U.S. patent application number 10/226904 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-26 for telephone set with special sound effect mode.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Babasaki, Noboru, Kuno, Hidehiko, Nagatani, Junko, Urasaka, Shinichi.
Application Number | 20020198017 10/226904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27471415 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020198017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Babasaki, Noboru ; et
al. |
December 26, 2002 |
Telephone set with special sound effect mode
Abstract
A telephone set includes an input unit having a call button for
originating and answering calls, and an end button for terminating
calls. The telephone set also includes a control unit, a display
unit, voice signal communication circuits, and sound circuits for
generating sound effects when the control unit is in a special
mode. In one embodiment, the call button is ignored when the
control unit is in the special mode, and the special mode is
terminated when the end button is pressed. In another embodiment,
the special mode is terminated when either the call button or end
button is pressed. The special mode operates independent of the
communication circuits.
Inventors: |
Babasaki, Noboru;
(Tottori-shi, JP) ; Urasaka, Shinichi;
(Tottori-shi, JP) ; Kuno, Hidehiko; (Tottori-shi,
JP) ; Nagatani, Junko; (Tottori-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE, SUITE 2200
2005 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
27471415 |
Appl. No.: |
10/226904 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10226904 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
|
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09179664 |
Oct 27, 1998 |
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6473628 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/550.1 ;
455/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72451 20210101;
H04M 1/72427 20210101; H04M 1/724 20210101; H04M 1/72454
20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/550 ;
455/567 |
International
Class: |
H04B 001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 1997 |
JP |
300555/97 |
Nov 6, 1997 |
JP |
304181/97 |
Nov 5, 1997 |
JP |
302599/97 |
May 12, 1998 |
JP |
128845/98 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A telephone set having a display panel, an input unit with
buttons and keys, and communication circuits for transmitting and
receiving voice signals, said buttons and keys including at least a
call button for originating and answering calls, dial keys for
entering telephone numbers, and an end button for terminating
calls, comprising: sound circuits for generating sound effects; and
a control unit operating in a special mode in response to
predetermined input from said input unit, using said display panel,
said input unit, and said sound circuits independently of said
communication circuits in said special mode, terminating said
special mode when said end button is pressed, and ignoring said
call button in said special mode.
2. The telephone set of claim 1, wherein said control unit uses
said display panel for game-playing in said special mode.
3. The telephone set of claim 1, wherein said control unit uses
said sound circuits to generate a variety of non-musical sound
effects in said special mode, in response to input from said input
unit.
4. A telephone set having communication circuits for sending and
receiving voice signals, and an input unit with buttons and keys,
said buttons and keys including at least a call button for
originating and answering calls, dial keys for entering telephone
numbers, and an end button for terminating calls, comprising: sound
circuits for generating sound effects; and a control unit operating
in a special mode in response to predetermined input from said
input unit, using said sound circuits to generate non-musical sound
effects in said special mode, and preventing said sound effects
from being transmitted through said communication circuits.
5. The telephone set of claim 4, wherein said sound effects include
simulated vocal effects.
6. The telephone set of claim 4, wherein said sound effects include
comical sound effects.
7. The telephone set of claim 4, wherein said sound effects include
startling sound effects.
8. A telephone set having a display panel, an input unit with
buttons and keys, communication circuits for transmitting and
receiving voice signals, and sound circuits for generating sound
effects, said buttons and keys including at least a call button for
originating and answering calls, dial keys for entering telephone
numbers, and an end button for terminating calls, comprising: a
control unit operating in a special mode in response to
predetermined input from said input unit, performing operations
independent of said communication circuits in said special mode,
terminating said special mode when said call button is pressed,
also terminating said special mode when said end button is
pressed.
9. The telephone set of claim 8, wherein said input unit comprises
a function button, said predetermined input including two
consecutive presses of said function button.
10. A telephone set having a display panel, an input unit with
buttons and keys, and communication circuits for sending and
receiving voice signals, said buttons and keys including at least a
call button for originating and answering calls, dial keys for
entering telephone numbers, and an end button for terminating
calls, comprising: sound circuits for generating sound effects; and
a control unit operating in a special mode in response to
predetermined input from said input unit, using said sound circuits
to generate non-musical sound effects in said special mode, said
sound effects being selected by input from said dial keys,
operations performed in said special mode being independent of said
communication circuits.
11. The telephone set of claim 10, wherein said sound effects
include simulated vocal effects.
12. The telephone set of claim 10, wherein said sound effects
include comical sound effects.
13. The telephone set of claim 10, wherein said sound effects
include startling sound effects.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No.
