Abstract: A system and method for determining the presence of an asset or person at a particular spot within a location. The asset or person is provided with a beacon transmitting a beacon signal. A plurality of receivers are disposed throughout the location. In one embodiment, two or more adjacent or nearby receivers are grouped together to define a receiver cluster. The receiver cluster having the highest average signal strength from the signal being transmitted from the beacon of the asset or person as determined by an electronic identification and location tracking system determines the particular area within the location where the asset or person is present at.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining that a load associated with a transmission medium exceeds a first threshold, wherein the transmission medium guides a first electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium from a first waveguide device to a second waveguide device without requiring an electrical return path, and based on the determining that the load exceeds the first threshold, enabling an injector to supply power to the transmission medium utilizing a very low frequency (VLF) generator. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptive haptic signal generating device, which includes: a frequency analysis unit converting and analyzing a received audio signal into a frequency domain; a frequency equalizer unit suppressing or amplifying a specific frequency interval of the audio signal converted into the frequency domain; a haptic event extraction unit extracting a haptic event signal corresponding to a case of a specific threshold or more in the suppressed or amplified frequency domain; a haptic signal generation unit generating a haptic signal corresponding to the haptic event signal; and a control unit counting the number of generation times of the extracted haptic event signal for each frequency, and increasing a frequency gain of a frequency corresponding to a haptic event signal which is generated at a predetermined number of times or more.

Abstract: Smart appliances communicate over a local area network. A selected sound palette includes multiple soundfile groups that each include multiple soundfiles. Each soundfile within a given sound palette has a first common sound attribute, each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a second common sound attribute, each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a variation of the second common sound attribute that is unique among the soundfile groups, and each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a unique variation of a third common sound attribute. One soundfile group may be assigned to each of the appliances, and one soundfile within each soundfile group may be assigned to an alert type. The assigned soundfile group is sent to the appliance with identification of the alert type to which each soundfile is assigned, such that the appliance may use an assigned soundfile for audible alerts.

Abstract: A system includes a sequencer that divides a reference waveform into reference sequences, a sequence adjuster, and a model that models non-linearities of a haptic rendering signal chain that includes a haptic transducer load and a driver to the load. For each reference sequence: the sequence adjuster transforms the reference sequence into a test sequence using one or more parameters (e.g., changes reference sequence amplitude and/or period), the model generates an output in response to the test sequence, an error signal is generated that measures a difference between the output and the reference sequence, and if the error signal is above a threshold the parameters are adjusted based on the error signal. These operations are repeated until the error signal is below the threshold in which case the test sequence becomes a selected sequence, which is then sent to the haptic rendering signal chain.

Abstract: The automatic adjustment of audio alert characteristics of an alert device using ambient noise levels is described. In one aspect of the invention, a machine-readable medium has executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a method to receive an audio sample of ambient noise and adjust a characteristic of the audio alert, such as, the volume level of the audio alert, based on the ambient noise level.

Abstract: A sound notification device includes a plurality of speakers of each of which a sound volume is capable of being adjusted and which have directivity characteristics different from each other; and a speaker control unit which selects at least one speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a content of a predetermined event and causes the selected speaker to output a sound with a sound volume determined according to the content of the event if the event occurs in a device.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to avoiding mechanical noise from operation of a vibrational output device. One example provides a computing device including a processor and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to vary a drive voltage applied to a vibrational output device, receive acoustic data, and from the acoustic data detect a noise signal from the vibrational output device as the drive voltage is varied. The instructions are further executable to, based upon the detected noise signal, select an operational drive voltage for the vibrational output device, and operate the vibrational output device using the operational drive voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-configuring wireless device initializations are provided. In one embodiment, a network device comprises: a radio module that includes a plurality of wireless service support circuits, wherein each of the support circuits includes modules that configure the radio module to establish wireless network communication links over at least one band of a wireless network operator; initialization logic coupled to the radio module; and a network service preference policy stored in a memory coupled to the initialization logic; wherein, upon initialization of the device, the initialization logic surveys one or more wireless services received by the radio module and compares results of the survey against a network service preference policy; and wherein the initialization logic activates a first support circuits associated with a first wireless service when the survey indicates that the first wireless signal satisfies the network service preference policy.

Abstract: An universal network interface device with an enclosure, an access module, a modem module, a switching power supply and a battery pack.

Abstract: The automatic adjustment of audio alert characteristics of an alert device using ambient noise levels is described. In one aspect of the invention, a machine-readable medium has executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a method to receive an audio sample of ambient noise and adjust a characteristic of the audio alert, such as, the volume level of the audio alert, based on the ambient noise level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting a bell sound are disclosed. The method includes receiving an ambient noise; extracting a target frequency band from the ambient noise; changing volume of a pre-stored bell sound by using the target frequency band; and outputting the changed pre-stored bell sound. In the apparatus for outputting a bell sound, when a bell sound outputting apparatus receives an incoming call signal, a user may hear a bell sound including a signal in a frequency band not existing in a peripheral environment, and thus may easily recognize the bell sound.

Abstract: An improved system and method to provide important information either, as voice, text, picture, holographic image or video from the called party to a calling party before the called party answers a telephone. The information may be a recorded voice, text, image or video message. The called party may send a voice message, for example, and send it along with a call alerting message. The voice message may be recorded beforehand. Instead of the calling party's telephone playing a ringback signal, the recorded voice message is played or a data/bearer stream is heard. The calling party hears the voice message instead of the ringback tone normally heard when there is an incoming telephone call. If the calling and called party have telephones, such as mobile phones, IP phones, IP softphones, PDA with telephony capabilities, etc., which allow for multimedia messages such as text, images and video messages, the called party's recorded voice message may include text, images or video.

Abstract: A music data processing method applied to an electronic apparatus includes obtaining a time data; retrieving a partial music data from an input music data according to the time data; and performing a pre-end-play processing on the partial music data to output an output music data. With the pre-end-play processing performed, the output music data is substantially different from the partial music data.

Abstract: A device includes a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, an audio interface for receiving or transmitting audio information with the SIP phone to test a SIP-based network, and a controller for controlling the SIP phone and the audio interface.

Abstract: A system and method of generating at least two distinctive auditory alerts upon receiving a transmission or telephone call at a device is described. Data indicative of a first plurality of sounds corresponding to a user of a device configured to receive the transmission or telephone call is accessed, such as from a memory. The first plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify a received transmission or telephone call being directed to the user. A telephone number, subscriber name or identifier associated with a transmitting or calling party of the transmission or telephone call is accessed. Data indicative of a second plurality of sounds designating the transmitting or calling party based on the subscriber name, telephone number or identifier is retrieved, such as from a data structure, and the second plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify the transmitting or calling party.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for implementing a CLIP service, which includes: a resource storage entity used for storing multimedia resources subscribed by a calling terminal; a resource playing entity used for downloading the multimedia resources from the resource storage entity and playing the multimedia resources; a CLIP service management entity used for obtaining a storage address of the multimedia resources and sending the storage address of the multimedia resources to the resource playing entity. Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method and apparatus for implementing the CLIP service. The system, method and apparatus for implementing the CLIP service in the embodiments of the present invention enable the calling terminal to subscribe to the multimedia resources for a called terminal.

Abstract: A system and method of generating at least two distinctive auditory alerts upon receiving a transmission or telephone call at a device is described. Data indicative of a first plurality of sounds corresponding to a user of a device configured to receive the transmission or telephone call is accessed, such as from a memory. The first plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify a received transmission or telephone call being directed to the user. A telephone number, subscriber name or identifier associated with a transmitting or calling party of the transmission or telephone call is accessed. Data indicative of a second plurality of sounds designating the transmitting or calling party based on the subscriber name, telephone number or identifier is retrieved, such as from a data structure, and the second plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify the transmitting or calling party.

Abstract: An aspect provides a method, including: detecting an incoming voice call at an information handling device; detecting one or more external notification extension conditions at the information handling device, tracking user-device interactions to build a pattern of user behavior with respect to external conditions; updating the one or more external notification extension conditions based on the pattern of user behavior; and in response to detecting one or more updated external notification extension conditions at the information handling device, extending a notification of the incoming voice call at the information handling device. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for providing a ringback tone (RBT). The system for providing an RBT to a user comprises: a sound file storage for storing a sound file; a user database receiving sound selection information from a user terminal, recording a sound identifier of the sound file corresponding to the sound selection information, receiving output position information of the selected sound file from the user terminal, and recording the sound position information; and an RBT providing unit reproducing a region which corresponds to the output position information from the sound file corresponding to the sound identifier with reference to the sound file storage and the user database so as to be provided as an RBT.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling a communication connection in a mobile terminal. Preferably, the present invention comprises transmitting a communication request signal for attempting a communication connection with a device, receiving a signal for indicating the progress of the communication connection, wherein a ring-back tone is generated upon receiving the signal, and controlling an output of the ring-back tone until the communication connection is accomplished.

