Communication link termination indication signal method and apparatus

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An electronic communication device, comprising:
a signal processor configured to communicate over one or more active wireless communications links, each wireless communications link being configured to transmit voice signals and data signals different from the voice signals; memory storing data representing a termination signal for indicating termination of an active wireless communications link, the termination signal comprising at least one of a visual signal or an audio signal; an output device comprising at least one of a display screen or an audible signal driver; a transceiver; and a communication link termination detector configured to perform operations of monitoring the transceiver and detecting the termination of the active wireless communications link; wherein the signal processor is configured to cause the termination signal to be supplied to the output device in response to the communication link termination detector determining the termination of the active wireless communication link, wherein the termination signal is operable to correct a user impression that the wireless communications link is still active; wherein determining the termination of the active wireless communications link comprises:
detecting absence of an expected and recurring signal;confirming that the absence indicates the termination of the active wireless communications link, including initiating a transmission over the wireless communications link, the transmission corresponding to an expected response; anddetermining the termination of the active wireless communications link upon determining that the expected response is not received by the communication link termination detector.