Call support device

Abstract

The present invention provides a call support device capable of suppressing a decrease in operability of a mobile body call using a microphone provided in a mobile body, and capable of protecting the privacy of an occupant by turning off the microphone provided in the mobile body. A mobile body support device (1) is provided with: a call control unit (13) that transmits voice input to a mobile body microphone (31) to a communication terminal (50) via a mobile communication unit (40) provided in a mobile body (100), and executes a mobile body call; a microphone operation control unit (11) that switches the moving body microphone (31) between an ON state and an OFF state in response to an operation of a microphone switch provided to the moving body (100); and a microphone turn-off notification unit (12) that outputs a microphone turn-off state notification by a moving body notification unit provided in the moving body (100) when the moving body microphone (31) is in the turn-off state and the moving body call is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a call support device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle device has been known which communicates with a portable telephone brought into a vehicle by a vehicle occupant and performs a process in a terminal mode of mirror-displaying a screen of the portable telephone on a vehicle display provided in the vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the above vehicle device, a call start button is displayed on the vehicle display, and when a call of the portable telephone is started within a specified time from the detection of an operation of the call start button, a hands-free call for the call of the portable telephone is switched using a microphone and a speaker provided in the vehicle.

[0003] [Prior Art Documents]

[0004] [Patent Documents]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-213141 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] However, in a conventional vehicle device, when the vehicle is in a power-on state (ignition-on state), the microphone provided in the vehicle is set to be always on. In this case, it is assumed that a vehicle occupant is concerned that conversation voices between vehicle occupants, etc. are input to the microphone and leaked to the outside, and wants to turn off the microphone from the viewpoint of privacy. Therefore, it is considered to switch the on and off of the vehicle microphone by an operation of the occupant. However, in such a case of switching the on and off of the vehicle microphone, when the microphone is in the off state, a hands-free call using the vehicle microphone cannot be performed. And when an occupant wants to perform a hands-free call using the vehicle microphone without noticing that the vehicle microphone is in the off state, the reason why the hands-free call cannot be performed is unknown, so there is a concern that the occupant may feel a sense of discomfort and uneasiness. Therefore, the subject of the present application is to suppress such a concern of the occupant.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present application aims to suppress a reduction in the operability of a hands-free call, an in-vehicle video conference, etc., which are mobile body calls using a microphone provided in a mobile body, and to be able to protect the privacy of an occupant by turning off the microphone provided in the mobile body. Moreover, it further contributes to further improving traffic safety and the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0009] [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] As a means for achieving the above object, a call support device can be cited. The call support device supports a mobile call using a mobile microphone provided in the mobile body through a communication terminal brought into the mobile body. The call support device includes: a call control unit that transmits the voice input to the mobile microphone to the communication terminal through the mobile communication unit provided in the mobile body and executes the mobile call; a microphone operation control unit that switches the mobile microphone between an on state and an off state in response to an operation of a microphone switch provided in the mobile body; and a microphone off notification unit that outputs a microphone off state notification through a mobile notification unit provided in the mobile body when the mobile microphone is in the off state and the mobile call is being made.

[0011] In the above call support device, it can also be configured such that the mobile notification unit is a display, and the microphone off notification unit performs the following process: causing the display to display a microphone off notification image as an output of the microphone off state notification, the microphone off notification image showing that it is necessary to turn on the mobile microphone to make the mobile call.

[0012] In the above call support device, it can also be configured such that when the mobile microphone is switched from the off state to the on state by the microphone operation control unit in response to an operation of the microphone switch while the microphone off notification image is being displayed on the display, the call control unit switches to the mobile call.

[0013] In the above call support device, it can also be configured such that when the call control unit detects that the communication terminal switches from a terminal call using a terminal microphone provided in the communication terminal to the mobile call, and the mobile microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is being displayed on the display, and an operation to turn off the mobile microphone is performed through the microphone switch, the state of executing the terminal call is maintained.

