JP4311601B2 - In-vehicle hands-free device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle hands-free device that is mounted in, for example, an automobile and outputs a voice signal from a mobile phone to a voice output unit such as a speaker or an earphone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the conventional in-vehicle hands-free device.
[0003]
An in-vehicle hands-free device 50 shown in FIG. 3 includes a hands-free interface unit (hereinafter simply referred to as an interface unit) 51 that communicates with the mobile phone 60, and a main power source unit 52 that supplies power to the entire hands-free device 50. And an audio output unit 53 that outputs an audio signal received by the mobile phone 60 through the interface unit 51, a microphone 54 that collects the audio, and a control unit 55 that controls the entire in-vehicle hands-free device 50. ing.
[0004]
The interface unit 51 is responsible for a hands-free function with the mobile phone 60, and is connected to the mobile phone 60 to transmit a user's voice signal collected by the microphone 54 to the mobile phone 60. The communication unit 51 </ b> A transmits the audio signal received by the mobile phone 60 from the other party to the audio output unit 53.
[0005]
The audio output unit 53 includes an amplifier unit 53A that amplifies an audio signal from the call partner received through the interface unit 51, and a speaker 53B that outputs the amplified audio signal. In addition to the speaker 53B, an earphone or the like may be used.
[0006]
An external connection terminal for controlling the mobile phone 60 is connected between the interface unit 51 and the mobile phone 60, for example, a 16-pin external connection terminal in the case of a digital mobile phone, and an 18-pin external connection terminal in the case of cdmaOne. ing. Accordingly, the in-vehicle hands-free device 50 receives the voice signal of the other party from the mobile phone 60, and the mobile phone transmits the audio signal collected by the microphone 54 to the mobile phone 60.
[0007]
According to such a conventional in-vehicle hands-free device 50, the mobile phone 60 and the interface unit 51 are connected by communication, so that the user of the mobile phone 60 does not have to hold the mobile phone 60 in his / her hand. You can make a call with the other party.
[0008]
However, according to the conventional in-vehicle hands-free device 50, when the user gets off the automobile, the mobile phone 60 is often left in the automobile.
[0009]
In order to prevent such a misplacement of the mobile phone 60, those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-215214 and 2001-16309 are known.
[0010]
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-215214, when the power supply from the external power source to the mobile phone is cut off, the ringing element of the mobile phone itself is ringed and output. Recognizing the misplacement of the mobile phone in the automobile can prevent the misplacement of the mobile phone.
[0011]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-16309 discloses a main power source in an automobile, a sensor for detecting presence / absence of a mobile phone, a buzzer for notifying a warning sound, an auxiliary power source for generating a predetermined voltage, When detecting the stop of power supply from the power supply unit and detecting the presence of a mobile phone, the mobile phone user has a control unit that receives power supply from the auxiliary power supply unit and drives and controls the buzzer. The buzzer can prevent the mobile phone from being misplaced by recognizing that the mobile phone has been misplaced in the automobile.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-215214, when the power supply from the external power source to the mobile phone is cut off, the ringing element of the mobile phone itself is ringed. And the ringing element drive circuit) are driven, a large power consumption burden is imposed on the mobile phone itself.
[0013]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-16309, the stop of power supply from the main power supply unit is detected, and when the presence of a mobile phone is detected, the buzzer is driven and controlled to output a warning sound. In addition, it is necessary to provide a buzzer for notifying a warning sound separately on the in-vehicle hands-free device side.
