Including Musical Sound Generation Patents (Class 379/374.01)
  • Patent number: 9344543
    Abstract: A system is providing for augmenting multimedia playback on a mobile device. The system includes the mobile device and an auxiliary loudspeaker device. The mobile device includes a telecoil transmitter and is configured to, in a multimedia mode, provide a multimedia audio signal to the telecoil transmitter for transmission to the auxiliary loudspeaker device. The auxiliary loudspeaker device includes a telecoil to receive the transmitted multimedia audio signal and plays a low frequency portion of multimedia audio content at a loudspeaker of the auxiliary loudspeaker device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Lewis, Michael Burke
  • Patent number: 9332574
    Abstract: A method of establishing a persistent emergency call and positional indication of the call is provided. Upon a call center receiving a call by a user equipment (UE) device, a request for a the UE device to perform a function, such as provide its current location, is issued and a pseudo hold mode initiated by temporarily severing the voice call. The user of the UE device is aware of the pseudo hold mode but unaware of the call termination. While on the pseudo hold mode, the current location is determined, the call is subsequently reestablished and the pseudo hold mode terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Monica Chitre, Yoganand Rajala, Peter C. Bates
  • Patent number: 8983056
    Abstract: A communication system determining a virtual number of a receiver's terminal included in a call connecting request signal when a caller's terminal makes a call connection request to the receiver's terminal and providing a ring back tone or a sound message corresponding to the virtual number, and a method thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Woowa Brothers Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Bong Jin Kim, Yong Cheol Kwon
  • Patent number: 8879706
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing a ring back to a calling party's communications device. A first call is placed to a called number. An identification sequence is received during the first call. When the first call ends, a second call is placed to a server. The identification sequence is sent to the server during the second call, and the ring back associated with the identification sequence is received. The ring back is stored in memory of the calling party's communications device and retrieved when subsequent calls are made to the called number. The ring back is then presented on the calling party's communications device to indicate the called number is ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Zampiello
  • Patent number: 8804937
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: OnMobile Live, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. DeMent, Christophe Gerard
  • Patent number: 8630671
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Taryn Moody, Doree Duncan Seligmann
  • Patent number: 8594318
    Abstract: When a number of users share one telephone number, the present invention indicates who the callee (the person the caller wants to talk to) is, with personalized rings and information shown on a display, so as to allow each user to quickly identify calls directed to him/her. A mobile phone user could inform the callee his/her intent and/or the urgency level of the call by selecting from options provided by the callee reflecting the callee's preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Bessy Wen-Han Liang, Alice Wen-Chi Liang, Anna P. Liang, Barry C. Liang
  • Patent number: 8423091
    Abstract: A portable telephone is characterized in that it includes a ringing mechanism (1) including at least one sound element (10) and at least one actuator member (8) able to come into mechanical contact with the sound element (10) so as to make it produce a sound, and electronic elements of control of the ringing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Celsius X VI II
    Inventor: Thomas Pruvot
  • Patent number: 8422952
    Abstract: A wireless communication terminal comprising a network communication unit, short distance wireless communication unit, an input unit and a control unit. The network communication unit transmits radio signals to communication network via a base station. The short distance wireless communication unit transmits radio signals to and from an external device. The short distance wireless communication unit establishes a voice link between the wireless communication terminal and the external device to transmit sound data. The input unit inputs a volume control instruction. The control unit controls the short distance wireless communication unit to send a signal based on the volume control instruction if the voice channel is established between the wireless communication terminal and the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventors: Hiroto Sato, Toshiya Tamura
  • Patent number: 8401005
    Abstract: In a method for processing contents of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, a SIP sender sends a SIP message, and a SIP network content processing entity sets the message contents of the SIP message based on an acquired management strategy for the message content. A network for processing contents of a SIP message is also provided. Message contents of the SIP message may thereby be changed in the SIP message in accordance with the user's will and the strategy of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Zhu, Long Luo, Yajuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8385830
    Abstract: A wireless communication terminal comprising a network communication unit, short distance wireless communication unit, an input unit and a control unit. The network communication unit transmits radio signals to communication network via a base station. The short distance wireless communication unit transmits radio signals to and from an external device. The short distance wireless communication unit establishes a voice link between the wireless communication terminal and the external device to transmit sound data. The control unit discards a volume update notification received from the external device via the short distance wireless communication unit if the voice link has not been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventors: Hiroto Sato, Toshiya Tamura
  • Patent number: 8363816
    Abstract: An incoming call answering and rejecting method, an electronic device, and a digital data storage media are provided. The method is applied to an electronic device having a touch screen and has the following steps. A request of an incoming call is received. A dragging signal is generated on the touch screen. When the dragging signal is an answering signal, the incoming call is answered. When the dragging signal is a rejecting signal, the incoming call is rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Yuan-Mao Tsuei
  • Patent number: 8331551
