Tone generator device for driving light emitting elements

Tone generating sequence data are sequentially read out in accordance with a performance sequence, and tone generation control parameters are decoded from the read-out sequence data. The decoded tone generation control parameters are sequentially written into a control register. Tone signals are generated on the basis of the tone generation control parameters written in the control register. Pattern register stores pattern data representative of a time series of driven states to be taken by a plurality of light emitting elements. On the basis of the tone generation control parameters written in the control register, the pattern data stored in the pattern register are sequentially output to illuminate the light emitting elements. Particular pattern data may be stored in association with a particular caller so that, when an incoming call has been received from the particular caller, the pattern data specific to the particular caller are read out to illuminate the light emitting elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tone generator device having a function of driving light emitting elements, a portable (or mobile) phone using the tone generator device, and a method for driving the light emitting elements for such a tone generator device or portable phone. The present invention also relates to a portable phone having a function of displaying information of a caller (call originator) via light emitting elements in response to receipt of an incoming call, and a method for driving the light emitting elements for that purpose.

Heretofore, techniques have been developed for varying a light emission pattern of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) backlight in synchronism with an incoming-call signaling melody (also known as a ringer melody) of a portable phone; one example of such techniques is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2001-211237. With the techniques, users of portable phones can not only identify arrival of an incoming call visually as well as auditorily, but also enjoy viewing the light emission pattern.

However, the above techniques, in accordance with which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) detects a musical scale of a ringer melody to control the light emission of the LCD backlight, is disadvantageous in that great burdens are imposed on the CPU. The techniques are also unsatisfactory in that the display tends to be very monotonous, because the light emission pattern is only varied in synchronism with the detected musical scale of the ringer melody and the ringer melody and the light emission pattern correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis.

Further, when the portable phone has received an incoming call, it has been necessary to confirm the phone number or name of the caller displayed on the LCD display device, in order to identify the caller. More sophisticated technique has been known, for example, from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. HEI-9-238178 or HEI-11-004282, which permits each caller to be identified auditorily. More specifically, ringer melodies and expected callers are registered in memory in association with each other, and when an incoming call has been received, one of the registered ringer melodies, corresponding to the caller, is sounded to allow the user to auditorily identify the caller.

However, such caller identification by the ringer melody is also disadvantageous in that it can not be used in a quiet environment where loud sounds should not be produced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a tone generator device with a light-emitting-element driving function which can effectively reduce a burden on an external CPU and can make visual displays of various light emission patterns, a portable phone using such a tone generator device, and a method for driving the light emitting elements for such a tone generator or portable phone.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a portable phone which permits identification of a caller without using a visual display by a liquid crystal display device and even in a quiet environment where loud sounds should not be produced, and a method for driving light emitting elements for such a portable phone.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved tone generator device, which comprises: a sequencer section that sequentially reads out tone generating sequence data in accordance with a performance sequence and decodes tone generation control parameters from the read-out sequence data; a control register that sequentially writes therein the decoded tone generation control parameters; a tone generation section that generates tone signals on the basis of the tone generation control parameters written in the control register; a pattern register that stores pattern data representative of a time series of driven states to be taken by a plurality of light emitting elements; and a pattern register drive section that, on the basis of the tone generation control parameters written in the control register, performs control to sequentially output the pattern data stored in the pattern register.

