METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING FREQUECY MODULATION SIGNAL STRENGTH OF AN AUDIO SIGNAL COMPONENT
FIELD
|0001] The present invention relates to the field of mobile communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to displaying Frequency Modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device.
BACKGROUND
[0002J In the modem world mobile phones have become an integral part of lifestyle of human beings. Initially the mobile phones were used for the sole purpose of communication, but advancements in technology have made the mobile phones entertainment oriented. The plurality of applications supported by the mobile phones includes but is not limited to camera, multimedia player, games, internet, radio and data recording.
[0003] In the present scenario, a user of the mobile phone can only view the signal strength of radio frequency (RF) signals received from one or more mobile towers of the service provider. Further in the present scenario, the user cannot estimate the signal strength of the frequency modulation (FM) radio signals as received from the radio stations.
[0004] Moreover, the typical methods may lead to misconceptions to the user of the mobile phone. The user of the mobile phone may assume there is a fault in the receiver component or an imperfection in FM tuner as resulted in the distortion of the FM signals. The user of the mobile phone may also assume that the distortion is due to a defect in headphones or disturbance from surrovmding electronic devices. Thus, the user may not be able to detect an exact cause of a problem in reception of the signal. In light of the

foregoing discussion, there is a need for a method and system to solve the above mentioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for displaying Frequency Modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device.
[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, a method for displaying FM signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device includes determining the FM signal strength of the audio signal component. The method also includes displaying the FM signal strength of the audio signal component on the portable electronic device.
|0007] In one exemplary embodiment, a portable electronic device for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component includes a processor for determining the FM signal strength of the audio signal component. Further, the portable electronic device includes a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuit for generating an output voltage proportional to the FM signal strength of the audio signal component. The portable electronic device also includes a display unit for displaying the FM signal strength of the audio signal component on the portable electronic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
I0008J FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment, in accordance with which various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;

[OOIO] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; and
10012] FIG. 5a-5b is an exemplary illustration of displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in the portable electronic device, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
|0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment 100, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The envirormient 100 includes a satellite 105, a radio station 110 and a portable electronic device 115. The satellite 105 transmits FM radio signals to the radio station 110. The radio station 110 transmits the FM radio signals to the portable electronic device 115.
[0015] Examples of the satellite 105 include but are not limited to remote-sensing satellites, communications satellites,, navigational satellites, amateur radio satellites, geosynchronous satellites, global positioning system satellite and low orbit satellites.
[0016] Examples of the portable electronic device 115 include but are not limited to mobile devices, data processing units, FM receiver , Television, electronic devices, hand held devices, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

10017) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portable electronic device 115 for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, in accordance with one embodiment.
|001S] The portable electronic device 115 includes a FM receiver circuit 215. The FM receiver circuit 215 receives the FM radio signals transmitted by the radio station 110. An antenna 250 transmits the FM radio signals received from the radio station 110 to the FM receiver circuit 215. The FM receiver circuit 215 includes a filter 220, a Low noise Amplifier (LNA) 225 and a Received signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuit 230. The FM receiver circuit 215 receives the FM radio signals. The Filter 220 of the FM receiver circuit 215 removes unwanted signal from the FM radio signals received from the radio station 110. The LNA 225 of the FM receiver circuit 215 receives the filtered signal and amplifies the signal. The RSSI circuit 230 receives the amplified signal from the LNA 225 and generates an output voltage proportional to the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component.
[0019] The portable electronic device 115 includes a direction sensing unit 210. The direction sensing unit 210 is used for alerting the user of the portable electronic device 115 to adjust the portable electronic device 115 in order to get maximal reception.
[0020] The portable electronic device 115 includes a processor 205. The processor 205 of the portable electronic device 115 determines the FM signal strength of the audio signal component.
(00211 The portable electronic device 115 includes a cursor control 235. In some embodiments, cursor control 235, for example a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, or cursor direction keys for communicating information to the processor 205 and for controlling cursor movement on a display unit 245 can also be present. The portable electronic device 115 includes an input device 240. The input device 240 includes various keys, for communicating information to the processor 205. The information communicated to the processor 205 can be the information related to the FM signal strength of the audio signal component. The information can be communicated to the processor 205 from a machine-

readable medium. The term machine-readable medium can be defined as a medium providing data to a machine to enable the machine to perform a specific function. The machine-readable medium can be a storage media. All such media must be tangible to enable the instructions carried by the media to be detected by a physical mechanism that reads the instructions into the machine.
[0022] E.xamples of the machine readable medium includes, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, a CD-ROM, optical disk, punchcards, papertape, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, and a FLASH-EPROM.
[0023] The machine readable medium can also include online links, download links, and installation links providing the information to the processor 205.
[0024] The portable electronic device 115 also includes the display unit 245. An example of the display unit 245 includes, but is not limited to a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 245 is used for displaying the displaying the FM signal strength of the audio signal component.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0026] At step 305, the method starts.
[0027] At step 310, the FM signal strength of the audio signal component is determined.
[0028] At step 315, the FM signal strength of the audio signal component is displayed on the portable electronic device 115.
[0029] The method stops at step 320. This is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG.4.

|0030] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment;
10031] At step 405, the method starts.
|0032j At step 410, the Frequency modulation (FM) signals are received by the portable electronic device 115. The FM receiver circuit 215 of the portable electronic device 115 receives the Frequency modulation (FM) signals from the radio station 110 through the antenna 250.
|0033) At step 415, an output voltage is generated proportional to the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component. The RSSI circuit 230 generates the output voltage proportional to the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component.
|0034] At step 420, a quality and an intensity of reception of the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component is estimated corresponding: to the output voltage and a predetermined signal strength reference.
[0035] At step 425, the FM signal strength of the audio signal component is displayed on the portable electronic device 115. The display unit 245 displays the FM signal strength on the portable computing device 115.
[0036] In one exemplary embodiment, the FM signal strength of the audio signal component is displayed pictorially in form of bars on the portable electronic device 115. In one embodiment, the FM signal strength of the audio signal component is displayed by at least one of a beep or a voice alert.

|0037| At step 430, the portable electronic device 115 checks, if the FM signal strength of the audio signal component displayed is low. If the signal strength is low, then step 435 is perfonned, else, step 425 is performed.
10038) At step 435, if the FM signal strength of the audio signal component displayed is low, then the user of the portable electronic device 115 is alerted to adjust the portable electronic device 115 in order to get maximal reception of the FM radio signals. The direction sensing unit 210 is used for alerting the user of the portable electronic device 115 to adjust the portable electronic device 115 in order to get maximal reception.
[0039] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user of the portable electronic device 115 may wish to determine the signal strength of the FM radio signals received from the radio station 110. The user of the portable electronic device 115 manually tunes to a particular radio channel, for example, "92.7 Big FM", the FM receiver circuit 215 of the portable electronic device 115 receives the FM radio signals transmitted by the radio station 110. The FM radio signals include the audio signal component. The RSSI circuit 230 of the FM receiver circuit 215 generates an output voltage proportional to Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component. The processor 205 of the portable electronic device 115 then determines the FM signal strength of the audio signal component. The display unit 245 of the portable electronic device 115 displays the FM signal strength of the audio signal component. The display can be a pictorial display in form of bars.
[0040] In one exemplary embodiment, if the signal strength of the FM signals is good, then the output voltage generated is high. Further, if the signal strength of the FM signals received is low, then the output voltage generated is low.
[00411 The method stops at step 440.
[0042] FIG. 5a-5b is an exemplar}/ illustration of displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in the portable electronic device 115, in accordance with one embodiment.

