EP2457392A2 - System for creation and processing of personalized caller ring-back tones - Google Patents

System for creation and processing of personalized caller ring-back tones

Info

Publication number
EP2457392A2
EP2457392A2 EP09847525.4A EP09847525A EP2457392A2 EP 2457392 A2 EP2457392 A2 EP 2457392A2 EP 09847525 A EP09847525 A EP 09847525A EP 2457392 A2 EP2457392 A2 EP 2457392A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
caller
caller ringback
tones
ringback tones
ringback tone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09847525.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2457392A4 (en
Inventor
Prakash Rohra
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2457392A2 publication Critical patent/EP2457392A2/en
Publication of EP2457392A4 publication Critical patent/EP2457392A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42017—Customized ring-back tones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42136—Administration or customisation of services
    • H04M3/42153—Administration or customisation of services by subscriber
    • H04M3/42161—Administration or customisation of services by subscriber via computer interface

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of telecommunications.
  • Caller ringback tones are an audio clip of a sound recording created, developed or inspired from a sound recording, digitally encoded for use solely as the "caller back" audio file that resides on a content dealer's server, and is heard by the calling party on dialling the end user's telephone number.
  • Callee is a person who receives a phone call.
  • Caller is a person who dials/ places a phone call.
  • Callee Status includes busy, out of coverage area, switched off and unavailable.
  • Pilot Caller ringback tone are the first or the leading caller ringback tones which are played for the callee for selection and/or setting up of the caller ringback tones.
  • Wireless technology has made communication easier between people. People can get in touch with one another while they are in transit or away from home and/or office. However, many a times this freedom of communication can cause a lot of annoyance and disturbance especially when one is in midst of something important and urgent. At these times there is felt a need for a system using which users of wireless communication devices, particularly, cell phone/ mobile phone can ignore or block the unwanted calls for a certain period of time. Many mechanisms are in place for dealing with such situations like the simplest of all, the users may switch off the phone, divert the phone to another number, setup a voicemail asking the callers to leave a message, or send an SMS (Short Message Service) informing the callers that he/she is busy and will call them back.
  • SMS Short Message Service
  • voice used in the voicemail message is a monotonous voice which is system generated and cannot be altered, for instance a typical voicemail message, 'You have reached the voicemail box of 9812345678 please leave your message after the beep'. This voicemail message does not mention the name of the user.
  • the names of the subscribers are patched over the standard message template which makes the voicemail sound discorded.
  • the same voicemail message is played for all the users and therefore it lacks a personal touch.
  • the telecom service providers provide users with default status messages when the mobile phone is busy, out of coverage area and the like.
  • the messages including "The person you are trying to reach is on another call, kindly hold the line or call after sometime” or "The person you are trying to reach has either switched off the mobile or is out of coverage area” and the like are played.
  • These status messages are standard templates played for all callers and these do not disclose the name of the callee. Hence, the callers in case of doubt have to verify the dialed number, to ensure that it is correct. Moreover, these messages are repetitive and do not give a personalized feel to the callers.
  • Now-a-days caller ringback tones are the latest craze for mobile devices.
  • the callers can hear the music selected by the callee.
  • Various selection options are available in music like, film songs, religious songs, mantras, regional music, international music, instrumental music and the like.
  • highly educated persons, executives and the elderly do not like to put music ring tones on their mobile phone as they feel that the music ring tones (caller tunes) do not suit their dignity.
  • the present invention envisages a system for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones on a handheld communication device, the system comprising:
  • a first database to store a plurality of pre-determined personalized caller ringback tones as a single digital track, each of the caller ringback tones containing a common name along with pre-defined voiceover greeting message and a set of background music pieces for each name and greeting message;
  • assigning means to assign a unique identification code to each of the caller ringback tones; • a user interface to provide the list of caller ringback tones to users;
  • selection means co-operating with the user interface to accept unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number
  • notification means to notify the mobile service provider of the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number for a particular user
  • uploading means adapted to upload the caller ringback tones with their unique identification codes to the mobile service providers server;
  • lookup means to prepare a list of subscribed users and their selected caller ringback tone for various mobile numbers
  • playback means to play the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number based on the lookup list at a predetermined event.
  • the system includes:
  • selection means to select at least one option from each of the repositories
  • a mixer means adapted to receive the selection and further adapted to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate the personalized single track caller ringback tone.
  • the system includes:
  • selection means to select at least one option from each of the repositories
  • a mixer means adapted to receive the selection and further adapted to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate the personalized single track caller ringback tone.
  • the assigning means assigns unique numbers to each of the caller ringback tones using a sequence generator.
  • the user interface is a web based interface on a standalone machine.
  • the user interface is a web based interface on a mobile communication device.
