JP2006186587A - Sound controller and sound control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound controller capable of stopping the volume of acoustic equipment by a mute function during the transmission/reception of a radio wave by a radio communication unit (a portable telephone). <P>SOLUTION: The sound controller is provided with a noise detector 340 which detects noise during the transmission/reception of a radio wave by the radio communication unit (a radio 100), and a mute circuit control unit 370 for controlling the mute function. The noise is detected by the noise detecter 340. The mute circuit 150 of the radio 100 is operated by the mute circuit control unit 370 when the noise is detected. Then, the volume of the radio 100 is stopped (turned OFF). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an acoustic control device and an acoustic control method capable of stopping (OFF) or attenuating the volume of an acoustic device when radio waves are transmitted and received by a wireless communication device (for example, a mobile phone).

  Conventionally, automobiles have been equipped with in-vehicle audio devices (audio devices) such as in-vehicle radio receivers (AM / FM radio) and CD players. I often listen. By the way, for example, when listening to music on the radio inside the car, if a call is received from the outside to a mobile phone (wireless communication device) held by an occupant such as a driver, the mobile phone receives an incoming call with the sound of the radio. If you do not notice the sound or make an external call from this mobile phone, it may interfere with the call, so you will need to adjust the radio volume (decrease the volume) each time. there were.

  For this reason, conventionally, there is known an acoustic control device having a so-called mute function that automatically stops (OFF) the volume of an acoustic device (radio) when radio waves are transmitted and received by a wireless communication device (mobile phone). .

  As a conventional technique related to an acoustic control device using this type of mute function, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a radio wave (transmission / reception signal) at the time of transmission / reception by a wireless communication device (mobile phone) is received in a vehicle acoustic device. When the audio signal is received directly by the antenna of this unit and this transmission / reception signal is detected, the audio circuit unit activates the mute function to stop (turn off) the volume of the audio device during transmission / reception of the wireless communication device. An apparatus is disclosed.

JP-A-9-214371

  However, the above-described conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the case of the acoustic control device disclosed as the above-described prior art, the volume of the acoustic device can be turned off (muted) based on the received transmission / reception signal when the radio communication device transmits / receives radio waves. However, in the case of this acoustic control device, an antenna and a tuner for receiving a transmission / reception signal transmitted from the wireless communication device are newly required, which causes a problem that the cost of components such as equipment investment increases.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and can reliably and appropriately operate the mute function when radio waves are transmitted and received by a wireless communication device, and can be used for new equipment investment. It is an object of the present invention to provide an acoustic control device and an acoustic control method that can be configured inexpensively without increasing the component cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an acoustic control device having a volume reduction function for reducing the volume of an acoustic device when radio waves are transmitted and received by a radio communication device. Noise detecting means for detecting a noise pattern generated when radio waves are transmitted / received by the wireless communication device, and a sound volume reducing operation control means for operating the sound volume reducing function when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise detecting means. And.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the acoustic control device, the noise detection unit detects a noise pattern generated when radio waves are transmitted and received by the wireless communication device, and the noise detection unit detects a predetermined noise pattern. In this case, the volume reduction function is operated by the volume reduction operation control means, and control is performed to stop the volume of the audio equipment.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising noise level determination means for determining a level value of noise detected by the noise detection means, wherein the noise level determination means When the decrease is determined, the operation of the sound volume reduction function by the sound volume reduction operation control means is stopped.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the noise level determination unit determines the noise level value detected by the noise detection unit, and the noise level determination unit determines that the noise level is reduced, Control is performed to stop the operation of the sound volume reduction function by the sound volume reduction operation control means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the acoustic device includes a volume reduction setting unit that activates a volume reduction function by a manual operation, and the volume reduction function by the volume reduction setting unit is provided. At the time of setting, even when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise detection means, the volume reduction function stop control by the volume reduction operation control means is not performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the audio equipment includes the volume reduction setting unit that operates the volume reduction function by manual operation, and noise is set when the volume reduction mode (function) is set by the volume reduction setting unit. Even when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the detection means, the stop control of the volume reduction function by the volume reduction operation control means is stopped.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the acoustic device includes a volume reduction setting unit that activates a volume reduction function by a manual operation, and the volume reduction function by the volume reduction setting unit is provided. At the time of setting, even when the noise level determination unit determines that the noise level has been lowered, the volume reduction function stop control by the volume reduction operation control unit is not performed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the audio equipment includes the volume reduction setting means for operating the volume reduction function by manual operation, and the volume reduction by the volume reduction setting means. At the time of setting the function, even when the noise level determination unit determines that the noise level has been reduced, the volume reduction function stop control by the volume reduction operation control unit is not performed.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: a noise storage means for storing a noise pattern when radio waves are transmitted and received by a wireless communication device; and the noise detection means. It is characterized by comprising noise pattern determination means for comparing and comparing the noise pattern detected by comparing the detected noise pattern with the noise pattern stored in the noise storage means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the noise storage means stores the noise pattern at the time of radio wave transmission / reception by the wireless communication device in the noise storage means, and the noise pattern determination means detects the noise pattern by the noise detection means. By comparing the noise pattern with the noise pattern stored in the noise storage means, the noise pattern is compared and determined.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, further comprising specific noise pattern storage means for storing a noise pattern at the time of transmission / reception of radio waves by a specific wireless communication device, wherein the noise pattern determination means comprises: And a function of comparing and determining the noise pattern by comparing the noise pattern detected by the noise detection means with the specific noise pattern stored in the specific noise pattern storage means.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the noise storage means stores the specific noise pattern at the time of radio wave transmission / reception by the specific wireless communication device in the noise storage means, and the noise pattern determination means determines the noise detection means. By comparing the noise pattern detected by the above and the specific noise pattern stored in the specific noise pattern storage means, the noise pattern of both is compared and determined.

