An in-vehicle hand-free apparatus that is for ensuring hand-free talk by a short-range wireless communication system in compliance with the Bluetooth includes a notification unit which notifies the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus. As the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus notifies the status thereof by the notification unit, the user can easily perceive the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle hand-free apparatus, and is suitable for application to an in-vehicle hand-free apparatus which includes a hand-free remote controller which is wirelessly connected to, for example, a cellular phone, and enables voice talking.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-111831 discloses an in-vehicle hand-free apparatus which enables a user to talk on a cellular phone without holding the cellular phone while driving, for example, a car.

In practice, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus comprises a control unit which controls the whole in-vehicle hand-free apparatus, and a hand-free remote controller which has wired connection to the control unit, and ensures wireless connection to a cellular phone by wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) as wireless communication standard. This apparatus enables a user to talk on a cellular phone or a wired telephone through the hand-free remote controller.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus with such a structure permits the hand-free remote controller to be located on a pillar which is positioned near the front of the head of the user sitting at a driver's seat, making it possible to prevent the interruption of wireless communication between the cellular phone and the hand-free remote controller due to an obstacle or the like, and ensure talking without holding the cellular phone.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus employing the above-described structure, however, does not confirm the status of the hand-free remote controller as to, for example, whether or not the cellular phone currently performs talking through the hand-free remote controller.

With the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus employing the above-described structure, in particular, no voice talking is carried out in a state where the cellular phone directly connected to the hand-free remote controller in a wireless manner does not establish a call with a base station, i.e., the cellular phone is in a standby mode. It is difficult to make the user recognize whether or not the cellular phone and the hand-free remote controller are properly wirelessly connected to each other (that is, establish synchronization).

The invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the invention to provide an in-vehicle hand-free apparatus which enables a user to easily confirm the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the object, according to an aspect of the invention, an in-vehicle hand-free apparatus which is for ensuring hand-free talking in a vehicle using a phone comprises a notification unit which notifies a status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus may further comprise an operating unit, and the notification unit may be a light emitting unit which operates in accordance with an operation of the operating unit performed by a user.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus may further comprise an operating unit, and the notification unit may be a sound generating device which operates in accordance with an operation of the operating unit performed by a user.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus may further comprise an operating unit, and the notification unit may comprise a light emitting unit and a sound generating device both of which operate in accordance with an operation of the operating unit performed by a user.

The light emitting unit may be provided at the back of the operating unit.

The light emitting unit may change an emission state to notify the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

The sound generating device may change a sound state to notify the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

The light emitting unit may change an emission state to notify the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus, and the sound generating device may change a sound state to notify the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

The light emitting unit may change an emission state to notify the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus may be wirelessly connected to the phone by radio waves of a short-range wireless communication system, and upon recognition of that wireless connection, the notification unit notifies the user of a result of that recognition.

The notification unit may include at least one of a light emitting unit and a sound generating device, and when the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus is unable to establish synchronization with the phone and is not wirelessly connected thereto, the sound generating device may generate a predetermined disconnection-state indicating sound, or the light emitting unit may turn out light.

When the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus has established synchronization with the phone to be wirelessly connected thereto, the light emitting unit may emit light.

The notification unit may be a light emitting unit which flickers in a first period to notify the user of talking over the phone being in progress when talking over the phone starts, and flickers in a second period to notify the user of an incoming call to the phone when the phone has received that call.

The in-vehicle hand-free may further comprise a case body on whose front side the operating unit is provided, the light emitting unit provided in a transparent cover in front of the case body, and the user may see the emission state of the light emitting unit through the transparent cover.

The case body may be located on a pillar positioned near the front of the head of the user sitting at a driver's seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A hand-free system1inFIG. 1comprises an in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2which is disposed in a vehicle to ensure hand-free talking, and a cellular phone3which can wirelessly communicate with the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2. The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2comprises a control unit4which is disposed in an arbitrary location, such as in a center console, or in a front panel, and a hand-free remote controller6connected to the control unit4by a cable5.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2establishes synchronization of the hand-free remote controller6with the cellular phone3and wireless connection therebetween by wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) as wireless communication standard. Accordingly, after wireless connection between the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3is established, wireless communication is started between the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3establishing a call with a base station (not illustrated).

The hand-free remote controller6is located on a pillar positioned near the front of the head of a user at a driver's seat, so that a microphone7is located relatively close to the mouth of the user sitting at the driver's seat. This enables a user to talk to another cellular phone (not illustrated) or a wired telephone (not illustrated) without holding the cellular phone3.

The cellular phone3used by the hand-free system1includes, for example, a Bluetooth module10in the casing of the cellular phone so as to ensure wireless connection to the hand-free remote controller6by wireless communication method confirm to the Bluetooth as wireless communication standard.

The Bluetooth is a short-range wireless data communication standard which is standardized by the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) as a standardization group. The Bluetooth sets 79 channels of 1-MHz bandwidths in the 2.4-GHz ISM band, uses a frequency hopping type spread spectrum communication system which switches the channel 1600 times per second, and ensures wireless data communication over a distance of approximately 10 m at a data transfer rate of 1 Mbits/sec (effective rate: 721 kbits/sec).

In addition, the hand-free remote controller6is provided with an light emitting unit11and a speaker (to be discussed later), both as notification means, allows the light emitting unit11to emit light in a predetermined way according to a state where synchronization with the cellular phone3is established and the state of wireless communication, and generates a predetermined notifying sound from the speaker, thereby visually and aurally notifying the user of either the wireless-connection state (synchronization established state) or the wireless communication state.

In practice, as illustrated inFIG. 2, andFIGS. 3(a) to3(c), the hand-free remote controller6has a case body12generally formed in an approximately rectangular shape. The case body12houses a circuit board12A on which various circuits of the hand-free remote controller6are disposed.

In the case body12, a Bluetooth antenna13and a Bluetooth communication processor (to be discussed later) are disposed in the case body12on one end side, and the microphone7is disposed in the front of the other end side.

Provided on a top face15of the case body12along the lengthwise direction is an operating unit19which comprises an answer switch16for talking in response to an incoming call, terminating talk, and turning off power, a volume-up switch17for turning up the volume of the voice of a talking party output from an in-vehicle front speaker (not illustrated), and a volume-down switch18for turning down the volume of the voice of the talking party, and switching between manual and auto modes (to be discussed later). The operating unit19is provided with semi-transparent covers21,22, and23respectively having optimal patterns according to the functions of the answer switch16, the volume-up switch17, and the volume-down switch18.

A plurality of backlight LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)24are provided at locations which are covered with the semi-transparent covers21,22, and23. Accordingly, the backlight LEDs24(for example, green LEDs) of the hand-free remote6emit lights from the inside the semi-transparent covers21,22, and23to highlight the patterns, so that the user can easily identify the answer switch16, volume-up switch17, and volume-down switch18in the night.

In addition, the light emitting unit11is provided on the top face15of the case body12and covered with a transparent cover28. The light emitting unit11comprises a blue LED26and a red LED27disposed on the rear face of one end side of the operating unit19in such a way that those LEDs are arranged in the widthwise direction of the case body12. Light emissions of the blue LED26and the red LED27from inside the transparent cover28enable the user to see the emission states of those LEDs26and27through the transparent cover28in the night or in the daytime.

A speaker30as a sound generating device is provided near the approximate center of a rear face29of the case body12which contacts a pillar8, and the user can be notified of the sound state of the speaker30. An opening31is formed in the approximate center of the rear face29of the case body12, and the cable5is pulled out from the opening31.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, in the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, a wired interface35of the hand-free remote controller6and a remote-controller-side wired interface36of the control unit4are connected together, and various kinds of information are exchanged between the control unit4and the hand-free remote controller6.

In the control unit4, the remote-controller-side wired interface36and an audio-side wired interface38are connected to a controller37which controls various functions overall, and the audio-side wired interface38is connected to a car audio40(FIG. 1) and the in-vehicle front speaker (not illustrated).

The hand-free remote controller6comprises the operating unit19as an operating unit, the backlight LED24for illuminating the operating unit19, a Bluetooth communication processor41connected to the Bluetooth antenna13, the microphone7for collecting the voice of the user, and a notification unit42as a notification unit. The notification unit42comprises the speaker30and the light emitting unit11including the blue LED26, and the red LED27.

In practice, the Bluetooth communication processor41allows the hand-free remote controller6to establish synchronization (wireless connection) state over the frequency axis and the time axis by sharing frequency hopping patterns and time slots with the Bluetooth module10of the cellular phone3.