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.

Abstract: A call signal generating device, whose pair of output terminals is connected to a telephone set, includes a rectifier rectifying an inputted high frequency signal and maintaining an output polarity in one of two polarities; and a polarity reverser generating a call signal by periodically reversing the output polarity of the rectifier and supplying it to the telephone set via the pair of output terminals.

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.

Abstract: Operating a communication terminal is disclosed. A communication session initiation message is received at a first time. An alerting process is initiated at a second time, the second time being later than the first time by a predetermined delay.

Abstract: A 5 Ringer Equivalent Number (REN) ringer circuit has a wave generator. A flip-flop is coupled to the wave generator and has a non-inverting and an inverting output. A high voltage level translator is coupled to each of the non-inverting and the inverting outputs of the flip-flop. A source follower buffer is coupled to an output of each of the high voltage level translators.

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus is connected to a single telephone line and is configured to be selectively connected either to a telephone set or to a facsimile machine. A pseudo ring back tone generator generates a repetitive pseudo ring back tone transmitted to a calling party in response to an incoming call. A pseudo ring signal generator generates a pseudo ring signal for driving a ringer of the telephone set to ring in response to the incoming call. A tone detector detects a CNG signal indicative that the incoming call is a facsimile. A controller controls at least the pseudo ring back tone generator and the pseudo ring signal generator. A table correlates a plurality of ring back tones with corresponding countries. If a ring back tone for a country meets a predetermined condition, the controller sets a predetermined pseudo ring back tone to the pseudo ring back tone generator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling users of mobile devices to purchase Ring Back Tones (“RBTs”). The system enables an offer message, offering for purchase an RBT and including a reply-to telephone number, to be generated and sent to a mobile device. In response to the offer message, a reply message sent from the mobile device to the reply-to telephone number of the offer message is received. A code is extracted from the reply-to telephone number to which the received reply message was sent. A particular RBT associated with the code extracted from the telephone number is identified in a table storing a plurality of codes each associated with a corresponding RBT. A user of the mobile device is determined to desire to purchase the particular RBT associated with the code in the table.

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: End to end acknowledgment of SMS messages based on sending an acknowledgement back to the sender of the SMS that the message was received after successful delivery.

Abstract: Provided is a system for providing a dial tone and a ring tone to a receiver terminal having one or more virtual numbers. A ring tone setting unit sets a ring tone corresponding to each of the one or more virtual numbers. An alarm sound providing server includes a controller configured to output, to the receiver terminal, a ring tone set for a corresponding virtual number according to the corresponding virtual number of the receiver terminal included in a call connection request signal transmitted from a caller terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present prevention disclose a service processing method, a communication system, and relevant devices to enable the user to more conveniently set ring tones and improve system security. The method includes: a management client located in a user terminal obtains a ring tone setting processing request of a user; and the management client sends the ring tone setting processing request to a service server through a mobile network so that the service server can perform corresponding processing according to the ring tone setting processing request. A communication system and the relevant devices are also disclosed in the embodiments of the present prevention. The embodiments of the present invention can enable the user to conveniently set the tone, reduce unnecessary network traffic, and improve system security.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for attenuating a dialing confirmation tone includes receiving an enable signal from a tactile user input device, generating at least one dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) tone, and communicating the at least one DTMF tone to a telephone line. The method further includes attenuating a signal level of the at least one DTMF tone by a predetermined amount to produce at least one attenuated dialing confirmation tone in response to receiving the enable signal, and communicating the at least one attenuated dialing confirmation tone to an audio output device.

Abstract: A device is provided including a processor and a display configured to list more than one presence enabled contact. A user agent is configured to indicate an availability status of the device to a presence server. The user agent is at least partially executed by the processor. Moreover, at least one input is configured to enable a device user to request a communications session with at least one of the plurality of presence enabled contacts. The request is initiated by the user agent when the requested presence enabled contact is available.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile terminal and which includes storing a plurality of haptic vibrations respectively representing different functions performed in a single application to be executed on the mobile terminal, executing a function for the single application is on the mobile terminal, selecting a corresponding haptic vibration that represents the function executing on the terminal, and generating the selected corresponding haptic vibration using a plurality of vibration modules disposed on the mobile terminal in which a first vibration module is activated and at least one second vibration module is activated to represent the function being executed on the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method run in a gateway for detecting a communication link between a called telephone and a telephone switch is provided. The method firstly detects if a ringer equivalency number (REN) is equal to zero. If the REN equals to 0, the method further determines if each discharge curve of a positive wire and a negative wire of the called telephone complies with a corresponding standard discharge curve, so as to determine if the communication link between the called telephone and the telephone switch has been established.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is disclosed that allows an incoming call notification mode to be automatically changed depending on an ambient noise signal level, thus eliminating the need to manually change the incoming call notification mode. A microphone capable of automatically changing an incoming call notification mode according to a noise signal level is provided and the terminal stores at least one reference noise signal level; drives the microphone according to a set automatic incoming call notification changing mode to measure a perceived noise signal value; compares the measured noise signal value with the stores reference noise signal level; and sets an incoming call notification mode of the mobile communication terminal to one of a bell mode and a vibration mode according to the result.

