For Alerting Signal At Called Station (e.g., Ringing) Patents (Class 379/252)
  • Patent number: 11811835
    Abstract: The instant application provides a method providing one or more of: receiving, by a control node coupled to a SIP node, a SIP message from the SIP node, parsing the SIP message to determine a message type and content, modifying the SIP message content to create a modified SIP message, transmitting the modified SIP message to the SIP node, receiving, by the SIP node, the modified SIP message within a predetermined time period, and forwarding, by the SIP node, the modified SIP message to a destination SIP node in the SIP call path. The control node is not in a SIP call path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: FIRST ORION CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Francis Piscopo
  • Patent number: 11765119
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, trigger-associated user messaging may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a first set of candidate users for messaging with a first user in connection with occurrence of a first trigger associated with the first user may be obtained. The first user may be monitored via one or more sensors for occurrence of the first trigger. A first occurrence of the first trigger may be determined based on the monitoring. Based on the first occurrence of the first trigger, the first set of candidate users may be accessed to initiate messaging between the first user and one or more users of the first set of candidate users. Messaging between the first user and a second user (of the first set of candidate users) may be initiated based on the second user having a higher priority than a third user of the first set of candidate users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Julian Charles Nolan, Melanie Jane Windridge, Joyca Petra Wilma Lacroix, Cees Van Berkel, Jan Tatousek
  • Patent number: 11595517
    Abstract: Systems and processes for integrating a digital assistant with telephony are provided. For example, an incoming call may be received, from a caller, at an electronic device. A communication session may be established between the caller and the digital assistant of the electronic device. In accordance with a determination that the identification of the caller is unknown, determination is made whether the caller corresponds to an automated calling system. In accordance with a determination that the identification of the caller is known, a response is provided by the digital assistant to the caller. An output including information corresponding to the communication is provided at the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Madhusudan Chinthakunta, Ping Wen Ong, Timothy S. Paek, Lauren Elise Tappana, Marcel Van Os
  • Patent number: 10965814
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to parse content of a message and determine, based on the parsing of content of the message, whether to provide a notification using the device. The instructions are also executable by the processor to provide the notification responsive to a determination, based on the parsing of content of the message, to provide the notification using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Amy Leigh Rose, Nathan J. Peterson, Jennifer Lee-Baron, Gary David Cudak, John Scott Crowe
  • Patent number: 10720871
    Abstract: A driving circuit that drives a Hall element for use in a brushless DC motor includes a reference-voltage generator that generates a reference voltage, an operational amplifier to which the reference voltage is input, and a resistance. One of input terminals and GND terminals of all of one or more Hall elements included in the driving circuit are connected to an output end of the operational amplifier. Predetermined potential is applied to the other of the input terminals and the GND terminals of all of the one or more Hall elements. The one or more Hall elements and the resistance are connected in series between a first power supply voltage and ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryogo Mochizuki, Kazuya Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Ue
  • Patent number: 10555147
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with facilitating service provision between software applications. In embodiments of the invention, a first user terminal includes an application which causes the first user terminal to delegate execution of a first service to a different application. In response to determining that the first service is to be executed on behalf of the first service, a request message is sent to a data store including an identifier of the first service. The data store comprising entries indicating applications held on one or more user terminals, and indicating one or more services that may be executed, on request, by a corresponding application. The first user terminal receives a response message from the data store identifying one or more applications to which execution of the first service may be delegated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Sean Michael Quinlan, Haniff Somani, Sanjiv Maurya
  • Patent number: 10552353
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes transceiver circuitry. The transceiver circuitry includes a differential transmit circuit and a hybrid circuit. The differential transmit circuit includes a first transmit path for transmitting first data of a first polarity to a transmission line. A second transmit path generates replica first data having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. The hybrid circuit includes a first input path coupled to the second transmit path. A second input path is coupled to the transmission line for receiving a first summed signal including the first data and second data. The second data is received from the transmission line simultaneous with transmission of the first data along the transmission line. An output circuit generates an output representing a summation of the replica first data and the first summed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Aquantia Corp.
    Inventor: Ramin Farjadrad
  • Patent number: 10498900
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to parse content of a message and determine, based on the parsing of content of the message, whether to provide a notification using the device. The instructions are also executable by the processor to provide the notification responsive to a determination, based on the parsing of content of the message, to provide the notification using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Amy Leigh Rose, Nathan J. Peterson, Jennifer Lee-Baron, Gary David Cudak, John Scott Crowe
  • Patent number: 10410509
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing tailored emergency alerts to individuals based on their job titles, age, experience, location, and other factors. Systems configured as described herein receive notification of an alert, identify individuals who need to receive the alert, then tailor instructions for those individuals to follow in responding to the alert based on individual factors. The tailored instructions are then transmitted to mobile devices of the individuals, while general instructions can be broadcast over intercom systems, the general instructions being customized to the alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse Berry, Yurgis M. Bacallao
  • Patent number: 10367683
    Abstract: A method and system for managing performance of over a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves receiving an indication of an impairment in network performance from an MCDN client. The MCDN node associated with the client may be identified and a community of MCDN clients coupled to the MCDN node may be further identified Impairment information, representative of MCDN equipment, may be collected for each of the MCDN clients. Detailed network diagnostics and field service may be performed for MCDN clients based on a characterization of the impairment parameters. After remediation of the MCDN node, collection of the impairment information may be terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James G. Beattie, Jr., Edward Marsh
  • Patent number: 9986076
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a closed loop calling process that selects and maintains an optimized list of prospects to use in calling sessions, using historical information stored concerning past contact activity relating to the prospects. For each prospect, information is stored concerning the status of the prospect, attention appropriate for the prospect, a date before which the prospect should not be contacted, and information concerning next steps to be taken with respect to the prospect. In addition, methods and systems are disclosed for automatically integrating an automated calling system with a customer relationship management system, contact management system, and/or task management system, so that historical information stored concerning past contact activity and automated calling sessions relating to contacts is automatically updated in the customer relationship management system, contact management system, and/or task management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CONNECTANDSELL, INC.
    Inventors: William J. McLaren, Kenny Jisser, Christopher W. Beall, James Michael Wilmsen
  • Patent number: 9577701
    Abstract: A communication device includes a transmitter operable to couple to a plurality of transceivers via a plurality of transmission channels, transmit payload data via the plurality of transmission channels, and obtain monitored transmission conditions for one or more transmission channels in the plurality of transmission channels. During operation, the transmitter is further operable to generate reconfiguration request signals resultant from processing the monitored transmission conditions and transmit the reconfiguration request signals on transmission channels in the plurality of transmission channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lantiq Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gert Schedelbeck, Stefan Krause, Reinhard Stolle, Umashankar Thyagarajan
  • Patent number: 9560218
    Abstract: A transmission device includes a first connecting module for connecting a DC/DC power converter to a telephone wire line or to a CPE wire line, and a second connecting module between the telephone and CPE wire lines, a detection module configured to detect a power feeding request signal on the CPE wire line, and a switching module configured to controls the second connecting module in its open state, and send a power ready signal on the CPE wire line, and a not control the second connecting module and not send a signal on the CPE wire line in a standby-by state, so that a total power consumption of the detection and switching modules is lower than a threshold in a stand-by state and higher in the active state, and the detection module is configured to control the switching module in response to a detection of the power feeding request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Bart Hillaert
  • Patent number: 9549078
    Abstract: A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) service system includes a SIP-enabled soft switch at a telephony service provider, executing code from a coupled machine-readable medium, routing SIP transactions to remote destinations, a media server coupled to the SIP-enabled soft switch storing media including ring tones and music-on-hold for use in progressing transactions, and an interface to a wide-area-network (WAN) for transmitting transactions and media. The SIP-enabled soft switch determines for each transaction from stored data whether media services are to be provided or not provided for that destination, and in the event media services are not to be provided, alters packet data to indicate media services to be provided by a server local to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GENESYS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Zhakov, Vyacheslav Valentinovich Sayko
  • Patent number: 9484869
    Abstract: An amplifier stage module circuit has a tube connected with an anode section, a grid section, a cathode section, and an attenuator section. The amplifier stage module circuit is configurable to provide any one of a plurality of selectable voices, each voice provided by a corresponding combination of selectively combinable voice components of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Rois
