WO2000052909A1 - Telephone - Google Patents
Telephone Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000052909A1 WO2000052909A1 PCT/AU2000/000124 AU0000124W WO0052909A1 WO 2000052909 A1 WO2000052909 A1 WO 2000052909A1 AU 0000124 W AU0000124 W AU 0000124W WO 0052909 A1 WO0052909 A1 WO 0052909A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- telephone
- audio signal
- signal
- storage means
- transmitted
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M19/00—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems
- H04M19/02—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
- H04M19/04—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations
- H04M19/041—Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a telephone, including a fixed, mobile or cordless telephone.
- the telephone having a recording device for recording audio signals that can be played by the telephone, as an alternative to the standard telephone ring, when there is an incoming call.
- the number of ring tones available are limited and are pre-programmed into the telephone such that the owner or user is provided with only a relatively limited choice of ring tones.
- the ring tones presently available include standard telephone ring tones, for example, the ring tone can be two short tones repeated at regular intervals, a tone that is on and then off for equal periods, short sharp tones repeated at frequent intervals, short tones followed by longer pauses, or longer tones followed by shorter pauses.
- the ring tone can be more complex and comprise or incorporate some well known musical tunes.
- the present invention provides an alternative to the pre-programmed telephone ring tones with a view to avoiding the above problems. Disclosure of the Invention
- the present invention comprises a telephone having an audio signal recording means, the recording means including an audio signal input means and an audio signal storage means, the signal input means being able to transmit at least a first audio signal, the audio signal being representative of audible sound, to the storage means where it is stored until required, the telephone, on detecting an incoming call, being adapted to generate an activation signal that when received by the storage means activates the storage means to pass the stored audio signal to a transducer which converts the audio signal into a sound audible to a user that is in the vicinity of the telephone.
- the signal input means includes a microphone adapted to detect an audible sound transmitted to the input means and generate the audio signal for transmission to the storage means.
- the microphone is preferably positioned adjacent or in an outer surface of the telephone such that it can readily detect sound waves directed at or passing past the telephone.
- the signal input means includes a connector means adapted to connect to a cable through which the audio signal can be received by the telephone and then transmitted to the storage means.
- the connector means can comprise a socket positioned in the outer surface of the telephone which can receive a plug connected to the cable that facilitates the electrical or optical transmission of the audio signal to the input means.
- a microphone can be connected to an end of the cable that is distal the telephone.
- the transducer can be mounted adjacent or in the outer surface of the telephone.
- the transducer preferably comprises a loudspeaker that converts the audio signal transmitted from the storage means into an audible sound.
- the microphone can also act as the loudspeaker for the telephone.
- the loudspeaker can be mounted in a headset or to an earpiece adapted to be worn by the telephone user, the loudspeaker being connected to the telephone by appropriate cabling.
- the audio signal generation means can comprise a computer or similar data processing device.
- the computer can be used to generate the audio signal and be directly connected to the telephone by a user when required.
- the telephone can be connected to a computer that can dial up another computer, including a computer server or host used to store and transmit information for the Internet, and then download one or more audio signals from a signal repository.
- the downloaded signal can then be transmitted from the computer by appropriate electrical or optical connection to the signal input means of the telephone.
- the telephone can directly dial up a computer server or host and then download one or more audio signals from the signal repository.
- the audio signal can comprise digital signals, including compressed digital signals.
- the signal repository can include web sites on the Internet or the World Wide Web on which are stored digital audio files. Such audio files can be downloaded in short stand-alone segments, for example, as files in the WAV format.
- the audio files may also be downloaded to the computer or to the telephone as streaming sound, with streaming sound being sound that is played as it arrives. Formats such as MP3 (MPEG-lAudio Layer-3) can be used to compress a sound sequence into a smaller file (typically about one- twelfth of the size of the original file) while preserving the original level of sound quality when it is played. This is particularly advantageous where the audio file to be downloaded to the computer or telephone is relatively large.
- Other formats for downloading or allowing access to suitable audio files from computers, including Internet servers and hosts, can be readily envisaged as being also suitable in the present case.
- an audio card and speaker can be used to allow the user to listen to the sound or music that has been downloaded. This might be done by the user before the audio signal is provided to the telephone to allow the user to determine that the music is the music that is to be transmitted to and stored in the telephone.
- the audio signal transmitted to the storage means can be representative of live music or speech. For example, a user may choose to record on the telephone music played on an instrument or multiple instruments, including original music composed by the owner. In the case of speech, the user may choose to record a message that is played by the telephone on detecting an incoming call.
- the telephone includes a playback means that, when activated, generates the activation signal which in turn activates the storage means to pass the stored audio signal to the transducer, so allowing the user to listen to the audio signal presently stored in the storage means and will be played by the telephone when it detects an incoming call.
- the playback means can comprise a pressure switch in the keypad of the telephone. Where more than one audio signal is stored in the storage means, the playback switch can be adapted to playback all of the audio signals in sequence or in some other order as desired by the user.
- the signal input means receives the signal and transmits it to the storage means. If necessary, before being transmitted, the audio signal is converted to a signal that can be stored digitally on, for example, a magnetic tape, microchip, integrated circuit or compact disc in the telephone.
- the user can download into the storage means of the telephone a number of different audio signals.
- the telephone can include a selector means to allow the user to select which file is to be played through the transducer of the telephone on reception of an incoming call.
- the selector means can be adapted to allow the user to select different stored audio signals for different callers. For example, a user can use this feature to determine the identity of the caller, or at least the telephone number of the caller, by the particular audible sound played by the transducer of the telephone.
- the storage means can transmit the stored audio signal to an amplifier, which amplifies the signal and passes it to the transducer wherein the audio signal is converted to an audible sound.
- the telephone can comprise a mobile or cordless telephone.
- the mobile telephone can be a GSM telephone, however, other mobile telephone systems, such as CDMA, could be utilised in conjunction with the present invention.
- the telephone can be a fixed telephone.
- the signal input means instead of comprising an additional microphone on the telephone may utilise the existing microphone of the telephone that is normally used to detect the voice of the telephone's user.
- the telephone's microphone has two functions. Firstly, the microphone is adapted to receive the voice of a user and secondly it is adapted to receive the audio signal, such as music or speech.
- the function of the pre-existing microphone may be alternated by way of a simple double pole switch. Alternatively, the function of the microphone may be controlled by activation of pressure sensors beneath a keypad on the telephone.
- the device according to the present invention may also utilise the existing loudspeaker of the telephone that is held proximate to the ear of a user.
- the telephone's loudspeaker has two functions. Firstly, the loudspeaker is adapted to act as the normal loudspeaker in the earpiece of the telephone and secondly can be used to transduce the audio signal transmitted from the storage means into audible sound. As the audible sound will only be played up until the telephone is activated by the user to take the call, these two uses of the existing loudspeaker are compatible.
- the telephone preferably includes a ring tone volume control. This allows the user to set the volume of.the audible sound, whether it be musical piece or other sound, transmitted by the loudspeaker when the telephone is detecting an incoming call.
- the storage means can be adapted to transmit each audio signal to the transducer in sequence such that each time the telephone rings, it selects a new audio signal to be transmitted to the transducer. In this embodiment, once each audio signal has been transmitted to the transducer, the storage means would return to the first audio signal on reception of the next telephone call.
- the storage means can include a randomising means which results in the storage means randomly selecting an audio signal to be transmitted to the transducer means, from the plurality of stored audio signals, on reception of the next telephone call.
- the present invention allows a user of a telephone, including a mobile telephone, for example, to download a song or other musical piece from a website on the Internet, the song or musical piece being recorded by the storage means in the telephone, and the recording being activated by a signal from an incoming call such that the telephone emits the sound of the tune or musical piece.
- the telephone of the present invention alerts the user to an incoming call by way of emitting the recorded tune or musical piece.
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a different embodiment of the present invention. Description of the Invention
- a telephone 10 having a signal recordal system 11 which includes a microphone 12 and a storage device 13 is depicted in Fig. 1.
- the microphone 12 is able to detect audible sounds, such as live music.
- the microphone 12 can simply be held close to the source of the live music, such as a guitar 15 such that the sound waves 14 can be transmitted to and received by the microphone 12.
- the microphone 12 converts the received sound waves 14 to an electrical signal 16 which is representative of the sound received by the microphone 12.
- the electrical signall ⁇ is transmitted to the storage device 13 wherein the electrical signal 16 is stored in digital form, for example, on magnetic tape, an integrated circuit or compact disc.
- the telephone can comprise a socket 30 which can receive a plug connected to a cable.
- Such a cable can extend to an audio signal generation means, such as a microphone or an appropriate socket in a computer.
- the computer can be used to access the World Wide Web on the Internet and download or otherwise transmit digital audio signals to the storage device 13 in the telephone 10.
- the audio signals can comprise compressed digital signals and can be downloaded using the MP3 format or other appropriate software.
- the telephone 10 could be used by the computer user to dial up an Internet service provider and so access the World Wide Web.
- the telephone 10 could directly dial up a computer acting as server or host for the Internet.
- the audio signal could be directly downloaded to the input means and then transmitted to the storage means 13.
- the audio signal would be transmitted to the telephone using the same network used to carry voice or date traffic to the telephone.
- the storage device 13, in the telephone 10 depicted in Fig. 1, also can receive an activation signal 17 generated in the telephone 10 when the telephone 10 detects an incoming telephone call.
- the storage device 13 Upon receiving the activation signal 17, the storage device 13 converts the stored signal to an electrical signal 16a which in turn is transmitted to a loudspeaker 18.
