WO2018025397A1

WO2018025397A1 - Electronic equipment and vehicle-mounted hands-free device

Info

Publication number: WO2018025397A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/073089
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智彰氏丸
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2016-08-05
Filing date: 2016-08-05
Publication date: 2018-02-08

Abstract

A parameter calculation unit (15) causes a reference sound output unit (14) to output a sound signal of a reference sound, and acquires the sound signal of the reference sound outputted from a speaker (5), and a sound signal outputted by a microphone (3) which has collected the reference sound. Using these sound signals, the parameter calculation unit (15) calculates parameters of echo cancellation processing and sound volume or sound quality adjusting processing for allowing the performance of a sound function to become equal to or higher than set performance.

Description

Electronic devices and in-vehicle hands-free devices

The present invention relates to an electronic device that performs processing using collected sound.

An echo canceling process may be performed in an apparatus placed in a situation where sound including sound other than the sound to be collected is collected.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hand that calculates a parameter for minimizing the amount of echo using audio data of a reference sound and audio data when the reference sound output from a speaker is received via a microphone. A free call device is described. In this way, optimal echo cancellation processing is performed in accordance with the situation of the vehicle.

JP 2009-33216 A

In Patent Document 1, although parameters are calculated so that optimal echo cancellation processing is performed, parameters other than echo cancellation processing are not particularly taken into consideration. Therefore, if changes are made that affect the performance of the audio function, such as when an amplifier is added or the microphone position is moved after setting each parameter including parameters other than echo cancellation processing, echo cancellation is performed. Even if the processing parameters are optimized, other parameters may not be appropriate, so that sufficient performance of the voice function may not be ensured.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to obtain an electronic device that can easily ensure sufficient performance of a voice function even when a change that affects the performance of the voice function is made. Objective.

The electronic device according to the present invention uses a sound signal of the reference sound output from the speaker and a sound signal output from the microphone by collecting the reference sound output from the speaker, and the performance of the sound function exceeds the set performance. A parameter calculation unit that calculates parameters of echo cancellation processing and processing for adjusting the volume or quality of sound corresponding to the audio signal output from the microphone or output to the speaker, and the parameter calculation unit And a parameter setting unit for setting the parameter calculated by (1).

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform control using the calculation result by calculating the parameters of the process of adjusting the volume or sound quality other than the echo cancellation process and the echo cancellation process, which makes the performance of the voice function equal to or higher than the set performance. Thus, even when a change that affects the performance of the voice function is made, it becomes easy to ensure sufficient performance of the voice function.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted hands-free apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a hardware configuration example of the in-vehicle hands-free device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the vehicle-mounted hands-free apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of an image displayed by processing of an in-vehicle hands-free device concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Hereinafter, in order to explain the present invention in more detail, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an in-vehicle hands-free device 1 as an example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a cellular phone 2 that is communicably connected to the in-vehicle hands-free device 1, a microphone 3 that outputs an audio signal to the in-vehicle hands-free device 1, and an audio signal that is output from the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 are amplified. Also shown are an amplifier 4 that outputs the sound, a speaker 5 that receives a sound signal output from the amplifier 4 and outputs a sound corresponding to the sound signal, and a display device 6 for displaying an image. In the following description, it is assumed that the amplifier 4 is a component newly added by the user after the in-vehicle hands-free device 1, the microphone 3, and the speaker 5 are installed in the vehicle.

The microphone 3 collects ambient sounds such as the user's speech and outputs an audio signal corresponding to the collected sounds to the input level adjustment unit 13. A sound component output from the speaker 5 may enter the sound signal output from the microphone 3 as an echo.
The amplifier 4 amplifies the audio signal output from the output level adjustment unit 12 and outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 5.
The speaker 5 outputs a sound corresponding to the audio signal output from the amplifier 4 and provides it to the user. Thereby, the user can hear the voice of the telephone conversation partner.

The in-vehicle hands-free device 1 includes a communication interface unit 10, a hands-free engine 11, an output level adjustment unit 12, an input level adjustment unit 13, a reference sound output unit 14, a parameter calculation unit 15, and a notification unit 16. Parameter setting unit 17. The in-vehicle hands-free device 1 may be incorporated in the in-vehicle navigation device or a portable hands-free device brought into the vehicle.

