US20020198017A1 - Telephone set with special sound effect mode - Google Patents

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• 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.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a telephone set, in particular to a portable telephone set.[0002]
• 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.[0003]
• 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.[0004]
• 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.[0005]
• 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.[0006]
• 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.[0007]
• 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.[0008]
• 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.[0009]
• 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.[0010]
• 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.[0011]
• 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.[0012]
• 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.[0013]
• 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.[0014]
• The utility of sound effects in discouraging malicious callers is offset by the misuse of the same sound effects to originate malicious calls.[0015]
• 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.[0016]
• 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.[0017]
• 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.[0018]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• 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.[0019]
• 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.[0020]
• 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.[0021]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• 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.[0022]
• In the attached drawings:[0023]
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the invention;[0024]
• FIG. 2 is a chart of microphone sensitivity and loudspeaker volume settings;[0025]
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the volume setting operation of the first embodiment;[0026]
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the storing of volume settings at power-off;[0027]
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;[0028]
• FIG. 6 is a chart of vibrating settings and other settings;[0029]
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment;[0030]
• FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;[0031]
• FIG. 9 illustrates the display panel in the third embodiment;[0032]
• FIG. 10 illustrates a display of information on the display panel;[0033]
• FIGS. 11A, 11B,[0034]11C,11D,11E,11F, and11G illustrate a display of images on the display panel;
• FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention;[0035]
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fourth embodiment;[0036]
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a variation of the fourth embodiment; and[0037]
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the third embodiment of the invention.[0038]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• 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.[0039]
• 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.[0040]
• 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.[0041]
• Referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment is a portable telephone set comprising a[0042]receiver1,antenna2,transmitter3,PLL4, channel andvoice codec5,loudspeaker6,microphone7, andamplifiers8 and9 as described above.Loudspeaker6 will be referred to as the first loudspeaker. The first embodiment also has asecond loudspeaker10 for use at a distance from the user's ear, and a morepowerful amplifier11 that amplifies the received signal when thesecond loudspeaker10 is used. The telephone set may also have a second microphone (not visible) for use with thesecond loudspeaker10.
• A[0043]control unit12 such as a microprocessor controls the telephone set by executing a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM)13. Thecontrol unit12 includes an internal timer (not visible). A random-access memory (RAM)14 stores volume settings and other information needed by thecontrol unit12. Aringer15 generates a ringing tone to inform the user of arriving calls. A liquid-crystal display panel16 displays telephone numbers and other information.
• The telephone set has an[0044]input unit17 with various manual control buttons and keys, including acall button18 for originating and answering calls, anend button19 for terminating calls, adial keypad20 for entering telephone numbers, twovolume control buttons21 and22, a speaker (SPKR)button23 that selects thefirst loudspeaker6 orsecond loudspeaker10, and a power (P) on-off button24. The volume control buttons will also be referred to as the upbutton21 and downbutton22.
• Next the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The description will be confined to operations related to volume control.[0045]
• 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[0046]first loudspeaker6. To select the second mode and use thesecond loudspeaker10, the user must press thespeaker button23.
• In the first mode, the user can use the[0047]volume control buttons21 and22 to set the loudspeaker volume in a five-step range, the five settings being very soft, soft, medium, loud, and very loud. Pressing the upbutton21 increases the volume. Pressing thedown button22 decreases the volume. In the second mode, thevolume control buttons21 and22 operate in a three-step subrange with only the soft, medium, and loud settings.
• The[0048]control unit12 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. Thecontrol unit12 sets the value of V in an internal register (not visible) and controls the channel andvoice codec5 so that received voice signals are reproduced at the designated volume level. When the user selects the very soft setting (V=1), thecontrol unit12 also causes the channel andvoice codec5 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.
