FIELD OF THE APPLICATION
[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless devices, and more specifically,
to a method and system for controlling a maximum signal level output to headphones
coupled to a wireless device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Current wireless mobile communication devices include microprocessors, memory, soundcards,
speakers, headphones, and run one or more software applications in addition to providing
for voice communications. Examples of software applications used in these wireless
devices include micro-browsers, address books, email clients, instant messaging ("IM")
clients, and wavetable instruments. Additionally, wireless devices have access to
a plurality of services via the Internet. A wireless device may, for example, be used
to browse web sites on the Internet, to transmit and receive graphics, and to execute
streaming audio and/or video applications. Such wireless devices may operate on a
cellular network, on a wireless local area network ("WLAN"), or on both of these types
of networks.
[0003] One problem with current wireless devices pertains to the adjustment of maximum output
sound pressure levels for headphones coupled to such devices. Headphones are typically
used to listen to voice calls, radio programs, audio programs (e.g., music), etc.,
stored on or accessed by the wireless device. In particular, the maximum output sound
pressure level for headphones for wireless devices and handheld products is legally
constrained in several jurisdictions in order to protect users from hearing loss.
For example,
European Standard EN 50332-1:2000, dated March 2000 and entitled "Sound System Equipment:
Headphones And Earphones Associated With Portable Audio Equipment - Maximum Sound
Pressure Level Measurement Methodology And Limit Considerations - Part 1: General
Method For 'One Package Equipment"' restricts maximum sound pressure level at the headphones (i.e., for headphones provided
with the portable audio equipment and from the same manufacturer) to 100 dB. In addition,
European Standard EN 50332-2:2003, dated October 2003 and entitled "Sound System
Equipment: Headphones And Earphones Associated With Portable Audio Equipment - Maximum
Sound Pressure Level Measurement Methodology And Limit Considerations - Part 2: Matching
Of Sets With Headphones If Either Or Both Are Offered Separately" restricts maximum sound pressure level at the headphones (i.e., for headphones provided
separately from the portable audio equipment by a different manufacturer) to 94 dB.
Measurement of maximum sound pressure levels according to these standards is specified
with respect to headphones having an impedance of 32 Ohms. One problem relating to
such standards is that in order to set the output signal level (e.g., in mV RMS) appropriately
at the output jack of the wireless device in order to meet the maximum sound pressure
level specified, the impedance of the headphones must be known. This is especially
problematic if the headphones are not provided by the manufacturer as a package with
the wireless device.
[0004] German Patent Specification No.
DE 10 2007 032281 discloses a system which includes a sound transducer, an output terminal, an amplifying
means and a controls means. The control means is operable to adjust a gain of the
amplifying means in response to a sound level.
[0005] Published
PCT Patent Application No. WO 2008/128563 discloses a hearing system which comprises a storage unit. The storage unit comprises
location-related data relating to the hearing system's current location. The function
of the hearing system changes in dependence of the location of the hearing system
[0006] European Patent Specification No.
EP 1 720 375 relates to a system for enabling a hearing device wireless access to a communication
network. The system comprises a first transceiver unit communicating according to
a first communication protocol. The system further comprises a server device comprising
an input/output unit, which is connected to the communication network and communicates
according to a second communication protocol.
[0007] Published US Patent Application No.
US 2006/182294 relates to a hearing aid which, with the aid of an integrated positioning unit or
a positioning unit integrated in a mobile activation device automatically sets operating
parameters of the hearing aid as a function of the location of the hearing aid or
of the activation unit. Further related art is described in
US 2006/0099967 and
US 7 263 367.
[0008] A need therefore exists for an improved method and system for controlling a maximum
signal level output to headphones coupled to a wireless device. Accordingly, a solution
that addresses, at least in part, the above and other shortcomings is desired.
GENERAL
[0009] The present teaching relates to a method as detailed in claim 1. The teaching also
relates to a system as detailed in claim 13. Additionally, the teaching relates to
a computer readable medium as detailed in claim 15. Advantageous features are provided
in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Features and advantages of the embodiments of the present application will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended
drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a wireless device coupled to headphones and adapted
for implementing an embodiment of the application;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the wireless device of FIG. 1 and a wireless
network adapted for implementing an embodiment of the application;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a memory of the wireless device of FIGS. 1
and 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a headphones subsystem;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate headphones subsystem; and,
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operations of modules within the memory of a
wireless device for controlling maximum signal level output to headphones of the wireless
device, in accordance with an embodiment of the application.
