Portable wireless terminal, method of outputting sound, and method of picking up sound

A portable wireless terminal provides a signal output circuit for outputting an audio signal to a speaker or to earphones from an earphone jack via a plug, and a controller for controlling the signal output circuit to output an arbitrary audio signal or another audio signal to the speaker and/or the earphones at an arbitrary timing when the audio signal is being outputted to the speaker and/or the earphones. Thereby, an audio signal can be outputted to the desired speaker and/or the earphones that have been arbitrary selected by switching the signal output circuit without pulling the plug out of the earphone jack when the audio signal is being outputted to the speaker and/or the earphones.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP02/00889, filed Feb. 4, 2002, which claims priority from Japanese Application No. P2001-033841, filed Feb. 9, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a portable wireless terminal, a method of outputting sound and a method of picking up sound, and is suitably applied, for example, to a digital mobile phone having a music data reproducing function.

2. Background Art

Recently, there is a digital mobile phone in that music can be recorded for example in an internal memory as digital data, and the user can enjoy the music by reproducing the music data from the memory as a music player while he/her does not make a call at the place where he/she is.

In the above digital mobile phone, for example earphones are used to reproduce music data. The music data is reproduced from the memory in the state where a plug connected to the above earphones is inserted into an earphone jack provided on the digital mobile phone. The above reproduced music data is converted into an analog audio signal and transmitted to the earphones from the earphone jack via the plug. Thus music based on the audio signal is emitted from the above earphones.

Furthermore, if a call comes on the reproducing of the music data, the digital mobile phone informs the user of the call incoming by superimposing a signal for ringing tone on the audio signal corresponding to the above music data and transmitting them to the earphones, and ringing an incoming tone from the earphones along with music.

Thereby, even if a call comes on the reproducing of music data; the digital mobile phone can make the user speak over the phone with the other party by informing the user of the call incoming.

In this digital mobile phone, however, the earphone jack is a mechanical switch. If the earphones plug is inserted into the above earphone jack, only the earphones are forcedly made to work instead of a speaker provided on the digital mobile phone.

Therefore, in the digital mobile phone, if a call comes while listening to the music with the earphones, to speak by the phone with the other party, the user have to pull the earphones plug out of the earphone jack to make the speaker work. There has been a problem that it is bad in usability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Description of the Invention

This invention has been done considering the above points and is proposing a portable wireless terminal, a method of outputting sound and a method of picking out sound in that the usability can be improved.

To obviate such problem according to this invention, a speaker for emitting a sound based on a predetermined audio signal, an earphone jack to insert so as to be able to pull out, a plug connected to earphones for emitting the sound based on the audio signal, signal output means for outputting the audio signal to the speaker or outputting the audio signal from the earphone jack to the earphones via the plug, and control means for controlling the signal output means to output the arbitrary audio signal or another audio signal to the specified speaker and/or earphones at arbitrary timing when in transmitting the arbitrary audio signal to the speaker and/or the earphones, are provided.

Therefore, when an audio signal is being outputted to the speaker and/or the earphones, the audio signal can be outputted to the arbitrary selected desired speaker and/or earphones by switching the signal output means to them without pulling the plug out of the earphone jack.

Furthermore, according to this invention, a main body microphone for picking up user's voice for call, an earphone jack to insert so as to be able to pull out, a plug connected to an external microphone for picking up the user's voice similarly to that, signal fetch means for fetching send voice signal obtained by picking up the user's voice by the main body microphone, or fetching send voice signal obtained by picking up the user's voice by the earphones, and control means for controlling the signal fetch means to fetch the send voice signal obtained by picking up the user's voice by the arbitrary main body microphone and/or external microphone when the plug is inserted into the earphone jack, are provided.

Thus, user's voice can be picked up for call via the main body microphone without pulling the plug out of the earphone jack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

An embodiment of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIG. 1, a reference numeral1generally shows a digital mobile phone adopting the present invention. A display part2and a main body3are foldable via a hinge part4.

On the right upper end of the display part2, an antenna5for send/receive is provided so as to be pulled out/housed. Radio waves can be transmitted/received from a base station (not shown) via the above antenna5.

At the center of the front upper end of the display part2, a speaker6is provided. The voice of the other party on calling can be emitted by the above speaker6.

Furthermore, on the display part2, a liquid crystal display (LCD)7is provided at the lower part than the speaker6. On the above LCD7, the name or the mail address of the destination of an electronic mail registered as a mail address, the contents of an electronic mail, a simple homepage, an web page, etc. can be displayed in addition to the receiving state of radio waves, the residual amount of battery, the name or the telephone number of the other party registered as a telephone directory, originated history, etc.

