Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for determining whether subscribers of mobile network operators are line holders for the line being used by them or not. The data collection unit, the data interpretation unit, the learning unit, the estimation unit and the database are included within the inventive system.

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.

Abstract: A method of associating a voice font with a contact for text-to-speech conversion at an electronic device includes obtaining, at the electronic device, the voice font for the contact, and storing the voice font in association with a contact data record stored in a contacts database at the electronic device. The contact data record includes contact data for the contact.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method and system of handling a call received at a call center is disclosed. The method includes determining that the call is a repeat call. The method also includes determining whether the repeat call is to receive a first treatment type. The method further includes servicing the repeat call with the first treatment type when the repeat call is determined to receive the first treatment type. The method includes servicing the repeat call with a second treatment type when the repeat call is determined to not receive the first treatment type. The second treatment type includes providing access to a self-service automated system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system (100) and method (200, 300, 400) for creating audio identification messages for a first communication device (102). In one arrangement, the method can include the step of populating a call list. This can be done by associating a recorded audio identification message with a caller identification (106) of a second communication device (104) that calls the first communication device, and storing (210) the recorded audio identification message in a call list. The audio identification message can be recorded by a user of the second communication device. In another arrangement, the method can include the steps of playing (308) the audio identification message and initiating (314) a call to an entry associated with the audio identification message.

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 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.

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: 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 system and method for providing information about a calling party to a called party is disclosed. Generally, a network element obtains information about a calling party when a telephone line of a called party is busy. The network element notifies the called party that the calling party is attempting to contact the called party and transmits an audible version of the information about the calling party to the called party without receiving an input from the called party.

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.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing additional information to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system user is presented. A call from a user is received at the IVR system, and a session is provided for the user. Additionally, a page is generated for the session. The page is communicated to the user; and is dynamically updated for the user as the user traverses menus of the IVR system.

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for addressing billing in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) utilizing store-and-automatic forward transmission, in which method the message addressed to a B-subscriber is transmitted from a terminal (TA) of an A-subscriber to a server (MMSC) of the multimedia messaging service system, the arrival of said message to the server (MMSC) is reported to a wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber, and in which method said message is transmitted from the server (MMSC) further to the wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber. According to the invention, the message addressed to the B-subscriber is retrieved to the wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber from the server (MMSC) by establishing a substantially toll-free data transmission connection between wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber and the server (MMSC), said data transmission connection being opened by the terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information about a calling party to a called party is disclosed. Generally, a network element obtains information about a calling party when a telephone line of a called party is busy. The network element notifies the called party that the calling party is attempting to contact the called party and transmits an audible version of the information about the calling party to the called party without receiving an input from the called party.

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: An apparatus and method for audibly annunciating at a device information transmitted over a telephone network. The information is transmitted in the form of a modulated signal to the device wherein the modulated signal is representative of the information. The apparatus includes a receiver for capturing a ring signal and a modulated signal representative of information transmitted over a telephone network during an interval between the ring signal and a subsequent ring signal; a converter in communication with the receiver for converting the modulated signal into a stream of audible signals; and a speaker in communication with the converter for producing audible sounds corresponding to the stream of audible signals representative of the information received over the telephone network.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for alerting a user of an incoming phone call is disclosed. In one step, notification of the incoming phone call is received with an identifier that is associated with the incoming phone call. The identifier associated with the incoming phone call is detected. The identifier is correlated with a pre-recorded voice announcement and the pre-recorded voice announcement is played.

Abstract: An Audio Caller ID service is provided which permits the calling party to speak a real time audio message that can be received and played by the called party's Caller ID equipment while his telephone equipment remains in the “on-hook” state. A calling party which has Audio Caller ID (ACID) service would speak a short audio message before dialing the called party. That message is converted to digital form, optionally compressed, and transferred to the called party in a manner similar to conventional Caller ID information. The called party's Caller ID equipment operates in the conventional manner, except that the received Audio Caller ID signal is recognized as an audio signal. At the site of the called party, a decoder is provided to convert the digital signal to an analog audio signal, and this analog signal is provided to a speaker, which plays back the calling party's audio message.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting message to a customer when the customer is busy on a previous call and receives a current call. The call waiting message preferably includes a call waiting indicator and an audible representation of information associated with a current calling party. The call waiting message alerts the customer that a current call is waiting and provides the customer with information that assists the customer in deciding whether or not to take the current call. The call waiting indicator and the information associated with a current calling party are automatically transmitted to the customer without any customer commands.

Abstract: A mobile telephone comprises a telephony unit to process wireless telephony signals and a browser to enable the user to navigate hypermedia information via a wireless network. The telephony unit receives a signal indicating an incoming telephone call with Caller-ID information. The telephony unit provides the Caller-ID information to the browser, which uses the Caller-ID information to identify an action or data previously associated with the Caller-ID information. In one embodiment, the browser looks up ring tone data associated with the Caller-ID information and provides the ring tone data to the telephony unit, which causes a ring tone to be generated based on the ring tone data. Distinctive ring tones may be associated with particular callers or groups of callers. The browser may request ring tone data from a remote server over the wireless network.

Abstract: A system and method of message indicating that enable the sender of a message to chose the ringing tone of the receiver's cellular telephone upon arrival of the sender's message. The sender has the ability to either choose or create the ringing tone to be played on the receiver's cellular telephone. The sender also has the ability to create either SMS or multimedia messages to be sent with the ringing tone. The ringing tones may also be chosen or downloaded from Internet sites.

