KR20020095622A - wireless hands free system for mobile phone and method of controling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal and a control method thereof are provided to interwork an operation of a wireless earphone, depending on whether a mother station device is operated in order not to generate power consumption, thereby expanding a usable period. CONSTITUTION: A wireless earphone(50) is driven by power supplied from a charger(57), and detects whether an active signal is received from a mother station device. If so, the wireless earphone(50), in a speech mode, outputs a voice signal transmitted from the mother station device through a sound output device(52). If a non-receiving state of the active signal continues during set time, the wireless earphone(50) cuts off the power to stop an operation. The mother station device comprises as follows. A power unit supplies power to a corresponding element, and has a charging terminal to supply the power to the charger(57). A load detector detects coupled/separated states of the charger(57) to the charging terminal. A mother station controller(34) outputs a voice signal through a sound output device(33) when a coupling detection signal is received, and switches the voice signal when a separation detection signal is received, then wirelessly delivers the voice signal to the wireless earphone(50).

Description

Wireless hands-free system for mobile terminal and its control method {wireless hands free system for mobile phone and method of controling}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless handsfree system for a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a wireless handsfree system for a mobile terminal capable of suppressing power consumption of a wireless earphone communicating wirelessly with a mother station apparatus installed in a vehicle. It relates to a control method.

Recently, due to the development of personal mobile communication technology, various mobile phones (hereinafter, referred to as mobile terminals) such as analog and digital cellular phones and cellular phones (PCS phones) have been developed and widely used.

In particular, such a mobile terminal has been reduced in weight and size in order to improve the convenience of carrying and moving.

However, when a vehicle driver calls while holding a mobile terminal while driving, an accident may occur due to concentration dispersal.

In order to improve this problem, a wired hands-free system that can make a call without using a hand has been used.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional wired hands-free device of a mobile terminal.

Referring to the drawings, a microphone / earphone jack 11 is provided at one side of the mobile terminal.

The wired hands-free device has a plug 4 inserted into the microphone / earphone jack 11, an earphone 1 and a microphone 2 connected from the plug 4 via a wire 3.

The earphone 1 transmits the voice of the other party's caller received by the mobile terminal 10 through the plug 4 to the user, and the microphone 2 receives the user's voice and delivers it to the mobile terminal 10.

Such a wired hands-free device is provided with a microphone (2) and earphone (1) drawn out from the microphone / earphone jack (11) formed at one side thereof and extended to the wire (3) without the user directly using the mobile terminal (10). You can talk with the other party.

However, according to such a conventional wired hands-free device, when a wire is caught in a garment or a body, the plug 4 inserted into the microphone / earphone jack 11 may be detached and the call may be cut off. In addition, there is a risk that the wire 3 is tangled or disconnected during storage, which is cumbersome to manage.

In order to improve such inconvenience, wireless earphones that can receive a voice signal of the other party received by the mobile terminal in a wireless manner have been developed. Unlike corded hands-free devices, wireless earphones operate with a built-in battery. Therefore, since the usable time of the wireless earphone depends on the capacity of the battery, it is required to extend the charging capacity of the battery in order to extend the usable time. However, there is a limit in extending the size of the battery when considering the miniaturization of the wireless earphone for convenience of carrying and wearing. Therefore, the method of using the limited battery capacity efficiently is examined.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same, which can extend the usable time by reducing unnecessary power consumption of the wireless earphone.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional wired hands free device,

2 is a perspective view schematically showing a hands-free system for a mobile terminal according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the hands free system of FIG. 2 in detail;

4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power supply path of the wireless earphone of FIG. 3.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless earphone of FIG. 3.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

10, 20: mobile terminal 11, 31: microphone / earphone jack

30: mother station device 40: power supply

50: wireless earphone

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a mother station apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the mobile terminal through a plug formed to be connected to an earphone / microphone terminal of the mobile terminal, and from the mother station apparatus. In a wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal having a wireless earphone for processing a signal transmitted wirelessly, the wireless earphone is driven by the power supplied from the charging unit, and detects whether an activation signal is received from the mother station apparatus, When the activation signal is received, perform a call mode for outputting a voice signal transmitted from the mother station apparatus through an audio output device, and when the non-receive state of the activation signal lasts for a predetermined time, cuts off power supply from the charging unit. To stop the operation.

Preferably, the mother station apparatus receives power from an external power source and supplies power to a corresponding element, but a power supply unit having a charging terminal configured to supply power to the charging unit; A load detection unit detecting a state in which the charging unit of the wireless earphone is coupled / disconnected to the charging terminal; When the combined detection signal is received from the load detector, the voice signal received from the plug is output through an audio output device. When the separate detection signal is received from the load detector, the voice signal received from the plug is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless earphone. And a mother country controller for sending out.