09/179,664 filed Oct. 27, 1998, entitled TELEPHONE SET WITH
SWITCHABLE INFORMATION AND IMAGE DISPLAY, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a telephone set, in
particular to a portable telephone set.
[0003] Battery-operated portable wireless telephone sets ranging
from vehicular models to pocketsize sets have come into common use.
Many portable telephone sets have functions not found in wired
telephone sets. A simple example is a power switch enabling the
telephone set to be switched off when calls are not expected, to
conserve battery power.
[0004] Another feature is a volume control that can adjust the
loudspeaker volume for use in various environments. Many portable
telephone sets store the volume setting in a non-volatile memory
while power is switched off, and restore the same setting the next
time power is switched on, so that the user does not have to adjust
the volume every time the telephone set's power is switched on.
[0005] Many portable telephone sets also have an expanded range of
loudspeaker volume settings, including very soft and very loud
settings. The very soft setting is used to avoid disturbing people
nearby, or to avoid having a telephone conversation overheard. The
very loud setting is used in noisy environments, to make the
distant party's voice audible.
[0006] Another function found in many portable telephone sets is a
vibration function that alerts the user to arriving calls by means
of a vibrator. This function is useful in noisy environments, and
in situations in which the user does not want to disturb people
nearby.
[0007] Yet another function is a selection of different types of
ringing tones, as taught in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 202994/1995. This function enables the user to distinguish the
ringing tone of his or her telephone set from the ringing tones of
other nearby telephone sets.
[0008] Still another function is a selection of hold melodies and
other sound effects, sometimes including loud non-musical sound
effects that can be used to discourage malicious callers.
[0009] A further function is a small liquid-crystal display panel
that displays the time, date, telephone numbers, battery status,
short messages, and other relevant information.
[0010] A still further function, taught in Japanese Unexamined
Patent Publication No. 237393/1996, is an interface enabling the
telephone set to be connected to a television set, so that the
above information, and possibly other information such as images,
not necessarily relevant to telephone communication, can be
displayed on a large screen.
[0011] Although useful, these functions also make the telephone set
more complex and more difficult to operate, and invite various
types of operation mistakes. For example, if the user selects the
very loud volume setting while using the telephone set in a noisy
environment, and forgets to reset the volume when the call is
finished, a later call in a more quiet environment may startle the
user or people nearby. If the user selects the very soft volume
while using the telephone set during a meeting, and forgets to
reset the volume, a later call in a different environment may be
difficult to hear, requiring a hasty readjustment of the
volume.
[0012] Many telephone sets have a first loudspeaker for use when
held close to the ear, and a second loudspeaker for use at a
distance from the ear. The very soft and very loud volume settings
are useful with the first loudspeaker, but if these settings are
transferred inadvertently to the second loudspeaker, the distant
party's voice becomes barely audible or disturbingly loud.
[0013] Selection of the vibration function is troublesome because
the user must also decide whether to enable or disable the ringer,
and whether to increase or decrease the microphone sensitivity,
these decisions depending on whether the vibration function is used
in a quiet or noisy environment. The user is required to make
multiple settings for each situation.
[0014] The utility of a selection of different ringing tones is
limited, because these ringing tones tend to sound alike.
Identification of a particular ringing tone can be especially
difficult when the telephone is carried in a purse or briefcase, or
in an inner pocket under heavy clothing.
[0015] The utility of sound effects in discouraging malicious
callers is offset by the misuse of the same sound effects to
originate malicious calls.
[0016] The utility of a display of the date and time is limited
because a person using a portable telephone set is likely to be
wearing a wristwatch that gives the date and time more
conveniently. Furthermore, the generally drab displays found on
conventional portable telephone sets compare unfavorably with the
attractive and fashionable dial faces of wristwatches. In addition,
the display of fixed information such as telephone numbers during
standby periods is uninteresting, and may give the false impression
that the telephone set is malfunctioning, because the information
does not change.
[0017] Connection of a portable telephone set to a television set
quickly drains the battery of the telephone set, thereby lessening
the utility of the telephone set for communication purposes.
[0018] Thus for various reasons, conventional portable telephone
sets are somewhat difficult to operate, and their sound effects and
display functions are not as useful as might be desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
telephone set includes a receiving circuit, a display panel, and an
input unit with manual controls. The memory unit stores a plurality
of images. A control unit monitors elapsed time and input from the
input unit. The control unit selects the images from the memory
unit, displays the images on the display panel, and automatically
switches the display panel from displaying the images to displaying
information when a call is received by the telephone set. The
images are automatically displayed after a predetermined time
period has elapsed, during which the telephone set has entered and
remained in a standby state waiting for a call to arrive, without
an input from the input unit. While displaying the images, the
display panel also displays an indication of whether the telephone
set is within communicable range of a base station.
[0020] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a
telephone set includes a display panel, a memory unit, an indicator
circuit and a control unit. The memory unit stores a plurality of
images. The indicator circuit operates independent of the display
panel. The control unit selects the images from the memory unit,
displays the images on the display panel, and automatically
switches the display panel from displaying the images to displaying
information when a call is received by the telephone set. Telephone
communication information is presented by the indicator circuit
when the images are displayed, and the telephone communication
information is presented by the display panel when the images are
not displayed.
[0021] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
control unit automatically switches the display panel from
displaying information to displaying the images a predetermined
time after the telephone set enters a standby mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments
of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction
with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the
invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are
presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
[0023] In the attached drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of
the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a chart of microphone sensitivity and loudspeaker
volume settings;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the volume setting
operation of the first embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the storing of volume
settings at power-off;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment
of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a chart of vibrating settings and other
settings;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
second embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of
the invention;
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates the display panel in the third
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a display of information on the display
panel;
[0034] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, and 11G illustrate a
display of images on the display panel;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment
of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
fourth embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a
variation of the fourth embodiment; and
[0038] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
third embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Embodiments of the invention will be described with
reference to the attached illustrative drawings. The embodiments
are portable telephone sets of the type used in the Japanese
Personal Handyphone System (PHS), for example, to communicate with
a public telephone network through a public base station or cell
station, or through a private base station in a home or office, or
to communicate directly with another portable telephone set of the
same type.
[0040] The Personal Handyphone System is a time-division multiple
access (TDMA) system employing time-division duplex (TDD)
communication, quaternary phase-shift keying (QPSK), and adaptive
differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM). One of the components
of the embodiments below is a channel and voice coder-decoder or
codec, which is an integrated circuit comprising a channel codec
and a voice codec. The channel codec performs QPSK modulation and
demodulation, TDMA/TDD multiplexing and demultiplexing, and other
functions such as the calculation of a cyclic redundancy check
(CRC) code. The voice codec performs ADPCM coding and decoding
functions, including compression, expansion, analog-to-digital
conversion, and digital-to-analog conversion.
[0041] Each of the embodiments below also has a receiver that
receives wireless signals through an antenna, and a transmitter
that transmits wireless signals through the same antenna. A
phase-locked loop (PLL) provides signals of selectable frequencies
to the receiver and transmitter. During a telephone call, the
receiver uses the signal from the PLL to down-convert the frequency
of the received wireless signal, and supplies the down-converted
signal to the above-described channel and voice codec, which
converts the received signal to an analog voice signal. The analog
voice signal is normally reproduced through a loudspeaker held
close to the user's ear. The user speaks into a microphone,
producing an analog voice signal that is coded and modulated onto a
carrier signal by the channel and voice codec, then transmitted by
the transmitter. The received and transmitted analog voice signals
are amplified by respective amplifiers.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment is a portable
telephone set comprising a receiver 1, antenna 2, transmitter 3,
PLL 4, channel and voice codec 5, loudspeaker 6, microphone 7, and
amplifiers 8 and 9 as described above. Loudspeaker 6 will be
referred to as the first loudspeaker. The first embodiment also has
a second loudspeaker 10 for use at a distance from the user's ear,
and a more powerful amplifier 11 that amplifies the received signal
when the second loudspeaker 10 is used. The telephone set may also
have a second microphone (not visible) for use with the second
loudspeaker 10.
[0043] A control unit 12 such as a microprocessor controls the
telephone set by executing a control program stored in a read-only
memory (ROM) 13. The control unit 12 includes an internal timer
(not visible). A random-access memory (RAM) 14 stores volume
settings and other information needed by the control unit 12. A
ringer 15 generates a ringing tone to inform the user of arriving
calls. A liquid-crystal display panel 16 displays telephone numbers
and other information.
[0044] The telephone set has an input unit 17 with various manual
control buttons and keys, including a call button 18 for
originating and answering calls, an end button 19 for terminating
calls, a dial keypad 20 for entering telephone numbers, two volume
control buttons 21 and 22, a speaker (SPKR) button 23 that selects
the first loudspeaker 6 or second loudspeaker 10, and a power (P)
on-off button 24. The volume control buttons will also be referred
to as the up button 21 and down button 22.
