Communication terminal and control method

Abstract

To provide a communication terminal and the like capable of simultaneously processing two systems of calls.SOLUTION: A communication terminal (1) includes a main body side codec (51) that decodes an output signal from a call control unit (71) and outputs it to a main body side speaker (11), and also encodes an input signal from a main body side microphone (12) and inputs it to the call control unit (71), and a handset side codec (52) that decodes the output signal from the call control unit (71) and outputs it to a handset side speaker (21), and also encodes an input signal from a handset side microphone (22) and inputs it to the call control unit (71).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication terminal and a control method for the communication terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, communication terminals capable of voice communication via a network are known. As an example of such a communication terminal, Patent Document 1 discloses one having a plurality of speakers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the communication terminal described in Patent Document 1, there is only one voice circuit. Therefore, for example, when a call on one speaker occurs during a call on the other speaker, it is necessary to adjust the output level of the call sound depending on which one is being used, and complicated control is required.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a communication terminal capable of simultaneously processing two calls.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a communication terminal according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication terminal having two communication functions, including a main body provided with a main body side speaker and a main body side microphone, a handset provided with a handset side speaker and a handset side microphone, a call control unit for controlling the call function, a main body side codec for decoding an output signal from the call control unit and outputting it to the main body side speaker, and encoding an input signal from the main body side microphone and inputting it to the call control unit, and a handset side codec for decoding an output signal from the call control unit and outputting it to the handset side speaker, and encoding an input signal from the handset side microphone and inputting it to the call control unit.

[0007] The communication terminal according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for the communication terminal that realizes the communication terminal by operating the computer as each part (software element) provided in the communication terminal, and a computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a communication terminal capable of simultaneously processing two calls.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0011] 〔Communication System〕 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 100 including a communication terminal 1 according to Embodiment 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a relay device 110, a communication terminal 1, and communication terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134.

[0012] The communication terminal 1 is a communication terminal having a two-line call function. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 1 has an IP phone call function by means of IP phone communication using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). However, the call function possessed by the communication terminal 1 is not limited to this. In the following description, the communication terminal 1 is connected to the relay device 110 via an IP network 121 having a wireless access point (not shown). The specific configuration of the communication terminal 1 will be described later.

[0013] The communication terminals 131 to 134 are communication terminals capable of communicating by IP phone communication. The communication terminal 131 is connected to the relay device 110 via the IP network 121 and performs IP phone communication. The communication terminal 132 is connected to the relay device 110 via an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) communication network 122 having a base station (not shown) and performs IP phone communication. The communication terminal 133 is connected to the relay device 110 via the IP network 121 and performs IP phone communication. The communication terminal 134 is connected to the relay device 110 via the LTE communication network 122 and performs IP phone communication.

[0014] The relay device 110 is a device in which a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) gateway 111 and a network communication relay unit 112 are integrally configured. However, the communication system 100 does not necessarily need to include the relay device 110 in which the VoIP gateway 111 and the network communication relay unit 112 are integrated, and the VoIP gateway 111 and the network communication relay unit 112 may be provided separately.

[0015] The VoIP gateway 111 is a gateway device that relays a VoIP procedure for transmitting a voice signal via an IP network 121 and a communication terminal that conducts a telephone communication. The VoIP gateway 111 relays an IP telephone communication between the communication terminal 1 and the communication terminals 133 and 134, or between the communication terminals 133 and 134. The communication terminal 134 is connected to the VoIP gateway 111 in the relay device 110 via the LTE communication network 122.

[0016] The VoIP gateway 111 incorporates a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server function. The SIP server function is a function that uses the SIP protocol to associate a telephone number (URI) with an IP address and performs call control to call and connect a telephone of a communication partner. However, the communication system 100 may include an IP-PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange) device that performs a circuit switch of a communication terminal having an IP telephone communication function instead of the VoIP gateway 111.

[0017] The network communication relay unit 112 relays a communication between the communication terminal 1 and the communication terminals 131 to 134, or between the communication terminals 131 to 134. Further, the network communication relay unit 112 receives a voice packet transmitted from the communication terminal 1 or the communication terminals 131 and 133.

[0018] 〔Configuration of Communication Terminal〕 FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of the communication terminal 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main part of the communication terminal 1. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the communication terminal 1 includes a main body 10, a handset 20, and a cord 30. In FIG. 3, the cord 30 is omitted.

[0019] The main body 10 is provided with a main body side speaker 11 and a main body side microphone 12. The main body side speaker 11 outputs sound during a call made by the main body 10. The main body side microphone 12 receives the input of sound during a call made by the main body 10.

