WO2009020573A1 - Method and apparatus for creating and disseminating audio-video clips and answer tones - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for creating, using, and disseminating audio/video clips on a mobile device and in other contexts and for creating an answer tone for a computing device with phone capabilities or a telephone is disclosed.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING AND DISSEMINATING AUDIO-VIDEO CLIPS AND ANSWER TONES

Priority Claim

This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 12/167,860, filed on July 3, 2008, and to U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 12/167,162, filed on July 2, 2008, which both claim priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/954,268 filed on August 6, 2007. Each of these applications is incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for creating, using, and disseminating customized audio and/or video ("audio/video") clips and for creating an answer tone for a computing device with phone capabilities or a telephone.

Background of the Invention

The proliferation of cellular phones and other mobile devices with phone capabilities has led to a ring tone business where companies compete to provide ring tones. Currently, the ring tone market is as much as $1 billion dollars per year. There are several known techniques for getting a new ring tone and/or for creating a new ring tone. A ring tone sometimes is referred to as a ringer.

For a user to obtain a new ring tone, the user can often browse on a computer (not the mobile device) to a particular website from which the user can search for and select a ring tone. Once the user has selected the ring tone (often with the ability to listen to the ring tone before purchase), the user pays for the new ring tone and enters the phone number of the user's mobile device. Once the purchase is complete, the website sends a well known SMS message to the mobile device wherein the SMS message contains an embedded link to the selected ring tone on a wireless access protocol (WAP) site from which the ring tone may be downloaded. Thus, once the mobile device receives the SMS message, the user can click on the embedded link and then download the ring tone to the mobile device. One significant limitation with this approach is that it is often not possible to listen to the actual ring tone on the mobile device itself until after the ring tone is already purchased. In addition, the process of purchasing the new ring tone is a slow, multistep process which may cause a user to abandon the effort to download and then pay for the ringer.

For a user to create a new ring tone, the user may own a particular song/track and then use song editing equipment/software on a personal computer or the like to select a portion of the song/track and then generate the ring tone. There are also commercial services that provide a website that allows the user to create his/her own ring tone based on a track/song owned by the user or purchased by the user during the generation of the new ring tone. Once the ring tone is generated (either on the computer or at the website), the user must then download the new ring tone to the mobile device as before which complicates the process unnecessarily.

Mobile device users often choose their ring tone to reflect their musical taste or personality. It identifies the individual to such a degree that the user's colleagues eventually will know that it is the user's mobile device (as opposed to someone else's mobile device) that is ringing based solely on hearing the user's ring tone. Because a ring tone can become a personal identifier for the user, it would be desirable for the user to be able to use that ring tone as a personal identifier in contexts other than the ringing of the user's mobile device. A ring tone can more generally be considered to be an audio/video clip, where the audio/video clip can include audio content (as in a traditional ring tone), video contact, or both.

The prior art also includes social networking websites available on the Internet, such as Facebook® (www.facebook.com) and myspace® (www.myspace.com).

In addition, there are several known techniques for getting a new answer tone. For a user to obtain a new answer tone, the user can often browse on a computer or the mobile device to a particular website from which the user can search for and select an answertone. Once the user has selected the answer tone, the user pays for the new answer tone and enters the phone number of the user's mobile device. Once the purchase is complete, the website assigns the answer tone to the phone number entered in the previous step.

A user currently has no ability to customize their answer tone. The user must choose from a set of precut audio clips and assign it as their answer tone. The user is unable to use a website or application to customize an answer tone. Thus, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method that permits an answer tone to be customized.

In the prior art, when a first user calls the telephone of a second user, an intermediary device (such as the central office equipment or server for traditional telephones or the wireless carrier's server for mobile devices) will generate the answer tone that is sent to the first user's telephone electrically and that the first user audibly hears through the telephone. That answer tone is chosen by the entity that controls the intermediary device, typically the local telephone company or the wireless carrier. The answer tone in the prior art typically was a ringing sound. More recently, certain wireless carriers allow users to choose an answer tone from a catalog of sounds preselected by the wireless carrier. However, the prior art systems do not allow users to use as an answer tone an audio or video clip that the user created or to modify the answer tones contained in the wireless carrier's catalog.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus by which a user of a social networking website can share a customized audio/video clip with other users of the social networking website. This would allow the other users to hear/see the user's customized audio/video clip, and the website optionally can provide those users with the option to build their own customized audio/video clips, to purchase the user's audio/video clip, or to purchase the entire content piece (e.g., song) from which the audio/video clip was taken. Another aspect of the invention is to use a customized audio/video clip as a personal identifier in other contexts. For example, when a first user sends an email or Instant Messenger message to a second user, the first user can send his or her customized audio/video clip along with that email or message, such that the second user hears/sees the first user's customized audio/clip when the email or message arrives. Much like a ring tone on a mobile device, the use of a customized audio/video clip in this context will alert the second user that the first user is sending a communication to him or her.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a single location for a user to modify or change his or her customized audio/video clip and to automatically propagate the new clip to a plurality of locations on the Internet or other network where a different clip previously was used, such as on a facebook® user page or in the user's email server.

Another aspect of the invention is to enable a receiving mobile device to identify the calling device (such as through the prior art "caller ID" feature), and to then find and obtain data associated with that device or the caller who is operating the device from a social networking website or other data repository. The data can include a customized ringtone that the caller previously created, a photo of the caller, or other information or data regarding the caller.

Thus, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method that permits a user to create, use, and disseminate a ringtone on a mobile device, and more generally, to create, use, and disseminate a customized audio/video clip within a social networking website and in other contexts.

It is desirable to provide an apparatus and method to enable a first user to provide a customized audio clip (such as a ring tone) to the entity that controls the intermediary device such that the customized audio clip will be used when the first user calls a second user's telephone, so that the first user hears the first user's customized audio clip as the answer tone. In the alternative, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method to enable a second user to provide a customized audio clip (such as a ring tone) to the entity that controls the intermediary device such that the customized audio clip will be used when a first user calls a second user's telephone, so that the first user hears the second user's customized audio clip as the answer tone.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure l is a diagram of a ringer generation system;

Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams of a method for ringer generation;

Figure 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate examples of a user interface for an implementation of the ringer generation system implemented on a mobile device;

Figure 5 illustrates an example of a content system that may include the ringer generation system; and

Figure 6 illustrates an example of another content system that may include the ringer generation system.

Figure 7 is a diagram of two users connected over a social network.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of a user interface for an implementation of the social network activities relating to audio/video clips.

Figure 9 is a diagram of a system that enables a user to automatically propagate his or her customized audio/video clip to a plurality of applications.

Figure 10 is a diagram of a system that enables a computing device to obtain data concerning a user from another computing device.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of a prior art system for generating answer tones.

Figure 12 illustrates an example of a system for creating an answer tone.

Figure 13 illustrates examples of portions of tables within a rules database and a content catalog. Figure 14 illustrates other examples of portions of tables within a rules database and a content catalog.

Figure 15 illustrates an example of a system for creating a "hold" clip.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

One embodiment is particularly suitable for generating an audio ringer for a mobile phone on the mobile phone itself, and it is in that context that a system and method are described for illustration purposes. However, the system and method may also be used to generate a ring tone for other mobile computing devices with phone capabilities and may be used to generate different ring tones, such as video ring tones or audiovisual ring tones.

Figure 1 is a diagram of a ringer generation system 20. The system may include a mobile computing device 22, such as mobile phone in the illustrated example, a generator unit 24 that can communicate and exchange data with the mobile computing device over a network 26, such as a cellular phone network in the illustrated example, and the generator unit 24 is in turn capable of communicating with and exchanging data with a computing device 28. The mobile computing device may be a processing unit based device with phone capabilities and the typical components of a device, such as a PDA, mobile phone, wireless email device (such as the Blackberry), or other handheld device that has wireless connectivity to be able to communicate with the network 26. The computing device 28 may be a processing unit based device, such as a server computer, personal computer and the like.

In the ringer generation system, the mobile computing device 22 may further include a memory 30 that may further contain a generator module 32 and a store 34 wherein the generator module 32, may be implemented, for example, with a plurality of lines of computer code that are executed by the processing unit of the mobile computing device, and may be used to generate a new ringer on the mobile computing device, hi one embodiment, the generator module may be a piece of code comprising a plurality of lines of JAVA language computer code (a JAVA language application) that are executed by a Java engine that is already stored on the mobile computing device. The store 34 may be, for example, a software based database that allows the user of the mobile computing device to store one or more pieces of content that may be played by the mobile computing device such as music, video, etc. as well as the ringers that are generated by the generator module.

The generator unit 24 may be, for example, a server computer, that may further comprise a generator 36 that performs some of the functions and operations of the ringer generation method described in Figures 2-3 as described below in more detail. For example, the generator 36 may determine if a full track of the ringer content is available either in a content store 37 in the generator unit 24 and/or in a content store 38 associated with the computing device 28. The generator unit may also include the ability to communicate with the mobile computing device and deliver data to the mobile computing device as described in more detail below. Using the above system, the user of the mobile computing device optionally is able to generate a new ringer directly on the mobile computing device, adjust the characteristics of the new ringer, preview the ringer before purchase, and then download the new ringer.

In one illustrative embodiment, the generator module allows users to make personalized ringers for their mobile computing devices directly from their mobile computing devices. The generator module allows the user to use their own music track (in the content store 38 in the computing device 28) or one from a catalog of songs (in the generator unit store 37) to generate the ringer. The user may be given a visual representation of the track and the user then chooses the start and end points of the ringer. The user then receives a ringer that they can use throughout their mobile computing device.

Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams of a method 40 for ringer generation. The method may be carried out by the generator module 32 and the generator unit 24 shown in Figure 1. In the method, the user of the mobile computing device may request to make a new ringer based on a particular piece of content, such as a particular track of music. This request is communicated to the generator unit that determines if the particular track is available (42) either in the store of the generator unit and/or in the computing device store. Since the upload speed of the mobile computing device is typically slow so that it is quite time consuming to upload an entire song to the generator unit (to determine if the track is available) for processing, the mobile computing device may instead generate a digital signature for the track. The digital signature may be used by the generator unit to search the content store to determine if there is a match for the requested track in the content store in either the generator unit or the computing device. This allows the service to ensure that the end user had the digital rights (DRM) or a legitimate copy of the track/song so that the system and method can enable the ringer editing capability. This service is not possible under current rights agreements without a copy of the full track. In one example, the user may browse a user interface to select a particular track/song and then locate that song/track.

