Telephone and telephone adapter

Abstract

To provide a telephone and a telephone adapter capable of restricting listening of a conversation by a calling party without making the calling party feel unnatural.SOLUTION: Ambient noise data which is voice data not including conversation, is stored in an ambient noise data storage unit 103 in advance. Upon receiving a mute operation from a user via a mute operation reception unit 102 during a call, a main control unit 107 causes a transmission signal switching unit 106 to select ambient noise data. In response to this, the transmission signal switching unit 106 sends, from a telephone function unit 100 to a call counterpart, the ambient noise data registered in the ambient noise data storage unit 103 as a transmission signal instead of the microphone input voice of a handset 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a telephone and a telephone adapter.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a telephone capable of restricting the listening of a conversation by a call partner during a call. In this telephone, the transmission signal is electrically blocked or reduced by switching a mute switch to short-circuit the microphone input signal or by operating the volume to attenuate the microphone input signal with a variable resistor or an operational amplifier.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, when the mute switch is switched to short-circuit the microphone input signal and the transmission signal is electrically blocked, it becomes completely silent. This may make the call partner feel unnatural. Also, when the volume is operated to attenuate the microphone input signal with a variable resistor or an operational amplifier and the transmission signal is electrically reduced, depending on the degree of attenuation, the call partner may operate the volume to increase the volume level. As a result, there is a possibility that a conversation that the user does not want the call partner to hear will be heard.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a telephone and a telephone adapter capable of restricting the listening of a conversation by a call partner without making the call partner feel unnatural.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, in the telephone of the present invention, ambient noise data, which is voice data not including conversations, is registered. Then, if a mute operation is received from the user during a call, the ambient noise data is transmitted as a transmission signal to the other party in the call instead of the microphone input voice of the handset. Here, the presence or absence of a conversation may be detected from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call or from the microphone input signal of the microphone operating during standby, and ambient noise data may be generated and registered from the microphone input voice in a section where no conversation is detected.

[0007] For example, the telephone of the present invention The first aspect has storage means for storing ambient noise data, operation means for receiving a mute operation, and transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the other party in the call instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means. and when the call signal switching means receives a mute operation during a call by the operation means, if a plurality of ambient noise data is stored in the storage means, it rearranges the order of the plurality of ambient noise data and transmits it to the call partner. Further, a second aspect of the telephone of the present invention is a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, an operation means for receiving a mute operation, and a call signal switching means that, when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, transmits the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the call partner instead of the microphone input voice of the handset as a call signal. The call signal switching means when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, inserts silent data or white noise into the ambient noise data stored in the storage means and transmits it to the call partner. Further, a third aspect of the telephone of the present invention is a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, an operation means for receiving a mute operation, a call signal switching means that, when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, transmits the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the call partner instead of the microphone input voice of the handset as a call signal, a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call, and an ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing it in the storage means. The ambient noise data generation means stores the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means as the ambient noise data. Further, a fourth aspect of the telephone of the present invention is a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, an operation means for receiving a mute operation, a call signal switching means that, when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, transmits the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the call partner instead of the microphone input voice of the handset as a call signal, a microphone that operates during standby, and a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone. ​ Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, and the ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section obtained by excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more in the storage means 。

[0008] Also, the telephone adapter of the present invention is installed between the handset and the telephone main body. Ambient noise data, which is voice data not including conversations, is registered in this telephone adapter. If a mute operation is received from the user during a call, the ambient noise data is transmitted as a transmission signal to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset. Here, the presence or absence of a conversation may be detected from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call or from the microphone input signal of the microphone operating during standby, and ambient noise data may be generated and registered from the microphone input voice in a section where no conversation is detected.

