Radio with message reception and ambient noise level controlled indicator
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorTimothy A. Grothause
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A radio (10) measures and stores (16, 18) the ambient sound (or noise) level of its environment. When a message is received, the current noise (or sound) level is compared to a threshold (56). If the ambient noise level is such that an audible tone may not be heard by the radio user, a silent alert is automatically activated (62) regardless of whether the silent enunciator has been previously selected (enabled) by the radio user. In another aspect of the present invention, if the ambient noise level is such that an audible tone may be inappropriate (i.e., library, courtroom, or certain hospital areas), the silent alert is also automatically activated regardless of whether the silent enunciator is enabled so as not to disturb others.
Claims25
A radio, comprising:
- means for determining ambient sound level;
- means for receiving an information signal;
- means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold;
- and
- delay means for delaying activation of a message received indicator in response to said control signal.
A radio, comprising:
- means for determining ambient sound level;
- means for receiving an information signal;
- means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold;
- and
- means for activating a silent alert indicator when said control signal is present, and for activating an audible indicator or said silent indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent indictor is enabled.
A radio, comprising:
- means for providing a audible alert;
- means for providing a silent alert;
- means for determining ambient sound level;
- means for receiving an information signal;
- means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold;
- and
- means for activating said silent alert when said control signal is present, and for activating said audible alert or said silent alert when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent alert is enabled.
In a radio, a method for indicating reception of a message, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a message signal to provide a received signal;
- (b) determining ambient sound level;
- (c) comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold, and asserting a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold;
- (d) activating a silent message received indicator when said control signal is asserted and activating either an audible message received indicator or said silent message received indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said silent or audible message received indicators is enabled.
In a radio, a method for indicating reception of a message, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a message signal to provide a received signal;
- (b) determining ambient sound level;
- (c) comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold, and asserting a control signal when said ambient sound level is at least equal to said threshold;
- (d) delaying activation of a message received indicator when said control signal is present and activating said message received indicator when said control signal is absent.
A radio, comprising:
- means for determining ambient sound level;
- means for receiving an information signal;
- means for comparing said ambient sound level to a threshold level, and for providing a control signal when said ambient sound level is equal to or below said threshold;
- and
- means for activating a silent alert indicator when said control signal is present, and for activating an audible indicator or said silent indicator when said control signal is absent, depending upon which of said audible or silent indicator is enabled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.