WO2000079770A1

WO2000079770A1 - User customizable announcement

Info

Publication number: WO2000079770A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/017141
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Y. Son; Jong T. Chung
Original assignee: Neopoint, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-06-23
Filing date: 2000-06-21
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: AU5631500A

Abstract

A system and method for providing custom announcements for a communication device is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the device enters a custom announcement mode (204) wherein the communication device accepts voice or other audio sounds spoken by the user or otherwise provided to the communication device (208, 212). The custom sounds can be used as indicators for a variety of device occurrences or other events (216) such as, an incoming call alert, browser sounds, a message indicator, a voice mail indicator, a scheduler alert, a roam call indicator, and so on. Various techniques can be used to allow the communication device to accept and store custom sounds for a variety of different events.

Description

DESCRIPTION

User Customizable Announcement

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telephonic systems and handsets and more specifically to a system and method for facilitating a user customizable ringer with telephone and communication systems.

2. Related Art

The advent of wireless personal communication devices has revolutionized the telecommunications industry. Cordless telephones, as well as Cellular, PCS, emerging satellite networks and other wireless services provide wireless personal communications to businesses and individuals at home, in the office, on the road, and virtually anywhere the wireless network reaches. Wireless telephone subscribers no longer have to stop at pay telephones along the road, or wait until they return home or to the office to check messages and return important business calls. Instead, wireless subscribers carry out their day to day business from their cars, from the job site, while walking along the airport concourse, and just about anywhere their signals are accessible.

Additionally, the popularity of the speakerphone, for both mobile and fixed phones has grown steadily. The speakerphone feature enables users to conduct other tasks while carrying on a conversation without having to hold the instrument to their ear. In the car, the user can drive with preferably with both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road. At home or in the office, the user can carry on other tasks while also carrying on a conversation.

Thus, it is no surprise that since the introduction of the cellular telephone service, the number of wireless telephone subscribers has increased steadily. Today, the number of wireless telephone subscribers is staggering and still growing rapidly. In fact, many households have multiple wireless telephones in addition to or even in place of their conventional land-line services. Additionally, the popularity of speakerphones has grown as well. Almost every office telephone includes a speakerphone feature in today's modern workplace.

With markets of this size, there is fierce competition among hardware and equipment manufacturers as well as among service providers. In an attempt to lure customers, most manufacturers and providers offer handsets with desirable features or attributes such as small size, light weight, longer battery life, speed dial, and so forth. Many recent additions to the marketplace include multi-functional handsets that even provide pocket-organizer functions integrated into the wireless handset. Most manufacturers, however, are still scrambling to add new features to their communication devices to snare a portion of this booming market.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed toward systems and methods for implementing a customizable announcement with an electronic device such as, for example a communication device or wireless communication handset.

According to one aspect of the invention, a technique can be provided to allow the communication device to enter a custom announcement mode, wherein the communication device accepts voice or other audio sounds spoken by the user or otherwise provided to the communication device. The custom sounds can be used as indicators for a variety of device occurrences or other events such as, for example, an incoming call alert, browser sounds, a message indicator, a voice mail indicator, a scheduler alert, a roam call indicator, and so on. Various techniques can be used to allow the communication device to accept and store custom sounds for a variety of different events.

In one implementation of the invention, a custom announcement can be stored by the user and designated for playback upon the occurrence of a predefined event. For example, the user may store a custom audio clip (e.g., his or her voice saying "you have an incoming call") and designate that audio clip as the announcement to be made when an incoming call is received.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram generally illustrating an example environment of the invention as a wireless communication handset. FIG. 2 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for storing and playback of announcements according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture for implementing a user customizable announcement feature according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for storage and playback of an announcement for a particular event according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation flow diagram illustrating a process for storage and playback of an announcement for an event according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture for accepting user-customizable announcements from an external source according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture for format conversion according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of format conversion according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example processor-based system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

1. Introduction and Overview

The present invention is directed toward a system and method for providing customized event announcements with an electronic device. More specifically, according to one aspect of the invention, a user customizable announcement is provided for a communication device, allowing a user to store one or more custom sounds and designate custom sounds as associated with one or more events.

