Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to a portable communication device with switchable operation modes and adaptive noise cancellation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The field of mobile communications and electronic multimedia has seen significant increases in usage during the past few years. It is not uncommon for a single user to utilize several devices (e.g., mobile phones and audio/video players) at once. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    While using multiple communication or multimedia devices, a user must constantly switch from one device to another. A single device capable for delivering multiple types of communication and multimedia data to a user is needed. Such a device should be able to adjust to different modes of operation. Thus, in order to reduce the number of devices a user may need to carry, a single communications unit is desired. The communications unit must be able to adapt to different modes of operation while providing good audio quality. 
         [0004]    According to example embodiments, a portable communications unit for generating and receiving audio signals is presented. The portable communications unit may be configured to transmit or receive, for example, an audio multimedia data stream (e.g., an MP3 audio) or a mobile communication signal. The communications unit may include at least one earpiece and a location unit. The location unit may be configured to provide an estimation position of the earpiece. In one example embodiment, the location unit may be configured to set the estimation position to near or far if the earpiece is located in near or far proximity, respectively, with respect to a primary user&#39;s ear. 
         [0005]    In example embodiments, the communication unit may further include an operational switching unit that may be configured to receive the estimation position and manage an operational state of the earpiece based on the estimation position and a communication notification. For example, the operational switching unit may be configured to change the operational state of the earpiece to a speaker function if the estimation position is near. The operational switching unit may also be configured to change the operational state of the earpiece to a microphone function if the estimation position is far and a communication notification is received. 
         [0006]    According to example embodiments, the communication unit may also include a noise cancellation unit that may be configured to eliminate receiver ambient noise if the estimation position is near. The noise cancellation unit may also be configured to eliminate transmission ambient noise of outgoing communication data when the estimation position is far and the communication notification is received. The elimination of transmission ambient noise may be performed by subtracting a first observed signal from the earpiece with a second observed signal from at least one other earpiece, with the subtraction resulting in the outgoing communication data. In example embodiments, the at least one other earpiece may have a near estimation position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is close-view depiction of a headset earpiece according to example embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting the relationship between various components which may be included in the earpiece of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of example operational steps utilized by a noise cancellation unit of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an earpiece  102  of a headset, according to example embodiments. The earpiece may include an inner portion  104  which may be configured to fit in a user&#39;s ear. The earpiece may also include a number of sensors  105  that may be used to measure the proximity of the earpiece in relation to a user&#39;s ear. In an example embodiment, the sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor configured to detect when the earpiece has made skin contact on any number of predetermined positions on the earpiece. Another example embodiment may include a sensor if the form of an accelerometer. The accelerometer may be used to measure movement of the earpiece as it is moved from a user&#39;s ear to a location in front of a user&#39;s mouth. It should be appreciated that other type of sensors known in the art may be employed. For example, sensors used for measuring changes in pressure, light, movement, or acoustics may be employed. It should further be appreciated that any number of sensors may be employed and the sensors may be placed in any location (internally or externally) on the earpiece. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the sensors employed in the earpiece need not be of a same type. It should also be appreciated that the type of earpiece employed need not be an internal earpiece. An earpiece configured to attach to, or rest on, an outer portion of a user&#39;s ear may also be utilized. 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting various components which may be included in a portable communication unit  100 . The portable communication unit  100  may include a location unit  106  configured to receive measured data  108  obtained from the sensor. The location data may set a value of an estimation position based on the received measured data  108 . The estimation position may be near if the measured data  108  indicates that the earpiece  102  is in close proximity to, or placed in, a user&#39;s ear. Similarly, the estimation position may be far if the measured data  108  indicates that the earpiece is in far proximity to, or not placed in, a user&#39;s ear. 
