JP4508147B2 - In-vehicle hands-free device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle hands-free device that transmits a transmission voice signal obtained by extracting a difference between output levels of first and second voice input means for collecting voice in a vehicle interior to a call partner.

The in-vehicle hands-free device includes first and second microphones, first and second amplifier circuits that amplify output voltages of the first and second microphones, and the first and second amplifier circuits. And a differential amplifier circuit that differentially amplifies the output signal output from the first and second microphones, and the first and second speakers are arranged at positions equal to each other from the first and second microphones. There is an apparatus that removes an echo signal generated by the sound that circulates into the two microphones (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2005-247181

  The sound input to the first and second microphones is not only input directly from the speaker, but also is input from the speaker by being reflected around the window glass or ceiling in the vehicle interior.

  Since the layout of the window glass in the vehicle interior is symmetrical, the sound of the speaker is reflected to the surroundings such as the window glass and the ceiling in the vehicle interior when the passenger is not in the vehicle. However, when the occupant gets on, the sound of the speaker is reflected and absorbed by the occupant, and the sound level of the speaker input to the first and second microphones becomes unbalanced.

  In such a case, there arises a problem that the removal performance of the echo signal generated by the sound that circulates from the speaker to the first and second microphones deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve the removal performance of echo signals.

The first feature of the present invention is that the first and second voice input control means for controlling the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means and the seating situation of the occupant in each seat are detected. First and second sound that cancels echo signals of the sound output means included in the signals output from the first and second sound input means for each seating state of the occupant detection means and the occupant in each seat The storage means storing the position and / or angle setting values of the input means, the positions of the first and second voice input means that match the seating situation of the occupant in each seat detected by the occupant detection means, and / or Alternatively, the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means in the first and second voice input control means according to the search means for searching the set value of the angle from the storage means and the set value searched by the search means Change control means for changing Provided, the occupant detection means further detects the respective occupant physique cabin, in the storage unit, first for each physique of the occupant seating conditions and vehicle interior occupant to each seat, the second The position and / or angle setting values of the first and second voice input means and the position of the voice output means and / or the canceling echo signal of the voice output means included in the signal output from the voice input means The setting value of the angle is stored, and the searching means detects the seating status of the occupant in each seat detected by the occupant detecting means and the positions of the first and second voice input means that match the physique of each occupant and / or Alternatively, the angle setting value and the position and / or angle setting value of the sound output means are retrieved from the storage means .

In such a configuration, the setting value of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means that matches the seating situation of the occupant in each seat detected by the occupant detection means is searched from the storage means, and the search is performed. The position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means is changed according to the set value. That is, the position of the first and second sound input means so that the echo signal of the sound output means included in the signals output from the first and second sound input means is canceled and / or at an angle. In addition, since the angle is changed, the echo signal removal performance can be improved. In addition, the echo signal removal performance varies depending not only on the seating situation of the occupant but also on the physique of the occupant. For this reason, in such a configuration, the setting values of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means that match the seating situation of each passenger and the physique of each passenger are searched. The first and second voice input means can be changed to a position and / or an angle suitable for the occupant's seating situation and the physique of each occupant.

The second feature of the present invention is that the first and second voice input control means for controlling the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means, and the position and / or angle of the voice output means. Voice output control means for changing the position, occupant detection means for detecting the seating situation of the occupant in each seat, and signals output from the first and second voice input means for each seating situation of the occupant in each seat Storage means for storing the position and / or angle setting values of the first and second sound input means and the position and / or angle setting values of the sound output means for canceling the echo signal of the included sound output means And the setting value of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means and the position and / or angle of the voice output means that match the seating situation of the passenger in each seat detected by the passenger detection means The value is detected from the storage means. And the first and second voice input control means change the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means according to the set value searched by the search means and the voice output control means Change control means for changing the position and / or angle of the output means, and the occupant detection means further detects the physique of each occupant in the passenger compartment, and the storage means stores the occupant of each seat. The first and second voice input means for canceling the echo signal of the voice output means included in the signal output from the first and second voice input means for each seating situation and the physique of each occupant in the passenger compartment. The setting value of the position and / or angle and the setting value of the position and / or angle of the sound output means are stored, and the search means is the occupant's seating status and each of the seats detected by the occupant detection means. The first is that the position and / or angle settings of the position and / or angle settings and the audio output means of the second sound input unit retrieves from the storage unit that matches the size of the members.