  The invention according to claim 7 is an acoustic control method having a volume reduction function for reducing the volume of an acoustic device when radio waves are transmitted / received by a radio communication device, which occurs when radio waves are transmitted / received by the radio communication device. A noise pattern detecting step of detecting a noise pattern; and a volume reduction operation control step of operating the volume reduction function when a predetermined noise waveform is detected by the noise pattern detection step.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when a noise pattern generated during transmission / reception of radio waves by the wireless communication device is detected by the noise pattern detection step, and when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise pattern detection step, Then, the sound volume reduction function is activated by the sound volume reduction operation control step, and the sound volume of the audio equipment is stopped.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, further comprising a noise level determination step for determining a level value of noise detected by the noise pattern detection step, wherein the noise level is determined by the noise level determination step. When it is determined that the sound volume is lowered, the operation of the sound volume reduction function in the sound volume reduction operation control step is stopped.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, when the noise level determination step determines the level value of the noise detected by the noise detection step, and when the determination determines that the noise level has decreased, the sound volume is reduced. The operation of the sound volume reduction function by the operation control process is stopped.

  The invention according to claim 9 is an acoustic control method having a volume reduction function for reducing the volume of an acoustic device when radio waves are transmitted / received by a wireless communication device, and occurs when the radio communication device transmits / receives radio waves. A noise detection step for detecting noise, and a volume reduction operation control step for operating the volume reduction function when noise is detected by the noise detection step.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the noise detection step detects noise that occurs when radio waves are transmitted and received by the wireless communication device, and when the noise is detected by the noise detection step, the volume reduction operation control step To activate the volume reduction function.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the acoustic control device detects a noise pattern generated during transmission / reception of radio waves by the wireless communication device by the noise detection unit, and a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise detection unit. In this case, since the volume reduction function is operated by the volume reduction operation control means to control the volume of the audio equipment, the reception by the wireless communication device can be easily and accurately recognized and appropriate volume reduction control can be performed. In addition, even when the audio equipment is played back, there is an effect that there is no hindrance to the call by the wireless communication device (call at the time of transmission). Further, there is an effect that it is not necessary to perform the operation of the volume reduction setting switch of the acoustic device, and it is possible to realize an acoustic control device that does not increase the cost of parts due to equipment investment such as a tuner and an amplifier.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the noise level determination means determines the level value of the noise detected by the noise detection means, and the noise level reduction is determined by this determination, Since the operation of the volume reduction function by the reduction operation control means is stopped, it is determined that the call on the wireless communication device (cell phone) is ended based on the noise level reduction by the noise level determination means, and thus, automatically Thus, there is an effect that the operation of the sound volume reduction function can be stopped (OFF).

