Communication device, communication system, and communication method

Abstract

To enable VOS functions of a plurality of VOX communication devices to be used.SOLUTION: A first communication device 11 and a second communication device 12 (see Figure 1) include a first communication part 21 for communicating data including voices with an external communication device, an extraction part 22 for extracting the communication information, a counting part 23 for counting a lapse time from a communication end, a second communication part 24 for transmitting and receiving a VOX changeover request signal and a response signal between the first and second communication devices, an input part 25 for receiving voices, a calculation part 26 for calculating priority information, a control part 28 for determining the validity or invalidity of a VOX function according to the priority information, and a VOX part 27 for transmitting data to an external communication device for transmitting the data to the external communication device through the first communication part 21 in the case that the VOX function is valid and that the voices inputted to the input part 25 are equal to and more than a prescribed volume level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a communication system, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, radios that use VOX (Voice Operated Transmission) technology (hereinafter referred to as VOX communication devices) have come into use. The VOX function used in these VOX communication devices recognizes voices when a user speaks into a microphone and automatically starts communication. In addition, the VOX function of the VOX communication device can detect the cessation of voice when the call is completed and automatically stop communication. Therefore, even if the user's hands are occupied with other tasks, the communication device can start or end communication according to the voice input status. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-60399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, firefighters and other personnel carry multiple communication devices for on-site and headquarters communications, and may switch between them as needed. If one of the communication devices in use is a VOX communication device and the other is a radio that does not use VOX technology (non-VOX communication device), it is considered that there will be no problem using the VOX function on this single VOX communication device.

[0005] However, if a user owns two radios that are both VOX communication devices, when the user attempts to communicate using one of the VOX communication devices, it is possible that the other VOX communication device will also start communicating, contrary to the user's intention. Therefore, when using multiple VOX communication devices, the VOX function cannot be used effectively, and the user must perform an operation such as pressing a button on the communication device they want to use.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling one electronic device to be remotely controlled among multiple electronic devices that receive a remote control signal, but does not disclose how to control the VOX function in a VOX communication device.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a communication device that allows a user to use the VOX function appropriately even when using multiple VOX communication devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The communication system according to the present disclosure is a communication system owned by one person, which includes a first communication device having a VOX function and located within a range where the user's voice can be directly heard, and one or more second communication devices that perform short-range communication with the first communication device, wherein the VOX function is enabled in either the first communication device or the second communication device, and each of the first communication device and the second communication device includes a first communication unit that communicates data including voice data to an external communication device that is a communication device other than the first communication device and the second communication device, an extraction unit that extracts communication information from data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, a counting unit that counts the elapsed time since the end of communication by the first communication unit, a VOX switch request signal that is a signal related to a request for switching the VOX function, and a VOX switch request signal that is a signal related to a request for switching the VOX function. The communication device includes a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal regarding the response to the switching of the VOX function in response to a switching request signal, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which the voice is input; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the communication information extracted by the extraction unit and the elapsed time counted by the counting unit; a control unit that decides to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit; and a VOX unit that transmits data to the external communication device via the first communication unit when the VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, and the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the decision to enable or disable the VOX function. This allows the VOX function to be used even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0009] A communication device according to the present disclosure is a communication device in which a first communication device and a second communication device each having a VOX function communicate with each other by short-range communication, and also communicates with an external communication device other than the second communication device by a method different from the short-range communication, the communication device including a first communication unit communicating data including voice data with the external communication device, an extraction unit extracting communication information from data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, a counting unit counting the elapsed time from the end of communication by the first communication unit, and a switching signal for switching the VOX function. a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switching request signal, which is a signal regarding a request for VOX switching, and a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switching request signal for switching a VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit that receives voice input; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the first communication device based on the communication information extracted by the extraction unit and the elapsed time counted by the counting unit; a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit; and a VOX unit that transmits data to the external communication device via the first communication unit when the VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, wherein the control unit controls the VOX unit based on a decision to enable or disable the VOX function, and when the VOX function is enabled, the calculation unit calculates first priority information as priority information for the first communication device based on the communication state of the first communication unit of the first communication device and the elapsed time when the first communication device receives the VOX switching request signal from the second communication device. The control unit of the first communication device determines whether to enable or disable the VOX unit of the first communication device based on second priority information, which is priority information of the second communication device included in the VOX switching request signal received from the second communication device, and the first priority information, and controls the VOX unit based on the determination, and the second communication unit includes the information determining whether to enable or disable the VOX unit of the first communication device in the VOX switching response signal and transmits it to the second communication device, and if the VOX function is disabled, when the second communication device receives the data from the external communication device,The calculation unit of the second communication device calculates the second priority information, which is priority information of the second communication device, based on the communication state, the communication information, and the elapsed time of the first communication unit of the second communication device, and the second communication unit transmits the VOX switching request signal including the second priority information calculated by the calculation unit to the first communication device, and the control unit determines whether to enable or disable the VOX unit based on the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device, and controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the determination. This allows the VOX function to be used even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0010] A communication method according to the present disclosure is a communication method for a communication device that communicates by short-range communication between a first communication device and a second communication device, each having a VOX function, and that communicates with an external communication device in a manner different from the short-range communication, and includes the steps of: transmitting data including voice data to the external communication device by a first communication unit; extracting communication information from data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit; counting the elapsed time since the end of communication by the first communication unit; and receiving a VOX switching request signal that is a signal related to a request for switching the VOX function and a response to the VOX switching request signal for switching the VOX function. The method includes the steps of transmitting and receiving a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal related to the above, between the first communication device and the second communication device via the short-range communication using the second communication unit; inputting voice; calculating priority information related to the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the extracted communication information and the counted elapsed time; determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information; and transmitting data to the external communication device via the first communication unit when the VOX function is enabled and the input voice is at or above a predetermined volume level. This allows the VOX function to be used even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a communication device that allows the VOX function to be used appropriately even in a situation where a user is wearing multiple radios. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a first communication device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the first communication device further includes a display unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the second communication device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the first communication device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case in which the VOX function of the second communication device is enabled depending on the current communication status of the first communication device in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case in which the first priority information of the first communication device and the second priority information of the second communication device are scored and compared, and the VOX function of the second communication device is enabled, in accordance with the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A communication device according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a communication system 1. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment.

[0014] [Embodiment] 1, the communication system 1 includes a first communication device 11 and a second communication device 12, each of which is a VOX radio. Here, it is assumed that a user wears the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12, and that both are located within a range where the voice of one user can be heard. As will be described later, there can be multiple second communication devices 12, i.e., two or more, but here, the explanation will be given assuming that there is only one second communication device 12.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first communication device 11 can communicate with a third communication device 13 owned by another user. The second communication device 12 can communicate with a fourth communication device 14 owned by another user. Here, the user of the third communication device 13 and the user of the fourth communication device 14 are different people. The third communication device 13 and the fourth communication device 14 may be referred to as external communication devices. Furthermore, audio transmitted by one of the external communication devices is not received simultaneously by the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the first communication device 11. The first communication device 11 includes a first communication unit 21, an extraction unit 22, a counting unit 23, a second communication unit 24, an input unit 25, a calculation unit 26, a VOX unit 27, and a control unit 28.

[0017] The first communication unit 21 is a functional unit that communicates data including voice data with the third communication device 13. Here, the first communication unit 21 starts transmission to the third communication device 13 when an input indicating that transmission to the third communication device 13 is to be performed is received from the VOX unit 27, which will be described later. The first communication unit 21 ends communication when it has finished transmitting data to the third communication device 13 or when it has finished receiving data from the third communication device 13.

[0018] When receiving communication with the third communication device 13, the first communication unit 21 outputs the communication data to the extraction unit 22.

[0019] Extraction unit 22 extracts communication information from the communication data performed by the first communication unit. For example, extraction unit 22 extracts information related to communication time from the communication data and outputs the information to counting unit 23. Extraction unit 22 also extracts information for determining the priority order of VOX functions from the communication data and outputs the information to calculation unit 26.

[0020] Typically, the communication information is information such as the ID of the first communication device 11, the communication type, the call start time, and the call end time, but is not limited to this. For example, it may include information about the third communication device 13 communicating with the first communication unit 21 of the first communication device 11. Furthermore, for example, the communication type may indicate whether the communication is a normal communication or an emergency communication.

[0021] The counting unit 23 counts the time that has elapsed since the end of communication by the first communication unit 21, using the information on the communication time input from the extraction unit 22. The counting unit 23 can output the result of counting the elapsed time to the calculation unit 26.

