KR100749456B1 - Source Audio Identifiers for Digital Communications - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to audibly notify the receiver of the arrival of a digital communication from the sender, receiving a digital communication sent from the sender to the receiver, identifying the sender of the digital communication and by the sender of the digital communication Determining whether the specified audio and identifier are coupled with the digital communication. Recognition by the receiver of the audio identifier depends on whether it is determined whether the digital communication is associated with the audio and identifier. The audio identifier is recognized before or concurrently with the recipient's recognition of the digital communication. Audible identification of the event includes being able to enable the selection of the first sound based on the identifier. The identifier enables identification of an entity associated with the event. Notification of the occurrence of the event is received. The notification includes an identifier. In response to the notification, the particular recipient is notified of the event by playing back a portion of the first sound and a portion of a second sound associated with the event.

Digital communication, source audio identifier

Description

Source Audio Identifiers for Digital Communications

This application is filed on March 3, 2003, entitled "Buddy Ring Tones For Mobile Devices," and US Patent Application No. 60 / 450,696, filed on April 2, 2003, titled "Concatenated Ring Tones." Claims priority of patent application 60 / 459,273.

The present invention relates to a communication system that enables the exchange of information between users through the transmission or call of digital communication.

A regular telephone generates an audible ringing tone to indicate that a call is on. Some telephones allow the receiver to adapt the ring tone for a particular caller, thereby allowing both the caller to know when the recipient hears the ring tone and the identity of the caller.

Similarly, many computer systems used for the exchange of digital communications (e.g., instant messages or e-mails) allow the recipient to select so that the message sound can be reproduced upon receipt of the digital communications. This message sound can be reproduced whenever a digital communication is received, regardless of the identity of the sender.

Both ring tones and message tones provide the advantage of letting the recipient know of incoming calls and received digital communications without having to look at the screen or display.

In a general aspect, a method of audibly notifying the arrival of a digital communication sent from a sender to a receiver comprises the steps of receiving a digital communication from a sender to a receiver and wherein the digital communication is the digital communication. Identifying a sender of and determining whether it is associated with an audio identifier specified by the sender of the digital communication. The receiver recognizes the audio identifier depending on whether the digital communication is determined to be combined with the audio identifier. The audio identifier is recognized before or at the same time as the receiver recognizes the digital communication.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the digital communication may be an instant message, an email or a voice mail. The audio identifier may be a spoken version of the calling user identifier.

Determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier includes determining whether the audio identifier has been received from the sender or from the sender along with the digital communication. Determining whether the digital communication is coupled with an audio identifier includes accessing the data store based on the calling user identifier that may be included in the digital communication. The user identifier may be an email address, instant message handle or screen name.

Recipient recognition of the audio identifier may also depend on whether the receiver can receive digital communications. If the receiver cannot receive the digital communication, the digital communication may be discarded or stored in the data store for later retrieval.

Recipient recognition of an audio identifier may also depend on whether the recipient is allowed to recognize the audio identifier due to communication exchange priority associated with the receiver. The recipient may be allowed to recognize the audio identifier and / or digital communication if it includes a setting that clearly indicates that the recipient is allowed to recognize the audio identifier due to communication exchange priority. If the communication exchange priority explicitly includes a setting indicating that the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier and / or the digital communication, the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier and / or the digital communication. The setting is set by the receiver responding to a query.

The method of audibly notifying the receiver of the arrival of digital communication allows the receiver to recognize the caller profile or the user interface and to allow the receiver to recognize the audio identifier when the receiver selects a user interface element according to the authentication of the audio identifier. It further comprises the step of allowing.

The digital communication can be a telephone call and the caller can be the calling party. Receiving a digital communication may include receiving a telephone call delivered to the recipient. Determining whether the digital communication is associated with the audio identifier may include identifying the caller and determining whether the audio identifier specified by the caller and the telephone call are combined. The receiver may recognize the audio identifier depending on whether or not the call is associated with the audio identifier. The audio identifier may be recognized as a ring tone for a telephone call. Recognizing the audio identifier may include repetitively playing the audio identifier several times to serve as a ring tone for a telephone call.

In another general aspect, a user interface that allows a receiver of a digital communication from a sender to authenticate or reject a source audio identifier includes a first interface element, a second interface element, and a third interface element. can do. The first interface element is configured and arranged to provide a notification of the received digital communication. The second interface element is configured and arranged to identify the originator of the digital communication and to provide notification of the audio identifier designated by the originator of the digital communication. The third interface element is configured and arranged to allow the recipient of the digital communication to authenticate or reject the presentation of the audio identifier prior to the presentation of the audio identifier.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the first interface element can display caller profile information. The third interface may be further configured and arranged to allow the recipient of the digital communication to authenticate or reject the presentation of the digital communication.

The third interface element may comprise a set of fourth interface elements that are selectable by the recipient that affects authentication or denial of audio identifier provision. The fourth set of interface elements authenticates the digital communication and the presentation of the audio identifier, authenticates the presentation of the digital communication but rejects the presentation of the audio identifier, and authenticates the presentation of the digital communication. And an interface element selectable to authenticate the presentation of the caller's audio identifier that reveals the caller's identity but hides the caller specific audio identifier.

The fourth set of interface elements allows the receiver to store the digital communication in a data store for later retrieval, to authenticate or reject the presentation of the audio identifier upon receipt of each future digital communication from the sender, and the audio And an interface element selectable to authenticate or reject the audio identifier upon receipt of each future digital communication from the originator depending on whether the identifier is substantially changed by the recipient.

 The digital communication can be a telephone call and the caller can be a caller and the first interface element can be configured and arranged to provide notification of a telephone call from the caller, the second interface element identifying the caller and designated by the caller. It may be configured and arranged to provide notification of an audio identifier, and the third interface element may be configured and arranged to allow the recipient of the call to authenticate or reject the presentation of the audio identifier prior to providing the audio identifier.

In another general aspect, a computer system for audibly notifying a recipient of the arrival of a digital communication from a sender includes a data store and a digital communication process. The data store stores audio identifiers. The digital communication process receives a digital communication from a sender that is delivered to a recipient and determines whether the digital communication identifies the recipient of the digital communication and is combined with an audio identifier specified by the sender of the digital communication. The digital communication process connects the audio identifier from the data store and is recognized by the receiver of the audio identifier according to whether the digital communication is determined to be combined with the audio identifier. The audio identifier is recognized simultaneously with or prior to the recognition of the digital communication by the receiver.

In another general aspect, a method for notifying a recipient of a digital communication from a sender includes receiving a digital communication from a sender to a receiver, wherein the digital communication identifies the sender of the digital communication and Determining whether it is associated with an audio identifier specified by the sender. The recognition of the audio identifier by the receiver depends on whether the digital communication is determined to be combined with the audio identifier. The identifier is recognized simultaneously with or prior to the recognition of the digital communication by the reception.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the identifier may be a video image designated by the sender or an audiovisual presentation designated by the receiver.

In another general aspect, a method of audibly identifying an event comprises enabling a selection of a first sound based on the identifier. The identifier enables the overall identification regarding the identification of the entity associated with the event. Notification of event occurrence is received. The notification includes an identifier. The particular recipient announces the event by playing back at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound associated with the event in response to the notification.

Embodiments include one or more of the following features. For example, enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier includes enabling the selection of the first sound based on the caller's phone number, and receiving the notification comprises: Receiving a notification, wherein informing the specific recipient of the call may include reproducing a ring tone comprising at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound. The first sound may be a general call tone, and the second sound may be a call tone designated by the caller.

Enabling the selection of the first sound may include enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the instant message sender, and receiving the notification may receive a notification of receipt of the instant message. It may include the step. Enabling the selection of the first sound may include enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the instant message sender, and receiving the notification may include an online presence state of the instant message sender ( receiving a notification of a change in presence state. Enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier comprises enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the email sender, and receiving the notification may include notification of receipt of the email message. Receiving may include. Enabling the selection of the first sound may include enabling the selection of the first sound by the sender or the receiver.

A method of notifying an event to a specific recipient includes informing the specific recipient of the event by replaying at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound in response to the notification, wherein the second sound is sent to the sender or the receiver. Is specified by The method of notifying the event to a specific recipient comprises forming a concatenated sound by connecting at least a portion of a first sound and at least a portion of a second sound in response to the notification and reproducing the concatenated sound to play the event. It may include the step of notifying.

A method of notifying an event to a specific recipient includes forming a blended sound by mixing at least a portion of a first sound and at least a portion of a second sound and informing the specific receiver of the event by playing the blended sound. can do.

The first or second sound may be a sound selected to identify the entity or event. The entity may be a user, and the first or second sound may be an oral form of a user identity corresponding to the user.

The first or second sound may be selected to classify the entity or event. The first or second sound may identify the geographic location where the event occurred. The entity is a user and the first or second sound can identify a group to which the user belongs. The user may belong to the recipient's friend group or may be a member of the recipient's contacts list. The first or second sound can identify the urgency or importance of the event. The entity is a user, the event is a receiver receiving a digital communication from the user, and the first or second sound may identify the type of digital communication received from the user.

Informing the specific recipient of the event includes informing the specific recipient of the event by playing at least a portion of the first sound, at least a portion of the second sound, and at least a portion of the third sound. The first sound may be a sound selected to identify an entity or an event, the second sound may be a sound selected to classify the entity or an event, and the third sound may be a sound selected to further classify the entity or a user. The first sound may be a sound selected to classify an entity or an event, the second sound may be a sound selected to further classify the entity or an event, and the third sound may be a sound selected to further classify the entity or a user.

A computer system for audibly identifying an event includes an event sound processor, an event detection processor, and an audio playback process. The event sound processor enables selection of the first sound based on the identifier. The identifier allows for identification of the user associated with the event. The event detection process receives a notification of the event occurrence. The notification includes the identifier. The audio playback process notifies the particular recipient of the event by replaying a portion of the first sound and a portion of a second sound associated with the event in response to the notification of the event occurrence.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features are also apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system that enables digital communication exchange with a source audio identifier;

2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process that enables the presentation of a source audio identifier upon receipt of a digital communication;

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the process of FIG. 2 for sending a query to a receiver of a digital communication requesting the receiver whether the source audio identifier accompanying the digital communication should be authenticated or rejected;

3B is a user interface that may appear to a user upon receipt of a digital communication with an accompanying source audio identifier;

4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for enabling presentation of a source audio identifier upon receipt of a digital communication after a communication session has already begun;

5 is a flow diagram illustrating another process for enabling the presentation of a source audio identifier upon receipt of a digital communication;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the process of FIG. 5 to send a query to a receiver of a digital communication requesting the receiver whether a source audio identifier accompanying the digital communication should be authenticated or rejected;

7 is a block diagram illustrating a system that enables the exchange of source audio identifiers and digital communications through a direct connection between a sender computer system and a receiver computer system;

8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process that enables the presentation of a source audio identifier upon receipt of a digital communication from a caller computer system via a direct connection;

9 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system that enables source audio identifiers and telephone calls;
10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for enabling presentation of a source audio identifier as a call signal representing a call from a caller;
11 is a flow diagram illustrating another process that enables the presentation of a source audio identifier as a call signal representing a call from a caller;
12-15A and 15B are block diagrams illustrating exemplary connection audio messages;
FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating and enabling recognition of a linked audio message that includes recipient specific sounds; FIG.
17 is a block diagram illustrating an example connection audio message used to inform a user of an event occurrence; And
18 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating and enabling the recognition of a connection audio message when detecting the occurrence of an event.

The caller or sender of the digital communication can export the source audio identifier to the recipient to customize or personalize the communication exchange with the recipient. The caller or caller can select the source audio identifier such that the source audio identifier can be connected to the call receiving phone or the recipient computer system. The call receiving phone or the recipient computer system can allow the recipient to authenticate or reject the source audio identifier. If the receiver authenticates the source audio identifier, the call receiving phone or receiver computer system plays the source audio identifier each time the caller calls the receiver or whenever the caller sends a digital communication to the receiver.

