Communications devices and methods that operate according to communications device orientations determined by reference to gravitational sensors

• US 6,411,828 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Wireless Technology, LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Banh, An Tuyen, Lands, Robert Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEST, LEWIS G
• Application Number:
  US09/272,926
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569, 455/557, 455/550, 455/575, 455/567, 455/11.1, 455/462, 379/388.01, 379/388.02, 379/388.03, 379/390.01, 379/390.03, 379/420.01, 379/420.02, 379/420.03
• 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 wireless user terminal operates in a mode that is selected based on an indication of the orientation of the wireless user terminal from a gravitational sensor in the wireless user terminal. When the wireless user terminal is in a first orientation, the wireless user terminal operates in a speakerphone mode. When the wireless user terminal is in a second orientation, the wireless user terminal operates in a handset mode. The mode of operation of the wireless user terminal transitions based on movement of the wireless user terminal from the first orientation to the second orientation. For example, when the wireless user terminal placed in a horizontal orientation, one of the speakerphone modes is selected. When the user picks up the wireless user terminal, the wireless user terminal transitions to handset mode. In a personal speakerphone mode, the volume to a handset speaker in the wireless user terminal is increased so that a call may be carried on without holding the wireless user terminal near the user'"'"'s ear and mouth. In a conference speakerphone mode, the wireless user terminal transmits/receives audio signals to/from an external speaker and external microphone.

Claims

1. A communications device providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, said communications device comprising:

a gravitational sensor that senses first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

a processor, responsive to the gravitational sensor, that selects speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and that selects handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the processor determines that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation of the communications device changes from speakerphone mode of operation to handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the communications device has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

3. The communications device of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiver, coupled to the processor, that receives audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

an amplifier, responsive to the processor, that amplifies the received audio signals by applying first and second amplifier gains to the amplifier to provide amplified audio signals, wherein the first amplifier gain is applied to the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode and wherein the second amplifier gain is applied to the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

a speaker, responsive to the amplifier, that reproduces sounds from the amplified audio signals.

4. The communications device of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiver, coupled to the processor, that receives audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

a handset speaker, coupled to the processor, that reproduces sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

a speakerphone speaker, coupled to the processor, that reproduces sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

5. The communications device of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiver, coupled to the processor, that receives audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

a handset speaker, coupled to the processor, that reproduces sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

an external speaker transmitter, coupled to the processor, that wirelessly transmits the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

6. The communications device of claim 5 further comprising:

an internal microphone, coupled to the processor, that provides transmit audio signals in response to sounds, wherein the transmit audio signals are transmitted to the remote communications device when the communications device operates in the handset mode; and

an external microphone receiver, coupled to the processor, that receives wireless transmissions when the communications device operates in the speakerphone mode.

7. A communications device providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, said communications device comprising:

a gravitational sensor that senses first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field;

a processor, responsive to the gravitational sensor, that selects speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and that selects handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

wherein the mode of operation of the communications device changes from speakerphone mode of operation to handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the communications device has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation, wherein the processor determines that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

8. The communications device of claim 7, wherein the programmable threshold is about equal to a 10°

change between the first and second directions of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the respective first and second orientations.

9. A communications device that operates in handset mode and conference speakerphone mode, the communications device comprising:

a receiver that receives audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, that processes the received audio signals from the remote communications device and wherein the processor selects one of handset mode and conference speakerphone mode in response to the processor determining that a difference between first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold;

an internal handset speaker, coupled to the processor, that reproduces sounds from the received audio signals when the processor selects handset mode; and

an external speaker transmitter, coupled to the processor, wherein the external speaker transmitter wirelessly transmits the received audio signals to an external speakerphone speaker remote from the communications device when the processor selects conference speakerphone mode.

10. The communications device of claim 9 further comprising:

a gravitational sensor, coupled to the processor, that senses first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the processor selects the conference speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and wherein the processor selects the handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field.

