GB2378306A

GB2378306A - Tone generator for a communication device

Info

Publication number: GB2378306A
Application number: GB0118621A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Watkins
Original assignee: Sendo International Ltd
Current assignee: Sendo International Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-31
Filing date: 2001-07-31
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-31
Also published as: GB0118621D0; GB2378306B

Abstract

A communication device (100) such as a mobile telephone comprises a processor (108) having a tone generator algorithm (212), wherein the tone generator algorithm (212) automatically generates a sequence of notes (216) in response to a trigger preferably to form a melodic ring-tone. Preferably, a user is able to use a set of user-defined control parameters (214) to assist in the automatic generation of the sequence of notes (216). This provides the advantages that memory space in a device employing tones or ring-tones is saved by employing an algorithm, with an initial seed, that generates individual tones on each required occasion, rather than storing the tones. Furthermore, the generated sequences of notes are distinctive as they are generated randomly, within the constraints of the algorithm. In addition, the generated tones are unique to the user, as the user can define and vary the note generation control parameters.

Description

TONE GENERATION Field of the Invention This invention relates to tone generation, and in particular a sequence of tones that form a melody. The invention is applicable to, but not limited to, dynamic melody generation for cellular telephone ring-tones and entertainment sound tracks.

Background of the Invention In the field of this invention it is known for devices such as mobile phones to be capable of alerting a user to an incoming call using an audible ring-tone. Such audible tones are also used in, say, a computing environment to signify to a user when the user has received, for example, an email or fax.

In the cellular telephone domain, current devices allow users to select particular ring-tones to be used when an incoming call is received. Such ring-tones are stored in a memory element of the device and fall into two categories. The first includes simulated ringing sounds, based on conventional British, European, North American telephone ring-tones. These generally consist of a short sequence of notes played quickly in rotation in order to give the impression of a tonally rich bell. The pattern

is started and stopped according to the particular conventions for the telephone ring-tones being simulated.

One known problem with such ring-tones is that they are standardised. Hence, the tones in recent times have been deemed as uninteresting by a large number of current telephone users, where the user now has significant freedom to personalise their mobile phone.

The ring-tones available on current devices also include melodies, for example imitations of well-known songs, --11---I'A A l- W I I consisting of a sequence of tones (or notes). The sequence of notes, and therefore the melody, is repeated continuously until the user answers the phone or the caller hangs up. The advantage that these melodies have over the simulated ringing sounds is that they allow the user to personalise the ring-tone so that they can, to some degree, differentiate between their mobile phone and that of another person when a call is received.

A current favourite manner of introducing these ringtones to the mobile phone is via over-the-air-programming (OTAP), where the user selects a particular melody from a pre-determined list, from a databank of melodies. The selected melodies are then programmed into the mobile phone over its usual communication channel. As such, melodies are selected from a finite list. A user may therefore find that another user has downloaded the same

melody to their phone, thereby negating the individuality/personalisation of the melody ring-tone Furthermore, because each note in a melody must be stored, a large number of'distinctive'melodies are complicated and/or require a relatively large amount of memory. To address this large memory requirement problem, it is possible to have shorter melodies that require less memory space to store the respective notes.

However, once the melody has come to its end, it is repeated until the call is answered. Hence, shorter melodies are repeated more frequently and therefore become tiresome and annoying to the particular user.

A further known mechanism, in the field of cellular phones provides a user with the ability to create their own ring-tone melodies, whereby the user is able to enter each individual note.

In the distant general field of music generation, it is known that electronic keyboards and the like use algorithms to generate sound waves. Furthermore, in the field of computers and computer games, sound is commonly created using midi files of pre-recorded sounds/music.

A need therefore exists for a communication device to employ an improved tone generation process, in particular a means of providing ring-tones, preferably in the form of a melody, that are neither repetitive nor require large amounts of memory to be stored, wherein the abovementioned disadvantages may be alleviated.

Statement of Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device, as claimed in claim 1.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing processor-implementable instructions, as claimed in claim 28.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system, as claimed in claim 29.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of generating a ringtone for a communication device, as claimed in claim 30.

Further aspects of the invention are as claimed in the dependent claims.

