Communication device, communication system, and communication method

Abstract

A first communication device (11) and a second communication device (12) (see Fig. 1) are provided with: a first communication unit (21) that communicates data including voice to an external communication device; an extraction unit (22) that extracts communication information; a counting unit (23) that counts the elapsed time from the end of communication; a second communication unit (24) for transmitting and receiving a VOX switching request signal and a response signal between the first and second communication devices; an input unit (25) to which voice is input; a calculation unit (26) that calculates priority information; a control unit (28) that determines whether the VOX function is enabled or disabled in accordance with the priority information; and a VOX unit (27) that transmits data to the external communication device via the first communication unit (21) when the VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit (25) is at or above a prescribed volume level. This makes it possible to use the VOX function of a plurality of VOX communication devices.

Description

Communication device, communication system, and communication method

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

[0002] In recent years, radios using 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 can recognize voices by speaking into a microphone and automatically start communication. Furthermore, 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.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-60399

[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 communication devices are radios that do not use VOX technology (non-VOX communication devices), it is considered that there will be no problem using the VOX function of this single VOX communication device.

[0005] However, if a user owns two wireless devices 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 be in a state where it is 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 a plurality of electronic devices that receive a remote control signal, but does not disclose control of the VOX function of a VOX communication device.

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

[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 received, 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 from 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. and a control unit configured to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. The VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level. The VOX function can be used even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices. The control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the decision to enable or disable the VOX function.

[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 element for switching the VOX function. a second communication unit that transmits and receives, between the first communication device and the second communication device, a VOX switching request signal that is a signal regarding a request for switching a VOX function and a VOX switching response signal that is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switching request signal for switching a VOX function; an input unit that receives voice; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding a 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 of the first communication device based on a 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 a 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 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 function response signal to the second communication device. 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 makes it possible to use the VOX function 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 using communication other than the short-range communication, the method including 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 regarding a VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device through the short-range communication using a second communication unit, inputting voice, calculating priority information regarding a priority order 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 makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0011] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes an extraction unit that extracts voice data from received data, an analysis unit that analyzes the voice data extracted by the extraction unit as a voice analysis result, a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the voice analysis result analyzed by the analysis unit, and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0012] The communication method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: extracting the voice data from received data; analyzing the extracted voice data as a voice analysis result; calculating priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed voice analysis result; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0013] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes an extractor that extracts communication information from received data, an analyzer that analyzes a location risk level, which is a risk level value of a location where an external communication device is located, from the communication information extracted by the extractor, a calculator that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the location risk level of the external communication device analyzed by the analyzer, and a controller that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculator. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0014] The communication method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a location risk level, which is a risk level value of a location where an external communication device is located, from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the analyzed location risk level of the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0015] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes an extractor that extracts communication information from received data, an analyzer that analyzes a user risk level indicating a degree of risk to a user of an external communication device from the communication information extracted by the extractor, a calculator that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the user risk level of the external communication device analyzed by the analyzer, and a controller that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculator. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0016] The communication method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a user risk level, which is a user information value of an external communication device, from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the analyzed user risk level of the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0017] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes an extractor that extracts communication information from received data, an analyzer that analyzes the number of people around an external communication device from the communication information extracted by the extractor, a calculator that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the number of people around the external communication device analyzed by the analyzer, and a controller that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculator. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0018] The communication method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing the number of people around an external communication device from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed number of people around the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0019] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes a mounting position information detection unit that detects information on the position where a user mounts a communication device as mounting position information, a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the mounting position information detected by the mounting position information detection unit, and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0020] The communication method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: detecting information on a position where a user wears a communication device as wearing position information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the detected wearing position information; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0021] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes a transmitting device that transmits radio waves, an extracting unit that extracts transmitting device information that is information about the transmitting device from received data, an analyzing unit that analyzes a distance between the transmitting device and the transmitting device from the transmitting device information extracted by the extracting unit, a calculating unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communicating device based on the distance between the transmitting devices analyzed by the analyzing unit, and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculating unit. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0022] A communication method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: extracting transmission device information, which is information about the transmission device, from data received from the transmission device; analyzing a distance between the communication device and the transmission device from the extracted transmission device information; calculating priority information regarding a priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed distance between the transmission devices; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. This makes it possible to use the VOX function even when a user uses multiple VOX communication devices.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a communication device that allows the user to appropriately use the VOX function even in a situation where multiple radios are attached to the user.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional block diagram of a first communication device according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the first communication device according to the first and second embodiments further includes a display unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of a second communication device according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of a first communication device according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of scoring priority information according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of enabling the VOX function of a second communication device depending on the current communication status of the first communication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of enabling the VOX function of a second communication device by scoring and comparing the first priority information of the first communication device and the second priority information of the second communication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the third to ninth embodiments. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional block diagram of a first communication device according to the third to ninth embodiments. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of a second communication device according to the third to ninth embodiments. 10 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information according to the third to ninth embodiments. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of enabling the VOX function of the second communication device depending on the current communication status of the first communication device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of enabling the VOX function of the second communication device by scoring and comparing the first priority information of the first communication device and the second priority information of the second communication device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the first communication device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the first communication device further includes a storage unit according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of enabling the VOX function of the second communication device by scoring and comparing the first priority information of the first communication device and the second priority information of the second communication device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the first communication device according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information according to the sixth embodiment.10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case where 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, according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the first communication device, according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information, according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case where 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, according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the first communication device, according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information, according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which communication devices are placed in a holder provided with an RF tag, according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case where 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, according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system, according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the first communication device, according to the ninth embodiment. 13 is a diagram showing an example of scoring priority information according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case in which first priority information of a first communication device and second priority information of a second communication device are scored and compared, and the VOX function of the second communication device is enabled according to the ninth embodiment.

[0025] Hereinafter, communication devices according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment will be described 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 these embodiments.

[0026] 1, a 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 users wear the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12, and that both devices 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 in this example, the second communication device 12 is described as being a single device.

[0027] 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 simultaneously received by the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] When receiving communication with the third communication device 13 , the first communication unit 21 outputs the communication data to the extraction unit 22 .

[0031] The extraction unit 22 extracts communication information from the communication data performed by the first communication unit. For example, the extraction unit 22 extracts information related to communication time from the communication data and outputs the information to the counting unit 23. The extraction unit 22 also extracts information for determining the priority of VOX functions from the communication data and outputs the information to the calculation unit 26.

[0032] 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, the communication information may include information about the third communication device 13 communicating with the first communication unit 21 of the first communication device 11. Further, for example, the communication type may indicate whether the communication is a normal communication or an emergency communication.

[0033] 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.

[0034] The 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 the second communication device 12. Note that the second communication unit 24 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to communicate with the second communication device 12.

[0035] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 26 described later, the second communication unit 24 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. For example, the first communication device 11 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 12 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 24, and can return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 12.

[0036] Here, the priority information of the VOX function includes, but is not limited to, 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 order can be set using the total score.

[0037] The input unit 25 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the 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.

[0038] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 26 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX functions in the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. Here, the calculation unit 26 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 11, using information for determining the priority order of the VOX functions extracted by the extraction unit 22 and the counting results input from the counting unit 23.

[0039] 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.

[0040] More specifically, the first communication device 11 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 26, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 12, to the second communication device 12 as a VOX switching response signal. Meanwhile, the first communication device 11 outputs the result of the comparison of the priority information to the control unit 28 within the first communication device 11, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 27. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The VOX unit 27 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit 27, which is input from the control unit 28. That is, the VOX unit 27 is controlled so that if the decision result of the control unit 28 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to the input unit 25 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 27 transmits data to the third communication device 13 via the first communication unit 21, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to the input unit 25 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the VOX unit 27 does not transmit data.

[0043] 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 .

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] As an example, the display by the display unit 29 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 11, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 27 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 29 outputs the status of the VOX unit 27 to the user is not limited to this, and the display may be made on a display, or audio output may be made.

[0047] Similarly, the second communication device 12 may also be provided with a display unit 39 .

[0048] Next, the operation flow of the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] Here, the first communication device 11 is basically treated as having a higher priority for using the VOX function than the second communication device 12. Also, in the initial state, the VOX function of the first communication device 11 is enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 12 is disabled.

[0050] 4 shows 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 shows an example of an operation flow of the communication system 1 when the second communication device 12 is at the center.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 based on 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The second communication device 12 receives a VOX switching response signal from the first communication device 11 (step S4). If 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).

[0055] 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).

[0056] Thereafter, the operation flow in the second communication device 12 ends.

[0057] 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 situation similar to that of FIG.

[0058] 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 .

[0059] The calculation unit 26 extracts the second priority information from the VOX switching request signal input from the second communication device 12 (step S12).

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] More specifically, as shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 6, a score for each call partner, a score for each communication type, and a score for the elapsed time since the last reception are predefined. The first communication device 11 checks to which parts of the tables of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 6 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, the example of calculating priority information in Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the calculated total score for the first communication device 11 and the calculated total score for the second communication device 12.

[0063] The calculation unit 26 compares the total scores of the first and second priority information (step S14). If the total score of the first priority information is lower than the total score of the second priority information (Yes in step S14), the second communication device 12 is prioritized, 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).

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 indicating that the VOX unit 37 remains disabled (step S18).

[0066] 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.

[0067] Thereafter, the operation flow in the first communication device 11 ends.

[0068] [First Example] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example 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 describes a case where the points shown in Fig. 6 are not used as priority information.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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 VOX function of the second communication device 12 being requested to be enabled (step S22).

[0072] The first communication device 11 receives the 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).

[0073] 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).

[0074] When the first communication device 11 receives the 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).The first communication device 11 also transmits a VOX switching response to the second communication device 12 to disable the VOX function of the second communication device 12 (step S28).

[0075] 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).

[0076] 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 kept enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 12 can be kept disabled.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 7, the first priority information for the first communication device 11 can be considered to be based 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 can be considered that the priority of the VOX function of the first communication device 11 is low because the first communication device 11 is not communicating with the third communication device 13.

