Method and apparatus for pre-programmed call-back-number-determined alert

Claim 2

A communication receiver comprising: receiver means for receiving a message comprising at least a received call-back number; storage means for storing at least one user-programmed call-back number along with data defining at least one corresponding user-programmed special audible alert, and further for storing data defining a user-programmed default audible alert; processor means coupled to the receiver means for processing the message to derive the received call-back number and coupled to the storage means for comparing the received call-back number with the at least one user-programmed call-back number; and audible alert generation means coupled to the processor means for generating, in response to the received call-back number being found equal to a call-back number included in the at least one user-programmed call-back number, the corresponding user-programmed special audible alert in accordance with the data defining said alert, wherein the processor means comprises a first processor element for controlling the audible alert generation means to generate the user-programmed default audible alert in response to the received call-back number being found not equal to any call-back number included in the at least one user-programmed call back number.

Claim 3

The communication receiver in accordance with claim 1, further comprising user control means coupled to the processor means and to the storage means for allowing a user to add or delete a user-programmed call-back number and a corresponding user-programmed special audible alert.

Claim 4

The communication receiver in accordance with claim 1, wherein the storage means comprises a non-volatile memory.

Claim 5

The communication receiver in accordance with claim 1, further comprising user control means coupled to the processor means for allowing a user to modify the user-programmed default audible alert.

Claim 6

The communication receiver in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a second processor element coupled to the processor means and responsive to the user control means for controlling the generation of the user-programmed default audible alert, wherein the second processor element disallows generation of the user-programmed default audible alert but allows generation of the user-programmed special audible alert in response to user selection of a first alert mode, and wherein the second processor element allows generation of both the user-programmed default audible alert and the user-programmed special audible alert in response to user selection of a second alert mode.

Claim 7

The communication receiver in accordance with claim 2, wherein the user control means comprises: means for a user to select a cadence for a new user-programmed special audible alert; and means for a user to select a tone frequency for the new user-programmed special audible alert, and wherein the audible alert generation means generates the new user-programmed special audible alert in accordance with the selected cadence and tone frequency.

Claim 8

The communication receiver in accordance with claim 4, wherein the user control means comprises: means for a user to select a cadence for the user-programmed default audible alert; and means for a user to select a tone frequency for the user-programmed default audible alert, and wherein the audible alert generation means generates the user-programmed default audible alert in accordance with the selected cadence and tone frequency.

Claim 9

(Amended) A selective call receiver comprising: a receiver for receiving information comprising an address and a message containing at least a received call-back number; a decoder coupled to the receiver for decoding the received address; a memory element for storing at least one user-programmed call-back number and data defining at least one corresponding user-programmed special audible alert, and further for storing data defining a user-programmed default audible alert; a processor responsive to the decoder and coupled to the receiver for processing the received message to derive the received call-back number, the processor also coupled to the memory element for comparing the received call-back number with the at least one user-programmed call-back number; a display coupled to the processor for displaying the received message; and an audible alert generator coupled to the processor for generating, in response to the received call-back number being found equal to a call-back number included in the at least one user-programmed call-back number, the corresponding user-programmed special audible alert in accordance with the data defining said alert, wherein the processor comprises a first processor element for controlling the audible alert generator to generate the user-programmed default audible alert in response to the received call-back number being found not equal to any call-back number included in the at least one user-programmed call back number.

Claim 10

(Amended) A selective call receiver comprising: a receiver for receiving information comprising an address and a message containing at least a received call-back number; a decoder coupled to the receiver for decoding the received address; a memory element for storing at least one user-programmed call-back number and data defining at least one corresponding user-programmed special audible alert, and further for storing data defining a user-programmed default audible alert; a processor responsive to the decoder and coupled to the receiver for processing the received message to derive the received call-back number, the processor also coupled to the memory element for comparing the received call-back number with the at least one user-programmed call-back number; a display coupled to the processor for displaying the received message; and an audible alert generator coupled to the processor for generating, in response to the received call-back number being found equal to a call-back number included in the at least one user-programmed call-back number, the corresponding user-programmed special audible alert in accordance with the data defining said alert, wherein the processor comprises a first processor element for controlling the audible alert generator to generate the user-programmed default audible alert in response to the received call-back number being found not equal to any call-back number included in the at least one user-programmed call back number.

Claim 11

The selective call receiver in accordance with claim 8, further comprising user controls coupled to the processor and to the memory element for allowing a user to add or delete a user-programmed call-back number and a corresponding user-programmed special audible alert.

Claim 12

The selective call receiver in accordance with claim 8, wherein the memory element comprises a non-volatile memory.

Claim 13

The selective call receiver in accordance with claim 8, further comprising user controls coupled to the processor for allowing a user to modify the user-programmed default audible alert.

Claim 14

The selective call receiver in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a second processor element coupled to the processor and responsive to the user controls for controlling the generation of the user-programmed default audible alert, wherein the second processor element disallows generation of the user-programmed default audible alert but allows generation of the user-programmed special audible alert in response to user selection of a first alert mode, and wherein the second processor element allows generation of both the user-programmed default audible alert and the user-programmed special audible alert in response to user selection of a second alert mode.

Claim 15

The selective call receiver in accordance with claim 9, wherein the user controls comprise: first elements that allow a user to select a cadence for a new user-programmed special audible alert; and second elements that allow a user to select a tone frequency for the new user-programmed special audible alert, and wherein the audible alert generator generates the new user-programmed special audible alert in accordance with the selected cadence and tone frequency.

Claim 16

The selective call receiver in accordance with claim 11, wherein the user controls comprise: first elements that allow a user to select a cadence for the user-programmed default audible alert; and second elements that allow a user to select a tone frequency for the user-programmed default audible alert, and wherein the audible alert generator generates the user-programmed default audible alert in accordance with the selected cadence and tone frequency.

Claim 19

The method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising the step of adding a new user-programmed call-back number and a corresponding new user-programmed special audible alert in response to a user control sequence.

Claim 20

The method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising the step of deleting an existing user-programmed call-back number and a corresponding user-programmed special audible alert in response to a user control sequence.

Claim 21

The method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising the step of modifying the user-programmed default audible alert in response to a user control sequence.

Claim 22

The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein step (d) further comprises the step of de-selecting the user-programmed default audible alert to prevent the generation thereof, a user of the communication receiver having selected a silent alert mode.

Claim 23

The method in accordance with claim 16, wherein the step of adding the new user-programmed call-back number and the corresponding new user-programmed special audible alert comprises the steps of: selecting a user-programmable cadence for the new user-programmed special audible alert; and selecting a user-programmable tone frequency for the new user-programmed special audible alert, and wherein the new user-programmed special audible alert is generated in accordance with the selected cadence and tone frequency.