AUTOMATED KEY ACTUATING ACCESSORY FOR MOBILE PHONES
The patent relates to an accessory 1 for mobile phones 2, which holds the mobile telephone set in such a manner that the actuating mechanism, the pushing knob 3 of the accessory, while in state of rest, is locked in a stabile position with such distance from the keypad of the mobile telephone set 8 that it does not trigger activation.
In operation, the actuating mechanism 3 of the invented accessory 1, upon receipt of a mechanical and/or electromechanical control signal 7, presses e.g. the OK button 4 of the mobile telephone set 2 for a certain time, holding it down for a proper period of time with sufficient pressure, thereby automatically triggering the proper function, which is set up through programming and waits for the OK signal phone call, SMS message, e-mail message.
There are many familiar holders for mobile telephone sets, which are often used in vehicles. These accessories lock the sets in a fixed position, and provide for the connections of the feeder 5 and data 6 cables.
Such a solution is described under patent No US 005940502A. Another familiar and patented mobile phone accessory has an alarm function in addition to a charging function. Such solution can be found under patent No. US 005940502A. Built in the above, the subject invention can provide these accessories with additional functionality, which can be helpful to the users. Moreover, alarm systems- based on mobile phone technology- which
connect to the mobile set through its data communication inter face, thereby activating and controlling the desired function, have also become popular.
Such a solution is described under the Hungarian patent No. P9303661 with list No. 216856B, which is published under No. T69211.
The disadvantage of these solutions is that they require a mobile set, and perform their tasks using the data communication lines of the telephone set through a dedicated external piece of hardware-generally a special computer. Manufacturers do not support their distribution for guarantee/service related reasons, since the electronic external controller device connects directly to the electronic component of the telephone sets .
The subject invented solution does not require electrical contact as the control signal operates on the general external input device-the keypad of the mobile telephone set.
Alarm centres, which have also been introduced in the security market, are fitted with a specially designed GSM distant-indicator. The unit also includes . the GSM radio module, through which it can communicate over the GSM network. These centres are expensive, and the GSM module inside them can only be programmed by professionals through the interface of the centre.
With the subject invented solution, however, programming can be performed by the mobile phone users in the customary way by using the usual functions through the keys of the set.
A mobile telephone with one push button designed for emergency calls, has also been introduced. It is described under
patent No. US 6035217. This set is fitted with one push-button, and it is capable of calling a pre-programmed number at the dis patcher centre.
Its disadvantages are that it cannot be used for other purposes, its price is high because of the low volume of production, and re-programming is intricate.
With the subject invented accessory, this function also becomes available through via a remote controller- a one-button radio transmitter. The telephone in the subject invented accessory may be deliberately programmed to send SMS and e-mail messages besides making phone calls. Pushing the single button on the remote controller can trigger it.
Very cheap mobile telephone sets can be obtained from the '" mobile GSM providers and are available on the market, since they' are produced on a large scale. „
Due to the competition on the market one may choose packages '.-• without regular subscription fee at very favourable prices. " *. The subject invention was designed to produce a solution, complementary to the above-mentioned ones-realising their advantages and eliminating their disadvantages. Thus a mobile telephone accessory has been designed, which is suitable for automatic message sending SMS, e-mail, preprogrammed phone call upon receipt of a single, locally or remotely induced control signal.
With the simplest setup this can be achieved through using a feature available on mobile telephone sets.All call initiating functions of such sets pause, during the input of the desired functionality, to await the entry of the OK signal. This is the last step, provided however, that the feeding and re-charging of
the set are simultaneously ensured.
Thus, it is a mobile telephone accessory in which, the actuating mechanism 3 triggered by the locally or remotely induced control signal 7, realises the desired tasks through pushing the OK key 4.
We may utilise such a device by putting the mobile telephone set in a holder so that the actuating mechanism 3, triggered by a locally or remotely induced control signal 7, is located in front of the OK key.
The actuating mechanism may be installed in such a way that it is fixed in a position and the telephone set moves length-wise to the desired direction.
Through thinking backwards, we may build a mechanism where the termination of the control signal 7 triggers the actuating mechanism 3. This solution may be utilised particularly in the protection against sabotage. For new tasks and for the extension of the range of services, it is recommended to provide the accessory with the re-charger 5 and the data cable β connectors for the mobile telephone set.
The actuating mechanism 3 is expected to press the desired keys on the telephone set 2 for the proper length of time and in the right order whenever triggered by the control signal 7. In the simplest case, where the event to be notified involves a movement, which we can utilise, message sending can be activated through solely mechanical signal transfer figure 3a. For example, in a simple burglar alarm system the opening of the door or movements of the monitored objects can initiate an SMS message if programmed so from the mobile telephone set installed in the same place.
