APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SOURCE OF SOUND EMITTED FROM A MOBILE TERMINAL

摘要

An apparatus is provided for controlling the source of sound emitted from a mobile terminal used in a wireless communication system. The apparatus comprises a housing defining first and second acoustic ports communicating with the exterior of the mobile terminal. A switch is disposed in the housing for movement between a first position where the switch covers the first port to substantially prevent sound produced by a speaker from passing to the exterior of the mobile terminal while allowing sound to pass from the second port. In the second position, the switch covers the second port to substantially prevent sound from passing through the second port to the exterior of the mobile terminal while allowing sound to pass from the first port. A controller distinguishes among the different operating modes of the mobile terminal and is operable to access a plurality of audio settings representative of the sound level to be emitted which is associated each operating mode. A motive device in communication with the controller moves the switch between the first position to the second position for changing the source of sound from the mobile terminal depending on the operating mode.