Abstract:
A portable cellular phone including the ability to customize a ring signal. The device accepts a spoken voice signal entered via a microphone and converts that signal into a digital audio signal. The device then obtains musical scale information from the digital audio signal by extracting frequency components. The device uses those frequency components to generate an audio output signal based on the extracted musical scale frequency components. This output signal can then be used as the ring signal, or for other purposes. Thus, a user can input a desired musical scale using the user&#39;s voice to customize the ring signal without relying solely on keypad operations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable cellular phone which enables desirable setting of a melody or musical scale of a ringing tone (a tone that announces an incoming call) or a signaling tone(a tone that precedes a recorded announcement), and more particularly, to simple setting of the melody or musical scale. 
     A conventional portable cellular phone enables the user to compose an original ringing tone by entering a melody by means of a dial button. One type of such a portable cellular phone is described in the Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 9-149098. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the portable cellular phone comprises an input device  702 , by way of which the user performs entry operations; a CPU  701  which converts an input signal to a musical scale; RAM  704  which holds the thus-converted note; ROM  703  in which is stored a program for defining operations of the CPU  701 ; an interface  706  for outputting the data held in the RAM  704  to an external device; and a ringing tone generator  705  which emits a ringing tone. 
     In the operation of this portable cellular phone, when the user presses a key provided on the input device  702 , the CPU  701  converts a signal entered by way of the key into a corresponding scale code. The thus-converted scale code is written into the RAM  704 . The interface  706  reads the scale code from the RAM  704  and imparts the thus-read scale code to the ringing tone generator  705 , where a melody is produced according to the scale code when the cellular phone receives an incoming call. 
     Thus, even the conventional portable cellular phone enables the user to set his favorite melody as a ringing tone. 
     In the conventional cellular phone, the melody must be entered, in the form of notes of a musical scale, through key operations. Hence, if the user does not have any knowledge about the musical scale, he experiences difficulty in entering a desired melody correctly. As a result, the user must repeatedly perform key-entry operations several times until a desired melody is composed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been conceived to solve such a problem in the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a portable cellular phone which enables the user to enter a desired melody without involving key operations. 
     To this end, a portable cellular phone according to the present invention comprises 
     conversion means for converting a voice signal entered from a microphone into a digital audio signal; 
     computation means which obtains musical scale information (i.e., information in the form of notes of a musical scale) by extracting from the digital audio signal frequency components corresponding to notes of a musical scale and which generates and outputs a musical scale signal from the musical scale information; and 
     drive means for driving an audio output device on the basis of the musical scale signal. 
     With the foregoing means, the user can set an original ringing tone by humming a melody and can input the desired melody in terms of notes of a musical scale without knowledge about the musical scale. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable cellular phone which enables desirable setting a melody of a ringing tone, the phone comprising: 
     conversion means for converting a voice signal entered from a microphone into a digital audio signal; 
     computation means which obtains musical scale information by extracting from the digital audio signal frequency components corresponding to notes of a musical scale and which generates and outputs a musical scale signal from the musical scale information; and 
     drive means for driving an audio output device on the basis of the musical scale signal, thereby enabling setting of a ringing tone on the basis of the voice entered by the user. As a result, the user can enter a desired melody in terms of a musical scale without involving key operations. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, the portable cellular phone further comprises storage means for storing the musical scale information calculated by the computation means, thereby enabling generation of a musical scale signal from the musical scale information read by the storage means. As a result, the melody previously stored in the storage means can be reproduced, as needed. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores a plurality of musical scale information items, and the computation means generates a musical scale signal by reading one from the musical scale information items. As a result, the arrival of an incoming call may be indicated by a favorite melody selected from a plurality of melodies stored in the storage means in advance. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the portable cellular phone further comprises timing signal generation means which generates a periodical timing signal and outputs the signal to the computation and drive means. Input of the user&#39;s voice and extraction of notes of a musical scale are carried out at a predetermined tempo, thus facilitating generation of musical scale information. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the drive means activates the audio output device through use of the timing signal, thereby outputting a rhythm tone. In synchronism with the timing signal, the computation means extracts from the digital sound signal a frequency component corresponding to a note of a musical scale. The user can hum a melody in the rhythm heard from the audio output device, thus facilitating audio input. The computation means extracts frequency components in synchronism with the timing signal, thus efficiently acquiring musical scale information. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the computation means generates from the musical scale information read from the storage means a musical scale signal that is in synchronism with the timing signal and outputs the thus-generated signal. The rhythm of the melody to be reproduced can be changed by means of a timing signal. 
