Ringback/ringtone synchronization system

• US 20060291638A1
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eclips LLC
• Original Assignee: Clifford J. Radziewicz, Jeffrey C. Dillow, Mark R. Gregorek
• Inventors: Gregorek, Mark R., Radziewicz, Clifford J., Dillow, Jeffrey C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/211.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/02 Calling substations, e.g. by ringing selective calling H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

A ringback/ringtone synchronization system for utilizing ringtones as replacement ringback announcements is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback/ringtone synchronization system to allow for modifications of the network service.

Claims

1. A system for customizing a communications network, the system comprising:

a communications station;

a storage device containing at least one downloadable ringtone;

wherein said communications station accesses said storage device for the purpose of downloading said ringtone to said communications station; and

,

wherein at least a portion of a derivative of said ringtone is made available as a call signal for at least one caller matching at least one parameter associated with said ringtone.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said call signal is selected from the group consisting of ringback signals, busy signals, network redirect signals, call progress signals, network announcement signals, and dial tone signals.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said announcement is selected from the group consisting of an audio clip, a video clip, a data file, an interactive game, advertising, and programming material.

4. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said ringtone comprises an album of related ringtones.

5. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said communications station is selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a wireless telephone, a cellular telephone, a video telephone, a mobile computer, a personal digital assistant, and a multimedia handset.

6. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said communications station comprises a communications network.

7. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said communications station comprises an integrated display unit featuring a menu system.

8. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said menu system displays ringtones available for download from a communications network.

9. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said menu system displays stored network addresses.

10. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said communications network is selected from the group consisting of a circuit-switched network, a packet-based network, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, a virtual private network, a metropolitan area network, a broadcast network, a wireless network, and a cellular network.

11. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of a telephone number, a network address, a time of day, a day of week, a day of year, an area code, a network address prefix, and a network address suffix.

12. A method for customizing a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

accessing a storage device from a communications station;

selecting a downloadable ringtone from said storage device; and

associating a derivative of said downloadable ringtone with at least one parameter for the purpose of replacing at least a portion of a call signal with said downloadable ringtone.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said call signal is selected from the group consisting of ringback signals, busy signals, network redirect signals, call progress signals, network announcement signals, and dial tone signals.

14. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said ringtone is replaced for callers matching said parameter.

15. A system as defined in claim 12 wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of a telephone number, a network address, a time of day, a day of week, a day of year, an area code, a network address prefix, and a network address suffix.

16. A method for customizing a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing communication with a communications handset;

accessing at least one ringtone stored on said communications handset; and

associating at least one parameter with a derivative of said ringtone for the purpose of replacing at least a portion of a call signal with said ringtone.

17. A method as defined in claim 16 wherein said call signal is selected from the group consisting of ringback signals, busy signals, network redirect signals, call progress signals, network announcement signals, and dial tone signals.

18. A system as defined in claim 16 wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of a telephone number, a network address, a time of day, a day of week, a day of year, an area code, a network address prefix, and a network address suffix.

19. A method as defined in claim 16 wherein said system is accessed after successful completion of an authorization routine.

20. A method as defined in claim 19 wherein said authorization routine verifies the subscription status of a user accessing said system.

21. A method as defined in claim 19 wherein said authorization routine allows said user to subscribe to a network service.

22. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said network service comprises a custom ringback service.