  • Patent number: 9042539
    Abstract: The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Jr., Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 8897436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling calling parties to request the VoIP network to provide a special ring tone to be signaled as the occurrence of an urgent call to called parties are disclosed. Alternatively, a high frequency intercept tone or call waiting tone is also provided when the called parties are already engaged in conversation when an urgent call is incoming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 8838694
    Abstract: A system and method for shared multimedia experiences across multiple subscriptions are provided. A method for application server operations includes receiving a first message from an application server, the first message including a request to initiate a collaborative session with a first communications device and a second communications device, examining a first profile of the first communications device and a second profile of the second communications device, establishing the collaborative session with the second communications device based on the first profile of the first communications device and the second profile of the second communications device, and sending a second message to the application server, the second message including information regarding the collaborative session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaniz Mahdi
  • Patent number: 8824657
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing ring back tones in a communication network. At first, a ring back tone device for storing and playing the ring back tone customized by a subscriber is established in the communication network. Whether a subscriber is a ring back tone service register subscriber is judged with a certain triggering mode, such as intelligent network triggering, signaling interception triggering, call forwarding triggering or switching device triggering. If it is judged the subscriber is a ring back tone service registered subscriber, a connection between the originating switching device and the terminating switching device and a connection between a switching device and the ring back tone device are established. When the called terminal is idle, the ring back tone device provides a piece of customized ring back tone to the calling subscriber for replacing traditional ring back tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuanming Lu, Xiaodong Zhao, Yongfeng Cai
  • Patent number: 8774872
    Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a ring signal to a called party terminal (450, 550, 650, 750, 124, 134) for a call from a calling party terminal (400, 500, 600, 700, 120, 130) to the called party terminal for alerting the called party regarding the call from the calling party. A communication network node (420, 520, 620, 720, 122, 132, D90) receives (S100) an indication of an attempt for the call and sends (S110) a ring signal specified by the calling party at a service node (430, 530, 630, 730, 125, 135, D100) of a calling party ring signal service to the called party terminal for alerting the called party regarding the call from the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Lansheng Wang, Chao Li, Ying Yan
  • Patent number: 8731173
    Abstract: A telephone exchange system includes a connection interface connecting a communication line and a plurality of extension telephones, a database having a dial-in conversion table registering a received number in association with a number after conversion for a dial-in incoming call, and an extension number table registering an extension telephone in association with an extension number of the extension telephone, and a main controller connected to the connection interface and the database. When the dial-in incoming call comes from the communication line, the main controller retrieves an extension number which coincides with the received number from the extension number table. When there is an extension number which coincides with the received number, the main controller causes an extension telephone corresponding to the extension number to ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8724794
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing customized information, including: a control unit used for sending a trigger signal to a play unit upon receiving a call request from a caller terminal, an information storage unit used for storing the customized information, and a play unit used for sending the customized information obtained from the information storage unit to the caller terminal. A method for providing customized information, including: obtaining and storing the customized information by the called terminal, and sending the customized information stored to the caller terminal by the called terminal upon receiving a call request from the caller terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8676275
    Abstract: Ambient sound-based call functions include calculating, via a computer processor on a mobile communications device, a decibel level of ambient noise. In response to receiving an incoming call from a calling device, and prior to activating a ringtone on the mobile communications device, the ambient sound-based call functions include determining that the decibel level exceeds a threshold value, and sending an automated response to the calling device in lieu of connecting the call to the mobile communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gaurav Chhaunker, John G. Musial, Sandeep R. Patil, Husein Shamshudin
  • Patent number: 8660616
    Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a computer processor and logic executable by the computer processor. The logic is configured to implement a method. The method includes calculating a decibel level of ambient noise. In response to receiving an incoming call from a calling device, and prior to activating a ringtone on the mobile communications device, the method includes determining that the decibel level exceeds a threshold value, and sending an automated response to the calling device in lieu of connecting the call to the mobile communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gaurav Chhaunker, John G. Musial, Sandeep R. Patil, Husein Shamshudin
  • Patent number: 8638908
