WO2014130501A2

WO2014130501A2 - Plug-in alert lamp for a mobile device

Info

Publication number: WO2014130501A2
Application number: PCT/US2014/017031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Federico NITIDI; Shlomo LEWIN; Ralph Wilson; Joshua PRESSNELL
Original assignee: Myled Incorporation
Priority date: 2013-02-20
Filing date: 2014-02-19
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Also published as: WO2014130501A3

Abstract

An alert lamp device includes a lamp assembly with a light emitter. A plug is insertable into an audio jack of a mobile device so as to conduct an audio signal from the mobile device to the lamp assembly so as to cause the light emitter to emit light. The lamp assembly is mounted to the plug such that the emitted light is visible from outside the audio jack when the plug is fully inserted into the audio jack.

Description

PLUG-IN ALERT LAMP FOR A MOBILE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plug-in alert lamp for a mobile device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A mobile electronic device may include an audio jack or socket. Such devices may include mobiles computers or communication devices. For example, mobile electronic devices may include a laptop or tablet computer, a handheld computer or smartphone, a cellular or other mobile telephone, or another portable electronic device that may be configured to produce audio output. Audio output may be produced to signal an incoming message (e.g., email or text message), an attempt to establish a communications link (e.g., incoming telephone call or request to complete a network link), notification of an event (e.g., alarm or reminder of an appointment or other event), or other purpose. Audio output may be accompanied by visual output (e.g., by displaying content on a display screen or by operating an indicator light).

1 003] An audio jack may be configured to mate with a headphone or speaker connection. Such an audio jack may be configured to accommodate a typical 3.5 mm or 1/8 inch audio plug, or other type of plug. The audio jack may be configured to output two audio signals, for example, intended for a right and left headphone or speaker channel.

[0004] A mobile device may be configured to suppress audio output under some circumstances. For example, a mobile device may be configured to enter an energy-saving sleep or standby mode under predetermined circumstances (e.g., after a predetermined period of lack of activity). A user may intentionally place the mobile device in a silent mode when audio output could be disruptive or annoying (e.g., during a meeting or appointment). Audio output from a mobile device may not be audible in a noisy environment..

SUMMARY

[0005] There is thus provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, An alert lamp device including: a lamp assembly that includes a light emitter; and a plug that is insertable into an audio jack of a mobile device so as to conduct an audio signal from the mobile device to the lamp assembly so as to cause the light emitter to emit light, the lamp assembly being mounted to the plug such that the emitted light is visible from outside the audio jack when the plug is fully inserted into the audio jack. [0006] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lamp assembly includes a light emitting diode.

[0007] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lamp assembly includes a plurality of light emitters.

[0008] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, some of the light emitters of the plurality of light emitters are separately operable to emit light.

[0009] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of light emitters includes two light emitting diodes that are connected in parallel with reversed polarity.

[0010] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a light emitter of the plurality of light emitters is configured to emit light of a different color from the light emitted by another light emitter of the plurality of light emitters.

[0011] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the plug includes a plurality of conducting surfaces that are separated by one or a plurality of insulating rings.

[0012] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the plug includes an insulating strip.

[0013] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insulating strip is placed on a side of the plug such that when the plug is fully inserted into the audio jack, an electrical connection of an electrical contact of the audio jack with a conducting surface of the plurality of conducting surfaces is breakable or establishable by rotation of the plug.

[0014] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the device includes a structure that is indicative of a rotational orientation of the plug.

[0015] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the structure is located on cap of the device.

[0016] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lamp assembly is covered by a cover.

[0017] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the cover is removable or replaceable.

[0018] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the cover is transparent or translucent to light that is emitted by the light emitter.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention may include a plug suitable for insertion into and connection with a head-phone socket of a mobile communication device, where the plug includes or is connected to an illuminator; and where upon receipt by the mobile communication device of a pre-defined signal over a wireless network such as a call, small message, email or other communication signal, the illumination device illuminates in a pre-defined pattern, such as blinking, flashing or continuous on, and until occurrence of a pre-defined event, such as a checking of a message or alert that may be stored or appear on the mobile device.

10020] There is further provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method for operation of an alert lamp, the method including: monitoring activity of a mobile device for an event; determining if a plug of an alert lamp is inserted into an audio jack of the mobile device, and if the event is detected and the plug is inserted into the audio jack, generating an audio signal to cause a light emitter of the alert lamp to emit light.

