U.S. patent application number 11/097653 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for portable mobile unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hitachi, Ltd. Invention is credited to Esaki, Tomohiro, Matsuda, Masayuki, Shinagawa, Akio, Takada, Chikako, Takizawa, Kazuyuki.
Application Number | 20050181838 11/097653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18534479 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050181838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsuda, Masayuki ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
Portable mobile unit
Abstract
A portable mobile unit for alerting on incoming of a signal by a
ringing sound, comprises: a ringing sound generator for generating
the ringing sound in a plurality of patterns; and a controller for
controlling operations of the portable mobile unit, wherein the
controller select one pattern from the a plurality of patterns
based on conditions which are set up in advance, when the signal
comes in, so as to control the ringing sound generator to generate
the ringing sound for alerting a user of the incoming call, thereby
providing the portable mobile unit being superior in the usability,
with which various conditions can be grasped by means of change in
the ringing sound when the telephone call comes in, while achieving
the discrimination of the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call.
Inventors: |
Matsuda, Masayuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Esaki, Tomohiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; Takizawa,
Kazuyuki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Shinagawa, Akio;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Takada, Chikako; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
Hitachi, Ltd
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
18534479 |
Appl. No.: |
11/097653 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11097653 |
Apr 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
09755878 |
Jan 4, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/567 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2000 |
JP |
2000-005858 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A portable mobile unit, comprising: a sound generator which
generates a ringing sound in accordance with plurality of patterns
including a first pattern and a second pattern; a number memory
which stores a plurality of telephone numbers; a number selector
which selects a telephone number from the plurality of telephone
numbers; and a controller being configured to control said sound
generator and generate a ringing sound of the first pattern if the
number of incoming calls received from a given telephone number
without having been answered is less than a predetermined number,
and generate a ringing sound of the second pattern if the number of
incoming calls received from the given telephone number without
having been answered is equal to or greater than the predetermined
number, wherein the given phone number is one from the plurality of
telephone numbers stored in the number memory.
17. A portable mobile unit according to claim 16, further
comprising: a counter which counts how many times incoming calls
are received from the given telephone number without having been
answered.
18. A portable mobile unit according to claim 16, wherein said
sound generator has a plurality of sound sources.
19. A portable mobile unit according to claim 18, wherein said
sound generator generates the ringing sound using at least two of
said sound sources.
20. A portable mobile unit, comprising: a sound generator which
generates a ringing sound in accordance with plurality of patterns
including a first pattern and a second pattern; an input portion
which inputs a telephone number; and a controller which controls
said sound generator so as to generate a ringing sound of the first
pattern if the number of calls received from the inputted telephone
number without having been answered is less than a predetermined
number, and to generate a ringing sound of the second pattern if
the number of calls received from the inputted telephone number
without having been answered is equal to or more than the
predetermined number.
21. A portable mobile unit according to claim 20, further
comprising: a counter that is configured to count the number of
times calls are received from a given telephone number.
22. A portable mobile unit according to claim 20, wherein said
sound generator has a plurality of sound sources.
23. A portable mobile unit according to claim 22, wherein said
sound generator generates the ringing sound by combining at least
two of said sound sources.
24. A portable mobile unit, comprising: a sound generator which
generates a ringing sound in accordance with plurality of patterns
including a first pattern and a second pattern; and a controller
being configured to control said sound generator and generate a
ringing sound of the first pattern if the number of incoming calls
received from a given telephone number without having been answered
is less than a predetermined number, and generate a ringing sound
of the second pattern if the number of incoming calls received from
the given telephone number without having been answered is equal to
or greater than the predetermined number,
25. A portable mobile unit according to claim 24, further
comprising: a counter that is configured to count the number of
times calls are received from a given telephone number.
26. A portable mobile unit according to claim 24, wherein said
sound generator has a plurality of sound sources.
27. A portable mobile unit according to claim 26, wherein said
sound generator generates the ringing sound by combining at least
two of said sound sources.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable mobile unit for
alerting a user (or subscriber) of incoming of a signal by means of
ringing, and in particular to a portable mobile unit being suitable
for alerting of the condition when a phone call is coming in,
through such the ringing sound.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] With conventional cellular phones, it is common to generate
the ringing sound for alerting of incoming phone calls, from
various tone data which are obtained by coding the tone signals
digitally. The users of the cellular phone can easily recognize the
incoming call (i.e., arrival of the telephone call) to her/his own
cellular phone by the ringing sound. Recently, users of such
cellular phones are increasing in number very rapidly, which brings
about cases that people having their own cellular phones happen to
be within the same place or area very often. this results in
confusion of the incoming call with that to others, and then there
occurs a demand or a necessity for discriminating or
differentiating the ringing sound of each the cellular phone from
others. For example, a melody generator, which is capable of
producing different melodies according to a choice of the user, is
widely prevailed and getting popular among cellular phone users to
discriminate her/his cellular phone from others'. with which each
user can produce her/his own melody, thereby obtaining the
discrimination thereof from others. Further, as shown in Japanese
Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-4442 (1998), there is already known an
apparatus having a function of renewing the melody by means of
download thereof, and also, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-open
No. Hei 08-251258 (1996), there is already known an apparatus
having a means for producing its own original sound for alerting of
the incoming call, by taking in sounds from an external microphone
in advance. Conventionally, for discriminating the ringing sound, a
beep sound with its frequency range simply expanded or with its
tempo made variable is used so as to enable the melody to sound
more natural than that of a previous type using a beep sound which
sounds rather mechanical. In addition, an apparatus utilizing a FM
sound source, which can play tones of musical instruments by
synthesizing the sounds from a sound database is manufactured or
put on a market recently. However, this apparatus is designed to
synthesize not vocal sounds but particular musical instrumental
sounds. Also, a PCM sound source enables to produce the vocal
sounds or sound effects (such as, mimic sounds), which can increase
the number of the alerting sounds infinitely. However, it brings
about a demerit of requiring data capacity too much, particularly,
for the cellular phone, which is demanded to be light-weighted and
small-sized.
[0005] Also, alerting used in another purpose, such as
distinguishing callers by changing the ringing sound or by changing
a light-emission pattern instead, is shown in Japanese Patent
Laid-open No. Hei 09-312684 (1997). This improves utility value
thereof, because the user can know who is calling (i.e., a caller)
only by hearing the ringing sound.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a portable
mobile unit with improved usability, capable of discriminating the
ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call sufficiently or
enabling the user to grasp various conditions by changing the
ringing sound when the telephone call comes in.
