Dynamic Audio Signal Recording Or Reproduction Patents (Class 379/68)
  • Patent number: 6944440
    Abstract: A method for managing voice messages in a mobile telephone, including a voice message store mode and a voice message reproduce mode. In the voice message store mode, the remaining memory capacity is calculated first, and, if there is sufficient memory, the voice message begins to be stored while the length of the currently storing voice message is displayed. At predetermined time intervals, the remaining memory capacity is calculated again and the displayed length is updated. If it is determined that there is insufficient memory capacity, a memory full message is displayed. When the voice message is completely stored, storage-related information is calculated and stored with the voice message. In the voice reproduce mode, the last stored message is found and then reproduced while the time remaining in the stored message is displayed. The time remaining is updated at predetermined time intervals. If scroll key input is detected, the next-to-last previous voice message is found and reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 6937700
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for outputting display data information displayed on a display section as audio of a portable telephone, comprising: an audio output key for selecting an audio output mode of the portable telephone; a memory for storing the data displayed on the display section of the portable telephone; an audio memory for storing an audio data corresponding to the audio output mode of the portable telephone; an audio processing section adapted to modulate an audio signal inputted from a microphone for conversion to an audio data, and demodulate an audio data inputted from an RF processing section and the audio data stored in the audio memory to an audio signal to output the demodulated audio signal as voice to the outside through a speaker; and a control section adapted to read out the data displayed in the display section from the memory and the audio data corresponding to a selected audio output mode from the audio memory, respectively, when a predetermined audio output mode is selected by manipulati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Sik Jang
  • Patent number: 6885732
    Abstract: A method and implementing processing system are provided in which, in addition to normal playback modes, users of voice mail devices are enabled to select a vignette playback mode in which shortened versions of received messages are played back to the user. In one embodiment, a user is able to have the shortened versions or vignettes played back sequentially without interruption. In another embodiment, the user may select to pause after each playback in order to manage or otherwise dispose of the played message. In yet another embodiment, the user is enabled to select vignette mode playback default values including, but not limited to, selecting which portion of received messages are to be played back, and the duration of each vignette message playback. The user is also enabled to input new vignette playback values in place of the default values for each received message or group of received messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Fellenstein, Carl Phillip Gusler, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, James Wesley Seaman
  • Patent number: 6879665
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in a computer for processing voice messages. A voice message is recorded. Responsive to recording of the voice message, an identifying string is automatically inserted into a text message identifying a presence of a voice message. Responsive to recording the voice message, the voice message is automatically appended to a text message to form an appended voice message. The text message is sent with the appended voice message. When a message is received, the text in the received message is parsed to see if an identifying string is present indicating that the received message is a voice message. Responsive to a determination that the received message is a voice message, a graphical user interface including controls for presenting the voice message is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Andrew Cook, Jianming Dong, John Martin Mullaly, Craig Ardner Swearingen, Alan Richard Tannenbaum
  • Patent number: 6876729
    Abstract: A voice message is bookmarked by marking the voice message with a bookmark in a bookmark location. The voice message is accessed at the bookmark location by selecting the bookmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Kuter, Gordon R. Brunson
  • Patent number: 6868144
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server a proxy interface and a message protocol convertor. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol convertor to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignees: SBC Properties, L.P., Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Siu-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6816577
    Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user and selectively transmitted to the remote listener at a time when it is inappropriate for the handset user to speak, such as when an incoming call arrives when the user in a meeting or theater. In addition, a designated recorded message may be transmitted at future designated time to a designated telephone number supplied by the user, and may request and save a response recorded by the remote listener after the designed message is transmitted. The handset's keypad is used to accept data and commands from the user in a menu system that controls message recording, selection, playback and transmission, as well as the playback of responses recorded by the recipient of a transmitted message. Messages may be entered as character data and transmitted as spoken messages when prerecorded messages do not satisfy needs that arise during a conversation that is being conducted under “silent” conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: James D. Logan
  • Publication number: 20040174963
    Abstract: A method and implementing processing system are provided in which, in addition to normal playback modes, users of voice mail devices are enabled to select a vignette playback mode in which shortened versions of received messages are played back to the user. In one embodiment, a user is able to have the shortened versions or vignettes played back sequentially without interruption. In another embodiment, the user may select to pause after each playback in order to manage or otherwise dispose of the played message. In yet another embodiment, the user is enabled to select vignette mode playback default values including, but not limited to, selecting which portion of received messages are to be played back, and the duration of each vignette message playback. The user is also enabled to input new vignette playback values in place of the default values for each received message or group of received messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Fellenstein, Carl Phillip Gusler, Rick Allen Hamilton, James Wesley Seaman
