Speaker volume control for voice communication device

• US 7,079,645 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2001
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Short, Shannon M., Hartselle, William A., Meadows, Vernon
• Primary Examiner(s): Harold, Jefferey F.
• Application Number:
  US10/017,586
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 379/387.01, 379/388.01, 379/388.02, 379/388.03, 379/388.04, 379/388.06, 379/390.01, 379/390.03, 379/395, 381/71.1, 381/71.4, 381/71.6, 381/74, 381/77, 381/81, 381/104, 381/107, 381/111, 455/570, 455/575.2, 455/355
• US Class Current: 379/388.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6016 in the receiver circuit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system and method for adjusting the volume level of a communications device in response to ambient noise. In one embodiment, ambient noise is sampled once and the volume of a speaker associated with the communications device is increased to, and maintained at, a level sufficient to overcome the ambient noise such that a user can easily carry on a conversation or hear what is being transmitted. In another embodiment, ambient noise is periodically sampled and the volume of the speaker is adjusted in response to the sampled ambient noise. The system and method provides enhanced user convenience and power saving advantages.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a speaker volume of a communications device, comprising:

providing to a user of the communications device at least two different options for automatically controlling the speaker volume based on ambient noise;

receiving a selection of one of the at least two different options from the user; and

implementing a volume control action that is based on the ambient noise and that corresponds to the option selected by the user to thereby control the speaker volume based on the ambient noise.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein upon selection of one of the at least two options, the method further comprises:

(a) sampling the ambient noise level in the vicinity of the communications device to detect a first sample noise level;

(b) determining whether the first sample noise level is greater than a threshold level;

(c) automatically adjusting the volume of the speaker to a first volume level sufficient to overcome the first sample noise level and maintaining the volume of the speaker at the first volume level;

(d) resampling the ambient noise level in the vicinity of the communications device to detect a second sample noise level;

(e) determining whether the second sample ambient noise level is greater than the threshold level; and

(f) automatically readjusting the volume of the speaker to a second volume level sufficient to overcome the second sample noise level and maintaining the volume of the speaker at the second volume level.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting an initial speaker volume level.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling steps (a)–

(f) via a button associated with the communications device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps (d)–

(f).

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising delaying repeating step (d) after step (f) for a predetermined amount of time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) comprises one of increasing and decreasing speaker volume.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein ambient noise sampling is accomplished via a microphone.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein ambient noise sampling is accomplished with a microphone other than a microphone used for voice communication.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising resetting speaker volume to an initial setting.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a mobile telephone.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two different options comprises use of a one time ambient noise sample to automatically adjust the speaker volume one time for a call and use of a repetitive ambient noise sample to repetitively adjust the speaker volume for a call.

13. A method of compensating the volume of a speaker of a communications device in response to ambient noise, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting an initial volume level for the speaker in the presence of substantially zero ambient noise;

(b) subsequently, after a call has been established on the communications device, sampling a non-zero level of ambient noise;

(c) automatically increasing the volume of the speaker in response to the sampled nonzero level of ambient noise from the initial volume level to a level sufficient to overcome the sampled non-zero level of ambient noise;

(d) maintaining the volume of the speaker at the level sufficient to overcome the sampled non-zero level of ambient noise for a predetermined period of time; and

(e) resetting the volume to the initial volume level upon the call ending and before the establishment of a subsequent call.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communications device is a mobile communications device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the mobile communications device is a mobile telephone.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising resampling the ambient noise and adjusting the volume of the speaker in response to the level of the resampled ambient noise.

17. A mobile communications device, comprising:

a display screen, a speaker and at least one microphone housed in a body;

means for providing at least two user selectable options for automatically adjusting a speaker volume level based on ambient noise;

at least one of the options, chosen by the user, for adjusting the speaker volume level from an initial volume level in response to ambient noise is operable to sample the ambient noise, determine whether the sampled ambient noise is greater than a threshold level of ambient noise, and automatically causes the volume of the speaker to increase to a level sufficient to overcome the sampled ambient noise;

means for resetting the speaker volume level to the initial volume level upon the call ending and before the establishment of a subsequent call; and

means for receiving user input to activate and deactivate the means for adjusting independently of powering on and off the mobile communications device.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a second microphone, wherein the second microphone samples the ambient noise.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the means for receiving input comprises a menu and wherein the display screen displays the menu.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the means for receiving input comprises a button.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the means for adjusting is operable to cause the volume of the speaker to decrease.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the means for adjusting periodically samples the ambient noise.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the means for adjusting is operable to set an initial volume level for the speaker.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the means for adjusting is operable to reset the volume level of the speaker to the initial volume level.