[0009] For example, the First aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is a telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, an operation means for receiving a mute operation, and a transmission signal switching means that, when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, transmits the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body as a transmission signal instead of the microphone input voice of the handset. and the transmission signal switching means When a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the storage means, the transmission signal switching means swaps the order of the plurality of ambient noise data and transmits the swapped data to the telephone set main body. Moreover, a second aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is installed between the handset and the telephone set main body A telephone adapter, storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; operation means for receiving a mute operation; transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone set main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, and the transmission signal switching means When a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, the transmission signal switching means inserts silent data or white noise into the ambient noise data stored in the storage means and transmits the data with the inserted content to the telephone set main body. Moreover, a third aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is a telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone set main body, storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; operation means for receiving a mute operation; transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone set main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means; conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call; ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, and the ambient noise data generation means The microphone input signal of a section obtained by excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section in which no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or longer is stored in the storage means as the ambient noise data. Further, a fourth aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is a telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, an operation means for receiving a mute operation, a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, a microphone that operates during standby, a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone, an ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal of a section in which no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or longer by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, the ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal of a section obtained by excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section in which no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or longer in the storage means.

[0010] Alternatively, the telephone adapter of the present invention Fifth embodiment is a telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means storing ambient noise data, a detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body, a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the detection means detects a mute operation signal during a call, and having and the transmission signal switching means When a mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the storage means, the order of the plurality of ambient noise data is switched and transmitted to the telephone main body. Further, a sixth aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is a telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, a detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body, a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, the transmission signal switching means When a mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, silent data or white noise is inserted into the ambient noise data stored in the storage means and transmitted to the telephone main body. Further, a seventh aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means for storing ambient noise data, a detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body, a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the detection means detects a mute operation signal during a call, a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call, an ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, the ambient noise data generation means, stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means. Also, an eighth aspect of the telephone adapter of the present invention is, a telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means for storing ambient noise data, a detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body, a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the detection means detects a mute operation signal during a call, a microphone that operates during standby, a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone, an ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, the ambient noise data generation means, stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, during muting, instead of the microphone input voice, ambient noise data not including conversation is transmitted as a transmission signal to the other party in the call. Therefore, it does not become completely silent and does not make the other party in the call feel unnatural. Also, the other party in the call during muting will not hear conversations that one does not want to be heard. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to restrict the listening of conversations by the other party in the call without making the other party feel unnatural.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the telephone 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the telephone 1 according to the present embodiment includes a telephone function unit 100, a handset 101, a mute operation reception unit 102, an ambient noise data storage unit 103, a conversation detection unit 104, an ambient noise data generation unit 105, a transmission signal switching unit 106, and a main control unit 107.

[0016] The telephone function unit 100 performs processes necessary for basic functions of the telephone 1 such as call control processing and call processing.

[0017] The handset 101 has a microphone for inputting a transmission signal (user's voice signal) and a speaker for outputting a reception signal (voice signal of the call partner). For example, a handset, a headset, and a hands-free microphone / speaker are applicable.

[0018] The mute operation reception unit 102 is an interface for receiving a mute operation from the user during a call and is composed of a button, a switch, a function key, etc.

[0019] The ambient noise data storage unit 103 stores ambient noise data which is voice data not including conversations.

[0020] The conversation detection unit 104 detects the presence or absence of a conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset 101 during a call. Specifically, when the volume level of the microphone input signal of the handset 101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that "there is a conversation", and when it is less than this predetermined value, it is determined that "there is no conversation".

[0021] When the ambient noise data generation unit 105 continuously detects "no conversation" from the microphone input signal of the handset 101 for a first predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) or more by the conversation detection unit 104, it generates ambient noise data from the microphone input signal of this section and stores it in the ambient noise data storage unit 103.

[0022] The transmission signal switching unit 106 selects one of the microphone input voice of the handset 101 and the ambient noise data stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 103, and transmits it to the telephone function unit 100 as a transmission signal.

[0023] Then, the main control unit 107 comprehensively controls each part 100 to 106 of the telephone 1.

[0024] Note that the functional configuration of the telephone 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be realized hard by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized software by a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, in a general-purpose computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Dive), and a communication device such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), it may be realized by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executing it.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the in - call processing of the telephone set 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0026] This flow is started when the main control unit 107 detects that the telephone function unit 100 has established a call path with the call partner and started a call.

[0027] If the mute operation reception unit 102 has not received a mute operation from the user (NO in S100), the main control unit 107 instructs the transmission signal switching unit 106 to select the microphone input signal. In response to this, the transmission signal switching unit 106 selects the microphone input signal output from the handset 101 via the conversation detection unit 104, and outputs this as the transmission signal to the telephone function unit 100 (S101). Then, the telephone function unit 100 sends out the transmission signal received from the transmission signal switching unit 106 to the call partner via the established call path.