In summary, the present invention resolves the prior art problem of requiring large amounts of memory space by employing an algorithm, preferably with an initial seed, to generate a sequence of notes preferably in the form of a melody. Furthermore, the generated sequences of notes are distinctive as they are preferably generated in a non predictable manner, within the constraints of user-

defined control parameters, user-defined rules and/or the algorithm. In addition, they are unique to the user, as the user can define and vary note/melody generation control parameters.

Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a subscriber unit adapted to support the inventive concepts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention ; and FIG. 2 shows an illustration of a dynamic melody generator in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a communication device 100, preferably a mobile telephone, adapted to support the inventive concepts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The communication device 100 contains an antenna 102 preferably coupled to a duplex filter or circulator or antenna switch 104 that provides isolation between receive and transmit chains within the communication

device 100. Clearly, fixed communication devices such as computers will not require such radio frequency circuitry.

The receiver chain, as known in the art, includes scanning receiver front-end circuitry 106 (effectively providing reception, filtering and intermediate or baseband frequency conversion). The scanning front-end circuit is serially coupled to a signal processing function 108. An output from the signal processing function 108 is provided to a suitable output device 110, Ki L u u I-L-L-L-L U, such as a screen or flat panel display. Such an output device has been adapted in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention to display to a user of the communication device the various options relating to the tone/melody generation process.

In the context of the present invention, one or more tones are generated in response to a trigger. One example of the trigger, in the telecommunication domain, would be an in-coming call where the generated one or more tones would form a'ring-tone'. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a sequence of such tones (or notes) would be generated in the form of a melody to provide the ring-tone.

The receiver chain also includes received signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuitry 112, which in turn is coupled to a controller 114 for maintaining overall communication device control. The controller 114 is also coupled to the scanning receiver front-end circuitry 106 and the

signal processing function 108 (generally realised by a DSP).

The controller is also coupled to a memory device 116 that stores operating regimes, such as decoding/encoding functions and the like. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the memory device 116 has been adapted such that it no longer allocates substantial memory space for storing lengthy or numerous ring-tones or melodies. In contrast, the memory device 116 may store rules and/or an initial seed to define how a melody is to be generated.

A timer 118 is typically coupled to the controller 114 to control the timing of operations (transmission or reception of time-dependent signals) within the communication device 100. The timer, together with the processor 108 and/or controller 114, has also been adapted to set the musical timing (beat) of the automatically generated ring-tones or melodies of the communication device 100.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that the algorithm and/or the user-defined control parameters can be downloaded to the communication device 100. More generally, the algorithm and/or the control parameters may be implemented in a respective communication unit in any suitable manner. For example, new apparatus may be added to a conventional communication unit (for example a mobile phone), or alternatively existing parts of a conventional communication unit may be adapted, for

example by reprogramming one or more processors therein.

As such the required adaptation may be implemented in the form of processor-implementable instructions stored on a storage medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM or any combination of these or other storage multimedia.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention that the algorithm may be downloaded to an accessory device, for example a musical keyboard or a plug-in module such TM as a Game Boy, for operably coupling to the communication device (mobile phone) 100. As such, the accessory will automatically generate the ringtone/melody when the communication device is called, to initiate the trigger, and not necessarily the device itself.

As regards the transmit chain, this essentially includes an input device 120, such as a keypad, coupled in series through transmitter/modulation circuitry 122 and a power amplifier 124 to the antenna 102. The transmitter/ modulation circuitry 122 and the power amplifier 124 are operationally responsive to the controller. The input device in an alternative embodiment of the invention includes an interface, for example a RS232 and/or USB interface, to facilitate a wireline link to the communication device to download the algorithm and/or user-defined control parameters.

Of course, the various components within the communication device 100 can be realised in discrete or

integrated component form. Furthermore, it is within the contemplation of the invention that communication device 100 is any user device where the user will be contactable. The communication device 100 may be a cellular phone, a portable or mobile radio, a personal digital assistant with email or paging facilities, a laptop computer or a wirelessly networked PC that requires access to a communication system, or any other device capable of providing a communication link to the device user.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal processing function 108, memory device 116, timer 118 and input device 120 have been adapted to produce automatically generated ring-tones, preferably within the constraints of user-defined parameters.

Once the automatically generated ring-tones have been played on the communication device 100, they may be stored by the user in the memory device 116, which could be random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory.

Selected automatically generated ring-tones can then be executed from the communication device 100, when the communication device receives an in-coming (trigger) communication. In addition, or in the alternative, the automatically generated ring-tones may be played to signify a particular operation of the communication device 100, for example the trigger could be a battery indication of the mobile phone, which is initiated when the battery level of the device is getting low.

Furthermore, it is within the contemplation of the invention that different automatically generated tones or ring-tones, once stored, can be programmed for association with particular in-coming calls or functions.

In this manner, a user may program a romantic melody for calls from their partner, or, say, a loud fast melody for calls from work.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention that

the algorithm to enable programming of user-generated E-1--, z,--"11-111 : 3 L U tones or ring-tones may be uploaded from an accessory or via OTAP.

It is further within the contemplation of the invention that the use of the algorithm and/or user-defined control parameters may be restricted using a personal identification number (PIN), to prevent other people accessing the user's communication device 100 and reprogramming other ring-tones.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustration of a dynamic melody generator 210 is shown in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. The dynamic melody generator 210 is preferably software based and resides within processor 108 of FIG. 1. The dynamic melody generator 210 includes a generator algorithm 212, which, in the preferred embodiments, uses user-defined control parameters 214 to produce a sequence of notes 216. In such a manner, it is possible for a user to

design/develop a variety of rules/constraints to determine how a melody is generated. As such, a user is provided with the capability of generating melodies that may be unique and distinctive to the user.

The tone-generation algorithm 212 produces a substantially random sequence of notes 216, within the confines of the user control parameters 214. An implementation for this would be in the simulation of a wind chime, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

Wind chimes produce recognisable melodies that are substantially random in nature. Generally wind chimes comprise a set of bars or bells suspended about a beater.

The wind causes the beater to sway relative to the bars/bells, with the result that the beater strikes the bars/bells, causing'chimes'.

In simulating the wind chime, the control parameters 214 define, for example, the number of bars/bells of the wind chime, the notes of each bar/bell, the wind speed etc.

Further parameters could include the spacing and order of the bars/bells, the mass and pendulum length of the beater, the wind direction and any other parameters that could be manipulated by a user to vary generated sequences of notes.

Using these control parameters 214, the algorithm 212 determines, preferably with likelihood weightings, the probability for each note to be struck. The next note in

the sequence 216 is then determined using a random number (either generated by the algorithm itself or provided by a random number generator 218) together with the respective probabilities of each note being struck.

To further explain the concept of the first embodiment of the present invention, let us consider a wind chime model, in a heptagonal configuration. Let us define the individual 7 bars/bells, that form a heptagonal shape, as 'A'to'G'. The wind chime model will generate a probability matrix for each subsequent note to be struck y I--..-..- 1-, tbased on, say, a projected wind direction directing the beater between the individual 7 bars/bells.

Hence, a likelihood for each of the remaining notes (bars/bells) to be struck next can be determined. For example it may be more likely that the note opposite a current note is the most likely next note given that the beater is swinging, such as :

If A is the last note struck, then D and E have an equal probability of being struck. C and F are also possible candidates but less likely. Consequently, the matrix might be:

A 0-0 (0% probability)

B 1-5 (5% probability) C 6 - 20 (15% probability) D 21-50 (30% probability) E 51-80 (30% probability) F 81-95 (15% probability) G 96-100 (5% probability) To select the next note a random number from 1 to 100 could be chosen and used to select the next note (e. g. '33'would select D as the next note). In this manner, a random sequence of notes can be generated based on a probability weighting scheme applied to a wind-chime model.

To accommodate this model, one or more previous notes in the sequence are fed back 220 for use in the algorithm to determine a probability for each subsequent note to be struck. The control parameters 214 allow the algorithm 212 to produce a sequence of notes 216, which, although random in nature, are recognisable by a user by virtue of, for example, the tempo of the melody (which might be defined by a wind speed parameter) or the range and scale of the notes.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention the algorithm 212 simulates cellular automata.

