JP2023081102A - Audio input device, wireless communication device set, and electronic apparatus set - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a reliable PTT operation with a simple operation compared with a conventional example, for example, without needing the PTT operation by a PTT button of a wireless earphone.SOLUTION: An audio input device includes: an audio input unit that converts input audio into a first audio signal; a wireless modulation transmission unit that modulates and wirelessly transmits a wireless signal according to the first audio signal; a wireless reception demodulation unit that wirelessly receives a wireless signal from a wireless communication device or an electronic apparatus and demodulates a second audio signal; and an audio output unit that converts the second audio signal into audio. The audio input device further includes: a proximity sensor that outputs a first detection signal when a partial portion of a user approaches within a predetermined distance; and a control unit that determines that the first detection signal is a transmission operation signal based on the first detection signal, and controls the wireless modulation transmission unit so as to operate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a voice input device such as a wireless earphone with a microphone or a wireless headset, a wireless communication device set including the voice input device and a wireless communication device, and an electronic device set including the voice input device and an electronic device. .

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a portable wireless device capable of performing wireless communication while being carried is known, and a PTT button that is pressed when transmitting voice is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a conventional wireless earphone 2 with a microphone and a portable wireless device 1 that performs wireless communication therewith. Note that FIG. 2 shows an inner-ear type earphone.

In FIG. 2, the earphone housing 30 of the wireless earphone 2 with a microphone has, for example, a rectangular column shape, the microphone 11 is provided at the bottom, and the earphone module (audio reproduction unit or audio output unit) 16 is provided on the upper side surface. be done. Here, a cylindrical earpiece 31 is attached to the hole of the earphone module 16 . A PTT (Push To Talk) button 32 is provided on the side surface of the earphone housing 30 facing the mounting position of the earphone module 16 . Here, PTT is a voice communication method in which a voice transmission state is entered when the PTT button 32, which is a transmission button, is pressed.

A wireless earphone 2 with a microphone is wirelessly connected to the portable wireless device 1 by a close proximity wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). When the PTT button 32 is not pressed, the audio signal received by the portable radio device 1 from another radio device is wirelessly transmitted from the portable radio device 1 to the wireless earphone 2 with a microphone, and the audio signal is output from the earphone module 16. is output. On the other hand, when the PTT button 32 is pressed, the user's voice input to the microphone 11 is converted into a voice signal, wirelessly transmitted to the portable wireless device 1, and then transferred to another wireless device.

Japanese Patent No. 5316381 (claim 8, paragraph 0026)

When using the portable wireless device 1 wirelessly connected to the wireless earphone 2 with a microphone configured as described above, when transmitting by PTT operation, the wireless device 1 is worn on the waist or stored in a pocket or bag. PTT operation is mainly performed using the PTT button 32 of the wireless earphone 2 with a microphone.

Here, since the small wireless earphone 2 with a microphone is used to be worn on the ear, it is important to commercialize it in a smaller housing. Furthermore, since it is impossible to visually confirm the button position of the wireless earphone 2 worn on the ear, there is a problem that the PTT operation by the PTT button 32 of the wireless earphone 2 becomes difficult.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, for example, without the need for PTT operation using the PTT button 32 of the wireless earphone 2, compared to the conventional example, it is possible to realize a reliable PTT operation with a simple operation. an input device, a wireless communication device set including a wireless communication device such as a radio connected to the voice input device and the voice input device, and an electronic device such as a smartphone connected to the voice input device The present invention relates to an electronic device set including the voice input device.

A voice input device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises:
an audio input unit that converts input audio into a first audio signal;
a radio modulation transmission unit that modulates a radio signal according to the first audio signal and radio-transmits it,
A voice input device wirelessly connected to the wireless communication device or the electronic device,
The voice input device is
a proximity sensor that outputs a first detection signal when a part of the user approaches within a predetermined distance;
a control unit that determines the first detection signal as a transmission operation signal based on the first detection signal, and controls the radio modulation transmission unit to operate.

Therefore, according to the voice input device according to the present invention, the PTT operation by the PTT button of the wireless earphone is not required, for example, and the voice input device can realize reliable PTT operation with a simpler operation than the conventional example. , and a wireless communication device such as a radio connected to the audio input device.

