Abstract:
A ring tone controller and method is provided. The ring tone controller includes a linear and non-linear ring tone volume controller. The linear ring tone volume and the non-linear ring tone volume controller are adapted to controlling a volume of the ring tone signal over a predetermined user set period. The linear ring tone volume and the non-linear ring tone volume controller are also adapted to controlling a volume of the ring tone signal over a predetermined second user set period contiguous with the firs set period.

Description:
TRADEMARKS 
       [0001]    IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to signaling devices, and particularly to phones having ring tones. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Before our invention, telephones have ring tones that can typically be preset by the user to a particular volume. Ringing cell phones can be annoying to surrounding people if the preset ring tone volume (phone calls received) is too loud for certain environments. This is especially true, for example, when the owner of the cell phone fumbles trying to answer the call, and others have to listen to the loud distraction. Conversely, sometimes, the ring tone is set too low for the environment. This can be annoying to the owner of the phone because that person may not hear the call; causing missed calls. 
         [0006]    There needs to be an option to control the volume of the ring tone such that it can be set to increase or decrease in volume automatically, and to preset configurations. In addition, it should automatically adjust the volume within a predefined timeframe. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a ring tone controller. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ring tone controller is provided. The ring tone controller includes a linear ring tone volume controller wherein the linear ring tone volume controller is adapted to linearly controlling a volume of the ring tone signal over a predetermined user set period. The linear ring tone volume controller is also adapted to linearly controlling another volume of the ring tone signal which is contiguous with the first ring tone volume. 
         [0009]    The ring tone controller also includes a non-linear ring tone volume controller wherein the non-linear ring tone volume controller is adapted to non-linearly controlling the volume of the ring tone signal over set period. The non-linear ring tone volume controller is also adapted to non-linearly control another volume of the ring tone signal over another volume of the ring tone signal which is also contiguous with the first non-linear ring tone volume. 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
       TECHNICAL EFFECTS 
       [0011]    As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have achieved a solution which improves the usability of devices with sound signaling capability. Usability is improved by way of allowing a user to predefine or configure ring tone volume behavior of a signaling device with sound signaling capability as described herein. 
         [0012]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for increasing or decreasing a ring tone signal volume is provided. The method includes linearly increasing or decreasing a first volume of the ring tone signal over a first time period and linearly controlling a next volume of the ring tone signal over a next time period contiguous with the first time period. The method also includes non-linearly increasing or decreasing the ring tone signal volume over two contiguous time periods. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a phone incorporating features of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a graphical diagram of the ring tone controller feature of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a is a method flow chart showing steps for one method implementing features of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0017]    The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a block diagram of a phone  100  incorporating features of the present invention. It will be seen that in  FIG. 1  there are input devices such as keypad  120  and microphone  150 , as well as a display  130  and speaker  140  as output devices, further with an antenna  110  as both an input device and an output device. Phone  100  includes a processor  210  that is coupled to the antenna  110 , keypad  120 , display  130 , speaker  140 , and microphone  150 . In addition, processor  210  is also coupled to a ring tone controller  220  and to a memory  230 . Ring tone controller  220  is an electronic device that provides volume control signals to processor  210 . Memory  230  may include any combination of volatile and non-volatile memory. Processor  210  takes input from keypad  120 , microphone  150 , ring tone controller  220 , antenna  110 ′, and memory  230 , and generates appropriate output on display  130 , speaker  140 , antenna  110 , and memory  230 . 
         [0019]    Note that the block diagram of  FIG. 1  does not include many components or features known in prior art portable phones. For clarity, the  FIG. 1  diagram shows only commonly known components and features that allow a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It will be appreciated that phone  100  could also include any component or feature that is known in the art in addition to those shown within the scope of the preferred embodiments. It will also be appreciated that the ring tone controller  220  shown in  FIG. 1  may be used in any suitable phone or device having a ring tone, a signaling tone, or any suitable alerting signal, such as, for example, a cell phone, a land line phone, a paging device, or a personnel data assistant (PDA). It will be further appreciated that the signaling tone or alerting signal may also be a vibration mode of the device. 
         [0020]    Turning also to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a graphical diagram of the ring tone controller  220  feature of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . Each of the graph axis are described by legend box  2 C, where the y-axis V=volume and the x-axis T=time or number of rings. It will be appreciated that the controller functions described herein may be accomplished by any suitable means. For example, the controller functions may be preset selectable features programmed into memory  230  shown in  FIG. 1 , or may be programmed by a user via keypad  120 , also shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0021]    In general the ring tone controller  220  may be set to sound the ring tone sound as-is, gradually increase the volume over time, or gradually decrease the volume over time.  FIG. 2  graph  2 A shows each of these options. 
         [0022]    Graph line  2 A 1  in linear volume controller  2 A shows an increasing linear volume response graph volume (V) versus time (t) such that the ring tone starts at a nominal minimum volume value Nmin at time t 0 . It will be appreciated that nominal minimum value Nmin may be pre-selected by user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . It will also be noted that the time axis t shown in  FIG. 2  (items  2 A and  2 B) could also be in units of number of rings. 
         [0023]    It will also be appreciated that the user may desire a discrete amount of time t 0 -t a  shown in linear volume controller  2 A before the ring tone starts in order for a non-sound indicator (e.g., the display  130 ) to indicate an incoming signal or call. For example, volume Nmin may be set to 0 (i.e., sound is off) and at time t a  the volume is set to level N 1 . The time span t 0 -t a  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0024]    It will be further appreciated that the user may desire a discrete amount of time t 0 -t a  shown in linear volume controller  2 A before the ring tone starts in order for a secondary ring tone to sound before the primary ring tone sounds to indicate an incoming signal or call. The time span t 0 -t a  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0025]    The high volume (i.e., V at Nmax shown in linear controller  2 A) is reached at time t 1 . Again, the time span t 0 -t 1  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0026]    Graph line  2 A 2  in linear volume controller  2 A shows a decreasing linear volume response graph volume (V) versus time (t) such that the ring tone starts at a maximum volume value Nmax at time t 0 . It will be appreciated that nominal Nmax may be pre-selected by user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0027]    It will also be appreciated that the user may desire a discrete amount of time t 0 -t a  shown in linear volume controller  2 A before the ring tone starts in order for a non-sound indicator (e.g., the display  130 ) to indicate an incoming signal or call. For example, volume Nmax may be set to off (i.e., sound is off) and at time t a  the volume is set to level N 2 . The time span t 0 -t a  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0028]    The minimum volume (i.e., V at Nmin shown in linear controller  2 A) is reached at time t 1 . Again, the time span t 0 -t 1  (or t a -t 1 ) (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . In other words, with the time span setting t 0 -t 1  (or t a -t 1 ), the user can set the ring tone so that it is loud once (i.e., Nmax) and then falls rapidly to a low sound Nmin. 
         [0029]    It will also be appreciated that the user may desire a discrete amount of time t b -t 1  shown in linear volume controller  2 A after the ring tone stops in order for a non-sound indicator (e.g., the display  130 ) to indicate the ring tone has stopped but before the phone switches to a voice messaging mode at the end of the ring tone cycle t 1 . For example, volume N 1  may be set to off (i.e., sound is off) and at time t b  the volume is set to level N 1 . The time span t b -t 1  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0030]    Turning now to the non-linear volume controller  2 B shown in  FIG. 2 : the non-linear volume controller operates similar to the linear volume controller  2 A. However, it will be appreciated that human hearing is non-linear in nature and that a non-linear volume controller may be more adaptable to a user&#39;s hearing capability. 
         [0031]    Although not shown (for purposes of clarity), the non-linear volume controller has the same features as described above for the linear controller. For example, graph line  2 B 1  in non-linear volume controller  2 B shows an increasing linear volume response graph volume (V) versus time (t) such that a ring tone starts at a nominal minimum volume value Nmin at time t 0 . It will be appreciated that nominal minimum value Nmin may be pre-selected by user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . It will also be noted that the time axis t shown in  FIG. 2  (items  2 A and  2 B) could also be in units of number of rings. 
         [0032]    It will also be appreciated that the user may desire a discrete amount of time t 0 -t a  shown in non-linear volume controller  2 A before a ring tone starts in order for a non-sound indicator (e.g., the display  130 ) to indicate an incoming signal or call. For example, volume Nmin may be set to 0 (i.e., sound is off) and at time t a  the volume is set to level N 1 . The time span t 0 -t a  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0033]    It will be further appreciated that the user may desire a discrete amount of time t 0 -t a  shown in non-linear volume controller  2 B before a ring tone starts in order for a secondary ring tone to sound before the primary ring tone sounds to indicate an incoming signal or call. The time span t 0 -t a  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0034]    The high volume (i.e., V at Nmax) shown in non-linear controller  2 B is reached at time t 1 . Again, the time span t 0 -t 1  (or number of rings) may be preset by the user via keypad  120  or stored in memory  230 . 
         [0035]    Referring also to  FIG. 3  a flow chart shows steps for one method implementing features of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . Step  31  sets the user&#39;s desired minimum ring volume Nmin. Step  32  sets the user&#39;s desired maximum ring volume Nmax. Step  33  ring start time t 0  starts, or is initialized by a received call. Steps  34  and  35  allow a user to set a desired delay time before a ringing volume Nmin (or Nmax) is initialized. Similarly, Step  37  and Step  38  allow the user to set a stop or delay time t b  before the ring cycle end time t 1  is reached, allowing the user to set a final warning or signal that the ring cycle for the incoming call is about to end. Step  39  selects the user&#39;s preference for a linear or non-linear response profile as shown in  FIG. 2 . If a linear response is selected slope M is determined from the parameters Nmin, Nmax, t 0 , and t 1  (or t b ). Alternatively the user could select a fast or slow rising or falling slope, step  301 . In other words, for example, in step  301  the user can set how fast Nmin should reach Nmax. Step  302  determines if the slope is falling or rising, i.e., Nmax falling to Nmin, or Nmin rising to Nmax. Ring volume is determined by the linear relationship shown in step  303 . 
         [0036]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , step  304  selects a non-linear profile function, e.g., f=(x) 2 , or any other suitable profile function. It will be appreciated that the profile function may be stored in memory ( FIG. 1 , item  230 ) or entered by the user. Step  305  selects a falling or rising profile, similar to step  302 . Ring volume is determined by the relationship shown in step  307 . 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that advantages of the present invention allow a user to set the volume of a device initially low so that if the user can hear well, and the phone is near the user, it can be answered without disturbing others much before the volume gets louder. 
         [0038]    Another advantage allows the user to set the volume initially high so the user can hear it right away but have it decrease. This is useful for persons who know they have a call because they just heard the ring it but the ring volume reduces so the ring does not annoy or interfere with others while the user is fiddling to answer the call. 
         [0039]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that there is no need to download or install a wave file that already has the increasing or decreasing sound as part of the captured wave file. 
         [0040]    The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof. 
         [0041]    As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately. 
         [0042]    Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided. 
         [0043]    The diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
         [0044]    While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.