JP7802247B2 - Incoming call restriction device and incoming call restriction method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to technology for restricting hands-free incoming calls on telephone terminals installed in vehicles.

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that restricts calls made to a mobile phone via a hands-free unit with the other party when the vehicle's driving conditions fall under a predetermined unsuitable state for making calls. The unsuitable state for making calls includes a state in which the steering angle change amount, which is the amount of change in steering angle per unit time, is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

JP 2009-232073 A

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the threshold value related to the steering angle, i.e., the steering angle change amount, is constant regardless of the vehicle's driving state, which leads to the following problems. For example, if the threshold value for restricting calls is set low to ensure safety when driving at high speeds, excessive call restrictions will occur when driving at low speeds. Also, if the threshold value for restricting calls is set high based on safety when driving at low speeds, calls will be possible when driving at high speeds, even though this would pose a safety risk.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to appropriately restrict hands-free incoming calls on telephone terminals installed in vehicles depending on the vehicle's driving conditions.

An incoming call restriction device disclosed herein restricts hands-free incoming calls from a telephone terminal mounted on a vehicle. The incoming call restriction device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires the steering angle and speed of the vehicle, a threshold setting unit that sets a steering angle threshold, which is a threshold for the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle, so that the steering angle threshold decreases as the vehicle speed increases, and an incoming call restriction unit that restricts hands-free incoming calls when the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold. When hands-free incoming calls are not restricted, the incoming call restriction unit performs incoming call processing to output incoming voice from the telephone terminal to a speaker mounted on the vehicle, and when hands-free incoming calls are restricted , the incoming call restriction unit does not perform incoming call processing. The incoming call restriction unit lifts the restriction on hands-free incoming calls after a predetermined lift time has elapsed since the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle becomes less than the steering angle threshold, and the lift time is shorter for a caller with a higher priority who called the telephone terminal while hands-free incoming calls were restricted .

According to the incoming call restriction device of the present disclosure, the steering angle threshold, which is the criterion for determining whether to restrict hands-free incoming calls on a telephone terminal, is set smaller as the vehicle speed increases. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately restrict hands-free incoming calls according to the vehicle's driving conditions. The objectives, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of an incoming call restriction device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing threshold values of the steering angle when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing threshold values of steering angles when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the call restriction device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the time when incoming call restriction is lifted. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a release time according to a vehicle speed. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the incoming call restriction device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an incoming call restriction device according to a third embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the incoming call restriction device according to the third embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an incoming call restriction device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an incoming call restriction device.

<A. First Embodiment>
<A-1. Configuration>
1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an incoming call restriction device 101 according to embodiment 1. The incoming call restriction device 101 is connected to a telephone terminal 201 mounted on a vehicle.

Telephone terminal 201 is connected to telephone network 301 and receives calls via telephone network 301. When telephone terminal 201 receives a call while the vehicle is traveling, the incoming call audio is output from telephone terminal 201 to speaker 24 via call restriction device 101. This allows vehicle occupants to receive calls on telephone terminal 201 hands-free, i.e., without having to hold telephone terminal 201 in their hands. This type of call is referred to in this specification as a hands-free call. Alternatively, information indicating that telephone terminal 201 is receiving a call may be output from telephone terminal 201 to display 23 via call restriction device 101. Call restriction device 101 restricts hands-free calls on telephone terminal 201 depending on the vehicle's conditions. In FIG. 1, call restriction device 101 and telephone terminal 201 are shown as separate devices, but they may also be provided as an integrated unit.

The incoming call restriction device 101 is connected to a steering angle sensor 21, a speed sensor 22, a display 23 and a speaker 24 and is configured to make these available for use.

The steering angle sensor 21 measures the steering angle of the vehicle and outputs it to the incoming call restriction device 101.

The speed sensor 22 measures the vehicle speed, i.e., the vehicle speed, and outputs it to the incoming call restriction device 101.

The display 23 is mounted on the vehicle and may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or a head-up display (HUD). If hands-free calls are not restricted by the incoming call restriction device 101, when an incoming call is received by the telephone terminal 201, information about the incoming call or information about the caller is displayed on the display 23. The passengers of the vehicle recognize that an incoming call has been received by the telephone terminal 201 by looking at the display 23.