[0079] [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 points shown in Fig. 6 are used as priority information.

[0080] The prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 are the same as those explained with reference to FIG. 7, and therefore will not be explained further.

[0081] 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).

[0082] 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 for the second communication device 12. Meanwhile, the first communication device 11 creates first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 11, based on information received in the previous communication with the third communication device 13 (step S33).

[0083] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 6, the first communication device 11 compares the total points calculated from the priority points of the first priority information and the second priority information, and if the total point 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).

[0084] 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).

[0085] As in the example shown in Figure 7, when communication with 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] As described above, in the communication system 1, even when a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] As another example, the number of communication devices owned by a user may be three or more. In this case, it can be considered that a first communication device 11 treated as a master device is associated with multiple second communication devices 12 treated as slave devices. In this case, when communication is received from an external device with a slave device, the slave device issues a VOX switching request to the master device to enable the VOX function. The master device makes a determination and returns a VOX switching response to the slave device to enable or disable the VOX function, and can also control whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the master device itself.

[0091] 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.

[0092] Hereinafter, communication devices according to third to ninth examples will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 shows an example of the configuration of a communication system 2. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0093] 9, a communication system 2 includes a first communication device 111 and a second communication device 112, each of which is a VOX radio. Here, it is assumed that users wear the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112, and that both devices 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 112, i.e., two or more, but in this example, the second communication device 112 is described as being a single device.

[0094] 9 , the first communication device 111 can communicate with a third communication device 113 owned by another user. The second communication device 112 can communicate with a fourth communication device 114 owned by another user. Here, the user of the third communication device 113 and the user of the fourth communication device 114 are different people. The third communication device 113 and the fourth communication device 114 may be referred to as external communication devices. The first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 do not simultaneously receive audio transmitted by one of the external communication devices.

[0095] 10 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the first communication device 111. The first communication device 111 includes a first communication unit 121, an extraction unit 122, an analysis unit 123, a second communication unit 124, an input unit 125, a calculation unit 126, a VOX unit 127, and a control unit 128.

[0096] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 111 and the configuration of the second communication device 112 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 112 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 112 includes a first communication unit 131, an extraction unit 132, an analysis unit 133, a second communication unit 134, an input unit 135, a calculation unit 136, a VOX unit 137, and a control unit 138.

[0097] The first communication unit 121 is a functional unit 1 that communicates data including voice data with the third communication device 113. Here, the first communication unit 121 starts transmission to the third communication device 113 when an input indicating that transmission to the third communication device 113 is to be made is received from a VOX unit 127, which will be described later. The first communication unit 121 ends communication when it has finished transmitting data to the third communication device 113 or when it has finished receiving data from the third communication device 113.

[0098] When the first communication unit 121 receives communication data from the third communication device 113 , it outputs the communication data to the extraction unit 122 .

[0099] The extraction unit 122 extracts voice data from the communication data exchanged by the first communication unit 121 , and outputs the extracted voice data to the analysis unit 123 .

[0100] The analysis unit 123 generates a voice analysis result by analyzing the voice data extracted by the extraction unit 122. The analysis unit 123 outputs the voice analysis result to the calculation unit 126. Here, the analysis unit 123 generates a voice analysis result related to a question value based on whether the content of the voice data received from the third communication device 113, which is an external communication device, is a one-sided message or a question. Furthermore, the analysis unit 123 can generate a voice analysis result based on an urgency level, which indicates the degree of urgency, from the volume or speed of the voice of the voice data received from the third communication device 113, which is an external communication device.

[0101] Here, the inquiry value and the urgency can be defined as follows:

[0102] The question value can be calculated by the analysis unit 123 of the first communication device 111 and the analysis unit 133 of the second communication device 112 converting the received voice data into sentences and analyzing the content of the converted sentences using existing technology to determine whether they contain a question. For example, the analysis units 123 and 133 can detect sentences such as "Is...?" or "Please respond," analyze whether a question is present, and convert the result into a score as the question value. For example, the analysis units 123 and 133 can increase the score of the question value if a question is present, and decrease the score of the question value if a question is not present.

[0103] The urgency level can be converted into a score by the analysis unit 123 of the first communication device 111 and the analysis unit 133 of the second communication device 112 analyzing the volume and speed of the voice of the received voice data using existing technology. For example, the analysis units 123 and 133 can set the urgency level high when the volume of the voice is loud or the speed is fast, and set the urgency low when the volume of the voice is quiet or the speed is slow, and convert the score into a score.

[0104] The second communication unit 124 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 the second communication device 112. Note that the second communication unit 124 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to communicate with the second communication device 112.

[0105] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 126 described later, the second communication unit 124 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. For example, the first communication device 111 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 124, and can return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 112.

[0106] Here, the priority information for the VOX function is described as being based on the results of voice analysis, but other information can also be used. Note that the elements that make up this priority information can be scored, and the priority order can be set using the total score.

[0107] The input unit 125 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the user holding the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Typically, the input unit 125 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 111. The input unit 125 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 127.

[0108] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 126 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the calculation unit 126 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111, by using the voice analysis results extracted by the extraction unit 122 and analyzed by the analysis unit 123.

[0109] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the calculation unit 126 of the first communication device 111 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 111, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 112, the calculation unit 126 can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 126 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112.

[0110] More specifically, the first communication device 111 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 126, as a VOX switching response signal, to the second communication device 112, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 outputs the result of the comparison of the priority information to the control unit 128 within the first communication device 111, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 127. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0111] When the volume of the audio input to the input unit 125 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 127 transmits data including the audio data input to the input unit 125 to the third communication device 113 via the first communication unit 121.

[0112] VOX unit 127 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 127, which is input from control unit 128. That is, VOX unit 127 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 128 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 125 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it transmits data to third communication device 113 via first communication unit 121, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 125 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, it does not transmit data.

[0113] The control unit 128 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 126 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 127 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 127 .

[0114] The first communication device 111 may further include a display unit 129. The display unit 129 is controlled by the control unit 128 and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0115] As an example, the display by the display unit 129 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 111, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 127 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 129 outputs the status of the VOX unit 127 to the user is not limited to this, and the display may be made on a display, or audio output may be made.

[0116] Similarly, the second communication device 112 may also be provided with a display unit 139 .

[0117] Next, the operation flow of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0118] Here, the first communication device 111 is basically treated as having a higher priority for using the VOX function than the second communication device 112. Also, in the initial state, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 is disabled.

[0119] 11 is an example of an operation flow in which the VOX unit 127 is switched to enabled or remains disabled as a result of the second communication device 112 communicating with the first communication device 111. In other words, FIG. 11 is an example of an operation flow of the communication system 2 when the second communication device 112 is at the center.

[0120] First, the second communication device 112 receives a signal from the fourth communication device 114 (step S101). This communication is performed via the first communication unit 131 of the second communication device 112.

[0121] The second communication device 112 calculates its own priority information (step S102). Specifically, the calculation unit 136 of the second communication device 112 calculates the priority information based on information on the priority order of the VOX functions extracted by the extraction unit 132 from the data input from the first communication unit 131, i.e., the audio analysis result obtained by analyzing the input audio data by the analysis unit 133. This priority information for the second communication device 112 is referred to as second priority information.

[0122] The second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request signal including the second priority information to the first communication device 111 (step S103). At this time, the second communication device 112 outputs the VOX switching request signal including the second priority information to the first communication device 111 via the second communication unit 134.

[0123] The second communication device 112 receives a VOX switching response signal from the first communication device 111 (step S104). If the received VOX switching response signal indicates that the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be enabled (step S104: OK), the control unit 138 controls the VOX unit 137 to be enabled (step S105).

[0124] On the other hand, if the content of the switching response signal received by the second communication device 112 indicates that the VOX function of the second communication device 112 should remain disabled (NG in step S104), the control unit 138 controls the VOX unit 137 to remain disabled (step S106).

[0125] Thereafter, the operation flow in the second communication device 112 ends.

[0126] Next, with reference to FIG. 12, an example of the operation flow of the communication system 2 centered around the first communication device 111 will be described for a situation similar to that of FIG.

[0127] The first communication device 111 receives a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 via the second communication unit 124 (step S111). This is the VOX switching request signal transmitted from the second communication device 112 in step S103 in FIG. 11 .

[0128] The calculation unit 126 extracts the second priority information from the VOX switching request signal input from the second communication device 112 (step S112).

[0129] Meanwhile, the calculation unit 126 calculates priority information for the first communication device 111 (step S113). Here, the priority information for the first communication device 111 is referred to as first priority information.

[0130] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of scores used to calculate priority information.

[0131] Specifically, as shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 13, points set as priority information according to the results of voice analysis are predefined. Here, the points set as priority information according to the results of voice analysis are determined using a question value set based on whether the content of the voice data is a one-sided communication, i.e., whether it is a question, and an urgency level, which is the degree of urgency set based on the volume or speed of the voice data. Note that either the question value or the urgency level may be used, or both may be used.

[0132] The first communication device 111 checks to which parts of the tables of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 13 the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 respectively correspond, and calculates the respective total points of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, Fig. 5 shows a diagram illustrating an example of the calculated total point of the first communication device 111 and the calculated total point of the second communication device 112, as an example of calculation of priority information.

[0133] The calculation unit 126 compares the total score of the first priority information with that of the second priority information (step S114). If the total score of the first priority information is lower than that of the second priority information (Yes in step S114), the second communication device 112 is prioritized, and the VOX unit 127 of the first communication device 111 is disabled (step S115). Furthermore, the first communication device 111 transmits a VOX switching response signal to the second communication device 112 indicating that the VOX unit 137 may be enabled (step S116).

[0134] The VOX switching response signal transmitted from the first communication device 111 in step S116 is received by the second communication device 112 in step S104 in FIG.

