Dialed digits based vocoder assignment

1. A method, for updating a preferred dial string list stored in a memory of a communications device, comprising:

receiving, by the communications device, a text message comprising a specific preferred dial string to be added to the preferred dial string list stored in the memory of the communications device, the specific preferred dial string being associated with a predetermined characteristic;

extracting, by the communications device, the specific preferred dial string from the text message; and

storing, by communications device, to the memory, the specific preferred dial string as part of the preferred dial string list.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating, by the communications device, an encoded signal having the predetermined characteristic associated with the specific preferred dial string in response to the communications device receiving an input including the specific preferred dial string via an input interface of the communications device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the generating, comprises generating, by the communications device, the encoded signal having the predetermined characteristic using a vocoder, and wherein the method further comprises selecting an appropriate mode of the vocoder to generate the encoded signal.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the appropriate vocoder mode of the vocoder corresponds to a designated bit rate of operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined characteristic is a desired voice quality.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the predetermined characteristic is a high voice quality; and

the generating comprises generating, by the communications device, the encoded signal at a highest bit rate of a vocoder.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined characteristics is a desired bandwidth.

8. A communications device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a text message comprising a specific preferred dial string to be added to a preferred dial string list, the specific preferred dial string being associated with a predetermined characteristic;

a processor in communication with the receiver; and

a memory in communication with the processor and comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

extracting the specific preferred dial string from the text message; and

storing, to the memory, the specific preferred dial string as part of the preferred dial string list.

9. The communications device of claim 8 , further comprising an adjustable mode vocoder and an input interface, wherein the operations further comprise instructing the adjustable mode vocoder to generate an encoded signal having the predetermined characteristic associated with the specific preferred dial string in response to, via the receive, receiving an input including the specific preferred dial string via an input interface.

10. The communications device of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise selecting an appropriate mode of the adjustable mode vocoder for the adjustable mode vocoder to use in generating the encoded signal.

11. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise selecting a designated bit rate of operation as the appropriate mode of the adjustable mode vocoder for generating the encoded signal.

12. The communications device of claim 9 , wherein:

the predetermined characteristic is a desired voice quality; and

the operations further comprise instructing the adjustable mode vocoder to generate the encoded signal at a bit rate that is capable of producing the desired voice quality.

13. The communications device of claim 9 , wherein:

the predetermined characteristic is a high voice quality; and

the controller is further configured to instruct the adjustable mode vocoder to generate the encoded signal at a highest bit rate.

14. The communications device of claim 9 , wherein:

the predetermined characteristic is a desired bandwidth; and

the operations further comprise instructing the adjustable mode vocoder to generate the encoded signal such that the encoded signal can be transmitted within the desired bandwidth.

15. A method, for adding a new STAR service to a communications device by updating a preferred dial string list stored in a memory of the communications device, comprising:

receiving, the communications device, a text message comprising a specific preferred dial string to be added to the preferred dial string list stored in the memory of the communications device, the specific preferred dial string being associated with a predetermined characteristic and identifying the new STAR service to be added the communications device;

extracting, the communications device, the specific preferred dial string from the text message; and

storing, by the communications device, in the memory, the specific preferred dial string as part of the preferred dial string list.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising generating, the communications device, an encoded signal having the predetermined characteristic, the encoded signal initiating the new STAR service identified by the specific preferred dial string.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein:

the generating comprises generating, by the communications device, the encoded signal having the predetermined characteristic using a vocoder; and

the method further comprises selecting an appropriate mode of the vocoder to generate the encoded signal in accordance with needs of the new STAR service.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the appropriate mode of the vocoder is a designated bit rate of operation.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein:

the predetermined characteristic is a high voice quality; and

the generating comprises generating, by the communications device, the encoded signal at a highest bit rate of a vocoder.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined characteristic is a desired voice quality.