If the particular track is not available, the method is completed. On the other hand, if the track is available, then the full track is obtained by the mobile computing device (44) wherein the full track is downloaded from the generator unit since the full track on the mobile computing device (if available) will be of lower resolution and poorer quality. Once the full track is available at the mobile computing device, the generator module in the mobile computing device may be used to generate a ringer (46).

During the ringer generation, the generator module may allow the user to select a portion of the track (48) and then modify certain characteristics of the track (50). The generator module may also preview the ringer (52) on the mobile computing device. If the preview is not acceptable (54) (which is a preview of the actual ringer), the method loops back to any prior process so that the user can revise and redo the ringer. If the ringer is acceptable, then the method is completed and the ringer is purchased by the user and the user can use the ringer. In addition, a user may move between any process in Figure 3 and any other process in Figure 3.

The system and method may be used to generate an audio ringer (described above). It may also be used for video ringers, a ringer linked with an image or an audiovisual ringer. The song/track used to generate the ringer may be the songs/tracks already stored in the mobile computing device, a catalog of songs/tracks maintained by the generator system (so the user can purchase the full track and then create the ringer) or songs/tracks located on the computing device owned by the user.

Figure 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate examples of a user interface for an implementation of the ringer generation system implemented on a mobile device. Most mobile computing devices have an input device, such as a four way keypad that may be used as the primary interface device for the ringer generation method that allow the user to create and/or modify a ringer. The input device permits the user to edit, zoom, playback, and download the track and/or ringer. Optionally, when doing zooming/editing of the track profile, the digital data representing the track is downloaded to the mobile computing device from the generator unit (rather than having the processing unit of the mobile computing device generate the visual representation of the track) so that the zooming and/or editing can be done without using the limited CPU of the handset.

As shown in Figure 4A, a user interface 60 allows the user, using the 4 way input device to select the portion of the track for use as the ringer. A window 61 is superimposed over the profile of the track that shows the portion of the track currently selected by the user. The user interface may also magnify the left edge of the track profile when the user adjusts the starting point of the ringer as shown by the window 61. The user interface may also magnify the right edge of the track profile when the user adjusts the length of the ringer as shown by the window 61 and then play a few seconds at the end of the ringer so that user can determine if the end is the appropriate location.

Figure 4B shows a user interface 62 that allows the user to adjust certain other characteristics of the ringer such as a fade in or a fade out or various other characteristics of the ringer. Figure 4C shows a user interface 64 that allows the user to preview the actual ringer on the mobile computing device before purchasing the ringer. In typical systems using WAP pages, it is not possible to permit a preview since the download from the WAP page would allow the user to preview and then keep the ringer without payment. In the ringer generator system, the ringer is streamed and is not permanently stored (downloaded into the memory and used by the JAVA code) so that it can be previewed without losing the ability to charge for the ringer. As shown in the series of user interfaces, the generator system permits the ringer generation and download to occur from a single series of user interfaces so that it is easier for the user to generate, preview and then download the ringer.

In an alternative embodiment, after viewing the representation of the fulltrack and selecting the start and end points of the track to be played when the phone rings as shown in Figure 4A, the user can store the location of the start and end points for the ringer on the mobile computing device. Then, the mobile device can be modified to use the start and endpoints to playback only the portion of the fulltrack specified without the need to make another copy of the full track on the mobile computing device. In this alternative embodiment, if the user already owns the full track for the song being used to make the ringer and the full track is stored on the mobile computing device, the ringer generator does not need to make another copy of the full track of the song in order to playback the ringer. In this alternative embodiment, the ringer is played by playing the portion of the full track (identified by the stored start and end points of the ringer) whether the song uses DRM or not. Thus, the user does not need to pay for the mechanical and music rights to another copy of the full track in order to specify a new ringer.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of a content system that may include the ringer generation system. As in the prior art, a user stores digital content (such as music, video, etc.) on computer 28. However, in this embodiment, the user downloads the digital data from computer 28 to mobile computing device 22 in a wireless fashion over a wireless communication path. Mobile computing device 22 may be a PDA, mobile phone, wireless email device (such as the Blackberry), or other handheld device that has wireless connectivity to be able to communicate with the computer 28 and download digital content from the computer 28. Computer 28 communicates with a device 24, such as a server computer, over network 29. Network 29 can be any type of network, such as the Internet, and can be hardwired, wireless, or some combination of the two. Computer 28 runs a software application that allows a user to catalog and organize the digital content of the user. The device 24 can be accessible over the Internet (such as through a URL address). The device 24 is shown in Figure 5 as a single device. However, it is to be understood that the device 24 can instead comprise multiple devices, such as multiple servers.

