Abstract: A method (10) and system (200, 400, or 500) of call reverse can include initiating (12) a call by an originating party (204) to a terminating party (208), comparing (14) rate plans, and automatically reversing (26) the call if a rate plan for the terminating party is currently more economical than a rate plan for the originating party. The method can compare (22) rate plans at a server (206) having rate plan information for the parties. Alternatively, the method can send (16) rate plan information for the originating to the terminating party and compare rate plans at the terminating party. The method can pre-store (20) rate plan information for the originating party at a memory at the terminating party. The method can also use (24) Caller ID to detect a call from the originating party and compare pre-stored rate plan information for the originating party stored at the terminating party.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200, 400, or 500) of call reverse can include initiating (12) a call by an originating party (204) to a terminating party (208), comparing (14) rate plans, and automatically reversing (26) the call if a rate plan for the terminating party is currently more economical than a rate plan for the originating party. The method can compare (22) rate plans at a server (206) having rate plan information for the parties. Alternatively, the method can send (16) rate plan information for the originating to the terminating party and compare rate plans at the terminating party. The method can pre-store (20) rate plan information for the originating party at a memory at the terminating party. The method can also use (24) Caller ID to detect a call from the originating party and compare pre-stored rate plan information for the originating party stored at the terminating party.

Abstract: A method and a system for performing a conference call in a network (102) are disclosed. The network (102) includes a plurality of electronic devices (104, 106, 108 110, 112, and 114) that interact with each other. The method includes receiving (302) audio streams from the plurality of electronic devices, and compiling (304) them so that the audio streams received are separate relative to each other. The method also includes transmitting (306) the audio streams to the plurality of electronic devices, and processing (308) the audio streams in at least one electronic device. The audio streams are also positioned in a virtual conference room (512), associated with at least one electronic device.

Abstract: A method (100) and system (20) for multiparty communication using at least one dual mode communication device includes a dual mode radio (11) having at least a first modem (12) for operation on a first network and a second modem (13) for operation on a second network and a processor (55) coupled to the radio. The dual mode radio can be programmed to establish (102) an interconnect call on a first network between the dual mode radio and a second communication device, receive (104) a request for a private call on a second network from a third communication device, and mix and route (106) audio from the private call and the interconnect call at the dual mode radio when a multiparty call mode is selectively chosen. The dual mode radio can be a first modem operating on a CDMA network and a second modem operating on an iDEN network.

Abstract: A voice communication system and method for improved bandwidth and enhanced concatenative speech synthesis includes a transmitter (10) having a voice recognition engine (12) that receives speech and provides text, a voice segmentation module (24) that segments the speech into a plurality of speech units or snippets, a database (18) for storing the snippets, a voice parameter extractor (28) for extracting among rate or gain, and a data formatter (20) that converts text to snippets and compresses snippets. The data formatter can merge snippets and text into a data stream.

Abstract: An interaction data manager system (20) and method (400) can include an interaction data manager (17) capable of interacting with a plurality of applications (32) and one or more databases (18) and a processor (36). The processor can be programmed in accordance with the interaction data manager to link information from the plurality of applications, search the one or more databases for relevant data associated with application data currently being used, determine a relevance between the relevant data and the application data, and present the relevant data based on a relevancy of the relevant data. The system can be a portable communication product and the plurality of applications can one or more mobile phone applications among a call application, a messaging application, a phone book application, a date book application, an audio presentation application, a video presentation application, or an audio-visual presentation application.

Abstract: A bandwidth efficient digital voice communication system (10) can include a speech-to-text converter (22) for converting a voice signal to a text representation, a speech parameter extractor (28) for extracting user identifiable parameters from a voice signal, and a text-to-speech converter (44) for converting the text representation and the user identifiable parameters from the voice signal in real time. The user identifiable parameters can be among pitch rate, gain, fundamental frequency, and formants. The speech-to-text converter can further include a text to phoneme segmentation module (24) providing flags to indicate a plurality of phoneme boundaries, an automatic phonetic segmentation module (26) coupled to the text to phoneme segmentation module and the speech parameter extractor, and a voice parameter manager (29) for receiving the text representation, the flags indicative of the plurality of phoneme boundaries, and the user identifiable parameters from the voice signal.

Abstract: A multifunction push-to-activate system (40) can include a push to activate (PTx) button (22) on a communication transceiver (20) for activating one among a plurality of communication functions and an indicator (24) for providing an indication among when a particular function is ready to be activated and which among the plurality of communication functions will be activated upon user activation of the PTx button. The plurality of functions can include push-to-talk, push-to-listen, push-to-view, push-to-send, or push-to-link to a network site functions. The indicator can include a display capable of displaying text or other information or alternatively includes a color indicator operating cooperatively with a main display (36) coupled to the communication transceiver. The system can also grant the communication function activated by the user activation of the PTx button greater priority over other communication functions.

Abstract: A method (50) and system (10) for recipient based scoping of location information can include a communication device (12, 14, or 16) within a communication network and a processor (22, 28, or 32) coupled to the communication network. The processor can be programmed to obtain or receive (52) location information having more than one level of granularity and automatically adjusting (54) a level of granularity of the location information at the communication device based on location related characteristics of a recipient (39) at a selective call receiver (14).

Abstract: A system (30) and method (60, 70, and 90) of collectively setting preferences among a plurality of electronic devices (devices #1, #2, and #3) includes collecting user preference data independently by at least two among the plurality of electronic devices, exchanging (67, 76, 84, 97) the user preference data among the electronic devices when at least two among the electronic devices are within a predetermined proximity, forming a group user profile from the user data exchanged, and arbitrating (102-126) the parameters and settings in at least one among the electronic devices in accordance with the group user profile. Arbitrating can include averaging (116) the parameters and settings, maintaining (126) an existing parameter and setting, matching (120 or 124) parameters and settings to parameters and settings of certain ones of the plurality of electronic devices, or adjusting (106) parameters and settings based on parameters and settings stored on a shared database.

