WO2001010152A1

WO2001010152A1 - Automatic message transmission to a remote party

Info

Publication number: WO2001010152A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/018053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Nelson Wakefield
Original assignee: Ericsson Inc.
Priority date: 1999-07-30
Filing date: 2000-06-30
Publication date: 2001-02-08
Also published as: AU5781400A

Abstract

The present invention discloses methods and systems capable of automatically transmitting a synthesized message to a remote party in response to a predetermined mobile unit system state. The synthesized message is transmitted to the remote party from the mobile unit with at least one base station that is connected with the wireless communication system. The mobile unit communicates with the base station using one of several methods known in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an example of a predetermined mobile unit system state is a low-battery signal. In this embodiment, if the mobile unit senses a low battery level, the mobile unit automatically transmits an audible low-battery warning to the remote party. As such, the present invention is capable of putting the remote party on notice of the impending power failure of the mobile unit so that if communication between the parties is terminated unexpectedly, the remote party is aware of the condition of the mobile unit.

Description

AUTOMATIC MESSAGE TRANSMISSION TO A REMOTE PARTY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to methods and systems for transmitting an automatic message to a remote party in response to a predetermined system state.

Background of the Invention

A wireless communication system is a radio communication system in which a plurality of mobile units operate within a cell that is typically serviced by a base station. As well known in the art, there are typically a relatively large number of base stations in a given geographic service area. These base stations make up a cell site and are connected with a switching center that is further connected to a public switched telephone network. Over the past several years in the field of wireless communication, several hand-held or pocket telephones have been introduced on the market that are full of features. These mobile units are extremely lightweight and small enough to be readily concealed in a purse or jacket of a person carrying the mobile unit.

A few of the major design constraints for mobile units are weight and size. A typical mobile unit includes at least a control unit, a transceiver unit and typically a rechargeable battery. The transceiver unit includes a transmitter and an antenna that are capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals with each respective base station in the wireless communication system. The weight of the battery makes up a substantial portion of the total weight of the mobile unit and the battery must be of sufficient size to power the mobile unit for a useful period of time. A relatively heavy battery enables the mobile unit to be powered for a long period of time, but reduces the transportability of the mobile unit. A lighter battery increases the transportability of the mobile unit, but reduces the useful operating life of the mobile unit between recharges.

Conventional mobile units, when they are in a power-on state, are capable of notifying the person using the mobile unit when the battery is running low. The person using the mobile unit is alerted to a low-charge battery condition prior to the time when the mobile unit stops operating because of insufficient power. Most mobile units have a low- charge alarm that is implemented as an audible signal or as a message on a display, which acts to alert the user that the battery needs to be recharged. These mobile units have electronic circuitry that continuously monitors the charge state of the battery; and, if the charge state falls below a predetermined level, the control unit of the mobile unit issues an alarm or warning. However, the mobile unit must typically be turned on to execute the software programs and operate the electrical circuits that monitor the battery level and issue the alarm.

