Patents by Inventor Hirotaka SONOBE
Hirotaka SONOBE has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11606404Abstract: [Problem] When a communication apparatus that is the communication partner is called via a relay device, the transmission control mode of a voice signal can be switched according to the capability of the communication partner. [Solution] A relay device (2) includes a telephone relay unit (3), a network communication relay unit (4), and a wireless communication relay unit (5). The wireless communication relay unit (5) includes a plurality of external apparatus interfaces, and an analog repeater (25), a digital repeater (27), or the like is connected to each external apparatus interface. If an SIP telephone (20) has called an analog transceiver (27), the relay device (2) obtains the address and apparatus type of the analog transceiver (27) from call information, and transmits a voice signal to the analog transceiver (27) using a transmission control mode (VOX mode) that suits the analog transceiver (27).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Publication number: 20210329056Abstract: [Problem] When a communication apparatus that is the communication partner is called via a relay device, the transmission control mode of a voice signal can be switched according to the capability of the communication partner. [Solution] A relay device (2) includes a telephone relay unit (3), a network communication relay unit (4), and a wireless communication relay unit (5). The wireless communication relay unit (5) includes a plurality of external apparatus interfaces, and an analog repeater (25), a digital repeater (27), or the like is connected to each external apparatus interface. If an SIP telephone (20) has called an analog transceiver (27), the relay device (2) obtains the address and apparatus type of the analog transceiver (27) from call information, and transmits a voice signal to the analog transceiver (27) using a transmission control mode (VOX mode) that suits the analog transceiver (27).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Patent number: 10932096Abstract: [Problem] To provide a relaying device and a voice communication system with which calling and listening among a plurality of talk groups is possible. [Solution] The relaying device is provided with: a relaying device which stores a plurality of groups and terminal devices belonging to each of the groups, and, when a voice signal is received from one or more of the terminal devices (calling terminal devices), transfers the voice signal to the terminal devices other than the calling terminal device in the group to which the calling terminal device belongs; and the plurality of terminal devices which are connected to the relay device over a communication network.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Patent number: 10742304Abstract: [Problem] To provide an audio communication system wherein a relaying device is connected to terminal devices, which are communication devices, via a communication network and wherein the relaying device is caused to manage the group of the terminal devices. [Solution] An audio communication system comprises: a master relaying device; one or more slave relaying devices connected to the master relaying device via a communication network; and one or more terminal devices connected to each relaying device via a communication network. Each slave relaying device transfers, to the master relaying device, audio signals received from the terminal device in charge of the slave relaying device. The master relaying device transfers the audio signals, which were received from each slave relaying device, to the slave relaying devices other than that slave relaying device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Patent number: 10523308Abstract: [Problem] To enable the response audio signal of one transceiver to be heard by other transceivers, in cases when a plurality of subordinate transceivers (wireless handset) are present. [Solution] A relaying device is provided with: a wireless apparatus interface having a repeater connected thereto; a signal processing unit connected to the wireless apparatus interface; a network interface connected to a network; a packet processing unit connected to the network interface; and a mixing unit provided between the signal processing unit and the packet processing unit. The packet processing unit reads out an audio signal from a packet inputted from the network interface, and outputs the audio signal as a downlink audio signal. The mixing unit inputs the downlink audio signal into the signal processing unit, and inputs an uplink audio signal into the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit outputs, to the wireless apparatus interface, the downlink audio signal and the uplink audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Publication number: 20190394620Abstract: [Problem] To provide a relaying device and a voice communication system with which calling and listening among a plurality of talk groups is possible. [Solution] The relaying device is provided with: a relaying device which stores a plurality of groups and terminal devices belonging to each of the groups, and, when a voice signal is received from one or more of the terminal devices (calling terminal devices), transfers the voice signal to the terminal devices other than the calling terminal device in the group to which the calling terminal device belongs; and the plurality of terminal devices which are connected to the relay device over a communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Patent number: 10397849Abstract: [Problem] To provide a voice communication system which uses a communication network, and with which a terminal device is capable of listening to both a previous call and a new call, even when another call is received during communication. [Solution] Provided is a relay device which is equipped with: a network communication unit which communicates with terminal devices over a communication network; and a control unit which controls voice communication between the terminal devices. The control unit of the relay device forms a plurality of communication sessions, and allows a plurality of the terminal devices to each of the communication sessions. The terminal devices belonging to one of the communication sessions participate in communication in the communication session. The terminal devices assigned to two or more communication sessions participate in communication in any one of the communication sessions.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Publication number: 20190123804Abstract: [Problem] To provide an audio communication system wherein a relaying device is connected to terminal devices, which are communication devices, via a communication network and wherein the relaying device is caused to manage the group of the terminal devices. [Solution] An audio communication system comprises: a master relaying device; one or more slave relaying devices connected to the master relaying device via a communication network; and one or more terminal devices connected to each relaying device via a communication network. Each slave relaying device transfers, to the master relaying device, audio signals received from the terminal device in charge of the slave relaying device. The master relaying device transfers the audio signals, which were received from each slave relaying device, to the slave relaying devices other than that slave relaying device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Patent number: 10263665Abstract: The present invention relates to a relaying device which performs the individual calling in response to not only a call incoming from a telephone but also a call incoming from a transceiver. When receiving a communication request from another device over a network, the relaying device determines if this communication request is accompanied by the wireless-device specifying information (ID). When the communication request is not accompanied by the ID, the relaying device sends a signal for prompting another device to input the ID. When the ID is sent in response to the sent signal, the relaying device instructs the relaying wireless device to call the wireless terminal device specified by this ID. In addition, when the communication request is accompanied by the ID, the relaying device instructs the relaying wireless device to call the wireless terminal device specified by this ID.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Icom IncorporatedInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Publication number: 20190074892Abstract: [Problem] To enable the response audio signal of one transceiver to be heard by other transceivers, in cases when a plurality of subordinate transceivers (wireless handset) are present. [Solution] A relaying device is provided with: a wireless apparatus interface having a repeater connected thereto; a signal processing unit connected to the wireless apparatus interface; a network interface connected to a network; a packet processing unit connected to the network interface; and a mixing unit provided between the signal processing unit and the packet processing unit. The packet processing unit reads out an audio signal from a packet inputted from the network interface, and outputs the audio signal as a downlink audio signal. The mixing unit inputs the downlink audio signal into the signal processing unit, and inputs an uplink audio signal into the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit outputs, to the wireless apparatus interface, the downlink audio signal and the uplink audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Patent number: 10194372Abstract: A relay device includes a network communication unit, a control unit, and a session table. The network communication unit receives, from terminal devices, an audio signal to which is attached information for designating the terminal device of the other party of communication. When a calling voice packet is received from one of the terminal devices, the control unit registers, in the session table, a communication session in which this terminal device and the terminal device designated by the designating information constitute participating terminals. Thereafter, the control unit transfers an audio signal received from one of the participating terminals to each of the participating terminals and, when an audio signal is received from two or more of the participating terminals at the same time, mixes the received audio signals and transmits the mixed audio signal to the participating terminals.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Patent number: 10187138Abstract: [Problem] To provide an audio communication system wherein a relaying device is connected to terminal devices, which are communication devices, via a communication network and wherein the relaying device is caused to manage the group of the terminal devices. [Solution] An audio communication system comprises: a master relaying device; one or more slave relaying devices connected to the master relaying device via a communication network; and one or more terminal devices connected to each relaying device via a communication network. Each slave relaying device transfers, to the master relaying device, audio signals received from the terminal device in charge of the slave relaying device. The master relaying device transfers the audio signals, which were received from each slave relaying device, to the slave relaying devices other than that slave relaying device.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Patent number: 10148342Abstract: [Problem] To enable the response audio signal of one transceiver to be heard by other transceivers, in cases when a plurality of subordinate transceivers (wireless handset) are present. [Solution] A relaying device is provided with: a wireless apparatus interface having a repeater connected thereto; a signal processing unit connected to the wireless apparatus interface; a network interface connected to a network; a packet processing unit connected to the network interface; and a mixing unit provided between the signal processing unit and the packet processing unit. The packet processing unit reads out an audio signal from a packet inputted from the network interface, and outputs the audio signal as a downlink audio signal. The mixing unit inputs the downlink audio signal into the signal processing unit, and inputs an uplink audio signal into the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit outputs, to the wireless apparatus interface, the downlink audio signal and the uplink audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Icom IncorporatedInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Patent number: 10009737Abstract: [Problem] To enable group communication with a high degree of freedom in a voice communication system in which a relay device and a terminal device are connected over a communication network. [Solution] A voice communication system comprises a terminal device and a relay device which transmit and receive a voice signal with each other over a network. The relay device has a group table. The terminal device transmits, to the relay device, specifying information specifying a group to which the terminal device belongs. When receiving the specifying information from the terminal device, the relay device registers the terminal device in the group table, so as to belong to the designated group. The terminal device transmits, to the relay device, a voice signal destined to the group to which the terminal device belongs. When receiving, from the terminal device, the voice signal destined to the belonging group, the relay device transfers the voice signal to another terminal device belonging to the specified group.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATEDInventors: Keishiro Uwamori, Hirotaka Sonobe
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Publication number: 20170332211Abstract: [Problem] To enable group communication with a high degree of freedom in a voice communication system in which a relay device and a terminal device are connected over a communication network. [Solution] A voice communication system comprises a terminal device and a relay device which transmit and receive a voice signal with each other over a network. The relay device has a group table. The terminal device transmits, to the relay device, specifying information specifying a group to which the terminal device belongs. When receiving the specifying information from the terminal device, the relay device registers the terminal device in the group table, so as to belong to the designated group. The terminal device transmits, to the relay device, a voice signal destined to the group to which the terminal device belongs. When receiving, from the terminal device, the voice signal destined to the belonging group, the relay device transfers the voice signal to another terminal device belonging to the specified group.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Keishiro UWAMORI, Hirotaka SONOBE
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Patent number: 9705585Abstract: A relaying device includes an uplink interface that continuously receives an audio signal in communication, a wireless apparatus interface to which a repeater acting as a wireless relaying apparatus is connected, a voice buffer that buffers the audio signal, and a control unit. The control unit performs a VOX processing of detecting whether or not a level of the audio signal is equal to or higher than a preset threshold. When the level of the audio signal is equal to or higher than the threshold, the control unit starts buffering the audio signal in the voice buffer, and requests the repeater to reserve a channel. After receiving, from the repeater, a reply indicating that a channel has been reserved, the control unit reads the buffered audio signal from the voice buffer, and transfers this audio signal to the repeater.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Icom IncorporatedInventor: Hirotaka Sonobe
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Publication number: 20170188291Abstract: [Problem] To provide a voice communication system which uses a communication network, and with which a terminal device is capable of listening to both a previous call and a new call, even when another call is received during communication. [Solution] Provided is a relay device which is equipped with: a network communication unit which communicates with terminal devices over a communication network; and a control unit which controls voice communication between the terminal devices. The control unit of the relay device forms a plurality of communication sessions, and allows a plurality of the terminal devices to each of the communication sessions. The terminal devices belonging to one of the communication sessions participate in communication in the communication session. The terminal devices assigned to two or more communication sessions participate in communication in any one of the communication sessions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Publication number: 20170163332Abstract: [Problem] To enable the response audio signal of one transceiver to be heard by other transceivers, in cases when a plurality of subordinate transceivers (wireless handset) are present. [Solution] A relaying device is provided with: a wireless apparatus interface having a repeater connected thereto; a signal processing unit connected to the wireless apparatus interface; a network interface connected to a network; a packet processing unit connected to the network interface; and a mixing unit provided between the signal processing unit and the packet processing unit. The packet processing unit reads out an audio signal from a packet inputted from the network interface, and outputs the audio signal as a downlink audio signal. The mixing unit inputs the downlink audio signal into the signal processing unit, and inputs an uplink audio signal into the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit outputs, to the wireless apparatus interface, the downlink audio signal and the uplink audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Publication number: 20170033859Abstract: A relaying device includes an uplink interface that continuously receives an audio signal in communication, a wireless apparatus interface to which a repeater acting as a wireless relaying apparatus is connected, a voice buffer that buffers the audio signal, and a control unit. The control unit performs a VOX processing of detecting whether or not a level of the audio signal is equal to or higher than a preset threshold. When the level of the audio signal is equal to or higher than the threshold, the control unit starts buffering the audio signal in the voice buffer, and requests the repeater to reserve a channel. After receiving, from the repeater, a reply indicating that a channel has been reserved, the control unit reads the buffered audio signal from the voice buffer, and transfers this audio signal to the repeater.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventor: Hirotaka SONOBE
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Publication number: 20170019164Abstract: [Problem] To provide an audio communication system wherein a relaying device is connected to terminal devices, which are communication devices, via a communication network and wherein the relaying device is caused to manage the group of the terminal devices. [Solution] An audio communication system comprises: a master relaying device; one or more slave relaying devices connected to the master relaying device via a communication network; and one or more terminal devices connected to each relaying device via a communication network. Each slave relaying device transfers, to the master relaying device, audio signals received from the terminal device in charge of the slave relaying device. The master relaying device transfers the audio signals, which were received from each slave relaying device, to the slave relaying devices other than that slave relaying device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2014Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Icom IncorporationInventor: Hirotaka SONOBE