GB2418567A

GB2418567A - Ringer volume control for mobile radio communications device.

Info

Publication number: GB2418567A
Application number: GB0421331A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Ormson
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2004-09-24
Filing date: 2004-09-24
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Also published as: GB0421331D0

Abstract

The present invention provides for a mobile radio communications device including means for initiating an audible output to indicate an incoming communication signal, means for detecting the volume of the said audible output at the device, means for comparing the detected volume with a threshold value, and for adjusting the volume of subsequent audible output in response to the result of the said comparison so that the volume of the audible output can vary dependent upon local environmental considerations.

Description

24 1 8567

RINGER VOLUME CONTROL FOR MOBILE RADIO

COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

The present invention relates to a mobile radio communications device, and related method of operation, and including ringer volume control.

Mobile radio communication devices, such as cellular phones, have proved extremely popular and found extremely wide spread usage amongst the general public.

Quite often, cellular phone handsets will be used in public and the receipt of an incoming call can, in some circumstance, prove problematic and annoying in view of the sudden activation of the handset's ringer which of course serves to indicate an incoming communications signal at the handset.

Not only can the sudden sounding of the ringer prove disruptive and annoying but, in particular, the volume at which the ringer continues to sound the ring tone can likewise be annoying and/or embarrassing for those located in the vicinity of the handset.

In an attempt to maximise the potential use of a cellular phone, the handset is often switched on by its user for receipt of all calls placed to that handset irrespective of the environment within which the user is located. This likewise leads the user to set the ringer volume at a relatively high level on the understanding that it is possible that the ringer will sound when the handset is located within a relatively noisy environment, or perhaps located at a position where the ring tone might be muffled to some extent, for example when placed in a pocket or within a handbag, or generally obstructed for example when in a drawer or some other hard-surfaced enclosure.

Of course, when the handset ringer sounds in an environment which is not particularly noisy, or which does not muffle the ring tone, the ringer sounds unnecessarily loudly given the prevailing circumstances and this can further serve to highlight the above-mentioned perceived disadvantages of using a cellular phone within a public environment.

Various proposals have been made for controlling the ringer volume within a telephone handset and one example is known from International patent application WO-A-99/05850.

Within this document there is disclosed an automatic volume control for a telephone ringer which seeks to control the volume in a manner responsive to the environment within which the telephone is located and having particular regard to ambient noise characteristics.

However, it is found that the proposal made within this document for pursuing the advantages sought is unnecessarily complex and involves a completely different operating arrangement from that inherently found within cellular phone. Thus, in addition to adding extra levels of complexity, the subject matter of that document can also disadvantageously increase the cost of producing a cellular phone handset embodying the idea.

The present invention seeks to provide for a mobile radio communications device, and related method of operation, in which ringer volume can be readily controlled and which device and related method have advantages over known such devices and methods.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile radio communications device including means for initiating an audible output to indicate an incoming communication signal, means for detecting the volume of the said audible output at the device, means for comparing the detected volume with a threshold value, and for adjusting the volume of subsequent audible output in response to the result of the said comparison.

The invention is advantageous in that simplification as compared with the prior art can be achieved through determining the volume of the audible output such as the ring tone at the device, and thus within the environment within which the device is located, so that the subsequent ring tone volume can be determined in a manner responsive to the environment within which the device is located.

An appreciation of the environment within which the device is located can therefore advantageously be achieved merely by initiation and monitoring the ring tone serving to indicate an incoming communication signal.

Preferably, the device is arranged to measure ambient noise within the location with which the device is positioned and prior to the said initiation of the audible output. The device can subsequently set the said initial audible output at an offset volume relative to the measured level of ambient noise.

Advantageously, the volume of the audible output is then initially set at a volume relative to ambient noise and at a volume seemingly appropriate to the local environment.

In one advantageous arrangement, the said threshold value is derived from the level of ambient noise.

In particular, the threshold value can be based upon the level of the said detected volume of the audible output at the device relative to the ambient noise level.

Thus, if the detected volume is, or is not, greater than the ambient noise level by a predetermined amount, then appropriate adjustment can be made to the volume of the audible output.

