JP2000295319A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent trouble caused by sounding of ring back tones and to respond to the communication of a terminated call as needed or to eliminate the necessity of responding by providing a ring back tone stop means for stopping sounding the ring back tones while holding a response to the communication of the terminated call. SOLUTION: When a terminated call is detected by a data communication part 7, a CPU 2 instructs a sounding part 8 to start sounding the ring back tones. When the ring back tone stop function call key of an operation display part 6 such as '#' key of ten key pad is depressed, for example, the CPU 2 instructs the sounding part 8 to stop sounding the ring back tones. Thus, sounding of ring back tones is stopped but the communication of the terminated call is held without response. When it is desired to respond to the communication under holding the response after the stop of ring back tones, responding is enabled by depressing a communication key.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device such as a portable telephone and a portable data communication terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Taking a cellular phone as an example, in order to turn off a ring tone upon receiving a call, a predetermined operation input for instructing the start of communication, such as pressing a "call" key, has been performed. Instead of answering the call or ringing the ringtone in advance at the time of the incoming call, the only option is to set the vibrator to vibrate so that the ringtone does not ring.

[0003]

However, when the ring tone of the mobile phone rings when in a public place such as a train, it may be annoying to the people around the cell phone. Therefore, if a predetermined operation input for instructing the start of communication is performed and the call is answered, the ringtone stops ringing, but the user does not want to talk because he / she will respond to the incoming call. Even in the situation, it is necessary to have some conversation with the caller, which is troublesome.

On the other hand, if the vibrator is set to vibrate at the time of receiving a call, the mobile phone must be kept in close contact with the body at all times. There is a problem that they cannot do so and hinder social life.

[0005] Not only mobile phones but also other communication devices such as mobile data communication terminals and communication terminals used indoors have similar problems.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is not bothered by the ringing of a ring tone.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of responding to an incoming communication as required or not responding as needed.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in a communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is an incoming call, a ringing tone is started and a predetermined communication start instruction operation input is performed. The system transitions to a call-response standby state in which the ringing tone continues to be sounded while holding a response to the incoming call until the specified communication start instruction operation input is made in the call-response standby state. In a communication device which stops ringing and starts communication in response to the incoming call, whether or not a predetermined ringtone stop function calling operation input is performed is detected by operation input detection means, and the ringtone stop means is When the operation input detecting means detects that the predetermined ringing tone stop function calling operation input is made in the incoming call response waiting state, the ringing of the ringing tone is performed while the response to the incoming call is suspended. Stop And wherein the door.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the operation input detecting means is allocated to call a predetermined other function when the apparatus is not in the incoming call response standby state. When a predetermined other function calling operation input is made while in the incoming call response waiting state,
The predetermined other function call operation input is detected as the predetermined ringtone stop function call operation input.

A communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the second aspect, wherein the operation input detection means detects the predetermined ringing tone stop function calling operation input in the incoming call response standby state. A call operation setting means for assigning an operation input for calling an arbitrary other function as the predetermined other function call operation input is further provided.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a communication device 1 includes a CPU 2,
It comprises a ROM 3, a RAM 4, a FROM 5, an operation display unit 6, a data communication unit 7, a sounding unit 8, a speaker 8a, and a system bus 9.

The CPU 2 is a central processing unit that controls each unit of the apparatus according to the control program and control data written in the ROM 3 while using the RAM 4 as a work area.

As described above, the ROM 3 is a read-only memory in which a control program and data for the CPU 2 to control each unit of the apparatus are stored. RAM4 is
As described above, this is a random access memory used as a work area of the CPU 2. FROM 5 is an electrically rewritable read-only memory, a so-called flash ROM, which needs to be retained even when the apparatus power is turned off.
This is for storing various parameters and setting information necessary for the operation of the apparatus. The FROM 5 can be replaced with a RAM backed up by a battery.

The operation display unit 6 is provided with a display such as a liquid crystal display device, while a numeric keypad and other various keys are provided for the destination number.
Various messages are displayed.

FIG. 2 shows an operation display unit 6 partially omitted from illustration.
2 shows an example of the arrangement configuration. In the figure, the numeric keypad 6a is
This is used to designate a communication partner telephone number or the like. The numeric keypad 6a includes a key for inputting numbers "1" to "9", a key for inputting a symbol "*", and a key for inputting a symbol "#". The keys can be referred to as keys assigned to invoking a function of inputting each number or symbol.

The [↑] key 6b and the [↓] key 6c are cursor keys used to select any of the items displayed on the display 6j. The [↑] key 9b is assigned to call the function of shifting the selection from the currently selected item displayed on the display 6j to the next higher item, and the [↓] key 9c, ie, the display It can be said that the key is assigned to a function call for shifting the selection from the currently selected item displayed in 6j to the next lower item.

The [F] key 6d is a function key, and when pressed, displays selectable items on the display 6j. [Select] among the selectable items displayed on the display 6j by pressing the [F] key 6d.
When key 6e is pressed, [↑] key 9b and [↓]
The function of the item selected by the key 9c is called and executed.