1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a wireless earphone 2A with a microphone according to Embodiment 1 and a portable wireless device 1 that performs wireless communication therewith. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a conventional wireless earphone 2 with a microphone and a portable wireless device 1 that performs wireless communication therewith. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configuration examples of the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone and the portable wireless device 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing wireless communication control processing executed by the control unit 10 of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a wireless earphone 2B with a microphone according to Embodiment 2 and a portable wireless device 1 that wirelessly communicates therewith. 6 is a block diagram showing configuration examples of the wireless earphone 2B with a microphone and the portable wireless device 1 of FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing wireless communication control processing executed by the control unit 10A of FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wireless headset 5 according to a modification;

Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about the same or similar component.

(Inventor's findings)
As described above in "Problems to be Solved by the Invention", "Since the small wireless earphone 2 with a microphone is used to be worn on the ear, it is important to commercialize it in a smaller housing. The PTT button 32 of the wireless earphone 2 cannot be used for PTT operation because it is impossible to visually confirm the position of the button of the wireless earphone 2 attached to the ear, because the size of the button becomes smaller as the main body is miniaturized. It becomes difficult.”

In order to solve this problem, the present inventors propose a PTT operation system using a proximity sensor in voice input/output devices or voice input devices such as wireless earphones with microphones and wireless headsets. Specific embodiments and modifications will be described below.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a wireless earphone 2A with a microphone according to Embodiment 1 and a portable wireless device 1 that performs wireless communication therewith. Here, the portable wireless device 1 is an example of a wireless communication device.

In FIG. 1, an earphone housing 30 of the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a microphone (audio input section) 11 is provided at the bottom, and an earphone module 16 is provided at the upper side surface. Here, a cylindrical ear piece 31 is attached to the hole of the earphone module 16 (sound reproduction section or sound output section). Also, a proximity sensor 17 for detecting a PTT (Push To Talk) operation is provided on the side surface of the earphone housing 30 facing the mounting position of the earphone module 16 . The proximity sensor 17 is turned on and outputs a detection signal as a transmission operation signal when a part of the user such as a human finger approaches within a predetermined distance, and is turned off when the part is not in proximity to generate the detection signal. The output is stopped, and the transmission operation signal is determined to be off. Here, as the proximity sensor 17, for example, there is a proximity sensor composed of a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part of an object sensor using infrared rays, an induction proximity sensor, an electrostatic induction proximity sensor, or the like. Any form is acceptable as long as it detects that a part of the user such as a finger is in close proximity.

A wireless earphone 2A with a microphone is wirelessly connected to the portable wireless device 1 by a close proximity wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). When the proximity sensor 17 is turned off, the PTT operation is determined to be off, and the audio signal received by the portable radio 1 from another radio is wirelessly transmitted from the portable radio 1 to the wireless earphone with microphone 2A. Then, the sound of the audio signal is output from the earphone module 16 . On the other hand, when the proximity sensor 17 is on, it is determined that the PTT operation is on, and the user's voice input to the microphone 11 is converted into a voice signal and wirelessly transmitted to the portable wireless device 1, and then transmitted to another wireless device. transferred to

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing configuration examples of the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone and the portable wireless device 1 of FIG.

In FIG. 3, the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone includes a microphone (audio input unit) 11, an audio signal amplifier unit 12, a radio modulation transmission unit 13 having a transmission antenna 13A, and a radio reception demodulation unit 14 having a reception antenna 14A. , an audio signal amplifier 15 , an earphone module 16 , a proximity sensor 17 and a controller 10 . The control unit 10 controls the operations of the radio modulation/transmission unit 13 and the radio reception/demodulation unit 14 based on the detection signal from the proximity sensor 17 .

A user's voice input to the microphone 11 of the wireless earphone 2</b>A with a microphone is converted into a voice signal and then input to the radio modulation transmitter 13 via the voice signal amplifier 12 . The wireless modulation transmission unit 13 enters a transmission operation state based on a transmission operation signal from the control unit 10, which is output based on a detection signal when the proximity sensor 17 is turned on, and according to an input audio signal, for example, Bluetooth ( (registered trademark), etc.), a radio carrier wave is digitally modulated and then power-amplified, and the modulated radio signal is transmitted to the portable radio device 1 from the transmission antenna 13A. Note that the modulated radio signal includes a transmission operation signal.

