose radio device according to the invention,

3 a flowchart for evaluating a message parameter of an incoming message and

4 an example of signaling a message parameter.

Description of the embodiment

Short message services, such as the Experience SMS service in the GSM mobile network (groupe speciale mobile) increasingly widespread respectively Acceptance despite their limitation for simple text messages and a maximum text length of 160 characters. Should larger text messages SMS, for example, offers the option of message chaining, i.e. the entire range of text to be sent is divided into several short messages distributed. A correspondingly specified mechanism ensures the right one Put together at the receiver.

Another additional service, the SMS used for notification is so-called unified messaging, a platform that summarizes fax, email, voice mailbox, etc. and uniform access (mostly via the Internet) to their data first provides different services. The SMS messages form here too as a notification about newly received data an important component. Hence the Invention below based on the SMS or on the basis of SMS messages described as an example; it is limited but not for use only with messages according to the SMS standard.

The advantage of the Short Message Service consists of a message reaching the recipient immediately, or unless the mobile device is reachable, cached and automatically transmitted when the mobile device is back is achievable. For this reason, this service is in addition to the transmission of normal text messages also for notification as a component other services. Such an additional service, the SMS for notification uses, is an essential part of today's mobile radio systems and also in future Cellular networks is the voice mailbox, i.e. the possibility, a spoken message for to store an unreachable addressee in a memory, so that, for example, the function of an answering machine is fulfilled. The voice mailbox is a, usually central, instance in the mobile network a network operator, which - similar to Local answering machine on a user's phone line in the fixed network - the possibility offers, voice messages for to save a user of the cellular network. Then this can be the case if the called party cannot be reached at the time of the call is; for example due to a reception hole in the coverage area of the cellular network or because the called party uses their mobile phone has not turned on. A caller now has a message leave a voice mailbox, the called party will be Usually by means of an SMS text message via the Received and informed of the number of these new voice messages. As with any other SMS, this happens as soon as the cellular phone of the called party again for the mobile network can be reached. In the above two cases this would be thus for the first case is when the called party returns to a Area with sufficient network coverage comes from its mobile network operator or in the second case, if the called party uses their mobile phone switches on again and this logs into the mobile network.

With some mobile phones the receipt of an SMS message by a corresponding display in a display device or communicated to the called party on a display on the telephone. Offer against many mobile phones the possibility the display device after a certain period of non-use automatically switched off by the user or in to switch a power-saving mode to the energy consumption of the radio telephone to increase to reduce battery life. The sooner the display goes out, the less battery power is consumed, i.e. the longer can the mobile phone can be operated without having to recharge the battery have to. The display is reactivated, for example, by pressing the keypad of the mobile phone. This means that the display device most of the time is off because a user usually not actively using the mobile phone.

So when the display goes out, has to be User to check if Messages, especially short messages, are available, activate the display first. For this, in usually explicitly a button or another control element pressed on the mobile phone or operated become. The detection of the receipt of a message by the user based on an acoustic signal is often not or bad possible because for example the acoustic signaling from the user because of the Presence of other people or for other reasons, is switched off or else because the user is outside for reasons of distance or noise of the listening area of the radio telephone.

According to the invention, new arrivals are provided Messages on a radio, especially on a mobile phone, regardless of to display the display device. This allows the immediate Detect newly received messages even if there is an acoustic Signal could not be perceived.

In 1 is a radio device according to the invention 1 shown schematically. The radio 1 is there provided as a mobile radio telephone, cell phone etc. and works according to the invention in particular according to a standard for wireless communication, such as GSM, UMTS or the like. The radio 1 according to the invention comprises the display device 16 that also as a display 16 referred to as. The radio also includes 1 a news indicator 15 and controls 35 such as buttons or the like. The news indicator 15 is intended in particular as an LED (light emitting diode) and is therefore also referred to below as an LED 15 designated. The LED 15 is according to the invention in particular as a multi-colored LED 15 executed, ie the message indicator 15 can display multiple colors. This potentially extends that through the message indicator 15 information content of a signaling that can be transmitted to the user. In one embodiment, the LED is 15 for example as a two-color LED 15 intended.

The controls 35 are also used in the following as an input device 35 designated. The display device 16 can assume various operating states according to the invention, at least one switched on or activated operating state and one switched off operating state or one with reduced activation (for example economy mode).

In 2 is that with a cellular network 40 connected radio 1 shown. The radio 1 is via an air interface 45 to the cellular network 40 tethered. To the cellular network 40 are still a facility 50 connected wirelessly or wired, the facility 50 , Additional services, such as a voice mailbox, in the mobile network 40 provides. To the cellular network 40 is still a communication terminal 60 , usually via an unspecified wireless interface. The cellular network 40 works according to the invention in particular according to a standard for wireless communication, for example GSM, UMTS or the like. The radio 1 According to the invention, comprises an evaluation device as a means for evaluating message parameters 20 with which the input device 35 , a transmitting / receiving device 10 and the display device 16 are connected. The radio also includes 1 a memory 30 for storing information, for example short messages, with the transmitting / receiving device 10 connected is.