  • the notification means is adapted to accept the unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number through means including SMS (Short Message Service) and an activation request through the web based interface.
  • the playback means plays the caller ringback tone in the event that the phone is busy, phone is unavailable and phone is unanswered for a pre-defined time, message inbox caller ringback tone.
  • the system includes an editing means to add/update/delete the selection of caller ringback tones for a mobile number.
  • the system includes a billing means to bill the users for each of the caller ringback tones selected per mobile number.
  • a method for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones on a handheld communication device comprising the following steps:
  • each of the caller ringback tones containing a common name along with pre-defined voiceover greeting message(s) and a set of background music pieces for each name and voiceover greeting message(s);
  • the step of creating the personalized caller ringback tones includes the steps of mixing each of the names of the users with each of the personalized voiceover greeting message(s) dubbed in a plurality of languages and voices with a plurality of background music pieces in an audio mixer and generating a single track for each of the caller ringback tones.
  • the step of assigning a unique identification code includes the steps of receiving a unique number from a sequence generator and assigning the received number to a unique caller ringback tone.
  • the step of selection includes the step of hearing the pilot caller ringback tone before confirming the selection of the caller ringback tone.
  • the step of notifying the mobile service provider includes the step of notifying the unique identification number of the selected caller ringback tone, corresponding mobile number of a caller and the designated event through means including SMS and web-based request.
  • the step of preparing a lookup list includes the step of linking the callee's mobile number with a lookup list containing the event, the selection of caller ringback tones and the corresponding mobile numbers of the callers.
  • the step of playing the caller ringback tone includes the step of streaming the designated caller ringback tone to the caller's phone.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic of the system for creation of personalized and processing of caller ringback tone(s).
  • FIGURE 2 is a flowchart showing the creation and processing of the caller ringback tone(s).
  • the present invention envisages a system for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones.
  • the present invention envisages a system which provides a plurality of predetermined 'ready to use' caller ringback tones, where each caller ringback tone is a single caller tune track which contains: • a common name stored in a plurality of name formats;
  • the recorded name of the user is mixed with the voiceover track and the background music track in an audio mixer to make a single caller ringback tone.
  • the caller ringback tone is played instead of the ordinary caller ring tones, so that every caller will be welcomed/greeted in the event that the callee is busy and cannot attend the phone, or the callee is away from the phone.
  • the caller ringback tones are automatically played and they politely advise the callers to call after some time before the phone is automatically disconnected by mobile service provider after a predefined exchange ring times, typically 30 to 45 seconds.
  • the sets of caller ringback tones can be a combination of two or more segments of voiceover greetings mixed with the name of the user and the background music.
  • the sets of caller ringback tones for the callers can be as follows:
  • the 'ready-to-use' caller ringback tones contain the names of users in formats including a title, a first name, a middle name, a last name, a nick name and combinations thereof which are common to a particular region. For instance, if the region is United states of America where there is American dominance, the system will create a database of caller ringback tones which will contain all common names and name formats but not limited to America like 'Mr. Williams ' or 'Mr. James or 'Mr. Williams James' or 'Dr. Williams' or 'Dr. Williams James' or similar combinations.
  • the caller ringback tones are dubbed in a plurality of voices.
  • the caller ringback tones can be dubbed in the voice of any professional voiceover artist or a celebrity.
  • the present invention provides callees with the provision of recording a personalized voice specimen for creating a custom caller ringback tone and/or selecting a name, greeting text, a voiceover and background music piece to create a customized greeting text.
  • the system is a multilingual system which enables creation of caller ringback tones in multiple languages.
  • the present invention provides the ready to use caller ringback tones to the mobile service providers.
  • the mobile service providers wireless communication service providers
  • these remotely stored caller ringback tones do not take up any phone memory.
  • the mobile service providers enable their subscribers to designate their choice of named caller ringback tone with the desired name format, voiceover greeting messages and background music from the list available with the system. After selection the subscribers can send their designated caller ringback tone's identification number to the service providers. As per the request the service providers activate the desired caller ringback tone for the mobile number of the subscriber. After activation of the named tone (caller ringback tone) the callers of the subscriber will always hear the named tone along with a personalized greeting blended with a soft and soothing background music, which automatically greets and notifies the caller in the event that the phone is busy, switched off, out of coverage area, caller is away or if the call is not answered for a predetermined designated time.
  • the named tone callers of the subscriber will always hear the named tone along with a personalized greeting blended with a soft and soothing background music, which automatically greets and notifies the caller in the event that the phone is busy, switched off, out of coverage area, caller is away or if the call is not answered for
  • the system also lets the users hear the selected caller ringback tone before notifying the mobile service provider of the selection.