Abstract: A telephone call information delivery system includes answering circuitry to answer a telephone call incoming from a service provider and to attain information input by a caller. The system further includes an information signal provider to provide at least one signal to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user. As an example, from the delivered information the user can decide whether or not to answer the incoming call. In another embodiment, the system further includes an alert signal provider to provide a signal to alert the user and an activator to receive instruction from the user. The information signal provider operates responsive to the activator. This embodiment answers an incoming call, attains information from the caller, alerts the user, the user then instructs the activator and the signal provider responds and delivers attained information to the user. The user then decides whether to answer the call.

Abstract: In a communication terminal apparatus such as a portable telephone, it is made possible to sound ring tones of good tone quality simply by using arbitrary music or the like. In a communication terminal that conducts radio communication with a predetermined station and incorporates a music or speech data reproduction function, ring tones according to selected data included in previously prepared data for ring tones is outputted in response to an incoming call when a first mode has been set, whereas ring tones according to data of a previously set section included in music or speech data stored in a reproduction function section is outputted, in response to an incoming call when a second mode has been set.

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 present invention provides for customizing a telephony ring signal to correspond to the originator of an incoming call. Preferably, a user will access an application server using a browser to associate audio files with telephone numbers of people who are expected to call the user. The application server will create an association between the audio files and the telephone numbers and download indicia bearing on the association to the user's telephony device. Upon receiving an incoming call from a number associated with an audio file, the telephone will play the audio file as the ring signal.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to simplify operation of a folding type portable communication device 1 in making a switch or selection between a call reception vibration mode and a call reception sound mode. The device 1 has two communication units 2 and 3. A two-level switch 4 can detect an unfolded position or a folded position of the communication units 2 and 3, causing a mode selector 5 to select a call reception vibration mode or a call reception sound mode. The mode selector 5 has a first circuit 14 for driving a vibrator 6 and a second circuit 15 for driving a sounder 7. The mode selector 5 has a controller 16. The controller 16 energizes one of the first and second circuits 14 and 15 in response to the selected mode upon reception of a call.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a mixed audible signal which includes a ringing tone and the identity of a calling party upon receiving the incoming call of the calling party. The incoming call can be a voice call, a call to convey an MMS message, or a call to convey an SMS message. A TTS synthesizer is used to generate sounds representative of the text identifying the caller if the identity can be found in a caller ID database. A MIDI protocol is used to generate a ringing tone of one or more musical note sequences. A combining module is used to integrate the TTS message and the MIDI tone into the mixed audible signal. Whether only the ringing tone or the mixed audible signal is played is selectable based on a use profile of the device.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting message to a customer when the customer is busy on a previous call and receives a current call. The call waiting message preferably includes a call waiting indicator and an audible representation of information associated with a current calling party. The call waiting message alerts the customer that a current call is waiting and provides the customer with information that assists the customer in deciding whether or not to take the current call. The call waiting indicator and the information associated with a current calling party are automatically transmitted to the customer without any customer commands.

Abstract: A communications terminal equipment according to the invention is a communications terminal equipment connected to a single communication circuit for use by a plurality of users, comprising an extension number database which is a first database, provided in a memory, a processor, and a speech output unit. Respective names of cataloged users of the communications terminal equipment and numbers corresponding to the respective names of the cataloged users are stored (cataloged) in the extension number database as cataloged extension numbers. The processor receives a designated cataloged extension number, as designated and inputted by a caller, and identify the name of a target call receiver by referring the designated cataloged extension number to the cataloged extension numbers in the extension number database.

Abstract: A sound element database is installed in an analog telephone hub. When hold operation or the like is performed on an analog telephone during voice communication, the analog telephone hub selectively reads out necessary sound element data from the sound element database, and sends the sound element data or the type information of the sound element data to an analog telephone on the held party side through a LAN. In an analog telephone hub on the held part side, an audible sound is generated on the basis of sound element data read out from the sound element database on the basis of the sent sound element data or the sound element data type information. This audible sound is supplied to the analog telephone on the held party side to be output. With this operation, an audible sound indicating the operation state of a communication terminal can be effectively transmitted to the communication terminal of the other party.

Abstract: A telephone reads out caller information between rings even if a caller is unregistered. The telephone includes a caller information receiver for receiving a call ring and caller information coming in from a caller identification service, a caller information memory for storing the received caller information, a voice generator for generating voice data from the caller information, a speaker for outputting the voice data, and an output-time monitor for monitoring appropriate and inappropriate time for announcing the caller information in voice form.

Abstract: Telephones, telephone answering devices (“TADs”) or larger systems are equipped to output audio announcements which identify the sources of incoming calls by comparing caller identity (“CID”) data and ring cadence signals in an incoming call with reference parameters. If a match occurs an audio announcement is output. Customized audio announcements may be recorded by a caller so they may be played back as a way of announcing incoming calls or as a greeting. The announcements are stored voices of callers who have originated incoming calls.

Abstract: A network for providing a telecommunications service with automatic speech recognition to a telecommunications user, including a switch in communication with a telecommunications device associated with the telecommunications user for detecting a terminating trigger specific to the telecommunications service in response to an incoming communication to the telecommunications device from a calling party, and an intelligent resource server in communication with the switch for receiving the incoming communication from the switch, for placing an outgoing communication to the telecommunications device via the switch, the outgoing communication including an audible message identifying the calling party, and for automatically recognizing a predetermined keyword spoken by the telecommunications user in response to the outgoing communication.