The wireless earphone further includes an idle mode selection key for turning on / off the idle mode, and when the idle mode selection key is turned on, power supply from the charging unit to other elements is cut off, but the idle mode selection key is disabled. And a station controller configured to perform a power saving mode to detect only a signal.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the wireless earphone control method of the wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal according to the present invention comprises the steps of: detecting whether an activation signal indicating whether an operation state is received from a mother station; And stopping the operation of the wireless earphone when the activation signal is not received for a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in more detail a wireless hands-free system and a control method for a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing a wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal includes a mother station apparatus 30 connected to an earphone / microphone terminal of a mobile terminal through a plug 31, and a wireless earphone 50 for processing a signal received from the mother apparatus. It is provided.

The mother station apparatus 30 includes a main body 31a formed to mount a mobile terminal, a plug 31 for connecting the mobile terminal 20 on the main body 31a, a power cord 41 for connecting external power, and a plurality of terminals. The key 36, the speaker 33a, and the microphone 37 are provided.

The mother station apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the mother station apparatus includes a plug 31, a wireless transmitter 32, a sound output unit 33, a mother station controller 34, a memory 35, a key control unit 36, a microphone 37, and a power supply unit. 40.

The wireless transmitter 32 is controlled by the mother station controller 34 and the signal received from the earphone / microphone terminal 21 of the mobile terminal 20 via the plug 31 and the transmission target received from the mother station controller 34. Modulate the signal and transmit it wirelessly.

The sound output unit 33 outputs a sound signal received through the plug 31. The sound output unit 33 converts an analog signal to an analog signal when the signal output method of the mobile terminal to be applied is an amplifier for amplifying an acoustic signal, a filter for removing noise, or an applied mobile terminal in addition to the speaker 33a. A digital-to-analog converter may be provided.

The microphone 37 receives the voice signal spoken by the user and outputs it to the mother station controller 34.

The key control unit 36 is provided with a plurality of keys for selecting various supported functions. Preferably, the operation unit 36 includes a call key 36a, a recording key 36b, a volume adjustment key 36c, and a channel selection key 36d.

The power supply unit 40 is a power source 41, which is connected to a power source supplied from a vehicle, that is, a cigar jack, so that power can be supplied, and power received through the power cord 41. Supply it by converting the voltage required by each element of). In addition, the power supply unit 40 is provided with a charging terminal 42 to supply the incoming power to the charging unit 57 of the wireless earphone 50.

The load detection unit 43 detects whether the charging unit 57 of the wireless earphone 50 is connected or disconnected to the charging terminal 42 and outputs the detection result to the mother station controller 34.

The mother station controller 34 performs processing corresponding to the key signal generated by the key operating section 36. That is, when the call key 36a is pressed when the ring tone signal is generated in the mobile terminal 20, the mother country controller 34 enables the mobile terminal 20 to talk with the other party through the plug 31. Generate a call connection signal. After the call key 36a is selected, the call is made through the mother station device 30 or the wireless earphone 50 connected to the mobile terminal 20 through the plug 31.

The mother station controller 34 records the call history with the other party in the memory 35 when the recording key 36b selection signal is received. The recording allocation time may be set to a predetermined time, for example, 15 seconds or 30 seconds. In this case, when the recording time reaches the set time after the recording key 36b is pressed, the recording operation is released. Preferably, a playback key (not shown) for reproducing the recorded contents is further provided. In this case, when the playback key is pressed, the recording contents stored in the memory 35 are connected to the sound output device 33 or the wireless earphone 50. The mother station controller 34 controls the corresponding element so as to be outputted through.

The volume adjustment key 36c adjusts the level of the volume output to the sound output device 33. The mother station controller 34 moves from the mobile terminal 20 to correspond to the volume level selected by the volume adjustment key 36c. The sound output unit 33 is controlled so that the received voice signal is amplified by the sound output unit 33 and output. In addition, the mother station controller 34 has a voice signal received from the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the volume level selected by the volume adjusting key 36c when the wireless earphone 50 is separated from the mother station apparatus. At 32, the wireless transmitter 32 is controlled to output power amplified.

The channel select key 36d is configured to select any one of a plurality of channels selectably provided to prevent crosstalk, and the mother station controller 34 outputs the frequency band of the channel selected by the channel select key 36d. The radio transmitter 32 is controlled so that the target signal is wirelessly output through the antenna 32a. Preferably, the mother station controller 34 transmits the set channel information to the wireless earphone 50 so that the wireless earphone 50 can set the channel selected by the channel selection key 36d.

