Abstract: A user interface assembly, and an associated method, for a mobile station. An earpiece assembly, worn by a user of a mobile station at which the user interface assembly is implemented, receives local radio signals, such as Bluetooth™-formatted signals, when placement of a call is detected at the mobile station. An annunciator, also positioned at the earpiece, generates an alert to alert the user of placement of the call to the mobile station. The alert forms a private alert instead of a general, public alert. The user of the mobile station is able to accept, or reject, acceptance of the call when privately alerted of delivery of the call to the mobile station.

Abstract: A tactile display system includes a housing containing a tactile pin movable axially transverse of a reference surface and an actuator mechanism engageable therewith for selective movement between raised and lowered positions. An elongated electromagnet distant from the reference surface is aligned with the tactile pin and has spaced poles of opposite, selectively reversible, polarity. A generally spherical rotatable positioning member being a permanent magnet having a peripheral surface which is partially a spherical surface and partially a truncated surface has an axis of rotation coaxial with the tactile pin and the electromagnet and is responsive to operation of the electromagnet, being movable between a first position at which the spherical surface faces the tactile pin, causing positioning of the tactile pin at the raised position and a second position at which the truncated surface faces the tactile pin causing positioning of the tactile pin at the lowered position.

Abstract: A remotely activated sensory stimulation device comprised of a case, a tactile stimulatory means, a receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a controller. The amplitude and frequency of the tactile stimulation is adjustable to provide different prompts or to alter the prompt. The device is further camouflaged with a second functionality to eliminate any social stigma. The device is useful for teaching individuals with a variety of learning disorders including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Abstract: An electronic device including a vibration generator having an eccentric weight member attached to the output of a motor. The motor is accommodated into a bracket made from elastic material, and the bracket is held in a casing. The bracket has a prism-shaped body, and has a through hole in which the motor is tightly fitted formed the central portion of the body, and the peripheral wall defining the through hole is formed with a slit cut from one end face of the body to a central portion of the body in a specified depth. Accordingly, the vibration generator is accommodated into the bracket with great ease. Moreover, the motor of the vibration generator is unlikely to change easily its rotating angle posture in the interior of the bracket while the bracket is assembled into a casing.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted input device for controlling by a single manual control section the function of air conditioner, radio, television, CD player, car navigation system, etc. mounted on a motor vehicle. The manual control section has finger detector, for example a photo interrupter, and alerter, for example vibrator, which vibrates in a mode corresponding to the control position of the manual control section. When the manual control section is held by hand, the finger detector detects the driver's finger, and the alerter vibrates in a mode corresponding to a selected control position of the manual control section, thereby enabling the driver to see the control position of the manual control section before and after a changeover by a blind touch, that is, without observing a display device. Thus it helps facilitate driving the motor vehicle and changing the function of the vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus.

Abstract: An electromechanical and electroacoustic transducer is compact and has a simple drive circuit. Two independent magnetic circuits share a single permanent magnet. A voice coil is placed in one of the magnetic circuits, and a magnetic weight is placed in the other magnetic circuit. A switching element is turned on and off upon movements of the magnetic weight.

Abstract: This application relates to an electrotactile system and method for delivering tactile stimuli to a skin surface of a user. The system includes one or more electrotactile modules each comprising an array of electrodes electrically connected to an integrated circuit. Each integrated circuit has data processing and current driving capability. The current delivered from the integrated circuit to each electrode is relatively small, preferably less than 4 milliamps. The modules may be connected to a flexible PC board by spring-loaded connectors. In one embodiment a plurality of electrotactile modules may be grouped together to from an electrotactile device. Multiple electrotactile devices may in turn be deployed as part of a wearable article for use in virtual reality, telepresence, telerrobotics or other haptic feedback applications. The system is capable receiving and transmitting tactile data via a communication link, such as a conventional data network.

Abstract: A method and device are configured to generate alerts that are varied based upon whether an incoming communication is perceived to be mode (i.e., a non-urgency mode), with different tactile-based patterns being dependent upon the selection of the mode. That is, the patterns of the alerts for providing notification of urgent communications are distinguishable from the patterns of alerts for providing notification of non-urgent communications. In the preferred embodiment, the communications device allows a user to assign particular vibrational patterns to specific sources of incoming communications, so that the vibration pattern identifies the urgency pattern and the original source of the communication. In the pager application, the pager may be configured by a user to uniquely associate a particular callback number with a first alert that is used when the pager is in the urgency mode and a second alert that is used when the pager is in the normal mode.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator comprises: a magnet; a pole piece mounted to the magnet; a yoke facing the pole piece; a coil base having a vibration coil; leaf springs for supporting the coil base and a weight; a case for enclosing them; a cover for covering one side of the case; and a diaphragm having a voice coil, wherein the arms of the coil base are inserted through notches formed in the yoke, and the vibration coil and the voice coil is disposed in a gap in which the pole piece and the yoke face each other. The weight vibrates by the application of a low-frequency current to the vibration coil, and the diaphragm vibrates by the application of a high-frequency current to the voice coil.