[0007] According to the present invention, for accomplishing the
above-mentioned object, there is provided a portable mobile unit
for alerting the user on incoming of a signal by a ringing sound,
comprising: a ringing sound generator having a plurality of sound
sources therewith; and a controller for controlling operations of
the portable mobile unit, wherein the controller controls the
ringing sound generator, when the signal comes in, so that it
generates the ringing sound with using at least one of the a
plurality of sound sources, upon basis of a condition which is set
up in advance.
[0008] According to a preferable embodiment of the present
invention, the ringing sound generator comprises: a memory for
storing a plurality of sound data which are generated with
different generation methods, respectively; a plurality of
reproducer for reproducing the plurality of sound data stored in
accordance with the respective generation methods; and a
reproduction timing memory for performing selection of the sound
data to be reproduced among the plurality of sound data and for
storing reproduction timings to form the patterns for the
respective sound data selected, wherein the controller controls the
reproduction timing means, so as to reproduce the sound data
selected in accordance with the reproduction timings,
respectively.
[0009] Further, according to other preferable embodiment of the
present invention, the plurality of sound data contain therein a
sound data of a waveform coding method, in which quantization width
is set up depending upon a level of amplitude or power, and a sound
data of an analytic composition coding method, in which the signal
is modeled, so as to be encoded into. With those means mentioned
above, while using that which composes a main phrase from the sound
data base, such as the FM sound source, the human voices or the
like producing the sound effects of the PCM sound source can be
used, additionally. Thereby, it is possible to obtain an infinite
number of variations, as well as to bring the capacity to be
small.
[0010] Also, the condition which is set up in advance, includes:
when the telephone number of a caller is coincident with the
registered telephone number; when a portion of the telephone number
(for example, the area code, etc.) of the caller is coincident with
a portion of the registered telephone number (for example, the area
code, etc.); when a day of incoming of the signal is contained
within a period which is setup in advance; when the number of times
of the incoming calls in absence is contained within a range of
number of times which is set up in advance; when the remaining
battery capacity is contained within a range of capacity which is
set up in advance, when the signal comes in; when an environmental
sound of the portable mobile unit is contained within a condition
of sound which is set up in advance, when the signal comes in; when
a sound volume level in an environment of the portable mobile unit
is contained within a range of sound volume level which is set up
in advance, when the signal comes in; and when it is detected that
the portable mobile unit is held in a hand of a user, by means of
at least either one of a heat sensor and a pressure sensor,
etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main portion of a sound data
reproduction portion in a portable mobile unit, according to a
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a table of showing a relationship between sound
data number and reproduction timing thereof, respectively, in the
portable mobile unit according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of showing function blocks for
performing selection of the pattern number based on a telephone
number of a caller, in the portable mobile unit according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a table of showing a relationship between the
telephone number of the caller and the pattern number, in the
portable mobile unit according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of showing function blocks for
performing selection of the pattern number based on a time of the
incoming call to the portable mobile unit, according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a table of showing a relationship between the time
of the incoming call and the pattern number, in the portable mobile
unit according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of showing function blocks for
performing selection of the pattern number based on the number of
times of the telephone calls from a specific telephone number to
the portable mobile unit, according to a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a table of showing a relationship between the
number of times of the incoming calls from the specific telephone
number and the pattern number, in the portable mobile unit
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of showing function blocks for
performing control on the ringing sound based on a condition of
sound in an environment of the portable mobile unit, according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a table of showing a relationship between a mode
and the pattern number, for controlling the ringing sound based on
the condition of sound in the environment of the portable mobile
unit, according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of showing function blocks for
performing selection of the pattern number based on remaining power
of a battery in the portable mobile unit, according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a table of showing a relationship between the
remaining power of the battery and the pattern, in the portable
mobile unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of showing function blocks for
performing control on the ringing sound upon the basis a level of
noises in the environment of the portable mobile unit, according to
the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a table of showing a relationship between a mode
and the pattern number for controlling the ringing sound upon basis
of the level of noises in the environment of the portable mobile
unit, according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
portable mobile unit, according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a front view for showing an outlook of the
portable mobile unit, according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C are views for showing examples of
screens displayed when setting up the ringing sound on the portable
mobile unit, according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, and in particular, FIG. 17A shows "Ringing sound change
menu" display, FIG. 17B "Chang upon telephone number of caller"
display, and FIG. 17C a pattern selection display for the ringing
sound, respectively; and
[0028] FIG. 18 is a flow chart when the ringing sound thereof is
reproduced in the portable mobile unit, according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention
will be fully explained by referring to the attached drawings,
i.e., FIGS. 1 to 18. In the embodiments that will be mentioned
below, explanation will be given on an example, wherein the present
invention is applied to, in particular, a cellular phone as one
kind of the portable mobile unit.
[0030] The structures of the cellular phone, according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, will be shown in FIG. 15,
wherein a reference numeral 1510 indicates a transmission antenna,
1511 a radio-wave portion for converting between transmission data
and radio-wave signals, 1512 a coding/decoding process unit for
converting the transmission data into audio signals, 1513 a
microphone, 1514 a receiver, 1515 a memory for communication,
holding programs, data, etc., therein, which are necessary for the
control of operations as the cellular phone, 1516 a communication
controller for controlling the present cellular phone, 1517 a
display, and 1518 a key-input portion. A reference numeral 1519
indicates a ringing sound generator for generating the ringing
sound when it receives the radio-wave signal, and 1520 a speaker
for outputting the alerting signal that is reproduced in the
ringing sound generator 1519, audibly. Further, in the explanation
given below, "reproduce" means to output a sound data that is
stored or a sound data that is received with the incoming call, or
to output an audible frequency signal that is converted from an
inputted sound data.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of showing details of the
communication controller 1516 and the ringing sound generator 1519
shown in the FIG. 15. The cellular phone in the present embodiment
can reproduce a plurality of sound data simultaneously. According
to the present embodiment, a plurality of memories are provided for
storing the sound data corresponding to a plurality of the sound
data methods thereof. In more details, there are provided a sound
data memory 3a of the FM sound source, a sound data memory 3b of
the PCM sound source and a sound data memory 3c of the MIDI method,
and are also provided a sound data reproduction portion 4a of the
FM sound source, a sound data reproduction portion 4b of the PCM
sound source, and a sound data reproduction portion 4c of the MIDI
method, respectively, as the sound data reproduction portions for
reproducing the sound data corresponding to those methods. Also,
the sound data reproduction portion 4a of the FM sound source, the
sound data reproduction portion 4b of the PCM sound source, and the
sound data reproduction portion 4c of the MIDI method are connected
to the controller 2. The controller 2 selects the sound data to be
reproduced from the plurality of the sound data stored in a
reproduction timing memory 1, and also determines a reproduction
timing for the sound data selected, thereby making the sound data
reproduction portion reproduce the selected sound data at the
reproduction timing determined, respectively. Outputs of the
respective sound reproduction portions are connected to a mixer 5,
to be mixed with one another therein, and at the end, they are
outputted outside, as the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call through a speaker 6 (corresponding to the speaker
1520 shown in the FIG. 15), which is connected to the mixer 5.
[0032] As is shown in FIG. 2, in the reproduction timing memory 1
are stored sound data numbers to be reproduced and the respective
timings for reproductions thereof, etc. With the sound data
numbers, it is assumed that No. 1 corresponds to the sound data of
the FM sound source, No. 2 to the sound data of the PCM sound
source, and No. 3 to the sound data of the MIDI method,
respectively. The sound data should not be restricted only to the
above, and also the sound data of the MP3 method can be used, and
it may be given by No. 4 as the sound data No. thereof, in such the
case. Hereinafter, every time when the sound data is further added
to, the sound data number, such as No. 5 or No. 6, is allotted to
the added sound data. The pattern numbers can be changed depending
upon the telephone number of a person who is speaking to, or
depending upon the number of times of the incoming calls (i.e.,
when the telephone calls arrive). Methods and kinds for presetting
thereof will be explained in more details, later. The reproduction
timing is controlled so as to be ON or OFF status, so that the
sound data will be reproduced at ON status, while no sound data at
OFF status.
[0033] Next, explanation will be given on the method for presetting
the pattern numbers. FIG. 16 is a front view for showing an outlook
of the cellular phone, according to the present embodiment. On a
front surface (a surface, on which are provided keys, a display, a
microphone, a speaker, etc, for operations by a user) of a main
body 1601 of the telephone apparatus, a speaker 1602 as a receiver
is provided at one end thereof, and in an area from this to the
other end thereof are provided a display 1603 and various kinds of
keys. The various kinds of keys include therein an up-key 1604, a
down-key 1605, a left-key 1606 and a right-key 1607, for shifting a
cursor displayed on the display into the up-side, the down-side,
the left-hand side and the right-hand side, respectively, a
decision-key 1608 for deciding a content that is inputted, a
clear-key 1609 for deleting or releasing the content that is
inputted, and a function-key 1610 for selecting and executing
various functions therewith. To the up-key 1604, the down-key 1605,
the left-key 1606, the right-key 1607 and the decision-key 1608 are
also assigned a part of numeral number keys for inputting the
telephone number and/or time, etc., therewith. At the other end is
provided the microphone 1513 as a mouthpiece, however it is omitted
shown in the figure.
[0034] Explanation will be given on a method for changing the
ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call, based on the
telephone number of the caller, through operations of the
above-mentioned keys. Exemplary screens displayed on the display
1603 in this time are shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C. First, when
the function-key 1610 and the key that is assigned to selection for
a menu screen are pushed down, then it is shifted to the screen for
"menu for changing ringing sound" (d1) shown in the FIG. 17A. On
the screen is performed the selection, on which items the ringing
sound should be changed, i.e., the change may be made upon the
telephone number of the person who is speaking to (i.e., the
caller), the time when the phone call comes in, and the number of
times of the absent incoming calls. As the cursor for indicating
the item to be selected, a sign of inequity, such as ">" is
displayed at the left-hand side thereof. Then, by pushing down the
up-key 1604 or the down-key 1605, so as to shift the cursor, an
edge (i.e., an acute angle portion at the right-hand side, in this
case) of the sign of inequity ">" is aligned to the item to be
selected. In case of changing the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call based on the telephone number, "1. Telephone number
of a caller" is selected, and the decision-key is pushed down.
Then, it is shifted to "screen for changing ringing upon telephone
number of caller" as shown in the FIG. 17B (d2). On this screen,
pushing down the up-key 1604 or the down-key 1605 shifts the cursor
thereof, so as to select the telephone number to be changed in the
ringing sound, and pushing down the decision-key can make the
selection of the telephone number of the caller. However, it may be
also possible to input the telephone number of the caller, directly
with using the numeral keys, in the place of the mentioned above.
After the selection of the telephone number is made, the screen is
shifted to "pattern selection screen for ringing sound" (d3) shown
in the FIG. 17C when the decision-key is pushed down, wherein it is
possible to select the pattern of the ringing sound for alerting of
the incoming call, corresponding to the selected telephone number.
The pattern mentioned herein means, as is shown in the FIG. 2, what
is reproduced at the predetermined reproduction timing from the
sound data generated by the different sound sources. Herein,
pushing down the up-key 1604 or the down-key 1605 shifts the
cursor, thereby selecting the pattern number at her/his desire.
With the cellular phone of the present embodiment, the ringing
sound of that pattern is reproduced from the speaker 1602 every
time when the pattern is selected, thereby enabling confirmation of
the pattern. Herein, by selecting "2. Pattern No. 2" as the desired
pattern and by pushing down the decision-key, it is possible to set
up the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call. With the
pattern No. 2, as shown in the FIG. 2, the sound data from the FM
sound source of the sound data No. 1, the PCM sound source of the
sound data No. 2 and the MP3 sound source of the sound data No. 4
are reproduced at the timings shown in the same figure. When it is
desired to turn the screen back to the previous one, it can be
shifted back to the screen (d2) by pushing down the clear-key 1609
on the screen (d3). In the similar manner, it can be turned back to
the screen (d1) by pushing down the clear-key 1609 on the screen
(d2).
[0035] Next, explanation will be given on the processes up to the
reproduction of the sound data, by referring to the FIGS. 1, 2, 3,
4 and 18.
[0036] Herein, explanation will be given on an example of the
method, where the pattern number is selected upon basis of the
telephone number of the caller, thereby to reproduce it.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of showing function blocks, which
are necessary for performing the selection of the pattern numbers
upon basis of the telephone number of the caller. Explaining by
referring to the circuit constructions of the cellular phone shown
in FIG. 15, a receiver 101 for receiving the radio-wave signals
corresponds to a receiver circuit portion, which is contained
within the radio-wave portion 1511 shown in the FIG. 15, and a
telephone number detector 102 to the communication controller 1516
shown in the FIG. 15, which detects the telephone number after
demodulation of the radio-wave signals, in accordance with the
program stored in the memory 1515 for communication. A portion of
the memory area of the memory 1515 for communication shown in the
FIG. 15 is assigned as a pattern number memory 103, in which are
stored the telephone numbers and the pattern numbers of the ringing
sounds for alerting of the incoming calls corresponding thereto, as
shown in FIG. 4. In the pattern number memory 103 can be stored the
pattern numbers of the ringing sounds for alerting of the incoming
calls corresponding to the incoming calls 103a and 103b to the
telephone numbers which are preset and stored, or those
corresponding to a certain portion of the telephone numbers, such
as the incoming calls 103c and 103d to the area code of the
telephone numbers of the callers, thereby enabling extensive
variations of services responding to the desires from the users.
