# US 10,455,340 B1 · Validating the operation of a transducer and an audio signal path > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,455,340 B1 - Document ID: US10455340B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/977,150 - Filed: 2018-05-11 - Published: 2019-11-14 - Granted: 2019-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-11 - Assignees: Motorola Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Motorola Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Grobe Sachs; Charles B. Harmke; Ellis A. Pinder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10455340B1 ## CPC - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - G08B 21/185: {Electrical failure alarms} - G08B 27/001: {Signalling to an emergency team, e.g. firemen} - H04B 17/10: of transmitters - H04B 17/23: Indication means, e.g. displays, alarms, audible means - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Systems and methods for validating the operation of a transducer and an audio signal path to the transducer. An example method includes switching, with an audio switch, the audio signal path between an audio power amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. The method includes routing an audio signal received from the transducer to the analog-to-digital converter when the audio power amplifier is not enabled. The method includes, upon receiving a button signal, processing, with an electronic processor, a digital version of the audio signal received from the analog-to-digital converter to generate a sample. The method includes comparing the sample to a reference audio sample. The method includes generating an alert when the sample does not match the reference audio sample. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system to validate the operation of a transducer and an audio signal path to the transducer, the system comprising: an audio power amplifier; an analog-to-digital converter; an audio switch coupled in the audio signal path, the audio switch configured to switch the audio signal path between the audio power amplifier and the analog-to-digital converter, and route an audio signal received from the transducer to the analog-to-digital converter when the audio power amplifier is not enabled; and an electronic processor, coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, and configured to upon receiving an electrical signal indicating that a button has been either actuated or de-actuated, process a digital version of the audio signal received from the analog-to-digital converter to generate a sample, compare the sample to a reference audio sample that represents sound generated when the button is either actuated or de-actuated; and when the sample does not match the reference audio sample, generate an alert. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic processor is further configured to, in response to generating the alert, re-route audio signals for the transducer to an alternate audio signal path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the button signal is a push-to-talk release signal; and the reference audio sample represents sound generated when a push-to-talk switch is released. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the transducer is a speaker. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the alert is at least one selected from the group consisting of an audio alert, a visual alert, a haptic alert, and a network message. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an accessory interface coupled in the audio signal path; wherein the audio switch is configured to switch the audio signal path by switching the accessory interface between the audio power amplifier and the analog-to-digital converter; and wherein the electronic processor is coupled to the accessory interface and configured to receive the button signal via the accessory interface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the transducer is in an accessory device coupled to the accessory interface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the reference audio sample represents sound generated when a push-to-talk switch is released in the accessory device. ### Claim 9 A method to validate the operation of a transducer and an audio signal path to the transducer, the method comprising: switching, with an audio switch, the audio signal path between an audio power amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter, and routing an audio signal received from the transducer to the analog-to-digital converter when the audio power amplifier is not enabled; upon receiving an electrical signal indicating that a button has been either actuated or de-actuated, processing, with an electronic processor, a digital version of the audio signal received from the analog-to-digital converter to generate a sample, comparing the sample to a reference audio sample that represents sound generated when the button is either actuated or de-actuated; and generating an alert when the sample does not match the reference audio sample. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: in response to generating the alert, re-routing audio signals for the transducer to an alternate audio signal path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein receiving a button signal includes receiving a push-to-talk release signal; and comparing the sample to a reference audio sample includes comparing the sample to a reference audio sample that represents sound generated when a push-to-talk switch is released. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein routing an audio signal received from the transducer includes routing an audio signal received from a speaker. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein generating an alert includes generating at least one selected from the group consisting of an audio alert, a visual alert, a haptic alert, and a network message. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein switching the audio signal path includes switching an accessory interface between the audio amplifier and the analog-to-digital converter; and wherein receiving a button signal includes receiving a push-to-talk release signal via the accessory interface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein routing an audio signal received from the transducer includes routing an audio signal received from a transducer in an accessory device coupled to the accessory interface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein comparing the sample to a reference audio sample includes comparing the sample to a reference audio sample that represents sound generated when a push-to-talk switch is released in the accessory device. ### Claim 17 A remote speaker microphone comprising: an audio signal path coupled to a transducer; an audio power amplifier; an analog-to-digital converter; an audio switch coupled in the audio signal path, the audio switch configured to switch the audio signal path between the audio power amplifier and the analog-to-digital converter, and route an audio signal received from the transducer to the analog-to-digital converter when the audio power amplifier is not enabled; and an electronic processor, coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, and configured to upon receiving an electrical signal indicating that a button has been either actuated or de-actuated, process a digital version of the audio signal received from the analog-to-digital converter to generate a sample, compare the sample to a reference audio sample that represents sound generated when the button is either actuated or de-actuated; and when the sample does not match the reference audio sample, generate an alert. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The remote speaker microphone of claim 17, wherein the electronic processor is further configured to, in response to generating the alert, re-route audio signals for the transducer to an alternate audio signal path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The remote speaker microphone of claim 17, wherein the button signal is a push-to-talk release signal; and the reference audio sample represents sound generated when a push-to-talk switch is released. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The remote speaker microphone of claim 17, wherein the transducer is a speaker.