JP3218225B2 - Parent-child phone with voice response function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a parent-child telephone, and more particularly to hands-free conversation through a microphone and a speaker without off-hook operation by emitting a predetermined voice when an incoming call is received from outside. The present invention relates to a parent-child telephone with a voice response function that can start the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, when an incoming call is made from an outside line, a voice response function is provided with a voice response function that enables a hands-free conversation with a caller by answering "Hi" to the telephone. Phones with a response function have been put to practical use.

In this type of telephone with a voice response function, in order to prevent an unexpected voice response from various noises around the telephone, a frequency band corresponding to a human voice is larger than the surrounding noise by a predetermined amount or more. It is configured so that a conversation in the hands-free state can be made only when a reply of "Hi" is made for about 0.3 to 0.8 seconds by voice.

Further, the above-mentioned such voice response, it is also known that the manner be performed even with respect to any of the master unit and the slave unit of extension telephone. However, in this case, the slave unit is usually
DSP (Digital Signal) like a modem
It does not have an audio processing function using a processor.

[0005] For this reason, in the conventional parent-child telephone, the voice response processing can be performed in consideration of not only the sound pressure but also the frequency by using the DSP function of the modem or the like in the parent device. Is ignored and the voice response processing is performed only from the sound pressure and the sound duration.

[0006]

However, there is a case where a sound having a sound pressure higher than a predetermined level is generated around the slave unit by opening / closing a door or the like. However, there is a problem of malfunction that external line connection is performed.

On the other hand, in order to prevent such a malfunction,
If the slave unit is provided with the DSP so that the frequency can be detected, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent a malfunction of voice response processing on a child device side by effectively utilizing a DSP function of the parent device in a parent-child telephone with a voice response function of this kind. I do.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parent-child telephone having a voice response function.
At the time of an incoming call from an outside line, by responding in the voice,
A parent-child telephone with a voice response function having a voice response function enabling hands-free conversation with a caller, wherein the DSP is capable of extracting voice in a predetermined frequency band.
Means, means for transmitting and receiving voice by wireless communication with the master, and voice transmission from the child after receiving an incoming call.
Open the communication path for a predetermined period of time, and
Input to SP means to measure noise level around the slave unit
Slave unit ambient noise level measuring means, and the slave unit ambient noise level
The noise level around the slave unit is measured by the measuring means.
After the, the voice of the surrounding child machine, usually of sound by the user
A sub-unit voice input unit input to the DSP unit at a predetermined time interval shorter than a voice response time, and a sound around the sub unit input by the sub-unit voice input unit is transmitted at a predetermined frequency
And the noise level around the slave unit exceeds a predetermined level or more.
If the strength of the
Is continuously measured by the preset number of times
And a hands-free conversation start means for enabling hands-free conversation with the slave unit .

According to the parent-child telephone with voice response function of the first aspect, when a call is received from an outside line, a voice response to the caller can be performed in a hands-free state with the caller. Normal by the user
By inputting the voice around the slave to the DSP means of the master unit for a predetermined time shorter than the voice response time, the DSP means of the master unit is also used for detecting the voice response to the slave unit. Also, the hands-free conversation start means is around the slave unit.
Has a predetermined frequency at a level that exceeds the noise level of the
The sound to be played is set beforehand around the slave unit.
Hands-free state when the number of consecutive measurements
This is configured as a means for enabling a conversation. Therefore, the frequency can be detected even for the slave unit, and when the voice response function is activated by the hands-free conversation start means,
Since not only the sound pressure and the sound duration but also the frequency can be taken into account, it is possible to accurately prevent the handset from starting a hands-free conversation due to a malfunction. In addition, since there is no need to provide the slave unit with the DSP means, there is no increase in the number of parts or cost.

