SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING USER STATUS MESSAGE AS
MOBILE PHONE CALLER TUNE
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for configuring a user's
status message as his/her mobile phone caller tune. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to setting a user's status message present on one or more web interfaces
as the user's mobile phone caller tune.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Internet has become an integral part of our lives. More particularly, with the
advent of social networking websites and web based interfaces/applications related
thereto, that allow and promote such social interconnect and communication, a new social
ecosystem is now being built and becoming more and more prevalent. Social networking
websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, and Orkut among other applications
such as Google and Yahoo chat applications are increasingly becoming indispensable for
users and allow them to stay connected within their networks of friends, relatives,
colleagues, among other entities. These social communication platforms also allow users
to share their status messages giving updates on their current activities, their
likes/dislikes, among other messages that they intend sharing.
[0003] At the same time, mobile phones, today, have also undoubtedly become the
most significant medium of communication allowing instant verbal and textual modes of
communication anytime and anywhere. Apart from conventional message and call
facilities provided by mobile phones, multiple applications are now being designed and
developed to reach out to the masses and also make sure that a socio-economic platform
is being built to give economic benefits to service providers and social benefit to the
customers/users that use their services/applications. One such application that has gained
huge appeal from masses is Caller Tune facility. Caller Tune is a service that lets a user
play a song, a celebrity voice, and comedy clips among many other tunes for his/her
callers when they call the user instead of the ordinary and conventional ring tones they
otherwise hear, until the user answers the phone.
[0004] With social networking, usage and dependence on internet, and mobile
phones becoming an integral part of our lives, it is becoming a necessity to converge as
many applications as possible to allow users to keep themselves updated of recent
activities at social, political, and economic level and at the same ensure that their status or
recent activities are also known to their respective networks.
[0005] There is therefore a strong need to develop new systems and methods that
allow implementation of converging applications and bring social networks and mobile
phones closer and make them more interactive.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for
setting a caller tune.
[0007] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method
for setting a caller tune based on status message set by a user.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to set text based status messages
as caller tunes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for changing caller
tune of a user's mobile phone based on customized status messages of the user. The status messages can either be set at one or more social networking websites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, SoundCloud, Myspace, and Twitter, or can be set on other web-based communication mediums such as chats, groups, and blogs. Status messages can also be directly written by a user in a mobile device application without any web-based interface. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed system allows a mobile user to automatically set his/her latest status update or social network message or personal choice
message as the user's caller tune for his/her callers. One or more of Web, WAP, USSD, IVR, and SMS can be used by a user to set his/her status message, which then automatically becomes the respective mobile phone's caller tune. Caller Tune would also be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as Caller Ring Back Tone (CRBT). [00010] In an embodiment, the system includes a set status module, a status retrieval module, and a set caller tune module. In the set status module, a user can, either after login or directly, update his/her current status message on social networking websites or other allied internet based applications/platforms. For instance, a status message can be set by a user at Google Talk application or can be set at social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter among others. A status message can include, but is not limited to, user's current activity such as "I am watching Ice Age today", user's recent activities "I watched Ice Age yesterday", user's forthcoming activity "I would be going for Ice Age tomorrow", user's likes or dislikes such as "I am a fan of Bryan Adams", user's comments/feedback on recent social activities such as "It was depressing to hear about another accident in my society", among any other customized messages. In an embodiment, the proposed system can also provide a web interface such as a website, which allows its users to login and record their own voice by going through the website or write in a proposed status update, wherein the voice or the status update is then converted to the user's status by the set status module.
[00011] In another embodiment, the status retrieval module retrieves the status message set in the set status module. The status retrieval module can, in one embodiment, be installed within the mobile handset of a user, wherein the mobile handset is connected to Internet through well known mechanisms such as GPRS and Wi-Fi, further wherein the status retrieval module connects to the internet and automatically, at run time, retrieves status messages of user's. The status retrieval module can, in a second embodiment, be installed within a web interface provided by the proposed system, and retrieve the status message set by a user and subsequently send the retrieved message to the mobile phone/handset of the user for setting the retrieved status message the user's caller tune.
In another embodiment, in case the status message is set in text, the status retrieval module can also be configured to convert the text to voice through well known text to speech converting mechanisms. In an embodiment, in case multiple status messages have been set by a user using the set status module across multiple applications, the status retrieval module can retrieve one or all status messages based on user's configuration. For instance, in case the user has configured the proposed system so as to only use the Facebook status and not the status set on Google talk, the status retrieval module would only retrieve Facebook status as and when the same is set. In another example, a user can also configure the proposed system to retrieve all status messages set by the user and then prioritize the retrieved status messages as to which one would finally be set as the called tune. In a preferred embodiment, the status retrieval module would be executed in real¬time and would dynamically and instantly retrieve all status messages as and when they are set by the user.