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the audio equipment includes the volume reduction setting means for operating the volume reduction function by manual operation, and when the volume reduction mode (function) is set by the volume reduction setting means. Even when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise detection means, the volume reduction function stop control by the volume reduction operation control means is stopped, so the volume reduction setting switch provided in the audio equipment is set (ON) by manual operation. ), Even when it is determined by the noise level determination means that the call on the mobile phone has ended, the volume reduction function can be maintained (the volume level cannot be increased). There is an effect.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the acoustic device includes the volume reduction setting means for operating the volume reduction function by manual operation, and when the volume reduction mode (function) is set by the volume reduction setting means. When the reduction of the noise level is determined by the noise level determination means, the stop control of the volume reduction function by the volume reduction operation control means is stopped, so the volume reduction setting switch provided in the audio equipment is set manually ( ON), even when it is determined by the noise level determination means that the mobile phone call has ended, the volume reduction function can be maintained (the volume level is not increased). There is an effect that can be done.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the noise storage unit stores the noise pattern when the radio communication device transmits and receives radio waves in the noise storage unit, and the noise pattern determination unit detects the noise pattern by the noise detection unit. By comparing the noise pattern and the noise pattern stored in the noise storage means, the noise patterns of the two are compared and determined, so whether the noise detected by the noise detection means is noise based on incoming / outgoing calls by a mobile phone. In addition to being able to make an accurate determination, there is an effect that the sound volume reduction function can be activated for the acoustic device for the noise caused by the mobile phone.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the specific noise pattern storage means stores the specific noise pattern at the time of radio wave transmission / reception by the specific wireless communication device in the noise storage means, and the noise pattern determination means determines the noise. By comparing the noise pattern detected by the detection means with the specific noise pattern stored in the specific noise pattern storage means, the noise pattern of both is compared and determined, so that the noise detected by the noise detection means depends on the mobile phone. It is possible to accurately and accurately determine whether the noise is based on outgoing / incoming calls, and it is possible to activate the sound volume reduction function for the acoustic device for noise caused by a specific mobile phone owned by the user.

  According to the invention of claim 7, when the noise pattern detection step detects a noise pattern generated during transmission / reception of radio waves by the wireless communication device, and when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise pattern detection step Since the volume reduction function is activated by the volume reduction operation control step and the volume of the audio equipment is controlled to be reduced, the reception by the wireless communication device can be easily and accurately recognized as in the invention of claim 1. Thus, there is an effect that there is no trouble in a call (call at the time of transmission) by the wireless communication device. In addition, there is no need to perform the operation of the volume reduction setting switch of the audio equipment, and there is an effect that appropriate volume reduction control can be performed without increasing the cost of parts due to equipment investment such as a tuner and an amplifier.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the noise level determination step determines the level value of the noise detected by the noise detection step, and if the determination determines that the noise level has decreased, the sound volume is reduced. Since the operation of the sound volume reduction function in the operation control process is stopped, the call on the wireless communication device (mobile phone) is terminated based on the decrease in the noise level by the noise level determination means, as in the invention of claim 7. This has the effect that the operation of the volume reduction function can be automatically stopped (OFF).

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, noise generated during transmission / reception of radio waves by the wireless communication device is detected by the noise detection step, and when noise is detected by the noise detection step, the volume reduction operation control step Since the volume reduction function is activated, there is an effect that the operation of the volume reduction function can be automatically stopped (OFF) by the volume reduction operation control step based on the detection of noise by the noise detection means.

  Exemplary embodiments of an acoustic control device and an acoustic control method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the acoustic control apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the following, after describing the schematic configuration and characteristics of the acoustic control device according to the first embodiment, the processing procedure of the acoustic control method in the acoustic control device will be described. In addition, this invention is not limited by Example 1, 2 shown below.

