JP2587072Y2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a communication device having a speakerphone function for making a call via a microphone and a speaker separate from a handset.

[Related Art] Generally, various electronic devices are provided with a display device and an alarm device for notifying an operator of a device state.

For example, in the case of a facsimile apparatus, a display device such as a light-emitting diode which lights up in each state when a power-on or communication operation is performed or a communication error occurs is provided.

In addition, a buzzer is provided which, when the operator performs various operations, responds with a signal sound to the apparatus, and when a wrong operation or abnormality occurs, gives an alarm with a signal sound.

On the other hand, in recent years, portable facsimile apparatuses using a battery as an operation power supply have been put into practical use, and indoor and outdoor,
Used in various places.

By the way, conventionally, when performing the above display,
The display was always lit with a constant light quantity.

For this reason, for example, in a place exposed to direct sunlight,
When using the device, it was difficult for the operator to distinguish between turning on and off the display. In addition, when a display device having a high luminance is provided to facilitate determination in a bright environment, there is a disadvantage that the display becomes dazzling indoors.

On the other hand, for signal sounds and alarm sounds,
Some of them can be arbitrarily switched, such as "medium" and "small".

As a result, the signal volume and the alarm sound can be easily discriminated by reducing the volume in a quiet place indoors and increasing the volume in a place with high noise outdoors.

However, in this case, it is troublesome to perform the switching operation one by one according to the place of use, and if the operation is forgotten, a smooth operation may not be performed.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, conventionally, there has been a problem that a troublesome switching operation is required to perform a display or an alarm according to a use environment.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that can output a signal sound having an appropriate volume according to a use environment without requiring a troublesome switching operation.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a communication device having a speakerphone function for making a call via a microphone and a speaker separate from a handset, and a signal sound output for outputting a predetermined signal sound to an operator. Unit and an audio signal input from the microphone.
An A / D converter for converting the digital signal into a digital signal of a predetermined bit and outputting the digital signal, and outputting a signal sound by the signal sound output unit based on the digital signal output from the A / D converter. And a volume controller for adjusting the level. Further, an operation means for switching on / off of the speakerphone function is further provided. Further, the sound volume adjustment unit adjusts the output level of the signal sound by the signal sound output unit based on a comparison result between the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit and a predetermined value. Things.

[Operation] Accordingly, it is possible to perform an appropriate display or an alarm according to the use environment without requiring a troublesome switching operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the telephone line is connected to a common terminal c of the switching circuit 101. One contact a of the switching circuit 101 is connected to the telephone 1
02, and the other contact b is connected to one winding of the transformer 103. The other winding is the input / output on the 2-wire side of the hybrid circuit 104 and the circuit of the switch circuit 105.
It is connected to one contact point of each of Sa and Sb.

The 4-wire output of the hybrid circuit 104 is connected to the analog signal input of the modem 106, and the analog signal output of the modem 106 is connected to the 4-wire input of the hybrid circuit 104. The digital signal side input / output of the modem 106 is connected to a facsimile image processing unit 107.

The modem 106 reads and transmits a document image, receives image information, and records a received image.

The facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment has a so-called speakerphone function for making a call without holding a handset. The microphone 108 is used for transmitting during this call, and its output is input to the amplifier 109. The output of the amplifier 109 is connected to the other contact of the circuit Sa of the switch circuit 105 and to the input of an A / D conversion circuit (analog / digital) 110. The A / D conversion circuit 110 converts an input analog signal into, for example, a 3-bit digital signal.

The other contact of the circuit Sb of the switch circuit 105 is connected to the amplifier 111
The output of the amplifier 111 is connected to a speaker 112 for receiving and talking by a speakerphone function.

CdS113 is a known element whose resistance changes in accordance with the amount of received light, one end of which is grounded, and the other end of which is connected to a power supply + V via a resistor R1. The power supply + V is
Grounded via a series circuit of resistors R2 and R3. Cd
The connection point between S113 and the resistor R1 and the connection point between the resistors R2 and R3 are connected to the input of the comparator 114, respectively.

The output of the comparator 114 and the output of the A / D conversion circuit 110 are input to the microcomputer 115.
The microcomputer 115 monitors and controls the entire facsimile machine. The buzzer BZ outputs a signal sound to the operator.

The microcomputer 115 outputs drive signals B ₀ and B ₁ for controlling the buzzer BZ.
B ₀ and B ₁ are input to drivers d ₀ and d ₁ in the buzzer drive circuit BS, respectively. The outputs of the drivers d ₀ and d ₁ are coupled after passing through the resistors r ₀ and r ₁ and connected to one end of the buzzer BZ. The other end of the buzzer BZ is grounded.

Light emitting diodes LED ₁ ~LED _n is to display each device state. From microcomputer 115,
Driving signals to control their light-emitting diodes LED ₁ ~LED _{n
D 10, D 11 ~D n0,} D n1 is output. In each drive signal, _Di0 and _Di1 are a pair, and a light emitting diode drive circuit
These are input to LS _{1 to} LS _n , respectively.

LED driving circuit LS ₁ ~LS _n is the same structure as the buzzer driving circuit BS, each output light emitting diodes LED ₁ ~
Each is connected to one end of LED _n . And the other ends thereof are grounded. The operation unit 116 includes various operation keys, and allows an operator to perform various operations.

Next, the communication operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

In this facsimile apparatus, the switching circuit 101 is connected to the contact a in a standby state where the facsimile apparatus is not operating. As a result, the telephone 102 is connected to the telephone line. The operator uses the telephone 102 to make and receive calls from the other party.

When making a call using the speakerphone function, the telephone 10
After making a call with the other party in the outgoing / incoming call 2, the operation unit 116 is switched to the speakerphone by a predetermined operation.

By the operation, the facsimile apparatus switches the switching circuit 101.
Is switched to the contact b side, and the switch circuit 105 is closed. In this case, the voice spoken by the operator is received by microphone 108. The audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 109 and transmitted to the other party via the switch circuit 105, the transformer 103, and the switching circuit 101. Further, the audio signal received from the other party is input to the amplifier 111 along the path opposite to the above and amplified. Then, the signal is output from the speaker 112 and the operator can listen to the call.

Thus, the operator can talk with the other party without holding the handset.

Next, when facsimile communication is performed, a start operation is performed by the operation unit 116 in a call state with the other party.

By this operation, the facsimile apparatus executes transmission and reception of image information by the modem 106 and the facsimile image processing unit 107. In this case, a transmission signal output from the modem 106 is transmitted to the other party via the hybrid circuit 104, the transformer 103, and the switching circuit 101, and a reception signal from the other party is input to the modem 106 on the opposite path. You. Thus, a predetermined facsimile communication is performed.

Incidentally, the voltage at the connection point between the resistor R1 and the CdS 113 and the constant voltage at the connection point between the resistors R2 and R3 are input to the comparator 114.

The CdS 113 is provided on an operation surface of the operation unit 116 or the like, and receives external light. Since the resistance value of CdS113 decreases according to the amount of received light, the voltage at the connection point between resistor R1 and CdS113 decreases according to the illuminance at the place where the facsimile machine is placed.

As a result, the comparator 114 outputs an illuminance determination signal indicating whether the illuminance at the installation location of the facsimile apparatus is equal to or greater than a certain value or less than the certain value.

The microphone 108 catches an extraneous sound other than during a call, and the amplifier 109 amplifies the sound signal. A
The / D conversion circuit 110 converts the audio signal level into, for example, a 3-bit digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 115 sounds the buzzer BZ according to various preset device states,
Lighting the light emitting diodes LED ₁ ~LED _n.

For example, when a correct key is pressed when the operator operates the keys of the operation unit 116, an acknowledgment sound indicating that the command has been accepted is output. When an erroneous key is pressed, a nack sound indicating an operation error is output. Further, when a communication error occurs, an alarm sound is output. These various sounds have their respective meanings by interrupting the ringing time and ringing of the buzzer BZ.

FIG. 2 shows the sound control of the buzzer BZ. That is, the microcomputer 115 constantly monitors the state of the device (process 1001), and when the predetermined sound condition is not satisfied (N in process 1001), turns off the drive signals B ₀ and B ₁ (process 1002). .

When a predetermined sound condition is satisfied (Y in process 1001), the signal level of the extraneous sound output from the A / D conversion circuit 110 is read. This extraneous sound is noise. Next, the noise level is determined (process 1003). Here, in the case of a predetermined value or more the noise level is set in advance (Y of process 1003), the driving signal B ₀ while on (process 1004), to turn on the driving signals B ₁ (processing 1005) . On the other hand, if the noise level is less than the certain value (N in process 1003), the drive signal B ₁
Only ON (process 1005).

When the drive signals B ₀ and B ₁ are turned on, the drivers d ₀ and d ₁ respectively supply a constant current to the buzzer BZ. Thereby, the buzzer BZ sounds and outputs a signal sound. In this case, the signal sound, as compared with the case of turning on only the driving signals B _1, the drive signal
If both B ₀ and B ₁ are turned on, the volume will increase.

Further, the microcomputer 115, and the period in which power is turned on, during the execution of the facsimile communication, or, in a case of occurrence of the communication error, to light the respective light emitting diodes LED ₁ ~LED _n.

FIG. 3 shows the lighting control of the emitting diode. That is, the microcomputer 115 constantly monitors the state of the device (process 2001), and
When not reached the predetermined lighting conditions LED ₁ ~LED _n (N process 2001), to respective drive signals D _i0, off D _i1 (processing 2002).

