Method, system, and apparatus for overriding a ring back signal

Abstract

Overriding a ring back signal involves receiving a ring back signal at a communications apparatus from a communication network in response to a user-initiated connection request. The ring back signal is rendered to a user of the communications apparatus, and a user input is received at the communications device to override the ring back signal. An alternate output is rendered in place of the ring back signal.

1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a ring back signal at a communications apparatus from a communication network;   overriding the ring back signal; and   rendering an alternate output via a preconfigured application in place of the ring back signal,   wherein the application is based on a context of one of the communications apparatus and a target device to which a connection request is targeted.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is from a plurality of applications of the communications apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ring back signal is received in response to a user initiated connection request. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the context is an identity of the target device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternate output comprises video content. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternate output is retrieved from the communications apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication network comprises a telephonic communication network. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the telephonic communication network comprises at least one of a cellular network, a public switched telephone network, and a packet switched data network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the connection request spans at least two of the cellular network, the public switched telephone network, and the packet switched data network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a call connect signal from the communication network; and   stopping the alternate output in response to the call connect signal.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the call connect signal is received in response to a user initiated connection request. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ring back signal comprises a personalized ring back tone. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the context is a network used by the target device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection request is targeted to establish a video call. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ring back signal comprises a signal that is rendered visually. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which are executable by an apparatus for performing steps that include:
 receiving a ring back signal at a communications apparatus from a communication network;   overriding the ring back signal; and   rendering an alternate output via a preconfigured application in place of the ring back signal,   wherein the application is based on a context of one of the communications apparatus and a target device to which a connection request is targeted.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein rendering the alternate output renders the alternate output to head phones.