JP2006140964A - Wireless voice adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend usage mode of a wireless voice adapter. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless voice adapter 11 mounting a Bluetooth(R) communication section 19 and performing Bluetooth wireless communication with an external device through connection with a portable telephone 10 is provided, in the body 12 thereof, with a USB interface connector (USB port) 15 and connected with an external apparatus such as a USB flash memory that is used as the device of the wireless voice adapter 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless voice adapter that is connected to a mobile phone and performs Bluetooth wireless communication with an external device, and more particularly, to a wireless voice adapter that can be connected to a removable memory.

Conventionally, a mobile phone has a built-in Bluetooth communication unit, or a separate communication device having a Bluetooth communication unit is connected to the mobile phone, a hands-free device having a microphone, a speaker, and a Bluetooth communication unit, and the mobile phone. Bluetooth wireless communication with the mobile phone, the voice sent to the handsfree device's microphone is transmitted to the other mobile phone, and the received voice received from the other mobile phone is output from the speaker of the handsfree device A call system configured to be able to perform a hands-free call is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-171336 A

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, since a separate communication device (wireless voice adapter) having a Bluetooth communication unit can be connected to a mobile phone and a hands-free call can be performed, one wireless voice adapter is replaced with a plurality of mobile phones. Can be used in However, since the wireless voice adapter does not include other interfaces, it is not possible to expand the usage pattern using Bluetooth wireless communication with other external devices other than the hands-free communication.

  Therefore, a technical problem to be solved in order to expand the usage pattern of the wireless voice adapter arises, and the present invention aims to solve this problem.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, and the invention according to claim 1 is equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver and is connected to a mobile phone to perform Bluetooth wireless communication with an external device. Provides a wireless voice adapter characterized in that the main body is provided with a USB interface connector.

  According to this configuration, when a USB connectable device is connected to the USB interface connector provided in the main body of the wireless voice adapter, this device is used as a device for the wireless voice adapter.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a USB flash memory is connected to the USB interface connector so that music data recorded in the USB flash memory can be transmitted to a Bluetooth compatible playback device via the Bluetooth transceiver. Provided wireless voice adapter.

  According to this configuration, when a USB flash memory is connected to the USB interface connector provided in the main body, the USB flash memory is used as an external memory of the wireless voice adapter. By recording music data in the USB flash memory in advance, this music data is read into the wireless voice adapter and transmitted to the Bluetooth compatible playback device via the Bluetooth transceiver, and the music is played back on the playback device. Is done.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides a wireless voice adapter having an MP3 playback function in the main body.

  According to this configuration, the MP3 playback function provided in the main body of the wireless voice adapter decodes MP3 data compressed according to a predetermined standard into an analog signal, and the decoded music data is read into the wireless voice adapter for Bluetooth transmission / reception. The music data that has been transmitted to the Bluetooth compatible playback device and converted into an analog signal is played back by the playback device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless voice adapter provided with an external output connector for cable-outputting music data to the main body.

  According to this configuration, if a cable is connected to the external output connector provided in the main body of the wireless voice adapter, the music data is output to the playback device and the music is played back by the audio device or the headphones.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, various devices capable of USB connection can be connected by providing the main body of the wireless voice adapter with the USB interface connector, and these devices can be used as devices of the wireless voice adapter. Can do. Thus, the wireless voice adapter alone can be used without connecting a mobile phone, and the usage form of the wireless voice adapter can be expanded.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a USB flash memory in which music data is recorded in advance is connected to the USB interface connector, and the music data is transmitted from the wireless voice adapter to the playback device via Bluetooth wireless communication. In addition to the effect of the first aspect, the music data of the USB flash memory can be reproduced by an audio device or a wireless speaker.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the MP3 playback function provided in the main body of the wireless voice adapter decodes MP3 data compressed according to a predetermined standard into an analog signal, and transmits the analog signal to the playback device by Bluetooth wireless communication. In addition to the effect of the invention described in item 1 or 2, music data converted into an analog signal can be reproduced by an audio device, a wireless speaker, or the like.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first, second, or third aspect, the cable is connected to the external output connector provided in the main body of the wireless voice adapter, so that the music data is connected to the playback device. The music data stored in the USB flash memory can be reproduced even if the audio device and headphones are not compatible with Bluetooth.

  Hereinafter, a wireless voice adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments. For the purpose of expanding the usage of wireless voice adapters, a wireless voice adapter that is equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver and is connected to a mobile phone and performs Bluetooth wireless communication with an external device has a USB interface connector on the main unit. Realized by.

  FIG. 1 shows a general usage form of a wireless voice adapter. A wireless voice adapter 11 is directly inserted and connected to a charging cable connection portion 10a of a mobile phone 10 to connect the mobile phone 10 and a hands-free device (not shown). Bluetooth wireless communication is performed between them, the transmitted voice input to the microphone of the hands-free device is transmitted to the other mobile phone, and the received voice received from the other mobile phone is the speaker (or earphone) of the hands-free device. Is configured so that a hands-free call can be made.

  2 to 5 show a wireless voice adapter 11 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 3 is a right side view, FIG. 4 is a rear view, and FIG. A plug 13 projects from the upper surface of the main body 12 of the wireless voice adapter. The plug 13 has an open top surface, and a predetermined number of terminals (not shown) are provided in the plug 13 so that the plug 13 can be inserted into the charging cable connection portion of the mobile phone 10 only in a normal direction. In addition, asymmetrical groove portions 13a and protrusions 13b are respectively formed on the back surface and the back surface. Then, by inserting the plug 13 into the charging cable connecting portion of the mobile phone 10 and connecting both terminals, signals can be transmitted between the mobile phone 10 and the wireless voice adapter 11.

  Push buttons 14a and 14b and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 15 are provided on the front surface of the main body 12. Each push button 14a and 14b is pushed by a preset number of times and combinations, for example, turning on / off the power source. , Bluetooth transmission / reception start / end, link key setting / change, etc. are executed. Further, a link key for Bluetooth wireless communication is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 15. It is configured to improve security by authenticating device connection with a link key when performing Bluetooth wireless communication.

  As described above, since the push buttons 14a and 14b and the liquid crystal display unit 15 are provided on the main body 12, not only an external device such as a hands-free device but also the wireless voice adapter 11 can set or change a link key for Bluetooth wireless communication. And the convenience is significantly improved.

  A USB interface connector (hereinafter referred to as a USB port) 16 is provided on the right side surface of the main body 12. As will be described later, if a device capable of USB connection is connected to the USB port 16 via a USB cable or the like, it is connected. The device is configured to be used as a device of the wireless voice adapter 11.

  A concave portion 17 is provided on the back surface of the main body 12, and a base end portion 18 a of the USB plug 18 is pivotally attached to a lower position of the concave portion 17. In the illustrated example, the USB plug 18 is folded and the main body 12 is folded. 12 is housed in the 12 recesses 17. A charging input unit 19 is provided on the back surface of the main body 12. The charging input unit 19 is composed of a pair of insertion holes for connecting an AC adapter (not shown). As shown in the figure, each insertion hole has a different shape to prevent erroneous insertion of the adapter. It is. As will be described later, a power adapter for an automobile cigar socket can also be connected to the charging input unit 19.

  Here, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, the USB plug 18 is formed to rotate by pulling the tip end portion of the USB plug 18 outward. Further, an external output connector 20 for outputting music data to a cable is provided on the left side surface of the main body 12, and a playback device can be connected to the external output connector 20 via an audio cable.

