Abstract: Videomail and/or voicemail methods for mobile devices and systems are provided. A communication session request is received from a source device for communication with a destination device. Responsive to the request, it is determined whether the requested session will be established with the destination device. When the requested session will not be established with the destination device, the source device is caused to present a message request to a source device user. Responsive to the message request, a message generated by the source device user is received which includes at least one of video or audio information. A file transfer (FT) message is generated from the received message. The FT message is temporarily stored on a messaging server, and is sent to the destination device via the messaging server, without maintaining a stored copy of the FT message on the messaging server.

Abstract: Many devices are configured to present alerts notifying a user of device events, but the user may not notice the alert due to a noisy environment. A user may mitigate missed alerts by increasing the alert volume or choosing a vibration mode, but such techniques depend upon the knowledge, attention, and memory of the user to adjust the device before the alert. Instead, a device may compare the noise level of the environment with a noise level threshold. If the noise level is below the threshold, the device presents the alert; but if the noise level is above the threshold, the device defers the presentation of the alert until the noise level diminishes below the threshold, and then presents the alert. The device may also send an automated response to the message, notifying a sender that the user may return the message upon leaving the noisy environment.

Abstract: A mode switching and electronic sign-in system for a mobile device and a method thereof are provided. A mobile device performs detection of a sign-in device by a wireless network, and when detecting the sign-in device, the mobile device provides an electronic sign-in message. After the electronic sign-in message passes verification, the electronic sign-in message is recorded in the sign-in device. Meanwhile, because a result of detecting the sign-in device changes, the mobile device actively switches a corresponding mode of the mobile device, so as to achieve the technical efficacy of electronic sign-in performed through the mobile device of a user and automatic switching of the corresponding mode of the mobile device.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing customized information, including: a control unit used for sending a trigger signal to a play unit upon receiving a call request from a caller terminal, an information storage unit used for storing the customized information, and a play unit used for sending the customized information obtained from the information storage unit to the caller terminal. A method for providing customized information, including: obtaining and storing the customized information by the called terminal, and sending the customized information stored to the caller terminal by the called terminal upon receiving a call request from the caller terminal.

Abstract: One or more devices in a visual voicemail system voicemail notification messages indicating voicemails are available for a user of the visual voicemail system and distribute the voicemail notification messages to a network device. The one or more devices receive an indication of a backlog processing requests for the visual voicemail system and stop, based on the indication, distributing the voicemail notification messages to the network device. After the stopping, the one or more devices receive another indication that the backlog processing requests for the visual voicemail system no longer exists and resume, based on the other indication, distributing the voicemail notification messages to the network device.

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 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: A method for generating a ring tone for a given caller based on a prior conversation with that caller. A portion of a conversation with a given caller is recorded and stored in memory as a ring tone. When a subsequent call is received from the same caller, identified by caller ID, the ring tone is played, alerting the user to the incoming call as well as the context of their prior communication. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a prior textual or video conversation is used as the basis for a ring tone, and/or the ‘ring tone’ is delivered by other than audio means. The invention is capable of implementation in telecommunications systems such as cellular, local exchange, and VOIP, and in combination with other forms of internet-based telecommunication.

Abstract: A method for generating a ring tone for a given caller based on a prior conversation with that caller. A portion of a conversation with a given caller is recorded and stored in memory as a ring tone. When a subsequent call is received from the same caller, identified by caller ID, the ring tone is played, alerting the user to the incoming call as well as the context of their prior communication. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a prior textual or video conversation is used as the basis for a ringtone. The invention is capable of implementation in telecommunications systems such as cellular, local exchange, and VOIP.

