U.S. patent application number 09/963578 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-04 for music reproduction apparatus, audio player, and headphone.
Invention is credited to Watanuki, Masanori.
Application Number | 20020039424 09/963578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18783978 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020039424 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanuki, Masanori |
April 4, 2002 |
Music reproduction apparatus, audio player, and headphone
Abstract
A music reproduction apparatus comprises an audio player and a
headphone. The audio player comprises a circular main body, a
display panel provided at a front face of the main body, an
operating switch rotatably provided at a periphery of the display
panel, and a wireless communication antenna provided at a rear face
of the main body. The headphone comprises a circular main body, a
speaker provided at one face of the main body, a wireless
communication antenna provided at the other face of the main body,
and an ear hook provided at the outside of the main body.
Inventors: |
Watanuki, Masanori;
(Hamura-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
18783978 |
Appl. No.: |
09/963578 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 5/033 20130101;
H04R 1/1066 20130101; G11C 2207/16 20130101; H04R 1/105 20130101;
H04R 1/1041 20130101; G11C 7/16 20130101; H04R 2420/07
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/74 |
International
Class: |
H04R 005/00; H04R
001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2000 |
JP |
2000-302666 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An audio player comprising: a circular main body; a display
panel provided at one face of said main body; an operating switch
rotatably provided at a periphery of said display panel; and a
wireless communication antenna provided at the other face of said
main body.
2. The audio player according to claim 1, further comprising a card
slot provided at a side face of said main body.
3. A headphone comprising: a circular main body; a speaker provided
on one face of said main body; a wireless communication antenna
provided at the other face of said main body; and an ear hook
provided at said main body.
4. The headphone according to claim 3, further comprising a rotary
power switch rotatably provided at a periphery of said antenna.
5. A music reproduction apparatus comprising an audio player and a
headphone connected to said audio player via a wireless digital
data transmission channel, said audio player comprising: a
transmitter configured to transmit music data with an error
correction code to said headphone; a reproduction request detector
configured to detect a reproduction request from said headphone;
and a retransmission section configured to re-transmit requested
music data to said headphone based on the reproduction request
detected by said reproduction request detector, and said headphone
comprising: a receiver configured to receive music data transmitted
from said audio player; an error detecting/correcting section
configured to detect and correct an error of the music data
received by said receiver and determine whether or not data
retransmission is required; and a retransmission request section
configured to, when said error detecting/correcting means
determines that data retransmission is required, transmit a
retransmission request to said audio player.
6. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said headphone comprises an operating switch and wirelessly
transmits an operating state signal of said operating switch to
said audio player, and said audio player controls a player
operation based on the operating state signal.
7. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said headphone comprises a microphone and wirelessly transmits a
voice signal input from the microphone and indicating a command to
said audio player, and said audio player carries out voice
recognition and command interpretation for the voice signal
transmitted from said headphone and controls a player operation
based on a result of the command interpretation.
8. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said audio player comprises an interface capable of wirelessly
connecting a plurality of headphones.
9. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said audio player comprises a first battery level detector
configured to detect a level of an incorporated battery of the
audio player, and said headphone comprises a second battery level
detector configured to detect a level of an incorporated battery of
the headphone and a first warning section configured to issue a
warning sound when the level of the incorporated battery detected
by at least one of said first battery level detector and said
second battery level detector is lower than a predetermined value,
and said audio player comprises a second warning section configured
to display a warning message when the level of the incorporated
battery detected by at least one of said first battery level
detector and said second battery level detector is lower than the
predetermined value.
10. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said headphone comprises an electric field intensity detector
configured to detect an electric field intensity of an electric
wave transmitted from said audio player and a warning section
configured to issue warning when the detected electric field
intensity is lower than a predetermined value.
11. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said headphone comprises an error rate detector configured to
detect an error rate of an electric wave transmitted from said
audio player and a warning section configured to issue warning when
the detected error rate is higher than a predetermined value.
12. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said headphone comprises an electric field intensity detector
configured to detect an electric field intensity of an electric
wave transmitted from said audio player, a first distance estimator
configured to estimate a first distance between said headphone and
said audio player, an error rate detector configured to detect an
error rate of the electric wave transmitted from said audio player,
a second distance estimator configured to estimate a second
distance between said headphone and said audio player, and a
warning section configured to issue warning when at least one of
the estimated first distance and the estimated second distance is
longer than a predetermined distance.
