# US 8,542,817 B1 · Speaker volume control for voice communication device

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- Number: US 8,542,817 B1
- Document ID: US8542817B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/458,355
- Filed: 2006-07-18
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2001-12-18
- Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
- Applicants: Shannon M. Short; William A. Hartselle; Vernon Meadows
- Inventors: Shannon M. Short; William A. Hartselle; Vernon Meadows
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542817B1

## CPC

- H04M 1/6016: {in the receiver circuit}
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE

## Abstract

A system and method for adjusting the volume level of a communications device in response to ambient noise. In one embodiment, ambient noise is sampled once and the volume of a speaker associated with the communications device is increased to, and maintained at, a level sufficient to overcome the ambient noise such that a user can easily carry on a conversation or hear what is being transmitted. In another embodiment, ambient noise is periodically sampled and the volume of the speaker is adjusted in response to the sampled ambient noise. The system and method provides enhanced user convenience and power saving advantages.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of controlling a volume of a speaker of a communications device during a call, comprising:
receiving a voice of a party to the call at a first microphone of the communications device;
sampling ambient noise at a second microphone of the communications device to detect an ambient noise level;
displaying a menu on the communications device that presents at least two different options for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker;
receiving a selection in the menu that selects an option for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker;
outputting conversation of another party to the call at the speaker;
when the ambient noise level exceeds a threshold noise level, then automatically controlling the volume of the speaker according to the option to compensate for the ambient noise level;
ending the call; and
assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a mobile telephone.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting an initial volume level of the speaker.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a button on the communications device to automatically adjust the volume of the speaker.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically re-sampling the ambient noise to re-adjust the volume of the speaker.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising continuously re-sampling the ambient noise to re-adjust the volume of the speaker.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing the volume of the speaker.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the speaker is an ear piece.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a default volume level of the speaker.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising resetting the volume of the speaker to an initial setting.

### Claim 11

A method of compensating a volume of a speaker in response to ambient noise, comprising:
receiving a party's voice during a call at a first microphone of a communications device;
sampling the ambient noise at a second microphone of the communications device;
selecting an initial volume level for the speaker;
outputting conversation of another party to the call at the speaker;
displaying a menu on the communications device that presents at least two different options for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker;
receiving a selection in the menu that selects an option for automatically controlling the volume of the speaker;
automatically increasing the volume of the another party output by the speaker according to the option in response to the ambient noise;
maintaining an increased volume of the speaker for a predetermined period of time;
ending the call; and
assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the speaker is associated with the communications device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the communications device is a mobile communications device.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the mobile communications device is a mobile telephone.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising resampling the ambient noise and adjusting the volume of the speaker in response to resampled ambient noise.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising resetting the volume of the speaker to the initial volume level.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising resetting the volume when at least one of a telephone call is completed and power to the communications device is turned off.

### Claim 18

A mobile communications device, comprising:
a display screen, a speaker and two microphones housed in a body;
a first microphone of the two microphones, the first microphone receiving a party's voice to a call;
a second microphone of the two microphones, the second microphone sampling ambient noise;
the speaker producing conversation of another party to the call;
a menu produced on the display screen, the menu offering two different options to automatically control a volume of the another party to the call produced by the speaker, the two different options comprising a first option to overcome a preset ambient noise level and a second option for dynamic compensation that samples the ambient noise;
means for adjusting the volume of the another party to the call produced by the speaker according to a selection from the menu
ending the call; and
assuming zero ambient noise at the second microphone upon placement of a subsequent call.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting the volume periodically re-samples the ambient noise to re-adjust the volume of the speaker.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, further comprising memory storing an initial volume level.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, further comprising a button operable to enable the means for adjusting.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting is operable to cause the volume of the speaker to decrease.

### Claim 23 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting the volume continuously samples the ambient noise.

### Claim 24 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting sets an initial volume level for the speaker.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The device of claim 24, wherein the means for adjusting resets the volume of the speaker to the initial volume level.