Patent Application
20050107075
The present invention relates generally to wireless communications devices, and in particular, to the activation of one or more complimentary multi-media effects available to the wireless communications device.
Consumers often seek innovative features and new functionality when deciding on whether to purchase a wireless communications device. One especially popular feature allows a user to assign a melodic ring tone to a specific remote party's terminal. Upon receiving an incoming call, the user can identify the caller simply by listening to the ring tone. Also popular is the ability to play games, view images, video, and define various vibration and lighting patterns.
Of course, consumer interest in what was once new and innovative often wanes quickly. Thus, manufacturers and service providers sometimes struggle to keep abreast of consumer demand. Those that cannot get new features to market fast enough may find themselves losing market share. On the other hand, those that do may fail to realize sufficient capital to justify their investment in developing the functionality. Therefore, manufacturers and service providers would benefit if they could offer new and innovative features, functionality, and services based on existing infrastructure. Not only would this allow these entities to get features to market faster and cheaper, it would prolong an existing revenue stream as well as create the potential for new revenue streams.
The present invention provides a wireless communications device operable to “shuffle-play” complimentary multi-media effects selected from a picklist. As used herein, the picklist means a list that comprises one or more complimentary multi-media effects available to the wireless communications device. A complimentary multi-media effect comprises, for example, audio files, ring tones, vibrator patterns, games, images, video sequences, and lighting patterns.
In one embodiment, the wireless communications device comprises a transceiver, memory, and a processor to control the one or more complimentary multi-media effects. The processor is configured to play or activate a complimentary multi-media effect selected from the picklist upon the receipt of a predetermined event. Thereafter, the processor is configured to automatically change the selected complimentary multi-media effect to a new complimentary multi-media effect, also selected from the picklist, and play or activate the new complimentary multi-media effect upon receipt of a subsequent predetermined event. Selection of the complimentary multi-media effect from the picklist occurs without intervention from the user.
Referring now to
Circuitry 12 comprises a synthesizer 20, memory 22, and a system interface 24. Synthesizer 20 may be, for example, a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) synthesizer that synthesizes audio files for playback to a user of device 10. These audio files include, but are not limited to, polyphonic music used as ring tones. The information carried in the files may be information regarding a note to be played, when to change tones, volume, various instruments, and/or sounds to be played or synthesized, and how long to sustain a given note. Synthesizer 20, via built in hardware and/or software, reads these files and renders them as digital audio to the user.
Memory 22 represents the entire hierarchy of memory in device 10, including both random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), and may be partitioned. Operating instructions and data required for operation of device 10 may be stored in a non-volatile partition accessible to the user. This portion of the memory, as will later be described, may also store picklists containing a list of one or more complimentary multi-media effects available to device 10. Other information, such as temporary data and/or instructions, may be stored in a volatile or temporary partition that is not directly accessible to the user. Memory 22 includes devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and/or flash memory, and may be implemented as a discrete device, stacked device, or integrated with microprocessor 40.
System interface 24 facilitates the inter-connection of device 10 with one or more peripheral devices, such as a battery charger, a hands-free headset, an external computing device, a digital video camera, or external memory. Through system interface 24, users may charge the battery of device 10, exchange data with external peripheral devices, and control the operation of the external peripheral devices. Typically, system interface 24 comprises a “female” type connector that receives “male” type connectors from system plugs. However, alternate embodiments contemplate system interface 24 as a “male” type connector that receives corresponding “female” type system plugs.
User interface 14 comprises a tactile generator 26, a keypad 28, a display 30, lights 32, a microphone 34, and a speaker 36. Tactile generator 26 comprises an electric motor and generates tactile signals that can be sensed by the user upon the receipt of an incoming call. Additionally, tactile generator 26 may also be activated responsive to an alert, or to the play of a game stored in memory 22 of device 10. The user may specify a variety of varying patterns for the tactile generator 26 to follow when activated.
Keypad 28 includes an alphanumeric keypad, and optionally, other navigation controls. Keypad 28 allows the operator to dial numbers, enter commands, play games, and select options from various menus stored in memory 22. Display 30 displays information to the user including dialed digits, incoming caller identification, images, video sequences, call status information, menu options, and other service information. Lights 32 provide visual indications to the user, and may comprise backlighting for keypad 28 or display 30, for example.
