Abstract: A communication device that may be removably coupled to a USB port, the device having a processor and non-volatile memory and configured to execute code, including code for receiving a wireless transmission including an alert signal from a second device, where the second device is a wireless doorbell, code for sounding an alarm via an audio or visual indicator on the communication device in response to the alert signal, code for receiving input from a user and transmitting a response signal to the second device, and code for allowing two-way audio communication between the communication device and the wireless doorbell.

Abstract: A communication device comprises logic and an input device coupled to the logic. The input device is adapted to permit a user to select a communication type. The logic receives a communication in a first communication type and permits a user to reply to the communication using any of a plurality of user-selectable communication types.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for visually indicating an occurrence of an event. A spatial visual indicator system comprises a spatial visual indicator including a plurality of illuminatable elements configured in at least a two-dimensional arrangement. The spatial visual indicator displays a visual indicator pattern corresponding to a detected event. A control circuit is configured to detect an event, and cause a transceiver to send a communication indicating a visual indicator pattern corresponding to the event to the spatial visual indicator. The spatial visual indicator is configured to display the visual indicator pattern. The spatial visual indicator is located remote to the transceiver. A method of indicating an occurrence of an event comprises receiving a communication indicating one of a plurality of visual indicator patterns that is associated with a detected event. The method also includes displaying the one of the plurality of visual indicator patterns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating prompt information of a mobile terminal are disclosed. The method includes: selecting a start point and an end point in a multimedia file; clipping a part of the multimedia file between the start point and the end point in the multimedia file; and encoding the clipped part of the multimedia file, and generating prompt information of the mobile terminal. An apparatuses for generating prompt information of a mobile terminal is also disclosed. Therefore, the present invention enables a user to control the generation of prompt information of a mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing custom alerts including a processor configured to retrieve a custom alert from a custom alert provider, a receiver configured to receive, from a user, a request to initiate communication with a communications agent, and a transmitter configured to transmit one or more signals over a network to communicate with the communications agent, wherein transmitting the one or more signals includes transmitting the custom alert for output at the communication agent.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and devices for creating or sharing a visual indicator pattern for indicating a condition of an incoming communication. A storage device stores a plurality of visual indicator patterns for displaying on a spatial visual indicator. A user interface is configured to receive a command from a user. Responsive to the command, a user-created visual indicator pattern is stored on the storage device, or another visual indicator pattern is received from, or shared with, another user.

Abstract: Displaying an IP call status is disclosed. An IP call status notification is received from an IP telephony device. A display update is caused by transmitting a display notification to an IP telephone.

Abstract: A communication device, including a receiver specification section which specifies a receiving communication device; a control section which transmits, to the receiving communication device specified by the receiver specification section, call request information used for outputting a call request notification and deleting the call request notification after a predetermined time period; a time period setting section which sets a time period during when the call request notification is output by the receiving communication device; a message setting section which sets a call request message; and a cancel instruction section which inputs a cancel instruction of the call request notification.

Abstract: When a number of users share one telephone number, the present invention indicates who the callee (the person the caller wants to talk to) is, with personalized rings and information shown on a display, so as to allow each user to quickly identify calls directed to him/her. A mobile phone user could inform the callee his/her intent and/or the urgency level of the call by selecting from options provided by the callee reflecting the callee's preferences.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for providing custom alerts including a processor configured to retrieve a custom alert from a custom alert provider, a receiver configured to receive, from a user, a request to initiate communication with a communications agent, and a transmitter configured to transmit one or more signals over a network to communicate with the communications agent, wherein transmitting the one or more signals includes transmitting the custom alert for output at the communication agent.

Abstract: This method for dispatching an alert message in a telecommunications network comprises a step (E20) of receiving a multimedia stream emitted by a calling device having emitted a call to a called device, and a step (E30) of transmitting to the called device, during the call setup phase, at least one part of the multimedia stream, which part can be restored, at least partially, by alert means of the called device.

Abstract: A sender-specified courtesy notification scheme to delay notification by a receiving device of the receipt of a data message is disclosed. A sender may specify a notification parameter defining a delay and send the parameter in association with the data message to a recipient. The recipient's receiving device evaluates the parameter and notifies in response. Local notification data defined by the recipient may also be evaluated. Received data messages subject to delayed notification may be hidden by the receiving device or quietly displayed (e.g. as per other received messages) until the expiry of the delay. Notification parameters and data can be formulated as one or more rules which may take into account the current location of the receiving device. A notification delay may be ignored in certain situations depending on recent use of the receiving device.