[0045] Next the operation of the first embodiment will be
described. The description will be confined to operations related
to volume control.
[0046] The telephone set operates in two modes, depending on which
loudspeaker is selected. When a call is originated or answered, the
telephone set operates initially in the first mode, using the first
loudspeaker 6. To select the second mode and use the second
loudspeaker 10, the user must press the speaker button 23.
[0047] In the first mode, the user can use the volume control
buttons 21 and 22 to set the loudspeaker volume in a five-step
range, the five settings being very soft, soft, medium, loud, and
very loud. Pressing the up button 21 increases the volume. Pressing
the down button 22 decreases the volume. In the second mode, the
volume control buttons 21 and 22 operate in a three-step subrange
with only the soft, medium, and loud settings.
[0048] The control unit 12 expresses the volume setting by means of
a variable V as shown in FIG. 2, values of V from one to five
designating volume settings from very soft to very loud. The
control unit 12 sets the value of V in an internal register (not
visible) and controls the channel and voice codec 5 so that
received voice signals are reproduced at the designated volume
level. When the user selects the very soft setting (V=1), the
control unit 12 also causes the channel and voice codec 5 to
increase the encoded volume of the transmitted voice signal,
thereby increasing the microphone sensitivity, because the user is
presumably speaking softly to avoid disturbing people nearby, or to
avoid being overheard.
[0049] When power is switched off by the power button 24, the
control unit 12 stores a value of V in the RAM 14. The RAM 14 is
backed up by the telephone set's battery so that the memory
contents are retained even while power is off. The value originally
stored in the RAM 14 when the telephone set is manufactured is
three (V=3).
[0050] When power is switched on, the control unit 12 controls the
loudspeaker volume according to the flowchart in FIG. 3. Initially,
the control unit 12 reads the value of V from the RAM 14 (step S1),
and operates according to the stored volume setting. The control
unit 12 also monitors the volume control buttons (steps S2 and
S3).
[0051] If the up button 21 is pressed, giving a yes (Y) result in
step S2, the control unit 12 determines whether the current value
of V is equal to five (step S4). If so, the control unit 12 ignores
the input from the up button 21 and returns to step S2. If not, the
control unit 12 starts its internal timer (step S5), and determines
whether V is equal to four (step S6). If V is not equal to four,
the control unit 12 increments V (step S7) to increase the volume
setting, waits for half a second (step S8), then returns to step
S2.
[0052] If V is equal to four, the control unit 12 waits for the up
button 21 to be released (step S9), then determines from the timer
value whether the up button was pressed for at least two seconds
(step S10). If not, the control unit 12 returns to step S2. If so,
the control unit 12 determines whether the second mode, using the
second loudspeaker 10, is currently selected (step S11), and
returns to step S2 if it is. If the present mode is the first mode,
the control unit 12 sets V to five (step S12) to select the very
loud volume setting, then returns to step S2.
[0053] Similar operations are performed when the down button 22 is
pressed. After recognizing the button-press in step S3, the control
unit 12 determines whether V is equal to one (step S13), and
returns to step S2 if this is the case. If V is greater than one,
the control unit 12 starts the timer (step S14) and determines
whether V is equal to two (step S15). If V is not equal to two, the
control unit 12 decrements V (step S16), waits for half a second
(step S17), then returns to step S2. If V is equal to two, the
control unit 12 waits for the down button 22 to be released (step
S18), determines whether the down button was pressed for at least
two seconds (step S19), and determines whether the first or second
mode is currently selected (step S20). If the down button 22 was
not pressed for at least two seconds, or if the second mode is
selected, the control unit 12 returns to step S2. If the down
button 22 was pressed for at least two seconds and the first mode
is selected, the control unit 12 sets V to one (step S21) to select
the very soft volume setting, then returns to step S2.
[0054] When, for example, V is equal to three and the first mode is
selected, if the down button 22 is pressed for three seconds, the
control unit 12 uses a small fraction of the first second to
execute steps S2, S3, S13, S14, S15, and S16, reducing V to two.
After waiting for half a second in step S17, the control unit 12
executes steps S2, S3, S13, S14, S15, and S18 in approximately 2.5
seconds, then executes steps S19, S20, and S21, reducing V to
one.
[0055] The procedure in FIG. 3 allows the full range of V settings
from one to five to be selected in the first mode, but restricts V
to the subrange from two to four in the second mode, thereby
preventing the very soft and very loud volume settings from being
used with the second loudspeaker 10, for which these two settings
are inappropriate. This procedure also allows the same two volume
control buttons 21 and 22 to control the volume of both
loudspeakers 6 and 10, an advantage in a small telephone set
without space for many buttons, and an advantage to the user
because the volume control operations are easy to learn.
