A terminal device includes a processor, a direct stream digital (DSD) audio playback circuit, and a headset jack. The processor is connected to the DSD audio playback circuit, and the DSD audio playback circuit is connected to the headset jack. The processor outputs a DSD audio signal to the DSD audio playback circuit in response to triggering performed by a user. The DSD audio playback circuit is configured to process the DSD audio signal, generate an alert tone based on a current scenario, and superpose the processed DSD audio signal and the alert tone. The headset jack is configured to connect to a headset and play the superposed audio signal and alert tone using the headset.

A method for determining candidates for a person who is to handle a failure upon occurrence of a failure as call-target persons and calling the call-target persons via the Internet is provided. The method is a method which is to be executed by a server, for supporting calling of call-target persons within a list in which candidates for a person who is to handle a failure are defined as call-target persons, upon occurrence of a failure, and includes a step of calling a client of a call-target person selected from the list via the Internet, and a step of receiving a response result indicating a result of operation in response to the calling from the client of the selected call-target person.

A notification system includes: detection means (110) for detecting an acoustic event from voice data transmitted from a communication terminal held by a target person; and notification means (120) for sending a predetermined notification when the detection means (110) has detected the acoustic event. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the state of a target person regardless of the state of this person. Further, when the difference between an acoustic pattern of the voice data transmitted from the communication terminal and acoustic patterns registered in advance is outside a predetermined range, a management server (101) does not send a notification, whereby it is possible to prevent communication traffic from being increased based on unnecessary notifications.

A notification system includes: detection means (110) for detecting an acoustic event from voice data transmitted from a communication terminal held by a target person; and notification means (120) for sending a predetermined notification when the detection means (110) has detected the acoustic event. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the state of a target person regardless of the state of this person. Further, when the difference between an acoustic pattern of the voice data transmitted from the communication terminal and acoustic patterns registered in advance is outside a predetermined range, a management server (101) does not send a notification, whereby it is possible to prevent communication traffic from being increased based on unnecessary notifications.

Apparatus and methods concerning call routing are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a call alert message, indicative of the call answer options, is communicated from a data-communications server to the communication device, determined in response to receiving an incoming call for a communication device at the server. A selected option is received from the communication device. In response to the selected option indicating the first call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device as a call via a data network or in response to the selected option indicating the second call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device via a PSTN.

Apparatus and methods concerning call routing are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a call alert message, indicative of the call answer options, is communicated from a data-communications server to the communication device, determined in response to receiving an incoming call for a communication device at the server. A selected option is received from the communication device. In response to the selected option indicating the first call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device as a call via a data network or in response to the selected option indicating the second call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device via a PSTN.

A computer-implemented method for real-time modification of notification tones to distinguish an intended recipient of a notification tone is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes monitoring an audio stream of an online conference for one or more audio notification tones. The computer-implemented method further includes detecting that a notification tone generated outside of the online conference matches the notification tone of an application or user device associated with two or more participants of the online conference. The computer-implemented method further includes responsive to detecting that the notification tone matches the notification tone of an application or user device associated with two or more participants of the online conference, generating an ameliorative action associated with the notification tone.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a switching method and a switching device. When a mobile terminal needs to be switched from a first communication network to a second communication network, detecting whether the mobile terminal is in a ringing state. When the mobile terminal is in the ringing state, detecting whether the mobile terminal is switched from the ringing state into a connecting state within a predetermined time period. When the mobile terminal is switched from the ringing state into the connecting state within the predetermined time period, performing an IMS registration through the second communication network to connect the mobile terminal to the second communication network.

A variety of haptic improvements useful in mobile devices are detailed. In one, a smartphone captures image data from a physical object, and discerns an object identifier from the imagery (e.g., using watermark, barcode, or fingerprint techniques). This identifier is sent to a remote data structure, which returns data defining a distinct haptic signature associated with that object. This smartphone then renders this haptic signal to the user. (Related embodiments identify the object using other means, such as location, or NFC chip.) In another arrangement, haptic feedback signals social network information about a product or place (e.g., the user's social network friends “Like” a particular brand of beverage). In yet another arrangement, the experience of watching a movie on a television screen is augmented by tactile effects issued by a tablet computer on the viewer's lap. In still another arrangement, commercial vendors bid for rights to employ different ones of a library of haptic signals on one or more users' smartphones, e.g., to alert such user(s) to their products/services. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

A variety of haptic improvements useful in mobile devices are detailed. In one, a smartphone captures image data from a physical object, and discerns an object identifier from the imagery (e.g., using watermark, barcode, or fingerprint techniques). This identifier is sent to a remote data structure, which returns data defining a distinct haptic signature associated with that object. This smartphone then renders this haptic signal to the user. (Related embodiments identify the object using other means, such as location, or NFC chip.) In another arrangement, haptic feedback signals social network information about a product or place (e.g., the user's social network friends “Like” a particular brand of beverage). In yet another arrangement, the experience of watching a movie on a television screen is augmented by tactile effects issued by a tablet computer on the viewer's lap. In still another arrangement, commercial vendors bid for rights to employ different ones of a library of haptic signals on one or more users' smartphones, e.g., to alert such user(s) to their products/services. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.