US6006114A — Radiotelephone enabling adjustment of alerting in…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 102 words

A method for decreasing the level of a user-perceptible alerting indicator of a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: receiving, at the radiotelephone, a signal indicating an incoming call; in response to the radiotelephone receiving the signal indicating the incoming call, generating the alerting indicator to notify a user of the incoming call; operating a user interface for inputting information to a controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the level of the alerting indicator be reduced; and in response to the inputted information, variably reducing the level of the alerting indicator while the incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 102 words

A method for decreasing the level of a user-perceptible alerting indicator of a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: receiving, at the radiotelephone, a signal indicating an incoming call; in response to the radiotelephone receiving the signal indicating the incoming call, generating the alerting indicator to notify a user of the incoming call; operating a user interface for inputting information to a controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the level of the alerting indicator be reduced; and in response to the inputted information, variably reducing the level of the alerting indicator while the incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inputted information specifies that a volume of the alerting indicator be muted, and wherein the alerting indicator volume is muted in response to the inputted information.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 68 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of operating is performed by inputting the information into the controller via a keypad having a plurality of keys, and wherein in response to the inputted information the alerting indicator level is reduced by an amount which is a function of an amount of time for which at least one of the plurality of keys is depressed.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of operating is performed by inputting the information into the controller via at least one unlocked key of a keypad.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 60 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of operating is performed by inputting the information into the controller via a keypad having a plurality of keys, and wherein in response to the inputted information the alerting indicator level is reduced by a predetermined amount for each depression of at least one of the plurality of keys.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 125 words

A method for decreasing the level of a user-perceptible alerting indicator of a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: receiving, at the radiotelephone, a signal indicating an incoming call; in response to the radiotelephone receiving the signal indicating the incoming call, generating the alerting indicator to notify a user of the incoming call; operating a user interface for inputting information to a controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the level of the alerting indicator be reduced; and in response to the inputted information, variably reducing the level of the alerting indicator while the incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, wherein the alerting indicator level is increased upon the elapse of a predetermined time period from when the incoming call is first received.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 125 words

A method for decreasing the level of a user-perceptible alerting indicator of a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: receiving, at the radiotelephone, a signal indicating an incoming call; in response to the radiotelephone receiving the signal indicating the incoming call, generating the alerting indicator to notify a user of the incoming call; operating a user interface for inputting information to a controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the level of the alerting indicator be reduced; and in response to the inputted information, variably reducing the level of the alerting indicator while the incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, wherein the alerting indicator level is increased upon the elapse of a predetermined time period from when the incoming call is first received.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 120 words

A method for decreasing the level of a user-perceptible alerting indicator of a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: receiving, at the radiotelephone, a signal indicating an incoming call; in response to the radiotelephone receiving the signal indicating the incoming call, generating the alerting indicator to notify a user of the incoming call; operating a user interface for inputting information to a controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the level of the alerting indicator be reduced; and in response to the inputted information, variably reducing the level of the alerting indicator while the incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, wherein the alerting indicator level is increased automatically when the incoming call is responded to by the user.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 120 words

A method for decreasing the level of a user-perceptible alerting indicator of a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: receiving, at the radiotelephone, a signal indicating an incoming call; in response to the radiotelephone receiving the signal indicating the incoming call, generating the alerting indicator to notify a user of the incoming call; operating a user interface for inputting information to a controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the level of the alerting indicator be reduced; and in response to the inputted information, variably reducing the level of the alerting indicator while the incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, wherein the alerting indicator level is increased automatically when the incoming call is responded to by the user.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the alerting indicator includes at least one of a vibration, an audible tone, and a visual indicator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 56 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: operating the user interface for inputting information to the controller of the radiotelephone, the information specifying that the alerting indicator level be increased; and in response to the inputted information specifying that the alerting indicator level be increased, increasing the alerting indicator level.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising steps of: maintaining the alerting indicator at a reduced level for subsequent incoming calls until information is input to the controller via operation of the user interface, which information specifies that the alerting indicator level be increased; and in response to the inputted information specifying that the alerting indicator level be increased, increasing the alerting indicator level.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 195 words

A radiotelephone, comprising: a receiver for receiving an incoming call signal and for outputting a first signal in response to receiving the incoming call signal, the first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone; a controller having an input coupled to an output of said receiver, said controller for outputting a second signal in response to receiving the first signal at said input; audio circuit means having an input coupled to an output of said controller, said audio circuit means being responsive to said second signal for generating an audible alerting indicator to notify a user of said incoming call, wherein a volume of said audible alerting indicator is variable under the control of said controller; and a user interface including a plurality of keys for inputting information to said controller specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be variably reduced; wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to reduce the alerting indicator volume in accordance with said inputted information during a time when said alerting indicator is being generated indicating that said incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 195 words

A radiotelephone, comprising: a receiver for receiving an incoming call signal and for outputting a first signal in response to receiving the incoming call signal, the first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone; a controller having an input coupled to an output of said receiver, said controller for outputting a second signal in response to receiving the first signal at said input; audio circuit means having an input coupled to an output of said controller, said audio circuit means being responsive to said second signal for generating an audible alerting indicator to notify a user of said incoming call, wherein a volume of said audible alerting indicator is variable under the control of said controller; and a user interface including a plurality of keys for inputting information to said controller specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be variably reduced; wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to reduce the alerting indicator volume in accordance with said inputted information during a time when said alerting indicator is being generated indicating that said incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 53 words

A radiotelephone as set forth in claim 11 wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to variable reduce the alerting indicator volume by an amount that is a function of an amount of time that at least one of the plurality of keys is depressed.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

A radiotelephone as set forth in claim 11 wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to variable reduce the alerting indicator volume by a predetermined amount for each depression of at least one of the plurality of keys.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 265 words

A radiotelephone, comprising: a receiver for receiving an incoming call signal and for outputting a first signal in response to receiving the incoming call signal, the first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone; a controller having an input coupled to an output of said receiver, said controller for outputting a second signal in response to receiving the first signal at said input; audio circuit means having an input coupled to an output of said controller, said audio circuit means being responsive to said second signal for generating an audible alerting indicator to notify a user of said incoming call, wherein a volume of said audible alerting indicator is variable under the control of said controller; and a user interface including a plurality of keys for inputting information to said controller specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be variably reduced; wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to reduce the alerting indicator volume in accordance with said inputted information during a time when said alerting indicator is being generated indicating that said incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, wherein said controller further comprises timing means having an associated predetermined timeout value, said timing means for measuring the time elapsed from when said controller first receives said first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, and wherein said controller signals said audio circuit means to increase the alerting indicator volume upon the controller determining that the measured elapsed time equals said predetermined timeout value.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 265 words

A radiotelephone, comprising: a receiver for receiving an incoming call signal and for outputting a first signal in response to receiving the incoming call signal, the first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone; a controller having an input coupled to an output of said receiver, said controller for outputting a second signal in response to receiving the first signal at said input; audio circuit means having an input coupled to an output of said controller, said audio circuit means being responsive to said second signal for generating an audible alerting indicator to notify a user of said incoming call, wherein a volume of said audible alerting indicator is variable under the control of said controller; and a user interface including a plurality of keys for inputting information to said controller specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be variably reduced; wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to reduce the alerting indicator volume in accordance with said inputted information during a time when said alerting indicator is being generated indicating that said incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, wherein said controller further comprises timing means having an associated predetermined timeout value, said timing means for measuring the time elapsed from when said controller first receives said first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, and wherein said controller signals said audio circuit means to increase the alerting indicator volume upon the controller determining that the measured elapsed time equals said predetermined timeout value.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 218 words

A radiotelephone, comprising: a receiver for receiving an incoming call signal and for outputting a first signal in response to receiving the incoming call signal, the first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone; a controller having an input coupled to an output of said receiver, said controller for outputting a second signal in response to receiving the first signal at said input; audio circuit means having an input coupled to an output of said controller, said audio circuit means being responsive to said second signal for generating an audible alerting indicator to notify a user of said incoming call, wherein a volume of said audible alerting indicator is variable under the control of said controller; and a user interface including a plurality of keys for inputting information to said controller specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be variably reduced; wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to reduce the alerting indicator volume in accordance with said inputted information during a time when said alerting indicator is being generated indicating that said incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, and wherein said controller is responsive to a call being terminated for signalling said audio circuit means to increase the alerting indicator volume.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 218 words

A radiotelephone, comprising: a receiver for receiving an incoming call signal and for outputting a first signal in response to receiving the incoming call signal, the first signal indicating that an incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone; a controller having an input coupled to an output of said receiver, said controller for outputting a second signal in response to receiving the first signal at said input; audio circuit means having an input coupled to an output of said controller, said audio circuit means being responsive to said second signal for generating an audible alerting indicator to notify a user of said incoming call, wherein a volume of said audible alerting indicator is variable under the control of said controller; and a user interface including a plurality of keys for inputting information to said controller specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be variably reduced; wherein said controller is responsive to the inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to reduce the alerting indicator volume in accordance with said inputted information during a time when said alerting indicator is being generated indicating that said incoming call is being received by the radiotelephone, and wherein said controller is responsive to a call being terminated for signalling said audio circuit means to increase the alerting indicator volume.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 57 words

A radiotelephone as set forth in claim 11, wherein said user interface is also for inputting, into said controller, information specifying that the volume of said alerting indicator be increased, and wherein said controller is also responsive to this inputted information for signalling said audio circuit means to increase the alerting indicator volume to an original volume.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-12-20	2003-06-21	2003-12-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-12-20	2007-06-21	2007-12-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-12-20	2011-06-21	2011-12-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Radiotelephone enabling adjustment of alerting indicator volume/level during incoming calls

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