[Key A] 6i, [Key B] 6f and [Key C] 6g are keys assigned to calling of predetermined functions, respectively. The [communication] key 6h is used to start communication in response to the called communication when pressed when receiving a call. The display 6j displays the operation state of the device to be notified to the user and various messages.

Returning to FIG. 1, the data communication section 7 is connected to a communication network and detects an incoming call and controls communication based on a predetermined protocol via the communication network. The ringing section 8 converts the tone color data and ringing pattern data stored in the ROM 3 in advance from digital to analog in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 2, outputs the converted data to the speaker 8 a, and rings a ringtone. The system bus 9 is a signal line through which the above components exchange data.

Next, the communication apparatus 1 configured as described above
Will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, a CPU 2 includes an operation display unit 6
It is monitored whether the [F] key 6d is pressed (decision 101).
No loop), when the [F] key 6d is pressed (Yes in decision 101), the display D0 shown in FIG.
1 is displayed (process 102).

In the display D01, "assignment of ringtone stop function", "function A", "function B" and "function C" are displayed as selectable items, and the [↑] key 6b and the [↓] key. A desired item is selected by 6c, and if so, the user is prompted to press the [Enter] key 6e. It is to be noted that the function B indicated by the symbol “→” is currently selected.

Each time the [↑] key 6b or the [↓] key 6c is pressed, the position of the symbol “→” on the display D01 is moved to the next higher item or the next lower item. While performing cursor control for storing the position of the selected item (process 103), the [Enter] key 6
Wait for e to be pressed (No loop of judgment 104).

When the [Enter] key 6e is pressed (decision 1
04 (Yes), it is determined whether or not the selection item in which the symbol “→” was located when the [Enter] key 6e was pressed was the “assign ringtone stop function” function (determination 10).
5) If the selected item is not the “assign ringtone stop function” function (No in decision 105), the selected function A, B or C is executed (step 10).
6) End the process.

If the selected item is the "assign ringtone stop function" function (Yes in decision 105), the display 6j
Then, a display D02 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed (step 107).
In the display D02 in the process 107, a message to press the key to which the ring tone stop function is assigned is displayed to prompt the user to press a desired key, and an image indicating the pressed key (in FIG. #) Is displayed, and the user confirms the key pressed by the user. If the pressed key is good to assign the ringtone stop function, [OK]
The user is prompted to press the key 6e.

The display 6j of the display D02 by the process 107
And a process of recognizing the key pressed as the key to which the ring tone stop function is to be assigned (process 10).
8) Repeat until the [OK] key 6e is pressed (No loop of judgment 109). When the [OK] key 6e is pressed (Yes of judgment 109), the time when the [OK] key 6e is pressed The pressed key recognized in step 108 is registered as a ringing tone stop function call key in a predetermined storage area 5a of the FROM 5, as shown in FIG. Note that the registration of the ringtone stop function calling key is actually registered as key goat data corresponding to the pressed key.

An incoming call response processing procedure performed in the communication device 1 after the ring tone stop function call key is registered will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the CPU 2 monitors whether an incoming call is detected by the data communication unit 7 (No in the judgment 201).
(Loop), when an incoming call is detected (Ye in decision 201)
s) Instruct the ringing unit 8 to start ringing the ringtone (process 202). After the process 202 is executed, the ringing tone is continuously output from the speaker 8a until the ringing of the ringing tone is stopped.

After starting the ringing tone in process 202,
Whether the incoming call has ended, that is, whether the communication apparatus of the caller has interrupted the calling process (No in decision 203), whether the [communication] key 6h has been pressed (No in decision 204), or
It is monitored whether the ring tone stop function call key has been pressed (No loop of decision 205).

The determination of whether or not the [communication] key 6h is pressed in the determination 204 is based on the fact that the key code output from the operation display unit 6 in response to the key pressing corresponds to the [communication] key 6h. It is determined by whether or not. Also, in the determination 205, whether the ring tone stop function call key is pressed or not is determined by the key code output from the operation display unit 6 in response to the key being pressed, as shown in FIG.
The determination is made based on whether or not the key code is registered as a ring tone stop function call key in the storage area 5a of the OM 5.

If the incoming call is terminated in the judgment 203, that is, if the communication apparatus of the calling party interrupts the calling process while the ringing tone is sounding (decision 203)
Yes), the ringing unit 8 is instructed to stop ringing of the ringtone (process 206), and the incoming call response process ends.

If the [communication] key 6h is depressed in the judgment 204, that is, if the user of the communication device 1 desires to respond to the incoming call while the ringing tone is sounding ( In the determination 204 (Yes), the ringing unit 8 is instructed to stop ringing of the ringtone (process 207), and communication is started in response to the incoming communication.

In the judgment 205, if the ringing tone stop function call key is pressed, that is, if the user of the communication device 1 does not want to immediately respond to the incoming call, but wants to stop only the ringing tone. If desired (Yes in determination 205), the sounding unit 8 is instructed to stop ringing (step 208). As a result, the ringing tone stops, but the incoming communication is held without being answered.

After the process 208, the calling communication device waits for the communication device 1 to respond, and if there is no response after a certain period of time, attempts to interrupt the calling process. Correspondingly, in the communication device 1, the [communication] key 6h
Is pressed (No in decision 209), or the caller's communication device interrupts the calling process and waits until the incoming call ends (No loop in decision 210).