(Details of configuration and function of acoustic control apparatus 200)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overall configuration of an acoustic control device 200 mounted on an AM / FM radio 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a radio 100 includes an antenna 110 for receiving AM / FM radio waves, an AM / FM front end 120, a detection circuit 130 for detecting received radio waves, a stereo demodulator 140, The sound control device 200 includes a mute setting switch 180, a mute circuit unit 150, an output unit 160, and a speaker 170.

  The mute setting switch 180 is provided on an operation panel or the like of the radio 100, and is a switch used when the user turns off the volume of the radio 100 by a manual operation (ON operation). The mute setting switch 180 has a function of adjusting the volume of the AM / FM radio 100 by manual operation (the volume is set to “0” by the mute function).

  Here, the feature of the first embodiment according to the present invention is that noise is generated due to the influence of the radio wave of the mobile phone on the acoustic device existing around the mobile phone when the mobile phone is made or received. The sound control device 200 that activates the mute function when this noise is generated is built inside the sound device (for example, radio).

  In other words, the main feature of the acoustic control apparatus according to the first embodiment is that control is performed to turn off the volume of the in-vehicle acoustic device (radio 100) at the time of transmission / reception of radio waves by a mobile phone (during outgoing / incoming calls). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the acoustic control apparatus 200 includes a sound control unit 300 that detects noise when a mobile phone makes and receives radio waves and activates a mute function when the noise is detected. There is to be.

  More specifically, noise is detected by the noise detection unit 340 when radio waves are transmitted / received by the mobile phone, and when the noise is detected, the mute circuit control unit 370 operates the mute circuit unit 150 of the radio 100. It is characterized in that the volume of the audio device is turned off (volume is “0”).

  Here, as described above, the main function of the acoustic control device 200 is to automatically activate the mute function by detecting noise during transmission / reception of radio waves by the mobile phone, and to adjust the volume of the acoustic device to “0”. However, instead of the “mute function”, an “ATT function” that lowers the volume of the audio device to a predetermined volume level may be activated.

  In addition, the acoustic control apparatus 200 according to the present invention further includes a noise level determination unit 360 (FIG. 4) that determines the level value of noise (noise level fluctuation / decrease) detected by the noise detection unit 340. When the noise level determination unit 360 determines that the noise level has decreased, the mute function is stopped (OFF). In other words, the determination of the noise level by the noise level determination unit 360 determines that the call on the mobile phone has ended, and thereby the mute function can be automatically stopped (OFF). Yes.

  The acoustic control device according to the present invention further includes a specific noise pattern registration unit 320 (FIG. 1) for registering a specific noise pattern based on the incoming / outgoing calls of the mobile phone owned by the user, and the registered noise pattern. A noise pattern storage unit 315 is stored. In addition, since the noise pattern determination unit 350 has a function of comparing the noise waveform (frequency) detected by the noise detection unit 340 with the noise pattern stored in the specific noise pattern registration unit 320, Whether or not the noise detected by the noise detection unit 340 is based on a call made and received by a specific mobile phone owned by the user can be accurately and accurately determined, and is targeted for noise caused by the specific mobile phone owned by the user The mute function can be activated for the audio equipment.

(Details of configuration and function of acoustic control apparatus 200)
Hereinafter, the configuration and functions of the acoustic control device 200 will be described in detail with reference to the overall functional block diagram of the radio 100 and the acoustic control device 200 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the acoustic control device 200 includes an acoustic control unit 300 for controlling the sound of the acoustic device (radio 100). The acoustic control unit 300 includes a noise pattern registration unit 310, a noise A pattern storage unit 315, a specific noise pattern registration unit 320, a specific noise pattern detection unit 330, a noise detection unit 340, and a noise pattern determination unit 350 are provided.

  The noise pattern registration unit 310 has a function of registering a noise pattern generated from a mobile phone when the mobile phone is made or received. That is, the signal pattern at the time of outgoing / incoming call by the mobile phone differs depending on the mobile phone company based on the communication transmission between the mobile phone and the base station. For this reason, the noise pattern registration unit 310 has a function of registering noise patterns of all mobile phones of existing mobile phone companies, and the noise pattern registered by the noise pattern registration unit 310 is a noise pattern storage unit. 315 can be stored / stored.

