JP2001036640A - Telephone set with holding function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a telephone set with holding function by which a speech state can automatically be held by having only to part a handset from an ear of a user. SOLUTION: While an ear piece of a handset provided with a sensor 1 is in contact with an ear, an amplifier 7 amplifies a sensing output of the sensor 1, a comparator converts the amplified signal into a digital signal. When the digital signal is given to a control circuit 9 as a trigger pulse, the control circuit 9 accepts a control signal 9a at its On state and passes a voice signal picked up by a microphone 2 and processed by a voice signal processing circuit 10 to attain a speech state. When the ear piece is apart from the ear and the sensing signal of the sensor 1 is lost, the trigger pulse from the comparator 8 and the control signal 9a are not given to the control circuit 9, which blocks a output of the voice signal processing circuit 10 and the control circuit 9 reaches a holding state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of automatically holding a call state by simply taking a handset away from an ear, and releasing a hold by simply putting the handset on the ear when talking continuously. The present invention relates to a telephone with a hold function that enables a user to make a call.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional telephone with a hold function, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example in which a hold function portion of the system configuration is extracted. Conventionally, this type of telephone is provided with a hold button 13 on the telephone body 12, as shown in FIG. 6, and when the user shifts from the telephone call to the hold state, the user presses the hold button 13 each time the call is put on hold. The audio signal input from the microphone 2 shown is subjected to predetermined processing by an audio signal processing circuit and is controlled by the control circuit 14 to be put on hold, and the hold button 13 is turned off to release the hold state. Control circuit 14
Output an audio signal.

In place of such a conventional telephone with a holding function, there has been proposed a telephone with a holding function that is automatically put on hold when the handset moves away from an ear or a mouth. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-258550 (hereinafter referred to as "first publication") discloses a lower part of a speaker provided in a handset as a sensor for detecting the proximity of an object to a surface facing an operator's mouth or ear. An infrared generator and an infrared receiver (or an ultrasonic oscillator and a receiver) are installed in the phone, and when the handset is separated from the mouth or ears, if the infrared or ultrasonic reflection to the sensor is interrupted for a certain period of time, the telephone is automatically turned on. It is disclosed that the line is put on hold, and when the handset is brought into contact with the mouth or ears of the operator, the release of the hold is automatically controlled.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-099535 (hereinafter referred to as "second publication") has a push sensor for detecting a contact state between a caller's ear and a receiver and outputting a signal. It is disclosed that the telephone main body is provided with a hold circuit that puts the call on hold when detecting that the caller is away from the ear of the caller and releases the call hold state when detecting that the earpiece of the caller comes into contact with the ear of the caller. ing.
As described above, various telephones having a hold function for automatically putting the telephone into a hold state when the telephone leaves the ear or mouth of the caller have been developed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional telephone with a hold function provided with the hold button 13 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user presses the hold button 13 provided on the telephone body 12. Each time the hold button 13 is pressed, that is, the operation is performed by a manual method, the following problems are posed.

(1). Hold button 13 provided
When there are a plurality of (used lines), when the user resumes the call after holding, the number of the held button may not be known, which may cause trouble for the other party who is taking the wrong line and talking. (2). If you have an emergency during a call and you have to interrupt it temporarily (for one minute), most people will leave the handset in place in most cases, and the noise talking around the phone Is transmitted to the other party during the call as it is, causing discomfort. (3). If the content of the conversation is not a chat but a content of an outside secret, it causes a loss (adverse effect) to a company or the like.

In each of the above publications, it is not necessary to operate such a hold button.
The problem described in (3) is solved. On the other hand, in the case of the above-mentioned first publication, the case where the incidence of the reflected infrared ray to the infrared ray receiving unit as the sensor continues for a certain period of time is interrupted. There is no disclosure of a control means for automatically setting a hold state.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned second publication, a push sensor is used as a sensor. The push sensor protrudes from the surface of the handset. Some people may feel uncomfortable, and in extreme cases, may feel annoying, and may unconsciously take the handset off the ear during a call and put it on hold unintentionally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and does not bother the other party on the call, and the noise talking around the telephone is less than the other party on the call. To provide a telephone with a hold function that does not cause discomfort, does not cause loss to the company etc. based on the content of secret conversation, has a simpler configuration, and does not cause discomfort while using the handset. Aim.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a telephone with a hold function according to the present invention comprises: a sensor for outputting a detection signal when a contact of a mouthpiece of a handset with an ear is detected; A comparator that converts a detection signal into a digital signal and outputs a trigger pulse, and a control signal is input by the trigger pulse when the receptacle contacts an ear and a sound signal processed by a sound signal processing circuit passes through the sound signal. And a control circuit for controlling the voice signal processing circuit to be in a hold state by turning off the control signal when the socket is away from the ear.

