Abstract: A method for replying to an incoming communication received by a handheld electronic device comprises detecting an incoming communication, detecting a selection of one of a number of predetermined responses to the incoming communication and, responsive to detecting a selection, providing the one of said number of predetermined responses. An improved handheld electronic device implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A phone call interruption method includes a telephone that is engaged with a call. An audible disruptive sound is played adjacent to the telephone with a sound generating assembly. The call is then ended either after or while the disruptive sound is played.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing an event alert. According to embodiments, a method for providing an event alert is provided. According to the method, an incoming communication from a first device is detected. An initiating party associated with the first device is identified. Whether the initiating party associated with the first device is further associated with an alert tag is determined. The alert tag may include an identifying alert identifying the initiating party associated with the first device. In response to determining that the initiating party associated with the first device is associated with the alert tag, the identifying alert is provided as the event alert on a second device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjusting a ring tone volume in a mobile communication terminal. The method implements a function by which a user can directly adjust the ring tone volume in a mobile communication terminal in consideration of circumstances. To this end, the present invention includes a user interface screen by which a user can adjust the output volume level of the ring tone which rings according to the passage of time. Thus, the present invention provides a user interface screen by which a user can adjust the output volume level of a ring tone which rings according to the passage of time, and enables the user to set the output level of the ring tone and the output time of the ring tone at a corresponding level according to predetermined intervals through the screen.

Abstract: A communications system and a method of detecting and learning new ringtones in an automatic manner, comprising a desk phone (1), a hook switch, a ringtone detector (3), and a communications device (2). In a first embodiment a mechanical hook switch device is connected to the desk phone (1), and in a second embodiment an electronic hook switch unit (9) is connected to the desk phone (1). The ringtone detector (3) adaptively sets the filter and amplifier parameters according to the sensor position and pick-up sensitivity. The ringtone detector (3) automatically detects and learns the characteristics of new ringtones. The communications device (2) may comprise a base station (6) and a headset (7).

Abstract: Request information received by a call handler system specifies multiple acceptable call connection encoding options or formats for communicating with a caller. The call handler system forwards the multiple acceptable call connection encoding options to a called destination. The called destination responds with a selection of a first call connection option from the multiple call connection options. The call handler system selects a second call connection option for providing a ring-back tone to the caller while waiting for the called destination to answer his phone. During the wait, the call handler system provides a ring-back tone to the caller via the second call connection encoding option. Upon detection of the called destination answering his phone, the call handler system discontinues playback of the ring-back tone and notifies the caller to communicate with the called destination via the first call connection encoding option as selected by the called destination.

Abstract: A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request.

Abstract: A device may receive a telephone call, automatically create a ring tone in response to receiving the telephone call, and cause the ring tone to be audibly provided to a user.

Abstract: A method of administering a priority service is provided in a telecommunications network (20). The priority service provides higher priority handling of calls employing the service as compared to calls not employing the service for purposes of call completion. The method includes: obtaining at least one authentication credential from a user placing a call over the network (20); verifying a validity of the obtained credential; designating the call for priority handling if the credential is valid, otherwise designating the call for non-priority handling if the credential is invalid; and, attempting to complete the call over the network (20) in accordance with the designated handling.

Abstract: A method for playing a Ring Back Tone (RBT) in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is disclosed. The method includes: after the network receives an RBT playing request, obtaining the current status information of the called user; determining an RBT ID corresponding to the called user ID and the current status information of the called user according to the corresponding relationship; and playing the RBT to the calling user. A system and Multimedia Ring Back Tone Application Server (MRBT AS) for playing an RBT in the IMS network are also provided. An RBT may be selected and played to the calling user according to the current status of the called user.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for providing at least one audible message at a communication device in replacement of a pre-determined telephone tone. There is provided a tone detector interface for detecting the pre-determined telephone tone provided at the communication device; an audible messages database accessible to the tone detector interface and the communication device, the audible messages database storing the audible messages; and a tone replacement module in communication with the tone detector interface. The tone replacement module, in response to detecting the pre-determined telephone tone, may provide the audible message in replacement of the pre-determined telephone tone.