  • the present invention allows callees to select multiple caller ringback tones and assign them to multiple callers.
  • the callees can create groups of callers and assign a particular caller ringback tone for that group.
  • FIGURE 1 represents a schematic of the system for creation and processing of caller ringback tones represented generally by block 100.
  • the system 100 is a remote web based server which enables creation and processing of caller ringback tones.
  • the caller ringback tones are music tracks in the digital format created by mixing common names of subscribers/users with a voiceover greeting message and a background music track in an audio mixer.
  • the single digital track i.e. each caller ringback tone thus created is a blend of the name of the subscriber, the personalized greeting message(s) dubbed in a plurality of voiceovers and background music track making it a ready to use message/caller tone.
  • the voiceovers are dubbed in plurality of languages and in the voices of professional voiceover artists and/or celebrities.
  • the caller ringback tones are stored in a first database 102 which is a remote repository for storing and retrieving the caller ringback tones on demand.
  • Each of the pre-determined caller ringback tones are assigned unique ringback identification codes using an assigning means 104. These unique caller ringback tones are further provided to the user interface 106.
  • the user interface 106 is a web-based interface which can be accessed from any handheld device or a standalone machine/ workstation. The user interface 106 co-operates with the first database 102 and displays the various caller ringback tones.
  • the users can browse through the lists of caller ringback tones and select one or more caller ringback tones through the selection means 108, the users can select one or more caller ringback tones and assign one or more mobile number per caller ringback tone. In addition, the users can hear the pilot caller ringback tones before confirming the selection.
  • the selection is received by the notification means 110 which sends an SMS/ real-time web based request (Short Message Service) to the Mobile service provider server 114 for activating the ringback services.
  • SMS/ real-time web based request Short Message Service
  • the system uploads the complete list of the caller ringback tones to the Mobile service providers server 114 via the uploading means 112 which comprises means including online transmission of data or directly uploading the data to the database of the mobile service providers so that the service providers can prepare a lookup table via the lookup means 116 for each subscriber.
  • the lookup list/table typically includes the subscribers (callees) mobile number and his/her selection of caller ringback tones for designated mobile numbers of callers and the details of the events when the messages have to be played, for instance, in case of normal operation the system will play the caller ringback tones assigned for individual callers, however in the event that the user phone is busy the system will play the selected set of caller ringback tones consisting of two or more segments and in the event that the phone is unanswered for a pre-defined duration of time the system will play a different caller ringback tone.
  • the user can personalize the ring tones by selecting from a plurality of caller ringback tones.
  • the system enables a user to create a customized caller ringback tone.
  • the system provides the users with a list of names, greeting text messages, voiceover audios and background music pieces. The users can select one option from each of the lists and create his/her caller ringback tone.
  • the system for creation of this caller ringback tones includes a names repository to store names of users, a greeting repository to store text of greeting messages, voiceover repository to store different voiceover audios and a music repository to store background music pieces.
  • the selection means 108 receives at least one option from each of the repositories sends it an audio mixer to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate the personalized single track caller ringback tone for the users.
  • the mobile service provider 114 retrieves the designated caller ringback tone and plays it for the caller via the playback means 118.
  • the playback means typically includes live streaming of the designated caller ringback tone for the caller.
  • the system bills the users on a monthly basis based on the number of caller ringback tones selected.
  • the system comprises an editing means (not shown in the Figures) which enables the callees to update or add new caller ringback tones, create new caller groups, set the idle time (number of seconds after which the caller ringback tone should play if the phone is not answered) and the like.
  • FIGURE 2 illustrates a method which includes the following steps:
  • each of the caller ringback tone containing a common name along with predefined voiceover greeting message(s) and a set of background music pieces for each name and voiceover greeting message(s), 1000;
  • the system and the method as described herein above offers several advancements over the existing systems in the art in terms of providing a system for creation and processing of 'ready to use' personalized caller ringback tones which automatically play for the caller in the event that the callee's phone is busy, unavailable, out of coverage area and the like.
  • the caller ringback tones created by the present invention are a single track of music containing names, common to a particular region and in a plurality of name formats along with voiceover of the personal greeting text dubbed in a plurality of voices and with variants of background music pieces ranging from folk, pop, devotional, blues, jazz, techno and the like.
  • the name of the callee does not have to be embedded in standard message templates as seen in the case of existing systems.
  • the created caller ringback tones are already preset in the database and include the name of the callee in different formats format and voice of the callee's choice, the message are personalized and do not sound discorded.
  • the system enables the callees to designate names and based on the designated names, plays the preset pilot caller ringback tones dubbed in a plurality of voices with variants of background music pieces stored in the database.