    Abstract: A system 10 and method for identifying a caller using associated voice or sound announcements is disclosed. An associated voice announcement or announcements may be in calling party's own voice. The system 10 is capable of playing a different announcement in place of each ring. The different announcements may be played sequentially, randomly, or pseudo-randomly. Alternatively, a single announcement may be played in lieu of a single selected ring or in lieu of all rings after a specified ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Heimbecher Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Reed Heimbecher
  • Patent number: 8270596
    Abstract: An incoming call prompting method is provided. The method includes the step of: providing a data storage for storing a note table, a melodic companion table, and an audio clip database; receiving an incoming call and sending the incoming call to a decoder to phone number of the incoming call; storing the phone number in the data storage; obtaining a predetermined digit set from the incoming call phone number stored in the data storage; obtaining the assigned note of each digit of the digit set, and piecing together a melodious sequence of note based upon a pre-determined algorithm guiding selection and sequencing of a combination of the primary notes and/or companion notes of the melodic companion table to edit a melody; and obtaining and outputting audio clip of each note of the edited melody in turn to generate a music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuan-Hong Wang, Li-Zhang Huang, Hsiao-Chung Chou, Xiao-Guang Li, Kuan-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8223957
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Sudeep Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 8204257
    Abstract: A method for increasing ring tone volume is provided. The method includes steps of: reading an audio file which is set as a current ring tone; determining whether the ring tone is a MP3 audio file or a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) audio file; adjusting frequencies by using an equalizer technique to increase volume of the ring tone if the ring tone is the MP3 audio file; adjusting a volume level of the ring tone to be the highest volume level, and adjusting timbre of the ring tone to increase the ring tone volume by simulating a musical score of the ring tone by using different instruments if the ring tone is the MIDI audio file. A related system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Meng-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 8155705
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Yen Liu
  • Patent number: 8150023
    Abstract: A system directs action based on distinguishing audio content received in response to placing an outbound call. The system comprises an audio signal analysis system and an audio content analysis system. The audio signal analysis system directs a portion of an audio signal that comprises audio content to the audio content analysis system. The audio content analysis system: i) receives portions of the audio signal comprising audio content; and ii) directs handling of the outbound call in response to detecting a characteristic of the audio content. The audio content system: i) directs a first handling of the outbound call in response to identifying a first characteristic of the audio content; and ii) directs a second handling of the outbound call in response to identifying a second characteristic of the audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Williams, Jeremy Starcher
  • Patent number: 8150025
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Daniel Koser, Jeffery L. Scruggs, Stephen Mark Mueller
  • Patent number: 8073495
    Abstract: A sender-specified courtesy notification scheme to delay notification by a receiving device of the receipt of a data message is disclosed. A sender may specify a notification parameter defining a delay and send the parameter in association with the data message to a recipient. The recipient's receiving device evaluates the parameter and notifies in response. Local notification data defined by the recipient may also be evaluated. Received data messages subject to delayed notification may be hidden by the receiving device or quietly displayed (e.g. as per other received messages) until the expiry of the delay. Notification parameters and data can be formulated as one or more rules which may take into account the current location of the receiving device. A notification delay may be ignored in certain situations depending on recent use of the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Denny Chiu, Ahmed E. Hassan, John F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8064578
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts, Hong Thi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8045683
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts, Hong Thi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8035022
    Abstract: In a method for delivering signaling tones to signaling devices or signaling systems, a signaling tone sequence is selected from a set of undelivered signaling tone sequences. The selected signaling tone sequence is removed from the set of undelivered signaling tone sequences, and the selected signaling tone sequence is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Wolfram Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Wolfram
  • Patent number: 8031854
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing a ring back to a calling party's communications device. A first call is placed to a called number. An identification sequence is received during the first call. When the first call ends, a second call is placed to a server. The identification sequence is sent to the server during the second call, and the ring back associated with the identification sequence is received. The ring back is stored in memory of the calling party's communications device and retrieved when subsequent calls are made to the called number. The ring back is then presented on the calling party's communications device to indicate the called number is ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Zampiello
  • Patent number: 7966034
    Abstract: A mobile communications device has a wireless transceiver to facilitate communications, memory, and a processor. The processor may be configured to analyze an audio file stored in the memory, and extract or generate synchronizing information from the audio file. The processor synchronizes one or more complementary multi-media effects, such as lights, a camera, or a tactile feedback generator, with the audio file based on the synchronizing information. Alternatively, a user may input synchronizing information about the audio file via an interface on the communications device. The processor may then control the complementary multi-media effects in synchronization with the input synchronizing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: John W. Northcutt, Charles Randall Yates, Robert A. Zak
  • Patent number: 7941126