The communication controller 1516 determines the pattern number,
corresponding to the telephone number detected, based on the data
stored in the pattern number memory 103, and thereafter reads out
the reproduction timings corresponding to those pattern numbers
based on the data stored in the reproduction timing memory 1 shown
in the FIG. 1, thereafter it shifts to the processes for producing
the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call.
[0038] Hereinafter, explanation will be given in more details, by
referring to a flowchart.
[0039] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 18, when the telephone call
comes in (s1), detection is made on the telephone number of the
caller, etc., and the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming
call is selected (s2). In a case where the ringing sound is set to
be changed depending upon the telephone number of the caller, the
receiver 101 receives the radio-wave signal so as to demodulate it,
when the telephone call comes in to the cellular phone, as shown in
the FIG. 3, and the demodulated signal is sent to the telephone
number detector 102, thereby detecting the telephone number of the
caller (the person who is speaking to) from the data after being
demodulated in the telephone number detector 102. The signal
corresponding to that telephone number is sent to the pattern
number memory 103, and compared to the telephone numbers stored
therein, therefore the pattern number being preset to that
telephone number is outputted from the pattern number memory 103.
If the telephone number of the caller is "012-345-6789", for
example, the ringing sound of the pattern number "1" is reproduced,
which is preset to that number as is shown in the FIG. 4, for
alerting the user of the incoming call, and then the sound data No.
"1", the sound data No. "2" and the sound data No. "3" are
reproduced.
[0040] Also, it is possible to change the ringing sound for
alerting of the incoming call, depending upon each of the areas
where the callers live in, by setting up the pattern numbers for
each of the area codes to be stored. For example, when the upper
three (3) digits are "045", the ringing sound of the pattern number
"3" is reproduced for alerting of the incoming call, and then the
sound data No. "3" in the FIG. 2 is reproduces.
[0041] The controller portion 2 accesses to the reproduction timing
memory 1 so as to start a search for the reproduction timings of
the respective sound data (s3). The controller 2 checks the
reproduction timing for the sound data No. "1" (of the FM sound
source) (s4a), the reproduction timing for the sound data No. "2"
(of the PCM sound source) (s4b), and the reproduction timing for
the sound data No. "3" (of the MIDI sound source) (s4c),
respectively. Herein, in the beginning of alerting by the ringing
sound to the incoming call (i.e., at a time point a in the FIG. 2),
since the sound data No. "1" and the sound data No. "3" are turned
ON, and then they are shifted to (s5a) and (s5c), respectively.
Since the sound data No. "2" is turned OFF, it is not processed,
and is in a condition of search waiting. Into the sound data
reproduction portion 4a for the FM sound source, having the sound
data No. "1", the sound data 3a of the FM sound source is read in,
so as to be sent to the mixer (s5a). In the similar manner, into
the sound data reproduction portion 4c for the MIDI sound source,
having the sound data No. "3", the sound data 3c of the MIDI sound
source is read in, so as to be sent to the mixer (s5c). In the
mixer 5, the transmitted sound data are mixed therein and is
delivered to the speaker 6. The speaker 6 outputs the transmitted
sound data in the form of the audible sound for alerting of the
incoming call (s6). Thereafter, a decision is made on whether the
search is conducted up to the end or not (s7), and if deciding that
the search is necessary for the next reproduction timing, the
search is conducted on for the next timing (s8), again.
[0042] During the reproduction of the sound data No. "1" and the
sound data No. "3", after a minute (for example, at the time point
b in the FIG. 2), also the sound data No. "2" is turned to ON at
the reproduction timing of the time point b (s4b). Then, into the
sound data reproduction portion 4b for the PCM sound source, having
the sound data No. "2", the sound data 3b of the PCM sound source
is read in, so as to be sent to the mixer (s5b). In the mixer 5,
the transmitted three sound data are mixed with one another, and
are delivered to the speaker 6. The speaker 6 outputs the sound
data in the form of the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming
call (s6). Thereafter, decision is made on whether the search is
conducted up to the end or not (s7) and if deciding that the search
is necessary for the next reproduction timing, the search is
conducted on for the next timing (s8), again. In case of deciding
that the search is completed up to the end, the reproduction of the
ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call is finished (s9).
Even in processing of all of those processes, the reproduction of
the data of ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call is
completed (s9), when the user thereof starts communication by
holding the cellular phone in her/his hand.
[0043] With taking those steps mentioned above, it is possible to
reproduce the sound data, simultaneously, which are stored in
accordance with the a plurality of methods. Further, with using
such the methods, it is possible to save the memory by setting up
the time for reproduction thereof to be short, in particular, even
for the sound data of the PCM sound source, which generally needs a
large memory capacity. Also, there is a possibility that the
circuit scale come to be a little bit bigger, however it is
possible to reproduce vocal sounds i.e. human voices or the like by
means of that PCM sound source, for example, together with a
background of the tones of musical instruments, such as, a piano
and/or a guitar, reproduced by the FM sound source. Using a method
of composing the sounds from the sound database, such as the FM
sound source, for main phrases, it is possible to use the human
voices and the like producing the sound effects (such as, the mimic
sounds) of the PCM sound source, in addition thereto. With this, an
infinite or unlimited number of variations can be obtained when
producing the sound for alerting the user of the incoming call, as
well as an effect of small-sizing of the capacity. As a result of
this, the variations of the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call comes to be abundant, thereby obtaining the
discrimination from the ringing sound of the cellular phone owned
by other, with ease.
[0044] As an example of the abundance of the variation in the
ringing sound for alerting of incoming call, other than those
mentioned above, it is possible to store the names of the owners of
the telephone numbers which are stored in the pattern number
memory, as the sound data of the PCM sound source, in advance, so
as to reproduce them in the form of human voices, thereby obtaining
the names of the callers, as the ringing sound for alerting them of
the incoming call. For example, if the caller's name is "Ieyasu
TOKUGAWA" and it is stored as the sound data "Ieyasu TOKUGAWA"
corresponding thereto, the sound "Ieyasu TOKUGAWA" is reproduced by
the human voice when the call comes in from him. This is also
effective even when the caller uses the cellular phone.
