System and method for reducing radio frequency interference between a wireless communication device and a speaker

• US 7,962,099 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin; Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Con P
• Application Number:
  US11/296,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20070133818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,014 Days
• Field of Search: 381/94.1, 381/91, 381/57, 381/122, 381 947- 949, 455/522, 455/63.1
• US Class Current: 455/63.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/02 Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2215/061 Reduction of burst noise, e.g. in TDMA systems

Abstract

A device and method are provided that reduce interference between a wireless communication device and a speaker. Generally speaking, a microphone input is monitored for detecting noise created by the interference. If noise is detected, a power transmission level of the wireless device is reduced from a standard power transmission level.

Claims

1. A method for reducing an interference between a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device having a first speaker, and a second speaker in a proximity of the wireless communication device, the method comprising

monitoring a microphone input of the wireless communication device for detecting a noise from the second speaker, the noise caused by the interference between the wireless communication device and the second speaker;

and

reducing a power transmission level of the wireless communication device from a standard power transmission level in response to a detection of the noise.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating a predefined event;

monitoring the predefined event to determine when a predefined event threshold is reached; and

returning the power transmission level of the wireless communication device to the standard power transmission level when said predefined event threshold is reached.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the power transmission level is reduced to a lower power transmission level.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the power transmission level is reduced by not transmitting data from the wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the initiating the predefined event comprises starting a timer and the predefined event threshold is a predefined duration of time.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the initiating the predefined event comprises determining a geospatial position of the wireless communication device and the predefined event threshold is a predefined distance traveled.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the geospatial position and predefined distance traveled are determined using at least one of an accelerometer, global positioning system and a motion sensor.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the initiating the predefined event further comprises starting a timer and the predefined event threshold further includes a predefined duration of time.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that data retransmissions are acceptable before reducing the power transmission level.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the determining that data retransmissions are acceptable comprises interpreting a Quality of Service indicator.

11. A wireless communication device, the wireless communication device having a first speaker, configured to reduce interference with a second speaker, the wireless communication device comprising:

a microphone;

a noise detection unit monitoring the microphone to detect a noise from the second speaker in a proximity of the wireless communication device, the noise caused by an interference between the wireless communication device and the second speaker; and

a power controller configured to reduce a power transmission level of the wireless communication device in response to a detection of the noise by the noise detection unit.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, further comprising:

an event unit configured to trigger an event in response to the detection of the noise by the noise detection unit; and

an event monitor configured to detect when the triggered event reaches a predefined event threshold and instruct the power controller to return the power transmission level of the wireless communication device to a standard power transmission level.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 12, further including a data a determination unit configured to determine if data retransmissions are acceptable before reducing the power transmission level.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the data determination unit determines that data retransmissions are acceptable in accordance with a Quality of Service indicator.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the power controller is configured to reduce the power transmission level to a lower power transmission level.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the power controller is configured to reduce the power transmission level by not transmitting data from the wireless communication device.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the event unit comprises a timer and the predefined event threshold is a predefined duration of time.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the event unit comprises a geospatial positioning device configured to determine a geospatial position of the wireless communication device and the predefined event threshold is a predefined distance traveled.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 18, wherein the geospatial positioning device is at least one of an accelerometer global positioning system and a motion sensor.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 18, wherein the event unit further comprises a timer and the predefined event threshold further includes a predefined duration of time.

21. A non-transitory data storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed on a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device having a first speaker, cause the wireless communication device to facilitate reducing an interference with a second speaker in a proximity of the wireless communication device by implementing:

monitoring a microphone input of the wireless communication device for detecting a noise from the second speaker, the noise caused by the interference between the wireless communication device and the second speaker; and

reducing a power transmission level of the wireless communication device from a standard power transmission level in response to a detection of the noise.