Abstract: A device with linear slots for water drainage is provided. The device comprises: a bezel covering a cavity and a microphone/speaker mounted therein, the bezel having outer and inner faces, the inner face facing the cavity; linear slots through the bezel between the faces, the linear slots being obliquely angled relative to an upright axis of the bezel; linear slats separating the linear slots at the bezel and forming sides thereof having dimensions selected to promote formation of water droplets thereon of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots when the bezel is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity; and one or more recesses at the inner face, adjacent to the linear slots, the one or more recesses to collect water from the water droplets as the water flows out of the linear slots.

Abstract: A device with linear slots for water drainage is provided. The device comprises: a bezel covering a cavity and a microphone/speaker mounted therein, the bezel having outer and inner faces, the inner face facing the cavity; linear slots through the bezel between the faces, the linear slots being obliquely angled relative to an upright axis of the bezel; linear slats separating the linear slots at the bezel and forming sides thereof having dimensions selected to promote formation of water droplets thereon of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots when the bezel is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity; and one or more recesses at the inner face, adjacent to the linear slots, the one or more recesses to collect water from the water droplets as the water flows out of the linear slots.

Abstract: Systems and methods for beamforming audio signals received from a microphone array. One example embodiment provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a microphone array and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the microphone array. The electronic processor is configured to estimate an ambient noise level. The electronic processor is configured to compare the ambient noise level to a first threshold and a second threshold, the second threshold being lower than the first threshold. The electronic processor is configured to determine a beam pattern for the microphone array based on the comparison of the ambient noise level to the first threshold and the second threshold. The electronic processor is configured to apply the beam pattern to an audio signal received by the microphone array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for beamforming audio signals received from a microphone array. One example embodiment provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a microphone array and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the microphone array. The electronic processor is configured to estimate an ambient noise level. The electronic processor is configured to compare the ambient noise level to a first threshold and a second threshold, the second threshold being lower than the first threshold. The electronic processor is configured to determine a beam pattern for the microphone array based on the comparison of the ambient noise level to the first threshold and the second threshold. The electronic processor is configured to apply the beam pattern to an audio signal received by the microphone array.

Abstract: A grille configured for shielding a microphone cavity. The grille includes a first side. The first side includes a first plurality of parallel slats defining a first plurality of channels extending along a first direction. The grille includes a second side opposite the first side. The second side includes a second plurality of parallel slats defining a second plurality of channels extending along a second direction at a first angle relative to the first direction. The first plurality of parallel slats and the second plurality of parallel slats define a lattice having a plurality of openings extending through the grille. The openings are configured to diffuse air moving across the lattice. The channels and slats are configured to induce capillary action on water coming in contact with the lattice to drain water from the openings and the microphone cavity.

Abstract: Methods and devices for connecting an accessory device to a connector port of a mobile communication device and automatically detecting an operational mode of the connector port are provided. The method includes implementing a USB Type-C device detection at an electronic processor of the mobile communication device and monitoring a first and second pin of the connector port for pull-up and pull-down signals from a connected accessory. The method also includes interrupting the USB Type-C device detection when a pull-down signal is detected and determining whether an accessory signal is detected at a third pin of the connector port. The method also includes implementing a LMR accessory detection when the accessory signal is detected and completing the USB Type-C device detection when the accessory signal is not detected.

Abstract: A grille configured for shielding a microphone cavity. The grille includes a first side. The first side includes a first plurality of parallel slats defining a first plurality of channels extending along a first direction. The grille includes a second side opposite the first side. The second side includes a second plurality of parallel slats defining a second plurality of channels extending along a second direction at a first angle relative to the first direction. The first plurality of parallel slats and the second plurality of parallel slats define a lattice having a plurality of openings extending through the grille. The openings are configured to diffuse air moving across the lattice. The channels and slats are configured to induce capillary action on water coming in contact with the lattice to drain water from the openings and the microphone cavity.

Abstract: A portable communication device provides a pseudo full-duplex communication mode by unmuting a microphone, enabling acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) and decreasing speaker volume when a push-to-talk (PTT) button is pressed, and by muting the microphone during release of the PTT button.

Abstract: Methods and devices for connecting an accessory device to a connector port of a mobile communication device and automatically detecting an operational mode of the connector port are provided. The method includes implementing a USB Type-C device detection at an electronic processor of the mobile communication device and monitoring a first and second pin of the connector port for pull-up and pull-down signals from a connected accessory. The method also includes interrupting the USB Type-C device detection when a pull-down signal is detected and determining whether an accessory signal is detected at a third pin of the connector port. The method also includes implementing a LMR accessory detection when the accessory signal is detected and completing the USB Type-C device detection when the accessory signal is not detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for validating the operation of a transducer and an audio signal path to the transducer. An example method includes switching, with an audio switch, the audio signal path between an audio power amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. The method includes routing an audio signal received from the transducer to the analog-to-digital converter when the audio power amplifier is not enabled. The method includes, upon receiving a button signal, processing, with an electronic processor, a digital version of the audio signal received from the analog-to-digital converter to generate a sample. The method includes comparing the sample to a reference audio sample. The method includes generating an alert when the sample does not match the reference audio sample.