[0014] In the above call support device, it can also be configured such that when there is an incoming call at the communication terminal while a communication is established between the communication terminal and the mobile communication unit, the call control unit displays an incoming call notification image notifying the incoming call on the display, and when answering the incoming call based on the incoming call notification image and the mobile microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is being displayed on the display, and an operation to turn off the mobile microphone is performed through the microphone switch, the call control unit continues to display the incoming call notification image on the display.

[0015] In the above-described call support device, it may also be configured that when a communication is established between the communication terminal and the mobile body communication unit, the call control unit displays a call start button for instructing the start of a call of the communication terminal on the display. When the call start button is operated and the mobile body microphone is in the off state and a microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, when an operation of turning off the mobile body microphone is performed by the microphone switch, the call control unit continues to display the call start button on the display.

[0016] In the above-described call support device, it may also be configured that during the execution of a mobile body call, when an operation of turning off the mobile body microphone is performed by the microphone switch, the call control unit displays a microphone off confirmation image notifying that the mobile body call cannot be executed when the mobile body microphone is turned off on the display.

[0017] In the above-described call support device, it may also be configured that the display is a touch panel display, and the call control unit causes the display to display the microphone off confirmation image including a microphone off determination button for determining an instruction to turn the mobile body microphone off. When the microphone off determination button is operated, the call control unit turns the mobile body microphone off.

[0018] In the above-described call support device, it may also be configured that the call support device includes a mobile state recognition unit that recognizes the mobile body as being in a mobile state. When the mobile state recognition unit recognizes that the mobile body is in a mobile state and the mobile body call is in execution, the microphone operation control unit prohibits switching the mobile body microphone to the off state.

[0019] [Advantages of the Invention]

[0020] According to the above-described call support device, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the operability of a mobile body call using the microphone provided in the mobile body, and it is possible to protect the privacy of the occupant by turning off the microphone provided in the mobile body. [Description of the Drawings]

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a vehicle equipped with a call support device.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a call support device.

[0023] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram of a microphone off notification image and a call operation image.

[0024] Figure 4Explanatory diagram of the image during hands - free call

[0025] Figure 5 Explanatory diagram of the microphone - off confirmation image

[0026] Figure 6 Flowchart of the response process when the mobile microphone is in the off state

[0027] Figure 7 Flowchart of the incoming - call response process

[0028] Figure 8 Flowchart of the call response process

[0029] Figure 9 Flowchart of the response process during mobile hands - free call

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals

[0031] 1…Call support device, 10…Processor, 11…Microphone operation control unit, 12…Microphone off notification unit, 13…Call control unit, 14…Movement state recognition unit, 20…Memory, 21…Program, 30…Display, 31…Mobile microphone, 32…Mobile speaker, 33…Speed sensor, 40…Mobile communication unit, 50…Communication terminal, 60…Microphone off notification image, 61…Microphone off message, 62…Microphone on button, 63…Microphone off button, 70…Call operation image, 71…Call start button, 72…Call end button, 80…Image during hands - free call, 90…Microphone off confirmation image, 92…Microphone off confirmation button, 93…Cancel button, 100…Vehicle, C…Occupant Detailed implementation manners

[0032] [1. Structure of the vehicle]

[0033] Refer to Figure 1 , the structure of the vehicle 100 equipped with the call support device 1 of this embodiment will be described. The vehicle 100 is a four - wheel vehicle and corresponds to the mobile body of the present disclosure. The vehicle 100 is provided with a call support device 1 and a mobile communication unit 40. The mobile communication unit 40 communicates wirelessly or wiredly with the communication terminal 50 held by the occupant C (the driver in Figure 1 ), who brings it into the vehicle 100. The wireless communication is performed through a short - range communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0034] In front of the driver's seat 110 of the vehicle 100 (such as the instrument panel), a display 30, a mobile microphone 31, and a mobile speaker 32 are provided. The display 30 is a touch panel display in which a touch sensor is arranged on the surface of a flat panel display such as an LCD or an organic EL. The display 30 corresponds to the mobile notification unit of the present disclosure. Further, the vehicle 100 is provided with a speed sensor 33 that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle 100.

