JPH03132136A - Automobile telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a small sized automobile telephone system with low cost and less mounting space by aborting a plug-in type adaptor and fitting removably a connection cable extended from a cradle to a portable telephone set. CONSTITUTION:The telephone system is provided with an on-vehicle cradle 2 with a portable telephone set 1 able to be fitted thereto and provided with an amplifier section 51 amplifying a signal inputted/outputted to/from the portable telephone set 1 and with a charging circuit 58 charging a portable telephone set battery in the portable telephone set 1 and provided with an on-vehicle antenna 30 connecting to the on-vehicle cradle 2 for making transmission and reception to/from the outside of the automobile. Moreover, the portable telephone set 1 and the on-vehicle cradle 2 are connected electrically with a removable connection cable 3. Thus, the portable telephone set 1 acts like a handset of the automobile telephone set, and when the portable telephone set 1 is not used as the automobile telephone set, the portable telephone set 1 acts like a portable telephone set at the outdoor location.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a car phone that has the functions of both a mobile phone equipped with an internal battery and a car phone, and can also be used as a mobile phone. It is something.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a mobile phone is plugged into an adapter inside the vehicle, and this adapter is connected to an amplifying section that receives power from the car's battery. It is known that a mobile phone is configured as a whole by utilizing the functions within the inserted mobile phone.

In this case, when using the mobile phone as a car phone, the mobile phone is not used as a handset, but a separate dedicated handset is used.

The voice signal input from the dedicated handset is converted into a high-frequency signal within the mobile phone via an adapter, and then transmitted from the midsection to the outside of the vehicle.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above configuration requires a dedicated handset in addition to the mobile phone, which poses problems in terms of increased costs and securing space in the vehicle.

The present invention allows the mobile phone itself to be used as a handset for a car phone, and when the car phone does not require a dedicated handset and is not used as a car phone, it can be used outdoors using the mobile phone's original function, that is, through the antenna of the mobile phone itself. The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a car phone that can function as a portable phone.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a mobile phone speaker, a mobile phone microphone, and a mobile phone keypad.

It is equipped with a mobile phone display, a mobile phone antenna, and a mobile phone battery, and uses the mobile phone microphone and the mobile phone speaker with the power of the mobile phone battery and the destination specified on the mobile phone keypad. , a mobile phone that makes a call using radio waves transmitted through the mobile phone antenna, a middle part to which the mobile phone can be attached and which amplifies signals input and output to the mobile phone, and a mobile phone inside the mobile phone. an in-vehicle cradle equipped with a charging circuit for charging a battery; an in-vehicle antenna connected to the in-vehicle cradle for transmitting and receiving data to and from outside the vehicle; This is a car phone characterized by the fact that it is connected.

[Effect]

In the above configuration, the conventional plug-in adapter is abolished, and the connection cable extending from the cradle can be detachably attached to the porta-pull type mobile phone, so the mobile phone can be placed on the car cradle. In this case, the mobile phone itself can serve as a handset for a car phone, and a conventional dedicated car phone handset can be omitted.

On the other hand, if you want to use the mobile phone as a portable phone, you can disconnect it from the connection cable, extend the mobile phone antenna inside the phone, and use it as a portable phone.

Furthermore, since the middle part of the neck is integrated into the car cradle, wiring is easy, and when used as a car phone, the high frequency signal from the mobile phone that makes up the handset is sufficiently amplified and sent to the car antenna. It is possible to make calls to distant base stations.

[Effects of the Invention] In the present invention, since the mobile phone is also used as a car phone handset, a dedicated handset unlike the conventional one is unnecessary, and a small car phone is constructed that is low in cost and does not take up space in the car. can.

In addition, the handset position in the vehicle is specified in one place, namely on the vehicle cradle where the mobile phone is placed, so when the driver inside the vehicle wants to make a call, there is no need to pick up the handset by mistake. , improves operability. In addition, in conventional car phones of this type, the dedicated handset is equipped with only a speaker and a microphone, and the push button for specifying the destination is located on the mobile phone side, making operation very cumbersome; however, in the present invention, the handset Since the mobile phone is equipped with a speaker, a microphone, and a set of switches to specify the destination, there is no discomfort when operating it, whether it is used as a car phone or a mobile phone. , it is possible to provide a car phone that is easy to operate.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a mobile phone according to the present invention, showing a state in which the mobile phone is placed on a car cradle. FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the mobile phone itself, showing the antenna in a slightly extended state. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG. 3. Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are an elevational view and a plan view of the vehicle-mounted cradle alone. Further, FIG. 7 is an overall electrical circuit diagram.