In this case, the hand-free remote controller6controls one or more cellular phones (not illustrated), thereby causing the cellular phones to synchronize with the frequency hopping patterns and time slots of the remote controller6. Therefore, the hand-free remote controller6can individually maintain synchronization with one or more cellular phones to exchange various kinds of data with the cellular phones.

As explained above, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2easily ensures wireless communications among a plurality of cellular phones without providing a repeater which corresponds to a base station or the like in addition to voice talking merely by substitution of the cable5between the cellular phone3and the in-car hand-free apparatus2.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2can register, for example, three specific cellular phones, identified based on the identification information of those cellular phones, beforehand. When powered on, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2preferentially establishes synchronization with the registered three cellular phones based on the identification information, and stores a talking log of the registered three cellular phones.

In practice, the controller37sends a query signal through the antenna13, and receives a response signal from an answered cellular phone, determines whether or not the answered cellular phone is one of the three cellular phones registered beforehand based on the identification information, and preferentially establishes synchronization with the registered three cellular phones. When the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is powered on, for example, the controller37specifies the cellular phone among the registered cellular phones that has carried out voice talking last based on the talking log, and sends a query signal for establishing synchronization with this specified cellular phone for a predetermined period (for example, approximately one minute). Next, the controller37sends a query signal for establishing synchronization with that one of the remaining two registered cellular phones which is used for voice talking more than the other one for a predetermined period (for example, approximately one minute). Then, the controller37sends a query signal for establishing synchronization with the last remaining registered cellular phone for a predetermined period (for example, approximately one minute). In this manner, the controller37sequentially searches for the registered three cellular phones, and establishes synchronizations for wireless connection when receiving a response signals from any one of the registered three cellular phones.

After establishing the synchronizations with those registered three cellular phones, when receiving a response signal from a new cellular phone, the controller37specifies a cellular phone which is least frequently used for voice talking based on the talking log, and establishes synchronization with the new cellular phone instead of the specified cellular phone.

In addition to such a structure, the controller37generates an connection-state indicating emission signal when having acknowledged the synchronization with the cellular phone3based on a signal from the Bluetooth communication processor41, and sends the connection-state indicating emission signal to the light emitting unit11of the notification unit42through the remote-controller-side wired interface36and the wired interface35, in order.

Accordingly, the light emitting unit11as the light emitting unit turns on the OFF-state blue LED26based on the connection-state indicating emission signal. Thus, the light emitting unit11can allow the user to intuitively notice that the synchronization for the wireless connection have been established between the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3through the user's visual sense by turning the blue LED26on.

In addition, the controller37may generate a connection-state indicating sound, and output this sound through the speaker30. In this case, the user can be allowed to intuitively notice through the user's auditory sense that the synchronization for the wireless connection has been established according to the connection-state indicating sound emitted from the speaker30.

The controller37starts wireless communication with the cellular phone3while maintaining wireless connection thereto. When the answer switch16of the operating unit19is depressed, the controller37causes the cellular phone3to execute a calling process or an incoming call receiving process to establish a call between the cellular phone3and a base station, thus ensuring voice talking.

In practice, when having received voice data of a talking party sent from the Bluetooth module10of the cellular phone3through the antenna13at the time of wireless communication, the Bluetooth communication processor41generates a voice signal by executing predetermined signal processing on the voice data, and sends processes data to the car audio40through the wired interface35and the control unit4. This makes it possible for the user to hear the voice of the talking party sent from the cellular phone3, through the in-vehicle front speaker (on, for example, a navigator's seat side in this case).

The controller37sends the voice signal of the user collected through the microphone7to the Bluetooth communication processor41, executes predetermined signal processing on that voice signal, and sends the processed signal as the radio wave of wireless communication in compliance with the Bluetooth defined as the short-range (or near field) wireless communication standard, to the cellular phone3through the antenna13.

Thus, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2receives a signal transmitted from the hand-free remote controller6through the Bluetooth module10of the cellular phone3, and transmits that signal to a base station through the antenna of the cellular phone3, thereby transmitting the voice of the user input through the microphone7of the hand-free remote controller6to the other cellular phone.

At this time, the controller37can notify various operation statuses using the light emitting unit11and the speaker30.

(Light Emitting Operation of Light Emitting Unit and Sounding Operation of Speaker)

Next, the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit11and the sounding operation of the speaker30in accordance with various operation statuses of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2after synchronization for wireless connection to the cellular phone3are established will be explained with reference to time charts inFIGS. 5 to 11.

(Timing For Calling Instruction Operation)

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2sends the name or phone number of the other party, which is input through the microphone7by the user in voice, as voice data to the cellular phone3through the antenna13. When having received the voice data through the Bluetooth module10, the cellular phone3recognizes the name of the other party or the like by voice recognition means (not illustrated), and automatically executes a calling process, thus establishing a call between the cellular phone3and the base station.

In practice, as illustrated inFIG. 5(a), when the answer switch16of the operating unit19is pressed, the speaker30, as illustrated inFIG. 5(b), generates a short sound (of 0.3 sec. in this case) as a switch confirmation sound and in response to the depression. As illustrated inFIG. 5(c), the Bluetooth communication processor41starts wireless communication, and sends a calling instruction signal to the cellular phone3through the antenna13. When having received the calling instruction signal through the Bluetooth module10, the cellular phone3executes the calling process based on the calling instruction signal, establishes a call between the cellular phone3and the base station, then starts voice talking to the other cellular phone. In this manner, the user can control the calling process through the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2without directly operating the cellular phone3.

Upon recognition of the start of the wireless communication between the cellular phone3and the hand-free remote controller6, as illustrated inFIG. 5(e), the controller37makes the lighting blue LED26flicker in, for example, a slow period having a long interval between the individual flickers (hereinafter, “first period”). Therefore, the user can perceive the wireless communication in which the voice data transmission and reception are carried out between the cellular phone3and the hand-free remote controller6based on a change in the emission state of the blue LED26(in this case, flickering at the first period).

As illustrated inFIGS. 5(d) and5(b), when having received a predetermined signal sent from the Bluetooth module10at the time of the start or end of a recognition time at which the cellular phone3recognizes the name of the third party or the like by the voice recognition means, through the antenna13, the controller37makes the speaker30generate a confirmation sound.

A predetermined time T1in the figure is defined by the communication state with the Bluetooth module10of the cellular phone3and the Bluetooth communication processor41, and a predetermined time T2is defined by the cellular phone3.

(Timings For Reception of Incoming Call and Talking)

As illustrated inFIGS. 6(a) and6(d), when there is an incoming call to the cellular phone3, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2starts wireless communication between the cellular phone3and the hand-free remote controller6which are wirelessly connected, and receives an incoming call notification signal transmitted from the Bluetooth module10of the cellular phone3through the antenna13. Accordingly, the controller37outputs an incoming call notifying sound from the in-vehicle front speaker (not illustrated) through the car audio40according to the incoming call notification signal.

As illustrated inFIG. 6(c), when the cellular phone3and the hand-free remote controller6start the wireless communication, the controller37generates a short sound as a wireless communication confirmation sound from the speaker30. Accordingly, the user can perceive through the user's auditory sense that the wireless communication with the cellular phone3has started and the incoming call is currently received.

In addition, when the wireless communication is started, the controller37starts making the blue LED26flicker in, for example, a fast period having a short interval between the individual flickers (hereinafter, “second period”), as illustrated inFIG. 6(f), based on the incoming-call notification signal. This makes it possible for the user to perceive that the wireless communication with the cellular phone3has started and the incoming call is currently received, based on the light emitting state (in this case, flickering in the second period) of the blue LED26.

After that, in the incoming call reception state, as illustrated inFIG. 6(b), when the answer switch16is pressed, the controller37makes the speaker30generate a short sound as a switch confirmation sound in response to that depression, generates an incoming-call instruction signal, and sends this signal through the Bluetooth communication processor41and the antenna13. When having received the incoming call instruction signal through the Bluetooth module10, the cellular phone3starts talking with the other cellular phone through the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2as illustrated inFIG. 6(e).

At that time, the controller37recognizes the start of the voice talking based on the voice data from the cellular phone3, and as illustrated inFIG. 6(f), shifts the flickering state of the blue LED26in the second period to the flickering state thereof in the first period. This allows the user to perceive the start of the talking to the other cellular phone based on a change in the emission state (in this case, flickering in the first period) of the blue LED26.