According to a further advantage, the device includes means for conducting a plurality of detections of the volume of the audio output at the device and obtaining an average value thereof, and for conducting a plurality of the said comparisons and obtaining an average value thereof so as to make any adjustment to the volume of subsequent audible output responsive to the said average value of the comparisons.

By conducting such a plurality of detections and comparisons, a device embodying the present invention can advantageously compensate for changes in ambient noise level that might arise while noise level measurements are taken.

Preferably, the audible output comprises a plurality of audible signals separated by substantially silent periods.

An audible output of this nature advantageously lends itself to the aforementioned averaging of a plurality of volume detections and comparisons.

As will be appreciated, the audible output advantageously comprises the ring tone output at the handset.

In particular, it should be appreciated that the audible output can be delivered by way of the ear piece/loud speaker of the device, and the detection of the volume of the audible output at the device can be achieved by way of the microphone of the device.

Thus, as will be appreciated, the advantages offered by the present invention can be achieved on the basis of hardware currently found within cellular phone handsets and so such advantages can be achieved in a particularly cost-effective and a relatively simple manner.

In particular, the said threshold is set such that if the said detected volume is less than the threshold, the volume is adjusted to increase.

Also, the said threshold can, alternatively or in addition, be set such that if the detected volume is greater than the threshold the volume is adjusted to increase.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling the volume of an audible output provided within a mobile radio communications device serving to indicate an incoming communications signal and including the steps of: initiating an audible output to indicate an incoming communications signal; detecting the volume of the audible output signal at the device; comparing the said detected volume with a threshold value; and adjusting the volume of the subsequent audible output responsive to the said result of the comparison.

Advantageously, the method includes the step of, prior to the said initiation of the audible output, measuring the ambient noise level at the device and setting the volume of the initiated audible output at an offset value relative to the measured ambient noise.

In particular, the said threshold value can be based on the initial ambient noise level and can further be based upon the level of the detected volume of the audible output at the device relative to the ambient noise level.

As a further feature, the method can include the steps of conducting a plurality of said detections of volume of the audible output level at the device and to obtain an average value thereof, and conducting a plurality of said comparisons so as to obtain an average value thereof.

Any adjustment of the volume of the subsequent audible output is then made responsive to the said average value of the said comparison.

As will be appreciated from the above, the audible output can comprise a plurality of audible signals separated by substantially silent periods.

Advantageously, the audible output is delivered by way of the ear piece/loudspeaker of the device, and the volume of the audible output that the device can be detected by way of the microphone found within the device.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cellular phone handset embodying the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a mobile radio communications device and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As discussed, the present invention relates to an arrangement for automatically controlling ring tone volume within, for example, a cellular phone handset and in a manner responsive to the environment within which the handset is located.

Thus, not only can the present invention advantageously set the ring tone volume at a predetermined offset level above the ambient noise level, but a handset embodying the present invention can also take account of environmental factors that might affect the volume at which the ring tone is heard by the user and persons located nearby.

Environmental considerations are important when providing an automatic offset of the ringer volume relative to ambient noise level particularly when the handset is placed within, for example, a pocket or a handbag. Since, when located in the pocket or a handbag, the handset is likely to detect a relatively low ambient noise level, this will, in turn, set the ringer volume at a relatively low value offset from the detected ambient noise level and such low ringer volume may prove to be too low for the ring tone to be readily heard from a location outside of the pockeVhandbag.

The present invention overcomes such limitations in a particularly cost effective, simple and efficient manner.

Turning first to Fig. 1, there is illustrated as a schematic block diagram a cellular phone handset 10 embodying the present invention.

As normal, the handset 10 includes an antenna 12 and transmission/radio circuitry 14 comprising transmission and reception sections and a control processor 16. A ringer 20 and microphone 22 are connected to the processor 16 by way of an interface 18.

The hardware discussed above is of course standard within a cellular phone handset but a particular feature of the present invention is the use of such standard hardware in a manner serving to provide for automated ringer volume control in a relatively simple manner.

An important aspect of the present invention is that the ring tone output from the ringer 20 during the signalling on an incoming communications signal can be detected, monitored and processed by way of the microphone 22. The signals detected at the microphone 22, particularly as compared with threshold values, are likely to contain a characteristic imparted by the local environment and this is advantageously employed in the automated selection of ring tone volume.

