Cellular phone, and codec circuit and receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method for use in cellular phone

Provided is a cellular phone enabling improvement of the level of a sense of hearing of a pseudo noise which is generated when there exists no voice signal. In the cellular phone, frame type information included in a baseband signal “in” is identified by the frame type identification unit 71 and when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a pseudo noise signal generated by the AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) decoder 72 with an internal pseudo noise generator is output to the call receiver unit 43 with its level reduced by a predetermined amount by the signal level change amount calculation unit 74 and the signal level change unit 73, while when the frame type information represents a voice signal, the voice signal decoded by the AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) decoder 72 with an internal pseudo noise generator is output to the call receiver 43 with its level unchanged.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cellular phone, and a codec circuit and a receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method for use in the cellular phone and, more particularly, to a cellular phone suitable for use in receiving a signal transmitted from a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standard cellular phone on a frame basis, and a codec circuit and a receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method for use in the cellular phone.

BACKGROUND ART

Codec based on AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) as one of voice compression and coding systems widely used for cellular phones is designed to, when there exists no voice signal on a transmission side, transmit pseudo noise information whose data volume is smaller than that of the voice signal without transmitting the voice signal to a reception side, thereby reducing power consumption at the time of a call over a cellular phone.

In this case, the reception side generates a pseudo noise by using the received pseudo noise information and outputs the noise through a call receiver unit (speaker), thereby mitigating a sense of interruption of a call.

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a main part of a cellular phone of this kind.

The cellular phone1has a foldable casing formed of an upper unit10and a lower unit20as shown inFIG. 7. Accommodated in the upper unit10are a display unit11, an antenna12, a call receiver unit (speaker)13, a receiving call/charging lamp14and a magnet15. The antenna12transmits and receives radio waves to/from a radio base station not shown. The radio waves include a signal transmitted from a cellular phone on the transmission side not shown. The signal is coded based on AMR, one frame of which includes frame type information indicating whether the frame is a voice signal or pseudo noise information corresponding to a case where there exists no such a voice signal. The display unit11, which is formed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), displays various pieces of information such as calling party telephone number information and icon information. The call receiver unit13generates a voice of a transmission partner and transfers the same to a user. The receiving call/charging lamp14blinks in blue when a call arrives and lights in red when in charging. The magnet15irradiates magnetism to the lower unit20when the upper unit10and the lower unit20are brought to be closed.

Accommodated in the lower unit20are an operation unit21, a microphone22, an RF circuit23, a modulation/demodulation circuit24, a baseband processing circuit25, a codec circuit26, a magnetic sensor27, a storage unit28and a control unit30. The operation unit21is formed of a transmission button, English characters/Japanese syllables/Chinese characters used in Japanese writing/numerals conversion buttons, a power on/off button, a cross button for cursor operation and an end button. The microphone22transmits a call upon receiving a user's voice. The RF circuit23has a reception circuit, a transmission circuit and a frequency synthesizer not shown.

The modulation/demodulation circuit24executes demodulation of received radio waves and modulation of radio waves to be transmitted. The baseband processing circuit25takes out an original baseband signal from a demodulation signal output from the modulation/demodulation circuit24and supplies the same to the codec circuit26, as well as taking character data from the demodulation signal and supplying the same to the control unit30. The codec circuit26executes digital/analog conversion (hereinafter, referred to as “D/A conversion”) of a baseband signal output from the baseband processing circuit25and supplies the obtained signal to the call receiver unit14, as well as executing D/A conversion of an output signal of the control unit30. The magnetic sensor27, which is formed of, for example, Hall elements, generates a magnetism detection signal M when the upper unit10and the lower unit20are brought to be open to prevent irradiation of magnetism of the magnet15. The storage unit28stores a control program for operating the control unit30and data to be displayed on the display unit11. The control unit30, which is formed, for example, of a CPU (Central Processing Device), comprises an open state detection unit31, a line control unit32and a display control unit33to control the entire cellular phone1. The open state detection unit31detects the magnetism detection signal M of the magnetic sensor27to generate an open state detection signal N when the upper unit10and the lower unit20are brought to be open. The display control unit33, which is formed of, for example, an LCD driver, drives the display unit11.

FIG. 8is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a main part of the codec circuit26inFIG. 7.

The codec circuit26has an AMR decoder26awith an internal pseudo noise generator and a D/A conversion unit26b. The AMR decoder26awith an internal pseudo noise generator, when the above-described frame type information included in a baseband signal “in” which is output from the baseband processing circuit25represents a voice signal, decodes the voice signal and outputs the obtained signal as a signal e, while when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, generating a pseudo noise signal corresponding to the pseudo noise information and outputs the obtained signal as the signal e. The D/A conversion unit26bD/A converts the signal e from the AMR decoder26awith an internal pseudo noise generator and sends the converted signal as a signal f to the call receiver unit13.

Among other techniques of this kind than the above-described cellular phone is such a techniques as recited in the following literature.

The voice coding communication system recited in Literature 1, for example, resolves the problem in a sense of hearing because while a transmission side stops transmission during a non-voice period, a pseudo noise generated on a reception side attains approximately the same voice quality and level as those of a background noise sent from the transmission side.

The above-described cellular phone has the following problems.

More specifically, although from a moment when determination is made that there exists no voice signal for transmission, a cellular phone on a transmission side calculates a pseudo noise level on the transmission side, there is a possibility that a frame in which a voice signal exists will be erroneously determined to be a frame having no voice signal existing. In this case, because a high pseudo noise level is calculated, a level of a pseudo noise signal generated by a cellar phone on a reception side becomes higher than that required, so that a pseudo noise unnatural in terms of a sense of hearing is generated. In general, a lower pseudo noise level is better as long as a user fails to feel interruption of a call. It is therefore unnecessary to faithfully reproduce, on the reception side, a pseudo noise level calculated on the transmission side.

While the voice coding communication system recited in the above-described Literature 1 has a similar object of resolving problems in a sense of hearing, it has a different structure with a pseudo noise on the reception side set to be approximately the same as a background noise on the transmission side.

The present invention, in view of the above-described circumstances, aims to provide a cellular phone which generates a pseudo noise whose level is low within a range in which a user fails to feel a sense of interruption of a call, and a codec circuit and a receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method for use in the cellular phone.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, when frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a receiving call sound volume adjustment unit of a codec circuit outputs a generated pseudo noise signal to a sound unit with its level reduced by a predetermined amount, while when the frame type information represents a voice signal, sending a decoded voice signal to the sound unit with its level unchanged, thereby suppressing a noise level of backgrounds, as well as preventing degradation of call quality such as a break of a prefix to improve call quality.

In addition, when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a generated pseudo noise signal is sent to the sound unit with its level reduced to the maximum of 6 [dB], so that a sense of interruption of communication can be avoided to generate a pseudo noise natural in terms of a sense of hearing.

Moreover, since when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a generated pseudo noise signal is sent to the sound unit with its level reduced in an arithmetical series manner, an unpleasant sense of a call receiving person caused by a drastic signal level change can be improved.

Moreover, since when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a generated pseudo noise signal is sent to the sound unit with its level reduced in a geometrical series manner, an unpleasant sense of a call receiving person caused by a drastic signal level change can be improved.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Provided are a cellular phone in which a generated pseudo noise signal is output to a call receiver unit with its level reduced by a predetermined amount when frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a codec circuit for use in the cellular phone and a receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method.

Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a main part of a cellular phone according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A cellular phone39of this example has a foldable casing formed of an upper unit40and a lower unit50as shown in the figure. Accommodated in the upper unit40are a display unit41, an antenna42, a call receiver unit (speaker)43, a receiving call/charging lamp44and a magnet45. The antenna42transmits and receives radio waves to/from a radio base station not shown. The radio waves include a signal transmitted from a cellular phone on a transmission side not shown. The signal is coded based on AMR by the cellular phone on the transmission side, one frame of which includes frame type information indicating whether the frame is a voice signal or pseudo noise information corresponding to a case of no such a voice signal existing. The display unit41, which is formed of, for example, an LCD, displays various pieces of information such as calling party telephone number information and icon information. The call receiver unit43generates a voice of a transmission partner and transfers the same to a user. The receiving call/charging lamp44blinks in blue when a call arrives and lights in red when in charging. The magnet45irradiates magnetism to the lower unit50when the upper unit40and the lower unit50are brought to be closed.