The communication interface unit 10 inputs and outputs signals to and from the mobile phone 2 and connects the in-vehicle handsfree device 1 and the mobile phone 2 so that they can communicate with each other. For example, the communication interface unit 10 acquires an audio signal output from the mobile phone 2. Then, the communication interface unit 10 outputs the audio signal to the handsfree engine 11. Further, for example, the communication interface unit 10 acquires an audio signal output from the hands-free engine 11 and outputs the audio signal to the mobile phone 2. The connection between the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 and the mobile phone 2 may be a wireless connection such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection or a wired connection such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection.

The hands-free engine 11 processes an audio signal from the mobile phone 2 output from the communication interface unit 10 and outputs the processed signal to the output level adjustment unit 12. For example, the hands-free engine 11 performs an automatic gain control process in which the signal level of the audio signal acquired from the communication interface unit 10 is always adjusted to a constant level, and the adjusted audio signal is output to the output level adjustment unit 12. .

In addition, the audio signal output from the microphone 3 is input to the handsfree engine 11 via the input level adjustment unit 13.
The hands-free engine 11 has an echo cancellation processing unit 11a. The echo cancellation processing unit 11a performs echo cancellation processing for removing echoes, which are sound components output from the speaker 5, from the audio signal output from the microphone 3 and input to the hands-free engine 11 via the input level adjustment unit 13. . The audio signal subjected to the echo cancellation process is output to the communication interface unit 10.

The echo cancellation processing unit 11a performs echo cancellation processing using the reference signal. The reference signal is a signal in which the sound signal of the sound output from the speaker 5 is branched between the output level adjustment unit 12 and the amplifier 4 and input to the echo cancellation processing unit 11a. During the echo cancellation process, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a uses the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 to change the frequency characteristic of the reference signal so that the reference signal becomes an audio signal that appropriately simulates the echo. To. The echo cancellation processing unit 11a removes the echo by making the audio signal in reverse phase and synthesizing it with the audio signal input to the hands-free engine 11 via the input level adjustment unit 13.
In addition, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a uses the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 so that the timing for using the reference signal for the echo cancellation processing becomes appropriate. For example, when the timing at which the reference signal is used in the echo cancellation processing is significantly deviated from an appropriate timing, the audio signal input from the input level adjustment unit 13 includes an echo different from the echo to be removed by the reference signal. This is because the reference signal is used.

The hands-free engine 11 may be configured to perform noise cancellation processing on the audio signal input via the input level adjustment unit 13 in addition to echo cancellation processing.
In addition, the hands-free engine 11 outputs the audio signal output from the microphone 3 and input via the input level adjustment unit 13 when the reference sound output unit 14 outputs the audio signal of the reference sound, to the parameter calculation unit 15. Output to.

The output level adjustment unit 12 processes the audio signal acquired by the communication interface unit 10 from the mobile phone 2 and processed by the hands-free engine 11 and outputs the processed audio signal to the amplifier 4. At that time, the output level adjustment unit 12 amplifies the audio signal, for example, and raises or lowers the signal level. When the amplification factor is less than 1, the signal level decreases. Thereby, the volume of the sound corresponding to the audio signal finally output from the speaker 5 is adjusted. Further, the output level adjustment unit 12 performs an equalization process on the audio signal acquired by the communication interface unit 10 from the mobile phone 2 and processed by the hands-free engine 11, for example, and changes the frequency characteristics. Thereby, the sound corresponding to the sound signal finally output from the speaker 5 is adjusted in sound quality by enhancing or suppressing the sound in a specific frequency band.
When the reference sound output unit 14 outputs the sound signal of the reference sound, the output level adjustment unit 12 performs the above-described amplification process or equalization process on the sound signal and outputs it to the amplifier 4.

The input level adjustment unit 13 processes an audio signal collected and output by the microphone 3 and outputs it to the hands-free engine 11. At this time, the input level adjustment unit 13 adjusts the volume or quality of the sound corresponding to the audio signal output from the microphone 3 by the same processing as the output level adjustment unit 12.