The speaker 24 is installed in the vehicle. When a call comes in to the telephone terminal 201, the voice of the caller is output from the speaker 24 into the vehicle cabin. Passengers in the vehicle can hear the voice of the caller to the telephone terminal 201 through the voice from the speaker 24.

The incoming call restriction device 101 is configured to include a steering angle acquisition unit 11, a speed acquisition unit 12, a threshold setting unit 13, an incoming call restriction unit 14, and a connection unit 16.

The steering angle acquisition unit 11 acquires the steering angle of the vehicle from the steering angle sensor 21 and outputs it to the incoming call restriction unit 14. In this specification, the steering angle when the vehicle is traveling straight is defined as 0°, a steering angle to the right is defined as positive, and a steering angle to the left is defined as negative. Note that the steering angle may be either an actual steering angle or a steering angle.

The speed acquisition unit 12 acquires the vehicle speed from the speed sensor 22 and outputs it to the threshold setting unit 13. The steering angle acquisition unit 11 and the speed acquisition unit 12 function as an information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information.

The threshold setting unit 13 acquires the vehicle speed from the speed acquisition unit 12, determines the steering angle threshold based on this, and outputs the steering angle threshold to the incoming call restriction unit 14.

The incoming call restriction unit 14 compares the steering angle of the vehicle acquired from the steering angle acquisition unit 11 with the steering angle threshold acquired from the threshold setting unit 13, and restricts hands-free incoming calls on the telephone terminal 201 if the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle exceeds the steering angle threshold. For example, if the steering angle threshold is 40°, the incoming call restriction unit 14 restricts hands-free incoming calls when the steering angle of the vehicle is less than -40° or greater than 40°.

The connection unit 16 is a communication device that transmits and receives signals to and from the telephone terminal 201. The connection unit 16 is connected to the telephone terminal 201 using a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus), LAN (Local Area Network), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). When the telephone terminal 201 receives an incoming call, the connection unit 16 obtains incoming call information including the incoming call voice from the telephone terminal 201 and outputs it to the incoming call restriction unit 14.

<A-2. Operation>
The threshold setting unit 13 determines the steering angle threshold in accordance with the vehicle speed. Fig. 2 shows the steering angle threshold when the vehicle 31 merges onto an ordinary road. Fig. 3 shows the steering angle threshold when the vehicle 31 merges onto an expressway.

The speed v of the vehicle 31 in Figure 2 is, for example, 40 km/h, and the speed v of the vehicle 31 in Figure 3 is, for example, 70 km/h. As shown in these figures, the steering angle threshold θt is set to a larger value as the speed v of the vehicle 31 increases. For example, in Figure 2, the steering angle threshold θt is 60° when the speed v of the vehicle 31 is 40 km/h, and in Figure 3, the steering angle threshold θt is 30° when the speed v of the vehicle 31 is 70 km/h.

In Figures 2 and 3, the steering angle θ of vehicle 31 is set to -45°. As shown in Figure 2, when the speed v of vehicle 31 is 40 km/h, the absolute value of the steering angle θ, 45°, is less than the steering angle threshold θt = 60°, so hands-free incoming calls are not restricted. In this way, when vehicle 31 is traveling at a low speed, the steering angle threshold θt is set to a large value, so hands-free incoming calls are not restricted, ensuring convenience for passengers.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, when the speed v of vehicle 31 is 70 km/h, the absolute value of the steering angle θ, 45°, is greater than the steering angle threshold θt = 30°, so hands-free incoming calls are restricted. In this way, when vehicle 31 is traveling at high speed, the steering angle threshold θt is set small, so hands-free incoming calls are restricted and the safety of passengers is ensured.

The steering angle threshold θt may increase continuously in proportion to the speed v of the vehicle 31, or may increase in steps as the speed v increases.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the incoming call restriction device 101. The flow in Figure 4 starts when the vehicle starts moving and is repeated while the vehicle is moving.

First, in step S101, the steering angle acquisition unit 11 acquires the vehicle's steering angle from the steering angle sensor 21, and the speed acquisition unit 12 acquires the vehicle speed from the speed sensor 22.

Next, in step S102, the threshold setting unit 13 acquires the vehicle speed from the speed acquisition unit 12 and sets the steering angle threshold according to the vehicle speed.