In FIG. 1, l is a mobile phone, which is placed on a vehicle cradle. Reference numeral 3 denotes a connection cable that electrically connects the mobile phone and the in-vehicle cradle, and is made by bundling a coaxial cable and other electric wires into a single cord, which is wound into a curl.

One end of the connection cable 3 is fixed to the vehicle cradle 2, and the other end is connected to the coupler 4.

In addition, the coupler 4 connects the mobile phone 1 from the outside of the mobile phone 1.
The mobile phone 1 is connected to one terminal of the connector, and functions to transmit an electric signal from the mobile phone 1 to the vehicle cradle 2 via the connection cable 3. A recess 5 is formed on the surface of the vehicle-mounted cradle 20, into which a speaker portion of the mobile phone 1 is inserted. At this time, the stopper pin 7 is configured to engage with the speaker portion 6.

8 is a display for the cradle, which is a well-known display using a liquid crystal or the like. 9 is a first cradle key pad that includes at least a one-touch call key. Also, 1 in Figure 1
0 is the second cradle key butt.

The mobile phone 1 has a bending part 11, and when placed on the in-vehicle cradle 2, it is bent into a dogleg shape as shown in FIG.

In addition, when the coupler 4 is inserted into the mobile phone 1 as shown in FIG. 1, it is desirable that the bending angle of the mobile phone 1 is fixed at a predetermined angle in a dogleg shape as shown in the figure. The mechanism for this can be such that when the coupler 4 is inserted into the mobile phone, a stopper mechanism from the coupler 4 side eliminates the degree of freedom of bending of the bending part 11 of the mobile phone, and the details will be omitted. However, if the specified angle of the dogleg shape is maintained with the coupler inserted,
When the mobile phone 1 is used as a handset and brought close to the passenger's ears and mouth, it is possible to improve the operability.

Next, in FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 12 denotes a mobile phone antenna, which is formed to be extendable and retractable from the mobile phone 1. 13 is a mobile phone speaker, 14 is a mobile phone microphone, 15 is a mobile phone keypad, and 16 is a mobile phone display, which may be omitted. Also,
The mobile phone microphone 14 can be folded over the mobile phone keypad 15 around the bending part 11 in FIG. 3, ensuring compactness when used as a mobile phone.

Next, the cradle portion will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Reference numeral 18 in FIG. 5 is a coupler storage section provided on the vehicle-mounted cradle 2, and the coupler 4 is supported by springs 19 and 20.
It is configured to store and hold. 22 is a magnetic tape storage section that serves as a recording medium, and the recording medium 23 is contained in this section.
is stored.

Next, the entire electric circuit diagram will be explained based on FIG. 7.

The left side of FIG. 7 shows the mobile phone 1, and the right side shows the in-vehicle cradle 2. Both are connected by a connecting cable 3. A mobile phone antenna 12 extends from the mobile phone 1, and a microphone 14° speaker 131 display 16. A switch pad 15 is formed.

On the other hand, an in-vehicle antenna 30, a hands-free speaker 31, and a hands-free microphone 32 are connected to the in-vehicle cradle 2. In addition, an in-vehicle battery 33 is connected,
The in-vehicle cradle receives power from a battery in the vehicle, and the mobile phone 1 also receives power from the in-vehicle power source via a connection cable 3.

Next, the operation will be explained.

(When using as a mobile phone) When using as a mobile phone, remove the mobile phone 1 from the coupler 4 attached to the tip of the connection cable 3,
The user operates the mobile phone keypad 15 to designate the other party and display the other party on the display 16, and outputs a signal from the keypad 15 to the mobile phone control circuit 40. This control circuit 40 is well known and instructs the base station to perform line connection procedures. Reference numeral 41 denotes a mobile phone battery, which is a secondary battery that is charged by the power supplied via the connection cable 3, and supplies power to each part. keypad 15
When the destination is specified and the line is connected, speaker 1
3 and microphone 14, the telephone starts to be used as a normal telephone. 42 is a speaker amplifier, 43 is a demodulator, 4
4 is a receiving amplifier, and 45 is a transmitting/receiving distributor. Also 46
47 is a microphone amplifier, 47 is a modulator, and 48 is a transmission amplifier. When used as a mobile phone, the mobile phone antenna 12 is extended as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and used as a portable device outdoors. Is possible.