State indicator systems may also be obtained, which is useful for companies operating robots.
Here again it is possible to have the run-out of the supply initiate a mechanical signal, which pushes the key of the mobile telephone set fitted with the invented accessory and placed nearby.
In everyday life such installation of the actuating mechanism may prove useful, where the control signal 7, by unlocking a mechanism, releases like a trap upon a very slight dynamic effect or movement a pre-tensioned pushing structure at the desired key figure 3d.
With this solution, triggering the actuating mechanism 3 may be very sensitive.
Such solution may prove useful whenever the aim is to install i;a trap, and the available signal from the monitored object may >;; vary and have a great degree of freedom.
For example, one may intend to protect the materials delivered to his building site located further away from his house, but the site is not yet fitted with telephone line and alarm system, perhaps it lacks even the supply of electricity. Here an undetectable wire trap can be connected to the hidden - e.g. in a box - mobile telephone accessory, this way informing us in various ways of possible burglaries. Such actuating mechanism can certainly be controlled electronically too. Possibilities include the electromagnetic release of a locking mechanism, or, with mechanically released mechanisms, by transferring the movements and the proper dynamic effect to the electromagnet. This solution is particularly beneficial if we intend to trigger
the operation from a distance.
This solution may be used in monitoring patients with heart- problems . Here patients are given one-button remote-control handsets, and, by pressing the button, they emit a signal to a radio receiver, which is connected, to the mobile telephone accessory operating an electromagnet, which releases the locking mechanism.
The operation of the above actuating mechanism 3 can certainly be triggered with an electromotor.
Through a very simple solution, we can induce the suitable control signal 7 for the actuating mechanism 3 with the use of bimetal as well figure 3c. Such a structure is capable of triggering alarm signals directly upon detecting heat but without smoke or fire detector equipment and thus it can send a message through the mobile set in case of fire.
Nowadays such mobile sets are available, in which activation : of functions is implemented through pointing at icons, instead of pressing push buttons.
In this case, the accessory is not expected to press a key, it is sufficient to point at an icon.
In another type of equipment controlling may also be implemented by sound. Here it is enough to have an accessory, which transmits the required command acoustically from a nearby location, and the acoustic signal sequence is initiated by the control signal 7 received from the subject event. In the following, I shall describe the invention on the basis of the implementation drawings included in the attached figures, where : Figure 1. shows a sketch of the mobile telephone accessory and
the mobile telephone set to be installed in it;
Figure 2. shows a sketch of the subject invented mobile telephone accessory and the mobile telephone set to be installed in it, in the state, where the mobile set is properly programmed, put in the invented accessory, and the actuating mechanism is waiting for the control signal;
Figure 3. shows possible installations of the actuating mechanism of the subject invented mobile telephone accessory. The advantage of the subject invented solution is that it is not interconnected with the circuits of mobile telephone sets, consequently, it activates the desired function through a clean mechanical signal transfer to the push-buttons control icons of the sets.
Setting up programming is implemented in a simple manner, in the usual way.
By using it, we obtain a flexible, and deliberately simply.and re-programmable system.
The accessory may be universally adjusted to any type in the wide range of mobile telephone sets through an adapter that fits over the keypad.
A similar accessory can be obtained from purely mechanical devices, without the need for external feeding. The actuating mechanism may be flexibly selected depending on the task as an adapter.
Its price is considerably lower than that of other solutions connecting to the data interface and containing a computer or dedicated hardware.
It may serve as an extremely useful supplementary element to existing alarm systems, replacing, whenever the wired telephone
lines become unavailable, the expensive, over-the-band modem operated system, which provides a smaller range of services. The subject invented accessory is easy to use, install and set up, and the connected mobile telephone set is programmed in the usual, familiar way.
For the small size of mobile telephone sets and the accessory, an undetectable apparatus can be fitted- even in vehicles -which can be activated both mechanically and electronically, or even remotely. Thus, one can be informed if his car is stolen, and even the position and route of the car can be monitored through the familiar positioning system used in mobile telephony. If used in a house, the whole set can be hidden in an unimposing, widely used object a bag, box, book, etc.. In a standby state, modern sets use such a small amount of ,;., energy that they can operate for days with the built-in battery. It is not essential to switch off the activated system when arriving home, thus we can eliminate the risk that someone inadvertently turns off the system. In such cases we may get a message, but we shall know that it is triggered by us. This is very beneficial with vehicles, since we may trigger an immediate message sending mechanism when opening the car, however, that phone call costs nothing if we do not answer it.