System and Method For Reducing Radio Frequency Interference Between A Wireless Communication Device And A Speaker

• US 20110222709A1
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• 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 8,737,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/94.1
• 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 an interference caused by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

monitoring a microphone input of the wireless communication device;

detecting a noise from a speaker, the speaker being separate from and in a proximity of the wireless communication device, the noise caused by the interference between the wireless communication device and the speaker; and

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

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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 communication device to the standard power transmission level when said predefined event threshold is reached.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that data retransmissions are acceptable before reducing the power transmission level.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the 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 by not transmitting data from the wireless communication device.

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

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the initiating the predefined event comprises determining a geospatial position of the wireless communication device and the predefined event threshold is a predefined distance travelled.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the geo spatial position and predefined distance travelled are determined using at least one of an accelerometer, global positioning system, and a motion sensor.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the initiating the predefined event comprises starting a timer and the predefined event threshold further includes a predefined duration of time.

10. A wireless communication device comprising:

a microphone;

a noise detection unit monitoring the microphone to detect a noise from a speaker, the speaker being separate from and in a proximity of the wireless communication device, the noise caused by an interference between the wireless communication device and the speaker; and

a power controller configured to reduce a power transmission level of the wireless communication device when the noise is detected.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 10, further comprising:

an event unit configured to trigger an event when the noise is detected; and

an event monitor configured to monitor a progress of the triggered event, wherein when the triggered event reaches a predefined event threshold, the power controller returns the power transmission level of the wireless communication device to a standard power transmission level.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, further including a data determination unit configured to determine if data retransmissions are acceptable before reducing the power transmission level.

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

14. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the power controller is configured to reduce the power transmission level by not transmitting data from the wireless communication device.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the event unit comprises a timer and the predefined event threshold is a predefined duration of time.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the event unit comprises a geospatial positioning device configured to determine a geospatial position of the wireless communication device and the predefined event threshold is a predefined distance travelled.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein the geospatial positioning device is at least one of an accelerometer, global positioning system, and a motion sensor.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein the event unit further comprises a timer and the predefined event threshold further includes a predefined duration of time.

19. A non-transitory data storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed on a wireless communication device, cause the wireless communication device to facilitate reducing an interference caused by the wireless communication device by implementing:

monitoring a microphone input of the wireless communication device;

detecting a noise from a speaker, the speaker being separate from and in a proximity of the wireless communication device, the noise caused by the interference between the wireless communication device and the speaker; and

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