    Abstract: A method for generating a ring tone for a given caller based on a prior conversation with that caller. A portion of a conversation with a given caller is recorded and stored in memory as a ring tone. When a subsequent call is received from the same caller, identified by caller ID, the ring tone is played, alerting the user to the incoming call as well as the context of their prior communication. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a prior textual or video conversation is used as the basis for a ring tone, and/or the ‘ring tone’ is delivered by other than audio means. The invention is capable of implementation in telecommunications systems such as cellular, local exchange, and VOIP, and in combination with other forms of internet-based telecommunication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Computer Products Introductions, Corp
    Inventors: Richard Leeds, Elon Gasper
  • Patent number: 8577423
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, method and article to perform vibration tone differentiation are described. The apparatus may include a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may comprise a messaging client. The messaging client may receive an incoming message sent to the mobile computing device. The messaging client may parse communication information from the incoming message. The messaging client may determine a priority level of the incoming message from the communication information. The mobile computing device may also comprise a motor controller. The motor controller may retrieve a vibration sequence associated with the priority level and instruct a vibrate motor to vibrate according to the vibration sequence. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Yomi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8553852
    Abstract: A method for generating a ring tone for a given caller based on a prior conversation with that caller. A portion of a conversation with a given caller is recorded and stored in memory as a ring tone. When a subsequent call is received from the same caller, identified by caller ID, the ring tone is played, alerting the user to the incoming call as well as the context of their prior communication. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a prior textual or video conversation is used as the basis for a ringtone. The invention is capable of implementation in telecommunications systems such as cellular, local exchange, and VOIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Computer Product Introductions Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Leeds
  • Patent number: 8537999
    Abstract: An attempt by a first endpoint device to establish a particular communication session with a second endpoint device is identified during a first, preexisting communication session between the second endpoint device and a third endpoint device. It is determined whether the first communication session has priority over the particular communication session. If the precedence level of the attempted particular communication session preempts the precedence level of the first communication session, the first communication session is terminated and the particular communication session is established between the first and second endpoints. A notification is provided to the third endpoint corresponding to the end of the particular communication session. Alternatively, if the first communication session has priority over the particular communication session, the attempt to establish the particular communication session is denied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chandrashekhar Hiremath
  • Patent number: 8452346
    Abstract: To address a time related problem with mobile station ringtones, such as sleep disturbing ringtone generation, a mobile station may be configured to offer the user an option or feature such as might enable programming of ringtone settings as a function of one or more time periods. When the feature is selected, it allows the user to program settings configuring the device to adjust one or more controllable parameters of ringtone for incoming calls and/or incoming messages based on current time in relation to the time program settings. For example, the user might set different ringtone settings for different time slots for each day and/or different time slots on certain days of the week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: Zhijian Lin
  • Patent number: 8452343
    Abstract: A portable terminal includes an output device configured to output a ringing tone, a vibrator configured to generate vibration, and a first controller configured to detect a missed call indicating that an incoming call response operation is not performed, and a second controller coupled to the first controller. The second controller is configured, if the first controller detects the missed call, to notify a missed call notification at predetermined time intervals by at least one of the ringing tone output from the output device and the vibration generated by the vibrator, the missed call notification indicating that a response operation for the missed call is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventor: Yukihiko Arisawa
  • Patent number: 8442206
    Abstract: A system and method of responding to an incoming voice call are described. The method may comprise receiving the incoming call at a voice communication device, monitoring a user input via the voice communication device and generating a user control signal in response to the user input. The user control signal may identify that termination of ring functionality associated with the incoming call is at least to be delayed. Further, a system and method are described of processing a voice call to a voice communication device. The method may comprise communicating the voice call to a voice communication device and receiving from the voice communication device a user control signal in response to a user input. Termination of ring functionality may be at least delayed in response to the user control signal. The invention extends to a device to process a voice call to a voice communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Khouri, Labhesh Patel, Mukul Jain, Sanjeev Kumar
  • Patent number: 8428659
