Method and apparatus for improving audio reception in a paging device

摘要

A method (300) and apparatus (200) are provided for operating a portable pager. The method and apparatus eliminate channel noise between paging tones and voice messages. Channel noise is squelched between paging tones and voice messages using a delayed N timer, thereby allowing the speaker to remain on. Paging tones are received and played at the speaker during a signaling squelch mode of operation. The detection of the paging tones and subsequent drop in carrier signal, initiates a timer during which channel noise is squelched during a carrier squelch mode of operation. The timer is delayed (delay N timer) so as to expire only after the carrier frequency is re-established. Once the carrier signal is re-established followed by the delayed timer expiration, the carrier squelch is removed. The speaker remains on during both signaling squelch and carrier squelch. Hence, paging tones are heard, channel noise is silenced, and then voice messages are played.

主权项

1. A method for controlling audio at a pager, comprising:
monitoring at least one radio frequency (RF) channel; detecting a predetermined radio frequency (RF) carrier frequency on a monitored RF channel; receiving predetermined paging tones over the RF carrier frequency; playing an alert tone at a speaker of the pager, the alert tone corresponding to the predetermined paging tones; un-muting the speaker to the RF carrier frequency; detecting when the RF carrier frequency drops, thereby generating channel noise, and starting a timer; silencing the channel noise and starting a timer while the speaker remains on; detecting the RF carrier frequency is re-established, the RF carrier now carrying a a voice message that un-silences the channel; playing or recording the voice message; detecting when the timer has expired; detecting when the RF carrier carrying the voice message drops; and muting the speaker prior to returning to monitoring.