With a GSM compatible radio 1 is the memory 30 usually on an identification module, such as the SIM module (Subscriber Identification Module). Including the SAT standard (Sim Application Toolkit), there is the possibility of memory 30 and the evaluation device 20 on a SIM module 5 summarize. This possibility is in 2 characterized in that the SIM module 5 with an interrupted line (dashed line) the evaluation device 20 and the memory 30 includes.

The transmitting / receiving device 10 receives via the air interface 45 a short message from a cellular network 40 , for example from the telecommunications terminal 60 or from one in the cellular network 40 operated additional service or a facility necessary for this additional service 50 , The short message is in the radio 1 processed, ie on the display device 16 - if this is in an activated operating state - displayed and in the memory 30 stored. In addition, the message is sent to the evaluation device 20 passed, which in the simplest case registers the receipt of the message and via the message indicator 15 indicates or signals.

Via the input device 35 it is possible to use information to control the evaluation device 20 enter and configure them so that on the display device 16 and / or by the message indicator 15 For example, only selected short messages are displayed, or different messages are displayed differently. The selection criterion is, for example, the sender's number, the type of message, the number of messages received and / or the fact whether the message has already been made available to the user, ie for example whether the message has already been listened to by the user.

It is assumed in the following exemplary embodiment that the evaluation device 20 works as a selection criterion based on the sender's number. The user can use the evaluation device 20 via the input device 35 Configure such that, on the one hand, when receiving a short message from the telecommunication terminal 60 to which a specific number, for example the number "0172/4999008", has been sent, the message indicator 15 with a first color and that, on the other hand, when a short message is received as a notification of the receipt of a voice message in a voice mailbox, the message indicator 15 gives a signal with a second color, e.g. flashes.

The signaling, for example in the form of a flashing sequence, carries, for example, information about the number of messages present or about other message parameters. This is possible in that the reception or the presence, for example, of three (eg unheard) messages in the device, which is designed, for example, as a voice mailbox 50 matches if the message indicator 15 flashes three times in quick succession in one of its possible colors.

To illustrate the embodiment shows 3 a flow chart. At a first program point 100 a short message is received and at a second program point 110 . especially in memory 30 , saved. With a third program item 200 the received short message is evaluated on the basis of one or more message parameters, the telephone number of the sender of the message being selected as the message parameter in the exemplary embodiment. In the example considered, the following cases are then available, for example: one with the reference symbol 201 provided first case, which is when a message from the telecommunications terminal 60 , for example the number "0172/4999008" is received; one with the reference number 204 provided second case, the receipt of a message from the facility 50 , ie for example a voice mailbox; one with the reference number 208 provided third case covering all other situations. If at the third program point 200 it is determined that the first case 201 applies in a fourth program item 210 a first counter, not shown, increments and the new state in a fifth program point 220 by blinking the LED 15 displayed in the first color. In the event that the third program item 200 recognizes that the second case 204 applies to a sixth program item 260 a second counter, also not shown, is incremented and it is in a seventh program point 280 the new state by flashing the LED 15 displayed in the second, for example different, color. In the event that in the third program step 200 recognizes that the third case 208 applies, no further action takes place.

The evaluation in the evaluation unit 20 is not limited to the sender's number. It can also refer to the text of the message or the short message, the type of message, the number of messages available or the like. For example, the presence or absence of the words "mailbox" or "email" are used as selection criteria to determine the type of message. Elements of the SMS header, ie the header of an SMS message, or the SMS user data header can also be used for selection. In addition, it makes sense to determine special user-defined selection criteria that allow certain notifications, ie certain messages, to be recognized and thus treated in a special way, for example by special signaling from the message indicator 15 is delivered or because certain messages are different, especially in memory 30 , are saved as other messages. For example, the receipt of e-mails via SMS is recognized by recognizing certain header elements, which can also be used as selection criteria. The received messages can also be stored in a sorted manner, for example.