  The noise pattern storage unit 315 has a function of storing / storing a plurality of noise patterns generated from a mobile phone when a plurality of types of mobile phones registered by the noise pattern registration unit 310 are made.

  The specific noise pattern registration unit 320 has a function of registering a noise pattern at the time of outgoing / incoming call by a mobile phone owned by an individual (user). The noise pattern registered by the specific noise pattern registration unit 320 can be stored / stored in the noise pattern storage unit 315.

  The specific noise pattern detection unit 330 has a function of detecting a noise pattern of a user's personal mobile phone registered by the specific noise pattern registration unit 320 when a mobile phone is made or received.

  The noise detection unit 340 has a function of detecting a noise pattern generated from the radio when the mobile phone generates a transmission signal during transmission or receives a reception signal from the outside. The noise detector 340 can employ a filter (filter) that can acquire a specific frequency (signal) from a plurality of frequency bands.

  The noise pattern determination unit 350 has a function of collating and determining whether the noise detected by the noise detection unit 340 is noise from a mobile phone. Specifically, the noise pattern detected by the noise detection unit 340 is compared with the noise pattern stored in the noise pattern storage unit 315, and a match between the two is determined to detect the noise pattern. A function for determining whether or not the noise is noise caused by a mobile phone is provided.

  The mute circuit control unit 370 has a function of operating the mute function by the mute circuit unit 150 when the noise pattern determination unit 350 determines that the mobile phone noise is detected. Specifically, it has a function of stopping (turning off) the volume of the radio 100 based on noise caused by radio waves at the time of incoming / outgoing mobile phones. Here, in this example, the volume is controlled by the mute circuit control unit 370, but in addition to the volume by the volume control, equalizer control for controlling the sound quality may be performed. In this example, the volume control is performed by the mute circuit control unit 370 that targets mobile phone noise. For example, the volume control is performed on a device that may malfunction due to noise. It may be a thing. In this case, when noise is detected by the noise detection unit 340 (FIG. 1), control for immediately stopping the operation of the target device may be performed.

(Basic control procedure by the acoustic control device 200)
Next, a basic control procedure according to the acoustic control device and the acoustic control method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a basic control procedure by the acoustic control method according to the first embodiment. That is, the acoustic control method of the present invention is broadly classified into (1) noise detection step (SA100), (2) noise pattern matching step (SA200), (3) noise pattern determination step (SA300), and (4). The mute operation control process (SA400) includes four processing steps. Hereinafter, the detail of each control process by (1)-(4) is demonstrated.

  (1) The noise detection step (SA100) is a processing step of detecting noise that occurs when a mobile phone transmits / receives radio waves (at the time of outgoing / incoming calls).

  (2) The noise pattern matching step (SA200) is a processing step of matching the noise pattern due to the noise detected in the noise detection step with the noise pattern stored in the noise pattern storage unit 315 in advance.

  (3) The noise pattern determination step (SA300) is a processing step for determining whether the noise pattern detected by the noise detection step is a noise pattern of a mobile phone from the collation result collated by the noise pattern collation step.

  (4) The mute operation control step (SA400) is a process for operating the mute function by the mute circuit unit 150 based on the control by the mute circuit control unit 370 when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise pattern detection step. It is a process.

(Details of processing procedure by acoustic control apparatus 200)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the processing procedure by the acoustic control apparatus 200 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the acoustic control unit 300 included in the acoustic control device 200.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, first, it is determined whether noise due to some radio waves has been detected (step S110). The noise detection by the radio wave is performed by the noise detection unit 340 (FIG. 1).