[0020] The main body 10 further includes a hook switch 13. The hook switch 13 is pressed when the handset 20 is in the on-hook state and released when in the off-hook state. That is, the hook switch 13 is a switch for detecting whether the handset 20 is off-hooked.

[0021] The main body 10 further includes a display unit 15. The display unit 15 displays information about the operation of the communication terminal 1. The display unit 15 may be a known display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0022] The handset 20 is provided with a handset side speaker 21 and a handset side microphone 22 (see FIG. 3). The handset side speaker 21 outputs sound during a call made by the handset 20. The handset side microphone 22 receives the input of sound during a call made by the handset 20. During communication by the handset 20, the user may hold the handset 20 near his / her head such that the handset side speaker 21 is positioned near the ear and the handset side microphone 22 is positioned near the mouth.

[0023] The cord 30 is a cord that connects the main body 10 and the handset 20. For the cord 30, a known cord can be used without particular limitation.

[0024] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a headset 90 can be connected to the communication terminal 1. The user can connect the headset 90 to the communication terminal 1 and make a call. The headset 90 is provided with a headset side speaker 91 and a headset side microphone 92. The headset side speaker 91 outputs sound during a call made by the headset 90. The headset side microphone 92 receives the input of sound during a call made by the headset 90.

[0025] 〔Detailed Configuration of the Main Body〕 A more detailed configuration of the main body 10 will be described below.

[0026] The main body 10 includes amplifiers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46. The amplifier 41 amplifies the audio signal output to the main body side speaker 11. The amplifier 42 amplifies the audio signal input from the main body side microphone 12. The amplifier 43 amplifies the audio signal output to the handset side speaker 21. The amplifier 44 amplifies the audio signal input from the handset side microphone 22. The amplifier 45 amplifies the audio signal output to the headset side speaker 91 when the headset 90 is connected to the communication terminal 1. The amplifier 46 amplifies the audio signal input from the headset side microphone 92 when the headset 90 is connected to the communication terminal 1. Note that the handset side speaker 21 and the headset side speaker 91 may be configured to be amplified by one amplifier, and the connection destination may be switched appropriately by a switch. Similarly, the handset side microphone 22 and the headset side microphone 92 may be configured to be amplified by one amplifier, and the connection destination may be switched appropriately by a switch.

[0027] The main body 10 further includes a main body side codec 51 and a handset side codec 52. The main body side codec 51 decodes the output signal from the call control unit 71 and outputs it to the main body side speaker 11, and encodes the input signal from the main body side microphone 12 and inputs it to the call control unit 71. The handset side codec 52 decodes the output signal from the call control unit 71 and outputs it to the handset side speaker 21, and encodes the input signal from the handset side microphone 22 and inputs it to the call control unit 71. Also, when the headset 90 is connected to the communication terminal 1 and the user makes a call using the headset 90, the handset side codec 52 decodes the output signal from the call control unit 71 and outputs it to the headset side speaker 91, and encodes the input signal from the headset side microphone 92 and inputs it to the call control unit 71.

[0028] The main body 10 further includes an audio cancellation processing unit 60. The audio cancellation processing unit 60 cancels the audio output from the main body side speaker 11 and the handset side speaker 21 from the audio signal generated by the main body side microphone 12 or the handset side microphone 22. When the headset 90 is connected to the communication terminal 1, the audio cancellation processing unit 60 cancels the audio output from the main body side speaker 11, the handset side speaker 21, and the headset side speaker 91 from the audio signal generated by the main body side microphone 12, the handset side microphone 22, or the headset side microphone 92.

[0029] That is, the audio cancellation processing unit 60 prevents howling caused by the output of the main body side speaker 11 being input to the main body side microphone 12 and howling caused by the output of the handset side speaker 21 being input to the handset side microphone 22. Further, even when the handset 20 performs IP phone communication, the audio cancellation processing unit 60 cancels the output from the main body side speaker 11 in addition to the output from the handset side speaker 21 from the audio signal of the handset side microphone 22, thereby suppressing the mixing into the call being made on the handset 20 side. Thereby, the quality of the audio signal transmitted to the outside can be improved even when the audio signal is input from any of the main body side microphone 12, the handset side microphone 22, or the headset side microphone 92.

[0030] In particular, the audio cancellation processing unit 60 cancels the audio output from the main body side speaker 11 from the input audio signal generated by the handset side microphone 22. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the audio output from the main body side speaker 11 from being mixed into the call being made on the handset 20 side. Therefore, even when two calls are made simultaneously, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of audio interference in each call.