In such a configuration, the position and / or angle setting values of the first and second sound input means and the position of the sound output means and / or the sound output means according to the seating situation of the occupant in each seat detected by the occupant detection means and / or Alternatively, the setting value of the angle is searched from the storage means, and the position and / or angle of the sound output means is changed together with the position and / or angle of the first and second sound input means according to the searched setting value. That is, the position of the first and second sound input means so that the echo signal of the sound output means included in the signals output from the first and second sound input means is canceled and / or at an angle. Since the position and / or angle of the sound output means is changed together with the angle and / or the angle, the echo signal removal performance can be improved. In addition, the echo signal removal performance varies not only with the seating situation of the occupant but also with the physique of the occupant. For this reason, in such a configuration, the position of the first and second voice input means and / or the setting value of the angle and the position of the voice output means that match the seating situation of each passenger and the physique of each passenger, Since the set value of the angle is searched, the first and second voice input means and voice output means are changed to a position and / or an angle suitable for the occupant's seating situation and the physique of each occupant. Can be made.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle hands-free device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle hands-free device 1 includes first and second microphones 10 and 20, a speaker 30, first, second, and third position control units 11, 21, and 31, first, second, and third angles. Control units 12, 22 and 32, a wireless communication device 40, an occupant detection unit 50, and a control circuit 60 are provided.

  The first and second microphones 10 and 20 are for collecting voices of passengers in the passenger compartment.

  The speaker 30 is for outputting a sound corresponding to the received voice signal input from the wireless communication device 40 via the control circuit 60.

  The first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 are attached to a guide (not shown) provided in the vehicle, and move along the guide as shown in FIG. Note that the guide to which the first microphone 10 is attached and the guide to which the second microphone 20 is attached are provided on the ceiling so as to be symmetrical in the vehicle traveling direction, and the guide to which the speaker 30 is attached is The ceiling between the driver seat and the passenger seat is provided so as to coincide with the vehicle traveling direction.

  The first and second position control units 11 and 21 have a motor and a drive mechanism (both not shown) for moving the positions of the first and second microphones 10 and 20, respectively, and a control circuit 60. When a signal instructing movement to a specific position is input, the first and second microphones 10 and 20 are moved to designated positions in response to this signal.

  The first and second angle control units 12 and 22 include a motor and a drive mechanism (both not shown) for changing the angles of the first and second microphones 10 and 20, respectively, and a control circuit 60. When a signal instructing to change to a specific orientation is input, the orientation of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 is changed to a designated angle in accordance with this signal.

  The third position control unit 31 includes a motor and a drive mechanism (both not shown) for moving the position of the speaker 30, and a signal instructing movement to a specific position is input from the control circuit 60. In response to this signal, the speaker 30 is moved to a designated position.

  The third angle control unit 32 includes a motor and a drive mechanism (both not shown) for changing the angle of the speaker 30, and a signal instructing a change in a specific direction is input from the control circuit 60. Then, the direction of the speaker 30 is changed to a designated angle in accordance with this signal.

  The wireless communication device 40 is a device for performing wireless communication with a communication partner via a wireless communication line.

  The occupant detection unit 50 includes a pressure sensor (not shown) provided at a seating portion of each seat in the passenger compartment, and a seating state of the occupant in each seat based on the level of signals input from these pressure sensors (presence / absence of occupants) ) And a determination circuit that determines whether the weight of each occupant is greater than or equal to a reference value, and detects whether the occupant is seated in each seat in the passenger compartment (the presence or absence of the occupant) and whether each occupant is large or small To do. The occupant detection unit 50 outputs a signal indicating whether the occupant is seated in each seat and whether the physique of each occupant is large or small.

  The control circuit 60 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and the CPU performs various processes according to a program stored in the memory.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 60 includes first and second amplifier circuits 71 and 72 that amplify output voltages of the first and second microphones 10 and 20, and first and second amplifiers. The amplifier 70 includes a differential amplifier circuit 73 that differentially amplifies the output voltage of the amplifier circuit.

  The output voltage of the first microphone 10 is amplified by the first amplifier circuit 71, and the output voltage of the second microphone 20 is amplified by the second amplifier circuit 72. Further, a differential voltage between the output voltages of the first amplifier circuit 71 and the second amplifier circuit 72 is output from the differential amplifier circuit 73.

  Therefore, when the distance and the angle between the first microphone 10 and the speaker 30 and the second microphone 20 and the speaker 30 are equal, the sound levels of the speakers 30 input to the first and second microphones 10 and 20 are equal. The echo signal generated by the sound that circulates from the speaker 30 to the first and second microphones 10 and 20 is canceled by the differential amplifier circuit 73. Since the driver seat and the passenger seat are arranged on the left side or the left side of the vehicle, the voice levels of the driver seats and the passenger seats of the passenger seats input to the first and second microphones 10 and 20 are different, and the differential amplifier circuit. 73 is output as a transmission signal.

  However, when the sound of the speaker 30 is reflected and absorbed by an occupant and the sound levels of the speakers input to the first and second microphones 10 and 20 become unbalanced, the echo signal removal performance by the differential amplifier circuit 73 is improved. It will decline.

  Therefore, the present control circuit 60 is output from the first and second microphones 10 and 20 in accordance with the state of the passengers in the passenger compartment (the seating state of the passengers in each seat and whether the passenger's physique is large or small). Processing for adjusting the positions and angles of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 is performed so as to cancel the echo signal of the speaker 30 included in the signal.

  In the memory of the control circuit 60, as shown in FIG. 4, the first and second states are determined according to the situation of the passengers in the passenger compartment (the seating situation of the passengers in each seat and whether the passenger's physique is large or small). The setting values of the positions and angles of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 that cancel the echo signal of the speaker 30 included in the signals output from the microphones 10 and 20 are stored. That is, the position and angle of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 that cancel the echo signal for each combination of whether the occupant is seated in each seat and the physique is large or small. Is stored. These set values are determined by experiments.

  The control circuit 60 performs processing for adjusting the positions and angles of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 in accordance with the set values stored in the memory.

  Next, this adjustment process will be described with reference to FIG. When the power of the in-vehicle hands-free device is turned on, the control circuit 60 repeatedly performs the process shown in FIG.

  First, the state of the occupant is specified (S100). Specifically, from the signal output from the occupant detection unit 50, the occupant's seating status (presence / absence of occupant) in each seat and whether the physique of each occupant is large or small are specified.

  Next, a set value suitable for the state of the occupant is searched (S102). Specifically, the first and second microphones 10 and 20 that match the situation of the occupant in the vehicle cabin specified in S100 (the seating situation of the occupant in each seat and whether the occupant's physique is large or small), a speaker The set values of 30 positions and angles are retrieved from the memory.

  Next, the positions and angles of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 are changed in accordance with the setting values retrieved in S102 (S104). Specifically, the first, second, and third microphones 10 and 20 are connected to the first, second, and third position control units 11, 21, and 31 so that the setting values retrieved in the previous S102 are obtained. The first, second, and third angle control units 12, 22, and 32 are output to the first, second, and third angle control units 12, 22, and 32 so that the setting value retrieved in S102 is output. The signal which instruct | indicates change of direction of the microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 is output, and this process is complete | finished.

  Accordingly, the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 are positioned and angled so as to cancel the echo signal of the speaker 30 included in the signals output from the first and second microphones 10 and 20. This adjusts the echo signal removal performance.

  Therefore, for example, in a situation where only a small occupant is in the driver's seat, the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 are set to set values (position and angle) suitable for such a situation. The echo signal of the speaker 30 that is adjusted and included in the signals output from the first and second microphones 10 and 20 is canceled.

  Also, for example, when a large occupant gets on each of the driver seat, the passenger seat, the rear right side, and the rear left side seat, the first and second microphones 10 are set to the set values (position, angle) suitable for such a situation. 20, the speaker 30 is adjusted, and the echo signal of the speaker 30 included in the signals output from the first and second microphones 10 and 20 is canceled.

  According to the configuration described above, the setting values of the positions and / or angles of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 corresponding to the occupant's seating situation in each seat detected by the occupant detection unit 50 are stored in the memory. And the positions and / or angles of the first and second microphones and the speaker 30 are changed in accordance with the searched setting values. That is, the positions of the first and second microphones 10 and 20 are set so that the echo signals of the speaker 30 included in the signals output from the first and second microphones 10 and 20 are canceled and at positions and / or angles. Since the position and / or angle is changed, the echo signal removal performance can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Based on the meaning of this invention, it can implement with a various form.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the positions and angles of the first and second microphones and the speaker 30 are changed according to the seating situation of the occupant in each seat and the physique of the occupant has been described. These positions and angles may be fixed, and the positions and angles of the first and second microphones may be changed according to the seating situation of the occupant in each seat and the physique of the occupant.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which changes the position and angle of the 1st, 2nd microphone and the speaker 30 according to the seating situation of the passenger | crew to each seat and a passenger | crew's physique was shown, for example, Regardless of the physique, the positions and angles of the first and second microphones and the speaker 30 may be changed according to the seating situation of the occupant in each seat.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the positions and angles of the first and second microphones and the speaker 30 are changed in accordance with the situation of the occupant has been shown. For example, the first and second microphones and the speaker 30 Only the position may be changed, or only the angles of the first and second microphones and the speaker 30 may be changed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the passenger | crew's seating situation (the presence or absence of a passenger | crew) to each seat in a vehicle interior using each passenger | crew detection part 50 which has a pressure sensor provided in the seating part of each seat in a vehicle interior, and each passenger | crew's seat An example of specifying whether the physique is large or small has been shown, but without the use of a pressure sensor, for example, the presence or absence of an occupant is detected using a camera or optical sensor, or the physique of the occupant is large from a camera image You may make it determine whether it is small.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the position of the 1st, 2nd microphones 10 and 20 and the speaker 30 which cancels the echo signal of the speakers 30 contained in the signal output from the 1st and 2nd microphones 10 and 20 In addition, although the example in which the set value of the angle is determined by experiment is shown, it may be determined by calculation.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the physique of each occupant in the passenger compartment is detected as being large or small. May be.

  The correspondence between the configuration of the above embodiment and the configuration of the claims will be described. The speaker 30 corresponds to the audio output means, and the first and second microphones 10 and 20 have the first and second audio. It corresponds to input means, the differential amplifier circuit 73 corresponds to echo cancellation means, the wireless transmitter 40 corresponds to transmission means, the first and second position control units 11 and 21, and the first and second angles. The control units 12 and 22 correspond to voice input control means, S102 corresponds to search means, S104 corresponds to change control means, and the third position control part corresponds to voice output control means.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the in-vehicle hands-free device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating installation of a 1st, 2nd microphone and a speaker. It is a figure which shows the structure of the amplification part of a control circuit. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting value of the position and angle of the 1st, 2nd microphone and speaker which were memorize | stored in memory. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process by a control circuit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Car-mounted hands-free apparatus, 10, 20 ... 1st, 2nd microphone,
11, 21, 31 ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd position control part,
12, 22, 32 ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd angle control part, 40 ... Wireless communication machine,
50 ... Occupant detection unit, 60 ... Control circuit, 70 ... Amplification unit,
71, 72: first and second amplifier circuits, 73: differential amplifier circuits.

Claims (2)

The difference between the output levels of the voice output means for outputting the received voice signal, the first and second voice input means for collecting the voice in the passenger compartment, and the first and second voice input means is calculated. Echo removing means for removing the echo signal of the voice output means included in the signals output from the first and second voice input means, and the transmitted voice from which the echo signal has been removed by the echo removing means An in-vehicle hands-free device comprising a transmission means for transmitting a signal to a call partner,
First and second voice input control means for controlling the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means;
Occupant detection means for detecting the seating status of the occupant in each seat;
The first and second voice input means for canceling the echo signal of the voice output means included in the signals output from the first and second voice input means for each seating situation of the occupant in each seat Storage means in which set values of the position and / or angle are stored;
Search means for searching the storage means for setting values of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means that match the seating situation of the occupant in each seat detected by the occupant detection means;
Change control means for causing the first and second voice input control means to change the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means according to the set value searched by the search means ,
The occupant detection means further detects the physique of each occupant in the passenger compartment,
The storage means includes an echo signal of an audio output means included in a signal output from the first and second audio input means for each seating situation of the occupant in each seat and each physique of each occupant in the vehicle interior. The setting values of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means for canceling are stored.
The search means is a set value of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means that matches the seating situation of each occupant detected by the occupant detection means and the physique of each occupant. The vehicle-mounted hands-free device , wherein the storage means is searched . The difference between the output levels of the voice output means for outputting the received voice signal, the first and second voice input means for collecting the voice in the passenger compartment, and the first and second voice input means is calculated. Echo removing means for removing the echo signal of the voice output means included in the signals output from the first and second voice input means, and the transmitted voice from which the echo signal has been removed by the echo removing means An in-vehicle hands-free device comprising a transmission means for transmitting a signal to a call partner,
First and second voice input control means for controlling the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means;
Audio output control means for changing the position and / or angle of the audio output means;
Occupant detection means for detecting the seating status of the occupant in each seat;
The first and second voice input means for canceling the echo signal of the voice output means included in the signals output from the first and second voice input means for each seating situation of the occupant in each seat Storage means for storing the set value of the position and / or angle and the set value of the position and / or angle of the sound output means;
Setting values of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means and the position and / or angle of the voice output means according to the seating situation of the occupant in each seat detected by the occupant detection means Search means for retrieving the set value from the storage means;
According to the set value searched by the search means, the first and second voice input control means are changed in position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means, and the voice output control means is Change control means for changing the position and / or angle of the sound output means ,
The occupant detection means further detects the physique of each occupant in the passenger compartment,
The storage means includes an echo signal of an audio output means included in a signal output from the first and second audio input means for each seating situation of the occupant in each seat and each physique of each occupant in the vehicle interior. The setting value of the position and / or angle of the first and second sound input means and the setting value of the position and / or angle of the sound output means are stored.
The search means is a set value of the position and / or angle of the first and second voice input means that matches the seating situation of each occupant detected by the occupant detection means and the physique of each occupant. And a setting value of the position and / or angle of the voice output means is retrieved from the storage means .

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