JP2003324517A - Vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable communication with communication devices located outside of a vehicle via a cellular phone without being restricted by the installation position of the cellular phone, even if the cellular phone is carried into the vehicle by installing a headset compatible with Bluetooth standards into a hands-free communication device having a loudspeaker and a sound collecting microphone. <P>SOLUTION: A headset 3 becoming in a communicable state with a cellular phone 2, when the cellular phone 2 comes into a communication area is added to a hands-free unit 8, and the headset 3 is mounted on the hands-free unit 8, so that a receiving call function exhibited by the microphone and the receiver of the headset 3 can be switched to receiving call function by a sound collecting microphone 92 and a loudspeaker 91 of the hands-free unit 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A hands-free communication device is known in which a mobile phone having no hands-free communication function can be used for hands-free communication. An example of this case is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-298596 (Prior Art 1). In this one,
The output of the secret phone receiver (receiver) of the mobile phone itself is taken into the microphone by air propagation, amplified and output as the received sound by the loud speaker, and the user's voice is collected by the sound collecting microphone. The system employs a method in which the sound that is amplified and output from the speaker is input to the confidential microphone (sending section) of the mobile phone itself by air propagation. In this hands-free communication device, the echo canceling circuit is interposed between the receiving system circuit and the transmitting system circuit to prevent occurrence of phenomena such as echo and howling.

The hands-free communication device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-368246 (Prior Art 2) incorporates an incoming signal of a mobile phone held in a holder into an external amplifier as an electric signal and a loud speaker. The system employs a method in which the user's voice picked up by the sound collecting microphone is taken as an electric signal into the mobile phone as a transmission signal. Then, in the prior art example 2, it is proposed that an accessory power supply (power supply for a cigarette lighter) of an automobile is used as a power supply of the hands-free communication device or a battery power supply is provided instead.

According to the hands-free communication devices of the first and second examples, by installing the hands-free communication device in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the automobile, the user can talk without holding the mobile phone. It has the convenience of being able to do it.

By the way, recently, Bluetooth (Blue)
Etooth technology is receiving attention. Bluetooth is a name of a technology for connecting a portable device such as a mobile phone with a small-sized and inexpensive short-range wireless.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a headset 1 made in accordance with the Bluetooth standard, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a call situation between the Bluetooth compatible mobile phone 2 and the headset 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the headset 1 made according to the Bluetooth standard has a wireless circuit part (RF
A built-in circuit 12 including a circuit part) and a circuit part (BB control circuit part) for controlling the operation, and an internal receiver 13 and an internal microphone 14 connected to the built-in circuit 12.
The internal receiver 13 and the internal microphone 14 are for confidential talk, and are not suitable for transmission / reception in a remote place. When the Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone 2 approaches the call area of the headset 1 conforming to the Bluetooth standard as shown in FIG. 6, both the headset 1 and the mobile phone 2 recognize each other and can talk. It will be in a state. Normally, in this state, a telephone call to the mobile phone 2 can be communicated with an external communication means (not shown) via the mobile phone 2 by using the headset 1.

Although not shown in the figure, a headset has been proposed which allows the FM circuit to make a call in the call area. Even in this headset, if the call is in the call area, another call is made via the FM circuit. A call with the means is possible. The same applies to a headset capable of making a call using infrared rays.

[0008]

However, according to the first prior art example, although the user is freed from the telephone call due to the secret communication, the receiving section and the transmitting section of the mobile phone are connected to the microphone of the hands-free communication device. It is necessary to take measures to keep the external noise as close as possible by keeping it in close contact with the speaker, and even if you do so, it is a method that transmits and receives voice by air transmission, so it completely blocks external noise. It is difficult to do and there is a problem in call quality.

[0009] In the second example, although the user is relieved from the confidential call, the hands-free call needs to be connected by wire between the mobile phone and the hands-free call device using a communication line. When using the accessory power supply of the car as the power supply of the device, the electric cord that connects the accessory power supply and the hands-free communication device will be crawled inside the vehicle, so the electric cord will get in the way or cut by being caught by the electric cord There is a risk that such a situation will occur.

Further, in the cases of the prior art 1 and the prior art 2, since it is necessary to attach the mobile phone to the hands-free communication device or to hold the mobile phone in the holder of the hands-free communication device, the place for placing the mobile phone is It was limited and there was the inconvenience of not being able to talk when the mobile phone was in another location.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned conventional headset conforming to the Bluetooth standard has a very convenient function in that it can be wirelessly connected to a mobile phone in a call area. However, functionally, it can be used only by a normal call connection by a secret communication method with a mobile phone in a narrow call area, and the frequency of use is inevitably low. In other words, the headset conforming to the conventional Bluetooth standard has low utility value because it can be used only in a limited area within the communication area, which has been an obstacle to the spread of the Bluetooth technology.

The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and by incorporating a headset conforming to the Bluetooth standard into a hands-free communication device equipped with a speaker for loudspeaker and a microphone for collecting sound, which is not a secret system, It is possible to make hands-free calls using the loudspeaker and sound collection microphone of the hands-free call device, which is not a secret method, but is not restricted by the installation position as long as the mobile phone is brought into the vehicle. , It becomes possible to talk to the communication means outside the vehicle via the mobile phone, which makes it easier to increase the utility value of headsets conforming to the Bluetooth standard and facilitate its spread. The purpose is to provide.

Further, the present invention is not limited to a headset conforming to the Bluetooth standard, but a headset capable of making a call in a call area by using an FM circuit or infrared rays, a speaker for loudspeaker which is not a secret system and sound collection. By incorporating it into a hands-free communication device equipped with a microphone for voice communication, it is possible to carry out hands-free communication using the loudspeaker of the hands-free communication device and the microphone for sound collection, which is not a secret communication method, but bring the mobile phone into the car. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device that enables communication with a communication means outside the vehicle via the mobile phone without being restricted by the installation position.

[0014]

A vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device according to the present invention is a vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device equipped with a hands-free unit capable of hands-free transmission / reception via a communication function of a mobile phone. Add a headset that allows the mobile phone to talk to the mobile phone when it enters the talking area, and attach the headset to the handsfree unit to add the headset microphone. The voice transmitting / receiving function exhibited by the receiver and the receiver is switched to the voice transmitting / receiving function by the sound collecting microphone and the loudspeaker of the handsfree unit, and the sound collecting microphone and the loudspeaker of the handsfree unit are used to perform the above. It is possible to make a call using a headset.

According to this, since the transmission / reception function of the headset is switched to the transmission / reception function of the above-mentioned hands-free unit simply by mounting the added headset on the in-vehicle hands-free unit, the mobile phone is brought into the vehicle. The convenient function of the headset, which allows wireless connection to the mobile phone regardless of where it is located, is utilized as it is, and the handset-free unit has a voice transmission / reception function using the sound collection microphone and loudspeaker. By utilizing it, it becomes possible to make a call to an external call means (a mobile phone, a fixed-line phone or other call means) via a mobile phone without depending on the secret communication method. Moreover, since the mobile phone and the headset are wirelessly connected to each other, it is not necessary to run a communication line connecting the mobile phone and the headset inside the vehicle.

The hands-free unit may be powered by an accessory power source of an automobile, or the hands-free unit itself may be equipped with a battery power source. There is no need for an electric cord to connect the accessory power supply to the hands-free unit, so there is no risk of getting caught or cut by the electric cord.

In the present invention, the hands-free unit includes a voice switch circuit or an echo canceller circuit and a first connector connected to these circuits, and the headset is a counterpart of the first connector.
A connector is provided, and the first connector is connected to the second connector to cut off an audio signal system connected to a microphone and a receiver of a headset, and to connect the audio signal system to the voice switch circuit and the voice switch circuit. It is desirable to have a function of connecting to the sound collecting microphone and the loudspeaker of the handsfree unit via the echo canceller circuit.

According to this, by mounting the headset on the handsfree unit and connecting the second connector of the headset to the first connector of the handsfree unit,
The audio signal system connected to the headset microphone and receiver is cut off, and the audio signal system is connected to the sound collecting microphone and the loudspeaker of the handsfree unit via the voice switch circuit and the echo canceller circuit. Therefore, calls that do not rely on the confidential communication method using the microphone for collecting sounds and the speaker for loudspeaker of the hands-free unit,
It becomes possible to communicate with external communication means via a mobile phone.
When the headset is removed from the handsfree unit and the connection between the first connector and the second connector is released, the voice signal system connected to the microphone and receiver of the headset is used to make the communication area of the headset. Allows confidential communication with external mobile phones.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the headset meets the Bluetooth standard for connecting to a mobile phone. According to this, it is possible to make a non-secret phone call using a headset that complies with the Bluetooth standard with an external communication means via a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone. It helps to increase the utility value of standard-compliant headsets and promote their spread.

The call using the secret communication method means a call in which a microphone (speaker) is placed in the mouth and a speaker or a receiver (receiver) is placed near the ear, and a call not based on the secret communication is used. , A call in which a voice output from a loudspeaker microphone is heard at a distant place, and a voice uttered by a user at a distant place is collected by a sound collecting mic.

[0021]

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a headset 3 used in a hands-free communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a hands-free unit 8 used in the hands-free communication device. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the in-vehicle hands-free communication device H according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a usage state of the vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device H.

The hands-free unit 8 shown in FIG.
A circuit portion 81 having a voice switch circuit or an echo canceller circuit, a receiving-side pin plug connector 81 and a transmitting-side pin plug connector 86 connected to the circuit portion 81, and a loud speaker 91 connected to the circuit portion 81. And a microphone 92 for collecting sound. The voice switch circuit and the echo canceller circuit include an audio amplifier circuit (amplifier circuit) in them. In the hands-free unit 8, the reception signal input to the reception-side pin plug connector 81 is amplified by the circuit unit 81 and output as voice from the loudspeaker 91. Also,
The voice uttered by the user is picked up by the sound collecting microphone 92, converted into an electric signal by the circuit section 81, and output from the transmitter side pin plug connector 86. At this time, the function of the voice switch circuit of the circuit unit 81 activates the circuit unit 81 by sensing the voice of the user, and the function of the echo canceller circuit suppresses phenomena such as echo and howling. In this embodiment, the receiver-side pin plug connector 81 has three poles 83, 84, 85. Similarly, the transmitter side pin plug connector 86 also has three poles 87, 88, 8
Have nine.

The headset 3 shown in FIG. 1 is a headset conforming to the Bluetooth standard, and has a wireless circuit section (R
F circuit section) and a circuit section for controlling the operation (BB control circuit section)
It has an internal circuit 12 provided with and an internal receiver 13 and an internal microphone 14 connected to the internal circuit 12, and both the internal receiver 13 and the internal microphone 14 are for confidential use. Therefore, a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided in the talking area of the headset 3.
When is approached, both the headset 3 and the mobile phone recognize each other and are ready to talk. Normally, in this state, when the incoming call is made to the mobile phone, the incoming call button provided on the headset is pushed down to allow the phone to use the headset 3 to make an external call (not available) via the mobile phone. (Shown in the figure).

In the headset 3 of FIG. 1, a receiver side pin jack connector 42 and a transmitter side pin jack connector 46 are attached to the housing 3a in a built-in state. The receiver side pin jack connector 42 has three contacts 43, 44, 45 and 2 corresponding to the three poles 83, 84 and 85 of the receiver side pin plug connector 82 described in FIG.
When the receiver side pin plug connector 82 is not connected, the switch shown in FIG.
While the three contacts 43, 44, 45 are connected to the circuit section 12 and the two switch contacts 51, 52 are connected to the internal receiver 13 as shown in FIG. , 3 on each of the three poles 83, 84, and 85 of the receiver-side pin plug connector 82
The one contact 43, 44, 45 is connected separately, and the two switch contacts 51, 52 are turned off.
The transmitter side pin jack connector 46 has three contacts 47, 48, 49 corresponding to the three poles 87, 88, 89 of the transmitter side pin plug connector 86 described in FIG.
And two switch contacts 55, 56, and when the transmitter side pin plug connector 86 is not coupled, these three contacts 47, 48, 49 are provided as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the circuit unit 12, and two switch contacts 55, 5
6 is connected to the internal microphone 14, but when the receiving-side pin plug connector 86 is coupled, three contacts 47, 48, 49 are respectively attached to the three poles 87, 88, 89 of the transmitting-side pin plug connector 86. Are connected to each other,
Moreover, the two switch contacts 55, 56 are turned off.

As shown in FIG. 3, a housing space S for mounting the housing 3a of the headset 3 is secured in the housing 8a of the handsfree unit 8.
And in this headset space S, headset 3
By fitting the housing 3a of the above, the receiving side pin jack connector 42 and the transmitting side pin jack connector 46 on the headset 3 side become the receiving side pin plug connector 81 and the transmitting side pin plug connector 86 on the handsfree unit 8 side. It is designed to be combined with each other. Therefore, the headset space S of the hands-free unit 8
Attach the case 3a of the headset 3 to the headset 3
When the receiving-side pin jack connector 42 and the transmitting-side pin jack connector 46 on the side are separately coupled to the receiving-side pin plug connector 81 and the transmitting-side pin plug connector 86 on the hands-free unit 8 side, as described above, the headset 3 The switch contacts 51, 52, 55, 5 in the respective pin jack connectors 42, 46 on the receiving side and the transmitting side of the
6 is turned off, the circuit portion 81 of the hands-free unit 8 is connected to the built-in circuit 12 of the headset 3. That is, the internal receiver 13 of the headset 3
The internal circuit 12 (audio signal system) is disconnected from the internal microphone 14 and the internal microphone 14, and the internal circuit 12 (audio signal system) passes through the voice switch circuit or the echo canceller circuit of the circuit section 81 of the hands-free unit 8 and then hands off. The loudspeaker 91 and the sound collecting microphone 92 of the free unit are connected. Along with this, the voice transmitting / receiving function exhibited by the internal receiver 13 and the internal microphone 14 of the headset 3 is switched to the voice transmitting / receiving function by the loud speaker 91 and the sound collecting microphone 92 of the handsfree unit 8.

In the hands-free communication device described in FIGS. 1 to 3 in which the headset 3 is added to the hands-free unit 8, its power source can be secured by the accessory power source of the automobile, or the hands-free unit 8 can be secured. It is also possible to secure it by incorporating a battery. In that case, if the hands-free unit 8 itself is equipped with a battery power supply, an electric cord for connecting the accessory power supply of the automobile and the hands-free unit 8 becomes unnecessary, so that the electric cord is caught or cut by the hook. There is no such risk.

In the hands-free communication device in which the headset 3 is mounted in the headset space S of the hands-free unit 8, the communication function thereof is the built-in circuit 12 of the headset 3 conforming to the Bluetooth standard (see FIG. 1). Secured by. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone 2 enters the communication area of the headset 3, a call becomes possible between the headset 3 and the mobile phone 2. In this state, when a call is made to the mobile phone 2 in the standby state,
An incoming call is automatically transmitted to the headset 3. Therefore, by pressing the incoming call button of the headset 3, the user can set the headset 3 through the sound collecting microphone 92 and the loud speaker 91 of the handsfree unit 8.
Also, it becomes possible to talk with an external communication means by using the communication function of the mobile phone 2. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a Bluetooth adapter, and a mobile phone that does not support Bluetooth can be connected to the Bluetooth adapter 21 to be used in the same manner as a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the hands-free communication device H described in FIG. 3 is installed near the driver's seat in the automobile, it conforms to the Bluetooth standard incorporated in the hands-free communication device H. When the Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone 2 is located within the talking area of the headset 3, the user, via the sound collection microphone 92 and the loudspeaker 91 of the hands-free unit 8, as described in FIG.
Using the communication function of the headset 3 and the mobile phone 2, it becomes possible to talk with an external communication means. Since the size of the interior of a typical automobile is included in the talking area of the headset 3, the driver may put the mobile phone 2 in his pocket or put the mobile phone 2 in the back seat. The convenient function of the headset 3 is that the mobile phone 2 is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone 2 regardless of where it is, as long as the mobile phone 2 is brought into the vehicle. , The mobile phone 2 by utilizing the transmission / reception function of the sound collection microphone 92 and the loudspeaker 91 of the hands-free unit 8 regardless of the secret communication method.
It becomes possible to make a call with an external call means (a mobile phone, a fixed-line phone or other call means) via the.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the headset 3 satisfies the Bluetooth standard for connecting to the mobile phone 2 has been described. It is possible to make calls that do not rely on the same confidential communication method, even if a call that can be made using a call is used or a call that can be made using infrared rays is used.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, a headset conforming to the Bluetooth standard is incorporated into a hands-free communication device equipped with a loudspeaker and a microphone for collecting sound, which is not a secret communication system, and thereby the hands-free communication is achieved. It enables hands-free calls that do not use the secret communication method using the loudspeaker and sound collection microphone of the free-to-call device. Moreover, if the mobile phone is brought into the car, its installation position is restricted. Without this, it is possible to make a call to a communication means outside the vehicle via the mobile phone, and thus it is possible to enhance the utility value of a headset conforming to the Bluetooth standard and facilitate the spread of the headset. It In addition, the present invention enables hands-free communication that is not a secret communication method by using a headset that can make a call in a communication area by using an FM circuit or infrared rays, without being limited to a headset that complies with the Bluetooth standard. As long as the mobile phone is brought into the vehicle, it is possible to communicate with the communication means outside the vehicle via the mobile phone without being restricted by the installation position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a headset used in a hands-free communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a handsfree unit used in the handsfree communication device.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of the in-vehicle hands-free communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a usage state of the in-vehicle hands-free communication device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a headset made according to the Bluetooth standard.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a call situation between a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone and a headset.

[Explanation of symbols]

H In-vehicle hands-free communication device 2 mobile phones 3 headset 8 Hands-free unit 12 Built-in circuit (audio signal system) 13 Internal receiver (receiver) 14 Internal microphone 42,46 pin plug jack (2nd connector) 82,86 pin plug connector (first connector) 91 Loudspeaker 92 Sound collecting microphone

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5K027 AA11 AA16 BB01 CC08 DD08                       HH03 HH26                 5K067 AA34 BB04 DD51 EE02 EE12                       FF25 FF38 KK17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An in-vehicle hands-free communication device equipped with a hands-free unit capable of hands-free transmission / reception via a communication function of a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is connected to the mobile phone by entering the communication area. By adding a headset that enables communication between the two handsets, and by mounting this headset on the handsfree unit, the microphone function of the headset and the receiver / transmitter function exhibited by the handsfree unit can be achieved. It switches to the transmission / reception function by the sound collection microphone and the speaker for loudspeaker, and it becomes possible to make a call using the headset through the sound collection microphone and the speaker for loudspeaker of the handsfree unit. An in-vehicle hands-free communication device. 2. The handsfree unit comprises a voice switch circuit or an echo canceller circuit and a first connector connected to these circuits, and the headset comprises a second connector which is a counterpart of the first connector, When the second connector is connected to the first connector, the voice signal system connected to the microphone and the receiver of the headset is cut off and the voice signal system is connected to the voice switch circuit and the echo canceller circuit. The vehicle-mounted hands-free communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of connecting to a sound collecting microphone and a loudspeaker of the hands-free unit. 3. The in-vehicle hands-free communication device according to claim 1, wherein the headset satisfies a Bluetooth standard for connecting to a mobile phone. 4. The in-vehicle hands-free communication device according to claim 1, wherein the hands-free unit includes a battery power source.