Automatic audio intensity adjustment
The volume, or audio intensity, of audio output from a mobile communication device may be selected based on a detected state of the environment of the mobile communication device.
1 . A mobile communication device comprising:
an audio output device;
a sensor system for detecting a state of an environment of said communication device from among at least two states; and
an adjustment system for selecting an intensity of output for said audio output device based on said state detected by said sensor.
2 . The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said state detected by said sensor system relates to presence of a magnetic field.
3 . The mobile communication device of claim 2 wherein said sensor system comprises a Hall Effect sensor.
4 . The mobile communication device of claim 2 wherein said sensor system comprises a reed switch.
5 . The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said audio output device is a hands-free speaker.
6 . The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said sensor system comprises a microphone.
7 . The mobile communication device of claim 6 wherein said state detected by said sensor system relates to level of ambient noise.
8 . The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said sensor system comprises a light sensor.
9 . The mobile communication device of claim 8 wherein said light sensor is a photodiode.
10 . The mobile communication device of claim 9 wherein said state detected by said sensor system relates to intensity of light received at said photodiode.
11 . The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said sensor system comprises a controller and an environment sensor.
12 . The mobile communication device of claim 1 further comprising a communication subsystem for wireless communication with a base station of a communications network.
13 . The mobile communication device of claim 12 wherein said wireless communication uses an electromagnetic communication medium.
14 . The mobile communication device of claim 13 wherein said electromagnetic communication medium is restricted to radio frequencies.
15 . A method of automatically adjusting intensity of output for an audio output device of a mobile communication device, said method comprising:
determining a state of an environment of said mobile communication device; and
based on said determining, selecting an intensity of output for said audio output, device.
16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising activating said audio output device with said selected intensity.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving an instruction to activate said audio output device and where said detecting is responsive to said receiving.
18 . The method of claim 15 wherein said selecting comprises selecting from amongst at least two intensity levels.
19 . The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting a level of an aspect of an environment of said mobile communication device, wherein said determining is responsive to said detecting.
20 . A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor in a mobile communication device including an audio output device, cause said processor to:
determine a state of an environment of said mobile communication device; and
select an intensity of output for said audio output device based on said state.
21 . A mobile communication device comprising:
an audio output device;
a sensor system for detecting a level of an aspect of an environment of said communication device; and
an adjustment system for selecting an intensity of output for said audio output device based on said level detected by said sensor.
22 . A method of setting an intensity of output for an audio output device of a mobile communication device comprising:
detecting a level of an aspect of an environment of said communication device; and
selecting an intensity of output for said audio output device based on said level detected by said sensor.
23 . The method of claim 22 further comprising interpreting said level detected by said sensor to determine a state of said environment from among at least two states.
24 . A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor in a mobile communication device including an audio output device, cause said processor to:
detect a level of an aspect of an environment of said mobile communication device; and
select an intensity of output for said audio output device based on said detected level.