U.S. Patent No. 5,726,636 to Hayes discloses an emergency telephone with automatic low battery signaling. The telephone includes a low-power timer that receives power directly from a battery and runs continuously. The timer periodically initiates battery tests; and, if the battery is low, the telephone issues a low-battery warning even if the telephone is in an OFF state. As such, the timer "wakes up" the telephone at predetermined intervals and the processor performs a test to estimate the remaining battery capacity. If the remaining battery capacity is low, the low-battery warning is issued and if the remaining battery capacity is adequate, the telephone turns off and the timer is re-started. The low- battery warning may use conventional methods, such as an aural or visual warning from the telephone. In addition, the warning may consist of an automatic wireless telephone call to a predetermined number that is loaded into the telephone by the user. Mobile units have a variety of uses in today's world, ranging from business purposes to emergency situations such as calling the police, an ambulance or a tow truck. Unfortunately, the batteries used in mobile units have a finite run time, which, at one time or another, runs out during a telephone conversation. As previously discussed, although the user of the mobile unit is often notified of the impending power failure by such means as an audible warning or a visual warning that is generated by the mobile unit, the remote party that is connected on a call with the mobile unit is not notified of the impending power failure. Therefore, the remote party that is communicating with the person using the mobile unit is never aware of the impending power failure until the connection between the two parties is terminated by the mobile unit power failure. To that end, a need exists in wireless communications for a method and system that notifies the remote party of a system state experienced by the mobile unit, such as a low battery. In addition, a need exists in the wireless communications industry for methods and systems that transmit messages to remote parties with the use of an input device on the mobile unit, such as a keypad or switch.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention discloses methods and systems for automatically transmitting synthesized messages to a remote party using a wireless communication system. In the invention, a mobile unit is provided that is capable of conducting radio communication with at least one base station in the wireless communication system, as known in the art. In response to a predetermined system state experienced by the mobile unit, such as a low-battery warning, the mobile unit is capable of automatically generating a predetermined synthesized message and then transmitting the synthesized message to a remote party connected with the wireless communication system. As previously stated, one predetermined system state in the present preferred embodiment is a low-battery warning, which thereby causes the mobile unit to automatically send a synthesized message to the remote party indicating that the mobile unit has a low battery level. In this embodiment of the invention, the synthesized message may state "low battery warning" or something along those lines. Providing synthesized messages that are audible to the remote party in a wireless communication system solves the problems associated with prior art methods of indicating system states experienced by the mobile unit by providing a synthesized message to the remote party. As such, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, if the mobile unit is about to lose power because of a low battery, the remote party is informed of this impending system state so that the remote party knows that the mobile unit has not lost connection for no apparent reason if the connection between the parties is cut off. As set forth above, mobile units known in the art only provide a warning to the person using the mobile unit, with such methods and devices that illuminate an LED or generate an audible "beep," which are not capable of being noticed or heard by the remote party. As readily apparent, the present invention provides advantages over prior art methods and systems by informing the remote party of the predetermined system state that is experienced by the mobile unit instead of only notifying the user of the mobile unit. As previously set forth, the mobile unit is programmed to respond to predetermined system states that are generated by the mobile unit. In addition, the mobile unit may also be programmed to recognize signals that are interpreted as predetermined system states that are sent to the mobile unit from the base station. When the mobile unit receives a signal interpreted as a predetermined system state, the indication of that system state is automatically sent as a synthesized message or a data message across the communication link to the remote party. The mobile unit has a plurality of synthesized messages that are stored in a memory device of the mobile unit for transmission in response to a particular predetermined system state. In the present preferred embodiment of the invention, some examples of predetermined system states to which the mobile unit is programmed to recognize and respond are a low-battery signal, a bad signal connection, a time indicator, a safety message activated by the user of the mobile unit, or a predetermined message activated by the user such as a "happy birthday" statement or jingle.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the user of the mobile unit to manually activate certain synthesized messages in response to predetermined system states that are generated by the user of the mobile unit. The predetermined system state may be activated from a keypad or switch on the mobile unit, or by a peripheral device that is connected with the mobile unit. Some examples of peripheral devices that may be connected with the mobile unit are a personal computer, an accelerometer, a gravitational sensor, a global positioning device or a thermal sensor.

The transmission of the synthesized message to the remote party can be added to the normal voice transmission, usually in the form of speech, or the synthesized message may override normal communication altogether to ensure clarity. The synthesized message may be generated in analog form and added to the analog transmission in analog-based mobile units, or digitally added to the appropriate stage in digital processing of the transmit signal in digital mobile units. In addition, the synthesized message may also be sent out of the audio band, which may then cause the base station of the wireless communication system to take some predetermined action, such as to call a predetermined number and relay the synthesized message to a predetermined remote party.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, viewed in conjunction with the appended drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 represents a block diagram of a cellular communication system. Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile unit.

Figure 3 represents a block diagram of a mobile unit electrically connected with a peripheral device.

Detailed Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to Fig. 1, the present invention discloses a method and system for transmitting synthesized messages from a wireless communication system 10 to a remote party 12 using a mobile unit 14. As well known in the art, the typical wireless communication system 10 includes at least one mobile unit 14 that is capable of conducting radio communication with at least one base station 16. The base station 16 is electrically connected with a mobile switching station 18, which, in turn, is electrically connected with a public switched telephone network 20. During a call, the base station 16 acts as a conduit for the transfer of information, usually in the form of speech or data, between the mobile unit 14 and the remote party 12 that is connected with the public switched telephone network 20. As such, the user of the mobile unit 14 is capable of communicating with the remote party 12 that is connected with the public switched telephone network 20. The remote party 12 may be connected with the public switched telephone network 20 either through a wireless communication system or a land line communication device, such as a traditional telephone.

The mobile unit 14 communicates with the base station 16 through the use of radio transmission, which typically involves a full duplex configuration that has a separate transmit and receive frequency that is used by the mobile unit 14 and the base station 16.

As known in the art, generally the base station 16 transmits on a radio frequency to which the mobile unit 14 is tuned, and the mobile unit 14 transmits on a radio frequency to which the base station 16 is tuned. Several different methods and standards of using radio frequencies exist and are currently in use in the wireless communication industry, such as AMPS, CDMA, TDMA, DCS 1800, GSM, NMT and PCS. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the present method and system for transmitting synthesized messages from a wireless communication system 10 may be used in conjunction with any of the above- referenced wireless communication standards, which include both analog and digital wireless communication systems. Ericsson Inc. produces several wireless communication systems 10 that could use the disclosed invention, such as the CMS 40 system.

A preferred embodiment of the invention discloses a method of generating a synthesized message in response to the predetermined system state that is experienced by the mobile unit 14. The predetermined system state may be generated by the mobile unit 14 or in response to a signal received by the mobile unit 14 from the base station 16. As such, if the base station 16 needs to activate a predetermined synthesized message in the mobile unit 14, an appropriate radio signal is sent to the mobile unit 14, which, in turn, causes the mobile unit 14 to respond by transmitting the synthesized message to the remote party 12.

The synthesized message may be added to the current transmission or it may override the current transmission altogether to ensure clarity to the remote party 12. The predetermined system state is broadly defined in the present invention as a signal that the mobile unit 14 is programmed to recognize and then execute an appropriate set of instructions in response to the signal. In the present preferred embodiment, an example of a predetermined system state, which the mobile unit 14 is programmed to recognize, is a low-battery level signal. One skilled in the art would recognize that several signals that the mobile unit 14 receives could trigger the predetermined system state. For example, a few signals that the mobile unit 14 actively monitors are the battery charge level, the signal level, various time values, general malfunctions and so on. In response to these different types of situations, the mobile unit 14 is programmed to generate a synthesized message, such as a "low-battery level" or "low-signal level," and transmit the synthesized message to the remote party 12 through the base station 16 and the public switched telephone network 20. As such, in the case of a low-battery warning, the remote party 12 is informed of the impending termination of the call due to the low battery level instead of the call simply terminating for no apparent reason.

Referring to Fig. 2, in the present preferred embodiment, the mobile unit 14 includes a control unit 22 that is electrically connected with a memory device 24 and a transceiver 26. The control unit 22 may be a microprocessor or any other device that is commonly used to control the functionality of the mobile unit 14. The memory device 24 may be included in the control unit 22 or electrically connected with the control unit 22. The memory device 24 is used to store the synthesized messages that are transmitted to the remote party 12 in response to the predetermined system state. The transceiver 26 may be selected from several transceivers commonly known and used in the art of wireless communication.

In the preferred embodiment discussed above, a battery-level detection device 28 is electrically connected with the control unit 22, which allows the control unit 22 to monitor the condition of a battery (not shown) that provides power to the mobile unit 14. During operation , if the control unit 22 receives a low-battery signal from the battery-level detection device 28, the control unit 22 automatically generates the appropriate synthesized message and transmits the synthesized message, with the transceiver 26, to the remote party 12. As previously stated, the synthesized messages are preferably stored in the memory device 24 and the synthesized message may state something like "low battery level" or "call me back at 555-1000," in response to the low-battery signal.