13. A music reproduction apparatus comprising an audio player and a
pair of left and right headphones connected to said audio player
via a wireless digital data transmission channel, said audio player
comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit left and right
music data to the left and right headphones, and each of said left
and right headphones comprising: a receiver configured to receive
the left and right music data transmitted from said audio player;
and a data extracting section configured to extract one of the left
and right music data received by said receiver.
14. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said headphone comprises an operating switch and wirelessly
transmits an operating state signal of said operating switch to
said audio player, and said audio player controls a player
operation based on the operating state signal.
15. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said headphone comprises a microphone and wirelessly transmits a
voice signal input from the microphone and indicating a command to
said audio player, and said audio player carries out voice
recognition and command interpretation for the voice signal
transmitted from said headphone and controls a player operation
based on a result of the command interpretation.
16. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said audio player comprises an interface capable of wirelessly
connecting a plurality of headphones.
17. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said audio player comprises a first battery level detector
configured to detect a level of an incorporated battery of the
audio player, and said headphone comprises a second battery level
detector configured to detect a level of an incorporated battery of
the headphone and a first warning section configured to issue a
warning sound when the level of the incorporated battery detected
by at least one of said first battery level detector and said
second battery level detector is lower than a predetermined value,
and said audio player comprises a second warning section configured
to display a warning message when the level of the incorporated
battery detected by at least one of said first battery level
detector and said second battery level detector is lower than the
predetermined value.
18. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said headphone comprises an electric field intensity detector
configured to detect an electric field intensity of an electric
wave transmitted from said audio player and a warning section
configured to issue warning when the detected electric field
intensity is lower than a predetermined value.
19. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said headphone comprises an error rate detector configured to
detect an error rate of an electric wave transmitted from said
audio player and a warning section configured to issue warning when
the detected error rate is higher than a predetermined value.
20. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said headphone comprises an electric field intensity detector
configured to detect an electric field intensity of an electric
wave transmitted from said audio player, a first distance estimator
configured to estimate a first distance between said headphone and
said audio player, an error rate detector configured to detect an
error rate of the electric wave transmitted from said audio player,
a second distance estimator configured to estimate a second
distance between said headphone and said audio player, and a
warning section configured to issue warning when at least one of
the estimated first distance and the estimated second distance is
longer than a predetermined distance.
21. A music reproduction apparatus comprising an audio player and a
pair of left and right headphones connected to said audio player
via a wireless digital data transmission channel, said audio player
comprising a transmitter configured to transmit left and right
music data to the left and right headphones respectively.
22. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said headphone comprises an operating switch and wirelessly
transmits an operating state signal of said operating switch to
said audio player, and said audio player controls a player
operation based on the operating state signal.
23. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said headphone comprises a microphone and wirelessly transmits a
voice signal input from the microphone and indicating a command to
said audio player, and said audio player carries out voice
recognition and command interpretation for the voice signal
transmitted from said headphone and controls a player operation
based on a result of the command interpretation.
24. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said audio player comprises an interface capable of wirelessly
connecting a plurality of headphones.
25. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said audio player comprises a first battery level detector
configured to detect a level of an incorporated battery of the
audio player, and said headphone comprises a second battery level
detector configured to detect a level of an incorporated battery of
the headphone and a first warning section configured to issue a
warning sound when the level of the incorporated battery detected
by at least one of said first battery level detector and said
second battery level detector is lower than a predetermined value,
and said audio player comprises a second warning section configured
to display a warning message when the level of the incorporated
battery detected by at least one of said first battery level
detector and said second battery level detector is lower than the
predetermined value.
26. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said headphone comprises an electric field intensity detector
configured to detect an electric field intensity of an electric
wave transmitted from said audio player and a warning section
configured to issue warning when the detected electric field
intensity is lower than a predetermined value.
27. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said headphone comprises an error rate detector configured to
detect an error rate of an electric wave transmitted from said
audio player and a warning section configured to issue warning when
the detected error rate is higher than a predetermined value.