On the other hand, on the front surface of the main body3, operation keys8such as numeric keys of “0” to “9”, a call originating key, a redial key, an on-hook/power key, a clear key, an electronic mail key are disposed. The user can enter various commands by means of the above operation keys8.

Moreover, on the front surface of the main body3, a memo button9and a microphone (hereinafter, this is referred to as main body microphone)10are provided at the lower part than the operation keys8. The voice of the other party on calling can be recorded by the above memo button9, and user's voice on calling is picked up by the main body microphone10.

Furthermore, on the front surface of the main body3, a rotary controller (hereinafter, this is referred to as jog dial)11that is freely turnable and can be freely depressed is provided in slightly projecting from the front surface of the main body3. Scroll operation of the list of telephone directory or mail address, the contents of an electronic mail, etc., displayed on the LCD7, turn over operation of a simple homepage or an web page, etc. will be executed according to the turning operation of the above jog dial11, and a desired telephone number or mail address can be selectively specified from the list of the telephone directory or the mail address according to the depressing operation of the jog dial11.

In addition to this, as shown inFIG. 2, a battery pack12which is freely detachable is mounted on the back surface of the main body3. If the portable wireless terminal1becomes into on state according to the depression of the on-hook/power key, power is supplied to each internal circuit from the above battery pack12, and the portable wireless terminal1is activated into operable state.

On the other hand, on the hinge part4, a memory stick slot14to load a memory stick (trademark by SONY Corporation)13into the main body3in freely ejectable is provided. If the memo button9is depressed, the voice of the other party on calling can be recorded in the memory stick13, or various data such as an electronic mail, a simple homepage, music data can be recorded/reproduced according to user's operation.

Here, the memory stick13is a kind of flash memory card developed by the present applicant, SONY corporation. This memory stick13stores a flash memory device being a kind of electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) that is a nonvolatile memory electrically rewritable and erasable, in a small and thin plastic case for example 21.5 [mm] in length, 50 [mm] in width and 2.8 [mm] in thickness. It is writable and readable various data such as pictures, voice, music, via a 10-pin terminal.

Furthermore, the memory stick13adopts original serial protocol that can maintain compatibility between using devices, also against the change of specification of internal flash memory owing to becoming to bulk storage. For instance, it realizes high speed performance of the maximum write speed 1.5 [MB/s], the maximum read speed 2.45 [MB/s] as well as maintaining high reliability by providing an erroneous deletion prevention switch.

Since the digital mobile phone1is formed being loadable such memory stick13, data sharing of various data such as music data can be attained with other electronic equipment via the above memory stick13.

In this connection, the digital mobile phone1also can load the memory stick13in that music data has been previously recorded by external audio equipment (not shown). But since a connection terminal15to connect with external audio equipment or the like is provided on the right side of the display part2as shown inFIG. 1, so that also music data obtained from the external audio equipment via the connection terminal15can be recorded in the memory stick13in the memory stick slot14.

By the way, in the digital mobile phone1(FIG. 1), an earphone jack16is provided on the left side surface of the display part2. The plug21of a headset20that can be freely pulled out shown inFIG. 3can be inserted into the above earphone jack16.

In this case, as shown inFIG. 3, in the headset20, a remote control23is connected to the plug21via a cable (hereinafter, this is referred to as plug side cable)22, and the earphones25is connected to the above remote control23via a cable (hereinafter, this is referred to as earphone side cable)24.

On the remote control23of the headset20, a music data play/stop button26, an LCD part27to display the title of music on reproducing, an on-hook/off-hook button28, a microphone (hereinafter, this is referred to as external microphone)29, etc. are provided.

Here, in the digital mobile phone1, when the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16, the user can talk by the telephone by means of the above speaker6and main body microphone10by working them.

On the other hand, when the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the digital mobile phone1works the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20instead of the speaker6and the main body microphone10.

Accordingly, if the play/stop button26on the remote control23is depressed in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the digital mobile phone1reproduces music data from the memory stick13, converts the above reproduced music data into an audio signal and transmitting this to the earphones25from the earphone jack16sequentially via the plug21, the plug side cable22, the remote control23and the earphone side cable24. Thereby, music based on the audio signal is emitted from the above earphones25.

Furthermore, at this time, the digital mobile phone1also reproduces digital additional data formed by the title of the music etc., recorded along with the music data, from the memory stick13. The above additional data reproduced is converted into an analog additional signal, and the signal is transmitted to the remote control23from the earphone jack16sequentially via the plug21and the plug side cable22. Thus, the title of the music on reproducing or the like is displayed on the LCD part27of the above remote control23based on that additional signal.

In this manner, the user can enjoy music recorded in the memory stick13with the digital mobile phone1.

Then, if a call comes on such reproducing of music data, the digital mobile phone1superimposes a signal for incoming tone on the audio signal based on that music data and transmitting them to the earphones25of the headset20, and informing the user of the call incoming by emitting an incoming tone along with the music from the above earphones25.

As a result, if the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23is depressed by the user, the digital mobile phone1temporarily stops reproducing the music data, converts the voice data of the other party received at this time into a voice signal (hereinafter, this is referred to as receive voice signal), and transmits this to the earphones25from the earphone jack16sequentially via the plug21, the plug side cable22, the remote control23and the earphone side cable24. Thus, the voice of the other party based on that receive voice signal is emitted from the above earphones25.

Furthermore, at this time, the digital mobile phone1picks up user's voice by the external microphone29on the remote control23, takes in thus obtained voice signal (hereinafter, this is referred to as send voice signal) from the earphone jack16sequentially via the plug side cable22and the plug21and transmitting that send voice signal from the antenna5to the base station.

In this manner, if a call comes, the digital mobile phone1enables a call between the user and the other party by means of the earphones25of the headset20and the external microphone29even if music data is being reproduced.

In this connection, while the user and the other party is talking by the telephone, the digital mobile phone1does not accept the depressing operation of the play/stop button26on the remote control23. If the on-hook/off-hook button28on the above remote control23is depressed again and the call with the other party has finished, the digital mobile phone1accepts the depressing operation of the play/stop button26on the remote control23.

Then, if the play/stop button26on the remote control23is depressed after the call finished, for instance, the digital mobile phone1reproduces the music data from the position where reproduction has stopped when the call started to make the user listen to the music again.

In addition to the above structure, in this digital mobile phone1, as shown inFIG. 1, at the lower part of the front surface of the main body3, a switch button30being a toggle switch to work either of the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20or the speaker6and the main body microphone10is provided for the input/output of voice signals for call (send voice signal and receive voice signal).

In this case, in the state where the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16in a calling mode that the user and the other party is talking by the telephone (hereinafter, this is simply referred to as calling mode), the digital mobile phone1works only the speaker6and the main body microphone10and does not accept the depressing operation of the switch30. Thereby, that the input/output of the voice signals (send voice signal and receive voice signal) are switched into the headset20by the depressing operation of the switch button30on the calling with the speaker6and the main body microphone10and the call is disconnected is prevented.

Since the digital mobile phone1does not accept the depressing operation of the switch button30while music data is being reproduced even if the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, it prevents that the music being listened with the earphones25is interrupted by switching into the speaker6by the depressing operation of the switch button30.

On the contrary, in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16in the calling mode, the digital mobile phone1accepts the depressing operation of the switch button30. So that, the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20or the speaker6and the main body microphone10alternately work by sequentially switched every time when the above switch button30is depressed.

Therefore, if the switch button30is depressed in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16and the earphones25and the external microphone29work in the calling mode, this digital mobile phone1works the speaker6and the main body microphone10instead of the above earphones25and external microphone29of the headset20. Thus, the user holds the main body3and puts the speaker6his/her ear, and the user can talk by the telephone with the other party in the state where the main body microphone10is positioned near his/her mouse.

On the other hand, if the digital mobile phone1works the speaker6and the main body microphone10in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16in the calling mode, the digital mobile phone1works the earphones25and the external microphone29instead of the above speaker6and main body microphone10according to the depressing operation of the switch button30. So that, the user can talk by the telephone with the headset20.

In this manner, when the user requested calling by holding the main body3while reproducing of music data or calling with the headset20or when the user requested to freely use his/her both hands while he/she is talking by the telephone with holding the main body3in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20can be easily switched to the speaker6and the main body microphone10and used by a simple operation only by depressing the switch button30.

In this connection, if a call finished while the speaker6and the main body microphone10work in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the digital mobile phone1automatically works the earphones25and the external microphone29instead of the speaker6and the main body microphone10at a time point where the above call finished. Thus, even if music data is reproduced after the call finished, the user can listen to the music via the headset20without performing switching operation from the speaker6and the main body microphone10to the earphones25and the external microphone29. Moreover, even if a call came again while reproducing of that music data, the digital mobile phone1can accurately inform the user of this.

On the other hand, if a call came in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the digital mobile phone1enables the call between the user and the other party not only by the depressing operation of the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23but also by the depressing operation of the call originating key on the main body3.

Furthermore, only if the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16in the calling mode, even if either of the earphones25and the external microphone29or the speaker6and the main body microphone10work, the digital mobile phone1accepts the depressing operation of both of the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23of the headset20and the on-hook/power key on the main body3, and disconnecting the call. Thus, lacking the operability is prevented.

Next, the circuitry of the digital mobile phone1will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4. In this case, in the digital mobile phone1, a power supply circuit part42, an operation input control part43, a connection terminal15, a liquid crystal display (LCD) control part44, an image decoder45, a demultiplexing part46, a recording/reproducing part47, a modulation demodulation circuit part48and an audio CODEC49are connected to a main control part40that integratively controls each part of the display part2and the main body3via a main bus41, and the image decoder45, the demultiplexing part46, the recording/reproducing part47, the modulation demodulation circuit48and the audio CODEC49are mutually connected via a synchronous bus50.

The main control part40is composed of a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. If an on command is entered via the operation input control part43by the user's depression of the on-hook/power key, power obtained from the battery pack12(FIG. 2) is supplied to each part via the power supply circuit part42. Thus, the digital mobile phone1is started into operable state.

In the state where the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16in the calling mode, the main control part40convert a send voice signal obtained by picking up user's voice by the main body microphone10into voice data by the audio CODEC49.

The main control part40subjects the voice data obtained by the audio CODEC49to spread spectrum processing in the modulation demodulation circuit48, and then sequentially subjects it to digital-to-analog conversion processing and frequency modulation processing in a transmitter-receiver part51, and transmitting thus obtained sending signal for send voice signal to the base station (not shown) via the antenna5.

In addition to this, the main control part40amplifies a received signal for receive voice signal that was received by the antenna5in the calling mode in the transmitter-receiver part51, sequentially subjects it to frequency modulation processing and analog-to-digital conversion processing, and then subjects it to back-spread spectrum in the modulation demodulation circuit part48, converts thus obtained voice data into a receive voice signal by the audio CODEC49and transmitting this to the speaker6, and emitting the voice of the other party based on the receive voice signal from the above speaker6.

On the other hand, when in transmitting an electronic mail in a data communication mode, the main control part40subjects the text data of the electronic mail entered via the operation input control part43according to the operation of the operation keys8and the jog dial11to spread spectrum processing by the modulation demodulation circuit part99, and then sequentially subjects it to digital-to-analog conversion processing and frequency modulation processing by the transmitter-receiver part51, and transmits thus obtained sending signal for electronic mail to the base station via the antenna5.

When in receiving an electronic mail in the data communication mode, the main control part40amplifies the received signal for electronic mail received by the antenna5by the transmitter-receiver part51, sequentially subjects it to frequency modulation processing and analog-to-digital conversion processing, and then subjects it to back-spread spectrum processing by the modulation demodulation circuit part48and restoring to the original text data.

Then, the main control part40outputs the restored text data to the LCD7via the LCD control part44to display the electronic mail of the other party based on that text data on the above LCD.

In this connection, the main control part40can record the received electronic mail in the memory stick13via the recording/reproducing part47according to user's operation.

When in receiving for example a simple home page in the data communication mode, the main control part40amplifies the received signal for simple home page received by the antenna5by the transmitter-receiver part51, sequentially subjects it to frequency modulation processing and analog-to-digital conversion processing, and then subjects it to spread spectrum processing by the modulation demodulation circuit part48and transmitting thus obtained multiplex data to the demultiplexing part46.

Then, the main control part40separates that multiplex data into coded picture data and audio data by the demultiplexing part46, and transmits the above coded picture data to the image decoder45via the synchronous bus50as well as transmitting the audio data to the audio CODEC49via the synchronous bus50.

The main control part40decodes that coded picture data by the image decoder45by a decoding system corresponding to the specified coding system, and transmits thus obtained picture data to the LCD7via the LCD control part44to display the picture of the simple home page based on that picture data on the above LCD7.

At this time, the main control part40converts the audio data into an audio signal by the audio CODEC49and outputting this to the speaker6, and emitting an effective sound or the like of the simple home page based on that audio data from the above speaker6in synchronization with the above picture of the simple home page.

In this connection, also in this case, the main control part40can record the multiplex data of the simple home page in the memory stick13via the recording/reproducing part47according to user's operation similarly to the case of receiving an electronic mail.

In addition to this, in a data recording mode to record music data in the memory stick13, the main control part40takes in the music data supplied from external audio equipment or the like (not shown) according to user's operation via the connection terminal15, and records the above taken music data in the memory stick13via the recording/reproducing part47.

By the way, in the earphone jack16, a contact to detect the insertion of the plug21by that is conducted until the plug21of the headset20is inserted and if the above plug21is inserted, it is opened by pushed by that plug21(hereinafter, this is referred to as detection contact) is provided.

The audio CODEC49monitors the change of that voltage value while applying voltage of a predetermined value previously set to the detection contact in the earphone jack16(hereinafter, this is referred to as prescribed value).

Since the detection contact is conducted until the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the audio CODEC49detects the voltage or the prescribed value applied to the above detection contact as it is.

On the contrary, if the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the detection contact is opened. Thus, the audio CODEC49detects a lower value than the prescribed value (e.g. 0 [V]) as a voltage value applied to the above detection contact.

Therefore, if detecting the voltage of the prescribed value while applying the voltage to the detection contact in the earphone jack16, the audio CODEC49decides that the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the above earphone jack16, and informs the main control part40of that decision result.

If detecting that the voltage applied to the detection contact in the earphone jack16was lowered to less than the prescribed value, the audio CODEC49decides that the plug21of the headset20was inserted into the above earphone jack16, and informs the main control part40of that decision result.

The main control part40recognizes whether or not the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16based on the decision result informed from the audio CODEC49.

In the audio CODEC49, a switching device (not shown) for switching which of the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20, and the speaker6and the main body microphone10should be connected to output a receive voice signal and to input a send voice signal is provided.

Thus, while that the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16is recognized based on the decision result given from the audio CODEC49, the main control part40connects the speaker6and the main body microphone10to that audio CODEC49by the switching device. Thereby, a call (including call incoming, the sound emitting of an effective sound of a simple home page or the like) by means of the above speaker6and main body microphone10is enabled.

Furthermore, if recognizing that the plug21of the headset20was inserted into the earphone jack16is recognized based on the decision result given from the audio CODEC49, the main control part40connects the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20to that audio CODEC49by the switching device.

Thereby, if a reproducing command is entered according to the depressing operation of the play/stop button26on the remote control23by the user in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the main control part40takes in that reproducing command from the above remote control23sequentially via the plug side cable22, the plug21, the earphone jack16and the audio CODEC49, and reproduces music data from the memory stick13via the recording/reproducing part47based on the above taken reproducing command, converts the above reproduced music data into an audio signal by the audio CODEC49and transmitting this to the headset20from the earphone jack16.

If a call comes while such reproducing of the music data, the main control part40superimposes a signal for call incoming on the audio signal and transmitting them to the headset20from the audio CODEC49, and informing the user of the call incoming while making him/her listen to the music.

Here, if a call comes in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the main control part40accepts the depressing operation of the switch button30during from the above time point that the call came until this call is finished.

If the switch button30is depressed while the call with the headset20, according to that, the main control part40connects the speaker6and the main body microphone10to the audio CODEC49instead of the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20by the switching device. Thus, the voice of the other party that was emitted from the earphones25is emitted from the speaker6, and user's voice picked up via the external microphone29is picked up via the main body microphone10.

Moreover, if after switching to the earphones25and the external microphone29to work the speaker6and the main body microphone10, the switch button30is depressed again, according to this, the main control part40connects the earphones25and the external microphone29to the audio CODEC49instead of the speaker6and the main body microphone10by the switching device. Thereby, the voice of the other party emitted from the above speaker6is emitted from the earphones25and user's voice picked up via the main body microphone10is picked up via the external microphone29.

In this manner, during the time period from the time point that a call came in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16until the call by this call incoming is finished, the main control part40can work the earphones25and the external microphone29or the speaker6and the main body microphone10by sequentially alternately switching them every time when the switch button30is depressed.

In this connection, if after starting a call in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23is depressed by the user while working the speaker6and the main body microphone10and an off-hook (call terminating) command is entered, the main control part40finishes the call according to this. At the same time, the main control part40connects the earphones25and the external microphone29to the audio CODEC49instead of the speaker6and the main body microphone10by the switching device.

Practically, the main control part40executes such input/output switching processing of a send voice signal and a receive voice signal according to a switching processing program that has been previously stored in the internal ROM.

That is, to cite an example, if explaining a case where the digital mobile phone1became into an operable state according to the depression of the on-hook/power key when the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16, and then a call came while the reproducing of music data by means of the headset20, the main control part40enters switching processing procedure RT1shown inFIG. 5from step SP1and proceeds to the next step SP2according to a switching processing program that was transferred from the internal ROM to the similarly-internal RAM and developed.

In step SP2, the main control part40connects the speaker6and the main body microphone10to the audio CODEC49by the switching device according to the decision result that the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16by the audio CODEC49, and it proceeds to step SP3.

In step SP3, the main control part40decides whether or not the on-hook/power key was depressed.

Obtaining a negative result in this step SP3means that the digital mobile phone1is being used in call waiting, a call between the user and the other party, send/receive of an electronic mail, etc, in the state where the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP4to decide whether or not the plug21of the headset20was inserted into the earphone jack16.

Obtaining a negative result in this step SP4means that the digital mobile phone1is being used without using the headset20since the plug21of the headset20is not inserted into the earphone jack16. At this time, the main control part40returns to step SP3and repeats the processing loop of steps SP4-SP3-SP4until the on-hook/power key is depressed and the digital mobile phone1becomes into an off state, to wait that the headset20is used.

On the contrary, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP4means that the plug21of the headset20was inserted into the earphone jack16for example to listen music by means of the headset20and this is recognized according to the decision result given from the audio CODEC49. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP5to connect the earphones25and the external microphone29to the audio CODEC49by the switching device, and then proceeds to step SP6.

In step SP6, the main control part40decides whether or not the plug21of the headset20was pulled out of the earphone jack16.

Obtaining a negative result in this step SP6means that for example the user is listening to music reproduced from the memory stick13by means of the headset20. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP7to decide whether or not the on-hook/power key was depressed.

Obtaining a negative result in step SP7means that for example the user is continuously listening to the music reproduced from the memory stick13by means of the headset20. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP8to decide whether or not a call came.

Obtaining a negative result in step SP8means that there is no call incoming at this time point. At this time, the main control part40returns to step SP6and repeats the processing loop of steps SP8-SP6-SP7-SP8to wait a call incoming until the plug21of the headset20is pulled out of the earphone jack16or the on-hook/power key is depressed and the digital mobile phone1becomes into an off state.

On the contrary, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP8means that a call came while for example the user was listening to the music by means of the headset20. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP9to enable a call between the user using the headset20and the other party according to the depression of the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23or the call originating key on the main body3by the user, and then it proceeds to the next step S510to decide whether or not the call finished.

Obtaining a negative result in step S510means that there is a possibility that the user depresses the switch button30on the main body3while the call with the other party. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP11to decide whether or not the user depressed the switch button30.

Obtaining a negative result in step SP11means that although the user does not depress the switch button30at this time point, there is a possibility that the user depresses the switch button30till he/she finishes the call. At this time, the main control part40returns to step S510, and then repeats the processing loop of steps SP11-S510-SP11until the call between the user and the other party is finished to wait the depression of the switch button30.

On the contrary, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP11means that the user depressed the switch button30to talk by the telephone by means of the speaker6and the main body microphone10. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP12to connect the speaker6and the main body microphone10to the audio CODEC49instead of the earphones25and the external microphone29by the switching device and to make the user continuously talk by the telephone with the other party by means of that speaker6and main body microphone10, and returning to step S510.

Then, the main control part40repeats the processing loop of steps S510-SP11-SP12-S510until the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23or the on-hook/power key on the main body3is depressed by the user and the call is finished, to sequentially work the speaker6and the main body microphone10or the earphones25and the external microphone29by sequentially alternately switching every time when the switch button30is depressed.

Thereafter, if the call is finished by that the on-hook/off-hook button28on the remote control23or the on-hook/power key on the main body3was depressed by the user and the main control part40obtains an affirmative result in step S510, the main control part40returns to step SP6and repeats again the processing loop of steps SP8-SP6-SP7-SP8according to user's operation, for instance, until the plug21of the headset20is pulled out of the earphone jack16while the reproducing of the music data from the memory stick13or the on-hook/power key is depressed and the digital mobile phone1becomes into an off state.

Then, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP7means that the on-hook/power key was depressed by the user and the digital mobile phone1became into an off state. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP13and terminating the switching processing procedure RT1.

In this connection, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP6means that for example the reproducing of music data by means of the headset20was finished and the plug21of the headset20was pulled out of the earphone jack16. At this time, the main control part40returns to step SP2.

On the other hand, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP3means that the on-hook/power key was depressed by the user and the digital mobile phone1became into an off state. At this time, the main control part40proceeds to step SP13and terminating the switching processing procedure RT1.

In the above configuration, in this digital mobile phone1, the switch button30is provided on the main body3, and when the user talks by the telephone in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, the earphones25and the external microphone29of the above headset20or the speaker6and the main body microphone10of the digital mobile phone1are worked by switching according to the depressing operation of that switch button30.

Accordingly, in this digital mobile phone1, even if the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, when the user requested to talk by the telephone by means of the speaker6and the main body microphone10while holding the main body3, the user can use the digital mobile phone1by easily switching the state where the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20are worked into the state where the speaker6and the main body microphone10are worked only by depressing the switch button30without pulling the plug21out of the above earphone jack16.