(When used as a car phone) When used in a car, the mobile phone 1 is connected to the coupler 4 as shown in FIG. 1, and used as a handset. The in-vehicle cradle 2 has a first
A cradle control circuit 50 is provided which is connected to the cradle keypad 9 and the like. As is well known, this circuit uses the first cradle keypad 9 for one-touch transmission.
Recording medium 23 using second cradle keypad IO
A microcomputer is housed inside to control the playback and recording of the cradle and the display on the cradle display 8. 51 is an amplifying section (hereinafter referred to as a booster), and this booster includes a transmitting/receiving distributor 52. Reception booster 53. It is composed of a transmission/reception distributor 54 and a transmission booster 55.

Next, 56 is a speaker amplifier, 57 is a microphone amplifier, and 58
is the charging circuit. Further, 59 is a recording/playback control circuit, and this control j11 circuit 59 is a hands-free speaker 31.
and recording and playback via the hands-free microphone 32 and recording and playback via the microphone and speaker of the mobile phone, and furthermore, recording of audio signals coming from the outside via the on-board antenna 30 and sending messages to the outside via the on-board antenna 30. This controls the playback, etc.

First, when using the mobile phone as a car phone, lift the mobile phone n1 placed on the cradle as shown in Figure 1 by hand and press the mobile phone keypad located inside the mobile phone 1 as shown in Figure 4. Specify the destination using . This destination can be confirmed by displaying it on the mobile phone display 16. A signal commanded from the mobile phone keypad 15 of the mobile phone 1 is converted into line connection data by the control circuit 40, further converted into an audio signal via the modem 40a, and the signal is transmitted to the microphone amplifier.

Additionally, the microphone amplifier to the modulator.

The signal is transmitted to the connection cable 3 via the transmission amplifier and distributor, and is transmitted from the vehicle antenna 30 to the base station via the booster 51 in the vehicle cradle 2.

When the line connection is completed and a call begins, the voice converted into an audio signal by the microphone 14 is sent to the microphone amplifier.

The signal is input to the booster 51 via a modulator, a transmission amplifier, and a distributor, and can be further transmitted to the outside of the vehicle via the on-vehicle antenna 30. In other words, the mobile phone 1 functions as a normal car phone handset.

The differences from normal handsets are as follows. First, the signal passing through the connection cable 3 is not just an audio signal, but a high-frequency radio frequency signal. For this purpose, the connection cable 3 includes a coaxial cable. Further, the coupler 4 has a connector portion adapted to high frequency current, and furthermore, the connection cable 3 and the mobile phone 1 are mechanically separated from each other by this coupler 4 portion.

Another difference is that a battery 41 is housed inside the mobile phone l. This battery is a secondary battery, and is different from the conventional one in that it can be charged via the charging circuit 58 in the vehicle cradle 2.

(When using the recording/playback function) As shown in FIG. 6, a recording medium 23 using a magnetic tape or an IC memory is housed in the in-vehicle cradle 2. This recording medium can be broadly divided into: 1) recording when the user is away; 2) sending a message when the hold key in the first cradle keypad 9 is operated;
One of its functions is a memo function during a call. If you operate the answering machine key in the first cradle keypad 9, the mobile phone will notify you that there is an incoming call.
The control circuit 40 inside detects and connects the line.

Next, when the line procedure is completed, the message is retrieved from the recording medium 23 by the action of the recording/playback control circuit 59 and transmitted via the on-vehicle antenna 30.

As a result, the other party emits the voice they wish to record, and this voice is transmitted to the booster 51, connection cable 39, distributor 45. Reception amplifier 44, demodulator 43. The signal enters the in-vehicle cradle 2 again via the speaker amplifier 42 and is recorded on the recording medium 23 via the recording/playback control circuit 59.

Next, the case where the hold key in the first cradle key pad 9 is operated will be explained.

The hold key is used to temporarily hold communication from the other party by operating the hold key when an incoming call is received while driving, and during this time simple messages can be exchanged via the recording medium 23. . That is, this key is used when the telephone cannot be operated, such as when the vehicle is traveling around a curve.