28. The music reproduction apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said headphone comprises an electric field intensity detector
configured to detect an electric field intensity of an electric
wave transmitted from said audio player, a first distance estimator
configured to estimate a first distance between said headphone and
said audio player, an error rate detector configured to detect an
error rate of the electric wave transmitted from said audio player,
a second distance estimator configured to estimate a second
distance between said headphone and said audio player, and a
warning section configured to issue warning when at least one of
the estimated first distance and the estimated second distance is
longer than a predetermined distance.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a music reproduction
apparatus that wirelessly connects a portable audio player and a
headphone, and the audio player and headphone.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the
portable audio player, the audio player and the headphone are
connected to each other via a connection cord. This cord gets in
the way of a user, and makes it difficult to use the audio player
while enjoying sport such as when one goes jogging while listening
to music, for example. A connection cord is required to connect
such an audio player to another device, and degradation of sound
quality occurs. If it is aimed to use the headphone for another
purpose, the audio player cannot be used unless the cord has been
connected again. Further, it is difficult to listen to the same
music by a plurality of people while connecting a plurality of
headphones to one audio player. It is necessary to provide a
plurality of jacks at the audio player, and a structural
restriction occurs.
[0004] Because of this, in recent portable audio players, a
wireless type audio player is employed such that voice information
is frequency-modulated in an analog manner, and the modulated
information is delivered to the headphone wirelessly by using radio
or infrared rays.
[0005] However, a conventional wireless portable audio player
transmits voice information in an analog manner, and has a problem
that sound quality is degraded. A conventional wireless portable
audio player using infrared rays cannot connect a plurality of
headphones because of its strong directivity. In addition, a
conventional wireless portable audio player using
frequency-modulation is not configured to connect a plurality of
headphones yet. Further, in the conventional wireless type audio
player, a combination of the audio player and headphone capable of
making wireless communication is predetermined. It is not possible
to freely connect the headphone to the audio player.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a music
reproduction apparatus which is free of sound quality degradation,
and in which a plurality of people can listen to the same music by
using a plurality of headphones.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
audio player and a headphone usable for other purposes, as well for
use in a wireless connection.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an audio player comprising a circular main body, a display
panel provided at one face of the main body, an operating switch
rotatably provided at a periphery of the display panel, and a
wireless communication antenna provided at the other face of the
main body.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a headphone comprising a circular main body, a speaker
provided on one face of the main body, a wireless communication
antenna provided at the other face of the main body, and an ear
hook provided at the main body.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a music reproduction apparatus comprising an audio
player and a headphone connected to the audio player via a wireless
digital data transmission channel, the audio player comprising a
transmitter configured to transmit music data with an error
correction code to the headphone, a reproduction request detector
configured to detect a reproduction request from the headphone, and
a retransmission section configured to re-transmit requested music
data to the headphone based on the reproduction request detected by
the reproduction request detector, and the headphone comprising a
receiver configured to receive music data transmitted from the
audio player, an error detecting/correcting section configured to
detect and correct an error of the music data received by the
receiver and determine whether or not data retransmission is
required, and a retransmission request section configured to, when
the error detecting/correcting means determines that data
retransmission is required, transmit a retransmission request to
the audio player.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a music reproduction apparatus comprising an audio
player and a pair of left and right headphones connected to the
audio player via a wireless digital data transmission channel, the
audio player comprising a transmitter configured to transmit left
and right music data to the left and right headphones, and each of
the left and right headphones comprising a receiver configured to
receive the left and right music data transmitted from the audio
player, and a data extracting section configured to extract one of
the left and right music data received by the receiver.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a music reproduction apparatus comprising an audio
player and a pair of left and right headphones connected to the
audio player via a wireless digital data transmission channel, the
audio player comprising a transmitter configured to transmit left
and right music data to the left and right headphones
respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present invention and, together with the general description
given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given
below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention in
which:
[0014] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are views each showing an external
configuration of an audio player according to a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views showing an external
configuration of a headphone in the first embodiment;
[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views each showing an external
configuration when a microphone is stored in a headphone;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of
the audio player and a headphone according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of
an audio player and a pair of headphones according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of
an audio player and a pair of headphones according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of
a microphone section provided at a headphone according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of
an operating switch section of a headphone and a control section of
an audio player according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of
a microphone section of a headphone and a control section of an
audio player according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration
of an audio player and a headphone according to a seventh
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration
of a headphone according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] An embodiment of a music reproduction apparatus, an audio
player, and a headphone according to the present invention will now
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026] First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D are views each showing an external
configuration of an audio player 10 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG.
1B is a side view, FIG. 1C is a rear view, and FIG. 1D is a bottom
view. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are external configurations of a right
headphone 20. FIG. 2A is a left side view, FIG. 2B is a front view,
and FIG. 2C is a right side view.
