Speakerphone Control for Mobile Device

• US 20090209293A1
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Louch, John O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A speakerphone system integrated in a mobile device is automatically controlled based on the current state of the mobile device. In one implementation, the mobile device is controlled based on an orientation or position of the mobile device. In another implementation, the control of the speakerphone includes automatically controlling one or more graphical user interfaces associated with the speakerphone system.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a current state of a mobile device;

determining a control action associated with the current state; and

automatically controlling a speakerphone system associated with the mobile device based on the control action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the current state includes receiving at least one sensor input related to acceleration, proximity, orientation, rotation, angle, connection to one or more hardware devices, gripping, time, distance, touch for user input, or volume levels.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input to activate or deactivate the automatic control of the speakerphone system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting for user input to accept the determined control action associated with the current state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the current state comprises:

obtaining information from a state machine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

activating or deactivating the speakerphone system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

automatically adjusting a sensitivity of a microphone or loudspeaker volume.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

generating or adjusting a graphical user interface of the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating or adjusting the graphical user interface, further comprises:

changing a brightness of a display presenting the graphical user interface.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein generating or adjusting the graphical user interface, further comprises:

resizing of elements displayed on the graphical user interface.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

automatically adjusting the speakerphone system based on a predetermined amount or percentage.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

automatically adjusting the speakerphone system based on detected magnitude associated with the current state.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

learning based on the previous detected state or determined control action.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing one or more patterns to the detected current state; and

automatically controlling the speakerphone system based on the comparison.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating on the mobile device that the speakerphone system is active.

16. A system comprising:

a processor;

a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and operable for storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising;

detecting a current state of a mobile device;

determining a control action associated with the current state; and

automatically controlling a speakerphone system associated with the mobile device based on the control action.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein detecting the current state includes receiving at least one sensor input related to acceleration, proximity, orientation, rotation, angle, connection to one or more hardware devices, gripping, time, distance, touch for user input, or volume levels.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

activating or deactivating the speakerphone system.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

automatically adjusting a sensitivity of a microphone or loudspeaker volume.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

generating or adjusting a graphical user interface of the mobile device.

21. A computer-readable medium operable for storing instruction, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising:

detecting a current state of a mobile device;

determining a control action associated with the current state; and

automatically controlling a speakerphone system associated with the mobile device based on the control action.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein detecting the current state includes receiving at least one sensor input related to acceleration, proximity, orientation, rotation, angle, connection to one or more hardware devices, gripping, time, distance, touch for user input, or volume levels.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

activating or deactivating the speakerphone system.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

automatically adjusting a sensitivity of a microphone or loudspeaker volume.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein controlling the speakerphone system, further comprises:

generating or adjusting a graphical user interface of the mobile device.