GB2517509A

GB2517509A - Mobile telephone loudspeaker accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2517509A
Application number: GB1315198.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shane Smith
Original assignee: ASTONISH INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: ASTONISH INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-23
Filing date: 2013-08-23
Publication date: 2015-02-25
Also published as: GB201315198D0

Abstract

A mobile phone alarm system comprising: a mobile phone and an alarm accessory removably attachable to the mobile phone and including a loudspeaker operable in response to control signals received from the mobile phone; the mobile phone alarm system includes a motion sensor for generating motion data in response to movements of the mobile phone; and processing means for comparing motion data from the motion sensor with stored motion codes (each comprising motion data corresponding to a respective physical movement of the mobile phone and/or the accessory) and providing a control signal to the accessory when a movement of the mobile phone causes the motion sensor to generate motion data which corresponds to a stored motion code. It provides a mobile telephone loudspeaker assembly attachable to a mobile telephone to provide an attack alarm system. The attack alarm system is activated by a motion code, generated by a predefined movement of the mobile telephone and accessory. The accessory includes a loudspeaker capable of producing noise levels of at least 95dB.

Description

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MOBILE TELEPHONE LOUDSPEAKER ACCESSORY

FIELD

The present invention concerns mobile telephone accessories, and is particularly directed to a speaker accessory capable of producing a high decibel output alarm that is activated and deactivated by a movement of the telephona

BACKGROUND

A loud alarm is considered a useflul deterrent against attack, and many attack alarms are available which emit a loud noise when activated. However dedicated attack/panic alarm devices are often left at home and consequently are of no assistance during an attack. People generally take their mobile tclcpbone with them everywhere. Current mobile telephone-based attack alarms arc known which send an SMS message to a trusted recipient, with a pre-determined panic message plus UPS locator information. However, this is unlikely to deter the attack itself. There are also attack alarm applications ("apps") for mobile telephones, but these cannot rely on noise as a deterrent because the volume levels which the internal speakers of mobile telephones can generate are insufficient to deter an attacker, as they are limited by the physical size and type of speaker device used for audio.

Therefore, there is a need for a loudspeaker accessory, attachable to a mobile telephone, that can provide a sufficiently loud alert sound to be an effective deterrent to an attacker Furthermore, the method of activation of these attack alarms is often cumbersome, requiring the user to use both hands to operate the device. In a conventional attacklpanic alarm device, a metal pin attached to a cord is pulled to activate the alarm. A mobile telephone attack alarm application requires the user to deactivate a screen lock and subsequently open the application or press a button to activate the alarm. These methods, as well as requiring both of the user's hands, also often create false alerts which draw unwanted attention. Similarly, to S deactivate the alarm, both hands are needed to press a button or to re-insert a metal pin.

Therefore, there is a need for a more convenient method of activating and deactivating an alarm.

An objective of the present invention is to improve on the prior art devices by providing alarms that are activated by movements of the device, which movements are recorded and stored as motion codes. Motion codes are data files representing a particular movement of the device, which are pre-stored in memory IS and when matched by a subsequent, corresponding movement of the device, a command is executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides mobile phone alarm system comprising a mobile phone and an alarm accessory removably attachable to the mobile phone, the alarm accessory including a loudspeaker operable in response to control signals received from the mobilc phone, and wherein the mobile phone alarm system includes a motion sensor for generating motion data in response to niovements of the mobile phone, memory means for storing a plurality of motion codes each comprising motion data corresponding to a respective physical movement of the mobile phone and data defining an action to be taken when one of said physical movements of the mobile phone is detected, processing means for comparing motion data from the motion sensor with the stored motion codes, and for providing a control signal to the accessory when a movement of the mobile phone causes the motion sensor to generate motion data which corresponds to a stored motion code.

A second aspect of the invention provides a mobile phone accessory attachable to a mobile telephone to form a mobile phone alarm system according to the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2a is a block diagram showing the main components of an application included in the mobile phone of Figure 1; Figure 2b is a block diagram showing the main components of a control module included in the high decibel alarm speaker accessory of Figure 1; Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are diagrammatic representations of motion sequences that may be used by the system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a.block diagram showing an antithefi component, as relevant to this embodiment of the invention, of the system of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a diagram of a mobile phone and high decibel alarm speaker accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 6a is a rear view diagram of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6b is a cross-section diagram of the high decibel alarm speaker S accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention;

DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows an alarm system I comprising a high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 for producing a loud audio alert, which is mountable to a mobile telephone 2. The high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 comprises a speaker capable of producing an audio alert greater in decibels than is possible from a conventional mobile telephone speaker, and will be described in more detail later.