  • Patent number: 6778639
    Abstract: In a method form of the invention, a method for authorizing recording of a telephone communication includes determining if permission has been granted to record a telephone communication in a telephone call. A communication in the telephone call is recorded by a message-recording apparatus for a first caller's telephone responsive to receiving permission for the recording from a second caller's telephone. A key is associated with the recording. The key authorizes transferring the recording to another message-recording apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Phillip Gusler, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Stephanie Elise Woods
  • Publication number: 20040131161
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording a telephone call upon demand by a party to the telephone call. The method includes the steps of receiving a request from a first party to record a telephone call between the first party and a second party, establishing a third-party connection with the first party and the second party, receiving the telephone call, and storing the content of the telephone call in memory for subsequent delivery or retrieval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: William I. Schwartz, Robert M. Charland
  • Patent number: 6760410
    Abstract: A computer having automatic answering state displaying and processing functions includes an automatic answering setting unit for outputting an automatic answering guide message, preset by a user, for when a telephone call from the outside is received through a modem, portion for storing a predetermined received message from the outside according to the automatic answering guide message, portion for displaying that there is the received message in response to a display signal, a telephone button for generating an answering confirmation signal when the user notices the display portion and presses the telephone button, a microcomputer for generating the display signal to control the display portion, if there is the received message, and detecting the answering confirmation signal generated from the telephone button, and an automatic answering processing unit for informing the microcomputer that the received message is stored in the storage portion and informing the user of the received message from the storage p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20040081292
    Abstract: A system and method for recording a telephone conference and replaying a portion of the recording during the conference. Users can participate in the conference by connecting through different types of networks using a device having one or more types of communication lines. The recording can be in audio format, text format (obtained by converting the audio to text), or both. Thus, users could potentially recall and replay textual information in addition to the recorded audio. Other information—such as time and user data—may also be recorded along with the audio and text. Both text and audio may be compressed (in real time if required) to save storage space. Users may issue playback-type requests such as play, rewind, fast forward, stop, and pause to navigate through the recorded data. While the user is issuing requests and is reviewing missed information, only the user can hear the playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Victor S. Moore, Michael A. Paolini, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 6724867
    Abstract: The system comprises an off-premises voice or fax mail system and an on-premises CPE device that can periodically interrogate the telephone line to monitor for signals indicating that a voice or fax message has been received at the off-premises message system. The on-premises CPE device contains, or is connectable to, an incoming message storage means, an automatic dialing means, a message counter means, and a means for establishing an off-hook/on-hook condition with the telephone line. When a call comes in while the telephone line is busy, the call is directed to an off-premises message center where a message is stored. Then, the central office of the telephone network generates a special signal such as a stutter dial tone to be transmitted to the called party location upon the next off-hook condition after the previous call has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6704565
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hold termination message service in a communications network. An on-hold telephone call between a hold initiating party and a holding party is monitored at a network node for a hold termination signal, such as a DTMF signal, from the holding party. A hold termination message can be recorded when the hold termination signal is detected. The hold termination message is then delivered from the network node to the hold initiating party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Parsons, Robert W. Piepho
  • Publication number: 20040028193
    Abstract: A multi-channel digital recording system and method using a network, which can record and monitor telephone conversation contents on a real time basis over a multiplicity of traffic channels using network environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: USD CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eric Kim
  • Publication number: 20040022371
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Renee M. Kovales, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20040022370
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring sound from a remote location. A monitor box is connected to an outside telephone line and to a device that provides sound to the monitoring box. In one implementation, the device is a telephone coupled to its own telephone line, and the monitor box is connected to the telephone through the use of a splitter located between the handset and base of the telephone. Thus, a supervisor or other individual may contact the monitor box from a remote location by calling into the outside telephone line connected to the monitor box and monitor a conversation that occurs on one of the telephone line corresponding to the telephone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Jeremiah E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6668044
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording a telephone call upon demand by a party to the telephone call. The method includes the steps of receiving a request from a first party to record a telephone call between the first party and a second party, establishing a third-party connection with the first party and the second party, receiving the telephone call, and storing the content of the telephone call in memory for subsequent delivery or retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Xtend Communications Corp.
