In-call, audible call waiting

A method for providing communications between a handsfree device and a user wireless device engaged in communications with a network providing a call-waiting feature and caller-ID information, comprising:

• presenting acoustically a call-waiting notification of a second call to a user when the wireless device is engaged in a first call;
• receiving a response to the call-waiting notification from the user;
• presenting caller-ID information related to the second call acoustically to the user in response to receiving the call-waiting notification response;
• receiving a first manual input on a first button of the handsfree device prior to engaging in the first call;
• and
• presenting a predetermined response acoustically to the user in response to the receiving of the first manual input, wherein
• the response to the call-waiting notification is received in response to a second manual input on the first button, and whereby
• the caller-ID information is presented instead of the predetermined response in response to activating the first button, thereby reducing driver distraction when the user of the handsfree device is operating a vehicle.

An apparatus for enabling handsfree communications via a wireless device engaged in communication with a network providing a call-waiting feature and caller identity information, comprising:

• a transceiver;
• a user-activated input device that accepts a user command;
• a speaker switchably coupled to the transceiver, that converts signals received by the transceiver into audible signals;
• a microphone, switchably coupled to the transceiver, that converts acoustic signals into electrical signals to be transmitted by the transceiver;
• and
• a processor and associated memory, configured to:
• receive caller identity information from the wireless device for a second call while a first call is in progress;
• deliver an alert to the speaker indicating the second call;
• convert the caller identity information to a speech signal in response to user input via the user interface;
• decouple the speaker and the microphone from the transceiver;
• couple the speaker to the processor to deliver the speech signal;
• accept a first activation of the user-activated input device prior to the first call;
• convert a predetermined response to a predetermined speech signal for delivery on the first acoustic transducer in response to the first activation;
• deliver the alert to the speaker signifying the second call during the first call;
• and
• accept a second activation of the user-activated input device after the alert, wherein
• the speech signal is coupled to the speaker in response to the second activation of the user-activated input, thereby providing the caller identity signal instead of the predetermined response in response to the second call.

A method for providing communications between a handsfree device, including a transceiver, a user-activated input device, a speaker and a microphone switchably coupled to the transceiver, and a processor and associated memory, and a wireless device engaged in communications with a network providing a call-waiting feature and caller identity information, said method comprising:

• accepting from the wireless device an indication of a second call made by a caller and directed to the wireless device while the wireless device is engaged in a first call:
• receiving an indication of an identity of the caller from the wireless device;
• delivering an alert to a user of the wireless device signifying the indication of the second call;
• accepting an activation of the user-activated input device by the user;
• converting to a speech signal, in response to the activation of the user-activated input device, the indication of the caller identity;
• decoupling the speaker and the microphone from the transceiver, in response to the activation of the user-activated input device;
• coupling, in response to the activation of the user-activated input device, the speaker to the transceiver to deliver the speech signal;
• accepting a first activation of the user-activated input device prior to the first call;
• converting a predetermined response to a predetermined speech signal for presentation on the speaker in response to the first activation;
• and
• accepting a second activation of the user-activated input device after the alert, whereby
• the speech signal provides a caller identity signal instead of the predetermined response in response the second call.