Accommodated in the lower unit50are an operation unit51, a microphone52, an RF circuit53, a modulation/demodulation circuit54, a baseband processing circuit55, a codec circuit56, a magnetic sensor57, a storage unit58and a control unit60. The operation unit51is formed of a transmission button, English characters/Japanese syllables/Chinese characters used in Japanese writing/numerals conversion buttons, a power on/off button, a cross button for cursor operation and an end button. The microphone52transmits a call upon receiving a user's voice. The RF circuit53has a reception circuit, a transmission circuit and a frequency synthesizer not shown.

The modulation/demodulation circuit54executes demodulation of received radio waves and modulation of radio waves to be transmitted. The baseband processing circuit55takes out an original baseband signal from a demodulation signal output from the modulation/demodulation circuit54and supplies the same to the codec circuit56, as well as taking out character data from the demodulation signal and supplying the same to the control unit60. The codec circuit56, when the above frame type information included in a baseband signal from the baseband processing circuit55represents a voice signal, decodes the voice signal, while when the frame type information represents the above pseudo noise information, generating a pseudo noise signal corresponding to the pseudo noise information and executing D/A conversion of the signal to supply the obtained signal to the call receiver unit44, as well as executing D/A conversion of an output signal of the control unit60. In this exemplary embodiment, in particular, the codec circuit56, when the above-described frame type information represents the above-described pseudo noise information, outputs the described above pseudo noise signal generated to the call receiver unit43with its level reduced by a predetermined amount, while when the frame type information represents the above-described voice signal, sending the voice signal decoded to the call receiver unit43with its level unchanged.

The magnetic sensor57, which is formed of, for example, Hall elements, generates a magnetism detection signal M when the upper unit40and the lower unit50are brought to be open to prevent irradiation of magnetism of the magnet45. The storage unit58stores a control program for operating the control unit60and data to be displayed on the display unit11. The control unit60, which is formed, for example, of a CPU, comprises an open state detection unit61, a line control unit62and a display control unit63to control the entire cellular phone39. The open state detection unit61detects the magnetism detection signal M of the magnetic sensor57to generate an open state detection signal N when the upper unit40and the lower unit50are brought to be open. The display control unit63, which is formed of, for example, an LCD driver, drives the display unit41.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a main part of the codec circuit56inFIG. 1.

The codec circuit56, as shown inFIG. 2, is formed of a frame type identification unit71, an AMR decoder72with an internal pseudo noise generator, a signal level change unit73, a signal level change amount calculation unit74and a D/A conversion unit75. The frame type identification unit71, based on frame type information included in a baseband signal “in” which is output from the baseband processing circuit55, identifies a frame in question as a voice signal or pseudo noise information to generate an identification result h, as well as outputting the baseband signal “in” as a baseband signal g without change. The AMR decoder72with an internal pseudo noise generator, when the above-described frame type information included in the baseband signal g output from the frame type identification unit71represents a voice signal, decodes the voice signal and outputs the obtained signal as a signal e, while when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, generating a pseudo noise signal corresponding to the pseudo noise information and outputs the obtained signal as the signal e.

The signal level change amount calculation unit74, when the identification result h of the frame in question obtained by the frame type identification unit71represents the above-described pseudo noise information, generates a signal level control signal j for reducing the level of the pseudo noise signal by a predetermined amount, while when the identification result h represents the above-described voice signal, generating the signal level control signal j for maintaining the level of the voice signal. In this exemplary embodiment, in particular, the signal level change amount calculation unit74, when the identification result h of the frame in question obtained by the frame type identification unit71represents the above-described pseudo noise information, generates the signal level control signal j for reducing the level of the pseudo noise signal to the maximum of 6 [dB]. The signal level change amount calculation unit74generates the signal level control signal j for reducing the level of the pseudo noise signal by stages (e.g. arithmetical series or geometrical series). The signal level change unit73controls the level of the above-described pseudo noise signal or voice signal and outputs the obtained signal as a signal k based on the signal level control signal j generated by the signal level change amount calculation unit74. The D/A conversion unit75D/A converts the signal k from the signal level change unit73and sends the converted signal to the call receiver unit43as a signal f.

FIG. 3is a diagram showing a structure of AMR coding data, in which (a) is a diagram showing a structure of one frame and (b) is a diagram showing contents of frame type information in (a).