The simplest form of cellular automata is 1-dimensional, comprising a line of cells. In any given melody 'generation'of the 1-dimensional cellular automata, each cell is defined as being in a particular state. The

state of each cell in the subsequent generation may change dependent upon one or more of, say, a state of its nearby neighbouring cells, or any defined rules governing the state of cells. It is within the contemplation of the invention that such rules may be : pre-defined during device manufacture, user-definable, or updateable via wired or wireless programming, as previously indicated.

As an example of such a rule-based mechanism, let us consider the case where each cell has two states, a'1' or'on', and a'0'or'off. One rule, for example, may specify that should a particular cell be in an'off' state, and either or both of its immediate neighbouring cells be in an'on'state, the particular'off'cell switches to an'on'state in the next generation. The rule may further specify that when a cell is in an'on' state, if one of its immediate neighbours is also in an 'on'state, then that cell survives and remains'on'in the next generation. Otherwise that cell switches to an 'off'state in the next generation.

For the melody generator 210, each cell or group of one or more cells may represent a particular note. This note is played when the state of the cell, or group of one or more cells, is determined as being in an'on'state. The algorithm 212 then determines the next state for each cell ; thereby specifying which note or sequence of notes is to be played in the next generation.

In the second embodiment, the inventor of the present invention proposes that the user-defined control

parameters 214 include one or more of the following: the number of cells, i. e. the scale and range of notes, the duration of a melody generation, the number and/or type of states of a cell. For example, with simple melody variations there may only be two states, as in the above example, whereby the note is either'on'or'off'.

In an alternative implementation of the second embodiment, a quaternary-based system, for example, could be used. In a quaternary-based system, using states 0, 1,2 and 3, state'0'could define the cell as being 'off'. In this implementation, states 1 to 3 would define the cell as being'on'as well as a respective period of time that the note should be sounded.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that many other state-based systems could be used, for example, decimal or hexadecimal-based system.

It is further within the contemplation of the invention that two-dimensional automata could also be simulated.

In such a system, each row of cells may be defined to represent a series of notes, for example the notes A to G. With a 2-dimensional implementation, each column could therefore be used to represent, say, an octave.

For devices that are only capable of playing one note at a time, the second embodiment of the present invention may be implemented using arpeggio patterns. In this implementation, rather than playing chords of notes, the

notes that are'on'during a generation are played in rapid succession, one after the other.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention the algorithm 212 simulates a non-linear dynamic equation (NLDE). By using such a NLDE, which by its very nature is chaotic, a suitably random sequence of notes can be generated. Equations are deemed'chaotic' if they have the property that a small difference in initial conditions generates widely varying behaviour after a few iterations of the sequence. Some well known NLDEs include the Lorenz Equations, used to describe convection currents in weather systems (the butterfly effect), the Mandelbrot set, and the equations that govern the movement of forced and dampened pendulums.

Chaotic equations are also related to fractals, whereby a fractal pattern is one that has self-similarity across a wide range of scales. Such chaotic equations can provide apparently unpredictable sequences that still remain within a set of pre-defined constraints.

It is therefore with the contemplation of the invention that these equations are used to generate sequences of notes that provide unique, interesting and recognisable melodies. For example, the sequences may exhibit selfsimilarity across both small and large note ranges.

In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the algorithm 212 is arranged to simulate 'change ringing'. Change ringing, in the context of the present invention, relates to the topic of campanology i. e. the ringing of bells in a bell tower.

In change ringing, the bells are rung in a specific order. This order does not relate to a tune, but rather to rules defining the order in which the bells are played.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the control parameters 214 preferably define the number and type of bells (i. e. the number and type of notes) as well as certain rules relating to the order in which the bells can be rung.

In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention the algorithm 212 generates cross-phasing patterns and ambient loops. This involves taking short melody sequences and generating more complicated melodies by playing the short melody sequences at different speeds and varying time delays in order to generate phasing effects.

The user-defined control parameters 214 for the fifth embodiment may include a number of phased occurrences of a melody sequence being played, a range and variation in speeds and time delays of the phasing effects, etc.