When the [communication] key 6h is depressed in the judgment 209 (Yes in the judgment 209), the communication is started in response to the incoming communication. If the incoming call is terminated in the judgment 210 (Ye of the judgment 210)
s) The call response processing ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user who knows that the incoming call rings and the incoming call is received, presses the [communication] key 6h and starts communication as it is conventionally. If the user presses the ringing tone stop function call key (in this embodiment, the “#” key of the numeric keypad 6a),
While the response to the incoming call is on hold, you can stop the ringtone for the time being so as not to bother others, or to disturb yourself by the noise of the ringtone, It is not necessary to depress the [communication] key 6h just to stop the ringing tone and to forcibly respond to the incoming communication that the user does not want to answer now. After stopping the ringtone, if the user wants to respond to the communication for which the response is suspended, the user may press the [communication] key 6h to respond, or if he does not want to respond, leave the call as it is. The device interrupts the calling process and the incoming call ends naturally.

Further, as the ringing tone stop function call key at the time of an incoming call, any key of the operation display unit 6 assigned for calling other functions other than at the time of the incoming call can be set. User convenience improves. However, as a ringing tone stop function call key at the time of an incoming call, for example, a fixed key such as a "*" key of a numeric keypad 6a, which is assigned for calling other functions except at the time of an incoming call. May be assigned. In those cases, as a ringing tone stop function call key when receiving a call,
By assigning keys assigned for calling other functions other than at the time of receiving a call, generally unrestricted operation keys cannot be arranged, and communication devices such as mobile communication terminals with limited user interface Thus, the ring tone stop function according to the present invention can be easily applied.
Of course, if there is enough room for the operation keys, it is needless to say that a dedicated key for calling the ringing tone stop function may be provided.

In the embodiment described above,
Although the case where various operation inputs are performed by pressing a key has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to the form of operation input, and other operation input forms such as performing various operation inputs by touching touch keys However, the present invention is similarly applicable.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the incoming call is started and the ringing tone starts to sound, the predetermined communication start instruction operation input such as pressing of a "communication" key is performed, and In a call answering standby state until communication starts in response to the called communication, when the predetermined ringing tone stop function call operation input such as pressing of a “ringtone stop” key is performed, the incoming call is terminated. Since the ringing tone is stopped while the response to the communication is suspended, the user is troubled with the ringing tone. By performing a call operation input, it is possible to stop ringing of a ringtone. In that case, even if the ringing tone is stopped, the response to the called communication is still held, so if the user wants to respond to the called communication, the predetermined communication start instruction operation input is performed. If the user does not respond to the called communication and leaves the communication without performing the predetermined communication start instruction operation input, the communication device of the caller gives up and interrupts the call to terminate the called communication. The effect of being able to end without responding is obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when not in the incoming call response waiting state, a predetermined other function calling operation input assigned for calling a predetermined other function is transmitted to the incoming call waiting state. , When the call is not in the call answering standby state, the predetermined other function can be called by the same input operation. When in the response waiting state, the ring tone stop function can be called, so that there is no need to arrange a key dedicated to calling the ring tone stop function, or by replacing an existing key for calling another function. It is possible to call the ringtone stop function, even if there is a limitation on the user interface to accept the operation input from the user,
The effect that the ring tone stop function can be called and executed can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to assign, as the operation input for invoking the ringtone stop function, any one of the operation inputs for invoking any other function desired by the user. Therefore, the effect that the user can easily use the ringtone stop function can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation display unit of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for pressing a function key in the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example in the processing procedure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing key types assigned as ringtone function call keys.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an incoming call response processing procedure in the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication device 2 CPU 3 ROM 4 RAM 5 FROM 5a Storage area for registering a ringing tone stop / stop function call key 6 Operation display unit 7 Data communication unit 8 Sounding unit 8 8a Speaker 9 System bus

Claims (3)

[Claims] When an incoming call is received, ringing of a ringtone is started, and a ringtone is continued to ring while holding a response to the called communication until a predetermined communication start instruction operation input is performed. In a communication apparatus which shifts to a response waiting state, in the incoming call response waiting state, when a predetermined communication start instruction operation input is made, the ringing tone stops ringing and starts communication in response to the called communication. An operation input detecting means for detecting whether or not a predetermined ringing tone stop function calling operation input has been performed; and the predetermined ringing tone stopping function calling operation input by the operation input detecting means in the incoming call response standby state. And a ring tone stop means for stopping ringing of a ring tone while holding a response to the incoming communication when the call is detected. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operation input detecting unit is configured to, when not in the call response waiting state, change the predetermined other function call operation input assigned for calling a predetermined other function to the call response standby state. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when performed at a certain time, the predetermined other function calling operation input is detected as the predetermined ringing tone stop function calling operation input. 3. The predetermined other function calling operation input detected by the operation input detecting means as the predetermined ringing tone stop function calling operation input in the incoming call response waiting state, for calling another arbitrary function. 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a call operation setting unit for assigning the operation input.