System and method for reducing radio frequency interference between a wireless communication device and a speaker

• US 20070133818A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/94.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/02 Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2215/061 Reduction of burst noise, e.g. in TDMA systems

Abstract

A device and method are provided that reduce interference between a wireless communication device and a speaker. Generally speaking, a microphone input is monitored for detecting noise created by the interference. If noise is detected, a power transmission level of the wireless device is reduced from a standard power transmission level.

Claims

1. A method for reducing interference between a wireless communication device and a speaker, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a microphone input for detecting noise created by the interference; and

reducing a power transmission level of the wireless device from a standard power transmission level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

initiating a predefined event;

monitoring the predefined event to determine when a predefined event threshold is reached; and

returning the power transmission level of the wireless device to the standard power transmission level when said predefined event threshold is reached.

3. The method of claim 2 further including the step of determining that data retransmissions are acceptable before reducing the power transmission level.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining that data retransmissions are acceptable comprises interpreting a Quality of Service indicator.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the power transmission level is reduced to a low power transmission level.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the power transmission level is reduced by not transmitting data from the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of initiating the predefined event comprises starting a timer and the predefined event threshold is a predefined duration of time.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of initiating the predefined event comprises determining a geospatial position of the wireless device and the predefined event threshold is a predefined distance traveled.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the geospatial position and predefined distance traveled are determined using at least one of an accelerometer, global positioning system, and a motion sensor.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of initiating the predefined event further comprises starting a timer and the predefined event threshold further includes a predefined duration of time.

11. A wireless communication device configured to reduce interference with a speaker, the wireless communication device comprising:

a noise detection unit configured to detect noise caused by the interference; and

a power controller configured to reduce a power transmission level of the wireless device in response to the detection of noise by the noise detection unit.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

an event unit configured to trigger an event in response to the detection of noise by the noise detection unit; and

an event monitor configured to detect when the triggered event reaches a predefined event threshold and instruct the power controller to return the power transmission level of the wireless device to the standard power transmission level.

13. The device of claim 12 further including a data determination unit configured to determine if data retransmissions are acceptable before reducing the power transmission level.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the data determination unit determines that data retransmissions are acceptable in accordance with a Quality of Service indicator.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the power controller is configured to reduce the power transmission level to a low power transmission level.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the power controller is configured to reduce the power transmission level by not transmitting data from the wireless device.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the event unit comprises a timer and the predefined event threshold is a predefined duration of time.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the event unit comprises a geospatial positioning device configured to determine a geospatial position of the wireless device and the predefined event threshold is a predefined distance traveled.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the geospatial positioning device is at least one of an accelerometer, global positioning system, and a motion sensor.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein the event unit further comprises a timer and the predefined event threshold further includes a predefined duration of time.

21. A data storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed on a wireless device, cause the wireless device to facilitate reduced interference with a speaker by implementing the steps of:

monitoring a microphone input for detecting noise created by the interference; and

reducing a power transmission level of the wireless device from a standard power transmission level.