Corresponding to the audio signal output from the microphone 3 or output to the speaker 5 like the output level adjustment unit 12 and the input level adjustment unit 13 as a part of the configuration of the hands-free engine 11 A configuration for performing processing for adjusting the volume or quality of sound to be performed is collectively referred to as an adjustment unit. The in-vehicle hands-free device 1 may be configured such that the audio signal output from the microphone 3 is amplified or equalized only by the hands-free engine 11 or only by the input level adjusting unit 13, or the hands-free engine. 11 and the input level adjustment unit 13 may be configured so that the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 is subjected to amplification processing or equalization processing. Similarly, the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 may be configured such that the audio signal output to the speaker 5 is amplified or equalized only by the hands-free engine 11 or only by the output level adjustment unit 12. The in-vehicle hands-free device 1 may be configured such that amplification processing or equalization processing is performed by both the hands-free engine 11 and the output level adjustment unit 12.

The reference sound output unit 14 receives an instruction from the parameter calculation unit 15 and outputs an audio signal to the output level adjustment unit 12. The audio signal is an audio signal corresponding to a sound output from the speaker 5 as a reference sound.

The parameter calculation unit 15 includes parameters for the echo cancellation processing in the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level so that the performance of the voice function called hands-free call exceeds the set performance. The parameter of the process which adjusts the volume or sound quality in the adjustment part 13 is calculated. These parameters are calculated by outputting an audio signal from the reference sound output unit 14. The calculation result is output to the notification unit 16, the parameter setting unit 17, and the like.

For example, if the amplifier 4 is added or the position of the microphone 3 is moved by the user after the in-vehicle hands-free device 1, the microphone 3 and the speaker 5 are installed in the vehicle, the default set in the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 With the above parameters, the echo cannot be sufficiently removed, a sound with a preferable sound volume or sound quality cannot be output from the speaker 5, or a sound with a preferable sound volume or sound quality cannot be delivered to the conversation partner. Functional performance may be degraded.
In such a case, a new parameter is required to ensure the performance of the voice function beyond the set performance.

The parameter calculation performed by the parameter calculation unit 15 will be specifically described.
The parameter calculation unit 15 instructs the reference sound output unit 14 to output an audio signal. The audio signal is finally output to the speaker 5, and the speaker 5 outputs a reference sound. The reference sound output from the speaker 5 is collected by the microphone 3 and output from the microphone 3 as an audio signal. The audio signal is input to the parameter calculation unit 15 via the input level adjustment unit 13 and the hands-free engine 11.
The parameter calculation unit 15 receives the audio signal output from the reference sound output unit 14 and processed by the output level adjustment unit 12 as an audio signal of the reference sound output from the speaker 5 on the way to the amplifier 4. Branched and input.

The parameter calculation unit 15 inputs these two audio signals, that is, the audio signal input from the hands-free engine 11 and the audio signal branched and input between the output level adjustment unit 12 and the amplifier 4. And estimating the performance degradation level of the voice function called hands-free call, the parameters of the echo cancellation processing in the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, and the volume in the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level adjustment unit 13. Alternatively, processing parameters for adjusting the sound quality are calculated.

For example, the parameter calculation unit 15 calculates a difference in timing at which these two audio signals are input, and calculates an appropriate timing at which the reference signal should be used in the echo cancellation processing as a parameter. Further, the parameter calculation unit 15 calculates a difference in frequency characteristics between these two audio signals, and calculates a change in frequency characteristics to be added to the reference signal in the echo cancellation processing as a parameter. In this way, the remaining amount of echo is kept below a set level. As the deviation of the calculated timing and the difference in the calculated frequency characteristic deviate from those assumed by the parameters already set in the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the performance deterioration level of the voice function is estimated to be worse. Is done.

Further, the parameter calculation unit 15 uses the audio signal input from the hands-free engine 11 output from the microphone 3 that has collected the reference sound, and the hands-free engine 11 and the output level adjustment unit 12 from the mobile phone 2. A volume or sound quality adjustment amount to be performed on the audio signal is calculated. By analyzing the signal level and frequency characteristics of the audio signal using the audio signal output from the microphone 3 that has collected the reference sound and input from the hands-free engine 11, the performance degradation level of the audio function can also be estimated. is there.
For example, when the microphone 3 is moved close to the speaker 5, the sound collected by the microphone 3 as an echo increases. This can be determined by the parameter calculation unit 15 using an audio signal input from the hands-free engine 11. Since the echo collected by the microphone 3 is preferably small, it is conceivable to lower the volume of the sound output from the speaker 5 for this purpose. However, if the volume is too low, the volume will be difficult for the user to hear. Therefore, the parameter calculation unit 15 sets the amplification factor in the hands-free engine 11 and the output level adjustment unit 12 such that the volume of the sound output from the speaker 5 is low enough to be heard by the user while reducing echo. Calculate as a parameter.
When the amplifier 4 is added, the sound quality of the sound output from the speaker 5 may change to a sound quality that is difficult for the user to hear. This can be determined by the parameter calculation unit 15 using an audio signal input from the hands-free engine 11. Therefore, the parameter calculation unit 15 is a frequency characteristic to be added by the hands-free engine 11 and the output level adjustment unit 12 to the audio signal from the mobile phone 2 so that the sound output from the speaker 5 is easy to hear for the user. Is calculated as a parameter.

Further, the parameter calculation unit 15 is branched and input on the way to the amplifier 4 from the audio signal output from the microphone 3 that has collected the reference sound and input from the hands-free engine 11 and output from the reference sound output unit 14. Using the audio signal, the hands-free engine 11 and the input level adjustment unit 13 calculate the volume or sound quality adjustment amount to be performed on the audio signal from the microphone 3. Using the audio signal output from the microphone 3 that has collected the reference sound and input from the hands-free engine 11, and the audio signal output from the reference sound output unit 14 and branched to the amplifier 4 and input, By analyzing the signal level and frequency characteristics of these audio signals, it is possible to estimate the performance deterioration level of the audio function.
For example, when the amplifier 4 is added, the difference between the reference signal input to the hands-free engine 11 and the echo component included in the audio signal from the microphone 3 input to the hands-free engine 11 may increase. is there. This is because an audio signal output from the microphone 3 that has collected the reference sound and input from the hands-free engine 11, and an audio signal that is output from the reference sound output unit 14 and branched and input to the amplifier 4. Can be determined by the parameter calculation unit 15. Since the echo cancellation process is easier when the difference between the reference signal and the echo component is smaller, the audio signal from the microphone 3 is processed by the hands-free engine 11 and the input level adjustment unit 13 so as to reduce the difference. Although it can be considered to be used in the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the process affects the volume or quality of the sound heard by the user's speaking partner. Therefore, the parameter calculation unit 15 adds to the amplification factor or the audio signal in the hands-free engine 11 and the input level adjustment unit 13 so as to make the volume or sound quality that the user's talking partner can easily hear while facilitating the echo cancellation process. The change of the power frequency characteristic is calculated as a parameter.

In this way, the parameter calculation unit 15 calculates parameters so that not only the echo is removed but also the volume or sound quality that is easy for the user and the user to hear. Thereby, in addition to the performance of the echo cancellation, the performance of the voice function called hands-free call such as the user's speaking partner and the ease of listening for the user is set to a sufficient performance exceeding the set performance.

The notification unit 16 provides information to the user using the calculation result by the parameter calculation unit 15 and the like. The notification unit 16 may output an image signal and display an image as shown in FIG. 4 to be described later on the display device 6, or output an audio signal and output information providing audio from the speaker 5. Also good.

The parameter setting unit 17 sets the parameters calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 in the hands-free engine 11, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level adjustment unit 13. Thereby, the hands-free engine 11, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level adjustment unit 13 use the parameters calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 to adjust the echo cancellation processing and the volume or sound quality. Process.

Here, a hardware configuration example of the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
The communication interface unit 10 is a transmission / reception device 100. In addition, the transmission / reception apparatus 100 may be configured with separate transmission apparatuses and reception apparatuses as apparatuses. The functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17 are realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program stored in a memory. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

FIG. 2A illustrates the functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17, with dedicated hardware. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example at the time of implement | achieving by the processing circuit 101 which is. The processing circuit 101 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. . Functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17 are realized by combining separate processing circuits 101. Alternatively, the function of each unit may be realized by one processing circuit 101.

