JP2010087891A - Sound collection apparatus and mobile phone device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collect sound of user's speech clearly while controlling increase in number of components. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile phone device uses a microphone 19 built into a self-device as a "microphone" for collecting sound of user's speech when in a speaking mode, or also uses it as a "ultrasound sensor" for identifying a distance between the user and a diaphragm 1921 when controlling to assist the user to adjust position and/or attitude of the mobile phone device. This allows the mobile phone device to use the microphone 19 for collecting sound of user's speech to identify the distance between user and the diaphragm 1921 and prompt the user to modify position and/or attitude of the mobile phone device so that sound of user's speech is picked up clearly without additional provisions of components such as sensor or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for collecting sound.

A user who uses a mobile phone adjusts the posture and the position of the user while placing the phone main body on his / her ear. However, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a technique for assisting the user. In Patent Document 1, the distance between the handset and the user's mouth is detected, and when the distance is large and the collected voice of the user's voice is unclear, correction of the position and posture of the handset is urged. It is disclosed.
JP 2003-188957 A

If the mobile phone is provided with a configuration such as a sensor for detecting the distance, the number of components of the entire device inevitably increases, which is not preferable in a mobile phone in which miniaturization and weight reduction are important.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to clearly collect a user's voice while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a sound collecting device having a first configuration according to the present invention includes a diaphragm, a back plate provided so as to face the diaphragm, the diaphragm changing due to vibration of the diaphragm, and the back. A microphone having a generating means for generating an audio signal corresponding to the capacitance between the plate and a sound emission control means for supplying an audio signal to the diaphragm of the microphone to emit a predetermined reference sound; After the diaphragm of the microphone vibrates and the reference sound is emitted according to the audio signal supplied by the sound emission control means, the diaphragm is vibrated by the reflected sound of the reference sound and the reflected sound is collected. Measuring means for measuring a period until sound is heard, and a period measured by the measuring means or a user specified by the period. And the distance between said diaphragm, and judging means for judging whether or not the range determined, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying the determination result by the determination unit to the user.

  The sound collecting device according to the second configuration of the present invention is the sound collecting device according to the first configuration, wherein the notification means is configured such that the measured period or the distance between the user specified by the period and the diaphragm is within the range. And when the frequency of the audio signal generated by the microphone generating means belongs to the audible range and the amplitude of the audio signal is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the user and the diaphragm It is characterized by notifying that the distance between them is appropriate.

  The sound collection device with the third configuration of the present invention is the sound collection device with the first or second configuration, wherein the plurality of microphones are provided at different positions, and the measurement unit is configured to perform the period for each of the plurality of microphones. The determination means is based on whether or not the respective periods measured by the measurement means, or the distance between the user specified by those periods and each of the microphones is within a predetermined range. And making the above determination.

  The mobile phone according to the present invention provides a sound collection device having any one of the first to third configurations, a communication unit that performs wireless transmission / reception, a sound emission unit, and a sound corresponding to audio data received by the communication unit. Control means for causing the sound emitting means to emit sound, converting a sound signal generated by the microphone into sound data, and transmitting the sound data from the communication means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to clearly collect a user's voice while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the “mobile phone” described below includes not only a legal mobile phone but also a phone such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System; registered trademark) having the same function as this, which is portable by the user and wirelessly communicated. This refers to the entire telephone set that transmits and receives data using.
(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of the mobile phone 10.
The mobile phone 10 has an operation unit 13 composed of a plurality of buttons and a display unit 14 for displaying various information on the front surface of the main body, and an antenna 16 for exchanging data with other communication devices wirelessly. . A sound receiving area 30 is provided above the display unit 14. The user puts his / her ear 100 on the sound receiving area 30 when listening to the voice of the other party. A speaker 18 to be described later is built in the position of the sound receiving area 30 of the mobile phone 10, and the user listens to the sound emitted from the speaker 18 to the external space. A sound transmission area 40 is provided below the operation unit 13. A microphone 19 is built in the position of the sound transmission region 40, and a voice such as a user's speech is propagated into the mobile phone 10 through the hole HM and collected by the microphone 19. The sound collected by the microphone 19 in this way is sent to the other party's telephone or the like. When the user holds the mobile phone 10 and puts his ear on the sound receiving area 30, the sound transmitting area 40 is located near the user's mouth.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 10. As shown in the figure, the mobile phone 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, an antenna 16, an audio processing unit 17, a speaker 18, and the like. And a microphone 19.
The control unit 11 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM), and controls each unit of the mobile phone 10. The ROM stores a control program for the CPU to execute various controls, and the CPU performs various controls using the RAM as a work area based on the control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12.

  The storage unit 12 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and stores various information such as a program in which a procedure of processing executed by the control unit 11 is described. The operation unit 13 includes various buttons such as a numeric keypad from “0” to “9” and a transmission button for instructing transmission of a telephone number and the like, and an operation signal corresponding to the operation by the user is sent to the control unit 11. Supply. Based on this operation signal, the control unit 11 determines the content instructed by the user's operation, and performs control according to the determination result. The display unit 14 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal driving circuit, and displays various types of information according to the control of the control unit 11.

  The communication unit 15 performs wireless transmission / reception. When the mobile phone 10 and another telephone or the like are in a communicable state (call state), the communication unit 15 receives a radio signal transmitted from a base station of a mobile phone network (not shown) by the antenna 16. This is demodulated, and the digital audio data obtained by the demodulation is output to the audio processing unit 17. In addition, when the communication unit 15 acquires digital audio data from the audio processing unit 17, the communication unit 15 performs modulation, frequency conversion, and the like on the digital data, and transmits a radio signal via the antenna 16. In the following, digital audio data may be simply referred to as “audio data”, and analog audio signals may be simply referred to as “audio signals”.

  The audio processing unit 17 includes, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and an oscillation circuit, and performs various audio processes. For example, the audio processing unit 17 performs D / A (digital / analog) conversion and amplification on the audio data supplied from the communication unit 15 and supplies an analog audio signal to the speaker 18. The audio processing unit 17 performs amplification and A / D (analog / digital) conversion on the audio signal supplied from the microphone 19 to convert it into digital audio data, and converts the converted audio data to the communication unit 15. Output to. The oscillation circuit includes a harmonic oscillator, an amplification circuit, and the like, and the audio processing unit 17 oscillates at a predetermined frequency by the oscillation circuit.

  The speaker 18 is a sound emitting unit that emits a sound such as a received sound in accordance with the sound signal supplied from the sound processing unit 17. The microphone 19 is, for example, a silicon microphone, and collects voice such as a user's voice and outputs a voice signal representing the collected voice to the voice processing unit 17. The microphone 19 is an ultra-small and lightweight microphone manufactured by MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology.

Here, the configuration of the microphone 19 will be described. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the microphone 19, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section when the sound collection element 192 is cut along the cutting line IV-IV shown in FIG.
The housing 191 is formed of ceramic in a box shape and houses the sound collection element 192 and the signal processing circuit 193. The sound collection element 192 is a condenser microphone including a diaphragm 1921, a back plate 1922, and a support 1923, and is a so-called silicon microphone. The diaphragm 1921 is a semiconductor film such as polycrystalline silicon, and vibrates in response to sound. The diaphragm 1921 is circular, for example, but may be a shape obtained by cutting a part of the circle. The back plate 1922 is supported by a support 1923 and is fixedly provided so as to face the diaphragm 1921 with a predetermined interval. The back plate 1922 is a semiconductor similar to the diaphragm 1921 and is insulated from the diaphragm 1921. The shape of the back plate 1922 is also circular, for example, but may be a shape obtained by cutting a part of the circle. When the diaphragm 1921 is displaced by an amount corresponding to the sound pressure, the capacitance of the sound collection element 192 changes. That is, the sound collection element 192 converts sound pressure into capacitance. The signal processing circuit 193 is, for example, an analog LSI (Large Scale integrated circuit), converts a change in capacitance of the sound collection element 192 into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the audio processing unit 17 as an audio signal. That is, the signal processing circuit 193 is an example of a generation unit that generates an audio signal corresponding to the capacitance between the diaphragm 1921 and the back plate 1922 that is changed by the vibration of the diaphragm 1921. The upper surface member 194 is a planar member whose surface is made of a substantially square metal, and is provided so as to close the opening of the housing 191. A hole P is provided in a part of the upper surface member 194, and the microphone 19 collects sound propagating into the housing 191 through the hole P.