The high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 is activated and deactivated by a I 5 motion code.

As can be seen, Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the main components of the system I. The system comprises a mobile telephone 2 and a high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 that are electrically coupled at connection 8.

The mobile telephone 2 comprises a motion sensing unit 34 to sense motion of the mobile phone by the use accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, a Bluetooth communication unit 36 for wireless communication, and optionally an incoming message unit 38 to identify the types of incoming message, a user interface 40 for a user to interact with the mobile telephone, an application processor 42 to execute application programs stored in memory 44 and a connector 46 to interface with the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4.

The high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 comprises a connector 12 co-operable with connector 46 of the mobile telephone 2, a control module 32 to receive and

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execute commands plus an alarm speaker 24 to output sound alerts. The accessory may optionally include a music speaker 26 to output music, a battery 28 for powering the components of the accessory 4, LEDs 6, a charging port 30 to charge the battery 28 and a detachable device 16 which will be discussed in more detail later.

The system I comprises a mobile telephone 2, equipped with a motion sensing unit. The mobile telephone is mechanically coupled and electrically coupled at connection 8 to the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4.

FigureS shows an example of a mechanical coupling formation for the accessory, in which the excess re-comprises a pair of sidewalls with inwardly-facing abutments 14, spaced apart so that a mobile telephone 2 may be received betweefl the sidcwalls and held in place by the abutments 14 of the accessory 4 engaging a 1 5 front face of the mobile telephone. The telephone is inserted between the sidewalls in the direction indicated by arrow "A" in Figure 5. A latch (not shown) may be provided to retain the telephone between the sidewalls. In alternative embodiments the sidewalls and abutments 14 maybe replaced by other suitable alternatives such as transparent plastic straps (not shown).A male and female connector 12 and 46 may provide a mechanical coupling between the mobile telephone 2 and the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 in addition to providing an electrical coupling 8.

The male and female connector 12 and 46 illustrated in Figure 1 may be a USB mini, Apple's lightning connector or any other suitable connector.

Additionally, Figure 1 shows LEDs 6 mounted to the accessory 4. Preferably the LEDs 6 are of differcnt colours, such as red, white, green and/or blue. There. may be more or fewer than three LEDs, and in an alternative embodiment one or more LEDs may be replaced by a laser pointer (not shown). The LEDs provide a visual alert and will be discussed in more detail later.

The alarm speaker 24 is capable of producing a sound at higher decibel levels than is possible from a conventional mobile telephone speaker, such as in the range greater than 95 dB. Preferably the alarm speaker 24 is capable of producing sound in the range 110 dB to 160dB. The alarm speaker may be of electromagnetic type or piezoelectric type, or any other suitable type. The alarm speaker may comprise its own driver circuitry.

The music speaker 26 is a conventional loudspeaker that provides an enhanced music listening experience to a user, compared with listening to music via the internal speaker of a mobile telephone 2. When music is played on the mobile telephone 2 the audio may be output to the music speaker 26 instead of to the internal speaker, or as well as being output to the internal speaker. Output to the music speaker 26 is sent via the male and female connectors 12 and 46 or alternatively via a 3.5 mm audio jack connected to the control module 32 of the accessory by a lead (not shown).

The battery 28 is a conventional battery suitable for powering a mobile telephone.

The battery 28 provides power to the components of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4, and additionally may provide backup power to the mobile telephone 2. In an alternative embodiment, the accessory does not comprise a battery 28, and power to drive the accessory components is taken from the mobile telephone's internal battery.

The charging port 30 is a conventional charging port, such as a USB mini, used to recharge the battery 28 of the accessory 4. Additionally, the contacts of the charging port 30 may be connected to the male connector 12 and arranged to recharge the battery of the mobile telephone 2 when a suitable charging device.

and power source is connected to the charging port 30 and the accessory 4 is connected to the mobile telephone 2. The accessory 4 and the mobile telephone may alternatively be charged separately, preferably using the same charging unit.

For example, if an accessory 4 is designed to fit a particular type of mobile telephone, the battery and charging circuitry of the accessory 4 may be designed and configured so as to be compatible with the standard éharger supplied with the mobile telephone.