When the hold key in the first cradle keypad 9 is pressed, when an incoming call is received, the control circuit 40 detects the incoming call, and after making a predetermined line connection, the recording and playback control circuit 59
The message recorded in advance from the storage medium 23 is transmitted to the microphone amplifier 46 by the function of the microphone amplifier 46. Modulator 47. Transmission amplifier 4
On-vehicle antenna 3 via 89 distributor 45 and booster 51
It is transmitted from 0. For example, this message is:
``I'm currently driving, so please wait for a while.'' Or, ``I'm driving now. I'll record it on tape, so please give me a message. I will call you, so please give me your phone number.'' A message like this is adopted. In particular, when a message is sent from the other party expecting recording, after the message is sent, the recording/playback control circuit 59 enables recording on the recording medium 23 for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, the voice transmitted by the other party is transmitted from the vehicle antenna 3° to the booster 5.
1 and 45, 44, 43, and 42 to the recording/playback control circuit 59, and recording is performed.

Next, there may be a case where you would like to record what the other party said during a call using a normal car phone.In this device, by pressing the memo key in the first cradle keypad 9, the recording and playback control circuit 59 records the information. The voice uttered by the other party is recorded on the medium 23. If the user wishes to stop recording, the recording is stopped by operating the memo key again.

Note that the second cradle keypad lo is provided with keys for rewinding, playing, and fast forwarding, similar to those of a normal tape recorder, so that messages recorded on the recording medium 23 can be played back later. can. This reproduction can be performed either by the hands-free speaker 31 or by the speaker 13 in the mobile phone 1, and switching between these is done by the hands-free command switch in the first cradle keypad 9.

Note that a hands-free command switch consisting of a push button switch is provided inside the first cradle keypad 9, but this can be omitted.For example, when the vehicle is running at a predetermined speed or higher, The hands-free command may be issued automatically.

In addition, as another embodiment, it is also possible to provide the telephone of the above embodiment with a voice dialing function. In this case, the voice emitted from the microphone is recognized within the cradle control circuit 50, it is determined whether the recognized signal matches a pre-registered signal, and the signal is automatically transmitted to the selected destination. be. Note that it is desirable to provide a control device on the in-vehicle cradle 2 side when adding additional functions as in this case. The reason for this is that it is desired to reduce the weight of the mobile phone 1 as a handset. Furthermore, the mobile phone antenna 12 can also be configured as a diversity antenna. In this case, the distributor 45. Receiving amplifier 44. Two systems of demodulators 43 are provided, and one of the antennas with better reception sensitivity is selected.

In addition, the configuration of the electric wires in the connection cable 3 is a combination of a coaxial cable and other electric wires, but this is composed of a single coaxial cable, and using so-called multiplex communication technology, high-frequency signals and low-frequency signals are transmitted to this coaxial cable. signals can be superimposed.

Further, the charging circuit 58 may detect the voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery 33, and if the voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery 33 is below a predetermined value, it may stop charging the battery in the mobile phone at. Furthermore, when the voltage of the in-vehicle battery 33 is completely lowered or the connection is disconnected, the electric components on the in-vehicle cradle 2 side are activated by the battery 41 in the mobile phone 1. is also possible.

As is well known, there is a concept of detecting noise inside the vehicle and increasing the gain of the speaker amplifier 42 when there is a lot of noise, but in this case, the gain of the amplifier 42 is increased depending on the amount of noise picked up from the microphone 14. It is preferable to provide a control circuit within the on-vehicle cradle 2 to control this.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the coupler 4 is inserted into the coupler storage portion 18, but it may be configured to prompt the coupler to be inserted and stored in the handle portion 18.

Furthermore, when the hands-free command switch in the first cradle keypad 9 is operated, the gain of the speaker amplifier 42 and microphone amplifier 46 in the mobile phone 1 is set to 0 via the connection cable 3, and the hands-free speaker is activated. 31 and hands-free microphone 32 can be used.

In addition, as shown by 45a in FIG. 7, there is a means for detecting whether or not a voltage is applied from the charging circuit 58, in other words, a coupler attachment/detachment detection means for detecting whether the coupler 4 is attached or detached. Means 45a is provided to block the transmission of high frequency signals from the distributor 45 to the antenna 12 when the coupler 4 is connected to the mobile phone 1;
Preferably, all of the high frequency output from the distributor 4 reaches the booster 51 via the connecting cable 3.