[0056] FIG. 4 shows the procedure followed when power is switched
off. The control unit 12 monitors the power button 24 (step S31).
When the power button 24 is pressed, the control unit 12 tests the
value of V (steps S32 and S33). If V is equal to one, the control
unit 12 changes V to two (step S34). If V is equal to five, the
control unit 12 changes V to four (step S35). The value of V is
then stored in the RAM 14 (step S36), after which power is shut off
(step S37). The stored value will be read by the control unit 12
the next time power is switched on.
[0057] The procedure in FIG. 4 prevents the very soft and very loud
volume settings from being stored in the RAM 14 while power is off.
Thus, regardless of how the telephone set was used previously, when
its power is switched on, the initial volume setting is neither
inaudibly soft nor disturbingly loud.
[0058] In a variation of the first embodiment, the range of volume
settings available in the first mode is an arbitrary range, not
necessarily limited to five steps. In the second mode, the volume
settings are restricted to a first subrange of this range. When
power is switched off, the volume setting stored in the RAM 14 is
restricted to a second subrange, which need not be identical to the
first subrange. If the setting is not in the second subrange when
power is switched off, the closest setting in the second subrange
is stored.
[0059] Next, a second embodiment will be described.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, the second embodiment is a portable
telephone set comprising a receiver 1, antenna 2, transmitter 3,
PLL 4, channel and voice codec 5, loudspeaker 6, microphone 7, and
amplifiers 8 and 9 as described above. A second loudspeaker (not
visible) may be provided for use at a distance from the ear.
[0061] The second embodiment also has a control unit 12, comprising
a microprocessor or the like, coupled to a read-only memory (ROM)
13 storing a control program, a random-access memory (RAM) 14
storing mode settings and various other data, a ringer 15 that
generates ringing tones to announce arriving calls, a
liquid-crystal display panel 16 displaying various information, and
an input unit 17 with various keys and buttons, including a dial
keypad 20, a noisy mode button 25, a hush mode button 26, and a
normal mode setting button 27. The telephone set can be set to emit
a click tone when the buttons and keys in the input unit 17 are
pressed. The control unit 12 is also coupled to a vibrator 28 that
announces arriving calls by vibrating.
[0062] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be
described.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 6, the telephone set has a normal mode, a
noisy mode, and a hush mode. In the normal mode, the loudspeaker
volume, microphone sensitivity, and ringer volume can each be set
in a three-step range (soft, medium, loud, or low, medium, high),
the initial setting being medium in each case. The microphone 7 and
ringer 15 can also be switched off. The vibrator 28 and click tone
can be switched on or off; that is, they can be enabled or
disabled. Initially, the vibrator 28 is switched off and the click
tone is switched on. The initial settings are stored in the ROM
13.
[0064] In the noisy mode, the loudspeaker volume and ringer volume
are set to a very loud level, and the vibrator 28 is enabled, so
that arriving calls will be announced by both the ringer 15 and
vibrator 28. The microphone sensitivity is left unchanged, and the
click-tone setting is left unchanged. The noisy mode is useful in
noisy environments.
[0065] In the hush mode, the loudspeaker volume is left unchanged,
but the microphone sensitivity is increased to a very high level,
so that the user can speak in a hushed voice. The ringer 15 is
switched off, the vibrator 28 is enabled, and the click tone is
switched off. Arriving calls will be announced only by the
vibrator. This mode is useful when the user does not want to
disturb people nearby, or does not want to be overheard.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit 12 starts operating in
the normal mode with the initial settings (step S41). If the normal
mode setting button 27 is pressed (Y in step S42), the control unit
12 displays a setting menu on the display panel 16, and the user
uses the dial keypad 20 to select desired settings (step S43). The
selected settings are stored in the RAM 14.
[0067] When the noisy mode button 25 is pressed (Y in step S44),
then if the present mode is not the noisy mode (N in step S45), the
control unit 12 changes the loudspeaker, ringer, and vibrator
settings to the noisy-mode values indicated in FIG. 6 (step S46).
If the present mode is the noisy mode (Y in step S45), the control
unit 12 restores the normal settings from the RAM 14 (step
S47).
[0068] When the hush mode button 26 is pressed (Y in step S48), if
the present mode is not the hush mode (N in step S49), the control
unit 12 changes the microphone sensitivity, ringer, and vibrator
settings to the hush-mode values indicated in FIG. 6 (step S50). If
the present mode is the hush mode (Y in step S49), the control unit
12 restores the normal settings from the RAM 14 (step S47).