[00012] In another embodiment, the set caller tune module is configured to set the retrieved status message as a caller tune of the mobile phone of a user. In case multiple status messages are retrieved, a user can prioritize the sources of status messages and then the highest priority status message is set as a caller tune of user's mobile phone. Multiple other combinations can also be used while setting the caller tunes. For instance, in a case, multiple retrieved status messages can also be concatenated and then set as a caller tune so that a caller can sequentially listen to all the different status messages that the called person has set. All other possible embodiments, even though not mentioned explicitly, would be within the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00013] Fig. 1 illustrates a system configured to retrieve status message of a user and
set the status message as user's caller ring back tone (CRBT) as a first embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[00014] Fig. 2 illustrates a system having a web application configured to interface
the conversion of a user's status message to the user's caller ring back tone (CRBT) as a
second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00015] Fig. 3 illustrates a snapshot of the web application of the second embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[00016] Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart for converting a user's status message to the
user's caller ring back tone (CRBT).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00017] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for automatically
configuring a status message entered by a user as his/her mobile phone's caller ring back tone (CRBT), The status message can be set at multiple platforms such as web based applications including social websites or dedicated status messages based portals, chat applications such as Google Talk, Hotmail, and Yahoo, among all other possible platforms that allow status of a user to be set. In a preferred embodiment, status message can be set by a user on his/her profile page and can be customized before being set as his/her caller tune, which would replace the usual ring tones provided by service providers.
[00018] Multiple embodiments are discussed herein describing various possible
methods used for implementing the proposed system to set a user's status message as his/her mobile phone caller ring tone. Embodiments described below are not limitations and a person who is skilled in the art can modify the methods and use the methods with other systems or methods to meet the requirement.
[00019] A detailed description of the present disclosure is provided with reference
to Fig 1. A system 100 includes a user 102, a mobile device 104, and a website and/or web interface 106. In an embodiment, mobile device 104 used by a user 102 can be any mobile device with features having one or more Web, WAP, IRDA, IVR, SMS and the like. Even though website and/or web interface 106 is being referred and used in the
disclosure, it would be appreciated that any mechanism that allows a user to set a status
message such as a chat application or any other standalone application would also be
included within the proposed scope. The website 106 can also include all social
networking websites including but not limited to Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, MySpace,
G-talk, Google+, Google Circles, etc. For reference, Facebook is described in the
embodiments of this disclosure. A person skilled in the art can use the mobile device 104
with various other features and any other social network site used in the world.
[00020] In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises of a set status module 108, a
status retrieval module 110, and a set caller tune module 112. The set status module 108, implemented by the website 106, allows a user to log into his/her social network profile and write a status message on the profile. The status message can be anything that the user writes and may depend on his mood, like/ dislike, recent social happening, or work. Status message can also be a customized message entered by the user. For example, if a user is happy and wants to share his happiness, he may write the status message as "I am happy today", and if the user is likes watching some movie, he may write the status as "I am watching Ice Age and enjoying it". Once the user sets the status message, illustrated as 114 in Fig. 1, using the set status module 108, the message gets updated on his social network profile.
[00021] In an embodiment, after a status message has been set, a mobile device 104
can retrieve the status message through a status retrieval module 110 of the system 100. The retrieval module 110, implemented through the mobile device 104, can access the status message of the user via internet or any other communication method such as WAP, IVR, Wi-Fi, GPRS etc. The retrieved status message can be verified for its authenticity, format, and appropriateness, and if the status message is found to be in correct textual format, it can be converted into an audio format using well know text-to-speech converters. If the user's status message is already in an audio/video format, audio component of the message is retained as it is.
[00022] In an embodiment, in the set caller tune module 112, implemented by the
mobile device 104, device 100 can identify a retrieved user status message in an audio format and sets the status message of the user 102 as his/her mobile phone caller ring back tone (CRBT). In another embodiment, the set caller tune module 112 can automatically set the retrieved status message as the caller tune without prior consent of the user 104.
[00023] In another embodiment, a status message update can also be changed
through an IVR and/or other allied platforms such as Spoken Web. Once set, the status message can, using above defined system modules, be retrieved in a mobile phone and set as the caller tune.