When the mother controller receives a combined signal corresponding to a state in which the charging unit 57 of the wireless earphone 50 is coupled to the charging terminal 42 in the load detector 43, the mother controller outputs a signal input from the plug 31. A switch 44 provided for selective output to the unit 33 and the wireless transmitter 32 is controlled to be connected to the sound output unit 33. On the contrary, when the separate signal corresponding to the state in which the charging unit 57 of the wireless earphone 50 is separated from the charging terminal 42 is received at the load detector 43, the mother controller 34 receives the plug 31 from the plug 31. The switch 44 is controlled to selectively output the incoming signal to the radio transmitter 32.

It is also possible to allow the user to directly operate the switch 44.

The mother station controller 34 controls the radio transmitter 32 such that an active signal, which is notified at the set interval, is transmitted through the radio transmitter 32 while receiving power from the power supply unit 42 and operating in an active state. .

On the other hand, the wireless earphone 50 that receives and processes the signal transmitted from the mother station device 30 and can be mounted on the user's ear is the wireless receiver 51, the sound output unit 52, the active signal detector 53, A station controller 54, a charging section 57, a charging potential detecting section 58, and a connection / separation detecting section 59 are provided.

The radio receiver 51 demodulates and outputs a signal received through the antenna.

The sound output unit 52 outputs a sound signal that is demodulated and output from the radio receiver 51.

The activation signal detector 53 detects whether there is an activation signal among the signals output from the radio receiver 51, and outputs detection information to the station controller 54 when the activation signal is detected.

The charging unit 57 has an inlet terminal 57 that can be coupled to the charging terminal 42 of the mother country device 30, and supplies the charged power to each element.

Preferably, the charging unit 57 is capable of supplying power directly from the mother station apparatus 30 to the station controller 54 in the state of being connected to the power supply unit 40 of the mother station apparatus 30, and to the power supply unit 40. In the separated state, it is controlled by the station controller so that power can be supplied or cut off.

With reference to Figure 4 showing the power supply path of the wireless earphone looks at it in more detail.

The charging unit 57 is configured to supply power to each element through the first switching unit 61 and the second switching 62 provided on the power output path.

The part generating the idle mode selection key 55 operation signal and the station controller 54 are supplied with power supplied through the first switching part, and the remaining elements 51, 52, 53, 58 ( 59 is configured to receive power supplied through the second switching unit. In addition, the station controller 54 is configured to receive power directly from the inlet terminal 57a of the charging unit 57 and controls the first switching unit 61 and the second switching unit 62.

Thus, when the charging section is coupled to the power supply section 40, the station controller starts up and turns on the first switching section and the second switching section. Then, in the state in which the charging unit 57 is separated from the power supply unit 42, power is supplied or cut off to all or some elements according to the control result of the switching units 61 and 62 controlled by the station controller 54. .

The charging potential detection unit 58 detects the potential level output from the charging unit 57 and outputs it to the station controller 54.

The connection / disconnection detection unit 59 detects whether the inlet terminal 57a of the charging unit 57 is coupled or disconnected from the charging terminal 42 of the power supply unit 40, and outputs a corresponding signal to the station controller 54.

The idle mode selection key 55 is a key for selecting a call mode or a power saving mode using the wireless earphone 50.

When the charging unit 57 is connected to the power supply unit 40 and the charging is started, the wireless controller 50 starts by the power supplied from the power supply unit 40 and the first switching unit 61. And controlling the second switching unit 62 to be in an on state and controlling the wireless receiving unit 51 to maintain a channel corresponding to the channel setting information received from the mother station controller 34.

Thereafter, the station controller 54 operates the counter 56 when it is determined that the charging unit 57 is separated from the power supply unit 40, and when it is determined that the activation signal is not received for a predetermined time, the mother station apparatus 30 In the inactive state, that is, the power supply unit 40 determines that the power supply is cut off from the cigar jack, which is an external power source, and shuts down the first switching unit 61.

On the other hand, when the idle mode selection key 55 is turned on while the station controller 54 is in a call mode in which an active signal is periodically detected and can receive a voice signal transmitted from the mother station apparatus 30, that is, power saving. When the mode selection signal is received, the first switching unit may activate only the station controller 54 or the idle mode selection key 55 so as to receive only the idle mode selection key operation signal, and cut off the power supply to other elements. 61 is turned on but the second switch 62 is turned off.

Then, when the idle mode selection key 55 is operated to be off, that is, when the call mode selection signal is received, the station controller 54 turns on the second switching unit 62 to receive the radio signal and to receive the received audio signal. Call mode is available.

The control process of the wireless earphone will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

In the following description, the idle mode selection key 55 is kept in the off state, that is, the call mode.

First, it is determined whether the charging mode (step 100). That is, the station controller 54 determines whether a signal indicating that the charging unit 57 has been disconnected from the power supply unit 40 from the connection / disconnection detection unit 59 is received.

If determined in the charging mode, the counter 56 is reset (step 110), and it is determined whether an activation signal is received (step 120).

If it is determined that the activation signal has not been received, it is determined whether the counted time has reached the reference time (step 130).

If it is determined in step 130 that the counted time has reached the reference time, it is shut down (step 140). That is, the station controller 54 turns off the first switching unit 61.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 120 that the active signal is received, it is determined whether the charging potential is less than the reference potential (step 150).

If the charging potential is determined to be less than the reference potential in step 150, it is shut down (step 140).

In contrast, if it is determined in step 150 that the charging potential is higher than the reference potential, it is determined whether the idle mode selection key 55 operation signal is received (step 160).

If it is determined that the idle mode selection key operation signal has been received, it is determined whether the idle mode signal is received (step 170).

If it is determined that the signal is idle, the power saving mode is performed (step 180). That is, only the second switching unit 62 is turned off.

If it is determined that the idle mode selection key off signal generation or the idle mode selection key operation signal has not been generated, the process returns to step 110.

On the other hand, it is determined whether the channel switching signal is received from the mother station in the idle mode off state (step 190).

If it is determined in step 190 that the channel selection signal has been received, the receiving channel is adjusted to maintain the channel corresponding to the received channel selection information (step 200). That is, if the channel selection signal is a signal for maintaining the channel 1, the radio receiver 51 adjusts the signal of the band corresponding to the channel 1 so as to receive the signal, and if the signal for maintaining the channel 2, the band corresponding to the channel 2 The radio receiver 51 adjusts the signal so that it can be received.

As described so far, according to the wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal and the control method thereof according to the present invention, the period of use is extended by interlocking the operation of the wireless earphone so that unnecessary power consumption does not occur depending on whether the mother station is operated. Can be extended

In addition, when the wireless earphone is disconnected from the mother device, the signal received through the plug is converted from the sound output unit and output through the wireless transmission unit, thereby making it possible to make a secret call without a user's key operation, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, the communication channel between the mother station apparatus and the wireless earphone can be switched in accordance with the user's channel selection information, thereby reducing the call sensitivity deterioration due to crosstalk.

Claims (7)

Wireless hands for mobile terminal comprising a mother station apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the mobile terminal through a plug formed to be connected to the earphone / microphone terminal of the mobile terminal, and a wireless earphone for processing a signal wirelessly transmitted from the mother terminal apparatus. In the free system, The wireless earphone is driven by the power supplied from the charging unit, and detects whether an activation signal is received from the mother station apparatus, and when the activation signal is received, outputs a voice signal transmitted from the mother station apparatus through an audio output apparatus. Performing a call mode, and stopping the operation of the power supply from the charging unit when the non-receiving state of the active signal lasts for a predetermined time, thereby stopping the operation of the wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mother country apparatus A power supply unit configured to receive power from an external power supply and supply power to a corresponding element, and to supply power to the charging unit; A load detection unit detecting a state in which the charging unit of the wireless earphone is coupled / disconnected to the charging terminal; When the combined detection signal is received from the load detection unit, the audio signal received from the plug is output through the audio output device, and when the separation detection signal is received from the load detection unit, the audio signal received from the plug is switched from the sound output device. And a mother station controller to wirelessly transmit the wireless earphone to the wireless earphone. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless earphone It is further provided with a idle mode selection key for turning on / off idle mode. And a station controller configured to perform a power saving mode so that power supply from the charging unit to the other element is cut off but only the idle mode selection key signal is detected when the idle mode selection key is turned on. Wireless Hands Free System. According to claim 2, wherein the home station device is the wireless earphone is disconnected from the home station device, A wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal, characterized in that a signal is generated and transmitted to the wireless earphone so that the level of the sound signal output from the wireless earphone is adjusted to correspond to the level set by the volume adjustment key for adjusting the sound output level. . The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mother station apparatus has a channel selection key for selecting one of a plurality of channels by the user, and transmits the selected channel information to the wireless earphone. The wireless earphone wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal, characterized in that for adjusting the reception channel corresponding to the received channel selection information. Wireless hands for mobile terminal comprising a mother station apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the mobile terminal through a plug formed to be connected to the earphone / microphone terminal of the mobile terminal, and a wireless earphone for processing a signal wirelessly transmitted from the mother terminal apparatus. In the wireless earphone control method of the free system, Detecting whether an activation signal indicating whether an operation state is received from the mother station is received; And stopping the operation of the wireless earphone when the activation signal is not received for a predetermined time. The method of claim 1, further comprising: stopping the operation of the wireless earphone. The wireless earphone control of a wireless hands-free system for a mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the wireless earphone further comprises switching to a corresponding receiving channel when receiving channel switching information is received from the mother station apparatus. Way.