METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTO ADJUSTMENT OF CELL PHONE VOLUME UNDER SPECIAL AMBIENT
NOISE CONDITIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field a method and system for automatically controlling volume of the cell phone during conversation between a speaker and a listener.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Cell phones are widely used for variety of applications. Examples of variety of applications include, but not limited to, making a telephone call, receiving a telephone call, internet access, email access, short range wireless communications such as Bluetooth and infrared, multiple accessories such as short message service (SMS), multi-media messaging services (MMS), games and global positioning requirements.

[0003] Cell phones are primarily used for communication between two users. Cell phones may be used in presence of various noises. Examples of various noises include, but not limited to, riotous environment, road traffic, industrial noise and the like. Presence of noise restrains a listener from hearing the voice of a speaker over the cell phone. Presence of such noise can be regarded as an ambient noise.

[0004] In order to eliminate the ambient noise, conventionally cell phones utilize a volume control system for eliminating the ambient noise and further for controlling volume of the speaker and the listener during conversation over the cell phone. Further, conventional volume control system embedded in the cell phone is responsible for providing clarity of speech to a listener while a speaker is talking on the other side.

[0005] The conventional volume control system alters volume of the speaker and the listener relative to the change in noise environments. Further, the conventional volume control system amplifies the volume of the speaker when the speaker is present in noisy environments. The amplification of the volume enables the listener to hear the voice of the speaker distinctly despite of noise present in the environment of the speaker. However conventional volume control system does not take into account if the speaker is present in a noiseless environment such as a conference room, hospitals and the like. If the speaker is present then the speaker is drawn to talk with low-volume. The low-volume of the speaker restrains the listener from hearing the voice of the speaker distinctly. Further, conventional volume control system does not take into account when the listener is in a noisy environment. The listener being present in the noisy environment restrains the listener from hearing the voice of the speaker. Such noiseless environments and noisy environments can be regarded as special ambient noise conditions. Hence controlling voice of the speaker and listener under special ambient conditions is desired.

[0006] In the light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for an efficient method and system for controlling the volume of the speaker and the listener under special ambient noise conditions.

SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide method and system for controlling the volume of the speaker and the listener under special ambient noise conditions.

[0008] An example of a system for controlling the volume of the speaker and the listener under special ambient noise conditions includes a loud-speaker for adjusting volume of a speaker and a listener. The loudspeaker comprising an amplifier and a filter. The system also includes a microphone for adjusting volume of the speaker. The microphone comprising the amplifier and the filter. The system further includes a noise sensor for determining an environment of the speaker and the listener. The noise sensor comprising one or more keys for accepting an input from a user of the electronic device. The input comprising information regarding the environment associated with the speaker and the listener.

[0009] An example of a method for controlling the volume of the speaker and the listener under special ambient noise conditions includes receiving an input from a user. The input comprises information associated with the environment of the speaker and the listener. The method also includes determining an environment of the speaker and the listener. The method further includes selecting one or more options for adjusting volume of the speaker and the listener. The one or more options configured to adjust the volume of the speaker and the listener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for controlling volume of a speaker and a listener under special ambient noise conditions.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume of a speaker and a listener under special ambient noise conditions.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the first user is in a noisy environment.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the first user is in a low-noise environment.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the second user is in a noisy environment.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the second user is in a low-noise
environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for controlling volume of a speaker and a listener under special ambient noise conditions. The system 100 includes a loud-speaker 105, a microphone 110 and a noise sensor 115.

[0017] The system 100 may be embedded in an electronic device such as a cell phone. The loudspeaker 105 may be utilized to amplify voice of a speaker so that a listener can distinctly hear the voice of the speaker. The loud-speaker 105 further includes an amplifier 120 and a filter 125.

[0018] The amplifier 120 may be utilized to amplify voice of the speaker. Further, the amplifier 120 included in the loud-speaker 105 may be utilized to amplify the voice of the speaker when the listener is in a noisy environment. Amplifying the voice of the speaker when the listener is present in the noisy environment increases the volume of the speaker. Increasing the volume of the speaker enables the listener to distinctly hear the voice of the speaker despite being present in the noisy environment.