[0135] 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 S114), the first communication device 111 has priority, so the VOX unit 127 of the first communication device 111 remains enabled (step S117). Furthermore, the first communication device 111 transmits a VOX switching response signal to the second communication device 112 indicating that the VOX unit 137 will remain disabled (step S118).

[0136] The VOX switching response signal transmitted from the first communication device 111 in step S118 is received by the second communication device 112 in step S104 in FIG.

[0137] Thereafter, the operation flow in the first communication device 111 ends.

[0138] 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of switching between enabling and disabling the VOX function of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram of Fig. 6 explains a case where the relationship between the priority information and the priority points in Fig. 13 and the points shown in the calculation example of the priority information are not used as priority information.

[0139] As a premise, one user owns a first communication device 111 and a second communication device 112. The first communication device 111 is for communicating with a third communication device 113 owned by another user, and the second communication device 112 is for communicating with a fourth communication device 114 owned by yet another user.

[0140] At the start, the priority of the first communication device 111 is set higher than the priority of the second communication device 112, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 is disabled.

[0141] The second communication device 112 receives a high-priority (Emergency) communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S121). At this time, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the VOX function of the second communication device 112 being enabled (step S122).

[0142] The first communication device 111 receives a request to enable the VOX function from the second communication device 112, and disables the VOX function of the first communication device 111 if the first communication device 111 is not currently in a call with the third communication device 113 (step S123). Furthermore, the first communication device 111 transmits a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 to enable the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S124).

[0143] The second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK) from the first communication device 111 and enables the VOX function (step S125). If there is no call for a certain period of time after the call with the fourth communication device 114 ends, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111 requesting that the VOX function of the second communication device 112 be disabled (step S126).

[0144] When the first communication device 111 receives the VOX switching request to disable the VOX function from the second communication device 112, the first communication device 111 enables the VOX function of the first communication device 111 (step S127). Also, the first communication device 111 transmits a VOX switching response to the second communication device 112 to disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S128).

[0145] The second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response from the first communication device 111 indicating that the VOX function of the second communication device 112 is to be disabled, and disables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S129).

[0146] In step S123, if the first communication device 111 is on a call, the first communication device 111 transmits a VOX switching response (NG) to the second communication device 112 to disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S124). The VOX function of the first communication device 111 can be kept enabled, and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 can be kept disabled.

[0147] In this way, in communication system 2, the VOX function of the first communication device 111, which is set to a high priority, is basically enabled, and when communication is not being performed using the first communication device 111 and an incoming call is received from the fourth communication device 114 at the second communication device 112, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 can be temporarily disabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 can be enabled.

[0148] 14, the first priority information for the first communication device 111 can be considered to be based on whether the first communication device 111 is communicating or not. That is, when the first communication device 111 receives the VOX switching request from the second communication device 112, it can be considered that the priority of the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is low because the first communication device 111 is not communicating with the third communication device 113.

[0149] 15 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 15 explains a case where the relationship between the priority information and the priority points in Fig. 13 and the points shown in the calculation example of the priority information are used as the priority information.

[0150] The prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are the same as those explained with reference to FIG. 14, and therefore will not be explained further.

[0151] The second communication device 112 receives communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S131). At this time, the second communication device 112 analyzes the voice data input from the fourth communication device 114 according to the received information and creates second priority information, which is priority information for the second communication device 112. Specifically, the second priority information is created as a total score of "60" consisting of a query value of "60" and an urgency level of "0." In addition, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the request enabling the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S132).

[0152] When the first communication device 111 receives a VOX switching request from the second communication device 112 to enable the VOX function, it simultaneously receives second priority information, which is priority information for the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 analyzes the voice data input from the third communication device 113 in accordance with the received information in communication with the third communication device 113, and creates first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111 (step S133). Specifically, the first priority information is created with a total score of "10" consisting of a question value of "0" and an urgency level of "10."

[0153] 13 , the first communication device 111 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, disables the VOX function of the first communication device (step S134) and transmits a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S135). Specifically, the first communication device 111 compares the total score of the first priority information (10) with the total score of the second priority information (60). Since the total score of the second priority information is higher, the first communication device 111 disables the VOX function of the first communication device (step S134) and transmits a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S135).

[0154] When the second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 112 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S136).

[0155] As in the example shown in Figure 14, when communication with the second communication device 112 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S131.

[0156] As a result, in the communication system 2, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 112 to the first communication device 111 and the first priority information calculated by the first communication device 111 are scored and compared, and the VOX function with the higher total score can be controlled to be enabled.

[0157] As described above, in the communication system 2, even if a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0158] 16 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a first communication device 111 in a communication system 2 according to a fifth embodiment. The first communication device 111 includes a first communication unit 141, an extraction unit 142, an analysis unit 143, a second communication unit 144, an input unit 145, a calculation unit 146, a VOX unit 147, and a control unit 148.

[0159] The first communication unit 141 is a functional unit 1 that communicates data including voice data with the third communication device 113. Here, the first communication unit 141 starts transmission to the third communication device 113 when an input to transmit data to the third communication device 113 is received from the VOX unit 147. The first communication unit 141 ends communication when it has finished transmitting data to the third communication device 113 or when it has finished receiving data from the third communication device 113.

[0160] When the first communication unit 141 receives communication data from the third communication device 113 , it outputs the communication data to the extraction unit 142 .

[0161] The extraction unit 142 extracts communication information from the communication data transmitted by the first communication unit 141, and outputs the extracted communication information to the analysis unit 143. Here, the external communication device is the third communication device 113. The information extracted by the extraction unit 142 can include location information of the external communication device and danger location information, which is information on danger locations.

[0162] The analysis unit 143 analyzes the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 142 and outputs the analysis result to the calculation unit 146. Here, the analysis unit 143 can analyze a location risk level, which is a risk level numerical value of the location where the third communication device 113, which is an external communication device, is located, from the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 142. In other words, the analysis unit 143 can analyze the location risk level of the external communication device based on the distance between the location information of the external communication device extracted by the extraction unit 142 and the risk location information.

[0163] 17 , the first communication device 111 may be configured to include a storage unit 143a. The storage unit 143a stores crime rates in advance as crime rate area information for each divided area on a map. The analysis unit 143 can analyze the location risk of the third communication device 113, which is an external communication device, based on the location information of the external communication device extracted by the extraction unit 142 and the crime rate area information stored in the storage unit 143a.

[0164] As a specific example, the positional relationship from the dangerous position, the positional relationship from the dangerous floor, and the crime rate area information that constitute the positional danger level can be defined as follows.

[0165] The first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 score the distance between the location of the external communication device with which they are communicating and the danger location as a positional relationship of distance from the danger location. Here, the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 set a higher score the closer the distance to the danger location, and a lower score the farther the distance (see Example 1 of the distance from the danger location in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 18).

[0166] Furthermore, the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 score the vertical relationship between the floor on which the external communication device with which they are communicating is located and the danger floor as a positional relationship in terms of the height distance from the danger floor. The first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 set a higher score the closer the vertical distance from the danger floor is, and a lower score the farther the distance is from the danger floor. As an example, the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 may set a higher score for the upper part of the danger floor because, under conditions where a fire has broken out, the upper part of the danger floor may be more dangerous (see Example 2 of the distance from the danger position in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 18).

[0167] Furthermore, the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 can generate scores using crime rate area information (see the crime rate diagram showing the relationship between priority information and priority points in FIG. 18). Specifically, the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 divide the town into multiple areas on a map and set the crime rate for each area in advance by referring to past crime information, etc. Then, the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 generate scores by referring to the set crime rate for the location where the destination communication device is located, as received by the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the higher the crime rate, the higher the score because there is more crime, and the lower the crime rate, the lower the score because there is less crime (see the example of crime rate area information in FIG. 18).

[0168] The second communication unit 144 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 the second communication device 112. Note that the second communication unit 144 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth to communicate with the second communication device 112.

[0169] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 146, the second communication unit 144 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. For example, the first communication device 111 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 and return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 112 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 144.

[0170] Here, the priority information for the VOX function is explained as using the location risk level, but it is not limited to this and other information can also be used. Furthermore, the elements that make up this priority information can be scored, and the priority order can be set using the total score.

[0171] The input unit 145 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the users holding the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Typically, the input unit 145 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 111. The input unit 145 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 147.

[0172] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 146 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the calculation unit 146 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111, by using the location risk extracted by the extraction unit 142 and analyzed by the analysis unit 143.

[0173] Furthermore, the calculation unit 146 of the first communication device 111 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 111, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 112, the calculation unit 146 can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 146 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112.

[0174] More specifically, the first communication device 111 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 146, as a VOX switching response signal, to the second communication device 112, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 outputs the result of the comparison of the priority information to the control unit 148 within the first communication device 111, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 147. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0175] When the volume of the audio input to the input unit 145 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 147 transmits data including the audio data input to the input unit 145 to the third communication device 113 via the first communication unit 141.

[0176] VOX unit 147 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 147, which is input from control unit 148. That is, VOX unit 147 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 148 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 145 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it transmits data to third communication device 113 via first communication unit 141, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 145 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, it does not transmit data.

[0177] The control unit 148 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 146 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 147 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 147 .

[0178] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 111 and the configuration of the second communication device 112 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 112 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 112 includes a first communication unit 151, an extraction unit 152, an analysis unit 153, a storage unit 153a, a second communication unit 154, an input unit 155, a calculation unit 156, a VOX unit 157, and a control unit 158.

[0179] The first communication device 111 may further include a display unit 149. The display unit 149 is controlled by the control unit 148 and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0180] As an example, the display by the display unit 149 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 111, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 147 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 149 outputs the status of the VOX unit 147 to the user is not limited to this, and the display may be made on a display, or audio output may be made.

[0181] Similarly, the second communication device 112 may also be provided with a display unit 159 .

[0182] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in FIG. 18 , a location risk level, which is a risk level value for the location where the external communication device is located, is defined in advance. The first communication device 111 checks which sections of the table showing the relationship between priority information and priority points in FIG. 18 correspond to the communication by the first communication device 111 and the communication by the second communication device 112, and calculates the total score for the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. The example of priority information calculation in FIG. 18 shows an example of the calculated total score for the first communication device 111 and the calculated total score for the second communication device 112. The example of crime rate area information in FIG. 18 shows an example of crime rates set for each town block and the locations of the third communication device 113 communicating with the first communication device 111 and the fourth communication device 114 communicating with the second communication device 112.

[0183] Fig. 19 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 19 explains a case where the points shown in Fig. 18 are used as priority information.

[0184] Note that the prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are the same as those explained in Fig. 14, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the specific method for creating priority information and comparing priority information is the same as the method explained in Fig. 15, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0185] The second communication device 112 receives communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S141). At this time, the second communication device 112 analyzes the position risk level of the fourth communication device 114 from the received information and creates second priority information that is priority information for the second communication device 112. The second communication device 112 also transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the request enabling the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S142).

[0186] The first communication device 111 receives second priority information at the same time as receiving a VOX switching request to enable the VOX function from the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 analyzes the position risk of the third communication device 113 from the information received in communication with the third communication device 113, and creates first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111 (step S143).

[0187] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 18, the first communication device 111 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 S144) and transmits a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S145). Note that Fig. 19 illustrates that the total scores are calculated and compared using the positional risk level related to the distance from the danger location in Example 1 of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 18 as the first priority information and the second priority information, but it is also possible to use the score based on the positional relationship of the distance from the danger location in Example 2 of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 18 and the height from the danger floor in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 18, and the crime rate score.

[0188] When the second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 112 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S146).

[0189] When communication with the second communication device 112 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S141.

[0190] As a result, in the communication system 2, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 112 to the first communication device 111 and the first priority information calculated by the first communication device 111 are scored and compared, and the VOX function with the higher total score can be controlled to be enabled.

[0191] As described above, in the communication system 2, even if a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0192] 20 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a first communication device 111 in a communication system 2 according to a sixth embodiment. The first communication device 111 includes a first communication unit 161, an extraction unit 162, an analysis unit 163, a second communication unit 164, an input unit 165, a calculation unit 166, a VOX unit 167, and a control unit 168.

[0193] The first communication unit 161 is a functional unit that communicates data including voice data with the third communication device 113. Here, the first communication unit 161 starts transmission to the third communication device 113 when an input to transmit data to the third communication device 113 is received from the VOX unit 167. The first communication unit 161 ends communication when it has finished transmitting data to the third communication device 113 or when it has finished receiving data from the third communication device 113.

[0194] When the first communication unit 161 receives communication data from the third communication device 113 , it outputs the communication data to the extraction unit 162 .

[0195] The extraction unit 162 extracts communication information from the communication data performed by the first communication unit 161, and outputs the extracted communication information to the analysis unit 163. Here, the external communication device is the third communication device 113.

[0196] The analysis unit 163 analyzes the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 162 and outputs the analysis result to the calculation unit 166. It is assumed here that the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 162 includes information about the ambient environment of the user using the external communication device and the ambient temperature. In this case, the analysis unit 163 can analyze the risk level to the user of the external communication device based on the information about the ambient environment and the ambient temperature.

[0197] Furthermore, it is assumed that the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 162 includes biometric information of the user of the external communication device. In this case, the analysis unit 163 can analyze the user risk of the external communication device based on the biometric information of the user.

[0198] Furthermore, the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 162 may include voice data of the user. It is particularly assumed here that the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 162 includes all of the ambient environment information, ambient temperature, biometric information, and voice data of the user of the external communication device. In this case, the analysis unit 163 analyzes the ambient environment information, ambient temperature, and biometric information of the user of the external communication device to analyze the user risk level. Then, when the user risk level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the analysis unit 163 can analyze the urgency level, which indicates the degree of urgency, from the voice data of the external communication device and update the user risk level.

[0199] In the following description, the communication system 2 will be described as using all of the ambient environment information, ambient temperature, and biological information to determine the user risk level, but it may also be configured to use at least one of them.

[0200] More specifically, the user risk level and the ambient environment information, ambient temperature, biological information, and urgency level that constitute the user risk level can be defined as follows:

[0201] The user risk level indicates the degree of risk to the user of the external communication device with which the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 communicate, and is the sum of a score based on the ambient environment information and ambient temperature of the external communication device and a score based on the biometric information of the user using the external communication device. Alternatively, the user risk level can be updated based on the urgency level if the total score obtained by scoring the user risk level based on the ambient environment information, ambient temperature, and biometric information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0202] The ambient environment information is information about the environment around the user of the external communication device, for example, air concentration; the higher the carbon monoxide concentration or carbon dioxide concentration, the higher the user risk level is set, and the lower the concentration, the lower the user risk level is set.

[0203] The ambient temperature is the temperature around the user of the external communication device, and the higher the ambient temperature, the higher the user risk level is set, and the lower the ambient temperature, the lower the user risk level is set. Also, depending on the usage situation, the lower the ambient temperature, the higher the user risk level is set, and the higher the ambient temperature, the lower the user risk level is set.

[0204] The biological information is biological information of the user of the external communication device, and may be, for example, body temperature or heart rate. The higher the body temperature or heart rate, the higher the user risk level is set, and the lower the body temperature or heart rate, the lower the user risk level is set. Furthermore, since a low body temperature or heart rate may indicate a dangerous situation, the user risk level may be set high when the body temperature or heart rate is below a predetermined value. Note that only either body temperature or heart rate may be used as biological information.

[0205] The urgency level is determined by analyzing the volume and speed of the voice data received by the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 using existing technology and assigning a score to the data. For example, if the voice is loud or fast, the urgency level can be set high, and if the voice is quiet or slow, the urgency level can be set low. The urgency level can also be set by combining the volume and speed of the voice.

[0206] The second communication unit 164 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 the second communication device 112. Note that the second communication unit 164 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth to communicate with the second communication device 112.

[0207] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 166, the second communication unit 164 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. For example, the first communication device 111 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 and return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 112 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 164.

[0208] Here, the priority information for the VOX function is explained as using the user risk level, but it is not limited to this and other information can be used. Furthermore, each element that makes up this priority information can be scored, and the priority order can be set using the total score.

[0209] The input unit 165 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the user holding the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Typically, the input unit 165 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 111. The input unit 165 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 167.

[0210] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 166 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the calculation unit 166 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111, using the user risk level extracted by the extraction unit 162 and analyzed by the analysis unit 163.

[0211] Furthermore, the calculation unit 166 of the first communication device 111 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 111, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 112, can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 166 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112.

[0212] More specifically, the first communication device 111 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 166, as a VOX switching response signal, to the second communication device 112, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 outputs the result of the comparison of the priority information to the control unit 168 within the first communication device 111, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 167. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0213] When the audio input to the input unit 165 has a volume equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 167 transmits data including the audio data input to the input unit 165 to the third communication device 113 via the first communication unit 161.

[0214] VOX unit 167 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 167, which is input from control unit 168. That is, VOX unit 167 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 168 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 165 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, VOX unit 167 transmits data to third communication device 113 via first communication unit 161, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 165 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, VOX unit 167 does not transmit data.

[0215] The control unit 168 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 166 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 167 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 167 .

[0216] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 111 and the configuration of the second communication device 112 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 112 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 112 includes a first communication unit 171, an extraction unit 172, an analysis unit 173, a second communication unit 174, an input unit 175, a calculation unit 176, a VOX unit 177, and a control unit 178.

[0217] The first communication device 111 may further include a display unit 169. The display unit 169 is controlled by the control unit 168 and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0218] As an example, the display by the display unit 169 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 111, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 167 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 169 outputs the status of the VOX unit 167 to the user is not limited to this, and the display on a display or audio output may also be used.

[0219] Similarly, the second communication device 112 may also be provided with a display unit 179 .

[0220] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 21 , points are defined in advance as user risk levels for users using external communication devices. The first communication device 111 checks to which parts of the tables of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 21 the most recent communication by the first communication device 111 and the communication by the second communication device 112 correspond, and calculates the total points of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. The example of calculating priority information in Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the calculated total point of the first communication device 111 and the calculated total point of the second communication device 112.

[0221] Fig. 22 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 22 explains a case where the points shown in Fig. 21 are used as priority information.

[0222] Note that the prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are the same as those explained in Fig. 14, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the specific method for creating priority information and comparing priority information is the same as the method explained in Fig. 15, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0223] The second communication device 112 receives communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S151). At this time, the second communication device 112 analyzes the user risk level of the user of the fourth communication device 114 at the time of reception from the communication information in the communication with the fourth communication device 114, and creates second priority information that is priority information for the second communication device 112. In addition, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the request enabling the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S152).

[0224] When the first communication device 111 receives a VOX switching request from the second communication device 112 to enable the VOX function, it simultaneously receives second priority information, which is priority information for the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 analyzes the user risk level of the user of the third communication device 113 at the time of reception from the received information in communication with the third communication device 113, and creates first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111 (step S153).

[0225] The first communication device 111 compares the total scores calculated from the priority scores of the first priority information and the second priority information, as shown in the relationship between priority information and priority scores in Figure 21, and if the total score of the second priority information is higher, it disables the VOX function of the first communication device 111 (step S154) and sends a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S155).

[0226] When the second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 112 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S156).

[0227] In addition, when communication with the second communication device 112 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S151.

[0228] As a result, in the communication system 2, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 112 to the first communication device 111 and the first priority information calculated by the first communication device 111 are scored and compared, and the VOX function with the higher total score can be controlled to be enabled.

[0229] 23 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a first communication device 111 of a communication system 2 according to a seventh embodiment. The first communication device 111 includes a first communication unit 181, an extraction unit 182, an analysis unit 183, a second communication unit 184, an input unit 185, a calculation unit 186, a VOX unit 187, and a control unit 188.