According to the present invention arranged in the above-identified manner, the tone generator device outputs pattern data that instruct a time series (time-serial sequence) of driven states to be taken by the plurality of light emitting elements, so that the light emission (i.e., illumination/deillumination) of the plurality of light emitting elements, located outside the tone generator device, can be controlled appropriately in a manner associated with generated tones. Therefore, whenever necessary, the light emission of the plurality of light emitting elements, located outside the tone generator device, can be controlled in a desired pattern without imposing a burden on an external CPU. Thus, where the tone generator device of the present invention is incorporated in another device, such as a portable phone, light emission of light emitting elements provided on the other device can be controlled appropriately with no burden on the CPU of the other device. For example, the portable phone, employing the tone generator device constructed in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, may be arranged to receive an incoming call notification from a base station, issue a ring tone generation instruction for generating ring tones in response to the receipt of the incoming call notification and then, in response to the ring tone generation instruction, sequentially read out tone generating sequence data in accordance with a performance sequence. In this way, not only ring tones can be generated from the tone generation section in accordance with the performance sequence, but also the displaying states of the light emitting elements can be variously varied in synchronism with the generated ring tones.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved portable phone, which comprises: a plurality of light emitting elements; a storage section that stores one or more sets of pattern data, each representing a time series of patterns each indicative of driven states to be taken by the plurality of light emitting elements, and one or more caller identification numbers in association with each other; a readout section that, when an incoming call notification has been received from a base station, reads out, from the storage section, one of the sets of pattern data that corresponds to the caller identification number of a caller of the incoming call; and a drive section that illuminates the plurality of light emitting elements in accordance with the pattern data read out by the readout section in correspondence with the caller identification number of the caller.

When the portable phone has received an incoming call notification from the base station, it can illuminate the plurality of light emitting elements (i.e., cause the light emitting elements to emit light) in accordance with pattern data read out in correspondence with the caller identification number of the caller of the incoming call. In this way, the user of the portable phone can readily confirm who is the caller (i.e., call originator), by looking at the light emission pattern of the light emitting elements. Thus, even in a quiet environment where loud sounds should not be produced, the user of the portable phone can readily confirm who is the caller. Also, there can be provided a novel portable phone that can give a light-emitting display, full of visual variety, in response to an incoming call.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable phone, which comprises: a tone generation section that generates tone signals; a plurality of light emitting elements; a first storage section that stores one or more sets of first pattern data, each representing a time series of driven states to be taken by the plurality of light emitting elements, and one or more caller identification numbers in association with each other; a second storage section that stores one or more sets of second pattern data, each representing a time series of driven states to be taken by the plurality of light emitting elements, for driving the plurality of light emitting elements in synchronism with generation, by the tone generation section, of the tone signals; a selection section that selects either one of a caller-correspondent mode and a tone-synchronous mode in accordance with an instruction given by a user; and a drive section. When an incoming call notification has been received from a base station during a period when the caller-correspondent mode is selected by the selection section, the drive section reads out, from the first storage section, one of the sets of first pattern data that corresponds to the caller identification number of a caller of the incoming call and then illuminates the plurality of light emitting elements (i.e., causes the light emitting elements to emit light) in accordance with the read-out set of first pattern data. When an incoming call notification has been received from the base station during a period when the tone-synchronous mode is selected by the selection section, on the other hand, the drive section reads out, from the second storage section, one of the sets of second pattern data that corresponds to the caller identification number of a caller of the incoming call and then illuminates the plurality of light emitting elements in accordance with the read-out set of second pattern data.

By selecting either one of the caller-correspondent mode and tone-synchronous mode, the user can freely switch between a display mode for illuminating the light emitting diodes of the portable phone in a desired pattern in synchronism with ring tones and another display mode for illuminating the light emitting diodes in a desired pattern in association with the caller. As a result, there can be provided a novel portable phone that can give a light-emitting display, full of visual variety, in response to an incoming call.

The present invention may be constructed and implemented not only as the device invention as discussed above but also as a method invention. Also, the present invention may be arranged and implemented as a software program for execution by a processor such as a computer or DSP, as well as a storage medium storing such a software program. Further, the processor used in the present invention may comprise a dedicated processor with dedicated logic built in hardware, not to mention a computer or other general-purpose type processor capable of running a desired software program.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a general setup of a tone generator device1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2is a block diagram showing a general hardware setup of a first embodiment of a portable phone using the tone generator device1ofFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, reference numeral2represents a communication section which transmits data on a carrier wave from an antenna3and decodes data, received via the antenna3, to deliver the decoded data to the CPU4or sound processing section (CODEC)5. The sound processing section5converts a voice/sound signal, given from a microphone6, into digital data and compresses the converted digital data to supply the communication section2with the compressed data as data to be transmitted. Also, the sound processing section5converts tone data, supplied from the communication section2, into an analog sound signal and outputs the analog sound signal to an ear speaker7.

