Mobile electronic communication device with lights to indicate received messages

(54) MOBILE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH LIGHTS TO INDICATE RECEIVED MESSAGES

(75) Inventors: Eric J. Hull, Seattle, WA (US);

Jonathan O. Nelson, Kirkland, WA
(US); Gary N. Mager, Seattle, WA
(US)

(73) Assignee: Wildseed Ltd., Kirkland, WA (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 254 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/931,788

(22) Filed: Aug. 16, 2001

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2003/0034878 Al Feb. 20, 2003

(51) Int. C I. II04Q 1 00

(52) U.S. CI 340/7.51; 340/7.61; 379/162;

455/412.2

(58) Field of Search 340/7.51, 7.61;

379/162; 701/3; 345/751; 455/412.2, 403,

462, 566

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,374,308 A * 2/1983 Holesha 379/162

4,975,694 A * 12/1990 McLaughlin et al 340/7.55

5,270,931 A * 12/1993 Appleford 701/3

5,546,078 A * 8/1996 Motohashi et al 340/7.61

5,553,125 A * 9/1996 Martensson 455/412.2

5,555,550 A * 9/1996 Kaschke 455/566

5,579,472 A * 11/1996 Keyworth et al 345/751

5,703,934 A * 12/1997 Zicker et al 455/462

5,748,106 A * 5/1998 Schoenian et al 340/7.55

5,793,304 A * 8/1998 Sone 340/7.55

5,946,636 A * 8/1999 Uyeno et al 455/566

6,430,405 Bl * 8/2002 Jambhekar et al 455/403

6,553,223 Bl * 4/2003 Bayley et al 455/419

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Brian Zimmerman

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Schwabe, Williamson &

Wyatt, P.C.

A mobile electronic communication device includes a processor unit, a transceiver, a keypad and a light unit. Each key of the keypad is associated with a contact of a contact list. The light unit can perform light functions to notify a user of the reception and/or status of messages received via the transceiver. The light functions include providing an indication of the age of a received message that was sent by a contact in the contacts list. The age of the message is indicated by a modulation of the illuminating light. In one embodiment, the age of a message is indicated as one of a set of predetermined age ranges, with each age range being represented by a unique color.

31 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets