Communications system providing automatic text-to-speech conversion features and related methods

Abstract

An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 457,927, filed on Mar. 13, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 960,867, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,596,339, filed on Dec. 7, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 255,345, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,237,219, filed on April 17,2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 047,482, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,731,531, filed on Oct. 7, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 493,538, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,554,254, filed on Jun. 11, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 304,788, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,295, filed on Nov. 28, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 081,753, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,086,289, filed on Apr. 7, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 632,359, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,937,12...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communications network that provides enhanced text-to-speech conversion and delivery features for text (i.e., email) messages and related methods.

[0010]Accordingly, the mobile wireless communications device may automatically recognize when the user connects a headset to the headset output and enter the audio message mode based thereon. Thus, the user need not place a call to a message delivery system each time he wishes to turn the system on or off. Nor does the user have to remember to enable the service at his computer before leaving his office. Instead, the user may begin receiving audio messages simply be establishing a connection between his headset and the headset output.

[0011]To provide still further user convenience, the headset output may be a wireless headset output for establishing a wireless connection with the headset (e.g., a Bluetooth enabled headset). Of course, the headset output may be a headset jack for a wired headset as well. Moreover, the at least one wireless communications device may further include a user interface device, and the controller may switch to the audio message mode based upon an audio message mode command provided by a user via the user interface device. That is, the user may manually place the controller in the audio message mode, which may be advantageous when the user does not have his headset handy but still wishes to listen to audio messages instead of having to read the corresponding text messages.

Problems solved by technology

Of course, cellular telephone usage can be problematic in some situations.

In particular, many accidents have occurred because of drivers who become distracted while using their cellular phones.

While headsets work well for telephone calls, they are typically of no value when it comes to accessing email messages on multi-function cellular telephone devices.

Users with multi-function devices that receive text email messages may find it cumbersome to call a service provider whenever they wish to turn audio message delivery on or off.

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