Abstract: A method for selecting from a plurality of modes for an incoming call indicator is provided. One of the plurality of modes comprises alternating playing one of a series of user-recorded messages as the incoming call indicator to a called party. When an incoming call is received, the selected mode determines the incoming call indicator.

Abstract: A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher portion to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module portion to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee's computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority.

Abstract: A incoming-call tone generation device comprises: a first storage unit 1, for storing an effect calculation formula for incoming-call tone data; a second storage unit, for storing incoming-call tone data that consist of data for original sounds; a controller, for reading incoming-call tone data from the second storage unit and transmitting the data to a digital signal processor 4, and for controlling a D/A converter 5; the digital signal processor 4, for calculating an effect pattern and a sine wave using the calculation formula read from the first storage unit, and for performing an envelope process for the incoming-call tone data; the D/A converter 5, for converting, into analog data, digital incoming-call tone data obtained during the envelope process, and for outputting an analog incoming-call tone; and a loudspeaker 6 through which an analog incoming-call tone is released.

Abstract: A method and system to generate a communications identification announcement including an indication of an identity of an author of an incoming communication is disclosed. In an embodiment the method. Includes receiving a communication having a communication identifier and then searching a database to match the communication identifier to a data or audio file in the database that had been mapped to the communication identifier. If the communication identifier is located, then the data or audio file having the communications identification announcement including the identity of the author of the communication is announced to the contacted party. If the communication identifier is not located, then a previously stored announcement, generated in anticipation of failing to locate the communication identifier, may be broadcast.

Abstract: A telephone display unit in which by rotating a dial reception data histories are sequentially displayed and if a name corresponding to a telephone number has been registered, the name is displayed. If a name is not registered, a telephone number is displayed. In case of a reception in which a message has been recorded, the display unit showing the presence of the message is lit and this fact is notified. By selecting a necessary message by the dial and pressing a switch constructed integratedly with the dial, the selected message is directly reproduced. Only the necessary message can be reproduced without reproducing unnecessary messages or the reception in which no message is recorded.

Abstract: A voice-ringing system is provided. The traditional telephone ring for notifying a called party of an incoming phone call is replaced by a short verbal announcement that is provided by the calling party when placing the phone call. In a manner similar to traditional telephone ringing, the announcement is repeated until the call is answered or until the caller abandons the unanswered call. One implementation for the voice-ringing system is to utilize the Internet as a signaling channel. The calling party establishes a call by utilizing a communications device that is connected to both the Internet and to a voice network. The verbal announcement is sent to the called party as a signal transmitted over the Internet. The called party hears the voice ring on a communications device that is also connected to both the Internet and a voice network. When the called party indicates that the call should be accepted, a return signal is sent to the calling party's communication device.

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: The present invention provides a caller name delivery service telecommunications system having caller screening and other options. The system includes intercepting a call from a calling subscriber to a desired called subscriber, as a first option, prompting the caller to either speak his or her name, or speak or punch a pin number as a second option, reviewing caller screen and caller pass-through lists to determine whether the intercepted call is on either list, playing a called subscriber announcement requesting voice identification of the calling subscriber, recording the voice identification on a recording medium, transmitting to the called subscriber the recorded voice message, recording the telephone number of the calling subscriber and playing the voice identification in a voice format by means of text to speech or recorded digits to speech technology, and requesting the called party to accept the call by a plurality of different options.

Abstract: Apparatus, in which the ringing device is driven by the human voice and includes an input audio analysis module which converts the audio data provided by the user into a sequence of notes to be played.

Abstract: Method for improving the calling procedures of telephones by creating customized messages for telephones coupled to a telephone exchange. The messages are registered on one or more sections of memory located in the telephone exchange and coupled to the telephone. The messages can be played over a boosted loudspeaker or the earphone of the telephone. When the telephone is switched on, but is not in communication with another telephone, the ring loudspeaker, if any, and the earphone loudspeaker are deactivated, and the boosted loudspeaker is activated. When a caller telephone receives a call from a caller telephone the activated boosted loudspeaker plays the chosen registered and optionally other messages. When the caller and the called telephone are hooked up, the boosted loudspeaker is deactivated, the earphone loudspeaker is activated and, thereby, placing the caller telephone in communication with said called telephone in the normal way.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and computer program product for providing a flexible ringer for multiple deskset phones. A controller detects a flag message that precedes an incoming telephone call, and selects one or more frequencies based on a local expectation of a ringing telephone at the geographic location, or according to a user preference. A digital signal processor (DSP) generates a digital ringer signal based the selected frequencies. An audio code converts the digital ringer signal to an analog ringer signal and sends the analog ringer signal to multiple deskset phones using a receive cable. The analog ringer signal is amplified to drive a speaker that converts the analog ringer signal into an audible ringer sound at each deskset phone. The audible ringer sound can be customized for multiple geographic locations by modifying the selected frequencies used in the digital ringer signal.