[0019] Furthermore, the amplifier 120 included in the loud-speaker 105 may be utilized to amplify the voice of the speaker when the speaker is in the noisy environment. Amplifying the voice of the speaker when the speaker is present in the noisy environment increases the volume of the speaker enables the listener to distinctly hear the voice of the speaker exclusively with noise being eliminated.

[0020] The filter 125 may be utilized to filter the noise present in the noisy environment. The filter 125 included in the loud-speaker 105 may filter the noise present in the noisy environment by allowing merely the voice of the speaker to pass through the filter. Further, the filter 125 may be configured to transmit speech signals bearing a speech frequency. The filter 125 further may be configured to eliminate noise bearing frequency unlike the speech frequency. In one example, if the speaker is present in the noisy environment, then the filter 125 filters the noise present in the noisy environment. Further, the filter 125 transmits voice of the speaker exclusively thereby enabling the listener to hear the voice of the speaker in a distinct manner.

[0021] The microphone 110 may be utilized to ensure that voice of the speaker is distinctly heard by the listener. The microphone 110 further may include the amplifier 120 and the filter 125. The amplifier 120 and the filter 125 may be similar in construction and working as the amplifier and filter included in the loud-speaker 105.

[0022] The amplifier 125 included in the microphone 110 may be utilized to amplify voice of the speaker. In one example, if the speaker is in a low noise environment such as a hospital, then it is required that the speaker ought to speak with low-volume. The low-volume of the speaker restrains the listener from hearing the voice of the speaker. Hence the amplifier 125 included in the microphone 110 may be utilized to amplify voice of the speaker. Amplifying increases the volume of voice of the speaker thereby ensuring that the voice of the speaker is heard distinctly by the listener.

[0023] The filter 125 included in the microphone 110 may be utilized to filter the noise present in the noisy environment. The noisy environment may be corresponding to the speaker. Further, the noisy environment may be corresponding to the listener. The filter 125 included in the microphone 110 eliminates noise present in the noisy environment. Further, the filter 125 included in the microphone 110 ensures that voice of the speaker is transmitted exclusively. The exclusive transmission of voice of the speaker enables the listener to distinctly hear voice of the speaker.

[0024] The system 100 further includes the noise sensor 115. The noise sensor 115 may be utilized to determine the environment associated with the speaker and the listener. In one example, the noise sensor 115 may determine the speaker being associated with the noisy environment. In another example, the noise sensor 115 may determine the speaker being associated with the low noise environment. In yet another example, the noise sensor 115 may determine the listener being associated with the noisy environment. Further, in another example, the noise sensor 115 may determine the listener being associated with the low noise environment.

[0025] Similarly the noise sensor 115 identifies various types of noise present in the environment of the speaker and the listener. Further, type of the environment associated with a user may be specified by the user itself. The user may be regarded as either the speaker or the listener. Furthermore, the noise sensor 115 includes keys 130. The keys 130 may be utilized by the user to specify the type of the environment by the user. The keys 130 may include one or more buttons. The one or more buttons included in the keys 130 may be utilized for accepting an input provided by the user. The input
provided by the user may specify the type of environment such as the noisy environment or the low noise environment and the like.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume of a speaker and a listener of an electronic device.

[0027] The method starts at step 205. At step 210 an input is received from a user. The user may be regarded as a speaker. Further, the user may be regarded as a listener. The speaker and the listener may be communicating with each other using a cell phone. The input received from the user specifies an environment of the user such as a noisy environment or a low-noise environment or a normal environment.

[0028] The input provided by the user may be utilized for configuring the system such as 100 for controlling volume of the speaker and the listener. The volume of the speaker and the listener may be controlled based on the input provided by the user.

[0029] At step 215 the environment associated with the speaker and the listener is determined. Further, the environment may be determined using noise sensors such as 115. The environment may include the speaker being associated with the noisy environment and the listener being associated with the normal environment. Further, the environment may also include the speaker being associated with the low-noise environment and the listener being associated with the normal environment. Furthermore, the environment may include the speaker being associated with the normal environment and the listener being associated with the noisy environment. Moreover, the environment may also include the speaker being associated with the normal environment and the listener being associated with the low-noise environment.