[0021] Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, generating the signal includes generating a signal that is customized to correspond to a specific type of event or to a characteristic of the event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

[0023] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a mobile device for operation of an alert lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

10024] Fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of an alert lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 2B is a schematic illustration of an example of an operation circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for the alert lamp shown in Fig. 2A.

[0026] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an alert lamp, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as connected to a mobile device.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of signal flow for operation of an alert lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method for operation of an alert lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

100301 Embodiments of the invention may include an article such as a computer or processor readable medium, or a computer or processor storage medium, such as for example a memory or non-transitory storage medium, a disk drive, or a USB flash memory, encoding, including or storing instructions, e.g., computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a processor or controller, carry out methods disclosed herein.

[0031] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an alert lamp includes a lamp assembly with one or a plurality of electrically operated illuminators or light emitters. The lamp assembly is mounted to a male audio plug (e.g., a headphone or ear phone connector plug, or other type of insertable plug). The audio plug is configured and suitable to be plugged into a female audio jack or socket (e.g., a headphone or ear phone connector jack or other type of jack into which the audio plug is insertable) of a mobile electronic device. The audio jack may be configured to conduct an audio signal or other signals from the jack of the mobile electronic device to the lamp assembly.

[0032] A mobile electronic device, as referenced herein, may include any mobile computing device or communications device that is configured to produce audio output. Examples of such a mobile electronic device may include a portable computer, a smartphone, a cellular or other mobile telephone, or another portable electronic device that may be operated to produce audio output via an audio jack.

[0033] The audio jack may include two or more electrical contacts. For example, the audio jack may include two contacts for a mono audio signal. An audio jack may include at least two contacts for right and left stereo signals, plus additional contacts for a ground or return connection. The electrical contacts may be arranged on one side of the surface of the audio jack. As used herein, an audio signal refers to a signal that may be transmitted or conducted by an audio jack, whether or not the signal may be used to generate an audible sound.

[0034] The audio plug may be constructed with electrical contacts that are positioned so as to electrically connect with the electrical contacts of the audio jack. For example, the surface of the audio plug may include several conducting areas or surfaces that are separated from one another by insulating (e.g., made of an insulating polymer, plastic, rubber, ceramic, glass, wood, paper, or other insulating material) areas (e.g., rings). For example, the conducting areas may include a conducting tip at a distal (e.g., to the light emitter) end of the audio plug, a conducting sleeve covering a proximal end of the audio plug, and one or more conducting rings between the tip and the sleeve. The conducting areas may completely or partially surround the perimeter (transverse to a longitudinal axis of) of the audio plug. [0035] For example, an audio plug and the corresponding audio jack may have circular cross sections. A conducting area of a contact may partially surround a circumference of the audio plug. The conducting area may take the form of an incomplete (not closed) band or ring. In this case, the electrical connection between the plug contact and the corresponding jack contact may be established or broken by rotation of the audio plug within the audio jack.

[0036] An alert lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, may include one or more light emitters. Each light emitter may be caused to emit light by application of an appropriate audio signal voltage. For example, the light emitting device may include a light- emitting diode (LED), light bulb, or other element that may be caused to emit light by application of an appropriate voltage. The alert lamp may include appropriate circuitry to enable application of the appropriate voltage to the light emitter.

[0037] An alert lamp, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, may include two or more light emitters. Circuitry or other components of the alert lamp may selectively cause one or more of the light emitters to emit light.

[0038] For example, a light emitter in the form of a LED may emit light when a voltage is applied with a predetermined polarity and exceeding a threshold voltage. An alert lamp may include two or more LEDs. The different LEDs may be identical to one another, or may differ from one another. For example, the LEDs may differ from one another with regard to the wavelength of the emitted light, or with regard to another property. Electrical connections or other circuitry of the alert lamp may be configured to selectively light one or more of the LEDs. Selection of a LED to be lit may be determined by one or more properties of an audio signal that is applied to the audio plug of the alert lamp. For example, the LEDs may be connected to the audio plug in such a manner that selection of a LED to be lit depends on a polarity of the applied audio signal. A polarity-dependent connection may include, for example, two or more LEDs connected in parallel but with reversed polarity (e.g., the cathode of each of the two LEDS is connected to the anode of the other).

