WO2002091602A1

WO2002091602A1 - Wireless telephone with microphone funtion for voice recognition by computer

Info

Publication number: WO2002091602A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyun Bo Shim
Original assignee: Wise Tech. Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-05-04
Filing date: 2001-06-04
Publication date: 2002-11-14
Also published as: KR20010074285A

Abstract

A wireless telephone with a microphone fuction for voice recognition by a computer is disclosed. The telephone has a base unit connected to a computer having both a mike jack and a speaker and used for inputting/outputting an audio sinal from/to the computer, comverting the audio signal into a digital signal, modulating the digital signal as a first digital RF signal, and transmitting the first digital RF signal to an outside through a first antenna, or receiving a second digital RF signal through the first antenna, demodulating the second digital RF signal, and converting the demodulated signal into an audio signal.

Description

WIRELESS TELEPHONE WITH MICROPHONE FUNCTION FOR VOICE RECOGNITION BY COMPUTER

Technical Field

The present invention relates in general to a wireless telephone with a microphone function for voice recognition by a computer, and more particularly to digital wireless telephone having a wireless microphone function and using the same frequency band as the wireless microphone.

Background Art

As well known to those skilled in the art, as interest in the computers executed by voice recognition has significantly increased, a recognition ratio of a voice recognition system has achieved an accuracy higher than 98 percent, and various applications thereof have been proposed and used. According to the prior art, in order to apply the voice of a user to such a voice recognition system, a wire microphone(or mike) is typically used. Further, conventional wireless microphones generally adopt an analog transmission to use a voice carrier frequency. However, the conventional analog transmission is problematic in that it causes a propagation interference, a line crossing, and noise component according to surrounding conditions. To solve these problems, a method such as Multi-Channel Access(MCA) or Diversity reception is adopted and used. However, such a method has a problem that it wastes materials for circuit construction, increases the circuit size and a selling price, and causes the noise due to the propagation interference.

Further, the conventional wire microphone is disadvantageous in that it only allows a user to input his or her voice for voice recognition while near a computer, due to a restriction ofthe cable length ofthe microphone.

Disclosure ofthe Invention Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital wireless telephone for using the telephone as a wireless microphone having a frequency band of 900 MHz and employing a digital transmission, in which the telephone uses the same frequency band as the wireless microphone.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital wireless telephone with a light weight for minimizing materials for circuit construction by constructing it as an ASIC.

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a wireless telephone with a microphone function for voice recognition by a computer, comprising a base unit connected to a computer having both a mike jack for receiving a voice signal of a user and a speaker jack for outputting an internal audio signal to an external speaker, the base unit thus inputting/outputting an audio signal from/to the computer, and converting the audio signal into a digital signal, modulating the digital signal as a first digital RF signal, and transmitting the first digital RF signal to an outside through a first antenna, or receiving a second digital RF signal through the first antenna, demodulating the second digital RF signal, and converting the demodulated signal into an audio signal and a handset for receiving the first digital RF signal from the base unit through a second antenna, and converting the first digital RF signal into an audio signal, or for converting the voice signal of the user into a digital signal, modulating the digital signal as the second digital RF signal, and transmitting the second digital RF signal through the second antenna to the base unit.

Brief Description ofthe Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the construction of a wireless telephone with a microphone function for voice recognition by a computer according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the wireless telephone of this invention; Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a handset of the telephone of this invention; and

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a base unit ofthe telephone of this invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 is a view showing the construction of a wireless telephone with a microphone function for voice recognition by a computer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the wireless telephone of this invention. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a handset of the telephone, and Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a base unit thereof.

Referring to Fig. 1, when the telephone is in standby mode, an audio signal from a speaker jack of a computer is outputted through the speaker 14 of the base unit 12. At this time, when a call is received from another user, the telephone is switched to a normal telephone mode, thus enabling a telephone line to be activated by an internal switching operation. Thereby, the base unit 12 transmits a signal received from the telephone line to a handset 16 through an antenna 26, such that the user can use the handset 16 as a normal telephone. On the other hand, when the user wishes to call another user, the user changes the telephone mode to a normal telephone mode by using a specific key, for example "telephone key" 20 on a keypad 18 ofthe handset 16, and then uses it as a normal telephone. Further, when using the wireless telephone as an Internet phone like a Web phone, the user uses a "microphone key" 22 of the handset 16. In this case, the voice signal of the user is inputted through a microphone 19 of a headset 17, prior to being converted into a digital signal and then modulated by an internal process of the handset 16. The handset 16 transmits the modulated signal to the base unit 12 through its antenna 24, and the base unit 12 receives the modulated signal from the handset 16 through its antenna 26. The base unit 12 demodulates the received signal and converts the modulated signal into an audio signal. The audio signal is applied to the computer 10 through a mike jack thereof. In this case, the audio signal is processed in the computer 10, thus enabling the telephone to be used as a Web phone using a Web service, and for accessing various computer application programs using a voice recognition function.

Referring to Fig. 2, the wireless handset 32 receiving the voice ofthe user 30 can be applied to various purposes such as a normal telephone 34, an Internet phone 36, a wireless microphone 38, and a voice recognition device 40. In this case, a base unit 42 receives an RF signal from the handset 32, and switches the RF signal, thus enabling the RF signal to be inputted/outputted to/from a telephone line 44 and a computer 46, and to be outputted through a speaker 48.

Referring to Fig. 3, the handset includes an antenna 60, a transmission/reception switch 62, a band pass filter 64, an radio frequency(RF)- amplifier 58, a transceiver 54, a central processing unit 52, a keypad 70, a microphone 50, an earphone 68, and a bell 72.

Hereinafter, the process of transmitting the RF signal from the handset to a base unit is described in detail, referring to Fig. 3. A voice signal of a user, inputted through the microphone 50 is converted into an electrical signal, and then inputted to a central processing unit 52. The electrical signal is converted into a digital signal by the central processing unit 52, and then applied to a transmission circuit 56 of the transceiver 54. The transmission circuit phase-modulates the digital signal for example, by Phase Shift Keying(PSK), and spreads the modulated signal with a spread code of a signal spectrum. The RF amplifier 58 amplifies the power ofthe spread signal, and outputs the amplified signal through the antenna 60 as an RF signal. Here, in order to transmit the RF signal, the transmission/reception switch 62 is switched to operate in a transmission mode under the control ofthe central processing unit 52. Further, the process of receiving the RF signal from the base unit to the handset is described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. The RF signal received through the antenna 60 is applied to a reception circuit 66 of the transceiver 54 through the band pass filter 64. The reception circuit 66 despreads the RF signal received from the base unit with the spread code of the signal spectrum, which is transmitted from the base unit, according to a phase of the received RF signal. The reception circuit 66 demodulates the despread signal, and the central processing unit 52 converts the demodulated signal into an analog audio signal. The analog audio signal is, thereafter, outputted through the earphone 68, thus enabling the user to hear the audio signal.

In this case, the handset may be used as a normal telephone 'or a wireless microphone by using a keypad 70 according to a selection of the user. When a call is received by the handset in a standby mode, a bell 72 is rung. At this time, the user starts a telephone conversation by pushing a "telephone key" of the keypad 70.

Further, preferably, the microphone 50 is removable from the handset. Preferably, the handset has a battery within it, and the base unit has a recess for seating the handset, thus allowing the handset to be charged by supplying a power voltage from the base unit in a state of being seated in the recess.

Referring to Fig. 4, the^" base unit includes an antenna 88, a transmission/reception switch, a band pass filter 90, an RF-amplifier 93, a transceiver 92, a central processing unit 96, a signal switch 99, an audio frequency(AF)-amplifier 84, and a speaker 86. The base unit shown in Fig. 4 is connected to a computer 98 having both a mike jack 82 and a speaker jack 97.

Referring to Fig. 4, the process of signal transmission and reception is the same as the handset. Further, when the user wishes to use the base unit as a normal telephone according to a selected function of the handset, the base unit is connected to a telephone line 80. On the other band, when the user uses the handset of Fig. 3 as a wireless microphone, the base unit is connected to the computer 98, thus allowing the user to use the wireless telephone as a voice recognition device or an Internet phone. When the base unit is in a standby mode, a music or sound signal outputted from the computer 98 through the speaker jack 97 is amplified by the AF-amplifier 84. The amplified music or sound signal is outputted through the speaker 86. In this case, the speaker 86 is used as a speaker ofthe computer 98.

