[001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/292,460 filed February 8, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose.

BACKGROUND

[002] Conventional telephone answer modes were developed before phones had displays and powerful processors, and therefore provided limited options and limited ability to dynamically convey meaningful information. The capabilities a mobile phones with powerful processing capability and beautiful displays provide opportunity to provide more dynamic caller identification and notification answer modes in today's fast-paced society.

[003] Moreover, even today's mobile phone systems fail to provide as rich media experiences as users are desiring to have. Mobile phone systems often rely heavily on text or image-based approaches.

SUMMARY

[004] Example apparatuses are described herein. An example apparatus of a user equipment may include a memory; and a processor unit. The processor unit may be configured to receive an incoming call, receive an identifier associated with a caller, and provide a video notification icon to a display that plays a video identification message associated with the caller. The processor unit may be further configured to, in response to a selection from a user, encode a video response message to be provided to a second user equipment associated with the caller.

[005] Example methods are described herein. An example method to receive an incoming call in a video identification system may include during an ongoing call, receiving an incoming call at a first user equipment from a second user equipment. The example method may further include, in response to receiving the incoming call displaying a video notification icon on a display of the user equipment, and displaying a plurality of answer modes. The example method may further include, in response to a selection from a user, provide one of a video response hold message or a video response answer message to the second user equipment.

[006] Another example method may include receiving an incoming call, receiving an identifier associated with a caller, and providing a video notification icon to a display that plays a video identification message associated with the caller. The example method may further include, in response to a selection from a user, encode a video response message to be provided to a second user equipment associated with the caller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[007] Figure 1 illustrates a video notification system (system) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[008] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart for a method to create a VID greeting message in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

[009] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart for a method to receive and answer an incoming call with a video response message while on another call in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

[010] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart for a method to user video identification messages to address an incoming call while on another call in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

[011] Figure 5 depicts a screenshot showing a notification icon on a display in response to receipt of a call in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[012] Certain details are set forth below to provide a sufficient understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without various aspects of these particular details. In some instances, well-known circuits, control signals, timing protocols, computer system components, and software operations have not been shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments of the disclosure.

[013] This disclosure describes embodiments of a visual caller identification and notification system. In some embodiments, a user equipment may allow a user to construct a custom visual caller ID (VID) greeting using a selected photo, video file, and/or audio file. The VID greeting may be synched to a contact list for designated identification, which may allow the user equipment to notify the user of callers dynamically, as opposed to standard or generic answer modes. In some examples, the VID may also include an in-call video notification option, where, when a user is engaged in a phone call, a beep and haptic alert on the user equipment will alert the user that there is an incoming call, and a small notification icon/box may appear on the user's screen displaying the caller's VID message. The VID message may be stored in a mailbox to be retrieved later. The VID messages may be personalized messages, such as invites to birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and other special events. Theses personalized greetings are created with the VID. The user equipment may also allow a user to accept video notifications from advertisers and other business' which they have personally selected using the VID's video notification system (VNS).

[014] The user equipment may also respond with an in-call video response, which may include a VID response message that is sent to a caller if the callee is unable to answer during an ongoing call. The VID response message may direct the caller to hold or leave a message at the end of the VID response message. Generally, user equipment (UE) described herein may include devices having one or more processing unit(s) (e.g. processors) and computer readable media (e.g. memory) encoded with executable instructions causing the device to perform functions described herein, and/or display user interfaces described and/or shown herein.

[015] Figure 1 illustrates a video notification system (system) 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Each of UEs 110 and 150 may be implemented using a computing device, including but not limited to a laptop, a desktop, a computer, a tablet, a media device, a smart phone, cellular phone or other mobile device, or any combination or sub-combination of the same. The UE 110 may include a memory 120 encoded with executable instructions that may be executable by one or more processor units 114 of the UE 110. The UE 110 may further include a display 112 and one or more user interfaces 116. The UE 110 may further include radios 130 and one or more antennas 132 to communicate over the network 190. The UE 150 may include components similar to components included in the UE 110, in some examples.