[0039] The mobile device may be configured to cause the alert lamp to emit light in response to one or more predetermined conditions. For example, a memory or data storage device of the mobile device may have installed one or more programs or applications for operation of the alert lamp. The application may include programmed instructions that detect a condition that warrants operation of the alert lamp. Other instructions may cause the mobile device to generate a particular audio signal that corresponds to the detected condition. The audio signal is applied to the audio jack of the mobile device. Electrical contacts in the audio jack apply the audio signal to the audio plug of the alert lamp. The applied signal may then cause one or more light emitters of the alert lamp to emit light. [0040] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a mobile device for operation of an alert lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Mobile device 100 includes input device 108. Input device 108 may include a microphone, keyboard or keypad, pointing device, touch screen, or other device for inputting audio content or other content.

[0042] Mobile device may include a display screen 106. Display screen 106 may be operated by processor 102 to display graphical or alphanumeric content. Display screen 106 may be configured to operate as a touch screen for input of data.

[0043] Mobile device 100 may include controller or computer processor 102. Processor 102 may include one or more separate or intercommunicating processing devices. Processor 102 may be configured to operate in accordance with programmed instructions.

[0044] Processor 102 communicates with memory 104. Memory 104 may represent one or more volatile or non-volatile fixed or removable memory or data storage devices. Memory 104 may be utilized to store programmed instructions for operation of processor 102, data used by processor 102 during operation, or a result of operation of processor 102.

[0045] Mobile device 100 includes audio jack 1 10. Audio jack 1 10 may accommodate a compatible audio plug of one or more audio output or input devices. A compatible audio device may include, for example, a headphone, speaker, microphone or other audio device. Audio jack 1 10 may be configured with two or more electrical contacts 1 12 to output audio signals for a right (R) and left (L) channel of a stereo audio output device, e.g., of a headphone or pair of speakers. Audio jack 1 10 may be configured with additional electrical contacts 1 12. Such additional electrical contacts 1 12 may include, for example, a common ground pin (GND) and a microphone input line (MIC).

[0046] Audio jack 110 may be configured to output an audio signal as generated or processed by processor 102. For example, processor 102 may be configured to operate, or may incorporate, an audio signal generation device or circuitry that connects to electrical contacts 1 12. Audio jack

1 10 may be configured to output an audio signal from another source (e.g., from an analog audio amplifier or from another device or source for generating or transmitting an audio signal).

[0047] Fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of an alert lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2B is a schematic illustration of an example of an operation circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for the alert lamp shown in Fig. 2A.

Reference continues to be made to components shown in Fig. 1.

[0048] Alert lamp 200 includes lamp assembly 204 mounted to plug 201. Plug 201 includes two or more conducting surfaces 208 separated by one or a plurality of insulating rings 207. For example, the number of insulating rings 207 may be one less than the number of conducting surfaces 208. Two or more of conducting surfaces 208 may be connected, e.g., by internal wiring (not shown) to operation circuit 220. Dimensions of plug 201 may correspond to those of a 3.5 mm or 1/8 inch audio plug, or may have another shape or sized that is insertable into audio jack 1 10.

[0049] Plug 201 is configured to be plugged into an audio jack 1 10 of a mobile device 100. When plug 201 is plugged into audio jack 1 10, two or more of conducting surfaces 208 may form an electrical connection with two or more corresponding electrical contacts 1 12. For example, conducting surfaces 208a and 208b of plug 201 may connect to electrical contacts 1 12a and 1 12b of audio jack 1 10, respectively.

[0050] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, an insulating strip 206 may be placed on one side a conducting surface 208 of plug 201. Insulating strip 206 may be partly or completed surrounded by a conducting surface 208. Insulating strip 206 may longitudinally extend from an insulating ring 207 along a longitudinal axis of plug 201.

[0051] For example, insulating strip 206 may extend to tip 201a of plug 201 , as shown. Alternatively or in addition, an insulating strip may be placed at a point within a conducting surface 208 that is not contiguous with an insulating ring 207. An insulating strip 206 may extend into a plurality of adjacent (separated by insulating rings 207) conducting surfaces 208.

[0052] Insulating strip 206 may enable alternate activation or deactivation of operation of alert lamp 200 by rotation of alert lamp 200. For example, a user may rotate lamp assembly 204 to rotate attached plug 201. Rotation of plug 201 may alternately establish or break an electrical connection between an electrical contact 112 of audio jack 1 10 with a conducting surface 208 of plug 201.