[0011] Similarly the extension telephone with voice response capabilities of claim 2 which has been made in order to achieve the above object, when an incoming call from the outside line, by responding with voice, hands between callers A parent-child telephone with a voice response function having a voice response function enabling conversation in a free state, comprising: a base unit having DSP means capable of extracting voice in a predetermined frequency band; and a wireless communication with the base unit. The slave unit that transmits and receives the voice, and the voice around the base unit and the voice around the slave unit are compared with the normal voice response time of the user.
The DS is switched by time division with a short predetermined time interval.
A division switching input means when entering alternately P unit, said time
Before starting the voice input by the division switch input means,
The voice around the master unit is input to the DSP means for a predetermined time, and
Main unit ambient noise level meter that measures the noise level around the main unit
Measurement means and voice input by the time division switching input means.
Before starting, the voice around the slave unit is recorded on the DSP means.
Slave unit that inputs a fixed time and measures the noise level around the slave unit
And ambient noise level measuring means, said time division switching input means
The voice around the base unit input from the
And the noise level around the master unit exceeds a predetermined level or more.
If the strength is strong, it is determined that the master unit is
The state was measured continuously for the preset number of times
In the case, it is possible to talk in hands-free state with the base unit
The time division switching input means
The sound around the slave has a predetermined frequency, and
If the ambient noise level exceeds the specified level,
It is determined that the slave unit is in the detection state, and the detection state is set in advance.
If the measurement is continued for the number of times
And a hands-free conversation initiating means for enabling conversation handsfree state that.

According to the parent-child telephone with a voice response function according to the second aspect of the invention, when a call is received from an outside line, a voice response allows a conversation with a caller to be performed in a hands-free state. The voice around the parent device and the voice around the child device are switched in a time-division manner and input alternately to the DSP means, so that the DSP means provided in the parent device is also used for detecting a voice response to the child device. . Therefore,
Frequency detection is also possible for the handset, and when activating the voice response function by the hands-free conversation start means, not only sound pressure and sound length but also frequency can be taken into account. It is possible to accurately prevent the conversation in the hands-free state from being started. In addition, since there is no need to provide the slave unit with the DSP means, there is no increase in the number of parts or cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, before the voice input by the time-division switching input means is started, the main unit surrounding noise level measuring means and the slave unit surrounding noise level measuring means are used. , And measure the noise level around the parent device and the child device. Thereafter, after the measurement of the noise level around the master unit and the slave unit is completed,
The detection of the presence or absence of the voice response by the time division input means is started. Then, in the hands-free conversation starting means, the noise level around the master unit and the slave unit measured first is set as one reference, and the sound level above the surrounding noise level is set in advance.
A hands-free conversation is enabled when a response is made continuously for a predetermined number of times . This allows
Malfunction due to noise around the parent device and the child device can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parent-child telephone with a voice response function according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein a telephone call between the parent device and the child device at the time of an incoming call from the outside line. A communication channel establishing means for establishing a channel, wherein the time-division switching input means establishes a communication channel between the master unit and the slave unit by the communication channel establishment means and measures the ambient noise level of the master unit. After performing the noise level measurement by the means and the sub-unit ambient noise level measurement unit, when transmitting and receiving a command between the main unit and the sub-unit, from the sub-unit following the response from the sub-unit, The voice transmission path of the slave unit is opened for a predetermined time to input the voice around the slave unit to the DSP means, and the voice around the master unit is input to the DSP means for a predetermined time while the voice path is closed. It is configured as a means for the process of repeated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the communication channel establishing means establishes a communication channel between the master unit and the slave unit when an incoming call is made from an outside line. The time-division switching input means establishes a communication channel between the master unit and the slave unit by the talk channel establishment unit, and measures the noise level by the master unit ambient noise level measurement unit and the slave unit ambient noise level measurement unit. After performing the above, when transmitting and receiving commands between the parent device and the child device, the voice transmission path from the child device is opened for a predetermined time following the response from the child device, and the voice around the child device is transmitted. While the voice path is being closed, the processing of inputting the voice around the master unit to the DSP means for a predetermined time is repeatedly executed while the voice path is closed. As a result, the process of alternately inputting the voices from the master unit and the slave unit to the DSP unit can be executed quickly, and accurate determination by the hands-free conversation start unit is enabled.

Here, a parent-child telephone with a voice response function according to a fourth aspect is the parent-child telephone with a voice response function according to any one of the second and third aspects, wherein a plurality of the child devices are provided, and the time-division switching is performed. The input unit is configured as a unit that switches between sounds around the master unit and sounds around the plurality of slave units in a time-division manner and inputs the sounds to the DSP unit in a predetermined order.

