Log-based ringtones

• US 7,343,150 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Seligmann, Doree Duncan, Moody, Taryn
• Primary Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US10/881,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20060003742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 4554141-4144, 455/3.06, 455/401, 455/415, 4554121-4122, 455418-419, 455/432.3, 455/466, 455/567, 455/550.1, 455/556.2, 455/566, 379/372, 379418-419, 379/374.01, 379/375.01, 379/373.01, 379/373.02, 379/373.03, 379/373.04, 379178-179, 379/201.02, 379/207.16
• US Class Current: 455/412.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs

Abstract

A method is disclosed for determining properties of an output signal that notifies a user of an incoming message, based on information that is available to and associated with the user'"'"'s telecommunications terminal. In particular, in the illustrative embodiment one or more properties of a musical composition, such as tempo, volume, pitch, rhythm, etc., are varied accordingly in value (e.g., faster versus slower, louder versus softer, etc.). One or more properties of a notifying image or text, if selected, are also varied accordingly.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a first message at a telecommunications terminal; and

(b) determining the value of a property for a musical composition based on the contents of a call log for messages sent from said telecommunications terminal;

wherein said musical composition is a ringtone for notifying the user of said telecommunications terminal of the arrival of said first message, and

wherein a melody of said musical composition is independent of said property.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said property is one of volume and tempo.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said property is one of pitch and timbre.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of said property is also based on an attribute of said first message.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the identity of the originator of said first message.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the number of times the originator of said first message has attempted to contact the user of said telecommunications terminal during a time interval.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the time of the most recent prior communication from the originator of said first message.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of said property is based on an entry in said call log for a second message that is sent to the originator of said first message.

9. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a first message at a first telecommunications terminal; and

(b) determining the value of a property for a musical composition based on the contents of a call log for messages received at a second telecommunications terminal;

wherein said musical composition is a ringtone for notifying the user of said first telecommunications terminal of the arrival of said first message, and

wherein a melody of said musical composition is independent of said property.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the user of said first telecommunications terminal is also the user of said second telecommunications terminal.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said first message is sent from a telecommunications terminal other than said second telecommunications terminal.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said property is one of volume and tempo.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said property is one of pitch and timbre.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the determination of said property is also based on an attribute of said first message.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the identity of the originator of said first message.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the contents of a call log for messages received at said first telecommunications terminal.

17. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a first message at a first telecommunications terminal; and

(b) determining the value of a property for a musical composition based on the contents of a call log for messages sent from a second telecommunications terminal;

wherein said musical composition is a ringtone for notifying the user of said first telecommunications terminal of the arrival of said first message, and

wherein a melody of said musical composition is independent of said property.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the user of said first telecommunications terminal is also the user of said second telecommunications terminal.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said first message is sent from a telecommunications terminal other than said second telecommunications terminal.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said property is one of volume and tempo.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the determination of said property is also based on an attribute of said first message.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the identity of the originator of said first message.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the determination of said property is also based on the contents of a call log for messages received at said first telecommunications terminal.