[0053] For example, in one rotational orientation of plug 201 , all conducting surfaces 208 are electrically connected to corresponding electrical contacts 112 of audio jack 1 10. In this on orientation, alert lamp 200 is activated and may be operated by an audio signal that is transmitted to electrical contacts 1 12. Plug 201 may be rotated to an off orientation in which insulating strip 206 faces one or more of electrical contacts 1 12. In the off orientation, an electrical connection between a conducting surface 208 with its corresponding electrical contact 1 12 is broken. When the contact with an electrical contact 1 12 is broken, alert lamp 200 is deactivated and a signal transmitted to electrical contacts 1 12 may not operate alert lamp 200. Thus, alert lamp 200 may be deactivated without removing plug 201 from audio jack 1 10. Similarly, activation or deactivation of alert lamp 200 may enable or disable detection by processor 102 of mobile device 100 of the presence of alert lamp 200. .

[0054] Lamp assembly 204 may be mounted to head 201b of plug 201. The mounting of lamp assembly 204 is such that when plug 201 is fully inserted into audio jack 1 10, part or all of lamp assembly 204 remains outside of, is visible from outside of, or light emitted by the lamp assembly 204 is visible from outside of, audio jack 1 10. Lamp assembly 204 includes one or more light emitters 202. Light emitters 202 may include light emitting diodes, or another type of light emitter. For example, light emitters 202 may include light emitting diodes 202a and 202b. Properties of different light emitters 202 may differ from one another. For example, different light emitters 202 may differ from one another with regard to a spectrum or color of the emitted light. Light emitters 202 may be separately operable to emit light one at a time. Light emitters 202 may be separately operable to enable some or all of light emitters 202 to emit light concurrently or sequentially (e.g., a speed such that the emitted light appears continuous to a human viewer). Light emitters 202 may have the same or different colors. In some embodiments only one light emitter 202 may be used.

[0055] Operation circuit 220, or alternative or additional circuitry, may be mounted on lamp assembly base 210, or elsewhere within lamp assembly 204 or plug 201.

[0056] Lamp assembly 204 may be partially or completely covered by or enclosed in lamp cover 205. For example, lamp cover 205 may include material that is colorless or tinted. Lamp cover 205 may be transparent or translucent to light that is emitted by a light emitter 202 of lamp assembly 204. Lamp cover 205 may be constructed of an opaque material with transparent or translucent windows. Lamp cover 205 may be shaped to facilitate grasping of lamp cover 205, e.g., for rotating alert lamp 200 within audio jack 1 10, or for removal of alert lamp from audio jack 1 10. A shape of lamp cover 205 may be determined in accordance with esthetic, marketing, or other design concerns. Lamp cover 205 may be removable, replaceable, or interchangeable.

[0057] Operation circuit 220 of alert lamp 200 may be configured to cause one or more of light emitters 202 to emit light on the basis of a signal that is generated by a signal generating capability of processor 102 of mobile device 100. The generated signal may be applied to two or more electrical contacts 1 12 in audio jack 1 10 of mobile device 100. The signals may be transmitted to operation circuit 220 via an electrical connection between corresponding electrical contacts 1 12 and conducting surfaces 208 of plug 201. The signal may provide operating power to one or more of light emitters 202. A signal form may be selected so as not to generate an audible signal.

[0058] For example, processor 102 may cause a sawtooth signal 222a to be applied to electrical contact 1 12a. Another sawtooth signal 222b, which is substantially identical to an inversion of sawtooth signal 222b, may be applied to electrical contact 1 12b. Electrical contact 1 12a may be electrically connected to conducting surface 208a, and electrical contact 1 12b to conducting surface 208b. Light emitters 202 may include LED 202a connected between conducting surface 208a and conducting surface 208b. LED 202b is connected in parallel to LED 202a, but with reverse polarity. Thus the connections of the anodes and cathodes of LEDs 202a and 202b to conducting surface 208a and conducting surface 208b are reversed.

100591 Application of sawtooth signals 222a and 222b to conducting surfaces 208a and 208b, respectively, may cause LED 202a to emit light while LED 202b does not. Reverse application of sawtooth signal 222b to conducting surfaces 208a and of sawtooth signal 222a to conducting surfaces 208b may cause LED 202b to emit light while LED 202a does not.

[0060] One or both of sawtooth signals 222a and 222b may be biased, or may be replaced with as signal of another type (e.g., a constant, direct current voltage or bias, or another form of varying voltage signal). Operation circuit 220 may include one or more additional components that are not shown. For example, operation circuit 220 may include one or more switches, resistors, capacitors, inductors, or other components. The additional components may serve to ensure correct operation of operation circuit 220, or to protect (e.g., from excess current) one or more components of operation circuit 220.