Mobile computing device 22 connects to device 24 over a wireless network 26. Wireless network 26 can be a cellular telephone network, a WiFi network (such as an 802.11 network), a wireless data network (such as EV-DO or EDGE), or any other wireless network. It is to be understood that wireless network 26 need not connect directly to server device 24, but instead can connect through an indirect means such as by the Internet or through another network. The ringer generator system shown in Figure 1 can be integrated with this content system.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of another content system that may include the ringer generation system wherein the content system allows a mobile computing device 22 to share content among a plurality of computing devices wherein the mobile handset has the content store 71 and playlists 72. As shown, the system permits the mobile computing device 22 to synchronize its content with a plurality of computing devices 28i, 28₂, ..., 28n and each computing device maintains a content store 74 and at least one playlist 75 for the content on the mobile handset. For example, in a family in which the different family members each have their own computing device, the mobile handset of a particular family member can be synchronized to the multiple computing devices so that the content purchased by each member of the family can be shared. Similarly, the system permits multiple mobile handsets to synchronize their content with a single computing device (such as might be the case of a family) or multiple mobile handsets can synchronize their content with multiple computing devices. Thus, the system permits the computing devices to effectively share content between the computing devices.

In another embodiment, a user can share a customized audio/video clip (such as a ring tone) with other users over a social networking website such as facebook® or myspace®. Social networking websites have become popular in recent years and allow users to register with the website and form social networks of friends and colleagues. Users in a social network can then interact online by exchanging messages, photos, and other forms of information. Each user typically is given a personal page within the social networking website where the user can post information about himself or herself, such as the names and photos of the user's friends who are members of the social networking website, a description of the user's background, the user's opinions on a variety of issues and media content, and other information.

With reference now to Figure 7, User A operates computing device 80. User A creates an audio/video clip 90 on computing device 80 using the methods illustrated in Figures 2-4 or by using a different method, such as the prior art method of creating ring tones on computers by accessing a website over a desktop or notebook computer. Audio/video clip 90 can be an MP3 file, other MPEG file, JPEG file, or other type of file that can store audio and/or video data. User B operates computing device 82. Computing devices 80 and 82 can be mobile devices, notebooks, desktops, servers, or other computing devices. Users A and B connect to server 86 over a network 84 such as the Internet. Network 84 can comprise a plurality of separate networks using a variety of communication mediums, such as hardwired connections, wireless connections, etc. In this example, server 86 operates a website, such as social networking website or another website that permits users to exchange content.

User A then shares audio/video clip 90 with User B through server 86. User A can do this, for example, by posting audio/video clip 90 on his personal page on a social networking website hosted on server 86, such that User B and other users can hear/see the clip when they visit User A's personal page, either automatically, by clicking on an icon (such as a play button), or by some other method. User A also can send audio/video clip 90 to User B through the communication mechanism of the social networking website, such as by sending a message, email, "gift," "poke," or other methods, facebook® currently offers the ability for one user to send another user a "gift," such as a graphical icon of a flower or box of candy, or to "poke" (using a facebook® application called "superpoke" offered by slide.com or other applications) by sending a short graphical animation, such as a depiction of the sender throwing a sheep at the recipient. Under this embodiment, User A would be enabled to transmit his or her audio/video clip 90 to User B, such as by sending a "gift" or "poking" User B. User B can then store audio/video clip 90 on his or her computing device as audio/video clip 90a. In this manner, User A is able to share his or her audio/video clip 90 with User B through a website operated by server 86, such as a social networking website or another website that enables users to exchange content. Audio/video clip 90a can be identical to audio/video clip 90, or it can be a modified version of it (such as a shorter version, a compressed version, a lower fidelity or lower resolution version, etc.).

If computing device 82 is a mobile device (such as a cellular handset), there are a number of different mechanisms by which it can receive audio/video clip 90 from computing device 80. For example, server 86 can send a text message using SMS to computing device 82 (e.g., "You have received an audio clip from User A. Click this link to access."). User B can then access audio/video clip 90 by clicking the link, which typically would launch a website browser that would enable User B to access audio/video clip 90. In the alternative, server 86 can send a message using MMS to computing device 82 (e.g., "You have received an audio clip from User A. Click here to listen.") MMS enables the sender to embed the actual audio or video content into the MMS message, so that the message received by computing device 82 actually contains the audio/video clip 90 within it, such that computing device 82 would not need to obtain the clip from elsewhere and could begin playing the clip immediately upon being instructed by the user to do so. In the alternative, server 86 can simply send information to User B through normal website mechanisms (such as by sending a message to User B's account within a social networking website), and User B can access audio/video clip 90 on the website using a browser on computing device 82.

If computing device 82 is a traditional desktop or notebook computer, then it can receive audio/video clip 90 via a website, email system, instant messaging system, or other communication mechanism.

Optionally, User B is provided with the ability to purchase audio/video clip 90 to use as a ring tone on his or her own mobile device, if User A has not already purchased that right for User B. This can be facilitated by a button, link, or other mechanism on User A's personal page on the social networking website that allows User B and other users to purchase audio/video clip 90 to use as a ring tone on his or her own mobile device, or it can be facilitated by a button, link, or other mechanism in the message, email, "gift" or other communication method by which User A sent the audio/video clip to User B. Figure 8 shows an exemplary user interface 100 that provides a user with the options discussed above, namely, "Gift," "Buy," and "Edit." In another aspect of the embodiment, a user can be provided the option of buying the entire piece of content (e.g., an entire song) from which the audio/video clip was taken.