In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention the algorithm 212 generates a sequence of notes 216 that create an'everlasting'ascent or descent of the generated melody. In the context of the present invention, an everlasting ascent/descent is essentially an aural illusion that appears to be a sequence of notes that is continually ascending/descending.

The everlasting ascent or descent of the generated melody is achieved by blending, for example, three or four notes pitched an octave apart. The amplitudes of the notes are increased and decreased such that the lowest notes fade in/out and the highest notes fade out/in. Thus, the human ear hears the rising/falling steps in the sequence but misses the subtle drop/rise in pitch to the lower/higher octave caused by the fading.

For devices that are only capable of playing one note at a time, or are not capable of the required amplitude control, a similar affect could be achieved using arpeggio patterns. In this way, rather than altering the amplitude to fade in/out notes, the duration for which each note is repeated could be altered.

The user-defined control parameters 214 for the sixth embodiment may include a duration for which notes are played ; a number of octaves (and thereby notes) played at one time, a scale of notes for each octave, etc.

The embodiments described above are only examples, and do not limit the scope of the present invention, which covers any melody or sequence of notes generator comprising an algorithm 212 that automatically generates a ring-tone or sequence of notes. Preferably the melody generation uses user defined control parameters 214 to produce the sequence of notes 216.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that a user may be provided with an option to select one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, in the process of enabling the communication device to generate, automatically, its own tones or ring-tones.

For some of the embodiments above, the sequences of notes 216 have substantially random characteristics. The advantage of this is that the melody that is produced from the notes does not become monotonous. However, even for those embodiments that do not include random characteristics, a user may easily alter a melody by altering one or more of the control parameters 214.

A further advantage of the present invention is that a user may create numerous melodies from a single algorithm 212, with each melody requiring only a relatively small amount of memory in the communication device, such as memory element 118 of the mobile phone 100, to store the control parameters 214. In addition, the melodies may be sent in the form of the control parameters 214 via, for example, an SMS message to another user having a mobile phone comprising the relevant algorithm 212.

Unlike present methods for creating new ring-tone melodies, whereby the user is required to enter each individual note, with the present invention the algorithm itself generates respective notes and/or sequence of notes. It is therefore within the capability of the user to enter/change the various control parameters 214 in order to generate new ring-tone melodies.

The melody generator may include an initial seed 222, which is used as a starting point by the algorithm 212 to generate the first note in the sequence 216. The initial seed may be a constant value that allows the first note in the sequence 216 to always be the same for a given set of control parameters 214. It is noteworthy that if no external random number source 218 is used by the algorithm 212, the subsequent notes of the sequence 216 will also remain the same each time the melody is played, thus aiding in the recognition of the ring-tone. Alternatively the random number source 218 may be used as the initial seed. In such a manner, the first note in the sequence 216 changes each time the melody is played.

The feedback 220 allows the algorithm 212 to generate a note in the sequence 216 based on the previous notes played. Alternatively, the algorithm 212 may generate notes irrespective of previous notes.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to generating ring-tones in a communication device, it is

within the contemplation of the invention that the same tone or music generation process has wider applicability.

It is within the contemplation of the present invention that a sequence of tones are generated, with the preferred embodiment being described with respect to 'ring-tones'comprising a sequence of such tones (or notes) in the form of a melody. An example of the wider applicability of the present invention, incorporating the aforementioned algorithm, is in the generation sounds, notes or music in a computer or gaming environment. In such contexts, the aforementioned, and hereinafter

claimed, use of the terms'ring-tones','melodies', 'notes'or'sequence of notes'also encompass any generation of sound.

It will be understood that the dynamic ring-tone generation arrangement, as described above in the numerous embodiments, provides one or more of the following advantages : (i) A user may create numerous melodies from a single algorithm on the user's communication device.

(ii) Such an arrangement reduces the amount of memory required to store the melody generation control parameters 214 on the communication device.

(iii) Allows melodies to be distributed/sent in the form of the control parameters 214 via, for example,

an SMS message to another user having a mobile phone that includes the relevant algorithm 12.

(iv) Non-repetitive melodies can now be generated and used by the user, reducing the irritation of the melodies.