[0030] The volume of the speaker and the listener may be controlled based on the environment determined. Controlling of volume based on the environment determined is defined in further steps.

[0031] At step 220 one or more options for controlling volume of the speaker and the listener may be selected. The one or more options may define one or more solutions to control volume of the speaker and the listener. The one or more options defining one or more solutions may be selected based on the environment determined in step 215. The one or more solutions for controlling volume of the speaker and the listener are explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The method ends at step 225.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the first user is in a noisy environment.

[0033] The method starts at step 305. At step 310 a connection is established between a first user and a second user. In one example, the first user may be regarded as a speaker and the second user may be regarded as the listener. The speaker and the listener may be communicating with each other using, in one example, a cell phone. In one example, it may be assumed that a system such as 100 may be embedded in the cell phone utilized by the first user.

[0034] At step 315 it is determined that the speaker is present in a noisy environment. Further, it may also be determined that the listener is present in a normal environment. The speaker being present in the noisy environment during conversation restrains the listener from hearing voice of the speaker. The determination of the speaker being present in the noisy environment may be performed using noise sensor such as 115. Further, the speaker may provide an input to the system such as 100 signifying that the speaker is present in the noisy environment.

[0035] Upon determining the speaker being present in the noisy environment, at step 320 the volume of a loud-speaker such as 105 embedded within the system such as 100 may be increased. The volume of the loud-speaker may be increased using an amplifier such as 120 included in loud-speaker such as 105. The amplifier may amplify voice of the speaker. Amplification results in increasing the volume of the speaker so that the listener may distinctly hear voice of the speaker although the speaker is present in the noisy environment.

[0036] At step 325 the noise present in the noisy environment that is associated with the speaker is filtered. The noise is filtered so that the voice of the speaker is distinctly heard by the listener. A filter such as 125 may be embedded in the loud-speaker such as 105 in order to filter the noise present in the noisy environment. Further, at step 325 it is ensured that voice of the speaker is transmitted to the listener exclusively eliminating the noise present surrounding the speaker. The method ends at step 330.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the first user is in a low noise environment.

[0038] The method starts at step 405. At step 410 a connection is established between a first user and a second user. In one example, the first user may be regarded as a speaker and the second user may be regarded as the listener. The speaker and the listener may be communicating with each other using, in one example, a cell phone. In one example, it may be assumed that a system such as 100 may be embedded in the cell phone utilized by the first user.

[0039] At step 416 it is determined that the speaker or the first user is present in a low-noise environment such as hospital, conference room and the like. Further, it may also be determined that the listener is present in a normal environment. The speaker being present in the low-noise environment during conversation draws the speaker to talk with a low-volume. The speaker talking with the low-volume restrains the listener from hearing voice of the speaker. The determination of the speaker being present in the low-noise environment may be performed using noise sensor such as 115. Further, the speaker may provide an input to the system such as 100 signifying that the speaker is present in the low-noise environment.

[0040] Upon determining the speaker being present in the low-noise environment, at step 420 the volume of a microphone such as 110 embedded in the system such as 100 may be increased. The volume may be increased in order to hear the voice of the speaker distinctly by the listener although the speaker is talking with low-volume. The volume of the microphone such as 110 may be increased using an amplifier such as 125. The amplifier may be utilized to amplify the voice of the speaker, thereby allowing the listener to hear voice of the speaker although the speaker is talking with low volume. The method ends at step 425.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the second user is in a noisy environment.

[0042] The method starts at step 505. At step 510 a connection is established between a first user and a second user. The first user and the second user may be communicating with each other using, in one example, a cell phone. In one example, it may be assumed that a system such as 100 may be embedded in the cell phone utilized by the first user.

[0043] At step 515 it is determined that the second user is present in a noisy environment. Further, it may also be determined that the first user is present in a normal environment. The second user being present in the noisy environment during conversation restrains the first user from hearing voice of the second user. Further, the first user may hear the noise present in the noisy environment rather than hearing voice of the second user which is undesirable during conversation.