[0014]
Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-16309, a process for determining whether or not there is a mobile phone is performed by transmitting a connection presence / absence detection signal from the in-vehicle hands-free device to the mobile phone and from the mobile phone to the in-vehicle hands-free device. By transmitting the response signal of the connection presence / absence detection signal, the presence / absence of connection of the mobile phone is determined. However, two ports of the external connection terminal for connecting the mobile phone and the in-vehicle hands-free device are used for connection presence / absence determination. It is necessary to secure it.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle hand that does not require a special sound source for a warning sound while reducing the power consumption of the mobile phone. It is to provide a free device.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle hands-free device that can detect the presence / absence of a communication connection with a mobile phone without securing a port for connection presence / absence discrimination.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an in-vehicle hands-free device according to the present invention includes an interface unit that communicates with a mobile phone, a main power source that supplies power to the entire device, and an audio signal received by the mobile phone through the interface unit. An in-vehicle hands-free device having a sound output unit for outputting a sound, a stop detection unit for detecting a stop of power supply from the main power supply unit, and detecting a stop of power supply by the stop detection unit A control signal transmission unit that transmits a control signal to the mobile phone so that the mobile phone generates a tone signal; and when the tone signal is received from the mobile phone through the interface unit, the tone signal is sent to the audio output unit. And a controller for outputting sound.
[0018]
Therefore, according to the in-vehicle hands-free device of the present invention, when detecting the stop of the power supply of the main power supply unit, the mobile phone transmits a control signal for generating a tone signal, for example, an off-hook switch signal to the mobile phone, When the tone signal from the mobile phone is received through the interface unit, the tone signal is output to the audio output unit, so the tone signal from the mobile phone is reduced while reducing the power consumption burden caused by the ringing of the mobile phone. Since a sound is output as a warning sound, there is no need to provide a special sound source on the in-vehicle hands-free device side.
[0019]
In addition, the in-vehicle hands-free device of the present invention includes a backup power supply unit that starts supplying power to the entire device for a predetermined time when the stop detection unit detects stop of power supply.
[0020]
Therefore, according to the in-vehicle hands-free device of the present invention, it is possible to perform control signal transmission to the mobile phone and tone signal audio output from the mobile phone in accordance with power supply from the backup power supply unit.
[0021]
In addition, in the in-vehicle hands-free device of the present invention, the interface unit determines whether or not the interface unit has received a base station control signal from the base station accommodating the mobile phone to the mobile phone through the mobile phone. A control signal reception determination unit, and when the control unit determines that the base station control signal reception determination unit has received a base station control signal, the control unit recognizes a communication connection between the mobile phone and the interface unit; While permitting transmission of the control signal from the control signal transmission unit and determining that the base station control signal reception determination unit does not receive the base station control signal, communication between the mobile phone and the interface unit is disconnected. Recognizing and prohibiting transmission of the control signal from the control signal transmission unit.
[0022]
Therefore, according to the in-vehicle hands-free device of the present invention, the base station control signal reception determination unit that determines whether or not the base station control signal from the base station accommodating the mobile phone to the mobile phone has been received through the mobile phone. When the base station control signal reception determination unit determines that the base station control signal has been received, the communication connection between the mobile phone and the interface unit is recognized. Even without securing a port, it is possible to recognize a communication connection between a mobile phone and an in-vehicle hands-free device using a normal base station control signal.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an in-vehicle hands-free device showing an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside an in-vehicle hands-free device showing the present embodiment.
[0024]
An in-vehicle hands-free device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an interface unit 11 for communication connection with a mobile phone 20, a main power supply unit 12 that supplies power to the entire in-vehicle hands-free device 10, and the mobile phone 20 through the interface unit 11. A sound output unit 13 for outputting a received sound signal, a microphone 14 for collecting sound, a stop detection unit 15 for detecting the stop of power supply from the main power supply unit 12, that is, the main power supply unit 12 being turned off, When the stop detection unit 15 detects that the main power supply unit 12 is OFF, the backup power supply unit 16 that starts supplying power to the entire vehicle-mounted hands-free device 10 and the entire vehicle-free hands-free device 10 are controlled for a predetermined time. And a controller 17 for
[0025]
The audio output unit 13 includes an amplifier unit 13A that amplifies the audio signal from the call partner received through the interface unit 11, and a speaker 13B that outputs the amplified audio signal. In addition to the speaker 13B, an earphone or the like may be used.