Unlike present methods for creating new ring-tone melodies, whereby the user is required to enter each individual note, with the present invention the algorithm itself generates a sequence of notes. Furthermore, it is within the capability of the user to enter/change the various control parameters in order to generate new ringtone melodies.

Claims

Claims 1. A communication device comprising a processor having a tone generator algorithm wherein the tone generator algorithm automatically generates a sequence of notes in response to a trigger.
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the tone generator algorithm generates a sequence of notes in the form of a melody to function as a ringtone.
3. The communication device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the communication device further comprising a set of user-defined control parameters operably coupled to the tone generator algorithm, wherein a user of said communication device alters said sequence of notes by altering one or more of the user-defined control parameters.
4. The communication device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said processor provides an initial seed to be used as a starting point by the algorithm to generate a first note in a sequence.
5. The communication device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said processor is operably coupled to a pseudo-random number generator such that the tone generator algorithm cooperates with a random number generated by said pseudo-random number generator to substantially generate a random sequence of notes.

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6. The communication device according to Claim 5, when dependent upon Claim 4, wherein said pseudo-random number generator is used as the initial seed.
7. The communication device according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein said processor is operably coupled to a feedback circuit that allows the algorithm to generate a note in a sequence of notes based on one or more previously generated notes and preferably said processor applies at least one probability weighting relating to each subsequent note to be estimated.
8. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said algorithm and/or said user-defined control parameters are downloaded to said communication device via a wireline connection or overthe-air programming operation.
9. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said algorithm and/or said user-defined control parameters are protected and accessible when using a pre-defined identification number.
10. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said processor is operably coupled to a memory device that stores rules to define how a melody is to be generated.

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11. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said generated melodies are transferable in the form of the control parameters to at least one other communication device having the same algorithm.
12. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said generated tones are associated with a particular operation of the communication device.
13. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said communication device is one of: a cellular phone, a portable or mobile radio, a personal digital assistant with email or paging facilities, a laptop computer or a wirelessly networked Personal Computer.
14. The communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said user-defined control parameters relate to wind chime tones.
15. The communication device according to Claim 14, wherein said user-defined control parameters relate to at least one of: a number of bars or bells of a wind chime, notes of each bar or bell, a wind speed associated with said wind chime, a period of time between said bars or bells, an order of said bars or bells, a pendulum mass associated with said wind chime, a pendulum length of a beater associated with said wind chime, a wind direction.

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16. The communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm simulates cellular automata of one or more dimensions where one or more cells are defined as being in a particular state.
17. The communication device according to Claim 16, wherein said processor operates a set of rules to control any changes of state of said one or more cells.
18. The communication device according to Claim 17, wherein said rules are pre-defined during device manufacture, user-definable, or updateable via wired or wireless programming.
19. The communication device according to any of Claims 16 to 18, wherein said user-defined control parameters include one or more of the following: a number of cells, a scale and/or range of notes, a duration of a generation, a number and/or type of states of a cell.
20. The communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm simulates a non-linear dynamic equation.
21. The communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm is arranged to simulate change ringing.

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22. The communication device according to Claim 21, wherein said user-defined control parameters define one or more of the following : a number and/or type of one or more bells, a number and/or type of note, a rule relating to an order in which said one or more bells are rung.
23. The communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm generates cross-phasing patterns and/or ambient loops.
24. The communication device according to Claim 23, wherein said communication device plays a melody sequence at different speeds and/or varying time delays in order to generate phasing effects.
25. The communication device according to Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein said user-defined control parameters include at least one of the following : a number of phased occurrences of a melody sequence being played, a range and/or variation in a speeds and/or time delay of said melody sequence.
26. The communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm generates a sequence of notes that create an everlasting ascent or descent of a generated melody by blending, for example, three or four notes.
27. The communication device according to Claim 26, wherein said user-defined control parameters include at least one of the following : a duration for which notes

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are played, a number of octaves or notes played at one time, a scale of notes for each octave.
28. A storage medium storing processor-implementable instructions for controlling one or more processors to carry out the processes of any of claims 1 to 27.
29. A communication system, adapted to facilitate user defining of melody sequences for a communication device of any of Claims 1 to 27.