         [0013]    Once determined, the estimation position  110  may be transferred to an operational switching unit  112 . The operational switching unit may be configured to receive a notification  114  if a communication signal (e.g., a mobile communication signal) is present or if a communication is being initiated. The operational switching unit may be employed to change a current operation state of the earpiece. For example, the operational switching unit may set the operation state of the earpiece to a microphone function if two conditions have been met; (1) a notification  114  has been received by the switching unit  112 , and (2) the estimation position of the earpiece is far. Similarly, if the earpiece is in a near position, the operational switching unit may set the operation state of the earpiece to a speaker function. 
         [0014]    Once the operation of the earpiece has been set, the operational switching unit  112  may send instructions  116  to associated circuitry and/or software to implement the necessary changes. The associated circuitry and/or software may be located within the earpiece itself. Alternatively, the associated circuitry and/or software may be located anywhere within, or external to, the communications unit  100 . The operational switching unit  112  may also send instructions  118  to a noise cancellation unit  119 . The noise cancellation unit  119  may be used to eliminate ambient noise based on the instructions  118  which may indicate the current operation state, estimation position, and/or notification of a communication signal, or a communication initiation, associated with the earpiece. The noise cancellation unit  119  may also send noise cancellation instructions  120  to associated circuitry and/or software to implement the necessary changes. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting example operational steps which may be taken by the noise cancellation unit  119 . The noise cancellation unit  119  may first determine if the estimation position of the earpiece is near ( 200 ). If the earpiece is not in a near position, receiver type noise cancellation will be performed ( 202 ). Receiver type noise cancellation may take place regardless of the type of media being transmitted from the earpiece. In fact, the receiver type noise cancellation may take place even if no media is being transmitted from the earpiece, which would result in the earpiece functioning in a manner similar to that of a noise cancellation headset. The noise cancellation unit may thereafter continue to monitor the position of the earpiece ( 200 ). 
         [0016]    If the of the earpiece is in a far position, the noise cancellation unit  119  may inquire as to whether or not a communication is in process or being initiated ( 204 ). The communication determination may be based on the notification  114 . If it is determined that a communication is not in process or being initiated, the unit  119  may end noise cancellation for the earpiece ( 206 ). Thereafter, the noise cancellation unit  119  may continue to monitor the position of the earpiece ( 200 ). 
         [0017]    If a communication process, or initiation, is detected, the noise cancellation unit  119  may cancel transmission ambient noise. In cancelling the transmission ambient noise, the noise cancellation unit  119  may receive a detected communication signal observed from the far earpiece ( 208 ). The noise cancellation unit  119  may also receive a detected signal observed from a secondary earpiece, which may be a near earpiece employing a speaker function ( 210 ). It should be appreciated that the earpieces of the headset may include any number of microphone sensors dedicated to receiving the observed signals or surrounding noise. The two observed signals may be subtracted from one another ( 212 ) and the resulting signal may be transmitted as an outgoing communication signal ( 214 ). Thus, during communication, the far earpiece may be utilized as a microphone held close to a user&#39;s mouth for voice pick up, while the secondary earpiece may be concentrated on background noise. Using the secondary earpiece to eliminate ambient noise may approve the quality of the outgoing communication signal. The noise cancellation unit  119  may thereafter continue to monitor the position of the earpiece ( 200 ). 
         [0018]    It should be appreciated that example embodiments of the earpiece may not include a noise cancellation unit. Having the ability to place an earpiece with a microphone function close to a user&#39;s mouth may greatly reduce the presence of background noise in a communication signal. 
         [0019]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
         [0020]    The above mentioned and described embodiments are only given as examples and should not be limiting to the present invention. Other solutions, uses, objectives, and functions within the scope of the invention as claimed in the below described patent claims should be apparent for the person skilled in the art. 
         [0021]    It should be noted that the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the invention may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several “means”, “units” or “devices” may be represented by the same item of hardware. 
         [0022]    It should also be understood that processes disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software. If implemented in software, the software may be stored on any form of computer readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), and so forth. In operation, a general purpose or application specific processor loads and executes the software in a manner well understood in the art.

Technology Category: 5