[0031] The main body 10 further includes a control unit 70. The control unit 70 controls the operation of the communication terminal 1. The control unit 70 includes a call control unit 71. The call control unit 71 controls the call function of the communication terminal 1.

[0032] In particular, when a call on one line is being made by the handset side speaker 21 and the handset side microphone 22, if there is an incoming call or a reception by another call, the call control unit 71 controls to output the incoming call ringtone or the received call sound from the main body side speaker 11. Thereby, when there is an incoming call or a reception by another call during a call, a voice indicating that fact is output from the main body side speaker 11. For this reason, for example, even when there is an emergency incoming call or reception, the user can notice it.

[0033] Also, when there is an incoming call or a reception by a call of a line different from the line during a call, since the voice is output from the main body side speaker 11, people other than the user around the communication terminal 1 can also notice that there is an incoming call or a reception by another line. For this reason, for example, it becomes possible to respond such as proxy response to an incoming call or a reception by another call.

[0034] The control unit 70 further includes an IP phone processing unit 73. The IP phone processing unit 73 performs IP phone communication by SIP via the IP network 121. Further, the control unit 70 has a call function of a line different from the call by the IP phone processing unit 73. The call control unit 71 controls a plurality of lines of calls by the IP phone processing unit 73. Thereby, when the call control unit 71 simultaneously processes a call in progress and an incoming call or a reception by another call in IP phone communication, it is possible to allocate each call to the main body side speaker 11 and the main body side microphone 12, and the handset side speaker 21 and the handset side microphone 22 for voice input and output. For example, one line may be an outside line and the other line may be an inside line.

[0035] The control unit 70 comprehensively controls the operation of the communication terminal 1, not limited to the processing by the call control unit 71 and the IP phone processing unit 73. For example, the control unit 70 controls the display unit 15 to display the above-mentioned information.

[0036] The main body 10 further includes a storage unit 80. The storage unit 80 is a storage device that stores information required by the control unit 70 in the control of the communication terminal 1. However, in the communication terminal 1, the storage unit 80 is not essential. When the communication terminal 1 does not include the storage unit 80, the communication terminal 1 may be communicably connected to an external storage device.

[0037] As described above, in the communication terminal 1, the main body side codec 51 is provided for the main body side speaker 11 and the main body side microphone 12, and the handset side codec 52 is provided for the handset side speaker 21 and the handset side microphone 22. Therefore, the main body 10 and the handset 20 can perform voice input and output independently. Thus, when processing two calls simultaneously, each call can be allocated to the main body side speaker 11 and the main body side microphone 12, as well as the handset side speaker 21 and the handset side microphone 22 for voice input and output.

[0038] Also, in the conventional case where a single codec is used to exclusively switch between the main body 10 side and the handset 20 side for voice input and output, for example, when a call from another line occurs during a call on one line, it is necessary to adjust the output level of the ringing tone depending on whether the main body 10 side or the handset 20 side is being used, resulting in complicated control. In contrast, according to the above configuration, in the control unit 70, it is possible to preset the output levels for the main body 10 side and the handset 20 side respectively, making the control during the above-mentioned switching easier.

[0039] (Control Method of Communication Terminal) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the communication terminal 1. In the following description, the "first line" is one line of the IP telephone communication. Also, the "second line" is a line different from the "first line" in the IP telephone communication. The control method shown in FIG. 4 is executed during a call on the first line by the handset 20.

[0040] The call control unit 71 determines whether there is an incoming call or reception by a call on a second line different from the first line during the call (S1). When there is an incoming call or reception by a call on the second line (YES in S1), the call control unit 71 outputs the incoming call ringtone or the received call sound of the call on the second line from the main body speaker 11 (S2).

[0041] The call control unit 71 determines whether the incoming call or reception by the call on the second line has ended (S3). The end of the incoming call or reception here means, for example, the end of the incoming call or reception to the communication terminal 1 by proxy response on a communication terminal different from the communication terminal 1. When the incoming call or reception by the call on the second line has ended (YES in S3), the call control unit 71 stops the output of the incoming call ringtone or the received call sound from the main body speaker 11 (S4). When the incoming call or reception by the call on the second line has not ended (NO in S3), the call control unit 71 skips step S4.

[0042] Thereafter, the call control unit 71 determines whether the call on the first line has ended (S5). When the call on the first line has ended (YES in S5), the call control unit 71 ends the process. When the call on the first line has not ended (NO in S5), the call control unit 71 repeats the process from step S1. On the other hand, when there is no incoming call or reception by the call on the second line (NO in S1), the call control unit 71 skips steps S2 to S4 and executes step S5.