[0045] In the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the
capacity in acknowledging of who is calling to, in particular, by
combining the human voices by means of the sound data of the PCM
sound sources. When the number is increased in the registrations of
the callers, it is very difficult to remember of which ringing
sound is assigned to whom. It is in particular true when there are
persons having the same family name among her/his colleagues and
friends. For example, in a case where Mr. SUZUKI, as the colleague
in a company and Mr. SUZUKI, as the friend in her/his hometown,
both having the same name, are registered in the cellular phone,
the music relating to the company (for instance, a commercial song
of the company) and the colleague's name "SUZUKI" are reproduced,
at the predetermined timing for the colleague Mr. SUZUKI, while the
music relating to the hometown (for instance, a folk music or a
music subjecting the area of the hometown) and the friend's name
"SUZUKI" are reproduced, at the predetermined timing for the friend
Mr. SUZUKI. For example, in the pattern 2, assuming that the sound
data 1 is made of the FM sound source, the sound data 2 of the PCM
sound source and the sound data 3 of the MIDI sound source, with
using the sound data 1 and 3, the music relating to the company is
reproduced, and with using the sound data 2, the colleague name Mr.
SUZUKI is reproduced, at the reproduction timing b, in the case of
the colleague Mr. SUZUKI. While, in the case of the friend Mr.
SUZUKI, with using the sound data 1 and 3, the music is reproduced
relating to the hometown, and with using the sound data 2, the
friend name Mr. SUZUKI is reproduced at the reproduction timing b.
With this, in the case where the persons having the same family
name are registered, it is possible to make a distinction, at first
in the relationship between them (i.e., the colleague of the
company or the friend), by means of the sound data 1 and 3, and to
reproduce the name by means of the sound data 3, as well, therefore
the caller can be acknowledged easily, even in the case where the
number of registration is large and the persons having the same
name are registered therein.
[0046] In a case where the caller uses a telephone apparatus which
is connected to the telephones station through a telephone line
(including an optical cable), the areas are stored as the sound
data of the PCM sound source, to be reproduced in the form of the
human voices, thereby it is possible to know the location of the
telephone call from the person who is speaking to, when the call
comes in. For example, in a case where the area code of the caller
is "045" and the sound data "YOKOHAMA" is stored corresponding
thereto, it is reproduced as "YOKOHAMA" in the form of the human
voice when the call comes in. For example, in the pattern 2 shown
in the FIG. 2, assuming that the sound data 1 is made of the FM
sound source, and the sound data 2 and 3 of the PCM sound source,
the sound data "YOKOHAMA" is stored corresponding to the area code
of the caller into the sound data 2, and the caller, for example
Mr. SATO, is stored into the sound data 3, thereby it is possible
for the user to know that the telephone call comes in from Mr. SATO
in YOKOHAMA, by reproducing the "YOKOHAMA" and "SATO" together with
the reproduction sound of the sound data 1. In this manner, it is
possible for the user to understand who makes the telephone call
and/or from where it is made, among the persons registered in
advance, by only hearing the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call, but without answering the telephone, thereby
enabling the user to respond it appropriately.
[0047] Next, explanation will be given on other example of the
method for selecting the pattern number, as a second embodiment, by
referring to the FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0048] With the present embodiment, with selecting the pattern
number based on the time when the call comes in, the change is made
in the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call. The
structures of the present embodiment are similar to those of the
first embodiment, but except for the control program and the
functions of the communication controller 1516 and the contents the
pattern number table, which is stored in the memory 1515 for
communication. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of showing function blocks
necessary for performing the selection of the pattern number based
on the time when the call comes in. Explaining by referring to the
circuit constructions of the cellular phone shown in the FIG. 15, a
receiver 201 corresponds to the receiver circuit portion contained
within the radio-wave portion 1511 shown in the FIG. 15, and both a
call arrival time detector 202 and a timer function 204 to the
communication controller 1516 shown in the FIG. 15. The timer
function 204 operates as the clock, in accordance with the program
stored in the memory 1515 for communication, thereby outputting the
time from it. The incoming call time detector 202 detects the time
when the radio-wave signal comes in, by means of an output of the
timer function 204 in accordance with the program stored in the
memory 1515 for communication, when it receives information
indicative of the incoming call time from the receiver 201. A
portion of the memory area of the memory 1515 for communication
shown in the FIG. 15 is assigned as a pattern number memory 203,
wherein the pattern numbers of the sounds for alerting of the
incoming calls are stored, corresponding to the times of the
incoming calls, as shown in the FIG. 6. With the present
embodiment, it is possible to store the pattern numbers of the
ringing sounds into the pattern number memory 203, corresponding to
the incoming calls 203a and 203b in relation with time zones which
are set up and stored. The communication controller 1516 determines
the pattern number corresponding to the detected time, based on the
data stored in the pattern number memory 203, and thereafter it
reads out the reproduction timings of the sound data corresponding
to that pattern number, based on the data which are stored in the
reproduction timing memory 1 shown in the FIG. 1, and then shifts
into the process for producing the ringing sound for alerting of
the incoming call. In the FIG. 6 is shown the set-up, for example,
in which the pattern No. "1" 203a is applied to when the call comes
in a time zone from 0:00 AM to 8:00 AM, while the ringing sound of
the pattern No. "2" 203b is reproduced when it comes in from 5:15
PM to 9:30 PM. In more details, in a case where the incoming call
time is 1:00 AM, since it falls within a first setting time, from
0:00 AM to 8:00 AM as shown in the FIG. 6, therefore the ringing
sound of the pattern No. "1", i.e., the sound data No. "1", the
sound data No. "2" and the sound data No. "3" shown in the FIG. 2
are reproduced. Also, when the call comes in at 8:00 PM, since it
falls within a second setting time, from 5:15 PM to 9:30 PM,
therefore the ringing sound of the pattern No. "2", i.e., the sound
data No. "1", the sound data No. "2" and the sound data No. "4"
shown in the FIG. 2 are reproduced. With this, it is possible for
the user to grasp the present time roughly, by only hearing the
ringing sound for altering her/him of the incoming call. As a
result of this, since she/he can grasp the time roughly, within
her/his various activities in relation to the time, therefore
she/he can take action having sufficient time. Also, the ringing
sound for alerting the incoming call can be changed depending upon
the time zones, therefore it is possible to bring the ringing sound
to be suitable for the environments where the user is, for example,
by setting up a refreshing ringing sound during the time period
from the midnight to the early morning, while setting a gay ringing
sound of a large volume during the time period when she/he will be
in a noisy place, in particular after 5:00 PM (after the office
time).
