JP2006186904A - Head set - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance user-friendliness by performing optimal switching between monophonic output and stereo output. <P>SOLUTION: The head set comprises a switching circuit 24 of a monophonic output based on a voice input received through a wireless transmitting/receiving circuit 6, and a stereo output based on a reproduction sound signal. A jack 14 being fixed removably with a stereo earphone 13 as an external speaker is provided in a housing 4 along with an internal speaker 20. In handsfree telephone conversation through a portable telephone 2, the internal speaker 20 performs monophonic output of voice and the stereo earphone 13 connected with the jack 14 performs stereo output of a sound signal at the time of non-telephone conversation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a headset device that is wirelessly connected to an external device such as a mobile phone and exchanges signals, and that allows a user to make a hands-free call by using the device while wearing the ear shell, for example.

  The mobile phone is a headphone as an accessory device that enables hands-free calling without gripping the casing by strengthening penal regulations for calling while holding the casing while driving due to the revision of the Road Traffic Law. The use of a set device or the like has attracted attention. The headset device has a wireless transmission / reception circuit unit that connects to a telephone body by a short-range wireless system, a speaker, and a microphone, and is used by being mounted on a user's head or the like. The headset device is capable of making a call without gripping the telephone body so as to improve the usability by adding a so-called hands-free function.

In the headset device, wireless connection with a mobile phone is performed by a short-range wireless method, for example, a Bluetooth wireless method. The Bluetooth wireless system enables wireless connection between a mobile phone, a personal computer, or a digital device installed in a short distance of about 10 m using a carrier wave in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The Bluetooth wireless system is mounted on various mobile devices because the Bluetooth module is relatively inexpensive and highly versatile, and is small and light and has low power consumption. As a headset device provided with a Bluetooth module, for example, Patent Literature 1 has proposed.
JP 2004-120313 A

  By the way, since a headset device requires a small, lightweight and low-power consumption specification for its function, it has been positioned as a single-function accessory device for performing hands-free calls. Only a Bluetooth function and a speaker and a microphone as an input / output means are mounted. On the other hand, when driving a car, the driver generally tries to change his / her mood by listening to a broadcast program or music from a car radio or car audio so as to relieve his driving tension.

  The headset device allows a relatively safe hands-free call by relaying a mobile phone even while driving as described above, but maintains a standby state that can respond to an unexpected incoming call at any time. In order to do this, it is used while attached to the head. In order to prioritize the standby state for incoming calls, the headset device creates an environment in which the driver cannot listen to music from car audio or the like. In addition, the headset device has a single built-in speaker for miniaturization, and even a stereophonic music can be heard only in monaural output.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed with the object of providing a headset device that is optimally switched between monaural output and stereo output to improve usability.

The headset device according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is provided with a short-range wireless radio transmission / reception module, an internal speaker, and a microphone in a casing, and through an ear hook provided in the casing. It has a function of performing a hands-free call with the other party by relaying a mobile phone via a wireless transmission / reception module by being mounted on the user's ear shell, and a function of reproducing and outputting an acoustic signal. The headset device has an output switching circuit unit that switches between a monaural output based on an audio input received via a wireless transmission / reception module and a stereo output based on a reproduced sound signal, and an internal speaker as an external speaker in the housing A jack to which the stereo earphone is attached and detached is provided. The headset device outputs a monaural sound from an internal speaker during a hands-free call relaying a mobile phone, and outputs a stereo sound signal from the stereo earphone connected to the jack during a non-call.

  Also. In the headset device, an internal memory is provided in a housing, and an acoustic signal received by the wireless transmission / reception module is stored in the internal memory, and is output in stereo from a stereo earphone connected to a jack as necessary.

  Further, in the headset device, when the incoming call response is made by the mobile phone during the stereo output of the acoustic signal, the output switching circuit unit performs a switching operation from the stereo output of the acoustic signal to the monaural output of the hands-free call. The headset device does not require an output switching operation so that safe driving is performed.

  According to the headset device according to the present invention configured as described above, a stereo earphone is connected to a jack for stereo output provided on the housing, so that it can be prepared for an incoming call by always wearing it even while driving a car. It is possible to listen to music and the like with stereo output. Therefore, according to the headset device, it is possible to perform safe driving without the trouble of performing the wearing operation for incoming calls during driving, and it is possible to listen to music and the like with stereo output, and tension of driving is possible. Relax and be able to change your mood.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The headset device 1 shown as an embodiment includes a wireless connection function based on a Bluetooth wireless system (hereinafter referred to as a Bluetooth function) and a connection function based on a universal serial bus standard (hereinafter referred to as a USB function) as will be described in detail later. For example). The headset device 1 is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone 2 by being mounted on the head of the user M as shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the Bluetooth function is set (hereinafter referred to as Bluetooth mode). The headset device 1 allows the user M to make a call with the connection destination without holding the mobile phone 2 using the mobile phone 2 as a relay device, so that a so-called hands-free call function is achieved. To.

  Further, the headset device 1 is set to the Bluetooth mode and is connected to a system component device such as the mobile phone 2 or the personal computer 3 to constitute a peripheral device that exchanges information and the like. The headset device 1 is set to a USB function (hereinafter referred to as a USB mode), and is directly connected to a system component device such as the mobile phone 2 or the personal computer 3 via a cable, so that various information, etc. Peripheral devices that send and receive are configured.

  As will be described in detail later, the headset device 1 is provided with an ear hooking member 5 on the arm in the casing 4, and the ear hooking member 5 is used by the casing 4 so as to close the ear hole of the user M. Used with M ear shells. The headset device 1 is provided with a housing 4 and an antenna 7 for connecting a wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 of Bluetooth wireless specification and a USB connector 8 to which a USB cable 15 is connected. In the headset device 1, an external memory slot 10 into which an external memory medium 9 such as a memory card is attached to and detached from the housing 4 is provided.

  In the headset device 1, a small liquid crystal display 11 indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3 is provided on one main surface of the housing 4 which is outside when mounted on the ear shell. The liquid crystal display 11 displays a signal transmission / reception state or the like when the headset device 1 is connected to the mobile phone 2 or the personal computer 3 to exchange signals. The liquid crystal display 11 displays processing contents such as information in a state where the headset device 1 is set to the internal memory mode or the external memory mode. The liquid crystal display 11 displays various operation contents and information of the headset device 1.

  In the headset device 1, an operation unit is provided on the main surface of the housing 4 provided with the liquid crystal display 11 by arranging a plurality of push buttons (not shown). The operation unit performs, for example, a power on / off operation of the headset device 1, a Bluetooth mode, a USB mode or various modes switching operation, a display switching operation of the liquid crystal display 11 or a volume adjustment operation. For example, the headset device 1 may display operation guidance on the operation unit on the liquid crystal display 11.

  The headset device 1 incorporates a rechargeable secondary battery (not shown), and supplies power to each internal circuit unit, the liquid crystal display 11 and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the headset device 1 has a substantially oval appearance in which the casing 4 is cut at a lower portion with a synthetic resin material, and a cap body 12 is attached to the cut portion of the casing 4. In addition, the ear hooking member 5 is provided so as to protrude from the apex portion. In the headset device 1, a stereo output jack 14 for attaching / detaching an external memory slot 10 and a stereo earphone 13 described later is provided in the housing 4 so as to be opened.

  The headset device 1 is provided with a USB connector 8 and a secondary battery charging connector at a lower portion of the housing 4 and is covered with a cap body 12 when not in use. Since the USB cable 15 having a well-known hub structure is connected to the USB connector 8, it is necessary to protrude from the housing 4. In the headset device 1, the USB connector 8 is protected and attached to the ear shell by covering the USB connector 8 when not in use by combining the cap member 12 with the housing 4 as described above. In this state, the ear contact is good and the appearance is maintained. Similarly, in the headset device 1, the charging connector is also covered with the cap member 12.

  In the headset device 1, the ear hooking member 5 is assembled to the housing 4 in a cantilever state along the first side surface of the housing 4 while one end is fixed to the apex portion thereof. The ear hooking member 5 is constituted by an arc-shaped arm body that can be elastically deformed by a rubber material or a synthetic resin material, and the side of the housing 4 is placed in a state where the second main surface of the housing 4 is applied to the ear hole. The wearing operation is performed on the user's M ear shell. The ear hooking member 5 holds the headset device 1 in a state where the main surface of the housing 4 is applied to the ear hole by sandwiching the ear shell between the side edge portions of the housing 4. . In addition, when the headset device 1 is not used, the ear hooking member 5 may be stored in the housing 4 with an appropriate structure so as not to get in the way. The ear hooking member 5 may be formed integrally with the housing 4 or may be attached to the housing 4 so as to be detachable only during use.

  The external memory slot 10 is provided to be opened on the side surface of the housing 4. Although not described in detail, the external memory slot 10 has an opening size slightly larger than the cross-sectional size of the external memory medium 9 and is a connector having a predetermined number of pins provided in the external memory medium 9 inside. Corresponding connectors are provided. The headset device 1 is provided with a reproduction processing unit 16 that omits details inside the external memory slot 10, and reproduces various information stored from the external memory medium 9 loaded in the external memory slot 10. To be stored in the internal memory 17.

  The headset device 1 is provided with a speaker hole 18 and a microphone hole 19 as shown in FIG. 3 on the main surface of the housing 4 which is inside when mounted on the ear shell. In the headset device 1, although not described in detail, an internal speaker 20 is disposed inside the housing 4 so as to face the speaker hole 18, and a microphone 21 is arranged facing the microphone hole 19. Since the headset device 1 has a structure in which the cap member 12 is combined with the lower portion of the housing 4 as described above, the microphone hole 19 and the microphone 21 may be provided on the cap member 12 side. Good. In the case of such a structure, the headset device 1 is provided with a connector structure on the housing 4 and the cap member 12 so that the microphone 21 is connected to the circuit section on the housing 4 side.

  In the headset device 1, an audio signal transmitted from the mobile phone 2 and an acoustic signal reproduced from the internal memory 17 or the external memory medium 9 are reproduced and output from the internal speaker 20. In the headset device 1, for example, in a state where the Bluetooth mode is set, the voice of the user M is collected by the microphone 21, converted into a voice signal, and transmitted to the mobile phone 2. To the other party.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the headset device 1 includes a wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6, an audio signal processing unit 22 connected to the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6, and a stereo earphone 13 connected to the stereo output jack 14. And an output switching circuit unit 24 for switching the output from the audio signal processing unit 22 between monaural output and stereo output. The headset device 1 includes a signal processing unit 25 connected to the internal memory 17 and the USB connector 8. Although not shown, the headset device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of each unit, a power supply circuit unit, and the like.

  The headset device 1 is mounted on a mounting board in which module parts, electronic parts, LSI elements, and IC elements that constitute each circuit unit described above are designed to be highly integrated. It is housed and configured. The headset device 1 has the liquid crystal display 11, the internal speaker 20, the USB connector 8, the stereo output jack 14, and the like mounted on a mounting board at predetermined positions, thereby reducing the number of boards and simplifying the structure and the assembly process. It is planned. In the headset device 1, when the microphone 21 is provided on the housing 4 side, the microphone 21 is also mounted on the mounting substrate.

  The headset device 1 is configured by a so-called Bluetooth module in which the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 and the antenna 7 are integrated into one chip, and is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone 2 by the Bluetooth wireless system to perform a hands-free call. The headset device 1 is wirelessly connected to the personal computer 3 or the like by the Bluetooth wireless system to exchange various information. The headset device 1 is constituted by a so-called USB module in which the signal processing unit 25 connected to the USB connector 8 is made into one chip, and is connected to the mobile phone 2 or the personal computer 3 via the USB cable 15 to store various information. Try to give and receive. Although not shown, the headset device 1 can be connected to a car navigation system or a car audio device having a Bluetooth wireless function or a USB function.

  In the headset device 1, the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 supplies transmission information from the mobile phone 2 and the personal computer 3 wirelessly connected to the audio signal processing unit 22 as described above. In the headset device 1, when the mobile phone 2 receives an incoming call, the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 outputs an incoming call detection signal to the output switching circuit unit 24 and the control unit. In the headset device 1, even if the sound signal is being reproduced from the internal speaker 20 or the stereo earphone 13, the headset device 1 enters the hands-free call mode based on the incoming call detection signal from the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6. Is switched so that the output switching circuit unit 24 is switched from the sound signal reproduction output mode to the audio signal output mode via the mobile phone 2.

  The headset device 1 can store an acoustic signal having a large capacity by using the internal memory 17 and the external memory medium 9, and can output it from the internal speaker 20 or the stereo earphone 13. The headset device 1 can write and read appropriate information by using a RAM (Random Access Memory) for the internal memory 17. The headset device 1 is an acoustic signal that is transmitted from a wirelessly connected mobile phone 2 or personal computer 3 and received by the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 and subjected to predetermined processing by the audio signal processing unit 22 in the Bluetooth mode setting state. Can be stored in the internal memory 17.

  In the USB mode setting state, the headset device 1 performs predetermined signal processing on the acoustic signal supplied from the personal computer 3 or the like connected via the USB cable 15 in the signal processing unit 25 and stores it in the internal memory 17. Is possible. Further, the headset device 1 can reproduce the acoustic signal stored in the external memory medium 9 loaded in the external memory slot 10 by the reproduction processing unit 16 and store it in the internal memory 17. The headset device 1 can store an acoustic signal reproduced from a car navigation device (not shown) connected to a USB or a DVD in the internal memory 17.

  As is well known, the stereo output jack 14 has an output terminal for an R sound signal and an output terminal for an L sound signal. When the plug 26 of the stereo earphone 13 is connected, an R sound signal and an L sound signal are connected. Is played and output. The stereo earphone 13 has an R channel speaker 27 and an L channel speaker 28, and both the speakers 27, 28 are connected to the plug 26 via an R cord 27a and an L cord 28a, respectively. Note that the stereo earphone 13 may be configured as a so-called headphone type in which, for example, an R channel speaker 27 and an L channel speaker 28 are integrated with a stretchable band.

  In the headset device 1, the stereo earphone 13 includes the R channel speaker 27 and the L channel speaker 28 connected by the R cord 27 a and the L cord 28 a as described above. For example, the internal speaker 20 is connected to the R channel. You may make it utilize as the speaker 27 or the L channel speaker 28. FIG. In the headset device 1, the stereo earphone 13 connects only one of the L channel speaker 28 and the R channel speaker 27 to the stereo output jack 14 in such a configuration. In the headset device 1, either the R sound signal or the L sound signal is supplied from the output switching circuit unit 24 to the stereo output jack 14, and another sound signal is supplied to the internal speaker 20. .

  In the headset device 1, the detection unit 23 is configured by, for example, a connection sensor attached to the stereo output jack 14, detects that the stereo earphone 13 is connected to the stereo output jack 14, and outputs a connection detection signal. . The detection unit 23 outputs the connection detection signal of the stereo earphone 13 to the output switching circuit unit 24 to switch the output between the audio signal and the acoustic signal output from the audio signal processing unit 22. When the audio signal processing unit 22 outputs a monaural audio signal, the output switching circuit unit 24 selects the internal speaker 20 so that monaural output is performed. The output switching circuit unit 24 selects the stereo output jack 14 and outputs the stereo signal from the R channel speaker 27 and the L channel speaker 28 of the stereo earphone 13 when outputting the audio signal of the stereo signal from the audio signal processing unit 22. Enable stereo output.

In the headset device 1 configured as described above, when the vehicle is driven, the user M operates the push button of the operation unit to turn on the power and sets the hands-free call mode. . In the headset device 1, when the plug 26 of the stereo earphone 13 is connected to the stereo output jack 14, the connection detection signal of the stereo earphone 13 is output from the detection unit 23 to the output switching circuit unit 24, and the stereo reproduction output mode Automatically set to The cellular phone 2 is inserted into a cellular phone holder 29 having an automatic transfer function installed in, for example, a console box or the like as shown in FIG.

  The headset device 1 is mounted by placing the housing 4 on the ear of the user M with the speaker hole 18 facing the ear hole and expanding the ear hooking member 5 and hooking it on the ear shell. The user M wears the L channel speaker 28 and the R channel speaker 27 of the stereo earphone 13 connected to the stereo output jack 14 in both ears.

  In the headset device 1, for example, when a playback mode setting operation for selecting and playing music information stored in the internal memory 17 is performed by the operation unit, a predetermined acoustic signal stored in the internal memory 17 is selected. It is supplied to the audio processing unit 22. In the headset device 1, the sound processing unit 22 performs predetermined sound processing on the acoustic signal and supplies the sound signal to the output switching circuit unit 24. Since the headset device 1 is set to the stereo reproduction output mode as described above, the acoustic signal output from the audio processing unit 22 is supplied to the stereo output jack 14 selected by the output switching circuit unit 24. The audio signal is supplied from the stereo earphone 13 and reproduced in stereo.

  In the headset device 1, for example, when a reproduction mode setting operation for reproducing an audio signal recorded by loading the external memory medium 9 in the external memory slot 10 is performed, the reproduction processing unit 16 performs a predetermined operation from the external memory medium 9. The acoustic signal is reproduced and supplied to the output switching circuit unit 24 via the internal memory 17 and the audio signal processing unit 22 or directly. In the headset device 1, the acoustic signal reproduced from the external memory medium 9 is reproduced in stereo from the stereo earphone 13. In the headset device 1, an audio signal supplied from a USB-connected car navigation device or the like is also reproduced in stereo from the stereo earphone 13.

  In the headset device 1, the stereo sound signal output from the output switching circuit unit 24 can be heard in the stereo mode by connecting the stereo earphone 13 to the stereo output jack 14 provided in the housing 4 as described above. Make it possible. Therefore, in the headset device 1, it is possible to listen to music with a stereo output with good sound quality while preparing for an incoming call by always wearing it even while the car is driving, so that the driver M can relieve the driving tension and change the mood. To be planned.

  In the headset device 1, when the mobile phone 2 receives an incoming call while enjoying the reproduction output of the acoustic signal by the stereo earphone 13 described above, automatic switching to the hands-free call mode is performed. The mobile phone 2 is set in, for example, the drive mode and is loaded in the mobile phone holder 29, and notifies the headset device 1 of the incoming call by the Bluetooth wireless system after a predetermined number of calls based on the incoming call. Of course, the incoming call notification method is not limited to this procedure.

  In the headset device 1, an incoming call notification from the mobile phone 2 is detected by the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6, and an incoming call detection signal is output from the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 to the output switching circuit unit 24 and the control unit. In the headset device 1, an instruction to switch from the sound signal reproduction mode to the hands-free call mode is issued from the control unit based on the incoming call detection signal, and the output signal from the sound signal reproduction output operation in the output switching circuit unit 24 to the cellular phone 2. The operation for switching to the output mode of the audio signal via is performed.

In the headset device 1, wireless connection with the mobile phone 2 is performed by the Bluetooth wireless system, and the other party's voice received by the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 through the antenna 7 via the mobile phone 2 is processed by audio signal processing. The unit 22 performs a predetermined process and supplies it to the output switching circuit unit 24. In the headset device 1, an audio signal is supplied from the output switching circuit unit 24 to the internal speaker 20, and is monaurally output from the internal speaker 20. In the headset device 1, the audio signal is monaurally output from the internal speaker 20 so that the user M can hear clearly.

  In the headset device 1, the voice of the user M is collected by the microphone 21, supplied to the voice signal processing unit 22, subjected to predetermined processing, and carried by the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 6 and the antenna 7. It is transmitted to the telephone 2. The cellular phone 2 transmits a voice signal of the user M to the other party so that a hands-free call is performed. In the headset device 1, an instruction to switch from the hands-free call mode to the sound signal reproduction mode is issued from the control unit based on the call end signal output from the mobile phone 2 when the call ends, and the output switching circuit. In the unit 24, an operation of switching from an audio signal output operation via the mobile phone 2 to an acoustic signal reproduction mode is performed. In the headset device 1, the sound signal stereo reproduction operation is resumed in accordance with the sound signal reproduction operation described above.

  As for the headset device 1, a typical use example has been described above, but a large amount of music information and the like can be variously processed by properly using the Bluetooth function, the USB function, or the internal memory 17 and the external memory medium 9. It is possible. The headset device 1 may be configured such that an incoming call notification is made from the stereo earphone 13 when an incoming call is received in the mobile phone 2 during a usage pattern other than the hands-free call with the mobile phone 2.

It is explanatory drawing of the state which mounts | wears and uses a headset apparatus shown as embodiment as a user's ear shell. It is a block diagram of the headset device. It is a rear view of the same headset device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Headset apparatus 2 Mobile phone 3 Personal computer 4 Case 5 Ear hook member 6 Wireless transmission / reception circuit part 7 Antenna 8 USB connector 9 External memory medium 11 Liquid crystal display 12 Cap member 13 Stereo earphone 14 Stereo output jack 17 Internal memory 20 Speaker DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Microphone 22 Audio | voice signal processing part 23 Detection part 24 Output switching circuit part 25 Signal processing part 27 R channel speaker 28 L channel speaker 29 Cell phone holder

Claims (3)

A short-range wireless radio transceiver module, an internal speaker, and a microphone are provided in a housing, and the wireless transceiver module is attached to a user's ear shell through an ear hook provided in the housing. A headset device having a function of performing a hands-free call with the other party by relaying a mobile phone via a mobile phone and a function of reproducing and outputting an acoustic signal,
The housing includes an output switching circuit unit that switches between a monaural output based on an audio input received via the wireless transceiver module and a stereo output based on an acoustic signal, and a jack to which a stereo earphone is attached and detached as an external speaker. Provided,
A headset device that outputs a monaural sound from the internal speaker and a stereo sound signal from the stereo earphone connected to the jack for a hands-free call relaying the mobile phone.   The headset device according to claim 1, wherein an internal memory is provided in the housing, and an acoustic signal received by the wireless transmission / reception module and an acoustic signal read from an external storage medium are stored in the internal memory. The output switching circuit unit performs a switching operation from a stereo output of the acoustic signal to a monaural output of the hands-free call when an incoming call response is made by the mobile phone during the stereo output of the acoustic signal. The headset device according to claim 1 or 2.

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