The source audio identifier is typically stored in a digital file containing audio data used to identify the caller or caller. The source audio identifier may be, for example, a data file encoded using MPEG Layer III audio (MP3) and may range in size from 120 kilobits to 2 megabits. When converted to audio (ie, "played back"), a typical source audio identifier can produce 1-2 seconds of sound. For example, the source audio identifier may be in the form of a dictation of the calling user identifier (eg, the dictation of the sender's instant message handle, email address, or screen name in the caller's voice). The source audio identifier may also be any sound that the caller represents as the caller's identification (eg, barn animal sounds, sounds from popular television shows, sound effects, and sounds related to human biological function or behavior). .

The source audio identifier performs two functions when played back: (1) The source audio identifier notifies the receiver of a call coming from the caller, or additionally or alternatively, notifies the receiver of the receipt of a digital communication from the sender. do; And (2) the source audio identifier indicates to the receiver the identification, category or characteristic of the source of the digital communication. Thus, the source audio identifier is a signaling mechanism and is therefore logically separate from the content of the call or the digital communication exchanged between the sender and the receiver.

The source audio identifier may be audible to identify the caller, or alternatively may be formed of multiple sounds that may be connected or mixed together to, for example, identify the caller as well as one or more characteristics of the communication transmitted by the caller or caller. It may be a combined audio message. The combined audio message may include one or more identity sounds or one or more characteristic sounds, or may exclude any one. The identification sound identifies the individual caller while the feature sound describes, defines or characterizes the sender or the communication sent by the sender. For example, the identification sound may be a verbal screen name, a monkey's name as designated by the sender, a recipient's sound associated with a group or category of contacts or companion characteristics to indicate the caller's identification. May be a high-pitched beep to indicate that the communication is directed to the sender as a high priority communication. Since many sounds are connected, it can provide call recipients with increased levels of communication and their sources.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the connection audio message may include one or more recipient specific sounds. For example, the recipient can specify a feature sound for the sender indicating that the sender is a member of the recipient's friend list or a particular group of friends in the friend list. When receiving a communication from the caller, the receiver hears a sound indicating, for example, that the caller is part of the recipient's friend list, followed by another sound indicating a group of friends for the caller, followed by the caller specified by the caller. You can hear the audio identifier. In this embodiment, the receiver knows the sender identification on the various levels and the relationship to the receiver.

The connection audio message may be used in a communication system that does not support caller directed sound. In this embodiment, the sound in the connection audio message may be specified by the receiver or more broadly defined. The connecting audio message performs the function of identifying that the communication or call has been received, identifying the identity of the originator and, if applicable, identifying the nature of the communication sent by the originator or sender.

The connection audio message can be used to audibly notify the user of a communication related event not related to the receipt of the communication or call. For example, the connection audio message may be used to audibly notify the user of an existing status change of a member of the user's friend list in an instant message sentence.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 that enables the exchange of digital communications with a source audio identifier includes a transmitter computer system for transmitting digital communications to a digital communications processing system (DCHS) 140 via a network 130 ( 110). DCHS 140 may identify a source audio identifier associated with the sender for digital communication, and recipient computer system 120 may allow the digital communication and source audio identifier to connect through network 130. The receiver computer system 120 connects or otherwise receives the digital communication and the source audio identifier, and allows the receiver to recognize the source audio identifier before or simultaneously with the receiver being able to recognize the digital communication.

Digital communications generally include e-mail (e-) having, for example, audio data, video data, general binary data, or character data (e.g., hatched in ASCII standard code for information interchange (ASCII) format). mail), instant messages (IM), and digital files such as voicemail. Digital communication is combined with the calling user identifier and the receiving user identifier. The sender and receiver user identifiers are data tags or labels used to identify the sender and recipient, respectively, and include, for example, email addresses, instant message handles, Internet protocol addresses, screen names, and / or telephones. It may be a number.

Caller computer system 110 is configured to send digital communications to DCHS 140 via network 130. Caller computer system 110 generally includes a device 110A capable of performing commands under the command of controller 110. Device 110A may be a general purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be a special purpose computer such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a landline telephone with digital processing capability, or a mobile phone with digital processing capability. have. The controller 124 may command and direct communication between the device 110A of the calling computer system 110 and the DCHS 140. Controller 110B may be a digital communication interface device that enables the transmission of digital communication to DCHS 140 using a communication protocol. For example, in an e-mail-oriented embodiment, the digital communication interface device may be an email device, and the communication protocol may be, for example, a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). have. Device 110A may be connected to controller 110B by a wired or wireless data path 110C that may carry data.

In yet another embodiment, caller computer system 110 is configured to send both digital communication and source audio identifiers to DCSH 140. In this embodiment, DCSH 140 relays the received source audio identifier and the received digital communication to recipient computer system 120 rather than connecting and transmitting the source audio identifier. The source audio identifier may also be stored by the receiver computer system 120 rather than by the DCSH 140 or the sender computer system 110.

In yet another embodiment, the sender computer system 110 is further configured to send a user profile (ie, sender profile) corresponding to the caller to the DCSH 140. DCSH 140 may, in turn, cause all or part of the sender profile to be connected to recipient computer system 120. The caller profile may include caller identification and other information related to the caller, such as, for example, interests, hobbies, marital status, residence, occupation, gender, personal quotes, and favorite tools. The sender identification may include any type of identifier (eg, sentence or video) that can be used to identify the sender to the recipient. For example, the caller identification may include a video image associated with the caller, such as a picture of the caller.

Caller computer system 110 may transmit a source audio identifier and / or caller profile whenever digital communication is sent to receiver computer system 120, or, alternatively, a communication session with receiver computer system 120. Only at the beginning of the session may the source audio identifier and / or the sender profile be transmitted. The following description is primarily concerned with the recognition of communication and source audio identifiers, but the concepts and configurations described also apply to other aspects of the caller profile.

The recipient computer system 120 is configured to be connected so that the recipient can recognize the digital communication and source audio identifier. Recipient computer system 120 receives or otherwise connects to digital communication and source audio identifiers from DCSH 140 via network 130. In another embodiment, recipient computer system 120 also receives or otherwise connects to all or some of the sender profiles from DCSH 140. Recipient computer system 120 generally includes device 120A capable of executing commands under the command of controller 120B. Device 120A may be a general purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or a special purpose computer such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a landline telephone with digital processing capability, or a mobile phone with digital processing capability. Can be. Controller 124 may command and direct communication between device 120A and DCSH 140 of recipient computer system 120. Controller 120B may be a digital communication interface device that enables the receipt of digital communication from DCSH 140 using a communication protocol. In an email oriented embodiment, the digital communication interface device may be an email device, and the communication protocol may be, for example, a post office protocol (POP) or an Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP). Can be. Device 120A may be connected to controller 120B by a wired or wireless data path 120C that may carry data.

Apparatus 120A generally includes a data store that may be used to store a source audio identifier and / or caller profile associated with a caller that is in progress or for which a communication session has already occurred. Device 120A may store the source audio identifier and / or caller profile at the beginning of the communication session and access the stored source audio identifier needed throughout the communication session in accordance with the user exchange priority. Device 120A may also include a source audio identifier and / or caller profile from a previous communication session. User exchange priority may also be stored in device 120A.

The network 130 is configured to enable direct or indirect communication between the sender computer system 110, the receiver computer system 120, and the DCHS 140. Examples of network 130 include the Internet, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., public switched telephone networks (PSTNs)), and integrated services. digital network (ISDN), and any subscriber or tunneling device for carrying digital subscriber line (xDSL), radio, television, cable, satellite and / or data.

DCSH 140 includes digital communication processor 142, audio identifier data storage 144, and configuration data storage 146. The digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication from the sender computer system 110, stores the digital communication in the data store for subsequent retrieval by the receiver computer system 120, or discards the digital communication, or the digital communication. Is a computer system configured to determine whether to send a communication to a recipient computer system 120. Digital communication processor 142 may send digital communication to recipient computer system 120 with or without an attached source audio identifier.

The digital communication processor 142 may connect to the configuration data storage 146 to retrieve the sender profile and send the sender profile (or aspects thereof) to the recipient computer system 120 in accordance with digital communication. Digital communication processor 142 may also access configuration data storage 146 to retrieve user communication exchange priorities associated with possible recipients of digital communication.

The user communication exchange priority includes a list of one or more user identifiers that can be accessed by the digital communication processor 142 when processing digital communication. The list is a list of user identifiers for which the digital communication is not authenticated (i.e. a black list), a list of user identifiers for which the digital communication is authenticated but the associated source audio identifier is not authenticated or reproduced to the recipient (i.e. gray list). Gray list), and / or the source audio identifier with which the digital communication is authenticated and the associated source audio identifier may also include a list of user identifiers (ie, a white list) to be authenticated and reproduced. When the digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication and the originating user identifier of the digital communication is included on the black list, the digital communication is discarded, and in some embodiments, an error or notification message is sent to the sender computer system 110. Is sent). When the digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication and the calling party user identifier is included on the gray list, the digital communication is sent to the recipient computer system 120 without the corresponding source audio identifier. When the digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication and the calling user identifier is included on the white list, the digital communication and the corresponding source audio identifier are sent to the recipient computer system 120.

In one embodiment, if the sender is included on the recipient's white, gray, or black list, the sender remains on the list regardless of the change in the sender's source audio identifier. In another embodiment, the data storage in configuration data storage 146 or recipient computer system 120 stores the source audio identifier of the sender included on the white, gray, or black list. When DCHS 140 or receiver computer system 120 receives a digital communication with a source audio identifier, DCHS 140 or receiver computer system 120 determines if the caller is in one of the lists, and the caller is in the list. If it is in either of the above, confirm that the attached source audio identifier is the same as the stored source audio identifier. If the attached source audio identifier is the same as the stored source audio identifier, DCHS 140 or recipient computer system 120 may authenticate or reject the source audio identifier according to user communication exchange priority. However, if the attached source audio identifier is different from the stored source audio identifier, the recipient computer system 120 may request that the user authenticate or reject the new source audio identifier from the caller. For example, a query may appear in the user interface, such as user interface 300 shown in FIG. 3B.

If the originating user identifier of the digital communication is not included on the black, gray, or white list, the digital communication processor 142 is designated by the recipient and stored as part of the recipient's user exchange priority (i.e., configuration data). Digital communications in accordance with a default response algorithm, which may be stored in storage 146, or in addition or alternatively, stored in device 120A of recipient computer system 120). For example, the recipient may select a default response algorithm that transmits the source audio identifier and digital communication to recipient computer system 120 if the calling user identifier is not in any of the lists. The receiver communication system 120 can then allow the user to recognize both digital communication and source audio identifiers.

In another embodiment, the receiver may employ a default response algorithm that causes digital communication processor 142 to send a query to the recipient computer system 120 that allows the recipient to authenticate or reject the digital communication and / or source audio identifier. You can choose. Recipient computer system 120 may receive an inquiry from configuration data storage 146 that may include connected caller profile information, and ask the recipient whether to authenticate or reject the digital communication and / or source audio identifier. Upon request, all or part of this sender profile information can be provided to the recipient. The recipient may have an option to place the calling user identifier on a black, gray or white list stored as part of the recipient's user communication priority. The digital communication processor 142 may receive a response to the query from the receiver computer system 120 and process the digital communication accordingly. For example, the query may be provided to the user through a visual user interface, such as user interface 300 shown in FIG. 3B.

In general, digital communication processor 142 may access one or more of the white, gray, black list, and user communication exchange priorities, including a default response algorithm in the initial stages of a communication session between a sender and a receiver. Once appropriate processing is determined, subsequent digital communications sent by the sender computer system 110 are processed by the digital communications processor 142 according to priorities already determined. Digital communication processor 142 may send a source audio identifier with each subsequent digital communication sent from the originator; Or in the alternative, digital communication processor 142 may send the source audio identifier along with the first digital communication sent in the initial phase of the communication session. The recipient computer system 120 can then simply store the source audio identifier after receiving the first digital communication, and store the source audio for each subsequent digital communication received from the digital communication processor 142 during the communication session. The identifier can be connected and played back.

The digital communication processor 142 may be communicatively connected to a login system or presence detection system online that continuously tracks the presence or absence of a user identifier corresponding to a login status or recipient online. . For example, in an instant message context, the digital communication processor 142 may communicate with the instant message login system to track a user identifier that can log in to the system and send and receive instant messages. In an email sentence, the digital communication processor 142 may communicate with the email login system to track a user identifier that can log in to the system and send and receive email. If the recipient of the digital communication is not logged in the system or otherwise, the digital communication processor 142 stores the digital communication in a data storage corresponding to the recipient (for example, in the recipient's mailbox). Email can be stored), digital communication can be discarded (e.g., an instant message can typically be discarded if the recipient is not online).

In another embodiment, the digital communication processor 142 does not access the user communication exchange priority for the recipient from the configuration data store 146 and the source audio identifier from the audio identifier data store 144. Instead, digital communication processor 142 receives the source audio identifier from caller computer system 110 with each digital communication. The digital communication processor 142 in turn transmits the digital communication with the source audio identifier to the receiver computer system 120. Recipient computer system 120 connects locally and applies user communication exchange priority upon receipt of digital communication and source audio identifiers. Based on the user exchange priority, the recipient computer system 120 discards the received digital communication or allows the recipient to recognize the received digital communication. In addition, the recipient computer system 120 can play or suppress the source audio identifier received with each digital communication in accordance with the user communication exchange priority.

In another form of this embodiment, the sender computer system 110 transmits only the source audio identifier at the initial stage of the communication session and not with each subsequent digital communication. Recipient computer system 120 stores the source audio identifier in a data store included in device 120A, during which subsequent digital communications or successive communication sessions include each respective digital communication received from the sender computer system 110. Can be connected to the source audio identifier and played back.

Audio identifier data storage 144 includes one or more data storage devices configured to store a source audio identifier. The source audio identifier may be stored in a compressed format and / or a number of other formats (eg, WAV or MP3) to speed up transmission and ensure compatibility with receiver computer system 120. The source audio identifier can be indexed by the user identifier. Audio identifier data storage 144 may be part of DCHS 140. In another embodiment, all or part of the audio identifier data store 144 may be located in a data store located outside of the DCHS 140 or in a computer system.

Configuration data storage 146 includes one or more data storage devices configured to store user profile information and user communication exchange priority. In general, information stored in configuration data storage 146 is collected during a service registration or service setup phase. The user profile information and user communication exchange priority may be indexed by user identifier. The audio identifier data storage 144 and the configuration data store 146 may be integrated into one data storage that stores user audio identifiers, user profile information, and user communication exchange priority. have.

2 is a representation of a source audio identifier upon receipt of a first digital communication received via a Digital Communication Handling System (DCHS) at an early stage of a communication session between a sender computer system and a receiver computer system. A process 200 that facilitates this is shown. For ease of explanation, certain components described with respect to FIG. 1 are cited as performing the process 200 above. However, a similar method can be applied to other embodiments in which other components are used to define the structure of the system or functions are distributed differently between the elements shown by FIG. 1.

Caller computer system 110 transmits the digital communication sent to recipient computer system 120 (step 202). The digital communication may include or be associated with an originating user identifier or a receiving user identifier.

The digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication (step 204) and connects to the configuration data storage 146 (step 206) to retrieve the user communication exchange priority corresponding to the associated receiving user identifier. The digital communication processor 142 determines whether the recipient should inhibit recognition of the digital communication from the sender by checking whether the calling user identifier is included in the recipient's blacklist (step 208). If the recipient prohibits receiving digital communication from the sender, the digital communication is discarded (step 210). In some embodiments, digital communication processor 142 may further send a notification message to sender computer system 110 indicating that the digital communication was not successfully sent to the recipient (not shown).

When the receiver authenticates that it is a digital communication from the sender, the digital communication processor 142 determines whether the user corresponding to the receiving user identifier can log in or otherwise receive digital communication from the sender computer system 110. (Step 212). The digital communication processor 142 may query or otherwise connect to a login system or presence monitoring system, which may be local or remote to the DCHS 140.

If the receiver is not logged in online or otherwise unable to receive digital communications, digital communications processor 142 may discard the digital communications or data storage associated with the receiving user identifier to retrieve the digital communications for later retrieval. In step 214. For example, if the digital communication is an instant message, the instant message may be discarded. On the other hand, if the digital communication is an email, the email can be stored in the recipient's mailbox. In some embodiments, the digital communication processor 142 may further send a notification message to the sender computer system 110 indicating that the recipient was unable to receive the communication and that the digital communication was discarded or alternatively stored for later retrieval. Can be.

If the recipient is logged in online or otherwise can receive digital communication, digital communication processor 142 may access the sender profile from configuration data storage 146 (step 216). The digital communication processor 142 determines whether the receiver communicates with a source audio identifier based on the recipient communication exchange priority (step 218). For example, if the calling user identifier is included in the recipient's gray list, the recipient does not authenticate the digital communication with the source audio identifier. If the calling user identifier is included in the recipient's white list, the recipient authenticates the digital communication with the source audio identifier. If the calling party user identifier is not included in the white or gray list, then the recipient is only allowed to source if the authentication is in accordance with the default response algorithm set for the recipient, or if the recipient manually specifies that he or she wants to authenticate. Authenticate digital communications with audio identifiers.

3A illustrates one embodiment of step 218 using an exemplary default response algorithm used to determine whether to authenticate or reject a source audio identifier. The digital communication processor 142 determines whether the sender is included on the recipient's white list (step 218a). If the sender is included on the white list, the digital communication processor 142 performs step 228. If the sender is not included on the white list, the digital communication processor 142 determines whether the sender is included in the recipient's gray list (step 218b). If the sender is included in the gray list, digital communication processor 142 performs step 220. If the sender is not included in the white list or the gray list, the digital communication processor 142 sends a default response algorithm by sending a query to the recipient computer system 120 requesting the recipient whether to authenticate or reject the source audio identifier. Perform (step 218c).

The recipient computer system 120 receives the query (step 218d) and causes the receiver to recognize and respond to the query (step 218e). For example, the recipient may recognize a query in a pop-up window that includes an option to authenticate the source audio identifier and an option to reject the source audio identifier. The pop-up window can display all or part of the sender profile. Additionally or alternatively, the pop-up window may provide an option to add the sender to the recipient's white, gray, and black list. After the receiver responds to the query by selecting one or more options, receiver computer system 120 may send the response to digital communication processor 142 (step 218g). An example of a user interface that can be used to query a recipient is shown in FIG. 3B.

If the selected option includes adding the sender to the recipient's white, grey, and black list, the digital communication processor 142 connects to the configuration data storage 146 and enters the appropriate list (s) associated with the calling user identifier. The calling party user identifier may be added. The digital communication processor 142 also determines whether the selected option corresponds to authentication or denial of the digital communication (step 218h). If the selected option rejects the digital communication, the digital communication processor 142 discards the digital communication (step 218i). If the selected option authenticates digital communication, digital communication processor 142 determines whether the selected option corresponds to authentication or rejection of the source audio identifier (step 218j). If the selected option authenticates the source audio identifier, digital communication processor 142 performs step 228. If the selected option rejects the sender audio identifier, the digital communication processor 142 performs step 220.

3B illustrates a user interface 300 that may be presented to a user through recipient computer system 120 upon receipt of an incoming message with an accompanying source audio identifier. The user interface 300 includes a statement 310 and caller profile information 320 that notify the user of the presence of an incoming message with an accompanying source audio identifier. Caller profile information 320 may include the sender's name 321 (e.g. Bob Devane), the sender's Instant Messaging handle 322 (e.g. BobD123), and the sender's email address 323 (e.g. , BobDev@hotmail.com), the sender's direct number 324 (e.g., 703) 123-4567), and the time and date the message was sent 326, e.g. 5:45 EDT on 5/17/02), and other caller profile information 325. The other caller profile information 325 may be connected to, for example, information that may be accessed based on the sender's geographic location (e.g., Dullas, VA) and the identity of the caller stored in an address book or calendar. For example, you plan to meet Bob on Saturday, July 12, 2003). Such information may be stored locally at recipient computer system 120 or may be accessed at a remote device (eg, DCHS 140) via data network 130. In another embodiment, the user interface 300 includes a subset of the caller profile information 320 shown in FIG. 3B.

The user interface 300 also includes a set of option buttons 330 that can be selected by the user to respond to the message. The option button 330 is, for example, one option button 331 for sampling the source audio identifier, one option button 332 for receiving the message and authenticating the source audio identifier, and receiving the message and the source audio identifier (eg, One option button 334 for using an audio identifier different from the default audio identifier) and an option button 336 for not receiving a message. The option button may be selected to control the processing of the current message.

Before determining how to handle the incoming message, the user can select button 331 to listen to or otherwise recognize the source audio identifier. Listening to the source audio identifier allows the user to make more informed decisions about whether to authorize or reject the source audio identifier. The user can then select one of the other buttons 332, 334, 336 to process the message.

By selecting option button 332 to receive a message with a source audio identifier, the digital communication and source audio identifier are recognized by the recipient. By selecting option button 445 to receive a message with a default audio identifier, the digital communication and default audio identifier are recognized by the recipient. In another embodiment, upon selection of button 334, the receiver is instructed not to specify an audio identifier, or alternatively to specify no audio identifier to indicate receipt of a current digital communication from the sender. As described below, if checkbox 335 is selected, a recipient-specific audio identifier may be used for future communication received from the sender. By selecting option button 336 to not receive the message, the recipient will not be able to recognize the digital communication or source audio identifier. In another embodiment, user interface 300 includes an option button for receiving a message that does not have any audio identifier to be played or otherwise recognized by the recipient. Upon selection of one of the option buttons 330 upon receipt, the user interface 300 is terminated or otherwise disabled.

Check boxes 333, 335, and 337 are adjacent to option buttons 332, 334, and 336, respectively. Unlike option buttons 330 that handle the immediate digital communication received from the caller, checkboxes 333, 335, 337 may be selected (ie, “checked”) to control the processing of future digital communication received from the caller. The user interface 300 allows the user to select one of the three checkboxes or none. If the recipient selects the checkbox 333, when selecting one of the option buttons 330, the calling user identifier is on the recipient's white list. If the recipient selects the checkbox 335, when selecting one of the option buttons 330, the calling user identifier is in the recipient's gray list. If the recipient selects the checkbox 337, when selecting one of the option buttons 330, the calling user identifier is in the recipient's blacklist. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 300 plays the source audio identifier or the default audio identifier only upon receipt of subsequent communications in the early stages of the communication session with the sender, rather than each time subsequent communications from the sender in the communications session. It may include checkboxes or buttons (not shown) that allow the user to specify what should be.

If the recipient does not select any of the checkboxes 333, 335, 337, any subsequent digital communication received from the sender associated with the source audio identifier will display the user interface 300 again, and once again how the digital communication handles. Let the receiver choose the option for Alternatively, the user interface 300 may only be displayed once during a given communication session, so by not selecting any of the checkboxes 333, 335, 337, the user interface 300 is again only at the beginning of a subsequent communication session with the caller. Is displayed.

User interface 300 may vary depending on the capabilities of recipient computer system 120. Recipient computer system 120 with more limited capabilities may provide less sender profile information 320 and fewer options 330, while recipient computer system 120 with greater capabilities may have more sender profiles. Information 320 and more options 330 can be provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the receiver rejects the source audio identifier, digital communications processor 142 enables receiver computer system 120 to transmit or connect the sender profile and digital communications (step 220). The recipient computer system 120 connects or receives the sender profile and the digital communication (step 222), stores the sender profile (step 224), and allows the recipient to recognize the digital communication and the sender profile (step 226). The receiver can recognize the digital communication and the sender profile through a user interface specific to the type of digital communication received. For example, if the digital communication is an instant message, the instant message is displayed in a dialog window and the sender profile is selected by the recipient or otherwise in a dialog window associated with the recipient or in an IM handle (eg, friends list: Another window displaying a list of buddy lists can be accessed by the user by selecting the sender's IM handle. If the digital communication is an email message, the header information of the email can be displayed in an inbox list, the email content can be displayed when the email is selected from the list, and the sender profile information can select the sender's email address. Can be displayed when.

If the receiver authenticates the digital communication with the source audio identifier from the sender, digital communication processor 142 connects to the source audio identifier corresponding to the calling user identifier from audio identifier data storage 146 (step 228). . The digital communication processor 142 transmits or allows the recipient computer system 120 to connect (step 230) to connect the caller profile, digital communication, and source audio identifier.

