System and method for optimizing the position of a mobile device

A system and method for providing a visual indicator for optimizing the position of a mobile device when the mobile device is being used in a hands free mode. One or more position components in the mobile device can determine the position of the mobile device. The position of the mobile device can be compared to ideal or predetermined positions for improved performance quality. A visual indicator can be provided to provide an indication on whether the mobile device is in an optimal position. The visual indicator can take several forms including an illustration showing how the mobile device should be moved, an animation showing how the mobile device should be moved, colors providing an indication whether the position is acceptable, or any combination thereof.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to mobile devices, and more specifically to optimizing the position of the mobile device by providing visual feedback.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices are becoming more prevalent and more advanced. Mobile devices can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, smart telephones, wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), and laptop computers with wireless 802.11 or Bluetooth capabilities. These devices can run on a wide variety of networks from data-only networks such as Mobitex® and DataTAC® networks to complex voice and data networks such as GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS and CDMA2000 networks. As the technology associated with mobile devices continues to advance, users of these mobile devices are becoming more reliant on these mobile devices. For example, as technology advances are being made with respect to speakers, conducting conversations using a mobile device in speaker mode or hands free mode is a feasible option due to the improved quality of the audio. Typically, conventional mobile devices are using multiple microphones for noise cancellation and speakerphone algorithms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The word “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The term “communicatively coupled” is defined as connected whether directly or indirectly though intervening components, is not necessarily limited to a physical connection, and allows for the transfer of data. The term “mobile device” is defined as any electronic device that is capable of at least accepting information entries from a user and includes the device's own power source. A “wireless communication” means communication that occurs without wires using electromagnetic radiation. The term “memory” refers to transitory memory and non-transitory memory. For example, non-transitory memory can be implemented as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), flash, ferromagnetic, phase-change memory, and other non-transitory memory technologies. The term “media” is defined as visual, audio, or combined visual and audio data which can be outputted by a mobile device.

The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing a visual indicator for optimizing the position of a mobile device when the mobile device is being used in a speaker mode. One or more position components in the mobile device can determine the position of the mobile device. The position of the mobile device can be compared to optimal positions for improved audio quality. A visual indicator can be provided to indicate that the mobile device should be adjusted. The visual indicator can show how the mobile device should be adjusted to obtain optimal or improved audio quality.

Referring toFIG. 1, a block diagram of a mobile device in a communication network in accordance with an exemplary implementation is illustrated. As shown, the mobile device100can include a microprocessor338that controls the operation of the mobile device100, such as facilitating communications, providing a graphical user interface, executing programs, and so forth. A communication subsystem311performs communication transmission and reception with the wireless network319. The microprocessor338further can be coupled with an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem328that can be coupled to the mobile device100. Additionally, in at least one implementation, the microprocessor338can be coupled to a serial port (for example, a Universal Serial Bus port)330that facilitates communication with other devices or systems via the serial port330. A display322can be communicatively coupled to the microprocessor338to facilitate display of information to an operator of the mobile device100. When the mobile device100is equipped with a keyboard332, which may be physical or virtual (for example, displayed), the keyboard332can be communicatively coupled to the microprocessor338. The mobile device100can include one or more speakers334and one or more microphones336, which may advantageously be communicatively coupled to the microprocessor338and discussed in further detail below. Additionally, a vibrator360, such as a vibrator motor, can be communicatively coupled to the microprocessor338to generate vibrations in the mobile device100. Other similar components can be provided on or within the mobile device100and are optionally communicatively coupled to the microprocessor338. Other communication subsystems340and other communication device subsystems342are generally indicated as communicatively coupled with the microprocessor338. An example of a communication subsystem340is a short-range communication system such as a BLUETOOTH® communication module or a WI-FI® communication module (a communication module in compliance with IEEE 802.11b) and associated circuits and components. Additionally, the microprocessor338can perform operating system functions and executes programs or software applications on the mobile device100. In some implementations, not all of the above components are included in the mobile device100. The auxiliary I/O subsystem328can take the form of one or more different navigation tools (multi-directional or single-directional), external display devices such as keyboards, and other subsystems capable of providing input or receiving output from the mobile device100.

The mobile device100can be equipped with components to enable operation of various programs, as shown inFIG. 1. As shown, the memory324can provide storage for the operating system350, device programs358, data, and so forth. The operating system350can be generally configured to manage other programs358that are also stored in memory324and executable on the processor338. The operating system350can handle requests for services made by programs358through predefined program358interfaces. More specifically, the operating system350can typically determine the order in which multiple programs358are executed on the processor338and the execution time allotted for each program358, manages the sharing of memory324among multiple programs358, handles input and output to and from other device subsystems342, and so forth. In addition, operators can interact directly with the operating system350through a user interface, typically including the keyboard332and display screen322. The operating system350, programs358, data, and other information can be stored in memory324, RAM326, read-only memory (ROM), or another suitable storage element (not shown). An address book352, personal information manager (PIM)354, and other information356can also be stored.

