Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing an audio phone card. A telephone call is received for an audio service from a voice station by user. Audio content is transmitted to the user over the telephone call, wherein playback of the audio content is controlled by the user via the telephone call.

Abstract: A contents reproducing apparatus includes a main CPU, and the main CPU causes a DSP to decode broadcast data included in a radio packet signal input via a LAN controller in a radio mode, and inputs decoded PCM data to a D/A converter. As a result, a sound of Internet radio is output from a speaker. On the other hand, in a telephone mode, the main CPU causes the DSP to decode receiving speech data included in a telephone packet signal input via the LAN controller, and inputs decoded PCM data to a PCM codec. The CPU causes the DSP to encode the sending speech data input from the PCM codec, and packetizes encoded data to input it to the LAN controller. Thus, it is possible to make a communication with an opponent party.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing substitute media content to a communications device user during suspension of a communications session is disclosed. In an exemplary method, a communications device suspends output of audio or video information flowing from a remote communications node, in response to a received suspend message. The communications device initiates playback of substitute media content until a resume message is received, whereupon the device suspends playback of the substitute media content and resumes output of audio or video information flowing from the remote communications terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an on-hold call with a selectable continuous tone source using a service node, comprising a service switching point of a central office connected to a service logic program provisioned on a service node. Using the capabilities of the service node, the service logic program plays a continuous tone through a permanent trunk line connecting the service node to the service switching point. When the service switching point puts a call on hold, the service switching point connects the call through the permanent trunk line to the service logic program that is playing the continuous tone. As a result, the caller hears the continuous tone while the service switching point has the call on hold.

Abstract: A communications system for enabling communications between a prime user and members of a group. The system includes a first set of interlaces capable of communicating with the prime user via a first plurality of communication platforms using at least a first format and a second format; and a second set of interfaces capable of communicating with each of the members of the group via a second plurality of communication platforms using at least the first format and the second format. The system also includes a session manager coupled to the first set of interfaces having a plurality of routines configured to enable a prime user in communication with any one of the first set of interfaces to create a message to be transmitted to a selected group in either the first format or the second format; and a format converter capable of converting the message between the first and second formats.

Abstract: A voicemail circuit card for use in a business telephone system is provided that includes internal memory and integrated audio outputs built into the card. Prerecorded audio files can be stored in the memory and output directly from the card to the business telephone system through the integrated audio outputs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a call from a user at an endpoint, placing the user on hold in response to a particular event, and rendering one or more games that are playable by the user at the endpoint. The rendering of the one or more games enables the user to play one or more of the games while the user is on hold.

Abstract: A programmable event driver/interface has timekeeping and scheduling functions and tone and voice capabilities. A software-based interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. System state of health can be ascertained periodically for each annunciator, displayed in a visual summary, stored, and time tagged. Both tones and audio signals such as voice and radio can be commanded to be output by individual annunciators as well as by zones and by all annunciators at once. Schedules, including time-of day, day-of week, and date for annunciator outputs can be programmed for any or all annunciators.

Abstract: A contents reproducing apparatus includes a main CPU, and in a radio mode, the main CPU causes a DSP to decode broadcast data included in a radio packet signal input via a LAN controller, and decoded PCM data is input to a D/A conversion circuit. Consequently, a sound of Internet radio broadcasting is output from a speaker. Then, when there is a telephone call, the main CPU switches to a telephone mode. That is, receiving speech data included in a telephone packet signal input via the LAN controller is decoded by the DSP, and decoded PCM data is input to a PCM codec. Consequently, a receiving speech sound is output from a speaker of a receiver. It is noted that in a case that a radio program during reception is a pay program, the main CPU does not switch to the telephone mode.

Abstract: A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play), and particularly in a form that may be employed in one or a plurality of music generation music that provide on-hold music to callers that are put on-hold in a telephony environment. The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples.