The recipient computer system 120 connects or receives the caller profile, the source audio identifier, and the digital communication (step 232) and stores the caller profile and the source audio identifier (step 234). The source audio identifier and the sender profile may be stored temporarily or permanently in some component of the receiver computer system 120 or in a data store that is remote but communicatively coupled with the receiver computer system 120. In another embodiment, receiver computer system 120 carries but does not store the source audio identifier.

Recipient computer system 120 may allow the recipient to recognize the source audio identifier (step 236) prior to or at the same time as the recipient recognizes the digital communication and sender profile (238). The recipient computer system 120 can convert the audio identifier into audio that the recipient can hear so that the recipient can recognize the source audio identifier. The audio sounds short after the reception of the digital communication, thereby informing the recipient that the digital communication has been received from a particular sender.

As another embodiment of the process (process 200), the digital communication processor 142 does not retrieve the sender profile and does not send the sender profile or allow the recipient computer system 120 to access the sender profile. Instead, the digital communication processor 142 transmits the digital communication without the sender profile and, if applicable, to the receiver computer system 120 along with the source audio identifier.

4 is a process for enabling presentation of the source audio identifier upon receipt of a digital communication received via the digital communication handling system after the communication session has already been initiated and the source audio identifier has already been stored by the recipient computer system. Process 400). For convenience, certain components described with respect to FIG. 1 are referred to as performing processing (process 400). However, similar methods can be applied to other embodiments in which other components are used to define the structure of the system or functions are distributed differently between the components shown in FIG. The process (process 400) is used to process digital communications transmitted after transmitting the first digital communications in a communication session between the sender computer system 110 and the receiver computer system 120. The process (process 400) assumes that the recipient computer system 120 has authenticated and already stored the source audio identifier.

Caller computer system 110 transmits 402 an addressed digital communication to recipient computer system 120. The digital communication may include the calling user identifier and the receiving user identifier or may be combined with the calling user identifier and the receiving user identifier. The digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication (step 404) and determines whether the user corresponding to the receiving user identifier is still logged in or can still receive digital communications from the sender computer system 110 (step 406). ). The digital communication processor 142 may query or connect to a login system or presence detection system, which may be local or remote to the DCHS 140.

If the receiver is no longer logged in online or otherwise can not receive the digital communication, the digital communication processor 142 may not be able to discard the digital communication or digitally store the data in the data store associated with the receiving user identifier for later retrieval. The communication can be saved (step 408). In another embodiment, digital communication processor 142 sends a notification message to sender computer system 110 indicating that the recipient is no longer available (not shown). If the receiver is logged in online or otherwise able to receive digital communications, digital communications processor 142 may send digital communications to receiver computer system 120 or allow receiver computer system 120 to connect the digital communications. May be step 410.

Recipient computer system 120 receives or connects to the digital communication (step 412) and connects to the stored source audio identifier corresponding to the originating user identifier of the received digital communication (step 414). Recipient computer system 120 may allow the recipient to recognize the source audio identifier (step 416) before or at the same time as the recipient recognizes the digital communication (418).

The process (process 400) assumes that the recipient computer system 120 has already received and stored the source audio identifier corresponding to the originator of the digital communication. However, if such a source audio identifier has not been stored by the receiver computer system 120, the receiver computer system 120 may request and receive the source audio identifier from the DCP 142. A source audio identifier used to indicate receipt of an initial communication in a communication session may request and receive a source audio identifier of an embodiment different from the source audio identifier used to indicate receipt of a communication subsequent to the communication session. 5 is a process to enable presentation of the source audio identifier upon receipt of a digital communication received via a digital communication handling system in which the source audio identifier is stored in the sender computer system and the recipient communication exchange priority is stored in the receiver computer system. (Step 500) is shown. For convenience, certain components described with respect to FIG. 5 are referred to as performing processing (step 500). However, similar methods can be applied in other embodiments in which other components are used to define the structure of the system or in which the functions are distributed differently between the components shown in FIG. 1. The process (process 500) is that the sender computer system 110 stores the source audio identifier rather than the DCHP 140, and the receiver computer system 110 stores the recipient information exchange priority rather than the DCHP 140. It differs from the processing (processes 200 and 400) in that it applies. Processing (process 500) minimizes processing requirements for DCHP 140 by pushing storage and intelligence to the sender and receiver computer systems.

Caller computer system 110 transmits the digital communication and source audio identifier addressed to receiver computer system 120 (step 502). The digital communication may include or be combined with the calling user identifier and the receiving user identifier. The digital communication processor 142 receives the digital communication and the source audio identifier (step 504), and whether the user corresponding to the receiving user identifier is able to receive digital information from the sending computer system 110 when logged in or otherwise. Determine (step 506). The digital communication processor 142 may query or connect to a login system or presence detection system, which may be local or remote to the DCHS 140.

If the receiver is not logged in online or otherwise unable to receive digital communications, the digital communications processor 142 discards the digital information or data storage coupled with the receiving user identifier for later retrieval by the recipient 508. At 508. In some embodiments, digital communication processor 142 sends a notification message to sender computer system 110 informing the recipient that the recipient is unavailable. If the receiver is logged in online or otherwise can receive a digital communication, the communication processor 142 sends a digital communication and source audio identifier to the recipient computer system 120 or allows the recipient computer system 120 to connect. (Step 510).

Recipient computer system 120 receives or accesses digital information and source audio identifiers (step 512). The recipient computer system 120 accesses the recipient information exchange priority and determines whether the recipient authenticates the digital communication sent by the sender (ie, determines whether the calling user identifier is included in the recipient's blacklist). ) (Step 514). If the recipient does not authenticate the digital communication from the sender, the digital information is discarded (step 516). In some embodiments, digital communication processor 142 may further send a notification message to sender computer system 110 indicating that the digital communication was not sent to the recipient. If the receiver authenticates the digital communication from the sender, digital communication processor 142 determines whether the receiver communicates with the source audio identifier based on the recipient information exchange priority (step 518).

6 illustrates one implementation of step 518 using an exemplary default response algorithm that requests the recipient whether to authenticate or reject the source audio identifier. The recipient computer system 120 determines whether the sender is included in the recipient's white list (step 518a). If the sender is included in the white list, recipient computer system 120 performs step 520. If the sender is not included in the white list, recipient computer system 120 determines whether the sender is included in the recipient's gray list (step 518b). If the sender is included in the gray list, recipient computer system 120 performs step 522.

If the sender is not included in the white or gray list, the recipient computer system 120 performs a default response algorithm by having the receiver detect and respond to a query requesting the recipient whether to authenticate or reject the source audio identifier. (Step 518c). The recipient may recognize the query (step 518c) in the user interface as shown in FIG. 3B. Once the recipient selects one or more options (step 518c) to respond to the query, the recipient computer system 120 determines whether the selected options correspond to authentication or denial of the digital communication (step 518d). If the selected options reject the digital communication, receiver computer system 120 discards the digital information (step 518e). If the selected options authenticate the digital communication, the recipient computer system 120 determines whether the selected options correspond to authentication or denial of the source audio identifier (step 518f). If the selected options authenticate the source audio identifier, receiver computer system 120 performs step 520. If the selected options do not authenticate the source audio identifier, receiver computer system 120 performs step 522.

Referring again to FIG. 5, if the receiver authenticates digital communication with the source audio identifier (step 518), receiver computer system 120 may detect digital communication 520 prior to or concurrently with the receiver detecting the digital information. ) Allows the receiver to detect the source audio identifier received with In another embodiment, recipient computer system 120 stores the source audio identifier prior to enabling the recipient to detect the source audio identifier. If the recipient does not authenticate the digital communication with the source audio identifier (eg, if the calling user identifier is included in the recipient's gray list), then the recipient computer system 120 may determine the source audio identifier from which the recipient was received. Rather than having to sense, it allows the receiver to sense the digital communication (step 522).

Processing (process 500) may be performed for each digital communication sent in a communication session between sender computer system 110 and receiver computer system 120. Alternatively, the process (process 500) can be performed for the first digital communication sent in the communication session. The recipient computer system 120 may store the source audio identifier, and then the sender computer system 110 may subsequently transmit digital terrestrial communications without the source audio identifier. Recipient computer system 120 performs subsequent digital communications in accordance with the determined recipient communication exchange priority, accesses the stored source audio identifier, and, if appropriate, enables the recipient to recognize the stored source audio identifier.

In another embodiment, the sender computer system 110 also transmits the sender profile along with the source audio identifier and the digital communication. The sender profile is received by the recipient computer system 120 along with the digital communication and source audio identifier. If recipient computer system 120 determines that the recipient has authenticated the digital communication from the sender, all or part of the sender profile is stored and recognized by the recipient.

In another embodiment, the digital communication processor 142, rather than the sender computer system 110, stores the source audio identifier (e.g., the source audio identifier is stored in the audio identifier data store 144). Receiver computer system 120 stores and applies the user exchange priority. In this embodiment, the sender computer system 110 transmits digital information without a source audio identifier, the digital communication processor 142 receives the digital information, and determines whether the receiver can receive digital communication. When the receiver is available, it connects to and transmits the source audio identifier to the receiver computer system 120 as well as transmitting digital communications. Recipient computer system 120 receives source audio identifiers and digital information and processes the source audio identifiers and digital communications in accordance with steps 512-522.

Referring to FIG. 7, a system 700 that enables the exchange of digital communications with a source audio identifier is a sender computer system that transmits digital communications and source audio identifiers to a recipient computer system 720 over a network 730. 710. Sender computer system 710 and receiver computer system 720 include devices 710A and 710B that communicate with controllers 710B and 720B via data paths 710C and 729C, respectively. Examples of each component in the communication system of FIG. 7 have been described extensively above in connection with FIG. 1. In particular, the sender computer system 710, receiver computer system 720, and network 730 typically feature the features described above with respect to the sender computer system 110, the receiver computer system 120, and the network 130 of FIG. 1, respectively. Have characteristics comparable to the above.

However, caller computer system 710 differs from caller computer system 110 in that the caller computer system 710 does not transmit digital information to the digital communication handling system (140 in FIG. 1). Rather, the sender computer system 710 directly sends the digital communication and source audio identifiers via a direct connection to the receiver computer system 720. The direct connection may be, for example, an open socket connection (ie, a peer-to-peer socket connection) such as an open transmission control protocol (TCP) connection. Both sender computer system 710 and receiver computer system 720 may include a winsock application program interface (API) to establish a direct connection. In one embodiment, the digital communications sent by the sender computer system 710 are instant messages.

8 illustrates a process 800 that enables the presentation of a source audio identifier upon receipt of digital information received from a caller computer system via a direct connection. For convenience, certain components described with respect to FIG. 7 are cited as performing process 800. However, similar methods can be applied to other embodiments in which other components are used to define the structure of the system or in which the functionality is distributed differently between the components shown in FIG.

Caller computer system 710 transmits digital communication and source audio identifiers to recipient computer system 720 or allows recipient computer system 720 to access digital communication and source audio identifiers. Recipient computer system 720 receives or accesses digital information and source audio identifiers (step 804). The recipient computer system 720 accesses the recipient information exchange priority and determines whether the recipient authenticates the digital information sent by the sender (ie, determines whether the sender identifier is included in the recipient's blacklist) (step 806). ). If the receiver does not authenticate the digital communication from the sender, the digital communication is discarded (step 808). In some embodiments, recipient computer system 720 may further send a notification message to sender computer system 720 indicating that the digital information has been discarded (not shown). When the receiver authenticates digital communication from the sender, digital communication processor 142 determines whether the receiver communicates with the source audio identifier based on the recipient exchange priority (ie, white and gray list and default response algorithm). Determine (step 810).

If the receiver authenticates the digital communication with the source audio identifier, the receiver computer system 720 receives the source audio received with the digital communication (step 814) prior to or concurrently with causing the receiver to recognize the digital communication. Recognize the identifier. In another embodiment, recipient computer system 720 stores the source audio identifier prior to causing the recipient to recognize the source audio identifier. If the recipient does not authenticate the digital communication with the source audio identifier (eg, if the calling user identifier is included in the recipient's gray list), then the recipient computer system 720 may determine the source audio identifier from which the recipient was received. Allow the recipient to recognize the digital communication 814 without causing it to recognize.