In another embodiment, User A creates the audio/video clip 90 from an application within the social network website. The application can have a similar user interface as that shown in Figures 4A-4C. This application can be created using HTML or other code that is embedded within the social networking website. In another embodiment, an audio/video clip created by a user is disseminated to a plurality of destinations that in turn will use the audio/video clip in an application or manner associated with a user. With respect to Figure 9, User A creates audio/video clip 112 on computing device 110, using one of the mechanisms described previously. Computing device 110 stores audio/video clip 112 in its memory or storage device. User A's computing device 110 connects to server 1 14 over network 116. Optionally, User A can create audio/video clip 112 on server 114 instead of on computing device 110, or User A can do so with computing device 110 in conjunction with computing device 110. Server 114 stores audio/video clip 112 or a modified version in its memory or storage device as audio/video clip 112a. Server 114 in turn connects to server 118 and server 120 over network 1 16. Network 116 can be the Internet or any combination of networks.

In this embodiment, when User A creates audio/video clip 112, computing device 110 provides that clip to server 114, which stores it or a modified version as audio/video clip 112a. Server 114 then automatically provides that content to servers 118 and 120, which are servers that store content or websites previously accessed or designated by User A. For example, server 114 might operate a website that facilitates the creation of audio/video clips for users, and servers 118 and 120 might operate a social networking website, email service, instant message service, electronic bulletin board, or other service. Servers 118 and 120 then receive audio/video clip 1 12a or a modified version from server 1 14 and then each stores it in its memory or storage device as audio video clips 112b and 112c, respectively. Audio/video clips 112a, 112b, and 112c can be identical to audio/video clip 1 12, or any or all of them can be modified versions of audio/video clip 112 (such as a shorter version, a compressed version, a lower fidelity or lower resolution version, etc.).

Server 114 performs the step of automatically providing audio/video clip 112a as a result of a software application that is running on server 114 that has previously been configured by or on behalf of User A to automatically provide audio/video clips to servers 1 18 and 120. For example, User A can instruct server 114 through the software application to automatically send the audio/video clip to servers 1 18 and 120 whenever User A sends a modified audio/video clip to server 114. Computing device 110 can provide the audio/video clip 112 to server 114 using an API or other interface mechanism. Similarly, server 114 can provide the audio/video clip 112a to servers 118 and 120 using an API or other interface mechanism.

Using this embodiment, User A is able to have his or her personal audio/video clip automatically updated on servers 118 and 120. This audio/video clip can serve as a personal identifier for User A. For example, if server 118 operates an instant messaging service (such as one currently offered by Yahoo!®, available at www.yahoo.com), then when User A sends an instant message to User B, User B can be prompted with a text message indicating that User A is sending an instant message to User B and/or User B can be prompted with audio/video clip 112a.

With reference now to Figure 10, User A operates computing device 130. User B operates computing device 132. Computing device 136 is a device that stores data that is related to User B. For example, computing device 136 can be a server that hosts a social networking website on which User B creates a user page containing data related to User B, such as a customized audio/video clip, a photo of User B, information regarding User B (such as his favorite movie, favorite book, favorite greeting, favorite quote, etc.) User B inputs data 144 into computing device 136. For example, User B can create an audio/video clip on computing device 132 using the methods illustrated in Figures 2-4 or by using a different method, such as the prior art method of creating ring tones on computers by accessing a website over a desktop or notebook computer. Computing devices 130, 132, and 136 can be mobile devices, notebooks, desktops, servers, or other computing devices. Computing devices 130 and 132 are enabled to communicate with one another by device 134. Device 134 can be a computing device or any device that enables network, voice, cellular, or data communication. Computing devices 130 and 132 connect to device 134 over a network or link 138. Device 134 can communicate with computing device 136 over network or link 140. Computing device 130 can communicate with computing device 136 over network or link

142. Network or link 138, 140, and 142 each can comprise a plurality of separate networks or links using a variety of communication mediums, such as hardwired connections, wireless connections, etc. Network or link 138, 140, and 142 each can be part of the same network (such as the Internet), or they can be separate networks or links, or they can overlap. In the situation where computing devices 130 and 132 are mobile handsets, User B uses computing device 132 to call User A on computing device 130. Device 134 recognizes computing device 132 as the initiating device of the call (by using the prior art "caller ID" feature" or other method). Device 134 then accesses computing device 136 and searches for any data 144 previously stored there by User B and/or stored there in a manner that associates the data with computing device 132. If device 134 finds such data, it downloads it from computing device 136 and sends all or part of it to computing device 130. Computing device 130 stores data 144 as data 144a (which is either identical to data 144 or is a revised version of data 144 or a portion thereof) in its memory or storage device. Computing device 130 then alerts User A that User B and/or computing device 132 is calling by playing and/or displaying data 144a. For example, if data 144a includes a ringtone, computing device 130 can play the ringtone. If data 144a includes a photo, computing device 130 can display the photo.

In the alternative, device 134 can send identifying information (such as caller ID information) to computing device 130, and computing device 130 can communicate directly with computing device 136 to search for and obtain data 144. Once it obtains data 144, computing device 130 stores it as data 144a, and it can operate in the same manner described previously.

The embodiment shown in Figure 10 and described above has the benefit of enabling User A to hear a ringtone customized by User B and to see data that is specific to User B, such as his or her photo. User B can modify the ringtone or data without involving User A or computing device 130, yet User A will still be able to hear/see the modified data when User B calls User A. This can be an interesting way for people to share clips of their favorite music with one another, or to share new photos. For example, if User B is traveling around the world, each time User B calls User A, he can send a new photo that he previously uploaded to computing device 136 to show User A a new aspect of User B's travels.