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: To address a time related problem with mobile station ringtones, such as sleep disturbing ringtone generation, a mobile station may be configured to offer the user an option or feature such as might enable programming of ringtone settings as a function of one or more time periods. When the feature is selected, it allows the user to program settings configuring the device to adjust one or more controllable parameters of ringtone for incoming calls and/or incoming messages based on current time in relation to the time program settings. For example, the user might set different ringtone settings for different time slots for each day and/or different time slots on certain days of the week.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating a first signal; generating vibrations in a mobile device based on the first signal; and sensing, using a microphone associated with the mobile device, sound generated by the vibrations. The method further includes generating an output based on the sound sensed by the microphone, measuring a level of the sound based on the output, and detecting a resonant frequency of the mobile device based on the level of the sound.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting alert tone information among communicating wireless devices to identify a speaker in a push-to-talk system. A predefined set of alert tones is stored in a wireless device, and when a user presses a push-to-talk button on the wireless device, the wireless device displays a list of predefined alert tones to the user to select. After the user selects an alert tone, the wireless device transmits an alert tone code associated with the selected alert tone to a server for relaying to every wireless device in a push-to-talk communication group. When a receiving wireless device receives the alert tone code, it retrieves an alert tone corresponding to the alert tone code from the predefined set and plays the alert tone to the user of the wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method for ring delay on a user agent. A destination user agent may receive a request from an origination user agent to establish a session between the two user agents. The destination user agent may delay ringing according to a ring delay parameter. If the request has not been terminated by the time the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may ring and a session may occur between the origination user agent and destination user agent. If the request is terminated before the ring delay parameter is met, the destination user agent may never ring. The ring delay parameter may be a ring delay time period. The ring delay parameter may be received as part of the request from the origination user agent, set by the destination user agent, or set by a service provider for the destination user agent.

Abstract: Communications over a network are selectively routed to one of multiple mobile devices identified by the same mobile device number. In one example, a method includes identifying a first mobile phone associated with a first activation priority by a phone number and identifying a second mobile phone associated with a second activation priority by the same phone number. The activation priority indicates a priority with which the first and the second mobile phones are activated for communications on a network. Communications associated with the phone number are selectively routed to one of the first mobile phone or the second mobile phone having a highest activation priority. The phone number defines an address at which the communications are routed to the one of the first mobile phone or the second mobile phone having the highest activation priority without being routed to an intervening address defined by another device number.

Abstract: The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering an advertisement to a user comprising providing an advertisement by the advertiser to the service system, followed by delivering the advertisement by the service system to a mobile phone of a user through mobile phone communication network. The user determines to browse the advertisement or not. The user watches and brows the advertisement via the display of the mobile phone.

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: A method for intercepting signals so as to change the ring mode of a mobile device includes the following steps. Initially, a signal about to enter a predetermined area is intercepted. Then, a specific ring mode is added to the signal according to contents of the signal. Next, the signal having the specific ring mode is sent to a mobile device located in the predetermined area. Subsequently, the mobile device uses the specific ring mode as the ring mode of the mobile device upon receipt of the signal. A device applying the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to limit ring trees in voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks are disclosed. A disclosed example parallel ring policy enforcer comprises a memory to hold parallel ring tree information and a policy checker to enforce a parallel ring policy based on a parallel ring request and the parallel ring tree information.

Abstract: A method of personalizing a call set-up of a mobile radio terminal includes acquiring contact information associated with a callable device. The contact information includes call set-up audio data corresponding to audio content selected by a user of the device. The contact information is stored as an entry in a database maintained by the mobile radio terminal. The audio content corresponding to the call set-up audio data is played back when the entry is selected.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for distributing targeted audible advertisements as ringtones. A user profile associated with a user is identified. An audible advertisement is selected from a plurality of audible advertisements using criteria matching the user profile. A currently selected ringtone is substituted with the audible advertisement on a communication device associated with the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for setting up a substituted ring back tone (RBT) provided from a predetermined communication provider, and more particularly, a method and system for recognizing a first substituted RBT of a first subscriber and setting up the first substituted RBT as a substituted RBT of a second subscriber, between subscribers of different communication providers. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily copy a substituted RBT from another user's substituted RBT and set up the same as a user's own substituted RBT. In this instance, the substituted RBT is provided according to a request for a call setup of a mobile terminal. Also, it is possible to set up a substituted RBT of a subscriber of a different communication provider as a user's substituted RBT, while not receiving predetermined information from the communication provider.

Abstract: An alert signal of a communication device (1), such as the ring signal of a mobile phone, comprises a set of musical samples that are played by the communication device in sequence. The sequence may be randomly generated, either in response to the event causing the alert or in a set up phase. Alternatively, the user of the device can create a tune to be used as the alert signal by creating a sequence of samples. The user selects samples from a list of samples to create the sequence of samples as individual samples may appear more than once in the tune.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing all the extensions connected to an enhanced Terminal Adaptor (TA) associated with a single phone number to place and receive phone calls independently are disclosed. For example, in the case of a call waiting scenario, if an extension is already engaged in an ongoing phone call, then the enhanced TA provides call waiting handling to the engaged extension similar to traditional call waiting when a subsequent incoming call is received. However, the enhanced TA also rings the remaining extensions that are not currently engaged in phone calls when the subsequent incoming call is received.

Abstract: The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing all the extensions connected to an enhanced Terminal Adaptor (TA) associated with a single phone number to place and receive phone calls independently are disclosed. For example, in the case of a call waiting scenario, if an extension is already engaged in an ongoing phone call, then the enhanced TA provides call waiting handling to the engaged extension similar to traditional call waiting when a subsequent incoming call is received. However, the enhanced TA also rings the remaining extensions that are not currently engaged in phone calls when the subsequent incoming call is received.

Abstract: A data communication system is disclosed which comprises: first terminal devices for transmitting contents and content provider identification data identifying the providers of the contents; a server device for receiving and storing the transmitted contents and content provider identification data; and second terminal devices which transmit user identification data to the server device, which receive and store the contents from the server device based on the user identification data, and which reproduce the stored contents upon detection of an incoming call. The server device stores first account information corresponding to the content provider identification data and second account information corresponding to the user identification data.

Abstract: A data communication system is disclosed which comprises: first terminal devices for transmitting contents and content provider identification data identifying the providers of the contents; a server device for receiving and storing the transmitted contents and content provider identification data; and second terminal devices which transmit user identification data to the server device, which receive and store the contents from the server device based on the user identification data, and which reproduce the stored contents upon detection of an incoming call. The server device stores first account information corresponding to the content provider identification data and second account information corresponding to the user identification data.

Abstract: A mobile telephone comprises a ringer to provide an audible alert of an incoming telephone call. The mobile telephone has a ringer schedule interface to receive a ringer control schedule. The ringer control schedule indicates times at which a parameter of the ringer is to change. The mobile telephone further comprises an integrated ringer controller to automatically change the parameter of the ringer according to the ringer control schedule.

Abstract: Compressed entertainment content such as audio or video or both includes additional aspects and operations associated their way. The compressed audio may be used to signal computers such as a telephone or reminder for an appointment. A melody line may be extracted from the audio, or the audio may be used exactly as it is. Another aspect stores traders within the entertainment content such as in MP3. Those traders are used to trigger the system to retrieve other parts of the content to be displayed at the same time that that particular part of the MP3 is being play. The content may include video or text, or maybe links to other content such as broadband content four times sensitive content. Another aspect describes encryption which is keyed to the disk ID to prevent playing oven illegally copied disk. Another aspect reads a specified amount of information then spins down the disk to conserve battery power.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting enhanced ring scheduling for devices on platforms with limited power supply while seeking to preserve caller ID information and normal ringing cadence is disclosed. The ring scheduling apparatus includes a “Line Manager” coupled to a “Ring Scheduler”. The Line manager monitors the signaling events and determines whether the signaling commands associated with the signaling events should be modified to indicate ringing, no ringing, or pass the signaling commands unmodified. The “Ring Scheduler” manages the available resources according to a ring cadence schedule so that the power supply of the device is not exceeded.

Abstract: If any of the communication terminals has incoming calls, calling signals are repeatedly output to the communication terminal at predetermined intervals until the communication terminal answers. When one communication terminal is called before another communication terminal answers its preceding call, calling signals to each communication terminal are repeatedly output alternately. Thus, a simple structure that is capable of changing output destinations for very calling signal output is provided. Upon receiving multiple incoming calls at about the same time, the apparatus can repeatedly output calling signals to corresponding communication terminals, without having multiple calling signal output apparatuses.

Abstract: A Network Interface Unit (38, 38′, 38″) routes incoming calls to, and outgoing calls from, a plurality of telephone sets (12-22) at a subscriber premises (24). The Network Interface Unit continuously monitors for incoming calls and the availability of telephone sets. Upon receipt of a call, the Network Interface Unit determines which telephone sets are idle and applies a distinctive ring to each idle telephone set o identify the telephone line or equivalent on which the call was received. Once a telephone set goes off hook, the Network Interface Unit routes the call to that set and releases the remaining telephone sets for subsequent calls. When a subscriber initiates an outgoing telephone call, the Network Interface Unit detects the call and routes it on an idle outgoing telephone line or equivalent.

