Automatic handset-speakephone switching arrangement for portable communication device
First Claim
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1. A wireless personal communicator, comprising:
- a portable unit including an input-to-electrical transducer and an electrical-to-audio output transducer;
range detection apparatus for measuring a distance of the portable unit from a user;
conversion apparatus connected to respond to the range detection apparatus and responsive to a measured threshold distance for controlling a mode of operation of the communicator and a transition from a handset modal operation below a threshold distance and thence through a transition modal-free region to a speakerphone operation at a distance greater than the threshold distance.
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Abstract
A personal communicator handset is designed to operate as both a handset and as a speakerphone and to automatically switch between the two modes based on distance between the handset and the user'"'"'s ear. This distance is determined by an infrared range detection unit built into the handset.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A wireless personal communicator, comprising:
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a portable unit including an input-to-electrical transducer and an electrical-to-audio output transducer; range detection apparatus for measuring a distance of the portable unit from a user; conversion apparatus connected to respond to the range detection apparatus and responsive to a measured threshold distance for controlling a mode of operation of the communicator and a transition from a handset modal operation below a threshold distance and thence through a transition modal-free region to a speakerphone operation at a distance greater than the threshold distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A wireless portable personal radiotelephone communication device, comprising:
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a portable subscriber handheld structure including in a single package, an audio input-to-electrical transducer and an electrical-to-audio output transducer, the electrical-to-audio output transducer selectively alternatively operative in one mode of operation of an ear coupled handset mode, a continuous transition mode and an open air loudspeaker mode; a control for controlling selection of the mode of operation for the electrical-to-audio output transducer, including; range detection apparatus for determining a distance between the electrical-to-audio output transducer of the handheld structure and an ear of a user of the handheld structure; and signal control means for controlling an electrical information signal sent to the electrical-to-audio output transducer to optimize its operation in the selected one of the ear coupled handset mode, the transition mode and the open air loudspeaker mode. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a portable wireless communication device comprising the steps of:
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measuring a distance between a portable wireless communication device and its user; adjusting input and output acoustic levels of the portable communication device in response to the distance measure to operate as a speakerphone at long distance greater than a median distance and as a handset at short distance less than a median distance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a portable wireless communication device comprising the steps of:
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operating the portable wireless communication device in a modal mode upon its turn on; measuring a distance between a portable wireless communication device and its user; evaluating the measured distance to detect an error of measured distance and restricting operational modes to modal use if error is detected; if no error is determined, adjusting input and output acoustic levels of the portable communication device in response to the distance measure to operate as a speakerphone at long distance greater than a median distance and as a handset at short distances less than a median distance, and adjusting acoustic equalization as a function of the distance and prior equalization states. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification