Method and apparatus for reducing echo feedback in a communication system
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- sensing, by a receiving communication unit of a plurality of communication units, a feedback signal via an ancillary communication path, wherein a transmitting communication unit transmits an original signal to the receiving communication unit, and wherein the feedback signal is representation of the original signal that is produced as a result of physical proximity of the transmitting and receiving communication units; and
attenuating, by the receiving communication unit, an audible output to reduce echo to the transmitting communication unit when the feedback signal exceeds a feedback threshold.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing echo feedback in a wireless communication system (10) is accomplished when a receiving communication unit (24) senses a feedback signal, or echo, via an ancillary communication path. The receiving communication unit is a targeted recipient of an original audio signal generated by a transmitting communication unit (22), where the original audio signal (42) is conveyed to the receiving communication unit. Upon detecting the feedback signal and determining that it exceeds a feedback threshold, the receiving communication unit attenuates an audible output of the original signal to reduce echo to the transmitting communication unit. In addition, the receiving communication unit, and/or the transmitting communication unit include echo canceller to further minimize the echo within the digital communication system.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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sensing, by a receiving communication unit of a plurality of communication units, a feedback signal via an ancillary communication path, wherein a transmitting communication unit transmits an original signal to the receiving communication unit, and wherein the feedback signal is representation of the original signal that is produced as a result of physical proximity of the transmitting and receiving communication units; and
attenuating, by the receiving communication unit, an audible output to reduce echo to the transmitting communication unit when the feedback signal exceeds a feedback threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
discontinue reception of the original signal when the feedback signal is sensed; and
utilizing the feedback signal as the original signal.
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7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of verifying that the feedback signal corresponds to the original signal by at least one of identification code verification and signal mapping.
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8. A communication unit comprising:
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a receiver operably coupled to receive a digitally encoded original signal from a transmitting communication unit;
a decoder operably coupled to the receiver, wherein the decoder decodes the digitally encoded original signal to produce a decoded original signal;
an audible converter operably coupled to the decoder, wherein the audible converter converts the decoded original signal into an audible signal, wherein the audible signal is attenuated based on an attenuation signal; and
an echo detector, operably coupled to the audible converter, wherein the echo detector detects a feedback signal via an ancillary communication path, generates the attenuation signal based on the feedback signal, and provides the attenuation signal to the audible converter, wherein the feedback signal is representation of the digitally encoded original signal that is produced as a result of physical proximity of the transmitting communication unit and the communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A communication unit comprising:
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a processing unit; and
memory operably coupled to the processing unit, wherein the memory stores programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to sense a feedback signal via an ancillary communication path, wherein a transmitting communication unit transmits an original signal to the receiving communication unit, and wherein the feedback signal is representation of the original signal that is produced as a result of physical proximity of the transmitting and receiving communication units; and
to attenuate an audible output to reduce echo to the transmitting communication unit when the feedback signal exceeds a feedback threshold.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
discontinue reception of the original signal when the feedback signal is sensed; and
utilize the feedback signal as the original signal.
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17. The communication unit of claim 12, arranged and constructed to verify that the feedback signal corresponds to the original signal by at least one of identification code verification and signal mapping.
Specification