According to the parent-child telephone with voice response function of the fourth aspect , not only the parent device and the specific child device, but also the frequency of each of the plural child devices can be adjusted using the DSP means of the parent device. It is possible to perform a voice response process taking into account.
In this case, it is necessary to provide a DSP having a high signal processing speed as the DSP provided in the master unit.
At present, a modem or the like having a DSP function capable of detecting a frequency within a short time of about 100 msec has been put into practical use.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parent-child telephone with a voice response function according to any one of the second and third aspects, further comprising a plurality of the slave units, wherein the time-division switching input is provided. The means is configured as means for switching between the sound around the master unit and the sound around a specific slave unit among the plurality of slave units in a time-division manner and alternately inputting the sound to the DSP unit. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the voice response function is executed only for a specific one of the plurality of slave units and the master unit. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parent-child telephone having a voice response function, wherein a modem capable of detecting a frequency at a processing speed of about several hundred milliseconds is used as a modem without providing the modem capable of high-speed processing as described above. Voice response is possible for a specific slave unit.

[0020]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a base unit 10 connected to a telephone line and an external line as shown in FIG.
A child device 50 that communicates with a parent device via a wireless line as shown in FIG.
And a cordless parent-child telephone set.

Base unit 10 is configured as a multifunctional telephone having an answering machine function, a facsimile communication function, a copy function, and the like. The main unit 10 includes, as main components, a controller 11 which controls the control center and an operation panel 1.
3, liquid crystal display (LCD) 15, calling bell 17,
Scanner 19, printer 21, codec / decoder 23, modem 25, line control circuit (NCU) 27, handset 2
9, speaker 31, microphone 33, wireless communication control circuit 3
5, an antenna 37 and a switch 39.

The controller 11 includes a CPU, ROM, R
This is a logical operation circuit including an AM, an EEPROM, a timer, and the like, and its CPU executes various control processes such as voice response control described later. Note that programs for various control processes executed by the CPU, data necessary for the control processes, and the like are stored in the ROM in advance. The RAM is used as a work area and a buffer in various control processes.
Further, the EEPROM is provided for storing information such as telephone directory registration. In addition, the timer is used for processing such as measuring the duration of a voice in voice response control.

The operation panel 13 has a numeric keypad used for inputting a telephone number and a facsimile number for communication with the outside, and a function for switching a mode for executing a facsimile function provided in the base unit 10. A key, an enter key pressed when registering a telephone directory, and the like are provided. The LCD 15 is used for displaying a function selection when activating a facsimile transmission function, displaying a telephone number of a caller corresponding to a number display service, displaying various messages, and the like. is there. The ringing bell 17 is for ringing the ringing bell when there is an incoming call from an outside line. In addition, the ringing bell 17 repeats ringing for one second and stopping for two seconds at the time of an incoming call to notify of the incoming call. The scanner 19 is provided for reading a document when facsimile transmission or copying is performed by the master device 10. The printer 21 is provided to print out facsimile data received from the outside on recording paper or to execute a copy function of printing out image data of a document read by the scanner 19 on recording paper. Code / decoder 23
Encodes image data read by the scanner 19 in facsimile transmission into a data format for facsimile transmission such as G3 compression format, and decodes facsimile-received compressed image data into data in a format that can be output to a printer. It is provided in order to.

The modem 25 and the NCU 27 are provided to communicate with the outside and to perform facsimile transmission / reception via a telephone line. Further, in the present embodiment, the modem 25 transmits a voice in a predetermined frequency band corresponding to a human voice so that the modem 25 can also function as a DSP for making a line connection by voice response at the time of an incoming call from an outside line. It is configured to be able to perform processing such as extraction.

The handset 29 performs a call via a telephone line by making an off-hook operation when making a call through an outside line or when an incoming call is made from an outside line. The speaker 31 is provided to output the voice of the other party when a conversation is performed in a hands-free state (hereinafter, referred to as “hands-free talk”). Further, the microphone 33 is provided for detecting the voice of the user during a hands-free talk and transmitting the voice to the other party, or for detecting a voice response for starting the hands-free talk at the time of an incoming call. In addition, the wireless communication control circuit 35
It is provided for performing wireless communication between the parent device 10 and the child device 50 via the antenna 37. Further, the switch 39
Is for switching between the voice input from the microphone 33 and the voice input from the slave unit 50 received by the antenna 37 to the modem 25.

The slave unit 50 includes, as main components, a controller 51 which controls the control center, an operation panel 53, and an LC.
D55, call bell 57, speaker 61, microphone 63, wireless communication control circuit 65, and antenna 67 are provided.

The controller 51 includes a CPU, ROM, R
A logical operation circuit including an AM, an EEPROM, and the like, and various control processes are executed by the CPU. Note that CP
Programs for various control processes executed by U, data necessary for control processes, and the like are stored in the ROM in advance. Also,
The RAM is used as a work area and a buffer in various control processes. Further, the EEPROM is provided for storing information such as telephone directory registration.

The operation panel 53 is a numeric keypad used for inputting a telephone number or a facsimile number for communication with the outside, an off-hook key for performing an off-hook operation at the time of an incoming call, or pressed when registering a telephone directory. And a confirmation key. The LCD 55 is for displaying the telephone number of the caller corresponding to the number display service, displaying various messages, and the like. Ringing bell 5
Numeral 7 is for ringing a calling bell when an incoming call is received from an outside line. Note that the ringing bell 57 repeats ringing for one second and stopping for two seconds at the time of an incoming call to notify of the incoming call.

The speaker 61 is used to communicate with an outside line or
It is provided to output the voice of the other party during an extension call with the user. On the other hand, the microphone 63 is provided to detect the voice of the handset 50 side and transmit it to the outside line or the base unit 10 during an external call or an internal call. The microphone 63 also has a role of detecting a voice response for starting hands-free talk at the time of an incoming call. Also,
The wireless communication control circuit 65 controls the slave 5 via the antenna 67.
It is provided for performing wireless communication between the master device 10 and the master device 10.

Next, the contents of the voice response control processing for starting hands-free talk by voice response executed by the cordless parent-child telephone of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined whether there is an incoming call from an outside line (S10). If there is an incoming call (S10: YES),
The switch 39 is switched so that the sound from the microphone 33 of the base unit 10 is input to the modem 25, and measurement of the ambient noise of the base unit 10 is started (S20). The measurement of the ambient noise of the master unit is performed, for example, in accordance with the DSP processing capability of the modem 25 or the like.
It is executed over a predetermined time of about 0 msec. In parallel with the start of the measurement of the ambient noise of the base unit 10, a control for establishing a communication channel between the base unit 10 and the slave unit 50 is executed (S30). The exchange of the wireless protocol for establishing the communication channel requires, for example, about 650 msec.

When the measurement of the ambient noise of the master unit 10 and the establishment of the communication channel between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50 are completed,
A command to perform voice response processing is transmitted from the parent device 10 to the child device 50 via the communication channel (S40).
Then, after waiting for receiving the response RR from the slave unit 50 (S50: YES), the switch 39 is set to the state where the modem 25 and the wireless communication control circuit 35 are connected.
The ambient noise of the slave unit 50 is reduced for a predetermined time (for example, 300 msec).
An audio transmission path between the slave unit 50 and the modem 25 is opened so that the processing for inputting to the modem 25 can be executed over c) (S60). Then, following the measurement of the ambient noise of the slave unit 50, the switch 39 is switched to a state in which the microphone 33 of the master unit 10 and the modem 25 are connected for a predetermined time (for example, 150 msec), and the voice response to the master unit 10 is performed. Is executed by the modem 25 to detect the presence or absence of
70). In parallel with this processing, a command for turning on or off the calling bell 57 is output and a response RR from the slave unit is waited for (S80, S90).

When the response RR from the slave unit 50 is received (S90: YES), the switching unit 3 causes the modem 25 to detect the presence or absence of a voice response to the slave unit.
9 in a state where the modem 25 and the wireless communication control circuit 35 are connected for a predetermined time (for example, 150 msec),
A process for opening a voice path between the modem 0 and the modem 25 is executed (S100). Then, when the process for detecting the presence or absence of the voice response to the slave unit 50 is completed, the switch 39 is switched between the microphone 33 and the modem 25 for a predetermined time (for example, 150 ms).
During the connection during c), a process for detecting again the presence or absence of a voice response to the base unit 10 is executed (S110), and in parallel with this process, a command for turning on or off the calling bell 57 is output. It waits for a response RR from the child device (S120, S130).

Then, in the process for detecting the presence or absence of a voice response with respect to the base unit 10, it is determined whether or not the state has been determined that there is a voice response continuously twice (S1).
40). When it is determined that there is a voice response only twice while the voice response detection process is being performed on the base unit 10 (S140: YES), the voice response by the base unit 10 is established. The main unit 10 executes a main unit external line connection process of connecting the main unit 10 and an outside line by recognizing the external line (S15)
0). Then, the wireless line between master device 10 and slave device 50 is disconnected, and hands-free talk by master device 10 is started (S
160, S170).

On the other hand, if NO is determined in S140, it is determined whether or not it is determined that there is a voice response continuously twice in the processing for detecting the presence or absence of a voice response to the child device 50. Is determined (S180). When it is determined that there is a voice response only twice while the voice response detection process is being performed on the child device 50 (S180: YES), the voice response by the child device 50 is established. The external device is connected to the external device and the external device is connected to the external device (S190). Thereafter, the switch 39 is maintained in a state in which the wireless control circuit 35 and the modem 25 are connected to each other. The hands-free talk by the device 50 is started (S200).

On the other hand, if NO is determined in both S140 and S180, it is determined whether an off-hook operation has been performed on the master unit 10 (S21).
0). If it is determined that the off-hook operation has been performed on the base unit 10 (S210: YES), the mobile unit 50 is instructed to disconnect the wireless line (S220), and the normal call state by the handset 29 of the base unit 10 is set. Start (S
230). If it is determined that the off-hook operation has not been performed on master device 10 (S210: NO), slave device 5
At 0, it is determined whether an off-hook operation has been performed by pressing the off-hook button (S240). And child device 5
0, it is determined that the off-hook operation has been performed (S
240: YES), the switch 39 is connected to the wireless control circuit 35 and the modem 25, and the slave 50 and the modem 25 are connected.
Then, a voice path between the slave device 50 and the normal communication state by the slave device 50 is started (S250).

On the other hand, if NO is determined in both S210 and S240, the process returns to S80, and as described above, the microphones 33,
A process for detecting whether a voice response has been made through 53 and a process for determining whether or not a voice response has been made thereafter are repeatedly executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the master unit 1
The presence / absence of a voice response to the parent device 10 and the presence / absence of a voice response to the child device 50 are detected by using the DSP function of the modem 25 provided in the slave device 50. Therefore, the child device 5
It is possible to determine whether or not there is a voice response to the child device 50 by extracting only the voice of the frequency band to which the human voice belongs, without having the DSP function in the 0. In addition, in the processing of S140 and S180, when the parent device 10 or the child device 50 detects that the voice response has been performed twice consecutively, the process shifts to the hands-free talk. It can be determined that there is a voice response only when the reply "Hi" lasts for about 0.3 to 0.8 seconds, and a siren or a short sound that happens to match the frequency band of the human voice Is configured so as not to erroneously shift to hands-free talk even if is input.

Next, several examples showing the flow of processing from an incoming call to an outside line according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a timing chart. In the following timing chart, “FAX” means the modem 25 and “BA”
“SE” means the controller 11 of the parent device 10, and “child device” means the controller 51 of the child device 50.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the flow of control processing when a voice response is made to the slave unit 50 when an outside line arrives. As shown in the figure, when the modem 25 detects that there is an incoming call from an outside line, the processing of the above-described flowchart is started, and the master unit 1 is turned on for 300 msec.
Noise measurement around 0 is performed, and a process for establishing a communication channel between the master device 10 and the slave device 50 is executed. In the present embodiment, the parent device 10 and the child device 5
650 before establishing a call channel between
requires msec. The noise level around the master unit measured during this time is used as a background noise level in a later voice response process.
Is stored.

Then, a command to perform voice response processing is transmitted from base unit 10 to handset 50, and when a response to this is returned from handset 50, base unit 10 switches switch 39 to the wireless control circuit. 35 and the modem 25 are connected to open a voice transmission path between the slave 50 and the modem 25 for 300 msec. During this time, the child device 50 detected by the microphone 53 of the child device 50
Is input to the modem 25 and stored in the RAM of the controller 11 as a background noise level around the slave unit.

When the noise measurement around the slave unit is completed, the switch 39 is immediately switched to a state in which the microphone 33 and the modem 25 are connected to determine whether or not a voice response has been made to the microphone 33 of the master unit 10. The detection is performed for 150 msec. In this example, since no voice response has been made to the base unit 10, the base unit voice measurement is "not detected". During this time, base unit 10 transmits a control command for call bell 57 to child unit 50, and waits for a response from child unit 50. When the response from the slave 50 is received, the modem 2 is again transmitted from the slave 50.
5 is opened for 150 msec, and a state is detected in which the presence or absence of a voice response to the child device 50 is detected. Here, the voice response has not been made to the child device 50 yet, and the first child device voice measurement is “not detected”.

Thereafter, when the slave unit voice measurement is completed, the switch 39 is switched again, and the second master unit voice measurement is performed for 150 m.
During this time, the bell control command is transmitted again from the master unit to the slave unit. In response to the response from the slave unit, the audio transmission path between the slave unit 50 and the modem 25 is set to 150 for the second slave unit sound measurement.
It is opened for msec. In the illustrated example, in the second voice measurement, “non-detection” is set for the parent device and “detection” is set for the child device. Then, the same processing is repeated, and “master = non-detected” and “slave =
"Detection", and furthermore, "parent device = non-detection" and "child device = non-detection" in the fourth voice measurement. As a result, since the voice response is detected twice consecutively in the child device 50, it is recognized that the voice response has been made to the child device 50, and the connection process between the child device 50 and the outside line is executed. Slave unit 5
0 and the voice transmission / reception path between the modem 25 is opened,
A hands-free talk with 0 starts.

Next, the flow of processing when a voice response is made to the base unit 10 is shown, for example, in the timing chart of FIG. The processing from the incoming call from the outside line to the first measurement of the voices of the master unit and the slave unit proceeds in the same manner as in FIG. Then, by performing a voice response to the base unit 50, “detection” is continued in the second and third base unit voice measurements, and “not detected” in the fourth base unit voice measurement. It is recognized that there has been a voice response to master device 50. As a result, master device 10 instructs slave device 50 to disconnect the wireless line, and master device 10 itself maintains switch 39 in a state in which microphone 33 and modem 25 are connected. Free talk will be started.

Next, FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a flow of processing when the off-hook operation is performed on the slave unit 50 and the slave unit 50 enters a normal communication state. In the illustrated example, the sound measurement of the master unit and the sound measurement of the slave unit are repeatedly performed while the sound measurement of the master unit and the slave unit are both “not detected”. Then, when the off-hook button is pressed in the slave unit 50 during the third slave unit voice measurement to enter an off-hook state, a connection command is output from the slave unit 10 to the master unit 50, and the master unit 10 The slave unit 50 returns a response to this response, and a state is established in which the voice transmission / reception path between the slave unit 50 and the modem 25 is open, so that a normal outside line call through the slave unit 50 can be performed. Will be started.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the flow of processing in the case where an off-hook operation is performed on the base unit 10 and the base unit 10 enters a normal communication state. In the illustrated example, the sound measurement of the master unit and the sound measurement of the slave unit are repeatedly performed while the sound measurement of the master unit and the slave unit are both “not detected”. When the handset 29 is lifted and goes off-hook in the base unit 10 during the fourth base unit voice measurement, the outside line connection state of the base unit 10 is immediately formed, and the handset 50 is wirelessly connected. Disconnection is instructed.

The embodiment of the cordless parent-child telephone provided with only one child device 50 has been described above. A modified example in which two child devices 50 are provided will be described with reference to a timing chart.

First, as a first modification, the parent device 10
High DSP that can measure voice in about msec
FIG. 7A is a timing chart showing the contents of control processing to be performed when the high-end modem 25 having a processing function is provided. As shown in the figure, first, the ambient noise of the master unit 10, the first slave unit 50a, and the second slave unit 50b is measured. Then, after the master device 10 outputs a command to the first slave device 50a, the first slave device 50a corresponding thereto is output.
After the response from a, the voice transmission path of the first slave unit 50a is opened for 100 msec, the voice measurement of the first slave unit 50a is performed by the modem 25, and a command is output to the second slave unit 50b. After the response from the second slave unit 50b to the second slave unit 50b, the sound transmission path of the second slave unit 50b is opened for 100 msec, and the modem 25 measures the sound of the second slave unit 50b. Also, during the sound measurement of the first slave unit 50a and the second slave unit 50b, the voice input from the microphone 33 of the master unit 10 is taken into the modem 25, and the master unit 1
Perform voice measurement for 0. By doing so, it is possible to execute the voice response process in consideration of the frequency using the modem 25 of the base unit 10 for each of the base unit 10 and the two slave units 50a and 50b. In addition, this modification 1
Then, it is recognized that the voice response is present when the master unit 10 is detected three times in a row, and that the voice response is detected when the slave units 50a and 50b are detected twice in a row. In addition, a determination condition regarding presence / absence of a voice response is appropriately set.

Next, as a second modification, the master unit 10 is
FIG. 7B is a timing chart showing the contents of the control processing to be performed when an intermediate modem 25 having a DSP processing function capable of performing voice measurement in about seconds is provided. As shown in the drawing, first, after measuring the ambient noise of the master unit 10 and the first slave unit 50a, after the master unit 10 outputs a command to the first slave unit 50a,
Following the response from the first child device 50a, the voice transmission path of the first child device 50a is set for several hundred msec.
Open only, the modem 25 measures the sound of the first slave unit 50a, outputs a command to the second slave unit 50b, and then responds to this from the second slave unit 50b, followed by the first slave unit 50a again. Is opened for several hundred msec, and the modem 25 measures the voice of the first slave unit 50a. In addition, this 1
During the voice measurement of the second slave unit 50a, the voice input from the microphone 33 of the base unit 10 is taken into the modem 25,
The voice measurement for the base unit 10 is executed. In this way, although hands-free talk by voice response cannot be performed for the second slave unit 50b, the master units 10 and 1
For the second slave unit 50a, the voice response process considering the frequency can be executed using the modem 25 of the master unit 10.

Although the embodiment and the two modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and the modifications, and various other modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Of course, forms can be employed.

For example, in the embodiment, the surroundings are input to the modem 25 alternately by the time-division input between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50. A means for limiting only to the device is provided, and every time a command is exchanged between the master device 10 and the slave device 50,
A configuration may be adopted in which a voice transmission path between the child device 50 and the modem 25 is opened at predetermined time intervals, and hands-free talk by voice response is performed only for the child device 50. Also in this case, the purpose of the present invention can be sufficiently achieved in that the use of the modem 25 of the master device 10 allows the slave device 50 to perform the voice response process in consideration of the frequency.

[0052]

As described above, claims 1 to 5 are provided.
According to the parent-child telephones with the voice response function of
By effectively using the SP function, it is possible to consider the frequency band also in the voice response processing on the slave device side, and it is possible to prevent a malfunction related to the voice response on the slave device side. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the slave unit with the DSP means, so that an effect of suppressing an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost can be exhibited. Also, the noise around the slave unit
Hands-free by child unit by measuring the level
The start condition of the conversation state is set in a manner that also considers the frequency.
It can be set by the DSP means of the master unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, before the start of voice input by the time-division switching input means, the main unit surrounding noise level measuring means and the slave unit surrounding noise level measuring means are used. The system adopts a configuration that measures the noise level around the parent device and the child device, and recognizes whether there is a voice response for hands-free talk based on this ambient noise level. Malfunction due to ambient noise can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the processing for alternately inputting the voices from the master unit and the slave unit to the DSP means can be executed quickly, and hands-free conversation can be performed. Accurate judgment by the starting means is enabled.

According to the parent-child telephone with a voice response function of the fourth aspect , not only the parent device and the specific child device, but also the frequency of each of the plural child devices by using the DSP means of the parent device. The voice response process can also be performed in consideration of the above. Therefore, only by providing a modem capable of high-speed processing on the master unit, it is possible to enable hands-free talk by voice response in consideration of frequency for each of the master unit and the plurality of slave units.

Further, according to the parent-child telephone with a voice response function of the fifth aspect , the voice response function is executed only for a specific child device and the parent device among a plurality of child devices. Therefore, even if a modem capable of high-speed processing is not provided in the base unit, several hundred msec
With a modem capable of detecting a frequency at a processing speed of about c, a voice response can be made to a parent device and a specific child device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cordless parent-child phone according to an embodiment, where (A) is a block diagram of a parent device and (B) is a block diagram of a child device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of a voice response control process in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating a flow of processing when a voice response is performed by a slave unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart exemplifying a flow of processing when a voice response is performed by a parent device in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart exemplifying a flow of processing when an off-hook operation is performed on a slave unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart exemplifying a processing flow when an off-hook operation is performed on the parent device in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating the timing of audio measurement of a slave in a modification including a plurality of slaves.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... master unit, 11 ... controller, 13 ...
Operation panel, 15 ... LCD, 17 ... Call bell,
25: Modem, 27: NCU, 29: Handset, 31: Speaker, 33: Microphone, 3
5 wireless communication control circuit, 37 antenna, 39
... Switching device, 50 ... Slave unit, 51 ... Controller, 53 ... Operation panel, 55 ... LCD, 57
.. A call bell, 61 ... a speaker, 63 ... a microphone, 65 ... a wireless communication control circuit, 67 ... an antenna.

Continuation of the front page (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 1/00 H04M 1/02-1/253 H04M 1/58-1/62 H04M 1/66-1/82 H04Q 7 / 38

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An incoming call from an outside lineTo, soundAnswer with voice
By having a hands-free meeting with the caller
With voice response function with voice response function that enables talking
Parent and childA telephone,Can extract audio in a predetermined frequency band DSP means
A slave unit that transmits and receives voice to and from the master unit by wireless communication;After receiving a call, set the audio transmission path from the slave unit for a predetermined time.
Open and input the voice around the slave to the DSP
Auxiliary noise level meter to measure the noise level around the remote unit
Measuring means, Noise around the slave unit by the noise level measuring means around the slave unit
After the level is measured, Sound around the slave unit,
At a predetermined time that is shorter than the normal voice response time of the user
IntervalSub-unit audio input means for inputting to the DSP means
And sound around the slave unit input by the slave unit voice input means.
voiceHas a predetermined frequency and the noise level around the slave unit.
If the strength exceeds the bell by more than a predetermined value, the
And the detection status continues for the preset number of times.
If measured by the slave unitHands-free
Hands-free conversation start means that enables conversation in a state
Parent-child telephone with voice response function characterized by having
Machine. 2. Incoming call from outside lineTo, soundAnswer with voice
By having a hands-free meeting with the caller
With voice response function with voice response function that enables talking
Parent and childA telephone,Can extract audio in a predetermined frequency band DSP means
A base unit having: a slave unit that transmits and receives audio by wireless communication with the master unit; anduser
Predetermined time interval shorter than the time of normal voice response by
bySwitch by time division and input alternately to the DSP means
Time-division switching input means toBefore starting voice input by the time division switching input means
Before the DSP means Audio around the parent device for a predetermined time
Measure the noise level around the master unit by force
Level measuring means, Before starting voice input by the time division switching input means
Then, the sound around the slave unit is input to the DSP means for a predetermined time.
Measures the noise level around the slave unit by force
Level measuring means, Said Time division switching input meansAround the parent machine input by
Sound has a predetermined frequency and noise around the master unit
If the sound level exceeds a predetermined level, the
Is detected, and the detection state is
If the number of consecutive measurements is equal to the number of hands
And enable time-division switching input.
The sound around the slave unit input by the
Has a wave number and the noise level around the slave unit is higher than a predetermined level
If the strength exceeds, it is determined that the slave unit is
The detection status is measured continuously for the preset number of times.
The child unitHands-free conversation
Hands-free conversation start means that enables
A parent-child telephone with a voice response function. 3. The parent-child telephone with a voice response function according to claim 2 , further comprising: a communication channel establishing means for establishing a communication channel between the parent device and the child device when an incoming call is made from the outside line. The time-division switching input means establishes a communication channel between the master unit and the slave unit by the communication channel establishment unit, and sets a noise level by the master unit ambient noise level measurement unit and the slave unit ambient noise level measurement unit. After the measurement, when a command is transmitted and received between the master unit and the slave unit, a voice transmission path from the slave unit is opened for a predetermined time following the response from the slave unit, and the slave unit is opened. A means for inputting the surrounding sound to the DSP means and for repeatedly executing a process of inputting the surrounding sound to the DSP means for a predetermined time while the sound path is closed. Extension telephone with voice response capabilities, characterized by that. 4. The master / slave telephone set with a voice response function according to claim 2 , further comprising: a plurality of slave units; A parent / child telephone with a voice response function, wherein the parent / child telephone with a voice response function is configured to switch between sounds around each of a plurality of handset units in a time-division manner and to input to the DSP unit in a predetermined order. 5. The master / slave telephone set with a voice response function according to claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of the slave units, wherein the time-division switching input means is configured to control a voice around the master unit and A parent-child telephone with a voice response function, characterized in that it is configured as means for switching in a time-division manner the sound around a specific child device among a plurality of child devices and alternately inputting it to the DSP means.