Abstract: An output system comprising an information reproduction device and an electronic device is provided. In the system, the electronic device comprises a first connection interface through which a command signal is transmitted and a reproduced signal is inputted, a command output unit to transmit the command signal for instructing execution of a reproduction process in response to occurrence of a predetermined event, and an output control unit to output reproduced information which is reproduced by the information reproduction device and corresponds to the reproduced signal. The information reproduction device comprises a second connection interface to interface the information reproduction device with the first connection interface, a storage unit storing information to be subjected to the reproduction process, a reproduction unit to execute the reproduction process, and a reproduction signal output unit to cause the reproduction unit to execute the reproduction process and to transmit the reproduced signal.

Abstract: A request is received from a user of a communication device to block a use of a ring tone remotely selected by another user for an incoming call to the communication device. The ring tone remotely selected by the other user is blocked from being played to the user of the communication device on the incoming call to the communication device.

Abstract: A display screen comprises a receiving module, a control module electronically connected to the receiving module, a backlight drive module, and a backlight module. The receiving module is configured for receiving incoming calls and transmitting the incoming calls to the control module. The control module is configured for converting incoming calls to control signals and transmitting the control signals to the backlight drive module. The backlight module has different operation modes according to the incoming calls. One end of the backlight drive module is electronically connected to the control module, the other end of the backlight drive module is electronically connected to the backlight module. The backlight drive module is configured for driving the backlight module. A method of shining the display screen is also provided.

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: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing announcements at a called number. A call is processed to the called number, and a database is queried for a name of an announcement for the call and an Internet Protocol address associated with the called number. A data message is sent to the Internet Protocol address that identifies the name of the announcement to be retrieved from memory of a device at the Internet Protocol address.

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 system may include a locator device to track a location of a user, store information identifying locations of a group of telephone devices, and identify one telephone device of the group of telephone devices based on the location of the one telephone device and the location of the user in response to an incoming telephone call request for the user.

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: 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 method, system and apparatus for announcing caller information to users over a television link. The method comprises receiving signalling information associated with an incoming call destined for a destination party, the signalling information comprising a portion conveying information regarding an origin of the incoming call and information regarding an identity of the destination party. The method also comprises attempting to establish a telephony link with a device associated with the destination party over a communication network in response to said receiving. The method further comprises attempting to establish a second telephony link with a processing entity to convey said portion of the signalling information to the processing entity to cause delivery of an indication of the origin of the incoming call over a television link associated with the destination party, said indication based on said information regarding an origin of the incoming call.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing multimedia content to a calling party device. Specifically, the method comprises receiving a multimedia ringback service request in response to a connection request for establishing a connection between the calling party device and a called party device, determining an address associated with the calling party device in response to the multimedia ringback service request, identifying the multimedia content associated with the multimedia ringback service request, and establishing at least one multimedia session with the calling party device using the address where the at least one multimedia session is operable for providing the multimedia content towards the calling party device contemporaneously with establishing the connection.

Abstract: Systems for providing a tune master caller identification (ID) device include a telecommunications network and a caller device configured to provide caller identification information for an incoming telephone call, and a tune master caller ID device that is coupled to a telephone device. The tune master caller ID device receives caller identification information, associates a tune with the caller identification information, and plays the tune associated with the caller identification. The telephone device coupled to the tune master caller ID device provides telephone call processing capabilities. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A controller ensures that ring-tones of a relatively-small pool of distinct ring-tones are individually assigned to telephones of a group of telephones in such a way as to maximize the physical separation of telephones with the same or similar ring-tones. One telephone after another generates an audio signal, such as a chirp or a ring-tone, while the other telephones listen for the audio signal and report results of their listening to the controller. The controller uses the results to assign ring-tones to the telephones. A graph-coloring algorithm may be used to make the assignments.