  The microphone 19 having the above configuration also functions as a speaker capable of emitting ultrasonic waves, and emits sound in accordance with an audio signal supplied from the control unit 11. Specifically, when the control unit 11 oscillates by the sound processing unit 17 and supplies an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic signal”) for emitting ultrasonic waves to the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19, the diaphragm 1921. Vibrates as an ultrasonic transducer and emits ultrasonic waves according to the ultrasonic signal.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the control unit 11 and the audio processing unit 17. Each function shown in the figure is realized by hardware or software of the control unit 11 and the audio processing unit 17.
The oscillation unit 175 performs sound emission control to emit a predetermined reference sound by supplying an ultrasonic signal to the microphone 19. The oscillating unit 175 generates an ultrasonic signal by oscillating and amplifying at a predetermined frequency fo (40 kHz in this case) by an oscillating circuit, and supplies the generated ultrasonic signal to the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19. The diaphragm 1921 vibrates according to the supplied ultrasonic signal and emits a reference sound that is an ultrasonic wave.

  The collected sound acquisition unit 171 acquires the sound signal SA representing the sound collected by the microphone 19 and supplies the acquired sound signal SA to the measurement unit 172. Sound collection by the microphone 19 is performed when the reference sound is not emitted by the microphone 19 (diaphragm 1921). That is, sound is collected by the microphone 19 during a period when the sound emission control is not performed by the oscillating unit 175, and the collected sound acquisition unit 171 acquires the sound signal SA representing the collected sound.

  The measuring unit 172 causes the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19 to vibrate in response to the audio signal supplied by the oscillating unit 175 and emits the reference sound. Then, the diaphragm 1921 vibrates and reflects the reflected sound of the reference sound. The period until the sound is collected is measured, and the measurement result is supplied to the determination unit 173. When the collected sound acquisition unit 171 acquires the reflected sound signal SA of the reference sound emitted when the sound receiving area 30 of the mobile phone 10 is applied to the user's ear, the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19 The reference sound emitted from is reflected from the mouth of the user in the vicinity of the sound transmission area 40, and the reflected sound is collected by the microphone 19. In other words, the measurement unit 172 measures the round-trip propagation time of the ultrasonic wave between the diaphragm 1921 and the user.

The determination unit 173 specifies the distance L between the diaphragm 1921 (that is, the sound transmission region 40) and the user based on the measurement result supplied from the measurement unit 172, and is the distance L included in the determined range? The result of the determination is supplied to the notification unit 174 and the oscillation unit 175. The determination unit 173 can determine the distance L between the diaphragm 1921 and the user based on the same principle as that of the ultrasonic sensor. Specifically, since the reference sound and the reflected sound are ultrasonic waves and their propagation speeds are known, the distance L can be obtained based on the propagation speed and the period measured by the measurement unit 172. In addition, you may make it refer to the phase difference of the sound wave of a reference sound and a reflected sound instead of using only propagation time.
The determination unit 173 determines that the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is within a predetermined range if the specified distance L is not less than the distance L1 and not more than the distance L2 (if L1 ≦ L ≦ L2). . On the other hand, if the determined distance is less than L1 (L <L1) or exceeds L2 (L> L2), the determination unit 173 determines that the distance L is not within the above range.

  The notification unit 174 notifies the user of the determination result by the determination unit 173. When the determination unit 173 determines that the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is within the determined range, the notification unit 174 emits an alarm sound through the speaker 18 and the distance L is appropriate. The determination result is notified to the user. When the determination unit 173 determines that the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is not within the determined range, the notification unit 174 indicates that the distance L is appropriate by not emitting the alarm sound. The determination result is notified to the user.

  The oscillation unit 175 performs sound emission control based on the determination result supplied from the determination unit 173. When the determination unit 173 determines that the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is not within the determined range, the oscillation unit 175 continuously causes the diaphragm 1921 to emit a reference sound. On the other hand, when the determination unit 173 determines that the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is within the determined range, the oscillation unit 175 stops emitting the reference sound by the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19.

(2) Operation An operation that the control unit 11 of the mobile phone 10 having the above configuration and functions executes when the user adjusts the position and orientation of the mobile phone 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a case will be described in which this operation is performed when the mobile phone 10 is in a call state.