  Here, if the USB plug 18 that is stored in the recess 17 on the back surface of the main body 12 is rotated by causing the tip of the USB plug 18 to rotate, the USB plug 18 is moved from the recess 17 to the main body as shown in FIGS. The wireless voice adapter 11 is fixed in a state of protruding downward from the main body 12 of the wireless voice adapter 11 by a detent mechanism (not shown). As will be described later, when the wireless voice adapter 11 is connected to the USB port of the computer, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the USB plug 18 is in a protruding state, while the wireless voice adapter 11 is connected to the USB port. When used without being connected or transported, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, if the USB plug 18 is stored in the recess 17 provided in the main body 12, projections are eliminated and the device becomes extremely compact.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the wireless voice adapter 11. A mobile phone 10 is connected via a plug 13 protruding from the main body 12, and Bluetooth is connected between the mobile phone 10 and a hands-free device (not shown). In the case of performing wireless communication, first, when Bluetooth wireless communication is turned on by operating the push buttons 14a and 14b, a link key is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 15 to authenticate the start of Bluetooth wireless communication. As described above, each of the push buttons 14a and 14b is pushed by a preset number of times and combinations, so that not only an external device such as a hands-free device but also the wireless voice adapter 11 can set a link key for Bluetooth wireless communication. And changes are possible.

  The received voice signal received from another mobile phone is input from the plug 13 via the I / O (input / output device) 21 to the control unit 22, and this received voice signal is transmitted from the control unit 22 via the interface 23 to the Bluetooth communication unit 24. And is transmitted from the Bluetooth communication unit 24 to the hands-free device by Bluetooth wireless communication. On the other hand, the transmission voice signal input to the microphone of the hands-free device is transmitted by Bluetooth wireless communication, and when received by the Bluetooth communication unit 24, it is input to the control unit 22 via the interface 23 and passes through the I / O 21. Sent from the mobile phone 10 to another mobile phone.

  Here, the wireless voice adapter 11 is not only connected to the mobile phone 10 and used as a wireless communication means to the hands-free device, but the wireless voice adapter 11 can be used alone. When a USB device is connected to the USB port 16, the control unit 22 recognizes the external device connected to the USB port 16, and, as will be described later, inputs and outputs signals to and from the control unit 22 via the interface 23. Done. If the USB plug 18 is connected to a USB port of an external device such as a computer, various functions of the wireless voice adapter 11 such as a storage device including Bluetooth wireless communication can be used as a device of the external device. it can.

  By connecting an AC adapter (not shown) to the charging input unit 19, AC 100V AC power is converted to DC power of a predetermined voltage and supplied to an electronic circuit in the main body 12, or built in the main body 12 The charged battery 25 is charged. During normal use, the AC adapter is often not connected, and each function including Bluetooth wireless communication is operated by DC power stored in the battery 25. In addition, as described later, not only the AC adapter but also a power adapter for a cigar socket of an automobile can be connected to the charging input unit 19 to receive DC power from the cigar socket of the automobile.

  When a playback device is connected to the external output connector 20 via an audio cable, signals are input / output to / from the control unit 22 via the interface 23 as will be described later. Further, the wireless voice adapter 11 is provided with an MP3 playback device 26. As will be described later, MP3 data read from the outside of the wireless voice adapter 11 under the control of the control unit 22 is converted into an analog signal by the MP3 playback device 26. To be decoded. Further, if an ultra-small hard disk drive (HDD) 27 is connected to the interface 23, it can also be used as a storage device.

  As a storage device, a flash memory (not shown) can be mounted instead of the hard disk drive 27. In the case of a flash memory, although the storage capacity does not reach that of a hard disk drive, there is no mechanical operation part, so there is no mechanical failure, and it can contribute to light weight and compactness.

  As shown in FIG. 9, if the plug 28 a of the USB flash memory 28 is inserted and connected to the USB port 16, the USB flash memory 28 can be used as an external memory of the wireless voice adapter 11. By storing music data in the USB flash memory 28 in advance, this music data is read into the control unit 22 of the wireless voice adapter 11 and transmitted from the Bluetooth communication unit 24 to a Bluetooth-compatible playback device by wireless communication. The

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if music data is transmitted to the in-vehicle audio device 30 by Bluetooth wireless communication, the in-vehicle audio device 30 can reproduce the music data in the USB flash memory 28. As shown in the figure, if music data is transmitted to the wireless speaker 31 corresponding to Bluetooth by Bluetooth wireless communication, the music data can be reproduced by the wireless speaker 31.