The control module 32 comprises a processor for executing commands, and a memory for storing audio and visual alerts to be executed. Driver circuitry for driving a speaker may be included in the control module 32 if there is no driver circuitry in the alarm speaker and logic to control the firnctioning of the components of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4, as will be discussed in more detail later.

To prepare the system for use, the user attaches the accessory 4 to the mobile telephone 2 by mechanical and electrical connection. The user then downloads an application 56 to the mobile telephone 2 and stores the application 56 in memory 44. The application will be discussed in detail later.

The user opens the application 56 on the mobile telephone 2 using the user interface 40, such as the touch-screen or the control buttons of the mobile telephone.

The user first opens the application in a "setup" mode, in which the user is prompted to select one or more commands, such as attack alert, for which to create a respective motion code.

In the present embodiment, this is done in two stages and will be described with reference to Figure 2a and Figure 2b. In the first stage, the user selects a command 63 such as "attack alarm", and this command is stored in a first memory

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59 in association with a particular sound 65 and/or visual alarm 71 to be produced by the loudspeaker in response to that command. In a second stage, the user stores the command 63 in a second memory 60, and also stores in the second memory a motion code 61.

In the first stage, the user may select a sound alert from a library of sounds which may be stored in memory 44 when the application 56 is downloaded.

Alternatively, the user may download a sound alert from a website, or may generate their own sound alert using the telephones microphone, for example.

The selected sound alert 65 and its associated command 63 is then stored in the memory 59 of the control module 32. Several different sound alerts 65 may be stored, with their respective commands 63, in the memory 59. Command 63 may be a command to activate a particular sound or other output, or may be a command to stop an output that has been activated.

Once the sound alert 65 and its associated command 63 have been selected and stored, the setup process moves to the second stage. In this stage, the user selects a command 63 for which to create a motion code, and following a short predetermined delay for the user to move to a starting position, the telephone 2 and accessory 4 are moved by the user, for example in a "figure of eight" movement, to create the motion code. During this movement thc motion data from the motion sensing unit 34 of the telephone 2 is stored as a motion code 61 in the motion code and associated command database 60, along with the selected command 63. The user is not limited to this example movement and can use any movement that the user is physically capable of producing. Simple, easily-repeatable and easily-memorable movements are recommended so that the user can readily repeat the motion code movement. Several motion codes 61, each corresponding to a different command 63, may be stored in the database 60.

Once the user has stored sufficient alerts and/or commands and their associated motion codes, the user makes an input to exit the "setup'1 mode.

When the user thinks that an attack alarm might be needed in the near future, such as when the user is about to walk through an unfamiliar area, then the user makes an input to the telephone to change the device to an "operating" mode, so that the mobile telephone 2 and accessory 4 will operate as a motion-controlled alarm.

The input may be in the form of a motion code, which the user inputs by making a movement of the telephone and accessory, or it may be in the form of an alphanumeric code, for example a number or word, input via the telephone's touch-screen or keyboard.

In the "operation" mode, the motion sensing unit 34, which is a conventional unit in mobile telephones 2, detects motion of the mobile telephone 2 and provides motion data to the application processor 42. The processor 42 samples the motion data and performs a comparison between the samples of motion data and the predefined motion codes stored in the database 60 in memory 4& If there is no match the motion sensing unit 34 continues to detect motion of the system I and provide motion data to the application processor 42, which continues to sample motion data and continues to perform a comparison of the samples of motion data and the user predefined motion codes. The application processor will be discussed in more detail later.

If there is a match with a user predefined motion code 61, for example if the user fears or suffers an attack and moves the telephone and accessory along the movement path associated with a motion code, then the command 63 associated with the matched motion code will be executed. The movement may correspond to a command to activate thc attack alarm, and the accessory will then emit a loud alarm sound which attracts attention and may deter the attacker. If the deterrent is successful, the user may make a further movement of the telephone and accessory

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to generate a command to deactivate the alarm.

The commands 63 to be executed are sent from the application processor 42 via the male and female connectors 12 and 46 to the control* module 32 of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4. When the control module receives a command 63, it retrieves from memory 59 the sound 65 or action 71 or 71a associated with that command, and operates the accessory components, for example to activate or deactivate an alert. The alert can be audio, visual or both. One audio alert, activated by a first motion code, may be a medical alert, to act as an alert to others that the user requires medical assistance. Another alert, activated by a second motion code, may be an attack alert in which the high decibel speaker emits a loud continuous sound to warn off an attacker. The high decibel alarm speaker 24 is able to produce an attack alert loud enough to cause pain to a human, so that the higb decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 can function as a deterrent to attackers.