Therefore, when the earpiece of the handset comes into contact with the ear, the sensor detects it and outputs a detection signal to the comparator, thereby generating a trigger signal from the comparator and using it as a trigger for a control signal input to the control circuit. By doing so, the control circuit enters a call state in which an audio signal input from the microphone is output to the audio signal processing circuit,
When the sensor detects that the receptacle is away from the ear, the output of the sensor is stopped, the trigger signal is not output from the comparator to the control circuit, the control signal of the control circuit is turned off, and the control circuit sends a signal to the audio signal processing circuit. The call is put on hold, so that it does not bother the person you are talking to, and the noise talking around the phone can be transmitted to the person you are talking to, causing discomfort. No loss is caused to the company or the like based on the contents of the secret conversation, the configuration is simple, and the sense of discomfort during use of the handset can be reduced.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a telephone with a hold function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a part of an automatic hold control circuit 11 in a first embodiment of a telephone with a hold function according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transmitting / receiving section of the telephone. Although the automatic hold control circuit 11 in FIG. 1 is housed in the handset 4 of the telephone, it may be provided in the telephone body (not shown). The automatic hold control circuit 11 includes the sensor 1 as shown in FIG.

The sensor 1 is located at a predetermined position of a socket 4a of the handset 4 shown in FIG. 2, for example, near a speaker 3 provided at one end of the socket 4a.
It is provided so as not to protrude from the surface of a. Microphones 2 are provided at multiple ends of the handset 4. The handset 4 is connected to the main body of the telephone through a curl code 4b as in a normal telephone. The sensor 1 detects whether or not the earpiece 4a of the handset 4 is in contact with the ear. If the earpiece 4a of the handset 4 is in contact with the ear, for example, the sensor 1 generates the touch. The inductive ham is detected to detect that the receptacle 4a is in contact with the ear.

When the sensor 1 detects that the receptacle 4a is in contact with the ear, a detection signal is sent to the amplifier 7. When the earpiece 4a of the handset 4 is separated from the ear, the sensor 1 stops outputting the detection signal,
That is, no detection signal is output. Amplifier 7 is sensor 1
Is provided to amplify the level of the detection signal, since the detection signal output from is a minute analog signal.

An output signal of the amplifier 7 is input to a comparator 8. The comparator 8 converts an analog output signal of the amplifier 7 into a digital signal and outputs a pulse-like trigger signal to the control circuit 9. That is, the control circuit 9 is triggered by the trigger signal to input the control signal 9a of the control circuit 9 to the control circuit 9. While the receptacle 4a is in contact with the ear, the control signal 9a is turned on, and when the receptacle 4a is separated from the ear, the control signal 9a is turned off.

When the control signal is on, the control circuit 9 puts the voice signal output from the voice signal processing circuit 10 into a talk state. When the control signal 9a is off, the voice signal is held by the control circuit 9. The state is controlled. The control circuit 9 has a function of keeping the call state even when the receptacle 4a is away from the ear for a predetermined time (for example, 2 to 3 seconds). Thus, the automatic hold control circuit 11 includes the sensor 1, the amplifier 7, the comparator 8, and the control circuit 9.

The microphone 2 is an audio signal processing circuit 1
0 is connected to the input terminal. The audio signal processing circuit 10 samples the audio signal from the microphone 2 at, for example, 16 KHz and converts it into a 14-bit uniform digital signal. Then, the quadrature mirror filter changes the frequency band into two bands, a low band and a high band. The signal is divided, converted into a signal having a sampling frequency of 8 KHz, subjected to a process such as encoding into an ADPCM system, and transmitted to the control circuit 9.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the signal waveform diagram of FIG. 1 and 2, the receiver 4 of the handset 4
When the ear touches the sensor 1 provided at the point a, the sensor 1 detects an inductive hum generated at that time. This sensor 1
Since the detection signal detected in step (1) is a minute analog signal as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the detection signal level is amplified through the amplifier 7 as shown in FIG. 3 (b). The detection signal amplified by the amplifier 7 is input to the comparator 8 at the next stage.

The comparator 8 converts the analog signal amplified by the amplifier 7 into a digital signal, and outputs a trigger pulse for inputting a control signal 9a to the control circuit 9 as shown in FIG. Output to The control signal 9a is in the ON state while the receptacle 4a is in contact with the ear. In this state, by inputting a trigger pulse to the control circuit 9, the control circuit 9 is turned on as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, while the control signal 9a is ON, the electric signal (audio signal) of the audio signal processing circuit 10 is output as it is, and the communication state is obtained. In this call state, even if the socket 4a is momentarily separated from the ear (for example, for 2 to 3 seconds),
As described above, since the control circuit 9 has the holding function of maintaining the communication state, the microphone 2 sends the audio signal processing circuit 1
As shown in FIG. 3E, the audio signal input to 0 is controlled so that it is output as it is to obtain a call state.

