Systems and methods for providing remote incoming call notification for cellular phones

Abstract

The present invention provides a remote notification to a user of a cellular, or mobile, phone as the result of a particular activity or any activity at all (e.g., an incoming call from a particular person, group, or just an incoming call). In one embodiment, a sensing device is provided on the cellular phone that communicates/routes an alert to a remote notification device. In one economical embodiment, the notification device may have a short wire-based communication channel (e.g., roughly 1 foot to 5 feet) and only have a single output device (e.g., a light-emitting device). Thus, a woman may be able to quietly receive notifications of a cell phone event when her cell phone is stored in her purse.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use with a cellular phone that provides notification of an incoming call, said system comprising:
 a sensing device that is operable to be attached to said cellular phone that provides communication signals indicative of an incoming call; and   a remote communication device configured to receive said communication signals, wherein said communication device is configured to provide notification signals to a user dependent upon said received communication signals.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said remote communication device includes an amplifier and a speaker, wherein said notification signals are audible notifications. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said remote communication device includes a vibrating device and a source of electrical energy, wherein said notification signals are vibrational notifications. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said remote communication device includes a light emitting device and a source of electrical energy, wherein said notification signals are light-emitted notifications. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said remote communication device includes a display device and a source of electrical energy, wherein said notification signals are text notifications. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensing device is an autonomous sensing device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensing device directly communicates with said cellular phone to determine when said incoming call occurs. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensing device and said remote communication device wirelessly communicate. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said wireless communication is a one-way communication from said sensing device to said remote communication device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said wireless communication is a two-way communication between said sensing device and said remote communication device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensing device and said remote communication device communicate through an wire-based extension. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said wire-based communication is a one-way communication from said sensing device to said remote communication device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said wire-based communication is a two-way communication between said sensing device and said remote communication device. 
     
     
         14 . A system for use with a cellular phone that provides notification of an incoming call, said system comprising:
 a sensing device that is operable to be attached to said cellular phone that provides communication signals indicative of an incoming call; and   a remote communication device configured to receive said communication signals, wherein said communication device is configured to provide notification signals that are only light-based and said notification signals are dependent upon said received communication signals.