Furthermore, in the digital mobile phone1, if the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16, when the user requested to use both hands while talking by the telephone by means of the speaker6and the main body microphone10or the like, the user can use the digital mobile phone1by easily switching the state where the speaker6and the main body microphone10are worked into the state where the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20are worked only by depressing the switch button30.

In this connection, as a conventional digital mobile phone, in the case where when the user is talking by the telephone in the state where the earphones plug is inserted into the earphone jack, it is necessary to pull the plug out of the earphone jack to work the speaker instead of the above earphones, there has been necessity to frequently perform inserting/pulling out the plug as the number of times of switching such function is large.

On the contrary, according to the present embodiment, the switch button30is provided to switch which of the earphones25and the external microphone29, and the speaker6and the main body microphone10should be worked when the user is talking by the telephone in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16. Therefore, wear of the above earphone jack16and the plug21of the headset20or the like can be minimized comparing with the conventional digital mobile phone.

According to the above configuration, the switch button30is provided on the main body3. And when the user talks by the telephone in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16and the earphones25and the external microphone29are worked, the speaker6and the main body microphone10are worked instead of the above earphones25and external microphone29according to the depressing operation of that switch button30. Thereby, the call can be easily switched from the call by means of the headset20to the call while holding the main body3without pulling the plug21out of the earphone jack16. Thus, a digital mobile phone in which the usability can be improved can be realized.

In the aforementioned embodiment, it has dealt with the case where either of the earphones25and the external microphone29of the headset20or the speaker6and the main body microphone10are worked according to the depressing operation of the switch button30. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also when the switch button30was depressed in the state where either of the earphones25and the external microphone29or the speaker6and the main body microphone10are working, both of the above earphones25and external microphone29, and speaker6and main body microphone10may be worked, or they may be worked by arbitrary combination of, for instance, the external microphone29and the speaker6among the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and the main body microphone10.

In this connection, when the user is talking by the telephone by means of the headset20, if for example the earphones25of the headset20and the main body microphone10of the digital mobile phone1are worked according to the depression of the switch button30, the user can talk by the telephone without taking off the earphones25from his/her ear even if he/she has the digital mobile phone1as in talking by the telephone without using the headset20; the usability can be further improved.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the switch button30being a toggle switch is provided on the main body3of the digital mobile phone1to work either of the earphones25and the external microphone29or the speaker6and the main body microphone10. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the above switch button30may be provided on the display part2of the digital mobile phone1or the remote control23of the headset20, or one or plural switch buttons- to work the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and the main body microphone10by arbitrary combination may be provided on the main body3or the display part2of the digital mobile phone1or the remote control23of the headset20.

An operation button to work them by switching the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and the main body microphone10may be provided on a predetermined operation screen to be displayed on the LCD7of the display part2without providing the one or plural mechanical switch buttons on the digital mobile phone1, the earphones25, to arbitrary work the external microphone29, the speaker6and the main body microphone10by selectively specifying that operation button with the operation keys or the jog dial.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the earphones25and the external microphone29or the speaker6and the main body microphone10are worked by switching according to the depressing operation of the switch button30. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and/or the main body microphone10which should be worked when a call came in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16may be previously set on a specified setting screen to be displayed on the LCD7of the display part2to be automatically switched according to that setting when a call came.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the depressing operation of the switch button30is accepted from a time point that a call came in the state where the plug21of the headset20is inserted into the earphone jack16until the call by that call incoming is finished. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also by enabling a call originating from the user to the other party also by the remote control23of the headset20, the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and/or the main body microphone10may be worked by switching also while the user is talking by the telephone by such call originating from the user to the other party by means of the headset20, or the speaker6or the earphones25may be worked by arbitrary switching them when predetermined sound such as music is emitted via the earphones25of the headset20.