     According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the periodicity of the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation means is controlled so as to match the periodicity of amplitudes of the music signal entered from the microphone. Even if the user hums a melody out of synchronization with the timing signal, the timing signal is output in rhythm with the tempo of the melody hummed by the user. 
     According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the portable cellular phone further comprises display means for visually indicating the musical scale information stored in the storage means. The user can check the musical scale information not only in the form of musical notes but also in the form of characters or figures. 
     According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the portable cellular phone further comprises transfer means for transferring the musical scale information stored in the storage means from the portable cellular phone to an external device. The musical scale information is arranged by means of the external device. The musical scale information can be arranged by means of the external device and restored in the storage means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a portable cellular phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a portable cellular phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a portable cellular phone according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a portable cellular phone according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a portable cellular phone according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a portable cellular phone according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the principal elements of a conventional portable cellular phone. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     (First Embodiment) 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a portable cellular phone according to a first embodiment comprises an operation section  101  by way of which a function is selected; a control section  102  which controls an individual section on the basis of the selected function; a microphone  103  by way of which a voice is input; an output device  107  which outputs an audible frequency; an input section  104 .which converts the voice input by way of the microphone  103  into a digital signal and outputs the signal as an audio signal; computation section  105  which produces musical scale information from the audio signal through computation and outputs a musical scale signal; and an output section  106  which drives the output device  107  on the basis of the musical scale signal output from the computation section  105 . 
     When the user selects a melody input function by actuation of the operation section  101  of the portable cellular phone, the operation section  101  outputs an operation signal to the control section  102 . Upon receipt of the operation signal, the control section  102  outputs a control signal to the input section  104 , the computation section  105 , and the output section  106 . 
     In this state, the user hums a melody into the microphone  103 . The microphone  103  outputs the user&#39;s voice as an input voice. When the control section  102  outputs a control signal including an input instruction, the input section  104  converts the input voice entered from the microphone  103  into a digital signal and outputs an audio signal. 
     When the control section  102  outputs a control signal including a computation instruction, through use of mathematical means the computation section  105  extracts from the audio signal entered from the input section  104  frequency components corresponding to a note of musical scale. On the basis of the thus-extracted musical scale information, a musical scale signal is produced and output. 
     When the control section  102  outputs a control signal including an output instruction, the output section  106  drives the output device  107  on the basis of the musical scale signal output from the computation section  105 . 
     Thus, according to the first embodiment, the user can set a desired musical tone by humming only a melody to be entered in the microphone  103  without involving entry of notes of a musical scale through key operations. 
     (Second Embodiment) 
     A portable cellular phone according to a second embodiment stores a musical tone signal produced therein and reproduces the same, as required. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the portable cellular phone comprises a memory section for storing musical scale information. As a result of addition of a memory section  208 , a control section  202  and a computation section  205  differ in operation from those in the first embodiment (FIG.  1 ). In other respects, the portable cellular phone is identical in configuration and operation with that according to the first embodiment. 
     When the operation signal is input from the operation section  101 , the control section  202  outputs a control signal to each of the input section  104 , the computation section  205 , the memory section  208 , and the output section  106 . 
     When the control section  202  outputs the control signal including a computation instruction, through use of mathematical means the computation section  205  extracts from the audio signal entered from the input section  104  frequency components corresponding to a musical scale. The thus-extracted musical scale information is output to the memory section  208 , and a musical scale signal is produced from the musical tone information and output to the output section  106 . 
     In response to the control signal including a recording instruction from the control section  202 , the memory section  208  records the musical scale information computed in the computation section  205 . 
     When the control section  202  outputs a control signal including a reproduction instruction, the computation section  205  generates a musical tone signal on the basis of the musical scale information stored in the memory section  208  and outputs the musical scale signal to the output section  106 . 
     Thus, according to the second embodiment, since the musical scale information is recorded in the memory section  208 , the musical scale information that is stored in advance by the user can be reproduced when necessary. Further, if a plurality of musical scale information items are recorded, the user can select and reproduce a musical scale information item suited to the preference of the user. 
     (Third Embodiment) 
     A portable cellular phone according to a third embodiment enables the user to enter his voice while tapping a rhythm. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the portable cellular phone has a timing signal generation section  309  which produces a timing signal. As a result of addition of the timing signal generation section  309 , a control section  302 , a computation section  305 , and an output section  306  differ in operation from those in the second embodiment (FIG.  2 ). In other respects, the portable cellular phone is identical in configuration and operation with that according to the second embodiment. 
     When the operation signal is input from the operation section  101 , the control section  302  outputs a control signal to each of the input section  104 , the computation section  305 , the memory section  308 , the output section  306 , and the timing signal generation section  309 . 