The user can predefine, via the user interface 40, the type of alert and the sound to be produced e.g. siren or air horn from a library of sounds or create their own recorded message. Similarly, the user can predefine, via the user interface 40, a visual alert using the LEDs 6 of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 to flash randomly or the user may define, via the user interface 40, a visual alcrt or message using the mobile telephone's display.

If a continuous attack alert is activated, the sound will continue until the !*deactivateu motion code is entered by the user, by the user performing the movements corresponding to a pre-stored motion code, or until battery 28 is depleted. The accessory may be configured so that the high decibel alarm speaker continues to emit sound even if accessory 4 is removed from the mobile telephone 2. Alternatively, deactivation of the alarm may be controlled by inputting a personal identification number PIN code via the interface of the mobile telephone.

The "deactivate" motion code, or PIN, can only be entered when the mobile telephone 2 and high decibel alarm spcaker accessory 4 are coupled since the

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motion code or pin number is sensed by the mobile telephone 2 and a command is sent from the mobile telephone 2 to the control module 32 of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 for the control module 32 to deactivate the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4. The two units must be connected for the deactivation to take place. Since it is unlikely that an attacker will be able to reproduce the movement required to cause the mobile telephone 2 to send the "deactivate" command, the attacker will be unable to deactivate the alert.

In some embodiments, incoming messages are detected by the incoming message unit 38 of the mobile telephone 2 and data concerning, for example, the type and origin of a message, i.e. email, SMS or SMS from a family member, is provided to the application processor 42. The application processor 42 uses the data concerning the message type to send a command to the control module 32 of the accessory 4 to provide visual alerts. The control module 32 receives the commands via the male and female connectors 12 and 46, and turns on the LEDs 6 to indicate the type of message, e.g. the visual alert for an email may be a flashing red LED while an SMS may be a constant green LED for a predefined period of time. An incoming message from a particular source may result in a display or a sound output which uniquely identifies a message from that source.

The user interface 40 is conventional, such as a touch-screen in combination with an operating system, and allows the user to interact with the mobile telephone and with an application 56 running on the application processor 42. The application 56 will be discussed in more detail later.

The Bluetooth unit 36 is a conventional unit and when activated by the user the Bluetooth unit monitors the distance between the mobile telephone 2 and the detachable device 16. If the device 16 is moved away from the telephone 2 by a predetentined distance, then the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 activates a high decibel audio alarm to provide an antithefi deterrent. This antitheft feature is discussed in more detail later.

Figuie 2a shows application 56 comprising a create motion code module 58 to create a motion code and associate the code with a command, a motion code and associated command database 60 for storing and associating the motion codes and commands, a motion sensing unit (MSU) data monitor 62 to monitor data from the motion sensing unit and sampling the motion data into sections for comparison by a motion comparison module 64 which compares the sampled motion data with the stored motion codes, a battery management module 66 manages the use of the battery 28, a message identification module 68 comprises a database of mcssage types and visual commands to be cxccuted, the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 monitors distance between the detachable device 16 and the mobile telephone 2 and audio/visual processing module 72 allows the user to select the sound and visual types, from a library, to be used for alerts or allows a 1 5 user to record sounds and enter visual graphics for alerts. These may be downloaded from a website.

The application 56 configures the application processor 46 to perform the functions described herein.

In operation, the motion sensing unit data monitor 62 causes the application processor 42 to override the mobile telephone's sleep mode in order to continuously monitor the data provided by the motion sensing unit 34.

Alternatively, to savc on battery life the user may be able to selectively arm and disarm the application 56, via the user interface 40, such that the motion sensing unit data monitor 62 is active, armed, to override the mobile telephone's sleep mode so that motion data is monitored or the motion sensing unit data monitor 62 is. inactive, disarmed, such that no motion data is monitored.

The create motion code module 58 is used by the user to predefine motion codes 61 that are associated with particular commands 63 and these motion codes 61 and associated commands 63 are stored in the motion code and associated command database 60. The creation of the predefined motion codes is discussed in more detail later. The motion comparison module 64 receives motion data S samples from the motion sensing unit data monitor 62 and compares these samples with the motion codes 6 I stored in the motion code and associated command database 60 If there is no match then the monitoring and comparisons continue. If there is a match, then the command associated with the matched motion code is sent to the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 by sending a command signal to the control module 32, for example to execute the activate or deactivate attack alert command sent to the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4.