Then, in step S103, the incoming call restriction unit 14 acquires the vehicle's steering angle from the steering angle acquisition unit 11, acquires the steering angle threshold from the threshold setting unit 13, and determines whether the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle is greater than or equal to the steering angle threshold. If the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle is less than the steering angle threshold in step S103, the processing of the incoming call restriction device 101 returns to step S101. In other words, hands-free incoming calls to the telephone terminal 201 are not restricted. If the telephone terminal 201 receives an incoming call, the incoming call restriction unit 14 acquires from the connection unit 16 a message indicating that an incoming call has been received and information about the caller, and displays this on the display 23. The incoming call restriction unit 14 acquires the incoming call audio from the connection unit 16 and outputs it from the speaker 24.

If the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold in step S103, the incoming call restriction unit 14 restricts hands-free incoming calls to the telephone terminal 201 in step S104. If the telephone terminal 201 receives an incoming call, the incoming call restriction unit 14 acquires from the connection unit 16 a notice of the incoming call and information about the caller, and displays these on the display 23. The incoming call restriction unit 14 acquires the incoming call audio from the connection unit 16 and outputs this from the speaker 24. Even if the telephone terminal 201 receives an incoming call, the incoming call restriction unit 14 does not display a notice of the incoming call and information about the caller on the display 23, and does not output the incoming call audio from the speaker 24.

After step S104, the processing of the incoming call restriction device 101 proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the steering angle acquisition unit 11 again acquires the steering angle of the vehicle from the steering angle sensor 21.

Next, in step S106, the incoming call restriction unit 14 acquires the steering angle of the vehicle from the steering angle acquisition unit 11 and determines whether the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold. If the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold in step S106, the processing of the incoming call restriction device 101 returns to step S104, and the restriction on hands-free incoming calls continues.

If the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle is less than the steering angle threshold in step S106, the incoming call restriction unit 14 lifts the restriction on hands-free incoming calls in step S113.

After step S113, the processing of the incoming call restriction device 101 returns to step S101. The flow of Figure 4 is repeated until the vehicle stops traveling.

<A-3. Effects>
Incoming call restriction device 101 according to the first embodiment restricts hands-free incoming calls from a telephone terminal mounted on a vehicle. Incoming call restriction device 101 includes steering angle acquisition unit 11 and speed acquisition unit 12 that acquire the steering angle and speed of the vehicle, threshold setting unit 13 that sets a steering angle threshold, which is a threshold for the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle, so that the steering angle threshold decreases as the vehicle speed increases, and incoming call restriction unit 14 that restricts hands-free incoming calls when the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold. When hands-free incoming calls are not restricted, incoming call restriction unit 14 performs incoming call processing to output the incoming call audio from telephone terminal 201 to speaker 24 mounted on the vehicle, but does not perform incoming call processing when hands-free incoming calls are restricted. With the above configuration, incoming call restriction device 101 can achieve both the convenience of hands-free incoming calls when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds and the safety when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds.

<B. Second Embodiment>
<B-1. Configuration>
The configuration of the incoming call restriction device 102 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the incoming call restriction device 101 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.

<B-2. Operation>
When the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle becomes less than the steering angle threshold, incoming call restriction device 101 according to the first embodiment immediately releases the restriction on hands-free incoming calls on telephone terminal 201. In contrast, incoming call restriction device 102 according to the second embodiment waits for the passage of first release time T after the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle becomes less than the steering angle threshold before releasing the restriction on hands-free incoming calls.

Figure 5 shows vehicle 31 turning right at an intersection. At point P1 when the right turn begins, the absolute value of vehicle 31's steering angle θ is less than steering angle threshold θt, and hands-free incoming calls are not restricted. At point P2 after the right turn begins, the absolute value of vehicle 31's steering angle θ is equal to or greater than steering angle threshold θt, and hands-free incoming calls are restricted. Thereafter, at point P3, the absolute value of vehicle 31's steering angle θ is less than steering angle threshold θt, but the restriction on hands-free incoming calls is not immediately lifted at this point. Even after this, the absolute value of vehicle 31's steering angle θ remains less than steering angle threshold θt, and when the first lift time T (seconds) has elapsed since point P3, vehicle 31 is at point P4. If the absolute value of vehicle 31's steering angle θ is less than steering angle threshold θt at point P4, the restriction on hands-free incoming calls is lifted. The section from point P2 to point P4 is an incoming call restriction section in which hands-free incoming calls to telephone terminal 201 are restricted.

In this way, by providing a first release time T until the restriction on hands-free calls is released, the driver of vehicle 31 can concentrate on driving until he or she has completed the right turn at the intersection.