Process 800 may be performed for each digital communication sent in a communication session between sender computer system 710 and receiver computer system 720. Alternatively, process 800 can be performed for a first digital communication sent in a communication session. The recipient computer system 720 can store the source audio identifier, and then the sender computer system 710 can send subsequent digital communications without the source audio identifier. The receiver computer system 720 performs subsequent digital communications related to the determined receiving side communication exchange priority and accesses the stored source audio identifier, where appropriate to allow the receiver to recognize the stored source audio identifier.

In yet another embodiment, the sender computer system 710 also sends a caller profile with the source audio identifier and the digital communication. The sender profile along with the digital communication and source identifier is received by the receiver computer system 720. If recipient computer system 720 determines that the recipient authenticates the digital communication from the sender, all or part of the sender profile may be stored and recognized by the recipient.

The systems and processes described above can be used in voice and data communication contexts. 9-11 illustrate one possible example of a source audio identifier used in a voice communication situation.

Referring to FIG. 9, telephone system 100 for enabling telephone conversation using a source audio identifier includes caller telephone 910 that communicates with call-initiated telephone 920 over telephone network 930. Telephone network 930 may access audio identifier data storage 944 and configuration data storage 946. In some embodiments, audio identifier data storage 944 and configuration data storage 946 are part of telephone network 930.

The caller phone 910 and the receiver phone 920 may be landline phones capable of communicating over the telephone network 930. In another embodiment, the caller phone 910 and / or receiver phone 920 may be a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA) to which the embedded cellular technology is applied.
The caller phone 910 is set up to call the call receiving phone 920 across the telephone network 930. In yet another embodiment, the caller phone 910 may additionally be configured to send the source audio identifier to the call receiving phone 920 as part of a call setup. The caller phone 910 may transmit a source audio identifier as the in-band or out-of-band signal over the telephone network 930. For example, in a mobile phone or mobile phone system, the caller's phone 910 may call the Multimedia Message Service (MMS) or Short Message Service (SMS) prior to or concurrently sending a call establishment request. You can send the source audio identifier as a message to use. MMS or SMS messages generally include the calling party user identifier and may include all or part of the calling party profile. In another embodiment, the caller phone 910 may transmit the source audio identifier to the call receiving phone 920 over the Internet.

If the source audio identifier is transmitted as an out-of-band signal, the caller phone 910 may receive the source audio identifier before or after receiving the call signal from the telephone network 930. If the caller phone 910 receives a plurality of source audio identifiers before receiving the call signal, the caller phone 910 is based on the caller identification information (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ANI) information). To identify the appropriate source audio identifier. If the caller phone 910 does not receive a source audio identifier upon receiving a call signal from the telephone network 930, the caller phone 910 may wait some amount of time to receive the source audio identifier. If no source audio identifier is received after the amount of time has expired, the caller phone 910 can use the default call signal.

The call receiving phone 920 is configured to receive a source audio identifier and an incoming call from the telephone network 930 and to recognize the incoming call and, if appropriate, the source audio identifier. The call receiving phone 920 may be configured to store the source audio identifier and recognize the source audio identifier as a call signal indicating that the receiver is a call coming from the other party's caller. For example, the source audio identifier may be stored as a whole song or as a set of standard ring tones. Call-initiating call 920 may also be configured to store a default call signal that is reproduced when the caller does not transmit the source audio identifier or otherwise the caller sends the source audio identifier, but the call receiver may Do not play. The default call signal may be changed based on the direct number of the caller's phone 910. In a cell phone or mobile telephone system, the call receiving phone 920 may receive a source audio identifier in an MMS or SMS message, for example, prior to or at the same time receiving an incoming call. In another embodiment, the call receiving phone 920 has an Internet connection and receives a source audio identifier on the Internet before or at the same time receiving an incoming call. The call receiving phone 920 reproduces the source audio identifier as soon as the call signal is received from the telephone network 930.

In another embodiment, call-initiated call 920 may determine whether to play the source audio identifier as a call signal and whether to accept the call. In this embodiment, the call receiving phone 920 stores the user communication exchange priority and determines whether or not the source audio identifier is to be reproduced according to the user communication exchange priority.

Telephone network 930 is configured to enable direct or indirect voice communication between caller phone 910 and call destination phone 920. Telephone network 930 may include a circuit switched voice network, a packet switched data network, or any other network capable of delivering voice. For example, a circuit switched voice network may include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and a packet switched data network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) or an asynchronous transfe mode (ATM). For example, voice may be supported using Voice-over-IP, Voice-over-ATM, or other comparable protocol used for voice data communication.

The telephone network 930 receives the direct number of the call-incoming call from the caller's phone 910, accesses the configuration data storage 942 to determine whether the caller is registered with the source audio identifier service, and to the corresponding source audio identifier. And, if applicable, to transmit a call setup request and a source audio identifier to the call receiving phone 920. The source audio identifier may be sent as an in-band or out-of-band signal prior to or simultaneously sending a call setup request to the caller phone 910. In one embodiment, telephone network 930 is configured to process MMS or SMS messages and send the source audio identifiers as MMS or SMS messages. In another embodiment, the telephone network network 930 may send a source audio identifier to the call receiving phone 920 prior to or simultaneously with call setup on the Internet. The call receiving phone 920 uses the ANI information associated with the caller's phone number as a means for adjusting incoming call and source audio identifiers, for example, upon receipt of a call signal from the telephone network 930 corresponding to the caller. Play the audio identifier.

In another embodiment, telephone network 930 may be configured to receive a source audio identifier from caller phone 910 as an in-band or out-of-band signal during call setup. For example, the telephone network 930 may be configured to receive a source audio identifier or a link to the source audio identifier as an additional component of the call destination telephone number received from the caller's telephone 910 via the signal path.

Audio identifier data storage 942 and configuration data storage 942 have been described above extensively with reference to FIG. 1. In particular, audio identifier data storage 942 and configuration data storage 946 are typically comparable to the features described above for audio identifier data storage 142 and configuration data storage 146 in FIG. 1, respectively. Have the characteristics of The audio identifier data storage 942 is configured to store the source audio identifier as, for example, a standard or full music ring tone encoded with digital data and indexed by the caller's telephone direct number. Configuration data storage 946 is configured to store a caller service profile that represents an enabled telephone service on the caller's telephone line. The caller service profile includes an indication of whether the caller is registered with the source audio identifier service and may be indexed by the direct number of the caller's phone. Configuration data storage 946 may also store user profiles and user information exchange priorities. Audio identifier data storage 942 and configuration data storage 946 may be integrated into one data storage.

10 illustrates a process 1000 that enables the presentation of a source audio identifier as a call signal representing a call coming from a caller. For convenience, certain components described with respect to FIG. 9 are cited as performing process 1000. However, similar methods can be applied to other embodiments in which other components are used to define the structure of the system or in which the functionality is distributed differently between the components shown in FIG. 9.

The user of the caller's phone 910 dials or specifies the direct number of the call receiving phone 920 (step 1002). The telephone network 930 receives the direct number of the call receiving phone 920 and identifies the direct number of the caller's phone 910 (step 1004). Telephone network 930 determines whether the call receiving telephone line can receive the call (step 1006). If the call receiving phone line is busy for a telephone call or otherwise cannot receive the call, the telephone network depends on the state of the call receiving phone line (eg, by sending a busy signal to the caller phone 910). Process the call (step 1008).

If the call-incoming telephone line can receive the call, the telephone network 930 accesses the caller service profile from the configuration data storage 946 (1010) to determine if the caller is registered with the source audio identifier service based on the call service profile. (Step 1012). If the caller is not registered with the source audio identifier service, the telephone network 930 sets up the call and sends a ring tone trigger to the call receiving phone 920 (step 1026).

If the caller is registered with the source audio identifier service, the telephone network 930 connects from the configuration data storage 146 to the user information exchange priority corresponding to the direct number of the call-incoming call (step 1014), and the call recipient is connected to the source. It is determined whether the audio identifier should be played (step 1016). The call receiver determines whether the source audio identifier should be reproduced in the same manner as described above with respect to step 218 in FIGS. 2 and 3A, and the telephone network 930 performs the function of the digital communication processor 142. The call receiving phone 920 performs the function of the recipient computer system 120. The user interface 300 may also be displayed by the call receiving phone 920 when the calling user identifier is not included in the recipient's gray, white or black list. In this embodiment, the message is an incoming call and a specific ring tone is used to inform the recipient of the call and to inform the receiver that the caller has a source audio identifier. The call recipient then determines whether to authenticate the call and whether to authenticate the caller's source audio identifier or ring tone by interacting with the user interface 300.

If the call recipient does not allow the source audio identifier to be played, the telephone network 930 sets up the call and sends a ring tone trigger to the call receiving phone 920 (1026). If the call recipient allows the source audio identifier to be played, the telephone network 930 connects from the audio identifier data storage 944 to the source audio identifier corresponding to the caller's direct dial number (step 1018) and sets up the call. The source audio identifier is transmitted to the call-incoming call 920 prior to or simultaneously with the call-initiated call (step 1026) (step 1020).

The call receiving phone 920 receives the source audio identifier (step 1022) and stores the source audio identifier (step 1024). When the call is established and the call receiving phone 920 receives the ring tone trigger, the call receiving phone 920 generally identifies the caller using the ANI information (step 1028) and determines whether the source audio identifier is available for the call. Determine (step 1030). If the source audio identifier is not available for the call, the call receiving phone 920 makes a ring tone by playing a normal or default ring tone that the call recipient can recognize, for example (step 1034). If a source audio identifier is available for the call, call-initiated call 920 may ring to include the source audio identifier (eg, by using the source audio identifier as a ring tone, or by concatenating the source audio identifier with a general or default ring tone). (Step 1032). Call-initiated phone 920 then makes a modified ringtone that the call recipient can recognize by playing the modified ringtone (step 1034).

FIG. 11 illustrates a step 1100 that enables the presentation of a source audio identifier as a call signal indicative of an incoming call from a caller, wherein the caller phone sends the source audio identifier to the call receiving phone over the telephone network. For convenience, certain components described with respect to FIG. 9 are cited as performing step 1100. However, other components may be used to define the configuration of the system, or similar methods may be applied to other embodiments in which functionality is distributed differently between the components shown in FIG. 9.

The user of the caller's phone 910 calls the direct number of the call receiving phone 920 or otherwise designates the direct number of the call receiving phone 920 and the source audio identifier (step 1102). Telephone network 930 receives the direct number and source audio identifier of call-initiated call 920 (step 1104). The telephone network 920 determines whether the call receiving telephone line can receive the call (step 1106). If the call-incoming telephone line is busy or otherwise cannot receive a phone call, the telephone network 930 makes a call (eg, by sending a busy signal to the caller's phone 910) depending on the state of the call-incoming telephone line. Process (step 1108). If the call receiving phone line is capable of receiving a call, the telephone network 930 transmits a source audio identifier to the call receiving phone 920 before or at the same time as setting up the call and transmitting the ring tone to the call receiving phone 920 (step 1120). .

The call receiving phone 920 receives the source audio identifier (step 1112) and determines whether the call recipient is to play the source audio identifier (step 1114). Determination of whether or not the call recipient is to play the source audio identifier can be achieved in the manner described above with respect to step 518 of FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the telephone network 930 performs the function of the digital communication processor 142, The call receiving phone 920 performs the function of the receiving computer system 120.

If the call recipient does not cause the source audio identifier to be played, then the call receiving phone 920 discards the source audio identifier (step 1116). If the call recipient causes the source audio identifier to be played, the call receiving phone 920 stores the source audio identifier (step 1118).

When the call is established and the call receiving phone 920 receives a ring tone, the call receiving phone 920 generally uses the ANI information (step 1122) to identify the caller (step 1120) and determine whether the source audio identifier can be called. It is determined whether or not (step 1124). If the source audio identifier cannot be called, the call receiving phone 920 generates a ring tone by reproducing, for example, a normal or default ring tone that the call recipient can recognize (step 1128). If the source audio identifier can be called, call-initiating call 920 will ring the call to include the source audio identifier (e.g., by using the source audio identifier as a ring tone, or by linking the source audio identifier to a general or default ring tone). (Step 1126). The call receiving phone 920 generates a modified ring tone that the call recipient can recognize by playing the modified ring tone.