2B shows the functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17 in the memory 102. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example when realized by a CPU 103 that executes a program to be executed. In this case, the functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17 are software, firmware, or Realized by a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the memory 102. The CPU 103 reads out and executes the program stored in the memory 102, whereby the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, The function of each part of the parameter setting unit 17 is realized. That is, the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 has a memory 102 for storing a program or the like in which steps ST1 to ST5 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 to be described later are executed as a result. In addition, these programs include procedures or methods for each part of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17. It can be said that it is what is executed by a computer. Here, the memory 102 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM, or a nonvolatile semiconductor ROM). Memory, magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and the like are applicable.

Note that some of the functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, the reference sound output unit 14, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the parameter setting unit 17 are partially dedicated hardware. It may be realized by hardware and a part may be realized by software or firmware. For example, the functions of the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, the input level adjustment unit 13, and the reference sound output unit 14 are realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware, the parameter calculation unit 15, the notification unit 16, The function of the parameter setting unit 17 can be realized by the processing circuit reading and executing a program stored in the memory.

As described above, the processing circuit is configured by the above-described hands-free engine 11, output level adjustment unit 12, input level adjustment unit 13, reference sound output unit 14, parameter calculation unit 15, by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The functions of the notification unit 16 and the parameter setting unit 17 can be realized.

Next, an example of processing of the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 configured as described above will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.
The parameter calculation unit 15 outputs an instruction to the reference sound output unit 14, so that the reference sound output unit 14 outputs an audio signal of the reference sound (step ST1). For example, the operation of the parameter calculation unit 15 is set in advance so that the parameter calculation unit 15 periodically outputs an instruction to the reference sound output unit 14. Alternatively, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a analyzes the result of the echo cancellation processing, and the echo cancellation processing unit 11a notifies that it is necessary to output the reference sound to the parameter calculation unit 15 when the remaining amount of echo exceeds the set value. May be. Alternatively, the parameter calculation unit 15 may output an instruction to the reference sound output unit 14 when the user desires to reset the in-vehicle handsfree device 1.

The audio signal output from the reference sound output unit 14 is processed by the output level adjusting unit 12 and the amplifier 4 and output from the speaker 5 as a reference sound. Note that the audio signal branched between the output level adjustment unit 12 and the amplifier 4 at this time is input to the parameter calculation unit 15. The microphone 3 collects a reference sound and outputs it as an audio signal. The audio signal is processed by the input level adjustment unit 13 and then input from the hands-free engine 11 to the parameter calculation unit 15.
In this way, the parameter calculation unit 15 acquires the sound signal of the reference sound output from the speaker 5 and the sound signal output from the microphone 3 by collecting the reference sound (step ST2).

Subsequently, the parameter calculation unit 15 estimates the performance deterioration level of the voice function called hands-free call using the two audio signals acquired in step ST2, and the parameters of the echo cancellation processing in the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, Parameters for processing for adjusting the volume or sound quality in the hands-free engine 11, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level adjustment unit 13 are calculated (step ST3). At this time, as described above, parameters are calculated such that the performance of the voice function called hands-free call is equal to or higher than the set performance. The calculated parameters are output to the notification unit 16 and the parameter setting unit 17.

Subsequently, the notification unit 16 generates an image signal for selecting whether or not to change the parameter, outputs the image signal to the display device 6, and determines whether or not to change the processing setting of the in-vehicle hands-free device 1. (Step ST4). FIG. 4 shows an example of an image displayed at this time. In this way, the notification unit 16 notifies the user that the parameter change can be selected. When the display device 6 is a touch panel, the user can instruct whether to change the parameter by a touch operation. Alternatively, the user may select either the “change” icon or the “do not change” icon using a remote controller (not shown). Alternatively, the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 may be provided with a voice recognition function, and a user instruction may be input to the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 by voice recognition.

When the parameter is selected to be changed (step ST4; YES), the parameter setting unit 17 uses the parameters calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 as the hands-free engine 11, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, and the output level adjustment unit 12. And it sets to the input level adjustment part 13 (step ST5). Accordingly, the hands-free engine 11, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level adjustment unit 13 are set to a state in which each process is performed using new parameters.