FIG. 4,FIG. 5andFIG. 6are flow charts for use in explaining operation of the codec circuit56.

With reference to these figures, description will be made of processing contents of a receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method for use in the cellular phone of this example.

In the cellular phone, frame type information included in the baseband signal “in” output from the baseband processing circuit55is identified by the frame type identification unit71and when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a pseudo noise signal generated by the AMR decoder72with an internal pseudo noise generator is output to the call receiver unit43with its level reduced by a predetermined amount by the signal level change amount calculation unit74and the signal level change unit73, while when the frame type information represents a voice signal, the voice signal decoded by the AMR decoder72with an internal pseudo noise generator is output to the call receiver unit43with its level unchanged.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 4, frame type information (FT) is obtained by the frame type identification unit71(Step A1). The frame type information (FT) is information included in AMR coding data sent from the cellular phone on the transmission side. As shown inFIG. 3(a), the AMR coding data is formed of frame type information a, AMR subsidiary information b and AMR core frame c. The data structure, which is called an AMR codec frame format1, is standardized by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) as an international standardization organization. 3GPP is a group which advances standardization work related to MC-CDMA based on the North American system (CDMA2000) among standards for third-generation mobile communication, The AMR coding data is standardized by 3GPP to be transmitted on a 20 [ms] basis from the transmission side. Included in the AMR core frame c are coded voice data and pseudo noise information. Included in the AMR subsidiary information b is other data. The frame type information a is formed of contents of frame type information corresponding to each of numerals “0” to “15” as shown inFIG. 3(b). Such corresponding relationship is also standardized by 3GPP.

Next, the frame type identification unit71identifies the frame type information as being not less than “8” or less and sends the identification result h to the signal level change amount calculation unit74(Step A2). In this case, when the frame type information is not less than “8” (in other words, when the information is pseudo noise information), the signal level control signal j is sent from the signal level change amount calculation unit74to the signal level change unit73to set a signal level change amount to −6 [dB] (Step A3). When the frame type information is not more than “7” (i.e. voice signal) at Step A2, the signal level control signal j is sent from the signal level change amount calculation unit74to the signal level change unit73to set the signal level change amount to 0 [dB] (Step A4).

Next, when the frame type information included in the baseband signal g which is output from the frame type identification unit71represents a voice signal, the voice signal is decoded by the AMR decoder72with an internal pseudo noise generator and output as the signal e. When the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a pseudo noise signal corresponding to the pseudo noise information is generated and output as the signal e (Step A5). The signal e obtained as a result of decoding of the voice signal is output as the signal k by the signal level change unit73with its voice signal level maintained based on the signal level control signal j. The signal e formed of the pseudo noise signal is output as the signal k by the signal level change unit73with its pseudo noise signal level reduced by 6 [dB] based on the signal level control signal j (Step A6). The signal k is D/A converted by the D/A conversion unit75and sent out to the call receiver unit43as the signal f (Step A7). Thereafter, return to Step A1, the same processing will be executed with respect to subsequent coding data.

Thus, before the AMR coding data is decoded, determination is made whether the content of the AMR coding data is pseudo noise information or a voice signal from frame type information included in the AMR coding data and when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a generated pseudo noise signal is output to the call receiver unit43with its level reduced by 6 [dB], while when the frame type information represents a voice signal, the decoded voice signal is output to the call receiver unit43with its level unchanged, so that a background noise level is suppressed, while avoiding degradation of quality of a call such as a break of a prefix, thereby improving call quality.

In addition, when the signal level change amount calculation unit74generates the signal level control signal j for reducing a pseudo noise signal level in an arithmetical series manner, a signal level change amount G at the signal level change amount calculation unit74is set to be G=1.0 as shown inFIG. 5(Step A1). Next, the frame type identification unit71obtains frame type information (FT) (Step A2). Next, the frame type identification unit71identifies the frame type information as being not less than “8” or less to send the identification result h to the signal level change amount calculation unit74(Step A3) In this case, when the frame type information is not less than “8” (i.e. pseudo noise information), the signal level control signal j is sent from the signal level change amount calculation unit74to the signal level change unit73to set the signal level change amount G to be G−0.1 (Step A4).