The first release time T may be determined based on the vehicle speed at the time when the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold. Figure 6 shows the difference in the first release time T depending on the vehicle speed at the time when the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold.

At time t1, the steering angle θ becomes equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold θt1, and the restriction on hands-free calls begins. Later, at time t2, the steering angle θ becomes less than the steering angle threshold θt1, but the restriction on hands-free calls remains in place at this point. The first release time T is determined to be T1 (seconds) based on the vehicle speed v1 at time t2. If the steering angle θ remains less than the steering angle threshold θt1 at time t2, which is T1 (seconds) after time t2, the restriction on hands-free calls is released.

Then, from time t5 to time t6, the vehicle speed decreases from v1 to v2, and the steering angle threshold increases accordingly from θt1 to θt2. At time t7, the absolute value of the steering angle θ becomes equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold θt2, and the restriction on hands-free calls begins again. At time t8, the absolute value of the steering angle θ becomes less than the steering angle threshold θt2, but the restriction on hands-free calls remains in place at this point. The first release time T is determined to be T2 (seconds) based on the vehicle speed v2 at time t8. Because speed v2 at time t8 is smaller than speed v1 at time t1, the first release time T2 starting at time t8 is shorter than the first release time T1 starting at time t2.

At time t9, after the first release time T2 has elapsed from time t8, if the absolute value of the steering angle θ remains less than the steering angle threshold θt1, the restriction on hands-free incoming calls is released.

In addition, the first release time T may decrease proportionally to the vehicle speed v as the vehicle speed v increases at the time when the absolute value of the steering angle θ becomes less than the steering angle threshold value θt, or may decrease in a stepwise manner as the speed v increases.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the incoming call restriction device 102. The flow in Figure 7 starts when the vehicle starts moving and is repeated while the vehicle is moving. The flow in Figure 7 is the same as the flow in Figure 4 described in embodiment 1, with steps S107 to S109 added between steps S106 and S113.

If the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold while hands-free incoming calls are restricted (No in step S106), the processing of the incoming call restriction device 102 proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the speed acquisition unit 12 acquires the vehicle speed from the speed sensor 22. Next, in step S108, the incoming call restriction unit 14 sets the first release time based on the vehicle speed.

Then, in step S109, the incoming call restriction unit 14 determines whether the first release time has elapsed since the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle became less than the steering angle threshold in step S106. If the first release time has not elapsed in step S109, the incoming call restriction unit 14 repeats the processing of step S109. If the first release time has elapsed in step S109, the incoming call restriction unit 14 releases the restriction on hands-free incoming calls in step S113. After step S113, the processing of the incoming call restriction device 102 returns to step S101. The flow in Figure 7 is repeated until the vehicle stops traveling.

<B-3. Effects>
In incoming call restriction device 102 according to the second embodiment, incoming call restriction unit 14 releases the restriction on hands-free incoming calls after a predetermined release time has elapsed since the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle became less than the steering angle threshold. This improves the safety of vehicle driving compared to when the restriction on hands-free incoming calls is released immediately after the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle becomes less than the steering angle threshold.

In addition, in the incoming call restriction device 102, the safety of the vehicle when traveling at high speeds can be improved by lengthening the release time the higher the vehicle speed at the time the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold.

<C. Third Embodiment>
<C-1. Configuration>
8 is a diagram showing the configuration of incoming call restriction device 103 according to embodiment 3. In addition to the configuration of incoming call restriction devices 101 and 102, incoming call restriction device 103 includes a history acquisition unit 17. When telephone terminal 201 receives an incoming call, history acquisition unit 17 acquires the incoming call history from the call recipient and the outgoing call history to the call recipient from storage device 25, and outputs the acquired history to incoming call restriction unit 14.

When telephone terminal 201 receives an incoming call, connection unit 16 acquires specific information, such as a telephone number, that identifies the call recipient and information on the date and time of the incoming call from telephone terminal 201, and stores these in storage device 25. Furthermore, when a call is made from telephone terminal 201, connection unit 16 acquires specific information, such as a telephone number that identifies the call recipient and information on the date and time of the outgoing call from telephone terminal 201, and stores these in storage device 25.

The storage device 25 may be, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and its drive device, or any storage medium to be used in the future.