(Timing For Rejecting Reception of Incoming Call)

As illustrated inFIGS. 7(b) and7(d), with the cellular phone3being in the incoming call reception state, when the answer switch16is pressed twice in, for example, approximately one second, the controller37generates an incoming call instruction signal and a talk termination signal in response to that presses, and sends those signals through the Bluetooth communication processor41and the antenna13. The cellular phone3receives the incoming call instruction signal and the talk termination signal through the Bluetooth module10, thus compulsively terminating the incoming call reception state. As illustrated inFIG. 7(b), the controller37makes the speaker30generate a switch confirmation signal in accordance with the depression of the answer switch16. The controller37shifts the flicker of the blue LED26in the second period to a light-up state after the incoming call reception state is compulsively ended. Accordingly, the user can perceive the end of the incoming call reception state of the cellular phone3based on a change in the emission state of the blue LED26(in this case, light-up state).

(Timing For Transition Between Manual and Auto Modes)

Next, according to the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, when the cellular phone3receives an incoming call, pressing the answer switch16permits selection of a manual mode for starting talking on the cellular phone3or an auto mode for automatically staring ting after approximately 10 second from the reception of the incoming call.

In practice, as illustrated inFIG. 8(a), when the volume-down switch18of the operating unit19is pressed for approximately five seconds or longer, the controller37shifts from the manual mode to the auto mode, or vice versa.

As the volume-down switch18is continuously pressed in the manual mode, as illustrated inFIG. 8(b), the controller37makes the speaker30generate a switch confirmation sound when the depression of the volume-down switch18is started, and a long sound as an auto mode shift confirmation sound when the manual mode is sifted to the auto mode. This allows the user to intuitively perceive the shift from the manual mode to the auto mode based on the long sound from the speaker30through the user's auditory sense.

In contrast, as the volume-down switch18is kept pressed in the auto mode, as illustrated inFIG. 8(c), the controller37makes the speaker30generate a switch confirmation sound when the depression of the volume-down switch18starts, and a short sound twice as a manual mode shift confirmation sound when the auto mode is sifted to the manual mode. This allows the user to intuitively perceive the shift from the auto mode to the manual mode based on the two short sounds from the speaker30through the user's auditory sense.

When the synchronization for the wireless connection to the cellular phone3have been established, but no wireless communication with a voice talking has been carried out, pressing the volume-down switch18and the answer switch16causes the controller37to generate a redial instruction signal, and send this signal to the cellular phone3through the Bluetooth communication processor41and the antenna13. This allows the cellular phone3to execute a calling process with respect to the most latest talking party in the talking log by receiving the redial instruction signal through the Bluetooth module10.

In practice, as illustrated inFIGS. 9(a) to9(c), when the volume-down switch18and the answer switch16are pressed, the controller37makes the speaker30generate the respective switch confirmation sounds. The controller37then starts wireless communication with the cellular phone3as illustrated inFIG. 9(d). At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 9(f), the controller37generates a first flicker signal, and sends this signal to the blue LED26, so that the lighting blue LED26flickers in the first period. Accordingly, the user can perceive the start of the wireless communication with the cellular phone3and the provision of the redial operation instruction to the cellular phone3based on a change in the emission state of the blue LED26(in this case, flickering in the first period).

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 9(e), by carrying out the wireless communication with the hand-free remote controller6, the cellular phone3can execute the calling process to the most latest talking party in the talking log based on the redial instruction signal from the hand-free remote controller6.

The in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2can forcibly terminate the collection of a voice during the talking by the microphone7of the hand-free remote controller6.

In practice, during the talking, as illustrated inFIGS. 10(a),10(c), and10(e), when the volume-down switch18is pressed for approximately two seconds, the controller37generates a voice-collection termination signal, and the voice collection by the microphone7is terminated in accordance with the voice-collection termination signal. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 10(d), the controller37generates a voice-collection termination indicating emission signal, and sends this signal to the light emitting unit11, so that the OFF-state red LED27lights up. This makes it possible for the user to perceive that the voice collection by the microphone7is currently terminated based on the emission state of the red LED27.

In this condition, when the volume-down switch18is further pressed for approximately two seconds as illustrated inFIGS. 10(a),10(c), and10(e), the controller37generates a voice-collection restart indicating emission signal, and the voice collection by the microphone7is restarted in accordance with this signal. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 10(d), the controller37generates a voice-collection restart indicating emission signal, and sends this signal to the light emitting unit11, so that the lighting red LED27is turned out. This makes it possible for the user to perceive the restart of the voice collection by the microphone7based on the turning off of the red LED27.