Abstract: A portable telephone is designed to realize portable telephone functions and game device functions, particularly music games, which are embodied by a vibration device such as a vibration sensor and a vibration motor. When the user swings and vibrates the portable telephone like a maraca in synchronization with the rhythm of a prescribed musical tune, the vibration device produces vibration pulses, which are compared with rhythm pulses. Then, a score is marked on user's operation to swing the portable telephone on the basis of time differences detected between the vibration pulses and rhythm pulses and is displayed on the screen of a display.

Abstract: In a signal generation circuit for a compound acoustic actuator that generates a sound and a vibration in response to a frequency of a signal input to the compound acoustic actuator, the signal generation circuit comprising a plurality of signal data stored in a memory to generate a plurality of signals having mutually different frequencies, the plurality of signals at least including a signal, a frequency of which is equal to a resonant frequency causing the compound acoustic actuator to generate the vibration, a synthesizing means to synthesize a plurality of drive signals in accordance with the plurality of signal data so as to cause the compound acoustic actuator to generate the vibration, and a sweeping means to sweep the plurality of drive signals, repeatedly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an input device (controller) for inputting signals to a game apparatus using a computer. The input device includes a vibration generating device, the vibration state of which can be set in correspondence with the frequency.

Abstract: A multimode radio has: an antenna that transmits and receives calls via radio signals of a plurality of communication modes; receivers that convert the received radio signals to signals for particular communication modes; an incoming call notifying unit having a speaker, display, or vibrator that respectively output a different sound, display content, or vibration according to the current communication mode; and a control unit that controls operations, detects the receiver that has received a call signal, and controls the incoming call notifying unit according to the communication mode set in a currently active receiver. Different notification methods are preassigned for the different communication modes, and when an incoming call to the address of the multimode radio is detected, the communication mode of the detected call is identified and a user is notified of the call by the notification method that corresponds to the identified communication mode.

Abstract: A telephone security system for providing an alarm system connected to the telephone. The telephone security system includes a telephone being adapted to be connected to a telephone line and having a housing and a face plate member being removably disposed upon a top of the housing; and also includes a control member being adapted to be connected to the telephone line: and further includes a detection assembly being connected to the ringer-inducer member for sensing an emergency; and also includes a user notification assembly being connected to the telephone for notifying a user of an emergency.

Abstract: A remotely activated sensory stimulation device comprised of a case, a tactile stimulatory means, a receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a controller. The amplitude and frequency of the tactile stimulation is adjustable to provide different prompts or to alter the prompt. The device is further camouflaged with a second functionality to eliminate any social stigma. The device is useful for teaching individuals with a variety of learning disorders including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Abstract: An electromagnetic converter in which a mobile magnetic pole body supported by a thin spring is driven by an exciting coil. A restricting member limits movement of the spring so the spring is not deformed beyond a stress limit when the spring receives an impact. The electromagnetic converter produces a large vibration using a simple structure which can withstand an impact without increasing the strength of the spring so the weight of a mobile magnetic pole member can be increased. The restricting member is a soft elastic member and arranged either on the spring or at a location opposite the spring.

Abstract: A mobile phone or telecommunications terminal that sends and receives tactile icons (tactile sensation patterns, including vibration patterns) discernible by feel to a user of the mobile phone or terminal, indicative of a message desired to be communicated between users of such a mobile phone or terminal (not information concerning the operation of the mobile phone or terminal). The mobile phone or terminal includes a source of tactile sensations (such as a vibratory device) that produces a tactile sensation in response to control signals issued by a controller when a message including a tactile icon is received; the control signals are based on instructions included in the mobile phone or terminal on how to interpret a tactile sensation pattern. The source of tactile sensations is for example an eccentric electric motor, a source of puffs of air, an electric signal, a razor-type linear vibrator, a solenoid, or a piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A transmitted signal including a message and address data is received. A plurality of sets of assigned address data is stored. A received message is stored when an address data in a received transmitted signal agrees with any of the stored assigned address data sets. A user is alerted when a command signal causes the message to be read from storage. A counter counts the number of times the message is received when the address data in the received transmitted signal agrees with one of the assigned address data sets. The count is compared to a reference. An alarm issues when the count exceeds the reference.

