Telephone set with special sound effect mode

Abstract

A telephone set includes an input unit having a call button for originating and answering calls, and an end button for terminating calls. The telephone set also includes a control unit, a display unit, voice signal communication circuits, and sound circuits for generating sound effects when the control unit is in a special mode. In one embodiment, the call button is ignored when the control unit is in the special mode, and the special mode is terminated when the end button is pressed. In another embodiment, the special mode is terminated when either the call button or end button is pressed. The special mode operates independent of the communication circuits.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A telephone set having a display panel, an input unit with buttons and keys, and communication circuits for transmitting and receiving voice signals, said buttons and keys including at least a call button for originating and answering calls, dial keys for entering telephone numbers, and an end button for terminating calls, comprising: 
 sound circuits for generating sound effects; and    a control unit operating in a special mode in response to predetermined input from said input unit, using said display panel, said input unit, and said sound circuits independently of said communication circuits in said special mode, terminating said special mode when said end button is pressed, and ignoring said call button in said special mode.    
     
     
         2 . The telephone set of  claim 1 , wherein said control unit uses said display panel for game-playing in said special mode.  
     
     
         3 . The telephone set of  claim 1 , wherein said control unit uses said sound circuits to generate a variety of non-musical sound effects in said special mode, in response to input from said input unit.  
     
     
         4 . A telephone set having communication circuits for sending and receiving voice signals, and an input unit with buttons and keys, said buttons and keys including at least a call button for originating and answering calls, dial keys for entering telephone numbers, and an end button for terminating calls, comprising: 
 sound circuits for generating sound effects; and    a control unit operating in a special mode in response to predetermined input from said input unit, using said sound circuits to generate non-musical sound effects in said special mode, and preventing said sound effects from being transmitted through said communication circuits.    
     
     
         5 . The telephone set of  claim 4 , wherein said sound effects include simulated vocal effects.  
     
     
         6 . The telephone set of  claim 4 , wherein said sound effects include comical sound effects.  
     
     
         7 . The telephone set of  claim 4 , wherein said sound effects include startling sound effects.  
     
     
         8 . A telephone set having a display panel, an input unit with buttons and keys, communication circuits for transmitting and receiving voice signals, and sound circuits for generating sound effects, said buttons and keys including at least a call button for originating and answering calls, dial keys for entering telephone numbers, and an end button for terminating calls, comprising: 
 a control unit operating in a special mode in response to predetermined input from said input unit, performing operations independent of said communication circuits in said special mode, terminating said special mode when said call button is pressed, also terminating said special mode when said end button is pressed.    
     
     
         9 . The telephone set of  claim 8 , wherein said input unit comprises a function button, said predetermined input including two consecutive presses of said function button.  
     
     
         10 . A telephone set having a display panel, an input unit with buttons and keys, and communication circuits for sending and receiving voice signals, said buttons and keys including at least a call button for originating and answering calls, dial keys for entering telephone numbers, and an end button for terminating calls, comprising: 
 sound circuits for generating sound effects; and    a control unit operating in a special mode in response to predetermined input from said input unit, using said sound circuits to generate non-musical sound effects in said special mode, said sound effects being selected by input from said dial keys, operations performed in said special mode being independent of said communication circuits.    
     
     
         11 . The telephone set of  claim 10 , wherein said sound effects include simulated vocal effects.  
     
     
         12 . The telephone set of  claim 10 , wherein said sound effects include comical sound effects.  
     
     
         13 . The telephone set of  claim 10 , wherein said sound effects include startling sound effects.