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating a first signal; generating vibrations in a mobile device based on the first signal; and sensing, using a microphone associated with the mobile device, sound generated by the vibrations. The method further includes generating an output based on the sound sensed by the microphone, measuring a level of the sound based on the output, and detecting a resonant frequency of the mobile device based on the level of the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Pawel Zuczek
  • Patent number: 8406797
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting alert tone information among communicating wireless devices to identify a speaker in a push-to-talk system. A predefined set of alert tones is stored in a wireless device, and when a user presses a push-to-talk button on the wireless device, the wireless device displays a list of predefined alert tones to the user to select. After the user selects an alert tone, the wireless device transmits an alert tone code associated with the selected alert tone to a server for relaying to every wireless device in a push-to-talk communication group. When a receiving wireless device receives the alert tone code, it retrieves an alert tone corresponding to the alert tone code from the predefined set and plays the alert tone to the user of the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Jonathan K. Kies
  • Patent number: 8401168
    Abstract: A system and method for ring delay on a user agent. A destination user agent may receive a request from an origination user agent to establish a session between the two user agents. The destination user agent may delay ringing according to a ring delay parameter. If the request has not been terminated by the time the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may ring and a session may occur between the origination user agent and destination user agent. If the request is terminated before the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may never ring. The ring delay parameter may be a ring delay time period. The ring delay parameter may be received as part of the request from the origination user agent, set by the destination user agent, or set by a service provider for the destination user agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Priyanka G. Sriraghavan, Lakshmi Nrusimhan N. V.
  • Patent number: 8379824
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a network-based caller identification (CID) service in a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) communication session initiation request message comprising an early-media indicator, disabling a ringtone generator, sending a SIP ringing message containing a session descriptor in response to the early-media indicator, receiving a ringtone based on the session descriptor, and presenting the ringtone to alert a user of a requested communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: James Jackson, Mehrad Yasrebi
  • Patent number: 8358770
    Abstract: The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Publication number: 20120300919
    Abstract: A telephone exchange system includes a connection interface connecting a communication line and a plurality of extension telephones, a database having a dial-in conversion table registering a received number in association with a number after conversion for a dial-in incoming call, and an extension number table registering an extension telephone in association with an extension number of the extension telephone, and a main controller connected to the connection interface and the database. When the dial-in incoming call comes from the communication line, the main controller retrieves an extension number which coincides with the received number from the extension number table. When there is an extension number which coincides with the received number, the main controller causes an extension telephone corresponding to the extension number to ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: NEC INFRONTIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8300796
    Abstract: An application server that provides RBT treatment to a caller and simultaneously notifies the called party, as subscriber of the service facilitated by the present invention, of an incoming call, whereby the called party is able to select a treatment for the call to be presented to the caller based on input collected from the called party on a real-time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Babu Mani
  • Patent number: 8295887
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjusting a ring tone volume in a mobile communication terminal. The method implements a function by which a user can directly adjust the ring tone volume in a mobile communication terminal in consideration of circumstances. To this end, the present invention includes a user interface screen by which a user can adjust the output volume level of the ring tone which rings according to the passage of time. Thus, the present invention provides a user interface screen by which a user can adjust the output volume level of a ring tone which rings according to the passage of time, and enables the user to set the output level of the ring tone and the output time of the ring tone at a corresponding level according to predetermined intervals through the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae-Chan Koh, In-Kwon Kang, Lae-Kyoung Kim, Hyun-Soo Kim, Yun-Chul Yi, Young-Shik Shin
  • Patent number: 8223957
    Abstract: A device may receive a telephone call, automatically create a ring tone in response to receiving the telephone call, and cause the ring tone to be audibly provided to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Sudeep Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 8199904
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method for rendering a media signal in a communication terminal, comprising the steps of, under control of a control unit in the communication terminal: receiving a transmission over a network, selecting media files stored in the communication terminal in a first order forming a media signal, and rendering the selected media files in the first order over an output arrangement of the communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Emil Billing
  • Patent number: 8135114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an answer tone for a computing device with phone capabilities or a telephone is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mspot, Inc.
