IP Library Granted Patent US 8,630,423
Granted Patent B1
US 8,630,423 · App. 09/588,057 · Granted Jan 14, 2014

System and method for testing the speaker and microphone of a communication device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,630,423
App. No.
09/588,057
Granted
Jan 14, 2014
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method for testing a speaker ( 212 ) and microphone ( 216 ) of a communication device ( 110 ) is provided. The method includes playing a first audio signal through the speaker ( 212 ) and determining whether the first audio signal is audible. If the first audio signal is audible, the communication device ( 110 ) receives a second audio signal through its microphone ( 216 ) and plays the second audio signal through the speaker ( 212 ). If the second audio signal is audible the method determines that the microphone ( 216 ) is properly functioning. Such a method allows the communication device ( 110 ) to be quickly and easily tested.

Claims (38)

1. A method for testing a speaker and a microphone of a communication device, the method comprising:

receiving an indication from a user of the communication device that the speaker of the device and the microphone of the device are to be tested;

in response to receiving the indication that the speaker and microphone of the device are to be tested, playing a pre-recorded sound clip through the speaker;

upon receiving an indication from the user that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible, prompting the user to speak into the microphone;

receiving, in response to receiving the indication that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible, a second audio signal from the user speaking into the microphone;

playing, in response to receiving the second audio signal, the second audio signal through the speaker;

receiving, in response to playing the second audio signal through the speaker, an indication that the second audio signal played through the speaker is audible to the user; and

determining that the speaker and the microphone are operating properly when the pre-recorded sound clip and the second audio signal are audible to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-recorded sound clip contains a range of human-distinguishable frequencies.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising including a high frequency sound and a low frequency sound in the pre-recorded sound clip to test a frequency-reproducing capability of the speaker to produce sounds of different frequencies, wherein the indication from the user that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible includes first information indicative of whether the high frequency sound is audible and second information indicative of whether the low frequency sound is audible, thereby allowing a detailed analysis of the frequency-reproducing capability of the speaker to be made.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the pre-recorded sound clip on a read-only memory of the communication device such that the pre-recorded sound clip cannot be changed by the user.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising storing the pre-recorded sound clip on the read-only memory of the communication device during one of manufacture of the communication device and after manufacture upon installation of the communication device.

6. A communication device, comprising:

a non-transitory memory configured to store instructions; and

a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including:

receiving an indication from a user of a communication device that a speaker of the device and a microphone of the device are to be tested;

in response to receiving the indication that the speaker and microphone of the device are to be tested, playing a pre-recorded sound clip through the speaker;

upon receiving an indication from the user that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible, prompting the user to speak into the microphone;

receiving, in response to receiving the indication that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible, a second audio signal from the user speaking into the microphone;

playing, in response to receiving the second audio signal, the second audio signal through the speaker;

receiving, in response to playing the second audio signal through the speaker, an indication that the second audio signal played through the speaker is audible to the user; and

determining that the speaker and the microphone are operating properly when the pre-recorded sound clip and the second audio signal are audible to the user.

7. The communication device of claim 6 , wherein the pre-recorded sound clip contains a range of human-distinguishable frequencies.

8. The communication device of claim 6 , the processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations further comprising providing the communication device having the speaker and the microphone to the user.

9. The communication device of claim 6 , the processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations further comprising including a high frequency sound and a low frequency sound in the pre-recorded sound clip to test a frequency-reproducing capability of the speaker to produce sounds of different frequencies, wherein the indication from the user that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible includes first information indicative of whether the high frequency sound is audible and second information indicative of whether the low frequency sound is audible, thereby allowing a detailed analysis of the frequency-reproducing capability of the speaker to be made.

10. The communication device of claim 6 , further comprising a read-only memory on which the pre-recorded sound clip is stored, such that the pre-recorded sound clip cannot be changed by the user.

11. The communication device of claim 10 , wherein the pre-recorded sound clip is stored on the read-only memory of the communication device during one of manufacture of the communication device and after manufacture upon installation of the communication device.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving an indication from a user of a communication device that a speaker of the device and a microphone of the device are to be tested;

in response to receiving the indication that the speaker and microphone of the device are to be tested, playing a pre-recorded sound clip through the speaker;

upon receiving an indication from the user that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible, prompting the user to speak into the microphone;

receiving, in response to receiving the indication that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible, a second audio signal from the user speaking into the microphone;

playing, in response to receiving the second audio signal, the second audio signal through the speaker;

receiving, in response to playing the second audio signal through the speaker, an indication that the second audio signal played through the speaker is audible to the user; and

determining that the speaker and the microphone are operating properly when the pre-recorded sound clip and the second audio signal are audible to the user.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the pre-recorded sound clip contains a range of human-distinguishable frequencies.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , further containing instructions for controlling at least one processor to perform operations comprising including a high frequency sound and a low frequency sound in the pre-recorded sound clip to test a frequency-reproducing capability of the speaker to produce sounds of different frequencies, wherein the indication from the user that the pre-recorded sound clip is audible includes first information indicative of whether the high frequency sound is audible and second information indicative of whether the low frequency sound is audible, thereby allowing a detailed analysis of the frequency-reproducing capability of the speaker to be made.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , further containing instructions for controlling at least one processor to perform operations comprising retrieving the pre-recorded sound clip from a read-only memory of the communication device such that the pre-recorded sound clip cannot be changed by the user.

Assignments (9)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2014
From: VERIZON CORPORATE SERVICES GROUP INC.
To: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
Reel/Frame 033421/0403 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 11, 2010
From: BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
To: RAYTHEON BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
Reel/Frame 024523/0625 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2009
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO FLEET NATIONAL BANK)
To: BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP. (AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC)
Reel/Frame 023427/0436 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Dec 4, 2008
From: BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021926/0017 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 7, 2006
From: BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC
To: BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
Reel/Frame 017751/0049 →
PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2004
From: BBNT SOULTIONS LLC
To: FLEET NATIONAL BANK, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 014718/0294 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2004
From: BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC
To: BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC; VERIZON CORPORATE SERVICES GROUP INC.
Reel/Frame 014634/0525 →
JOINT ASSIGNMENT Recorded May 4, 2004
From: BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC
To: VERIZON CORPORATE SERVICES GROUP INC.; BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 014601/0448 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2000
From: ELLIOTT, BRIG BARNUM
To: BBNT SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 011005/0815 →