    Abstract: Ring tones can be delivered on a communication network by associating one or more ring tones with a media file, such as a song, that may, for example, be purchased by a customer. The associated ring tones may be presented to a customer to allow the customer to choose which ring tone(s) he/she would like to have as well as to select how the ring tone(s) are to be delivered. For example, the ring tone(s) may be delivered directly to a phone using, for example, a Short Message Service (SMS) message. The ring tone(s) may also be delivered to a storage location, such as on a personal computer, for example, allowing the customer to install the ring tone(s) on his/her phone independently. A key may also be delivered to a storage location that allows the user to invoke the key at later time to trigger delivery of the ring tone(s) over the air via an SMS message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Dale Malik
  • Patent number: 7924996
    Abstract: Audibly identifying an event includes enabling selection of a first sound based upon an identifier. The identifier enables identification of an entity related to the event. A notification of an occurrence of the event is received. The notification includes the identifier. An intended recipient is alerted of the event by playing, in response to the notification, at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of a second sound that is related to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Appelman, Stephen Vaughan Murphy
  • Patent number: 7903808
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 7890147
    Abstract: A portable terminal device, which closes AV incoming call notification sound ringing at a headset when incoming call notification sound ringing processing through an AV profile competes with incoming call notification sound processing through a hands-free profile between a cellular phone and a headset, and when an in-band notification mode is set at the cellular phone, connects a sound link to perform communication through the hands-free profile, and starts ringing of an incoming call notification sound through the hands-free profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventors: Tosaku Tanada, Toshiya Tamura
  • Patent number: 7881456
    Abstract: An audio system including an audio-enhancing station including at least one speaker and an audio-enhancing station docking connector, a music phone configured to play audio files and function as a wireless communication device separate from the audio-enhancing station, the music phone including at least one speaker to emit sound from the playing of the audio files, and a music phone docking connector that connects with the audio-enhancing station docking connector to dock the music phone with the audio-enhancing station, wherein the music phone and the audio-enhancing station together form an audio system where the at least one speaker of the music phone and the at least one speaker of the audio-enhancing station emit sound from the playing of the audio files on the music phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Eva Russell, Frank Tyneski, Russell Paik, Leung Philip, Hosler Travis, Gant Evan
  • Patent number: 7844047
    Abstract: Systems for providing a tune master internet protocol (IP) device includes a communications network configured to provide caller identification information for an incoming telephone call and a processor that is coupled to the communications network. The processor is configured with telephony capabilities and to receive the caller identification information for an incoming telephone call, to access a storage device having tunes, to associate a tune with the caller identification information, and to play the associated tune as notification of the incoming telephone call. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts, Hong Thi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7813490
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: NMS Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. DeMent, Christophe Gerard
  • Patent number: 7738651
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for customizing an audio file, such as a ring tone stored in a mobile device is described herein. In particular, a mobile device according to the present invention includes an audio utility and an audio processor. The audio utility stores one or more pointers associated with a stored audio file. Each pointer identifies a specific user-selected start position for the audio file. Whenever the audio processor plays the audio file, the audio processor plays the audio file from the start position identified by one of the user-selected pointers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Douglas Miller
  • Patent number: 7693553
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Taryn Moody, Doree Duncan Seligmann
  • Patent number: 7675907
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiko Nishida, Kiyoshi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 7672439
    Abstract: Audibly identifying an event includes enabling selection of a first sound based upon an identifier. The identifier enables identification of an entity related to the event. A notification of an occurrence of the event is received. The notification includes the identifier. An intended recipient is alerted of the event by playing, in response to the notification, at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of a second sound that is related to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Appelman, Stephen Vaughan Murphy
  • Patent number: 7602901
    Abstract: A method and system for providing an audible calling party identification and/or an audible calling/called party ringback services (“services”) is disclosed. The system may include (and the method may perform the services in) a network having source, network, and destination nodes. The source and destination nodes may be equipped with ringtone-generation engines to generate ringtones. Each of the ringtones includes at least one audible tone. The method may include the source and/or destination node receiving from the network node information for producing a ringtone (“ringtone information”). The ringtone information is originated toward the destination node in response to the source node initiating a call to the destination node. After receipt, the source and/or destination nodes may generate the ringtone using their ringtone-generation engines and the ringtone information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Jesse Kates, Robert Miller
  • Patent number: 7577247
    Abstract: The invention features a telephone, intercom, and clock. The telephone comprises a receiver adapted to receive a signal representing encoded first voice data; a processor comprising a media access controller adapted to obtain the encoded first voice data from the signal, and a digital signal processor adapted to decode the first voice data obtained by the media access controller; an output circuit; a digital-to-analog converter adapted to convert the first voice data decoded by the digital signal processor to a first analog signal, wherein the first analog signal is output to the output circuit; an input circuit; an analog-to-digital converter adapted to receive a second analog signal from the input circuit, and to convert the second analog signal to second voice data; wherein the digital signal processor is further adapted to encode the second voice data; and a transmitter adapted to transmit signals representing the encoded second voice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 7519166