[0049] Also, with using the timer function 204, it is possible to
obtain a calendar function by setting a unit of time to be a day or
a month. With this, it is possible to make a distinction of a day
of the week, or between weekdays and holidays, or to make the
change thereof depending upon the months. Further, by setting up
the time zone when the call should come in from a specific person,
it is also possible to change the call ringing sound depending upon
the time difference between the time when she/he has the telephone
call actually.
[0050] Next, explanation will be given on a third example of the
method for selecting the pattern number, as a third embodiment, by
referring to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0051] In the present embodiment, with identifying a specific
telephone number from those of the callers, the ringing sound is
changed, by performing the selection on the pattern numbers
depending upon the number of times of the incoming calls in her/his
absence from that telephone number. The structures of this
embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, but except
for the control program and the functions of the communication
controller 1516, and the contents of the pattern number table,
which is stored in the memory 1515 for communication. FIG. 7 is a
block diagram of showing function blocks, which are necessary for
performing the selection of the pattern number, depending upon the
number of times of the incoming calls. Explaining by referring to
the circuit constructions of the cellular phone shown in the FIG.
15, a receiver 301 for receiving the radio-wave corresponds to the
receiving circuit portion which is contained within the radio-wave
portion 1511 shown in the FIG. 15, and a telephone number detector
302 to the communication controller 1516 shown in the FIG. 15,
wherein the telephone number is detected, in accordance with the
program stored in the memory 1515 for communication, after
demodulation of the radio-wave signal, and the number of times of
the detected incoming calls in absence is counted up for each of
the telephone numbers. Here, "in absence" means the case where no
response is made by a receiver even when the ringing sound for
alerting of the incoming call is reproduced for a time longer than
the preset time period, or by the number being larger than the
preset one, when the call comes in, and it means, in particular, in
the case of the cellular phone, for example, when the user does not
keep it at hand, or when the user turns off the power switch
thereof while attending at a conference, seeing a movie, riding on
a train, or driving a car, etc., or when the user changes the
cellular phone into a manner mode (i.e., vibration mode), etc. A
portion of memory area of the memory 1515 for communication shown
in the FIG. 15 is assigned as a pattern number memory 303 and an
incoming call number memory 304, wherein the pattern numbers of the
ringing sounds for alerting of the incoming are stored,
corresponding to the number of times of the incoming calls in
absence and that of the incoming calls, as shown in FIG. 8. The
communication controller 1516 renews the number of times of the
incoming calls from the telephone numbers stored in the incoming
call number memory 304, by means of increment thereof, when the
call comes in from the preset telephone number, in absence.
[0052] In FIG. 8, depending upon the number of times of the
incoming calls to the specific telephone number that is preset in
advance, the pattern No. "1" 303a is applied to when it comes in
first time, but when the incoming call is not accepted, i.e., in
case where no response is made to it, the pattern No. "2" 303b is
applied to if the same telephone number is detected. There is shown
the setup, in which, without response to those, further the pattern
No. "3" is applied to if the same telephone number is detected at
the third time. In more details, when the telephone call comes in
at the first time, the ringing sound of the pattern No. "1" 303a is
reproduced for it, i.e., the sound data No. "1", the sound data No.
"2" and the sound data No. "3" shown in the FIG. 2 are reproduced.
Also, when the telephone call comes in at the second time, the
ringing sound of the pattern No. "2" 303b is reproduced for it,
i.e., the sound data No. "1", the sound data No. "2" and the sound
data No. "4" shown in the FIG. 2 are reproduced. And, when the
telephone call comes in at the third time, the ringing sound of the
pattern No. "3" 303c is reproduced for the it, i.e., the sound data
No. "3" shown in the FIG. 2 is reproduced. If a response is made
upon it after elapsing a several number of the incoming calls, when
the absence is dissolved, the communication controller 1516 sends
the pattern number corresponding to that number of times to the
reproduction timing memory 1 shown in the FIG. 1, thereafter, and
then shifts into the process for producing the ringing sound for
alerting the incoming call.
[0053] In this case, the mode is so set up that it operates only to
the preset telephone numbers, for the purpose of protecting the
operation of this mode from the retry operations being troublesome,
due to annoying and persistent telephone calls for persuasion,
nuisance phone calls, prank calls such as silent telephone calls,
etc., and with this, it is also possible to notice emergency and/or
importance of the telephone call made, for example, when a member
of the family or the relative is in sick.
[0054] With using the PCM sound source, it is possible to reproduce
wards, such as "This is a telephone call for second time", for the
incoming call in absence at the second time from the preset
telephone number. In this manner, with setting up the sound of
calling people's attention in relation to the increasing number of
times, the incoming call comes to be more noticeable, gradually,
with the increase of the number of times thereof, and even if the
first call is not noticed, the telephone call is accepted with
certainty. Also, the number of the times of the incoming calls can
be seen, therefore it is possible to understand the emergency
and/or the importance thereof from it, thereby obtaining a superior
usability.
[0055] Also, the program may be changed, so that the communication
controller 1516 counts up the number of the ringing in one time of
the incoming call from the detected telephone number, in the place
of the number of times of the absent incoming calls, so as to
stored it into the incoming call time memory 304, as well as, to
renew it by increment thereof. In this case, it is possible to
change the ringing sound with a lapse of time within the one time
of the incoming call. For example, the ringing is made by a gentle
sound in the beginning thereof, and is changed to a noisy sound
when the number of ringing come to be very large, thereby alerting
the user of the incoming call, easily.
[0056] Next, explanation will be given on a fourth example of the
method for selecting the pattern number, as a fourth embodiment, by
referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 13 and 14.
[0057] With the present embodiment, the mode is set up depending
upon the condition of sounds in an environment where the cellular
phone is used, and the selection of the pattern number is conducted
according to that mode, thereby changing the ringing sound for
alerting of the incoming call. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the mode is set
up for alerting of the incoming call in a noisy environment where
the telephone apparatus is used, such as, on the street in common,
or for alerting of the incoming call in a scene or place to be
silent, such as in a conference, and the change of the ringing
sound for alerting of the incoming call is conducted by selecting
the pattern number depending upon that mode. In FIGS. 13 and 14,
the mode is set up depending upon a noise level of the environment
of the cellular phone that is accepting the incoming call, and the
change of the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call is
conducted by selecting the pattern number depending upon that mode.