The control section4shown inFIG. 2includes a CPU for controlling various components and a semiconductor memory. In the memory, there are prestored programs to be used by the CPU, ringer melody performance sequence data for driving the tone generator device1, and light emission sequence patterns PT for driving three LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)9a-9cprovided on a case of the portable phone.FIG. 3is a diagram illustratively showing N (i.e., one or a desired plurality of) light emission sequence patterns PT, and each of the sequence patterns PT comprises data of 3×8 bits.

The tone generator device1generates digital tone signals on the basis of sequence data supplied from the control section4and outputs the generated digital tone signals to a speaker8via a D/A converter (not shown), and the LEDs9a-9care driven on the basis of a light emission sequence pattern supplied from the control section4, as will be later detailed. Display section11comprises an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a display control circuit, and it displays data supplied from the control section4. Input section12includes an operation section including an off-hook button, on-hook button, numeric keypad and various other keys, and an interface for supplying the control section4with outputs from the keys.

The following paragraphs detail the tone generator device1with reference toFIG. 1.

InFIG. 1, a sequencer21decodes performance sequence data SD for a ringer melody (i.e., ringer melody performance sequence data SD) supplied from the control section4ofFIG. 2, to thereby generate various tone generation control parameters. For example, the sequencer21stores therein the ringer melody performance sequence data SD supplied from the control section4and sequentially reads out tone generation data, such as tone pitch data, tone volume data and tone color data, KEY-ON data and LED-ON data, included in the stored performance sequence data SD, in accordance with time data also included in the sequence data SD, and it sets the thus read-out data into control registers22and23. In this case, the LED-ON data, KEY-ON data and tone generation data are written into slots22a-22cand23a-23c,respectively, of the control registers22and23. The above-mentioned tone generation data and KEY-ON data constitute tone generation control parameters for use by the tone generator device1to generate tones. Note that the function of the sequencer21may be performed by the CPU within the control section4, rather than by the tone generator device1.

In the control register22, into which the data are written by the above-mentioned sequencer21, data L1(one bit) output from the control section4is also written into the slot22a.Namely, data writing to the slot22aof the control section4can be performed not only by the sequencer21but also by the control section4. Further, data (one bit) output from the slot22aand data (one bit) output from the slot22bare delivered to an AND25and to a first tone generator26, and data (tone generation data of a plurality of bits) output from the other slot22cis delivered to the first tone generator26.

Similarly, in the control register23, into which the data are written by the above-mentioned sequencer21, data L2(one bit) output from the control section4is also written into the slot23a.Namely, data writing to the slot23aof the control section4can be performed not only by the sequencer21but also by the control section4. Further, data (one bit) output from the slot23aand data (one bit) output from the slot23bare delivered to an AND28and to a second tone generator29, and data (tone generation data of a plurality of bits) output from the other slot23cis delivered to the second tone generator29. In this case, the “slots” are each an area within the register22or23.

The first tone generator26generates digital tone signals on the basis of the KEY-ON data and tone generation data supplied from the control register22and in accordance with an FM (Frequency Modulation) scheme and outputs the generated digital tone signals to an adder circuit31. The second tone generator29generates digital tone signals on the basis of the KEY-ON data and tone generation data supplied from the control register23and in accordance with a WT (waveform table) scheme and outputs the generated digital tone signals to the adder circuit31. The adder circuit31adds together the output data from the tone generators26and29, and then outputs the added result to the speaker8via the D/A converter (not shown).

OR gate33logically ORs the outputs from the AND gates25and28and outputs the ORed result to a first input terminal of a selector34. When a mode signal MODE output from the control section4is of a value “1”, the selector34selects the output from the OR gate33having been supplied to its first input terminal, while, when the mode signal MODE is of a value “0”, the selector34selects a clock pulse CLK having been input to its second input terminal. The selected result is output from the selector34to a counter35which is in the form of a 3-bit counter. The counter35counts each output pulse of the selector34in response to the rising edge of the pulse and supplies a counted value to a sequence pattern register36by sequentially accessing the sequence pattern register36.