The battery management module 66 monitors the condition of the battery 28 and gives an indication when the battery 28 needs recharging Optionally, the user may activate the battery 28 as a back up power supply for the mobile telephone 2, by using the user interface 40 to send a signal to the control module 32. The control module 32 operates switches to enable power from the battery 28 to flow via the male and female connectors 12 and 46 to the mobile telephone 2 once the control module receives the command to enable the battery 28 to function as a back up power supply. Alternatively, the battery management module 66 may monitor the mobile telephone 2 battery status and when the battery power level in the mobile telephone battery reaches a predetermined level the battery 28 is automatically connected by the control module 32 to provide the mobile telephone 2 with power The Bluctooth monitoring module 70 is activated by the user via the user interface which in turn activates the mobile telephone's Bluetooth unit 36 which automatically searches for and establishes communication with the detachable device 16. The Bluetooth monitoring module 70 monitors the distance between p the detachable device and the telephone 2 using data provided by the Bluetooth unit 36, and if the distance between the telephone 2 and the detachable device 16 exceeds a predetermined distance, which may be set by the user via the user interface 40 and application 56, then the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 sends a signal, via the male and female connectors 12 and 46, to the control module 32 to activate the alarm speaker 24 to provide an high decibel audio alert and/or visual alert to act as a deterrent, for example to a thief stealing the telephone 1 The user selects which signals are to be sent regarding the alert types by adjusting settings in the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 via the user interface 40 during the setup process.

A switch or sensor for detecting the removal of the detachable device 16 from the accessory 4 may be provided, and the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 may be automatically activated in response to a switch or sensor output. Deactivating the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 may be provided by detecting the return of the detachable device 16 to the accessory 4. The sensor or switch may be provided in the accessory 4 and/or in the detachable device 16 to detect removal and return of the detachable device 16 from and to the accessory 4.

The message identification module 68 receives data from the incoming message unit 38, the data indicating the nature of an incoming message, e.g. email, SMS or SMS from a family member. During the setup process, the user can store in the message identification module 68 a series of correlations between incoming message types and actions to be pcrformcd. Thc mcssagc identification module 68 uses the data concerning the message type/origin to identify a record 67 to the corresponding message type/origin and sends a visual alert command 69 to the control module 32 of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 to provide visual alerts regarding the type of message received by the mobile telephone 2. The user is able to predefine which messages are associated with a particular visual alert via the user interface 40. The control module 32 receives visual alert commands 69 via the male and female connectors 12 and 46, and turns on an LED, several LEDs 6 or a laser pointer to indicate the type of message, e.g. the receipt of an email may be indicated by a flashing red LED, while receipt of an SMS from a spouse may be indicated by a constant green LED on for a predefrned period of time such as 10 seconds.

The audio/visual processing module 72 enables the user to select the types of audio/visual alerts to be associated with particular commands For example, the user may select a green LED to be turned on for 10 seconds when an SMS from the user's spouse is received, or the user may select a continuous siren sound and all LEDs 6 to flash randomly when activating the attack alarm. For a medical alert, an example message may be a recorded message such as "Diabetic, need medical assistance call 012345". The selected audio/visual alerts are stored in look up tables in the memory 59 of the control module 32 with their respective commands 63. The audio/visual processing module 72 sends the types of audio/visual alerts to the control module 32 for storage and execution on the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 upon receiving a command, by the control module, to execute a particular alert.

As is seen in Figure 2b the control module 32 comprises a processor for executing commands and a memory 59 for storing audio and visual alerts to be executed.

Driver circuitry 57 for driving a speaker may be included in the control module 32 if there is no driver circuitry in the alarm speaker 24, and logic to control the functioning of the components of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 may also be provided.

The memory 59 contains a look up table of commands 63 to be executed and the associated sound 61 and/or visual 71 alert to be output or other action to be taken.

When the control module 32 receives a command to execute, for example, attack alert 1, the control module locates the command 63 and accesses the sound 65 and visual alerts 71 to be output by the accessory 4, and executes the sound and visual alerts using driver 57. Additionally, an alert may be just a sound alert and no visual alert 71a is required.