[0230] The first communication unit 181 is a functional unit that communicates data including voice data with the third communication device 113. Here, the first communication unit 181 starts transmission to the third communication device 113 when an input to transmit data to the third communication device 113 is received from the VOX unit 187. The first communication unit 181 ends communication when it has finished transmitting data to the third communication device 113 or when it has finished receiving data from the third communication device 113.

[0231] When the first communication unit 181 receives communication data from the third communication device 113 , it outputs the communication data to the extraction unit 182 .

[0232] The extraction unit 182 extracts communication information from the communication data performed by the first communication unit 181, and outputs the extracted communication information to the analysis unit 183. Here, the external communication device is the third communication device 113.

[0233] The analysis unit 183 analyzes the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 182 and outputs the information to the calculation unit 186. It is assumed here that the communication information extracted by the extraction unit 182 includes the communication devices that have performed short-range communication with communication devices located in the vicinity of the external communication device, their reception sensitivities, and the number of communication devices that have performed short-range communication. In this case, the analysis unit 183 can analyze the number of people in the vicinity of the external communication device based on the communication devices and their reception sensitivities extracted by the extraction unit 182. The analysis unit 183 can also analyze the number of people in the vicinity of the external communication device based on the number of communication devices extracted by the extraction unit 182.

[0234] Here, in particular, the number of people in the vicinity, the communication device and its receiving sensitivity can be defined as follows.

[0235] The number of people in the vicinity is the number of people located in the vicinity of the user of the external communication device with which the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 communicate. Here, the extraction unit 182 counts the number of communication devices as the number of people in the vicinity based on the communication devices extracted by the extraction unit 182 and their reception sensitivities, and the analysis unit 183 can assign a score according to the number of people in the vicinity. Also, the extraction unit 182 counts the number of communication devices as the number of people in the vicinity, and the analysis unit 183 can assign a score according to the number of people in the vicinity. For example, if there are few people in the vicinity of the external communication device, a high score is set, and if there are many people, a low score is set.

[0236] The communication devices and their receiving sensitivities are the receiving sensitivities of the external communication device and the communication devices located around the external communication device. For example, for the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112, the analysis unit 183 counts, from the communication information of the communication devices and their receiving sensitivities extracted by the extraction unit 182, the communication devices whose receiving sensitivities in the external communication device are equal to or greater than a predetermined value as the number of people around.

[0237] Specifically, the first communication device 111 sets a predetermined value of receiving sensitivity to −80 dBm and counts the number of communication devices (not shown) with which the third communication device 113, an external communication device, is communicating, with a receiving sensitivity of −80 dBm or higher. Similarly, the second communication device 112 sets a predetermined value of receiving sensitivity to −80 dBm and counts the number of communication devices with which the third communication device 113, an external communication device, is communicating.

[0238] The second communication unit 184 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 the second communication device 112. Note that the second communication unit 184 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth to communicate with the second communication device 112.

[0239] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 186, the second communication unit 184 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. For example, the first communication device 111 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 and return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 112 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 184.

[0240] Here, the priority information for the VOX function is explained as using the number of people around the external communication device, but it is not limited to this and other information can also be used. Furthermore, the elements that make up this priority information can be scored, and the priority can be set using the total score.

[0241] The input unit 185 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the user holding the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Typically, the input unit 185 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 111. The input unit 185 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 187.

[0242] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 186 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the calculation unit 186 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111, using the number of people around the external communication device extracted by the extraction unit 182 and analyzed by the analysis unit 183.

[0243] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the calculation unit 186 of the first communication device 111 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 111, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 112, the calculation unit 186 can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 186 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112.

[0244] More specifically, the first communication device 111 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 186, as a VOX switching response signal, to the second communication device 112, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 outputs the result of the comparison of the priority information to a control unit 188 within the first communication device 111, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 187. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0245] When the volume of the audio input to the input unit 185 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 187 transmits data including the audio data input to the input unit 185 to the third communication device 113 via the first communication unit 181.

[0246] VOX unit 187 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 187, which is input from control unit 188. That is, VOX unit 187 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 188 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 185 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, VOX unit 187 transmits data to third communication device 113 via first communication unit 181, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 185 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, VOX unit 187 does not transmit data.

[0247] The control unit 188 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 186 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 187 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 187 .

[0248] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 111 and the configuration of the second communication device 112 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 112 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 112 includes a first communication unit 191, an extraction unit 192, an analysis unit 193, a second communication unit 194, an input unit 195, a calculation unit 196, a VOX unit 197, and a control unit 198.

[0249] The first communication device 111 may further include a display unit 189. The display unit 189 is controlled by the control unit 188 and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0250] As an example, the display by the display unit 189 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 111, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 187 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 189 outputs the status of the VOX unit 187 to the user is not limited to this, and the display on a display or audio output may also be used.

[0251] Similarly, the second communication device 112 may also be provided with a display unit 199 .

[0252] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 24, points are defined in advance as the number of people in the vicinity of an external communication device. The first communication device 111 checks to which part of the table of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 24 the states of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 correspond, and calculates the total points of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. The example of calculating priority information in Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the calculated total point of the first communication device 111 and the calculated total point of the second communication device 112.

[0253] Fig. 25 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 25 explains a case where the scores shown in Fig. 24 are used as priority information.

[0254] Note that the prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are the same as those explained in Fig. 14, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the specific method for creating priority information and comparing priority information is the same as the method explained in Fig. 15, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0255] The second communication device 112 receives communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S161). At this time, the second communication device 112 analyzes the number of people around the fourth communication device 114 from the received information and creates second priority information that is priority information for the second communication device 112. In addition, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the request enabling the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S162).

[0256] The first communication device 111 receives second priority information at the same time as receiving a VOX switching request to enable the VOX function from the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 analyzes the number of people around the third communication device 113 from the information received in communication with the third communication device 113, and creates first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111 (step S163).

[0257] The first communication device 111 compares the total scores calculated from the priority scores of the first priority information and the second priority information, as shown in the relationship between priority information and priority scores in Figure 24, and if the total score of the second priority information is higher, it disables the VOX function of the first communication device (step S164) and sends a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S165).

[0258] When the second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 112 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S166).

[0259] As in the example shown in Figure 14, when communication with the second communication device 112 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S161.

[0260] As a result, in the communication system 2, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 112 to the first communication device 111 and the first priority information calculated by the first communication device 111 are scored and compared, and the VOX function with the higher total score can be controlled to be enabled.

[0261] As described above, in the communication system 2, even if a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0262] 26 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a first communication device 111 of a communication system 2 according to an eighth embodiment. The first communication device 111 includes a first communication unit 1101, a wearing position information detection unit 1102, a second communication unit 1104, an input unit 1105, a calculation unit 1106, a VOX unit 1107, and a control unit 1108.

[0263] The first communication unit 1101 is a functional unit that communicates data including voice data with the third communication device 113. Here, the first communication unit 1101 starts transmission to the third communication device 113 when an input indicating that transmission to the third communication device 113 is to be performed is received from the VOX unit 1107. The first communication unit 1101 ends communication when it has finished transmitting data to the third communication device 113 or when it has finished receiving data from the third communication device 113.

[0264] The wearing position information detection unit 1102 detects the position where the user wears the communication device as wearing position information, and outputs the detected wearing position information to the calculation unit 1106.

[0265] As an example, the user wears a holder capable of holding multiple communication devices, including the user's own communication device, and each holder is provided with RF tag information indicating a predetermined location where the communication device is attached. The attachment position information detection unit 1102 can detect the attachment position information based on the RF tag information of the holder to which the user's own communication device is attached.

[0266] Furthermore, the attachment position information detection unit 1102 can correct the RF tag information based on at least one of the button pressing frequency, which is the frequency at which a button on the communication device is pressed, and the communication frequency, which is the frequency at which communication is performed, and can then detect the corrected attachment position information.

[0267] Specifically, the mounting position information, holder, RF tag information, button press frequency, and communication frequency can be defined as follows:

[0268] The wearing position information is information on the position where the user wears either the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112 as the own communication device.

[0269] The holder is a storage device in which the user can attach the communication device, and is typically a pocket.

[0270] The RF tag information is information about the predetermined attachment location for each holder. For example, the RF tag information is numbered "1" and "2" in order of ease of use, such as dominant hand.

[0271] The button press frequency is the percentage of time that a user operates the operation buttons of the communication device. For example, if the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112 operates the operation button 36 times during the startup time (1 hour = 3600 seconds), the percentage is calculated by converting each operation time to 1 second. Specifically, the button press frequency [%] = (operation time ÷ startup time) × 100 = (36 ÷ 3600) × 100 = 1%.

[0272] The communication frequency is the percentage of time that the communication device is communicating. For example, the percentage is calculated when the communication time is 6 minutes (= 360 seconds) during the startup time (1 hour = 3600 seconds). In this case, the communication frequency [%] = (communication time ÷ startup time) × 100 = (360 ÷ 3600) × 100 = 10%.

[0273] The second communication unit 1104 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 the second communication device 112. Note that the second communication unit 1104 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth to communicate with the second communication device 112.

[0274] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 1106, the second communication unit 1104 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. For example, the first communication device 111 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 and return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 112 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 1104.

[0275] Here, the priority information for the VOX function will be described as using the mounting position information, but other information can also be used. Note that the elements that make up this priority information can be scored, and the priority order can be set using the total score.

[0276] The input unit 1105 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the user holding the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Typically, the input unit 1105 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 111. The input unit 1105 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 1107.

[0277] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 1106 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the calculation unit 1106 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111, using the mounting position information analyzed by the analysis unit 123.

[0278] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the calculation unit 1106 of the first communication device 111 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 111, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 112, the calculation unit 1106 can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 1106 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112.

[0279] More specifically, the first communication device 111 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 1106, as a VOX switching response signal, to the second communication device 112, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 outputs the comparison result of the priority information to the control unit 1108 within the first communication device 111, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 1107. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0280] When the volume of the audio input to the input unit 1105 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 1107 transmits data including the audio data input to the input unit 1105 to the third communication device 113 via the first communication unit 1101.