    Inventors: Daren Tsui, Edwin Ho, Derek Lyon
  • Patent number: 8116826
    Abstract: A device for intelligently adjusting a volume level for call/message alerts includes a processor, an interface(s), a memory, a timer and a volume adjuster. The processor receives a call(s)/message(s) and causes the memory to store data associated with the call(s)/message(s). The processor invokes a timer and instructs a ringer to generate a call/message alert. The processor receives an additional call(s)/message(s) and determines if these calls/messages are sent from the same user of an electronic device as a previous call/message within a time period. If a previous call/message was missed by a user of a terminal, the processor causes a ringer to increase the volume of a subsequent call/message sent from the user of the electronic device. If a previous call/message was rejected by a user of a terminal, the processor causes the ringer to decrease the volume of a subsequent call/message sent from the user of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Kraft, Peter Dam Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8103315
    Abstract: A portable terminal device, which closes AV incoming call notification sound ringing at a headset when incoming call notification sound ringing processing through an AV profile competes with incoming call notification sound processing through a hands-free profile between a cellular phone and a headset, and when an in-band notification mode is set at the cellular phone, connects a sound link to perform communication through the hands-free profile, and starts ringing of an incoming call notification sound through the hands-free profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fuijtsu Toshiba Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventors: Tosaku Tanada, Toshiya Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120008761
    Abstract: A system and method for ring delay on a user agent. A destination user agent may receive a request from an origination user agent to establish a session between the two user agents. The destination user agent may delay ringing according to a ring delay parameter. If the request has not been terminated by the time the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may ring and a session may occur between the origination user agent and destination user agent. If the request is terminated before the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may never ring. The ring delay parameter may be a ring delay time period. The ring delay parameter may be received as part of the request from the origination user agent, set by the destination user agent, or set by a service provider for the destination user agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Verizon Patent & Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Priyanka G. SRIRAGHAVAN, Lakshmi NRUSIMHAN N.V.
  • Patent number: 8041401
    Abstract: A method includes previously downloading, to a device of a user, media content chosen by a buddy of the user and an indication that it is to be associated with the buddy, passing the downloaded media content to the device as the media content to be associated in a contact list with the buddy and playing the media content in response to an identification of the buddy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Vringo Inc.
    Inventor: David Elliot Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 8024011
    Abstract: A method for intercepting signals so as to change the ring mode of a mobile device includes the following steps. Initially, a signal about to enter a predetermined area is intercepted. Then, a specific ring mode is added to the signal according to contents of the signal. Next, the signal having the specific ring mode is sent to a mobile device located in the predetermined area. Subsequently, the mobile device uses the specific ring mode as the ring mode of the mobile device upon receipt of the signal. A device applying the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Fong Yeh
  • Patent number: 7991139
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to limit ring trees in voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks are disclosed. A disclosed example parallel ring policy enforcer comprises a memory to hold parallel ring tree information and a policy checker to enforce a parallel ring policy based on a parallel ring request and the parallel ring tree information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Chaoxin Charles Qiu, Robert Francis Dailey
  • Patent number: 7970387
    Abstract: A method of personalizing a call set-up of a mobile radio terminal includes acquiring contact information associated with a callable device. The contact information includes call set-up audio data corresponding to audio content selected by a user of the device. The contact information is stored as an entry in a database maintained by the mobile radio terminal. The audio content corresponding to the call set-up audio data is played back when the entry is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Joakim Nelson
  • Patent number: RE42590
    Abstract: The telephone line coupler circuit has a single transmit opto-coupler whose output includes a DC bias component connected to a gate of a line seize switch for connecting a DC line seize load across the ring and tip contacts of the telephone line. The line seize switch is saturated by the transmit opto-coupler bias output and the AC component of the transmit opto-coupler output is sent over the telephone lines. The receive opto-coupler is used both for receiving communications signal and for detecting the ring signal. The band pass filter connected to the output of the receive opto-coupler may be switched to pass a ring signal frequency band or a communications frequency band. The circuit operates using two opto-coupler devices while conventional circuits require four opto-coupler devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Pinhas Shpater