[0035] The call support device 1 switches the on and off of the mobile microphone 31 according to the touch operation of the occupant C on the display 30, which will be described in detail later. Further, when communication is established between the mobile communication unit 40 and the communication terminal 50, the call support device 1 transmits the voice of the occupant C input to the mobile microphone 31 to the communication terminal 50, and outputs the voice of the call partner transmitted from the communication terminal 50 from the mobile speaker 32, and controls a mobile call in which a call is made to the call partner via the communication terminal 50. The mobile call includes various calls such as a hands-free call and an in-vehicle video conference executed by the communication terminal 50 using the speaker and microphone provided in the vehicle 100. Hereinafter, a case where the occupant C uses the hands-free call function as an example of the mobile call will be described.

[0036] [2. Structure of Call Support Device]

[0037] Refer to Figure 2 , the structure of the call support device 1 will be described. The call support device 1 is connected to the display 30, the mobile microphone 31, the mobile speaker 32, the speed sensor 33, and the mobile communication unit 40. The touch operation signal of the display 30 is input to the call support device 1, and the screen display of the display 30 is controlled by the image data output from the call support device 1. The speech signal of the occupant C input to the mobile microphone 31 is input to the call support device 1, and the voice signal of the call partner of the occupant C output from the call support device 1 is amplified and output by the mobile speaker 32.

[0038] The call support device 1 is a control unit including a processor 10, a memory 20, etc. A program 21 for controlling the call support device 1 is stored in the memory 20. The processor 10 functions as a microphone operation control unit 11, a microphone off notification unit 12, a call control unit 13, and a mobile state recognition unit 14 by reading and executing the program 21.

[0039] The microphone off notification unit 12, when the mobile microphone 31 is in the off state, will Figure 3The shown microphone-off notification image 60 is displayed on the display 30. In the microphone-off notification image 60, a message section 61 that notifies that the mobile microphone 31 is set to off and that the mobile microphone 31 needs to be turned on for mobile hands-free calls, a microphone-on button 62 for turning on the mobile microphone 31, and a microphone-off button 63 for turning off the mobile microphone 31 are displayed.

[0040] The microphone-on button 62 and the microphone-off button 63 correspond to the microphone switch of the present disclosure. In addition, the microphone-on button 62 and the microphone-off button 63 may not be included in the microphone-off notification image 60 but may be displayed in an area of the display 30 different from the microphone-off notification image 60. Additionally, the microphone switch may not be a touch button displayed on the display 30 but a physical switch. Further, it may be configured that there is one microphone switch, and each time the microphone switch is operated, the mobile microphone 31 is switched between the on state and the off state.

[0041] The microphone operation control unit 11 makes the mobile microphone 31 in the on state when the microphone-on button 62 is operated, and makes the mobile microphone 31 in the off state when the microphone-off button 63 is operated. The call control unit 13 controls mobile hands-free calls. In addition, as Figure 3 shown, a call operation image 70 for indicating the start and end of mobile hands-free calls is displayed on the display 30.

[0042] The call operation image 70 includes a call start button 71 for indicating the start (call) of mobile hands-free calls and a call end button 72 for indicating the end of mobile hands-free calls. The call control unit 13 starts the control of mobile hands-free calls according to the operation of the call start button 71 and ends the control of mobile hands-free calls according to the operation of the call end button 72. Additionally, when a call comes in to the communication terminal 50 (a call is received from the call partner), the call control unit 13 performs an emphasized display such as increasing the brightness of the call start button 71 (corresponding to the incoming call notification image of the present invention) to notify that a call is in progress.

[0043] In addition, when the call control unit 13 is performing mobile hands-free calls, it will Figure 4 shown hands-free call in progress image 80 is displayed on the display 30. The hands-free call in progress image 80 includes a message section 81, a microphone-on button 62, and a microphone-off button 63. The message section 81 notifies that mobile hands-free calls cannot be used when mobile hands-free calls are being performed and the mobile microphone 31 is set to off.