The mobile device100can be enabled for two-way communication within voice, data, or voice and data communication systems. A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or Removable User Identity Module (RUIM) can be utilized to authorize communication with the communication network319. A SIM/RUIM interface344within the mobile device100can interface a SIM/RUIM card to the microprocessor338and facilitates removal or insertion of a SIM/RUIM card (not shown). The SIM/RUIM card features memory and can hold key configurations351, and other information353such as identification and subscriber related information. The mobile device100can be equipped with an antenna318for transmitting signals to the communication network319and another antenna316for receiving communication from the communication network319. Alternatively, a single antenna (not shown) can be utilized to transmit and receive signals. A communication subsystem311can include a transmitter314and receiver312, one or more antennae316,318, local oscillators (LOs)313, and a processing module320such as a digital signal processor (DSP)320.

The mobile device100can include a touch-sensitive display or touchscreen224that includes one or more touch location sensors364, an overlay226, and a display322, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) display, such as shown inFIG. 2. The touch location sensor(s)364can be a capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave (SAW), or other type of touch-sensitive sensor and can be integrated into the overlay226. The overlay226, or cover, can be comprised of laminated glass, plastic, or other suitable material(s) and is advantageously translucent or transparent. A touch, or touch contact, can be detected by the touchscreen224and processed by the processor338, for example, to determine a location of the touch. Touch location data can include the center of the area of contact or the entire area of contact for further processing. A touch may be detected from a contact member, such as a body part of a user, for example a finger or thumb, or other objects, for example a stylus, pen, or other pointer, depending on the nature of the touch location sensor.

The mobile device100can include a position component366which can detect the position of the mobile device100. For example, the position component130can detect the position or one or more angles of the mobile device100. The angles can include the roll, pitch, and yaw angles. The position component can be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a mercury switch, or any other device than can determine the position of the mobile device100.

By knowing the position of the mobile device100, position data from the position component366can be compared to one or more predetermined position data, for example, ideal or optimal positions of the mobile device100. For example, the processor338can compare the position data such as the yaw, roll, and pitch angles with one or more predetermined position data such as acceptable ranges for each angle. Based on the comparison, the processor338can provide a visual indicator to a user informing a user whether the position of the mobile device is in an acceptable position based at least in part on the comparison.

Referring toFIGS. 2-9, various front views of a mobile device in accordance with exemplary implementations are illustrated. As shown, the mobile device100can include a first speaker214, a second speaker216, a first microphone218, and a second microphone220. The first speaker214and the second speaker216can be on opposite sides of each other and on the short portions of the mobile device100. For example, the first speaker214can be on the first short portion204and the second speaker216can be on the second short portion206. The first microphone218and the second microphone220can be on opposite sides of each other and on the short portions of the mobile device100. For example, the first microphone218can be on the first short portion204and the second microphone220can be on the second short portion206. In a speaker or hands free mode, one or both speakers214,216and one or both microphones218,220can be activated. For example, a first transducer can be on the first short portion204and a second transducer can be on the second short portion206.

As shown inFIGS. 2-9, each audio component214,216,218,220is shown on a top surface222of the mobile device100. Although the audio component214,216,218,220are shown on the top surface222, one or more audio components214,216,218,220can be on or about one or more of the top surfaces222, side, bottom surface or any combination thereof. In one or more implementations, the mobile device can include more or less audio components. In one or more implementations, the audio components can be transducers which can be configured to provide a speaker function or a microphone function.

The mobile device100can include one or more position components366to detect the position of the mobile device100. For example, a position component366can detect the current position of the mobile device100which can include yaw, pitch and roll angles. A single position component366can determine all three angles or one or more positions components366can detect each angle of the mobile device100. For example, each angle can have a dedicated position component366. The position component366can include one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, mercury switches, any combination thereof, or any other device or devices that can detect the position of the mobile device100.

By knowing the position of the mobile device100, the determined position can be compared with one or more predetermined or optimal positions. The optimal positions can be positions of a mobile device100which provide optimal or acceptable performance or quality. The predetermined positions can be stored in the memory324of the mobile device. For example, the predetermined positions can be loaded during or after the mobile device100is manufactured. The predetermined positions can be determined via testing, for example, bench testing, of the mobile device100to determine one or more positions in which the quality of audio of the mobile device100is determined to be optimal or above acceptable criteria. After comparing the detected position of the mobile device100, the processor338can provide a visual indication whether the detected position of the mobile device100is acceptable. The visual indication can take several forms, including but not limited to providing an illustration showing how the mobile device100should be adjusted, an animation showing how the mobile device100should be adjusted, one or more light emitting diodes indicating whether the detected position is acceptable or not, or any other visual indicator providing an indication whether the detected position is acceptable or how to move the mobile device100into an acceptable position. In one or more implementations, an audio indicator can be used to provide an indication whether the detected position is acceptable or not.