Abstract: A remote device (102) includes a silent alert allowing the device to signal the user of an incoming call without an audible alert. The device further includes a key (119) actuated by the user to accept the call into a nonactive state. A prerecorded message is generated from a memory (126) and played for the calling party to inform the caller that the user is occupied, but will answer the call shortly. According to one aspect of the invention, the message can be periodically repeated, until the user places the call in an active call state. According to another aspect of the invention, the user can interrupt the message and enter the active call state at any time during the silent answer and hold subroutine.

Abstract: A method of recording the bi-directional communication between a customer premises equipment (CPE) and a server of a stored program controlled system (SPCS) in an analog display services interface (ADSI) for facilitating the troubleshooting therein is disclosed. The present invention includes accessing the telephone set by a user, therefore initiating the communication between the telephone set and the server. After receiving an alerting signal from the server, the alerting signal and the corresponding received time of the alerting signal are recorded into a trace area in the telephone set. A first acknowledgment signal is sent to the server after the alerting signal is recognized, and the first acknowledgment signal is then recorded in the trace area. At least one message is sent from the server, and then the message, a start received time and an end received time of the message are recorded into the trace area and a message buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for altering an incoming ring signal to produce a selected ring signal on a telephone device. The incoming ring signal is accompanied by a caller ID packet and provided by a telephone utility provider responsive to a call made by a caller. The communication system includes a system console and at least one addressable extension module. The system controller and each addressable extension module are in communication with the telephone line. The system console includes (i) means for decoding the caller ID packet to determine the identity of the caller, (ii) a storage device for storing saved caller information including caller identities and corresponding ring control information, (iii) means for selecting ring control information from the saved caller information and the identity of the caller, and (iv) means for providing the ring control information to the telephone line. Each addressable extension module additionally communicates with a respective telephone device.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting customer premise equipment alerting signals (CAS) in a first telephone having a transmit circuit and a receive circuit and a hybrid line termination for connecting the transmit circuit and the receive circuit to a central office line. The apparatus includes an off-hook detector for producing an off-hook signal identifying whether or not the first telephone is in an off-hook state, an extension-in-use detector for producing an extension-in-use signal identifying whether or not a second telephone connected to the central office line is in an off-hook state, a CAS detector selectively operable to receive the CAS signals directly from the central office line and from the hybrid line termination and a control element for controlling the CAS detector in response to the off-hook signal and the extension-in-use signal.

Abstract: A reserved speech path forming method according to a first embodiment includes the steps of: determining whether or not another telephone within a parallel-connected telephone system is being used, enabling input of a reserved function key to reserve the speech path when another telephone within the parallel-connected telephone system is being used, providing a dial tone and enabling input of a reserved telephone number upon completion of use of the other telephone within the parallel-connected telephone system, dialing the reserved telephone number, and forming the reserved speech path.

Abstract: A server allows a worldwide telephone number associated with a local telephone to be shared by one or more remote telephones. A call placed to the worldwide telephone number rings at the local telephone and at least one of the remote telephones. The server stores a set of telephone numbers to be associated with a worldwide telephone number serviced by the switch to which the local telephone is connected. The server receives notification of a telephone call from a calling telephone to the worldwide telephone number The server retrieves the set of telephone numbers associated with that worldwide telephone number, and places calls to telephone numbers in the set through the switch. The server then causes a connection to be made between the local telephone or the remote telephone, depending on which telephone goes off hook first, to the calling telephone.

Abstract: A telephone set including a data obtaining device which obtains a plurality of sets of own-call-number data each set of which identifies a corresponding one of a plurality of different own call numbers allotted to the telephone set according to a common numbering rule, each of the different own call numbers identifying the telephone set from other telephone sets to which other call numbers different from the own call numbers are allotted according to the common numbering rule, a plurality of memories which are related with the different own call numbers, respectively, and in which a plurality of batches of sound information are stored, respectively, and a transmitter which transmits, to one of the other telephone sets, the batch of sound information stored in one of the memories which corresponds to one of the different own call numbers identified by one of the sets of own-call-number data obtained by the data obtaining device.

