System and method for spoken caller identification in a cellular telephone headset

A spoken caller identification system comprises a headset and mobile communication device. The mobile communication device sends the caller identification to the headset upon a determination that the headset is in communication with the mobile communication device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to caller identification, and more particularly relates to spoken caller identification for a cellular telephone headset.

BACKGROUND

Incoming caller identification, a feature that displays the caller's number for incoming calls to a called customer, allows selective acceptance of certain calls based on the calling number while other calls are either not answered or are routed to a message center. The feature is implemented by transmitting the calling line identification to the called customer landline telephone or cellular telephone in a data message. The data message is displayed by the landline telephone or cellular telephone in a text format for the customer. Because customers typically remember only a few, frequently called telephone numbers, a feature that additionally provides the caller name is substantially more useful to customers in deciding whether to accept a call.

In a call announcement arrangement which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,358, the calling party name is obtained from a database search and a text-to-speech unit generates speech signals, rather than a data message, for transmission to the called landline telephone. The calling party name is spoken at the landline telephone instead of being displayed. For a conventional analog landline telephone, the name is spoken after the called party has answered in response to ringing at the landline telephone but before a connection is completed to the caller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1shows a block diagram of a spoken caller identification system100including a mobile communication device102and a headset104. The mobile communication device102is preferably a cellular telephone, or any other portable device, having an associated telephone number. The mobile communication device102includes a caller identification module106, a headset module108, a converter module110, and a memory112. The headset104is preferably an earpiece worn by a user, a hands free vehicle communication system, or any other device capable of connecting with the mobile communication device102. The mobile communication device102and the headset104communicate through a physical connection, or more preferably through a wireless connection such as an IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible wireless fidelity (WiFi) connection or a wireless Bluetooth connection.

If the headset module108detects that the mobile communication device102is connected to the headset104, the headset module sends an activation signal to the converter module110. When the mobile communication device102receives an incoming telephone call, the caller identification module106extracts caller identification information, such as the telephone number and/or the caller's name, associated with the call. Regardless of whether the headset104is present, the caller identification module106preferably displays the caller identification information in a text format on a screen114. If the converter module110is activated, however, it compares the calling party name and/or telephone number against a list of names and/or telephone numbers previously stored by the user in the memory112. If there is an exact (or, if desired, a close) match to one of the names or telephone numbers stored in the memory112, the converter module110retrieves the name associated with the telephone number in the memory112.

The converter module110then performs a text-to-speech conversion on either the caller identification information as received from the caller identification module106, or on the name stored by the user in the memory112. The text-to-speech conversion converts the text received from the caller identification module106or the memory112into a synthesized speech signal that is then output to the headset104. Alternatively, the user may pre-record a message (such as a name) associated with an entry in the memory112, and the pre-recorded message may be output to the headset104in place of or in addition to the synthesized speech. All of these steps may be completed before the user answers the incoming telephone call.

The spoken caller identification system100may also identify the sender and/or text of an Instant Message sent to the mobile communication device102. When the mobile communication device102receives an Instant Message, the mobile communication device performs the text-to-speech conversion on the caller identification for the Instant Message in the same manner as for a telephone call. Additionally, the mobile communication device102preferably performs the text-to-speech conversion on the Instant Message, wherein the entire Instant Message is played as a synthesized speech signal through the headset104.

FIG. 2shows a flow chart of a method for providing spoken caller identification through a headset of a mobile communication device. At block202, the mobile communication device determines if the headset is in communication with the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device performs a text-to-speech conversion on a caller identification for an incoming telephone call when the headset is in communication with the mobile communication at block204. At block206, the mobile communication device sends a spoken caller identification to the headset. The spoken caller identification is sent through a wireless or a physical connection. The headset plays the spoken caller identification to a user of the mobile communication at block208.

FIG. 3shows a block diagram of a data processing device300comprising a processor302and a computer-readable medium such as a memory304. The memory304stores a set of instructions to manipulate the processor to perform the method200ofFIG. 2above. In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

The spoken caller identification system100thus provides the user with a number of advantages. One advantage is that the user is able to determine the identity of the caller without having to look at a display screen of the mobile communication device. This ability allows the user to receive the spoken caller identification while moving around in proximity to, but not actually holding, the mobile communication device102. Also, if the user is driving a vehicle or carrying the mobile communication device102under clothing, in a pocket, or in a purse, then the user does not have to search for the mobile communication device to determine the caller identification of the incoming call.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosed subject matter. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosed subject matter is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.