On the other hand, when it is selected that the parameters are not changed (step ST4; NO), the parameter settings of the hands-free engine 11, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a, the output level adjustment unit 12, and the input level adjustment unit 13 are maintained as they are. Is done.

In this way, even when the amplifier 4 is added or the position of the microphone 3 is moved, etc., even if there is a change that affects the performance of the voice function called hands-free calling, the performance exceeds the set performance. The parameters can be reset to achieve sufficient performance.

In the above description, the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 which is an electronic device that realizes hands-free calling has been described as an example. However, for an electronic device having a voice recognition function that is connected to the speaker 5 to output music through the speaker 5 and that is connected to the microphone 3 to output a voice signal output from the microphone 3 as a target of voice recognition processing. Even so, the first embodiment is useful. In this case, the music output from the speaker 5 and collected by the microphone 3 is a target to be removed as an echo. In addition to removing the echo, the volume or sound quality that facilitates voice recognition processing and the sound volume or sound quality of the music that the user listens to can be obtained, that is, the voice function of voice recognition while outputting music. Parameters are calculated so that the performance is equal to or higher than the set performance.
Moreover, the structure which the audio | voice signal of a guidance audio | voice is input into the vehicle-mounted hands-free apparatus 1 from the car navigation apparatus not shown, and a guidance audio | voice is output together may be sufficient. In this case, the guidance voice output from the speaker 5 and collected by the microphone 3 and the voice of the user's talking partner are to be removed as echoes.
That is, the first embodiment is useful for an electronic device having a configuration in which an audio signal acquired using the microphone 3 is output as an audio signal suitable for a device at the next stage.

Alternatively, the parameter setting unit 17 may automatically set the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 without giving the user an opportunity to select a parameter change. In this case, in order to simplify the configuration, the notification unit 16 may be omitted from the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 and the process may be performed without notifying the user.

In addition, as a result of the user adding the amplifier 4 or moving the position of the microphone 3, the parameter calculation unit 15 cannot calculate a parameter such that the performance of the voice function called hands-free call exceeds the set performance. In this case, the notification unit 16 may notify that effect. When the parameter calculation unit 15 outputs to the notification unit 16 that the parameter cannot be calculated, the notification unit notifies the voice notification or the image notification that “hands-free performance cannot be secured due to a change made by the user”. 16 does. As a result, the user can know that the performance is improved if the changed portion is restored.

In the above description, the echo cancellation processing unit 11a changes the frequency characteristics of the reference signal so that the reference signal becomes an audio signal that appropriately simulates an echo. Thus, for example, when the amplifier 4 is added, the influence of the amplifier 4 on the frequency characteristics of the audio signal output from the output level adjustment unit 12 is reflected in the reference signal. However, the output level adjustment unit 12 changes the frequency characteristic of the audio signal that is finally output to the speaker 5 in advance before being input to the amplifier 4 so as to cancel the influence on the frequency characteristic that the amplifier 4 exerts. May be. The change of the frequency characteristic to be added to the audio signal is calculated as a parameter by the parameter calculation unit 15 based on the influence on the frequency characteristic exerted by the amplifier 4. The influence of the amplifier 4 on the frequency characteristics corresponds to the change of the frequency characteristics to be added to the reference signal, and as described above, the parameter calculation unit 15 can calculate by outputting the reference sound. As a result, the frequency characteristic of the audio signal output from the amplifier 4 is substantially the same as the frequency characteristic of the audio signal input to the output level adjustment unit 12. In this case, an audio signal before the frequency characteristic is changed by the output level adjustment unit 12 may be used as a reference signal. As described above, the reference signal is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1, and can be an audio signal branched at various positions.

In addition, it is also possible to calculate more appropriate parameters more accurately by installing HATS (Head and Torso Simulators) in the driver's seat in the passenger compartment and additionally installing a reference microphone in the vicinity of the microphone 3.

Further, the incoming call sound signal output from the mobile phone 2 to the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 may be used as the reference sound signal. In this case, it is possible to start the parameter calculation process at the timing when the mobile phone 2 is called. In addition, the reference sound output unit 14 can be omitted from the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 in order to simplify the configuration.