For example, according to one aspect of the invention, a technique can be provided to allow the communication device to enter a custom announcement mode, wherein the communication device accepts voice or other audio sounds spoken by the user or otherwise provided to the communication device. The custom sounds can be used as indicators for a variety of device occurrences or other events such as, for example, an incoming call alert, browser sounds, a message indicator, a voice mail indicator, a scheduler alert, a roam call indicator, and so on. Various techniques can be used to allow the communication device to accept and store custom sounds for a variety of different events.

2. Example Environment

Before describing the invention in detail, it is useful to describe a simple example environment in which the invention can be implemented. One such example environment is a telephone environment, or a portable communication handset such as a cordless telephone, cellular phone or other wireless communication device. One particular application of such a device is a wireless communication handset such as, for example, a cellular, GSM, PCS, radio, or other wireless communication handset. Such handsets or communication devices provide wireless communication services and often include a keypad for control and data entry of the device, as well as a display to provide information to the user regarding the communication or regarding information entered by the user on the keypad.

Wireless communication handsets or devices such as those that would benefit from the various features and aspects of the present invention, can be implemented in a number of different configurations with a number of different architectures. In fact, as will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description, implementation of the features of the present invention is not dependent on a particular or specific architecture of the electronic device or communication device. However, to provide a backdrop for the description of the features, an example wireless communication device is described with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , the wireless communication device 100 includes a processor 104, a speaker 106, a display 108, a keypad 110, a transceiver 122, a memory 114, a microphone 116, a power source 118, a data port 124 and an antenna 120. Wireless communication device 100 can be a handheld handset, inte- grated vehicle phone or other preferably wireless communication device configured to communicate with other communication devices such as, for example, a base station 112 or other communication device. Contemporary communication handsets typically include one or more processors 104 to control the operation and the features of the handset. Processor 104 typically has associated therewith computer program code running on the processor to carry out the functionality of the device.

Memory 114 such as RAM, ROM, or other memory, can be included and interfaced with the processor to store the program code and to provide other storage space for data or other information useful in executing the program code as well as in carrying out functions of the handset. In fact, the features and functionality of the present invention can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof, and such software can run on a processor such as processor 104.

Communication handsets 100 typically also include a transceiver 122. Transceiver 122 provides a transmitter to transmit voice and data information via antenna 120 to a recipient communication device such as, for example, base station 112. Transceiver 122 typically also includes a receiver to receive voice and data communication from another communication device (e.g., base station 112) and to provide the received voice and data information to the user or to facilitate internal functionality of the handset. In the case of a cordless telephone, for example, the base station may be the telephone base that is connected via the user's telephone line to a PSTN. As another example, in the case of a cellular phone, base station 112 may be the cell site base station. As yet one more example, in the case of a 5 satellite communication system, base station 112 may include a relay satellite and an earth station associated therewith.

User interface portions of the typical wireless communication handset 100 include a speaker 106, a display 108, a keypad 110, and a microphone 116. Microphone 116 accepts voice or other audio information from the user, converts this information to electrical signals such that they can be transmitted by the transceiver to a recipient. Likewise, speaker 106 converts electrical signals received by transceiver 122 into audio information that can be heard by a user of the wireless communication device 100. Display 108 can be included and used to display information to the user such as, for example, call information, keypad entry display, signal presence and signal strength display, battery life display, identification of an incoming call, or any other information useful to the user. Display 108 can include any type of display, but is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) due to the LCD's low power consumption characteristics. Display 108 can also include other visual displays such as, for example, light emitting diode (LED) indicators or other visual indicators.

Keypad 110 can be implemented using a numeric or an alphanumeric keypad and can also include special function keys. In one embodiment, keypad 110 includes back lighting such that information on the keys can be viewed by the user in low light or dark conditions. Many electronic devices including wireless communication devices include a flip panel (not illustrated) that can be closed to conceal some or all of the keys on the keypad.

Power source 118 is used to provide power to one or more of the components of the wireless communication handset 100. Power source 118 can be implemented, for example, using rechargeable batteries such as NiCad or NiMH rechargeable batteries. Other power sources can be included in addition to or in place of batteries.