When starting a call, the user operates the operation unit 13 to input the telephone number of the other party who desires the call. When the user presses the call button, the user places his / her ear on the sound receiving area 30 of the mobile phone 10 in order to prepare for a call, and adjusts the position and posture of the mobile phone 10 main body.
When the mobile phone 10 enters a call state, the control unit 11 performs control (hereinafter referred to as “call control”) for the user to talk to the other party (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the sound processing unit 17 to cause the speaker 18 to emit sound corresponding to the sound data received by the communication unit 15, and the sound data corresponding to the sound collected by the microphone 19. Is transmitted from the communication unit 15. During the period in which such call control is executed, the control unit 11 collects the voice such as the user's voice by the microphone 19. Hereinafter, this period is referred to as a “sound collection period”. As for the length of the sound collection period, a preset period is stored in the ROM, and the control unit 11 continues the sound collection period for this period.
The control unit 11 performs call control based on the sound collected by the microphone 19 until a predetermined sound collection period elapses (step S2; NO), and determines that the sound collection period is completed (step S2; YES). ), Go to step S3.

  When the sound collection period elapses, the control unit 11 oscillates at the frequency fo by the sound processing unit 17, supplies an ultrasonic signal to the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19, and emits a reference sound that is an ultrasonic wave for a predetermined period. (Step S3). Accordingly, the microphone 19 functions as a speaker, and a reference sound having a frequency fo that is an ultrasonic wave is emitted from the diaphragm 1921.

  When the control unit 11 ends the oscillation, the microphone 19 collects the reflected sound of the reference sound, and the sound processing unit 17 acquires an audio signal representing the reflected sound (step S4). Next, the control unit 11 measures a period from when the reference sound is emitted by the diaphragm 1921 of the microphone 19 until the diaphragm 1921 is vibrated by the reflected sound of the reference sound and the reflected sound is collected. And the control part 11 specifies the distance L based on the measured period and the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave (reference sound and reflected sound) between a user and the diaphragm 1921 (step S5).

  Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the distance L is within the determined range (step S6). The case where the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is appropriate refers to the case where the relationship of L1 ≦ L ≦ L2 is satisfied and the user's speech is clearly picked up by the microphone 19. For example, if the distance L is large enough to exceed L2, the user's mouth and the microphone 19 are too far apart, the volume (amplitude) of the collected voice tends to be small, and the user's speech is not clearly collected. . On the other hand, when the distance L is small enough to be less than L1, the sound transmission region 40 (microphone 19) with respect to the user's mouth is shifted from an appropriate position, and the reference sound emitted by the microphone 19 is, for example, the user's cheek. It is considered that there is a high possibility that the control unit 11 is identified by the distance from a part other than the user's mouth. In this case, the position and orientation of the mobile phone 10 are not optimally adjusted, and it can be said that the user's voice is not clearly picked up. Based on such knowledge, a condition regarding whether or not the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is appropriate for the distance L is determined in advance, and is stored in the ROM at the manufacturing stage.

If it is determined as “YES” in step S6, the control unit 11 emits an alarm sound through the speaker 18 and notifies the user of a determination result indicating that the distance L is appropriate (step S7). The user hears this alarm sound, recognizes that the distance L is appropriate, and makes a call while maintaining the position and posture of the mobile phone 10 as they are. As a result, the user's voice is clearly picked up by the microphone 19, and this voice can be easily heard by the other party.
Since the adjustment of the position and orientation of the mobile phone 10 by the user has been completed as described above, the control unit 11 performs the same call control as in step S1 as long as the call state is continued. That is, the control unit 11 continues the sound collection period, and collects the voice such as the user's voice by the microphone 19.

  If it judges "NO" at Step S6, control part 11 will notify that distance L is not appropriate by not emitting an alarm sound with speaker 18 (Step S8). Then, the control unit 11 returns to step S1. Returning to step S1, the control unit 11 starts the sound collection period to perform call control, and the user can talk to the other party again. The control unit 11 performs call control until the sound collection period elapses. And if the sound collection period passes (step S2; YES), the control part 11 will perform the said process steps S3-S8 similarly to the above. As described above, the control unit 11 performs processing steps to help the user adjust the position and posture of the mobile phone 10 until the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921 falls within the above range (L1 ≦ L ≦ L2). The control of S1 to S8 is repeated. As long as the user cannot hear the alarm sound, the user recognizes that the distance L between them is not preferable, and adjusts the position and posture of the mobile phone 10.