[0028] In the audio player 10 shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D, an LCD
display panel 12, for example, formed in a circular shape is
provided at the front face side of a circular case main body 11,
and a ring shaped audio operation switch 13 is rotatably provided
at the outer periphery thereof. The audio operating switch 13
comprises a rotary switch, and can make operations for FF (fast
feed), REW (rewinding), PLAY (playback), and STOP (stop), for
example by rotating the switch. Volume control switches 15a and 15b
are provided at the outside of the case main body 11. The switch
15a is a push button type switch for increasing a volume, and the
switch 15b is a push button type switch for decreasing a
volume.
[0029] A wireless communication antenna 14 for
transmitting/receiving an electric wave is rotatably provided at
the rear face side of the case main body 11, as shown in FIG. 1C.
The antenna 14 comprises a rotary switch for turning ON/OFF
transmission and reception of electronic waves. The rotary switch
can be compatible with a power switch of the audio player.
[0030] A card slot 16 is provided at the lower side of the case
main body 11, as shown in FIG. 1D. A small sized memory card or the
like is mounted to the card slot 16. As a memory card, for example,
a compact flash, a smart medium, or an SD (Secure digital) memory
card may be used.
[0031] The audio player 10 reproduces music stored in the memory
card, and transmits the reproduced digital music data to the
headphone 20 via wireless communication. Bluetooth, for example, is
used for wireless communication. Bluetooth is a specification for
short distance wireless communication in which wireless
communication within 10 m is generally carried out by using an ISM
(Industry Science Medical) band of 2.4 GHz bandwidth. Bluetooth
uses a frequency hopping system as a spread spectrum technique, and
a maximum of eight devices can be connected by time division
multiple system.
[0032] In the right headphone 20 shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, an
antenna 23 is provided on one face of a circular case main body 21,
and a ring shaped ON/OFF switch 22 is provided at the outer
periphery thereof. The ON/OFF switch 22 comprises a rotary switch,
and turns ON/OFF the power by rotationally operating the switch. A
speaker 24 is provided on the other face of the case main body 21.
An ear hook 25 is provided at the outside of the case main body 21.
The ear hook 25 or case main body 21 incorporates a battery. The
headphone 20 is connected to the audio player 10 via wireless
communication, receives digital music data delivered from the audio
player 10, converts the received data into an analog signal, and
drives the speaker 24.
[0033] Although FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C show the right headphone 20, a
left headphone is configured in the same manner.
[0034] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B each show an exemplary configuration
when a microphone 28 is provided at the headphone 20, and are views
seen from the speaker 24 side. FIG. 3A shows a state when the
microphone 28 is stored, and FIG. 3B shows a state when the
microphone 28 is pulled out.
[0035] In the headphone 20, a microphone section 27 is provided at
the outer periphery of the speaker 24. The microphone section 27
rotatably maintains one end of a semi-circular ring shaped
microphone storage arm, and stores the microphone 28 at its tip
end. At the outer periphery of the speaker 24, a semi-circular ring
shaped member similar to the microphone section 27 is disposed at a
position opposite to the microphone section 27, thereby maintaining
aesthetic appeal. The headphone 20 comprises a switch for detecting
a position of the microphone section 27. When the microphone 28 is
pulled out, the pulled out microphone 28 is detected by the switch,
and can be used as an earphone microphone. In general, the
headphone 20 is used while the microphone 28 is stored as shown in
FIG. 3A.
[0036] An electronic circuit of the audio player 10 and headphone
20 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The audio player 10
comprises a music file 31 which stores music data read out from a
memory card; a digital transmission data generator 32 which
generates digital transmission data from the music file 31; and a
digital data modulating device 33 which modulates digital data,
thereby transmitting the modulated data to the headphone 20
wirelessly. The audio player 10 further comprises a receiving
device 34 which receives a retransmission request command delivered
from the headphone 20; and a retransmission request interpreter 35
which interprets the retransmission request command received by the
receiving device 34, thereby inputting the interpreted command to
the digital transmission data generator 32.
[0037] The headphone 20 comprises a receiving device 41 which
receives data delivered from the audio player 10; an error
detecting/correcting circuit 42 which detects and corrects an error
of the received signal; a data buffer 43 which stores the error
corrected data; and a D/A converting/amplifying circuit 44 which
converts and amplifies the digital data stored in the data buffer
43 sequentially into analog signals, thereby driving the speaker
24. The headphone 20 further comprises a retransmission request
generator 45 which, in the case where an error cannot be corrected
by the error detecting/correcting circuit 42 or in the case where
some of the data cannot be received because the electric waves are
interrupted, generates a retransmission request; and a digital data
modulating device 46 which modulates the generated retransmission
request, thereby transmits the request to the audio player 10.