Referring to Fig. 4, the process of receiving an RF signal from the wireless handset to the base unit will be described in detail. The RF signal received through the antenna 88 is applied to a reception circuit 94 of the transceiver 92 via the band pass filter 90. The reception circuit 94 despreads the RF signal with a spread code of a signal spectrum, which is transmitted from the handset, according to a phase of the RF signal. Then, the reception circuit 94 demodulates the despread signal and outputs it to the central processing unit 96. The central processing unit 96 converts the demodulated digital signal into an analog audio signal. If the base unit is used as a normal telephone, the analog audio signal from the central processing unit 96 is outputted through a telephone line 80 to another user. On the other hand, when the base unit is used as the voice recognition device or the Internet phone with the computer 98, the base unit is automatically controlled such that the audio signal from the base unit is inputted to the computer 98 through the mike jack 82 by the signal switch 99. As described above, the handset is selectively used for a normal telephone or a wireless microphone according to a user's selection. The process of transmitting an RF signal from the base unit to the handset is described with reference to Fig. 4. The audio signal received through the telephone line 80 or an audio signal received from the computer through the speaker jack 97 to the base unit is converted into an electrical signal, and then applied to the central processing unit 96. The unit 96 converts the electrical signal into the digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to a transmission circuit

95 of the transceiver 92. The transmission circuit 95 phase-modulates the digital signal through a digital phase modulation such as a PSK. Further, the transmission circuit 95 spreads the modulated signal with a spread code of the spectrum. The RF-amplifier 93 amplifies the power of the spread signal and outputs the amplified signal as an RF signal. The RF signal is sent through the antenna 88 to the handset. Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a wireless telephone with a microphone function for voice recognition by a computer, which adopts a digital transmission using a high frequency band of 900MHz, thus allowing a user to selectively use the wireless telephone as a normal telephone or a wireless microphone. Further, the wireless telephone of the present invention is highly advantageous in that it has no restriction in its effective area due to the use of the wireless microphone, compared with a conventional microphone restricted in its effective area.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A wireless telephone with a microphone function for voice recognition by a computer, comprising: a base unit connected to a computer having both a mike jack for receiving a voice signal of a user and a speaker jack for outputting an internal audio signal to an external speaker, the base unit thus inputting/outputting an audio signal to/from the computer, converting the audio signal into a digital signal, modulating the digital signal as a first digital RF signal, and transmitting the first digital RF signal to an outside through a first antenna, or receiving a second digital RF signal through the first antenna, demodulating the second digital RF signal, and converting the demodulated signal into an audio signal ; and a handset for receiving the first digital RF signal from the base unit through a second antenna, and converting the first digital RF signal into an audio signal, or converting the voice signal of the user into a digital signal, modulating the digital signal as the second digital RF signal, and transmitting the second digital RF signal through the second antenna to the base unit.

2. The telephone as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the handset includes: a microphone for receiving the voice signal of the user and converting it into an electrical signal; a central processing unit for converting the electrical signal into the digital signal; a transceiver for modulating the digital signal through a predetermined digital modulation, and spreading the modulated signal with a spread code of a signal spectrum; an RF-amplifier for amplifying the spread signal and outputting the amplified signal as the second digital RF signal from the transceiver; and a band pass filter for removing a noise component from the first digital RF signal received through the second antenna, and outputting the noise-free signal to the transceiver, wherein the second digital RF signal is transmitted to the outside through the second antenna.

3. The telephone as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the handset further includes a keypad for inputting a key signal, thus enabling the user to selectively use the handset as a normal telephone or a wireless microphone.

4. ^N The telephone as set forth in Claim 2, wherein the microphone is removable from the handset.

5. The telephone as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base unit includes: a band pass filter for a removing noise component from the second digital

RF signal received from the handset through the first antenna; a transceiver for demodulating the noise-free signal and despreading the demodulated signal with a spread code of a signal spectrum according to a phase ofthe demodulated signal; a central processing unit for converting the digital despread signal into an analog audio signal; a signal switch for switching the analog audio signal to selectively use the base unit with one of the normal telephone, the wireless microphone and the computer; an AF-amplifier for amplifying an audio signal received through the speaker jack ofthe computer when the base unit is in a standby mode; and a speaker for outputting the amplified audio signal to an outside of the base unit, wherein the base unit receives the second digital RF signal from the handset through the first antenna, and the analog audio signal from the central processing unit is inputted to the computer through the mike jack when the signal switch is switched to the wireless microphone.

6. The telephone as set forth in Claim 5, wherein the base unit further includes a telephone jack for outputting the analog audio signal from the central processing unit through a telephone line when the analog audio signal is used for the normal telephone.

7. The telephone as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the handset has a battery within it, and the base unit has a recess for seating the handset, and thereby allowing the handset to be charged by supplying a power voltage from the base unit in a state of being seated in the recess.