After the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold, the incoming call restriction unit 14 waits for the first release time T to elapse as well as the second release time α to elapse before lifting the restriction on hands-free incoming calls. The second release time α is determined according to the priority of the caller.

The priority of a caller is determined based on at least one of the call history from the caller and the call history to the caller. For example, the more times a caller has called, the higher the priority may be set and the shorter the second release time α may be set. Also, the more times a caller has called within the past 30 minutes, the higher the priority may be set and the shorter the second release time α may be set. The second release time α may be 0 for callers with a high priority.

In addition, a high priority may be set in advance for certain callers, such as a high priority being set in advance for certain telephone numbers.

<C-2. Operation＞
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of incoming call restriction device 103. The flow in Fig. 9 starts when the vehicle starts moving and is repeated while the vehicle is moving. The flow in Fig. 9 is the same as the flow in Fig. 7 described in the second embodiment, except that steps S110 to S112 are added between steps S109 and S113.

When the first release time has elapsed since the absolute value of the vehicle's steering angle became less than the steering angle threshold (No in step S109), the processing of the incoming call restriction device 103 proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the history acquisition unit 17 acquires specific information about the caller from the storage device 25. Note that it is assumed here that an incoming call was made to the telephone terminal 201 between steps S104 and S109.

Then, in step S111, the incoming call restriction unit 14 determines the priority from the caller's identification information and sets a second release time based on the priority. Next, in step S112, the incoming call restriction unit 14 determines whether the second release time has elapsed after the first release time elapsed in step S109. If the second release time has not elapsed in step S112, the incoming call restriction unit 14 repeats the processing of step S112. If the second release time has elapsed in step S112, the incoming call restriction unit 14 releases the restriction on hands-free calls in step S113. After step S113, the processing of the incoming call restriction device 103 returns to step S101. The flow in Figure 9 is repeated until the vehicle stops traveling.

In the above description, the incoming call restriction unit 14 waits for the sum of the first and second release times after the absolute value of the steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold before lifting the restriction on hands-free incoming calls. However, the incoming call restriction unit 14 may also wait for the second release time after the absolute value of the steering angle becomes less than the steering angle threshold before lifting the restriction on hands-free incoming calls.

<C-3. Effects>
In incoming call restriction device 103 according to the third embodiment, the higher the priority of the caller who called telephone terminal 201 while hands-free incoming calls were restricted, the shorter the lift time. This makes it possible to lift the restriction on hands-free incoming calls early when the caller has a high priority. By quickly lifting the restriction on high-priority calls, the convenience of hands-free incoming calls can be provided.

D. Hardware Configuration
The steering angle acquisition unit 11, speed acquisition unit 12, threshold setting unit 13, incoming call restriction unit 14, connection unit 16, and history acquisition unit 17 in the above-described incoming call restriction devices 101-103 are realized by a processing circuit 81 shown in FIG. 10. That is, the processing circuit 81 includes the steering angle acquisition unit 11, speed acquisition unit 12, threshold setting unit 13, incoming call restriction unit 14, connection unit 16, and history acquisition unit 17 (hereinafter referred to as the "steering angle acquisition unit 11, etc."). The processing circuit 81 may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or may be implemented by a processor that executes a program stored in memory. The processor may be, for example, a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc.

When the processing circuit 81 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 81 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. Each function of the steering angle acquisition unit 11 and other units may be realized by multiple processing circuits 81, or the functions of each unit may be combined and realized by a single processing circuit.

When the processing circuit 81 is a processor, the functions of the steering angle acquisition unit 11 and the like are realized by a combination of software, etc. (software, firmware, or software and firmware). Software, etc. is written as a program and stored in memory. As shown in FIG. 11, the processor 82 applied to the processing circuit 81 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing programs stored in memory 83. In other words, the incoming call restriction device 101-1031 has memory 83 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 81, results in the processing of the steering angle acquisition unit 11 and the like. In other words, this program can be said to cause a computer to execute the procedures or methods of the steering angle acquisition unit 11 and the like. Here, the memory 83 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and its drive device, or any storage medium that will be used in the future.

The above describes a configuration in which each function of the steering angle acquisition unit 11, etc. is realized either by hardware or software, etc. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which part of the steering angle acquisition unit 11, etc. is realized by dedicated hardware and another part is realized by software, etc. For example, the function of the incoming call restriction unit 14 can be realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware, and the other functions can be realized by the processing circuit 81 as processor 82 reading and executing programs stored in memory 83.