The sequence pattern register36is a register (in other words, light emission sequence pattern memory or table) into which a (3×8)-bit sequence pattern is written by the control section4. Specifically; a selected one of the light-emission sequence patterns is read out from the memory of the control section4and transferred to the sequence pattern register36for storage therein, and the sequence pattern register36outputs 3-bit light emission pattern data in response to the output from the counter35. Namely, the sequence pattern register36outputs data of a slot S0when the count output from the counter35is “0”, and outputs data of a slot S1when the count output from the counter35is “1”. Similarly, when the count output from the counter35is any one of “2” to “7”, the sequence pattern register36outputs data of any one of slot S2to S7corresponding to the count. Namely, the sequence pattern register36has the plurality of slots (or stages), in each of which a time series of driven states (i.e., driving patterns) to be taken by the plurality of light emitting elements is stored.

Output data from the sequence pattern register36are supplied to AND gates38a-38c,which are ON/OFF-controlled in accordance with control data D0-D2output from the control section4. Outputs from the AND gates38a-38care supplied to next-stage AND gates39a-39c,which are ON/OFF-controlled in accordance control data ON/OFF output from the control section4. Outputs from the AND gates39a-39care supplied to the three LEDs9a-9cprovided on the case of the portable phone shown inFIG. 2.

The following paragraphs describe operation or behavior of the tone generator device1constructed in the above-described manner.

Once a ringer melody reproduction start instruction is given from the control section4to the sequencer21, the performance sequence data of a ringer melody stored in the sequencer21are sequentially read out and decoded, so that the tone generation data, KEY-ON data and LED-ON data are set into the control registers22and23. The data thus-set in the slots22band22cof the control register22and the data thus-set in the slots23band23cof the control register23are output to the first and second tone generators26and29, respectively, so that the first and second tone generators26and29generate and output digital tone signals to the adder circuit31. The adder circuit31adds together the outputs of the first and second tone generators26and29and supplies the added result to the speaker8. In this way, the ringer melody is audibly produced from the speaker8.

Let's now assume that, in the performance sequence data of the designated ringer melody, “1” is preset as the LED-ON data of the slot22aof the control register22and “0” is preset as the LED-ON data of the slot23aof the control register23. Let it also be assumed that “1” is preset as the mode signal MODE, control data D0-D2and control data ON/OFF. In this case, each time the KEY-ON data of the slot22bof the control register22changes to “1”, the output of the AND gate25turns to “1”, which is supplied to the counter35via the OR gate33and the selector34where the first input terminal is currently selected. Thus, each time the KEY-ON data changes to “1”, the counter35counts up and the sequence pattern register36is accessed to sequentially output 3-bit pattern data, so that the output 3-bit pattern data are supplied to the LEDs9a-9cvia the AND gates38a-38cand39a-39c.In this way, the illumination (driven) states of the LEDs9a-9care controlled, at the KEY-ON timing of the first tone generator26, in accordance with the LED driving pattern stored in the sequence pattern register36.FIG. 4Aillustratively shows relationship between the KEY-ON data and the illumination states of the LEDs9a-9cin this case. Specifically,FIG. 4Aillustrates variation in the illumination states of the LEDs9a-9cwhich are based on the pattern illustratively shown in a lower end section ofFIG. 1.

Further, if, in the performance sequence data of the ringer melody, “0” is preset as the LED-ON data of the slot22aof the control register22and “1” is preset as the LED-ON data of the slot23aof the control register23, then the illumination states of the LEDs9a-9care controlled at the KEY-ON timing of the second tone generator29.

Further, when “1” has been output as the control data L1from the control section4, “1” is set into the slot22aof the control register22irrespective of the sequence data. When “1” has been output as the control data L2from the control section4, “1” is set into the slot23aof the control register23irrespective of the sequence data.