Abstract: A device may retrieve a ring tone, an image, and a visual effect from a database based on a client line identifier. In addition, the device may generate frequency samples based on the ring tone, may transform the image based on the frequency samples and the visual effect, and may display the transformed image.

Abstract: Displaying an IP call status is disclosed. An IP call status notification is received from an IP telephony device. A display update is caused by transmitting a display notification to an IP telephone.

Abstract: A method, system and device for visually spatial caller identification includes a caller identification visual alerting device configured to capture current caller identification information from an incoming call. A stored caller identification list stores a plurality of entries of reference caller identification information and a corresponding respective plurality of entries of spatial visual indicator patterns. The reference caller identification information is matched with the current caller identification information. The caller identification visual alerting device further includes a spatial visual indicator configured to activate a plurality of illuminatable elements according to one of the plurality of spatial visual indicator patterns.

Abstract: A modem includes modem circuitry and modem software that is executed by a processor. When the modem circuitry detects that the modem software is nonfunctional, it enters an on-hook state to prevent blocking of a coupled telephone line. A nonfunctional state of the modem software is detected when the modem software ceases to interact with the modem circuitry in an expected manner. In a first operation, the nonfunctional state is determined when the modem software does not reset a count down timer in the modem circuitry before the count down timer reaches a termination value. In a second operation, the nonfunctional state is determined when the modem software does not access the modem circuitry before the count down timer reaches the termination value. In a third operation, the nonfunctional state is determined when the modem software ceases writing transmit data to DMA memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a mute condition indicator is presented. In a communication set for a telephone, the communication set including a speaker and a microphone, a mute condition is indicated with an indicator disposed adjacent the microphone. The indicator is operable to indicate to a user of the communication set that a mute condition for the microphone is active while the user is using said communication set.

Abstract: An IP telephone system includes a source IP telephone apparatus, a destination telephone apparatus, a Web server and an ENUM server. The IP telephone apparatuses function as base stations for multi-handset telephone systems and are connected to an IP network. The Web server stores ring tone information corresponding to a telephone number assigned to the source or destination IP telephone apparatus. The ENUM server stores a NAPTR resource record in which a URI specifies link data related to the ring tone information stored in the Web server. In the IP telephone system, the IP telephone apparatus that has received a call transmits, to the ENUM server, a query for a NAPTR record corresponding to an intended recipient's telephone number.

Abstract: A communication system includes client software operating on a PC, or similar platform, and a client telephone that is connected to a call routing server. A user manages telephone communication, including incoming and outgoing calls, conference calls and call forwarding, through the client software. The client software commands the call routing server using instant messenger communication.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring data between a phone body and a phone cover having a functionality. The data can be divided into a sequence of bit patterns which can be assigned to different frequency ranges. By arranging the frequencies in a ringing tone according to the sequence of bit patterns, the data is embedded in the ringing tone. The phone cover has a device to receive the ringing tone signal. Based on the sequence of frequencies in the ringing tone signal, the phone cover can retrieve the sequence of bit patterns for effecting the functionality of the phone cover.

Abstract: A system and method of message indicating that enable the sender of a message to chose the ringing tone of the receiver's cellular telephone upon arrival of the sender's message. The sender has the ability to either choose or create the ringing tone to be played on the receiver's cellular telephone. The sender also has the ability to create either SMS or multimedia messages to be sent with the ringing tone. The ringing tones may also be chosen or downloaded from Internet sites.

Abstract: Mobile phones use light signaling or vibrational effects to silently indicate to a user that e.g. a telephone call is incoming. The present invention provides a method, a component for generating vibrational effects combined with light effects and a mobile device implementing this component. The generation of the light effects is obtained from at least one light emitter (200, 201) having at least one light path (300), wherein said at least one light emitter (200, 201) is disposed relative to said mass (100) such that said mass (100) periodically blocks said light path (300) while moving, for generating light effects.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus can notify a user of the fact that facsimile data being received is sent from a specific party. A communication control part receives facsimile data and party information from a remote facsimile apparatus, the party information identifying the remote facsimile apparatus. A melody output part stores and outputs a call-notification-melody so as to output the reproduced call-notification-melody through a speaker. A specific party discrimination part stores specific party information regarding a specific party for which the call-notification-melody is output. A system control part cases the melody output part to reproduce and output the call-notification-melody stored when the party information which the communication control part acquired matches the specific party information stored in the specific party discrimination part at a time of reception of a call.