  And when it determines with noise being detected by determination of this step S110 (step S110 affirmation), it transfers to a noise determination process (step S120) then. This noise determination processing is processing for determining whether the noise detected in step S110 is noise from a mobile phone. Specifically, the noise pattern detected in step S110 and the noise pattern stored in the noise pattern storage unit 315 are collated (step S130), and then both of the matched noise patterns match. A process for comparing and determining whether the pattern is a noise pattern is performed (step S140).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the noise is caused by the mobile phone by the determination in step S150 (step S150). If it is determined by the determination in step S150 that the noise is a mobile phone (Yes in step S150). Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S160, and it is determined whether or not the mute mode state is set (step S160). That is, as described above, since the noise pattern of the mobile phone company registered in advance by the noise pattern registration unit 310 is registered in the noise pattern storage unit 315, if the two noise patterns match, the process proceeds to step S110. It can be determined that the detected noise pattern is noise from a mobile phone.

  If it is determined in step S160 that the mute mode is not set (NO in step S160), the mute mode is set (step S170).

  As a result, the volume of the radio 100 is automatically stopped (OFF) by the operation of the mute function, and the above processing eliminates the need for manual operation by the user (setting of the mute setting switch 180), and the cellular phone. The call by can be made good. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the mute playback mode, and the process for determining whether noise due to any radio wave is detected in step S110 described above is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S110 that no noise due to radio waves is detected (No in step S110), it is then determined whether or not the current mode is the mute mode (step S180). If it is determined in step S180 that the mute mode is selected (Yes in step S180), the mute mode is canceled (OFF) (step S190), the normal playback mode is returned, and the mode is not the mute mode (No in step S180). Return to normal playback mode. If it is determined in step S150 that it is not mobile phone noise (No in step S150), the process proceeds to the determination in step S180, and the above-described processing is performed.

  As described above, in the acoustic control device and the acoustic control method shown in the first embodiment, noise caused by radio waves is detected at the time of incoming / outgoing of a mobile phone, and when this noise is detected, the mute circuit control unit Since the mute circuit unit 150 is operated by 370 and the volume of the audio device (radio 100) is automatically turned off, reception by the mobile phone can be easily and accurately recognized, and appropriate mute control is performed. Can do. In addition, there is no need to manually activate the mute function, and an acoustic control device can be provided that does not increase the cost of components due to investment in equipment such as a tuner and an amplifier.

  Next, the detail of Example 2 which concerns on the acoustic control apparatus and acoustic control method of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is an overall functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the radio 100a and the acoustic control device 200a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the acoustic control method of the acoustic control apparatus 200a according to the second embodiment.

  Here, the feature of the second embodiment is that when the noise level determination unit 360 determines the noise level value due to the noise detected by the noise detection unit 340, and this determination determines that there is a reduction in the noise level. In other words, the operation of the mute function by the mute circuit controller 370a is stopped. That is, when the noise level value due to the noise detected by the noise detection unit 340 decreases, it is determined that the call on the wireless communication device (cell phone) has ended, and thus the mute function is automatically activated. Is stopped (OFF) to return to the normal volume level. Further, when the mute function is manually set by the user (mute setting switch 180), the mute function stop control by the mute circuit control unit 370a is not performed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the configuration of the acoustic control device 200a according to the second embodiment adds a noise level determination unit 360 and a mute operation detection unit 375 to the configuration of the acoustic control device 200 according to the first embodiment. It is configured.

  The noise level determination unit 360 has a function of determining fluctuations in noise (noise level reduction) detected by the noise detection unit 340. Specifically, it has a function of determining that noise generated from the radio has decreased when a mobile phone is made or received. That is, when the noise level determination unit 360 determines that the noise has been reduced, it can be determined that the mobile phone call has ended.

  The mute operation detection unit 375 has a function of detecting that the user has manually operated the mute setting switch 180 to set the mute function.

(Details of processing procedure by acoustic control apparatus 200a)
Hereinafter, the mute function processing procedure in the acoustic control apparatus 200a of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Here, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the difference from the flowchart of the first embodiment described above lies in the determination of the noise level and whether or not the manual mute mode is set. Therefore, in this flowchart, the second embodiment is mainly described. The processing procedures in steps S171 to S173 and S185 related to the determination of the noise level and the manual mute mode setting process, which are characteristic parts of FIG.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, after setting the mute mode (step S170), it is then determined whether the noise level is lowered (step S171). If it is determined that the level has decreased (Yes at Step S171), it is then determined whether the noise level has decreased to a predetermined value (Step S172). Hereinafter, if it is determined in step S172 that the noise level has decreased to a predetermined value (Yes in step S172), the mute mode set in step S170 is canceled (OFF) (step S173). . Specifically, the noise level determination unit 360 determines the level value of the noise detected by the noise detection unit 340, and when it is determined that the noise level has decreased, the mute circuit control unit 370a performs the mute. Since the operation of the function is stopped, it is determined that the call on the mobile phone is finished, and thereby the operation of the mute function can be automatically stopped (OFF). Also, if the determination results in steps S171 and S172 are negative (No in steps S171 and 172), the mute playback mode is set.

  Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the current mode is the mute mode (step S180). If the mute mode is determined by the determination in step S180 (Yes in step S180), Next, it is determined whether or not the manual mute mode has been set (step S185). If it is determined in step S185 that the manual mute mode is set (Yes in step S185), the mute mode is stopped. The mute playback mode is maintained as it is. That is, in this example, when the mute setting switch 180 provided in the radio 100a is set (ON) by manual operation, when noise is detected on the mobile phone (incoming mobile phone) or a call on the mobile phone Even when it is determined that the sound has ended, the mute function can be maintained (the volume level is not increased).

  As described above, in the acoustic control device and the acoustic control method according to the second embodiment, the noise level determination unit 360 determines the level value of the noise detected by the noise detection unit 340, and this determination determines the noise level. When the decrease is determined, the mute circuit controller 370a stops the operation of the mute function. Therefore, the noise level determination unit 360 determines whether the noise level has decreased, and a call on the wireless communication device (cellular phone) is made. It is determined that the operation has been completed, and thus the operation of the mute function can be automatically stopped (OFF).

(Other examples)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be applied to various different embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiments 1 and 2 within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Can also be implemented. Below, the various modifications regarding this invention are demonstrated in order.

  That is, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the mute function is activated by the mute circuit control units 370 and 370a based on the noise generated when the mobile phone makes / receives radio waves. When not receiving an incoming call but receiving a mail from a mobile phone, since there is no trouble such as a telephone call, control may be performed so that the mute function is not activated. Here, the frequency band of noise that occurs when an incoming call is received is shorter than the frequency range of noise that is generated when an incoming call is received by a normal mobile phone. Can be determined.

  In the case of the first and second embodiments, the mute function is activated to control the volume of the sound device (the volume is “0” or decreased) in order to recognize the incoming call from the mobile phone. Use the navigation system that is provided to display a guidance (for example, "There was an incoming call") on the monitor (display) to notify you that there was an incoming call, output this guidance by voice, vibration due to vibration, etc. You may make it alert | report by. In this case, it is possible to more effectively notify an occupant in the vehicle of an incoming call by a mobile phone.

  In the case of the first and second embodiments, a tuner is provided because the mute function is activated based on noise generated when radio waves are transmitted / received (during outgoing / incoming calls) by a wireless communication device (mobile phone). However, the present invention can also be applied to the reproduction of music and video by a CD player, a DVD player, or the like. In addition, audio-integrated car navigation systems, televisions, home audio equipment, and other AV equipment can be targeted by the acoustic control apparatus of the present invention.

  In the first and second embodiments, the acoustic control devices 200 and 200a may be provided with an amplifier that amplifies noise due to radio waves generated during transmission / reception of the mobile phone. In this case, even when the radio wave is a weak radio wave or when there is some failure in receiving noise, a noise pattern for operating the mute function can be detected by amplifying the weak radio wave.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the acoustic control device using a mobile phone, which is a general-purpose wireless communication device, is described. However, the wireless communication device to which the present invention is applied is not a mobile phone, for example, an automobile. The present invention can also be applied to a car phone mounted in a (vehicle). And even if it is a car phone, it can activate the mute function when a noise pattern is detected by the car phone, so the connection work for connecting the car phone and the wireless communication device, which is a problem of the prior art, etc. Can be made unnecessary.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the volume control is performed by the mute circuit control units 370 and 370a that are targeted for mobile phone noise. However, there is a possibility that malfunction may occur due to noise other than the mobile phone. The present invention can be applied to a certain device.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, radio waves from a mobile phone are acquired by the antenna 110 of the acoustic device (radio 100). The acoustic control devices 200 and 200a are provided with a voice recognition microphone. In this case, since the radio wave (noise pattern) from the mobile phone can be directly acquired by the microphone, the mute function can be appropriately and reliably activated based on the noise acquired by the microphone. .