In this case, the sequence pattern data are output from the sequence pattern register36in accordance with an OR between the KEY-ON data of the slot22bin the control register22and the KEY-ON data of the slot23bin the control register23, and thus the illumination states of the LEDs9a-9care controlled in accordance with relationship between the KEY-ON timing of the first tone generator26and the KEY-ON timing of the second tone generator29.

If “0” has been set as the mode signal MODE, the clock pulses CLK are supplied via the selector34to the counter35. Thus, the sequence pattern data are read out in response to the clock pulses CLK and supplied to the LEDs9a-9c.FIG. 4Billustratively shows relationship between the clock pulses CLK and the illumination states of the LEDs9a-9cin the above-mentioned case.

The control data D0-D2are intended to control the ON/OFF states of the LEDs9a-9cindependently of each other. For example, if “1 1 0” are set as the control data D0-D2, then the LEDs9aand9bare turned on or driven, while the LED9cis turned off.

The control data ON/OFF is intended to ON/OFF-control all the LEDs9a-9cin a collective manner.

Next, behavior of the first embodiment of the portable phone shown inFIG. 2will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.(1) Initial Setting Process (Flow Chart ofFIG. 5):

Upon powering-on of the portable phone, the control section4first sets a set of performance sequence data of a ringer melody into the sequencer21of the tone generator device1(step Sa1ofFIG. 5), and then sets a corresponding sequence pattern, intended to control the illumination states of the LEDs9a-9c,into the sequence pattern register36(step Sa2ofFIG. 5). Note that the ringer melody performance sequence data set and illumination-state controlling light-emission sequence pattern have been selected in advance by the user. Namely, the ringer melody performance sequence data set is one selected in advance by the user from among one or more sets of performance sequence data sets, and the illumination-state controlling light-emission sequence pattern is one selected in advance by the user from among one or more illumination-state controlling light-emission sequence patterns.

Then, the control section4displays, on the display section11, a screen for the user to select an LED-ON or LED-OFF mode and sets the selected LED-ON or LED-OFF mode in accordance with the selection by the user (step Sa3). Namely, if the user has selected the LED-ON mode, the control section4outputs “1” as the control data ON/OFF to the AND gates39a-39c(FIG. 1), but, if the user has selected the LED-OFF mode, the control section4outputs “0” as the control data ON/OFF to the AND gates39a-39c(FIG. 1).(2) Incoming-Call-Responsive Process (Flow Chart ofFIG. 6):

Once an external incoming call is received, the communication section2outputs an incoming call notification to the control section4. In response to the incoming call notification, the control section4gives a ringer melody reproduction start instruction to the sequencer21of the tone generator device1(step Sb1) and outputs “1” as the mode signal MODE and “1 1 1” as the control data D0-D2(step Sb2). Then, the sequence data are sequentially supplied from the control section4to the sequencer21of the tone generator device1, so that the tone generator device1generates tone signals of the ringer melody. The thus-generated tone signals are supplied to the speaker8and audibly produced or sounded through the speaker8. Also, the selected light emission pattern is written from the control section4into the sequence pattern register36and supplied from the sequence pattern register36at the KEY-ON timing of the first or second tone generator26or29. Thus, the LEDs9a-9care driven on the basis of the selected light emission pattern.

Next, a determination is made, at step Sb3, as to whether the off-hook button has been turned on or depressed. With a “NO” determination at step Sb3, it is further determined at step Sb4whether the call request of the calling party (caller or call originator) is still continuing. If a “YES” determination has been made at step Sb4, the control section4reverts to step Sb3, so that the determinations of steps Sb3and Sb4are repeated. Meantime, tone signals of the ringer melody are generated by the tone generator device1, and illumination control is performed on the LEDs9a-9c.While the determinations of steps Sb3and Sb4are being repeated, reproduction of ring tones represented by the performance sequence data is repeated, and illumination/deillumination of the LEDs9a-9cis repeated in accordance with the 8-step illumination/deillumination pattern set in the sequence pattern register36.

Then, once a “NO” determination is made at step Sb4, the control section4gives a ringer melody reproduction stop instruction to the sequencer21(step Sb5). In response to the ringer melody reproduction stop instruction, the sequencer21clears the control registers22and23, so that the reproduction of the ringer melody is terminated and simultaneously the patterned driving of the LEDs9a-9cis brought to an end.