|0043| In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user of the portable electronic device 115 wishes to display Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component received from the radio station 110 at a particular location. The user of the portable electronic devicellS manually tunes to a particular frequency for a radio channel, for example, "88.8Mhz". The information related to the radio channel is displayed on the display unit 245 of the portable electronic device 115. The information can be a name assigned to the radio channel, for example, radio city, Big FM, 93.5s FM, 104.3 FM. The RSSI circuit 230 generates an output voltage proportional to the strength of the FM radio signals received for the particular radio channel "88.8Mhz'". If the FM signal strength is very low for the radio channel "88.8Mhz'", for example, the signal strength is in the range of 0-30 db then an output voltage of zero is generated. The quality and intensity of reception of FM signal strength of the audio signal component is estimated corresponding to the output voltage generated. The FM signal strength is then determined and displayed to the user in the form of bars indicating the signal strength, for example for the radio charmel "88.8Mhz"in the particular location is very low as illustrated in 505.
[0044] If the signal strength is low for the radio channel "88.8Mhz", for example, if the signal strength is in the range of 30-60 db at a particular location, then a low output voltage is generated. The quality and intensity of reception of FM signal strength of the audio signal component is estimated corresponding to the output voltage generated. The FM signal strength is then determined and displayed to the user in the form of bars indicating the signal strength, for example for the radio channel "88.8Mhz" at the particular location is low as illustrated in 510.
[0045] If the signal strength is high for the radio channel "88.8Mhz", for example, if the signal strength is in the range of 90-100 db at a particular location, then a high output voltage is generated. The quality and intensity of reception of FM signal strength of the audio signal component is estimated corresponding to the output voltage generated. The FM signal strength is then determined and displayed to the user in the form of bars indicating the signal strength for the radio channel "88.8Mhz"at the particular location is high as illustrated in 515.

|0046| Various exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method and
system for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device 115. The user of the portable electronic device 115 can easily detemiine the signal strength of the radio station 110 for a particular location. Further, the user is alerted to move to a different location to receive high signals, if the signal strength of the FM radio signals received is low for the particular location. Some advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are that the user of the portable electronic device 115 determines the FM radio signal strength automatically and very less amount of time is consumed in the process.
|0047] In the present specification, the present invention and its advantages have
been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded as illustrative examples of the present invention, rather than in restrictive sense. All such possible modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

I/We claim:
1. A method for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device, the method comprising: determining the FM signal strength of the audio signal component; and displaying the FM signal strength of the audio signal component on the portable electronic device.
2. The method of claiml, wherein determining the FM signal strength comprising: receiving the Frequency modulation (FM) signals;
generating an output voltage proportional to the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component through a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuit; and
estimating: a quality; and an intensity of the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component corresponding: to the output voltage; and a predetermined signal strength reference.
3. The method of claiml, wherein displaying the FM signal strength of the audio
signal component comprises at least one of:
a pictorial display in form of bars; a beep; and a voice alert.
4. The method of claiml, iurther comprising alerting a user of the portable electronic device to adjust the portable electronic device in order to get maximal reception.
5. A portable electronic device for displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component, the portable electronic device comprising: a processor for determining the FM signal strength of the audio signal component;

a receive signal strength indicator (RSSl) circuit lor generating an output voltage
proportional to the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal
component;
a display unit for displaying the FM signal strength of the audio signal
component; and
a direction sensing unit for alerting a user of the portable electronic device to
adjust the portable electronic device in order to get maximal reception.
6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the portable electronic device
comprising:
a Frequency Modulation (FM) receiver circuit configured to receive audio signals.
7. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the portable electronic device is capable of receiving the Frequency modulation (FM) signal and processing the Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of the audio signal component.
8. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the portable electronic device is at least one of: a mobile phone; and a Frequency modulation (FM) radio.
9. A system for performing a method, the method as described herein and in accompanying figures.
10. A method of displaying Frequency modulation (FM) signal strength of an audio signal component in a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device as described herein and in accompanying figures.