  By the way, a period in which step S1 → step S2: NO → step S1... Is repeated is referred to as a “sound collection period”, and the microphone 19 performs “sound collection” in this sound collection period. On the other hand, in steps S3 to S9, the control unit 11 specifies the distance L using the microphone 19 as an “ultrasonic sensor”, and performs control according to whether or not the distance L between the two is appropriate. It was. The period during which the control unit 11 executes the processing steps S3 to S8 is hereinafter referred to as “distance specifying period”.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the “sound collection period” and the “distance specifying period”. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents time.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 11 performs “call control” in which sound is collected by the microphone 19 during a sound collection period of a predetermined length T1, thereafter, during a distance specifying period of a predetermined length T2, The distance L is specified using the microphone 19 as an ultrasonic sensor. Thereafter, the control unit 11 alternately repeats the sound collection period and the distance specifying period, and performs control according to each period. Then, when the control unit 11 determines that the distance L is appropriate at time T, the control unit 11 continues the sound collection period as long as the call state is continued, and causes the microphone 19 to collect sound. I do. Thus, in the distance specifying period, the control unit 11 uses the microphone 19 as an ultrasonic sensor, and therefore does not perform call control. However, even if the distance detection period using the ultrasonic sensor is considered, the distance specifying period required for the control relating to the specification of the distance L can be a very short period with respect to the sound collection period (T2 << T1). ), It won't interfere with the user's call. Therefore, the control part 11 can perform control which helps adjustment of the position and attitude | position of the mobile telephone 10 by a user, without disturbing a user's telephone call.

  As described above, the mobile phone 10 uses the microphone 19 incorporated in its own device as a “microphone” that picks up the user's voice when in a call state, and the user adjusts the position and orientation of the mobile phone 10. When performing an operation to help, the “ultrasonic sensor” for specifying the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is used. Accordingly, the mobile phone 10 specifies the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 by using the microphone 19 that picks up the user's speech without separately providing components such as a distance detection sensor, and the user's speech is It is possible to prompt the user to correct the position and posture of the mobile phone 10 so that the sound is clearly collected. In addition, since the microphone 19 is small and light, the user does not feel uncomfortable such as a feeling of weight.

(3) Modifications The above embodiment may be modified as follows. Specifically, the following modifications are mentioned, for example. These modifications can be appropriately combined with each other.
(3-1) Modification 1
In the embodiment described above, the mobile phone 10 determines whether or not the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is appropriate based on only the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921. However, even if the distance L satisfies the condition of L1 ≦ L ≦ L2, it is conceivable that the distance from the other part of the user's face accidentally satisfies this condition. In such a case, the microphone 19, the user's voice may not be clearly picked up. Therefore, in order to increase the accuracy for making the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 appropriate, the configuration of the mobile phone 10 may be as follows.

For example, the control unit 11 may notify that the distance L between the two is appropriate only when the amplitude of the voice such as the user's voice collected by the mobile phone 10 during the sound collection period is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Good. As described above, the reason why the control unit 11 specifies the distance L is that the sound is clearly collected by the microphone 19. If the (volume) is smaller than the threshold, the user's voice does not reach the microphone 19 sufficiently, and it cannot be said that the voice is clearly picked up. Therefore, the control unit 11 only when the distance L specified in the distance specifying period is included in the predetermined range (L1 ≦ L ≦ L2) and the amplitude of the sound collected in the sound collecting period is equal to or greater than the threshold. Informs that the distance L is appropriate. In this way, it is possible to make it easier for voice to be picked up by the microphone 19 more clearly. In this configuration, since the control unit 11 makes a determination based on the volume of the user's voice, the frequency of the audio signal collected by the microphone 19 belongs to the audible range, and the amplitude of the audio signal is greater than or equal to the threshold value. In this case, the user is notified that the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is appropriate.
The audible range refers to a frequency band of sound waves that can be heard as a sound by a human, and the non-audible range refers to a frequency band that is not audible. In general, there is an individual difference between the audible range and the non-audible range and is not constant. However, here, it is only necessary to collect the sound so that the other party can clearly hear the user's voice. Therefore, the frequency band that refers to the amplitude may be included somewhere in the audible range. Therefore, a predetermined frequency band is stored in the ROM as an audible area, and the control unit 11 may make the above determination based on the amplitude of this frequency band. The control unit 11 may make the above determination based on the amplitudes of a plurality of different frequency bands.

