Methods and apparatus for programming user-defined information into electronic devices

• US 7,555,317 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2006
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Solocron Media, LLC (Solocron Group, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Twenty Year Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Shanahan, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica M
• Application Number:
  US11/633,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20070099605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 941 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/415, 455/418, 455/419, 455/566, 455/567
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/053 remote terminal provisioning, e.g. of applets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 file transfer between terminals download of applications H04M1/72406; transfer of messages, e.g. SMS, e-mail or MMS H04M1/7243
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42051 where the notification is included in the ringing tone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks

Abstract

A device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is provided. The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as user-selected audio, video, or Internet access information into his or her programmable device. Such electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a user to, among other things, customize the device to suit his or her particular taste.

Claims

1. A method of providing a signature file to a telephone receiving an incoming communication, the signature for use as an indicia of the incoming communication, the method comprising:

allowing a caller to browse a plurality of signature files;

allowing the caller to select a signature file from the plurality of signature files;

sending the selected signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication;

receiving the signature file with the telephone; and

playing the signature file on the telephone receiving the incoming communication to alert a party using the telephone of the incoming communication.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the caller to review the selected signature file before sending the selected signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the signature file resides, at least in part, on a network computer, and wherein the signature file is sent to the telephone receiving the incoming communication substantially concurrently with the incoming communication.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the signature file is an audio file.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the signature file is an image file or a video file.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing unauthorized distribution of the signature file.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a format of the selected signature file;

determining a format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

comparing the format of the selected signature file with the format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising converting the format of the selected signature file to the format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

11. The method of claim 2 further comprising allowing the caller to optionally modify the selected signature file.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the signature file is sent to the telephone receiving the incoming communication prior to initiating the incoming communication.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the signature file is stored on the telephone receiving the incoming communication prior to initiating the incoming communication.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the stored signature tile is played when the incoming communication is received from the caller.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the stored signature file is played based on an association between an indicia of the caller and the stored signature file.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the telephone receiving the incoming communication has a pre-existing ringtone, and the pre-existing ringtone is temporarily replaced by the stored signature file when the incoming communication is received from the caller who sent the signature file.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the pre-existing ringtone is restored after receiving the incoming communication from the caller such that the party using the telephone is alerted to a subsequent incoming communication by the pre-existing ringtone when the subsequent incoming communication is not from the caller who sent the signature file.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising providing the caller with an option of creating the signature file and selecting the created signature rather than selecting the signature file from the plurality of signature files.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the signature file includes an audio file.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the signature file includes a video file or image file.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

30. The method of claim 28 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

31. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

determining one or more file formats compatible with the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

providing the signature file to telephone receiving the incoming communication in a compatible format.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein the signature file is sent to the telephone receiving the incoming communication substantially concurrently with the incoming communication.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising:

determining one or more file formats compatible with the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

providing the signature file to telephone receiving the incoming communication in a compatible format.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the telephone receiving the incoming communication has a pre-existing ringtone, and the pre-existing ringtone is temporarily replaced by the received signature file.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the pre-existing ringtone is restored after receiving the incoming communication from the caller such that the party using the telephone is alerted to a subsequent incoming communication by the pre-existing ringtone when the subsequent incoming communication is not from the caller who sent the signature file.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the signature file includes an audio file.

37. The method of claim 32 wherein the signature file includes a video file or image file.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the format of the signature file is from the group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

40. The method of claim 11 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an audio portion of the signature file.

41. The method of claim 11 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an image or video portion of the signature file.

12. A method of providing a signature file to a telephone receiving an incoming communication, the signature for use as an indicia of the incoming communication, the method comprising:

allowing a caller to record the signature file;

allowing the caller to associate the recorded signature file with and outgoing communication;

sending the recorded signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication;

receiving the recorded signature file with the telephone; and

playing the recorded signature file on the telephone receiving the incoming communication to alert a party using the telephone of the incoming communication.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising allowing the caller to review the recorded signature file before sending the recorded signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising allowing the caller to optionally modify the recorded signature file.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an audio portion of the signature file.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an image or video portion of the signature file.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the signature file is recorded in a format selected from the group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining a format of the recorded signature file;

determining a format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

comparing the format of the recorded signature file with the format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising converting the format of the recorded signature file to the format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

42. The method of claim 12 wherein the signature file is sent to the telephone receiving the incoming communication prior to the incoming communication.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the signature file is stored on the telephone receiving the incoming communication prior to initiating the incoming communication.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the stored signature file is played when the incoming communication is received from the caller.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the stored signature file is played based on an association between an indicia of the caller and the stored signature file.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the telephone receiving the incoming communication has a pre-existing ringtone, and the pre-existing ringtone is temporarily replaced by the stored signature file when the incoming communication is received from the caller who sent the signature file.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the pre-existing ringtone is restored after receiving the incoming communication from the caller such that the party using the telephone is alerted to a subsequent incoming communication by the pre-existing ringtone when the subsequent incoming communication is not from the caller who sent the signature file.

48. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing the caller with an option of creating the signature file from pre-existing electronic files rather than recording the signature file.

49. The method of claim 44 wherein the signature file includes an audio file.

50. The method of claim 44 wherein the signature file includes a video file or image file.

51. The method of claim 49 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

52. The method of claim 50 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

53. The method of claim 42 further comprising:

determining one or more file formats compatible with the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

providing the signature file to telephone receiving the incoming communication in a compatible format.

54. The method of claim 12 wherein the signature file is sent to the telephone receiving the incoming communication substantially concurrently with the incoming communication.

55. The method of claim 54 further comprising:

determining one or more file formats compatible with the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

providing the signature file to telephone receiving the incoming communication in a compatible format.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein the telephone receiving, the incoming communication has a pre-existing ringtone, and the pre-existing ringtone is temporarily replaced by the received signature file.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the pre-existing ringtone is restored after receiving the incoming communication from the caller such that the party using the telephone is alerted to a subsequent incoming communication by the pre-existing ringtone when the subsequent incoming communication is not from the caller who sent the signature file.

58. The method of claim 54 wherein the signature file includes an audio file.

59. The method of claim 54 wherein the signature file includes a video file or image file.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

61. The method of claim 59 wherein the format of the signature file is from the group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

62. The method of claim 42 further comprising allowing the caller to optionally modify the recorded signature file and wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an audio portion of the signature file.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an image or video portion of the signature file.

64. A method of providing a signature file to a telephone receiving an incoming communication, the signature for use as an indicia of the incoming communication, the method comprising:

allowing a caller to browse a plurality of signature files;

allowing the caller to select a signature file from the plurality of signature files;

sending the selected signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication;

receiving the signature file with the telephone;

storing the signature file on the telephone prior to initiating the incoming communication; and

playing the signature file on the telephone receiving the incoming communication to alert a party using the telephone of the incoming communication.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising allowing the caller to review the selected signature file before sending the selected signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

66. The method of claim 64 wherein the signature file is an audio file.

67. The method of claim 64 wherein the signature file is an image file or a video file.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

69. The method of claim 66 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

70. The method of claim 64 further comprising preventing unauthorized distribution of the signature file.

71. The method of claim 64 further comprising:

determining a format of the selected signature file;

determining a format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

comparing the format of the selected signature file with the format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

72. The method of claim 71 further comprising converting the format of the selected signature file to the format required by the telephone receiving the incoming communication.

73. The method of claim 65 further comprising allowing the caller to optionally modify the selected signature file.

74. The method of claim 64 wherein the stored signature file is played when the incoming communication is received from the caller.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein the stored signature file is played based on an association between an indicia of the caller and the stored signature file.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the telephone receiving the incoming communication has a pre-existing ringtone, and the pre-existing ringtone is temporarily replaced by the stored signature file when the incoming communication is received from the caller who sent the signature file.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the pre-existing ringtone is restored after receiving the incoming communication from the caller such that the party using the telephone is alerted to a subsequent incoming communication by the pre-existing ringtone when the subsequent incoming communication is not from the caller who sent the signature file.

78. The method of claim 64 further comprising providing the caller with an option of creating the signature file rather than selecting the signature file from the plurality of signature files.

79. The method of claim 74 wherein the signature file includes an audio file.

80. The method of claim 74 wherein the signature file includes a video file or image file.

81. The method of claim 79 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

82. The method of claim 80 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.

83. The method of claim 74 further comprising:

determining one or more file formats compatible with the telephone receiving the incoming communication; and

providing the signature file to telephone receiving the incoming communication in a compatible format.

84. The method of claim 73 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an audio portion of the signature file.

85. The method of claim 74 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an image or video portion of the signature file.

86. A method of creating a signature file for a telephone receiving an incoming communication, the signature for use as an indicia of the incoming communication, the method comprising:

allowing a caller to browse a plurality of signature files;

allowing the caller to select a signature file from the plurality of signature files; and

allowing the caller to review the selected signature file before sending the selected signature file to the telephone receiving the incoming communication for use as an indicia of the incoming communication.

87. The method of claim 86 further comprising allowing the caller to optionally modify the selected signature file.

88. The method of claim 87 herein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an audio portion of the signature file.

89. The method of claim 87 wherein the modifying further includes adding or modifying an image or video portion of the signature file.

90. The method of claim 86 further comprising providing the caller with an option of recording the signature file rather than selecting the signature file from the plurality of signature files.

91. The method of claim 88 wherein the signature file includes an audio file.

92. The method of claim 88 wherein the signature file includes a video file or image file.

93. The method of claim 91 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

94. The method of claim 92 wherein a format of the signature file is from a group comprising:

JPEG, MPEG, GIF or AVI.