    Inventors: William I. Schwartz, Robert M. Charland
  • Patent number: 6665376
    Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring the recording of telephone calls in institutions such as jails and correctional facilities, and for obtaining consent to such recording and monitoring. Calls are recorded automatically in response to the occurrence of specific triggering events, as pre-defined under software control by a system administrator. Triggering events may include, for example, use of a specific line, attempts to use particular features (such as three-way calling), attempts to dial particular telephone numbers, or use by a particular person. Consent to recording or monitoring is obtained from either the calling or called party, or both, in a language selected for such party. Evidence of which prompts were played to request consent, the language of such prompts, and whether consent was given is stored in a computer readable record. Recorded calls are digitized and stored in standard MS-DOS files on either a local computer system or a remote computer across a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: T-Netix, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry D. Brown
  • Patent number: 6661879
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording a wireless telephone call upon demand comprising the steps of initiating a telephone call from a telephone device with at least one receiving party, and establishing a third-party connection with a central archive to facilitate recordation of the content of the telephone call by the central archive by performing at least one of the steps of depressing a dedicated function key on the telephone device, selecting an appropriate option from a menu displayed on the telephone device, entering a code on the telephone device represented by a sequence of keystrokes, and uttering a recognized voice command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Xtend Communications Corp.
    Inventors: William I. Schwartz, Robert M. Charland
  • Patent number: 6662248
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus using an IC memory, comprising: an IC memory to/from which writing/reading of an audio signal is performed; and a control circuit for controlling writing/reading of the audio signal to/from this IC memory, and its address, and controlling, on writing and reading the audio signal to and from the IC memory, so that its address becomes ring-shaped, writing, when a recording key is pressed, the audio signal from an address contiguous to an area, within the IC memory, where the writing, which has never been read after the writing, is performed, and reading, when a reproduction key is pressed, the audio signal from the head of an area, within the IC memory, where the writing, which has never been read after the writing, is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Yamanoi
  • Patent number: 6658092
    Abstract: In one form of the invention, a method for authorizing distribution of a telephone recording includes announcing for a first message-recording apparatus that a telephone caller can record a message. The message is recorded by the first message-recording apparatus, and a key is automatically associated with the message. The key authorizes transferring the message to a second message-recording apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Phillip Gusler, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Stephanie Elise Woods
  • Patent number: 6650734
    Abstract: In a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a system and method for providing a message to the called party of a collect telephone call from a calling party. A caller placing a collect telephone call is notified of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls and provided with an option for recording a message for delivery to the called party. If the calling party accepts the option, a message is recorded, such as by routing the collect telephone call to a messaging platform for use in recording the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: AT&T Corporation
    Inventors: Suzette Drouillard, Carol P. Eversen, Amit Garg, Rajeev B. Patil, Courtney Aldington Pinnock
  • Patent number: 6631179
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating without use of manual contact with a communications unit. The user approaches a communications system and can activate a communications unit by a proximity/motion detector and/or a voice activation device. The person can generate audio signals, such as by voice command, to activate the unit and establish contact. Body movements can also be used to connect to a specific location and/or control the communications mode, such as private, semi-private or conference call mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Henry Sifuentes
  • Publication number: 20030179861
    Abstract: In the present invention, in transmitting stream data successively reproduced in point of time to a recording unit connected to network through the network, there is employed an approach to detect that synchronous recording has been designated from input means to transmit mute data generated from mute data generating means to a recording unit through the network for a time period during which data that data holding means in which held content is changed from the recording unit through the network holds has a first predetermined value. On the other hand, in the case where it is detected that data that the data holding means holds indicates a second predetermined value, inputted stream data is transmitted to the recording unit through the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ryuta Miyoshi, Yuji Ogihara
  • Patent number: 6615294
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus using an IC memory includes an IC memory to/from which writing/reading of an audio signal is performed; and a control circuit for controlling writing/reading of the audio signal to/from this IC memory, and its address, and for controlling, on writing and reading the audio signal to and from the IC memory, so that its address becomes ring-shaped, writing, of when a recording key is pressed, the audio signal from contiguous address to an area, within the IC memory where the writing, which has never been read is performed, and reading, of when a reproduction key is pressed, the audio signal from the head of an area within the IC memory where the writing, which has never been read, is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Yamanoi
  • Publication number: 20030147509