(3-2) Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, only one microphone 19 is incorporated at the position of the sound transmission area 40 of the mobile phone 10. However, the same plurality of microphones may be provided at different positions of the mobile phone 10. Good. In this case, the control unit 11 specifies the distance for each of the plurality of microphones, and the distance L is appropriately determined based on whether or not the distances of the specified positions are within a predetermined range determined for each microphone. Determine whether or not. FIG. 8 shows a mobile phone 10a provided with microphones 19a to 19f at a plurality of positions on the front surface of the main body. The microphones 19a to 19f are provided to specify the distance to each part of the face such as the cheek or chin of the user. In this case, similarly to the microphone 19, a microphone may be built in each position of the mobile phone 10a.

  The control unit 11 specifies the distance from each microphone to each part of the user's face, comprehensively determines the result, and determines whether the distance between the user and the diaphragm 1921 is appropriate. Although there are individual differences in human contours, if the position and orientation of the mobile phone 10a are appropriately adjusted, it is considered that there is little difference among individual individuals from each microphone to each part of the user's face. Based on such a reason, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the distance at each position specified by each of the plurality of microphones is within a range determined for each position. And when the control part 11 judges that the distance more than a threshold value is contained in the predetermined range among the specified distance, the distance between a user and the diaphragm 1921 (sound transmission area | region 40) is appropriate. Notify that there is. In this case, in order for the control unit 11 to notify that the distance L is appropriate, a microphone that should always be included in the range may be determined, and whether or not the distance L is appropriate is determined. The conditions for determination are not limited to those described here. As a result, the user's voice can be clearly picked up by the microphone 19 more reliably. Here, the configuration in which the six microphones 19a to 19f are provided in the mobile phone 10a has been described. However, the number may be more or less than that.

(3-3) Modification 3
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 performs an operation that assists the user in adjusting the position and posture of the mobile phone 10 during a call state. However, the operation is performed at other times. There may be. For example, the control unit 11 may be performed when a predetermined button is pressed. In this case, when an operation signal indicating the pressing of the button is acquired, the control unit 11 performs the same control as in the embodiment in the order of the processing steps S1 to S8 described above. However, when the mobile phone 10 is not in a call state, the control unit 11 does not have to perform the call control. Therefore, only control corresponding to the distance specifying period (that is, steps S3 to S8) is performed until the call state is set. Do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 specifies the distance L between the user and the diaphragm 1921, and is appropriate depending on whether or not the distance L belongs to the range of the distance L1 or more and the distance L2 or less. It was judged whether there was. On the other hand, the control unit 11 may make a determination based on the period measured by the measurement unit 172 without specifying the distance L. This is because the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave is almost determined by the medium (air here) that propagates the ultrasonic wave, and the distance L is large if the measured period is long, and the distance L is small if the period is short. In this case, if the length of the measured period is included in the predetermined range, the control unit 11 notifies that the distance L is appropriate, and the length is included in the predetermined range. If not, it notifies that the distance L is not appropriate.

(3-4) Modification 4
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 performs an operation that assists the user in adjusting the position and posture of the mobile phone 10 during a call state. However, the operation is performed at other times. There may be. For example, the control unit 11 may be performed when a predetermined button is pressed. In this case, when an operation signal indicating the pressing of the button is acquired, the control unit 11 performs the same control as in the embodiment in the order of the processing steps S1 to S8 described above. However, when the mobile phone 10 is not in a call state, the control unit 11 does not have to perform the call control, and therefore it is preferable to perform only the control according to the distance specifying period until the call state is set.