[0281] VOX unit 1107 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 1107, which is input from control unit 1108. That is, VOX unit 1107 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 1108 is "enabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 1105 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it transmits data to third communication device 113 via first communication unit 1101, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the volume of the voice input to input unit 1105 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, it does not transmit data.

[0282] The control unit 1108 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 1106 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 1107 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 1107 .

[0283] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 111 and the configuration of the second communication device 112 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 112 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 112 includes a first communication unit 1111, a wearing position information detection unit 1112, a second communication unit 1114, an input unit 1115, a calculation unit 1116, a VOX unit 1117, and a control unit 1118.

[0284] The first communication device 111 may further include a display unit 1109. The display unit 1109 is controlled by the control unit 1108, and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0285] As an example, the display by the display unit 1109 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 111, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 1107 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 1109 outputs the status of the VOX unit 1107 to the user is not limited to this, and the display on a display or audio output may also be used.

[0286] Similarly, the second communication device 112 may also be provided with a display unit 1119 .

[0287] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 27, points are predefined according to mounting position information. Fig. 28 shows an example in which the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are stored in the first holder 115 and the second holder 116, respectively. In this example, "1" is assigned to the first holder 115 as mounting position information based on the RF tag information, and "2" is assigned to the second holder 116 as mounting position information based on the RF tag information, and priority points are assigned to each of these mounting position information.

[0288] The first communication device 111 checks to which parts of the tables of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Fig. 27 the mounting position information of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112, the button press frequency under predetermined conditions, and the communication frequency correspond, and calculates the total points of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. The predetermined condition here is when the priority point as mounting position information for either the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Specifically, a priority point of 50 points is assigned to the first holder 115 as mounting position information, and when the first communication device 111 is stored in the first holder, it is determined that the predetermined condition is met, and correction processing is performed on the priority points related to the button press frequency and the communication frequency.

[0289] For example, if the same or similar priority points are assigned to the attachment position information "1" and the priority position information "2," the total points of the first communication device 111 stored in the first holder 115 and the second communication device 112 stored in the second holder 116 may be reversed depending on the corrections for the button press frequency and communication frequency.

[0290] The calculation example of priority information in FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the calculated total score of the first communication device 111 and the calculated total score of the second communication device 112.

[0291] Fig. 29 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 29 explains a case where the points shown in Fig. 27 are used as priority information.

[0292] Note that the prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are the same as those explained in Fig. 14, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the specific method for creating priority information and comparing priority information is the same as the method explained in Fig. 15, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0293] The second communication device 112 receives communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S171). At this time, the second communication device 112 creates second priority information, which is priority information for the second communication device 112, based on the wearing position information of the second communication device 112 worn by the user. At this time, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the request enabling the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S172).

[0294] When the first communication device 111 receives the VOX switching request to enable the VOX function from the second communication device 112, it simultaneously receives second priority information that is priority information for the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 creates first priority information that is priority information for the first communication device 111 based on wearing position information of the first communication device 111 worn by the user (step S173).

[0295] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 27, the first communication device 111 compares the total points calculated from the priority points of the first priority information and the second priority information, and if the total point of the second priority information is higher, it disables the VOX function of the first communication device (step S174) and sends a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S175).

[0296] When the second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 112 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S176).

[0297] In addition, when communication with the second communication device 112 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S171.

[0298] As a result, in the communication system 2, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 112 to the first communication device 111 and the first priority information calculated by the first communication device 111 are scored and compared, and the VOX function with the higher total score can be controlled to be enabled.

[0299] As described above, in the communication system 2, even if a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0300] 30 , a communication system 3 according to a ninth embodiment includes a first communication device 111 and a second communication device 112, each of which is a VOX radio. As in the above-described communication system 2, it is assumed that users wear the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112, and that both devices are located within a range where the voice of one user can be heard. Although there can be multiple second communication devices 112, i.e., two or more, the following description will be given assuming that there is only one second communication device 112.

[0301] The first communication device 111 can communicate with a third communication device 113 owned by another user. Furthermore, the second communication device 112 can communicate with a fourth communication device 114 owned by another user. Here, the user of the third communication device 113 and the user of the fourth communication device 114 are different people. Note that the third communication device 113 and the fourth communication device 114 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 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0302] Furthermore, the users who own the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 each have a transmitting device that transmits radio waves. As an example, the transmitting device is a microphone device 117, which periodically communicates data with the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0303] In the following, it is assumed that the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 each correspond to one microphone device 117, i.e., the microphone-to-microphone distance between the microphone device 117 and the first communication device 111 and the microphone-to-microphone distance between the microphone device 117 and the second communication device 112 are used, but this is not limited to this.

[0304] For example, a plurality of microphone devices may be used as the first microphone device 117 a corresponding to the first communication device 111 and the second microphone device 117 b corresponding to the second communication device 112 .

[0305] 31 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the first communication device 111. The first communication device 111 includes a first communication unit 1121, a second communication unit 1122, a third communication unit 1123, an extraction unit 1124, an analysis unit 1125, a calculation unit 1126, a VOX unit 1127, and a control unit 1128.

[0306] The first communication unit 1121 is a functional unit that communicates data including audio data with the third communication device 113. Here, the first communication unit 1121 starts transmission to the third communication device 113 when an input indicating that transmission to the third communication device 113 is to be performed is received from the VOX unit 1127. The first communication unit 1121 ends communication when it finishes transmitting data to the third communication device 113 or when it finishes receiving data from the third communication device 113. The second communication unit 1122 is a functional unit that transmits, to the second communication device 112, 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. Note that the second communication unit 1122 can use short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to communicate with the second communication device 112.

[0307] For example, when priority information of the VOX function is calculated by the calculation unit 1126, the second communication unit 1122 can transmit and receive information for sharing information on which VOX function to enable between the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. For example, the first communication device 111 can receive a VOX switching request signal from the second communication device 112 by short-range communication via the second communication unit 1122, and can return a VOX switching response signal, which is a response to the VOX switching request signal, to the second communication device 112.

[0308] Here, the priority information for the VOX function is explained as using, for example, the distance between the microphone devices, but it is not limited to this and other information can also be used. Note that the elements that make up this priority information can be scored, and the priority order can be set using the total score.

[0309] The third communication unit 1123 communicates data with the microphone device 117. In particular, the third communication unit 1123 receives communication data including microphone position information from the microphone device 117 and outputs the data to the extraction unit 1124.

[0310] The extraction unit 1124 extracts communication information from communication data performed using the third communication unit 1123. For example, the extraction unit 1124 extracts microphone device information (transmission device information), which is information about the microphone device 117, from the communication data received from the microphone device 117 by the third communication unit 1123, and outputs the information to the analysis unit 1125.

[0311] The microphone device information extracted by the extraction unit 1124 may include information on the reception sensitivity when communication is performed between the third communication unit 1123 and the microphone device 117 .

[0312] The analysis unit 1125 analyzes the microphone device distance, which is the distance between the first communication device 111 (which is the communication device itself) and the microphone device 117 , from the microphone device information extracted by the extraction unit 1124 .

[0313] When the microphone device information extracted by the extraction unit 1124 includes information on reception sensitivity, the analysis unit 1125 can analyze the distance between the microphone devices based on this information on reception sensitivity.

[0314] The input unit 1130 is a functional unit that receives voice input from the user holding the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Typically, the input unit 1130 is a microphone that receives voice input to the first communication device 111. The input unit 1130 outputs information about the input voice to the VOX unit 1127.

[0315] Based on the input information, the calculation unit 1126 calculates priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Here, the calculation unit 1126 can calculate first priority information, which is priority information for the first communication device 111, by using the distance between the microphone devices (distance between the transmission devices) extracted by the extraction unit 1124 and analyzed by the analysis unit 1125.

[0316] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the calculation unit 1126 of the first communication device 111 has first priority information, which is priority information generated by the first communication device 111, and when receiving second priority information, which is priority information generated by the second communication device 112, the calculation unit 1126 can compare the first priority information with the second priority information. This allows the calculation unit 1126 to calculate whether to enable the VOX function of the first communication device 111 or the second communication device 112.

[0317] More specifically, the first communication device 111 transmits information on the result of the comparison of the priority information in the calculation unit 1126, as a VOX switching response signal, to the second communication device 112, indicating whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 outputs the result of the comparison of the priority information to a control unit 1128 within the first communication device 111, thereby controlling whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 1127. As a result, the VOX function is enabled in only one of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112.

[0318] If the input audio extracted by the extraction unit 1124 has a volume equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the VOX unit 1127 transmits data including the audio data to the third communication device 113 via the first communication unit 1121 .

[0319] VOX unit 1127 is controlled based on the decision result of whether to enable or disable the VOX function of VOX unit 1127, which is input from control unit 1128. That is, VOX unit 1127 is controlled so that if the decision result of control unit 1128 is "enabled" and the input voice extracted by extraction unit 1124 has a volume equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it transmits data to third communication device 113 via first communication unit 1121, and if the decision result is "disabled" and the input voice extracted by extraction unit 1124 has a volume equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it does not transmit data.

[0320] The control unit 1128 uses the comparison result of the priority information input from the calculation unit 1126 to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX unit 1127 and controls the operation of the VOX unit 1127 .

[0321] Note that the configuration of the first communication device 111 and the configuration of the second communication device 112 can be the same, and therefore a description of the second communication device 112 will be omitted. For example, the second communication device 112 includes a first communication unit 1131, a second communication unit 1132, a third communication unit 1133, an extraction unit 1134, an analysis unit 1135, a calculation unit 1136, a VOX unit 1137, and a control unit 1138.

[0322] The first communication device 111 may further include a display unit 1129. The display unit 1129 is controlled by the control unit 1128 and displays whether the VOX function of the first communication device 111 is enabled or disabled so that the user can recognize it.