Abstract: A method and system for providing easier listener access to information about musical works and other audio programming broadcast by a digital radio station includes broadcasting contextual information about the audio programming along with the audio programming. A receiver separates the audio and data signals giving the listener access to the broadcast content and the associated information about that content. The system may also store the contextual information about the programming for later reference, for example ordering a recording of the programming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telephone system including at least a terminal used by subscriber A, a terminal used by subscriber B, a switching center for setting up a call between subscribers A and B, and a connection for connecting subscriber A's terminal to an audiovisual source when subscriber B is unable to answer. To offer a waiting subscriber a more user-friendly service than before, the system includes a plural number of alternative AV sources, the connection being arranged to connect subscriber A's terminal to the AV source chosen by subscriber A when subscriber B is unable to answer.

Abstract: A connection controller suitable for use in a PBX. The connection controller can set up a media path to allow a user at a known terminal to receive audio information from an audio source. The connection controller has a directory of audio sources and a processing unit for searching the directory to select an audio source suitable to provide the audio information desired by the user. When the selection is made the processing unit generates and directs control signals to one or more components operative to establish the media path between the selected audio source and the known terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for encoding digital information is disclosed. According to the method, media program information is captured and used to produce a media program file. An encoding request is received from a client which requests that the media program information be encoded in one or more encoding formats. A set of encoding engines are selected that can encode the media program information in each of the one or more encoding formats. The media program file is then sent to the selected set of encoding engines to encode the media program information in the one or more encoding formats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing music to agents of an automatic call distributor (ACD) during non-voice dialog communication between the agent and a caller includes a communication processor operatively coupled to the ACD and operatively coupled to the agent terminals. The communication processor is configured to facilitate sending and receiving non-voice dialog communication between the caller and the agent terminal, and to transmit a signal to the ACD indicating that the communication processor received the non-voice dialog communication from the caller. The ACD is configured to select an agent to receive the non-voice dialog communication from the communication processor, and cause the non-voice dialog communication to be routed to the selected agent. A music source is operatively coupled to the ACD such that music from the music source is directed to the selected agent during the non-voice dialog communication between the caller and the agent.

Abstract: In a data distribution system for distribution of music data from an information service center to remote user terminal equipment, the music data distributed to the user's terminal is divided into an outline data part representing an outline of the music data and a supplement data part recombinable with the outline part to restore the music data. The outline and supplement parts are time-division transmitted to the terminal equipment. Even if the terminal equipment receives data at a low transfer rate it can receive the outline part first and reproduce, for continuous monitoring, the music data being downloaded.

Abstract: A method and system capable of playing different audio signals in different nodes of a small environment. The system is comprised of a number of nodes, which may be rooms of a house or hotel, or offices of a business. Each node has at least one audio speaker. The system further comprises an audio signal distribution device, which is connected to the nodes and delivers audio signals to the nodes. The audio signal distribution device further comprises a storage device for storing the audio signals. At least one of the nodes has a control interface for selecting the audio signals to be transferred to the nodes. In this fashion, each node is capable of playing a different audio signal than any other node is playing concurrently.

Abstract: An audio player (10) is provided with an image sensor (16) capable of imaging invisible infrared tags (78) on a substrate (70). The tags (78) encode identity data which is directly or indirectly associated in a computer system with one or more audio clips. The audio player (10) can be used to select and play audio clips. It acquires tag identity data via the image sensor (16), transmits it to the computer system, and downloads associated clip(s) for playback via a speaker (22).

Abstract: The multifunction machine which functions as a telephone terminal equipment requests a connection to an Internet terminal equipment evoked from a transfer operation while the multifunction machine is connected to a telephone terminal equipment. The multifunction machine can be connected to the Internet terminal equipment if this Internet terminal equipment responds to the request. After the multifunction machine is connected to the both terminal equipments, an audio call among three parties; the multifunction machine, the telephone and Internet terminal equipments can be achieved with input/output sound corresponding to audio signals input/output between the multifunction machine and the respective terminal equipments from a telephone transmitter/receiver.