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30. A method of generating a tone for a communication device, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a tone generator algorithm in response to a trigger; and generating automatically a sequence of notes by said tone generator algorithm preferably in the form of a melody to function as a ring-tone.
31. The method of generating a tone according to Claim 30, the method further comprising the steps of: defining, by a user, user-defined control parameters; and altering said sequence of notes by altering one or more of said user-defined control parameters.
32. The method of generating a tone according to Claim 30 or Claim 31, the method further comprising the step of providing an initial seed to be used as a starting point by said algorithm to generate a first note in said sequence of notes.
33. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 32, wherein said sequence of notes are substantially generated as a random sequence of notes.
34. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 33, the method further comprising the step of applying at least one probability weighting relating to each subsequent note to be estimated.

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35. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 34, the method further comprising the step of employing a feedback circuit that allows said algorithm to generate a note in a sequence of notes based on one or more previously generated notes.
36. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 35, the method further comprising the step of downloading said algorithm and/or said userdefined control parameters to a communication device via a wireline connection or over-the air programming operation.
37. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 36, the method further comprising the step of protecting said algorithm and/or said userdefined control parameters such that they are accessible when using a pre-defined identification number.
38. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 37, the method further comprising the step of storing and/or applying a rule-based mechanism to define how a melody is to be generated.
39. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 38, the method further comprising the step of associating said user-generated tones with a particular operation of a device.
40. The method of generating a ring-tone according to any of Claims 30 to 39, the method further comprising the

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step of relating said user-defined control parameters to wind chime tones.
41. The method of generating a ring-tone according to any of Claims 30 to 40, the method further comprising the step of : relating said algorithm to at least one of the following : a simulation of cellular automata of one or more dimensions where one or more cells are defined as being in a particular-state, a simulation of a non-linear dynamic equation, a simulation of change ringing, a generation of cross-phasing patterns and/or ambient loops, generation of a sequence of notes that create an ascent or descent of a generated melody by blending notes.
42. A communication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by, FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
43. A method of generating a ring-tone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by, FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

43. A method of generating a ring-tone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by, FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

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Claims 1. A subscriber communication device comprising a processor having a tone generator algorithm wherein the tone generator algorithm automatically generates a sequence of notes in response to a trigger.

2. The subscriber communication device according to claim 1, wherein the tone generator algorithm generates a sequence of notes in the form of a melody to function as a ring-tone.

3. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the communication device further comprising a set of user-defined control parameters operably coupled to the tone generator algorithm, wherein a user of said subscriber communication device alters said sequence of notes by altering one or more of the user-defined control parameters.

4. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said processor provides an initial seed to be used as a starting point by the algorithm to generate a first note in a sequence.

5. The subscriber communication device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said processor is operably coupled to a pseudo-random number generator such that the tone generator algorithm cooperates with a random number generated by said pseudo-random number generator to substantially generate a random sequence of notes.

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6. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 5, when dependent upon Claim 4, wherein said pseudo-random number generator is used as the initial seed.

7. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein said processor is operably coupled to a feedback circuit that allows the algorithm to generate a note in a sequence of notes based on one or more previously generated notes and preferably said processor applies at least one probability weighting relating to each subsequent note to be estimated.

8. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said algorithm and/or said user-defined control parameters are downloaded to said subscriber communication device via a wireline connection or over-the-air programming operation.

9. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said algorithm and/or said user-defined control parameters are protected and accessible when using a pre-defined identification number.

10.

10. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said processor is operably coupled to a memory device that stores rules to define how a melody is to be generated.

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t 4 11. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said generated melodies are transferable in the form of the control parameters to at least one other communication device having the same algorithm.

4 12. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said generated tones are associated with a particular operation of the subscriber communication device.

13. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said subscriber communication device is one of: a cellular phone, a portable or mobile radio, a personal digital assistant with email or paging facilities, a laptop computer or a wirelessly networked Personal Computer.

14. The subscriber communication device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said user-defined control parameters relate to wind chime tones.

15. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 14, wherein said user-defined control parameters relate to at least one of: a number of bars or bells of a wind chime, notes of each bar or bell, a wind speed associated with said wind chime, a period of time between said bars or bells, an order of said bars or bells, a pendulum mass

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associated with said wind chime, a pendulum length of a beater associated with said wind chime, a wind direction.

16. The subscriber communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm simulates cellular automata of one or more dimensions where one or more cells are defined as being in a particular state.

17. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 16, wherein said processor operates a set of rules to control any changes of state of said one or more cells.

18. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 17, wherein said rules are pre-defined during device manufacture, user-definable, or updateable via wired or wireless programming.

19. The subscriber communication device according to any of Claims 16 to 18, wherein said user-defined control parameters include one or more of the following: a number of cells, a scale and/or range of notes, a duration of a generation, a number and/or type of states of a cell.

20. The subscriber communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm simulates a non-linear dynamic equation.

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21. The subscriber communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm is arranged to simulate change ringing.

22. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 21, wherein said user-defined control parameters define one or more of the following : a number and/or type of one or more bells, a number and/or type of note, a rule relating to an order in which said one or more bells are rung.

-ion device according to 23. The subscriber communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm generates cross-phasing patterns and/or ambient loops.

24. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 23, wherein said subscriber communication device plays a melody sequence at different speeds and/or varying time delays in order to generate phasing effects.

25. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein said user-defined control parameters include at least one of the following: a number of phased occurrences of a melody sequence being played, a range and/or variation in a speeds and/or time delay of said melody sequence.

26. The subscriber communication device according to any of preceding Claims 1 to 13, wherein said algorithm generates a sequence of notes that create an everlasting

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ascent or descent of a generated melody by blending, for example, three or four notes.

27. The subscriber communication device according to Claim 26, wherein said user-defined control parameters include at least one of the following: a duration for which notes are played, a number of octaves or notes played at one time, a scale of notes for each octave.

28. A storage medium storing processor-implementable instructions for controlling one or more processors to carry out the processes of any of claims 1 to 27.

29. A communication system, adapted to facilitate user defining of melody sequences for a subscriber communication device of any of Claims 1 to 27.

30. A method of generating a tone for a subscriber communication device, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a tone generator algorithm in response to a trigger; and generating automatically a sequence of notes by said tone generator algorithm preferably in the form of a melody to function as a ring-tone.

31. The method of generating a tone according to Claim 30, the method further comprising the steps of: defining, by a user, user-defined control parameters; and altering said sequence of notes by altering one or more of said user-defined control parameters.

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32. The method of generating a tone according to Claim 30 or Claim 31, the method further comprising the step of providing an initial seed to be used as a starting point by said algorithm to generate a first note in said sequence of notes.

33. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 32, wherein said sequence of notes are substantially generated as a random sequence of notes.

34. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 33, the method further comprising the step of applying at least one probability weighting relating to each subsequent note to be estimated.

35. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 34, the method further comprising the step of employing a feedback circuit that allows said algorithm to generate a note in a sequence of notes based on one or more previously generated notes.

36. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 35, the method further comprising the step of downloading said algorithm and/or said userdefined control parameters to a communication device via a wireline connection or over-the air programming operation.

37. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 36, the method further comprising the

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step of protecting said algorithm and/or said user- defined control parameters such that they are accessible when using a pre-defined identification number.

38. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 37, the method further comprising the step of storing and/or applying a rule-based mechanism to define how a melody is to be generated.

39. The method of generating a tone according to any of Claims 30 to 38, the method further comprising the step of associating said user-generated tones with a particular operation of a device.

40. The method of generating a ring-tone according to any of Claims 30 to 39, the method further comprising the step of relating said user-defined control parameters to wind chime tones.

41. The method of generating a ring-tone according to any of Claims 30 to 40, the method further comprising the step of: relating said algorithm to at least one of the following: a simulation of cellular automata of one or more dimensions where one or more cells are defined as being in a particular state, a simulation of a non-linear dynamic equation, a simulation of change ringing, a generation of cross-phasing patterns and/or ambient loops, generation of a sequence of notes that create an ascent or descent of a generated melody by blending notes.

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42. A subscriber communication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated by, FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.