(3-5) Modification 5
In the embodiment described above, the control unit 11 notifies the user that the distance L is appropriate by emitting an alarm sound through the speaker 18, and the distance L is appropriate by not emitting the alarm sound through the speaker 18. The user was informed that it was not. The notification mode of such a determination result is not limited to the mode described in the embodiment.
For example, the control unit 11 may continuously emit the alarm sound when the distance L is not appropriate, and stop the alarm sound when the distance L becomes appropriate. Moreover, the control part 11 may make it emit an alarm sound according to each judgment result, and what kind of sound may be sufficient as it. Moreover, the control part 11 may alert | report a judgment result by light emission, such as using the vibration function which a mobile telephone has, or LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  In the embodiment, the control unit 11 determines that the distance L is appropriate when the distance L satisfies L1 ≦ L ≦ L2. For example, it is appropriate if the distance L is equal to or less than the threshold value. The value may be appropriately set as necessary. In the embodiment, the control unit 11 oscillates the frequency fo and emits the reference sound, which is an ultrasonic wave, using the microphone 19. However, this frequency may be any frequency range in which the distance L can be specified. Can be used.

(3-6) Modification 6
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the sound collecting device of the present invention is applied to a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to a sound collecting device for receiving and collecting sound such as a home phone, a single microphone, a headset, and a transceiver. Can be applied. In short, it has a microphone having a function equivalent to that of the microphone 19 and functions as a sound collecting device having a configuration for specifying the distance between the user and the diaphragm by using sound generated by vibration of the diaphragm of the microphone. I just need it.

  Moreover, each function which the control part 11 and the audio | voice processing part 17 of the mobile telephone 10 mentioned above implement | achieve is implement | achieved by the combination of a some program, or can be implement | achieved by cooperation of a some hardware resource. Further, when each function is executed by a program, the program can be a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (optical disk (CD, DVD), etc.), a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, etc. It may be provided in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. It is also possible to download via a network such as the Internet.

It is the figure which showed the external appearance of the mobile phone. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a mobile telephone. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a microphone. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a microphone. It is the block diagram which showed the function of the control part and the audio | voice processing part. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of the operation | movement which a control part performs. It is a figure explaining the mode of transition of a "sound collection period" and a "distance specific period." It is the figure which showed the external appearance of the mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a ... Mobile phone, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Operation part, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Communication part, 16 ... Antenna, 17 ... Audio | voice processing part, 171 ... Collected sound acquisition part, 172 ... Measurement unit, 173 ... Determination unit, 174 ... Notification unit, 175 ... Oscillation unit, 18 ... Speaker, 19 ... Microphone, 191 ... Case, 192 ... Sound collecting element, 1921 ... Diaphragm, 1922 ... Back plate, 1923 ... Support body, 193 ... signal processing circuit, 194 ... upper surface member, 30 ... sound receiving area, 40 ... sound transmitting area

Claims (4)

A diaphragm; a back plate provided to face the diaphragm; and generating means for generating an audio signal corresponding to a capacitance between the diaphragm and the back plate, which is changed by vibration of the diaphragm. A microphone,
A sound emission control means for supplying a sound signal to the diaphragm of the microphone to emit a predetermined reference sound;
After the diaphragm of the microphone vibrates and the reference sound is emitted according to the audio signal supplied by the sound emission control means, the diaphragm is vibrated by the reflected sound of the reference sound and the reflected sound is collected. Measuring means for measuring the period until sound is heard;
A determination unit that determines whether or not a period measured by the measurement unit or a distance between the user specified by the period and the diaphragm is within a predetermined range;
A sound collection device comprising: notification means for notifying the user of a determination result by the determination means.   The notification means is generated by the microphone generation means when the determination means determines that the distance between the user and the diaphragm specified by the measured period or the period is within the range. 2. The storage according to claim 1, wherein when the frequency of the audio signal belongs to an audible range and the amplitude of the audio signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value, a notification is made that the distance between the user and the diaphragm is appropriate. Sound equipment. A plurality of the microphones are provided at different positions,
The measuring means measures the time period for each of the plurality of microphones;
The determination means performs the determination based on whether each of the periods measured by the measurement means, or whether the distance between the user specified by those periods and each of the microphones is within a predetermined range. The sound collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sound collecting device is performed. The sound collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A communication means for wireless transmission and reception;
Sound emission means,
Control that causes the sound emission means to emit sound according to the audio data received by the communication means, converts an audio signal generated by the microphone into audio data, and transmits the audio data from the communication means And a mobile phone.

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