[0069] By pressing the noisy mode button 25 or hush mode button 26
before or during a call, the user can instantly make all of the
settings needed to use the telephone set in a noisy environment, or
an environment in which the user does not wish to disturb or be
overheard by people nearby. By pressing the same button once more,
the user can instantly return to the normal mode. The telephone set
thus becomes easy to operate.
[0070] By pressing the normal mode setting button 27 in the noisy
mode or hush mode, the user can change one or more of the settings
that were made collectively by pressing the noisy mode button 25 or
hush mode button 26.
[0071] In a variation of the second embodiment, the loudspeaker
volume and ringer volume are set to the loud level in the noisy
mode, instead of being set to a very loud level. Similarly, in the
hush mode, the microphone sensitivity may be set to the high level,
instead of the very high level, and the ringer 15 may be set to the
soft volume level, instead of being switched off. The click tone
setting may be left unchanged in the hush mode.
[0072] In another variation, on return from the noisy mode or hush
mode to the normal mode, the control unit 12 restores some or all
of the initial settings from the ROM 13, instead of restoring the
settings stored in the RAM 14.
[0073] Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 8, the third embodiment is a portable
telephone set comprising a receiver 1, antenna 2, transmitter 3,
PLL 4, channel and voice codec 5, loudspeaker 6, microphone 7, and
amplifiers 8 and 9 as described above.
[0075] The third embodiment also has a control unit 12 coupled to a
read-only memory (ROM) 13 storing a control program, a
random-access memory (RAM) 14 storing mode settings and various
other data, a liquid-crystal display panel 16, an input unit 17
with various manual control buttons and keys, and a light-emitting
diode (LED) indicator 30.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 9, the display panel 16 has a row of icons
and abbreviations at the top. The telephone icon 31 indicates that
a called party's telephone is ringing. The antenna icon 32
indicates electric field strength when the telephone set is within
range of a base-station antenna. The abbreviation PBLC 33 indicates
the mode for communication with a public base station. The
abbreviation PRVT 34 indicates the mode for communication with a
private base station. The transceiver icon 35 indicates the mode
for direct communication with another portable telephone set. The
battery icon 36 indicates remaining battery charge.
[0077] Below the row of icons is a dot-matrix portion of the
display panel 16, providing space for the display of simple images,
such as the swimming fish shown in the drawing, or for the display
of three short lines of text.
[0078] Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be
described.
[0079] At the end of a call, or when power is first switched on,
the telephone set enters a standby mode to wait for a call to
arrive. For the first five minutes of standby, the control unit 12
displays the date and time on the display panel 16, together with
the relevant icons and abbreviations, as shown in FIG. 10, for
example.
[0080] If no call is received and no buttons or keys are pressed,
after five minutes the control unit 12 automatically switches from
the date-and-time display to an image display such as the swimming
fish shown in FIG. 9. The image data for this display are stored in
the ROM 13. The ROM 13 preferably stores several types of images:
for example, an image of swimming fish, an image of a flying
airplane, and an animal image such the head of a mole. The control
unit 12 changes the image type from time to time, preferably in a
pseudo-random sequence, or as a pseudo-random function of the time
of day, so that the user does not know which type of image will
appear next.
[0081] The control unit 12 also causes the images to move
intermittently. The ROM 13 stores, for example, seven airplane
images as shown in FIGS. 1I A to 1I G. The control unit 12 displays
these images one after another, changing from one image to the next
at intervals of ten seconds, for example, thus causing the airplane
to move slowly across the display panel. Swimming fish can be made
to move in the same way. A mole's head can be made to pop up at a
random location on the display panel 16, give a sign of greeting,
then sink down toward the bottom of the display panel and
disappear.
[0082] The images can also be made to move by scrolling, but the
necessary scrolling calculations consume power. To conserve battery
charge, it is preferable to read pre-stored images intermittently
from the ROM 13.
[0083] The display of these images does not affect the normal
standby operation of the telephone set. During display of the
images, however, the icons and abbreviations at the top of the
display panel 16 are preferably turned off, because they distract
attention from the image display. While the icons are turned off,
the control unit 12 uses the LED indicator 30 to indicate whether
the telephone set is within range of a base station.
[0084] The telephone set also has a battery saving mode, which is
similar to the standby mode except that the receiver 1 is turned on
only intermittently, at intervals synchronized with the
transmission of paging information from a base station. The image
display is also used in the battery saving mode, the images being
displayed intermittently, at intervals synchronized with the
intervals at which the receiver 1 is turned on.