[0038] In the above configuration, the audio player 10 generates
digital transmission data based on the music file 31 at the digital
transmission data generator 32, and modulates the generated data by
the digital data modulating device 33, thereby wirelessly
transmitting the modulated data to the headphone 20. An error
correction code is added to data transmitted from the audio player
10.
[0039] The headphone 20 receives music data delivered from the
audio player 10 by the receiving device 41, carries out error
detection and error correction by the error detecting/correcting
circuit 42, and stores the resultant data in the data buffer 43.
The data stored in the data buffer 43 are sequentially read out to
the D/A amplifying circuit 44, the read out data is converted into
an analog signal, and is amplified, thereby driving the speaker
24.
[0040] In the case where an error cannot be corrected by the error
detecting/correcting circuit 42 or in the case where some of the
data cannot be received because the electric waves are interrupted,
a command for generating a retransmission request is delivered from
the error detecting/correcting circuit 42 to the retransmission
request generator 45, and a retransmission request command is
outputted from the retransmission request generator 45. The
retransmission request command is modulated by the digital data
modulating device 46, and the modulated command is delivered to the
audio player 10.
[0041] The audio player 10 receives a retransmission request
command delivered from the headphone 20 by the receiving device 34,
interprets the received command by the retransmission request
interrupting section 35, and instructs the digital transmission
data generator 32 to retransmit data. The digital transmission data
generator 32 retransmits data on a portion requested in accordance
with the instruction from the retransmission request interpreter
35.
[0042] As has been described above, according to the first
embodiment, the audio player 10 and headphone 20 are connected to
each other via wireless communication, thus eliminating a
connection cord, and freeing the user of cord problems. Because of
this, the user can jog while listening to music. In the case of
storing the audio player 10 and headphone 20 as well, the cord does
not interrupt the user.
[0043] Digital music data is transmitted from the audio player 10
to the headphone 20, and thus, a high quality sound can be
maintained without degrading a sound quality. The error
detecting/correcting circuit 42 is provided at the headphone 20,
thereby carrying out error detection and error correction. In
addition, in the case where an error cannot be corrected by the
error detecting/correcting circuit 42 or in the case where part of
data cannot be received because electric waves are interrupted, a
retransmission request is generated, thereby data on a portion
requested from the audio player 10 is retransmitted. Thus, music
data can be transferred without interruption or degradation. That
is, the data corrected by the error detecting/correcting circuit 42
or retransmitted data is temporarily stored in the data buffer 43,
and then, the temporarily stored data is read out sequentially by
the D/A converting/amplifying circuit 44. Thus, even in the case
data has been retransmitted, the data can be outputted to the
speaker 24 without interruption.
[0044] Digital music data is transmitted wirelessly from the audio
player 10 so that a plurality of people can listen to the same
music by using a plurality of headphones 20. For example, in the
case where Bluetooth is used as a wireless communication system, a
maximum of eight persons can listen to the same music.
[0045] A wireless connection between the audio player 10 and the
headphone 20 is provided, thereby providing a higher degree of
freedom in the design and configuration of the audio player 10 and
the headphone 20.
[0046] Other embodiments of the audio player according to the
present invention will be described. The same portions as those of
the first embodiment will be indicated in the same reference
numerals and their detailed description will be omitted. That is,
an external configuration of the audio player and headphone is
identical to that of the first embodiment. Embodiments which are
different in circuit configuration will be described below.
[0047] Second Embodiment
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration of an audio player 10
and a pair of headphones 20 according to the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0049] The audio player 10 generates stereo music data produced
when L (left) and R (right) channels are mixed at the digital
transmission data generator 32 to be outputted to the digital data
modulating device 33. The digital data modulating device 33
modulates L and R mixed music data, and transmits the modulated
data to an L-side headphone 20a and an R-side headphone 20b.
[0050] The L-side head phone 20a comprises a receiving device 51a,
L-side data extracting section 52a, D/A converting/amplifying
circuit 53a, and L-side speaker 24a. The L and R mixed music data
received by the receiving device 51a is inputted to the L-side data
extracting section 52a, and only the L-side data is extracted.