Some known cellular phones currently exhibit four different modes of operation known as normal, pocket, silent and car. As its name suggest, the normal mode is arranged for normal operation without taking account of any environmental characteristics, pocket mode relates to the use of the phone in a potentially muffled environment, silent allows for a silent indication of an incoming communications signal and the car mode is provided having regard to the particular limitations/characteristics arising when using a cellular phone within a car.

The present invention advantageously provides for a means for combining the normal and pocket modes into a single "automatic" mode which can readily determine whether or not the phone is located within a potentially muffling environment, for example within a pocket or handbag.

The invention allows for selection between the pocket mode and normal mode without requiring any user intervention.

A particular embodiment of the invention is discussed further below and relates to the situation in which the handset 10 is operating in the aforementioned automatic mode and an incoming call is received.

The handset 10 can first measure the ambient noise level by way of the microphone 22, interface 18, and processor 16 and then activate the ringer 20 to produce a ring tone at a volume level offset relative to, and above, the ambient noise level. The volume of the output ring tone is then measured by way of the microphone 22, interface 18 and processor 16 and compared with the previous ambient noise level. Depending upon the difference between the initial ambient noise level, and the ring tone volume level - both as determined by way of the microphone 22 as discussed above - it can be determined whether or not the handset 10 might be located within a muffling environment, i.e. within a pocket or handbag, and whether or not the ring tone volume should be increased further to compensate for such muffling.

Such an advantageous embodiment of the present invention is now discussed further in relation to Fig. 2 and which should be considered in combination with Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 comprises a flow diagram representing operation of the handset of Fig. 1 in an "automatic" mode allowing for auto-selection between a normal and pocket mode.

At the initial step 24, the handset 10 is, for example, switched by the user into its automatic mode.

At step 26, an incoming call is placed to the handset 10 and which will cause the ring tone be generated at the ringer 20. However, prior to sounding the ring tone, the ambient noise level is measured at the handset at step 28 and the ring tone is then caused to sound by way of the ringer 20 within the handset 10 and as occurs at steps 30 and 32. In step 30, the ring tone volume is determined to be at an offset level above the measured ambient noise level and once this offset value is determined at 30, the ringer volume is set at that offset level at step 32 and subsequently activated so as to produce the ring tone at step 34.

While the ring tone is sounding at the above-mentioned offset level at step 34, the volume level of the ring tone is measured at step 36 by way of the microphone 22 of the handset 10.

A comparison is then made at step 38 between the ambient noise level measured at step 28, and the ring tone noise level measured at step 36.

The magnitude of the difference between the noise levels is determined at step 38 and if the difference is a relatively large amount, i.e. above the threshold value, the procedure continues to step 40, whereas if the difference was a relatively small amount, i.e. below a threshold value, the procedure continues to step 42.

It is determined that a relatively large difference between the noise levels indicates that the ring tone itself is not muffled and that the phone is therefore located in a spaced environment in which little, or no, muffling is likely to arise. This therefore suggests that the handset is not located within, for example, a pocket or handbag and so no further adjustment of the ring tone volume is required.

However, if, at step 38, it is determined that there is a relatively small difference between the noise levels determined at steps 28 and 36, this serves to indicate that the ring tone is being muffled to some extent and that the handset 10 is therefore likely to be located within, for example, a pockeVhandbag.

This being the case, the ringer tone volume offset is increased to a greater value than that initially determined at steps 30, 32 so as to compensate for the muffling arising within the pockeVhandbag.

Such increase in volume allows for the ring tone to remain readily audible to the user even though the handset 10 is located within, for example, the pockeVhandbag.

It should be appreciated that additional, or alternative, arrangements can be provided. For example, the threshold value can be set such that if it is exceeded by the initial ring tone volume measurement, then the volume of subsequent ringing of the ring tone is increased. Having an arrangement serving to increase the ring tone volume should a particular threshold value be exceeded, can prove useful for identifying if the cell phone handset is located within an enclosed space having highly reflective surfaces, for example a drawer or cabinet, rather than an absorbent, i.e. muffling, surface.