    Abstract: A method for recording a telephone call is described, and which includes, providing a telephone; providing a personal computer; providing a telephone signal and bifurcating the telephone signal into a first signal path which is supplied to the telephone, and a second signal path which is supplied to the personal computer; creating and storing a computer file by the personal computer which represents the telephone signal; and sending the file created by the personal computer to a remote server for storage and archive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Steve LaVelle
  • Patent number: 6600813
    Abstract: In a communication apparatus having a recording function and a reproducing answering function, a message can be always recorded and reproduced in an optimum setting with requiring no cumbersome operation by a user. When a telephone number coincident with a telephone number contained in information of a caller which arrives through a communication line and received by an information-receiving unit is judged as being stored in a storage unit, a main control unit of the communication apparatus sets a recording level of a recording and reproducing unit on the basis of a recording level which is stored in the storage unit in relation to the telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Nakai
  • Publication number: 20030133542
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recording/reproduction apparatus and a method therefor with superior cost-effectiveness and data durability with respect to vibrations, and an efficient configuration of the memory for storing data for recording/reproduction processing when compressing image data or the like and recording the data to a recording medium or reproducing the data therefrom. In the present invention, the memory for compression and expansion processing and the buffer memory for recording and reproduction are allocated to the same memory chip. When recording/reproduction becomes impossible because of vibrations or the like, the capacity of the buffer memory for recording/reproduction is maximized by expansion. The memory capacity for compression/expansion processing is modified according to the required image quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Takahashi, Yasuo Mutsuro, Keisuke Inata
  • Publication number: 20030118158
    Abstract: A reproduction player (10) comprising a packet processing unit (14) for allowing A/V data reproduced from a recording medium by a disc reproducing unit (12) and an encoder (13) to be packet data so that communication packet is provided, and for inserting additional information indicating operating state of the reproduction player (10) into the communication packet, and a remocon (20) comprising a packet processing unit (25) for taking out additional information along with A/V data from communication packet that a receiving unit (24) has received, an output unit (21) for externally outputting music and/or image on the basis of the A/V data, and a display unit (22) for displaying operating state of the reproduction player (10) on the basis of the additional information are used to constitute a reproducing system which reproduces music and/or video data. User can recognize, on the real time basis, the state of the unit of the transmitting side which reproduces A/V data at an remote output equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Masakazu Hattori
  • Publication number: 20030103604
    Abstract: An AV stream, as an entity of contents, is managed by ClipInformation. The reproduction of the AV stream is managed by PlayList. The attribute information of the AV stream, that is the address information RSPN_arrival_time_discontinuity of the discontinuous point in the AV stream, the information EP_map and TU_map correlating the time information in the AV stream and the address information, and the time information ClipMark of a characteristic picture in the AV stream, are recorded in the ClipInformation. This enables a preset mark to be retrieved promptly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Motoki Kato, Toshiya Hamada
  • Publication number: 20030103603
    Abstract: A method for communication making a processing by means of one of the information units or a combination of the information units when it is instructed from a user terminal to display contents and procedure of a communication or to totalize contents of the communication, or when it is instructed from a manager terminal of a field of the communication to provide a function of the communication corresponding to an object or stage of the communication, the processing corresponding to the instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Chikako Kurita, Hisashi Toyoshima, Kayoko Sakaguchi, Ryohei Shiotani, Nobuaki Ono, Masaki Miyadera, Takashi Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6570964
    Abstract: A technique for recognizing telephone numbers and other information embedded in voice messages stored in a telephone voice messaging system. A voice recognition system is coupled to the telephone voice messaging system. A voice message stored in the voice messaging system is transferred to the voice recognition system. The voice recognition system segments the voice message and then searches the segments for a predetermined speech reference model (grammar) which is expected to contain information of importance to the recipient of the message. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined is a numeric grammar which specifies a sequence of numbers occurring in the voice message. In alternate embodiments, the grammar specifies a date, a time, an address, and so forth, and can specify more than one such type of information. The grammar can be modified or selected by the recipient of the voice message so that the voice recognition system searches for information of particular interest to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nuance Communications
    Inventors: Hy Murveit, Dan Enthoven
  • Publication number: 20030091161
    Abstract: A method of saving a dictation message in a telecommunications system, comprising at least one terminal and subscriber-specific voice mailbox service, to which the calls are directed on the basis of the subscriber-specific voice mailbox service number. In the method, a dictation memo number and a terminal subscriber number responsive thereto are defined, and the calls incoming to the dictation memo number are directed directly into the message save mode of the voice mailbox service if the subscriber number of the incoming call is a terminal subscriber number responsive to the dictation memo number. The dictation memo number can be a subscriber-specific number or a general abbreviated number. If the subscriber number of the incoming call is not a terminal subscriber number responsive to the dictation memo number the calls incoming to the dictation memo number are directed via a recorded greeting message into the message save mode of the voice mailbox service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Rauli Tuominen