On the other hand, based on the reception instruction signal from the control unit 10, the radio reception demodulation unit 14 enters the reception state, and the radio signal from the portable radio 1 received by the reception antenna 14A is transmitted using the close proximity radio communication system. , and performs signal processing such as low-noise amplification and digital demodulation to demodulate the audio signal, which is then output to the earphone module 16 via the audio signal amplifier 15 . The earphone module 16 converts an input audio signal into audio and outputs the audio.

The portable radio 1 includes a radio reception demodulator 22 having a reception antenna 22A, a microphone 23, an audio signal amplifier 24, a radio modulation transmitter 25 having a transmission antenna 25A, and a radio reception demodulator having a reception antenna 26A. 26, a radio modulation transmitter 27 having a transmission antenna 27A, an audio signal amplifier 28, a speaker 29, switches SW1 and SW2, a keyboard 21 including a PTT key 21P, and a controller 20. be done. Based on the transmission operation signal from the keyboard 21 when the PTT key 21P is on or the transmission operation signal demodulated by the wireless reception demodulation unit 22, the control unit 20 controls the wireless modulation transmission units 25 and 27, the wireless reception demodulation unit 22, 26 operations. When the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone is wirelessly connected, the control unit 20 interlocks the switches SW1 and SW2 to switch to the contact a side, and when the wireless earphone is not wirelessly connected, the control unit 20 interlocks the switches SW1 and SW2. switch to the contact b side.

A radio signal from the wireless earphone 2A received by the receiving antenna 22A of the portable radio 1 is input to the radio reception demodulator 22, and the radio reception demodulator 22 applies low noise amplification to the received radio signal. , and perform signal processing such as digital demodulation to demodulate the audio signal and the transmission operation signal, output the audio signal to the radio modulation transmission section 25 via the contact a side of the switch SW1, and send the transmission operation signal to the control section 20. Output. The radio modulation transmission unit 25 is turned on based on the transmission operation signal from the control unit 20, and uses a predetermined modulation method (for example, a digital simple radio method, an analog modulation method such as FM, etc.) according to the input audio signal. After modulating the radio carrier, it amplifies the power and transmits the modulated radio signal from the transmitting antenna 25A to the other radio 1P. Further, when the wireless earphone 2A is not used and the switch SW1 is switched to the contact b side, the voice input to the microphone 23 is converted into an audio signal and then transmitted wirelessly through the contact b side of the switch SW1. It is input to the modulation transmission section 25, and the modulation transmission operation is similarly performed.

A radio signal from another radio device 1P received by the receiving antenna 26A is input to the radio reception demodulation unit 26, and the radio reception demodulation unit 26 performs low-noise amplification, digital demodulation, etc. on the received radio signal. , demodulates the audio signal and outputs it to the radio modulation transmitter 27 via the contact a side of the switch SW2. The radio modulation transmission unit 27 is turned on based on the transmission operation signal from the control unit 20, digitally modulates the radio carrier wave using the close proximity radio communication system according to the input audio signal, and then power-amplifies and modulates it. A radio signal is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 27A to the wireless earphone 2A. Further, when the wireless earphone 2A is not used and the switch SW2 is switched to the contact b side, the audio signal from the radio reception demodulator 26 is transmitted through the contact b side of the switch SW2 and the audio signal amplifier 28. The signal is output to the speaker 29 and the sound of the audio signal is output from the speaker 29 .

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing wireless communication control processing executed by the control unit 10 of FIG.

In step S1 of FIG. 4, an initialization process is performed. Specifically, the transmission operation of the wireless modulation transmitter 13 is stopped and the proximity sensor 17 is reset. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the proximity sensor 17 is on. If YES, the process proceeds to step S3, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S5. At step S3, it is determined whether or not the radio modulation transmitter 13 is transmitting. If YES, the process returns to step S2. If NO, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the transmission operation of the radio modulation transmission unit 13 is started, and in step S5, it is determined whether or not the radio modulation transmission unit 13 is transmitting. If YES, the process proceeds to step S6. Return to S2. In step S6, after stopping the transmission operation of the radio modulation transmission section 13, the process returns to step S2.

According to the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone configured as described above, by replacing the PTT button 32 (FIG. 2) of the wireless earphone 2 according to the conventional example with the sensing portion of the proximity sensor 17, "a small invisible button can be The operation of "pressing" is replaced with the operation of "covering the entire body including the sensing portion of the proximity sensor with the hand", and the PTT operation can be performed relatively easily.

Therefore, according to the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone according to the present embodiment, since the proximity sensor 17 is provided, for example, the PTT operation using the PTT button 32 of the wireless earphone 2 is not required, and the operation is simpler than the conventional example. Reliable PTT operation can be realized.

(Embodiment 2)
PTT operation when the sensing part of the proximity sensor 17 of the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone according to the first embodiment is covered by a factor other than the user's operation (for example, when it is inadvertently covered with hair, a hat, etc.) malfunctions. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the wireless earphone with a microphone equipped with the proximity sensor 17 is also equipped with the vibration impact sensor 18 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a wireless earphone 2B with a microphone according to Embodiment 2 and a portable wireless device 1 that performs wireless communication therewith. The wireless earphone 2B with a microphone in FIG. 5 is characterized in that the vibration shock sensor 18 is provided in the earphone housing 30, unlike the wireless earphone 2A with a microphone in FIG. Differences will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing configuration examples of the wireless earphone 2B with a microphone and the portable wireless device 1 of FIG. The configuration of FIG. 6 differs from the configuration of FIG. 3 in the following points.
(1) A vibration shock sensor 18 is further provided.
(2) In place of the control section 10, a control section 10A for controlling the transmission operation based on the detection signal of the vibration impact sensor 18 is provided. Here, based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor 17 and the detection signal of the vibration impact sensor 18, the control unit 10A determines whether the PTT operation is ON/OFF. The details will be described in the wireless communication control process in FIG.

5 and 6, the vibration/shock sensor 18 is, for example, an acceleration sensor. When the vibration/shock sensor 18 is subjected to vibration or shock by applying acceleration of a predetermined value or more, the output voltage changes. , outputs an ON or OFF detection signal to the control unit 10A based on the change.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing wireless communication control processing executed by the control unit 10A of FIG.

In step S1A of FIG. 7, an initialization process is executed. Specifically, the transmission operation of the wireless modulation transmitter 13 is stopped, the proximity sensor 17 is reset, and the vibration impact sensor 18 is reset. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the proximity sensor 17 is on. If YES, the process proceeds to step S7, and if NO, the process returns to step S2. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the vibration impact sensor 18 is on. If YES, the process proceeds to step S3, and if NO, the process returns to step S2. Further, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the radio modulation transmission unit 13 is transmitting. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S8, after stopping the transmission operation of the radio modulation transmission section 13, the process returns to step S2. In step S9, after starting the transmission operation of the radio modulation transmission section 13, the process returns to step S2.

As described above, if the sensing portion of the proximity sensor 17 is covered by a factor other than the user's operation (for example, if it is inadvertently covered with hair or a hat), the PTT operation will malfunction. . Therefore, by further mounting the vibration/shock sensor 18 on the wireless earphone equipped with the proximity sensor 17, the conditions for starting/stopping transmission in the PTT operation are set to "the sensing portion of the proximity sensor 17 is covered" and "no vibration or shock." occurrence" is detected at the same time. In other words, the PTT operation is turned on only when the user puts his/her hand close to the device and "lightly taps the entire body", thereby facilitating the PTT operation and preventing malfunction of the PTT operation. becomes possible.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, by providing both the proximity sensor 17 and the vibration impact sensor 18, for example, the PTT operation by the PTT button 32 of the wireless earphone 2 is not required, and the malfunction is prevented. A reliable PTT operation can be realized with a simpler operation than the conventional example.

(Modification)
Although FIGS. 1 and 5 above illustrate inner-ear type earphones, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless earphones 2A and 2B with a microphone may be configured as canal type earphones or the wireless headset shown in FIG. good. These wireless earphones 2A and 2B with microphones and the wireless headset are examples of audio input/output devices or audio input devices (the components 14 to 16 may not be included in the audio input/output device). The term “headset” may be defined as a set of a microphone and earphones, or may be defined as wireless earphones 2A and 2B with microphones.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wireless headset 5 according to a modification.

In FIG. 8, the left and right headphone housings 51L and 51R each have a substantially cylindrical shape. Lower cases 52L and 52R having a slider mechanism are connected via the lower case 52L, 52R. The lower cases 52L and 52R are connected by a metal frame 54, the upper case 53 is provided in the middle of the metal frame 54, the distance between the headphone housings 51L and 51R can be changed by the slider function, The lower cases 52L and 52R can be expanded and contracted.

Earphone modules (audio reproduction units or audio output units) 16L and 16R are provided inside the left and right headphone housings 51L and 51R, respectively, and headphone pads 55L and 55R are attached to these earphone modules 16L and 16R. .

For example, an extension rod 11R extending from the central portion of the case connecting portion 52CL is provided, and the microphone 11A is provided at the tip thereof. Also, for example, the proximity sensor 17 and the vibration impact sensor 18 according to the first and second embodiments are provided outside the headphone housing 51L. Note that the vibration impact sensor 18 is provided when the circuit configuration of the second embodiment is applied.

The circuit configuration of the wireless headset 5 in FIG. 8 is similar to that in FIG. 3 (Embodiment 1) or FIG. 6 (Embodiment 2).

As described above, according to the wireless headset 5 according to the modification of FIG. 8 , the provision of the proximity sensor 17 or the vibration impact sensor 18 further eliminates the need for PTT operation using the PTT button of the wireless earphone, for example. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the malfunction described above and to realize a reliable PTT operation with a simple operation as compared with the conventional example.

As described in detail above, the voice input device according to the present invention does not require PTT operation using the PTT button of the wireless earphone, for example, and can realize reliable PTT operation with a simpler operation than the conventional example.

In the above embodiments and modifications, the wireless earphones 2A and 2B with microphones and the wireless headset 5 that are wirelessly connected to the portable wireless device 1 are described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile phone, the smart It can be widely applied to voice input devices or voice input/output devices such as wireless earphones 2A and 2B with microphones and wireless headsets 5 connected to electronic devices such as phones and personal computers. Here, the wireless earphones 2A, 2B with a microphone or the wireless headset 5 may be combined with the portable wireless device 1 or an electronic device to form a wireless communication device set or an electronic device set, which may be manufactured and sold.

1 portable wireless device 1P other wireless devices 2, 2A, 2B wireless earphone with microphone 5 wireless headset 10, 10A control unit 11, 11A microphone (voice input unit)
11R Extension rod 12 Audio signal amplifier 13 Radio modulation transmitter 13A Transmission antenna 14 Radio reception demodulator 14A Reception antenna 15 Audio signal amplifiers 16, 16L, 16R Earphone module (audio reproducer or audio output)
17 Proximity sensor 18 Vibration shock sensor 20 Control unit 21 Keyboard 21P PTT key 22 Radio reception demodulation unit 22A Reception antenna 23 Microphone 24 Audio signal amplification unit 25 Radio modulation transmission unit 25A Transmission antenna 26 Radio reception demodulation unit 26A Reception antenna 27 Radio modulation transmission Part 27A Transmission antenna 28 Audio signal amplifier 29 Speaker 30 Earphone housing 31 Ear piece 32 PTT buttons 51L, 51R Headphone housings 52L, 52R Lower cases 52CL, 52CR Case connection parts 52RL, 52RR Connection rotary shaft 53 Upper case 54 Metal frame 55L , 55R Headphone pad SW1, SW2 Switch

Claims (7)

an audio input unit that converts input audio into a first audio signal;
a radio modulation transmission unit that modulates a radio signal according to the first audio signal and radio-transmits it,
A voice input device wirelessly connected to the wireless communication device or the electronic device,
The voice input device is
a proximity sensor that outputs a first detection signal when a part of the user approaches within a predetermined distance;
and a control unit that determines the first detection signal as a transmission operation signal based on the first detection signal, and controls the radio modulation transmission unit to operate. The voice input device further comprises:
A vibration and shock sensor for detecting vibration or shock of the voice input device, the vibration and shock sensor outputting a second detection signal when the vibration or shock is detected,
The control unit, based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal, determines as the transmission operation signal when the first detection signal and the second detection signal are simultaneously output, 2. The audio input device according to claim 1, which controls to operate the radio modulation transmitter. The control unit controls the radio modulation transmission unit to wirelessly transmit the transmission operation signal.
3. The voice input device according to claim 1 or 2. The voice input device further comprises:
a radio reception demodulator that radio-receives a radio signal from a radio communication device or an electronic device and demodulates a second audio signal;
an audio output unit that converts the second audio signal into audio,
A voice input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The voice input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said voice input device is a wireless earphone with a microphone or a wireless headset. a voice input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A wireless communication device set comprising the wireless communication device. a voice input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
An electronic device set comprising the electronic device.

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