Methods And Systems For Selectively Playing Received Ringtones

• US 20080144795A1
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scenera Mobile Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Original Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Inventors: Singh, Mona
• Granted Patent: US 8,098,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/207.16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for selectively playing received ringtones. Receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone is detected. A ringtone preselected for the communication device is played in response to receiving the incoming call. Prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device is received. The received ringtone is played or not played based on the received user input.

Claims

1. A method for selectively playing received ringtones, the method comprising:

detecting receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone;

playing a ringtone preselected for the communication device in response to receiving the incoming call;

prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, receiving user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device; and

playing or not playing the received ringtone based on the received user input.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting receipt of a ringtone includes detecting a ringtone provided to the communication device in data received in connection with the voice call.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting receipt of a ringtone includes detecting a ringtone identifier in data received in connection with the voice call and retrieving the identified ringtone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input includes receiving input for detecting whether a user is looking at the communication device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input includes receiving input for detecting whether a user is holding the communication device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input includes receiving input for detecting whether a user is moving the communication device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input includes receiving input from a user interface of the communication device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the received user input includes a selection to play the received ringtone according to specified constraints for playing the received ringtone.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the specified constraints are predefined and are different for different senders of the ringtone.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the specified constraints define a delay for playing the received ringtone.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the telephony interface component is configured for detecting and receiving a ringtone provided to the communication device in data received in connection with the voice call.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the telephony interface component is configured for detecting a ringtone identifier in data received in connection with the voice call and retrieving the identified ringtone.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the user input component includes a gaze detector configured for detecting whether a user is looking at the communication device and the user input component is configured for receiving user input via the gaze detector.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the user input component includes one of a heat sensor, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, and a light sensor configured for detecting whether a user is holding the communication device and the user input component is configured for receiving user input via the one of the heat sensor, the touch sensor, the pressure sensor, and the light sensor.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the user input component includes a motion sensor configured for detecting whether a user is moving the communication device and the user input component is configured for receiving user input via the motion sensor.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the user input component includes a user interface and the user input component is configured for receiving user input via the user interface.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the received user input includes a selection to play the received ringtone according to specified constraints for playing the received ringtone.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the specified constraints are predefined and are different for different senders of the ringtone.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the specified constraints define a delay for playing the received ringtone.

11. A system for selectively playing received ringtones, comprising:

means for detecting receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone;

means for prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, receiving user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device; and

means for playing a ringtone preselected for the communication device in response to receiving the incoming call and for playing or not playing the received ringtone based on the received user input.

12. A system for selectively playing received ringtones, comprising:

a telephony interface component configured for detecting receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone;

a user input component configured for, prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, receiving user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device; and

a ringtone manager component configured for playing a ringtone preselected for the communication device in response to receiving the incoming call and for playing or not playing the received ringtone based on the received user input.

22. A computer readable medium including a computer program, executable by a machine, for selectively playing received ringtones, the computer program comprising executable instructions for:

detecting receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone;

playing a ringtone preselected for the communication device in response to receiving the incoming call;

prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, receiving user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device; and

playing or not playing the received ringtone based on the received user input.