Abstract: A local protractive message on hold device, which contacts and interacts with a server, in order to receive from the server the audio programming and to install and alter the audio programming on the message on hold device. The device may interact with said server by any sort of electronic communication medium capable of transmitting digitized information as binary code or as binary code embedded in a text format based on ASCII. The local protractive device identifies itself to the server, then either the local device or the server checks specific areas within the storage system of the server to see if there are programming changes available for the local device. If there are no changes available in the storage system of the server; local device terminates its link to said server and then resumes normal operation.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is provided with a system for enabling radio broadcast service providers operating over public data networks like the Internet to reach customers of the PSTN through ordinary telephone instruments. Subject to contractual understandings, between Internet-based distributors of radio programs originating as conventional radio broadcasts and telephone service providers in the PSTN, radio programs are distributed to PSTN customers subscribing to a new PSTN-based radio program distribution service. Using station identifying information provided by a PSTN user, calling a special telephone number while using a conventional telephone instrument, an intelligent network in the PSTN inter-acts with an Internet-based radio program distributor to link to a radio broadcast originating at the identified station. The radio broadcast is then transmitted to the PSTN caller in a form suited for reception at the caller's telephone.

Abstract: A terminal, with an inquiring function for transmitting unique information, which identifies a user or terminal, to a computer network and obtaining, in response to the unique information, address information that is an address corresponding to the unique information on the computer network or another computer network or information corresponding to the address, and a transmitting function for outputting information to a destination of the address information, and an information providing system, with a responding function for transmitting, via the computer network, the address information in response to the unique information received via the computer network, are provided. When telephone numbers are used as this unique information, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use Internet telephone that can obtain a domain name or an address on the Internet for connecting to an Internet telephone.

Abstract: A voice processing system provides background audio during a telephone call between a caller and a callee telephony device. A storage system contains digital audio data and a database includes a plurality of subscriber data elements associated with the caller and callee devices. A processing device provides the digital audio data during the telephone call based on the subscriber data elements linked to the caller or callee devices such that background audio is provided during a telephone call.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for compiling and furnishing demographic data to advertisers based upon a plurality of promotions deployed during free phone calls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joint music production wherein a remotely separated plurality of musicians are joined by phone lines of a public telephone system. The public telephone system has a signal frequency cutoff limiting transmission to a low range which is incompatible with music. Each of musicians produces a local music signal (MSL) with full audio range. This signal is impressed on the public telephone system which creates a low-end outbound music signal (LEL). Also, separately, the MSL signal is filtered through a first high-pass filter and mixed with a mixer signal to produce a sum/difference signal (SDL). The SDL signal is impressed onto the second phone line of the public telephone system as a high-end outbound music signal (HEL). A second mixer circuit receives at least one remotely produced sum/difference signal (SDR) and the mixer signal and this is again filtered to obtain the high end signal only (HER).

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play), and particularly in a form that may be employed in one or a plurality of music generation music that provide on-hold music to callers that are put on-hold in a telephony environment. The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to distributing content over the Internet that is comprised of a portion of the content of a radio station broadcast and content that has replaced a portion of the content of the radio station broadcast.

Abstract: A navigable audio delivery system includes an audio application and content. The application includes control data relating to the delivery of audio content to a user replay device. The delivery system facilitates the navigation between logical portions of the audio content by associating tag data with the audio content. The system also facilitates navigation between parallel portions of an audio program by including multiple layers of content in the audio program that is delivered to the user replay device.

Abstract: A device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is provided. The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as user-selected audio, video, or Internet access information into his or her programmable device. Such electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a user to, among other things, customize the device to suit his or her particular taste.

Abstract: A plurality of audio sources are provided in a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and monitored to determine if audio is available from any of the sources. Once an audio source with an audio presence has been found, that audio source is connected to the PBX and the PBX uses the audio from that source to provide audio-on-hold to the telephone users at that PBX. The audio coming from that audio source is substantially continuously monitored. When it is determined that this particular audio source is no longer providing audio, this particular audio source is disconnected from the PBX network and another audio source having an audio presence, is connected instead.