[0043] 〔Example of implementation by software〕 The function of the communication terminal 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") is a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (especially each part included in the control unit 70).

[0044] In this case, the above device includes, as hardware for executing the above program, a computer having at least one control device (for example, a processor) and at least one storage device (for example, a memory). By executing the above program with this control device and storage device, each function described in the above embodiments is realized.

[0045] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporarily. This recording medium may or may not be provided in the above device. In the latter case, the above program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0046] Also, part or all of the functions of the above control blocks can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the above control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0047] 〔Summary〕 The present invention can also be expressed as follows.

[0048] The communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a communication terminal having two call functions, and includes a main body having a main body side speaker and a main body side microphone, a handset having a handset side speaker and a handset side microphone, a call control unit for controlling the call function, a main body side codec that decodes an output signal from the call control unit and outputs it to the main body side speaker, and encodes an input signal from the main body side microphone and inputs it to the call control unit, and a handset side codec that decodes an output signal from the call control unit and outputs it to the handset side speaker, and encodes an input signal from the handset side microphone and inputs it to the call control unit.

[0049] According to the above configuration, since the main body side codec is provided for the main body side speaker and the main body side microphone, and the handset side codec is provided for the handset side speaker and the handset side microphone, it is possible to perform voice input / output independently. Therefore, when processing two calls simultaneously, it is possible to allocate each call to the main body side speaker and the main body side microphone, and the handset side speaker and the handset side microphone for voice input / output.

[0050] Also, in the conventional case where one codec is used to exclusively switch between the main body side and the handset side for voice input / output, for example, when a call from another line occurs during a call on one line, it is necessary to adjust the output level of the incoming call sound depending on whether the main body side or the handset side is being used, resulting in complicated control. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, it is possible to preset the output levels on the main body side and the handset side in the control unit, making the control during the above switching easier.

[0051] In the communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in Embodiment 1, when one call is being made by the handset side speaker and the handset side microphone, if there is an incoming call or reception by another call, the call incoming ringtone or the received call sound is controlled to be output from the main body side speaker.

[0052] According to the above configuration, when there is an incoming call or reception by another call during a call, a voice indicating that fact is output from the main body side speaker, so that it is possible to notice, for example, an emergency incoming call or reception. Further, since it is output from the main body side speaker, people around can also notice that there is an incoming call or reception by another call, so that, for example, a response such as proxy response becomes possible.

[0053] The communication terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention further includes a voice canceling processing unit that cancels the voice output from the main body side speaker from the input voice signal generated by the handset side microphone in Embodiment 1 or 2.

[0054] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the voice output from the main body side speaker from being mixed into the call being made on the handset side. Therefore, even when two calls are made simultaneously, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of voice interference in each call.

[0055] The control method of the communication terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is a control method of any of the communication terminals according to Embodiments 1 to 4. When one call is being made by the handset side speaker and the handset side microphone, if there is an incoming call or reception by another call, the call incoming ringtone or the received call sound is controlled to be output from the main body side speaker.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the same effect as in Embodiment 2 is obtained.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1 Communication terminal 10 Main body 11 Main body side speaker 12 Main body side microphone 20 Handset 21 Handset side speaker 22 Handset side microphone 51 Main body side codec 52 Handset side codec 60 Voice cancellation processing unit 71 Call control unit 73 IP phone processing unit

Claims

1. A communication terminal having a two-system call function, a main body provided with a main body side speaker and a main body side microphone, a handset provided with a handset side speaker and a handset side microphone, a call control unit for controlling the call function, a main body side codec that decodes an output signal from the call control unit and outputs it to the main body side speaker, and encodes an input signal from the main body side microphone and inputs it to the call control unit, a handset side codec that decodes an output signal from the call control unit and outputs it to the handset side speaker, and encodes an input signal from the handset side microphone and inputs it to the call control unit, A communication terminal comprising:

2. When a call of one system is being made by the handset side speaker and the handset side microphone, when there is an incoming call or reception by a call of another system, the call control unit controls to output the incoming call ringtone or the received call sound from the main body side speaker. The communication terminal according to claim 1.

3. The communication terminal according to claim 1, further comprising an audio cancellation processing unit that cancels the audio output from the main body side speaker from the input audio signal generated by the handset side microphone.

4. A control method for a communication terminal according to claim 1, When a call of one system is being made by the handset side speaker and the handset side microphone, when there is an incoming call or reception by a call of another system, a control method for a communication terminal that controls to output the incoming call ringtone or the received call sound from the main body side speaker.

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