Microphone 34 converts the user's speech into electrical audio signals, while speaker 36 converts audio signals into audible sounds for the user. Microphone 34 and speaker 36 send and receive signals to/from transceiver 16 via audio processing circuit 44. Transceiver 16 is coupled to an antenna 38 and is a fully functional cellular radio transceiver that operates according to standards well known in the art, including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), TIA/EIA-136, cdmaOne, cdma2000, UMTS, and Wideband CDMA.
Control circuitry 18 interconnects circuitry 12, user interface 14, and transceiver 16, and controls the operation of device 10. Control circuitry 18 comprises a microprocessor 40, an input/output circuit 42, and an audio processing circuit 44. Microprocessor 40 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, and may be any suitable processor known in the art. This includes general purpose and special purpose microprocessors, as well as digital signal processors (DSPs). Microprocessor 40 controls the operation of device 10 according to programs stored in memory 22, and generates control signals to control one or more complementary multi-media features, such as lights 32, tactile generator 26, and ring tones stored as audio files in memory 22. As will be described later, microprocessor 40 is configured to select a complimentary multi-media effect from the picklist stored in memory 22.
Input/output circuit 42 interfaces microprocessor 40 with system interface 24, tactile generator 26, keypad 28, lights 30, audio processing circuit 44, and transceiver 16. Audio processing circuit 44 provides basic analog output signals to speaker 36 and accepts analog audio inputs from microphone 34. Thus, the user of device 10 may communicate to a remote party via transceiver 16, as well as hear ring tones rendered by Synthesizer 20, and other alerts or alarms.
Intermediate network 62 may be distinct from or integrated with wireless network 52, and includes a local area network 64, a subscriber database (SID) 66, a router 68, and a gateway 70. Local area network 64 represents any type of network known in the art capable of providing a communications pathway between wireless network 52, SID 66, router 68, and gateway 70. Like wireless network 52, the details of intermediate network 62 are well known and not discussed in any detail. It is sufficient to understand that picklists may be stored on SID 66.
Gateway 70 provides a connection to a server 74 and/or a PC 76 via a public IP network 72, for example, the Internet. This allows the user of device 10 to communicate with a remote party, as well as access data stored on SID 67, server 74, and/or PC 76. Like intermediate network 62, SID 67, server 74, and/or PC 76 may comprise subscriber data, such as picklists, that may be downloaded to device 10.
As previously stated, the present invention may “shuffle-play” a complimentary multi-media effect without user intervention by playing or activating a complimentary multi-media effect selected from a picklist. The selection order of the complimentary multi-media effect from the picklist may be random, or predetermined. Once an effect is selected, the picklist may be “shuffled” or re-sequenced and another effect chosen. One or more picklists may be created and stored on device 10, or alternatively network 50, each containing a list of one or more complimentary multi-media effects available to device 10. Shuffling the order of the complimentary multi-media effects in the list helps to ensure diversity of selection.
In one embodiment of the present invention, seen in
As can be inferred from method 80, microprocessor 40 may change the ring tone to a new selected ring tone upon the receipt of each incoming call. The selection may be random, or it may be according to a predetermined order chosen by the user. Alternatively, however, the present invention may also change ring tones upon occurrence of other predetermined events as well. By way of example, the user may decide to change selected ring tones only upon receipt of every nth call, such as every 5th, or may decide to change ring tones only at predetermined times.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
Storing the ring tone audio files on the network in this manner saves memory storage in device 10; however, sending the complete audio file may result in delaying call completion and use up bandwidth. To prevent this, the network entity may simply send an ID to device 10 that identifies the selected ring tone stored in memory 22 or 23.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Once the call is complete (box 116) the user is provided with a choice to purchase the audio file just played (box 118). If the user chooses to purchase the file, microprocessor 40 moves the audio file from the volatile partition to the non-volatile partition (box 120), and adds the file to the user's sound library (box 122). The user may then return to the exemplary menu system in
The partitioning of memory 22 and/or external memory 23 may be done by the user, or may be pre-configured. That is, the user may decide how much memory should be dedicated to store “owned” complimentary multi-media effects, and how much should be dedicated as temporary storage. Of course, the user would have very little, if any, control over the content stored in the temporary volatile partition to protect the interests of the network operators pushing the content to the user. However, the user would retain control over the non-volatile partition. Further, the audio files sent from the network may be sent to and stored in device 10 in advance of any incoming calls. This would prevent delays, as the downloaded audio file would already exist in device 10.
As those skilled in the art will understand, the embodiment of
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