As illustrated inFIG. 10(b), when the volume-down switch18is pressed, the controller37makes the speaker30generate a switch confirmation sound, and when the volume-down switch18is pressed for approximately two seconds, the controller30makes the speaker30generate a change-over notifying sound. The user can perceive that whether or not the voice collection by the microphone7is terminated or restarted through the user's auditory sense base on the change-over notifying sound.

When the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is powered on and in the on state, pressing the answer switch16for more than or equal to approximately five seconds causes the termination of the power supply to the individual circuits, and the turning off of the power. When the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is powered off, pressing any one of the answer switch16, the volume-up switch17and the volume-down switch18causes turning on of the power (that is, power-on) and the power is supplied to the individual circuits.

In practice, as illustrated inFIGS. 11(d),11(e), and11(f), when the power is on, the controller37supplies the power to the Bluetooth communication processor41and the backlight LED24, and when the wireless communication with the cellular phone3is carried out, the controller37lights up the blue LED26.

At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 11(a), when the answer switch16is pressed for more than or equal to approximately five seconds, the controller37makes the speaker30generate an off-confirmation sound as illustrated inFIG. 11(c), and as illustrated inFIGS. 11(d) to11(f), terminates the supply of the power to the Bluetooth communication processor41and the backlight LED24, thus turning off the blue LED26.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG. 11(b), in a case where either one of the volume-up switch17and the volume-down switch18(that is, operating unit19) is pressed, the controller37makes the speaker30generate an on-confirmation sound as illustrated inFIG. 11(c), and as illustrated inFIGS. 11(d) to11(f), supplies the power to the Bluetooth communication processor41and the backlight LED24, and when wireless communication with the cellular phone3is carried out, the controller37lights up the blue LED26.

(Connection-State Indicating Emission and Notification Process and Status Notification Process)

Next, a process of notifying a connection state by light emission when the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is powered on will be summarized in a flowchart asFIG. 12.

The controller37starts the process from start step of routine RT1, and the flow proceeds to step SP1. In the step SP1, the controller37determines whether or not the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is powered on.

Obtaining a negative result in this step means that an ignition key is not in a position of ACC so that no power is supplied to the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, or the answer switch16is pressed for more than or equal to approximately five seconds so that the power is off. In this case, the controller37waits until the power is on.

In contrast, when a positive result is obtained at the step SP1, this means that the ignition key is at the position of ACC so that the power is supplied to the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, or any one of the answer switch16, the volume-up switch17and the volume-down switch18is pressed so that the power is on. The process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP2.

In the step SP2, the controller37receives a signal, as a radio wave of wireless communication in compliance with the Bluetooth defined as the short-range wireless communication standard, transmitted from the Bluetooth module10of the cellular phone3at individual predetermined intervals, and determines whether or not synchronization between the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3is established and they are wirelessly connected.

Obtaining a negative result at this step means that synchronization between the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3is not established and they are not wirelessly connected. In this case, the controller37waits until synchronization between the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3is established and they are wirelessly connected.

At this time, because the controller37is not wirelessly connected to the cellular phone3, the controller37keeps the blue LED26of the light emitting unit11turning off, thus making the user perceive that the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3is not wirelessly connected.

In contrast, when a positive result is obtained at the step SP2, this means that the hand-free remote controller6and the cellular phone3establish synchronization with each other and are wirelessly connected together, and further, a state where the cellular phone3directly and Tirelessly connected to the hand-free remote controller6does not establish a call with a base station (not illustrated), that is, a stand-by status. In this case, the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP3.

In the step SP3, the controller37generates a connection state indicating emission signal indicating that wireless connection state, and the blue LED26is lighted up in accordance with that signal, thus making the user perceive the wireless connection of the hand-free remote controller6with the cellular phone3. The flow goes to next step SP4, and the connection state indicating emission and notification process is finished.

Next, a status notification process of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2will be summarized in a flowchart asFIG. 13.

The controller37starts the process from start step of routine RT2, and the flow proceeds to step SP10. In the step SP10, the controller37determines whether or not the cellular phone3receives an incoming call.

Obtaining a negative result at this step means that there is no incoming call to the cellular phone3, and in this case, the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP11. In the step SP11, the controller37determines whether or not calling through the answer switch16is carried out.