[0028] Here, the conversation detection unit 104 detects the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset 101, and outputs the detection result to the ambient noise data generation unit 105. The ambient noise data generation unit 105 buffers the microphone input signal of the handset 101. If "no conversation" is continuously detected by the conversation detection unit 104 for a first predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) or more (both YES in S102 and S103), from the microphone input signal of the section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected for this first predetermined time or more and which is buffered, the microphone input signal of the section excluding the second predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) after the start of this section and the third predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) before the end is extracted. Then, the extracted microphone input signal is generated as ambient noise data (S104). Then, the ambient noise data generation unit 105 stores the generated ambient noise data in the ambient noise data storage unit 103 (S105).

[0029] Also, if the mute operation reception unit 102 has received a mute operation from the user (YES in S100), the main control unit 107 instructs the transmission signal switching unit 106 to select ambient noise data. In response to this, the transmission signal switching unit 106 repeatedly reads the ambient noise data from the ambient noise data storage unit 103 during the period until the mute operation reception unit 102 receives a mute release operation from the user, and outputs this as a transmission signal to the telephone function unit 100 (S106). Here, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 103, these are not read out in the storage order, but are read out randomly in time series, for example, and sequentially output as a transmission signal to the telephone function unit 100. Then, the telephone function unit 100 transmits the transmission signal received from the transmission signal switching unit 106 to the call partner via the established call path.

[0030] Also, when the main control unit 107 detects that the telephone function unit 100 has ended a call with the call partner and released the call path, it ends this flow (S107).

[0031] The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the mute operation reception unit 102 has received a mute operation from the user, instead of the microphone input voice of the handset 101, the ambient noise data stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 103 that does not include conversation is transmitted as a transmission signal to the call partner. For this reason, it does not become completely silent, and the call partner does not feel unnatural. Also, the call partner during the mute cannot hear a conversation that one does not want to be heard. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to limit the listening of the conversation by the call partner without making the call partner feel unnatural.

[0033] In addition, in the present embodiment, the conversation detection unit 104 detects the presence or absence of a conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset 101 during a call, and the ambient noise data generation unit 105 generates ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected by the conversation detection unit 104 for a first predetermined time or longer. Therefore, ambient noise data can be automatically generated during a call, and the user does not need to separately prepare the ambient noise data.

[0034] In addition, in the present embodiment, the ambient noise data generation unit 105 extracts the microphone input signal in a section excluding the second predetermined time after the start of this section and the third predetermined time before the end from the microphone input signal in a section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected for a first predetermined time or longer, and stores it in the ambient noise data storage unit 103 as ambient noise data. Therefore, the possibility that the ambient noise data contains a conversation can be reduced.

[0035] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the mute operation reception unit 102 receives a mute operation from the user, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 103, instead of reading them out in the storage order, they are randomly read out in time series and used as a transmission signal. For this reason, even if the ambient noise data contains voice, it will not be established as a conversation by randomly reading it out in time series, so the possibility that the conversation content is transmitted to the other party in the call can be further reduced.

[0036] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the telephone adapter 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0037] As shown in the figure, the telephone adapter 2 according to the present embodiment includes a telephone main body connection unit 200, a handset connection unit 201, a mute operation reception unit 202, an ambient noise data storage unit 203, a conversation detection unit 204, an ambient noise data generation unit 205, a transmission signal switching unit 206, and a main control unit 207.

[0038] The telephone set main body connection part 200 is an interface for connecting to the telephone set main body (not shown), and the handset connection part 201 is an interface for connecting to a handset (not shown) such as a handset, a headset, and a hands-free microphone / speaker.

[0039] The mute operation reception part 202 is an interface for receiving a mute operation from the user during a call, and is composed of a button, a switch, etc.

[0040] Ambient noise data storage part 203 stores ambient noise data which is voice data not including conversation.

[0041] The conversation detection part 204 detects the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection part 201 during a call. Specifically, when the volume level of the microphone input signal of the handset is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that "there is conversation", and when it is less than this predetermined value, it is determined that "there is no conversation".