  When MP3 data is stored in the USB flash memory 28, the MP3 data is input from the USB port 16 to the MP3 playback device 26 under the control of the control unit 22 provided in the main body 12, and is analog. Decoded into a signal. Similarly to the above, if music data is transmitted by Bluetooth wireless communication, the music data converted into an analog signal can be reproduced by the in-vehicle audio device 30 or the wireless speaker 31.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, if an audio device 33 is connected to the external output connector 20 via an audio cable 32, the music data stored in the USB flash memory 28 is A cable is output from the output connector 20, and music is played by the audio device 33. Further, if a headphone 34 is connected to the external output connector 20, music can be reproduced by the headphone 34.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the USB flash memory 28 storing music data is connected to the USB port 16 has been described. However, other devices can be connected and used as long as the device can be connected to USB. Is possible. Although not shown, for example, a memory card connector can be connected to the USB port 16 and the data of the flash memory card inserted into the connector can be read into the wireless voice adapter 11.

  FIG. 12 shows a usage pattern in which the wireless voice adapter 11 is connected to the computer 40. As described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the USB plug 18 of the wireless voice adapter 11 is raised from the recess 17 and protruded. If the USB plug 18 of the wireless voice adapter 11 is inserted and connected to the USB port 41 provided in the computer 40 shown in FIG. 12, the wireless voice adapter 11 connected to the USB port 41 is connected to the USB device. As a device of the computer 40.

  Therefore, even if the computer is not equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver, if the wireless voice adapter 11 is connected to the USB port 41, Bluetooth wireless communication with an external device can be performed very easily. Further, if the hard disk drive 27 incorporated in the wireless voice adapter 11 is used as an external storage device of the computer 40, it can be used as a removable disk that can be easily attached and detached.

  For example, if music data stored in the computer 40 is transmitted to the wireless voice adapter 11, the music data is transmitted to the outside by wireless communication from the Bluetooth communication unit 24 provided in the wireless voice adapter 11, and wirelessly compatible with Bluetooth. Music can be played back by the playback device. Further, music data is stored in the hard disk drive 27 mounted on the wireless voice adapter 11, and after the wireless voice adapter 11 is removed from the computer 40, it is connected to a USB port of another computer or a playback device. And can be used as a removable memory.

  In addition, when the wireless voice adapter 11 is connected to the USB port 41 of the computer 40, it can also function as a wireless USB dongle. In this case, a wireless solution can be easily obtained via the wireless voice adapter 11. Additional construction is possible, and it can contribute to prevention of unauthorized copying.

  Here, as described above, when the wireless voice adapter 11 is normally used, each function such as Bluetooth wireless communication is operated by the DC power stored in the battery 25. The charging input shown in FIG. A power adapter for an automobile cigar socket can be connected to the unit 19 to receive DC power from the automobile cigar socket.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a plug adapter 45 is inserted into the charging input unit 19. The plug adapter 45 has a pair of plugs 45b projecting from one side surface of the main body 45a. The plug 45b corresponds to the charge input unit 18 so that the plug adapter 45 can be inserted into the charge input unit 18 having a different insertion hole shape. Thus, they are formed in different shapes. In addition, a pair of plugs 45c are projected from the other side of the main body 45a. The shape of the plug 45c is formed so that it can be inserted into a power supply adapter to be described later. As shown in FIG. 14, each plug has a different shape to prevent erroneous insertion of the adapter.

  And after inserting the plug adapter 45 in the charge input part 19 provided in the main body 12 of the wireless voice adapter 11, as shown in FIG. 15, the said plug adapter 45 is connected to the connection part 46a of the power adapter 46 for cigar sockets of a motor vehicle. The plug 45c is inserted, and the plug 46b of the power adapter 46 is inserted into a cigar socket (not shown) of the automobile as shown in FIG.

  Thus, the DC power stored in the battery of the automobile is input from the cigar socket to the charging input unit 19 of the wireless voice adapter 11 via the power adapter 46 and the plug adapter 45, and to the electronic circuit of the wireless voice adapter 11. When the power is supplied, the above-described functions such as Bluetooth wireless communication can be operated. Further, when the voltage of the battery 25 built in the main body 12 of the wireless voice adapter 11 is lowered, the built-in battery 25 is charged by the DC power supplied from the cigar socket.