Abstract: The instant application describes a method for enabling a user of a mobile device to purchase a Ring Back Tone (“RBT”). The method includes steps of receiving an identifier associated with the mobile device that has received the RBT as a result of a call to another device and a mapping identification code associated with a RBT content identification code; generating a long code for the mapping identification code; and generating a message with the long code as a reply-to-number. The method also includes steps of sending the message to the mobile device, the message offering the user of the mobile device an option to purchase the RBT; receiving a response from the mobile device, reflecting the mobile device's user desire to either purchase the RBT or not to purchase the RBT; and identifying the mapping identification code from the reply-to-number in the response.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for replicating ring back tone (RBT). In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of sending a Play and Collect request to a media resource server (MRS) by an application server (AS), playing an RBT subscribed by the called party to the calling party and obtaining a Replicate RBT request initiated by the calling party according to the Play and Collect request by the MRS, receiving the Replicate RBT request obtained and sent by the MRS, by the AS, and sending a Replicate RBT command to an RBT platform according to the received Replicate RBT request by the AS, the Replicate RBT command carrying RBT replication information and instructing the RBT platform to replicate the requested RBT to an information library of the calling party. The invention also relates to a system and apparatus for implementing same.

Abstract: A subscriber associates a ring-tone media selection based on a media genre, author, or title to a calling number. When an incoming call is detected, a particular ring-tone media selection, based on the subscriber's association, may be streamed from a central server to the subscriber's customer premises equipment and then played. Alternatively, when an incoming call is detected, a particular ring-tone selection indicator, based on the subscriber's association, may be sent from a central server to the subscriber's customer premises equipment which then plays a pre-stored ring-tone selection media associated with the indicator.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling an incoming telephone call including a call processor coupled to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a called person, a conversation detector for determining whether a conversation is currently taking place between said called person and one or more other persons who are near to said called person, and a call inhibitor for inhibiting the delivery of, delaying or rerouting said incoming call if said conversation detector determines that a conversation is taking place. Each participant in the conversation is provided with a speech detector, and vibrator for producing a tactile alert when incoming calls directed to a participant arrive, and a manually operated control for issuing a veto command that inhibits the delivery of, delays, or reroutes the incoming call so that the conversation is not interrupted.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced Colorful Ring-Back Tone (eCRBT) services by mixing multiple digital content streams in real time are provided, including audio, video, data, text-based message, and hypermedia object streams. One or more properties of the content streams, such as volume or pitch of an audio stream, or brightness and layout of a video stream, are gradually altered such that a prominence of the an individual content stream is dynamically and seamlessly changed relative to other content streams with time. An eCRBT controller controls mixing and playing of digital content either based on an internal algorithm in an application server, or selections received from subscribers through provisioning interfaces. Personalized content streams can be mixed and played in real time based on interactive response received from a calling subscriber. Content may also be personalized based on caller by service provider.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a mobile terminal having at least first and second modes of operation; and a special alerting code; wherein, in response to the calling party entering the special alerting code, the mobile terminal changes from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. The system allows a mobile terminal in a silent/meeting mode to go into a vibrate and/or ring mode when a calling party enters a special alerting code.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for selectively playing received ringtones. Receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone is detected. A ringtone preselected for the communication device is played in response to receiving the incoming call. Prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device is received. The received ringtone is played or not played based on the received user input.

Abstract: A call signal generating device, whose pair of output terminals is connected to a telephone set, includes a rectifier rectifying an inputted high frequency signal and maintaining an output polarity in one of two polarities ; and a polarity reverser generating a call signal by periodically reversing the output polarity of the rectifier and supplying it to the telephone set via the pair of output terminals.

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: In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object.

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.