In another embodiment, rather than caller phone 910, telephone network 930 stores the source audio identifier (e.g., the source audio identifier may be stored in audio identifier data storage 144), and the call is received. Phone 920 stores and applies user communication exchange priorities. In this embodiment, the caller phone 910 transmits the digital communication without the source audio identifier, the telephone network 930 receives the digital call, determines whether the receiver phone line can receive the incoming call, and receives the call. If a telephone line is available, it not only sets up the call but also transmits the source audio identifier to the call receiving phone 920. The call receiving phone 920 receives the source audio identifier and processes the source audio identifier according to steps 1112-1118.

The source audio identifier may be one sound identifying the caller or, alternatively, one or more characteristics of the caller or communication, as well as a concatenated audio message formed of multiple sounds connected together to identify the caller identity as an alternative. As shown in FIG. 12, as one possible embodiment, the connection audio message 1200 may include a first sound 1210 that indicates the characteristics or characteristics of the caller or communication, followed by a second sound that identifies the individual caller (eg, Oral form of the sender's name). The identification sound is selected to identify the individual caller, while the characteristic sound is selected to describe, define or characterize the caller. Acoustic sounds are defined by the location where the caller is calling / transmitting (e.g. from California, home, work or school), the occupational group to which the caller belongs (e.g. doctor, lawyer, electrician, mechanic or plumber), Organizations that you belong to or work with (for example, the Porsche Club of America, the National Rifle Association, the Rotary Club, Ford Motor Comapany, Microsoft ( Microsoft), Cooper Power System), or another group member by the sender (e.g., a group of friends included in a category in the recipient's instant message or in a friend list or a recipient's content list), The importance or urgency of the call (for example, a low pitch note may indicate that the call is not urgent and a high pitch note may indicate very urgent), call or Type of digital communication (e.g., social, business, e-mail, instant message, recipient's birthday call, recipient's anniversary call), and the type of communication means used to transmit the digital communication (e.g., For example, a desktop personal computer, pager, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone, a caller's online state (eg, online or offline), a mobile phone, PDA, or other communication, including a desktop computer. Sound that identifies the availability of receiving communication via a device (e.g., email, phone call, instant messenger), the distinction between the sender and the recipient, or the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the distinction threshold by the sender. This is not restrictive.

The connection audio message may be formed of any combination of identification and / or characteristic sound. For example, the connection audio message may be formed of only the identification sound, or alternatively, may be formed of only the characteristic sound.

With reference to FIG. 13, the connection audio message 1300 may provide multiple levels of communication sent by the caller by linking the identification sound 1320 with information about the caller / caller or a number of other connected feature sounds 1310. Can be. FIG. 13 illustrates a feature sound 1310 connected to the start of the connection audio message 1300 and an identification sound 1320 connected to the end of the connection audio message 1300. However, any connection order is possible. As more sounds are connected, the sender can provide the receiver with an increased level of information. If a ringing audio message is used as the ring tone, the linked sounds can be played several times in succession until the receiver answers the call or otherwise the call is processed.

The length of each connected sound in the connected audio message may be specified by the sender. Caller computer system 110, 510 or caller phone 910 may allow the caller to limit the length or number of connected sounds that may be transmitted. Additionally or alternatively, the digital communication processor 142 or the telephone network 930 may limit the total length of the connection audio message or the total number or total length of each particular connected sound in the connection audio message.

The length of each connected sound in the connected audio message can be specified by the receiver. The connection audio message may be encoded such that the recipient computer system 120 or 520 or the call receiving phone 920 recognizes and distinguishes each connected sound. The recipient computer system 120 or 520 or the call receiving phone 920 may allow the receiver to control whether each connected sound is to be played and to adjust the length of each connected sound. The called party can control the playback of each connected sound while the connected sound is playing (for example, by selecting a function on the call receiving phone 920 or the receiving computer system 120,520) and skipping to the next connected sound. Alternatively, or in addition or alternatively, the recipient may set a user communication exchange priority specifying the length, number, and connection type of the connected sound played upon receipt of the connected audio message.

In another embodiment, the digital communication processor 142 or the telephone network 920, according to the recipient's user information exchange priority, prior to sending a connection audio message to the recipient computer system 120, 520 or the call receiving phone 920. Process connection audio messages. In another embodiment, the connection audio message to be played is a default value or a preselected value and is not specified by the receiver or the sender. The length can also be changed by group or by user.

The connection audio message can also be associated with one or more recipient directed sounds. The recipient designated sound may be a feature sound or an identification sound. For example, the recipient can select or define a feature sound that indicates that the sender is part of the recipient's friend list. When the recipient receives an instant message from the sender listed in the recipient's friend list, a connection audio message may be formed by concatenating the recipient's friend list feature sound at the end of the sender's designated sound (s). By listening to the connection audio message, the recipient can both identify the sender and determine whether the sender is part of the recipient's friend list. A characteristic sound indicates that the caller belongs to a coworker or family group in the recipient's friend list, or alternatively that the caller is defined by the recipient, recipient computer system 120, 520, or call-initiated call 920. It can be changed to indicate belonging to a group.

The receiver can also specify the identification sound. For example, the recipient may specify an identifying sound called "DaBigBoss" to indicate the receipt of a communication from the president of the recipient. If the president has selected a caller-specific identification sound called "John", the recipient will hear "DaBigBoss! John" upon receipt of digital information or a call from the president.

FIG. 14 illustrates a connection audio message 1400 that includes one or more recipient specified features 1420 and a caller designated sound 1410 associated with one or more recipient specified features 1430. FIG. 15A illustrates another example of a connection audio message 1500 formed by mixing and concatenating caller-designated sounds 1510 and callee-designated sounds 1520. The order in which the sounds are connected may vary. For example, the sounds designated by the receiver may come first, followed by the sounds designated by the callers.

In yet another embodiment, all or some of the sounds in the connection audio message are not specified by the receiver or the sender, but are more broadly defined. For example, the sounds may be defined by the DCHS 140, the telephone network 930, or another system that is communicatively connected to the recipient computer system 120, 520 or the call receiving phone 920.

FIG. 16 illustrates a process 1600 for enabling the generation and recognition of a concatenated audio message comprising recipient specific sounds. Process 1600 may be performed by receiver computer system 120, 520 or call reception phone 920. Additionally or alternatively, process 1600 may be performed by digital communication processor 142 or telephone network 930.

The source audio identifier is received or connected (step 1610). The connection of the source audio identifier may correspond to step 228 of process 200, step 512 of process 500, step 804 of process 800, step 1018 of process 1000, or step 1104 of process 1100. The identity of the caller or the characteristics of the caller or the communication is determined (step 1620). The identity of the caller may be determined from the caller identification included or received with the calling party user identifier, the number of the call or the source audio identifier of the digital communication. Recipient computer system 120,520, call recipient phone 920, digital communication processor 142, or telephone network 930 may be connected to configuration data storage 144,944 or store identification or feature information about the caller or communication. The identification or characteristics of the caller / sender or communication may be determined by accessing one or more local or remote data storage devices or computer systems (including messaging systems) that may be connected or provided. For example, call-incoming call 920 or recipient computer system 120, 520 may access local storage and determine that the caller / sender is in the recipient's address book and designated as a colleague in the address book. Additionally or alternatively, call receiving phone 920 or recipient computer system 120, 520 can connect to an instant messaging system to determine that the recipient is online and can receive instant messages.

The discriminating sound and the feature sound may be connected based on the determined identification and the feature (step 1630). Identification and feature sounds are data designated by the receiver and stored in the audio identifier data storage 144,944 or may be included or connected to the receiver computer system 120,520, the digital communication processor 142, or the telephone network 930. It may be stored in the storage unit. The connected sound is coupled with the source audio identifier to form a linked audio message with the recipient specific sound 1640. For example, call-incoming call 920 or recipient computer system 120, 520 can access a feature sound corresponding to a short solemn song to indicate that the caller / caller is a colleague and that the caller / caller is online and that instant messages are A second feature sound corresponding to a high pitch ring tone indicating that it can be received may be connected. Referring to FIG. 15B, when the source audio identifier corresponds to a rooster sound, the concatenated audio message 1520 is followed by a solemn long song followed by a rooster sound followed by a high pitch ringtone.

Steps 1620-1640 may be, for example, after step 228 and before step 230 of process 200; After step 518 and before step 520 of process 500; After step 810 and before step 812 of process 800; After step 1018 and before step 1020 of the process 1000; And after step 1116 and before step 1120 of process 1100.

Once the connection audio message is formed with the recipient specific sound, the receiver can recognize the connection audio message 1650. Step 1650 corresponds to steps 230 to 236 of process 200, step 520 of process 500, step 812 of process 800, steps 1020 and 1024 to 1028 of process 1000, and steps 1120 and 1122 of process 1100, and the source audio identifier Is now the connection audio message at this stage.

The connection audio message may be used in a communication system that does not use caller directed sound. In this embodiment, the recipient computer system 120, 520, call receiving phone 920, telephone network 930, or digital communication processor 142 calls from the caller rather than connecting to the source audio identifier as specified by step 1610. Or receive or otherwise connect to the digital communication. Then, steps 1620 through 1650 are performed to create a connection audio message and enable recognition. However, the connection audio message does not include the source audio identifier.

The connection audio message may also be used to audibly inform the user of communication related events that are not related to the receipt of the communication. For example, a connection audio message can be used to audibly inform the user of a change in the presence of a member of the user's friend list (ie, "friend") in an instant message context. For example, if a friend is signaled on-off, the representative door open / close door sound that is played to the user is the event identification sound, which friend is on-off, or a friend who is within a particular friend category or has individual characteristics is on. -Can be connected with event characteristic sounds indicating exactly whether they are off. Moreover, another event characteristic sound, indicating that the user is a member of a colleague sub-group or family of the user's friend list, may also be linked to the door open / door short sound to allow audible classification of the user on-off signal.

17 illustrates a connection audio message for event 1700. The connection audio message for the event 1700 may include any combination of event identification sound 1710 and event characteristic sound 1720. Event identification sound 1710 identifies a designated event and is generally unique to that event. Event feature 1720 can also describe, modify, classify, and generally apply to a number of other events. The connection audio message for the event 1700 may also optionally include any combination of user identification sounds 1730 and / or characteristic sounds (not shown).

18 shows a process 1800 that can generate and detect a connection audio message upon detection of the occurrence of an event. Process 1800 may be performed by recipient computer system 120, 520 or call receiving phone 920. Additionally or alternatively, process 1800 may be performed by digital communication processor 142 or telephone network 930.

The occurrence of the event is detected (step 1810). The identification of the event and the characteristics of the event are determined (step 1820). The identification of the event is generally tracked by the application generating the event and can be identified through interaction with the application. Features of the event may also be tracked in the application and connected to or communicate with the recipient computer system 120, 520, call recipient phone 920, digital communication processor 142, or telephone network 930 through interaction with the application. This can be determined by accessing data storage or systems.

The event identification sound and the event feature sound may be connected based on the determined identification and feature of the event (step 1830). Event identification and event characteristic sounds may be included or accessed in audio identifier data storage 144,944 or in receiver computer system 120,520, call recipient phone 920, digital communication processor 142, or telephone network 930. Can be stored in a data storage. The connected sounds are connected together to form a connection audio message (step 1840). Once the connected audio message is formed, the user can recognize the connected audio message (step 1850). Call recipient phone 920 or recipient computer system 120, 520 typically plays a linked audio message upon the occurrence of an event, thereby allowing a user to listen to the linked audio message and identify the event and its features.

In a more general embodiment, the connection audio message may be used in any application that notifies a user of the occurrence of an event, as well as a communication related application, which event may be described as belonging to a number of related, nested or hierarchical classes. . The connection audio message may include an event indicative of the class and subclass into which the event is categorized and an event identification sound identifying one or more event characteristic sounds.