  In the present embodiment, the plug adapter 45 is inserted into the charging input unit 19 of the wireless voice adapter 11 and connected to the power adapter 46, and then the power adapter 46 is inserted into the cigar socket. First, the power adapter 46 may be inserted into the cigar socket, and the wireless voice adapter 11 may be attached in the reverse procedure. Further, the plug adapter 45 and the power adapter 46 are connected first. The order of mounting the parts is not limited.

  In addition, a plug adapter 45 is not connected between the wireless voice adapter 11 and the power adapter 46, but a plug (not shown) is directly provided on the main body of the wireless voice adapter 11 so that the plug May be inserted and connected to the connecting portion 46a of the power adapter 46. In such a case, the plug protrudes from the main body 12 during normal use of the wireless voice adapter 11, but the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

  As shown in FIG. 17, with the wireless voice adapter 11 connected to the power adapter 46 inserted into the cigar socket via the plug adapter 45, the charging cable connecting portion 10a of the mobile phone 10 is connected to the plug 13 of the wireless voice adapter 11. If inserted, both the mobile phone 10 and the wireless voice adapter 11 are held in a stable state as compared with a state temporarily placed on a car seat or the like, and a hands-free call can be stably performed by Bluetooth wireless communication. It becomes possible.

  In this state, when the voltage of the battery built in the mobile phone 10 decreases, the power supplied from the cigar socket to the wireless voice adapter 11 via the power adapter 46 is transferred to the mobile phone 10. The mobile phone 10 can be charged. Therefore, each time the mobile phone 10 is charged, the trouble of removing the wireless voice adapter 11 and connecting it to the charger for the mobile phone can be saved, and it is not necessary to carry the charger dedicated to the mobile phone and the charging work is simple. It becomes.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally extends to the modified ones.

The front view which shows the general usage pattern of a wireless voice adapter. The front view of a wireless voice adapter. The right view of a wireless voice adapter. The rear view of a wireless voice adapter. The left view of a wireless voice adapter. The rear view of the wireless voice adapter in which the USB plug protrudes from the main body. The left view of the wireless voice adapter in which the USB plug protrudes from the main body. The block diagram of a wireless voice adapter. The front view which shows the usage condition which connects a USB flash memory to the USB port of a wireless voice adapter. Explanatory drawing which shows the usage pattern which transmits music data by Bluetooth radio | wireless communication from a wireless voice adapter. Explanatory drawing which shows the usage pattern which transmits music data by cable output from a wireless voice adapter. The perspective view which shows the usage pattern which connects a wireless voice adapter to the USB port of a computer. The right view of the wireless voice adapter which shows the state which connects a plug adapter to a charge input part. The rear view of the wireless voice adapter which shows the state which connected the plug adapter to the charge input part. The right view of the wireless voice adapter which shows the state which connects a main body to a power adapter via a plug adapter. The right view of the wireless voice adapter which shows the usage pattern which connected the main body to the power adapter via the plug adapter. FIG. 17 is a right side view of the wireless voice adapter showing a usage pattern in which a mobile phone is further connected in the state shown in FIG. 16.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mobile phone 11 Wireless voice adapter 12 Main body 13 Plug 14a, 14b Bush button 15 Liquid crystal display part (LCD)
16 USB interface connector (USB port)
17 Recessed portion 18 USB plug 19 Charging input portion 20 External output connector 21 I / O
22 Control Unit 23 Interface 24 Bluetooth Communication Unit 25 Battery 26 MP3 Playback Device 27 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Claims (4)

In a wireless voice adapter that is equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver and is connected to a mobile phone and performs Bluetooth wireless communication with an external device.
A wireless voice adapter that features a USB interface connector on the main unit. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein a USB flash memory is connected to the USB interface connector, and music data recorded in the USB flash memory can be transmitted to a Bluetooth-compatible playback device via the Bluetooth transceiver. Voice adapter. The wireless voice adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body has an MP3 playback function. The wireless voice adapter according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising an external output connector for outputting music data to the main body via a cable.

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