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for an acoustic control device that can automatically activate the mute function and stop (turn off) the volume of the acoustic device when radio waves are transmitted and received by a wireless communication device (cellular phone). Yes.

1 is an overall functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a radio and an acoustic control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control procedure of an acoustic control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process sequence by an acoustic control apparatus. It is a whole functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the radio and sound control apparatus which concern on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process sequence by the acoustic control apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100a Radio 110 Antenna 120 AM / FM front end unit 130 Detection circuit 140 Stereo demodulator 150 Meat circuit unit 160 IC circuit unit Output unit 170 Speaker 180 Mute setting switch 200, 200a Sound control device 300, 300a Sound control unit 310 Noise Pattern registration unit 315 Noise storage unit 320 Specific noise pattern registration unit 330 Specific noise pattern detection unit 340 Noise pattern detection unit 350 Noise pattern determination unit 360 Noise level determination unit 370, 370a Mute circuit control unit 375 Mute operation detection unit

Claims (9)

An acoustic control device having a volume reduction function for reducing the volume of an acoustic device when transmitting and receiving radio waves by a wireless communication device,
Noise detection means for detecting a noise pattern generated when radio waves are transmitted and received by the wireless communication device;
Sound volume reduction operation control means for operating the sound volume reduction function when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise detection means;
An acoustic control device comprising:   A noise level determination unit that determines a level value of the noise detected by the noise detection unit, and when a decrease in the noise level is determined by the noise level determination unit, a volume reduction function by the volume reduction operation control unit The acoustic control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation is stopped.   The acoustic device includes a volume reduction setting unit that activates a volume reduction function by a manual operation, and when the volume reduction function is set by the volume reduction setting unit, even when a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise detection unit. The sound control device according to claim 1, wherein stop control of the sound volume reduction function by the sound volume reduction operation control means is not performed.   The acoustic device includes a volume reduction setting unit that activates a volume reduction function by a manual operation. When the volume reduction function is set by the volume reduction setting unit, the noise level determination unit determines that the noise level has been lowered. The sound control device according to claim 2, wherein stop control of the sound volume reduction function by the sound volume reduction operation control means is not performed.   A noise storage means for storing a noise pattern at the time of radio wave transmission / reception by a wireless communication device, a noise pattern detected by the noise detection means, and a noise pattern stored in the noise storage means, thereby comparing the noise patterns of both. The acoustic control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a noise pattern determination unit that compares and determines the noise.   Specific noise pattern storage means for storing a noise pattern at the time of transmission / reception of radio waves by a specific wireless communication device, and the noise pattern determination means includes a noise pattern detected by the noise detection means, and the specific noise pattern storage means The acoustic control device according to claim 5, further comprising a function of comparing and determining both noise patterns by collating with a specific noise pattern stored in the storage. An acoustic control method having a volume reduction function for reducing the volume of an acoustic device when transmitting and receiving radio waves by a wireless communication device,
A noise pattern detection step for detecting a noise pattern generated during transmission / reception of radio waves by the wireless communication device;
When a predetermined noise pattern is detected by the noise pattern detection step, a volume reduction operation control step for operating the volume reduction function;
An acoustic control method comprising:   A noise level determination step for determining a level value of noise detected by the noise pattern detection step is provided, and when a decrease in noise level is determined by the noise level determination step, volume reduction by the volume reduction operation control step The acoustic control method according to claim 7, wherein the operation of the function is stopped. An acoustic control method having a volume reduction function for reducing the volume of an acoustic device when transmitting and receiving radio waves by a wireless communication device,
A noise detection step of detecting noise generated during transmission and reception of radio waves by the wireless communication device;
A volume reduction operation control step of activating the volume reduction function when predetermined noise is detected by the noise detection step;
An acoustic control method comprising:

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