Speaker Phone Mode Operation of a Mobile Device

• US 20120015697A1
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Spencer, Bradford Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US12/837,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20120015697A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A mobile device configured for hands-free operation includes a detection mechanism configured to detect an orientation of the mobile device; a microphone; a speaker that generates audio sound when the mobile device is in a speaker phone mode; and a processor module coupled to the detection mechanism and the speaker. The processor module is adapted to initiate a voice call using a voice dialing mode, where the mobile device dials a telephone number based on commands received through the microphone; determine an active voice call status when the voice call is active; detect a current orientation of the mobile device received from the detection mechanism; determine whether the detected current orientation is within a predetermined threshold that is indicative of a speaker phone mode operating orientation; and switch the mobile device to a speaker phone mode, when the detected current orientation indicates the speaker phone mode operating orientation.

Claims

1. A mobile device configured for hands-free operation, the mobile device comprising:

a detection mechanism configured to detect an orientation of the mobile device;

a microphone;

a speaker that generates audio sound when the mobile device is in a speaker phone mode; and

a processor module coupled to the detection mechanism and the speaker, wherein the processor module is adapted to;

initiate a voice call using a voice dialing mode, wherein the mobile device dials a telephone number based on commands received through the microphone;

determine an active voice call status when the voice call is active;

detect a current orientation of the mobile device received from the detection mechanism;

determine whether the detected current orientation is within a predetermined threshold that is indicative of a speaker phone mode operating orientation; and

switch the mobile device to a speaker phone mode, when the detected current orientation indicates the speaker phone mode operating orientation.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to detect proximity to an operator.

3. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to detect proximity to an operator'"'"'s ear.

4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to detect motion of the device relative to the operator'"'"'s ear.

5. The mobile device of claim 4, wherein the switching to the speaker phone mode is dependent upon the motion of the mobile device away from the operator'"'"'s ear.

6. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein the detection mechanism detects a decrease in amplitude of the operator'"'"'s voice indicating that the mobile device is away from the operator'"'"'s ear.

7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to detect orientation of a front face of the mobile device in relation to a gravitational force.

8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the switching to the speaker phone mode is dependent upon the determination of a horizontal orientation of the front face of the mobile device.

9. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to analyze the operator'"'"'s voice received by the microphone.

10. A mobile communication device comprising:

a processor,

an orientation detection assembly;

in communication with the processor, and

operative to detect a current orientation of the communication device; and

a computer-readable medium;

in communication with the processor, and

comprising instructions, that when executed by the processor, are operative to configure the mobile device to a speaker phone mode when the detected orientation is within a predetermined threshold and a voice call has been placed.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein detecting the current orientation includes detecting orientation of a front face of the mobile device in relation to a gravitational force.

12. A method for speaker phone mode operation of a mobile device, comprising:

detecting a voice call on the mobile device;

detecting a current orientation of the mobile device;

determining whether the current orientation is within a predetermined threshold that is indicative of a speaker phone mode operating orientation; and

switching the mobile device to a speaker phone mode if a determination is made that the mobile device is in a speaker phone mode operating orientation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting the current orientation includes detecting proximity to an operator.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting the current orientation includes detecting proximity to an operator'"'"'s ear.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting the current orientation includes detecting motion of the device relative to an operator'"'"'s ear.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the switching to the speaker phone mode is dependent upon the motion of the mobile device away from the operator'"'"'s ear.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting the current orientation includes detecting a decrease in amplitude of the operator'"'"'s voice indicating that the mobile device is away from the operator'"'"'s ear.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting the current orientation includes detecting orientation of a front face of the mobile device in relation to a gravitational force.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the switching to the speaker phone mode is dependent upon the determination of a horizontal orientation of the front face of the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting the current orientation includes analyzing the operator'"'"'s voice received by a microphone.