Other advantages of the above-mentioned embodiments will be explained below.

The connection cable has a removable coupler on the mobile phone side and consists of a curled coaxial cable, so it can be used to send signals wirelessly (radio waves, ultrasonic waves) from the mobile phone to the cradle. By comparison, users can use a mobile phone in the same way as a regular phone, maintaining a sense of security.

In addition, the mobile phone has a bent part so that it can be placed on the car cradle in a dogleg shape, and with this bent part as a boundary, one side is equipped with a microphone and the other side is equipped with a speaker. Therefore, the mobile phone can be effectively used as a handset.

In addition, since the mobile phone is equipped with a means to restrict the radio waves sent out from the antenna inside the mobile phone, when it detects the attachment/detachment state of the coupler of the connection cable and the coupler is in the attached state, the mobile phone antenna and cradle are Interference between radio waves emitted from both side antennas can be prevented. In addition, the in-vehicle cradle 2 is equipped with a hands-free speaker that reproduces sound in the vehicle interior, a hands-free microphone that inputs audio from the vehicle interior, and a hands-free command switch means that operates when using the vehicle in a hands-free manner. The in-vehicle cradle side has a hands-free command means that sends a signal to the mobile phone via a cable when the command switch commands to use the hands-free IJ-, and the mobile phone side has a hands-free command means. It is equipped with a hands-free switch that stops the microphone and speaker functions of the mobile phone upon receiving a signal, which prevents howling. Furthermore, since the vehicle-mounted ladle is provided with a recessed portion for housing the coupler of the connection cable, it becomes easy to store the connection cable and dust-proof the coupler. Note that, as is well known, the connection cable can also be stored by being wound around a spool provided within the cradle.

Please note that mobile phones have internal wireless functionality, so
Since the mobile phone also generates heat when placed on a cradle as a car phone, cold air from a car air conditioner may be blown out from the cradle side to cool the mobile phone. Further, at night or the like when the instrument panel inside the vehicle is illuminated by operating the lighting switch, the backlight of the liquid crystal display on the cradle may be turned on in conjunction with the operation of the lighting switch.

Further, the in-vehicle cradle 2 houses a recording medium on which audio signals are recorded, and the cradle is provided with a recording/playback control circuit that controls the reproduction of the signals recorded on the recording medium by the speakers and the recording by the microphone. The signal recorded on the recording medium is sent to the mobile phone via a cable, the sent signal is converted to a high frequency signal by the mobile phone, amplified by the booster, and transmitted from the vehicle antenna. , the high-frequency signal manually inputted from the in-vehicle antenna is converted into an audio signal by a mobile phone, and is recorded on the recording medium in the cradle by the recording and playback control circuit via a cable, so it is possible to use the well-known answering machine function as well as the hold key. It is possible to send a message to the other party by pressing , and to record a memo at any time during a call. In addition, instead of the hold key, a signal from a collision sensor or a vehicle theft sensor that detects abnormalities in the vehicle is used, and a message corresponding to this signal is retrieved from the storage medium and automatically sent to the other party (for example, at home, etc.). You may also send it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing one embodiment of the telephone of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is an elevational view of only the mobile phone in the first embodiment, and FIG. The figure is a bottom view of the mobile phone, FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing only the cradle portion of the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an overall view of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram showing electrical connections. 1...Mobile phone, 2...Car cradle, 3...
- Connection cable, 4... Coupler, 12... Mobile phone antenna, 30... Car antenna, 51... Width extension part, 23... Recording medium, 59... Recording and playback control circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A mobile phone speaker, a mobile phone microphone, a mobile phone keypad, a mobile phone display, a mobile phone antenna, and a mobile phone battery are provided, and a destination designated by the mobile phone keypad and the mobile phone are provided. A mobile phone that uses battery power to make calls using the mobile phone microphone and the mobile phone speaker using radio waves transmitted through the mobile phone antenna; the mobile phone can be attached to the mobile phone; an in-vehicle cradle including an amplification part that amplifies the signal transmitted to the mobile phone; and a charging circuit that charges the mobile phone battery in the mobile phone; A car phone characterized in that the mobile phone and the car cradle are electrically connected by a detachable connection cable.