Telephone and telephone accessory signal generator and methods and devices using the same

• US 7,599,719 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John D. Patton
• Original Assignee: John D. Patton
• Inventors: Patton, John David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai V
• Application Number:
  US11/058,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20060183514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,695 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.2, 455/156.1, 455/159.1, 455/569.1
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6008 in the transmitter circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits

Abstract

A device includes a telephone accessory configured and arranged to transmit an audio signal; and an audio effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory or a video effects generator. The audio effects generator can produce at least one user-initiated audio effect that is transmitted as part of the audio signal. The video effects generator can produce at least one user-initiated visual effect altering an image transmitted by the telephone accessory.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a telephone accessory configured and arranged to transmit an audio signal; and

an audio effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory and configured and arranged to produce at least one user-initiated audio effect that is transmitted as part of the audio signal, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises an audio effect that simulates notification of an incoming call on a separate line.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises an audio effect that simulates degradation in the quality of a telephone connection or simulates interference or renders a voice unintelligible.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises a gap in the audio signal.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the gap in the audio signal is repeated at random intervals.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises raising or lowering a pitch of a voice in the audio signal.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises an audio effect that masks a voice in the audio signal.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises an audio effect that alters an accent of a voice in the audio signal.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises translating at least a portion of the audio signal.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect further comprises a background noise comprising traffic or office noise.

10. The device of claim 1, the telephone accessory comprises a telephone headset.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the telephone accessory comprises an automobile “

hands free”

system.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a recorder configured and arranged to record at least one of the user-initiated audio effects.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a telephone coupled to the telephone accessory and configured and arranged to receive the audio signal.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the telephone is wirelessly coupled to the telephone accessory.

14. A method of using a telephone accessory, the method comprising:

transmitting an audio signal using the telephone accessory; and

activating an audio effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory to produce at least one user-initiated audio effect that is transmitted as part of the audio signal, wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises an audio effect that simulates notification of an incoming call on a separate line.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein activating an audio effects generator comprises actuating one or more buttons or keys on the telephone accessory to activate the audio effects generator.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising actuating one or more buttons or keys on the telephone accessory to modify a characteristic of the user-initiated audio effect.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the telephone accessory is a telephone headset or an automobile “

hands free”

system.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting the audio signal comprises transmitting the audio signal to a telephone.