Data port 124 can be used to exchange or share data with a host computer or other device. For example, where the functionality of the telephone device includes personal organizer functionality, a user may wish to upload collected contact information to his or her laptop or desktop computer. Data port 124 can be a hard wired or wireless data port and can use any of a number of different communication standards. One such example communication standard prominent in PC interfaces is RS-232. As an additional example, in the case of a cellular telephone, data port 124 may be used to interface a hands-free kit to the handset. The invention is described herein in terms of this example application in this example environment. Description in these terms is provided for ease of discussion only. After reading the description herein, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be implemented in any of a number of different electronic devices or architectures, including, for example, PDA's, organizers, and other devices where it is desirable to implement custom event indicator features.

3. Custom Event Indication Features

Having thus described an example environment in which the various features and aspects of the invention can be implemented, either individually or collectively, the invention is now described in further detail in terms of this example environment according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 2 is an operational flow diagram generally illustrating a process for providing

FIG. 2 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for providing user customizable event announcements or ringers according to one embodiment of the invention. In a step 204, the communication device enters a custom announcement mode in which personalized sounds can be stored by the user for playback upon the occurrence of one or more events of the communication device. Entry into the custom announcement mode can be accomplished, for example, at the direction of the user by keypad or keystroke entries, following instructions on a menu screen, providing a voice command, or other action causing the communication device to enter the custom announcement mode. In a step 208, communication device receives the custom sound or announcement from the user. For example, in one embodiment, the communication device may prompt the user to speak or otherwise provide the custom announcement or sound that the user wishes to be stored for use in announcements.

In a step 212, the received announcement is stored in the communication device. For example, in one embodiment, the received announcement is stored in memory such as general memory or in a special memory or a portion of memory designated for storing such announcements. In one embodiment, the communication device can provide for reporting and storage of multiple announcements such that more than one custom sound or announcement can be stored by the user and designated for one or more events. Preferably, in this embodiment, the user can provide names for the sounds or announcements recorded such that the user can easily identify those sounds or announcements when designating particular sounds or announcements to one or more events.

In a step 216, on the occurrence of an event, the stored sound that is designated as being associated with that event is retrieved and played to announce the event. For example, consider a scenario in which a user stores a sound in his or her own voice saying "You have an incoming call," and this sound is designated as the ringer sound to announce an incoming call. In this example, when an incoming call is received the communication device retrieves this recorded announcement so that it is played to announce the incoming call in place of conventional ringer sounds.

Thus, as the above scenario illustrates, the communication device can accept, store, and play back custom sounds or announcements for one or more events. As such, the user's communication device can be customized to his or her own preferences or to suit his or her own personality. Additionally, one common problem of unidentifiable ringers, beeps, or other more conventional sounds can be avoided. Having thus describe any general process for providing custom announcements with a communication device, more detailed scenarios are now described in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture that can be used to provide user customizable announcements according to one embodiment of the invention. The example architecture illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a CPU 282, ringer memory 284, audio processing 286, and user interface 288.

User interface 288 is provided to receive sounds from and play back sounds to the user of the communication device. For example, in one embodiment, user interface 288 includes a speaker and a microphone. More specifically, in one implementation (discussed in terms of the communication device illustrated in FIG. 1 ) user interface 288 can comprise speaker 106 and microphone 116 that are otherwise used for communications normally associated with the communication device. As such, the functionality of these items can be utilized in storing and providing the user customizable announcements. Alternative embodiments can use an additional or alternative speaker or microphone.