In 4 is an example of signaling the message indicator 15 specified. In a plot of intensity 310 the output signal of the message indicator 15 over the course of time 300 A flashing sequence is shown, which is characterized in that three times at a first time interval 320 is flashing. A single blink is given by the intensity 310 the output signal of the message indicator 15 For example, changes twice, that is, the intensity 310 for example, from a first value to a second value and - after a certain waiting time - is then set back to the first value in order to also remain there for a certain further waiting time. The first time interval 320 corresponds to the time interval starting from the change in intensity from the first value of the intensity 310 to the second value of intensity 310 until the end of the further waiting period after the intensity has been set again 310 of the output signal to the first value. Through the described sequence of three flashes - ie through a total of six changes in intensity of the output signal; the number of changes in intensity corresponds to twice the number of messages received - an example is given of how it is possible according to the invention to signal the receipt of three new messages. In 4 two such flashing sequences are shown, with a second time interval 330 is provided between the flashing sequences. The second time interval 330 It is provided that the blinking sequences are distinguishable or separable for the user, for example by the second time interval 330 larger than the first time interval. Other ways of signaling through the message indicator 15 to shape, result from the fact that the intensity of the output signal of the message indicator 15 not like in 4 shown, changes binary - ie there are only two states - but the signaling can also be provided so that more than two discrete values for the intensity 310 are provided and that the change in intensity of the output signal from one of these discrete values to another of these discrete values transmits information to the user about an received message.

According to the invention, it is provided in a further embodiment by the message indicator 15 , in addition to the information about the status of the message receipt or about the receipt of a message, the user to transmit other information, in particular operational information. Operating information includes, in particular, information about the state of charge of the battery or battery (not shown) (battery status), information about the availability of the mobile radio network 40 or information about it about whether the radio 1 especially in the mobile network 40 is booked or not, understood. Such operating information has previously been communicated to the user, in particular via light emitting diodes, by means of further signaling. For information regarding the content of messages, such as the number, type or even the sender of messages or the like, radio devices have always used the display device, which leads to the disadvantages described, in particular the higher power consumption and the more complicated operation of such radio devices leads.

According to the invention, the further signaling of operating information to the user and the signaling of information in terms of content, that is to say, for example, relating to the receipt of messages to the user, are both separate, that is to say with the message indicator 15 and another message indicator, not shown - for example with two different light-emitting diodes - to be carried out as well as together, ie with the message indicator 15 for signaling both the operational information and for signaling the status of the incoming message. In the second case, for example, the operating information is only signaled using a third color, while the informational content is only signaled using the first and second color.

As an exemplary embodiment, it is merely stated here that a radio device according to the invention 1 For example, it is provided that the LED 15 flashes in red relatively low frequency when the radio 1 the regular signals of the cellular network 40 no longer receives or only receives very poorly, for example in the event of a coverage gap in the mobile radio network 40 , If the battery is almost empty in this embodiment, the LED flashes 15 high-frequency and also in red, regardless of whether the radio 1 Has reception or not. If the radio 1 the LED is blinking both in the network and also receiving the regular signals of the mobile network 15 in green color relatively low frequency. In this exemplary embodiment, the user thus always has the opportunity to recognize whether the radio device 1 Has reception and whether the battery needs to be charged urgently - regardless of whether the display device is switched on or off or switched to a power-saving mode. To signal the receipt of a message, the invention provides in this case that the light-emitting diode flashes, for example, in blue.

In contrast, however, it is also according to the invention that no further color of the LED is used to signal the arrival of a message 15 to provide, but only to provide a different flashing pattern than the low-frequency flashing in green, which occurs in the exemplary embodiment under consideration when the radio 1 has contact to the mobile network as well as a sufficient energy server. This ensures that the user always recognizes whether the radio 1 in the mobile network 40 is logged in or not. If there are now three new messages, for example, the LED flashes 15 three times with a blinking interval equal to the first interval 320 equivalent. This is selected, for example, such that an average flashing frequency is established between that of the low-frequency flashing for signaling a correct network connection on the one hand and that of the higher-frequency flashing for signaling the defective charging status of the battery on the other. Then the LED turns on 15 a long pause before blinking again three times in the middle blinking frequency. The duration of the long pause should be at least as long as the time intervals between the flashing signals of the low-frequency flashing.

Claims (9)

Radio ( 1 ) with an interface for receiving at least one message and with a display device ( 16 ), the display device being provided to assume at least one switched-on and at least one switched-off operating state, characterized in that the radio device ( 1 ) a news indicator ( 15 ), the receipt of the message by the message indicator ( 15 ) by means of signaling regardless of the operating state of the display device ( 16 ) can be signaled. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the message is assigned at least one message parameter that the radio ( 1 ) Has means for evaluating the message parameter, the signaling being provided as a function of the evaluation of the message parameter. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the number of the at least one received message and / or the type of the at least one received message and / or the sender of the at least one received message is provided as the message parameter. Radio ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the message indicator ( 15 ) provides an output signal and that the signaling is provided by at least one predetermined intensity and / or change in intensity of the output signal. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the number of at least one Change in intensity corresponds to a multiple of the number of at least one received message. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the output signal is an optical signal and that the signaling is provided by a predetermined color and / or color change of the output signal. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 4 to 6, characterized in that the message indicator ( 15 ) is a light emitting diode. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that an operational information by the message indicator ( 15 ) can be signaled by means of further signaling. Radio ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that operating information can be signaled by a further message indicator by means of a further signaling.