     When the control section  302  outputs the control signal including a timing signal vocalization instruction, the timing signal generation section  309  outputs a periodic timing signal. The timing signal is output to the computation section  305  and the output section  306 . When the control section  302  outputs a control signal including a timing output instruction, the output section  306  drives the output device  107  on the basis of the timing signal output to the timing signal generation section  309 . Accordingly, the user facing the microphone  103  hears the timing signal as a tone and hence can hum a melody in synchronism with the tempo of the timing signal. 
     When the control section  320  outputs a control signal including a computation instruction, in synchronism with the timing signal the computation section  305  extracts from the audio signal entered from the input section  104  frequency components corresponding to a musical scale. The thus-extracted musical scale information is output to the memory section  308 , and a musical scale signal is produced from the musical tone information and output to the output section  306 . 
     When the control section  302  outputs a control signal including a reproduction instruction, the computation section  305  generates a musical tone signal from the musical scale information stored in the memory section  308  in synchronism with the timing signal and outputs the musical scale signal to the output section  306 . 
     When the control section  302  outputs a control signal including a melody output instruction, the output section  306  drives the output device  107  in synchronism with the timing of the timing signal through use of a musical scale signal output from the computation section  305 . 
     Thus, according to the third embodiment, since the timing signal is output from the output device  107  at the time of entry of a melody, the user can enter a melody while hearing a timing signal. Thus, entry of a more accurate musical scale becomes feasible. Further, the computation section  305  generates musical scale information in synchronism with the timing signal, whereby musical scale information can be produced in a smaller amount of memory than when the musical scale information is produced through use of only an audio signal. Further, at the time of reproduction of a musical scale signal, the tempo of the melody to be output can be modified by changing solely the periodicity of the timing signal. Therefore, the melody can be reproduced in the favorite tempo of the user. 
     (Fourth Embodiment) 
     A portable cellular phone according to a fourth embodiment sets the tempo of a timing signal in synchronism with the rhythm of the melody hummed by the user. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the portable cellular phone has a voice detection section  404   a  which detects the amplitude of the input voice. A voice detection signal produced on the basis of such detection is output to a control section  402  from an input section  404 . In other respects, the portable cellular phone is identical in configuration with that according to the third embodiment (FIG.  3 ). 
     When the control section  402  outputs a control signal including an input instruction, the input section  404  of the portable cellular phone converts the voice entered from the microphone  103  into a digital signal and outputs the signal to the computation section  305  as an audio signal. Further, the input section  404  detects, from a change in the amplitude of the input voice detected by the voice detection section  404   a,  the timing at which the voice is input and the periodicity of the input voice, through use of a mathematical technique. The thus-detected timing and periodicity are inserted into the voice detection signal in the form of timing information and outputs the voice detection signal to the control section  402 . 
     When the operation signal is input from the operation section  101 , the control section  402  outputs a control signal to the input section  404 , the computation section  305 , the memory section  208 , and the output section  306 . Further, on the basis of the timing information included in the voice detection signal to be input, the control section  402  outputs to the timing signal generation section  309  a control signal for controlling the periodicity of the timing signal. 
     As a result, when the user inputs a melody in the microphone  103 , the timing signal generation section  309  generates a timing signal having a periodicity suited to the rhythm of the user&#39;s voice and outputs the timing signal to the computation section  305  and the output section  306 . 
     Accordingly, the user facing the microphone  103  does not need to keep pace with the tempo of the timing signal and can enter a melody at his own tempo. 
     Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, the voice detection section  404   a  extracts the timing information from the voice entered by the user, and the control section  402  changes the periodicity of the timing signal output from the timing signal generation section  309  according to the timing information. Since the timing signal makes itself suited to the tempo of the user without the user entering the melody in synchronism with the timing signal, the user can readily input a melody. 
     (Fifth Embodiment) 
     A portable cellular phone according to a fifth embodiment enables the user to check a recorded melody by means of indication of characters and figures. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the portable cellular phone comprises a display device  511  for indicating characters and figures; and a display section  510  for performing operations required to cause a display device  511  to indicate the melody recorded in the memory section  508 . As a result of addition of the display section  510  and the display device  511 , a control section  502  and a memory section  508  differ in operation from those in the second embodiment (FIG.  2 ). In other respects, the portable cellular phone is identical in configuration and operation with that according to the second embodiment. 
     When the operation signal is input from the operation section  101 , the control section  502  of the portable cellular phone outputs a control signal to the input section  104 , the computation section  205 , the memory section  508 , the output section  106 , and the display section  510 . 