  • the callees on hearing the pilot caller ringback tones can select one or more messages of his/her choice. Callees are also given the provision of creating multiple caller groups and assigning the selected caller ringback tones to the caller groups.
  • the caller ringback tones are memory efficient as they are stored at a remote server and do not consume any memory on the callee's phone.
  • the personalized caller ringback tones help in identification of the callee.
  • the caller ringback tone contains the name of the callee and therefore the caller can be sure that he/she has dialed the correct number and thus they do not need to cross verify the dialed number in case there is no response from the callee.
  • the present invention puts the callees at ease, as the callees do not need to change the mode of the phone or setup and/or activate a service each time they are pre-occupied or away. Moreover, the callees can select different caller ringback tones and sets of caller ringback tones for different events including busy, unanswered, and unavailable. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A system and a method for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones are disclosed. The system provides a plurality of predetermined 'ready to use' caller ringback tones, where each message is a single caller tune track which contains a common name stored in a plurality of name formats, mixed with a plurality of background music pieces and with a personal greeting text which is recorded as a voiceover in a plurality of worldwide spoken languages and dubbed in the voices of professional voiceover artists and/or celebrities. The caller ringback tone is played instead of the ordinary caller ring tones, so that every caller will be welcomed/greeted in the event that the callee is busy and cannot attend the phone, or the callee is away from the phone.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CREATION AND PROCESSING OF PERSONALIZED CALLER RING-BACK TONES
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE SPECIFICATION
• Caller ringback tones (CRBT): "Caller ringback tones" are an audio clip of a sound recording created, developed or inspired from a sound recording, digitally encoded for use solely as the "caller back" audio file that resides on a content dealer's server, and is heard by the calling party on dialling the end user's telephone number.
• Callee: Callee is a person who receives a phone call.
• Caller: Caller is a person who dials/ places a phone call.
• Callee Status: Callee Status includes busy, out of coverage area, switched off and unavailable.
• Pilot Caller ringback tone: Pilot caller ringback tones are the first or the leading caller ringback tones which are played for the callee for selection and/or setting up of the caller ringback tones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless technology has made communication easier between people. People can get in touch with one another while they are in transit or away from home and/or office. However, many a times this freedom of communication can cause a lot of annoyance and disturbance especially when one is in midst of something important and urgent. At these times there is felt a need for a system using which users of wireless communication devices, particularly, cell phone/ mobile phone can ignore or block the unwanted calls for a certain period of time. Many mechanisms are in place for dealing with such situations like the simplest of all, the users may switch off the phone, divert the phone to another number, setup a voicemail asking the callers to leave a message, or send an SMS (Short Message Service) informing the callers that he/she is busy and will call them back.
However, all these mechanisms are inconvenient and time consuming as they require the user to manually switch the mode of the phone or set up the service each time he/she is busy or away. And many a times, a user may forget to switch the phone back to the normal mode once he/she is available.
Also, these mechanisms give an impersonal feel to the callers and do not inform the correct status of the callee. In addition, the voice used in the voicemail message is a monotonous voice which is system generated and cannot be altered, for instance a typical voicemail message, 'You have reached the voicemail box of 9812345678 please leave your message after the beep'. This voicemail message does not mention the name of the user.
Typically, in the prior art the names of the subscribers are patched over the standard message template which makes the voicemail sound discorded. Moreover, the same voicemail message is played for all the users and therefore it lacks a personal touch. Moreover, the telecom service providers provide users with default status messages when the mobile phone is busy, out of coverage area and the like. The messages including "The person you are trying to reach is on another call, kindly hold the line or call after sometime" or "The person you are trying to reach has either switched off the mobile or is out of coverage area" and the like are played. These status messages are standard templates played for all callers and these do not disclose the name of the callee. Hence, the callers in case of doubt have to verify the dialed number, to ensure that it is correct. Moreover, these messages are repetitive and do not give a personalized feel to the callers.
Now-a-days caller ringback tones (heard by only calling party) are the latest craze for mobile devices. On activation of a caller tune instead of a normal ring tone the callers can hear the music selected by the callee. Various selection options are available in music like, film songs, religious songs, mantras, regional music, international music, instrumental music and the like. However, highly educated persons, executives and the elderly do not like to put music ring tones on their mobile phone as they feel that the music ring tones (caller tunes) do not suit their dignity.
There is therefore, felt a need for a system which can provide callers with personalized status messages/ personalized caller tunes in a dignifying manner, politely advising the callers to call after some time in the event that the callees are busy, unable to answer the phone or if the phone is unattended as the calllee is distant from the phone. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient system which enables callees to setup personalized caller ringback tones.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an efficient system which automatically plays the personalized caller ringback tones in the event that the callee's phone is busy, unavailable or away.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a user friendly system which enables callees to setup different caller ringback tones for different callers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-lingual system for creation of caller ringback tones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention envisages a system for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones on a handheld communication device, the system comprising:
• a first database to store a plurality of pre-determined personalized caller ringback tones as a single digital track, each of the caller ringback tones containing a common name along with pre-defined voiceover greeting message and a set of background music pieces for each name and greeting message;
• assigning means to assign a unique identification code to each of the caller ringback tones; • a user interface to provide the list of caller ringback tones to users;
• selection means co-operating with the user interface to accept unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number;
• notification means to notify the mobile service provider of the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number for a particular user;
• uploading means adapted to upload the caller ringback tones with their unique identification codes to the mobile service providers server;
• lookup means to prepare a list of subscribed users and their selected caller ringback tone for various mobile numbers; and
• playback means to play the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number based on the lookup list at a predetermined event.
Additionally, the system includes:
• a names repository to store names of users;
• a greeting repository to store text of greeting messages;
• a voiceover repository to store different voiceover audios;
• selection means to select at least one option from each of the repositories; and
• a mixer means adapted to receive the selection and further adapted to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate the personalized single track caller ringback tone. Still additionally, the system includes:
• a names repository to store names of users;
• a greeting repository to store text of greeting messages;
• a voiceover repository to store different voiceover audios;
• a music repository to store background music pieces;
• selection means to select at least one option from each of the repositories; and
• a mixer means adapted to receive the selection and further adapted to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate the personalized single track caller ringback tone.
Typically, the assigning means assigns unique numbers to each of the caller ringback tones using a sequence generator.
Still typically, the user interface is a web based interface on a standalone machine.
Alternatively, the user interface is a web based interface on a mobile communication device.
Further, the notification means is adapted to accept the unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number through means including SMS (Short Message Service) and an activation request through the web based interface. Furthermore, the playback means plays the caller ringback tone in the event that the phone is busy, phone is unavailable and phone is unanswered for a pre-defined time, message inbox caller ringback tone.
Particularly, the system includes an editing means to add/update/delete the selection of caller ringback tones for a mobile number.
Still particularly, the system includes a billing means to bill the users for each of the caller ringback tones selected per mobile number.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones on a handheld communication device, the method comprising the following steps:
• creating a plurality of personalized caller ringback tones, each of the caller ringback tones containing a common name along with pre-defined voiceover greeting message(s) and a set of background music pieces for each name and voiceover greeting message(s);
• storing the personalized caller ringback tones;
• assigning a unique identification code to each of the caller ringback tones;
• uploading the caller ringback tones with their unique identification codes to the mobile service providers server;
• providing a list of caller ringback tones to users via a user interface;
• selecting a unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number; • notifying the mobile service provider of the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number for a particular user;
• preparing a lookup list of subscribed users and their selected caller ringback tone for various mobile numbers; and
• Playing the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number based on the lookup list at a pre-determined event.
Particularly, the step of creating the personalized caller ringback tones includes the steps of mixing each of the names of the users with each of the personalized voiceover greeting message(s) dubbed in a plurality of languages and voices with a plurality of background music pieces in an audio mixer and generating a single track for each of the caller ringback tones.
Still particularly, the step of assigning a unique identification code includes the steps of receiving a unique number from a sequence generator and assigning the received number to a unique caller ringback tone.
Additionally, the step of selection includes the step of hearing the pilot caller ringback tone before confirming the selection of the caller ringback tone.
Specifically, the step of notifying the mobile service provider includes the step of notifying the unique identification number of the selected caller ringback tone, corresponding mobile number of a caller and the designated event through means including SMS and web-based request. Still specifically, the step of preparing a lookup list includes the step of linking the callee's mobile number with a lookup list containing the event, the selection of caller ringback tones and the corresponding mobile numbers of the callers.
Preferably, the step of playing the caller ringback tone includes the step of streaming the designated caller ringback tone to the caller's phone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the accompanying drawings and their description stated below, which is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention and does not limit in any way the nature and scope of the invention.
FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic of the system for creation of personalized and processing of caller ringback tone(s); and
FIGURE 2 is a flowchart showing the creation and processing of the caller ringback tone(s).
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention envisages a system for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones. Particularly, the present invention envisages a system which provides a plurality of predetermined 'ready to use' caller ringback tones, where each caller ringback tone is a single caller tune track which contains: • a common name stored in a plurality of name formats;
• mixed with a plurality of background music pieces; and
• with a personal greeting text which is recorded as a voiceover in a plurality of worldwide spoken languages and dubbed in the voices of professional voiceover artists and/or celebrities.