Abstract: A method and a system for a radio listener or a television viewer to retrieve a stored broadcast segment, such a song title or a sound recording, upon receiving a transmitted broadcast segment. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method and system facilitates retrieving a stored broadcast segment associated with a transmitted broadcast segment in response to a user inquiry, wherein the user inquiry references a time and a date of a broadcast and a station identifier of the transmitted broadcast segment. The user initiates the inquiry upon receiving the transmitted broadcast segment that interests the user. The method includes configuring a broadcast segment database with a plurality of stored broadcast segments associated with respective broadcast times, broadcast dates, station identifiers and identification information.

Abstract: A tele-computer network includes a redundant digital microwave communication system, at least one mobile vehicle, and a wireless local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, the microwave communication system transfers information using Ethernet packet switching. In another embodiment, the wireless LAN transfers information using the TCP/IP protocol. The mobile vehicle is configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the microwave communication system and the wireless LAN.

Abstract: A telecomputer network is described. The network comprises a satellite communication system, at least one mobile vehicle, and a wireless local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, the satellite communication system transfers information using ethernet packet switching. In one embodiment, the wireless LAN transfers information using the TCP/IP protocol. The mobile vehicle or portable field unit is configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication system and the wireless LAN.

Abstract: An Internet audio channel selection system includes an audio channel selection device. The device includes a housing accommodating an electronic display for displaying audio channel selection information, an audio channel selection interface for selecting an audio channel from the audio channel selection information, at least one input interface for communicating with the Internet, and at least one output interface for communicating with at least one audio processing device. The device further includes a microprocessor disposed within the housing and communicating with the electronic display, the input interface and the output interface for downloading the audio channel selection information and selected audio channel transmission from the Internet, and directing the audio channel transmission to the at least one audio processing device. The selection system further includes a server to communicate with the audio channel selection device via the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively eliminating nuisance signals during communications connections as during conference calling in which the signals are eliminated when a call path is placed on hold by monitoring signals in a reverse traffic channel from a holding party. If the reverse traffic channel contains a predetermined signal, a music on hold circuit is disabled. When the call is first placed on hold, a check for the predetermined signal is made. If the predetermined signal is not detected during a defined period of time, the music on hold circuit is engaged; otherwise the circuit remains disabled. The predetermined signal may be noise signals, speech signals or a sequence of touch tones or speech representing a command to disable the music on hold circuit. Optionally, a disabled music on hold circuit may be enabled by placing a second command signal, such as speech or touch tones, into the reverse traffic channel.

Abstract: The system enables listeners and viewers of a broadcast to access additional information associated with a broadcast. Listeners and viewers utilize a user device to connect to a database containing program descriptions (e.g. audio, text, video, or combination thereof) further describing the programming and ancillary information. The database is indexed by the broadcast's program list or schedule thereby allowing a user of the system to search and select a particular program description of interest. Hearing or viewing program descriptions enables users to preview excerpts and review a broadcast before purchasing an item heard or viewed on a broadcast.

Abstract: Audio information is distributed from a service center to a large group of subscribers on a regular basis, depending on the desires of the individual subscribers. The audio information can be educational, recreational, or informational in nature. The service center stores user profile information, stores compressed audio recordings for future delivery, transmits compressed audio information to each base unit, and interfaces with subscribers. The base unit provides readiness status to the service center. The service center sends compressed digital audio information to the base station, after which the base station receives the compressed audio unattended, and automatically decodes and records the audio information on a cassette or other recording device. Communication between the service center and each base unit may use a data network that operates on top of the Public Switched Telephone Network using xDSL modems or a cable network using cable modems.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering multimedia data to a user. The multimedia data is stored on a computer network which can consist of a private network or intranet or a public network like the Internet. The multimedia data to be delivered is typically stored in a combination of hypertext markup language (HTML) and audio file formats (WAV, MPEG, AU, etc.) and typically delivered using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The multimedia data contains a visual portion of data such as text and graphics and an audio portion of data such as music. The visual portion of the data is delivered to the user's computer via a computer network. The audio portion of the data is delivered to the user's telephone via a telecommunications network.