Communication Link termination Indication Signal Method and Apparatus

Abstract

Upon detecting at a two-way communication device that a communication link has been terminated, the two-way communication device can provide a unique corresponding signal (such as a unique audible signal) to indicate such termination. Pursuant to one approach, a plurality of such unique signals are available and a specific one of the available signals is selected for use in a given circumstance using a selection criteria of choice.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing, to a communication device, a plurality of available candidate unique user selectable corresponding signals;   providing, to the communication device, a link detector configured to determine whenever a communication link for the communication device has terminated either intentionally or unintentionally;   providing, to the communication device, a notification system configured to generate,
 in response to determining that the communication link has terminated for whatever reason and without regard as to whether the communication link terminated intentionally or unintentionally and why the communication link has terminated, at the communication device, 
   a unique user selected corresponding signal by
 selecting the unique user selected corresponding signal from amongst the plurality of available candidate unique user selectable corresponding signals to indicate termination of the communication link, 
   wherein the unique user selected corresponding signal comprises
 at least one of musical content and spoken content, and the unique user selected corresponding signal is not used by the communication device for other annunciation or notice. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein selecting the unique user selected corresponding signal includes
 retrieving audio signal content from a memory of the communication device and using the audio signal content to provide the unique user selected corresponding signal. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein
 the audio signal content comprises an MP3-compatible audio file. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein
 the audio signal content has a duration of at least three minutes. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein
 the notification system is configured to limit the audio signal content to a predetermined size. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein
 the predetermined size is a duration of time; and 
 the audio signal consists of instrumental musical content. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of
 providing, to the communication device, the plurality of available candidate unique user selectable corresponding signals 
 
       includes
 transmitting a first portion of the plurality of available candidate unique user selectable corresponding signals to the communication device, and 
 transmitting a signal provisioner to the communication device, the signal provisioner providing a second portion of the plurality of available candidate unique user selectable corresponding signals, wherein the second portion is factory preset on the communication device. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the
 selecting the unique user selected corresponding signal from amongst the plurality of available candidate unique user selectable corresponding signals 
 
       includes
   changing the unique user selected corresponding signal from a factory preset signal.