A system and method described below are particular suitable for generating an audio ringer for a mobile phone and it is in that context that the system and method are described for illustration purposes. However, the system and method may also be used to generate a ring tone for other mobile computing devices with phone capabilities and may be used to generate different ring tones, such as video ring tones or audiovisual ring tones.

Figure 11 illustrates the prior art system for generating an answer tone. Telephone 176 and telephone 177 can communicate over a network or link 181. Network or link 181 can consist of numerous sub-networks and links operated by different entities, such as two or more local telephone carriers or wireless carriers. Device 178 forms part of the connection between telephone 176 and telephone 177 when telephone 176 initiates a call from telephone 176 to telephone 177. Device 178 may include rules database 179 and content catalog 180 (or, in the alternative, database 179 and/or content catalog 180 can be operated on devices coupled to device 178). Rules database 179 is a database that instructs device 178 how to react in response to the initiation of a phone call by a specific telephone. For example, when User A uses telephone 176 to call telephone 177 (operated by User B), rules database 179 will be used to determine that the call is being initiated by telephone 176 (typically by recognizing the unique telephone number of telephone 176) and will cause device 178 to send an electrical signal representing an answer tone to telephone 176. Content catalog 180 contains the content that is used to create the answer tone. For example, content catalog 180 can contain the traditional "ring" sound that users are accustomed to hearing when they call someone, but it also sometimes includes other content offered by the operator of device 178, such as music clips. A user is able to configure his or her service by pre-selecting from content catalog 178 the answer tone he or she hears when initiating a telephone call.

However, in the prior art system shown in Figure 11 , there is no mechanism by which a user can alter the content of content catalog 180 or use customized audio clips for the user's telephone calls. In other words, users are limited to answer tones that are placed in content catalog 180 by the operator of device 178.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment to permit users to customize answer tones. User A operates telephone 182. User B operates telephone 183. Telephones 182 and 183 can be traditional, land-line telephones, cordless telephones, mobile handsets that operate over a wireless network or link (such as a cellular network), other telephone devices, other devices with phone capabilities or other mobile computing devices with phone capabilities. Telephone 182 and telephone 183 can communicate over a network or link 195. Network or link 195 can consist of numerous sub-networks and links operated by different entities, such as two or more local telephone carriers or wireless carriers. User A initiates a telephone call using telephone 182 to telephone 183. Device 184 forms part of the connection between telephone 182 and telephone 183 during the initiation of the call and generates the answer tone that User A will audibly hear from the speaker of telephone 182 when telephone 183 is ringing. Device 184 typically is operated by the local telephone company (for land-line telephones) or a mobile carrier (for mobile devices). Device 184 may be a server computer with a plurality of lines of computer code that contains the ability to send electrical signals to telephone 182 that represent an answer tone. A clip generator 190, such as a server computer for example, operates a service (such as a website) that enables a user to create and/or select an audio clip that the user wishes to use as an answer tone. For example, the clip generator 190 might enable a user to create an audio clip using the same method and apparatus described above with reference to Figures 2-4 for creating ring tones. In our example, User A creates an audio clip 192 (such as a piece of music) that is stored in the clip generator 190. The clip generator 190 stores audio clip 192 in its memory or in another storage device such as a hard disk drive, optical drive, or other device. User A can create audio clip 192 using telephone 182 (for example, as discussed above with reference to Figures 2-4), or User A can create audio clip 192 using the prior art method of editing sound on a desktop or notebook computer. Audio clip 192 can be provided to the clip generator 190 over a connection from telephone 182 (such as via a wireless network), over the Internet, or over any other type of network.

The clip generator 190 then connects to device 184 over a network or link 196. Network or link 196 can be the same as network or link 195, or it can be different or partially the same. The connection can be made using a secure mechanism such as a VPN (virtual private network) connection. The clip generator 190 and device 184 communicate using APIs or other interfaces. The clip generator 190 informs device 184 that User A wishes to use audio clip 192 as his or her answer tone for telephone 182. Device 184 then modifies its rules database 186 to indicate that audio clip 192 should be used as the answer tone for telephone 182, and device 184 stores audio clip 192 (or a modified version thereof, such as a truncated or compressed version or a version of lower fidelity) in content catalog 188. Thereafter, when User A uses telephone 182 to call telephone 183, device 184 will send audio clip 192 (or a modified version thereof) to telephone 182, and telephone 182 will audibly play audio clip 192 (or a modified version thereof), so that User A hears audio clip 182 as the answer tone while he or she waits for User B to "pick up" telephone 183. Thus, rather than hearing a traditional ringing sound when User A places a phone call, User A instead will hear an audio clip (audio clip 192) that User A enjoys hearing, such as a portion of a favorite song.

Device 184 can be configured via the clip generator 190 to use audio clip 192 for all telephone calls placed by telephone 182 (to any telephone number), or it can be configured to use audio clip 192 only for telephone calls to a specific telephone such as telephone 183 and to use other audio clips for other specific telephone numbers. This enables User A optionally to select a different audio clip as an answer tone for each different telephone number that User A dials.

