Enabling speaker phone mode of a portable voice communications device having a built-in camera

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods of using a speaker phone mode of a portable voice communications device having a built-in camera are described herein. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated if it is determined that an image captured by tire device is black or nearly black, which indicates that the device is placed flat or nearly flat against surface. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on the results of comparing the captured image to a plurality of previously stored captured images wherein the previously stored captured images include images captured by the device in situations where it would be desirable for the speaker phone mode to be activated. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on a comparison of a captured image and previously stored captured images and their respective speaker phone mode statuses. Other embodiments are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising;
 camera circuitry to capture an image;   wireless communications circuitry;   a receiver, a speaker phone, a microphone, and a headset interface coupled to the wireless communications circuitry;   a processor coupled to the camera circuitry;   a memory coupled to the processor and stores instructions that when executed by the processor,   detect that a wireless call is being received or placed,   in response to detecting the call, activate the camera circuitry to capture an image and then deactivate the camera circuitry after capturing the image and before the call is disconnected, and   activate speaker phone mode for the call, based on having analyzed the captured image.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising;
 a sensor to detect movements of the apparatus wherein the processor is to execute further instructions stored in the memory to detect that the apparatus has remained in a stationary position based on data output by the sensor, wherein the activation of speaker phone mode for the call is further based on data output by the sensor. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the captured image is to be analyzed to check for an unchanging scene. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is to execute further instructions stored in the memory to detect that a headset is not connected to the headset interface, and wherein the activation of speaker phone mode for the call is further based on having detected that no headset is connected. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an ambient light sensor, and wherein the memory has further instructions stored therein that activate the speaker phone mode based on data output by the ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stored instructions are such that the speaker phone mode is activated no earlier than when the call is answered.