Abstract: A telecommunications apparatus is connectable to a line accessible by plural telephone numbers from the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The PSTN identifies which telephone number on the line is being called by applying to the line a distinctive ring cadence. The telecommunications apparatus includes a processor, an interface for connecting to the PSTN, a memory for storing a distinctive ring cadence learn procedure and a nonvolatile memory. The processor is responsive to actuation of the distinctive ring learn procedure to monitor a received ring cadence and to derive distinctive ring data indicating characteristics of the received ring cadence. The processor stores the distinctive ring data in the nonvolatile memory and thereafter responds to received ring cadences to derive ring data therefrom. That ring data is compared with the stored distinctive ring data and if a substantial match is determined, causes the telecommunications apparatus to respond to the ring data.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprises a network for transmitting information, a plurality of terminals connected to the network for communicating to each other, a data base provided in the network and having a plurality of storage areas corresponding to the plurality of terminals for storing a plurality of alerting patterns, alerting tone selector for reading, on the basis of information for identifying a calling terminal, an alerting pattern specified at the calling terminal when there is a call incoming from the calling terminal to a called terminal, from a storage area in the data base corresponding to the called terminal, and alerting tone controller for controlling a called terminal on the basis of the alerting pattern and generating a corresponding alerting tone at the called terminal when there is an incoming call.

Abstract: A device for measuring the skin temperature of a conduit the device including a curved, sheathed thermocouple element adapted to be removably inserted within a similarly curved guide tube which carries a positioning pad at one end, the guide tube, in turn being received by a like curved, insulated shield.

Abstract: A terminal connection device changes and connects a plurality of terminals to one telephone line according to kinds of ringing signal sequences sent through the telephone line. The terminal connection device comprises switches connecting between the telephone line and the terminals, a control circuit commanding ON/OFF operation of the switches, and a photo coupler converting the ringing signal obtained through the telephone line into light signal and inputting the light signal to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a device for judging as to whether a ringing signal sequence sent through the telephone line is the same as the sequence data or not.

Abstract: An added main line system is disclosed with particular utility in connection with equipment for providing the services of two telephone lines on a single conductor pair. The ring generator of the added main line system has two transistor bridges, one for the ringing signal on each of two subscriber lines. In each bridge, diagonally opposed pairs of transistors are turned on in alternation, providing alternating current for the ringing signal. The two bridges, each of which has four transistors, share two transistors. Comparators provide off-hook detection during the ringing cycle. Off-hook detection circuits are provided in series with selected driver transistors of the bridges, so that the condition of customer equipment going off-hook may be detected even though limited power is available for testing for the off-hook condition.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber interface device provides privacy on a party line. The device provides for revertive calling, break-in, automatic disconnect, selective ringing, automatic number identification, and operates on the central office power supply. The device provides the following features: A connect state for the PLC in which the PLC is connected to the telephone line but in which the PLC is not responsive to other inputs, a ring decoder which detects either divided coded ringing signals or divided ringing signals in a novel manner, means for testing whether a revertive call has been properly terminated, a low power switch so that the PLC can run on telephone line power only without battery backup, and means for resetting the PLC to a ready state in the absence of other inputs.

Abstract: A central office line card with distributed signaling voltages comprised of a plurality of subscriber line interface circuits connected to a common signal bus. Standard ringing signal is received from a remote generator within the central office and applied to the common signal bus via a first relay. A receptacle is provided on the line card for receiving a removable module containing circuitry for generating further signaling voltages such as party line ringing and coin telephone test and control voltages. Signals from the module are applied to the common signal bus via a further plurality of relays. Each of these subscriber line interface circuits is connected to the common signal bus via additional respective relays.

Abstract: An apparatus is described having the capability to selectively alert subscribers in a telephone party line system where different subscriber parties are alerted using different ringing configurations. Subscribers are identified as being a member of a party by the connection pattern used to interface the apparatus to the telephone party line. The apparatus comprises means for detecting whether a ringer signal received from the telephone line is meant to alert a given subscriber party, and means for coupling the ringer signal to subscriber alerting equipment when an appropriate ringer signal is detected.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be coupled into a party telephone line for selecting a ringing signal transmitted on the line from among a plurality of possible coded ringing signals that could be transmitted on the line and for coupling the ringing signal to a telephone is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rectifier coupled to the party line for providing a rectified ringing signal, a first switch having the rectified signal as an input for reversing the polarity of the rectified signal at selected times, a second switch coupled to the first switch for selecting either the rectified ringing signal or the ringing signal itself and a third switch coupled to the second switch for coupling the selected signal to a telephone coupled to the third switch.