In another aspect of the system illustrated in Figure 12, User B also can create an audio clip 194 and store in on the clip generator 190. The clip generator 190 can then configure device 184 to use audio clip 194 as an answer tone whenever a telephone calls telephone 183, or when a particular user calls telephone 183. For example, User B can designate audio clip 194 to be used as the answer tone specifically for telephone 182 whenever telephone 182 calls telephone 183, or User B can designate audio clip 194 to be used as the answer tone for all telephones or any subset of telephones. Thus, rather than hearing a traditional ringing sound when User A places a phone call, User A instead will hear an audio clip (audio clip 194) that User B enjoys, and that is a reflection of User B's personality and taste, such as a portion of a favorite song. This can be more interesting for User A to hear since it reflects User B's personality and taste and likely will be a different audio clip than is selected by other users.

Figure 13 illustrates an example of rules database 186 and content catalog 188 in greater detail. A portion of rules database 186 is illustrated as exemplary table 197. The table contains the universe of possible caller telephone numbers and a code for each answer tone associated with each telephone number. As shown in the example of Figure 13, the telephone number 555-666-0001 is associated with answer tone 1, the telephone number 555- 666-0002 is associated with answer tone 47, etc. A portion of content catalog 188 is shown as exemplary table 198. Table 198 associates the code for each answer tone with the digital data that is used to create the actual answer tone (e.g., a digitized version of audio). As shown in the example of Figure 13, answer tone 1 is associated with digital data that can be used to create an audible, traditional ring sound on a telephone. Answer tone 47 is associated with a portion of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," etc.

In the example of Figure 13, if the telephone number for telephone 182 is 555-666- 0002, then when User A places a call on telephone 182 to telephone 183, User A will hear a portion of "Ode to Joy" as the answer tone.

Figure 14 is identical to Figure 13, except that answer tones are instead associated with the recipient's telephone number instead of the caller's telephone number. To that end, a portion of rules database 186 is illustrated as exemplary table 200, and a portion of content catalog 188 is illustrated as exemplary table 202. In this example, if the telephone number for telephone 183 is 555-666-0003, then when User A calls telephone 183, User A will hear a portion of "The Star Spangled Banner" as the answer tone.

The digital data stored in exemplary tables 198 and 202 can be placed there by the operator of device 184, or by a user via server 190 as discussed previously.

With reference to Figure 15, another embodiment is shown. Figure 15 is identical to Figure 12, except device 184 has been replaced by device 204. Device 204 contains a rules database 206 and a content catalog 208. Device 204 can be a device that facilitates conference calls between a plurality of users, such as User A and User B. In the prior art, such a system typically provides "hold" music while the users wait for the "chairperson" of the call to start the call. The chairperson typically is the person who organized the conference call. The "hold" music is not customizable in the prior art. With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 15, however, the clip generator 190 can be used to configure device 204 to provide customized audio clips instead of the traditional "hold" music. For example, User A can store audio clip 192 on the clip generator 190 as discussed previously, and User B can store audio clip 194 on the clip generator 190 as discussed previously. The clip generator 190 then can interface with device 204 in the same manner discussed previously. In the system of Figure 15, rules database 206 can be modified to indicate that when User A is the first person to join the conference call, then device 204 will cause audio clip 192 to be played as the "hold" music for all users until the chairperson joins the conference call. Similarly, if User B is the first person to join the conference call, then device 204 will cause audio clip 194 to be played as the "hold" music for all users until the chairperson joins the conference call. Playing customized audio clips instead of traditional "hold" music will be more interesting for the users, and provides an incentive to be the first person to join a conference call. It is to be understood that any number of other rules can be used to determine which audio clip is played. For example, device 204 instead can play the audio clip selected by the chairperson of the call, or it can cycle through the different customized clips selected by the various participants in the call.

While the foregoing has been with reference to particular embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes in these embodiments may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for generating a ringer on a mobile computing device, comprising: selecting a track; determining if a user owns full track rights for that track; generating, on a mobile computing device, a ringer when the user has the full track rights; previewing the ringer; and purchasing the ringer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the ringer further comprises enabling a user to identify a starting point within said track for the ringer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein generating the ringer further comprises enabling a user to identify an ending point within said track for the ringer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the track is an audio/video track.

5. A system for generating a ringer, comprising: a mobile computing device configured to enable a user to select a track; a server coupled to said mobile computing device over a wireless network, said server configured to determining if said user owns full track rights for that track; said mobile computing device further configured to generate a ringer when the user has the full track rights, to enable the user to preview the ringer, and to enable the user to purchase the ringer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the track is an audio/video track.

