GB2477938A

GB2477938A - Visual incoming call alert device for use in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2477938A
Application number: GB1002750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Laka; Sarah Laka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-18
Filing date: 2010-02-18
Publication date: 2011-08-24
Also published as: GB201002750D0

Abstract

A visual incoming call alert device for a car or other vehicle is disclosed comprising: a Bluetooth receiver; a first display comprising at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED), connected to said receiver; and means for mounting on a dashboard. Aspects of the invention include the visual incoming alert device further comprising a second display comprising at least one light, a connecting means between the Bluetooth receiver and second display and means for mounting on a windscreen and further comprising means for indicating a low battery. An advantage of the invention is that a driver is alerted to an incoming call without removing their eyes from the road. A further advantage is that, since the device is visual, the driver does not rely on hearing the phone in often noisy car environments. An advantage of the second display is that it provides an additional visual alert, causing a greater visual effect when combined with the first display.

Description

Visual Incoming Call Alert Device for Vehicle

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to in-car mobile phone usage and in particular to a visual incoming call alert.

[2] US 2005128121 to Crokulick discloses a device for detecting a police radar in a car. The device comprises a conventional dashboard automobile stereo system characterized by police radar detection capabilities. When police radar is detected, the stereo's volume is immediately muted. An audible alert is then outputted through the vehicle's speaker system or a built-in speaker on the control panel, or both.

A visual alert is also produced on the control panel, which displays the band of radar that was encountered, and its relative signal strength. The radar detector receives signals from the vehicle's antenna and an auxiliary antenna. The auxiliary antenna is attached to the vehicle's grille. This improves the signal reception ability.

[3] CN 201238328 to Zuoming discloses a device for displaying the caller ID and other information relating to a mobile phone disposed in the car. The device eliminates the need for a driver to look away from the road to view the phone. The device comprises a Bluetooth communication module, an audio amplifier, a speaker, a microphone, a display screen, a control keypad, and a car hands-free telephone or mobile phone. The Bluetooth communication module connects the audio signal of the phone to the audio amplifier, the speaker and the microphone of the device. Furthermore, the Bluetooth module connects the data signal of the phone to the display screen of the device to display the incoming caller ID and like information. The display screen is arranged above the car dashboard. A projector may be arranged on the dashboard so as to project the display onto the windshield. The windshield may have a screen disposed thereon for this purpose.

[4] US 2004127264 to Eisenbraun discloses a battery charger for mobile phones which operates off the cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle. The battery charger includes a visual indication which is activated by electromagnetic induction from the ringing current generated when the phone receives an incoming call. An incoming call sensing circuit operates to receive the electromagnetic signal generated by an incoming call to the user's phone. The electromagnetic signal is filtered and rectified by a conditioning and activation circuit such that only an incoming call signal remains. Thereafter the incoming call signal is transmitted to a visual indicator circuit having at least one light source for causing the at least one light source to illuminate such that the user is alerted to the incoming call.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[5] It can be seen from the forgoing that there is a prevalent need to alert drivers to incoming calls. It would be advantageous to have a device capable of doing so without a connection to a charger, display screen, or other device.

[6] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple dashboard-mounted visual incoming call alert.

[7] To this end, a visual incoming call alert device for a car or other vehicle is disclosed comprising: a Bluetooth receiver; a first display comprising at least one LED, connected to said receiver; and means for mounting on a dashboard.

[8] An advantage of the present invention is that a driver is alerted to an incoming call without removing their eyes from the road. A further advantage is that, since the device is visual, the driver does not rely on hearing the phone in the often noisy environment of the car. This is further advantageous for those hard or hearing. Furthermore, the device is simple and compact and does not require any other equipment, such as a charger, screen, projector or other device, to function.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [9] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [10] Figure 1 shows the device of the present invention; and [11] Figure 2 shows the second display of the device of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[12] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, a visual incoming call alert device for a car or other vehicle is disclosed comprising: a Bluetooth receiver; a first display comprising at least one LED, connected to said receiver; and means for mounting on a dashboard.

[13] Preferably, the device also comprises a housing 100, a PCB, and an on/off switch 106.

[14] The first display is preferably a translucent window 102 in the housing with the at least one LED disposed behind the window. The window is preferably such that it appears opaque when the at least one LED is off and transparent when the at least one LED is on. This has a better aesthetic effect than a transparent window. The at least one LED is preferably an LED strip 104 comprising LED5 pre-mounted in a regular pattern on an adhesive strip as known in the art. The LEDs preferably comprise a multiplicity of colours although there may be only one colour.

The Bluetooth receiver is designed to receive a signal when a proximate mobile phone receives an incoming call. Such Bluetooth devices are known in the art. The means for mounting on a dashboard is preferably Velcro pads or other hook-and-eye fastener pads. One side of the pads is adhered to the device while the other side is adhered to the dashboard in the required position. An advantage of hook-and-eye fasteners is that the device can be removed for charging or repositioned for better viewing. Alternatively a bracket, clip, or other mounting means known in the art may be used.

[15] The housing may be any shape able to contain the device and is preferably shaped as shown in the figures. The housing may comprise engineering polymers suitable for this purpose. The PCB may control the device, causing a signal from the Bluetooth receiver (which may or may not be disposed on the PCB) to turn on the LED or LED5 as known in the art. Furthermore, the PCB may be programmed as known in the art to cause a sequential light display on a PCB strip involving creating shapes, colours (if coloured LED5 are provided), or the illusion of movement on the LED5. The methods to do so are widely known in the art.

[16] The on/off switch is as known in the art. The device preferably further comprises an internal battery and mains charging means, or alternatively may comprise a battery compartment for inserting commercial batteries therein, or means for connecting to an in-car power source, as known in the art.

[17] Preferably the device comprises means for indicating a low battery. This may be a dedicated LED or a particular colour (such as red) or shape (such as an exclamation mark or a battery shape) in the LED display.

[18] In one embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises a second display comprising at least one light; a connecting means between said Bluetooth receiver and said second display; and means for mounting on a windscreen.

[19] The second display preferably comprises LED strips behind coloured acrylic plastic 206, to give a continuous coloured effect, since this is attractive and noticeable on a windscreen. Alternatively the second display may be the same as the first display, or may be an LDC screen, or any means known in the art for causing a visual alert. The second display is preferably housed in a housing 204 as shown in the figures, comprising engineering polymers suitable for that use. The means for mounting on a windscreen is preferably a suction pad 202 since this is an inexpensive and removable mounting means which will not affect the windscreen and can be removed or repositioned as desired. The connecting means is preferably an electrical cable 200 as know in the art, although it may also be wireless and may comprise a further Bluetooth transmitter connected to the first receiver, and a second receiver connected to the second display. Furthermore, any connection means, involving a wire or being wireless, as known in the art, may be used. An advantage of the second display is that it provides an additional visual alert, causing a greater visual effect when combined with the first display.

Claims

Claims 1. A visual incoming call alert device for a vehicle comprising: a Bluetooth receiver; a first display comprising at least one LED, connected to said receiver; and means for mounting on a dashboard.
2. The visual incoming call alert device of claim 1 further comprising: a second display comprising at least one light; a connecting means between said Bluetooth receiver and said second display; and means for mounting on a windscreen.
3. The visual incoming call alert device of claim 1 further comprising means for indicating a low battery.