     When the operation signal for the purpose of entering a melody is input from the operation section  101 , the control section  502  outputs a control signal including a recording instruction to the memory section  508 . In accordance with the control signal, the memory section  508  records the musical scale information computed by the computation section  205 . 
     When the user enters an operation signal for the purpose of correcting the recorded melody, the control section  502  outputs to the memory section  508  a control signal including an editing instruction for re-editing the recorded musical scale information. When the control signal including the edition instruction is output, the memory section  508  updates the whole or part of the musical scale information recorded therein to edition data included in the edition instruction output from the control section  502 . 
     At this time, the control signal including a display instruction is output to the display section  510  from the control section  502 , and through use of characters and figures the display section  510  indicates on the display device  511  the musical scale information recorded in the memory section  508 . Accordingly, by means of the characters and figures indicated on the display device  511 , the user can ascertain whether or not the musical scale has been corrected as intended. 
     Even when the melody is not needed, the musical scale information recorded in the memory section  508  can be indicated on the display device  511  through use of the characters and figures. 
     As mentioned above, according to the fifth embodiment, the musical scale information recorded in the memory section  508  is displayed on the display device  511  through use of characters and figures. Therefore, the user can ascertain the input musical scale information not only audibly but also visually. Thus, the musical scale information becomes very easily understandable for the user. Further, even when the musical scale information recorded in the memory section  508  is updated through operations by way of the operation section  101 , the user can easily check the updated information. Therefore, the user can readily change the recorded musical information to desired musical information. 
     (Sixth Embodiment) 
     A portable cellular phone according to a sixth embodiment enables transfer of a recorded melody to an external device and recording of the melody edited by the external device. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the portable cellular phone comprises an external device  613  and an external interface  612  for outputting or inputting musical scale information to or from the external device  613 . As a result of addition of the interface  612  and the external device  613 , a control section  602  and a memory section  608  differ in operation from those in the second embodiment (FIG.  2 ). In other respects, the portable cellular phone is identical in configuration and operation with that according to the second embodiment. 
     When the operation signal is input from the operation section  101  of the portable cellular phone, the control section  602  outputs a control signal to the input section  104 , the computation section  205 , the memory section  608 , the output section  108 , and the external interface  612 . 
     When the control section  602  outputs a control signal including a read instruction, the external interface  612  reads musical scale information from the external device  613  and outputs the thus-read information to the memory section  608 . The control section  602  outputs to the memory section  608  a control signal including a write instruction. Upon receipt of the control signal, the memory section  608  records the musical scale information output from the external interface  612 . Thus, the musical scale information edited by the external device  613  is recorded in the memory section  608 . 
     When the control section  602  outputs a control signal including a write instruction, the external interface  612  outputs to the external device  613  the musical scale information recorded in the memory section  608 . 
     In this way, according to the sixth embodiment, since the musical scale information can be transferred between the external device  613  and the memory section  608 , the musical scale data input by the user of the portable cellular phone can be edited by means of the external device after having been recorded in the external device, so long as the external device has the function of editing a musical scale signal. Further, if the musical scale data stored in the external device are transferred to the portable cellular phone, a melody suited to the preference of the user can be reproduced by his portable cellular phone. 
     Further, in a case where the external device has a radio-communication function based on a radio wave or an infrared ray, the musical scale data recorded in the memory section  608  can be transferred to a device distant from the portable cellular phone. 
     As is evident from the foregoing description, the portable cellular phone according to the present invention can automatically generate musical scale information by entry of solely a voice and can set a ringing tone. 
     Further, in a case where the portable cellular phone has a memory section, the musical information that is produced can be reproduced, as needed. If a plurality of musical scale information items are recorded in advance, the musical scale information suited to the preference of the user can be selected and reproduced. 
     In a case where the portable cellular phone outputs a timing signal, the user can enter a melody in a more accurate manner, and musical scale information can be extracted in a smaller amount of memory by generation of the musical scale information which is in synchronous with the timing signal. Further, the cycle of the timing signal is changed at the time of reproduction of the musical scale signal, thereby enabling reproduction of the melody at a tempo suited to the preference of the user. 
     The cycle of the timing signal is changed in synchronism with the timing information included in the voice entered by the user, thus enabling the user to enter his voice at his own tempo. 
     In a case where the portable cellular phone has display means for indicating musical scale information, the user can readily check the musical scale information through use of characters and figures. Further, the musical scale information can be readily changed to musical scale information suited to the preference of the user. 
     In a case where the portable cellular phone has an external interface, musical scale information can be transferred between the portable cellular phone and an external device, thus enabling editing of the musical scale information through use of the external device and recording of the thus-edited musical scale information into the portable cellular phone.