- the loudspeaker 18 in turn converts the electrical signal 16 to audible sound 14a that is emitted from the telephone 10.
- the electrical signal 16a transmitted from the storage means 13 is amplified by amplifier 19.
- the amplified signal is then transmitted to the loudspeaker 18 where it is turned back into the audible sound 14a and emitted from the telephone 10.
- the device 13 could store more than one such signal. These stored signals could be transmitted in sequence or in a random pattern to the loudspeaker.
- the telephone 10 could be modified to allow a user to select which audio signal 16a is transmitted to the loudspeaker 18 depending on the origin of the caller. For example, a user could programme into the telephone 10, a telephone number of a known caller and set up the telephone such that the storage device 13 always transmits a particular stored signal 16a when a telephone call is detected from that telephone number.
- the telephone 10 includes an antenna 21 which detects an incoming call 26 to the telephone 10 and transmits a signal 27 to a signal detection means 22 which in turn transmits a signal 28 to a controlling means 23.
- the controlling means 23 passes an activation signal 17 to the storage device 13 causing the storage device 13 to transmit the electrical signal 16a to the loudspeaker 18.
- the loudspeaker 18 converts electrical signal 16a to an a audible sound 14a and emits this sound from the telephone 10.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NZ514420A NZ514420A (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2000-02-23 | Telephone, mobile or cordless, able to record audio signals such as songs to be played when a call is incoming |
AU27849/00A AU760312B2 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2000-02-23 | Telephone |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPP8918 | 1999-02-26 | ||
AUPP8918A AUPP891899A0 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 1999-02-26 | Device for a telephone |
AUPQ2785A AUPQ278599A0 (en) | 1999-09-13 | 1999-09-13 | Device for a telephone |
AUPQ2785 | 1999-09-13 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000052909A1 true WO2000052909A1 (en) | 2000-09-08 |
Family
ID=25646001
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2000/000124 WO2000052909A1 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2000-02-23 | Telephone |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
NZ (1) | NZ514420A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000052909A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2365690A (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2002-02-20 | Nec Corp | Ring tones for mobile phone |
DE10059524A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-06-20 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Communication terminal with user-configurable memory |
GB2397969A (en) * | 2003-01-08 | 2004-08-04 | Vtech Telecomm Ltd | Downloading audio samples for personalised telephone ring tones |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4866766A (en) * | 1988-09-06 | 1989-09-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Telephone device having customized ring capability |
GB2220822A (en) * | 1988-07-12 | 1990-01-17 | Izumi Noziri | Telephone with variable calling sound |
US5111500A (en) * | 1990-01-04 | 1992-05-05 | Phonemate, Inc. | Handset or speaker message retrieval system |
CA2179835A1 (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1997-01-06 | Guido Bertocci | Method and Apparatus for Accessing a Telephone Answering Device from a Cordless Telephone Portable Unit |
US5598461A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1997-01-28 | Greenberg; Stephen | Personalized annunciation signaling phone unit |
DE29721122U1 (en) * | 1997-11-28 | 1998-01-15 | Meyer Peter | Call circuit of a telecommunication device and telecommunication device provided with a call circuit |
-
2000
- 2000-02-23 WO PCT/AU2000/000124 patent/WO2000052909A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-02-23 NZ NZ514420A patent/NZ514420A/en unknown
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2220822A (en) * | 1988-07-12 | 1990-01-17 | Izumi Noziri | Telephone with variable calling sound |
US4866766A (en) * | 1988-09-06 | 1989-09-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Telephone device having customized ring capability |
US5111500A (en) * | 1990-01-04 | 1992-05-05 | Phonemate, Inc. | Handset or speaker message retrieval system |
US5598461A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1997-01-28 | Greenberg; Stephen | Personalized annunciation signaling phone unit |
CA2179835A1 (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1997-01-06 | Guido Bertocci | Method and Apparatus for Accessing a Telephone Answering Device from a Cordless Telephone Portable Unit |
DE29721122U1 (en) * | 1997-11-28 | 1998-01-15 | Meyer Peter | Call circuit of a telecommunication device and telecommunication device provided with a call circuit |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2365690A (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2002-02-20 | Nec Corp | Ring tones for mobile phone |
GB2365690B (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2004-03-10 | Nec Corp | Mobile communication terminal and ringing method thereof |
DE10059524A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-06-20 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Communication terminal with user-configurable memory |
GB2397969A (en) * | 2003-01-08 | 2004-08-04 | Vtech Telecomm Ltd | Downloading audio samples for personalised telephone ring tones |
GB2397969B (en) * | 2003-01-08 | 2007-03-14 | Vtech Telecomm Ltd | Method and system for downloading audio samples for personalized telephone ring tones |
US7515702B2 (en) | 2003-01-08 | 2009-04-07 | Vtech Telecommunications Limited | Method and system for downloading audio samples for personalized telephone ring tones |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NZ514420A (en) | 2002-11-26 |
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