Telephone and telephone accessory signal generator and methods and devices using the same

Abstract

A device includes a telephone accessory configured and arranged to transmit an audio signal; and an audio effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory or a video effects generator. The audio effects generator can produce at least one user-initiated audio effect that is transmitted as part of the audio signal. The video effects generator can produce at least one user-initiated visual effect altering an image transmitted by the telephone accessory.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a telephone accessory configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit an audio signal to an associated telephone; and   an audio effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory and configured and arranged to produce at least one user-initiated audio effect that is transmitted as part of the audio signal.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises an audio effect that simulates degradation in the quality of a telephone connection or simulates interference or renders a voice unintelligible. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises a gap in the audio signal. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the gap in the audio signal is repeated at random intervals. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises raising or lowering a pitch of a voice in the audio signal. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises an audio effect that masks a voice in the audio signal. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises an audio effect that alters an accent of a voice in the audio signal. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises translating at least a portion of the audio signal. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user-initiated audio effect comprises a background noise comprising traffic or office noise. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , the telephone accessory comprises a telephone headset. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone accessory comprises an automobile “hands free” system. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a recorder configured and arranged to record at least one of the user-initiated audio effects. 
   
   
       13 . A device, comprising:
 a telephone accessory configured and arranged to transmit an audio signal; and   a visual effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory and configured and arranged to produce at least one user-initiated visual effect altering an image transmitted by the telephone accessory.   
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the visual effects generator is configured and arranged to alter a picture transmitted by the telephone accessory. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the visual effects generator is configured and arranged to alter video transmitted by the telephone accessory. 
   
   
       16 . A method of using a telephone accessory, the method comprising:
 wirelessly transmitting an audio signal to an associated telephone using the telephone accessory; and   activating an audio effects generator coupled to the telephone accessory to produce at least one user-initiated audio effect that is transmitted as part of the audio signal.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein activating an audio effects generator comprises actuating one or more buttons or keys on the telephone accessory to activate the audio effects generator. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising actuating one or more buttons or keys on the telephone accessory to modify a characteristic of the user-initiated audio effect. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the telephone accessory is a telephone headset. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the telephone accessory is an automobile “hands free” system.