Audio processing 286 is implemented to provide the analog-to-digital and digital-to-anaiog conversions used to digitize the received audio for subsequent storage into memory, and to convert stored digital strings into audio clips that can be played by the user interface. CPU 282 coordinates the storage and retrieval of digital audio clips to and from ringer memory 284. CPU 282 and ringer memory 284 can be a special purpose processor and memory for handling the user customizable announcements. Alternatively, in another embodiment, CPU 282 and ringer memory 284 can be implemented using a processor and memory otherwise associated with other functions of the communication device. For example, in terms of the example environment illustrated in FIG. 1 , CPU 282 and memory 284 can be implemented using processor 104 and memory 114. FIG. 4 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for storing and playing back of customized announcements according to one embodiment of the invention. More particularly, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 prompts the user to select an option or event for which a particular sound is being recorded, prompts the user to record that sound, and plays that sound back on the occurrence of the event.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in a step 322 the communication device prompts the user to select an event for which the customized sound is being recorded. For example, in one embodiment, the user can follow menu options to record a customizable ringer or announcement. The menu options may provide the user with a list of events for which customizable sounds can be stored. The user can highlight the event of interest, and designate that he or she wishes to record a custom sound for that event. Other implementations can be provided to prompt the user as well.

In a step 324, the communication device prompts the user to enter the customized sound or audio for that event. The prompt can be an audible prompt such as, for example, a beep, sound, a recorded or synthesized voice asking the user to provide the customizable sound, or other prompt. As a specific example, the prompt may be a synthesized voice asking the user to "please speak your customized announcement now." The prompt can also be a visible prompt such as an indicator light or a message on a display screen of the communication device prompting the user to enter the audible announcement. For example, text may be displayed on a screen of the communication device prompting the user to enter the audio announcement.

In steps 326 and 328, the communication device receives and stores the audible announcement provided by the user. As described above with reference to FIGs. 2 and 3, in one embodiment the audible announcement is received by a microphone, digitized, and stored in memory. As stated, in this scenario the announcement being recorded is designated as associated with a particular event. As such, it is preferable that the storage is provided such that on the occurrence of that event, the processor can identify the proper audio clip to retrieve from memory and play the retrieved audio clip to announce that event.

To stop recording of the announcement, the communication device can use timers, silence detection, user input, or other techniques. Using these techniques, the communication device can determine when to stop recording the audible announcement.

In a step 332, upon the occurrence of the event for which the announcement has been designated, the communication device retrieves the stored announcement, and plays that announcement to announce the event. In some embodiments, if the communication device is powered down or otherwise in standby mode, the communication device can be programmed to "wake-up" to play the announcement. The above scenario discussed with reference to FIG. 4 can perhaps be better understood if discussed in terms of a simple specific example. As with other examples in this document, this example is provide for discussion purposes only, and should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to a particular operation described herein. In this example, a user may wish to enter an announcement alerting the user that he or she has a meeting scheduled at a particular time. For example, in the example scenario, the device may be, for example, a PDA or a wireless communication handset with PDA functionality including a calendar and meeting function. The user may store meeting times and dates and other information and may designate that alarms or alerts should be generated either prior to or at the start of a scheduled meeting or other activity. Thus, in this example scenario, the user may wish to customize his or her communication device such that when the alert is generated the user knows that it is his or her device and generating the alert even if the user is in a crowded room with others that may have similar devices. In this example, the user wishes to customize the meeting alert to cause the communication device to "speak" in the user's own voice: "You have a meeting in five minutes." In this scenario, the user can access the communication device and indicate that he or she wishes to store a custom announcement for calendar alarms. For example, in one embodiment, the user can follow menu choices using a combination of the device display screen and keypad entries or voice command entries to direct the user to a customizable ringer screen.

Following this example embodiment, the user may be presented with a screen listing events for which customizable clips can be recorded. For example, the screen may provide a listing of events such as: incoming calls, browser alerts, messages, voice mail, meeting alert, incoming roam call, and so on. Because the user wishes to record a sound for a meeting alert, the user highlights the meeting alert selection on the menu and selects the highlighted event. In one embodiment, the user can also select the amount of time before a scheduled meeting that the alert should be generated.