• When power is switched off by the[0049]power button24, thecontrol unit12 stores a value of V in theRAM14. TheRAM14 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 theRAM14 when the telephone set is manufactured is three (V=3).
• When power is switched on, the[0050]control unit12 controls the loudspeaker volume according to the flowchart in FIG. 3. Initially, thecontrol unit12 reads the value of V from the RAM14 (step S1), and operates according to the stored volume setting. Thecontrol unit12 also monitors the volume control buttons (steps S2 and S3).
• If the up[0051]button21 is pressed, giving a yes (Y) result in step S2, thecontrol unit12 determines whether the current value of V is equal to five (step S4). If so, thecontrol unit12 ignores the input from the upbutton21 and returns to step S2. If not, thecontrol unit12 starts its internal timer (step S5), and determines whether V is equal to four (step S6). If V is not equal to four, thecontrol unit12 increments V (step S7) to increase the volume setting, waits for half a second (step S8), then returns to step S2.
• If V is equal to four, the[0052]control unit12 waits for the upbutton21 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, thecontrol unit12 returns to step S2. If so, thecontrol unit12 determines whether the second mode, using thesecond loudspeaker10, is currently selected (step S11), and returns to step S2 if it is. If the present mode is the first mode, thecontrol unit12 sets V to five (step S12) to select the very loud volume setting, then returns to step S2.
• Similar operations are performed when the[0053]down button22 is pressed. After recognizing the button-press in step S3, thecontrol unit12 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, thecontrol unit12 starts the timer (step S14) and determines whether V is equal to two (step S15). If V is not equal to two, thecontrol unit12 decrements V (step S16), waits for half a second (step S17), then returns to step S2. If V is equal to two, thecontrol unit12 waits for thedown button22 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 thedown button22 was not pressed for at least two seconds, or if the second mode is selected, thecontrol unit12 returns to step S2. If thedown button22 was pressed for at least two seconds and the first mode is selected, thecontrol unit12 sets V to one (step S21) to select the very soft volume setting, then returns to step S2.
• When, for example, V is equal to three and the first mode is selected, if the[0054]down button22 is pressed for three seconds, thecontrol unit12 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, thecontrol unit12 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.
• 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[0055]second loudspeaker10, for which these two settings are inappropriate. This procedure also allows the same twovolume control buttons21 and22 to control the volume of bothloudspeakers6 and10, 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.
• FIG. 4 shows the procedure followed when power is switched off. The[0056]control unit12 monitors the power button24 (step S31). When thepower button24 is pressed, thecontrol unit12 tests the value of V (steps S32 and S33). If V is equal to one, thecontrol unit12 changes V to two (step S34). If V is equal to five, thecontrol unit12 changes V to four (step S35). The value of V is then stored in the RAM14 (step S36), after which power is shut off (step S37). The stored value will be read by thecontrol unit12 the next time power is switched on.
• The procedure in FIG. 4 prevents the very soft and very loud volume settings from being stored in the[0057]RAM14 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.
• 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[0058]RAM14 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.
• Next, a second embodiment will be described.[0059]
• Referring to FIG. 5, the second embodiment is a portable telephone set comprising a[0060]receiver1,antenna2,transmitter3,PLL4, channel andvoice codec5,loudspeaker6,microphone7, andamplifiers8 and9 as described above. A second loudspeaker (not visible) may be provided for use at a distance from the ear.
• The second embodiment also has a[0061]control unit12, 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, aringer15 that generates ringing tones to announce arriving calls, a liquid-crystal display panel16 displaying various information, and aninput unit17 with various keys and buttons, including adial keypad20, anoisy mode button25, ahush mode button26, and a normalmode setting button27. The telephone set can be set to emit a click tone when the buttons and keys in theinput unit17 are pressed. Thecontrol unit12 is also coupled to avibrator28 that announces arriving calls by vibrating.
• Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.[0062]
• 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[0063]microphone7 andringer15 can also be switched off. Thevibrator28 and click tone can be switched on or off; that is, they can be enabled or disabled. Initially, thevibrator28 is switched off and the click tone is switched on. The initial settings are stored in theROM13.
• In the noisy mode, the loudspeaker volume and ringer volume are set to a very loud level, and the[0064]vibrator28 is enabled, so that arriving calls will be announced by both theringer15 andvibrator28. The microphone sensitivity is left unchanged, and the click-tone setting is left unchanged. The noisy mode is useful in noisy environments.
• 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[0065]ringer15 is switched off, thevibrator28 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.
• Referring to FIG. 7, the[0066]control unit12 starts operating in the normal mode with the initial settings (step S41). If the normalmode setting button27 is pressed (Y in step S42), thecontrol unit12 displays a setting menu on thedisplay panel16, and the user uses thedial keypad20 to select desired settings (step S43). The selected settings are stored in theRAM14.
