System and method for a wireless ringer function

• US 20090088207A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morrill, Robert J., Sweeney, Jeffrey M., Robinson, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/005 Transmission of information for alerting of incoming communication

Abstract

A system and method for extending alerts for a wireless device. A media player equipped with a wireless ringer is linked with a media player through a wireless connection. Playback of media content on the media player is interrupted to play an alert in response to the wireless ringer receiving an indication of an incoming communication from the wireless device. The alert is played on the media player in response to interrupting playback of the media content in order to inform a user of the incoming communication.

Claims

1. A method for extending alerts for a wireless device, comprising:

linking a media player equipped with a wireless ringer and a wireless device through a wireless connection;

interrupting playback of media content on the media player to play an alert in response to the wireless ringer receiving an indication of an incoming communication from the wireless device; and

playing the alert on the media player in response to interrupting playback of the media content in order to inform a user of the incoming communication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the media player is a music player and connecting further comprises:

integrating functionality of the wireless ringer and the music player; and

receiving user input selecting an alert for the wireless ringer.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising:

inserting the wireless ringer into a port of the media player.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the media player is any of a CD player, a portable radio, an mp3 player, a DVD player, a video player, and earphones.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein inserting further comprises:

connecting the wireless ringer to a port of the personal accessory, wherein the personal accessory secures the wireless ringer.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein playing the alert further comprises:

displaying the alert visually, audibly, or using a tactile indicator.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless ringer is a software module store in a memory of the media player configured utilize the features of the media player to display the alert and set ringer preferences.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein interrupting further comprises:

overlaying the playback with the alert.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the playback may include audio, video, or audio and video.

10. The method according to claim 1, docking the media player to a secondary device, wherein the alerting is performed by the secondary device.

11. A media player, comprising:

a transceiver configured to establish a wireless connection with a wireless device;

a memory configured to store a plurality of alerts and user preferences;

a speaker configured to play one of the plurality of alerts, wherein the plurality of alerts informs a user of the incoming communication in order to allow the user to access the wireless device to respond to the incoming communication;

a vibrator configured to vibrate as one of the plurality of alerts; and

a text display configured to visually display the plurality of alerts.

12. The media player according to claim 11, further comprising:

an port configured to receive a remote wireless ringer and integrate functionality.

13. The remote wireless ringer according to claim 12, wherein the remote wireless ringer is a card that may be inserted in the port of the media player.

14. The remote wireless ringer according to claim 11, wherein a remote wireless ringer is integrated with the media player and comprises the transceiver and the memory and works in conjunction with the speaker, the vibrator, and the text display of the media player.

15. The remote wireless ringer according to claim 14, wherein an exterior shape is configured for compatibility and communication with a docking station.

16. The remote wireless ringer according to claim 11, wherein the memory further comprises:

user preferences configured to specify how the alert interrupts playback of media content as the alert is received.

17. The remote wireless ringer according to claim 16, wherein the alert may interrupt the playback or be mixed with the playback of the media content.

18. The remote wireless ringer according to claim 16, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive user input for establishing the user preferences.

19. A media player, comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions perform a wireless ringer function to;

link the media player and a wireless device through a wireless connection, interrupt playback of media content on the media player to play an alert in response to receiving an indication of an incoming communication from the wireless device, play the alert on the media player in response to interrupting playback of the media content in order for a user to access the wireless device to respond to the incoming communication.

20. The media player according to claim 19, wherein the set of instructions reduces volume of the playback in order for the user to distinguish the alert.