Once the user, having listened to the ringer melody, depresses the off-hook button, a “YES” determination is made at step Sb3, and the control section4proceeds to step Sb6. At step Sb6, the control section4gives a ringer melody reproduction stop instruction to the sequencer21. Thus, the reproduction of the ringer melody is terminated and simultaneously the patterned driving of the LEDs9a-9cis brought to an end. Then, the control section4carries out a call-related process at step Sb7, and determines at step Sb8whether the on-hook button has been turned on. With a “NO” determination at step Sb8, the control section4reverts to step Sb7, and then the operations of steps Sb7and Sb8are repeated until the on-hook button is turned on.

Once the user turns on the on-hook button, a “YES” determination is made at step Sb8, and the control section4disconnect the call (step Sb9). The, the control section4sets the control data D0-D2at “0 0 0” (step Sb10), so that the LEDs9a-9care deilluminated or turned off.(3) LED Illumination Control by Other Application Software (FIG. 7):

The LEDs9a-9bcan also be used for other applications, such as games and time information, affixed to the portable phone. In this case, after the control section4decodes an LED illumination instruction for selected other application software, it first set the mode signal MODE to “0” and the control signals D0-D2to “1 1 1” (step Sc1). Thus, the clock pulses CLK are supplied via the selector34to the counter35, so that the pattern data are sequentially read out from the sequence pattern register36in accordance with the outputs from the counter35and supplied to the LEDs9a-9c.In this way, the LEDs9a-9care driven in response to the clock pulses CLK on the basis of the sequence pattern. After that, the LEDs9a-9bare driven until an LED illumination end instruction generated by the other application software is decoded by the control section4(Sc2). After the LED illumination end instruction has been decoded, the control data D0-D2are set to “0 0 0” (step Sc3), so that the LEDs9a-9care turned off.

The following paragraphs describe a second embodiment of the portable phone, with reference toFIGS. 8-10.

The second embodiment of the portable phone has a hardware setup similar to that of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 2, and it is assumed here that the second embodiment uses a tone generator device1similar to that shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 8is a diagram showing various examples of light emission sequence patterns PT stored in the memory of the control section4(seeFIG. 2) in the second embodiment of the portable phone. The light emission sequence patterns PT ofFIG. 8include a first group of N light emission sequence patterns (“pattern 1” to “pattern N”) PT (first light emission sequence pattern group PTa) similar to those ofFIG. 3, and a second group of one or more light emission sequence patterns unique or specific to one or more caller identification numbers (e.g., phone numbers) (second light emission sequence pattern group PTb). With these caller-number-specific light emission sequence patterns (second light emission sequence pattern group PTb), the second embodiment of the portable phone performs various operations different from those performed by the above-described first embodiment, as will be set forth below.

FIG. 9is a flow chart showing an example of an initial setting process performed by the control section4in the second embodiment on startup of the portable phone. Steps Sa1, Sa2and Sa3ofFIG. 9are directed to operations similar to those of the same step numbers shown inFIG. 5, and thus these steps will not be described here to avoid unnecessary duplication. Steps Sa11and Sa12are directed to operations unique to the second embodiment. At step Sa11, one or more caller identification numbers (e.g., phone numbers) and one or more light emission sequence patterns (those of the second group PTh ofFIG. 8) are stored, in the inner memory of the control section4, in association with each other. In this case, the light emission sequence patterns of the second group PTh may be set either by the user operating predetermined keys on the input section12, or by the user selecting desired one or ones of light emission sequence patterns prepared in advance. At next step Sa12, a mode for using the light emission sequence patterns is set to either one of two modes: a ringer-melody-synchronous mode (for the first light emission sequence pattern group PTa); and a caller-number-correspondent mode (for the second light emission sequence pattern group PTb). In this case, the mode for using the light emission sequence patterns may be set, for example, by the user selecting one of the above-mentioned two modes through key operation on the input section12with reference to a mode selecting screen displayed on the display section11.