Figures 3a to 3c show various motion codes that a user may predefine. The user selects a command, such as short loud audio burst alert, for which to create a motion code by using the create motion code module 58 of the application 56 which is selected via the user interface 40. As can be seen in Figure 3a, once the command has been selected the system I is moved, after a short predetermined delay so that the user can be in an initial starting position, by the user along the path E in a figure eight motion and the motion data from the motion sensing unit 34, along with the sciected conunand chosen by the user, is stored in the database 60.

For example, the motion data is stored in the motion code field 61 as the "Motion Code 1" and the associated command of "Activate Medical Alert I" is stored in command field 63 Then in subsequent operation once the movement of "Motion Code l"is reproduced by the user, the "Activate Medical Alert I" command will be sent to the command module 32 of the accessory 4 for execution. As can be seen in Figures 3b and 3c the user may wish to predefine a motion code by moving the telephone 2 as shown in Figure 3b along a path first extending downwardly and then to the right, in the shape of a letter "L", or a combination of downward and rotating movement, along the path P -L in Figure 3c, in a "portrait-to-landscape" motion. The movement may simply be made once, or may be reversed and repeated a number of times The user is not limited to these examples and can use any motion that the user is physically capable of producing.

In Figure 4, an antitheft feature is shown in which the system I has had the detachable device 16 removed from the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 a predetermined distance B. The detachable device 16, shown in Figure 1, comprises a Bluetooth fransmitter 48, a speaker 50, a power switch 51, a battery 52, and LEDs 54. The battery 52 provides power for the Bluetooth transmitter 48, the speaker 50 and the LEDs 54.

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In use, upon removal of the detachable device 16 from the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4, the user turns on the detachable device 16 using the power switch 51 and activates the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 of the application 56 via the user interface 40. Alternatively there operation may be provided automatically by a switch or sensor detecting the removal of the detachable device 16.

The Bluetooth monitoring module 70 turns on the mobile telephone's Bluetooth unit 36, if it is not already on, which automatically searches for and establishes 1 5 communication with the detachable device 16. The Bluetooth monitoring module monitors the distance, shown as path B in Figure 4, between the detachable device and the telephone 2 using data provided by the Bluetooth unit 36. The monitoring of distance in Bluetooth devices is conventional. If the distance between the system I and the detachable device 16 exceeds a predetermined distance, for example 2 or 3 metres, then the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 of the telephone 2 sends a signal via the male and female connectors 12 and 46 to the control module 32 of the accessory 4 to activate the alarm speaker 24. The accessory 4 thus provides a loud sound output, for example to warn off a thief from stealing the system I. LEDs 6 may also be activated to provide a visual alert.

A signal may also be sent within the mobile telephone 2 to lock the mobile telephone 2 and/or output a visual display on the display of the mobile telephone 2. Additionally, a signal maybe sent via Bluetooth to the detachable device 16 to activate a speaker 50 and/or LEDs 54. The user selects which signals are to be sent by adjusting settings in the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 of the application 56 via the user interface 40 during the "setup" process.

In some embodiments, activation of the Bluetooth monitoring module 70 also initiates an interlocking monitor within the control module 32 (not shown) which monitors the electrical coupling 8 between the mobile telephone 2 and the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4. If the. electrical coupling connection between the mobile telephone 2 and the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 is broken by removal of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 from the mobile telephone 2, then the control module 32 activates the alarm speaker 24 to produce an audio alert.

By providing a housing for the detachable device 16 within the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 the detachable device 16 is less likely to be lost. The battery is life of the detachable device 16 is also optimised because the detachable device 16 is only powered when removed from the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4. The detachable device 16 may be provided with a rechargeable battery, and the wiring of the accessory 4 may be arranged so that recharging the battery 28 of the accessory for also recharges the battery 52 of the detachable device 16.

As shown in Figure 6a, the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 comprises the detachable device 16, a finger groove 17, several speaker holes 18, a security ring and an integrated stand 22.

The high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4, as shown in Figure 6a, is of sufficient height that it does not obstruct a camera of the mobile telephone 2. Alternatively, an opening or recess may be provided to leave a camera lens unobstructed.

The detachable device 16 is removed by access from the finger grooves 17. The detachable device is used as part of the antitheft system discussed earlier.

The speaker holes 18 are conventional and provide air channels for sound that is output by a speaker.

