Communication device capable of ambient sound level controlled transmissions

• US 5,093,658 A
• Filed: 07/16/1990
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grothause, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Magistre, Dervis
• Application Number:
  US07/552,957
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/539, 340/540, 340/825.44, 340/825.47, 340/825.48, 340/311.1, 367/197, 367/198, 381/56, 381/57, 455/232, 455/234, 455/235, 379/40
• US Class Current: 455/73
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/32 the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits

Abstract

A communication device (10) measures and compares (16,18) the ambient sound level of its environment. When the current ambient sound level exceeds a given threshold (52) the communication device automatically transmits (38) an information signal (44). Optionally, the communication devices'"'"'s volume is also adjusted (26).

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

input means for determining ambient sound level;

comparison means responsive to the input means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level;

transmission means responsive to the comparison means for automatically transmitting an information signal related to the ambient sound when the ambient sound level exceeds the threshold;

receiver means coupled to the transmission means for receiving an information signal; and

means for automatically adjusting the volume level of the receiver means to a predetermined level in response to the ambient sound level exceeding the threshold.

2. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the input means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient sound energy residing in an audible frequency band.

3. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the input means for determining ambient sound level comprises means for determining ambient noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.

4. In a communication device, a method for ambient sound level controlled transmissions, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining the ambient sound level;

(b) comparing the ambient sound level to a predetermined stored level;

(c) transmitting an information signal related to the ambient sound when it is determined that the ambient sound level has exceeded a predetermined threshold;

(d) receiving an information signal; and

(e) adjusting the volume level of the received information signal to a predetermined level when it is determined that the ambient sound level has exceeded the threshold.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein step (a) comprises:

determining sound energy residing in an audible spectral band.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein step (a) comprises:

determining noise energy residing in a predetermined frequency band.