Many embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various changes may be made. For example, the source audio identifier may be a video identifier rather than an audio identifier and may be recognized by the receiver whenever a digital communication or call is received from the sender. Additionally or alternatively, the sender identifier can be an audiovisual presentation of the identifier that can be recognized by the receiver as the caller's identification marker or in any other non-literal form. The source audio identifier may be greater than 2 megabits in size or less than 120 kilobits. When converted to audio, the source audio identifier may generate sound of more than two seconds or less than one second.

The following is a list of additional embodiments. One or a combination of the following embodiments can be used to add various functions or characteristics.

In the first embodiment, the digital communication processor 142, telephone network 930, caller computer system 110, 520, or caller phone 910 may convert the source audio identifier before the receiver computer system 120, 520 transmits the source audio identifier. Communicate with the recipient computer system to determine whether it has already been stored. If the recipient computer system 120, 520 has already stored the source audio identifier for the caller, then any source audio identifier is sent to the digital communication processor 142, the telephone network 930, the caller computer system 110, 520, or the caller phone 910. Cannot be sent by

In a second embodiment, the default response algorithm of FIGS. 3A and 6 may include an option to save the digital communication for later retrieval. If this option is selected, the digital communication is stored in a data store corresponding to the recipient (e.g., an e-mail mailbox) and can be accessed later by the recipient. The user interface 300 of FIG. 3B may also include option buttons and check boxes that may be selected to store the current digital communication from the sender and all future digital communications, respectively, for later retrieval.

In a third embodiment, the digital communication processor 142 may not transmit a complete digital communication to the recipient computer system 120 upon receipt of the digital communication from the sender computer system 110. Instead, digital communication processor 142 may store the digital communication and transmit a portion of the digital communication to recipient computer system 120 with or without a source audio identifier. The receiver can recognize the source audio identifier upon receipt of the digital communication from the digital communication processor 142. The receiver recognizes a portion of the digital communication and determines whether the receiver wants to recognize a complete digital communication based on the recognized portion. The recipient can then choose to recognize the complete digital communication, and the recipient computer system 120 allows the recipient to access the complete digital communication from the appropriate data store. For example, in an e-mail oriented situation, the digital communication processor 142 may receive e-mail addressed to the recipient, store the e-mail in the mailbox corresponding to the recipient, and may receive header information (eg, sender). Email address, transmission time and date, email subject, and email recipient), and, if appropriate, the source audio identifier to receiver computer system 120. The recipient computer system 120 may play the source audio identifier upon receipt of the header information and may include some or all of the header information of the received email in the mailbox list displayed to the recipient. The recipient can then select the header information of the email, and the recipient computer system 120 allows the recipient to access and recognize the complete email stored in the recipient's mailbox.

In the fourth embodiment, if the received digital communication is an email, the connection audio message corresponds to the "true source" of the forwarded email or is entered in the "cc" or "bcc" field of the email header. It may include an identification sound or a feature sound corresponding to the identification. The identification or feature sound may be an alternative or addition to the identification sound corresponding to the identification (ie, direct source of the email) entered in the "from" field of the email header. In addition, the digital communication processor 142 or recipient computer system 120 may automatically bypass the connection audio message in situations where the recipient is simply written to the "cc" or "bcc" field of the email header. The volume of the discriminating sound or characteristic sound may also be changed to inform various levels of importance of the recipient or email. For example, the volume may be set to the highest value if the recipient is written in the "to" field of the email address header, while the volume may be set to the lowest value if the recipient is written to the "bcc" field. The volume can be set to maximum even when an email is designated as "urgent" by the sender.

In a fifth embodiment, DCHS 140 or telephone network 930 may track source audio identifiers transmitted or stored by recipient computer system 120 or call-incoming call 920. If the DCHS 140 or the telephone network 930 determines that the source audio identifier has already been stored locally by the recipient computer system 120 or the call receiving telephone 920, the DCHS 140 or the telephone network 920 may Source audio identifiers may not be transmitted to the recipient computer system 120 or the call receiving phone 920. The recipient computer system 120 or call reception phone 920 can access and play the source audio identifier based on an incoming call or received digital communication.

In a sixth embodiment, digital communication processor 142, telephone network 930, caller computer systems 110, 510, or caller phone 910 receives a link to the source audio identifier rather than sending the source audio identifier itself. Computer system 120, 520 or the call receiving phone 920. The recipient computer system 120, 520 or the call receiving phone 920 may use the link to connect the source audio identifier. For example, the link may be a Universal Resource Locator (URL) indicating a website storage location where the source audio identifier is stored.

In a seventh embodiment, the digital communication processor 142 may determine whether the sender has an associated source audio identifier upon receipt of the digital communication prior to applying or connecting to the recipient communication exchange priority. If the caller or caller has an associated source audio identifier, digital communication processor 142 may proceed as in steps 206 through 238 of process 200. If no source audio identifier is associated with the originator, the digital communication processor 142 may call the digital communication or call in the same way as normal digital communication is handled. The digital communication processor 142 may initially access the audio identifier data storage 144 based on the calling user identifier to determine whether the caller has an associated source audio identifier. If no source audio identifier corresponding to the calling party user identifier is stored in the audio identifier data storage 144, the caller may be considered to have no associated source audio identifier.

In an eighth embodiment, the digital communication processor 142 or receiver computer system 120 may always query the receiver for how to handle previously unknown source audio identifiers. The receiver selects from various audio identifier control options such as those described with respect to FIG. 3B to process a received message with a source audio identifier and to process a future message with a source audio identifier received from the same source. You can decide how.

In a ninth embodiment, a user communication exchange priority is stored and an intermediate computer system (eg, digital communication processor 142) in each of the processes or systems described with respect to FIGS. 2, 3A, 4, 5, and 6 Reference / calling may be made locally at the caller computer system 120 or remotely.

In a tenth embodiment, the user interface 300 may include additional control options that give the receiver greater control over the audio identifier. For example, the user interface 300 allows a source audio identifier to be presented upon receipt of a first digital communication from the source in a communication session between a source and a receiver, and a second audio identifier during the communication session. It may include an option to be provided upon each receipt of another digital communication received from the source. The second audio identifier is different from the first audio identifier and can be designated by the sender or the receiver. Alternatively, the second audio identifier may be a generic audio identifier that is not designated by either the sender or the recipient. The user interface 300 can cause a second audio identifier to be provided upon receipt of the first digital communication in the communication session, wherein the source audio identifier is for each receipt of another communication received from the source during the communication session. It may include options that can be provided to the city. The user interface 300 also provides that a source audio identifier or a second audio identifier is provided upon receipt of a first digital communication in a communication session, and upon each receipt of another communication received from the source during the communication session. It may include an option not to provide an audio identifier.

Included in the Detailed Description of the Invention.

Claims (114)