11. The communications device of claim 9 further comprising:

a handset microphone, coupled to the processor, that provides transmit audio signals in response to sounds, wherein the transmit audio signals are transmitted to the remote communications device when the communications device operates in the handset mode; and

an external microphone receiver that receives wireless transmissions from an external microphone remote from the communications device, wherein the received wireless transmissions are transmitted to a remote communications device when the processor selects conference speakerphone mode.

12. A communications device that operates in handset mode and conference speakerphone mode, the communications device comprising:

a receiver that receives audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, that processes the received audio signals from the remote communications device and wherein the processor selects one of handset mode and conference speakerphone mode;

an internal handset speaker, coupled to the processor, that reproduces sounds from the received audio signals when the processor selects handset mode;

an external speaker transmitter, coupled to the processor, wherein the external speaker transmitter wirelessly transmits the received audio signals to an external speakerphone speaker remote from the communications device when the processor selects conference speakerphone mode; and

a gravitational sensor, coupled to the processor, that senses first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the processor selects the conference speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and wherein the processor selects the handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the processor determines that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

13. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the programmable threshold is about equal to a 10°

change between the first and second directions of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the respective first and second orientations.

14. A method of providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation in a communications device, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

selecting speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and selecting handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein step of selecting further comprises the step of determining that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of selecting comprises the step of changing the mode of operation of the communications device from speakerphone mode of operation to handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the communications device has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

amplifying the received audio signals by applying first and second amplifier gains to the amplifier to provide amplified audio signals, wherein the first amplifier gain is applied to the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode and wherein the second amplifier gain is applied to the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

reproducing sound from the amplified audio signals.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

wirelessly transmitting the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

providing microphone audio signals in response to sounds, wherein the microphone audio signals are transmitted to the remote communications device when the communications device operates in the handset mode; and

receiving wireless transmissions when the communications device operates in the speakerphone mode.

20. A method of providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation in a communications device, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field;

selecting speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and selecting handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the step of selecting comprises the step of changing the mode of operation of the communications device from speakerphone mode of operation to handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the communications device has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation, wherein step of changing comprises the step of determining that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of determining comprises the step of determining that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications is greater than a programmable threshold, wherein the programmable threshold is about equal to a 10°

change between the first and second directions of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the respective first and second orientations.

22. A method of providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation in a communications device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

selecting one of handset mode and conference speakerphone mode for the mode of operation of the communications device based on a difference between first and second orientations of the communications device that is greater than a programmable threshold;

reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the processor selects handset mode; and

wirelessly transmitting the received audio signals to an external speakerphone speaker remote from the communications device when the conference speakerphone mode of operation is selected.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

sensing first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field;

selecting conference speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when sensing the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

selecting handset mode of operation for the communications device when sensing the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

providing transmit audio signals in response to sounds, wherein the transmit audio signals are transmitted to the remote communications device when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

receiving wireless transmissions from an external microphone remote from the communications device, wherein the received wireless transmissions are transmitted to a remote communications device when the conference speakerphone mode of operation is selected.

25. A communications device providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, the communications device comprising:

means for sensing first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

means for selecting speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and selecting handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the means for selecting further comprises means for determining that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

26. The communications device of claim 25, wherein the means for selecting comprises means for changing the mode of operation of the communications device from the speakerphone mode of operation to the handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the communications device has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

27. The communications device of claim 25 further comprising:

means for receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

means for amplifying the received audio signals by applying first and second amplifier gains to the amplifier to provide amplified audio signals, wherein the first amplifier gain is applied to the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode and wherein the second amplifier gain is applied to the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

means for reproducing sounds from the amplified audio signals.

28. The communications device of claim 25 further comprising:

means for receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

means for reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

means for reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

29. The communications device of claim 25 further comprising:

means for receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

means for reproducing sounds from the received audio signals when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

means for wirelessly transmitting the received audio signals when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

30. The communications device of claim 25 further comprising:

means for providing transmit audio signals in response to sounds, wherein the transmit audio signals are transmitted to the remote communications device when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

means for receiving wireless transmissions when the communications device operates in speakerphone mode.

31. A communications device providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, the communications device comprising:

means for sensing first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

means for selecting speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and selecting handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the means for selecting comprises means for changing the mode of operation of the communications device from the speakerphone mode of operation to the handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the communications device has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation, wherein the means for changing comprises means for determining that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications device is greater than a programmable threshold.

32. The communications device of claim 31, wherein the means for determining comprises means for determining that a difference between the first and second orientations of the communications is greater than a programmable threshold, wherein the programmable threshold is about equal to a 10°

change between the first and second directions of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the respective first and second orientations.

33. A communications device providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, the communications device comprising:

means for receiving audio signals from a remote communications device to provide received audio signals;

means for selecting one of handset mode and conference speakerphone mode for the mode of operation of the communications device based on a difference between first and second orientations of the communications device that is greater than a programmable threshold;

means for reproducing sounds from the received audio signals wherein the handset speaker when the processor selects handset mode; and

means for wirelessly transmitting the received audio signals to an external speakerphone speaker remote from the communications device when the conference speakerphone mode of operation is selected.

34. The communications device of claim 33 further comprising:

means for sensing first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field;

means for selecting conference speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when sensing the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

means for selecting handset mode of operation for the communications device when sensing the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field.

35. The communications device of claim 33 further comprising:

means for providing transmit audio signals in response to sounds, wherein the transmit audio signals are transmitted to the remote communications device when the communications device operates in handset mode; and

means for receiving wireless transmissions from an external microphone remote from the communications device, wherein the received wireless transmissions are transmitted to a remote communications device when the conference speakerphone mode of operation is selected.

36. A communications device comprising providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, said communications device comprising:

a gravitational sensor, in a housing of the communications device, configured to sense first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

a processor, in the housing and electrically connected to the gravitational sensor, wherein the processor is configured to select speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and is configured to select handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field.

37. A communications device providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, said communications device comprising:

a gravitational sensor that senses first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the communications device in respective first and second orientations of the communications device relative to the gravitational field; and

a processor, responsive to the gravitational sensor, that selects speakerphone mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the first orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field and that selects handset mode of operation for the communications device when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the communications device in the second orientation of the communications device relative to the gravitational field, wherein the processor is configured to determine the first orientation of the communications device in response to input to the communications device from a user.

38. The communications device according to claim 37, wherein the input comprises input via a button of the communications device.

39. A wireless user terminal providing handset mode operation and speakerphone mode operation, said wireless user terminal comprising:

a gravitational sensor, in a housing of the wireless user terminal, configured to sense first and second directions of a gravitational field relative to the wireless user terminal in respective first and second orientations of the wireless user terminal relative to the gravitational field;

a processor, in the housing of the wireless user terminal and electrically connected to the gravitational sensor, wherein the processor is configured to select speakerphone mode of operation for the wireless user terminal when the gravitational sensor senses the first direction of the gravitational field relative to the wireless user terminal in the first orientation of the wireless user terminal relative to the gravitational field and is configured to select handset mode of operation for the wireless user terminal when the gravitational sensor senses the second direction of the gravitational field relative to the wireless user terminal in the second orientation of the wireless user terminal relative to the gravitational field;

a wireless transmitter, in the housing of the wireless user terminal, that wirelessly transmits audio signals from the wireless user terminal; and

a wireless receiver, in the housing of the wireless user terminal, that wirelessly receives audio signals from outside the housing of the wireless user terminal.

40. A wireless user terminal according to claim 39 wherein the mode of operation of the wireless user terminal changes from speakerphone mode of operation to handset mode of operation when the processor determines that the wireless user terminal has moved from the first orientation to the second orientation, wherein the processor determines that a difference between the first and second orientations of the wireless user terminal is greater than a programmable threshold.

41. A wireless user terminal according to claim 40 wherein the programmable threshold is about equal to a 10°

change between the first and second directions of the gravitational field relative to the wireless user terminal in the respective first and second orientations.