  • Publication number: 20030091164
    Abstract: A communication terminal, a communication method and a program thereof capable of easily recording a name and a telephone number of the other party to be called, and easily calling the recorded telephone number by voice. A voice recognizing section recognizes a telephone number output from the directory service and converts a destination name input from a microphone into a format recognizable by the voice recognizing section. The recognized telephone number is associated with the destination name, both of which are recorded in a telephone number recording section. When the destination name is input by voice from the microphone, the voice recognizing section recognizes the input destination name. A control section reads the telephone number associated with the recognized destination name. Subsequently, a telephone number calling section calls the read telephone number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6556665
    Abstract: In a portable telephone set, an input audio signal such as an audio signal is received through a microphone (111), and is then amplified by an amplifier (112). The output of the latter (112) is applied through an analog-to-digital converter (113) to a DSP (301), where it is compressed and stored in a memory (303) with the aid of a CPU (302), or it is stored therein as it is. Here, an audio signal from outside which is stored in the portable telephone set can be used as a calling sound or alarm sound. Therefore, selection of calling sounds or alarm sounds in the portable telephone set of the invention is wider than in the conventional one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Suzuki, Atsushi Ohkumo, Hirotsugu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6549612
    Abstract: A method and system for providing unified messages services to a subscriber. The subscriber utilizes an active interface embedded in an e-mail notification to control delivery of a non-literal, single media or multimedia message to the subscriber. Such a non-literal message includes, but is not limited to, any of a hyperlink-based message, a voicemail message, a facsimile, and a video clip. The active interface provides access to communications-related services as well, including access to stock/options trading and bill payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Telecommunications Premium Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren S. Gifford, Paul Mowatt, Philip Karcher, Domenico Riggi
  • Publication number: 20030053606
    Abstract: A service system for providing a service to a user comprises an application accept unit (4) for accepting an application for registration from a terminal (1) together with a telephone number of the terminal, a recording module (5) for recording the telephone number as an application telephone number, a telephone call receiving unit (6) for receiving a telephone call, a comparing unit (6) for comparing a caller telephone number of the received telephone call with the application telephone number, and a registration module (5) for registering, when the caller telephone number is coincident with the application telephone number, the application telephone number as a registered telephone number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Yukio Shimada
  • Patent number: 6526127
    Abstract: A messaging apparatus and method is provided to allow an originator of a message to review status information associated with a stored message that has or has not been retrieved by the recipient. This status information review capability exists for a pre-determined period of time. More particularly, the message originator supplies or is provided a message identifier for the message when it is created. Subsequently, the message originator or any caller having knowledge of the message identifier may access the status information of an associated stored message by using the message identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Jozef Piotrowski, Maria Fatima Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 6522724
    Abstract: A messaging system allows a message recipient to assign different message lengths to different messages. In one embodiment, the recipient sets the length of time per message. In another embodiment, the recipient programs the messaging system with codes that, when matched, enable longer messages. The recipient assigns the codes to “preferred” senders. The senders transmit the code, either explicitly, for example by a sequence of keystrokes, or automatically, for example by transmitting caller identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland Lester, David Iglehart, Kevin M. Raper
  • Patent number: 6510207
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to receive and record an Emergency Alert System warning message on a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes an Emergency Alert System radio receiver and detector module to receive and record an Emergency Alert System warning message. The emergency message can be reviewed either locally or remotely. In another embodiment, an Emergency Alert System warning message is received by a telephone system, and played in the earpiece or speaker on a substantially real-time basis. In yet another embodiment, an Emergency Alert System warning message may be recorded and then forwarded to another location based on address information (e.g., telephone number, e-mail address, pager number, etc.) which would not otherwise be within the broadcast area of the original Emergency Alert System warning message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, Philip D. Mooney
  • Patent number: 6504911