Referring once again to Fig. 2, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile unit 14 is capable of transmitting a synthesized message in response to a signal that is received by the control unit 22 from a keypad 30. In this embodiment, if the user of the mobile unit 14 desires to send a synthesized message to a remote party 12, the user may press a desired sequence of keys on the keypad 30, which then causes the mobile unit 14 to transmit the synthesized message that is selected by the user of the mobile unit 14. An example of a synthesized message that might be stored in the mobile unit 14 is an audible jingle or a message such as "happy birthday." In addition, safety messages, such as "call the police" or "call for medical help," may also be stored in the memory device 24 of the mobile unit 14 and sent to the remote party 12 in response to a key-press or sequence of key-presses on the keypad 30.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, a plurality of peripheral devices 32, such as a personal computer, a global positioning device, an accelerometer, a gravitational sensor or a thermal sensor may also be connected with the mobile unit 14 in the preferred embodiment of the invention. As described in the description of the other preferred embodiments of the present invention, these peripheral devices 32 are capable of delivering a signal to the control unit 22 that is interpreted by the mobile unit 14 as a predetermined system state, thereby initiating the transmission of a predetermined synthesized message to the remote party 12. An example of an application for these types of peripheral devices 32 would be for an emergency situation. If a person carrying the mobile unit 14 is in need of emergency assistance but is unable to speak, he could press a special key or a sequence of keys on the keypad 28, which, in turn, will cause the mobile unit 14 to transmit the appropriate synthesized emergency message to the remote party 12. For example, in combination with a global positioning device, the mobile unit 14 is capable of sending a synthesized emergency message together with a set of geographic coordinates that contains the exact location of the mobile unit 14. This would allow the authorities to locate the individual who needs assistance and respond much faster than otherwise possible.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mobile unit 14 is programmed to automatically make a call to a predetermined number and transmit a synthesized message in response to key presses on the keypad 30. As such, if the user of the mobile unit 14 desires to send a synthesized message to someone, he or she may simply press a key, or combination of keys, on the keypad 30 which, in turn, will cause the mobile unit 14 to initiate the call and transmit the synthesized message to the remote party 12. An example of such an application would be a call for help to the police. If a signal that is interpreted as a predetermined system state is received by the control unit 22, the mobile unit 14 will automatically call the police and transmit a synthesized message to the police, such as "I need help."

While the invention has been described in its currently best known modes of operation and embodiments, other modes and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are contemplated. It is, therefore, the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for communicating with a remote party from a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of:

Providing a mobile unit that is capable of conducting radio communication with a remote party; generating a synthesized message in said mobile unit in response to a predetermined mobile unit system state; and transmitting said synthesized message from the mobile unit to said remote party in the event a predetermined mobile unit system state occurs in the mobile unit with said wireless communication system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating said predetermined mobile unit system state in response to a low-battery signal received from a battery-level detection device in said mobile unit.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of generating a low- battery warning as said synthesized audible message.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating said predetermined mobile unit system state in response to an input from a keypad on said mobile unit.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating said predetermined mobile unit system state in response to an electrical signal originating from a peripheral device selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a gravitational sensor, a thermal sensor and a global positioning device.

6. A wireless communication system capable of transmitting a synthesized message to a remote party, comprising: a mobile unit including at least a control unit and a transceiver, said mobile unit being capable of conducting radio communication with at least one base station in said wireless communication system; and at least one synthesized message stored in said mobile unit that is transmitted to said remote party in response to a predetermined mobile unit system state.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 6, wherein said predetermined mobile unit system state is a low-battery signal.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein said synthesized message is a low-battery warning.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 6, wherein said mobile unit further comprises a keypad electrically connected with said control unit.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein said predetermined mobile unit system state is generated by an input from said keypad.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 6, further comprising a peripheral device that is electrically connected with said mobile unit, said peripheral device being capable of triggering said predetermined mobile unit system state.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 11, wherein said peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an accelerometer, a thermal sensor and a global positioning device.

13. The wireless communication system of claim 11, further comprising a memory device electrically connected with said control unit for storing said synthesized messages.

14. A mobile unit for a wireless communication system capable of transmitting at least one synthesized message to a remote party, comprising: a control unit electrically connected with a transceiver for conducting radio communication with said wireless communication system; and a memory module electrically connected with said control unit for storing at least one synthesized message, said synthesized message being transmitted to said remote party in response to a predetermined mobile unit system state.

15. The mobile unit of claim 14, further comprising a battery-level detection circuit electrically connected with said control unit, for generating a low-battery signal thereby triggering said predetermined mobile unit system state.

16. The mobile unit of claim 15, wherein said synthesized message is a low- battery warning.

17. The mobile unit of claim 14, further comprising a keypad electrically connected with said control unit, wherein said keypad is capable of triggering said predetermined mobile unit system state.

18. The mobile unit of claim 14, further comprising a peripheral device electrically connected with said mobile unit, said peripheral device being capable of triggering said predetermined mobile unit system state.

19. The mobile unit of claim 18, wherein said peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, an accelerometer, a thermal sensor and a global positioning device.