• When the[0067]noisy mode button25 is pressed (Y in step S44), then if the present mode is not the noisy mode (N in step S45), thecontrol unit12 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), thecontrol unit12 restores the normal settings from the RAM14 (step S47).
• When the[0068]hush mode button26 is pressed (Y in step S48), if the present mode is not the hush mode (N in step S49), thecontrol unit12 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), thecontrol unit12 restores the normal settings from the RAM14 (step S47).
• By pressing the[0069]noisy mode button25 orhush mode button26 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.
• By pressing the normal[0070]mode setting button27 in the noisy mode or hush mode, the user can change one or more of the settings that were made collectively by pressing thenoisy mode button25 orhush mode button26.
• 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[0071]ringer15 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.
• In another variation, on return from the noisy mode or hush mode to the normal mode, the[0072]control unit12 restores some or all of the initial settings from theROM13, instead of restoring the settings stored in theRAM14.
• Next, a third embodiment will be described.[0073]
• Referring to FIG. 8, the third embodiment is a portable telephone set comprising a[0074]receiver1,antenna2,transmitter3,PLL4, channel andvoice codec5,loudspeaker6,microphone7, andamplifiers8 and9 as described above.
• The third embodiment also has a[0075]control unit12 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 panel16, aninput unit17 with various manual control buttons and keys, and a light-emitting diode (LED)indicator30.
• Referring to FIG. 9, the[0076]display panel16 has a row of icons and abbreviations at the top. Thetelephone icon31 indicates that a called party's telephone is ringing. Theantenna icon32 indicates electric field strength when the telephone set is within range of a base-station antenna. Theabbreviation PBLC33 indicates the mode for communication with a public base station. Theabbreviation PRVT34 indicates the mode for communication with a private base station. Thetransceiver icon35 indicates the mode for direct communication with another portable telephone set. Thebattery icon36 indicates remaining battery charge.
• Below the row of icons is a dot-matrix portion of the[0077]display panel16, 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.
• Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.[0078]
• 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[0079]control unit12 displays the date and time on thedisplay panel16, together with the relevant icons and abbreviations, as shown in FIG. 10, for example.
• If no call is received and no buttons or keys are pressed, after five minutes the[0080]control unit12 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 theROM13. TheROM13 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. Thecontrol unit12 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.
• The[0081]control unit12 also causes the images to move intermittently. TheROM13 stores, for example, seven airplane images as shown in FIGS. 1I A to1I G. Thecontrol unit12 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 thedisplay panel16, give a sign of greeting, then sink down toward the bottom of the display panel and disappear.
• 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[0082]ROM13.
• 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[0083]display panel16 are preferably turned off, because they distract attention from the image display. While the icons are turned off, thecontrol unit12 uses theLED indicator30 to indicate whether the telephone set is within range of a base station.
• The telephone set also has a battery saving mode, which is similar to the standby mode except that the[0084]receiver1 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 thereceiver1 is turned on.
• When a call is received, or when the user presses one of the keys or buttons on the[0085]input unit17, thecontrol unit12 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.
• 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.[0086]
• By switching from one type of image to another in a pseudo-random manner, the third embodiment avoids operating with boring predictability.[0087]
• 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[0088]receiver1.
• By using the[0089]LED indicator30 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.
• Referring to FIG. 15, in step S[0090]70, 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 icon32) is presented on thedisplay panel16 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 frominput unit17. After the predetermined time period has elapsed, the telephonecommunication information icon32 is turned off (step S74). In step S75, images stored in ROM (memory unit)13 are selected by thecontrol unit12. The images are displayed on display panel16 (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 unit17 (step S79), thecontrol unit12 automatically switches back from the image display to an information display that presents the telephone communication information (steps S80, S81 and S82).
• Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.[0091]
• Referring to FIG. 12, the fourth embodiment is a portable telephone set comprising a[0092]receiver1,antenna2,transmitter3,PLL4, channel andvoice codec5,loudspeaker6,microphone7, andamplifiers8 and9 as described above. The fourth embodiment also has acontrol unit12 such as a microprocessor, which is coupled to a read-only memory (ROM)13, a random-access memory (RAM)14, a liquid-crystal display panel16, and aninput unit17 with various keys and buttons, including acall button18, anend button19, adial keypad20, a power (P) on-off button24, a function (F)button38, and ahold melody button39.
• The[0093]receiver1,transmitter3,PLL4, and channel andvoice codec5 will be referred to below as thecommunication circuits40 of the telephone set.