[0323] As an example, the display by the display unit 1129 is the lighting of a lamp provided in the first communication device 111, and different displays can be made depending on whether the VOX unit 1127 is enabled or disabled. Note that the method by which the display unit 1129 outputs the status of the VOX unit 1127 to the user is not limited to this, and the display may be made on a display, or audio output may be made.

[0324] Similarly, the second communication device 112 may also be provided with a display unit 1139 .

[0325] As shown in the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 32, scores are predefined according to the distance between the microphone devices. The first communication device 111 checks to which parts of the table of the relationship between priority information and priority points in Figure 32 the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 each belong, and calculates the total score of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. The example of calculating priority information in Figure 32 shows an example of the calculated total score of the first communication device 111 and the calculated total score of the second communication device 112. For example, the shorter the distance between the microphone devices, the higher the score can be set, and the longer the distance, the lower the score can be set.

[0326] Fig. 33 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the switching operation between enabling and disabling the VOX function in the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112. Note that the sequence diagram in Fig. 33 explains a case where the points shown in Fig. 32 are used as priority information.

[0327] Note that the prerequisites for the normal priorities of the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 are the same as those explained in Fig. 14, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the specific method for creating priority information and comparing priority information is the same as the method explained in Fig. 15, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0328] The second communication device 112 receives communication from the fourth communication device 114 (step S181). At this time, the second communication device 112 creates second priority information, which is priority information for the second communication device 112, based on the distance between the second communication device 112 and the microphone device 117. At this time, the second communication device 112 transmits a VOX switching request to the first communication device 111, the request enabling the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S182).

[0329] When the first communication device 111 receives a VOX switching request to enable the VOX function from the second communication device 112, the first communication device 111 simultaneously receives second priority information that is priority information of the second communication device 112. Meanwhile, the first communication device 111 creates first priority information that is priority information of the first communication device 111 based on the microphone device distance between the first communication device 111 and the microphone device 117 (step S183).

[0330] The first communication device 111 compares the total scores calculated from the priority scores of the first priority information and the second priority information, as shown in the relationship between priority information and priority scores in Figure 32, and if the total score of the second priority information is higher, it disables the VOX function of the first communication device (step S184) and sends a VOX switching response (OK) to the second communication device 112 (step S185).

[0331] When the second communication device 112 receives the VOX switching response (OK), the second communication device 112 enables the VOX function of the second communication device 112 (step S186).

[0332] In addition, when communication with the second communication device 112 is completed, the VOX function of the first communication device 111 may be enabled and the VOX function of the second communication device 112 may be disabled as appropriate, returning to the original state before step S181.

[0333] As a result, in the communication system 3, the second priority information sent from the second communication device 112 to the first communication device 111 and the first priority information in the first communication device 111 are scored and compared, and control is performed so that the VOX function with the higher total score is enabled.

[0334] As described above, in the communication system 3, even when a user uses a plurality of VOX communication devices, the VOX function can be used appropriately.

[0335] 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.

[0336] In the above, communication system 2 and communication system 3 have been described as communication systems 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.

[0337] 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 111 treated as a single parent device is associated with multiple second communication devices 112 treated as 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. The parent device makes a determination 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.

[0338] Furthermore, since the first communication device 111 and the second communication device 112 have the same configuration, it is possible to use them by switching roles as appropriate.

[0339] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-046796 filed on March 22, 2024, Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-159552 filed on September 13, 2024, Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-159553 filed on September 13, 2024, Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-159554 filed on September 13, 2024, Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-159555 filed on September 13, 2024, Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-159556 filed on September 13, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-159557 filed on September 13, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0340] It can be used in situations where one person uses multiple communication devices.

[0341] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note 1) A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device that is located within a direct reach of the user's voice and has a VOX function, 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 comprises: 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 by the first communication unit from the external communication device; a counting unit that counts the elapsed time from the end of communication by the first communication unit; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal related to a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal related to a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function; and an input unit to which the voice is input. A communication system comprising: 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, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the decision to enable or disable the VOX function. (Supplementary Note 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 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 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 communication system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 3) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein 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 the 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 from 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, and the second communication unit of the first communication device includes information on the determination of 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. (Supplementary Note 4) The communication system described in Supplementary Note 3, wherein the calculation unit of the first communication device, when comparing the first priority information and the second priority information, scores the multiple pieces of information included in the first priority information and the second priority information and calculates a total score for each; the control unit of the first communication device, when the total score for the second priority information is higher than the total score for the first priority information, 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; and 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. (Supplementary Note 5) A first communication device and a second communication device 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, the communication device comprising: a first communication unit that communicates data including voice data with the external communication device; an extraction unit that extracts communication information from data received by the first communication unit from the external communication device; and a counting unit that counts the elapsed time from the end of communication by the first communication unit.the VOX function is enabled and the voice input to the input unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined volume level, ... When the first communication device receives the VOX switching request signal from the second communication device, it calculates first priority information as priority information of the first communication device based on the 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 from the first priority information and 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 controls the VOX unit based on the determination; the second communication unit includes information on 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 when 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 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. (Supplementary Note 6) 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, comprising the steps of: transmitting data including voice data to the external communication device by a first communication unit; extracting communication information from the 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; transmitting and receiving a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device by the short-range communication using the second communication unit; inputting voice; calculating priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function of the communication device based on the extracted communication information and the counted elapsed time; and 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. (Supplementary Note 7) A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts voice data from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes the voice data extracted by the extraction unit as a voice analysis result; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the voice analysis result analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. (Supplementary Note 8) A communication system owned by one person, comprising: a first communication device that has a VOX function and is located within a direct reach of the user's voice, and one or more second communication devices that perform short-range communication with the first communication device,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 comprises: a first communication unit that communicates data including audio data to an external communication device that is a communication device other than the first communication device and the second communication device; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX function switching to the VOX switch request signal, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit that inputs the audio; 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 audio input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, wherein the extraction unit extracts the audio data from the data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on a decision to enable or disable the VOX function. (Supplementary Note 9) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein, when the second communication device in which the VOX function is disabled receives the voice 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 the voice analysis result of the second communication device, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 10) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the analysis unit analyzes the voice analysis result based on a question value corresponding to whether the content of the voice data is a one-sided communication or a question. (Supplementary Note 11) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the analysis unit analyzes the voice analysis result based on an urgency level that indicates the degree of urgency from the volume or speed of the voice of the voice data. (Supplementary Note 12) A step of extracting voice data from received data; and a step of analyzing the extracted voice data as a voice analysis result.a control unit configured to determine whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the communication device based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit, and a step of determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. (Supplementary Note 14) A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device having a VOX function and located within a direct reach of the user's voice, 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 comprises: 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; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which the voice is input; 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. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the extracting unit extracts the communication information from the data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the decision to enable or disable the VOX function. (Supplementary Note 15) When the second communication device, whose VOX function is disabled, receives data from the external communication device,The communication system according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the calculation unit of the second communication device calculates second priority information that is priority information of the second communication device based on the location risk of the external communication device, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 16) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the communication information extracted by the extraction unit includes location information of the external communication device and danger location information that is information of a dangerous location, and the analysis unit analyzes the location risk of the external communication device based on a distance between the location information of the external communication device and the danger location information. (Supplementary Note 17) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the storage unit stores crime rates in advance for each divided area on a map as crime rate area information, the communication information extracted by the extraction unit includes location information of the external communication device, and the analysis unit analyzes the location risk of the external communication device based on the location information of the external communication device and the crime rate area information. (Supplementary Note 18) A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a location risk that is a risk value for a location where the external communication device is located from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority order of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the analyzed location risk of the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. (Supplementary Note 19) A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts communication information from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes a user risk level indicating a degree of risk to a user of an external communication device from the communication information extracted by the extraction unit; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding a priority order of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the user risk level of the external communication device analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. (Supplementary Note 20)A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device that is located within a direct reach of the user's voice and has a VOX function, 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 comprises: 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; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which the voice is input; and a control unit that determines whether the VOX function is enabled or disabled based on 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 audio input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, wherein the extraction unit extracts the communication information from the data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on a decision to enable or disable the VOX function. (Supplementary Note 21) The communication system described in Supplementary Note 20, wherein when a 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 for the second communication device based on the user risk level of the external communication device, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 22) The communication information extracted by the extraction unit includes ambient environment information and ambient temperature of a user of the external communication device, and the analysis unit analyzes a risk level to the user of the external communication device based on the ambient environment information and the ambient temperature.The communication system according to Supplementary Note 20. (Supplementary Note 23) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 20, wherein the communication information extracted by the extraction unit includes biometric information of a user of the external communication device, and the analysis unit analyzes the user risk level of the external communication device based on the biometric information. (Supplementary Note 24) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 20, wherein the communication information extracted by the extraction unit includes ambient environment information, ambient temperature, biometric information and voice data of a user of the external communication device, and the analysis unit analyzes the user risk level based on the ambient environment information, the ambient temperature and the biometric information, and if the analyzed user risk level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, analyzes the user risk level based on an urgency level that indicates the degree of urgency from the voice data of the external communication device. (Supplementary Note 25) A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a user risk level, which is a user information value of an external communication device, from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the analyzed user risk level of the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. (Supplementary Note 26) A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts communication information from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes a number of people nearby, which is the number of people located around the external communication device, from the communication information extracted by the extraction unit; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the number of people nearby the external communication device analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. (Supplementary Note 27) A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device that is located within a direct reach of the user's voice and has a VOX function, 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 has 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;A communication system as described in Appendix 26, comprising: a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switching request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switching response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX function switching to the VOX switching request signal, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which the audio is input; 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 audio input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, wherein the extraction unit extracts the communication information from the data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on a decision to enable or disable the VOX function. (Supplementary Note 28) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 27, wherein, 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 the number of people around the external communication device, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 29) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 27, wherein the communication information extracted by the extraction unit includes receiving sensitivity of each communication device that has performed short-range communication and is located in the vicinity of the external communication device, and the analysis unit analyzes the number of people around the external communication device based on the receiving sensitivity of each communication device. (Supplementary Note 30) A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a number of people around an external communication device from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information relating to the priority of a VOX function of the communication device itself based on the analyzed number of people around the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. (Supplementary Note 31)A communication system comprising: a wearing position information detection unit that detects information on the position where a user wears the communication device as wearing position information; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the wearing position information detected by the wearing position information detection unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. (Supplementary Note 32) A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device having a VOX function and located within a direct reach of the user's voice, 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 comprises: 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; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device; an input unit to which the voice is input; 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. The communication system according to Supplementary Note 31, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on a decision to enable or disable the VOX function. (Supplementary Note 33) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 32, wherein when a 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 the mounting position information, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 34)the user wears a plurality of holders capable of holding the communication device, each holder being assigned RF tag information that is information about a predetermined location where the communication device is to be held; and the holding position information detection unit detects the holding position information based on the RF tag information of the holder to which the communication device is held. (Note 35) The communication system of Note 34, wherein the holding position information detection unit corrects the RF tag information and detects the holding position information based on at least one of a button press frequency, which is the frequency at which a button on the communication device is pressed, or a communication frequency, which is the frequency at which communications are performed. (Note 36) A communication method comprising the steps of: detecting information about a location where the user wears the communication device as holding position information; calculating priority information regarding the priority order of a VOX function of the communication device based on the detected holding position information; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information. (Supplementary Note 37) A communication system comprising: a transmitting device that transmits radio waves, an extraction unit that extracts transmitting device information that is information about the transmitting device from received data, an analysis unit that analyzes a transmitting device distance that is the distance between the communication device and the transmitting device from the transmitting device information extracted by the extraction unit, a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the transmitting device distance analyzed by the analysis unit, and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit. (Supplementary Note 38) A communication system owned by one person, comprising: a first communication device that is located within a direct reach of the user's voice and has a VOX function, 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 comprises: 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;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, between the first communication device and the second communication device; a third communication unit that communicates data including audio data to the transmitting device; an extraction unit that extracts transmitting device information, which is information about the transmitting device, from the data received from the transmitting device by the third communication unit; an analysis unit that analyzes a transmitting device distance, which is a distance between the communication device and the transmitting device, from the transmitting device information extracted by the extraction unit; an input unit that inputs the audio; 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 audio input by the input unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume level, wherein the extraction unit extracts the transmitting device distance from the data received from the external communication device by the first communication unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on a decision to enable or disable the VOX function. The communication system described in Supplementary Note 37. (Supplementary Note 39) The communication system described in Supplementary Note 38, wherein 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 the distance between the transmitting devices, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device. (Supplementary Note 40) The communication system described in Supplementary Note 38, wherein the transmitting device information extracted by the extraction unit includes a receiving sensitivity used in communication between the third communication unit and the transmitting device, and the analysis unit analyzes the distance between the transmitting devices based on the receiving sensitivity. (Supplementary Note 41) A step of extracting transmission device information that is information about the transmission device from data received from the transmission device; and a step of analyzing a transmission device-to-transmission device distance that is a distance between the communication device itself and the transmission device from the extracted transmission device information.A communication method comprising: a step of calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed distance between the transmitting devices; and a step of determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