[0061 ] Other analog or digital circuitry may be configured to cause one or more light emitters to emit light, either concurrently or separately, in response to sawtooth or other electrical signals. For example, a circuit may include amplifying or conversion circuitry or electronic components that may convert an incoming signal to a signal that may cause one of the light emitters to emit light. A circuit may include a capability to interpret an incoming signal and, in accordance with the interpretation, apply a voltage or current to a light emitter to cause that light emitter to emit light. A circuit may include a power source or a capability to receive power from a power source.

[0062] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an alert lamp, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as connected to a mobile device.

[0063] An alert lamp is plugged into an audio jack of mobile device 100 to form lamp-equipped device 300. Cap 304 of the alert lamp is visible to a user who is looking at a part of mobile device 100 that includes the audio jack. Cap 304 refers to any structure of the alert lamp that is visible after the plug of the alert lamp is fully inserted into the audio jack of mobile device 100. For example, cap which may be identical with, may incorporate, or may be incorporated into, lamp cover 205 (Fig. 2A), lamp assembly 204, lamp assembly base 210, or other visible structure.

[0064] Cap 304 may be configured to indicate a rotational orientation of cap 304 relative to mobile device 100. Cap 304 may incorporate structure that is indicative of an orientation of cap 304 (and of the plug of the alert lamp). For example, cap 304 may incorporate raised tap 302 (or a groove or other structure) that may be viewed or felt to indicate the rotational orientation of cap 304. The indicated orientation may indicate whether the alert lamp is activated or deactivated. For example, when cap 304 is in one orientation, e.g., cap orientation 304a, the alert lamp may be activated. When cap 304 is oriented in another direction, e.g., cap orientation 304b, the alert lamp may be deactivated. In other cases, other rotational orientations of cap 304 may indicate activation or deactivation.

[0065] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of signal flow for operation of an alert lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The example shown in Fig. 4 is only presented to assist in understanding operation of the alert lamp. Other signals flows may also may be utilized to operate the alert lamp.

[0067] Signal flow 400 may be controlled by a processor 102 (Fig. 1) of a mobile device 100, operating in accordance with instructions store in memory 104.

[0068] Incoming data may be monitored by alert engine 404 for incoming email 406, feeds 410 (e.g., messages or feeds from social media such as the Twitter™ or Facebook™ networking sites), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls or messages, or other incoming data or messages). Analysis by alert engine 404 may indicate that a signal is to be generated for sending to audio jack 1 10 of mobile device 100. Alert engine 404 may operate signal generator 402 to generate an appropriate signal for transmission to audio jack 110 Engine 404 and other processes may for example be, or be executed by, processor 102.

[0069] One or more characteristics of the generated signal may be determined on the basis of the nature of the received message or data. For example, one type of incoming data (e.g., an e-mail message or other type of data) may trigger a signal that causes alert lamp 200 to repeatedly or periodically blink, or to produce light or other signals in groups of multiple blinks. Another type of incoming data (e.g., telephone related, such as a missed telephone or VoIP call, arrival of a phone call or voice message; or an event such as a scheduled calendar event, a social network update, or other input) may cause such signals to generate visual outputs in groups of blinks of the same or of different colors. Characteristics of the generated signals may be selected or customized by a user using an interface of device 100. The signal may be customized so as to distinguish a source of the message or data.

[0070] A mobile device may be configured to disable sending of audio signals to a speaker of the device when an audio plug is inserted into the audio jack. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile device may be configured, or may be configurable, to continue sending signals to the speaker. In this manner, use of the mobile device for other purposes (e.g., telephone conversations) is not disrupted by insertion of an alert lamp into the audio jack of the mobile device.

[0071] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method for operation of an alert lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0072] It should be understood with respect to any flowchart referenced herein that the division of the illustrated method into discrete operations represented by blocks of the flowchart has been selected for convenience and clarity only. Alternative division of the illustrated method into discrete operations is possible with equivalent results. Such alternative division of the illustrated method into discrete operations should be understood as representing other embodiments of the illustrated method.

[0073] Similarly, it should be understood that, unless indicated otherwise, the illustrated order of execution of the operations represented by blocks of any flowchart referenced herein has been selected for convenience and clarity only. Operations of the illustrated method may be executed in an alternative order, or concurrently, with equivalent results. Such reordering of operations of the illustrated method should be understood as representing other embodiments of the illustrated method.

