Remote alarm for personal intelligent communicators

Abstract

A remote alarm apparatus is described. A transmitter is communicatively coupled to a primary communications device. The transmitter broadcasts a notification signal in response to a primary communications device alert. The notification signal is a phase modulated, radio frequency signal. A remote alarm indicator provides remote notification of the primary communications device alert. The remote alarm indicator includes a radio frequency receiver for receiving the notification signal, an alarm indicator, a decoder, a battery, and a switch. The decoder provides a signal to the alarm indicator corresponding to whether the notification signal has been received by the radio frequency receiver. The switch is coupled to permit deactivation of the alarm indicator. The battery provides power to the radio frequency receiver, the alarm indicator, and the decoder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus comprising: a transmitter communicatively coupled to a primary communications device, wherein the transmitter broadcasts a notification signal in response to receipt of e-mail by the primary communications device, wherein the notification signal is a phase modulated, radio frequency signal;   a remote alarm indicator for remote notification of the primary communications device alert, comprising: a radio frequency receiver for receiving the notification signal;   an alarm indicator;   a decoder coupled to the receiver and the alarm indicator, wherein the decoder provides a signal to the alarm indicator corresponding to whether the notification signal has been received;   a battery coupled to provide power to the radio frequency receiver, the alarm indicator, and the decoder; and   a switch coupled to the alarm indicator to permit deactivating the alarm indicator.     
     
     
       2. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein the alarm indicator is a visual indicator. 
     
     
       3. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein the alarm indicator is an audible indicator. 
     
     
       4. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remote alarm indicator has the form factor of a pen. 
     
     
       5. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 4 wherein a body of the pen is an antenna for the radio frequency receiver. 
     
     
       6. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter and radio frequency receiver operate within a range of 902 MHz to 928 MHz. 
     
     
       7. A discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitters, each communicatively coupled to an associated primary communications device, wherein each transmitter broadcasts a notification signal in response to its associated primary communications device alert, wherein at least one notification signal indicates the receipt of e-mail by its associated primary communications device, wherein the notification signals are phase modulated, radio frequency signals;   a remote alarm indicator for remote notification of the primary communications device alerts, comprising: a radio frequency receiver for receiving the notification signals;   an alarm indicator;   a decoder coupled to the receiver and the alarm indicator, wherein the decoder provides a signal to the alarm indicator corresponding to whether any notification signals have been received;   a battery coupled to provide power to the radio frequency receiver, the alarm indicator, and the decoder; and   a switch coupled to the alarm indicator to permit deactivating the alarm indicator.     
     
     
       8. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 7 wherein the signal provided by the decoder varies in response to an identity of the primary communications device associated with the primary communications device alert, wherein the alarm indicator provides varying alarm indications in response to the signal provided by the decoder. 
     
     
       9. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 8 wherein the alarm indicator is a visual indicator. 
     
     
       10. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 9 wherein the alarm indicator is a flashing sequence, wherein the flashing sequence is unique for each primary communications device. 
     
     
       11. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 8 wherein the alarm indicator is an audible indicator. 
     
     
       12. The discrete, wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 8 wherein the remote alarm indicator has the form factor of a pen. 
     
     
       13. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 12 wherein a body of the pen is an antenna for the radio frequency receiver. 
     
     
       14. The discrete wireless remote alarm apparatus of claim 7 wherein the transmitter and radio frequency receiver operate within a range of 902 MHz to 928 MHz.