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: Caller identification information is conveyed to the called party in manners other than through the display of textual information on a display screen. The caller ID information may be provided as musical tones where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the musical tones being output, such as various musical notes and length of the note. The caller ID information may be provided as a light pattern where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the elements of the light pattern being output, such as colors, period of light, and flashes. The caller ID information may be provided as tactile patterns where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the elements of the tactile pattern being output, such as producing vibration patterns or Braille characters. The called party may then recognize the caller from the conveyed caller ID information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a call protecting method for the coloring ring back tones in an intelligent network, wherein said intelligent network includes an intelligent network service control point (SCP), a service switch point (SSP) and an intelligent peripheral (IP). The method includes the following steps: an IP-state detecting module is added to the IP for detecting whether the IP is available; the IP-state detecting module sends a state-query request to the IP for checking whether the IP is available; if the IP returns a result of availability, the SCP will direct the SSP to connect the call to the IP; if IP returns a result of unavailability, or returns no IP-state detecting result on time, then the SCP will direct the SSP to connect to the called directly rather than to the IP.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which allow a person to pre-set preferred calling times for receiving incoming calls. During these pre-set times (which could vary from day to day) calls that arrive are interrupted such that ringing tone is not applied to at least some of the telephones at the user's premises. The caller is informed that the user prefers not to receive calls until the pre-set time. In one embodiment, the caller is given the option of leaving a message or, if the caller desires, completing the call. The system can be implemented by a call answer machine at the customer's premises while in another embodiment the interrupt occurs at a central switching point.

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

Abstract: A system and method for a caller to control a tune notification for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a service control point. The service switching point is operable to receive a tune notification service access code and a called directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the service access code. The service control point is operable to receive the query and issue a response including a tune notification signal to the service switching point. Upon receiving the response from the service control point, the service switching point processes the call so that the tune notification signal causes the tune notification to be applied to a called telephone line associated with the called directory number.

Abstract: A method for customizing a communications network, including receiving, at a ringback update system, information regarding a machine recognizable feature associated with a printed matter located on an article, where the information is obtained with a feature recognition unit. The feature recognition unit is associated with or resides in or on a communications station associated with a called party, and further the information regarding a machine recognizable feature is transmitted from the feature recognition unit or from a communications station associated with the feature recognition unit. In addition, the method includes accessing, with the ringback update system, a storage device containing at least one announcement, downloading the announcement in response to receiving the information regarding a recognition of a machine recognizable feature and replacing a call signal with at least a portion of the at least one announcement.

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: A telephone and an incoming call notification method for the telephone in which telephone book data can be used to sound an incoming call sound of a specified date such as a birthday for a specific caller. When an incoming call to the mobile telephone of the present invention arrives from another telephone (s21), a control part of the mobile telephone determines whether or not a notification of the caller's telephone number has been made (s22). The birthday or the like of the caller can be quickly relayed before the telephone is taken off-hook, and an entertainment function can be provided.

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

Abstract: The apparatus may have: a telecommunication network having a tracking calling terminal and a tracked called terminal; a polled geofencing system associated with at least one predetermined area having a predetermined boundary, the tracked called terminal having a location relative to the predetermined boundary; and at least first and second predetermined ring-back tones having a functional relationship with the at least one predetermined boundary, the first predetermined ring-back tone being utilized when the tracked called terminal is within the predetermined boundary, and the second predetermined ring-back tone being utilized when the tracked called terminal is outside of the predetermined boundary; wherein the at least first and second predetermined ring-back tones alert the tracking calling terminal to a location, relative to the predetermined boundary as determined by the polled geofencing system, of tracked called terminal during a call setup between the designated tracked called terminal and the trackin

Abstract: A ring-back tone generator system receives an inbound call connection request forwarded from a phone switch (such as an MSC) that receives the inbound call connection request from a caller phone attempting to connect to a target phone (e.g., a subscriber). The ring-back tone generator system initiates generation of a first call connection on which to provide the customized ring-back tone (and/or custom video image data) to the caller phone. The ring-back tone generator system also transmits, based on receiving the inbound call connection request, an outbound call connection request to the phone switch (such as the MSC) to establish a second call connection through the phone switch to the target phone. Consequently, an MSC that normally handles such call processing now relies on the ring-back tone generator system to handle call processing and provide a custom ring-back tone service.

Abstract: A ring tone is played to a called party for a call that meets one or more criteria. The ring tone is remotely selected by a calling party or a third party.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and devices distinguish audio alerts emitted from a device. A method involves relating an audio alert and distinctive data associated with an audio alert triggering event to the audio alert triggering event, detecting an occurrence of the audio alert triggering event, altering the audio alert with the distinctive data to generate an altered audio alert associated with the audio alert triggering event, and emitting the altered audio alert from the device in response to detecting the occurrence. The altered audio alert includes a unique instantiation aurally recognizable by a human as having a unique aural fingerprint. Relating the distinctive data may include relating a personal identifier of a person associated with the audio alert triggering event wherein the personal identifier can be, for example, a social security number, an employee identification number, an address, or a birth date.

