Tactile alerting mechanism for portable communications device

Abstract

A portable communications device, such as a mobile phone, includes a novel tactile alerting mechanism capable of alerting the user of an incoming communication or other event. In some embodiments, a mechanical actuator causes a rod or lever to pulsate, rotate, or protrude out of a static housing for the communications device. In other embodiments, a pneumatic actuator inflates a bladder that protrudes out of the housing. The alerting mechanism may be configured as a movable part of a decorative fanciful housing for the communications device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a wireless communications transceiver circuit configured to transmit and receive wireless communication signals, the circuit comprising a processor configured to generate an alert signal in selective response to input received by the transceiver circuit;   a housing enclosing the transceiver circuit; and   a mechanical actuator fixed to the housing and controlled by the processor, the actuator moving at least one member outside of the housing to provide tactile movement exterior to the housing in response to the alert signal from the processor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one member comprises a rigid elongated piece rotating around a pivot fixed to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one member comprises a rigid piece sliding along a guide fixed relative to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one member comprises an elastic portion that is deformed by the actuator to provide the movement exterior to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one member comprises an inflatable elastic bladder fixed to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator pumps a fluid to inflate the bladder, and further comprising a valve deflate the bladder by releasing fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a motion controller controlling the actuator is configured to drive the at least one member gradually to a fully extended position and then hold the at least one member in the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a motion controller controlling the actuator is configured to drive the at least one member in a pulsating movement between at least two different positions. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator drives the at least one member using an electromotive force. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator drives the at least one member using a fluid for transmission of a driving force. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the electric motor is a rotary motor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the electric motor is a linear motor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a fluid pump. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be hand-held. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface means for temporarily disabling operation of the mechanical actuator in response to user input. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuit is configured to operate as a mobile phone. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is shaped to resemble a fanciful creature. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one member is shaped to resemble a moving part of the fanciful creature. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one member comprises a pair shaped to resemble paired appendages belonging to the fanciful creature.