Once the selection is made, the communication device preferably prompts the user to provide the custom audio to be associated with the meeting announcement. Thus, at this time, the user can say "you have a meeting in five minutes." The communication device stores this audio clip in memory and associates this audio clip with the meeting alert event. Thus, upon the occurrence of a designated alarm time (for example five minutes before a scheduled meeting in the example) the communication device retrieves this clip from memory and plays to the user in his or her own voice "you have a meeting in five minutes." In the embodiment and specific example described above, the user selects an event for which a customized announcement is to be recorded. In an alternative embodiment, the user may be allowed to store one or more custom announcements in memory, and designate which of the stored announcements are to be used for which of a plurality of events. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5. In a step 422, the communication device enters the custom announcement mode. As described above, this entry can be made at the direction of the user by for example, a key selection or sequence, by following menu selections, or by a voice command. Once in the custom announcement mode, the communication device prompts the user to enter the custom audible announcement, receives the announcement and stores the announcement. This is illustrated by steps 424, 426 and 428. The prompting, retrieval and storage utilized in this embodiment can, for example, follow the same or similar techniques as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

Preferably, however, at this stage the sound is not yet designated as being associated with a particular event. Thus, in this embodiment, this sound is named or otherwise provided with an identification such that it can be at some point in time be associated with a particular event. This is illustrated by a step 430. In one embodiment, simple names can be provided by the communication device for the sounds or announcements that are being recorded and stored such as, for example, "announcement one," "announcement two," and so on. Alternatively, the communi- cation device can allow the user to name the custom announcements that he or she recorded such that they are easier to identify by the user in designating which sounds should be associated with which events. For example, the user may be prompted to key in a name for the announcements, or to speak a name for the announcements. Thus, in this embodiment, the user can select names for the audio clips that will better enable the user to identify which clips are stored in memory.

In a step 432, the communication device allows the user to designate which sounds are to be generated on the occurrence of particular events. For example, the user may be provided with the option of selecting for an event one of a plurality of custom announcements recorded by the user, or one of a plurality of standard sounds or announcements (e.g. more conventional ringers or alert sounds) provided with the communication device. For example, in the embodiment described above using menu screens, the user may be presented with a screen outlining the various events for which announcements can be played. Highlighting an event, the user can then scroll through or otherwise view the various announcements that are recorded (custom or standard) and designate one of those announcements as being associated with the event. As such, on the occurrence of the event, the designated announcement is retrieved and played to announce the event.

In one embodiment, the announcements both standard and custom can be designated as one-time only announcements on the occurrence of the event, or a repeating announcement when an event is detected. For example, a user may designate that upon the occurrence of an incoming call, he or she wishes a sound to be played and repeated at a particular interval for a particular number of repeat times, until the call is answered, until a timeout period has elapsed or for some other specified period. As an alternative example, the user may designate that for meeting alerts, he or she only wishes an announcement to be played once as an alarm for the meeting and not to repeat. In one or more of the embodiments described above, the audio processing associated with the customizable announcements can simply be audio processing used to record and play back audible messages. Alternatively, as also eluded to above, the audio processing can include voice recognition and speech synthesis to allow the communication device to provide additional functionality including, for example, accepting voice commands from user. Additionally, speech synthesis can be used to generate audible announcements announcing or otherwise identifying the events in more detail without the need for a particular audible announcement to be recorded. For example, a speech synthesizer can receive information from a caller ID feature and take the electronic identification of the caller from the caller ID feature to speak the name of the party from which the incoming call is placed.

Similarly, in another example, the communication device can use stored information stored to provide audio details. For example, the device may use information stored about a meeting to in the announcement of that meeting. As a more specific example, the communication device may look to the meeting place, meeting time, meeting subject, or attendees. Using speech synthesis, the device can synthesize audio regarding one or more of these details and announce these details to the user upon generation of an alert.

Furthermore, the communication device can combine recorded clips with synthesized audio to provide a more custom and more detailed announcement to the user. This is best described in terms of a specific example, for example, consider that a user has a meeting at 1 p.m. in the first floor conference room with John Smith. The communication device can retrieve an audio clip that says "you have a meeting" in the user's voice. Synthesized audio can be appended to this clip to include the information such as, for example, "at 1 p.m., with John Smith, in the first floor conference room."