In accordance with this invention, the recorded name of the user is mixed with the voiceover track and the background music track in an audio mixer to make a single caller ringback tone. The caller ringback tone is played instead of the ordinary caller ring tones, so that every caller will be welcomed/greeted in the event that the callee is busy and cannot attend the phone, or the callee is away from the phone. The caller ringback tones are automatically played and they politely advise the callers to call after some time before the phone is automatically disconnected by mobile service provider after a predefined exchange ring times, typically 30 to 45 seconds.
The system provides the users with sets of pre-determined caller ringback tones, the sets of caller ringback tones can be a combination of two or more segments of voiceover greetings mixed with the name of the user and the background music. For instance, the sets of caller ringback tones for the callers can be as follows:
1. VOICEOVER SEGMENT 1
Hi thank you for calling Mr. X, Please hold the line
SEGMENT 2
Mr. X is busy please hold the line SEGMENT 3
I'm Sorry... Mr. X is still busy please call after some time.
Technical divisions of voice over message of 45 seconds music track for making caller ringback tones (music duration varies from 25 seconds to 60 seconds as per mobile operator specifications)
00 to 02 seconds - music for two seconds
02 to 06 seconds - Voiceover: Thank you for calling Mr. Johnson, please hold the line
06 to 21 seconds - music for 15 seconds
21 to 24 seconds - Voiceover: Mr. Johnson is busy please hold the line
24 to 39 seconds - music for 15 seconds
39 to 43 seconds - Voiceover: Fm sorry... Mr. Johnson is still busy please call later.
43 to 45 seconds - music for two seconds
45 to 45 seconds - call automatically gets disconnected.
2. Mobile Out of reach message (with music)
I am sorry Mr. Johnson's number is currently unavailable/not reachable please call later.
3. Mobile Busy message (with music)
I am sorry Mr. Johnson's number is busy at the movement please stay on the line or call later. 4. Voice mail box message (with music)
Hi, you have reached the voice mail box of Mr. Johnson please leave your message after the beep.
These sets of messages give a personal touch since they are a blend of background music and a personalized voiceover greeting message along with the callees name, they also make the caller ringback tone very genuine and suit to any genre/class of callees.
Particularly, the 'ready-to-use' caller ringback tones contain the names of users in formats including a title, a first name, a middle name, a last name, a nick name and combinations thereof which are common to a particular region. For instance, if the region is United states of America where there is American dominance, the system will create a database of caller ringback tones which will contain all common names and name formats but not limited to America like 'Mr. Williams ' or 'Mr. James or 'Mr. Williams James' or 'Dr. Williams' or 'Dr. Williams James' or similar combinations.
In addition to the caller ringback tones containing a plurality of names and name formats, the caller ringback tones are dubbed in a plurality of voices. The caller ringback tones can be dubbed in the voice of any professional voiceover artist or a celebrity.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides callees with the provision of recording a personalized voice specimen for creating a custom caller ringback tone and/or selecting a name, greeting text, a voiceover and background music piece to create a customized greeting text.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the system is a multilingual system which enables creation of caller ringback tones in multiple languages.
Furthermore, the present invention provides the ready to use caller ringback tones to the mobile service providers. The mobile service providers (wireless communication service providers) upload these named caller ringback tones at their server and assign unique identification numbers to each of the named caller ringback tones. Thus, these remotely stored caller ringback tones do not take up any phone memory.
The mobile service providers enable their subscribers to designate their choice of named caller ringback tone with the desired name format, voiceover greeting messages and background music from the list available with the system. After selection the subscribers can send their designated caller ringback tone's identification number to the service providers. As per the request the service providers activate the desired caller ringback tone for the mobile number of the subscriber. After activation of the named tone (caller ringback tone) the callers of the subscriber will always hear the named tone along with a personalized greeting blended with a soft and soothing background music, which automatically greets and notifies the caller in the event that the phone is busy, switched off, out of coverage area, caller is away or if the call is not answered for a predetermined designated time.
The system also lets the users hear the selected caller ringback tone before notifying the mobile service provider of the selection. Also, the present invention allows callees to select multiple caller ringback tones and assign them to multiple callers. The callees can create groups of callers and assign a particular caller ringback tone for that group.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIGURE 1 represents a schematic of the system for creation and processing of caller ringback tones represented generally by block 100.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 is a remote web based server which enables creation and processing of caller ringback tones.
The caller ringback tones are music tracks in the digital format created by mixing common names of subscribers/users with a voiceover greeting message and a background music track in an audio mixer. The single digital track i.e. each caller ringback tone thus created is a blend of the name of the subscriber, the personalized greeting message(s) dubbed in a plurality of voiceovers and background music track making it a ready to use message/caller tone. The voiceovers are dubbed in plurality of languages and in the voices of professional voiceover artists and/or celebrities. The caller ringback tones are stored in a first database 102 which is a remote repository for storing and retrieving the caller ringback tones on demand.