[0044] When the microphone-off button 63 of the hands-free call in progress image 80 is operated, the call control unit 13 will Figure 5The microphone-off confirmation image 90 shown is displayed on the display 30. The microphone-off confirmation image 90 includes: a message section 91 that notifies that when the mobile body microphone 31 is turned off, the hands-free call of the mobile body ends and switches to a terminal call; a microphone-off determination button 92 that is used to determine the off instruction of the mobile body microphone 31; and a cancel button 93 that is used to abort the off instruction of the mobile body microphone 31.

[0045] The call control unit 13 sets the mobile body microphone 31 to the off state according to the operation of the microphone-off determination button 92, and maintains the mobile body microphone 31 in the on state according to the operation of the cancel button 93. Hereinafter, the details of the processing performed by the microphone operation control unit 11, the microphone-off notification unit 12, and the call control unit 13 will be described. The movement state recognition unit 14 recognizes that the vehicle 100 is in motion (the vehicle 100 is moving) based on the speed detection signal input from the speed sensor 33.

[0046] [3. Response processing when the mobile body microphone is in the off state]

[0047] According to Figure 6 the flowchart shown, the processing performed by the call support device 1 when the mobile body microphone 31 is in the off state will be described. In step S1 of Figure 6 , the microphone-off notification unit 12 determines whether the mobile body microphone 31 is in the off state. When the mobile body microphone 31 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S2. When the mobile body microphone 31 is in the on state, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0048] In step S2, the microphone-off notification unit 12 displays Figure 3 the microphone-off notification image 60 shown on the display 30. Through the loop processing of the next step S3 and step S4, the microphone operation control unit 11 determines in step S4 whether the microphone-off button 63 (refer to Figure 3 ) is turned off, and determines in step S10 whether the microphone-on button 62 (refer to Figure 3 ) is operated. Here, regarding the microphone-off notification image 60, it can be always displayed when the mobile body microphone 31 is set to off, or it can be displayed only when a selection operation for detecting the function of using the mobile body microphone 31 (hands-free call, voice session application, etc.) is detected.

[0049] When the microphone off button 63 is operated, the microphone operation control unit 11 causes the process to proceed from step S3 to step S4. In step S4, the call control unit 13 determines whether a terminal call is being made through the communication terminal 50 (a call using the microphone 51 and the speaker 52 provided in the communication terminal 50). When no terminal call is being executed, the call control unit 13 causes the process to proceed to step S6, and when a terminal call is being executed, it causes the process to proceed to step S5, continuing the terminal call without transmitting and receiving call voices to and from the communication terminal 50.

[0050] When the microphone on button 62 is operated, the microphone operation control unit 11 causes the process to proceed from step S10 to step S11. In step S11, the microphone operation control unit 11 sets the mobile microphone 31 to on, causing the process to proceed to step S6. As a result, the mobile microphone 31 becomes on, and it becomes possible to perform mobile hands-free calls and operations based on voices of in-vehicle devices (navigation devices, audio devices, air conditioning devices, etc.). In this case, after setting the mobile microphone 31 to on in step S11, when a terminal call is in progress and the mobile call is set to on, the call control unit 13 switches to mobile hands-free calls.

[0051] [4. Incoming Call Response Processing]

[0052] According to Figure 7 the flowchart shown, the response processing when a call comes in to the communication terminal 50 will be described. In Figure 7 step S20, when the call control unit 13 receives an incoming call signal from the communication terminal 50, it causes the process to proceed to step S21.

[0053] In step S21, the call control unit 13 displays an image emphasizing the call start button 71 (refer to Figure 3 ) as an incoming call image on the display 30. In the next step S22, the call control unit 13 determines whether there is a response operation to the incoming call (an operation of the call start button 71 or a response operation in the communication terminal 50). The call control unit 13 causes the process to proceed to step S23 when there is a response operation, and causes the process to proceed to step S20 when there is no response operation.

[0054] In the next step S23, the call control unit 13 determines whether hands-free calling is set to on in the communication terminal 50. Then, the call control unit 13 causes the process to proceed to step S24 when hands-free calling is set to on, and causes the process to proceed to step S36 when hands-free calling is set to off. In step S36, the call control unit 13 starts the control of the terminal call, causing the process to proceed to step S27. As a result, the terminal call based on the communication terminal 50 starts.

[0055] In step S24, the call control unit 13 determines whether the mobile microphone 31 is in the off state. When the mobile microphone 31 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S30. When the mobile microphone 31 is in the on state, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the call control unit 13 ends the display of the incoming call image. In the next step S25, the call control unit 13 transmits the voice of the occupant C input to the mobile microphone 31 to the communication terminal 50, starts the control of the mobile hands-free call, and makes the process proceed to step S27.

[0056] In step S30, the call control unit 13 displays the microphone off notification image 60 (refer to Figure 3 ) on the display 30, notifying that it is necessary to set the mobile microphone 31 to the on state for the mobile hands-free call to the occupant C. In the next step S31, the call control unit 13 determines whether the microphone off button 63 (refer to Figure 3 ) has been operated. Then, when the microphone off button 63 is operated, the call control unit 13 makes the process proceed to step S35. When the microphone off button 63 is not operated, the call control unit 13 makes the process proceed to step S32.

[0057] In step S35, the call control unit 13 continues to display the incoming call image and makes the process proceed to step S27. Thus, the occupant C is continuously notified that it is necessary to set the mobile microphone to the on state for the mobile hands-free call. In addition, in step S32, the call control unit 13 determines whether the microphone on button 62 (refer to Figure 3 ) has been operated. When the microphone on button 62 is operated, the process proceeds to step S33. When the microphone on button 62 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S31.

[0058] In step S33, the call control unit 13 ends the display of the incoming call image. In the next step S34, the call control unit 13 turns on the mobile microphone 31, starts the control of the mobile hands-free call, and makes the process proceed to step S27.

[0059] [5. Call response processing]

[0060] According to Figure 8 the flowchart shown, the response processing in the case of an operation of making a call (starting a call) to the occupant C will be described. In step S40, the call control unit 13 displays the call start button 71 (refer to Figure 3 ) on the display 30. In the next step S41, the call control unit 13 determines whether the call start button 71 has been operated. When the call start button 71 is operated, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0061] In step S42, the call control unit 13 determines whether the hands-free call is set to on in the communication terminal 50. When the hands-free call is set to on, the call control unit 13 advances the process to step S43, and when the hands-free call is set to off, the call control unit 13 advances the process to step S56. In step S56, the call control unit 13 starts the control of the terminal call and advances the process to step S46. Thus, the terminal call based on the communication terminal 50 is started.

[0062] In step S43, the call control unit 13 determines whether the mobile microphone 31 is in the off state. When the mobile microphone 31 is in the off state, the process advances to step S50, and when the mobile microphone 31 is in the on state, the process advances to step S44.

[0063] In step S44, the call control unit 13 ends the display of the call start button 71. In the next step S45, the call control unit 13 sends a signal instructing the call to the terminal of the call partner to the communication terminal 50, sends the voice of the occupant C input to the mobile microphone 31 to the communication terminal 50, starts the control of the mobile hands-free call for outputting the voice of the call partner sent from the communication terminal 50 from the mobile speaker 32, and advances the process to step S46.

[0064] In step S50, the call control unit 13 displays the microphone off notification image 60 (see Figure 3 ) on the display 30. In the next step S51, the call control unit 13 determines whether the microphone off button 63 (see Figure 3 ) has been operated. When the microphone off button 63 has been operated, the process advances to step S55, and when the microphone off button 63 has not been operated, the process advances to step S52.

[0065] In step S55, the call control unit 13 continues the display of the call start button 71 and advances the process to step S46. By continuing the display of the call start button 71, it is possible to continue to notify the occupant C that switching to the mobile hands-free call by setting the mobile microphone 31 to on.

[0066] In step S52, the call control unit 13 determines whether the microphone on button 62 (see Figure 3 ) has been operated. When the microphone on button 62 has been operated, the process advances to step S53, and when the microphone on button 62 has not been operated, the process advances to step S51. In step S53, the call control unit 13 ends the display of the call start button 71. In the next step S54, the call control unit 13 turns on the mobile microphone 31, starts the control of the mobile hands-free call, and advances the process to step S46.

[0067] [Response Processing in Mobile Hands-Free Calls]

[0068] According to Figure 9 the flowchart shown, the response processing when performing a mobile hands-free call will be described. In step S60 of Figure 8 , the call control unit 13 determines whether a mobile hands-free call is being performed, and when a mobile hands-free call is being performed, the process proceeds to step S61.

[0069] In step S61, the call control unit 13 displays the hands-free call image 80 (refer to Figure 4 ) on the display 30. In the next step S62, the call control unit 13 determines whether the microphone off button 63 (refer to Figure 4 ) has been operated. Then, when the microphone off button 63 has been operated, the call control unit 13 makes the process proceed to step S70, and when the microphone off button 63 has not been operated, the call control unit 13 makes the process proceed to step S63.

[0070] In step S70, the call control unit 13 displays the microphone off confirmation image 90 (refer to Figure 5 ) on the display 30, thereby confirming with the occupant C whether the mobile microphone 31 can be truly turned off. Through the loop processing of the next steps S71 and S72, the call control unit 13 determines in step S71 whether the cancel button 93 (refer to Figure 5 ) has been operated, and determines in step S72 whether the microphone off confirmation button 92 (refer to Figure 5 ) has been operated.

[0071] When the cancel button 93 is operated, the call control unit 13 makes the process proceed from step S71 to step S63, and in this case, the mobile microphone 31 is maintained in the on state. In addition, when the microphone off confirmation button 92 is operated, the call control unit 13 makes the process proceed from step S72 to step S73. In step S73, the call control unit 13 sets the mobile microphone 31 to off, switches the control from the mobile hands-free call to the terminal call, and makes the process proceed to step S63.

[0072] [7. Other Embodiments]

[0073] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 100 is shown as the mobile body of the present disclosure, but the mobile body of the present disclosure may be any mobile body that has a mobile microphone and is capable of performing a mobile hands-free call using the mobile microphone of a communication terminal brought in by the occupant, and may also be an airplane, a ship, etc.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the microphone-off notification unit 12 performs a process of displaying a microphone-off notification image 60 on the display 30 as an output of the microphone-off state notification of the present disclosure. As another embodiment, the microphone-off notification unit 12 may also perform the following process: output a voice message notifying that the mobile body microphone 31 is in the off state from the mobile body speaker 32 as an output of the microphone-off state notification of the present disclosure. In this case, the mobile body speaker 32 corresponds to the mobile body notification unit of the present disclosure. In addition, the display of the microphone-off notification image 60 on the display 30 and the output of the voice message notifying that the mobile body microphone 31 is in the off state performed by the mobile body speaker 32 may be performed together.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, through the process based on Figure 9 the flowchart shown, the call control unit 13 displays a hands-free call image 80 on the display 30 during a mobile body hands-free call, and displays a microphone-off confirmation image 90 on the display 30 when the microphone-off button 63 is operated. As another embodiment, when performing a mobile body hands-free call in a state where the vehicle 100 is recognized to be in a traveling state by the movement state recognition unit 14, the microphone operation control unit 11 may prohibit the switching of the mobile body microphone 31 to the off state. In this case, an image notifying that the off operation of the mobile body microphone 31 is prohibited may be displayed on the display 30.

[0076] In addition, Figure 1 、 Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structures of the vehicle 100 and the call support device 1 distinguished according to the main processing contents for easy understanding of the invention of the present application. The structures of the vehicle 100 and the call support device 1 may also be configured by other distinctions. In addition, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware unit or by multiple hardware units. In addition, Figures 6 to 9 the processing of each component in the flowchart shown can be executed by one program or by multiple programs.

[0077] [8. Structure Supported by the Above Embodiment]

[0078] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following structure.

[0079] (Structure 1) A call support device that supports a mobile call using a mobile microphone of a mobile body through a communication terminal brought into the mobile body. The call support device includes: a call control unit that transmits voice input to the mobile microphone to the communication terminal through a mobile communication unit of the mobile body and executes the mobile call; a microphone operation control unit that switches the mobile microphone between an on state and an off state in response to an operation of a microphone switch of the mobile body; and a microphone off notification unit that outputs a microphone off state notification through a mobile notification unit of the mobile body when the mobile microphone is in the off state and the mobile call is being made.

[0080] The call support device according to Structure 1 can suppress a decrease in the operability of a mobile call using a mobile microphone and can protect the privacy of the occupant by turning off the mobile microphone.

[0081] (Structure 2) The call support device according to Structure 1, wherein the mobile notification unit is a display, and the microphone off notification unit performs the following process: causing the display to display a microphone off notification image as an output of the microphone off state notification, the microphone off notification image showing that it is necessary to turn on the mobile microphone to make the mobile call.

[0082] The call support device according to Structure 2 can notify the occupant of a state where a mobile call cannot be made by displaying the microphone off notification image on the display, and supports the occupant in choosing whether to keep the mobile microphone in the off state or switch it to the on state.

[0083] (Structure 3) The call support device according to Structure 2, wherein when the mobile microphone is switched from the off state to the on state by the microphone operation control unit in response to an operation of the microphone switch while the microphone off notification image is being displayed on the display, the call control unit switches to the mobile call.

[0084] The call support device according to Structure 3 is set to a state where a mobile call can be made in response to an operation of setting the mobile microphone to the on state by the microphone switch, thereby making it easier for the occupant of the mobile body to start a mobile call.

[0085] (Structure 4) A call support device according to Structure 2 or 3, wherein when the call control unit detects that the communication terminal switches from a terminal call using the terminal microphone provided in the communication terminal to the vehicle call, and the vehicle microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, when an operation to turn off the vehicle microphone is performed through the microphone switch, the state of executing the terminal call is maintained.

[0086] According to the call support device of Structure 4, in a case where it is assumed that the occupant of the vehicle has no intention of making a vehicle call based on an operation to turn off the vehicle microphone by the occupant of the vehicle, the state of executing the terminal call can be maintained.

[0087] (Structure 5) A call support device according to any one of Structures 2 to 4, wherein when in a state where communication is established between the communication terminal and the vehicle communication unit, when there is an incoming call to the communication terminal, the call control unit displays an incoming call notification image notifying the incoming call on the display, and when answering the incoming call based on the incoming call notification image and the vehicle microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, when an operation to turn off the vehicle microphone is performed through the microphone switch, the call control unit continues to display the incoming call notification image on the display.

[0088] According to the call support device of Structure 5, by continuously displaying the incoming call notification image, the occupant who has started a terminal call can be made aware that they are in a state where they can turn on the vehicle microphone and switch to a vehicle call.

[0089] (Structure 6) A call support device according to any one of Structures 2 to 5, wherein

[0090] when in a state where communication is established between the communication terminal and the vehicle communication unit, the call control unit displays a call start button for instructing the start of a call of the communication terminal on the display, and when the call start button is operated and the vehicle microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, when an operation to turn off the vehicle microphone is performed through the microphone switch, the call control unit continues to display the call start button on the display.

[0091] According to the call support device of Structure 6, by continuously displaying the call start button, the occupant who has performed an operation to turn off the vehicle microphone can be made aware that they can switch the vehicle microphone to the on state and start a vehicle call.

[0092] The call support device (Structure 7) according to any one of Structures 2 to 6, wherein, during the execution of the mobile body call, when the operation of turning off the mobile body microphone is performed through the microphone switch, the call control unit displays a microphone off confirmation image notifying that the mobile body call cannot be executed when the mobile body microphone is turned off on the display.

[0093] With the call support device according to Structure 7, it is possible to avoid the situation where, when a passenger of the mobile body accidentally ends the mobile body call and performs an operation to turn off the mobile body microphone, the mobile body microphone is turned off and the mobile body call is ended against the will of the passenger.

[0094] The call support device (Structure 8) according to Structure 7, wherein the display is a touch panel display, and the call control unit causes the display to display the microphone off confirmation image including a microphone off determination button for determining an instruction to turn the mobile body microphone into an off state, and when the microphone off determination button is operated, the call control unit turns the mobile body microphone into an off state.

[0095] With the call support device according to Structure 8, it is possible to set the mobile body microphone to an off state on the basis of confirmation by a passenger of the mobile body.

[0096] The call support device (Structure 9) according to any one of Structures 1 to 8, wherein

[0097] the call support device includes a mobile state recognition unit that recognizes the mobile body as being in a mobile state,

[0098] when the mobile state recognition unit recognizes that the mobile body is in a mobile state and the mobile body call is in execution, the microphone operation control unit prohibits switching the mobile body microphone to an off state.

[0099] With the call support device according to Structure 9, it is possible to avoid the situation where, when the mobile body is in a mobile state, the mobile body microphone is turned off and the mobile body call is switched to a terminal call.

Claims

1. A call support device for supporting a mobile call using a mobile microphone provided in the mobile body through a communication terminal brought into the mobile body, wherein: The call support device has: a call control unit for transmitting the voice input to the mobile microphone to the communication terminal via the mobile communication unit provided in the mobile body, thereby executing the mobile call; a microphone operation control unit that switches the mobile body microphone between an on state and an off state in response to an operation of a microphone switch provided to the mobile body; as well as A microphone-off notification unit outputs a microphone-off state notification through a mobile body notification unit provided in the mobile body when the mobile body microphone is in an off state and the mobile body call is being made.

2. The call support device according to claim 1, wherein: The mobile body notification unit is a display, The microphone-off notification unit performs processing for causing the display to display a microphone-off notification image as an output of the microphone-off state notification, the microphone-off notification image indicating that the mobile microphone needs to be turned on in order to conduct the mobile phone call.

3. The call support device according to claim 2, wherein: When the microphone operation control unit switches the mobile microphone from the off state to the on state in response to the operation of the microphone switch while the microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, the call control unit switches to the mobile call.

4. The call support device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: When the call control unit detects that the communication terminal switches from a terminal call using a terminal microphone of the communication terminal to the mobile call, and the mobile microphone is in a turned-off state and the microphone-off notification image is displayed on the display, the terminal call is maintained when an operation to turn off the mobile microphone is performed using the microphone switch.

5. The call support device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: When communication is established between the communication terminal and the mobile communication unit, the call control unit displays an incoming call notification image on the display to notify the incoming call when there is an incoming call at the communication terminal. When the incoming call is answered according to the incoming call notification image and the mobile microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, when the mobile microphone is turned off by the microphone switch, the call control unit continues to display the incoming call notification image on the display.

6. The call support device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: When communication is established between the communication terminal and the mobile communication unit, the call control unit displays a call start button for instructing the communication terminal to start a call on the display. When the call start button is operated and the mobile microphone is in the off state and the microphone off notification image is displayed on the display, when the mobile microphone is turned off by the microphone switch, the call control unit continues to display the call start button on the display.

7. The call support device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: During the execution of the mobile call, when the mobile microphone is turned off by the microphone switch, the call control unit displays a microphone off confirmation image on the display to notify that the mobile call cannot be executed when the mobile microphone is turned off.

8. The call support device according to claim 7, wherein: The display is a touch panel display, The call control unit causes the display to display the microphone off confirmation image including a microphone off confirmation button, wherein the microphone off confirmation button is used to confirm an instruction to turn the mobile microphone into a turned-off state. When the microphone off confirmation button is operated, the call control unit turns the mobile microphone into a turned-off state.

9. The call support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The call support device includes a moving state recognition unit for recognizing that the moving object is in a moving state. When the moving state recognition unit recognizes that the moving object is in a moving state and the mobile object call is in progress, the microphone operation control unit prohibits switching the moving object microphone to an off state.

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