[0044] The determination of the second user being present in the noisy environment may be performed using noise sensor such as 115. The noise sensor such as 115 may be embedded in the system such as 100. Further, the first user may provide an input to the system such as 100 signifying that the second user is present in the noisy environment. The first user provides the input as the system 100 is embedded in the cell phone utilized by the first user. Similarly, the system such as 100 can be embedded in the cell phone utilized by the second user as well.

[0045] Upon determining the second user being in the noisy environment, at step 520 the volume of the loud-speaker such as 105 embedded within the system such as 100 is increased. The volume of the loud-speaker such as 105 may be increased so that the voice of the second user may be heard distinctly by the first user. Further, the volume of the loud-speaker may be increased using an amplifier such as 120 included in loud-speaker such as 105. The amplifier may amplify voice of the second user. Amplification increases the volume of the second user so that the first user may hear voice of the second user distinctly although the second user is present in the noisy environment.

[0046] At step 525 the noise present in the noisy environment that is associated with the second user is filtered. The noise is filtered so that the voice of the second user is distinctly heard by the first user. A filter such as 125 may be embedded in the loud-speaker such as 105 in order to filter the noise present in the noisy environment. Further, at step 525 it is ensured that voice of the second user is transmitted to the first user exclusively eliminating the noise surrounding the second user. The method ends at step 530.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling volume when the second user is in a low noise environment.

[0048] The method starts at step 605. At step 610 a connection is established between a first user and a second user. The first user and the second user may be communicating with each other using, in one example, a cell phone. In one example, it may be assumed that a system such as 100 may be embedded in the cell phone utilized by the first user.

[0049] At step 615 it is determined that the second user is present in a low-noise environment such as hospital, conference room and the like. Further, it may also be determined that the first user is present in a normal environment. The second-user being present in the low-noise environment during conversation draws the second-user to talk with a low-volume. The second-user talking with the low-volume restrains the first user from hearing voice of the second user.

[0050] The determination of the second user being present in the low-noise environment may be performed using noise sensor such as 115. The noise sensor such as 115 may be embedded with the system such as 100. Further, the first user may provide an input to the system such as 100 signifying that the second user is present in the low-noise environment. The input is being provided by the first user as the system 100 is embedded in the cell phone utilized by the first user. Similarly, the system such as 100 can be embedded in the cell phone utilized by the second user as well.

[0051] Upon determining the second user being present in the low-noise environment, at step 620 volume of the loud-speaker such as 105 embedded within the system such as 100 may be increased. The volume may be increased in order to hear the voice of the second user distinctly by the first user although the second user is talking with low-volume. The volume of the loud-speaker such as 105 may be increased using an amplifier such as 125. The amplifier may be utilized to amplify the voice of the second user. Amplification increases the voice of the second user, thereby allowing the first user to hear voice of the second user distinctly although the second user is talking with low volume. The method ends at step 625.

I/We claim:

1. A system for controlling volume of a speaker and a listener under special ambient noise conditions, the system comprising:

a loud-speaker for controlling volume of the speaker and the listener;

a microphone for controlling volume of the speaker; and

a noise sensor for determining an environment of the speaker and the listener.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loud-speaker comprises an amplifier, the amplifier being used for amplifying volume of the speaker and the listener.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loud-speaker comprises a filter, the filter being used for filtering noise present in the environment of the speaker and the listener.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone comprises the amplifier, the amplifier being used for increasing the volume of the speaker.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone comprises a filter, the filter being used for filtering noise present in the environment of the listener.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise sensor comprises one or more keys for accepting an input from a user of the electronic device.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user of the electronic device comprises the speaker and the listener.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the input comprises information associated with the environment of the speaker and the listener.

9. A method for controlling volume of a speaker and a listener under special ambient noise conditions, the method comprising:

receiving an input from a user;

determining an environment of the speaker and the listener; and selecting one or more options for controlling volume of the speaker and the listener.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the input comprises information associated with the environment of the speaker and the listener.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user of the electronic device comprises the speaker and the listener.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the environment of the speaker comprises high noise.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the environment of the speaker comprises low noise.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the environment of the listener comprises high noise.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the environment of the listener comprises low noise.

16. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more options are configured to control the volume of the speaker and the listener.