Systems and methods for audibly indicating incoming telephone calls
First Claim
1. A call indicator device to be used with a remote access file archive, the call indicator device comprising:
- a speaker for reproducing audio from audio files;
memory for storing audio files and program instructions;
a processor for executing the program instructions;
a communications port configured to connect to a public switched telephone network (PSTN); and
an electronic circuit operably connected to the communications port and the processor to convert PSTN signals to digital signals;
wherein the device is adapted to operate in a download mode to download an audio file from the remote access file archive to the memory of the device;
wherein the device is adapted to operate in a playback mode to;
detect an incoming PSTN call at the communications port;
select a first audio file and a second audio file from memory;
play the selected first audio file to indicate the incoming call; and
play the selected second audio file subsequent to playing the selected first audio file.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A landline-telephone personalization system includes a call indicator device, a computer, and a remote server system. The call indicator device is configured to download audio files from the remote server system and to play one or more of the files to indicate incoming PSTN calls over the landline-telephone connection. The call indicator device may play a first audio file for all incoming calls and a second audio file selected from audio files saved in device memory. The computer of the landline-telephone personalization system may include any conventional computer and may be configured to enable a user to view and select one or more audio files available for download to the call indicator device from the remote server system. The personalization system may save customized audio files at the remote server system. The originator of the files may receive credits when other users download the customized audio file.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A call indicator device to be used with a remote access file archive, the call indicator device comprising:
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a speaker for reproducing audio from audio files; memory for storing audio files and program instructions; a processor for executing the program instructions; a communications port configured to connect to a public switched telephone network (PSTN); and an electronic circuit operably connected to the communications port and the processor to convert PSTN signals to digital signals; wherein the device is adapted to operate in a download mode to download an audio file from the remote access file archive to the memory of the device; wherein the device is adapted to operate in a playback mode to; detect an incoming PSTN call at the communications port; select a first audio file and a second audio file from memory; play the selected first audio file to indicate the incoming call; and play the selected second audio file subsequent to playing the selected first audio file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A call indicator device comprising:
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a speaker for reproducing audio from audio files; memory for storing audio files and program instructions; a processor for executing the program instructions; a first communications port to connect the call indicator device to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) landline; a second communications port configured to connect the call indicator device to a computer storing audio files downloaded from a remote audio file archive; and an electronic circuit operably connected to the first communications port and the processor to convert PSTN signals to digital signals; wherein the device operates in a download mode to; connect to the computer through the second communications port; and download an audio file from the computer to the memory of the call indicator device; wherein the device operates in a first playback mode connected to a PSTN landline to; detect an incoming call; select at least one audio file from memory as a call indicator; and play the selected audio file in response to the incoming call; wherein the device operates in a second playback mode disconnected from the PSTN landline to; select an audio file for playback; and play the selected audio file. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A landline-telephone personalization system comprising:
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a remote server system configured to; register an originator of an original audio file; upload the original audio file to an audio file archive; index the original audio files to the registered file originator; present on a web page the original audio files available for selection and download; and download at least one audio file selected from the web page to at least one call indicator device; at least one call indicator device including; a processor; memory; and a first communication port for downloading audio files from the remote server system; and a second communications port configured to connect to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) landline; the at least one call indicator device configured to; receive at the first communication port the at least one selected audio file downloaded from the remote server system; save the at least one audio file to the call indicator device memory; detect an incoming landline call at the second communication port; and select and play one or more received audio files saved in memory to indicate the incoming PSTN call. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for developing on line content for a call indicator device comprising:
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storing an original audio file at a local computer; registering an audio file originator in a remote server system; uploading the original audio file from the local computer to an audio file archive in the remote server system; indexing the uploaded original audio file to the registered originator; presenting on a web page resident on the remote server system at least one uploaded original audio file available for download to the call indicator device; a call indicator device user selecting at least one original audio file from the web page for download; downloading the selected original audio file in the audio file archive to the call indicator device; crediting the originator in the remote server system for each download to a call indicator device of the original audio file indexed to the originator; and rewarding the originator as a function of the number of credits. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification