JPH04271619A - Incoming tone control system for mobile radio equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize an incoming call notice by an incoming tone easily distinguishable from surrounding noise at all times even when the surrounding noise around the mobile radio equipment is changed considerably. CONSTITUTION:The mobile radio equipment main body is provided with an incoming tone oscillator 107 generating a signal to be reproduced as an incoming tone, electronic sound volume control 108 varying a sound volume of the incoming tone in response to the set value, a microphone 101 converting surrounding noise into an electric signal, and a control section 106 detecting a noise level of the surrounding noise based on the input signal from the microphone 101 to control the set value of the electronic sound volume control 108 in response to the noise level, and the sound volume level of the incoming call tone is controlled variably and automatically in response to the surrounding noise level to ring the incoming call tone easily distinguishable from the surrounding noise.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Object of the invention]

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ring tone control method for mobile radio equipment, which is capable of always generating a ring tone that can be easily distinguished from noise in response to changes in the surrounding noise environment.

0003

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a general wireless communication system.

In FIG. 4, 1-1 is a mobile radio device, which includes an antenna duplexer 11, a receiver 12, a receiver 13, a transmitter 14, a transmitter 15, a synthesizer 16, and a control circuit 17.
, a ring tone control circuit 18, and a sounder 19.

[0005] The configurations of the other plurality of radio devices 1-2 to 1-n are also the same as that of the mobile radio device 1-1.

[0006] These plurality of mobile radio devices 1-1 to 1-n are connected to a smaller number of connection devices 2-1 to 2-m by radio lines, for example.

The plurality of connection devices 2-1 to 2-m all have the same configuration, and in addition to the hybrid circuit 21, a transmitter 22 and an antenna duplexer 23 that are equivalent to those of the mobile radio devices 1-1 to 1-n are included. , a receiver 24, a synthesizer 25, and a control circuit 26.

Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned connection devices 2-1 to 2-m,
It is connected to wired lines 4-1 to 4-l via a line control device 3.

In this wireless communication system, the mobile radio 1 instructs the connection device 2 to make a call through a wireless line, and based on this instruction, the connection device 2 and the line control device 3 perform line control to make the call to the line network. Can be done.

[0010] Thereafter, when the other party responds to the above-mentioned call, a call can be made through the communication channel set on the above-mentioned wireless line.

[0011] During this call, the connection device 2 and the mobile radio 1
Between the lines, the audio signal from the line network side is transferred to the hybrid circuit 2.
1. The signal is reproduced by the receiver 13 through the transmitter 22, the antenna duplexer 23, the wireless line, the antenna duplexer 11, and the receiver 12.

On the other hand, the voice input from the transmitter 14 is transmitted to the line network side via the transmitter 15, the antenna duplexer 11, the radio line, the antenna duplexer 23, the receiver 24, and the hybrid circuit 21.

[0013] When a call is received from the line network side, the line control device 3 establishes a radio link between the corresponding connection device 2 and the destination mobile radio device 1, and sends a call to the destination mobile radio device 1. to notify you of the incoming call.

[0014] When notifying the incoming call, the mobile radio device 1 at the receiving end causes the control circuit 17 to cause the sounder 19 to sound through the ringing tone control circuit 18 to generate a ringing tone.

A conventional ring tone control circuit 18 in this type of mobile radio device 1 had a configuration as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, 501 is a ringtone oscillator that generates a ringtone, 502 is a variable amplifier that varies the amplification gain of the ringtone volume, 503 is an amplifier for making the sounder 19 sound, and 504 is a ringtone oscillator that changes the volume of the ringtone in stages. This is a ringtone volume changeover switch that gives instructions to change the ringtone volume.

In this conventional ringtone control circuit 18,
The incoming call volume selector switch 504 within the mobile radio device body can be fixed at each position clearly marked as high, medium, or low. When the incoming call volume selector switch 504 is fixed at each of the above positions, an amplification gain is set in the variable amplifier 502 according to the resistance value present in the feedback path depending on the fixed position.

As a result, the ringtone control circuit 18 sets the amplification gain of the variable amplifier 502 stepwise while fixing the ringtone volume changeover switch 504 at a predetermined position, thereby increasing the ringing of the sounder 19 from the high to medium levels. ，
This means that you can control the volume in three levels, from low to low.

By the way, this type of mobile radio device 1 has the advantage of being able to move freely within the range of radio waves, but on the other hand, because it is possible to move freely, the noise level becomes extremely high each time. They are often placed in a constantly changing environment.

[0020] Generally, in order to generate a ringtone that is always clear in the surrounding noise environment, the volume level of the ringtone must be higher than the surrounding noise level.

According to the above-mentioned conventional mobile radio, in controlling the volume level of the ringtone based on such a request, the ringtone volume changeover switch 504 in the ringtone control circuit 18
The fixed position of the machine had to be manually reset one by one.

In actual operation, under conditions where the ambient noise level changes rapidly as described above, it is extremely difficult to change the fixed position of the incoming call volume selector switch 504 each time to follow these changes. .

[0023] Due to these control operation constraints, in the conventional mobile radio device 1, the volume level of the ring tone is selected in advance by anticipating the ambient noise environment of the place where it will be used, and the volume level is adjusted frequently during use. In order to prevent the volume level from changing, it has been common practice to operate the incoming call volume selector switch 504 fixed at a position corresponding to the volume level.

[0024] For this reason, in the past, there were many cases in which a ring tone was generated that was unclear in the surrounding noisy environment, and in the worst case, the operator could not recognize the incoming call and missed the opportunity to respond. It also happened.

[0025] Contrary to the above, in environments where the surroundings are too quiet, such as at night, the ringtone may be required to be played at a lower volume in order to avoid jarring the operator's ears and bothering the surroundings. Sometimes.

[0026] In response to such a request, the above-mentioned conventional mobile radio equipment cannot quickly control the volume level of the ringtone for the same reason as above, and the excessive volume of the ringtone may cause damage to the operator or the surroundings. It also had the inconvenience of causing inconvenience to other people.

[0027]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional mobile radio device, the volume level of the ringtone is varied by manually operating the ringtone volume changeover switch one by one, so the surrounding noise environment frequently changes. It is virtually impossible to set a ringtone level that allows you to clearly distinguish incoming calls each time the situation changes. However, there was a problem in that there were many cases in which the opportunity to respond to incoming calls was missed.

The present invention eliminates this problem, and even when the surrounding noise environment changes rapidly, the ringtone that can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding noise can be controlled quickly by following the changes in the noise environment. The present invention aims to provide a ring tone control system for a mobile wireless device that can perform a ring tone that is always easy to distinguish from ambient noise, prompts a reliable response to an incoming call, and thereby contributes to improving operational efficiency.

[Configuration of the invention]

[0030]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first invention of this application configures a wireless communication system with a plurality of fixed stations, and moves within a certain area where a wireless link can be established with the fixed stations. a ring tone signal generating means for generating a signal to be played as a ring tone; a volume variable means for varying the volume of the sound volume according to a set value; a noise level detecting means for detecting the noise level of ambient noise; and a set value of the volume varying means according to the noise level detected by the noise level detecting means. and a control means for controlling the ringtone, and the volume level of the ringtone is automatically variably controlled according to the surrounding noise level in order to emit a ringtone that is easily distinguishable from the surrounding noise. Features.

Further, the second invention of this application configures a wireless communication system together with a plurality of fixed stations, and while moving within a certain area where a wireless link can be established between the fixed stations and the fixed stations. The main body of the mobile radio device, which can be selectively connected to a wired line for making calls via comprising a frequency level detection means for detecting the frequency level of noise for each frequency band, and a control means for controlling the oscillation frequency of the variable frequency oscillation means according to the frequency level distribution for each frequency band, In order to emit a ringtone that is easy to distinguish from surrounding noise, the frequency of the ringtone is automatically variably controlled according to the frequency level distribution of each frequency band of the surrounding noise. do.

[0032]

According to the first invention of this application, the volume level of ambient noise is detected, and the volume level of the ringtone is automatically variably controlled in accordance with this noise level.

[0033] As a result, for example, when the surrounding noise is very high, by controlling the volume level of the ringtone to a higher volume, it becomes possible to clearly distinguish it from the surrounding noise, and the operator is informed of the incoming call. can be reliably notified.

[0034] In addition, in situations where the surrounding noise is low, such as at night, by controlling the ringtone volume to a lower level, it is possible to maintain a natural volume that does not irritate the operator's ears or disturb the surroundings. Incoming call notification can be realized at the same level.

Furthermore, according to the second invention of this application, the frequency level of ambient noise is detected, and the frequency of the ring tone is set to a frequency in a band far from the band with the highest frequency level of this ambient noise. I am trying to control it automatically.

In this case, by controlling the frequency band of the ringtone, the tone color becomes different from the surrounding noise, which makes it possible to distinguish between the ambient noise and the ringtone. Depending on the settings, it is possible to generate a sufficiently clear ring tone even if the ambient noise is somewhat loud.

[0037] In this way, in the present invention, the volume level or frequency characteristics of the ringtone is automatically variably controlled according to the surrounding noise environment, so that the ringtone ringing is always clearly distinguishable from the surrounding noise. This makes it possible to operate with fewer cases of missed calls, even under conditions where there are large fluctuations in the surrounding noise environment.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 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 ringtone control circuit for a mobile radio according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 101 is a microphone that converts ambient noise into an electrical signal, and 102 is a microphone 10.
an amplifier (preamplifier) that amplifies the input signal from 1;
03 is an integrator that averages the input signal over time;
104 is a filter that removes unnecessary frequency bands of the input signal; 105 is an A/D converter that converts the analog signal input from the filter 104 into a digital signal; 1
06 is a control unit that determines the ambient noise level based on the input signal, and compares the ambient noise level with a preset reference signal level to set a ringing volume level; 107 generates a ringing tone signal. ringtone oscillator, 10
8 is an electronic volume that varies the volume of the ringtone based on the ringtone volume level set by the control unit 106; 109;
is an amplifier (power amplifier) that amplifies the output of the electronic volume 108 to a signal level that makes the sounder 19 sound.

Next, its operation will be explained.

First, the mobile radio device 1 equipped with the ringtone control circuit 18 can freely move within a certain position area of the radio communication system shown in FIG. 4 and make a call.

During this operation, the ambient noise of the mobile radio device 1 is absorbed by the microphone 1 provided inside the mobile radio device main body.
After being converted into an electrical signal by 01, it is amplified by amplifier 102 and input to integrator 103.

The integrator 103 performs a process of averaging the level of the amplified signal of the amplifier 102 over time.

Next, the filter 104 removes unnecessary frequency components from the output signal of the integrator 103 and supplies the A/D converter 105 with only signals in a frequency band near the transmission frequency of the ring tone.

Furthermore, the A/D converter 105 converts the output signal of the filter 104 into a digital signal, and the control unit 1
Enter in 06.

[0047] In the control section 106, a plurality of pieces of ringtone volume data corresponding to the stepwise volume levels of the ringtone to be controlled are stored in advance in a storage device provided within its own circuit as a reference signal level.

As described above, when a digital signal is input from the A/D converter 105, the control section 106 compares the level of this input signal with the reference signal level previously stored in the storage device within its own circuit. By comparison, the incoming call volume data to be set in the electronic volume 108 is determined.

In making this determination, the control unit 106:
For example, when the ambient noise (corresponding to the above input signal level) is high, the ringtone (corresponding to the above ringtone volume data) is also loud, and when the surrounding noise is low, the ringtone is also reduced in proportion to the level. Select ring volume data.

Thereafter, the control section 106 sets the selected incoming call volume data in the electronic volume 108 according to the above determination.

At the same time, the control unit 106 gives a command to the ringtone oscillator 107 to start driving.

In response to this command, the ringtone oscillator 107 outputs a ringtone signal at a constant level to the electronic volume 108.

Next, the electronic volume 108 amplifies the output signal of the ringtone oscillator 107 to a volume level corresponding to the ringtone volume data set by the control section 106 through the selection process as described above.

The output of this electronic volume 108 is further amplified by an amplifier 109 to a level capable of driving the sounder 19.

Then, the sounder 19 is sounded based on the output of the amplifier 19, and a ringing tone can be transmitted to the operator.

[0056] Here, the volume level of the ringtone in the sounder 19 is controlled by the control section 106 described above so that the volume level increases as the ambient noise increases.

[0057] As a result, even if the noise level in the new location where the mobile radio device has been moved is higher than before, the operator can receive a call with a ring tone that is louder in accordance with the current noise level. The probability of missing an opportunity to respond to an incoming call can be significantly reduced when compared to the response using conventional mobile radio equipment under the same circumstances.

[0058] Furthermore, in conventional mobile radio equipment, it is not possible to quickly control the incoming call volume according to the ambient noise level.
When the surrounding noise is very low, the ringtone volume is often too high, and in this case, it becomes a nuisance for the operator and causes a nuisance to the people around him.

Regarding this point, in the present invention, when the noise level around the mobile radio is low, the volume level of the ringtone is automatically suppressed to a low level corresponding to the surrounding noise level, so that the operator and The nuisance to those around you can be minimized.

[0060] The ring tone volume control according to the present invention can be modified in various other ways.

[0061] For example, the above embodiment assumes a case in which a mobile radio is operated at all times, but the mobile radio is operated by intermittently turning the power on and off in order to reduce power consumption. The present invention can also be applied to such cases.

In this case, the ambient noise level may be detected after an incoming call is detected when the power of the mobile radio is turned on, and the incoming call volume may be determined in accordance with the detected noise level to cause the sounder 19 to sound.

[0063] Another problem with the operation of the mobile radio device that does not perform intermittent operation according to the present invention is that because the ambient noise level is not constant, the incoming call volume that is controlled in response to this noise level also fluctuates in small increments. This can be considered.

In such a case, if the integrator 103 detects and averages the ambient noise for a sufficiently long period of time, then determines the ringtone volume and sounds the sounder 19, fluctuations in the ringtone can be further reduced. It can be stabilized.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a ringtone control circuit for a mobile radio according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The ringtone control circuit 18 of this embodiment detects the surrounding noise environment as a frequency level, and in response to changes in the surrounding noise environment, changes the frequency of the ringtone from a frequency band corresponding to the noise environment. By controlling the frequency band to a certain extent, it is possible to generate a ring tone that is clear against the surrounding noise environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ring tone control circuit 18 of this embodiment is similar to the microphone 1 in the circuit shown in FIG.
01, amplifier 102, A/D converter 105,
Electronic volume 108, microphone 201 equivalent to amplifier 109, amplifier 202, A/D converter 2
05, electronic volume 208, amplifier 209, etc.
Programmable filter 211, variable frequency oscillator 20
8 and a control section 206 that controls both.

Here, the programmable filter 211 is a filter configured to be able to switch the frequency band that is allowed to pass for each frequency band.

The variable frequency oscillator 208 is an oscillator configured to selectively generate signals of different frequencies as ringing tone signals.

An example of the operation of this ring tone control circuit 18 is as follows.
This will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the control unit 206 monitors whether an incoming call has occurred to the mobile radio device 1 (S301).

Here, when it is detected that there is an incoming call, the control section 206 then activates the programmable filter 211.
Set the first frequency band that should be allowed to pass (
S302).

In this state, a signal input from the microphone 201 in response to ambient noise is amplified by the amplifier 202 and input to the programmable filter 211.

Here, the programmable filter 211 passes only the frequency components in the pass-permitted frequency band set as described above, and outputs them to the A/D converter 205.

[0075] The A/D converter 205 converts the output signal of the programmable filter 211 into a digital signal,
The information is input to the control unit 206.

The control unit 206 controls the A/D converter 205
Detects the frequency level of the input signal from (S3
03), this frequency level is stored in association with the frequency band (S304).

Next, the control unit 206 determines whether the frequency band to be set in the programmable filter 211 has reached the final frequency band (S305).

[0078] If it is determined that the set frequency band still remains, the control unit 206 further sets the next frequency band to the programmable filter 211 (S302).

By repeating the processes from S302 to S305 in this way for all set frequency bands, the control unit 206 can maintain the frequency level of each frequency band (S304).

[0080] After that, when it is determined in S305 that the setting of all frequency bands has been completed, the control unit 206 searches all the data stored and held up to that point, and selects the frequency band with the lowest frequency level. (S306).

[0081] Thereafter, the control unit 206 sets a frequency corresponding to the selected frequency band to the variable frequency oscillator 212 (S307).

At the same time, the control unit 206 controls the variable frequency oscillator 212 to be in the ON state (S308).

[0083] As a result, the variable frequency oscillator 212 generates a ringtone signal of a predetermined frequency according to the above settings, and this is applied to the sounder 19 via the electronic volume 208 and the amplifier 209.

[0084] The sounder 19 sounds a ringtone using the output of the amplifier 209, and transmits the ringtone to the operator.

[0085] Thereafter, the control unit 206 determines whether or not the called party has responded to the incoming notification (S309).

Here, while there is no response, the sounder 19 continues to sound the ringtone, and at the same time as the response is made, the variable frequency oscillator 212 is controlled to be in the OFF state (S310), and the incoming notification is ended.

According to the ringtone control of this embodiment, the ringtone generated from the sounder 19 has a frequency corresponding to the lowest frequency level among the plurality of frequency bands related to ambient noise. become.

According to such ring tone frequency control,
The tone of the ringtone is slightly different from that of the surrounding noise, so that it is easy to distinguish between the surrounding noise and the ringtone.

Therefore, with the ring tone control method of this embodiment, even if the ambient noise of the mobile radio is somewhat annoying, a clear ring tone can be transmitted to the operator, thereby ensuring a reliable response from the operator. It is possible to expect the same effect as the above-mentioned method of controlling the ringtone volume according to the surrounding noise level while prompting the user.

[0090]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the volume level or frequency of the ring tone is automatically controlled to vary according to the surrounding noise environment, so when operating a mobile radio, it is possible to Even when the noise environment changes significantly, it is possible to always generate a ringtone that is easily distinguishable from surrounding noise.

Therefore, for example, even in places where ambient noise is very noisy, it is possible to clearly notify the operator of incoming calls and increase the reliability of answering calls, and conversely, in environments that are too quiet, it may be a nuisance to the surroundings. It has the excellent advantage of being able to perform a natural notification of incoming calls that is beyond the reach of other systems.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a ringtone control circuit for a mobile radio according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a ringtone control circuit for a mobile radio according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a ring tone control operation of the mobile wireless device of the present invention when the ring tone control circuit shown in FIG. 2 is applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a wireless communication system using a mobile radio having this type of ringtone control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a ringtone control circuit used in this type of conventional mobile radio device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-n Mobile radio equipment 2-1 to 2-m Connection device 3 Line control device 4-1 to 4-l Wired line 18 Ring tone control circuit 19 Sounder 101, 201 Microphone 102, 202 Amplifier (preamplifier) 103
Integrator 104 Filter 105, 205 A/D converter 106, 20
6 Control unit 107, 501 Ring tone oscillator 108, 208 Electronic volume 109, 209, 503 Amplifier (power amplifier) 211 Programmable filter 212 Variable frequency oscillator 502 Variable amplifier 504 Ring volume changeover switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: A wireless communication system is configured with a plurality of fixed stations, and while moving within a certain area where a wireless line can be established with the fixed stations, the wireless communication system selectively connects to a wired line via the fixed station. A ring tone signal generating means for generating a signal to be reproduced as a ring tone is provided in the main body of a mobile radio device that can be connected to make a call, and a volume variable means for varying the volume of the ring tone according to a set value. and a noise level detection means for detecting the noise level of ambient noise, and a control means for controlling the set value of the volume variable means according to the noise level detected by the noise level detection means, 1. A ringtone control method for a mobile radio device, characterized in that the volume level of the ringtone is automatically variably controlled according to the surrounding noise level in order to emit a ringtone that is easy to distinguish. 2. In a mobile radio set to operate only when a call is made or when a call is received, each operation of the ring tone signal generating means, the volume variable means, the noise level detecting means, and the control means is performed only when the call is received. 2. The ring tone control method for a mobile radio device according to claim 1, wherein the ring tone control method is activated. 3. The noise level detecting means includes at least a converting means for converting ambient noise into an electrical signal, and an integrating means for integrating the output of the converting means, and the noise level detecting means comprises at least a converting means for converting ambient noise into an electrical signal, and an integrating means for integrating the output of the converting means, and detects the signal taken in from the converting means at regular intervals. 2. The ring tone control method for a mobile radio device according to claim 1, wherein the noise level is detected based on the averaged output. 4. A wireless communication system is configured with a plurality of fixed stations, and the wireless communication system selectively connects to a wired line via the fixed station while moving within a certain area where a wireless line can be established with the fixed station. Inside the main body of the mobile radio device that can be connected to make calls, there is a variable frequency oscillation means that selectively generates a plurality of different frequency signals to be played as ringtones, and a variable frequency oscillation means that adjusts the frequency level of ambient noise to a certain frequency bandwidth. and a control means for controlling the oscillation frequency of the variable frequency oscillation means according to the frequency level distribution for each frequency band, and the ring tone is easily distinguishable from surrounding noise. A ringtone control method for a mobile radio device, characterized in that the frequency of the ringtone is automatically variably controlled according to the frequency level distribution of each frequency band of ambient noise in order to make the ringtone ring. . 5. The control means selects a frequency band with the lowest frequency level from the frequency level distribution,
Claim 4 characterized in that the oscillation frequency of the variable frequency oscillation means is controlled in accordance with the selected frequency band.
Ringtone control method for the mobile radio described. 6. A mobile radio set to operate only when a call is made or when a call is received, characterized in that the variable frequency oscillation means, the frequency level detection means, and the control means are activated only when the call is received. A ring tone control system for a mobile radio device according to claim 4 or 5.