Abstract: When there is an incoming call, a mobile terminal device detects ambient sounds by a microphone. A filter separates the detected ambient sounds into a speech component and a non-speech component. An analysis section analyzes which one of the speech component and the non-speech component is the dominant component. A decision section selects a ringing tone generating section, a vibrator or a light emitting section based on which one of the speech component and the non-speech component is the dominant component and the volume of that dominant one. The selected ringing tone generating section, vibrator or light emitting section makes ringing to inform a user of the incoming call.

Abstract: A system and method that allows a ringer of a telephone to be silenced on demand without preventing outgoing calls to be placed. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a ring control device comprising a switch, a voltage control device in electrical series with the switch, and a first plug for receiving a first electrical signal, the first electrical signal comprising a first voltage and a second voltage, the first plug disposed in series with and before the voltage control device. The ring control device also includes a second plug for outputting at least one of the first and second voltages of the first electrical signal, the second plug disposed in series with and after the switch. In the ring control device, the voltage control device prevents one of the first and second voltages from passing to the second plug when the switch is in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An intelligent voice message status indication device for a single line of a telephone network includes a controller that responds to caller-ID signals to detect whether a mailbox contains a message, responds to a call-waiting signal to break communication with the voicemail system during message retrieval to capture an incoming call, and toggles multiple indicators associated with respective sub-mailboxes on a single line. The message waiting indicators may include respective unique audio, as well as respective unique, visual indication of message presence in one or more mailboxes. The voicemail servers of the network may be correspondingly partitioned to host multiple mailboxes and to provide unique outbound caller IDs to identify a mailbox having a message.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a visual message waiting indicator signal to an off-hook telephone includes the step of receiving a voicemail message at a central location, and also includes the step of sending a visual message waiting indicator signal from the central location and destined for the off-hook telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal in an off-hook telephone includes the steps of being in an off-hook condition, and receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may further include the step of displaying a visual message-waiting indicator based on the received visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may also include the step of receiving an alert signal, and the step of transmitting an acknowledgement signal in response to the alert signal.

Abstract: A user interface by which contents of what is being processed can be confirmed with the sense of touch is provided. On a first surface of a portable phone, first piezoelectric devices are arranged, and on a second surface of the portable phone, second piezoelectric devices are arranged. When radio waves are transmitted, a displacement is generated from the first and second last piezoelectric devices at the same time when radio waves are transmitted from an antenna, and the displacement moves in sequence to the piezoelectric devices of the upper portion. When the displacement moves to the first and second initial piezoelectric devices, a displacement is generated repeatedly from the first and second last piezoelectric devices, and is continued until the other party to which a call is being originated responds.

Abstract: A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of automatically changing a calling mode of a telephone having a program timer installed therein as a timer setting changes, wherein the program timer comprising an on/off item responsible for controlling an on/off of the program timer, a timer setting item responsible for setting a time slot of an activation of the program timer, and a calling mode item responsible for setting a plurality of ring types, so that when the program timer is on and the time slot has been set by the timer setting item, a microprocessor of the telephone will activate the ring type set by the calling mode item for informing of an incoming call within the time slot.

Abstract: A communications terminal handset having a translucent outer casing and a light source arranged for illumination of a substantial area of the casing.

Abstract: A nighttime automatic illuminating device for telephones comprises a call detection circuit, an illumination detection circuit, an automatic illumination signal circuit, a driving means for automatic illumination light, a trigger pulse generation circuit, a lights-off delay timer circuit and a power source circuit, through which ring signals of telephones and telephones' being in current use or not can be detected. Also, through linking the illumination detection circuit and the call detection circuit, the nighttime automatic illuminating device for telephones can further be enabled to provide with secure and efficient illumination by corresponding to various degrees of illumination from the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A telephone indicator system includes a telephone having a base and a handset. The telephone includes a cradle disposed on the base configured to receive the handset. The system also includes an indicator disposed on an least two elevated surfaces of the telephone to notify a user of a telephone message. The indicator may be disposed on at least two elevated surfaces of the handset. The system may also include another indicator disposed in the cradle of the telephone to notify the user of another telephone message while the handset is in use.

Abstract: In a communication system wherein a communication connection is established between a communication apparatus of a first subscriber and a communication apparatus of a second subscriber, a method of terminating the communication connection by a subscriber placed on hold comprises the steps of displaying to the on hold subscriber a prompt to leave a message; in response to selection of the prompt, recording the message left by the on hold subscriber; transmitting the message to the other subscriber; terminating the communication connection; and providing a visual indication to the other subscriber that the communication connection has been terminated by the on hold subscriber and that the on hold subscriber has sent a message. A method of signifying one of the subscriber's desire to return to a communication connection when the communication connection has been placed on hold is also provided.