[0342] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Communication system 2 Communication system 3 Communication system 11 First communication device 12 Second communication device 13 Third communication device 14 Fourth communication device 21 First communication unit 22 Extraction unit 23 Counting unit 24 Second communication unit 25 Input unit 26 Calculation unit 27 VOX unit 28 Control unit 29 Display unit 111 First communication device 112 Second communication device 113 Third communication device 114 Fourth communication device 115 First holder 116 Second holder 117 Microphone device 121 First communication unit 122 Extraction unit 123 Analysis unit 124 Second communication unit 125 Input unit 126 Calculation unit 127 VOX unit 128 Control unit 129 Display unit 141 First communication unit 142 Extraction unit 143 Analysis unit 143a Memory unit 144 Second communication unit 145 Input unit 146 Calculation unit 147 VOX unit 148 Control unit 149 Display unit 161 First communication unit 162 Extraction unit 163 Analysis unit 164 Second communication unit 165 Input unit 166 Calculation unit 167 VOX unit 168 Control unit 169 Display unit 181 First communication unit 182 Extraction unit 183 Analysis unit 184 Second communication unit 185 Input unit 186 Calculation unit 187 VOX unit 188 Control unit 189 Display unit 1101 First communication unit 1102 Wearing position information detection unit 1104 Second communication unit 1105 Input unit 1106 Calculation unit 1107 VOX unit 1108 Control unit 1109 Display unit 1121 First communication unit 1122 Second communication unit 1123 Third communication unit1124 Extraction unit 1125 Analysis unit 1126 Calculation unit 1127 VOX unit 1128 Control unit 1129 Display unit 1130 Input unit

Claims

1. A communication system in which one person owns a first communication device that is located within direct reach of the user's voice and has a VOX function, and one or more second communication devices that perform short-range communication with the first communication device, wherein the VOX function is enabled on either the first communication device or the second communication device, and each of the first communication device and the second communication device comprises: 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 or the second communication device; an extraction unit that extracts communication information from data received by the first communication unit from the external communication device; a counting unit that counts the elapsed time since the end of communication by the first communication unit; a second communication unit that transmits and receives a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function; and an input unit to which the voice is input. A communication system comprising: 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, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the VOX unit based on the decision to enable or disable the VOX function.

2. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein 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, 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, 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, and the control unit of the second communication device controls the operation of the VOX unit in accordance with the VOX switching response signal received by the second communication unit of the second communication device.

3. The communication system described in claim 2, wherein 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, which is priority information of the first communication device, based on the 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; and the second communication unit of the first communication device includes information on the decision of 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.

4. The communication system described in claim 3, wherein the calculation unit of the first communication device, when comparing the first priority information and the second priority information, scores the multiple pieces of information contained in the first priority information and the second priority information and calculates a total score for each; the control unit of the first communication device, when the total score for the second priority information is higher than the total score for the first priority information, judges the VOX unit of the first communication device to be invalid and judges the VOX unit of the second communication device to be valid; and the second communication unit of the first communication device transmits the VOX switching response signal including the judgment of the control unit to the second communication device.

5. A first communication device and a second communication device having a VOX function are communication devices that communicate between the first communication device and the second communication device by short-range communication, and that communicate with an external communication device that is a communication device other than the second communication device by a method different from the short-range communication, and that include a first communication unit that communicates data including voice data with the external communication device, an extraction unit that extracts communication information from data received by the first communication unit from the 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 switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX function switch in response to the VOX switch request signal, between the first communication device and the second communication device, an input unit that inputs voice, and 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 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 audio input to the input unit is at or above a predetermined volume level, wherein the control unit controls the VOX unit based on the determination of whether to enable or disable the VOX function, and when the VOX function is enabled, the calculation unit calculates first priority information as priority information of 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, and 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 that 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 The VOX function of the first communication device is determined to be enabled or disabled by including the VOX switching response signal in the VOX switching response signal and transmitting the VOX switching response signal to the second communication device.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, and 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.

6. 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, comprising the steps of: transmitting data including voice data to the external communication device by a first communication unit; extracting communication information from the 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; transmitting and receiving a VOX switch request signal, which is a signal regarding a request to switch the VOX function, and a VOX switch response signal, which is a signal regarding a response to the VOX switch request signal to switch the VOX function, between the first communication device and the second communication device by the short-range communication using the second communication unit; inputting voice; calculating priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function of the communication device based on the extracted communication information and the counted elapsed time; and 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.

7. A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts voice data from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes the voice data extracted by the extraction unit as voice analysis results; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of a VOX function of the communication device based on the voice analysis results analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit.

8. A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting voice data from received data; analyzing the extracted voice data as voice analysis results; calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed voice analysis results; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

9. A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts communication information from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes a location risk level, which is a risk level numerical value for the location where an external communication device is located, from the communication information extracted by the extraction unit; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device itself based on the location risk level of the external communication device analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit.

10. A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a location risk level, which is a risk level value for the location where an external communication device is located, from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed location risk level of the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

11. A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts communication information from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes a user risk level indicating the degree of risk to a user of an external communication device from the communication information extracted by the extraction unit; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the user risk level of the external communication device analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit.

12. A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing a user risk level, which is a user information value of an external communication device, from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed user risk level of the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

13. A communication system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts communication information from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes the number of people in the vicinity of an external communication device from the communication information extracted by the extraction unit; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the number of people in the vicinity of the external communication device analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit.

14. A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting communication information from received data; analyzing the number of people around an external communication device from the extracted communication information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the analyzed number of people around the external communication device; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of a VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

15. A communication system comprising: a wearing position information detection unit that detects information about the position where a user wears the communication device as wearing position information; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the wearing position information detected by the wearing position information detection unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit.

16. A communication method comprising the steps of: detecting information on the position where a user wears the communication device as wearing position information; calculating priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the detected wearing position information; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

17. A communication system comprising: a transmitting device that transmits radio waves; an extraction unit that extracts transmitting device information, which is information about the transmitting device, from received data; an analysis unit that analyzes the distance between the transmitting devices, which is the distance between the communication device and the transmitting device, from the transmitting device information extracted by the extraction unit; a calculation unit that calculates priority information regarding the priority of the VOX function of the communication device based on the distance between the transmitting devices analyzed by the analysis unit; and a control unit that determines whether to enable or disable the VOX function based on the priority information calculated by the calculation unit.

18. A communication method comprising the steps of: extracting transmitting device information, which is information about the transmitting device, from data received from the transmitting device; analyzing the distance between the transmitting devices, which is the distance between the communication device itself and the transmitting device, from the extracted transmitting device information; calculating priority information regarding the priority order of the VOX function of the communication device itself based on the analyzed distance between the transmitting devices; and determining whether to enable or disable the VOX function of the VOX unit based on the calculated priority information.

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