If the predetermined lighting condition is satisfied (Y in process 2001), the illuminance determination signal output from the comparator 114 is read (process 2003). Here, when the illuminance level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (Y in process 2003), the drive signal _Di0 is turned on (process 1004) and the drive signal _Di1 is turned on (process 2005). . On the other hand, if the noise level is less than the predetermined value (N in process 2003), only the drive signal _Di1 is turned on (process 2005).

When the drive signals D _i0 and D _i1 turn on, the drivers d ₀ and d ₁
Passing a constant current to the corresponding light emitting diodes LED _i. Thus, the light emitting diode LED _i is lighted.
Amount at the time of lighting, when the driving signal B ₀ and B ₁ are turned on, so to increase than when on only the driving signal D _i1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when sounding the buzzer BZ, the noise level at that location is detected, and when the noise level is high, the volume of the signal sound is automatically increased. This eliminates the inconvenience that the operator misses the signal sound due to noise, and the signal sound is unpleasant for a quiet place.

Further, when lighting the light emitting diodes LED ₁ ~LED _n, by detecting the illuminance of the place, when the illuminance of the place is high, so that a higher light intensity. This eliminates the inconvenience that the display is difficult for the operator to check for a bright place and the display is dazzling for a dark place.

In this case, the control of the volume and the light amount is performed automatically, so that the operator does not need to perform a troublesome switching operation.

Furthermore, since the external sound is chattered by the microphone 108 used for the speakerphone function, no special microphone is required,
Parts cost can be reduced.

 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the acoustic coupler used in this embodiment.

The acoustic coupler AC is mounted on the handset HS of the telephone. A microphone 201 is provided in the acoustic coupler AC facing the earpiece of the handset HS.
, A speaker 202 is provided. In addition, a speaker 20
3 is arranged, and the microphone 204 is arranged on the opposite side.

The microphone 204 is for the operator to transmit and talk, and the speaker 202 is for receiving and talking.

The connection code 205 is attached to the acoustic coupler AC,
At its end, a connector 206 for connecting to a facsimile machine (not shown) is attached.

FIG. 5 shows a block configuration of the acoustic coupler AC and the facsimile apparatus FAX and a connection between them.

In the facsimile apparatus FAX, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same parts. In this embodiment, the microphone 108, amplifiers 109 and 111, switch circuit 105, speaker 112, buzzer drive circuit BS, and buzzer BZ shown in FIG.
Are not provided, and the other parts have the same configuration as that of FIG.

The connection between the facsimile machine FAX and the acoustic coupler AC is performed by connecting the connector 206 to the connector 117 on the facsimile machine FAX side.

The audio signal from the microphone 201 in the acoustic coupler AC is
The output is connected to the input terminal of the received signal of the modem 106 and is input to the amplifier 208.
The output of the amplifier 208 is connected to the speaker 202.

The audio signal of the microphone 204 is input to the amplifier 209, and the output is input to the contact a of the switching circuit 210 and the A / D conversion circuit 110.

The contact b of the switching circuit 210 is connected to the output of the transmission signal of the modem 106. The common terminal c of the connector 206 is connected to the input of the amplifier 211, and the output is connected to the speaker 203.

The ground of the acoustic coupler AC and the facsimile machine FAX side is
The connector 206 and the connector 117 are connected via one pin.

The tone signal generation circuit 118 in the facsimile machine FAX
It generates an audible signal of a constant frequency. Its output is connected to the minus input of the differential amplifier 119.

The output of the differential amplifier 119 is connected to one end of each of the resistors R4 and R5, while being connected to the speaker 202. The other ends of the resistors R4 and R5 are connected to analog switches 120 and 121, respectively.
Is connected to the minus side input of the differential amplifier 119 via the. The positive input of the differential amplifier 119 is connected to the resistor R6
Grounded through.

Drive signal B ₀ output from microcomputer 115
And B ₁ is being input as control signals to the analog switch 120 and 121.

Next, the communication operation of the facsimile apparatus FAX using the acoustic coupler AC will be described.

In this case, the operator makes and receives a call from an arbitrary telephone to establish a communication state with the other party. Then, the acoustic coupler AC is attached to the handset HS of the telephone.

At this time, the voice of the other party output from the earpiece of the handset HS is caught by the microphone 201. The audio signal is amplified by the amplifiers 207 and 208 and output from the speaker 202.

On the other hand, the operator speaks into the microphone 204 with the other party. The sound is caught by the microphone 204. In the standby state of the facsimile machine FAX, the switching circuit 210 is connected to the contact a. Thus, the audio signal of the microphone 204 is amplified by the amplifiers 209 and 211, output from the speaker 204, and transmitted to the other party.

This allows the operator to talk with the other party while the handset HS and the acoustic coupler AC remain connected.

Next, when performing facsimile communication, the facsimile machine FAX is activated in a call state with the other party.

When activated, the facsimile apparatus FAX switches the switching circuit 210 to the contact b side, and executes a predetermined communication operation between the modem 106 and the facsimile image processing unit 107. As a result, the transmission signal from the modem 106 is output as sound from the speaker 203 via the switching circuit 210 and the amplifier 211 and transmitted to the other party. The sound received from the other party is caught by the microphone 201, and the audio signal is input to the modem 106 via the amplifier 207. Thus, facsimile communication is performed.

By the way, the facsimile apparatus FAX determines the noise level and outputs signal sounds in various states, as in the case of the first embodiment. That is, the microphone 204 always catches an external sound, and the audio signal of the microphone 204 is amplified by the amplifier 209. The amplified audio signal is A / D
It is input to the conversion circuit 110. Microcomputer 115
Thereby determines the noise level.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 115 activates the tone signal generation circuit 118 when a predetermined signal sound output condition is satisfied, and drives the drive signals B ₀ and B ₁ according to the noise level as in the above-described embodiment. or the B ₁ on. in this case,
If the noise level is above a certain value, and on only one of the driving signals B _1, when less than the predetermined value, together on a drive signal B ₁ and B _1.

The tone signal generation circuit 118 outputs an audible signal serving as a signal sound or an alarm sound at a constant level. Analog switch 120,
121 closes the contacts in response to the drive signals B _0, B _1. In this case, when the analog switches 121 and 121 are both closed, the amount of feedback of the differential amplifier 119 is increased as compared with the case where only the analog switch 121 is closed, so that the amplification of the circuit is reduced.

The differential amplifier 119 amplifies the audible signal of the tone signal generation circuit 118 and outputs it to the speaker 202. The speaker 202
The audible signal is output.

As a result, the volume of the signal sound is adjusted according to the noise level at the installation location of the apparatus, as in the above-described embodiment.

Further, in this embodiment, since the signal sound and the alarm sound are output from the speaker 202 of the acoustic coupler AC held by the operator, the operator can easily hear the sound. Also, acoustic coupler
The speaker 202 in the AC outputs a signal sound and an alarm sound, and the microphone 2
Since the external sound is latched in 04, there is no need for an independent dedicated buzzer or microphone, and the cost of parts can be reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the volume of the signal sound to be output and the light amount of the light emitting diode to be lit are adjusted in two steps. However, it is obvious that the volume may be adjusted in three or more steps.

Further, the light amount of the light emitting diode is adjusted by the supplied current, but may be adjusted by the duty of the pulse signal.

Although a light emitting diode is used as a light source for displaying, another light emitting component such as a lamp may be used. Further, when displaying characters on the display, it is conceivable to adjust the light amount in the same manner.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the facsimile apparatus has been described as an example. However, it is obvious that the present invention can be similarly applied to various electronic devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in a communication device having a speakerphone function of making a call via a microphone and a speaker separate from a handset, a predetermined signal sound is output to an operator. A signal sound output unit, an A / D conversion unit that A / D converts an audio signal input from the microphone, converts the signal into a digital signal of a predetermined bit, and outputs the digital signal.
A volume adjustment unit that adjusts the output level of the signal sound by the signal sound output unit based on the digital signal output from the / D conversion unit. An effect that a signal tone having an appropriate volume can be output is obtained. In addition, since the microphone having the speakerphone function originally provided can be used for detecting the ambient sound, it is possible to simplify the apparatus configuration and reduce the apparatus cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart of LED lighting control, FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart of fuzzer sounding control, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an external view of an acoustic coupler used in the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus in the second embodiment. 108,201,204… Microphone, 110… A / D conversion circuit, 112,202,203
... Speaker, 113 ... CdS, 114 ... Comparator, 115 ... Microcomputer, 116 ... Operation unit, 118 ... Tone signal generation circuit, 119 ... Differential amplifier, 120,121 ... Analog switch,
BZ: Buzzer, BS: Buzzer drive circuit, LED: Light emitting diode, LS: Light emitting diode drive circuit.

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A communication device having a speakerphone function for making a call via a microphone and a speaker separate from a handset, comprising: a signal sound output unit for outputting a predetermined signal sound to an operator; A / D converter for converting an audio signal to be converted into a digital signal of a predetermined bit and outputting the digital signal, and the signal sound output means based on the digital signal output from the A / D converter. A communication device comprising: a volume control unit that controls an output level of a signal tone. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation means for switching on / off of the speakerphone function.
The communication device as described. 3. The signal sound output means according to claim 2, wherein said sound volume control section controls an output level of the signal sound by said signal sound output means based on a comparison result between a digital signal output from said A / D conversion section and a predetermined value. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting is performed.
The communication device as described.