[00024] Fig. 2 illustrates a system 200 having a web application 202 configured to interface conversion of a status message into a caller ring back tone (CRBT) as a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the second embodiment, a user registers at the web application 202 and can set his/her status message as a caller tune through two modes. In the first mode, a user can, after registering and logging in, enter his/her mobile device 104 number and select one or more social networking websites or applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln, or Google Talk. Once selected, status message present in these selected websites and/or applications can automatically become the user's mobile device 104 caller tune by clicking the button named: "Click here to Set Status Message as Caller Tune". In case of multiple status messages, the user can also prioritize or customize the messages based on personal preferences.
[00025] In the second mode, a user can, after registering and logging in, enter his/her mobile device 104 number and enter a status message, which he/she intends making his/her caller tune. Once the status message is entered in the web application 202, the user can click the button named: "Click here to Set Status Message as Caller Tune" to make the entered status message as his/her caller tune.
[00026] Fig. 3 illustrates a snapshot of the web application 202 of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The web application 202 allows a user 102 to
subscribe to the website 202 by providing his/her basic details such as, e-mail address, password and his mobile number at Step 1. Once the details entered by the user 102 are verified, the system can allow the user 102 to select the social networking site from which he/she wishes to retrieve the status message at step 2. User 102 can select one or any number of social networking sites and then prioritize or customize the retrieved status messages. The user 102 can also write a status message at step 3, which is independent of any networking or any other web application, and then click the Subscribe link button at step 4 to make the message as the caller tune. In an embodiment, the website 202 can also be a part of existing social networking websites as an application, which can be used by a user to convert the status message as a caller tune.
[00027] In yet another embodiment, one or more combinations of above described
embodiments can be used for implementation of the system 100. The status retrieval module 110 present in the mobile device 104 of the described system 100 can convert a plurality of status messages and set them as caller ring back tone (CRBT) in the order prioritized by the user. In yet another embodiment, an independent web application such as website 202, can allow a user to set his own status message and then set the message as his/her caller tune.
[00028] Fig 4 shows a flowchart describing steps involved in setting a status
message of a user as his/her mobile phone caller ring back tone (CRBT). Flowchart 400 in Fig. 4 is described with respect to the steps involved in an embodiment described in Fig 1. At step 402, a user enters into a website such as a social networking website by entering his user name and password and writes a status message on his/her profile and publishes the status message.
[00029] At 404, the published status message of the user is retrieved by the user's
mobile phone 104. At 406, the retrieved status message is converted to an audio format using a text-to-speech converter and the proposed system 100 sets the audio format status message as user's mobile phone caller ring back tone (CRBT).
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00030] The present disclosure provides a system and method for setting a caller tune.
[00031] The present disclosure provides a system and method for setting a caller tune
based on status message set by a user.
[00032] The present disclosure provides setting text based status messages as caller
tunes.

CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A system for setting user status message as mobile phone caller ring back tone
comprising:
a set status module configured to allow a user to set the status message; a status retrieval module configured to retrieve the set status message; and a set caller tune module configured to set the retrieved status message as the mobile phone caller ring back tone.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set status module is implemented at one or more of a website, a web-based application, an IVR system, or the mobile phone.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the website comprises of one or more of Facebook, Google +, Orkut, Twitter, Google Circle, and Linked; and the web-based application comprises of one or more of Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, Hotmail Messenger, and Skype.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the status message comprises of one or more of user's current activity, user's recent or forthcoming activities, social messages, famous quotes, and random messages.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the status retrieval module and the set caller tune module are implemented in the mobile phone, further wherein the status retrieval module automatically retrieves the set status message in real-time and converts the retrieved status message into an audio using text-to-speech converters, further wherein the
set caller tune module automatically sets the audio status message as the mobile phone caller ring back tone.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the status retrieval module and the set caller tune module are implemented in a web-based application, further wherein based on user's mobile phone number and status message retrieval preferences, the web-based application retrieves the status message through the status retrieval module and sets the mobile phone caller ring back tone through the set caller tune module.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the set status module is implemented in the web-based application and configured to allow a user to set the status message in the web-based application itself.
8. A method for setting a user status message as mobile phone caller ring back tone comprising:
allowing a user to set the status message; retrieving the set status message;
converting the retrieved set status message into an audio; and setting the retrieved audio status message as the mobile phone caller ring back tone.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the status message is set in a website, or a web-based
application, or an IVR system or any other compatible platform, further wherein the status
message comprises of any message set by the user.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the mobile phone automatically retrieves the set status message in real-time and automatically sets the retrieved status message as mobile phone caller ring back tone.