Next, the operation to be put on hold will be described. This case is when the receptacle 4a is away from the ear. When the receptacle 4a moves away from the ear, the detection signal is no longer output from the sensor 1. As a result, no signal is output from the amplifier 7 and the comparator 8. The control signal 9a of the control circuit 9 is also turned off. Therefore, in this state, the audio signal processed by the audio signal processing circuit 10 by the control circuit 9 is not passed through the control circuit 9. That is, the state is put on hold.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the holding function can be automatically performed by removing the receiving portion 4a from the ear. However, in order to release the holding state from the holding state, the receiving port is required. By simply bringing the unit 4a into contact with the ear, it is possible to instantaneously return to the above-described call operation state and switch from the hold state to the call state. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

(A). Since the hold function can be controlled automatically, you can avoid forgetting to press the hold button, and you can avoid troubles that occur when there are multiple lines in use. And trouble bothers). (B). Even if the user temporarily stops using the telephone and puts the handset on the spot, the noise talking around the telephone does not reach the other party during the call and does not cause discomfort. (C). If the above-mentioned conversation contents are not chats but contents that are confidential, it is possible to prevent a loss (adverse effect) given to the company.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the case where a sensor for detecting inductive ham is used as the sensor 1 shown in FIG. 2 has been exemplified. However, as shown in FIG. 4, as a second embodiment of the present invention, A reflective photo-interrupter 21 having a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part is provided at the mouthpiece of the handset, and the light-emitting part 22 of the reflective photo-interrupter 21 irradiates a ray 23 to the ear 23 and reflects the reflected light 24 from the ear 23. The light may be received by the light receiving section of the photo interrupter 21.

In this case, if the distance between the ear 23 and the receiving portion, that is, the distance between the reflective photo-interrupter 21 is within a predetermined dimension, the light-receiving level of the light-receiving portion of the reflective photo-interrupter 21 becomes a predetermined set value. That's it,
It has the same function as the state with the detection signal of the sensor 1 in the first embodiment, and is in a call state. In addition, ear 23
When the distance between the light-receiving section of the reflective photo-interrupter 21 and the reflection-type photo-interrupter 21 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, when the light receiving level of the light-receiving section of the reflective-type photo-interrupter 21 is equal to or less than a predetermined set value, the receiving port is separated from the ear 23 And the detection signal is not output from the light receiving unit of the reflective photo-interrupter 21. Therefore, it becomes the same as the case of the suspension in the first embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pyroelectric element 31 (7) is used as a sensor in the third embodiment of the present invention.
Even if the infrared ray (infrared ray near 10 μm) emitted from a person is detected using a sensor having a sensitivity in a wavelength range of about 20 μm, the communication state is the same as in the first and second embodiments. It can be implemented in any of the pending states. In addition, by providing the control circuit 9 with a changeover switch function for playing a held melody during a non-call state, a further improved function can be provided.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the handset is separated from the ear, the holding function is automatically set,
To release the hold state from the hold state, simply touch the handset to the ear and instantly return to the operation state during the call and switch from the hold state to the call state,
You can not forget to press the hold button, and after resuming a call after reserving the call, which is common when there are multiple lines in use, you will not be able to know the number of the hold button when resuming the call, and you will be able to take the wrong line and disturb the other party . In addition, even if the user temporarily suspends the telephone while using it and puts the handset on the spot, the noise talking around the telephone will not be transmitted to the other party during the call, which will not cause discomfort. it can. Furthermore, if the conversation is not a chat but a secret, the loss (adverse effect) on the company can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic hold control circuit in a first embodiment of a telephone with a hold function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a handset in the first embodiment of the telephone with a hold function according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a signal waveform diagram of each part of the automatic hold control circuit for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the telephone with a hold function according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a reflective photo-interrupter applied as a sensor to a telephone with a hold function according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a reflection type photo interrupter applied as a sensor to a telephone with a hold function according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional telephone with a hold function.

7 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a hold function part in the telephone with a hold function shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... sensor 2 ... microphone 3 ... speaker 4 ...
Handset, 4a ... Receiver, 4b ... Curl code,
7 ... amplifier, 8 ... comparator, 9 ... control circuit,
9a: control signal, 10: audio signal processing circuit, 11: automatic hold control circuit, 21: reflective photo interrupter, 22: light beam, 23: ear, 24:
Reflected light, 31... Pyroelectric element.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sensor that outputs a detection signal when a contact of a receiver of a handset with an ear is detected, a comparator that converts a detection signal of the sensor into a digital signal and outputs a trigger pulse, and the receiver includes: At the time of contact with the ear, a control signal is input by the trigger pulse and a voice signal processed by the voice signal processing circuit is passed to ensure a call state, and when the socket is separated from the ear, the control signal is turned off. And a control circuit for controlling the audio signal processing circuit to be in a hold state. 2. The telephone with a hold function according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit has a function of maintaining a talking state even when the earpiece of said handset is away from the ear for a short time. 3. The telephone with a hold function according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit has a changeover switch function for playing a hold melody when a call is in a state of no call due to hold. 4. The telephone with a hold function according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects an inductive hum generated when the earpiece of the handset touches an ear. 5. The telephone with a hold function according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a reflection type photo interrupter having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. 6. The telephone with a hold function according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is a pyroelectric element for detecting infrared rays emitted from a person.