DUPLEX AUDIO FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND ACCESSORY

• US 20100227643A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Yew, Jason J., Bolton, Lawrence G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/20 Reducing echo effects or singing; Opening or closing transmitting path; Conditioning for transmission in one direction or the other
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/02 for preventing acoustic reaction , i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/453
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

Duplex audio is provided for a mobile communication device and an accessory. In some embodiments, the accessory can selectably operate in a duplex audio mode, concurrently sending audio to and receiving audio from the mobile communication device, or in another audio mode. In duplex audio mode, the accessory can enable its internal audio processing operations (e.g., echo cancellation) while the mobile communication device disables its corresponding internal operations or vice versa. The mobile communication device can control when the accessory transitions into and/or out of duplex audio mode.

Claims

1. A method for use in an accessory, the method comprising:

receiving a first audio signal via an audio output path from a mobile communication device communicably coupled to the accessory and generating audio output based on the first audio signal;

while receiving the first audio signal, receiving a notification from the mobile communication device to enter a duplex audio mode; and

in response to the notification and while continuing to receive the first audio signal and generate output audio based on the first audio signal;

enabling an audio input path to provide an audio input to the mobile communication device;

receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source;

performing at least one audio processing operation on the second audio signal; and

delivering the processed second audio signal on the audio input line to the mobile communication device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second audio source comprises a microphone.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one audio processing operation includes an echo cancellation operation.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one audio processing operation includes a noise reduction operation.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the notification comprises a notification that a phone call is beginning.

6. An accessory for use with a mobile communication device, the accessory comprising:

an audio processing section configured to perform audio processing and audio signal routing, wherein the audio processing includes echo cancellation processing; and

an input/output (I/O) interface coupled to the audio processing section and configured to communicate with a mobile communication device, the I/O interface including an audio-in signal path configured to transfer an input audio signal from the audio processing section to the mobile communication device and an audio-out signal path configured to receive an output audio signal from the mobile communication device and to transfer the received output audio signal to the audio processing section,

the I/O interface further including a control signal path configured to receive notifications from the mobile communication device,

wherein the audio processing section is selectably operable in a duplex mode in which the audio-in signal path and audio-out signal path are concurrently active and also operable in a simplex mode in which only one of the audio-in signal path or the audio-out signal path is active, and

wherein the audio processing section is further configured to select the duplex mode or the simplex mode in response to a notification received from the mobile communication device and to enable the echo cancellation processing only when the duplex mode is selected.

7. The accessory of claim 6 further comprising:

a speaker coupled to the audio processing section and responsive to a first audio signal from the audio processing section; and

a microphone coupled to the audio processing section such that the audio processing section receives a second audio signal from the microphone,

wherein the audio processing section is further configured such that when the duplex mode is selected, the audio processing section performs the echo cancellation processing on the second audio signal and routes the processed second audio signal to the audio-in signal path and further routes a signal from the audio-out signal path as the first audio signal to the speaker.

8. The accessory of claim 6 wherein the audio processing system is further configured to select the duplex mode in response to a notification from the mobile communication device that a telephone call is beginning and to select the simplex mode in response to a notification from the mobile communication device that the telephone call is ending.

9. The accessory of claim 8 further comprising:

a user-operable input control,

wherein the I/O interface is further configured to signal to the mobile communication device, in response to user operation of the user-operable input control, that an incoming telephone call should be answered.

10. The accessory of claim 8 further comprising:

a user interface operable by a user to place a telephone call,

wherein the I/O interface is further configured to send a command to the mobile communication device, the command including a direction for placing the telephone call.

11. The accessory of claim 6 wherein the interface is further configured to communicate capability information to the mobile communication device, the capability information including an indication that the accessory is operable in the duplex mode.

12. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions that, when executed by a processor of an accessory, cause the processor to execute a method comprising:

signaling to a mobile communication device connected to the accessory that the accessory is operable in a duplex audio mode;

receiving a notification from the mobile communication device to enter the duplex audio mode; and

in response to the notification;

enabling an audio output path of the accessory to receive an audio output signal from the mobile communication device and enabling an audio input path to provide an audio input signal to the mobile communication device;

configuring an audio section of the accessory to concurrently receive a first audio signal from the mobile communication device via the audio output path and a second audio signal from a microphone and;

further configuring the audio section of the accessory to perform at least one audio processing operation on the second audio signal and to route the processed second audio signal onto the audio input path; and

further configuring the audio section of the accessory to route the first audio signal to a speaker concurrently with routing the processed second audio signal to the audio input path.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a notification from the mobile communication device to exit the duplex audio mode; and

in response to the notification to exit the duplex mode, disabling the audio input path from providing an audio input signal to the mobile communication device.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a notification from the mobile communication device to exit the duplex audio mode; and

in response to the notification to exit the duplex mode, disabling the audio output path from receiving an audio output signal from the mobile communication device.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14 wherein the method further comprises:

in response to the notification to exit the duplex audio mode, configuring the audio section of the accessory to cease performing the at least one audio processing operation.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 14 wherein the at least one audio processing operation includes an echo cancellation operation performed on the second audio signal using the first audio signal.

17. A method for use in a mobile communication device having a telephone interface, the method comprising:

determining that an accessory connected to the mobile communication device supports a duplex audio mode;

routing an audio output signal from a first source to an audio-out path connected to the accessory;

detecting initiation of a telephone call; and

in response to detecting initiation of the telephone call;

notifying the accessory that a telephone call is in progress;

routing an audio output signal from the telephone interface to the audio output path;

concurrently with routing the audio output signal receiving an audio input signal from the accessory on an audio-in path;

routing the received audio input signal to the telephone interface; and

disabling an internal echo cancellation between the audio output signal and the audio input signal.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

detecting termination of the telephone call; and

in response to detecting termination of the telephone call;

notifying the accessory that the telephone call is terminated;

discontinuing routing of the received audio input signal to the telephone interface; and

discontinuing routing of the audio output signal from the telephone interface to the audio output path.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

in response to detecting initiation of the telephone call, discontinuing routing of the audio output signal from the first source to the audio output path; and

in response to detecting termination of the telephone call, resuming routing of the audio output signal from the first source to the audio output path.

20. A mobile communication device comprising:

a telephone interface configured to communicate with a mobile telephone network;

a speaker;

a microphone;

an audio-out signal path configured to transmit an output audio signal to an accessory;

an audio-in signal path configured to receive an input audio signal from an accessory; and

an audio section configured to process and route audio signals, wherein the audio section is configurable to route a first audio signal from the telephone interface to either the speaker or the audio-out signal path and to route a second audio signal from either the microphone or the audio-in signal path to the telephone interface, and wherein the processing of audio signals includes echo cancellation processing,

wherein the audio section is further configured such that, in the event that an accessory operable in a duplex audio mode is connected to the audio-out signal path and the audio-in signal path, the echo cancellation processing of the audio section is disabled and a first audio signal related to a telephone call is routed from the telephone interface to the audio-out signal path while a second audio signal related to the telephone call is routed from the audio-in signal path to the telephone interface.

21. The mobile communication device of claim 20 further comprising an input/output (I/O) interface configured to communicate messages with the accessory, wherein the messages include:

a first notification sendable by the mobile communication device, the first notification indicating that a phone call is being initiated; and

a second notification sendable by the mobile communication device, the second notification indicating that a phone call is being terminated.

22. The mobile communication device of claim 21 wherein the messages further include:

a first command message receivable by the mobile communication device, the first command message indicating that an incoming telephone call should be answered; and

a second command message receivable by the mobile communication device, the second command message indicating that an in-progress telephone call should be terminated.

23. The mobile communication device of claim 21 wherein the messages further include:

a dialing command message receivable by the mobile communication device, the dialing command message indicating that a telephone call should be placed.

24. The mobile communication device of claim 21 wherein the messages further include:

a capability information message receivable by the mobile communication device, the capability information message indicating whether the accessory is operable in the duplex audio mode.

25. The mobile communication device of claim 20 further comprising:

a storage device configured to store media assets in digital form;

a digital audio processor configured to generate an audio signal from a stored media asset,

wherein the audio section is further configured such that, in the event the accessory is connected to the audio-output signal path while the digital audio processor is operative, the audio signal generated by the digital audio processor is routed to the audio-out signal path.