Methods and devices for outputting audio announcements using CID related and other reference parameters

• US 6,728,354 B1
• Filed: 03/17/1999
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mooney, Philip David, Fleck, Donald Alfred, Johanson, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US09/271,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,868 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.01, 379/88.04, 379/88.16, 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/88.22, 379/142.01, 379/142.02, 379/142.04, 379/142.06, 379/373.01, 379/373.02, 379/373.03, 379/373.04, 379/374.02, 379/375.01, 379/142.09, 379/142.18
• US Class Current: 379/142.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/578 associated with a synthesized vocal announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54

Abstract

Telephones, telephone answering devices (“TADs”) or larger systems are equipped to output audio announcements which identify the sources of incoming calls by comparing caller identity (“CID”) data and ring cadence signals in an incoming call with reference parameters. If a match occurs an audio announcement is output. Customized audio announcements may be recorded by a caller so they may be played back as a way of announcing incoming calls or as a greeting. The announcements are stored voices of callers who have originated incoming calls.

Claims

1. A device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

a receiver for receiving an incoming signal selected from at least the group consisting of a telephone, facsimile and email signal, wherein the telephone signal comprises ring cadence signals and CID data;

a comparator for comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters comprising a combination of parameters selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence; and

an output unit for outputting at least one audio signal consisting of the voice of a caller associated with one of the lists when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list.

2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the reference parameters are selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence.

3. The device as in claim 1 wherein the reference parameters comprise null parameters indicating blocked CID data.

4. The device as in claim 3 wherein the output unit is adapted to output an OGM message signal associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

5. The device as in claim 3 wherein the output unit is adapted to output an audio announcement associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

6. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a list memory for storing the lists of reference parameters.

7. The device as in claim 1 wherein the output unit comprises an audio signal memory for storing the audio signals.

8. The device as in claim 1 wherein the output unit is adapted to output the at least one audio signal between rings in the input signal.

9. The device as in claim 1 wherein the output unit is adapted to output a distinct tone along with the at least one audio signal.

10. The device as in claim 1 wherein the output unit is adapted to output an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal does not match the reference parameters of the lists.

11. The device as in claim 10 wherein the output unit is adapted to output a caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

12. The device as in claim 11 further comprising an audio signal memory for storing the caller announcement audio signals.

13. The device as in claim 11 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

14. The device as in claim 10 wherein the output unit is adapted to output a default audio signal when no caller announcement audio signal is input.

15. The device as in claim 14 wherein the default audio signal comprises an audible ring.

16. The device as in claim 1 wherein the output unit is adapted to output an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when no audio signal is associated with reference parameters which match the incoming signal.

17. The device as in claim 16 wherein the output unit is adapted to output the caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

18. The device as in claim 17 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

19. The device as in claim 1 wherein the output unit is further adapted to output a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal comprises DTMF caller announcement signals.

20. The device as in claim 19 wherein the output unit is further adapted to output a revised caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

21. The device as in claim 20 further comprising an audio signal memory for storing the revised caller announcement audio signal.

22. The device as in claim 20 wherein the revised caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

23. The device as in claim 1 wherein the list of reference parameters is locally input into the device prior to receiving the incoming signal.

24. The device as in claim 1 wherein the audio signal is locally input into the device prior to receiving the incoming signal.

25. The device as in claim 24 wherein the audio signal is an audio announcement.

26. The device as in claim 1 wherein the list of reference parameters and audio signal are input into the device during a prior outgoing telephone call.

27. The device as in claim 1 wherein the lists of reference parameters are input from a speed dial device.

28. The device as in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a telephone.

29. The device as in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a TAD.

30. The device as in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a PBX.

31. The device as in claim 1 wherein the device comprises part of a communications central office.

32. A device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

receiving means for receiving an incoming signal selected from at least the group consisting of a telephone, facsimile and email signal, wherein the telephone signal comprises ring cadence signals and CID data;

comparison means for comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters comprising a combination of parameters selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence; and

output means for outputting at least one audio signal consisting of the voice of caller associated with one of the lists when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list.

33. The device as in claim 32 wherein the reference parameters are selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence.

34. The device as in claim 32 wherein the reference parameters comprise null parameters indicating blocked CID data.

35. The device as in claim 34 wherein the output means is adapted to output an OGM message signal associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

36. The device as in claim 34 wherein the output means is adapted to output an audio announcement associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

37. The device as in claim 32 further comprising list memory means for storing the lists of reference parameters.

38. The device as in claim 32 wherein the output means comprises an audio signal memory for storing the audio signals.

39. The device as in claim 32 wherein the output means is adapted to output the at least one audio signal between rings in the input signal.

