Handheld audio system with radio receiver and method for use therewith
AssigneeSigmatel, Inc.
InventorsJon David Hendrix, Thomas Glen Ragan, Michael R. May
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A radio receiver, optionally used in conjunction with a handheld audio system, includes a radio stage for processing a received radio signal into an audio signal. An audio stage produces an audio output, based on the audio signal. An overload monitor detects an overload condition in the radio stage and generates an overload signal in response to the detected overload condition. A controller controls the audio output in response to the overload signal.
Claims30
A radio receiver comprising:
- a radio stage for processing a received radio signal into an audio signal;
- an audio stage, operably coupled to the radio stage, for producing an audio output based on the audio signal;
- an overload monitor, operably coupled to the radio stage, for detecting an overload condition in the radio stage and, when the overload condition is detected, for generating an overload signal, wherein the overload condition is detected when a strength of the received radio signal exceeds a predetermined amount;
- and
- a controller, operably coupled to the overload monitor and the audio stage, for controlling the audio output in response to the overload signal, wherein the volume of the audio signal is lowered when the overload condition is detected.
A handheld audio system comprising:
- a radio signal decoder integrated circuit (IC) that produces a digital stereo signal from a received radio signal, wherein the radio signal decoder IC includes an overload monitor for detecting an overload condition and, when the overload condition is detected, for generating an overload signal, wherein the overload condition is detected when a strength of the received radio signal exceeds a predetermined amount;
- and
- a digital audio processing integrated circuit operably coupled to the radio signal decoder integrated circuit, the digital audio processing integrated circuit including a processing module that is operable to:
- process audio signals for audio playback from at least one of the digital stereo signal and a stored digital audio file;
- and
- control the audio playback in response to the overload signal such that the volume of the audio playback is lowered when the overload signal is detected.
A method for use in a radio receiver, the radio receiver including a radio stage for processing a received radio signal into an audio signal and an audio output stage for producing an audio output based on the audio signal, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting an overload condition in the radio stage to produce a detected overload condition, when a strength of the received radio signal exceeds a predetermined amount;
- generating an overload signal in response to the detected overload condition;
- and
- controlling the audio output in response to the overload signal such that a volume of audio playback is lowered when the overload signal is generated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.