The embodiments described above describe the customized announcements as recordable audible clips provided by the user such as, for example, his or her spoken voice, or other audible sounds. However, in an alternative embodiment, announcements can be provided to the communication device in electronic form as opposed to an audible form. For example, in one embodiment, the user may wish to interface his or her communication device with a personal computer that has sounds stored there, or has software for creating custom sounds such as, for example, music, or other custom sounds or sound effects. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the user can interface the communication device to his or her personal computer and transfer one or more sounds from the computer to the communication device. One example architecture for providing this functionality is illustrated in FIG. 6 according to one embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the architecture illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a user interface 288, audio processing 286, CPU 282, and announcement memory 284. The architecture illustrated in FIG. 6 also includes a data I/O portion 294 used to allow an electronic device such as, for example, a personal computer 296 or other device to make audio clips available to the communication device as announcements. The interface between personal computer or other device 296 and data IO 294 can be, for example, a hard wired or wireless interface.

Although any communication standard can be implemented one common standard is RS-232. Thus, in embodiments using RS-232, for example, data I/O 294 can interface to a com port of a personal computer. In this embodiment, software can be provided for installation on the personal computer that allows the user to setup the announcements for the communication device. That is, the software on the personal computer can be used to designate the recordation of clips and the association of particular announcements with particular events. As such, the rich user interface provided by contemporary personal computers can be used by the user in designating announcements with events. Additionally, in an embodiment where the communication device includes PDA functions and interfaces to a user's computer to synchronize, for example, events and contacts, information regarding announcements or other clips can be synchronized during other synchronization operations. Thus, for example, when updating his or her contacts or calendar events, the user can also update stored announcements, announcement selections, and other phone features. In addition, the communication device can be provided with format conversion capabilities such that it can accept audio clips and a variety of alternative formats, it will convert that format to one that is compatible with the communication device. For example, a format converter may be provided to accept MP3 audio format and convert this audio input stream into audio recognized by the communication device. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture for format conversion according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 7, an audio stream 444 may be provided in a particular audio format. For example, in one implementation audio stream 444 may be provided in the MP3 format. A format converter 446 converts the MP3 (or other format) audio stream into a format acceptable by the communication device. Format converter 446 may be implemented to accept multiple input formats and provide one or more output formats.

Also illustrated in FIG. 7 is composition software 448. In one embodiment, a user may utilize composition software 448, for example, at his or her personal computer, to create audio input streams. As FIG. 7 illustrates, in one embodiment, an audio stream 442 from composition software 448 can be provided to the handset as a custom announcement.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of format conversion according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example embodiment, an MP3 audio stream is converted to a QCELP format. Referring now to FIG. 8, an MP3 audio stream 452 is provided to format converter 446. In this example embodiment, format converter 446 includes a decoder 454 and an encoder 456. Decoder 454 decodes the MP3 audio input stream and provides the decoded stream to encoder 456. Encoder 456 encodes the decoded stream to provide an audio stream in the QCELP format 458.

The various embodiments, aspects and features of the invention described above may be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof and may be implemented using a computing system having one or more processors. In fact, in one embodiment, these elements are implemented using a processor-based system capable of carrying out the functionality described with respect thereto. An example processor-based system 502 is shown in FIG. 9 according to one embodiment of the invention. The computer system 502 includes one or more processors, such as processor 504. The processor 504 is connected to a communication bus 506. Various software embodiments are described in terms of this example computer system. The embodiments, features and functionality of the invention as described above are not dependent on a particular computer system or processor architecture or on a particular operating system. In fact, after reading this document, it will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art how to implement the invention using other computer or processor systems and/or architectures.

Processor-based system 502 can include a main memory 508, preferably random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory 510. The secondary memory 510 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 512 and/or a removable storage drive 514, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive 514 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage medium 518 in a well known manner. Removable storage media 518, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 514. As will be appreciated, the removable storage media 518 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 510 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 502. Such means can include, for example, a removable storage unit 522 and an interface 520. Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces 520 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 518 to computer system 502.

Computer system 502 can also include a communications interface 524. Communications interface 524 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 502 and external devices. Examples of communications interface 524 can include a modem, a network interface (such as, for example, an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface 524 are in the form of signals which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 524. These signals are provided to communications inter- face via a channel 528. This channel 528 carries signals and can be implemented using a wireless medium, wire or cable, fiber optics, or other communications medium. Some examples of a channel can include a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, a network interface, and other communications channels.

