Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone

Abstract

A device and method for handling announcement of an incoming call in a telephone handset at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level is provided. In some embodiments, the disclosed device includes an audio signaling mechanism such as a ringer whose loudness is automatically adjusted in accordance with a measured ambient noise levels. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention provides an audio speaker for outputting received voice communications, wherein the loudness of the speaker is determined at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods and devices for handling announcement of an incoming call at least in part in accordance with electrical output from other sensing circuits such as location sensing circuits and environmental circuits. In some embodiments, a loudness of the audio speaker for outputting received voice communications is determined at least in part in accordance with electrical output from other sensing circuits such as location sensing circuits and environmental circuits.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A telephone handset comprising:
 a) a location sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a sensed location of the telephone handset; and   b) an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with said sensed electrical signal.   
     
     
         24 . The telephone handset of  claim 23  wherein said location sensing mechanism is operative to sense said location upon detection of said incoming call. 
     
     
         25 . The telephone handset of  claim 23  wherein said location sensing mechanism is configured to periodically sense said location. 
     
     
         26 . The telephone handset of  claim 23  further comprising:
 c) a housing, wherein said location sensing mechanism and said incoming call signaling mechanism are located within said housing.   
     
     
         27 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A telephone handset comprising:
 a) an environmental sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with measured local environmental conditions; and   b) an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with said electrical signal.   
     
     
         31 . The telephone handset of  claim 30  wherein said environmental sensing mechanism is operative to measure said local environment conditions upon detection of said incoming call. 
     
     
         32 . The telephone handset of  claim 30  wherein said environmental sensing mechanism is operative to periodically measure said local environmental conditions. 
     
     
         33 . The telephone handset of  claim 30  wherein said measured local environmental conditions include a presence of a substance. 
     
     
         34 . The telephone handset of  claim 33  wherein said substance is selected from the group consisting of an odorous substance and water vapor. 
     
     
         35 . The telephone handset of  claim 30  wherein said measured local environmental conditions include at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a local wind sped, a local relative humidity, a local barometric pressure, a local dew point and a local wind chill.