Apparatus, system and method for providing silently selectable audible communication

• US 20040196964A1
• Filed: 04/01/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silent Communication, LLC (Pueblo Nuevo LLC)
• Original Assignee: Silent Communication Ltd
• Inventors: Bluvband, Zigmund
• Granted Patent: US 8,229,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/645 with speech synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing silently selectable audible communication. The apparatus may include a memory unit for storing a plurality of pre-recorded messages, and a messaging module for selecting, editing and/or transmitting selected messages to a second party for receipt in a voice mode, whereby a conversation may be implemented in a silent mode by at least one party. A method is also provided for adding new messages (or editing old ones) to a silently selectable audible communication system, and for conducting a silently selectable audible conversation.

Claims

1. A telephone communication apparatus having silently selectable audible communication, said system including:

a memory unit for storing a plurality of pre-recorded messages;

a messaging module for transmitting at least one selected audible message between a call initiator and a call receiver, said at least one selected message being transmitted in a silent mode.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, comprising a synthesizer for converting text messages to voice messages.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 1, comprising a testing mechanism for routing at least one selected message for preview by a user.

4. The communication apparatus of claim 1, comprising a conversation unit for housing at least one of the communication apparatus components.

5. The communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein said conversation unit is external to the communication apparatus, and connected to the communication apparatus.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 5, wherein said conversation unit is connected to the communication apparatus in a way selected from the group consisting of by cable and wirelessly.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the messaging module includes a keyboard.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein said messaging module is adapted to add messages to the memory.

9. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein said new messages are generated by adding message data in at least one format selected from the group consisting of user-generated voice messages and text messages.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 9, wherein said text messages are converted to voice messages by a conversion module.

11. The communication apparatus of claim 1, comprising a status monitoring display.

12. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is loaded with outgoing messages during manufacture.

13. The communication apparatus of claim 1, comprising a service provider facility for administering silently selectable audible messaging services.

14. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein said service provider facility provides user codes for accessing silently selectable audible messaging services.

15. The communication apparatus of claim 1, comprising data cards for distribution to telephone users subscribing to said system, said cards listing messages stored in said memory.

16. The communication apparatus of claim 15, wherein said data cards are available in various languages.

17. A method for adding new messages to a silently selectable audible communication system, comprising:

selecting silent communication configuration mode;

selecting a mode to add new messages;

adding a new message; and

storing said new message in at least one memory unit.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said adding of a new message is implemented by adding a message in at least one message format selected from the group consisting of a text message and a voice message.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein in the case where a text message was added, converting said text message to a voice message using a text-to-speech module.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said memory unit is at least one unit selected from the group consisting of a local memory unit and a remote memory unit.

21. A silent communication method, comprising:

selecting silent communication mode on a first telephone unit;

during a communication session with at least a second communication unit, connecting at least one of said telephone units to a memory unit wherein silently selectable audible messages are stored;

providing at least an opening message from at least one said memory unit; and

conducting silent communication by at least one of said telephone units, by acquiring silently selectable audible messages from said memory unit;

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising initiating the silent communication by a user.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising composing messages and transmitting said composed messages in real time.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising implementing a plurality of call functions.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said memory unit is at least one unit selected from the group consisting of a local database and a remote database.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising conducting a silent conversation between a plurality of communication units.