[0042] When the conversation detection part 204 continuously detects "no conversation" for a first predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) or more from the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection part 205, the ambient noise data generation part 205 generates ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in this section and stores it in the ambient noise data storage part 203.

[0043] The transmission signal switching part 206 selects one of the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection part 201 and the ambient noise data stored in the ambient noise data storage part 203, and transmits it as a transmission signal from the telephone set main body connection part 200 to the telephone set main body.

[0044] And the main control part 207 comprehensively controls each part 200 to 206 of the telephone adapter 2.

[0045] Note that the functional configuration of the telephone adapter 2 shown in FIG. 3 may be realized hard by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or an FPGA, similar to the functional configuration of the telephone 1 shown in FIG. 1, or may be realized software by a computer such as a DSP. Alternatively, in a general-purpose computer such as a PC equipped with a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD, and a communication device such as a NIC, it may be realized by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executing it.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the in-call processing of the telephone adapter 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0047] This flow is started when the main control unit 207 detects that the telephone main body connected to the telephone main body connection unit 200 has established a call path with the call partner and started a call.

[0048] If the mute operation reception unit 202 has not received a mute operation from the user (NO in S200), the main control unit 207 instructs the transmission signal switching unit 206 to select the microphone input signal. In response to this, the transmission signal switching unit 206 selects the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection unit 201, and outputs this as a transmission signal to the telephone main body via the telephone main body connection unit 200 (S201). The telephone main body transmits the transmission signal received from the telephone adapter 2 to the call partner via the established call path.

[0049] Here, the conversation detection unit 204 detects the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection unit 201, and outputs the detection result to the ambient noise data generation unit 205. The ambient noise data generation unit 205 buffers the microphone input signal of the handset. If "no conversation" is continuously detected for a first predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) or more in the conversation detection unit 204 (both YES in S202 and S203), the microphone input signal of the section where "no conversation" is continuously detected for this first predetermined time or more and buffered is used to extract the microphone input signal of the section excluding the second predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) after the start of this section and the third predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) before the end. Then, the extracted microphone input signal is generated as ambient noise data (S204). Then, the ambient noise data generation unit 205 stores the generated ambient noise data in the ambient noise data storage unit 203 (S205).

[0050] Also, if the mute operation reception unit 202 receives a mute operation from the user (YES in S200), the main control unit 207 instructs the transmission signal switching unit 206 to select ambient noise data. In response to this, the transmission signal switching unit 206 repeatedly reads the ambient noise data from the ambient noise data storage unit 203 during the period until the mute operation reception unit 202 receives a mute release operation from the user, and outputs this as a transmission signal to the telephone set main body via the telephone set main body connection unit 200 (S206). Here, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 203, instead of reading them in the storage order, for example, they are randomly read in time series and sequentially output as transmission signals from the telephone set main body connection unit 200 to the telephone set main body. Then, the telephone set main body sends out the transmission signal received from the transmission signal switching unit 206 to the call partner via the established call path.

[0051] Also, when the main control unit 207 detects that the telephone set main body connected to the telephone set main body connection unit 200 has ended the call with the call partner and released the call path, it ends this flow (S207).

[0052] The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0053] This embodiment also has the same effects as the first embodiment described above. That is, when the mute operation reception unit 202 receives a mute operation from the user, instead of the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection unit 201, the ambient noise data stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 203, which does not include conversation, is used as the transmission signal and output from the telephone set main body to the call partner via the telephone set main body connection unit 200. Therefore, it does not become completely silent and does not make the call partner feel unnatural. Also, the call partner during the mute cannot hear a conversation that the user does not want to be heard. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the listening of the conversation by the call partner without making the call partner feel unnatural.

[0054] In addition, the conversation detection unit 204 detects the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset input to the handset connection unit 201 during a call, and the ambient noise data generation unit 205 generates ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected by the conversation detection unit 204 for a first predetermined time or more. Therefore, ambient noise data can be automatically generated during a call, and the user does not need to prepare the ambient noise data separately.

[0055] In addition, the ambient noise data generation unit 205 extracts the microphone input signal in a section excluding the second predetermined time after the start of this section and the third predetermined time before the end from the microphone input signal in a section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected by the conversation detection unit 204 for a first predetermined time or more, and stores it in the ambient noise data storage unit 203 as ambient noise data. Therefore, the possibility that the ambient noise data includes conversation can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, when the mute operation reception unit 202 receives a mute operation from the user, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the ambient noise data storage unit 203, instead of reading them out in the storage order, they are randomly read out in time series and used as a transmission signal. For this reason, even if the ambient noise data contains voice, since it will not be established as a conversation by randomly reading out in time series, the possibility of the conversation content being transmitted to the other party in the call can be further reduced.

[0057] [Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the telephone adapter 2a according to the present embodiment.

[0058] The telephone adapter 2a according to the present embodiment is different from the telephone adapter 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 in that a telephone main body connection part 200a for a call signal and a telephone main body connection part 200b for an operation signal are provided instead of the telephone main body connection part 200, and a mute operation detection part 209 is provided instead of the mute operation reception part 202.

[0059] The telephone main body connection part 200a for a call signal is connected to the telephone main body via a receiver cord, and transmits and receives a call signal (transmission signal and reception signal) to and from the telephone main body.

[0060] The telephone main body connection part 200b for an operation signal is connected to the telephone main body via a serial cable, a dedicated connection line, etc., and receives a key operation signal from the telephone main body. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the telephone main body has a function of externally outputting a key operation signal via a serial cable, a dedicated connection line, etc.

[0061] The mute operation detection part 209 detects a mute operation signal from the key operation signal received from the telephone main body via the telephone main body connection part 200b for an operation signal.

[0062] The difference between the in-call processing of the telephone adapter 2a according to this embodiment and the in-call processing of the telephone adapter 2 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that in S200, if the mute operation detection unit 29 does not detect a mute operation signal (NO in S200), the process proceeds to S201, and if the mute operation detection unit 29 detects a mute operation signal (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S206. Otherwise, it is the same as the in-call processing of the telephone adapter 2 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0063] The third embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0064] This embodiment also has the same effects as the above-described second embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, since the mute operation can be performed by a key operation on the telephone main body, for example, the telephone adapter 2a can be used by placing it in a hidden position behind the telephone main body, improving usability.

[0065] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0066] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the conversation detection units 104 and 204 detect the presence or absence of a conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call, and the ambient noise data generation units 105 and 205 generate ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected by the conversation detection units 104 and 204 for a first predetermined time or more. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A microphone that operates during standby, such as turning on a hands-free microphone during standby, may be provided, the conversation detection units 104 and 204 may detect the presence or absence of a conversation from the microphone input signal of this microphone, and the ambient noise data generation units 105 and 205 may generate ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where "no conversation" has been continuously detected by the conversation detection units 104 and 204 for a first predetermined time or more.

[0067] By doing so, more ambient noise data can be prepared prior to the call. Therefore, even when a mute operation is received at a relatively early timing after the start of the call, etc., it is possible to prevent a situation where the ambient noise data is not prepared and cannot be transmitted to the other party in the call as a transmission signal.

[0068] Also, in each of the above embodiments, when the mute operation reception units 102 and 202 receive a mute operation from the user, or when the mute operation detection unit 209 detects a mute operation signal from the telephone main body, the transmission signal switching units 106 and 206 may periodically or randomly insert silent data or white noise into the ambient noise data read from the ambient noise data storage units 103 and 203, and use this as a transmission signal to transmit it to the other party in the call via the telephone function unit 100, or via the telephone main body connection unit 200 or the call signal telephone main body connection unit 200a and the telephone main body. By doing so, even if the ambient noise data contains voice, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the conversation content is transmitted to the other party in the call.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1: Telephone 2: Telephone Adapter 100: Telephone Function Unit 101: Handset 102, 202: Mute Operation Reception Unit 103, 203: Ambient Noise Data Storage Unit 104, 204: Conversation Detection Unit 105, 205: Ambient Noise Data Generation Unit 106, 206: Transmission Signal Switching Unit 107, 207: Main Control Unit 200: Telephone Main Body Connection Unit 200a: Call Signal Telephone Main Body Connection Unit 200b: Operation Signal Telephone Main Body Connection Unit 201: Handset Connection Unit 209: Mute Operation Detection Unit

Claims

1. A telephone, comprising a storage means for storing ambient noise data; an operation means for receiving a mute operation; and a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the other party in a call instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the mute operation is received during the call by the operation means. The transmission signal switching means when receiving a mute operation during a call by the operation means, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the storage means, transmits the plurality of ambient noise data to the other party after changing the order thereof. A telephone characterized by the above.