The structures of this embodiment are similar to those of the first
embodiment, but except for the control program and the function of
the communication controller 1516, and the contents of the pattern
number table stored in the memory 1515 for communication. The FIGS.
9 and 13 are block diagrams of showing function blocks necessary
for performing the selection of the pattern number based on the
sound (noise) condition of the environment. Since receivers 401 and
601, a ringing sound controller 402 and an environment noise
detector 602, and the pattern number memories 403 and 603 have
functions similar to each other, respectively, therefore
explanation will be given only on the representative one shown in
the FIG. 9. Explaining by referring to the circuit constructions of
the cellular phone shown in the FIG. 15, the receiver 401
corresponds to the receiver circuit portion contained within the
radio-wave portion 1511 shown in the FIG. 15, and the ringing sound
controller 402 to the communication controller 1516 shown in the
FIG. 15, wherein the mode is set up in accordance with the program
stored in the memory 1515 for communication, corresponding to the
sound (noise) conditions of the environment of the cellular phone,
so as to select the pattern number upon that mode. The sound
(noise) condition of the environment is decided based on the
frequency of sound (noise) detected by a microphone 1513, a level
of the sound pressure thereof, a difference between high and low
levels in the sound pressure thereof, a continuing time of a
certain level of the sound pressure thereof, or a continuing time
of sound of a specific frequency range, etc. A portion of the
memory area of the memory 1515 for communication shown in the FIG.
15 is assigned as the pattern number memory 403, wherein the
pattern numbers of the ringing sounds are stored corresponding to
the sound (noise) conditions in the environment of the cellular
phone, as shown in the FIG. 6. The relationship between them are
also similar to the receiver 601, the environment noise detector
602 and the pattern number memory 603.
[0058] In the cases of the FIGS. 9 and 10, the ringing sound
controller 402 decides the level of the sound pressure, the
difference between high and low levels in the sound pressure, the
continuing time of a certain level of the sound pressure thereof,
or the continuing time of sound of a specific frequency range,
etc., so as to decide between the case or place of the noisy
environment, such as, on the street in common, and the case or
place to be silent, such as in the conference, etc. For example, in
the conference, there is the difference between high and low levels
in the sound pressure, upon the fact of whether someone makes a
statement or not, and the sound within a frequency range of a human
voice is detected continuously. Also, in a case of a library, etc.,
the sound within the frequency range of the human voice is detected
continuously too, however the level of the sound pressure is low,
and the difference between high and low levels in the sound
pressure is small. On the other hand, in the noisy environment,
such as on the street, the sound pressure level is large, but the
difference between high and low levels in the sound pressure is
small, and the sound is detected continuously in a wide frequency
range. The ringing sound controller 402 decides the environment of
the cellular phone based on, for example, large or small of the
sound pressure level, the difference between high and low in the
sound pressure level, the continuing time of the sound within a
certain sound pressure level, or the difference of the continuing
times of the sound within a specific frequency range, so as to
determine the mode number, thereby selecting the pattern number
corresponding to that mode from those which are stored in the
pattern number memory 403. In the pattern number memory 403 are
preset the pattern numbers depending upon the setting mode, as
shown in the FIG. 10. The set-up of the mode may be made by
her/himself appropriately, for example, the mode No. "1" for the
case where the environment is noisy, the mode No. "2" for the case
where people must be silent, such as in the library, and the mode
No. "3" where the incoming call is taken into the consideration,
such as in an ordinary room. Herein, the pattern Nos. "1", "2" and
"3" are setup depending upon the mode Nos. "1", "2" and "3",
respectively.
[0059] In the cases of the FIGS. 13 and 14, the pattern numbers are
set up, simply corresponding to the sound volume level of noises in
the environment of the cellular phone, to be stored in the pattern
number memory 603. In those cases, the environment noise detector
602 determines the sound volume level of noises in the environment
of the cellular phone upon the sound pressure level of the sound
detected by the microphone 1513. In the pattern number memory 603,
the pattern numbers are set up corresponding to the environmental
noise levels, as shown in the FIG. 14. On the environmental noise
level, for example, the range being equal or larger than 60 dB in
the sound pressure level is set at the mode No. "1" 603a, to be
felt "very noisy" in the environment for a person who makes that
set-up, the range from 59 dB to 40 dB in the sound pressure level
at the mode No. "2" 603b, to be felt "rather noisy", and the range
being equal or less than 39 dB in the sound pressure level at the
mode No. "3" 603c, to be felt "no noise". Each of those ranges may
be set up freely, depending upon the personal feeling of the person
who makes that set-up.
[0060] Thereafter, the communication controller 1516 sends the
pattern number to the reproduction timing memory 1 shown in the
FIG. 1, to shift into the processes for producing the ringing sound
for alerting of the incoming call.
[0061] Herein, for the pattern number corresponding to the cases of
noisy environments, a noticeable ringing sound is set up in
advance, which can be distinct from the environmental sound,
easily. And the ringing sound in the mode, which should be set up
in the silent scene, such as in the library, for alerting of the
incoming call, is set to be as silent as possible, so that it can
be noticed only by her/himself. With this, the ringing sound is
reproduced when the phone call comes in, which is set up in advance
by her/himself, for fitting to the condition of the environmental
sounds (noises).
[0062] Also, for the pattern number corresponding to the case that
the environmental noise level is felt "very noisy", a high-pitched
ringing sound is set up in advance, so that it can be easily
noticed. Also, in the case that the environmental noise level is
felt to be "no noise", such as in the library, the ringing sound
for alerting of the incoming call is set to be as silent as
possible, so that it can be noticed only by her/himself. With this,
the environmental noise is detected automatically, when the phone
call comes in, and the ringing is made by the sound that is set up
in advance by her/himself.
[0063] As a result of this, it is possible to make the ringing for
alerting of the incoming call by an appropriate sound corresponding
to the environmental condition, when the phone call comes in. Also,
with increasing the number of the mode settings, it is possible to
cope with complication in the condition of using the cellular
phones by the users.
[0064] The present invention should not be restricted only to the
above embodiments, but it may be a cellular phone having a
heat/pressure sensor for detecting that the user holds it in
her/his hand, or a temperature sensor, etc., thereby to change the
ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call. When the user
holds the cellular phone in her/his hand, there is no necessity of
rising up a loud ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call.
Then, with mounding the heat sensor for detecting a human body
temperature or the pressure sensor capable of detecting the
condition of being held in hand, it is automatically detected that
the cellular phone is held in her/his hand, thereby to control the
ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call to be small. Also,
by combining the pressure sensor with the temperature sensor, when
the temperature is detected to be equal or higher than 25.degree.
