Method and device for setting output volume of audio signal to prevent acoustic shock in mobile terminal

• US 8,159,517 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lim, Dok-Shin, Lim, Kyoung-Ae, Park, Won-Joo, Shin, Young-Sun, Cho, Min-Sun
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Mahendra
• Application Number:
  US11/482,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,111 Days
• Field of Search: 455/567, 455/345, 455/569, 455/570, 455/67, 455/351, 455/451, 379/373, 379/433, 379/392, 379/388, 379/488, 381/104, 381/107, 348/14.01, 348/E7.078
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085

Abstract

A mobile terminal with a function for setting an output volume of an audio signal to prevent acoustic shock is disclosed. In the mobile terminal, a receiver is integrated into a speaker. The speaker limits the initial output volume of an audio signal to a predetermined level. The mobile terminal provides a menu for setting an output volume of an audio signal. The menu enables a user to select either to maintain the currently limited volume level or to change to a volume level set for a speaker mode. Since an audio signal received with the connection of an incoming call is output at a predetermined reference volume level, acoustic shock caused by unexpectedly high-level of sound volume can be prevented.

Claims

1. A method for setting an output volume of an audio signal in a mobile terminal to prevent acoustic shock, the method comprising:

detecting an incoming call as being a video call during which an image received from another mobile terminal is displayed on a display screen of the mobile terminal;

outputting an audio signal received in relation to the video call in a safe speaker mode limiting a volume level when the video call is connected; and

automatically displaying a message asking whether to adjust the output volume of the audio signal while receiving the video call without pressing any key after a predetermined period of time from the output of the audio signal;

changing the safe speaker mode to an original speaker mode during the video call when a user inputs a request for adjusting the output volume of the audio signal,

wherein the mobile terminal has an integrated speaker and receiver with a single transmission path through which sound is emitted automatically.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safe speaker mode limits the output volume to a volume level corresponding to voice output during a voice call.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safe speaker mode limits the output volume to a volume level not exceeding 120 dBspl.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output volume of the audio signal is increased to a volume level corresponding to the original speaker mode with a change of a current mode to the original speaker mode.

14. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated speaker and receiver outputs the audio signal received in relation to the video call during the video call and outputs another audio signal received in relation to a voice call during the voice call.

5. A method for setting an output volume of an audio signal in a mobile terminal to prevent acoustic shock, the method comprising:

determining whether an incoming call is a video call during which an image received from another mobile terminal is displayed on a display screen of the mobile terminal;

outputting an audio signal received in relation to the call in a receiver mode at a volume level not higher than a predetermined level when the call is connected; and

automatically displaying a message asking whether to adjust the output volume of the audio signal while receiving the call without pressing any key after a predetermined period of time from the output of the audio signal;

changing the receiver mode to a speaker mode during the call when a user inputs a request for adjusting the output volume of the audio signal,

wherein the mobile terminal has an integrated speaker and receiver with a single transmission path through which sound is emitted.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the message is displayed in a popup window.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising

determining whether any preset alarm time is reached, while outputting the audio signal in the receiver mode;

and

generating an alarm sound at a volume not exceeding the predetermined level when the preset alarm time is reached.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

determining whether a new message has arrived during the output of the audio signal; and

outputting a new message alert sound at a volume not exceeding the predetermined level.

9. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the receiver mode limits the output volume to a volume level not exceeding 120 dBspl.

10. A mobile terminal capable of setting an output volume of an audio signal to prevent acoustic shock, the mobile terminal comprising:

an RF unit for detecting an incoming call;

a control unit configured to detect the incoming call as being a video call during which an image received from another mobile terminal is displayed on a display screen of the mobile terminal, configured to connect a call when a user inputs a request for call connection corresponding to the incoming call, configured to output an audio signal received with the call connection at a reference volume level during the call preset to limit the output volume, and configured to cancel the limiting of the volume level when the user inputs a request for adjusting the output volume of the audio signal; and

a voiceband signal processor for outputting the audio signal at the reference volume level when the call is connected under the control of the control unit, and for outputting the audio signal at an original volume level when the limiting of the volume level is cancelled,

wherein the mobile terminal has an integrated speaker and receiver with a single transmission path,

wherein the control unit is further configured to automatically display a message asking whether to adjust the output volume of the audio signal while receiving the call without pressing any key after a predetermined period of time from the output of the audio signal.

11. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a display unit for displaying a message asking whether to adjust the output volume of the audio signal when the user inputs the request for adjusting the output volume of the audio signal.

12. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 10, wherein said reference volume level does not exceed 120 dBspl.

13. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 10, wherein said original volume level is a volume corresponding to a speaker mode.