Obtaining a negative result at this step means that neither incoming call operation nor calling operation is carried out, and in this case, the process of the controller37goes back to the step SP10, and the processes as described above are repeated.

In contrast, when a positive result is obtained at the step SP10, this means that there is an incoming call to the cellular phone3, and the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP12.

In the step SP12, the controller37generates an incoming-call notification signal which indicates the start of wireless connection, and an incoming-call status, and the blue LED26flickers in the second period in accordance with that signal, and the flow goes to next step SP13.

In the step SP13, the controller37determines whether or not the cellular phone3is in talk to the other cellular phone and a wired telephone Obtaining a negative result at this step means that the cellular phone3is not in talk, that is, the answer switch16is not yet pressed in the incoming call status at the time of the manual mode, or approximately 10 seconds are not yet passed from the start of the reception of the incoming call at the time of the auto mode so that a talking is not automatically started at the time of the auto mode. In this case, the process of the controller37goes back to the step SP10, and the blue LED26keep flickering in the second period as long as the incoming-call status continues.

In contrast, when a positive result is obtained at the step SP13, this means that the cellular phone3is in talk, that is, the answer switch16is pressed at the time of the manual mode, or approximately 10 seconds are passed from the start of the reception of the incoming call so that a talking is automatically started at the time of the auto mode. In this case, the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP14.

In the step SP14, the controller37generates the first flicker signal which indicates the start of the wireless communication between the cellular phone3and the cellular phone3is in talk, and the blue LED26flickers in the first period in accordance with the first flicker signal. The flow goes to next step SP15.

Meanwhile, in the step SP11, obtaining a positive result means that the answer switch16is pressed and calling is carried out, and in this case, the process of the controller37proceeds to the next step SP14.

In the step SP15, the controller37determines whether or not the talk is finished by the press of the answer switch16. Obtaining a positive result at this step means that the user has pressed the answer switch16to finish the talking, and in this case, the flow goes back to the step SP10, and the controller37repeats the above-described processes. In contrast, obtaining a negative result at the step SP15means that the cellular phone3is yet in talk, and the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP16.

In the step SP16, the controller37determines whether or not voice collection by the microphone7is terminated by the press of the volume-down switch18for approximately two seconds.

Obtaining a negative result at this step means that the volume-down switch18has not been pressed for approximately two seconds and the voice collection by the microphone7is carried out, and in this case, the flow goes back to the step SP15, and the controller37repeats the above-described processes.

In contrast, obtaining a positive result at the step SP16means that the volume-down switch18has been pressed for approximately two seconds and the voice collection by the microphone3is terminated, and in this case, the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP17.

In the step SP17, the controller37generates the voice-collection termination indicating emission signal, and sends this signal to the red LED27, so that the OFF-state red LED27lights up, and the flow proceeds to next step SP18.

In the step SP18, the controller37determines whether or not the volume-down switch18has been pressed for approximately two seconds and the voice collection by the microphone7is restarted.

Obtaining a negative result at this step means that the volume-down switch18has not been pressed for approximately two seconds, and the voice collection by the microphone7is yet terminated, and in this case, the process of the controller37returns to the step SP17, and the controller37keeps the red LED27lighting.

In contrast, obtaining a positive result at the step SP18means that the volume-down switch18has been further pressed for approximately two seconds, and the voice collection by the microphone7is restarted, and in this case, the process of the controller37proceeds to next step SP19.

In the step SP19, the controller37generates the voice-collection restart indicating emission signal, and sends this signal to the red LED27, and, the lighting red LED27is turned out. The flow goes back to the step SP15, and the above-described processes are repeated.

According to the above-described structure, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2can recognize wireless connection to the cellular phone3by a radio wave of a short-range wireless communication system in compliance with the Bluetooth, and notify the recognition results to the user in the predetermined ways.

Accordingly, when the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is unable to establish synchronization with the cellular phone3and is not wirelessly connected thereto, the speaker30generates the predetermined non-connection state indicating sound, and the blue LED26is turned out, thereby making a user easily perceive a case where the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2is away from the cellular phone3at such a distant that reception of a radio wave of a short-range wireless communication system in compliance with the Bluetooth, or a case where the cellular phone3is not powered on.