Also, in the above, as a process that affects the performance of the voice function other than the echo cancellation process, an amplification process for adjusting the volume and an equalization process for adjusting the sound quality are given as an example, and the parameters of the process are calculated. However, parameters other than the processing for adjusting the volume or sound quality and other than the echo cancellation processing, which affect the performance of the voice function, for example, the parameters of the noise cancellation processing are calculated using the reference sound. May be. In this case, the configuration including such other processing is referred to as an adjustment unit.

As described above, according to the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 according to the first embodiment, the parameter calculation unit 15 is referred to as a hands-free call in addition to the performance of echo cancellation, such as the user's speaking partner and ease of hearing for the user. Parameters are calculated such that the performance of the voice function is sufficient enough to exceed the set performance. Since the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 can be controlled by the notification unit 16 and the parameter setting unit 17 using the calculation result, even if the amplifier 4 is added or the position of the microphone 3 is moved, the audio function It is easy to ensure sufficient performance.

Further, the parameter calculation unit 15 uses the reference signal, which is the sound signal of the sound output from the speaker 5, as the echo cancellation processing parameter, the timing at which the reference signal is used in the echo cancellation processing, or the change in the frequency characteristics added to the reference signal, The change of the frequency characteristic added to the audio signal output to the speaker 5 is calculated. The in-vehicle hands-free device 1 can perform the echo canceling process while ensuring the performance of the voice function called hands-free call exceeding the set performance by using these calculated parameters.

In addition, a notification unit 16 that notifies that the parameter change can be selected is provided, and the parameter setting unit 17 performs processing using the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit 15 when the parameter change is selected. It was decided to set the state to be performed. In this way, the user can decide by himself whether or not to change the parameter. Further, since the user only has to select whether or not to change the parameter, the convenience is particularly good when the user is a driver of a vehicle or the like and difficult to perform complicated device operations.

In addition, when the parameter calculation unit 15 cannot calculate a parameter whose voice function performance is equal to or higher than the set performance, the notification unit 16 that notifies the fact is provided. If it does in this way, the user can know that a performance will improve if a changed part is returned. In addition, the user can use the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 after realizing that the performance of the voice function is not sufficient.

Also, the present invention can be applied to the in-vehicle hands-free device 1 that is connected to the mobile phone 2 having a telephone function and operates as an electronic device.

Further, the present invention can be applied to an electronic device having a voice recognition function using a voice signal output from the microphone 3.

In the present invention, any component of the embodiment can be modified or any component of the embodiment can be omitted within the scope of the invention.

As described above, the electronic device according to the present invention calculates the parameters of the echo cancellation processing and the parameters of the other processing so that the performance of the voice function is equal to or higher than the set performance. It is suitable for use as an in-vehicle hands-free device that provides functions.

1 in-vehicle hands-free device, 2 mobile phone, 3 microphone, 4 amplifier, 5 speaker, 6 display device, 10 communication interface unit, 11 hands-free engine, 11a echo cancel processing unit, 12 output level adjustment unit, 13 input level adjustment unit , 14 reference sound output unit, 15 parameter calculation unit, 16 notification unit, 17 parameter setting unit, 100 transmission / reception device, 101 processing circuit, 102 memory, 103 CPU.

Claims

An echo canceling process in which the performance of the voice function is equal to or higher than the set performance by using the audio signal of the reference sound output from the speaker and the audio signal output from the microphone by collecting the reference sound output from the speaker; A parameter calculation unit that calculates a parameter of a process for adjusting the volume or sound quality of the sound corresponding to the audio signal with respect to the audio signal output from the microphone or output to the speaker;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a parameter setting unit that sets a parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit.
The parameter calculation unit, as a parameter for echo cancellation processing, uses a reference signal, which is a sound signal of a sound output from a speaker, in the echo cancellation processing, changes in frequency characteristics added to the reference signal, or to the speaker The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change in frequency characteristics applied to the output audio signal is calculated.
A notification unit for notifying that the parameter change is selectable,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter setting unit sets a state in which processing is performed using the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit when a parameter change is selected.
2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit for notifying that when the parameter calculation unit cannot calculate a parameter whose voice function performance exceeds the set performance.
An in-vehicle hands-free device connected to a device having a telephone function and operating as an electronic device according to claim 1.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, which has a voice recognition function using a voice signal output from a microphone.