Of course, in a particularly preferred embodiment, two threshold values can be employed such that should the measured volume of the initial ring tone be determined to be below the lower of the two threshold, then the subsequent ring tone volumes can be compensate for the muffling of the ring tone.

Whereas if the measured ring tone exceeds the second, and higher, threshold value, subsequent ring tones can likewise be increased in volume since the determination that the second high threshold has been exceeded serves to indicate that the handset is located within an enclosed acoustically-reflective enclosure such as a drawer or cabinet etc. leading to an increased localized volume, but nevertheless also serving to decrease the volume of the ring tone external to the enclosure which should therefore be compensated for by an increase in volume.

Of course, should the ring tone volume be found to be between the two aforesaid threshold values then it can be determined that the cellular phone handset is ringing in free-space and no volume adjustments need be made.

If required, the measurements within the handset 10 can be repeated by way of loop 44 so as to ensure that the ring tone volume remains appropriate.

Advantageously, silent periods between repeated ring tones can be employed for repeatedly measuring noise level at step 28.

It should of course be appreciated that the determination of the threshold values for relatively small, and relatively large, changes to be determined at step 38 will to some extent depend upon the geometry of the handset 10 and the relative frequency responses of the ringer and microphone and so will vary between different models of handset.

Also, the determination of the appropriate values of the relatively small, and relatively large, noise level differences is also made relative to the current setting of the ring tone offset above ambient noise level. However, since this relationship is linear, any cut-off threshold point for a "small" difference will be defined as a percentage of the overall offset and so the invention can advantageously remain accurate regardless of the absolute offset value chosen.

Repeated measurements can advantageously compensate for any changes in ambient noise level that might occur between the initial and secondary noise-level determinations. It is advantageously possible to interleave the measurements by making use of periods within any ring tone when the ringer is not actually sounding. For example, under such an arrangement, a plurality of measurements could be made during the active and silent periods of the ringer, and the average of the readings at the active periods then compared with an average of the reading at the silent periods so as to employ such average values in determining the appropriate volume off set level to be selected.

Also, it is known that there are already mechanisms for automatically activating other modes, for example car mode within a handset and the present invention can advantageously be adapted to be used with such additional automatic modes as necessary.

It should be appreciated that the hardware within the handset employs a software routine arranged to track the noise received by the microphone and to ensure that the ring tone volume is set at just above the ambient noise level by the offset amount discussed.

Advantageously, the ring tone volume is arranged to be set, for example, one or two dBs above the ambient noise level since such an offset will still be audible but should not cause irritation and annoyance to those located close to the handset user.

As will therefore be appreciated, the present invention advantageously provides for a simple, cost-effective and efficient manner for automatically controlling the ring tone volume having regard not only to ambient noise level, but also having regard to the local environment within which the handset is 1 5 located.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobile radio communications device including means for

initiating an audible output to indicate an incoming communication signal, means for detecting the volume of the said audible output at the device, means for comparing the detected volume with a threshold value, and for adjusting the volume of subsequent audible output in response to the result of the said comparison.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 and arranged to measure ambient noise at the location of the device and prior to the said initiation of the audible output, and subsequently to set the said initial audible output at an offset volume relative to the measured level of ambient noise.
3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the said threshold value is derived from the level of ambient noise.
4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, and arranged such that the threshold value is based upon the level of the said detected volume of the audible output at the device relative to the ambient noise level.
5. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 4, and including means for conducting a plurality of detections of the volume of the audio output at the device and obtaining an average value thereof, and for conducting a plurality of the said comparisons and obtaining an average value thereof so as to make any adjustment to subsequent volume of audible output responsive to the said average value of the comparisons.
6. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the said audible output comprises a plurality of audible signals separated by substantially silent periods.
7. A device as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the audible output comprises a ring tone of the device.
8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the audible output is delivered by way of a ringer within the device, and the detection of the volume of the audible output at the device can be achieved by way of a microphone of the device.
9. A device as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the said threshold value is set such that if the said detected volume is less than the threshold value, the volume of the audible output is adjusted so as to increase.
10. A device as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the said threshold value is set such that if the said detected volume is greater than the said threshold, the volume of the audible output is adjusted to increase.
11. A method of controlling the volume of an audible output provided within a mobile radio communications device serving to indicate an incoming communications signal and including the steps of: initiating an audible output to indicate an incoming communications signal; detecting volume of the audible output signal at the device; comparing the said detected volume with a threshold value; and adjusting the volume of the subsequent audible output responsive to the said result of the comparison.
12. A method as claimed in Claim 11 and including the step of, prior to the said initiation of the audible output, measuring the ambient noise level at the device and setting the volume of the initiated audible output at an offset value relative to the measured ambient noise level.
13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the said threshold value is based on the initial ambient noise level.
14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the said threshold value is further based upon the level of the detected volume of the audible output at the device relative to the ambient noise level.
15. A method as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13 or 14 and including the steps of conducting a plurality of said detections of volume of the audible output level at the device and obtaining an average value thereof, and conducting a plurality of said comparisons so as to obtain an average value thereof.
16. A method as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the audible output comprises a plurality of audible signals separated by substantially silent periods.
17. A method as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the said audible output comprises a ring tone.
18. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 11-17, wherein the said threshold is set such that if the said detected volume is less than the threshold, the volume of the audible output is adjusted to increase.
19. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 11-18, wherein the said threshold is set such that if the said detected volume is greater than the threshold, the volume of the audible output is adjusted to increase.
20. A mobile radio communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A method of controlling the volume of an audio output within a mobile radio communications device and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying 1 0 drawings.

