Speaker volume control for voice communication device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling a volume of a speaker of a communications device during a call, comprising:
- receiving a voice of a party to the call at a first microphone of the communications device;
sampling ambient noise at a second microphone of the communications device to detect an ambient noise level;
displaying a menu on the communications device that presents at least two different options for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker;
receiving a selection in the menu that selects an option for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker;
outputting conversation of another party to the call at the speaker;
when the ambient noise level exceeds a threshold noise level, then automatically controlling the volume of the speaker according to the option to compensate for the ambient noise level;
ending the call; and
assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call.
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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.
32 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a volume of a speaker of a communications device during a call, comprising:
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receiving a voice of a party to the call at a first microphone of the communications device; sampling ambient noise at a second microphone of the communications device to detect an ambient noise level; displaying a menu on the communications device that presents at least two different options for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker; receiving a selection in the menu that selects an option for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker; outputting conversation of another party to the call at the speaker; when the ambient noise level exceeds a threshold noise level, then automatically controlling the volume of the speaker according to the option to compensate for the ambient noise level; ending the call; and assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of compensating a volume of a speaker in response to ambient noise, comprising:
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receiving a party'"'"'s voice during a call at a first microphone of a communications device; sampling the ambient noise at a second microphone of the communications device; selecting an initial volume level for the speaker; outputting conversation of another party to the call at the speaker; displaying a menu on the communications device that presents at least two different options for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker; receiving a selection in the menu that selects an option for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker; automatically increasing the volume of the another party output by the speaker according to the option in response to the ambient noise; maintaining an increased volume of the speaker for a predetermined period of time; ending the call; and assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A mobile communications device, comprising:
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a display screen, a speaker and two microphones housed in a body; a first microphone of the two microphones, the first microphone receiving a party'"'"'s voice to a call; a second microphone of the two microphones, the second microphone sampling ambient noise; the speaker producing conversation of another party to the call; a menu produced on the display screen, the menu offering two different options to automatically control a volume of the another party to the call produced by the speaker, the two different options comprising a first option to overcome a preset ambient noise level and a second option for dynamic compensation that samples the ambient noise; means for adjusting the volume of the another party to the call produced by the speaker according to a selection from the menu ending the call; and assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification