JP6314693B2 - Wireless communication device and volume adjustment method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, and more particularly to volume adjustment in a reception standby state.

  The wireless communication device is used for various purposes, and the usage form thereof includes not only a one-to-one call by individual call but also a group call function. This group call function is effective when notifying a plurality of users of the same content at the same time or when exchanging opinions among a plurality of users. However, if the group call function is registered as a group, all calls in the group can be heard.

  For this reason, when a call unrelated to itself becomes annoying, an operation such as decreasing the volume is performed. For example, when the wireless communication device is used for customer service in a service industry such as a sales business or a restaurant business, when a user is dealing with a customer, a call between others on the wireless communication device is heard, Even if it is a call addressed to itself, the volume is reduced when it is not in a hurry or when talking with a customer is important (priority should be given).

  However, even if the customer service is completed, if the volume of the wireless communication device is left low, there is a possibility that the call addressed to the device itself will not be noticed.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the ringing tone from being missed, for example, in Patent Document 1, a PTT switch (abbreviation of a push-to-talk switch, also referred to as a press-to-talk switch or a transmission start switch) is being operated. Shows a press-talk type radio in which it is determined that the user is nearby and the volume of the speaker is reduced, and when the PTT switch is not operated, the speaker volume is increased.

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 also uses the depression of the PTT switch as a trigger, determines that the user's face is close when the PTT switch is depressed, reduces the volume for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, A wireless communication terminal is shown in which the volume is increased by determining that it is far away.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-37417 JP 2008-193571 A

  In any of the above-described prior arts, the reception volume is automatically adjusted from the operation of the PTT switch, and forgetting to adjust (return) the volume as described above does not occur. However, since the determination is based only on the operation of the PTT switch, as described above, it can be adapted only to the situation of whether or not the user is nearby.

  The objective of this invention is providing the radio | wireless communication apparatus which can perform volume adjustment appropriately according to a user's condition, and its volume adjustment method.

  According to the wireless communication device and the sound volume adjusting method of the present invention, the audio signal received and demodulated by the receiving unit is level-adjusted by the volume adjusting circuit in the audio output unit, amplified at a low frequency, and reproduced from the speaker or the earphone. In the wireless communication device in which the audio signal collected by the microphone is modulated and amplified at a high frequency and transmitted by the transmission unit, the volume adjustment in the volume adjustment circuit is performed by operating a volume knob or a volume up / down switch. However, there is provided a volume control means for temporarily reducing the volume setting value in response to the state of the carrier sense circuit of the receiving unit and the operation of the PTT switch of the transmitting unit.

  Specifically, the volume control means is in a state where the carrier sense circuit is performing carrier sense, that is, other devices are transmitting and the own device is in a receiving state, and transmission from the transmitting unit of the own device is prohibited to prevent interference. When a predetermined operation is performed on the PTT switch that is operated at the time of transmission from the own device in a state to be performed, the volume of the audio signal output from the audio output unit is reduced from the set value to the volume adjustment circuit. The reduction of the volume can be realized by lowering the volume setting value at that time by a predetermined level, for example, 20 dB, or by muting to silence. However, after that, when the end of the call sensed by the carrier sense circuit is determined, for example, when a predetermined time elapses after the other device ends transmission and no carrier is detected, the volume control means Return the circuit volume to the set value.

  Therefore, for example, when the wireless communication device is used for customer service in a service industry such as a sales business or a restaurant business, and a user makes a low priority call while dealing with a customer, a predetermined operation is performed on the PTT switch. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the reception volume and concentrate on the dialogue with the customer. On the other hand, when the low-priority call ends, the low volume state is automatically canceled and playback at the set volume becomes possible, so the volume can be restored as if the volume was adjusted manually. There is no problem that you forget to answer a call to yourself or miss an important call. In this way, it is possible to appropriately adjust the reception volume according to the user's situation, to prevent forgetting to cancel the adjustment, and to improve the convenience of the wireless communication device.

  Also, according to the wireless communication device of the present invention, as described above, since the transmission from the own device is prohibited when the carrier sense circuit is performing carrier sense, the PTT switch is not normally operated. Therefore, as the predetermined operation, the PTT switch is operated by a short press and continuously for a plurality of times.

  Therefore, it can be clarified that it is not an erroneous operation.

  Furthermore, according to the wireless communication device of the present invention, a tie pin microphone is connected to the wireless communication device body via a cable, so that the user brings the wireless communication device body to the mouth during a call. By connecting the earphone, the wireless communication device can be hung on the waist or the like away from the face. Then, when performing a predetermined operation of the PTT switch such as a plurality of short presses, in place of the PTT switch of the main body of the wireless communication device, when the PTT switch is provided in the middle of the cable or the tie pin microphone itself, Try to use that.

  Therefore, the predetermined operation can be easily performed.

  According to the wireless communication device of the present invention, the transmission unit and the reception unit have a group call function.

  Therefore, when a call is made by the individual call function, since it is a call to the own device, it is highly necessary to check it. However, if the group call function is provided, all calls in the group can be heard, so There are many calls that are not related to the machine, and the above-described volume reduction and automatic return function by a predetermined operation are particularly effective.

  Still further, according to the wireless communication device of the present invention, the volume control means may adjust the volume of the volume adjustment circuit when the predetermined operation or another predetermined operation is performed while the carrier-sensed call is continued. Is restored to the set value, it is also possible to consciously (forcibly) restore the volume when the previously determined operation is an erroneous operation or when the customer's correspondence with the customer ends.

  According to the wireless communication device and the sound volume adjusting method according to the present invention, the sound volume control means is operated at the time of transmission from the own device in a state where the carrier sense circuit is performing carrier sense, that is, in a state where another device is transmitting. When a predetermined operation is performed on the PTT switch, the volume adjustment circuit lowers the volume of the audio signal output from the audio output unit from the set value, and then determines the end of the call sensed by the carrier sense circuit. Then, the volume of the volume adjustment circuit is returned to the set value.

  Therefore, when there is a call with low priority while the user is dealing with the customer, by performing a predetermined operation on the PTT switch, it is possible to reduce the reception volume and concentrate on the dialogue with the customer. When the call ends, the low volume state is automatically canceled and playback at the set volume is possible, so you can forget to return the volume and call yourself, as if you manually adjusted the volume. The problem of not answering the call or missing an important call is eliminated, and the volume can be adjusted appropriately according to the situation of the user.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wireless device main body in the wireless communication device. It is a perspective view of the earphone microphone set in the wireless communication device. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the said earphone microphone set. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the volume adjustment method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a wireless communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 1 includes a wireless device main body 2 and an earphone microphone set 3. The earphone / microphone set 3 is an optional product that enables transmission and reception from the earphone / microphone set 3 without touching the wireless device body 2 and is purchased as appropriate for the sake of convenience. is there. Therefore, by using the earphone / microphone set 3, the user does not need to bring the wireless device body 2 to the mouth for transmission or to hold the wireless device body 2 over the ear for reception. For example, the quality of customer service can be improved when it is used in customer service in a service industry such as a sales business or a restaurant business.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wireless device main body 2, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the earphone microphone set 3. Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless device main body 2 includes a microphone 21 and a speaker 22 on the front surface of a housing 20 having a dustproof property, a waterproof property, or a waterproof function for daily life as appropriate. In addition, a display panel 23 and an operation unit 24 are provided on the front surface of the housing 20. An antenna 25 is erected on the upper surface of the housing 20, and an operation knob 26 and a jack 27 are provided. A hook 28 is provided on the back surface of the housing 20, and a PTT switch 29 is provided on the side surface. In addition, a lid for taking in and out the battery is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 20.

  The operation knob 26 can be operated clockwise, and the power supply is OFF when it is rotated to the left most. When it is rotated clockwise, the power supply is turned ON and the volume is increased by further rotation. The jack 27 is a plug into which the earphone microphone set 3 is plugged. In this embodiment, a cover is put on for dustproofing and waterproofing, and the cover appears in FIG. The cover has a locking piece 271 locked to the base end of the antenna 25. The hook 28 is used to hook the radio device body 2 on a user's belt or the like, and a belt through hole 281 that can be appropriately hung from the neck is provided at an upper end portion of the hook 28. Yes.

  The display panel 23 displays the channel used, the number of the affiliated group, the remaining battery level, and the like. The operation unit 24 switches between the individual mode and the group mode, and performs channel switching.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a usage state of the earphone microphone set 3. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the earphone microphone set 3 includes a microphone controller 31 and an earphone 32. The earphone 32 includes an earphone main body 321 attached to the ear 41 of the user 4, a plug 322, and a cord 323 that connects between them, and the plug 322 is connected to the jack 311 of the microphone controller 31. It is detachable.

  The microphone controller 31 constitutes a tie pin microphone. A microphone 312 is provided at the top of the housing 310, a PTT switch 313 is provided at the front, and a clip 314 is provided at the back. The microphone controller 31 can be placed at the mouth of the user 4 by sandwiching the collar of the shirt of the user 4 between the clip 314 and the housing 310. The jack 311 is provided at the bottom of the housing 310, and a cable 315 is extended. A plug 316 provided at the tip of the cable 315 is fitted into the jack 27 of the radio device body 2. Thus, by using the earphone microphone set 3, the user 4 can transmit and receive without touching the radio device body 2 as described above.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the radio main unit 2 includes the antenna 25, a duplexer 5, a receiving unit 6, an audio output unit 7, a transmitting unit 8, and a volume control unit 9 according to the present invention. Configured. In FIG. 1, the display panel 23, the operation unit 24, and the power source are omitted. In response to the operation of the PTT switches 29 and 313, the duplexer 5 switches which of the receiving unit 6 and the transmitting unit 8 is connected to the antenna 25 and allows the antenna 25 to be shared for transmission and reception. .

  The reception signal of the antenna 25 is input from the duplexer 5 to the reception unit 6, amplified by the high frequency amplifier 61, and only the channel component selected by the tuning circuit 62 is extracted. The signal is demodulated. The demodulated audio signal is input to the audio output unit 7, the volume is adjusted by the mechanical volume 261, the volume is further adjusted by the electronic volume 71, amplified by the low frequency amplifier 72, and then the speaker is passed through the changeover switch 73. 22 or the earphone 32.

  The change-over switch 73 is used to change whether the sound output is performed from the speaker 22 or the earphone 32. The change-over switch 73 is configured such that the plug 316 of the earphone microphone set 3 is fitted to the jack 27 of the radio device body 2. In a state where it is not worn, it conducts to the built-in speaker 22 side of the radio device main body 2, and when fitted, it conducts to the external earphone 32 side in response to insertion of the plug 316.

  The mechanical volume 261 is incorporated in the operation knob 26 and is realized by a variable resistor or the like for adjusting the volume as described above. The operation knob 26 includes a power switch for turning on / off the power source of the radio main unit 2. 262 is attached.

  On the other hand, the electronic volume 71 constitutes a volume adjustment circuit and cannot be operated from the outside of the radio device main body 2, and can be controlled only by the volume control unit 9 described later. The resistance value of the electronic volume 71 is normally close to 0, that is, the audio signal from the mechanical volume 261 is passed through as it is, and when the volume reduction signal is input from the volume control unit 9 as will be described later, the audio signal Is attenuated to a predetermined level, for example, 20 dB (to 1/10 level), or completely muted (the resistance value is infinite), and output to the low-frequency amplifier 72.

  In the transmission unit 8, one of the audio signals from the built-in microphone 21 or the external microphone 312 is selected by the changeover switch 81, and is input to the low frequency amplifier 82 to be amplified. The audio signal from the low frequency amplifier 82 is modulated into a signal of a designated channel by the modulation circuit 83, amplified by the high frequency amplifier 84, and then transmitted from the antenna 25 via the duplexer 5. Similarly to the change-over switch 73, the change-over switch 81 has a built-in microphone (312) as described above depending on whether or not the plug 316 of the earphone microphone set 3 is fitted to the jack 27 of the wireless device main body 2. 21).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the plug 316 has four terminals, and includes a pair of plug terminals 3161 on the earphone 32 side and a pair of plug terminals 3162 on the microphone 312 side. Jack terminal 271 and a jack terminal 272 on the microphone 312 side, which are connected by individual cables 3151 and 3152.

  The signals of PTT 29 and 313 are superimposed on the signal paths of the microphones 21 and 312, respectively. Then, the transmission / reception switching unit 85 in the transmission unit 8 receives the signal, and causes the duplexer 5 to switch the connection of the antenna 25 to the reception unit 6 side or the transmission unit 8 side.

  A carrier sense circuit 64 is further provided in the receiving unit 6. The carrier sense circuit 64 determines that the other station is transmitting if the electric field strength of the carrier of the selected channel is equal to or higher than the predetermined value in the tuning circuit 62, and the own station transmits it to prevent interference. Do not. Specifically, the carrier sense is performed based on whether or not a carrier (greater than a predetermined electric field strength level) is detected in the channel designated by the own station, and the carrier sense circuit 64 performs a predetermined operation after no carrier is detected. When the time, for example, 2 seconds elapses, it is determined that the talk is over. Prohibition of transmission is performed for the push operation of the PTTs 29 and 313. When the push operation is performed in the carrier sense state, the carrier sense circuit 64 does not operate the high frequency amplifier 84, for example, or the gain remains zero. It can be done by holding.

  In the wireless communication device 1 configured as described above, it should be noted that the volume control unit 9 of the present embodiment is carrier sensed by the carrier sense circuit 64 and is transmitted from the transmission unit 8 as described above to prevent interference. When a predetermined operation is performed on the PTT switches 29 and 313 in a state where transmission of the audio signal is prohibited, the volume of the audio signal output from the audio output unit 7 is temporarily reduced to the electronic volume 71. . Specifically, the volume control unit 9 is in a state where the carrier sense circuit 64 is performing carrier sense, that is, the other device is transmitting and the own device is in the receiving state, and the own device is receiving from the transmitting unit 8 to prevent interference. When a predetermined operation is performed on the PTT switches 29 and 313 operated at the time of transmission from the own device in a state where transmission should be prohibited, a volume reduction signal is transmitted to the electronic volume 71 and output from the audio output unit 7. Decrease the volume of the audio signal from the set value, or mute it. However, when it is determined that the carrier sense circuit 64 has ended the carrier sensed call after that, for example, when 2 seconds have passed since the other device has finished transmitting and no carrier is detected, the volume control unit 9 The transmission of the volume reduction signal is stopped, and the volume of the electronic volume 71 is returned to the set value.

  When the volume control unit 9 generates a volume reduction signal due to this PTT operation, the electronic volume 71 attenuates the audio signal, for example, by 20 dB (to 1/10 level) and outputs it to the low frequency amplifier 72, and the volume reduction. When the signal disappears, it returns to 0 dB (through state). The predetermined operation of the PTT switches 29 and 313 is preferably performed by a plurality of short presses, for example, 2 to 3 times, in order to prevent erroneous operation. A short press is a comparison with a long press and differs depending on the individual sense. For example, a push operation of less than 1 second is performed.

  The processing procedure described above is shown in FIG. The volume control unit 9 waits until carrier sense is detected by the carrier sense circuit 64 at step S1, and when carrier sense is detected, waits until the PTT switches 29 and 313 are short-pressed a plurality of times at step S2. When pressed, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S <b> 3, the volume control unit 9 causes the electronic volume 71 to reduce the volume of the audio signal. Thereafter, in step S4, the volume control unit 9 stands by until the carrier sense circuit 64 determines the end of the call. When the call ends, in step S5, the volume of the electronic volume 71 is returned to the set value. Exit.

  By configuring in this way, for example, when the wireless communication device 1 is used for customer service in a service business such as a sales business or a restaurant business, and a user has a low priority call while dealing with a customer, the PTT By performing predetermined operations on the switches 29 and 313, it is possible to concentrate on the dialogue with the customer by lowering the received sound volume or applying a mute. On the other hand, when the low-priority call ends, the volume reduction state is automatically canceled and playback at the set volume becomes possible. There is no problem of forgetting to return, not answering calls to yourself, or missing important calls. Thus, it is possible to adjust the volume appropriately according to the user's situation, to prevent the adjustment from being forgotten, and to improve the convenience of the wireless communication device 1.

  In addition, as a predetermined operation for reducing the volume or muting, the PTT switches 29 and 313 that are not normally operated are used by utilizing that the transmission from the own device should be prohibited in the carrier sense state. Moreover, since the PTT switches 29 and 313 are operated by a plurality of times by short pressing, it is possible to clarify that there is no erroneous operation. In particular, it is preferable that the short press is performed 2 to 3 times with minimum operation and no fear of erroneous operation.

  On the other hand, even if the call is continued in step S4, if the PTT switches 29 and 313 are again briefly pressed in step S6 a plurality of times, the process proceeds to step S5 and the volume of the electronic volume 71 is set to the set value. If the key is not pressed for a short time, the process returns to step S4. As a result, the volume can be consciously (forcedly) restored when the operation in step S2 is an erroneous operation or when the customer's correspondence with the customer ends. This return operation may be the same as the predetermined operation for reducing the volume or muting, and may be another operation, for example, one short press, but the same operation is performed by the user. It is preferable because it is used and easy to learn.

  Furthermore, by connecting a microphone controller 31 serving as a tie-pin microphone to the wireless device main body 2 of the wireless communication device 1 via the cable 315, the user holds the wireless device main body 2 to the mouth during a call. By connecting the earphone 32, the wireless device main body 2 is separated from the face and hung on the waist or the like, and transmission / reception is possible without touching the wireless device main body 2 during a call. . When the microphone controller 31 is connected when performing predetermined operations of the PTT switches 29 and 313 such as a plurality of short presses, the operation of the PTT switch 313 of the microphone controller 31 is validated. Thus, the predetermined operation can be easily performed. In the above example, the PTT switch 313 is provided in the microphone controller 31, that is, the tie pin microphone itself. However, the PTT switch 313 is easy to operate, such as in the middle of the cable connecting the tie pin microphone and the wireless device main body 2, and is operated by the customer. May be provided in a place where it is difficult to see.

  The present invention can also be applied to an individual call. However, since the individual call is a request for a call to the own device, there is a high possibility of confirmation (response). In this case, since all calls in the group can be heard, many calls are irrelevant to the own device, and the volume reduction, mute, and automatic return functions according to the present invention are particularly effective.

  The wireless device main body 2 only needs to have the carrier sense function and the PTT switches 29 and 313 as described above, and may be either an analog method or a digital method. There is no particular question.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication apparatus 2 Radio apparatus main body 20 Case 21 Microphone 22 Speaker 23 Display panel 24 Operation part 25 Antenna 26 Operation knob 261 Mechanical volume 27 Jack 29 PTT switch 3 Earphone microphone set 31 Microphone controller 312 Microphone 313 PTT switch 315 Cable 316 Plug 32 Earphone 5 Duplexer 6 Receiving unit 62 Tuning circuit 63 Demodulating circuit 64 Carrier sense circuit 7 Audio output unit 71 Electronic volume 73 Changeover switch 8 Transmitter 9 Volume control unit 81 Changeover switch

Claims (6)

In a wireless communication device including a reception unit including a carrier sense circuit, an audio output unit including a volume adjustment circuit, and a transmission unit including a PTT switch.
When a predetermined operation is performed on the PTT switch in a state where transmission from the transmission unit should be prohibited in order to prevent interference due to carrier sensing by the carrier sense circuit, the audio output is output to the volume adjustment circuit. And a volume control means for reducing the volume of the audio signal output from the set value from a set value and then returning the volume of the volume adjustment circuit to the set value when the carrier-sensed call ends. Machine.   2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is a plurality of short presses of the PTT switch.   3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the PTT switch is provided in the middle of a cable of a tie pin microphone connected to a main body of the wireless communication device, or in the tie pin microphone itself.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit have a group call function.   The volume control means returns the volume of the volume adjustment circuit to the set value when the predetermined operation or another predetermined operation is performed while the carrier-sensed call is continued. Item 5. The wireless communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 4. In a volume adjustment method for a wireless communication device including a reception unit including a carrier sense circuit, an audio output unit including a volume adjustment circuit, and a transmission unit including a PTT switch.
Volume control means, the volume control means,
A first step of detecting whether or not transmission from the transmission unit should be prohibited in order to prevent interference by the carrier sense circuit performing carrier sense;
A second step of detecting whether a predetermined operation has been performed on the PTT switch when it is detected in the first step that carrier sense is performed;
When a predetermined operation is performed in the second step, a third step of causing the volume adjustment circuit to lower the volume of the audio signal output from the audio output unit from a set value;
A fourth step of detecting whether or not the carrier-sensed call is terminated in a state where the volume is lowered from a set value in the third step;
A volume adjustment method for a wireless communication device, comprising: performing a fifth step of returning the volume of the volume adjustment circuit to a set value when the call is finished in the fourth step.

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