Communication apparatus with ambient noise reduction

Abstract

Noise reduction circuitry for a communication apparatus can apply different noise reduction transfer functions, depending on whether a listening device is connected to the apparatus. If no listening device is connected, the noise reduction transfer function can be adapted for use with microphones and speakers that form an integral part of the communication apparatus, which may be a cellular telephone. If a listening device is connected, the noise reduction transfer function can be adapted for use with microphones and speakers that form a part of the listening device. This allows the noise reduction circuitry to provide improved noise reduction performance.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A listening device, comprising:
 a speaker;   a microphone for detecting ambient noise; and   a plug, for connection to a socket of an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises noise reduction circuitry, wherein the listening device is configured to transfer through said plug a digital coding word, and wherein the digital coding word identifies characteristics of the listening device that require a particular noise reduction transfer function to be provided by the noise reduction circuitry for the identified listening device.   
     
     
         9 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said speaker and said microphone are connected to said plug. 
     
     
         10 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the plug comprises a plurality of individual conductors. 
     
     
         11 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein respective bits of the digital coding word are carried on individual conductors of said plurality of individual conductors. 
     
     
         12 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein respective bits of the digital coding word are carried on individual conductors of said plurality of individual conductors, by connecting said individual conductors to ground potential. 
     
     
         13 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the digital coding word identifies a specific model of listening device. 
     
     
         14 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the listening device comprises a headphone, earphone or earbud device. 
     
     
         15 . A listening device, comprising a plug, the plug being adapted for insertion into a socket in an apparatus, and the plug comprising a plurality of individual conductors, wherein a first plurality of said conductors are configured to convey audio signals between the listening device and said apparatus, and wherein a second plurality of said conductors are configured to represent a digital coding word to said apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 at least one speaker; and   at least one microphone proximate to said at least one speaker suitable for detecting ambient noise in the proximity of said at least one speaker;   wherein the speaker is connected to the plug such that audio signals can be passed from the plug to the speaker; and   wherein the microphone is connected to the plug such that audio signals can be passed from the microphone to the plug.   
     
     
         17 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein respective bits of the digital coding word are carried on individual conductors of said second plurality of individual conductors, by connecting said individual conductors to ground potential. 
     
     
         18 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the digital coding word identifies a characteristic of the listening device. 
     
     
         19 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the digital coding word identifies a characteristic of the listening device requiring a specific noise reduction transfer function in a device to which the listening device is connected by said plug. 
     
     
         20 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the digital coding word identifies a specific model of listening device. 
     
     
         21 . A listening device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the listening device comprises a headphone, earphone or earbud device. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus comprising:
 a multi-way socket comprising a plurality of connectors suitable for connection to a multi-way plug of a listening device;   wherein, in use, a subset of said plurality of connectors are coupled to a power supply potential so as to digitally code at least one characteristic associated with said listening device that may be identified by said apparatus.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein a second plurality of said connectors are configured for carrying audio signals. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the second plurality of said connectors are configured to transmit audio signals to at least one speaker in the listening device, and to receive audio signals from at least one microphone in the listening device. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is configured to identify the characteristic of the listening device based on the subset of said plurality of connectors that are coupled to the power supply potential. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , comprising noise reduction signal processing circuitry, and being further configured to adapt a noise reduction transfer function of said noise reduction signal processing circuitry based on said identified characteristic of the listening device. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , being further configured to identify a specific model of listening device based on the subset of said plurality of connectors that are coupled to the power supply potential.