In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage device 518, a disk capable of installation in disk drive 512, and signals on channel 528. These computer program products are means for providing software or program instructions to computer system 502.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 508 and/or secondary memory 510. Computer programs can also be received via communications interface 524. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system 502 to perform the features of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 504 to perform the features of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system 502.

In an embodiment where the elements are implemented using software, the software may be stored in, or transmitted via, a computer program product and loaded into computer system 502 using removable storage drive 514, hard drive 512 or communications interface 524. The control logic (software), when executed by the processor 504, causes the processor 504 to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.

In another embodiment, the elements are implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as PALs, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other hardware components. Implementation of a hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). In yet another embodiment, elements are implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

4. Conclusion While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a communication device to allow custom audio announcements, the method comprising the steps of: accepting an audio announcement from a user; storing said audio announcement; designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event; and playing said audio announcement on the occurrence of said specified event.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of accepting an audio announcement from a user comprises the step of accepting an audible audio announcement from said user via a microphone or other transducer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of accepting an audio announcement from a user comprises the step of accepting an audio stream from said user via an electronic interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of accepting an audio stream from said user via an electronic interface further comprises the step of performing format conversion on said accepted audio input stream.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing said user to provide a name for said accepted audio announcement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises the step of accepting such designation from said user, wherein said user designates by name an announcement as being associated with a specified event.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises the steps of prompting a user to select an event for which an announcement is being accepted.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises the steps of prompting a user to select an event for which said announcement is being accepted.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing additional audible information about said specified event when said audio announcement is played on the occurrence of said specified event.

10. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a communication device to provide custom audio announcements, said computer program logic comprising: computer program code means for accepting an audio announcement from a user; computer program code means for storing said audio announcement; computer program code means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event; and computer program code means for playing said audio announcement on the occurrence of said specified event.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein said computer program code means for accepting an audio announcement from a user comprises computer program code means for accepting an audible audio announcement from said user via a microphone or other transducer.

12. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein said computer program code means for accepting an audio announcement from a user comprises computer program code means for accepting an audio stream from said user via an electronic interface.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein said computer program code means for accepting an audio stream from said user via an electronic interface further comprises computer program code means for performing format conversion on said accepted audio input stream.

14. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising computer program code means for allowing said user to provide a name for said accepted audio announcement.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said computer program code means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises computer program code means for accepting such designation from said user, wherein said user designates by name an announcement as being associated with a specified event.

16. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein said computer program code means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises computer program code means for prompting a user to select an event for which an announcement is being accepted.

17. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein said computer program code means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises computer program code means for prompting a user to select an event for which said announcement is being accepted.

18. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising the computer program code means for providing additional audible information about said specified event when said audio announcement is played on the occurrence of said specified event.

19. A system for enabling a communication device to allow custom audio announcements, comprising: means for accepting an audio announcement from a user; means for storing said audio announcement; means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event; and means for playing said audio announcement on the occurrence of said specified event.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said means for accepting an audio announcement from a user comprises means for accepting an audible audio announcement from said user via a microphone or other transducer.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said means for accepting an audio announcement from a user comprises means for accepting an audio stream from said user via an electronic interface.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein said means for accepting an audio stream from said user via an electronic interface further comprises means for performing format conversion on said accepted audio input stream.

23. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for allowing said user to provide a name for said accepted audio announcement.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises means for accepting such designation from said user, wherein said user designates by name an announcement as being associated with a specified event.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein said means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises means for prompting a user to select an event for which an announcement is being accepted.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein said means for designating said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event comprises means for prompting a user to select an event for which said announcement is being accepted.

27. The system of claim 19, further comprising the means for providing additional audible information about said specified event when said audio announcement is played on the occurrence of said specified event.

28. A communications handset, comprising: a microphone; a speaker; a keypad; a processor; and computer software executable by said processor and including computer program code means, said computer program code means comprising: computer program code configured to accept an audio announcement from a user; computer program code configured to store said audio announcement; computer program code configured to designate said audio announcement as an announcement for a specified event; and computer program code configured to play said audio announcement on the occurrence of said specified event.