40. The device as in claim 32 wherein the output means is adapted to output a distinct tone along with the at least one audio signal.

41. The device as in claim 32 wherein the output means is adapted to output an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal does not match the reference parameters of the lists.

42. The device as in claim 41 wherein the output means is adapted to output a caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

43. The device as in claim 42 further comprising audio signal memory means for storing the caller announcement audio signals.

44. The device as in claim 42 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

45. The device as in claim 41 wherein the output means is adapted to output a default audio signal when no caller announcement audio signal is input.

46. The device as in claim 45 wherein the default audio signal comprises an audible ring.

47. The device as in claim 32 wherein the output means is adapted to output an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when no audio signal is associated with reference parameters which match the incoming signal.

48. The device as in claim 47 wherein the output means is adapted to output the caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

49. The device as in claim 48 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

50. The device as in claim 32 wherein the output means is further adapted to output a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal comprises DTMF caller announcement signals.

51. The device as in claim 50 wherein the output means is further adapted to output a revised caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

52. The device as in claim 51 further comprising audio signal memory means for storing the revised caller announcement audio signal.

53. The device as in claim 51 wherein the revised caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

54. The device as in claim 32 wherein the list of reference parameters is locally input into the device prior to receiving the incoming signal.

55. The device as in claim 32 wherein the audio signal is locally input into the device prior to receiving the incoming signal.

56. The device as in claim 55 wherein the audio signal is an audio announcement.

57. The device as in claim 32 wherein the list of reference parameters and audio signal are input into the device during a prior outgoing telephone call.

58. The device as in claim 32 wherein the lists of reference parameters are input from a speed dial device.

59. The device as in claim 32 wherein the device comprises a telephone.

60. The device as in claim 32 wherein the device comprises a TAD.

61. The device as in claim 32 wherein the device comprises a PBX.

62. The device as in claim 32 wherein the device comprises part of a communications central office.

63. A programmed device comprising:

program memory means for storing a program, the program comprising;

program code means for comparing the incoming signal selected from at least the group consisting of a telephone, facsimile and email signal, wherein the telephone signal comprises ring cadence signals and CID data to lists of reference parameters comprising a combination of parameters selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence; and

program code means for outputting at least one audio signal consisting of the voice of a caller associated with one of the lists when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list.

64. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the reference parameters are selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence.

65. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the reference parameters comprise null parameters indicating blocked CID data.

66. The programmed device as in claim 65 wherein the program code for outputting further comprises program code for outputting an OGM message signal associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

67. The programmed device as in claim 65 wherein the program code for outputting further comprises program code for outputting an audio signal associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

68. The programmed device as in claim 63 further comprising a list memory for storing the lists of reference parameters.

69. The programmed device as in claim 63 further comprising an audio signal memory for storing the audio signals.

70. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the audio signals comprise audio announcements, the audio announcements comprising the voices of callers.

71. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting the at least one audio signal between rings in the incoming signal.

72. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting the at least one audio signal along with a distinct tone.

73. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal does not match the reference parameters of the lists.

74. The programmed device as in claim 72 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting a caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

75. The programmed device as in claim 74 further comprising an audio signal memory for storing the caller announcement audio signals.

76. The programmed device as in claim 75 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

77. The programmed device as in claim 73 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting a default audio signal when no caller announcement audio signal is input.

78. The programmed device as in claim 77 wherein the default signal comprises an audible ring.

79. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when no audio signal is associated with reference parameters which match the incoming signal.

80. The programmed device as in claim 79 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting the caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

81. The programmed device as in claim 80 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

82. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code means for outputting a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal comprises DTMF caller announcement signals.

83. The programmed device as in claim 82 wherein the program code means for outputting further comprises program code for outputting a revised caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

84. The programmed device as in claim 83 further comprising an audio signal memory for storing the revised caller announcement audio signal.

85. The programmed device as in claim 83 wherein the revised caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

86. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the list of reference parameters is locally input prior to receiving the incoming signal.

87. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the audio signal is locally input prior to receiving the incoming signal.

88. The programmed device as in claim 87 wherein the audio signal is an audio announcement.

89. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the list of reference parameters and audio signal are input during a prior outgoing telephone call.

90. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the lists of reference parameters are input from a speed dial device.

91. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the programmed device comprises a telephone.

92. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the programmed device comprises a TAD.

93. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the programmed device comprises a PBX.

94. The programmed device as in claim 63 wherein the programmed device comprises part of a communications central office.

104. The method as in claim 80 further comprising outputting an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal does not match the reference parameters of the lists.

105. The method as in claim 104 further comprising outputting a caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

106. The method as in claim 105 further comprising storing the caller announcement audio signals.

107. The method as in claim 106 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

108. The method as in claim 104 further comprising outputting a default audio signal when no caller announcement audio signal is input.

109. The method as in claim 108 wherein the default audio signal comprises an audible ring.

95. A method for outputting audio signals from a communications device to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

receiving an incoming signal selected from at least the group consisting of a telephone, facsimile and email signal, wherein the telephone signal comprises ring cadence signals and CID data;

comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters comprising a combination of parameters selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence; and

outputting at least one audio signal consisting of the voice of a caller associated with one of the lists when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of list.

96. The method as in claim 95 wherein the reference parameters are selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence.

97. The method as in claim 95 wherein the reference parameters comprise null parameters indicating blocked CID data.

98. The method as in claim 97 further comprising outputting an OGM message signal associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

99. The method as in claim 97 further comprising outputting an audio announcement associated with a list of null parameters when CID data is blocked.

100. The method as in claim 95 further comprising storing the lists of reference parameters.

101. The method as in claim 95 further comprising storing the audio signals.

102. The method as in claim 95 further comprising outputting the at least one audio signal between rings in the input signal.

103. The method as in claim 95 further comprising outputting a distinct tone along with the at least one audio signal.

110. The method as in claim 95 further comprising outputting an OGM message signal to prompt the input of a caller announcement audio signal when no audio signal is associated with reference parameters which match the incoming signal.

111. The method as in claim 95 further comprising outputting the caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

112. The method as in claim 95 wherein the caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

113. The method as in claim 95 further comprising outputting a caller announcement audio signal when the incoming signal comprises DTMF caller announcement signals.

114. The method as in claim 113 further comprising outputting a revised caller announcement audio signal which has been input.

115. The method as in claim 114 further comprising storing the revised caller announcement audio signal.

116. The method as in claim 114 wherein the revised caller announcement audio signal comprises the voice of the caller.

117. The method as in claim 95 further comprising locally inputting the reference parameters prior to receiving the incoming signal.

118. The method as in claim 95 further comprising locally inputting the audio signal prior to receiving the incoming signal.

119. The method as in claim 118 wherein the audio signal is an audio announcement.

120. The method as in claim 95 further comprising inputting the list of reference parameters and audio signal during a prior outgoing telephone call.

121. The method as in claim 95 further comprising locally inputting the lists of reference parameters from a speed dial device.

122. The method as in claim 95 wherein the communications device comprises a telephone.

123. The method as in claim 95 wherein the communications device comprises a TAD.

124. The method as in claim 95 wherein the device comprises a PBX.

125. The method as in claim 95 wherein the communications device comprises part of a communications central office.

126. A device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

a receiver for receiving an incoming signal;

a comparator for comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters;

an output unit for outputting at least one audio signal associated with a list of reference parameters when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list, wherein the list of reference parameters and audio signal are input into the device during a prior outgoing telephone call.

127. A device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

receiving means for receiving an incoming signal;

comparison means for comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters; and

output means for outputting at least one audio signal associated with a list of reference parameters when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list, wherein the reference parameters comprise a combination of parameters selected from the group consisting of name, telephone number and ring cadence.

128. A device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

receiving means for receiving an incoming signal;

comparison means for comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters; and

output means for outputting at least one audio signal associated with a list of reference parameters when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list, wherein the list of reference parameters and audio signal are input into the device during a prior outgoing telephone call.

129. A programmed device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising a program memory for storing a program, the program comprising:

program code means for comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters; and

program code means for outputting at least one audio signal associated with a list of reference parameters when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list, wherein the list of reference parameters and audio signal are input during a prior outgoing telephone call.

130. A device for outputting audio signals to identify the source of incoming signals comprising:

receiving an incoming signal;

comparing the incoming signal to lists of reference parameters;

outputting at least one audio signal associated with a list of reference parameters when the incoming signal matches the reference parameters of the list; and

inputting the list of reference parameters and audio signal during a prior outgoing telephone call.