[0085] When a call is received, or when the user presses one of the
keys or buttons on the input unit 17, the control unit 12
automatically switches back from the image display to an
information display such as the one in FIG. 10. Thus the image
display in no way interferes with the normal operation of the
telephone set.
[0086] By switching during standby from the uninteresting display
of the date and time to the more amusing display of images, the
third embodiment makes the telephone set more attractive to the
user.
[0087] By switching from one type of image to another in a
pseudo-random manner, the third embodiment avoids operating with
boring predictability.
[0088] By causing the image to change from time to time, the third
embodiment reassures the user that the telephone set is operating
normally, particularly in the battery saving mode, in which the
image display is synchronized with the operation of the receiver
1.
[0089] By using the LED indicator 30 during image display, the
third embodiment continues to inform the user as to whether or not
the telephone set is within range of a base station.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 15, in step S70, either a call established
with the telephone set is terminated (i.e., at the end of a call),
or power for the telephone set is turned on. In response, the
telephone set enters a standby mode (step S71). In step S72,
telephone communication information in the form of an icon (antenna
icon 32) is presented on the display panel 16 of the telephone set.
In step S73, the telephone set remains in the standby mode for a
predetermined period of time (e.g., five minutes) if a call is not
received, and if input is not received from input unit 17. After
the predetermined time period has elapsed, the telephone
communication information icon 32 is turned off (step S74). In step
S75, images stored in ROM (memory unit) 13 are selected by the
control unit 12. The images are displayed on display panel 16 (step
S76). In step S77, the LED indicator (indicator circuit) 30
presents the telephone communication information to indicate
whether the telephone set is within range of a base station. When a
call is received (step S78), or when input is received from input
unit 17 (step S79), the control unit 12 automatically switches back
from the image display to an information display that presents the
telephone communication information (steps S80, S81 and S82).
[0091] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 12, the fourth embodiment is a portable
telephone set comprising a receiver 1, antenna 2, transmitter 3,
PLL 4, channel and voice codec 5, loudspeaker 6, microphone 7, and
amplifiers 8 and 9 as described above. The fourth embodiment also
has a control unit 12 such as a microprocessor, which is coupled to
a read-only memory (ROM) 13, a random-access memory (RAM) 14, a
liquid-crystal display panel 16, and an input unit 17 with various
keys and buttons, including a call button 18, an end button 19, a
dial keypad 20, a power (P) on-off button 24, a function (F) button
38, and a hold melody button 39.
[0093] The receiver 1, transmitter 3, PLL 4, and channel and voice
codec 5 will be referred to below as the communication circuits 40
of the telephone set.
[0094] The control unit 12 is also coupled to a sound generator 41.
The control unit 12 includes a sound synthesis circuit (not
visible) that synthesizes a variety of sound waveforms, using audio
data stored in the ROM 13, the synthesized waveforms being
reproduced as sound by the sound generator 41. The sound synthesis
function of the control unit 12 may be partly implemented by
software, which may be stored in the ROM 13 or in a separate memory
integrated into the control unit 12. The sound synthesis circuit
may also be external to the control unit 12. The ROM 13, the sound
generator 41, and the sound synthesis circuit or function will be
referred to below as the sound circuits 42 of the telephone
set.
[0095] Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be
described, starting from the standby state in which the telephone
set's power is switched on and the telephone set is waiting to
receive a call.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 13, the control unit 12 monitors the
function (F) button 38 (step S51). If the function button 38 is
pressed, the control unit 12 enters a mode-input state and waits
for the next button press (step S52). If the function button 38 is
pressed again, the control unit 12 enters a toy mode and displays a
mode menu on the display panel 16.
[0097] In the toy mode, the telephone set is employed not for
communication, but as an amusement device for the entertainment of
the user and his or her companions. The toy mode includes, for
example, a game function and a sound-effects function or SFX
function. The menu displayed on the display panel 16 in this case
has, for example, the following appearance.
[0098] TOY MODE
[0099] 1. GAME
[0100] 3. SFX
[0101] After displaying the menu, the control unit 12 waits for the
`1` digit key, the `3` digit key, or the end button 19 to be
pressed (step S54). If the end button is pressed, the control unit
12 terminates mode input and returns to step S51.
[0102] If the `1` digit key is pressed, the control unit 12 starts
a game on the display panel 16, preferably a game of the type in
which the user tries to attain a maximum number of points within a
limited time, as the limited time prevents undue battery drain. The
user plays the game by pressing, for example, the dial keys 20.