C. while not being held in hand, it is decided that the temperature
is high, i.e., being located in a hot place or in a hot season, the
ringing sound may be changed to one that gives a cool feeling, so
as to soften or calm the user's mind. Also, by combining with a
photo sensor, it is possible to add a function of making the
ringing sound large when the cellular phone lies inside a bag,
while making it silent one when it is taken out from the bag to
sense the light outside. Also, in recent years, it is inhibited and
punished under the law to use the cellular phone in a car. Then, by
adding a function of detecting the cellular phone lying inside the
car, so as to automatically decide that the car is in driving, by
means of an acceleration sensor, it is also possible to
automatically change the ringing sound for alerting the user of the
incoming call to be small, so that the user cannot notice it, or
change it to the mode by the number of times of the absent incoming
calls, according to the third embodiment. The above embodiment can
be practiced with using an output of the heat sensor, the pressure
sensor, the temperature sensor, the photo sensor or the
acceleration sensor, in the place of the output of the microphone
1513 provided as the environmental noise sensor in the fourth
embodiment.
[0065] Next, explanation will be given on a fifth example of the
method for selecting the pattern number, as a fifth embodiment, by
referring to FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0066] With the present embodiment, the ringing sound for alerting
of the incoming call is changed by conducting the selection of the
pattern number depending upon a remaining battery capacity of the
cellular phone. The structures of this embodiment are similar to
those of the first embodiment, but except for the control program
and the functions of the communication controller 1516 and the
contents of the pattern number table stored in the memory 1515 for
communication. FIG. 11 is a block diagram for showing function
blocks, which are necessary for conducting the selection of the
pattern number depending upon the remaining battery capacity.
Explaining with reference to the circuit constructions of the
cellular phone shown in the FIG. 15, a battery function 504 is a
portion for supplying electric power to the apparatus or for
storing the electric power charged from a charger (not shown in the
figure), a receiver 501 for receiving the radio-wave signals
corresponds to the receiver circuit portion contained within the
radio-wave portion 1511 shown in the FIG. 15, and a remaining
battery capacity detector 502 corresponds to the communication
controller 1516 shown in the FIG. 15, which detects the charged
battery capacity at present from the battery function 504, upon
receipt of an information of the incoming call from the receiver
501, in accordance with the program stored in the memory 1515 for
communication. A portion of the memory area of the memory 1515 for
communication shown in the FIG. 15 is assigned as a pattern number
memory 503, in which the pattern numbers of the ringing sounds are
stored corresponding to the remaining battery capacities, as shown
in the FIG. 12. In the pattern number memory 503, the pattern
numbers are set up and stored, corresponding to the remaining
battery capacities obtained in the remaining battery capacity
detector 502, as shown in the FIG. 12, so that, for example, the
pattern No. "1", 503a is applied to when the remaining battery
capacity is full, the pattern No. "2" 503b is applied to when the
remaining capacity is only for two (2) of the memories on the
display, and the pattern No. "3" 503c is applied to when charging
is necessary. After selecting the pattern number corresponding to
the remaining battery capacity, the communication controller 1516
sends the said pattern number to the reproduction timing memory 1
shown in the FIG. 1, thereby to shift into the processes for
producing the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call. In
this instance, it is also possible to reproduce a voice sound, such
as "you can use this about ten (10) minutes more" or "you can use
this about three (3) minutes more", corresponding to the remaining
capacity of the battery, with using the PCM sound source as the one
of the sound data.
[0067] In a case when the telephone call comes in, in this manner,
the user can grasp the remaining battery capacity only by hearing
the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call. As a result of
this, since it is possible to ascertain the remaining battery
capacity before telephone conversation, the user can make the
telephone conversation in short, or can ask the caller to make a
call again after the charging thereof, therefore it is possible to
prevent the telephone conversation from being unexpectedly
interrupted or cut off. (Conventionally, there occurs a case where
the telephone conversation is interrupted or cut off, unexpectedly,
when the battery capacity comes to be empty or rare during
thereof.) Also, it is possible to make the user strongly notice the
necessity of charging the battery of the cellular phone, by setting
up the ringing sound for the necessity of charging, so that the
user can notice it easily.
[0068] Further, the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call
can be changed upon basis of, in the place of the remaining battery
capacity, but an electric field of an antenna, remaining memories
of address book, an accumulated time of the telephone conversation.
With this, the user can grasp the information relating to the
electric field of an antenna, the remaining memories of address
book, the accumulated time of the telephone conversation,
additionally, when the telephone call comes in.
[0069] Also, it can be considered that the ringing sound of the
cellular phone comes to be consistent with that of other's,
accidentally, if the ringing sound is changed corresponding to the
environmental conditions. For preventing the ringing sound from
that of the other's in such the case, it may be possible to
reproduce the name of a user as the sound data of the PCM sound
source. For example, assuming that the name of the user is Taro
HITACHI, it may be reproduced as "HITACHI", "Taro" or "Taro
HITACHI".
[0070] In the embodiment in the above, the ringing sound for
alerting of the incoming call can be produced with the relatively
small capacity, by mainly using an analytical composition coding
method (the FM sound source), as well as abundance of the sounds of
the music instruments. Accompanying with this, using a wave-form
coding method (the PCM sound resource method), such as the sound
source method of recording directly from the microphone, makes it
possible to obtain an effect that the ringing sound of the cellular
phone owned by her/himself is discriminated from that of other's.
In this instance, a large data capacity is necessary for holding
the data of the PCM sound source, however there can be obtained an
effect that the memory capacity can be reduced by using the data of
the PCM sound source in addition thereto.
[0071] Also, with changing the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call upon basis of the telephone number of the caller, it
is possible to acknowledge the caller in advance. With this, there
can be obtained an effect that the user can decide to respond to
the caller who seems to have an important matter, or to hold the
telephone call that seems to be unnecessary to respond, by only
hearing the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming call.
[0072] Further, with changing the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call upon basis of the present time and/or the remaining
battery capacity, it is possible to obtain an additional
information by only hearing the ringing sound, i.e., grasping the
present time roughly or to knowing the remaining battery capacity.
Also, with changing the ringing sound for alerting of the incoming
call, upon basis of the call number from a specific person, the
ringing sound control mode, or the environmental noise level,
respectively, it is possible to obtain an effect that the owner can
notice the incoming call easily.
[0073] According to the present invention, while achieving
sufficient discrimination on the ringing sound for alerting of the
incoming call, it is possible to obtain the cellular phone, with
which the various conditions can be grasped from the change of the
ringing sound when the telephone call comes in, therefore having a
superior usability.
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