Then, the L-side data is converted into an analog signal by the D/A
converting/amplifying circuit 53a, and the converted signal is
amplified, thereby driving the L-side speaker 24a.
[0051] Similarly, the R-side headphone 20b comprises a receiving
device 51b, R-side data extracting section 52b, D/A
converting/amplifying circuit 53b, and R-side speaker 24b. The L
and R mixed music data received by the receiving device 51b is
inputted to the R-side data extracting section 52b, and only the
R-side data is extracted. Then, the R-side data is converted into
an analog signal by the D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53b, and
the converted signal is amplified, thereby driving the R-side
speaker 24b.
[0052] The L-side data extracting section 52a and the R-side data
extracting section 52b extract signals of L and R based on a code
included in received data or extract the signals of L and R based
on a time division system.
[0053] With the above configuration, the signals of L and R can be
reliably separated at the headphones 20a and 20b, and the user can
listen to stereo music.
[0054] Third Embodiment
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a circuit configuration of the audio player 10
and the pair of headphones 20 according to the third embodiment of
the present invention.
[0056] In the third embodiment, at the audio player 10, an L-R
separator 36 is provided following to the digital transmission data
generator 32, and signals of L and R are separated from the data
outputted from the digital transmission data generator 32. The
signal of L separated by the L-R separator 36 is inputted to a
digital data modulating device 33a, and the signal of R is inputted
to a digital data modulating device 33b. The digital data
modulating devices 33a and 33b modulate signals separated by the
L-R separator 36, and transmit the separated signals to the L-side
headphone 20a and the R-side headphone 20b. The digital data
modulating devices 33a and 33b transmit signals by using a
frequency division system, for example.
[0057] The L-side headphone 20a comprises a receiving device 51a, a
D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53a, and an L-side speaker 24a.
The receiving device 51a selectively receives an L-side signal
transmitted from the digital data modulating device 33a, and inputs
the received signal to the D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53a.
The D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53a converts the L-side
signal received by the receiving device 51a into an analog signal,
and amplifies the converted signal, thereby driving the L-side
speaker 24a.
[0058] The R-side headphone 20b comprises a receiving device 51b, a
D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53b, and an R-side speaker 24b.
The receiving device 51b selectively receives an R-side signal
transmitted from the digital data modulating device 33b, and inputs
the received signal to the D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53b.
The D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53b converts an R-side signal
received by the receiving device 51b into an analog signal, and
amplifies the converted signal, thereby driving the R-side speaker
24b.
[0059] In the third embodiment, the signals of L and R are
separated at the audio player 10, and the separated signals are
modulated and transmitted independently by digital data modulating
devices 33a and 33b, respectively. Therefore, the pair of
headphones 20a and 20b receives the signals of L and R separated in
advance, the signals being transmitted from the audio player 10,
and the user can listen to stereo music.
[0060] Fourth Embodiment
[0061] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0062] The fourth embodiment relates to a circuit configuration
when the microphone 28 is stored in the headphone 20 as shown in
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 7, the microphone section 27
comprises the microphone 28, an A/D converting device 61, and
digital data modulating device 62, and is configured so as to turn
ON/OFF a power supply of the microphone section 27 by a detection
signal from a microphone position detector 63.
[0063] The microphone position detector 63 outputs a power OFF
signal while the microphone 28 is stored in the headphone 20 as
shown in FIG. 3A, and outputs a power ON signal while the
microphone 28 is pulled out as shown in FIG. 3B. Therefore, when
the microphone 28 is pulled out from the headphone 20, the power ON
signal is outputted from the microphone position detector 63, and
the microphone section 27 operates. In this state, when a voice is
inputted from the microphone 28, the voice signal is converted from
an analog into a digital signal by the A/C converting device 61,
the converted signal is modulated by the digital data modulating
device 62, and the modulated data is transmitted to the audio
player 10.
[0064] In the manner described above, the user's voice data can be
transmitted from the headphone 20 to the audio player 10.
[0065] Although FIG. 7 describes a case where the digital data
modulating device 62 transmits voice data to the audio player 10,
the digital data modulating device 62 is connectable to a device
other than the audio player 10 or a device having an I/F of the
same electric waves as the audio player 10 such a portable
telephone/PHS, a personal computer, a television and the like.
Therefore, the headphone 20 can be used in a method described
below.