S The security ring 20 provides an extra measure of grip and security in holding the system 1 The security ring 20 comprises a flexible and strong material, such as rubber, in a ring like formation that is coupled to the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 by a hinge or another suitable alternative. The security ring 20 may be coupled to the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 by a frangible connection. Alternatively, the security ring 20 may be coupled to the accessory 4 by a releasable coupling which, if broken, causes the alarm to be activated. The releasable connection is capable of being re-assembled, and reassembly of the reasonable connection may cause the alarm to be deactivated. The frangible or releasable connection is preferably arranged such that the connection either breaks or releases at a force level which will prevent any injury to the user's finger.

Additionally, the edges of the accessory 4 may have grooves for fingers, or friction material, to provide further grip.

In use, the. user places a finger through the security ring 20. The security ring 20 can then aid in the prevention of slipping of the system I in a user's hand, and in the event that the telephone and accessory are snatched from a user's hand the frangible or releasable connection is broken and the alarm is activated.

Alternatively, the security ring may be connected to the detachable device 16 instead of thc high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4. In use, if the mobile telephone and accessory 4 are snatched while a finger is inserted in the security ring 20 the detachable device may break away from the accessory 4 if a predetermined force threshold is exceeded and the alarm would be activated by the sensors that automatically detect that the detachable device 16 is removed.

The integrated stand 22 is conventional and comprises a rigid length of material coupled to the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 by a hinge. Other suitable supporting alternatives may be used. The integrated stand 22 provides support for the system 1, such that a display of the mobile telephone 2 may be conveniently S viewed in either a landscape or portrait orientation. The stand 22 is deployed by pivoting it out to extend from the back of the accessory 4, as indicated at C in dashed lines in Figure 6b. The accessory 4 can then stand on a table, indicated by the dashed line T in Figure ób, with an edge of the accessory and the end of the stand 22 in contact with the tabla Figure 6b shows a cross-sectional diagram of the high decibel alarm speaker accessory taken along the line V.V in Figure Ga. As shown in Figure 6b the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 comprises the alarm speaker 24, a high fidelity music speaker 26, battery 28, charging port 30 and control module 32. The electrical connections within the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 are not shown. The high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 may have a casing or housing made of a rubber or plastics material to enclose the operating components.

OTHER MODIFICATIONS

In addition to its functionality as an attack alarm, the telephone 2 and accessory 4 may be used on the street as an audible alarm to attract attention from, for example, inattentive pedestrians. There are applications already available for smartphone mobile telephones that provide a simple "air horn" sound. However, these air horn applications use the internal speaker of the mobile telephone which is barely audible above the usual level of street noise. Therefore, the ability of the accessory to provide a sound louder than the internal speaker of a mobile telephone can be useful, to provide a sufficiently loud alert to warn inattentive

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pedestrians and thus avoid collisions. In use, when confronted with an inattentive pedestrian on the street, a user of the invention simply moves the device with the movements which will activate the pre-programmed motion code and cause the accessory to emit an alert in the form of a sound louder than could be emitted by S the telephone itself, but not sufficiently loud as to cause harm.

Additionally, such a loud alarm may be of use for fire alarms or medical assistance alerts.

A preset alert may be of any type the user can select, such as a short burst alarm to warn a pedestrian, a medical alert warning which simultaneously attracts attention and also warns people coming to the assistance of the user of the user's medical condition, such as if the user is a diabetic or HIV+. The alarm may also be configured as a fire alarm, an attack alarm or any other type of alarm or alert where a loud sound output is required.

In an alternative embodiment the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 may comprise a "hot button". The "hot button" being a button on the accessory that when depressed causes the alarm speaker to activate a preset alert.

In an alternative embodiment the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 may require a motion code or PIN code to be entered before the accessory 4 may he detached from the telephone 2. Failure to enter the required motion or pin code may result in activation of the alarm if the alarm is separated from the telephone.

In the described embodiment, a considerable amount of the processing power required to operate the system is situated within the telephone 2. In alternative embodiments, the system components maybe distributed between the telephone 2 and the accessory 4 such that a majority of the processing is executed within the accessory 4, and a simple application (not shown) to interface with the accessory is stored and executed on the mobile telephone 2 in order for motion data to be passed to the accessory. This would free up the mobile telephone's resources.

In an alternative embodiment the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4, the S application 56 may also comprise an application programming interface (API) in order to interact with other applications on a mobile telephone 2.