Referring toFIGS. 2-9, various front views of a mobile device displaying a visual indicator in accordance with an exemplary implementation are illustrated. As shown, the processor338can display an image of a mobile device with three sets of arrows: a first yaw arrow230, a second yaw angle232, a first roll arrow234, a second roll arrow236, a first pitch arrow238, and a second pitch arrow240. To provide an indication of how to move the mobile device100, the arrows can be shown in different sizes, color, or both. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the second yaw arrow232is shown as being larger than the first yaw arrow230to indicate the yaw angle of the mobile device100needs to be adjusted, for example, lowered. In another example, as shown inFIG. 4, the first roll arrow234is shown as being larger than the second roll arrow236to indicate the roll angle of the mobile device100needs to be adjusted, for example, twisted. In another example, as shown inFIG. 6, the second pitch arrow240is shown as being larger than the first pitch arrow242to indicate the pitch angle of the mobile device100needs to be adjusted, for example, tilted backwards. In yet another example, as shown inFIG. 8, the second yaw arrow232, the first roll arrow234, and the second pitch arrow240are shown as being larger than the first yaw arrow230, the second roll arrow236, and the first pitch arrow238, respectively, to indicate that the yaw, roll and pitch angles of the mobile device100need to be adjusted. After the device is adjusted as suggested inFIGS. 2,4,6, and8another image of a mobile device100can be displayed as shown inFIGS. 3,5,7, and9indicating that the mobile device100is in an acceptable position.

In one or more implementations, the arrows230,232,234,236,238,240can be shown in different manners, for example, lengths or sizes, to provide an indication of the relative amount the mobile device100should be moved into an acceptable position. In one or more implementations, the arrows230,232,234,236,238,240can be shown in different colors to indicate how the mobile device100should be moved. For example, a red arrow can indicate that the angle (yaw, roll, pitch or any combination thereof) should be moved and a green arrow can indicate that the angle is in an acceptable position. In one or more implementations, an animation can be displayed to show how the mobile device100should be adjusted. For example, the display can switch back and forth between the images shown inFIGS. 2 and 3,FIGS. 4 and 5,FIGS. 6 and 7, orFIGS. 8 and 9.

Referring toFIGS. 2-9again, the mobile device100can include one or more light emitting diodes (LED)242,244to provide an indication whether the mobile device100is in an acceptable position. For example, a first colored LED242, for example, a red LED, can indicate that the mobile device100is not in an acceptable position and a second colored LED244, for example, a green LED, can indicate that the mobile device100is in an acceptable position. In one or more implementations, a multicolored LED (not shown) can be used. For example, the multicolored LED can be illuminated in a first color, for example, green, to indicate that the mobile device100is not in an acceptable position and a second color, for example, red, to indicate that the mobile device100is not in an acceptable position. As shown inFIGS. 2,4,6, and8, the first colored LED242is illuminated indicating that the mobile device100is not in an acceptable position. As shown inFIGS. 3,5,7, and9, the second colored LED244is illuminated indicating that the mobile device100is in an acceptable position.

Referring toFIG. 10, a flowchart of a method for providing a visual indicator whether a mobile device is in an optimal position for conducting a conversation in a speaker phone mode. The exemplary method1000is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The method1000described below can be carried out using the communication devices and communication network shown inFIGS. 1-9by way of example, and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining exemplary method1000. Each block shown inFIG. 10represents one or more processes, methods or subroutines carried out in exemplary method1000. The exemplary method1000may begin at block1002.

At block1002, a position of a mobile device can be determined. For example, the processor338receives a position signal from the position component366or one or more position components366. The position signal can include one or more of yaw, pitch, and roll angle data of the determined position of the mobile device100. After receiving the position signal, the method1000can proceed to block1004.

At block1004, the determined position can be compared to one or more predetermined positions. For example, in response to the processor338receiving the position signal, the processor338compares the determined position to one or more predetermined or optimal positions of the mobile device100. The predetermined positions can include positions that provide optimal audio performance of the mobile device100. The processor228can select the closest match and determine how the mobile device100should be adjusted. Other selection processes can be used. After comparing the positions, the method1000can proceed to block1006.

At block1006, a visual indicator or feedback can be provided. For example, the processor338can display an image of the mobile device with arrows indicating how the mobile device100should be moved into an acceptable position. For example,FIGS. 2,4, and6include images showing how the yaw, roll, and pitch angles should be adjusted, respectively.FIGS. 3,5, and7show that the mobile device100is in an acceptable position. After providing the visual indicator, the method1000can proceed to block1002to determine the latest position of the mobile device100and repeat the method1000based on the latest position. The method1000can be performed at a predetermined rate, for example, every five seconds or in response to one or more position components366detecting a change in the position of the mobile device100.

Examples of a mobile device100are shown inFIGS. 1-9. The implementations depicted in the figures show examples only, and persons skilled in the art understand the additional elements and modifications necessary to make the mobile device100operate in particular network environments. Although the mobile device100comprises a handheld communication device, the mobile device100may comprise a handheld wireless communication device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, desktop computer, a server, other communication device, or other portable computing device.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described implementations are to be conportioned in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.