Next, the signal level change amount calculation unit74checks whether the signal level change amount G is less than 0.5 or not (Step A5). When the signal level change amount G is less than 0.5, the signal level control signal j is sent to the signal level change unit73so as to bring the signal level change amount G to be 0.5 (=−6 [dB]) (Step A6). Also when at Step A3, the frame type information represents not more than “7” (i.e. voice signal), the signal level control signal j is sent to the signal level change unit73from the signal level change amount calculation unit74to set the signal level change amount G to be G+0.1 (Step A7). Next, the signal level change amount calculation unit74checks whether the signal level change amount G exceeds 1.0 or not (Step A8). When the signal level change amount G exceeds 1.0, the signal level control signal j is sent to the signal level change unit73to set the signal level change amount G to be 1.0 (=0 [dB]) (Step A9).

Next, when the frame type information included in the baseband signal g which is output from the frame type identification unit71represents a voice signal, the voice signal is decoded and output as the signal e by the AMR decoder72with an internal pseudo noise generator. When the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a pseudo noise signal corresponding to the pseudo noise information is generated and output as the signal e (Step A10). The signal e obtained by decoding the voice signal is output as the signal k by the signal level change unit73with its voice signal level maintained based on the signal level control signal j.

The signal e formed of a pseudo noise signal is output by the signal level change unit73with the pseudo noise signal level reduced in an arithmetical series manner based on the signal level control signal j (Step A11). The signal k is D/A converted by the D/A conversion unit75and sent to the call receiver unit43as the signal f (Step A12). Thereafter, return to Step A1to execute the same processing with respect to subsequent coding data.

Thus, since when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a generated pseudo noise signal is output to the call receiver unit43with its level reduced in an arithmetical series manner, an unpleasant sense of a person who receives a call which is caused by a drastic signal level change can be improved.

When the signal level change amount calculation unit74generates the signal level control signal j for reducing the level of the pseudo noise signal in an arithmetical series manner, the signal level control signal j from the signal level change amount calculation unit74is sent to the signal level change unit73to set the signal level change amount G to be G×0.9 at Step A4as shown inFIG. 6. Also at Step A7, the signal level control signal j from the signal level change amount calculation unit74is sent to the signal level change unit73to set the signal level change amount G to be G×0.1. For the remaining part, the same processing as that ofFIG. 5is executed. Thus, when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a generated pseudo noise signal is output to the call receiver unit43with its level reduced in an arithmetical series manner, so that an unpleasant sense of a person who receives a call which is caused by a drastic signal level change can be improved.

Although the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail in the foregoing with reference to the drawings, a specific structure is not limited to the present exemplary embodiment and design change and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention.

For example, although the signal level change amount is set to be −6 [dB] at Step A3inFIG. 4, it need not be −6 [dB] and may be a smaller change amount for mitigating a sense of interruption of communication. It is, however, desirable to set the maximum change amount to be −6 [dB] for avoiding a sense of interruption of communication as well as generating a pseudo noise natural in terms of a sense of hearing. In addition, although at Step A4inFIG. 5, each change amount of the signal level change amount G is set to be 0.1, it need not be 0.1. Although at Step A5inFIG. 5, the maximum value of the signal level change amount is set to be 0.5, it need not be 0.5 and a change amount designated at Step A6may be any arbitrary numerical value as long as it coincides with the maximum value determined at Step A5. Although each change amount of a signal level change amount is 0.1 at Step A7inFIG. 5, it need not be 0.1.

Although at Step A4inFIG. 6, each change amount of the signal level change amount G is set to be 0.9, it need not be 0.9. Although at Step A5inFIG. 6, the maximum value of the signal level change amount G is set to be 0.5, it need not be 0.5 and a change amount designated at Step AG may take any arbitrary numerical value as long as it coincides with the maximum value determined at Step A5. Although at Step A7inFIG. 6, each change amount of the signal level change amount G is set to be 1.1, it need not be 1.1. In addition, as a structure of the cellular phone39shown inFIG. 1, other structure may be used as long as it has the functions of the codec circuit56.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2005-310559, filed on Oct. 25, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to cellular phones in general having a codec which receives, from a cellular phone on a transmission side, a signal including frame type information indicating on a frame basis whether a frame in question represents a voice signal or pseudo noise information corresponding to a case of no relevant voice signal existing and when there exists no voice signal from the transmission side, generates a pseudo noise.