[0026]
The interface unit 11 manages a hands-free function with the mobile phone 20, and by communicating with the mobile phone 20, transmits the user's voice signal collected by the microphone 14 to the mobile phone 20. A communication unit 11A that transmits an audio signal from a call partner received by the mobile phone 20 to the audio output unit 13, and a base station control signal from the base station that accommodates the mobile phone 20 to the mobile phone, for example, are transmitted through the mobile phone 20. It has a base station control signal reception determination unit 11B that determines whether or not it has been received, and a control signal transmission unit 11C that transmits a control signal to the mobile phone 20 so that the mobile phone 20 generates a tone signal.
[0027]
The control signal transmitted by the control signal transmission unit 11C corresponds to an off-hook switch signal that generates a tone signal on the mobile phone 20 side. The tone signal is a dial tone signal, a busy tone signal, or the like.
[0028]
When the control unit 17 receives a tone signal from the mobile phone 20 through the interface unit 11, the control unit 17 outputs the tone signal to the audio output unit 13.
[0029]
When the control unit 17 determines that the base station control signal reception determination unit 11B has received the base station control signal, the control unit 17 recognizes the communication connection between the mobile phone 20 and the interface unit 11, and from the control signal transmission unit 11C. The transmission of the control signal is permitted.
[0030]
When the control unit 17 determines that the base station control signal reception determination unit 11B does not receive the base station control signal, the control unit 17 recognizes that communication between the mobile phone 20 and the interface unit 11 is not established, and controls the control signal transmission unit 11C. Transmission of control signals from is prohibited.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the in-vehicle hands-free device 10 shown in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the control unit 17 related to the mobile phone misplacement prevention process of the in-vehicle hands-free device 10 shown in the present embodiment.
[0032]
The mobile phone misplacement prevention process shown in FIG. 2 is a process of notifying the user of the mobile phone 20 of the misplacement of the mobile phone 20 so that the mobile phone 20 is not misplaced in the automobile.
[0033]
In FIG. 2, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the main power supply unit 12 is turned off by, for example, turning off the ignition key through the stop detection unit 15 (step S <b> 11).
[0034]
When the main power supply unit 12 is turned off, the control unit 17 turns on the backup power supply unit 16 (step S12), and determines whether or not the communication connection between the interface unit 11 and the mobile phone 20 is OK (step S13). ). The determination process in step S13 is a process for determining whether or not there is a communication connection between the interface unit 11 and the mobile phone 20 based on the determination result of the base station control signal reception determination unit 11B.
[0035]
When the communication connection is OK in step S13, the control unit 17 transmits a control signal to the mobile phone 20 through the control signal transmission unit 11C (step S14). On the cellular phone 20 side, when a control signal, that is, an off-hook switch signal is received, a tone signal is generated by performing an off-hook operation.
[0036]
The control unit 17 determines whether or not a tone signal from the mobile phone 20 has been received through the communication unit 11A (step S15).
[0037]
When receiving the tone signal from the mobile phone 20 in step S15, the control unit 17 amplifies the tone signal by the amplifier unit 13A, and outputs the amplified tone signal from the speaker 13B as a sound (step S16).
[0038]
Further, the control unit 17 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the audio output (step S17). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the backup power supply unit 16 is turned off (step S18), and this processing operation is terminated.
[0039]
If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S17, it is determined whether or not the communication connection between the interface unit 11 and the mobile phone 20 is OK (step S19).
[0040]
If the communication connection between the interface unit 11 and the mobile phone 20 is OK, the process proceeds to step S17 while the sound output of the tone signal is continued.
[0041]
If the communication connection between the interface unit 11 and the mobile phone 20 is not OK, the process proceeds to step S18 to turn off the backup power supply unit 18.
[0042]
If the communication connection between the interface unit 11 and the mobile phone 20 is not OK in step S13, or if the tone signal from the mobile phone 20 is not received in step S15, the step is performed to turn off the backup power supply unit 17. The process proceeds to S18.
[0043]
If the main power supply unit 12 is not OFF in step S11, this processing operation is terminated.
[0044]
According to the present embodiment, when the main power supply unit 12 is detected to be OFF and a communication connection between the mobile phone 20 and the interface unit 11 is detected, the mobile phone 20 transmits an off-hook switch signal that generates a tone signal. When the tone signal from the cellular phone 20 is received through the interface unit 11, the tone signal is output to the audio output unit 13B, so that the power consumption burden caused by the ringing of the cellular phone 20 is reduced. Since the tone signal from the mobile phone 20 is output as a warning sound, it is not necessary to provide a special sound source on the in-vehicle hands-free device 10 side.
[0045]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the base station control signal reception determination unit 11B that determines whether or not the base station control signal from the base station accommodating the mobile phone 20 to the mobile phone 20 has been received through the mobile phone 20. When the base station control signal determination unit 11B determines that the base station control signal has been received, the communication connection between the mobile phone 20 and the interface unit 11 is recognized. Even if a port for presence / absence is not secured, a communication connection between the mobile phone 20 and the in-vehicle hands-free device 10 can be recognized using a normal base station control signal.
[0046]
In addition, although the in-vehicle hands-free device 10 shown in the above embodiment has been described with respect to a built-in vehicle type, the same effect can be obtained with an external hands-free device connected to a bus such as a car navigation system or a car audio device. Needless to say.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where a tone signal is output from the speaker 13B as an example of the cellular phone misplacement prevention process has been described as an example. However, when the earphone is used, the earphone or both the earphone and the speaker 13B It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if a tone signal is output as a sound.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the in-vehicle hands-free device of the present invention configured as described above, a control signal, for example, an off-hook switch signal, is generated when the mobile phone generates a tone signal when the stop of power supply to the main power supply unit is detected. When the tone signal from the mobile phone is received through the interface unit, the tone signal is output to the voice output unit, so that the power consumption burden caused by the ringing of the mobile phone is reduced and Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special sound source on the in-vehicle hands-free device side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside an in-vehicle hands-free device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a control unit related to a mobile phone misplacement prevention process of the in-vehicle hands-free device shown in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside a conventional in-vehicle hands-free device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 In-vehicle hands-free device 11 Interface unit 11B Base station control signal determination unit 11C Control signal transmission unit 12 Main power supply unit 13 Audio output unit 15 Stop detection unit 16 Backup power supply unit 17 Control unit 20 Mobile phone

Claims (3)

An in-vehicle hands-free device having an interface unit that communicates with a mobile phone, a main power source that supplies power to the entire device, and an audio output unit that outputs audio signals received by the mobile phone through the interface unit. And
A stop detection unit for detecting a stop of power supply from the main power supply unit;
When the stop detection unit detects a stop of power supply, the control signal transmission unit transmits a control signal to the mobile phone so that the mobile phone generates a tone signal;
An in-vehicle hands-free device comprising: a control unit that, when receiving a tone signal from the mobile phone through the interface unit, outputs the tone signal to an audio output unit. The in-vehicle hands-free device according to claim 1, further comprising a backup power supply unit that starts supplying power to the entire apparatus for a predetermined time when the stop detection unit detects stop of power supply. The interface unit is
A base station control signal reception determination unit for determining whether or not a base station control signal from a base station accommodating the mobile phone to the mobile phone is received through the mobile phone;
The controller is
If the base station control signal reception determination unit determines that the base station control signal has been received, the communication connection between the mobile phone and the interface unit is recognized, and transmission of the control signal from the control signal transmission unit is permitted. With
If the base station control signal reception determination unit determines that the base station control signal is not received, it recognizes that no communication is established between the mobile phone and the interface unit, and prohibits transmission of the control signal from the control signal transmission unit. The in-vehicle hands-free device according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle hands-free device is provided.

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