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts, Hong Thi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7471783
    Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for replicating ring back tone (RBT). In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of sending a Play and Collect request to a media resource server (MRS) by an application server (AS), playing an RBT subscribed by the called party to the calling party and obtaining a Replicate RBT request initiated by the calling party according to the Play and Collect request by the MRS, receiving the Replicate RBT request obtained and sent by the MRS, by the AS, and sending a Replicate RBT command to an RBT platform according to the received Replicate RBT request by the AS, the Replicate RBT command carrying RBT replication information and instructing the RBT platform to replicate the requested RBT to an information library of the calling party. The invention also relates to a system and apparatus for implementing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qingchun Shen, Hui Yu
  • Patent number: 7454001
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing caller ID information related to a third party, to a telephone user already engaged in a telephone call with a second party. A burst of FSK data is transmitted to the user during the conversation with the second party. The FSK data signal is detected and modified as it is received, such as through the addition of a melody, prior to being audibly conveyed to the telephone user. The resulting modified signal is aesthetically pleasing to the user, while indicating to the user that communications with the second party are temporarily interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: VTECH Telecommunications, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sukhdeep Hundal, Gary Rogaiski, Kant Wong
  • Patent number: 7379760
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Miruka Ishii
  • Patent number: 7359737
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Miruka Ishii
  • Patent number: 7356132
    Abstract: Systems for providing a tune master telephone includes a telecommunications network and a communications device that is operatively coupled to the telecommunications network. The telecommunications network is configured to provide caller identification information for an incoming telephone call. The communications device is configured to receive the caller identification information, to associate a tune with the caller identification information, and to play the tune associated with the caller identification information as notification of an incoming call. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts, Hong Thi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7333818
    Abstract: An exemplary wireless device includes a communication radio and a position location receiver. When the wireless device has established a call with the communication radio, and a request for position location is received, the communication radio is deactivated while the position location information is collected using the position location receiver. A local warning message is communicated to the user of the mobile device while the communication radio is disabled. The warning message may be a text display, a graphical display, an audio message, or an input-key challenge. By generating and presenting the local warning message, the user is made aware that the lack of normal call activity is expected and temporary. After the position location information is collected, the call is resumed with the communication radio, and the position location information is transmitted. Since the mobile device is now acting with normal call activity, the local warning is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Doug Dunn
  • Patent number: 7253350
    Abstract: A vibration source driving device that realizes various vibration functions on portable telephones. The vibration source driving device includes a sound source for generating musical tone signals in response to music data. A vibration source to generate vibration, a driver to drive the vibration and a control circuit are further included such that the vibration source may be driven in synchronization with the rhythm signal within the music data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Noro, Takahiro Tanaka, Nobukazu Toba, Kiyoshi Yamaki
  • Patent number: 7242756
    Abstract: The present invention provides a caller with an arbitrary sound chosen by a called subscriber instead of a conventional RBT (RingBack Tone) without fails even in a flexible paging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Hyeok Hahm, Ki Mun Kim, Sang Yun Lee, Yeong Tee No
  • Patent number: 7242757
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an arbitrary sound chosen by a called subscriber for a caller instead of a conventional RBT (RingBack Tone).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Hyeok Hahm, Ki Mun Kim, Sang Yun Lee, Yeong Tae No, Jae Young Park
  • Patent number: 7236581
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for providing a calling subscriber with an arbitrary sound chosen by a called subscriber instead of a common ringback tone (RBT) with no progress tone. In this present invention, if a call is generated, a terminating exchanger starts paging of the called and simultaneously requests a trunk connection to a sound db server without waiting acknowledgement of the paging from the called based on the first information on whether or not to replace an RBT and the second information on a route to the sound db server that have been received from a home location register (HLR), and provides a called subscriber identification for the sound db server. Then, the sound db server searches its db for a sound specified by the called, and provides the found sound for the caller instead of a conventional RBT via the terminating exchanger connected through a trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Mun Kim, Yeong Tae No, Sang Yun Lee, Hee Hyeok Hahm
  • Patent number: 7196260
    Abstract: Within a mobile communication device (100), a method (300) of specifying two or more musical notes for substantially concurrent playback can include receiving (302) an input specifying a root note (FIG. 2 ) indicating a position on a neck of a stringed instrument and associating (308) at least one column of input keys such as numeric keys (115) of the mobile communication device with a string of the stringed instrument (130). Numeric keys next to one another and within a same column can specify notes which vary by approximately a half-step (130). The method also can include detecting (312) at least one activation of the numeric keys specifying at least one additional note to be played substantially concurrently or in a defined sequence with the root note (FIG. 5 ), thereby specifying a musical chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Schultz