In a case where the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2establishes synchronization with the cellular phone3and is wirelessly connected thereto, the blue LED26is lighted up, thereby making the user easily perceive a case where a distant between the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2and the cellular phone3is so maintained as to allow the reception of a radio wave of a short-range wireless communication system in compliance with the Bluetooth, or a case where the cellular phone3is powered on.

With the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2establishing synchronization with the cellular phone3and being wirelessly connected thereto, when the cellular phone3starts communication through the hand-free remote controller6, the blue LED26flickers in the first period, thus allowing the user to easily perceive that the communication is currently carried out through the cellular phone3.

With the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2establishing the synchronization with the cellular phone3and being wirelessly connected thereto, when the cellular phone3receives an incoming call, the speaker30generates the predetermined wireless-connection confirmation sound and the blue LED26flickers in the second period, thus allowing the user to easily perceive that there is the incoming call to the cellular phone3.

According to the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, when voice collection by the microphone7of the hand-free remote controller6is terminated during the talking of the cellular phone3, the speaker30generates the predetermined change-over notifying sound and the red LED27is lighted up. This makes it possible for the user to easily perceive that the voice collection by the microphone7of the hand-free remote controller6is being terminated.

According to the in-vehicle hand-free remote controller2, the hand-free remote controller6is so structured as to be a separate body from the control unit4. The hand-free remote controller6is located on the pillar8positioned near the front of the head of the user sitting at the driver's seat, and is provided with the light emitting unit11. Therefore, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2permits the user to easily perceive the emission state with the user sitting at the driver's seat and viewing the front. This results in assured confirmation of the operation status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2.

As explained above, according to the embodiment, the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2for carrying out hand-free talk on the cellular phone3used in the vehicle is provide with the notification unit42, and this notification unit42notifies the user of the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2. This enables the user to easily confirm the operation status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2.

According to the embodiment, the operating unit19is provided in the case body12, and the light emitting unit11and the speaker30, which operate in accordance with the operation of the operating unit19by the user, are provided. The light emitting unit11and the speaker30notifies the user of the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, and this allows the user to easily confirm the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2through the user's visual sense and the auditory sense.

Further, according to the embodiment, the light emitting unit11is provided at the back of the operating unit19. Thus, the light emitting unit11can be generally positioned at the operating unit19which is visible to the user, and this facilitates confirmation of the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2through the user's visibility, further.

Still further, according to the embodiment, the change in the emission state of the light emitting unit11notifies the user of the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, and the change in the sound state of the speaker30notifies the user of the state of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2. This ensures the user to intuitively confirm the plural states of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2.

Other Embodiments

In the above embodiment, whilst the explanation has been given of the case where the cellular phone3and the hand-free remote controller6are wirelessly connected by a short-range wireless communication system radio wave in compliance with the Bluetooth, the invention is not limited to this case, and the cellular phone3and the hand-free remote controller6may be wirelessly connected by various short-range wireless communication system such as the infrared communication system and the like.

In the above-described embodiment, although the explanation has been given of the case where the blue LED26and the red LED27which constitute the light emitting unit at the back of the operating unit are provided at the one end-side back of the operating unit19at the front face15of the case body12, the invention is not limited to this case, and the blue LED26and the red LED27may be provided at the backs of the semi-transparent covers, which are respectively disposed over the answer switch16, the volume-up switch17, and the volume-down switch18, together with the backlight LED24.

In this case, the semi-transparent covers21,22, and23can be entirely illuminated in blue or red from the insides thereof in accordance with the operation status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2. This facilitates the user to confirm the status of the in-vehicle hand-free apparatus2, further.

In the above-described embodiment, although the explanation has been given of the case where the controller37which controls the various operations of the hand-free remote controller6overall is provided in the control unit4, the invention is not limited to this case. A controller which controls the various operations of the hand-free remote controller6overall, or a controller which controls only the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit11and the sound generation operation of the speaker30may be provided in the hand-free remote controller6.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, whilst the explanation has been given of the case where the notification unit42as notification means comprises the light emitting unit11and the speaker30, the invention is not limited to this case. The notification unit may comprise either one of the light emitting unit11and the speaker30.

The invention is not limited to those embodiments, various changes are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, LEDs of various colors may be used instead of the blue LED26and the red LED27, the first and second periods may be set as various intervals, and the Bluetooth communication processor41may be provided in the control unit4.