Abstract: Methods and devices for connecting an accessory device to a connector port of a mobile communication device and automatically detecting an operational mode of the connector port are provided. The method includes implementing a USB Type-C device detection at an electronic processor of the mobile communication device and monitoring a first and second pin of the connector port for pull-up and pull-down signals from a connected accessory. The method also includes interrupting the USB Type-C device detection when a pull-down signal is detected and determining whether an accessory signal is detected at a third pin of the connector port. The method also includes implementing a LMR accessory detection when the accessory signal is detected and completing the USB Type-C device detection when the accessory signal is not detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for validating the operation of a transducer and an audio signal path to the transducer. An example method includes switching, with an audio switch, the audio signal path between an audio power amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. The method includes routing an audio signal received from the transducer to the analog-to-digital converter when the audio power amplifier is not enabled. The method includes, upon receiving a button signal, processing, with an electronic processor, a digital version of the audio signal received from the analog-to-digital converter to generate a sample. The method includes comparing the sample to a reference audio sample. The method includes generating an alert when the sample does not match the reference audio sample.

Abstract: Methods and devices for connecting an accessory device to a connector port of a mobile communication device and automatically detecting an operational mode of the connector port are provided. The method includes implementing a USB Type-C device detection at an electronic processor of the mobile communication device and monitoring a first and second pin of the connector port for pull-up and pull-down signals from a connected accessory. The method also includes interrupting the USB Type-C device detection when a pull-down signal is detected and determining whether an accessory signal is detected at a third pin of the connector port. The method also includes implementing a LMR accessory detection when the accessory signal is detected and completing the USB Type-C device detection when the accessory signal is not detected.

Abstract: Improved connectivity between a portable communication device and an accessory is provided through the configuration of a USB type interface. Independent control of a mission-critical subsystem and auxiliary subsystems allow for mission-critical audio and push-to-talk (PTT) to be maintained even in the event of a fault condition within the system. The configurability aspect of the interface allows for additional mission-critical input features to be configured into independent mission-critical subsystems.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including a battery coupled to an accessory circuit, a battery monitoring circuit coupled to the battery, and a processor connected to the battery monitoring circuit and the accessory circuit. The battery monitoring circuit determines an output current of the battery, and the processor receives an indication of the output current. The processor determines, based on the indication of the output current of the battery, a power characteristic of the accessory circuit, and control a power that is to be provided to the accessory circuit based on the power characteristic of the accessory circuit.

Abstract: System and method for controlling incoming acoustic signals at a portable accessory communication system provides improved management of noise levels. A plurality of acoustic microphone arrays (120), formed of pairs of acoustic microphones, and a single vibration microphone (130) are enabled by pressing a push-to-talk (PTT) button (108). An audio signal is input to the acoustic microphone arrays and a vibration signal is input to the single vibration microphone. The audio signal is detected and compared to the vibration signal to determine a high noise environment. The single vibration microphone (130) controls beam formation of the acoustic microphone arrays in high noise environments based on predetermined noise thresholds being exceeded and selecting an optimum acoustic microphone pair from the arrays to direct a null targeted at the noise source.

Abstract: Improved connectivity between a portable communication device and an accessory is provided through the configuration of a USB type interface. Independent control of a mission-critical subsystem and auxiliary subsystems allow for mission-critical audio and push-to-talk (PTT) to be maintained even in the event of a fault condition within the system. The configurability aspect of the interface allows for additional mission-critical input features to be configured into independent mission-critical subsystems.

Abstract: System and method for beamforming audio signals received from a microphone array. The method includes receiving at least one audio signal from the microphone array. The method includes determining a plurality of beams based on the at least one audio signal. The method includes receiving from a vibration microphone at least one vibration signal, and filtering the at least one vibration signal to generate at least one filtered vibration signal. The method includes filtering the plurality of beams to generate a plurality of filtered beams. The method includes determining a plurality of correlation values, each of the plurality of correlation values based on one of the plurality of filtered beams and the at least one filtered vibration signal. The method includes determining a peak correlation value based on the plurality of correlation values, and selecting one of the plurality of beams based on the peak correlation value.

Abstract: A method of exchanging data between an electronic device and an external accessory. In one example, the method includes receiving, at an interface of the electronic device, a connector of the external accessory. The method also includes transmitting, via a first pin of the interface, data between the external accessory and the electronic device, and interrupting, with an electronic processor of the electronic device, data transmission between the external accessory and the electronic device via the first pin of the interface. The method further includes while data transmission is interrupted, detecting, via the first pin of the interface, an activation of a talk actuator, and activating, via the electronic processor, a transmitter in response to detecting the activation of the talk actuator.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including a battery coupled to an accessory circuit, a battery monitoring circuit coupled to the battery, and a processor connected to the battery monitoring circuit and the accessory circuit. The battery monitoring circuit determines an output current of the battery, and the processor receives an indication of the output current. The processor determines, based on the indication of the output current of the battery, a power characteristic of the accessory circuit, and control a power that is to be provided to the accessory circuit based on the power characteristic of the accessory circuit.