[0022] Second communication unit 24 is a functional unit that transmits a VOX switching request signal, which is a signal for requesting switching of the VOX function, and a VOX switching response signal, which is a response signal to the VOX switching request signal, to second communication device 12. Note that second communication unit 24 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to communicate with second communication device 12.

[0023] For example, when priority information of the VOX functions is calculated by calculation unit 26, which will be described later, second communication unit 24 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between first communication device 11 and second communication device 12. For example, first communication device 11 can receive a VOX switching request signal from second communication device 12 by short-range communication via second communication unit 24, and can return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to second communication device 12.

[0024] Here, the priority information of the VOX function includes, but is not limited to, for example, the ID of the third communication device 13 with which the first communication device 11 is communicating, the type of communication, the time elapsed since the last reception, the number of incoming calls, the number of responses, etc. Each element constituting this priority information is scored, and the priority can be set using the total score.

[0025] The input unit 25 is a functional unit that receives voice input from a user holding the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. Typically, the input unit 25 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 11. The input unit 25 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 27.

[0026] Based on the input information, calculation unit 26 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of VOX functions in first communication device 11 and second communication device 12. Here, calculation unit 26 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for first communication device 11, using information for determining the priority order of VOX functions extracted by extraction unit 22 and the counting results input from counting unit 23.

[0027] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the calculation unit 26 of the first communication device 11 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 11, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 12, can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 26 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 11 or the second communication device 12.

[0028] More specifically, first communication device 11 transmits information on the result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of second communication device 12, determined by the comparison of priority information in calculation unit 26, to second communication device 12 as a VOX switching response signal. Meanwhile, first communication device 11 can control whether to enable or disable VOX unit 27 by outputting the comparison result of this priority information to control unit 28 within first communication device 11. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of first communication device 11 or second communication device 12.

[0029] When the volume of the audio input to the input unit 25 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 27 transmits data including the audio data input to the input unit 25 to the third communication device 13 via the first communication unit 21.

[0030] VOX unit 27 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 27, which is input from control unit 28. That is, VOX unit 27 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 28 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 25 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, VOX unit 27 transmits data to third communication device 13 via first communication unit 21, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 25 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, VOX unit 27 does not transmit data.

[0031] The control unit 28 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 26 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 27 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 27.

[0032] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 11 and the configuration of the second communication device 12 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 12 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 12 includes a first communication unit 31, an extraction unit 32, a counting unit 33, a second communication unit 34, an input unit 35, a calculation unit 36, a VOX unit 37, and a control unit 38.

[0033] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the first communication device 11 further includes a display unit 29. The display unit 29 is controlled by the control unit 28, and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 11 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0034] As an example, the display by display unit 29 is the lighting of a lamp provided in first communication device 11, and different displays can be made depending on whether VOX unit 27 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which display unit 29 outputs the status of VOX unit 27 to the user is not limited to this, and display on a display or audio output may also be used.

[0035] Similarly, the second communication device 12 may also be provided with a display unit 39 .

[0036] Next, the operation flow of the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] Here, first communication device 11 is basically treated as having a higher priority for using the VOX function than second communication device 12. Also, in the initial state, it is assumed that the VOX function of first communication device 11 is enabled and the VOX function of second communication device 12 is disabled.

[0038] 4 is an example of an operation flow in which the VOX unit 27 is switched to enabled or remains disabled as a result of the second communication device 12 communicating with the first communication device 11. In other words, FIG. 4 is an example of an operation flow of the communication system 1 when the second communication device 12 is at the center.

[0039] First, the second communication device 12 receives a signal from the fourth communication device 14 (step S1). This communication is performed via the first communication unit 31 of the second communication device 12.

[0040] The second communication device 12 calculates its own priority information (step S2). Specifically, the calculation unit 36 ​​of the second communication device 12 calculates the priority information in accordance with the counting result calculated by the counting unit 33, using the information on the priority order of the VOX functions extracted by the extraction unit 32 from the data input from the first communication unit 31 and the data input from the first communication unit 31. This priority information for the second communication device 12 is referred to as second priority information.

[0041] The second communication device 12 transmits a VOX switching request signal including the second priority information to the first communication device 11 (step S3). At this time, the second communication device 12 outputs the VOX switching request signal including the second priority information to the first communication device 11 via the second communication unit 34.

[0042] The second communication device 12 receives a VOX switching response signal from the first communication device 11 (step S4). If the content of the received VOX switching response signal indicates that the VOX function of the second communication device 12 may be enabled (step S4: OK), the control unit 38 controls the VOX unit 37 to be enabled (step S5).

[0043] On the other hand, if the content of the switching response signal received by the second communication device 12 indicates that the VOX function in the second communication device 12 should remain disabled (NG in step S4), the control unit 38 controls the VOX unit 37 to remain disabled (step S6).

[0044] Thereafter, the operation flow in the second communication device 12 ends.

[0045] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the operation flow of the communication system 1 centered around the first communication device 11 will be described for a scene similar to that of FIG.

[0046] The first communication device 11 receives a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 12 via the second communication unit 24 (step S11). This is the VOX switching request signal transmitted from the second communication device 12 in step S3 in FIG. 4.

[0047] The calculation unit 26 extracts the second priority information from the VOX switching request signal input from the second communication device 12 (step S12).

[0048] Meanwhile, the calculation unit 26 calculates priority information for the first communication device 11 (step S13). Here, the priority information for the first communication device 11 is referred to as first priority information.

[0049] 6 shows an example of scores used to calculate priority information. Note that the first communication device 11 calculates a score for the most recent communication, and the second communication device 12, which is receiving a signal from the fourth communication device 14 as shown in step S1, calculates a score for this received signal.

[0050] More specifically, as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), a score for each call partner, a score for each communication type, and a score for the elapsed time since the last reception are defined in advance. The first communication device 11 checks to which parts of the tables in Figures 6(a) to 6(c) the most recent communication by the first communication device 11 and the communication by the second communication device 12 correspond, and calculates the total scores for the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. Here, Figure 6(d) is a diagram showing an example of the calculated total score for the first communication device 11, and Figure 6(e) is a diagram showing an example of the calculated total score for the second communication device 12.

[0051] The calculation unit 26 compares the total score of the first priority information with that of the second priority information (step S14). If the total score of the first priority information is lower than that of the second priority information (Yes in step S14), the second communication device 12 is given priority, and the VOX unit 27 of the first communication device 11 is disabled (step S15). Furthermore, the first communication device 11 transmits a VOX switching response signal to the second communication device 12 indicating that the VOX unit 37 may be enabled (step S16).

[0052] The VOX switching response signal transmitted from the first communication device 11 in step S16 is received by the second communication device 12 in step S4 in FIG.

[0053] On the other hand, if the total score of the first priority information is higher than the total score of the second priority information (No in step S14), the first communication device 11 has priority, so the VOX unit 27 of the first communication device 11 remains enabled (step S17). Furthermore, the first communication device 11 transmits a VOX switching response signal to the second communication device 12 to keep the VOX unit 37 disabled (step S18).

[0054] The VOX switching response signal transmitted from the first communication device 11 in step S18 is received by the second communication device 12 in step S4 in FIG.

[0055] Thereafter, the operation flow in the first communication device 11 is ended.

[0056] [First Example] 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of switching between enabling and disabling the VOX function of the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. Note that the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 explains a case where the scores shown in FIG. 6(a) to FIG. 6(e) are not used as priority information.

[0057] As a premise, one user owns the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. The first communication device 11 is for communicating with a third communication device 13 owned by another user, and the second communication device 12 is for communicating with a fourth communication device 14 owned by yet another user.

[0058] At the start, the priority of the first communication device 11 is set higher than the priority of the second communication device 12, the VOX function of the first communication device 11 is enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 12 is disabled.

[0059] The second communication device 12 receives a high-priority (Emergency) communication from the fourth communication device 14 (step S21). At this time, the second communication device 12 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 11, the request requesting that the VOX function of the second communication device 12 be enabled (step S22).

[0060] The first communication device 11 receives a request to enable the VOX function from the second communication device 12, and disables the VOX function of the first communication device 11 if the first communication device 11 is not currently in a call with the third communication device 13 (step S23). Furthermore, the first communication device 11 transmits a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 12 to enable the VOX function of the second communication device 12 (step S24).

[0061] The second communication device 12 receives the VOX switching response (OK) from the first communication device 11 and enables the VOX function (step S25). If there is no call for a certain period of time after the call with the fourth communication device 14 ends, the second communication device 12 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 11 requesting that the VOX function of the second communication device 12 be disabled (step S26).

[0062] When the first communication device 11 receives a VOX switching request from the second communication device 12 to disable the VOX function, the first communication device 11 enables the VOX function of the first communication device 11 (step S27). In addition, the first communication device 11 transmits a VOX switching response to the second communication device 12 to disable the VOX function of the second communication device 12 (step S28).