7. A method for disseminating a clip over a social network, comprising: generating a clip wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content; storing said clip on a first computing device; transmitting said clip to a second computing device using a social network; and playing said clip on said second computing device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing an option on said second computing device to purchase said clip.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing an option on said second computing device to purchase the full piece of content from which said clip was generated.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing an option on said second computing device to generate a second clip.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

12. A system for disseminating a clip over a social network wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content, comprising: a first computing device configured to generate and store a clip; a second computing device coupled to said first computing device over a network, wherein said first computing device is configured to transmit said clip over said network to said second computing device using a social network; wherein said second computing device is configured to play said clip.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

14. A method for automatically propagating a clip to a plurality of computing devices wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content, comprising: generating a clip; storing said clip on a first computing device; transmitting said clip from said first computing device to a second computing device; transmitting said clip from said first computing device to a third computing device; incorporating at least part of said clip in an application running on said second computing device; incorporating at least part of said clip in an application running on said third computing device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said application running on said second computing device is a social network website.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said application running on said second computing device enables a user to use at least part of said clip as a ring tone on a mobile device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

18. A system for automatically propagating a clip wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content, comprising: a first computing device for generating and storing a clip, said first computing device configured to automatically transmit said clip to a second computing device and a third computing device; said second computing device configured to incorporate at least part of said clip in an application running on said second computing device; and said third computing device configured to incorporate at least part of said clip in an application running on said third computing device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

20. A method for utilizing a set of data, comprising: initiating communication from a first computing device to a second computing device; obtaining a set of data from a third computing device and storing said set of data on said second computing device in response to the initiating step, wherein said set of data is associated with said first computing device; performing an action that utilizes all or a portion of said set of data on said second computing device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said set of data comprises an audio/video clip.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said third computing device comprises a server.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said server hosts a social networking website.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said second computing device comprises a mobile handset.

25. A system for utilizing a set of data, comprising: a first computing device; a second computing device; a third computing device; wherein said second computing device is coupled to said first computing device and said third computing device over one or more networks or links; wherein said second computing device is configured to store a set of data obtained from said third computing device in response to a communication initiated by said first computing device to said second computing device, wherein said set of data is associated with said first computing device; and wherein said second computing device is configured to perform an action that utilizes all or a portion of said set of data.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said set of data comprises an audio/video clip.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said third computing device comprises a server.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said server hosts a social networking website.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein said second computing device comprises a mobile handset.

30. A method for disseminating a clip to a mobile device, comprising: generating a clip wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content; storing said clip on a first computing device; transmitting said clip to a second computing device, wherein said second computing device is a mobile device playing said clip on said second computing device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said transmitting step comprises sending an SMS message.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said transmitting step comprises sending an

MMS message.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

34. A system for disseminating a clip to a mobile device wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content, comprising: a first computing device configured to generate and store a clip; a second computing device coupled to said first computing device over a network, wherein said first computing device is configured to transmit said clip over said network to said second computing device and said second computing device is a mobile device; wherein said second computing device is configured to play said clip.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

36. A method for disseminating a clip from a mobile device, comprising: generating a clip wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content; storing said clip on a first computing device, wherein said first computing device is a mobile device; transmitting said clip to a second computing device; playing said clip on said second computing device.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said transmitting step comprises sending an SMS message.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said transmitting step comprises sending an MMS message.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

40. A system for disseminating a clip to a mobile device wherein the clip is less than a full piece of content, comprising: a first computing device configured to generate and store a clip, wherein said first computing device is a mobile device; a second computing device coupled to said first computing device over a network, wherein said first computing device is configured to transmit said clip over said network to said second computing device; wherein said second computing device is configured to play said clip.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein said clip is an audio/video clip.

42. A method for generating an answer tone, comprising: providing a clip; associating said clip with a first computing device; storing said clip on a second computing device; and transmitting said clip from said second computing device to said first computing device as an answer tone when said first computing device initiates a phone call.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the clip is an audio clip.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the clip is an audio and video clip.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein said first computing device is a mobile computing device.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein said second computing device is a server.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein said second computing device is a server.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein providing the clip further comprises generating the clip.

49. A system for generating an answer tone, comprising: a first computing device configured to provide a clip; a second computing device configured to associate said clip with a third computing device and to transmit said clip to said third computing device as an answer tone when said third computing device initiates a phone call.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said clip is an audio clip.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein said clip is an audio and video clip.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein said first computing device and said third computing device are the same device.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein said second computing device is a server.

54. The system of claim 49, wherein said third computing device is a mobile computing device.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein said third computing device is a mobile computing device.

56. The system of claim 49, wherein the first computing device generates the clip.

57. A method for generating an answer tone, comprising: selecting a track; determining if a user who selected the track owns full track rights for that track; generating a clip when the user has the full track rights; previewing said clip; purchasing said clip; associating said clip with a first computing device; storing said clip on a second computing device; and transmitting said clip from said second computing device to said first computing device as an answer tone when said first computing device initiates a phone call.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the clip is an audio clip.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the clip is an audio and video clip.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein said generating step is performed on said first computing device.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein said first computing device is a mobile computing device.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein said second computing device is a server.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein said second computing device is a server.

64. A system for generating an answer tone, comprising: a first computing device configured to enable a user to select a track; a second computing device coupled to said first computing device, said second computing device configured to determining if said user owns full track rights for that track; said first computing device further configured to generate a clip when the user has the full track rights, to enable the user to preview said clip, and to enable the user to purchase said clip; said second computing device further configured to associate said clip with a third computing device and to transmit said clip to said third computing device as an answer tone when said third computing device initiates a phone call.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said clip is an audio clip.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein said clip is an audio and video clip.

67. The system of claim 64, wherein said first computing device and said third computing device are the same device.

68. The system of claim 64, wherein said second computing device is a server.

69. The system of claim 64, wherein said third computing device is a mobile computing device.

70. The system of claim 68, wherein said third computing device is a mobile computing device.