Abstract: A ringback/ringtone synchronization system for utilizing ringtones as replacement ringback announcements is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback/ringtone synchronization system to allow for modifications of the network service.

Abstract: A method includes enabling a user to define his/her buddies from among members of a community and enabling the user to select media content to be played on devices of his/her buddies. Another method includes providing media content chosen by a first user to be played by a media player on a device of a second user in response to an identification of the first user.

Abstract: A method for activating a distinctive ring-tone can include the steps of extracting caller identifying data from an incoming phone call; comparing the caller identifying data to data in a caller list; determining whether the caller is authorized to activate a distinctive ring-tone based upon the comparison; and, activating a distinctive ring-tone if the caller is authorized and if a request to activate a distinctive ring-tone can be detected in the incoming phone call. The extracting step can include the step of extracting a source phone number from the incoming phone call. The determining step can include the step of determining whether the caller has been included in the caller list as an authorized caller. Conversely, the determining step comprises the step of determining whether the caller has been included in the caller list as an unauthorized caller.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for selecting a ringtone to accompany an incoming call to a wireline telephone. The incoming call is received at a switch, the ringtone is selected, and a data message is sent to the called station. The data message includes information representing the selected ringtone. The incoming call is connected to the called station via a wireline connection. Another embodiment allows a user to select the ringtone, and the selected ringtone is communicated to an intelligent telecommunications switch. The user's selected ringtone is then presented during the incoming call to the wireline telephone.

Abstract: A control block recognizes the other party of the telephone call when both calling and called case. When the user operates the reservation melody key of the key input block while talking over the telephone and the telephone call reservation is directed, the control block retrieves telephone/E-mail memory and judges for the calling melody number whether to be registered. Because calling melody number 1 is registered, music data 1 is read, and the mute is placed “on” so that the voice from mike is not transmitted. When the control block outputs music data 1 to melody generation block, the melody generation block generates the calling melody signal based on music data 1, and transmits it to the other party of the telephone call via modem, sending and receiving block and antenna. Moreover, the control block always observes the control channel specified by the base station while waiting.

Abstract: Audibly informing a recipient of an arrival of a digital communication from a sender includes receiving a digital communication from a sender directed to a recipient and determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier that identifies the sender of the digital communication and that is designated by the sender of the digital communication. Perception by the recipient of the audio identifier is conditioned on whether the digital communication is determined to be associated with the audio identifier. The audio identifier is perceived prior to or concurrent with perception of the digital communication by the recipient.

Abstract: A mobile handset including a light-alert feature that overcomes some of the problems of cell phone ringers and vibration mechanisms. A mobile handset includes a phone housing, a display carried by the phone housing, one or more illumination devices other than the display carried by the housing that illuminate upon one or more events, and at least one of electronics and software to cause the one or more illumination devices to illuminate upon one or more events.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling a telecommunications terminal to notify its user of the arrival of a message via an acoustic or visual signal whose properties are based on attributes of the message. A network infrastructure element (e.g., a switch, a private branch exchange [PBX], a server, etc.) receives a message directed to a terminal and sets the values of ringtone properties (e.g., tempo, volume, pitch, rhythm, etc.) based on attributes of an incoming message (e.g., the sender, a priority, a subject, the location from which the message was sent, etc.). In a first illustrative embodiment the network infrastructure element sends the message and the instantiated ringtone to the terminal, while in a second illustrative embodiment the network infrastructure element sends the message and the property values to the terminal, and the terminal plays a locally-stored ringtone in accordance with the property values.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wire and/or wireless handwriting instant messenger system and a method for realizing the same. In the wire and/or wireless handwriting instant messenger system, handwritten input information created in a handwritten input information generator is transmitted from a transmission terminal through a wire/wireless network, and received in a reception terminal, thereby allowing users to make communication with each other.

Abstract: One or more of telephony functions and communication routing management are controlled by one or more of presence information, environmental information and physiological information. An analysis of the one or more of presence information, environmental information and physiological information is compared with a profile and the one or more of telephony functions and communication routing modified in accordance with a rule set associated with the profile. The environmental and physiological information can be acquired by a communications device associated with a person or through the communications device communicating with one or more dedicated environmental or physiological sensors.

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