JP2007306205A - Group call device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a group call device that enables a driver to easily recognize which member is speaking a current output speech when group calls are made. <P>SOLUTION: The group call device 10 is mounted on a vehicle and connected to two or more speakers (four speakers 31 to 34 in Fig.), and includes a storage section 13 which holds a table showing correspondence between one or more members belonging to a group and one of the speakers 31 to 34 and a control section 12 which refers to the table and outputs a currently input speech signal to the speaker corresponding to the member speaking the speech that the speech signal represents when speech conversations with the respective members belonging to the group are made. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a group call device and method, and more particularly, to a group call device and method capable of carrying out a voice conversation simultaneously with a plurality (preferably two or more) conversation partners.

  With the explosive spread of mobile phones in recent years, there is an increasing demand for making calls while driving a car. However, it is restricted by domestic law that a driver can hold a mobile phone in his hand and make a call while driving. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for a group communication device that allows a driver to make a call using a microphone and a loudspeaker installed in a vehicle without securing a mobile phone while driving.

In the conventional group communication device, a speaker and a microphone are installed at the position of the A pillar. The driver performs a voice conversation with the conversation partner using a microphone and a speaker (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-261681

  By the way, in recent years, mobile phones equipped with a push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) function have become widespread, and application to in-vehicle use is also being studied. The in-vehicle group call device applying PoC assumes a mode in which each member has a conversation using a mobile phone in a group of a plurality of members. In such a group communication device for in-vehicle use, for example, a driver as one member can hold the transmission right while pressing the transmission switch, and when the release switch is released, the transmission right is held. Is abandoned, and the group members are able to obtain the transmission right.

  In PoC, all other members belonging to the group communicate with each other. That is, the voice uttered by the driver reaches all the other members belonging to the group, and conversely, all the voices uttered by the other members belonging to the group reach the group call device.

  However, in the conventional in-car group communication device, since the voice of each member is output from the same speaker, there is a problem that it is difficult for the driver to specify who the output voice from the speaker is from. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a group call device that allows a driver to easily recognize which member the current output voice is from when a group call is made. And

  The group call device of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle and connected to two or more speakers. The group call device includes a storage unit that stores a table indicating correspondence between one or more members belonging to a predetermined group and the speaker, and a voice conversation with each member belonging to the group. A control unit is provided that refers to the table and outputs the member voice signal input this time toward the speaker corresponding to the member that has produced the voice represented by the voice signal.

  The present invention can be implemented as a call method, a computer program, or an integrated circuit used in another aspect other than the group call device.

  In the present invention, when a voice conversation (group call) is performed with a member belonging to a group in accordance with a table showing correspondence between one or more members belonging to a predetermined group and the speaker, the current input voice signal member Is output to a predetermined speaker. In other words, since the sound is output from the speaker assigned to the slave member, it becomes easier for the driver to recognize from which member the currently output sound is from during the group call. .

  Hereinafter, a group call device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of group call device 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the group call device 10 exemplarily includes a mobile phone 20 having a hands-free function, a first speaker 31, a second speaker 32, a third speaker 33, and a fourth speaker equipped in a vehicle. A speaker 34 is connected. Examples of this type of group call device 10 include a navigation device or an audio device that can be installed in a vehicle, or an in-vehicle PC (Personal Computer). The group call device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a first voice processing unit 141, a second voice processing unit 142, a third voice processing unit 143, and a fourth. Audio processing unit 144.

  The communication unit 11 is connectable to a communication network via the mobile phone 20 and sends out voice data (calling side) generated based on the input voice to the communication network by the group call device 10. The communication unit 11 also receives the other party's voice data sent from the other party through the communication network. Moreover, the communication part 11 transmits / receives data required for a process other than audio | voice data. An example of such data is control data. The control data is information indicating which member of the group holds the transmission right in PoC, for example.

  The control unit 12 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU executes the computer program stored in the ROM while using the RAM as a work area. Although specific processing of the control unit 12 will be described later, generally speaking, the control unit 12 holds voice data of a conversation partner input from the communication unit 11 in a storage unit 13 described later. Output to any of the first audio processing unit 141, the second audio processing unit 142, the third audio processing unit 143, and the fourth audio processing unit 144.

  The storage unit 13 stores a table indicating correspondence between members belonging to the group and speakers to be used for audio output. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the table is configured to indicate, for each group, the members belonging to the group and the correspondence of the speakers used for audio output from the devices on the member side. As a specific example, group 1 is shown in FIG. In this group 1, Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C, and Mr. D are registered as members. Moreover, the 1st speaker 31 is shown as a speaker which should output Mr. A's audio | voice. Further, the table shows that the second speaker 32 is used for Mr. B's voice output, the third speaker 33 is used for Mr. C's voice output, and the fourth speaker 34 is used for Mr. D's voice output. Indicated.

  The first audio processing unit 141 performs signal processing on the audio data input from the control unit 12 to form an electric signal that can be converted into sound by the first speaker 31 connected to the first audio processing unit 141, and has already been processed. An electric signal is sent to the first speaker 31.

  The second audio processing unit 142 to the fourth audio processing unit 144 perform signal processing on the audio information input from the control unit 12, and the second speaker 32 to the fourth speaker 34 connected to each of them. The electric signal is converted into sound and sent to the second speaker 32 to the fourth speaker 34 in the subsequent stage.

  The operation of group call device 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of the group call device 10 when PoC is started.

  After the start of the group call by PoC (step S200), the control unit 12 acquires information on a group to be used for a group call (hereinafter referred to as “group information”) from the mobile phone 20 via the communication unit 11 (step S201). .

  After step S201, the control unit 12 ends the group call depending on whether or not information indicating the end of the group call by PoC (hereinafter referred to as “end notification”), which is one of the control data, has been received. Whether or not (step S202).

  If it is determined Yes in step S202, the process in FIG. 3 ends (step S209). On the other hand, when it is determined No in step S202, the control unit 12 uses the mobile unit 20 via the communication unit 11 to indicate information indicating a member of the group that has secured the transmission right (hereinafter referred to as “transmission right state”). It is determined whether or not any member has secured the right to transmit (step S203).

  If it is determined No in step S203, the control unit 12 performs step S202 again. On the other hand, if it is determined as Yes in step S203, the currently active group is selected from the table in the member storage unit 13 (step S204). This group shows correspondence between members belonging to the group and speakers used for audio output from each member side device (audio data transmission source).

  The control unit 12 searches the group of the table selected in step S204 for a speaker corresponding to the member indicated in the transmission right state received in step S203. The control unit 12 determines the speaker obtained by the search as a speaker corresponding to the member who has secured the transmission right (step S205).

  After step S204, the control unit 12 transmits the audio data sent from the member side device that has acquired the right to transmit this time via the communication unit 11 to the audio processing unit connected to the speaker determined in step S205. (Step S206). With this process, the sound processing unit performs the above-described process on the input sound data, and then outputs the processed sound data to a speaker connected to itself. The speaker outputs the voice of the member who spoke this time according to the processed voice data.

  For example, in the transmission right state received in step S203, if the member who has acquired the right to transmit this time is Mr. A in group 1, the speaker used is the first speaker 31 (see FIG. 3), so step S206. , The audio data received this time is sent to the first audio processing unit 141.

  After step S206, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the member has released the transmission right depending on whether or not a release notification that is one of the control data has been received (step S207). If it is determined Yes in step S207, the control unit 12 stops outputting voice data (step S208), and returns to a state of waiting for the next member to acquire the transmission right (step S202).

  The group call device 10 described above can individually output audio data to a plurality of speakers, and holds the assignment of speakers corresponding to each member as a table. In addition, the group call device refers to the table and outputs the voice of each member through a separate speaker. As a result, the voice is output from a different position for each member, so that the user of the group call device can easily identify the member who is currently speaking. Thus, according to the group call device according to the present embodiment, group calls can be realized more comfortably.

  In the above description, the table is stored in the storage unit 13 in advance. However, a list of members belonging to the group is obtained from the mobile phone 20 at the start of PoC, and the relationship between the members and the speakers is dynamically determined. It may be generated.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, you may change the content of the memory | storage part 13 dynamically. That is, when there is a member who does not participate at the start of PoC, a speaker assigned to the member on the table may be assigned to another member at that time.

  In the present embodiment, the first audio processing unit 141, the second audio processing unit 142, the third audio processing unit 143, and the fourth audio processing unit 144 are connected to the first speaker 31 and the second audio processing unit 144, respectively. The sound volume to be output from the speaker 32, the third speaker 33, and the fourth speaker 34 may be weighted. For example, when the second speaker 32 is disposed at a position farthest from the user of the group call device, the volume of the sound output from the second sound processing unit 142 is increased, so that it is inherently spatial. It is possible to correct the audible volume that is reduced by attenuation.

  In addition, the first audio processing unit 141, the second audio processing unit 142, the third audio processing unit 143, and the fourth audio processing unit 144 are the first speaker 31, the second speaker 32, and the third audio processing unit 144, respectively. The sound quality of the sound to be output from the speaker 33 and the fourth speaker 34 may be set individually according to the voice quality of the member. For example, when the voice quality of the member who outputs the sound from the first speaker 31 becomes easier to hear by enhancing the high frequency, the first audio processing unit 141 performs processing for enhancing the high frequency for the input audio signal. By performing the above, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the user of the group call device can more easily hear the voice.

  In addition, the first audio processing unit 141, the second audio processing unit 142, the third audio processing unit 143, and the fourth audio processing unit 144 are the first speaker 31, the second speaker 32, and the third audio processing unit 144, respectively. The volume of the sound to be output from the speaker 33 and the fourth speaker 34 may be set individually according to the voice quality of the member. For example, when the voice of the member outputting the voice from the first speaker 31 is originally lower than the voices of the other members, the first voice processing unit 141 performs the process of increasing the volume of the input voice signal, thereby It is possible to realize a configuration in which the user of the group call device can more easily hear the voice.

  The first audio processing unit 141, the second audio processing unit 142, the third audio processing unit 143, and the fourth audio processing unit 144 are the first speaker 31, the second speaker 32, and the third audio processing unit 144, respectively. The volume and / or sound quality of the sound to be output from the speaker 33 and the fourth speaker 34 may be individually adjusted. For example, when the member to whom the first speaker 31 is assigned is speaking in an environment with a lot of ambient noise and it is difficult to hear the voice, only the first voice processing unit 141 increases only the input voice signal. By providing buttons that are adjusted by the user, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the user of this group call device can more easily hear the voice.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the vehicle, the first speaker 31 to the fourth speaker 34 are arranged in almost four directions with reference to the user of the group call device. Among these, the 1st speaker 31 and the 4th speaker 34 are arrange | positioned along with the horizontal direction of the vehicle substantially. In this case, if there are two members in the group, the first speaker 31 is used as a speaker for one member, and the fourth speaker 34 is used as a speaker for the other member. Therefore, you can hear the voice of the other party, so you can make a group call without any discomfort.

  Further, the first speaker 31 and the second speaker 32 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this case, if there are two members in the group, if the first speaker 31 is used as a speaker for one member and the second speaker 32 is used as a member for the other member, the user can Then, the voice of the other party can be heard, so that the other party can be identified more clearly. About this point, the 1st speaker 31 and the 3rd speaker 33 are the same also when arrange | positioning along with the substantially diagonal direction of a vehicle.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the group call device and the external mobile phone are connected via the communication unit. However, the mobile phone may be built in the group call device.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 12 may be realized by an integrated circuit.

  Next, an alternative example of the group call device 10 (hereinafter, group call device 10a) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the group call device 10a according to this modification. In FIG. 4, the group call device 10a is different from the group call device 10 described above in that the control unit 12, the first voice processing unit 141, the second voice processing unit 142, the third voice processing unit 143, and the fourth Is different in that the voice processing unit 144 is replaced with the control unit 12a, the first voice processing unit 141a, the second voice processing unit 142a, the third voice processing unit 143a, and the fourth voice processing unit 144a. Since there is no difference between the other group call devices 10 and 10a, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to FIG. 1 in FIG.

  The control unit 12a receives the voice data of the conversation partner input from the communication unit 11 according to a table held in the storage unit 13 to be described later, the first voice processing unit 141a, the second voice processing unit 142a, and the first The data is output to the third audio processing unit 143a and the fourth audio processing unit 144a. In addition, the control unit 12a outputs a control signal for volume control to the first audio processing unit 141a, the second audio processing unit 142a, the third audio processing unit 143a, and the fourth audio processing unit 144a. . Specifically, this control signal is used to set the amplification degree for the first audio processing unit 141a, the second audio processing unit 142a, the third audio processing unit 143a, and the fourth audio processing unit 144a. Signal.

  The first audio processing unit 141 can amplify the input audio data with the amplification degree specified by the control signal from the control unit 12a, and can convert it into sound by the first speaker 31 connected to itself. The processed electric signal is sent to the first speaker 31.

  The second sound processing unit 142 to the fourth sound processing unit 144 amplify the input sound data with the amplification degree specified by the control signal from the control unit 12a, and the second sound processing unit 144a to the second sound processing unit 144 connected to each of them. The sound is converted into a sound that can be converted into sound by the speakers 32 to 34 and sent to the second speaker 32 to the fourth speaker 34 in the subsequent stage.

  The operation of group call device 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the group call device 10 when PoC is started. 5 differs from FIG. 3 in that steps S501 to S503 are included instead of steps S205 and S206. Other than that, there is no difference between the two flowcharts. Therefore, in FIG. 5, the same step numbers are assigned to the steps corresponding to the steps in FIG.

  After step S204 described in the above embodiment, the control unit 12a searches the group corresponding to the member indicated in the transmission right state received in step S203 from the table group selected in step S204. The control unit 12a determines the speaker obtained by the search as a main speaker corresponding to the member who has secured the transmission right, and determines a speaker other than the one obtained by the search as a sub-speaker (step S501).

  After step S204, the control unit 12a individually transmits control signals to the first sound processing unit 141a to the fourth sound processing unit 144a (step S502). Each control signal is the same in that the amplification degree is designated as described above. However, the control signal for the audio processing unit connected to the main speaker is designated with the first amplification degree, and the control signal for the audio processing unit connected to the sub-speaker has the first amplification degree. A second amplification factor smaller than is specified.

  In addition, the control unit 12a sends the voice data sent from the member side device that has acquired the right to transmit this time to the first voice processing unit 141a to the fourth voice processing unit 144a via the communication unit 11. This is started (step S503). Through this processing, the first audio processing unit 141a to the fourth audio processing unit 144a amplify the input audio data with the amplification degree specified by the input control signal, and then connect the processed audio data to itself. Output to the selected speaker. The speaker outputs the voice of the member who spoke this time according to the amplified voice data.

  For example, if the member who has acquired the transmission right this time is Mr. A in group 1, the main speaker is determined as the first speaker 31, and the second speaker 32 to the fourth speaker 34 are determined as the sub-speakers. . Accordingly, a relatively loud sound is output from the first speaker 31, and a sound smaller than the output sound of the first speaker 31 is output from the other second speaker 32 to the fourth speaker 34. Is output.

  After step S503 described above, step S207 and subsequent steps described in the above embodiment are performed.

  According to the group call device 10a described above, loud sound is output from different positions (that is, main speakers) for each member, so that the user of the group call device 10a can easily identify the member who is currently speaking. become. At the same time, the user hears the sound from the same member through the sub-speaker although the volume is low. As a result, it is possible to give the user a sense of realism as if the user and the member were interacting together.

  It has been described that all speakers other than the main speaker are used as sub-speakers. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one sub speaker may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 12a may be realized by an integrated circuit.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail, the said description is an illustration in all the meanings, and is not restrictive. It will be appreciated that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

  As described above, the group call device according to the present invention is suitable for an in-vehicle navigation device, an in-vehicle audio device, an in-vehicle PC, etc. that are desired to easily identify a conversation partner.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a group call device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which illustrates the content of the table stored in the memory | storage part 13 shown in FIG. The flowchart which illustrates the process of the group communication apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Block diagram showing the configuration of the group call device 10a shown in FIG. The flowchart which illustrates the process of the group communication apparatus 10a shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10a Group communication device 11 Communication unit 12, 12a Control unit 13 Storage unit 141, 141a First voice processing unit 142, 142a Second voice processing unit 143, 143a Third voice processing unit 144, 144a Fourth Audio processor 20 Mobile phone 31 First speaker 32 Second speaker 33 Third speaker 34 Fourth speaker

Claims (11)

A group communication device mounted on a vehicle and connected to two or more speakers.
The group call device is:
A storage unit that holds a table indicating correspondence between one or more members belonging to a predetermined group and the speaker;
Control for referring to the table and outputting a voice signal input this time toward the speaker corresponding to the member that has produced the voice represented by the voice signal when performing voice dialogue with each member belonging to the group A group call device. The speaker corresponding to the member that has produced the sound represented by the current input audio signal is a main speaker, and at least one speaker other than the main speaker is a sub-speaker.
The control unit outputs the audio signal input this time toward the main speaker and the sub speaker,
The group call device according to claim 1, wherein an output sound from the main speaker is larger than an output sound from the sub-speaker.   2. The group according to claim 1, wherein when the voice conversation is started, the control unit obtains information of members participating in the voice dialogue and generates the table based on the obtained information. Telephone device. Of the two or more speakers, at least the first and second speakers are arranged along a predetermined direction of the vehicle,
The group according to claim 1, wherein the table shows correspondence between the first speaker and the first member, and correspondence between the second speaker and a second member different from the first member. Telephone device.   The group call device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined direction is any one of a left-right direction, a front-rear direction, and an oblique direction of the vehicle.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit individually sets one or both of a loudness level output from each of the speakers and a frequency characteristic of a sound output from the speaker. The group call device described.   The group call device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit changes either or both of the volume value and the frequency characteristic in accordance with a member designation. A call method used in a group call device mounted on a vehicle and connected to two or more speakers.
The calling method is:
A storage step for holding a table indicating correspondence between one or more members belonging to a predetermined group and the speaker;
A process of referring to the table and outputting the currently input audio signal to the speaker corresponding to the member that has produced the audio represented by the audio signal when performing a voice conversation with each member belonging to the group A call method comprising steps. A computer program used in a group communication device mounted on a vehicle and connected to two or more speakers,
The computer program is
A storage step for holding a table indicating correspondence between one or more members belonging to a predetermined group and the speaker;
When performing a voice conversation with each member belonging to the group, the table is referred to, and the member voice signal input this time is output to the speaker corresponding to the member that has emitted the voice represented by the voice signal. A computer program comprising a processing step.   The computer program according to claim 9, stored in a storage medium. An integrated circuit included in a group communication device mounted on a vehicle and connected to two or more speakers,
The group call device includes a storage unit that holds a table indicating correspondence between one or more members belonging to a predetermined group and the speaker,
The integrated circuit comprises:
When performing a voice conversation with each member belonging to the group, with reference to the table, a determination unit that determines a speaker corresponding to the member that has emitted the voice represented by the voice signal input this time;
An integrated circuit comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a sound signal input this time toward a speaker determined by the determination unit.