Device, system and method for augmenting cellular telephone audio signals

• US 7,003,329 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kirkpatrick, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, HUY Q
• Application Number:
  US10/101,724
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 455/567, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/558, 455/550.1, 455/90.3, 455/575.1
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

A device, system and method is described for augmenting cellular telephone signals for a cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment, an audio signal device cellular is provided with a sound generating device that stores one or more audio signals that are activated upon receipt of a telephone call. Optionally, the audio signal device may store a library of audio signals that may be programmable and edited. The device, system and method of the present invention enables a user to choose audio alert sounds beyond the scope of those provided by the manufacturer of a cellular telephone. A removable memory device containing at least one accessible sound file is attachable to the audio signal device, and provides increased selection of audio signal choices.

Claims

1. A device that plays sounds and is used with a cellular telephone, the device comprising:

a substantially rectangular planar shell having electrical terminals on one side that are electrically connectable to electrical terminals on a cellular telephone and electrical terminals on an outer side that are electrically connectable to electrical terminals on a cellular telephone battery; and

a sound generating device, located inside the shell and electrically connected to the electrical connectors of the planar shell that are connectable to electrical terminals on the cellular phone, comprising memory for storing a sound file downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the shell, wherein the sound generating device is triggered to play sound associated with the sound file upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sound generating device stores a plurality of sound files, and wherein each sound file can be designated as an audio alert signal for the telephone.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising:

an external connector socket on the shell in electrical communication with the sound generating device to provide external access to the plurality of sound files in the sound generating device.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising:

a selector device on the shell for scrolling through the plurality of sound files and designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

5. A device for a cellular telephone that plays sounds, the device comprising:

a shell attachable between a cellular telephone body and a cellular telephone battery;

a sound generating device inside the shell and comprising memory for storing a plurality of sound files downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the shell, wherein the sound generating device is triggered to play sound associated with a sound file upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone;

an external connector socket on the shell in electrical communication with the sound generating device to provide external access to the plurality of sound files in the sound generating device; and

a selector device on the shell for designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

6. A device for a cellular telephone that plays sounds, the device comprising:

a shell attachable between a cellular telephone body and a cellular telephone battery;

a sound generating device inside the shell and comprising memory for storing a plurality of sound files downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the shell, wherein the sound generating device is triggered to play sound associated with a sound file upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone;

accessing means on the shell in electrical communication with the sound generating device for providing external access to the plurality of sound files in the sound generating device; and

selecting means on the shell for designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

7. A cellular telephone system having changeable audio alert signals, the system comprising:

a cellular telephone body;

a cellular telephone battery for powering the cellular telephone body; and

a first audio signal device, connectable with the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery, including a first shell housing a first sound generating device comprising memory for storing a first sound file downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the cellular telephone body, wherein the first sound generating device is triggered to play sound associated with the first sound file when connected to the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone; and

a second audio signal device, connectable with the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery, including a second shell housing a second sound generating device comprising memory for storing a second sound file that is different than the first sound file and that is downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the cellular telephone body, wherein the second sound generating device is triggered to play sound associated with the second sound file when connected to the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second sound generating devices each store a plurality of sound files that are capable of being edited.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

an external connector socket on each of the first and the second audio signal devices in electrical communication with the first and second sound generating devices to provide external access to the plurality of sound files in the first and the second sound generating devices.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a computer system having an electrical plug electrically connected to the first or second sound generating device through the connector socket, for editing the first or second plurality of sound files by adding or deleting from the first or second sound generating device.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a selector device on each of the first and the second audio signal devices for scrolling through the first or second plurality of sound files and designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

12. A cellular telephone system having changeable audio alert signals, the system comprising:

a cellular telephone body;

a cellular telephone battery for powering the cellular telephone body; and

an audio signal device connectable with the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery and including a shell housing a sound generating device comprising memory for storing a sound file downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the cellular telephone body, wherein the sound generating device stores a plurality of sound files and is triggered to play a sound associated with a designated sound file upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

an external connector socket on the audio signal device in electrical communication with the sound generating device to provide external access to the plurality of sound files in the sound generating device.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a computer system having an electrical plug electrically connected to the sound generating device through the connector socket, for editing the plurality of sound files by adding or deleting from the sound generating device.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a selector device on the audio signal device for scrolling through the plurality of sound files and designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

16. A cellular telephone system having changeable audio alert signals, the system comprising:

a cellular telephone body;

a cellular telephone battery for powering the cellular telephone body;

an audio signal device, connectable with the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery, including a shell housing a sound generating device comprising memory for storing a sound file downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the cellular telephone body, wherein the sound generating device stores a plurality of sound files and is triggered to play a sound associated with a designated sound file upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone;

an external connector socket on the audio signal device in electrical communication with the sound generating device to provide external access to the plurality of sound files in the sound generating device;

a computer system having an electrical plug electrically connected to the sound generating device through the connector socket, for editing the plurality of sound files by adding or deleting from the sound generating device; and

a selector device on the audio signal device for designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

17. A cellular telephone system having changeable audio alert signals, the system comprising:

a cellular telephone body;

a cellular telephone battery for powering the cellular telephone body;

an audio signal device, connectable with the cellular telephone body and the cellular telephone battery, including a shell housing a sound generating device comprising memory for storing a sound file downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the cellular telephone body, wherein the sound generating device stores a plurality of sound files and is triggered to play a sound associated with a designated sound file upon detection of a telephone call by the cellular telephone;

accessing means on the audio signal device and in electrical communication with the sound generating device for provide external access to the plurality of sound files in the sound generating device;

programming means, electrically connected to the sound generating device through the accessing means, for editing the plurality of sound files by adding or deleting from the sound generating device; and

selecting means on the audio signal device for designating a sound file to use as an audio alert signal.

18. A method of programming a designated audio alert signal on a cellular telephone, the method comprising:

providing an audio signal device for use with a cellular telephone and a cellular telephone battery, the audio signal device including a programmable sound generating device and a memory device receiving slot located on an outside surface;

providing a removable memory device having at least one sound file;

inserting the memory device into the memory device receiving slot;

accessing the sound file;

selecting the sound file and designating it as the audio alert signal for the telephone; and

installing the audio signal device together with the cellular telephone and the cellular telephone battery.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the programmable sound generating device is programmed using one of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal data assistant and an interactive paging system.

20. A method of selecting a designated audio alert signal on a cellular telephone, the method comprising:

providing an audio signal device within a shell for use with a cellular telephone and a cellular telephone battery, the audio signal device including a programmable sound generating device and a selector located on an outside surface, wherein the sound generating device includes a plurality of sound files downloaded from a removable memory device connectable to the battery;

scrolling through the plurality of sound files with the selector to hear the plurality of sound files;

listening to exemplary sounds;

selecting a sound file from the plurality of sound files; and

installing the audio signal device together with the cellular telephone and the cellular telephone battery.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the selector is one of a selector switch, a button, a mechanical selector and a touch pad.