METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING RINGTONE SCHEDULING

• US 20080159522A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Services Organization Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Ericson, Eric W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,615,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/373.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

An approach is provided for scheduling of ringtones. A ringtone schedule is stored for specifying information for invoking a plurality of ringtones, wherein one of the ringtones is selected for playout by a mobile device according to the ringtone schedule.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing a ringtone schedule specifying information for invoking a plurality of ringtones; and

selecting one of the ringtones for playout by a communication device according to the ringtone schedule.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the communication device includes a mobile device configured to establish a voice connection.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising:

receiving the ringtone schedule from a user through an input device of the mobile device.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the ringtone schedule from a user through a web-application over a data network.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the information includes time-of-day or location.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

determining location of the communication device;

comparing the determined location with location information specified by the ringtone schedule; and

modifying selection of the ringtones based on the comparison.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the location is determined by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

8. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

modifying selection of the ringtones based on the time-of-day information specified by the ringtone schedule.

9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an external control signal to modify selection of the ringtones.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store a ringtone schedule specifying information for invoking a plurality of ringtones;

a ringtone scheduler configured to select one of the ringtones for playout according to the ringtone schedule; and

an audio interface configured to playout the selected ringtone.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

an input device configured to receive the ringtone schedule from a user.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive the ringtone schedule input through a web-application over a data network.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the information includes time-of-day or location.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:

a locator configured to determine location of the mobile device, wherein the determined location is compared with location information specified by the ringtone schedule, and the ringtone scheduler is further configured to modify selection of the ringtones based on the comparison.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the location is determined by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ringtone scheduler configured to modify selection of the ringtones based on the time-of-day information specified by the ringtone schedule.

17. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein selection of the ringtones is modified by an external control signal.

18. A system comprising:

a database configured to store a ringtone schedule specifying information for invoking a plurality of ringtones; and

a processor configured to select one of the ringtones for playout by a mobile device according to the ringtone schedule.

19. A system according to claim 18, further comprising:

an interface configured to receive the ringtone schedule from a user through an input device of the mobile device.

20. A system according to claim 18, further comprising:

an interface configured to receive the ringtone schedule from a user through a web-application over a data network.

21. A system according to claim 18, wherein the information includes time-of-day or location.

22. A system according to claim 21, further comprising:

an interface configured to receive location of the mobile device, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the determined location with location information specified by the ringtone schedule, the processor modifying selection of the ringtones based on the comparison.

23. A system according to claim 21, wherein the location is determined by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

24. A system according to claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to modify selection of the ringtones based on the time-of-day information specified by the ringtone schedule.