[0017] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified
by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following description, details are set forth to provide an understanding of
the application. In some instances, certain software, circuits, structures and techniques
have not been described or shown in detail in order not to obscure the application.
Embodiments of the present application may be implemented in any computer programming
language provided that the operating system of the wireless device or data processing
system provides the facilities that may support the requirements of the application.
Any limitations presented would be a result of a particular type of operating system
or computer programming language and would not be a limitation of the present application.
Embodiments of the preset application may also be implemented in hardware or in a
combination of hardware and software.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a wireless device
100 coupled to headphones
105 (a.k.a., headphone set, headphone, headset, earphone, earphones, etc.) and adapted
for implementing an embodiment of the application. The wireless device
100 includes a casing
150, a display screen
122, a graphical user interface ("GUI")
180 displayed on the display screen
122, a keyboard (or keypad)
132, a trackball (or thumbwheel)
110, various select buttons
120, various inputs/outputs (e.g., power connector jack, data interface ports, etc.)
160, and a headphones jack
106. Internally, the wireless device
100 includes one or more circuit boards (not shown), a CPU
138, memory
124, 126, 200, a battery
156, an antenna (not shown), etc., which are operatively coupled to the various inputs/outputs
160, the keyboard
132, the display screen
122, the headphones jack
106, etc., as will be described below.
[0020] The headphones
105 are coupled to the wireless device
100 by a headphones cable or lead
107 which is inserted into the headphones jack
106. The headphones
105 include a speaker assembly which is inserted into or placed over a user's ear. According
to one embodiment, the headphones
105 include two speaker assemblies, one for each of the user's ears. Each speaker assembly
includes a speaker having an impedance (referred to as the impedance of the headphones
in the following). The headphones
105, headphones jack
106, and headphones cable
107 may be configured for stereo and/or mono operation. When the headphones cable
107 is inserted into the headphones jack
106, audio output signals may be switched from the internal speaker
134 (see FIG. 2) to the headphones
105. Control of audio signal level (e.g., in mV RMS) output to the headphones
105 is performed by a headphones subsystem
400 as described below. According to one embodiment, the headphones jack
106 is a 3.5 mm headset jack adapted to support both a stereo headphones output and a
mono microphone input.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the wireless device
100 of FIG. 1 and a wireless network
220 adapted for implementing an embodiment of the application. The wireless network
220 may include antenna, base stations, access points, transceivers, supporting radio
equipment, etc., as known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for supporting wireless
communications between the wireless device
100 and other devices (not shown).
[0022] The wireless device
100 may be a two-way communication device having at least voice and advanced data communication
capabilities, including the capability to communicate with other devices. Depending
on the functionality provided by the device
100, it may be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone
with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, a data communication
device (with or without telephony capabilities), a Wi-Fi device, a WLAN device, a
dual-mode (i.e., Wi-Fi and cellular) device, or a portable audio device.
[0023] The wireless device
100 has a communication subsystem
111, which includes a RF receiver, a RF transmitter, and associated components. As will
be apparent to those skilled in the field of communications, the particular design
of the communication subsystem
111 depends on the communication network
220 in which the device
100 is intended to operate.
[0024] The device
100 may be capable of cellular network access and hence the device
100 may have a subscriber identity module (or "SIM" card)
162 for inserting into a SIM interface ("IF")
164 in order to operate on the cellular network (e.g., a global system for mobile communication
("GSM") network).
[0025] The device
100 may be a battery-powered device and so it may also include a battery IF
154 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries
156. The battery (or batteries)
156 provides electrical power to most if not all electrical circuitry in the device
100, and the battery IF
154 provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for it.
[0026] The wireless device
100 includes a microprocessor
138, also called a processor, which controls overall operation of the device
100. The microprocessor
138 interacts with device subsystems such as the display 122, a flash memory
124 or other persistent store, a random access memory ("RAM")
126, auxiliary input/output ("I/O") subsystems
128, a serial port (e.g., a universal serial bus ("USB") port)
131, the keyboard
132, the trackball or thumbwheel
110, the headphones
105, an internal speaker
134, a microphone
136, a short-range communications subsystem
141, and other device subsystems
142. The microprocessor
138, in addition to performing operating system functions, preferably enables execution
of software applications on the device
100.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a memory
200 of the wireless device
100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The microprocessor
138 is coupled to the memory
200. The memory
200 has various hardware and software components for storing information (e.g., instructions,
data, database tables, test parameters, etc.) for enabling operation of the device
100 and may include flash memory
124, RAM
126, ROM (not shown), disk drives (not shown), etc. In general, the memory
200 may include a variety of storage devices typically arranged in a hierarchy of storage
as understood to those skilled in the art.
[0028] Operating system ("O/S") software modules
202 used by the microprocessor
138 may be stored in a persistent store such as the flash memory
124, which may alternatively be a read-only memory ("ROM") or similar storage element
(not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific
device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store
such as RAM
126.
[0029] To provide a user-friendly environment to control the operation of the device
100, operating system ("O/S") software modules
202 resident on the device
100 provide a basic set of operations for supporting various applications typically operable
through the GUI
180 and supporting GUI software modules
204. For example, the O/S
202 provides basic input/output system features to obtain input from the auxiliary I/O
128, the keyboard
132, the trackball or thumbwheel
110, and the like, and for facilitating output to the user through the display
122, the speaker
134, the headphones
105, etc. The wireless device
100 is provided with hardware and/or software modules
206 for facilitating and implementing the method of the application as will be described
below.
[0030] A user may interact with the wireless device
100 and its various software modules
202, 204, 206, using the GUI
180. GUIs are supported by common operating systems and provide a display format which
enables a user to choose commands, execute application programs, manage computer files,
and perform other functions by selecting pictorial representations known as icons,
or items from a menu through use of an input or pointing device such as a trackball
or thumbwheel
110 and keyboard
132. The GUI
180 may include a cursor
190, various selectable objects and icons
191, and various windows
192.
[0031] Thus, the wireless device
100 includes computer executable programmed instructions for directing the device 100
to implement the embodiments of the present application. The programmed instructions
may be embodied in one or more hardware or software modules
206 which may be resident in the memory
200 of the wireless device
100. Alternatively, the programmed instructions may be embodied on a computer readable
medium (such as a CD disk or floppy disk) which may be used for transporting the programmed
instructions to the memory of the wireless device
100. Alternatively, the programmed instructions may be embedded in a computer-readable
signal or signal-bearing medium that may be uploaded to a network
220 by a vendor or supplier of the programmed instructions, and this signal or signal-bearing
medium may be downloaded through an interface
111, 131, 141 to the wireless device
100 from the network
220 by end users or potential buyers.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a headphones subsystem
400. Components of the headphones subsystem
400 are generally contained in the wireless device
100 and are used to determine the impedance of the headphones
105 in order to adjust the maximum signal level (e.g., in mV RMS) output to the headphones
105 (and hence the maximum sound pressure level output by the headphones
105).
[0033] According to one embodiment, the headphones system
400 includes a signal generator
410, a digital to analog converter ("DAC")
440, and an audio amplifier
430 for generating an inaudible high frequency signal (e.g., 25 kHz). The signal generator
410, DAC
440, and audio amplifier
430 are controlled by the microprocessor
138. The audio amplifier
430 is coupled to the headphones
105 through a series resistor
R. The series resistor
R may have a low value (e.g., 5 Ohms). A voltage
V produced across the resistor
R when the high frequency signal is applied to the resistor
R and headphones
105 is indicative of the impedance
Z of the headphones
105. The signal may be applied to the resistor
R and headphones
105 whenever the headphones
105 are connected to the headphones jack
106 via the headphones cable
107. The voltage
V is amplified by a microphone pre-amplifier
450 which is coupled to an analog to digital converter ("ADC")
420. The ADC
420 monitors the voltage
V and provides a digital signal indicative of the voltage
V and hence the impedance
Z of the headphones
105 to the microprocessor
138. The ADC
420 may also be used by the microphone
136 of the wireless device
100 in order to reduce component count. The microprocessor
138 receives the digital signal from the ADC
420 and determines the impedance
Z of the headphones
105 from it (e.g., by voltage divider principles, etc.). The microprocessor
138 may do this by accessing a table that stores voltage values (or digital signal values)
and corresponding headphones impedance values.
[0034] Having determined the impedance
Z for the headphones
105, the microprocessor
138 controls the audio amplifier
430 to restrict the maximum signal level (e.g., in mV RMS) output to the headphones
105. In this way, the sound pressure level output by the headphones
105 may be restricted to a maximum sound pressure level for the determined impedance
Z. The microprocessor
138 may do this by accessing a table (e.g., included in or associated with modules
206) that stores headphones impedance values, corresponding maximum signal level values
for the audio amplifier
430, and/or corresponding maximum sound pressure values for the headphones
105. For example, for a headphones impedance value of approximately 32 Ohms, the table
406 may indicate that the maximum sound pressure level for the headphones
105 is 100 dB.
[0035] If a headphone impedance value corresponding to the determined headphone impedance
Z is not listed in the table
406, no maximum signal level for the audio amplifier
430 and no maximum sound pressure level for the headphones
105 is prescribed and hence the maximum signal level of the audio amplifier
430 and the maximum sound pressure level for the headphones
105 are not restricted for that value of determined headphones impedance
Z.
[0036] Now, the maximum signal level (e.g., in mV RMS) and/or the maximum sound pressure
level (e.g., in dB) for a given headphones impedance may be set by government regulation
which may change depending on the carrier or the location in which the wireless device
100 is operating or is sold. As is known to those skilled in the art, the wireless device
100 has means for determining its carrier and/or location and hence the government regulations
that may apply to set maximum signal levels and/or maximum sound pressure levels.
Thus, the microprocessor
138 receives a signal indicative of the carrier and/or location of the wireless device
100 and determines whether a maximum signal level value and/or a maximum sound pressure
level value has been prescribed for the carrier and/or location and for the determined
headphones impedance
Z. The microprocessor
138 may do this by accessing a table
406 that stores wireless device location, corresponding headphones impedance values,
corresponding carrier (or location) specific maximum signal level values (if any)
for the audio amplifier
430, and/or corresponding carrier (or location) specific maximum sound pressure level
values (if any) for the headphones
105. For example, the table may indicate that if the wireless device 100 is associated
with a carrier based in Great Britain and if the headphones impedance is 32 Ohms (i.e.,
+/- 20%), then the maximum sound pressure level should be restricted to 100 dB (i.e.,
if the headphones
105 and wireless device
100 are sold as a package). As another example, the table
406 may indicate that if the wireless device
100 is associated with a carrier based in Great Britain and if the headphones impedance
is 32 Ohms (i.e., +/- 20%), then the maximum sound pressure level should be restricted
to 94 dB (i.e., if the headphones
105 and wireless device
100 are not sold as a package).
[0037] Similarly, the maximum signal level (e.g., in mV RMS) and/or the maximum sound pressure
level (e.g., in dB) may be set by government regulation which may change depending
on the carrier or the location in which the wireless device
100 is operating or is sold (i.e., irrespective of the impendence of the headphones
105). Again, as is known to those skilled in the art, the wireless device
100 has means for determining its carrier and/or location and hence the government regulations
that may apply to set maximum signal levels and/or maximum sound pressure levels.
Thus, the microprocessor
138 receives a signal indicative of the carrier and/or location of the wireless device
100 and determines whether a maximum signal level value and/or a maximum sound pressure
level value has been prescribed for the carrier and/or location. The microprocessor
138 may do this by accessing a table
406 that stores wireless device carrier (or location), corresponding headphones impedance
values, corresponding carrier specific maximum signal level values (if any) for the
audio amplifier
430, and/or corresponding carrier specific maximum sound pressure level values (if any)
for the headphones
105. For example, the table
406 may indicate that if the wireless device
100 is associated with a carrier based in Great Britain, then the maximum sound pressure
level should be restricted to 100 dB (i.e., if the headphones
105 and wireless device
100 are sold as a package). As another example, the table
406 may indicate that if the wireless device
100 is associated with a carrier based in Great Britain, then the maximum sound pressure
level should be restricted to 94 dB (i.e., if the headphones
105 and wireless device
100 are not sold as a package).
[0038] Updates to the table
406 storing carrier (or wireless device location), corresponding headphones impedance
values, corresponding carrier specific maximum signal level values (if any) for the
audio amplifier
430, and corresponding carrier specific maximum sound pressure level values (if any) for
the headphones
105 may be periodically downloaded to the wireless device
100 (e.g., over the network
220).
[0039] The carrier associated with the wireless device
100 may be determined from messages delivered to the wireless device
100 over the network
220. According to another embodiment, the carrier may be determined from information stored
in the wireless device's SIM card
162.
[0040] The location of the wireless device
100 may be determined from messages delivered to the wireless device
100 over the network
220. According to another embodiment, the location of the wireless device
100 may be determined by a global positioning system ("GPS") receiver (not shown) optionally
provided for the device
100. The location of the wireless device
100 may be determined from the location of antennae towers associated with the network
220 on which the wireless device 100 operates.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate headphones subsystem
400. In FIG. 5, a signal source
510 (e.g., microprocessor
138) generates a signal (e.g., an audio signal, an inaudible audio signal, etc.) that
is applied to a digital to analog converter ("DAC")
540. The output of the DAC
540 is conditioned
530 (e.g., amplified
430, etc.) to allow for impendence measurement
520 (e.g., via a resistor
R, etc.) of the headphones
105 connected to the headphones jack
506.
[0042] The application may provide several advantages. For example, the method of the present
application allows wireless devices
100 to restrict maximum signal levels and maximum sound pressure levels to prescribed
legal limits when necessary.
[0043] Aspects of the above described method may be illustrated with the aid of a flowchart.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operations
600 of modules
206 within the memory 200 of a wireless device
210 for controlling maximum signal level output to headphones
105 of the wireless device
100, in accordance with an embodiment of the application.
[0044] At step
601, the operations
600 start.
[0045] At step
602, an impedance
Z of the headphones
105 is determined.
[0046] At step
603, a carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having the impedance
Z is determined.
[0047] At step
604, an audio amplifier
430 of the wireless device
100 coupled to the headphones
105 is adjusted to restrict the maximum signal level output to the headphones
105 to the carrier specific maximum signal level.
[0048] At step
605, the operations
600 end.
[0049] The above described method is generally performed by the wireless device
100. However, according to one embodiment, the method can be performed by, or in combination
with, a data processing system (not shown) such a personal computer ("PC") or server,
a stereo system, a television system, etc.
[0050] While embodiments of this application are primarily discussed as a method, a person
of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the apparatus discussed above with
reference to a wireless device
100 and a data processing system, may be programmed to enable the practice of the method
of these embodiments. Moreover, an article of manufacture for use with a wireless
device
100 or data processing system, such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similar
computer readable medium including program instructions recorded thereon, may direct
the wireless device
100 or data processing system to facilitate the practice of the method of these embodiments.
It is understood that such apparatus and articles of manufacture also come within
the scope of the application as defined in the appended claims.
[0051] Furthermore Aspects and features of this disclosure are set out in the flowing paragraphs
provided as clauses, which correspond to the claims of the parent application as filed:
- 1. A method for controlling a maximum signal level output to headphones of a wireless
device, comprising:
determining an impedance of the headphones;
determining a carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having the impedance;
and,
adjusting an audio amplifier of the wireless device coupled to the headphones to restrict
the maximum signal level output to the headphones to the carrier specific maximum
signal level.
- 2. The method of clause 1 wherein the determining of the carrier specific maximum
signal level further comprises searching a table stored in the wireless device using
the impedance, the table listing impedances and corresponding carrier specific maximum
signal levels.
- 3. The method of clause 1 or clause 2 wherein the determining of the impedance further
comprises applying an audio signal to the headphones.
- 4. The method of clause 3 wherein the audio signal is an inaudible audio signal.
- 5. The method of clause 1 and further comprising determining a carrier for the wireless
device and wherein the carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having
the impedance is determined for the carrier.
- 6. The method of clause 5 wherein the determining of the carrier specific maximum
signal level further comprises searching a table stored in the wireless device using
the impedance and the carrier, the table listing impedances, carriers, and corresponding
carrier specific maximum signal levels.
- 7. The method of clause 5 or clause 6 wherein the carrier is determined from a signal
received from a network in which the wireless device is operating.
- 8. The method of clause 1 and further comprising determining a location for the wireless
device and wherein the carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having
the impedance is determined for the location.
- 9. The method of clause 8 wherein the determining of the carrier specific maximum
signal level further comprises searching a table stored in the wireless device using
the impedance and the location, the table listing impedances, locations, and corresponding
carrier specific maximum signal levels.
- 10. The method of clause 8 or clause 9 wherein the location is determined from a signal
received from a network in which the wireless device is operating.
- 11. A system within a wireless device for controlling a maximum signal level output
to headphones coupled to the wireless device, comprising:
a memory storing program instructions; and
a processor coupled to said memory and configured to execute said program instructions
to cause the system to implement the steps of the method of any one of clauses 1 to
10.
- 12. A wireless device having a system according to clause 11.
- 13. A computer readable medium containing program instructions executable by a processor
of a wireless device for causing said wireless device to implement the steps of the
method of any one of clauses 1 to 10.
[0052] The embodiments of the application described above are intended to be exemplary only.
Those skilled in this art will understand that various modifications of detail may
be made to these embodiments, all of which come within the scope of the application
as defined by the appended claims.
1. Ein Verfahren zum Bestimmen eines maximalen Signalpegels zur Ausgabe an einen Kopfhörer
(105) einer drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100), das aufweist:
Bestimmen einer Impedanz des Kopfhörers (105);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verfahren weiter umfasst:
Speichern in einem Speicher (200) der drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100) von Impedanzen,
Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier und entsprechenden Carrier-spezifischen maximalen Signalpegeln;
und
Zugreifen von dem Speicher (200) auf einen Carrier-spezifischen maximalen Signalpegel
für Kopfhörer (105) mit der Impedanz;
wobei der Carrier-spezifische maximale Signalpegel ein maximaler Signalpegel ist,
der für einen Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier, der mit der drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100) assoziiert
ist, und für Kopfhörer (105) mit der Impedanz vorgeschrieben ist; und
wobei der maximale Signalpegel zur Ausgabe an den Kopfhörer (105) auf den Carrier-spezifischen
maximalen Signalpegel beschränkt ist.
2. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Impedanzen, Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier und
entsprechenden Carrier-spezifischen maximalen Signalpegel in einer durchsuchbaren
Tabelle in dem Speicher (200) gespeichert sind.
3. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei das Bestimmen der Impedanz weiter
ein Anlegen eines Audiosignals an den Kopfhörer (105) aufweist.
4. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei das Audiosignal ein unhörbares Audiosignal ist.
5. Das Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier
mit einem Standort assoziiert ist, und das weiter ein Bestimmen des Standorts aufweist.
6. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei der Speicher (200) weiter Standorte speichert,
die mit Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier assoziiert sind, und wobei der Carrier-spezifische
maximale Signalpegel ein maximaler Signalpegel ist, der für den Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier
oder für den Standort, der mit dem Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier assoziiert ist, und für
Kopfhörer (105) mit der Impedanz vorgeschrieben ist.
7. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei die Standorte in der durchsuchbaren Tabelle
in dem Speicher (200) gespeichert sind.
8. Das Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, wobei der Standort aus einem oder
mehreren bestimmt wird: ein Signal, das von einem Netzwerk (220) empfangen wird, in
dem die drahtlose Vorrichtung (100) betrieben wird; ein GPS(global positioning system)-Empfänger
der drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100); und ein Standort von Antennenstationen, die mit
einem Netzwerk (220) assoziiert sind, in dem die mobile Vorrichtung (100) betrieben
wird.
9. Das Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei ein Audioverstärker (430) der
drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100), gekoppelt mit dem Kopfhörer (105), angepasst ist, um
die maximale Signalpegel-Ausgabe an den Kopfhörer (105) auf den Carrier-spezifischen
maximalen Signalpegel zu beschränken.
10. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei der Audio-Verstärker (430) angepasst wird, wenn
der Carrier-spezifische maximale Signalpegel für die Impedanz bestimmt werden kann.
11. Das Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10 und weiter aufweisend ein Bestimmen
des Zellularnetzwerk-Carriers.
12. Das Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 11, wobei der Zellularnetzwerk-Carrier aus einem oder
mehreren bestimmt wird: ein Signal, das von einem Netzwerk (220) empfangen wird, in
dem die mobile Vorrichtung (100) betrieben wird; und Information, die in einem Teilnehmeridentitätsmodul
(SIM - subscriber identity module) (162) der drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100) gespeichert
ist.
13. Ein System für eine drahtlose Vorrichtung (100) zum Bestimmen eines maximalen Signalpegels
zur Ausgabe an einen Kopfhörer (105), der mit der drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100) gekoppelt
ist, das aufweist:
einen Speicher (200), der Programmanweisungen speichert; und
einen Prozessor (138), der mit dem Speicher (200) gekoppelt ist und konfiguriert ist,
die Programmanweisungen auszuführen, um das System zu veranlassen, die Schritte des
Verfahrens gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12 zu implementieren.
14. Eine drahtlose Vorrichtung (100) mit dem System gemäß Anspruch 13.
15. Ein computerlesbares Medium, das Programmanweisungen enthält, die durch einen Prozessor
einer drahtlosen Vorrichtung (100) ausführbar sind, um die drahtlose Vorrichtung (100)
zu veranlassen, die Schritte des Verfahrens gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12 zu
implementieren.
1. Procédé pour déterminer un niveau de signal maximum pour la sortie vers un casque
(105) d'un dispositif sans fil (100), comprenant :
la détermination d'une impédance du casque (105) ;
caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend en outre :
le stockage dans une mémoire (200) du dispositif sans fil (100) d'impédances, d'opérateurs
de réseau cellulaire, et de niveaux de signal maximums spécifiques à l'opérateur correspondants
; et,
l'accès à partir de la mémoire (200) à un niveau de signal maximum spécifique à l'opérateur
pour le casque (105) ayant l'impédance ;
dans lequel le niveau de signal maximum spécifique à l'opérateur est un niveau de
signal maximum prescrit pour un opérateur de réseau cellulaire associé au dispositif
sans fil (100) et pour le casque (105) ayant l'impédance ; et,
dans lequel le niveau de signal maximum pour la sortie vers le casque (105) est restreint
au niveau de signal maximum spécifique à l'opérateur.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les impédances, les opérateurs de réseau
cellulaire, et les niveaux de signal maximums spécifiques à l'opérateur correspondants
sont stockés dans une table recherchable dans la mémoire (200).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel la détermination
de l'impédance comprend en outre l'application d'un signal audio au casque (105).
4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le signal audio est un signal audio
inaudible.
5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel l'opérateur de
réseau cellulaire est associé à une localisation et comprenant en outre la détermination
de la localisation.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la mémoire (200) stocke en outre des
localisations associées à des opérateurs de réseau cellulaire et dans lequel le niveau
de signal maximum spécifique à l'opérateur est un signal de niveau maximum prescrit
pour l'opérateur de réseau cellulaire ou pour la localisation associée à l'opérateur
de réseau cellulaire, et pour le casque (105) ayant l'impédance.
7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les localisations sont stockées dans
la table recherchable dans la mémoire (200).
8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, dans lequel la localisation
est déterminée à partir d'un ou plusieurs parmi : un signal reçu d'un réseau (220)
dans lequel le dispositif sans fil (100) fonctionne ; un récepteur de système mondial
de positionnement (« GPS ») du dispositif sans fil (100) ; et une localisation de
tours d'antennes associées à un réseau (220) dans lequel le dispositif sans fil (100)
fonctionne.
9. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel un amplificateur
audio (430) du dispositif sans fil (100) couplé au casque (105) est ajusté pour restreindre
le niveau de signal maximum sorti vers le casque (105) au niveau de signal maximum
spécifique à l'opérateur.
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l'amplificateur audio (430) est ajusté
si le niveau de signal maximum spécifique à l'opérateur peut être déterminé pour l'impédance.
11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10 et comprenant en outre la
détermination de l'opérateur de réseau cellulaire.
12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel l'opérateur de réseau cellulaire est
déterminé à partir d'un ou plusieurs parmi : un signal reçu d'un réseau (220) dans
lequel le dispositif sans fil (100) fonctionne ; et, des informations stockées dans
un module d'identité d' abonné (« SIM ») (162) du dispositif sans fil (100).
13. Système pour un dispositif sans fil (100) pour déterminer un niveau de signal maximum
pour la sortie vers un casque (105) couplé au dispositif sans fil (100), comprenant
:
une mémoire (200) stockant des instructions de programme ; et
un processeur (138) couplé à la mémoire (200) et configuré pour exécuter les instructions
de programme afin d'amener le système à mettre en oeuvre les étapes du procédé selon
l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12.
14. Dispositif sans fil (100) ayant le système selon la revendication 13.
15. Support lisible par ordinateur contenant des instructions de programme exécutables
par un processeur d'un dispositif sans fil (100) pour amener le dispositif sans fil
(100) à mettre en oeuvre les étapes du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 12.