As described above, the processing circuit can realize each of the above-mentioned functions through hardware, software, etc., or a combination of these.

Incoming call restriction devices 101-103 are typically in-vehicle devices, but can also be applied to systems constructed by appropriately combining PNDs (Portable Navigation Devices), communication terminals (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and other portable terminals), the functions of applications installed on these, and servers. In this case, the functions or components of incoming call restriction devices 101-103 described above may be distributed among the devices that make up the system, or may be centrally located in one of the devices.

It is possible to freely combine the various embodiments, and to modify or omit any of the embodiments as appropriate. The above description is illustrative in all respects. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned.

11 Steering angle acquisition unit, 12 Speed acquisition unit, 13 Threshold setting unit, 14 Incoming call restriction unit, 16 Connection unit, 17 History acquisition unit, 21 Steering angle sensor, 22 Speed sensor, 23 Display, 24 Speaker, 25 Storage device, 31 Vehicle, 81 Processing circuit, 82 Processor, 83 Memory, 101-103 Incoming call restriction device, 201 Telephone terminal, 301 Telephone network.

Claims (6)

An incoming call restriction device that restricts hands-free incoming calls from a telephone terminal mounted in a vehicle,
an information acquisition unit that acquires a steering angle and a speed of the vehicle;
a threshold setting unit that sets a steering angle threshold, which is a threshold for the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle, so that the threshold value decreases as the speed of the vehicle increases;
an incoming call limiting unit that limits the hands-free incoming call when the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold value,
the incoming call restriction unit performs an incoming call process of outputting an incoming call voice of the telephone terminal to a speaker mounted in the vehicle when the hands-free incoming call is not restricted, and does not perform the incoming call process when the hands-free incoming call is restricted;
the incoming call restriction unit releases the restriction on hands-free incoming calls after a predetermined release time has elapsed since the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle became less than the steering angle threshold value,
the higher the priority of the caller who called the telephone terminal during the restriction of hands-free incoming calls, the shorter the release time is,
Incoming call restriction device. The incoming call restriction device is a device separate from the telephone terminal that communicates with the telephone terminal.
2. The incoming call restriction device according to claim 1. An incoming call restriction device that restricts hands-free incoming calls from a telephone terminal mounted in a vehicle,
an information acquisition unit that acquires a steering angle and a speed of the vehicle;
a threshold setting unit that sets a steering angle threshold, which is a threshold for the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle, so that the threshold value decreases as the speed of the vehicle increases;
an incoming call limiting unit that limits the hands-free incoming call when the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold value,
the incoming call restriction unit performs an incoming call process of outputting an incoming call voice of the telephone terminal to a speaker mounted in the vehicle when the hands-free incoming call is not restricted, and does not perform the incoming call process when the hands-free incoming call is restricted;
the incoming call restriction unit releases the restriction on hands-free incoming calls after a predetermined release time has elapsed since the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle became less than the steering angle threshold value,
The release time is longer as the speed of the vehicle increases at the time when the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle becomes less than the steering angle threshold value.
Incoming call restriction device. The priority of the called party is determined based on at least one of an incoming call history and an outgoing call history of the telephone terminal for the called party.
2. The incoming call restriction device according to claim 1 . the incoming call restriction unit determines a priority of the called party based on the telephone number of the called party acquired from the telephone terminal;
2. The incoming call restriction device according to claim 1 . An incoming call restriction method for restricting hands-free incoming calls of a telephone terminal mounted in a vehicle, comprising:
an information acquisition unit acquires a steering angle and a speed of the vehicle;
a threshold value setting unit sets a steering angle threshold value, which is a threshold value of an absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle, so that the steering angle threshold value decreases as the speed of the vehicle increases;
an incoming call restriction unit restricts the hands-free incoming call when the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the steering angle threshold, performs incoming call processing of outputting an incoming call voice of the telephone terminal to a speaker mounted in the vehicle when the hands-free incoming call is not restricted, does not perform the incoming call processing when the hands-free incoming call is restricted, and releases the restriction on the hands-free incoming call after a predetermined release time has elapsed since the absolute value of the steering angle of the vehicle became less than the steering angle threshold,
the higher the priority of the caller who called the telephone terminal during the restriction of hands-free incoming calls, the shorter the release time is,
Incoming call restriction method.