In an alternative embodiment, when creating the motion codes the application may be programmed, by the user, such that the display of the mobile telephone 2 may also display a visual alert.

Alternatively, the motion sensing unit 34 may be built into the high decibel alarm speaker accessory 4 if the mobile telephone 2 does not comprise a motion sensing unit 34. In such an allcmative, the mobile telephone 2 and the high decibel alarm speaker accessory do not need to be connected to deactivate the alarm. In addition, for this embodiment the application 56 monitors the connection 8 when the detachable device 16 is removed from the accessory 4 and locks the mobile telephone 2 if the connection 8 is broken.

Although Bluetooth is used to determine the distance between the detachable device 16 and the system 1, other suitable alternatives may be substituted for Bluetooth such as infrared or other wireless protocols.

Claims

Claims I. A mobile phone alarm system comprising: a mobile phone, and an alarm accessory removably attachable to the mobile phone and including a loudspeaker operable in response to control signals received from the mobile phone; and wherein the mobile phone alarm system includes: a motion sensor for generating motion data in response to movements of the mobile phone; memory means for storing: i. a plurality of motion codes each comprising motion data corresponding to a respective physical movement of the mobile phone and/or the accessory; and ii. data defining an action to be taken when one of said physical movements of the mobile phone and/or the accessory is detected; processing means for: comparing motion data from the motion sensor with the stored motion codes; and providing a control signal to the accessory when a movement of the mobile phone causes the motion sensor to generate motion data which corresponds to a stored motion code.
2. A mobile phone alann system according to claim I, wherein the memory means comprises: i. a first memory in the mobile phone for storing a plurality of motion codes and a respective command signal corresponding to each motion code; and iL a second memory in the alarm accessory for storing the command signals and respective data defining an action to be taken on receipt of each command signal.
3. A mobile phone alarm system according to claim I or claim 2, further including: a detachable device releasably mounted to the accessory and including wireless communication means; and wherein the accessory includes: wireless communication means operable to communicate with the detachable device; means to determine whether a separation distance between the accessory and the detachable device is greater than a predefined threshold distance; and means to operate an alarm on the basis of that determination.
4. A mobile phone alarm system according to claim 3, wherein the detachable device further includes output means to output an alarm on the basis of the determinatiom
5. A mobile phone alarm system according to claim 3 or claim 4, including: means to detect release of the detachable device from the accessory, and means to activate the wireless communication means when release of the detachable device is detected.
6. A mobile phone alarm system according to any preceding claim, wherein the motion sensor is a component of the mobile telephone.
7. A mobile phone alarm system according to any of claims I to 5, wherein the motion sensor, the means for comparing motion data and the means for providing a control signal to the accessory are components of the accessory.A mobile phone alarm system according to any preceding claim, further including a grip ring releasably attached to the accessory, and means for activating an alarm when the grip ring is detached from the accessory.9. A mobile phone alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the grip ring is attached to the detachable device.10. A mobile phone alarm system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is operable in a first mode to: receive a user input selecting a command; receive a user input defining an action to be taken in response to the command; receive from the motion sensor motion data corresponding to a movement; store in a memory the selected command, associated with the action and the motion data; and wherein the processing means is operable in a second mode to: receive data from the movement sensor relating to movements of the mobile telephone and/or the accessory; compare the received data with the stored motion data; and when it is determined that the received data corresponds to stored motion data, send the command associated with that motion data to the loudspeaker.11. A mobile phone alarm system according to any preceding claim, wherein the loudspeaker is capable of emitting sound in excess of 95 dB.12. A mobile phone alarm system according to any preceding claim, wherein the mobile telephone is releasably mounted to the accessory, the alarm system including sensor means to detect removal of the mobile telephone from the accessory and means to activate an alarm when removal is detected.13. A mobile phone alami system according to any preceding claim, wherein the mobile telephone is mounted to the accessory by being received between a pair of sidewalls defining a slot in the accessory.14. A mobile phone alarm system according to any preceding claim, wherein the accessory includes battery means for providing power to the loudspeaker.15. A mobile phone alarm system according to claim 14, wherein the accessory includes means for providing battery power from the battery means of the accessory to a battery of the mobile phone.16. A mobile telephone accessory attachable to a mobile telephone to form a mobile telephone alarm system according to any preceding claim.17. A mobile telephone alarm system substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.18. An accessory for a mobile telephone, substantially as described herein with reference to figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.