Abstract: A selective call radio receiver with an external connection function, includes a connection section, a normal message storage section, a transfer message storage section and a control section. The connection section is connected with an external unit. The normal message storage section stores normal messages and the transfer message storage section stores transfer messages. The control section classifies a reception message into the normal message and the transfer message based on a header data of the reception message to store in one of the normal message storage section and the transfer message storage section in accordance with the classification. Also, the control section transfers the transfer messages from the transfer message storage section to the external unit through the connection section in response to a transfer instruction.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a vibrator, the vibrator is first driven towards a first frequency during a first interval and then is driven towards a second frequency during a second interval. In a preferred embodiment the first frequency is higher than the lowest resonance frequency of the vibrator and the vibrator is then allowed to reduce the frequency to a frequency lower than the resonance frequency. By letting the frequency vary in a pulsating manner in the vibrating device, the vibration can be sensed more easily by a human, and thereby making it possible to use a very small mass in the vibrating device, which therefore can be made using a small weight, while still making it possible to sense the vibration.

Abstract: A wireless mobile phone, is provided with a couple of buttons and complementary logic to facilitate entry and transmission of Morse code representations of alphanumeric data. As a result, a user may use the provided facilities to engage in non-verbal communication for sensitive subject matters in the middle of a call. In one embodiment, the complementary logic further facilitates echoing on a display, alphanumeric data corresponding to any entered Morse code representations. Additionally, each of the Morse code entry buttons includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the LEDs are lit to visually echo the Morse code representations of any alphanumeric data entered through a standard input keypad.

Abstract: A portable radio information terminal with a message-notification mode/message-storage mode setting unit, a message-notifying-device-operation control unit and a display-mark turning-on/off unit. The message-notification mode/message-storage mode setting unit sets the portable radio information terminal in a message-notification mode for notifying the user of a message in the event of an incoming information signal conveying the message or in a message-storage mode for halting an operation to notify the user of a message in the event of an incoming information signal conveying the message. The message-notifying-device-operation control unit enables a selected message-notifying device to notify the user of an incoming information signal in the message-notification mode or prevents a selected message-notifying device from notifying the user of an incoming information signal in the message-storage mode.

Abstract: A portable terminal device of a calling party individually sets a sounding pattern to be used for reporting an incoming call, and a called party is informed of the thus-set sounding pattern beforehand. As a result, when the terminal device of the called party makes the thus-set sounding pattern, the terminal device enables the user to immediately specify the calling party. In addition to sound, blinks of light, vibration of a vibrator, or the color of backlight can be used solely or in combination two of more. Further, so long as the portable terminal device is provided with display means capable of displaying characters, in addition to the incoming call reporting means, a simple message can be indicated on the portable terminal device. Consequently, the called party can immediately ascertain the nature of the call without directly talking with the calling party through the portable terminal device.

Abstract: An alarm system for alerting persons within a monitored area as to an emergency situation. The alarm system includes a monitoring unit strategically placed within said monitored area, a vibrating unit and alighting system. The monitoring unit includes a sensor for sensing conditions within the monitored area and generating a sensor signal, a processor for analyzing the sensor signal to determine if an emergency situation exists and a transmitter for transmitting an emergency signal upon a determination that an emergency situation exists by the microprocessor The vibration unit is retained by a person within the monitored area including a receiver for receiving the emergency signal and a vibrator activated by the receiver for causing the vibrating unit to vibrate thereby alerting the person retaining the vibrating unit as to the emergency situation.

Abstract: A cellular mobile telephone apparatus including a main body, and an alarm device which is provided separately from the main body, the main body including: receiving/transmitting unit for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals between a base station; modulating/demodulating unit for modulating and demodulating between the radio frequency signals, and a conversation signal and a control signal; telephone receiver unit for reproducing audible conversation voice in response to the demodulated conversation signal from the modulating/demodulating unit; telephone transmitting unit for converting conversation voice into the conversation signal; a controller for controlling operation of the main body of the cellular mobile telephone apparatus in accordance with the control signal; and an alarm device for providing an alarm signal which includes an identification information and is transmitted through the radio frequency, when a call is terminated at the main body; and the alarm device including: receivi

Abstract: Brushless motors for portable information equipment that can be simultaneously reflow-soldered to a substrate and efficiently and densely mounted thereon in such a way that the coupled portion between the motor and the substrate has a high impact resistance, thereby providing small and reliable portable information equipment having a high productivity.