    Abstract: A telephone device that has a call subscriber telephone number detector, a memory for memorizing a plurality of call subscriber information audio signal in advance and which can memorize an arbitrary call subscriber telephone number in correspondence with a call subscriber information audio signal arbitrarily selected from the plurality of call subscriber information audio signals, a comparator for comparing whether a call subscriber telephone number detected by the call subscriber telephone number detector is coincident with a call subscriber telephone number memorized in the memory, upon coming-call, and an electroacoustic transducer to which a call subscriber information audio signal read out from the memory is supplied, wherein when it is detected by the comparator that a call subscriber telephone number detected by the call subscriber telephone number detector is coincident with a certain call subscriber telephone number memorized in the memory, a certain call subscriber information audio signal corre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Ichiyama
  • Patent number: 6496570
    Abstract: A method and communication network wherein one or more announcement texts are established in a service control point. A message initiated on the basis of a call of the subscriber wherein information about the supportability of announcements by an announcement unit are contained is received and interpreted by the service control point. Given support of an announcement by an announcement unit, a message in which the announcement text is contained is sent from the service control point. The announcement unit converts a received announcement text into an announcement that is then transmitted to the calling subscriber on a voice channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Nimphius
  • Publication number: 20020159570
    Abstract: An automated nodal calling system comprises a database having a plurality of phone numbers and associated geographic identifiers. In the event of an emergency, an emergency calling area is defined and a message is recorded for delivery to the callees in the emergency calling area. The system generates a call request for all phone numbers having an associated geographic identifiers within the emergency calling area. Each call request contains various pieces of information important to proper completion of the phone call identified in the call request. All of the call requests are stored in a queue and the system determines whether to process each call request from a local node or a remote node. A call request to be processed from a local node is delivered to a template program which connects to the telecommunications system and completes the call request to the identified phone number. After the local node completes the call request, a call response is generated to identify the result of the call request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Sigma Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Al Langsenkamp, Kent E. Kercheval
  • Patent number: 6456601
    Abstract: A method and a system of providing call progress tones in a packetized network include storing the call progress tones and pre-programmed audio deliveries at a first device and includes multicasting or broadcasting the tones and deliveries from the first device to a number of telephony-enabled devices. The multicasts are in a format that enable the telephony-enabled devices to individually control transmissions of the tones and deliveries to other devices, particularly calling devices for incoming calls. Typically, the audio deliveries include memory intensive signals, such as announcements and music-on-hold. The progress tones include conventional call status tones, such as ringback, busy and error tones. In one embodiment, the telephony-enabled devices are telephones to which the calls are directed. In another embodiment, the telephony-enabled devices include proxies that process the system-wide multicasts for telephones of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Kozdon, Markku Korpi, Rudolph Bitzinger, Shmuel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6449359
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Marco Luzzatto, Andrei Aszodi
  • Publication number: 20020110224
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renee M. Kovales, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 6418200
    Abstract: A messaging system to store and retrieve messages for playback in response to user input commands includes a telephony messaging application responsive to incoming calls. A directory stores addressing information concerning addressable entities within the messaging system. The telephony messaging application accesses the directory in response to caller address queries. A post office stores user messages and includes addressing information concerning addressable entities within the messaging system. A synchronization mechanism synchronizes the addressing information in the directory with addressing information in the post office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Mitel, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio A. Ciccolella, David Randall Ronca
  • Patent number: 6393106
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes of operating a telephone answering device (TAD) to record a message from a third party caller who calls when a first telephone line connected to the TAD is busy when the third party calls. After the third party hangs up, the automatic third party callback module calls the third party back based on a telephone number obtained from call related information, e.g., Caller ID information. The TAD may alternatively or additionally automatically answer selected third party callers to a second telephone line of the TAD possibly based on a match between call related information with respect to the third party caller, e.g., Caller ID, and pre-entered telephone numbers of those the user desires to have the TAD automatically answer when busy on the first telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, James A. Johanson
  • Patent number: 6389276
    Abstract: A system for remote notification of new voicemail messages stored in a landline-based voicemail system to a wireless mobile telephone. A telephone switching system forwards an incoming call for a subscriber's landline telephone or number to a voicemail system for recording voicemail messages. A message platform monitors the generation of a notification request by the voicemail system that typically causes the telephone switching system to illuminate a message waiting indicator on the subscriber's telephone or provide an audible message waiting indication over the subscriber's line. The message platform, in response to detecting the notification request, outputs an e-mail message via a packet switched network (such as the Internet) to a wireless network in communication with a wireless mobile telephone used by the voicemail subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Mobile
    Inventors: Bernard P. Brilla, Ted L. Hoffman