In this connection, if the speaker6or the earphones25is worked by arbitrary switching them when predetermined sound such as music is emitted via the earphones25of the headset20, another person can easily listen to the sound such as the music that the user is listening by the earphones25, via the speaker6without handing the person that earphones.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where if a call came while the user is listening to music by means of the headset20, the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and/or the main body microphone10are worked by switching. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the earphones25, the external microphone29, the speaker6and/or the main body microphone10may be worked by switching when a call came while the user is listening to sound based on the other various audio signals such as the voice of the other party obtained by reproducing recorded answering message, a ring melody of user's own composition, by means of the headset20.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where this invention is applied to the digital mobile phone1shown inFIGS. 1 to 5. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also it is widely applicable to the other various portable wireless terminals such as a mobile phone having radio program receiving function or television broadcasting receiving function, short distance radio communication technology such as a transceiver, Bluetooth, personal distance assistance (PDA) applying predetermined long distance radio communication technology, provided that a portable wireless terminal in that a receive voice signal can be outputted to earphones or a send voice signal can be taken in from an external microphone.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the audio CODEC49is adopted as signal output means for outputting an audio signal to the speaker or outputting a sound signal to the earphones from the earphone jack via the plug. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various signal output means can be widely applied, provided that it can output an audio signal to a speaker or can output an audio signal to earphones from an earphone jack via a plug.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the main control part40is adopted as control means for controlling the signal output means to output an arbitrary audio signal or another audio signal to specified speaker and/or earphones at arbitrary timing when an arbitrary audio signal is being outputted to the speaker and/or the earphones. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various control means can be widely applied, provided that it can control the signal output means to output an arbitrary audio signal or another audio signal to specified speaker and/or earphones at arbitrary timing when arbitrary audio signal is being outputted to the speaker and/or earphones.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the transmitter-receiver part51and the antenna5are adopted as sending/receiving means for sending the send voice signal of user's voice and receiving the receive voice signal of the voice of the other party for call as an audio signal. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various sending/receiving means can be widely applied by matching to a communication mode adopted in a portable wireless terminal, provided that it can send the send voice signal of user's voice and can receive the receive audio signal of the voice of the other party for call as an audio signal.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the recording/reproducing part47is adopted as reproducing means for reproducing a music signal from a specified recording medium in that the music signal has been recorded as an audio signal. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various reproducing means corresponding to recording mediums to be used can be widely applied, provided that it can reproduce a music signal from a specified recording medium in that the music signal has been recorded as an audio signal.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the memory stick13is adopted as a specified recording medium in that a music signal has been recorded as an audio signal. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various recording mediums such as the internal memory of a portable wireless terminal can be widely applied.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the switch button30is adopted as output specification means to enter an output specification command to specify a speaker or earphones to output a receive voice signal. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various output specification means such as a predetermined input screen to be displayed on the LCD7of the display part2or a detection switch for detecting the open/close operation of the main body3and the display part2or the like can be widely applied, provided that it can input an output specification command to specify a speaker or earphones to output a receive voice signal.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the audio CODEC49is adopted as signal fetching means for fetching a send voice signal obtained by picking up user's voice by the main body microphone or fetching a send voice signal obtained by picking up user's voice by the external microphone connected to the plug inserted into the earphone jack along with the earphones. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various signal fetching means can be widely applied, provided that it can fetch a send voice signal obtained by picking up user's voice by a main body microphone or can fetch a send voice signal obtained by picking up user's voice by an external microphone connected to a plug inserted into an earphone jack along with earphones.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments, it has dealt with the case where the switch button30is adopted as microphone specification means to input a microphone specification command to specify the main body microphone or the external microphone to pick up user's voice. However, this invention is not only limited to this but also the other various microphone specification means such as a predetermined input screen to be displayed on the LCD7of the display part2, a detection switch for detecting the open/close operation of the main body3and the display part2or the like can be widely applied, provided that it can input a microphone specification command to specify a main body microphone or an external microphone to pick up user's voice.

According to this invention as described above, a portable wireless terminal provides a speaker for emitting a sound based on a predetermined audio signal, an earphone jack to insert so as to be able to pull out, a plug connected to earphones that emits the sound based on the above audio signal, signal output means for outputting the audio signal to the speaker or outputting the audio signal from the earphone jack to the earphones via the plug, and control means for controlling the signal output means to output an arbitrary audio signal or the another audio signal to specified speaker and/or earphones at arbitrary timing when in outputting the arbitrary audio signal to the speaker and/or the earphones. Thereby, when an audio signal is being outputted to the speaker and/or the earphones, the audio signal can be outputted to the desired speaker and/or earphones arbitrary selected by switching without pulling the plug out of the earphone jack. Thus, the usability of a portable wireless terminal can be improved.

Furthermore, a portable wireless terminal provides a main body microphone for picking up user's voice for call, an earphone jack to insert to be able to pull out, a plug connected to an external microphone for picking up the user's voice similarly to that, signal fetching means for fetching a send voice signal obtained by picking up user's voice by the main body microphone, or fetching a send voice signal obtained by picking up the user's voice by the earphones, and control means for controlling the signal fetching means to fetch the send voice signal obtained by picking up the user's voice by the arbitrary main body microphone and/or external microphone when the plug is inserted into the earphone jack. Thereby, user's voice can be picked up for call via the main body microphone without pulling the plug out of the earphone jack. Thus, the usability of a portable wireless terminal can be improved.

INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION

The present invention can be applied to portable telephones, transceivers, personal computers, PDAs.