During the game, the control unit 12 monitors these keys and the
end button 19 (step S56). If the user presses the end button 19
during the game, the control unit 12 terminates the game
immediately and returns to the menu display (step S53). If the user
does not terminate the game in this way, the control unit 12
returns to the menu display (step S53) at the end of the game.
[0103] If the user presses the `3` digit key while the menu is
displayed, the control unit 12 monitors the end button 19 and dial
keypad 20. If the user presses a digit key on the dial keypad 20,
the control unit 12 reads corresponding sound waveform data from
the ROM 13, and synthesizes a sound effect, which is produced
through the sound generator 41 (step S57). The control unit 12 then
continues to monitor the end button 19 and dial keypad 20 (step
S58). If the user presses another digit key, the control unit 12
synthesizes another sound effect. If the user presses the end
button 19, the control unit 12 returns to the menu display (step
S53).
[0104] The sound effects include simulated vocal effects and
various other non-musical sounds. For example, the control unit 12
synthesizes a discontented grumble if the user presses the `0` key,
a comical laugh if the user presses the `1` key, and a roaring
crowd noise if the use presses the `2` key. Comparatively short,
startling sound effects are preferable. Other possible examples
include a loud whistle, an angry exclamation, a sad sigh, and a
ferocious yell.
[0105] If the user presses the end button while the menu is
displayed, the control unit 12 terminates mode input and returns to
step S51.
[0106] Mode input can also be used to make settings related to the
communication function of the telephone, by pressing the function
key 38 once, followed by a numeric code. One group of settings
comprises tone and melody settings. For example, the user presses
F13 to select an alarm tone, F80 to select a ringing tone, F15 to
select a ringing tone announcing a call from a designated number,
and F85 to select a hold melody. After recognizing the code input
(steps S51 and S59), the control unit 12 presents a menu of
available tones or melodies, from which the user makes a selection
with the dial keys 20 (step S60). The selection of ringing tones
includes both normal ringing tones and more distinctive tones or
sound effects. The selection of hold melodies is restricted to
musical melodies, and does not include any of the sound effects
produced in the SFX mode.
[0107] Other groups of settings, not related to tones or melodies,
are also provided, as in conventional portable telephone sets (step
S61). Two tones that cannot be altered are the hand-over tone and
the busy tone.
[0108] A feature of the fourth embodiment is that angry shouts and
other sound effects are producible only for the amusement of the
user and his or her companions. These sound effects cannot be
transmitted through the communication circuits 40 to a distant
party, because mode input is disabled while a call is in progress,
and because during mode input, the call button 18 is not
recognized, so the user cannot originate or answer a call. Thus
there is no risk that a distant caller will be surprised by an
unusual sound effect.
[0109] Similarly, the user can select unusual ringing tones to suit
his or her preferences, but cannot transmit these unusual tones to
the distant party during a call. During a call, the sound circuits
42 can be used only for restricted conventional operations, such as
sending a hold melody. There is accordingly no temptation to use
the sound circuits 42 to play pranks on the distant party in a
telephone call.
[0110] By providing a special mode with games and sound effects,
the fourth embodiment offers the user and his or her companions a
means of entertainment during idle moments, thereby increasing the
utility of the telephone set.
[0111] By disabling the use of this special mode during calls, the
fourth embodiment prevents the distant party in a telephone
conversation from being startled by unintended sound effects.
[0112] Similarly, the fourth embodiment prevents the sound effects
from being used to make malicious or prank calls.
[0113] In a variation of the fourth embodiment, the call button 18
is recognized during mode input, but pressing the call button
immediately terminates mode input. Referring to FIG. 14, the
control unit 12 monitors the function (F) key (step S51) as above,
and enters the mode-input state (step S65) when the function key is
pressed. During the mode-input state, the control unit 12 performs
the operations described in FIG. 13, but also monitors the call
button 18 (step S66). If the call button 18 is pressed, the control
unit 12 immediately terminates the mode-input state (step S67) and
begins call processing operations (step S68). As above, in the
sound effects producible in the mode-input state cannot be used
during calls.
[0114] In another variation of the fourth embodiment, the sound
generator 41 is also coupled the channel and voice codec 5, and is
used as a second loudspeaker during calls when the telephone set is
not held close to the user's ear.
[0115] The invention is not limited to PHS telephone sets, but can
be practiced to advantage in other types of wireless or cordless
telephone sets, with suitable modifications to the channel and
voice codec.
[0116] Variations of the embodiments have been mentioned above, but
those skilled in the art will recognize that further variations are
possible within the scope claimed below.
* * * * *