[016] The UE 110 and the UE 150 may be coupled to the network 190 to send and receive data. The network 190 may be implemented using one or more networks, such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), cellular networks, (e.g., long term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), and/or 5G cellular networks. Communications provided to, from, and within the network 190 may wired and/or wireless, and further may be provided by any networking devices known in the art, now or in the future. Devices communicating over the network 190 may communicate with any communication protocol, including, but not limited to, TCP/IP, UDP, RS-232, IEEE 802.11, long term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), third generation partnership project (3GPP) 5G standard protocol, or other future communication protocol standards. The network 190 may include wireless access points, evolved Node Bs, and other communication infrastructure. The network may also be connected to third party content server s/content providers 160.

[017] In operation, the UE 110 and the UE 150 may communicate over the network 190 to make and receive phone calls. In some examples, the UE 110 and the UE 150 may each include each include a capability to create and store a VID greeting message, receive a VID message via the network 190, store a received VID message, and provide VID messages. In the interest of brevity, the foregoing discussion will focus on the UE 110 as the called party, and the UE 150 as the calling party. It will be appreciated that capabilities discussed with reference to one of the UE 110 and UE 150 may also be performed on the other of the UE 110 and UE 150.

[018] The UE 110 may include a capability to capture media at a media access module

(MAM) 124 at the memory 120. The media may be captured via the user interfaces 116, in some examples. The user interfaces 116 may include a video and/or photo camera, a microphone, touch screen, or other user interfaces. In some examples, the media may be received from another entity or third party content provider(s) via the network 190, such the third party servers/content providers 180 that provide videos, photos, pictures, songs, sounds, etc. (e.g., video data and audio data). In some examples, the visual identification/notification module 122 executed via the processor units 114, may allow a user to create a VID greeting message to be stored at the memory 120 using the MAM 124. The VID greeting message may be condensed into a short clip, such as a 30 second video clip. The visual identification/notification module 122 may provide an interface to allow a user to personalize and customize their VID greeting message. For example, a user may be able to select from a suite of special effects, such as vintage filters and comic art, animation, movie quality special effects, etc., to allow a user to create a variety of potential video clips for the VID greeting message. The suite of special effects may be stored in the MAM 124. For an audio portion, a user may be able to select songs provided in a music library (e.g., stored at the MAM 124) or download an audio file (e.g., from the third party server s/content providers 180) to create their own personalized greeting. In some examples, the visual identification/notification module 122 may include a custom audio feature which allows the user to select from a suite of audio effects (e.g., horror screams, thunder, auto-tune, etc.). The visual identification/notification module 122 may further assign the VID greeting message to one or more contacts in a contact list stored at the memory 120. In some example, the VID greeting message may allow a user an ability to identify a caller dynamically, as compared with standard or generic answer modes.

The visual identification/notification module 122 may allow the user to select a specific cycle setting the VID greeting message. For example, the specific cycle may enable the VID greeting message to be displayed for designated intervals or for a specified number of plays (e.g., 5 to 30 or more). Once the desired cycle has expired, the visual identification/notification module 122 may permanently remove the VID from the UE 110, or de-assign it from association with any contacts. The visual identification/notification module 122 may allow a user create more than one VID greeting message (e.g., up to 3 different VIDs) per contact, and the VID greeting messages may rotate automatically, or via selection by a user.

[020] When the UE 110 receives a call from the UE 150, the visual identification/notification module 122 may compare caller identifying information (e.g., a phone number or other identifier) by comparing the identifying information with contacts in the contact list. If a contact is associated with a VID greeting message, the visual identification/notification module 122 may play the associated VID greeting message for the user on the display 112. The user may identify the calling party based on the VID greeting message. In some examples, if the UE 110 is current engaged in another call, the visual identification/notification module 122 may provide an in-call video notification. The in-call video notification, the visual identification/notification module 122 may cause a beep and haptic alert (e.g., via the user interfaces 116) to alert the user that there is an incoming call. The visual identification/notification module 122 may provide a display a notification icon on the display 112 showing the VID greeting message associated with the UE 150. The notification icon may continue to be displayed to inform the user that the call is waiting to be answered. If the user chooses not to accept the incoming call, the notification icon will disappear from the display 112. The user can answer the incoming call simply by simply tapping the notification icon, which may hang up or place the current call on hold. Figure 5 depicts a screenshot 500 showing a notification icon 520 on a display 510 in response to receipt of a call in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The notification icon 520 may appear in other areas of the display 510, in other embodiments.

[021] In some examples, the visual identification/notification module 122 may further include an in-call video response feature that allows a user to create a VID response message that the caller will see if the callee is unable to answer during an ongoing call. For example, the visual identification/notification module 122 may also allow a user to create a VID response message. The VID response message may be provided from the called party to the calling party (e.g., from the UE 110 to the UE 150, in this example) if the user is unable to answer the call from the UE 150. If the called party is away from the UE 110, the visual identification/notification module 122 may this automatically triggers the VID response message on the callee's behalf. For example, the visual identification/notification module 122 may provide the visual response message to the UE 150 after a set number of rings (e.g., 3, 4, 5, etc.) or after a set amount of time. In some examples, the ongoing call may be put on hold in response to a selection from the user, and a VID hold message may be provided the connected caller's UE. In another example, in response to an input from the user, a visual response message may provide a request for the caller to hold or for the caller leave a message after a visual prompt at the end of the VID response message. The visual prompt may be customized using a suite of special effects. The UE 150 may enable the in-call video response feature to receive the VID response message or may disable the in-call video response feature to use a standard answering mode.

[022] In some examples, the visual identification/notification module 122 may further include an ability to generate video messages that are capable of being sent at a specified date and time to an assigned contact or contacts. For example, the video message may be assigned to a particular contact or to contacts and mat be scheduled to be sent at a scheduled date and time. When the current date and time matches the scheduled date and time, the visual identification/notification module 122 may prepare the video message to be sent. The video message may include be personal invites to birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, or other special events.

[023] The visual identification/notification module 122 may also include a video notification mailbox that allows a user to receive video messages. The video messages may include be personal invites to birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, or other special events. For example, a caller (e.g., via the UE 150) may provide a video message to a mailbox associated with the UE 110. The video messages may include personalized greetings created using the visual identification/notification module 122. The visual identification/notification module 122 may also receive video notifications from advertisers and business personally selected by a user using a video notification system.

[024] Figures 2-4 depict various methods of implementing features of the visual identification/notification module 122. Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart for a method 200 to create a VID greeting message in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The method 200 may be implemented in the UE 110 and/or the UE 150 of Figure 1. The method may include recording a video, at 210. The video may be recorded via a video interface, such as the user interfaces 116 of Figure 1. The method 200 may further include assigning a message description to the video, at 220. The message description may include a designation as a call message, an answer message, a hold message, notification message, etc. The method 200 may further include assigning the video message to a contact, at 230. The method 200 may further include assigning a date, time, and duration for play of the video message, at 240. The method 200 may further include saving the video message configuration, at 250. In some examples, if the video message is a notification message, the method 200 may include assigning a date and time to the message, and sending the video message to the contact at the assigned date and time. The recipient may receive the video message at the designated date and time.

[025] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart for a method 300 to receive and answer an incoming call with a video response message while on another call in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented in the UE 110 and/or the UE 150 of Figure 1. The method may include receiving a phone call at a user equipment, at 310. The method 300 may further include displaying the incoming call video notification icon, at 320. The method 300 may further include displaying several answer modes, at 330. The method 300 may further include, in response to respective selection from a user, placing ongoing call on hold and accepting incoming call, at 340. The method 300 may further include, in response to respective selection from a user, ending the ongoing call and accepting the incoming call, at 350. The method 300 may further include, in response to respective selection from a user, sending caller a hold video message, at 360. The method 300 may further include, in response to respective selection from a user, sending caller a default video answer message, at 370.

[026] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart for a method 400 to user video identification messages to address an incoming call while on another call in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The method 400 may be implemented in the UE 110 and/or the UE 150 of Figure 1. The method may include receiving a phone call at a user equipment, at 410. The method 400 may further include playing a video identification from the caller on the screen, at 420. The method 400 may include determining whether the incoming call is answered, at 430. If the incoming call is answered, the method 400 may further include connecting the voice call, at 440. If the incoming call is answered, the method 400 may further include, activate a video response message, at 450. The method 400 may further include, in response to selection from a user, ending the ongoing call and accepting the incoming call, at 450. The method 400 may further include receiving a video identification message from the caller in response to the video response message, at 460.

[027] The methods 200, 300, and 400 may be implemented by a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof. As an example, the method 200 of FIG. 2, method 300 of FIG. 3, and the method 400 of FIG. 4 may be initiated by a processor that executes instructions to perform the respective method. Various illustrative components, blocks, configurations, modules, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[028] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and novel features as previously described.