2. A telephone, comprising a storage means for storing ambient noise data; an operation means for receiving a mute operation; and a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the other party in a call instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the mute operation is received during the call by the operation means. The transmission signal switching means when receiving a mute operation during a call by the operation means, inserts silent data or white noise into the ambient noise data stored in the storage means and transmits the result to the other party. A telephone characterized by the above.

3. The telephone according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call; and an ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means. A telephone characterized by the above.

4. The telephone according to claim 1 or 2, a microphone that operates during standby, conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone, ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, and further comprising a telephone characterized by this.

5. The telephone according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from the section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means a telephone characterized by this.

6. A telephone, storage means in which ambient noise data is stored, operation means for receiving a mute operation, transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the other party in a call instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call, ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, and having wherein the ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from the section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means a telephone characterized by this.

7. A telephone, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; an operation means for receiving a mute operation; a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the other party in a call instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means; a microphone that operates during standby; a conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone; ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means, wherein the ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more in the storage means The telephone is characterized by this.

8. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; an operation means for receiving a mute operation; a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means; The transmission signal switching means When a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, if a plurality of ambient noise data are stored in the storage means, the order of the plurality of ambient noise data is switched and transmitted to the telephone main body The telephone adapter is characterized by this.

9. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; an operation means for receiving a mute operation; a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the mute operation is received during a call by the operation means; and the transmission signal switching means inserts silent data or white noise into the ambient noise data stored in the storage means and transmits it to the telephone main body when the mute operation is received during a call by the operation means A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

10. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; a detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body; a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset when the mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means; and the transmission signal switching means when the mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, if a plurality of ambient noise data is stored in the storage means, the order of the plurality of ambient noise data is swapped and transmitted to the telephone main body A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

11. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, a storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; a detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body; When the mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, there is provided a transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone set main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset. The transmission signal switching means When the mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, inserts silent data or white noise into the ambient noise data stored in the storage means and transmits it to the telephone set main body. A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

12. A telephone adapter according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, Conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call; Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing it in the storage means. A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

13. A telephone adapter according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, A microphone that operates during standby; Conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone; Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing it in the storage means. A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

14. A telephone adapter according to Claim 12 or 13, The ambient noise data generation means The microphone input signal of a section obtained by excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section in which no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more is stored in the storage means as the ambient noise data A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

15. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, Storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; Operation means for receiving a mute operation; When a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset; Conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call; Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal of a section in which no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means; The ambient noise data generation means, The microphone input signal of a section obtained by excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section in which no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more is stored in the storage means as the ambient noise data A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

16. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, Storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; Operation means for receiving a mute operation; When a mute operation is received during a call by the operation means, transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset; A microphone that operates during standby; Conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone; Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means; The ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from the section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

17. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, Storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; Detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone main body; When a mute operation signal is detected during a call by the detection means, transmission signal switching means for transmitting, as a transmission signal, the ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone main body instead of the microphone input voice of the handset; Conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the handset during a call; Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means; The ambient noise data generation means stores, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from the section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

18. A telephone adapter installed between a handset and a telephone main body, Storage means in which ambient noise data is stored; Detection means for detecting a mute operation signal transmitted from the telephone set main body; When the detection means detects a mute operation signal during a call, transmission signal switching means for transmitting ambient noise data stored in the storage means to the telephone set main body as a transmission signal instead of the microphone input voice of the handset; A microphone that operates during standby; Conversation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of conversation from the microphone input signal of the microphone; Ambient noise data generation means for generating the ambient noise data from the microphone input signal in a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for a first predetermined time or more by the conversation detection means and storing the ambient noise data in the storage means; The ambient noise data generation means is storing, as the ambient noise data, the microphone input signal in a section obtained by excluding a second predetermined time after the start of the section and a third predetermined time before the end of the section from a section where no conversation has been detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more in the storage means A telephone adapter characterized by the above.

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