[0063] The second communication device 12 receives the VOX switching response from the first communication device 11 indicating that the VOX function of the second communication device 12 is to be disabled, and disables the VOX function of the second communication device 12 (step S29).

[0064] In step S23, if the first communication device 11 is on a call, the first communication device 11 transmits a VOX switching response (NG) to the second communication device 12 to disable the VOX function of the second communication device 12 (step S24). The VOX function of the first communication device 11 can be left enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 12 can be left disabled.

[0065] In this way, in the communication system 1, the VOX function of the first communication device 11, which is set to a high priority, is basically enabled, and when the first communication device 11 is not communicating and an incoming call is received from the fourth communication device 14 at the second communication device 12, the VOX function of the first communication device 11 can be temporarily disabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 12 can be enabled.

[0066] 7, the first priority information for the first communication device 11 can be considered to focus on whether the first communication device 11 is communicating or not. That is, when the first communication device 11 receives the VOX switching request from the second communication device 12, it is not communicating with the third communication device 13, so it can be considered that the priority of the VOX function of the first communication device 11 is treated as low.

[0067] [Second Example] Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 8 explains a case where the scores shown in Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 6(e) are used as priority information.

[0068] The preconditions for the priorities of the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 during normal operation are the same as those explained in FIG. 7, and therefore will not be explained further.

[0069] The second communication device 12 receives communication from the fourth communication device 14 (step S31). At this time, the second communication device 12 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 11, the VOX function of the second communication device 12 being enabled (step S32).

[0070] When the first communication device 11 receives a VOX switching request from the second communication device 12 to enable the VOX function, the first communication device 11 simultaneously receives second priority information, which is priority information of the second communication device 12. Meanwhile, the first communication device 11 creates first priority information, which is priority information of the first communication device 11, based on information received in the previous communication with the third communication device 13 (step S33).

[0071] As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the first communication device 11 compares the total scores calculated from the priority scores of the first priority information and the second priority information, and if the total score of the second priority information is higher, it disables the VOX function of the first communication device (step S34) and sends a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 12 (step S35).

[0072] When the second communication device 12 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 12 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 12 (step S36).

[0073] As in the example shown in Figure 7, when communication in the second communication device 12 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 11 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 12 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S31.

[0074] As a result, in the communication system 1, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 12 to the first communication device 11 and the first priority information calculated from the most recent communication in the first communication device 11 are scored and compared, and the VOX function with the higher total score can be controlled to be enabled.

[0075] As described above, in the communication system 1, even if a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In other words, the above description has been omitted or simplified as appropriate for the sake of clarity, and a person skilled in the art can easily modify, add, or convert each element of the embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

[0077] In the above, communication system 1 has been described as a communication system in which two communication devices, each equipped with a VOX function, are placed within range of the user's voice, and the VOX function of one of these communication devices is enabled, but this is not limited to this.

[0078] As another example, the number of communication devices owned by the user may be three or more. In this case, it can be considered that a first communication device 11 treated as a single parent device is associated with a second communication device 12 treated as multiple child devices. In this case, when communication is received from an external device with a child device, the child device issues a VOX switching request to the parent device to enable the VOX function, and the parent device makes a decision and returns a VOX switching response to the child device to enable or disable the VOX function, and can also control whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the parent device itself.

[0079] Furthermore, since the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 have the same configuration, it is possible to use them by switching roles as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Communication Systems 11 First communication device 12 Second communication device 13 Third communication device 14 Fourth communication device 21 First Communications Department 22 Extraction part 23 Counting Department 24 Second Communications Department 25 Input section 26 Calculation section 27 VOX section 28 Control Unit 29 Display section

Claims

1. A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device that has a VOX function and is located within a range where the user's voice can directly reach, and one or more second communication devices that perform short-distance communication with the first communication device, The VOX function is enabled in either the first communication device or the second communication device, The first communication device and the second communication device each include: a first communication unit that communicates data including voice data with an external communication device that is a communication device other than the first communication device and the second communication device; an extraction unit that extracts communication information from data received by the first communication unit from an external communication device; a counting unit that counts the elapsed time from the end of communication of the first communication unit; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switching request signal, which is a signal related to a request for switching the VOX function, and a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal related to a response to the VOX switching request signal, of switching the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which the voice is input; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function of the communication device based on the communication information extracted by the extraction unit and the elapsed time counted by the counting unit; a control unit that determines whether the VOX function is enabled or disabled based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit; a VOX unit that transmits data to the external communication device via the first communication unit when the VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level; Equipped with The control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the decision to enable or disable the VOX function. Communication system.