Each of the pre-determined caller ringback tones are assigned unique ringback identification codes using an assigning means 104. These unique caller ringback tones are further provided to the user interface 106. The user interface 106 is a web-based interface which can be accessed from any handheld device or a standalone machine/ workstation. The user interface 106 co-operates with the first database 102 and displays the various caller ringback tones.
The users can browse through the lists of caller ringback tones and select one or more caller ringback tones through the selection means 108, the users can select one or more caller ringback tones and assign one or more mobile number per caller ringback tone. In addition, the users can hear the pilot caller ringback tones before confirming the selection. The selection is received by the notification means 110 which sends an SMS/ real-time web based request (Short Message Service) to the Mobile service provider server 114 for activating the ringback services.
Furthermore, the system uploads the complete list of the caller ringback tones to the Mobile service providers server 114 via the uploading means 112 which comprises means including online transmission of data or directly uploading the data to the database of the mobile service providers so that the service providers can prepare a lookup table via the lookup means 116 for each subscriber. The lookup list/table typically includes the subscribers (callees) mobile number and his/her selection of caller ringback tones for designated mobile numbers of callers and the details of the events when the messages have to be played, for instance, in case of normal operation the system will play the caller ringback tones assigned for individual callers, however in the event that the user phone is busy the system will play the selected set of caller ringback tones consisting of two or more segments and in the event that the phone is unanswered for a pre-defined duration of time the system will play a different caller ringback tone. Thus, the user can personalize the ring tones by selecting from a plurality of caller ringback tones.
Alternatively, the system enables a user to create a customized caller ringback tone. For creation of customized caller ringback tones the system provides the users with a list of names, greeting text messages, voiceover audios and background music pieces. The users can select one option from each of the lists and create his/her caller ringback tone. The system for creation of this caller ringback tones includes a names repository to store names of users, a greeting repository to store text of greeting messages, voiceover repository to store different voiceover audios and a music repository to store background music pieces. The selection means 108 receives at least one option from each of the repositories sends it an audio mixer to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate the personalized single track caller ringback tone for the users.
When a caller makes a call and the callee status is busy or unavailable then as per the lookup list provided by the lookup means 116 the mobile service provider 114 retrieves the designated caller ringback tone and plays it for the caller via the playback means 118. The playback means typically includes live streaming of the designated caller ringback tone for the caller.
The system bills the users on a monthly basis based on the number of caller ringback tones selected. In addition, the system comprises an editing means (not shown in the Figures) which enables the callees to update or add new caller ringback tones, create new caller groups, set the idle time (number of seconds after which the caller ringback tone should play if the phone is not answered) and the like.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for creation and processing of the caller ringback tones. FIGURE 2 illustrates a method which includes the following steps:
• creating a plurality of personalized caller ringback tones, each of the caller ringback tone containing a common name along with predefined voiceover greeting message(s) and a set of background music pieces for each name and voiceover greeting message(s), 1000;
• storing the personalized caller ringback tones, 1002;
• assigning a unique identification code to each of the caller ringback tones, 1004;
• uploading the caller ringback tones with their unique identification codes to the mobile service providers server, 1006;
• providing a list of caller ringback tones to users via a user interface, 1008; • selecting a unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number, 1010;
• notifying the mobile service provider of the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number for a particular user, 1012;
• preparing a lookup list of subscribed users and their selected caller ringback tone for various mobile numbers, 1014; and
• playing the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number based on the lookup list at a pre-determined event, 1016.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
The system and the method as described herein above offers several advancements over the existing systems in the art in terms of providing a system for creation and processing of 'ready to use' personalized caller ringback tones which automatically play for the caller in the event that the callee's phone is busy, unavailable, out of coverage area and the like.
The caller ringback tones created by the present invention are a single track of music containing names, common to a particular region and in a plurality of name formats along with voiceover of the personal greeting text dubbed in a plurality of voices and with variants of background music pieces ranging from folk, pop, devotional, blues, jazz, techno and the like. Thus, the name of the callee does not have to be embedded in standard message templates as seen in the case of existing systems. As the created caller ringback tones are already preset in the database and include the name of the callee in different formats format and voice of the callee's choice, the message are personalized and do not sound discorded.
The system enables the callees to designate names and based on the designated names, plays the preset pilot caller ringback tones dubbed in a plurality of voices with variants of background music pieces stored in the database. The callees on hearing the pilot caller ringback tones can select one or more messages of his/her choice. Callees are also given the provision of creating multiple caller groups and assigning the selected caller ringback tones to the caller groups.
The caller ringback tones are memory efficient as they are stored at a remote server and do not consume any memory on the callee's phone.
Moreover, the personalized caller ringback tones help in identification of the callee. The caller ringback tone contains the name of the callee and therefore the caller can be sure that he/she has dialed the correct number and thus they do not need to cross verify the dialed number in case there is no response from the callee.
In addition, the present invention puts the callees at ease, as the callees do not need to change the mode of the phone or setup and/or activate a service each time they are pre-occupied or away. Moreover, the callees can select different caller ringback tones and sets of caller ringback tones for different events including busy, unanswered, and unavailable. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A system for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones on a handheld communication device, said system comprising:
• a first database to store a plurality of pre-determined personalized caller ringback tones as a single digital track, each of said caller ringback tones containing a common name, surname along with pre-defined voiceover greeting message and a set of background music pieces for each name and greeting message;
• assigning means to assign a unique identification code to each of said caller ringback tones;
• a user interface to provide the list of caller ringback tones to users;
• selection means co-operating with the user interface to accept unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number;
• notification means to notify the mobile service provider of the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number for a particular user;
• uploading means adapted to upload the caller ringback tones with their unique identification codes to the mobile service providers server;
• lookup means to prepare a list of subscribed users and their selected caller ringback tone for various mobile numbers; and • playback means to play the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number based on said lookup list at a predetermined event.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system includes:
• a names repository to store names of users;
• a greeting repository to store text of greeting messages;
• a voiceover repository to store different voiceover audios;
• selection means to select at least one option from each of said repositories; and
• a mixer means adapted to receive the selection and further adapted to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate said personalized single track caller ringback tone.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system includes:
• a names repository to store names of users;
• a greeting repository to store text of greeting messages;
• a voiceover repository to store different voiceover audios;
• a music repository to store background music pieces;
• selection means to select at least one option from each of said repositories; and
• a mixer means adapted to receive the selection and further adapted to mix the selection in an audio mixer and generate said personalized single track caller ringback tone.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assigning means assigns unique numbers to each of the caller ringback tones using a sequence generator.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface is a web based interface on a standalone machine.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface is a web based interface on a mobile communication device.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said notification means is adapted to accept said unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number through means including SMS (Short Message Service) and an activation request through the web based interface.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said playback means plays the caller ringback tone in the event that the phone is busy, phone is unavailable and phone is unanswered for a pre-defined time.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system includes an editing means to add/update/delete the selection of caller ringback tones for a mobile number.
10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system includes a billing means to bill the users for each of the caller ringback tones selected per mobile number.
1. A method for creation and processing of personalized caller ringback tones on a handheld communication device, said method comprising the following steps:
• creating a plurality of personalized caller ringback tones, each of said caller ringback tones containing a common name along with pre-defined voiceover greeting message(s) and a set of background music pieces for each name and voiceover greeting message(s);
• storing said personalized caller ringback tones;
• assigning a unique identification code to each of said caller ringback tones;
• uploading the caller ringback tones with their unique identification codes to the mobile service providers server;
• providing a list of caller ringback tones to users via a user interface;
• selecting a unique identification code for at least one caller ringback tone per mobile number;
• notifying the mobile service provider of the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number for a particular user;
• preparing a lookup list of subscribed users and their selected caller ringback tone for various mobile numbers; and
• playing the selected caller ringback tone for a particular mobile number based on said lookup list at a pre-determined event.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of creating said personalized caller ringback tones includes the steps of mixing each of the names of the users with each of the personalized voiceover greeting message(s) dubbed in a plurality of languages and voices with a plurality of background music pieces in an audio mixer and generating a single track for each of the caller ringback tones.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of assigning a unique identification code includes the steps of receiving a unique number from a sequence generator and assigning the received number to a unique caller ringback tone.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of selection includes the step of hearing the pilot caller ringback tone before confirming the selection of said caller ringback tone.
15. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of notifying the mobile service provider includes the step of notifying the unique identification number of the selected caller ringback tone, corresponding mobile number of a caller and the designated event through means including SMS and web-based request.
16. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of preparing a lookup list includes the step of linking the callee's mobile number with a lookup list containing the event, the selection of caller ringback tones and the corresponding mobile numbers of the callers.
7. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of playing the caller ringback tone includes the step of streaming the designated caller ringback tone to the caller's phone.
EP09847525A 2009-07-20 2009-12-08 System for creation and processing of personalized caller ring-back tones Withdrawn EP2457392A4 (en)

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DE202010005952U1 (en) 2010-09-30
AU2009101307A4 (en) 2010-02-04
WO2011010322A3 (en) 2012-05-24
CN102714679A (en) 2012-10-03
AU2009101307B4 (en) 2012-07-19
WO2011010322A2 (en) 2011-01-27

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