Abstract: A framework (10) and method (60 and 70) of collectively setting preferences among at least two electronic devices (52 and 54) can include the step of collecting user preference data independently by the at least two electronic devices, exchanging (65 and 75) the user preference data among the at least two electronic devices when such devices are within a predetermined proximity (63 and 73), forming a user profile (82) from the user data exchanged, and setting parameters (47) in at least one among the electronic devices in accordance with the user profile. The method can further include the steps of authenticating the at least two electronic devices before the step of exchanging the user preference data and registering users. The method can also further include the step of interchanging capabilities and settings among the at least two devices.

Abstract: A system (30) and method (60, 70, 80, and 90) of using a mobile device as an information relay among multiple user environments can include the steps of capturing (76 and 78) a set of application settings and data (or relay data) from a first electronic device during an active session of an application in a first user environment using the mobile device and transferring (87) the set of application settings and data (or relay data) from the mobile device to a second electronic device for continuity of the active session in a second user environment.

Abstract: A method (100) to enhance user interface and target applications based on context awareness can include tracking (102) the number of times an event occurs during a given time, tracking (104) the time between user initiated events, generating (112) a pattern from the tracking steps, associating (113) the pattern with a user profile, and configuring (116) the user interface and the operation of an application based on the user profile. The tracking steps can track usage of the user interface at different times, dates, locations or in different environments or contexts as detected by changes in time of day, date, location, environmental input, user habit, or user application. The pattern can optionally be generated (114) dynamically corresponding with changes in the user profile. In this regard, the method can dynamically adapt (118) configurable options based on a detected change in context.

Abstract: A telecommunication device (200) adaptable for elderly users (105). The telecommunication device can include a user classifier (205) and one or more audio processors (215 and 220). The user classifier can establish one of several categories for a device user, wherein the category determines at least one configurable setting of the telecommunication device. One of the several categories indicates that a user is elderly or subjectively elderly. The audio processors can digitally processes audio streams for the telecommunication device. At least one configurable setting can adjust operations of the audio processors so that the processors operate differently for users classified as elderly than for users not classified as elderly. The audio processors can include an incoming audio processor (215) and an outgoing audio processor (220).

Abstract: A method (500) of arranging configurable options such as hot/soft keys in a menu can include tracking (502) a sequence of events initiated by a user on a device having a user interface and an application, tracking (504) the number of times an event occurs during a given time, and tracking (506) the time between user initiated events. The method can further include generating (509) a pattern from the tracking steps, associating (510) the pattern with a user profile, and optimizing (512) an arrangement of hot/soft keys in the menu based on the user profile. The method can optionally track (508) user habits and dynamically arrange (513) the hot/soft keys based on the dynamic user profile. Furthermore, performance enhancements for use of the user interface and applications based on the dynamic user profile can be dynamically identified (514).

Abstract: A radio communication system includes provider equipment and at least two subscriber radio units, each operable in a telephone communication mode and a dispatch communication mode. The provider equipment is operable to receive a communication request from a subscriber radio unit, the request including a requested communication mode and a mode-specific identifier identifying a target subscriber radio unit. The provider equipment compares the mode-specific identifier to the requested communication mode.

Abstract: A method (300) of advising a user using a user interface can include tracking (302) of a number of times an event occurs during a given time, tracking (304) the time between user initiated events, generating (306) a pattern from the tracking steps, generating (308) a profile that can change dynamically as the pattern changes, detecting (310) a need for advice from the pattern, and presenting (314) advice to the user in response to the need. The method can further associate (307) the pattern with a user profile and detect from the user profile a more efficient pattern. Note, the step of detecting can be done by detecting any number of scenarios including a hesitation in menu navigation, an unsuccessful search pattern, or a varying speed traversal through different menu portions. The detecting step can also include detecting a lack of usage of a given application.

Abstract: A method (300) of remotely controlling a wireless mobile device (105) can include the step of establishing (340) a communication channel between the wireless mobile device and a remotely located controlling device (120). At least one operation can be performed (355) using an interface (115) of the controlling device. Packetized data based upon the at least one operation can be conveyed across the communication channel. An indicator (111) can be presented (360) upon the wireless mobile device to indicate the device is being remotely controlled. A programmatic action can be performed upon the wireless mobile device responsive to the receipt to the packetized data.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for interrupting a dispatch call. The method can be practiced in a dispatch communications system (100) having at least a first communications channel (162) for carrying voice traffic and a second communications channel (164) for carrying communications-enabling information. The method includes the steps of assigning (312) the first communications channel to at least a first caller (133) and a second caller (135) to permit the first and second callers to engage in a dispatch call and as the first caller has control over the first communications channel, transmitting (314) an interrupt message (505) over the second communications channel to inform the first caller of an interrupt status of the second caller. The transmitting step is performed without terminating the dispatch call.

Abstract: A method (500), communication system (10) and portable communication unit (31, 32, 33) capable of integrating a plurality of communication services can include a transceiver and a processor (34) coupled to the transceiver. The processor coupled to the transceiver can be programmed to receive (508) at least one request among a dispatch call request, an interconnect call request, and a packet data session request while the portable communication unit is in an active session with at least one among an existing dispatch call, an existing interconnect call, and an existing packet data session, provide notification (512) of the at least one request while in the active session, and enable a selection (514) among a rejection of the at least one request, an acceptance of the at least one request, and a message response to the at least one request.