FIG. 10is a flow chart showing an example of an incoming-call-responsive process performed by the control section4in the second embodiment in response receipt of an incoming call. Steps Sb1-Sb10ofFIG. 10are directed to operations similar to those of the same step numbers shown inFIG. 6, and thus these steps will not be described here to avoid unnecessary duplication. Steps Sb11, Sb12and Sb13are directed to operations unique to the second embodiment. Step Sb11is inserted between the above-described steps Sb1and Sb2. With a “YES” determination at step Sb11, the control section4moves on to step Sb2, but, with a “NO” determination at step Sb11, the control section4goes to step Sb3by way of steps Sb12and Sb13.

At step Sb11, a determination is made as to whether the ringer-melody synchronization mode (light emission sequence pattern group PTa) is currently set. With a “YES” determination, the control section4goes to step Sb2so as to perform operations at and after step Sb2similar to those shown inFIG. 6. With a “NO” determination, i.e. if the caller-number-correspondent mode (light emission sequence pattern group PTb) is currently set, the control section4branches to step Sb12.

At step Sb12, the control section4reads out, from the memory, a light emission sequence pattern (PTb ofFIG. 8) corresponding to the unique identification number of the caller, and sets the read-out light emission sequence pattern into the sequence pattern register36(seeFIG. 1). At next step Sb13, the control section4supplies the selector (FIG. 1) with “0” as the mode signal MODE, and then supplies the AND gates38a-38cwith “1 1 1” as the control data D0-D2.

If the route of the above-described steps Sb1, Sb11, Sb12and Sb13is taken, tone signals of the ringer melody are generated and output to the speaker8, so that finger melody tones (i.e., ring tones) are audibly produced via the speaker8. Further, the clock pulses CLK are supplied via the selector34to the counter35, which counts up the respective rising edges of the clock pulses CLK. In response to successive outputs from the counter35, the light emission sequence pattern data are sequentially read out from the sequence pattern register36to be supplied to the LEDs9a-9cvia the AND gates38a-38cand39a-39c. Thus, the LEDs9a-9care driven in accordance with the light emission sequence pattern corresponding to the caller identification number. After that, the control section4carries out the above-described operations of steps Sb3-Sbl0.

Namely, when the caller-number-correspondent mode has been set, the LEDs9a-9care driven in accordance with the light emission sequence pattern corresponding to the caller identification number, so that the user of the portable phone can identify the caller on the basis of the illumination state of the LEDs9a-9c.

When the ringer-melody-synchronous mode (i.e., tone-synchronous mode) has been set, the LEDs9a-9care driven in synchronism with the ringer melody tones and in accordance with a light emission sequence pattern stored in the sequence pattern register36. In this manner, each incoming call to the portable phone can be signaled to the user with enhanced visual variety.

In the above-described embodiments, the three monochromatic LEDs9a-9care driven via the tone generator device1in accordance with a light emission sequence pattern. In an alternative, a display element may be constructed by providing red-color, blue-color and green-color LEDs within a capsule in close proximity to one another and may be driven in accordance with a light emission sequence pattern stored in the sequence pattern register36. In this case, the display element can be illuminated in eight different colors on the basis of the light emission sequence pattern.

Further, the embodiments have been described as including only two (i.e., first and second tone generators). However, in an actual tone generator device constructed in accordance with the present invention, there are provided a multiplicity of tone generators (e.g., 64 tone generators). Furthermore, the counter35may be driven on the basis of key-on signals of a tone generator for a particular performance part, e.g., tone generator for generating rhythm tones, Furthermore, the above-described second embodiment is constructed to vary the caller-number-correspondent pattern in response to the clock pulses CLK. In an alternative, the mode signal MODE may be set at “1” even in the caller-number-correspondent mode so that the caller-number-correspondent pattern is varied in synchronism with the ringer melody.

Furthermore, when the user has set a caller-number-correspondent pattern in the second embodiment, the LEDs9a-9cmay be driven by way of trial in accordance with the set pattern, so as to confirm a visual display by the LEDs9a-9c.