[0074] Lamp operation method 500 may be executed by a processor of a mobile device, e.g., as, in association with, as part of, or including, operation of an alert engine. For example, execution of lamp operation method 500 may be initiated when the mobile device is turned on, or when one or more applications or programs are activated to run on the processor of the mobile device. Lamp operation method 500 may be run as a background application on the processor.

[0075] Lamp operation method 500 may monitor activity of the mobile device for one or more events of predetermined types or characteristics (block 510). For example, email events, feeds from message services or social media, telephone calls (e.g., VoIP calls), or other events may be monitored. An event may consist of receipt of a pre-defined signal over a wireless network.

[0076] Monitoring continues until an event is detected (block 520) and insertion of the plug of the alert lamp into an appropriate audio jack (e.g., in an activated orientation) is detected (block 530). If no event is detected, or insertion of the plug is not detected, or both, monitoring continues. For example, an event may correspond to a type of event in a predetermined list of events. The list of events may be provided by a provider of an application for execution of lamp operation method 500, or may be customized by a user of the mobile device. Characteristics of the event may be noted (e.g., an identity of a caller or sender of a message or email). Insertion or activation of the alert lamp may be detected by detection of an electrical connection between a contact of the audio jack and a conducting surface of the plug may be detected.

[0077] An appropriate signal or sequence of signals for operating the alert lamp may be generated (block 540). The signal may be applied to contacts of the audio jack. The signal or sequence of signals may be generated in accordance with the type of event (e.g., phone call, email, message, reminder, or other type of event), or with a characteristic of the event (e.g., urgency of message or reminder, identity of caller or sender, or other characteristic). The generated signals may cause the alert lamp to emit light with a particular pattern (e.g., constant, flashing, blinking, alternating, or other pattern) or characteristic (e.g., color, brightness, direction, or other characteristic). The pattern or characteristic may be determined by a provider an application for execution of lamp operation method 500, or may be customized by a user of the mobile device.

[0078] Generation of the signal may continue until detection of a second predefined event. For example, the second event may include a response or acknowledgement by a user of the event (e.g., reading a message, selecting a sleep control, answering a phone call, or another response), elapse of a timeout period, or another event that indicates generation of a different signal.

[0079] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An alert lamp device comprising:

a lamp assembly that includes a light emitter; and

a plug that is insertable into an audio jack of a mobile device so as to conduct an audio signal from the mobile device to the lamp assembly so as to cause the light emitter to emit light, the lamp assembly being mounted to the plug such that the emitted light is visible from outside the audio jack when the plug is fully inserted into the audio jack.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly comprises a light emitting diode.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly comprises a plurality of light emitters.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein some of the light emitters of said plurality of light emitters are separately operable to emit light.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises two light emitting diodes that are connected in parallel with reversed polarity.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein a light emitter of said plurality of light emitters is configured to emit light of a different color from the light emitted by another light emitter of said plurality of light emitters.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a plurality of conducting surfaces that are separated by one or a plurality of insulating rings.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plug comprises an insulating strip.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the insulating strip is placed on a side of the plug such that when the plug is fully inserted into the audio jack, an electrical connection of an electrical contact of the audio jack with a conducting surface of said plurality of conducting surfaces is breakable or establishable by rotation of the plug.

10. The device of claim 9, comprising a structure that is indicative of a rotational orientation of the plug.

1 1. The device of claim 10, wherein the structure is located on cap of the device.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lamp assembly is covered by a cover.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the cover is removable or replaceable.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the cover is transparent or translucent to light that is emitted by the light emitter.

15. A device comprising:

a plug suitable for insertion into and connection with a head-phone socket of a mobile

communication device; and

an illuminator connected to said plug;

wherein upon receipt by said mobile communication device of a pre-defined signal over a wireless network, said illuminator illuminates in a pre-defined pattern and until occurrence of a pre-defined event.

16. The device of claim 15, comprising a plurality of illuminators.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the plug comprises an insulating strip.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the insulating strip is on a side of the plug such that when the plug is inserted into an audio jack of the mobile device, an electrical connection of an electrical contact of the audio jack with a conducting surface of said plurality of conducting surfaces is breakable or establishable by rotation of the plug.

19. A method for operation of an alert lamp, the method comprising:

monitoring activity of a mobile device for an event;

determining if a plug of an alert lamp is inserted into an audio jack of the mobile device, and if the event is detected and the plug is inserted into the audio jack, generating an audio signal to cause a light emitter of the alert lamp to emit light.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the signal comprises generating a signal customized to correspond to a specific type of event or to a characteristic of the event.