• The[0094]control unit12 is also coupled to asound generator41. Thecontrol unit12 includes a sound synthesis circuit (not visible) that synthesizes a variety of sound waveforms, using audio data stored in theROM13, the synthesized waveforms being reproduced as sound by thesound generator41. The sound synthesis function of thecontrol unit12 may be partly implemented by software, which may be stored in theROM13 or in a separate memory integrated into thecontrol unit12. The sound synthesis circuit may also be external to thecontrol unit12. TheROM13, thesound generator41, and the sound synthesis circuit or function will be referred to below as the sound circuits42 of the telephone set.
• 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.[0095]
• Referring to FIG. 13, the[0096]control unit12 monitors the function (F) button38 (step S51). If thefunction button38 is pressed, thecontrol unit12 enters a mode-input state and waits for the next button press (step S52). If thefunction button38 is pressed again, thecontrol unit12 enters a toy mode and displays a mode menu on thedisplay panel16.
• 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[0097]display panel16 in this case has, for example, the following appearance.
• TOY MODE[0098]
• 1. GAME[0099]
• 3. SFX[0100]
• After displaying the menu, the[0101]control unit12 waits for the ‘1’ digit key, the ‘3’ digit key, or theend button19 to be pressed (step S54). If the end button is pressed, thecontrol unit12 terminates mode input and returns to step S51.
• If the ‘1’ digit key is pressed, the[0102]control unit12 starts a game on thedisplay panel16, 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, thedial keys20. During the game, thecontrol unit12 monitors these keys and the end button19 (step S56). If the user presses theend button19 during the game, thecontrol unit12 terminates the game immediately and returns to the menu display (step S53). If the user does not terminate the game in this way, thecontrol unit12 returns to the menu display (step S53) at the end of the game.
• If the user presses the ‘3’ digit key while the menu is displayed, the[0103]control unit12 monitors theend button19 anddial keypad20. If the user presses a digit key on thedial keypad20, thecontrol unit12 reads corresponding sound waveform data from theROM13, and synthesizes a sound effect, which is produced through the sound generator41 (step S57). Thecontrol unit12 then continues to monitor theend button19 and dial keypad20 (step S58). If the user presses another digit key, thecontrol unit12 synthesizes another sound effect. If the user presses theend button19, thecontrol unit12 returns to the menu display (step S53).
• The sound effects include simulated vocal effects and various other non-musical sounds. For example, the[0104]control unit12 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.
• If the user presses the end button while the menu is displayed, the[0105]control unit12 terminates mode input and returns to step S51.
• Mode input can also be used to make settings related to the communication function of the telephone, by pressing the[0106]function key38 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), thecontrol unit12 presents a menu of available tones or melodies, from which the user makes a selection with the dial keys20 (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.
• Other groups of settings, not related to tones or melodies, are also provided, as in conventional portable telephone sets (step S[0107]61). Two tones that cannot be altered are the hand-over tone and the busy tone.
• 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[0108]communication circuits40 to a distant party, because mode input is disabled while a call is in progress, and because during mode input, thecall button18 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.
• 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[0109]42 can be used only for restricted conventional operations, such as sending a hold melody. There is accordingly no temptation to use the sound circuits42 to play pranks on the distant party in a telephone call.
• 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.[0110]
• 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.[0111]
• Similarly, the fourth embodiment prevents the sound effects from being used to make malicious or prank calls.[0112]
• In a variation of the fourth embodiment, the[0113]call button18 is recognized during mode input, but pressing the call button immediately terminates mode input. Referring to FIG. 14, thecontrol unit12 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, thecontrol unit12 performs the operations described in FIG. 13, but also monitors the call button18 (step S66). If thecall button18 is pressed, thecontrol unit12 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.
• In another variation of the fourth embodiment, the[0114]sound generator41 is also coupled the channel andvoice codec5, and is used as a second loudspeaker during calls when the telephone set is not held close to the user's ear.
• 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.[0115]
• 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.[0116]

Claims (13)

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 ofclaim 1, wherein said control unit uses said display panel for game-playing in said special mode.

3. The telephone set ofclaim 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 ofclaim 4, wherein said sound effects include simulated vocal effects.

6. The telephone set ofclaim 4, wherein said sound effects include comical sound effects.

7. The telephone set ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 10, wherein said sound effects include simulated vocal effects.

12. The telephone set ofclaim 10, wherein said sound effects include comical sound effects.

13. The telephone set ofclaim 10, wherein said sound effects include startling sound effects.

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