Receiving a digital communication from the sender to the receiver; Determining whether the digital communication is associated with an identification of the sender of the digital communication and the audio identifier designated by the sender of the digital communication; And Recognizing the audio identifier by the receiver according to whether the digital communication is determined to be combined with the audio identifier, wherein the audio identifier is recognized before or simultaneously with the recipient recognizing the digital communication. And audibly informing the receiver of the arrival of the digital communication from the originating sender. The method of claim 1, And wherein said digital communication is an instant message. The method of claim 1, And said digital communication is an e-mail. The method of claim 1, And wherein said digital communication is a voice mail. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital communication is audible. The method of claim 1, And wherein said audio identifier is a spoken version of said calling user identifier. The method of claim 1, And determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier comprises determining whether an audio identifier has been received from the sender. . The method of claim 6, Determining whether or not the audio identifier has been received from the sender comprises determining whether the audio identifier has been received with the digital communication. How to notify. The method of claim 1, Determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier comprises accessing a data store based on the calling user identifier and audibly notifying the recipient of the arrival of the digital communication from the sender. How to. The method of claim 8, And the originating user identifier is included in the digital communication. The method of claim 8, And wherein the user identifier is an email address, an instant messaging handle, or a screen name. The method of claim 1, Recipient recognition of the audio identifier is a method of audibly notifying the receiver of the arrival of a digital communication from a sender, characterized in that the communication exchange priority associated with the receiver depends on whether the recipient allows the receiver to recognize the audio identifier. . The method of claim 11, When the communication exchange priority explicitly includes a setting indicating that the receiver is allowed to recognize the audio identifier, the receiver is allowed to receive the digital communication from the sender, characterized in that the receiver is allowed to recognize the audio identifier. How to notify you audibly. The method of claim 12, And said setting is established by said receiver responding to a query. The method of claim 11, If the communication exchange priority explicitly includes a setting indicating that the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier, the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier. How to audibly notify the recipient of the arrival. The method of claim 14, And said setting is established by said recipient responding to a query. The method of claim 11, If the communication exchange priority explicitly includes a setting indicating that the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier or the digital communication, the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier or the digital communication. And audibly notifying the receiver of the arrival of the digital communication from the sender. The method of claim 16, And said setting is established by said recipient responding to a query. The method of claim 1, When the receiver selects a user interface element according to the authentication of the audio identifier, further comprising allowing the receiver to recognize the user interface and allowing the receiver to recognize the audio identifier. A method of audibly notifying the recipient of the arrival of a communication. The method of claim 1, User recognition of the audio identifier is further dependent on whether the receiver is capable of receiving the digital communication. The method of claim 19, And discarding the digital communication if the receiver cannot receive the digital communication. The method of claim 19, And storing the digital communication in a data store for later retrieval by the receiver depending on whether the recipient is unable to receive the digital communication. To be notified as an enemy. The method of claim 1, And enabling the recipient to recognize a sender profile. The method of claim 1, The caller comprises a caller, the digital communication comprises a telephone call, Receiving a digital communication comprises receiving the telephone call delivered to the recipient, Determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier comprises determining whether the telephone call is associated with an audio identifier specified by the caller and identifying the caller; and Recognizing the audio identifier includes recognizing the audio identifier as to whether the telephone call is determined to be coupled with the audio identifier, wherein the audio identifier is a ring tone for the telephone call. And audibly notifying the recipient of the arrival of the digital communication from the sender, characterized in that it is recognized. The method of claim 23, Allowing the recipient to recognize the audio identifier includes audibly replaying the audio identifier multiple times to serve as a ring tone for the call. How to. A user interface that allows a receiver of a digital communication from a sender to authenticate or reject a source audio identifier. A first interface element configured and arranged to provide a notification of the received digital communication; A second interface element configured and arranged to identify a caller of the digital communication and to provide notification of an audio identifier designated by the caller of the digital communication; And And a third interface element configured and arranged to allow the recipient of the digital communication to authenticate or reject the presentation of the audio identifier prior to the presentation of the audio identifier. The method of claim 25, And the first interface element displays caller profile information. The method of claim 25, And the third interface is configured and arranged to allow the recipient of the digital communication to authenticate or reject the presentation of the digital communication. The method of claim 25, The third interface element comprises a set of fourth interface elements selectable by the receiver to effect authentication or denial of the audio identifier presentation. The method of claim 28, And the fourth set of interface elements includes an interface element selectable to authenticate the digital communication and the presentation of the audio identifier. The method of claim 28, The fourth set of interface elements includes an interface element selectable to authenticate the presentation of the digital communication but reject the presentation of the audio identifier. The method of claim 28, A set of fourth interface elements includes an interface element selectable to authenticate the presentation of the digital communication and to authenticate the presentation of the caller's audio identifier that reveals the caller's identity but hides the caller specific audio identifier User interface. The method of claim 28, The fourth set of interface elements includes an interface element selectable to store the digital communication in a data store for later retrieval by the receiver. The method of claim 25, And a fourth interface element selectable to authenticate or reject the presentation of the audio identifier upon receipt of each future digital communication from the originator. The method of claim 25, And further comprising a fourth interface element selectable to authenticate or reject the audio identifier upon receipt of each future digital communication from the originator, depending on whether the audio identifier is subsequently changed by the receiver. User interface. The method of claim 34, wherein The digital communication is a telephone call and the caller is a caller, The first interface element is configured and arranged to provide notification of a telephone call from the caller, The second interface element is configured and arranged to identify the caller and to provide notification of an audio identifier designated by the caller, And wherein the third interface element is configured and arranged to allow the recipient of the telephone call to authenticate or reject the presentation of the audio identifier prior to the presentation of the audio identifier. A computer system for audibly notifying a recipient of the arrival of a digital communication from a sender, A data storage configured to store audio identifiers; And Receive digital communications from the sender to the recipient, Determine whether the digital communication identifies the sender of the digital communication and is coupled with an audio identifier designated by the sender of the digital communication, Connect the audio identifier from the data storage unit, the receiver of the audio identifier recognizes according to whether the digital communication is determined to be combined with the audio identifier, and the audio identifier recognizes the digital communication And a digital communication processor configured to be recognized prior to or concurrent with the recognition. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication is an instant message. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication is an email. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication is voicemail. The method of claim 36, And the audio identifier is a spoken version of the calling user identifier. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication processor is configured to determine whether the digital communication is coupled with the audio identifier by determining whether an audio identifier has been received from the caller. 42. The method of claim 41 wherein And the digital communication processor is configured to determine whether the audio identifier has been received from the caller by determining whether an audio identifier has been received with the digital communication. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication processor is configured to determine whether the digital communication is combined with an audio identifier by connecting to a data store based on a calling user identifier. The method of claim 43, The originating user identifier is included in the digital communication. The method of claim 43, And the user identifier is an email address, an instant message handle, or a screen name. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication processor further recognizes by the receiver of the audio identifier whether the recipient is allowed to recognize the audio identifier due to a communication exchange priority associated with the receiver. The method of claim 46, The digital communication processor is configured to allow the recipient to recognize the audio identifier if it explicitly includes a setting indicating that the recipient is allowed to recognize the audio identifier due to the communication exchange priority. Computer system. The method of claim 47, And said setting is set by said recipient in response to a query. The method of claim 46, The digital processor is configured not to allow the receiver to recognize the audio identifier if it explicitly includes a setting indicating that the recipient is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier due to the communication exchange priority. Computer system. The method of claim 49, And the setting is set by the recipient in response to the query. The method of claim 46, The digital processor is further configured to recognize the audio identifier or the digital communication if the communication processor explicitly includes a setting indicating that the receiver is not allowed to recognize the audio identifier or the digital communication. Computer system configured to not permit. The method of claim 51 wherein And the setting is set by the recipient in response to the query. The method of claim 36, The digital communication processor is further configured to allow the receiver to recognize the user interface and the receiver to recognize the audio identifier when the receiver selects a user interface element according to the authentication of the audio identifier. Computer system. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication processor is further configured to allow the receiver of the audio identifier to recognize whether the receiver can receive the digital communication. The method of claim 54, wherein And the digital communication processor is further configured to discard the digital communication if the receiver is unable to receive the digital communication. The method of claim 54, wherein And wherein the digital communication processor is further configured to store the digital communication in a data store for subsequent retrieval by the receiver, depending on whether the recipient is unable to receive the digital communication. The method of claim 36, And the digital communication processor is further configured to enable the recipient to recognize a caller profile. The method of claim 36, The caller comprises a caller, the digital communication comprises a telephone call, the digital communication processor Receive a digital communication by receiving the telephone call delivered to the recipient, Determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier by determining whether the telephone call identifies the caller and is associated with an audio identifier specified by the caller, And recognize the audio identifier by recognizing the audio identifier as to whether the telephone call is associated with the audio identifier, the audio identifier being recognized as a ring tone for the telephone call. The method of claim 58, And the digital communication processor is configured to allow the recipient to recognize the audio identifier by repeatedly playing the audio identifier multiple times to serve as a ring tone for the telephone call. Means for receiving a digital communication from the sender delivered to the recipient; Means for determining whether the digital communication is associated with the sender of the digital communication and with an audio identifier designated by the sender of the digital communication; And, Means for recognizing, by the receiver of the audio identifier, whether the digital communication is determined to be combined with the audio identifier, Wherein the audio identifier is audible to notify the recipient of the arrival of the digital communication from the recognized sender before or at the same time as the recipient recognizes the digital communication. Receiving a digital communication from a sender delivered to the recipient; Determining whether the digital communication is associated with the sender of the digital communication and combined with an audio identifier designated by the sender of the digital communication; And Recognizing, by the receiver of the audio identifier, whether the digital communication is determined to be associated with the audio identifier, The audio identifier audibly notifies the recipient of the arrival of the digital communication from the recognized sender before or at the same time as the recipient recognizes the digital communication. 62. The method of claim 61, And wherein said identifier is a video image designated by said sender. 62. The method of claim 61, And wherein said identifier is an audiovisual presentation designated by said sender. Selecting a first sound based on an identifier that enables identification of an entity associated with the event; Receiving a notification of the occurrence of the event, including the identifier; And In response to the notification, informing the event to a particular recipient of the event by replaying at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound associated with the event. The method of claim 64, wherein Enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier includes enabling the selection of the first sound based on the caller's phone number, and receiving the notification comprises receiving a notification of a telephone call. And informing the particular recipient of the telephone call comprises reproducing a ringing tone that includes at least a portion of a first sound and at least a portion of a second sound. 66. The method of claim 65, Wherein the first sound is a general ring tone and the second sound is a call tone designated by the caller. 66. The method of claim 65, And said general ring tone is associated with a caller specific ring tone. The method of claim 64, wherein Enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier includes enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the instant message sender, and receiving the notification comprises receiving notification of the instant message. And receiving an event. The method of claim 64, wherein Enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier includes enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the instant message sender, and receiving the notification comprises: online of the instant message sender Receiving a notification of a change in presence state. The method of claim 64, wherein Enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier includes enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the email sender, and receiving the notification comprises receiving a notification of receipt of the email message. And receiving the event. The method of claim 64, wherein Enabling the selection of the first sound comprises the receiver enabling the selection of the first sound. The method of claim 64, wherein Enabling the selection of the first sound comprises the caller enabling the selection of the first sound. The method of claim 64, wherein The method of notifying the event to a specific recipient includes informing the event to a specific recipient of the at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound in response to the notification, wherein the second sound is Method for identifying an event, characterized in that specified by the recipient. The method of claim 64, wherein The method of notifying the event to a specific recipient includes informing the event to a specific recipient of the at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound in response to the notification, wherein the second sound is the A method of identifying an event, characterized in that specified by the sender. The method of claim 64, wherein The method of notifying the event to a specific recipient comprises: notifying the event to a specific recipient by connecting at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound to form a linked sound and playing the linked sound. And identifying an event. The method of claim 64, wherein The method of notifying the event to a specific receiver comprises mixing at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound to form a mixed sound and reproducing the mixed sound to notify the specific receiver of the event. And identifying an event. The method of claim 64, wherein And wherein the first or second sound is a sound selected to identify the entity or the event. 78. The method of claim 77 wherein The entity is a user, and the first or second sound is an oral form of a user identity corresponding to the user. The method of claim 64, wherein The first or second sound is selected to classify the entity or the event. 80. The method of claim 79 wherein And wherein the first or second sound identifies a geographical location where the event occurred. 80. The method of claim 79 wherein Wherein said entity is a user and said first or second sound identifies a group to which said user belongs. 82. The method of claim 81 wherein Wherein the first or second sound identifies that the user is a member of a buddy group of the recipient. 82. The method of claim 81 wherein Wherein said first or second sound is said user is a member of said recipient's contacts list. 80. The method of claim 79 wherein Wherein the first or second sound identifies the urgency or importance of the event. 80. The method of claim 79 wherein The entity is a user, the event is a receiver receiving a digital communication from the user, and the first or second sound identifies a type of digital communication received from the user. The method of claim 64, wherein Informing the specific recipient of the event comprises informing the specific recipient of the event by playing at least a portion of the first sound, at least a portion of the second sound, and at least a portion of a third sound. How to identify the event that you are doing. 87. The method of claim 86, Wherein the first sound is a sound selected to identify the entity or the event, the second sound is a sound selected to classify the entity or event, and the third sound is a sound selected to further classify the entity or user. A method of identifying an event characterized by. 87. The method of claim 86, A first sound is a sound selected to classify the entity or event, a second sound is a sound selected to further classify the entity or event, and a third sound is a sound selected to further classify the entity or user How to identify the event that you are doing. A computer system for audibly identifying an event, comprising: An event sound processor configured to enable selection of a first sound based on an identifier capable of enabling identification of a user associated with the event; An event sensing processor configured to receive a notification of the event occurrence including the identifier; And And an audio playback processor configured to notify a particular recipient of the event by playing back a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of a second sound associated with the event in response to the notification of the event occurrence. Computer system. 92. The method of claim 89, The event sound processor enables the selection of the first sound based on an identifier by enabling the selection of the first sound based on the caller's telephone number, and receives the notification by receiving a notification of a telephone call, And notify a particular recipient of the telephone by reproducing a ring tone comprising at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of the second sound. 92. The method of claim 90, Wherein said first sound is a general ring tone and said second sound is a ring tone designated by a caller. 92. The method of claim 91 wherein And the general ring tone is associated with the caller specific ring tone. 92. The method of claim 89, The event sound processor selects the first sound based on the identity of an instant message sender and enables the receipt of the instant message in enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identifier. And receive notification of the event occurrence. 92. The method of claim 89, The event sound processor enables selection of the first sound based on an identifier by enabling selection of the first sound based on the identity of the instant message sender, and notifies the change of the online presence status of the instant message sender. And receive the notification by receiving. 92. The method of claim 89, The event sound processor enables the selection of the first sound based on the identifier by enabling the selection of the first sound based on the identity of the email sender and to receive the notification by receiving a notification of receipt of the email message. Computer system, characterized in that configured. 92. The method of claim 89, And the event acoustic processor is configured to enable the selection of the first sound by enabling the selection of the first sound by the receiver. 92. The method of claim 89, And the event sound processor is configured to enable the selection of the first sound by enabling the selection of the first sound by the originator. 92. The method of claim 89, The audio playback processor is configured to notify the particular receiver of the event by replaying the portion of the first sound and the portion of the second sound in response to the notification of the event occurrence, wherein the second sound is received by the receiver. Computer system, characterized in that specified. 92. The method of claim 89, The audio playback processor is configured to notify the particular receiver of the event by replaying the portion of the first sound and the portion of the second sound in response to the notification of the event occurrence, wherein the second sound is generated by the caller. Computer system, characterized in that specified. 92. The method of claim 89, And the audio playback processor is configured to connect the portion of the first sound with the portion of the second sound to form a connection sound and to notify the specific receiver by reproducing the connection sound. 92. The method of claim 89, And the audio playback processor mixes a portion of the first sound with a portion of the second sound to form a blended sound and informs the particular recipient of the event by reproducing the blended sound. 92. The method of claim 89, And the first or second sound is a sound selected to identify the entity or the event. 103. The method of claim 102, The entity is a user, and the first or second sound is an oral form of a user identity corresponding to the user. 92. The method of claim 89, The first or second sound is selected to classify the entity or the event. 105. The method of claim 104, Wherein the first or second sound identifies a geographical location where the event occurred. 105. The method of claim 104, The entity is a user, and the first or second sound identifies a group to which the user belongs. 107. The method of claim 106, Wherein said first or second sound identifies whether said user is a member of said recipient's friend group. 107. The method of claim 106, Wherein the first or second sound identifies whether the user is a member of the recipient's association list. 105. The method of claim 104, Wherein the first or second sound identifies the urgency or importance of the event. 105. The method of claim 104, The entity is a user, the event is a recipient receiving a digital communication from the user, and the first or second sound identifies the type of the digital communication received from the user. 92. The method of claim 89, And the audio playback processor notifies the particular recipient of the event by playing back a portion of the first sound, a portion of the second sound, and a portion of the third sound. 112. The method of claim 111, wherein The first sound is a sound selected to identify the entity or event, the second sound is a sound selected to classify the entity or event, and the third sound is to further classify the entity or event. A computer system, characterized in that the sound is selected. 112. The method of claim 111, wherein The first sound is a sound selected to classify the entity or event, the second sound is a sound selected to further classify the entity or event, and the third sound is further classified into the entity or event. Computer system, characterized in that the sound is selected to. Means for enabling selection of a first sound based on an identifier capable of enabling identification of an entity user associated with the event; Means for receiving a notification of the event occurrence comprising the identifier; And And means for informing the particular recipient of the event by replaying the portion of the first sound and the portion of the second sound associated with the event in response to the notification of the occurrence of the event.

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