21. A method of controlling the volume of an audio output within a mobile radio communications device and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying 1 0 drawings.

IS

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A mobile radio communications device including means for initiating an audible output therefrom to indicate an incoming communication signal, means for detecting the external volume of the said audible output, means for comparing the detected volume with a threshold value, and for adjusting the volume of subsequent audible output in response to the result of the said comparison.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 and arranged to measure ambient noise at the location of the device and prior to the said initiation of the audible output, and subsequently to set the said initial audible output at an offset volume relative to the measured level of ambient noise.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the said threshold value is derived from the level of ambient noise.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, and arranged such that the threshold value is based upon the level of the said detected volume of the audible output at the device relative to the ambient noise level.

5. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 4, and including means for conducting a plurality of detections of the volume of the audio output at the device and obtaining an average value thereof, and for conducting a plurality of the said comparisons and obtaining an average value thereof so as to make any adjustment to subsequent volume of audible output responsive to the said average value of the comparisons.

6. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the said audible output comprises a plurality of audible signals separated by substantially silent periods.

7. A device as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the audible output comprises a ring tone of the device.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the audible output is delivered by way of a ringer within the device, and the detection of the volume of the audible output at the device can be achieved by way of a microphone of the device.

9. A device as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the said threshold value is set such that if the said detected volume is less than the threshold value, the volume of the audible output is adjusted so as to increase.

10. A device as claimed In any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the said threshold value is set such that if the said detected volume is greater than the said threshold, the volume of the audible output is adjusted to increase.

11. A method of controlling the volume of an audible output provided from a mobile radio communications device serving to Indicate an Incoming communications signal and including the steps of: initiating the audible output to Indicate an incoming communications signal; detecting the external volume of the audible output signal; comparing the said detected volume with a threshold value; and adjusting the volume of the subsequent audible output responsive to the said result of the companson.

JO

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11 and including the step of, prior to the said initiation of the audible output, measuring the ambient noise level at the device and setting the volume of the initiated audible output at an offset value relative to the measured ambient noise level.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the said threshold value is based on the initial ambient noise level.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the said threshold value is further based upon the level of the detected volume of the audible output at the device relative to the ambient noise level.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13 or 14 and including the steps of conducting a plurality of said detections of volume of the audible output level at the device and obtaining an average value thereof, and conducting a plurality of said comparisons so as to obtain an average value thereof.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the audible output comprises a plurality of audible signals separated by substantially silent periods.

17. A method as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the said audible output comprises a ring tone.

18. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 11-17, wherein the said threshold is set such that if the said detected volume is less than the threshold, the volume of the audible output is adjusted to increase.

19. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 11-18, wherein the said threshold is set such that if the said detected volume is greater than the threshold, the volume of the audible output is adjusted to increase.

20. A mobile radio communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.