2. When the second communication device in which the VOX function is disabled receives the data from the external communication device, the calculation unit of the second communication device calculates second priority information that is priority information of the second communication device based on a communication state of the first communication unit of the second communication device, the communication information, and the elapsed time; the second communication unit of the second communication device transmits the VOX switching request signal including the second priority information calculated by the calculation unit to the first communication device; The control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in response to the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. The communication system of claim 1 .

3. When the first communication device in which the VOX function is enabled receives the VOX switching request signal from the second communication device, the calculation unit of the first communication device calculates first priority information that is priority information of the first communication device based on a communication state of the first communication unit of the first communication device and the elapsed time; the control unit of the first communication device determines whether to enable or disable the VOX unit of the first communication device based on the second priority information and the first priority information included in the VOX switching request signal received from the second communication device, and controls the VOX unit based on the determination; The second communication unit of the first communication device includes information on whether to enable or disable the VOX unit of the first communication device in the VOX switching response signal and transmits the VOX switching response signal to the second communication device. The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. The calculation unit of the first communication device When comparing the first priority information and the second priority information, a plurality of pieces of information included in the first priority information and the second priority information are scored, and a total score for each piece of information is calculated; When a total score related to the second priority information is higher than a total score related to the first priority information, the control unit of the first communication device determines that the VOX unit of the first communication device is invalid and determines that the VOX unit of the second communication device is valid; The second communication unit of the first communication device transmits the VOX switching response signal including the determination of the control unit to the second communication device. The communication system according to claim 3 .

5. A first communication device and a second communication device each having a VOX function communicate with each other by short-range communication, and also communicate with an external communication device other than the second communication device by a method different from the short-range communication, a first communication unit that communicates data including audio data with the external communication device; an extraction unit that extracts communication information from data received by the first communication unit from an external communication device; a counting unit that counts the elapsed time from the end of communication of the first communication unit; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switching request signal, which is a signal related to a request for switching the VOX function, and a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal related to a response to the VOX switching request signal, of switching the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which voice is input; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function of the communication device based on the communication information extracted by the extraction unit and the elapsed time counted by the counting unit; a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit; a VOX unit that transmits data to the external communication device via the first communication unit when the VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, the control unit controls the VOX unit based on a determination of whether to enable or disable the VOX function; If the VOX function is enabled, The calculation unit When the first communication device receives the VOX switching request signal from the second communication device, calculates first priority information as priority information of the first communication device based on a communication state of the first communication unit of the first communication device and the elapsed time; The control unit of the first communication device determines whether to enable or disable the VOX unit of the first communication device based on second priority information, which is priority information of the second communication device included in the VOX switching request signal received from the second communication device, and the first priority information, and controls the VOX unit based on the determination. The second communication unit transmitting information indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX unit of the first communication device to the second communication device by including the VOX switching response signal in the VOX switching response signal; If the VOX function is disabled, When the second communication device receives the data from the external communication device, the calculation unit of the second communication device calculates the second priority information, which is priority information of the second communication device, based on the communication state of the first communication unit of the second communication device, the communication information, and the elapsed time, and the second communication unit transmits the VOX switching request signal including the second priority information calculated by the calculation unit to the first communication device, The control unit determines whether the VOX unit is enabled or disabled based on the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device, and controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the determination. Communication equipment.

6. A communication method for a communication device that performs short-range communication between a first communication device and a second communication device, each of which has a VOX function, and performs communication with an external communication device that is different from the short-range communication, transmitting data including voice data to the external communication device by a first communication unit; extracting communication information from data received from an external communication device by the first communication unit; Counting an elapsed time from the end of communication of the first communication unit; transmitting and receiving a VOX switching request signal, which is a signal related to a request for switching the VOX function, and a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal related to a response to the VOX switching request signal, of switching the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device through the short-range communication using a second communication unit; A step of inputting a voice; calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the extracted communication information and the counted elapsed time; determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information; transmitting data to the external communication device via the first communication unit when the VOX function is enabled and the input voice is at or above a predetermined volume level, Communication method.

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