[0066] For example, when the headphone 20 is used by being
wirelessly connected to the audio player 10, in the case where a
portable telephone, PHS, or a home telephone (hereinafter, referred
to as a portable telephone) is called, the fact that the portable
telephone is called is transmitted by electric waves to the audio
player 10 and the headphone 20. The audio player 10 temporarily
stops reproduction automatically or reduces the volume, and the
headphone 20 outputs from the speaker 24 a sound indicating that
the portable telephone is called. At this time, the user pulls out
the microphone 28 stored in the headphone 20, thereby starting
operation as an earphone microphone of the portable telephone. When
the portable telephone detects that the headphone 20 starts
operation as an earphone microphone of the portable telephone, the
current state goes from a called state to a talk state. When the
audio player 10 detects that the headphone 20 starts as operation
as an earphone microphone, reproduction is temporarily stopped.
[0067] Then, after the conversation is over, when the microphone 28
of the headphone 20 is stored, the headphone 20 restarts operation
as a general headphone. When the portable telephone detects that an
operation as a headphone is restarted, the telephone cuts out
talking. When the audio player 10 detects that an operation as a
headphone is restarted, the audio player restarts music
reproduction that has been temporarily stopped.
[0068] As has been described above, talk processing can be carried
out for a portable telephone by the microphone 28 of the headphone
20.
[0069] Otherwise, for example, while a portable telephone is
waiting for a call, when it is detected that the headphone 20
starts operation as an earphone microphone, the portable telephone
can execute processing that vocally recognizes voice data of the
microphone 28 delivered from the headphone 20, and dials the
counterpart.
[0070] Fifth Embodiment
[0071] The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0072] The fifth embodiment relates to a circuit configuration when
the headphone 20 is operated as a remote controller of the audio
player 10.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, an operating switch section 70 which
operates the audio player 10 is provided at the headphone 20. The
operating switch section 70 comprises operating switches 71 such as
FF (fast feed), REW (rewinding), PLAY (playback), STOP (stop),
volume control and the like for operating the audio player 10; a
switch state detector 72 which detects a state of the operating
switches 71; a digital data modulating device 73 which modulates
and delivers a command relevant to a switch detected by the switch
state detector 72.
[0074] The audio player 10 receives an electric wave transmitted
from the operating switch section 70 of the headphone 20 by a
control section 80, and executes a control operation corresponding
to the received signal. The control section 80 comprises a
receiving device 81 which receives an electric wave transmitted
from the digital data modulating device 73 of the operating switch
section 70; a command interpreter 82 which interprets a command
corresponding to the received signal by the receiving device 81,
i.e., a command corresponding to the operating switch 71; and a
player operation control section 83 which controls player operation
in accordance with the interpreted command. The player operation
control section 83 generally controls a player operation according
to an operation of a player side operating switch 84.
[0075] In the above configuration, the operating switch 71 such as
PLAY (playback), STOP (stop) or the like, for example, is operated
at the headphone 20 side, and such a switching operation is
detected by the switch state detector 72, and the command
corresponding to the operating switch is delivered to the digital
data modulating device 73. The digital data modulating device 73
modulates a command outputted from the switch state detector 72,
and transmits the modulated command to the audio player 10. The
audio player 10 receives the electric waves transmitted from the
digital data modulating device 73 by the receiving device 81,
interprets the content of the command by the command interpreter
82, and inputs the interpreted content to the player operation
control section 83. The player operation control section 83
controls player operations such as PLAY (playback), STOP (stop) or
the like in accordance with the command interpreted by the command
interpreter 82.
[0076] As has been described above, the operating switch section 70
is provided at the headphone 20, whereby the headphone 20 can be
operated as a remote controller of the audio player 10.
[0077] Sixth Embodiment
[0078] The sixth embodiment relates to a circuit configuration when
the headphone 20 is operated as a remote controller of the audio
player 10 by using the microphone 28 of the headphone 20 and a
voice recognition technique.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, the microphone section 27 shown in FIG.
7 is provided at the headphone 20. The microphone section 27
comprises the microphone 28, A/D converting device 61, and digital
data modulating device 62.
[0080] The audio player 10 comprises a control section 80A similar
to the control section 80 according to the fifth embodiment. The
control section 80A comprises a voice command interpreter 85
provided instead of the command interpreter 82 in the control
section 80.
[0081] In the case where the headphone 20 is operated as a remote
controller, the microphone 28 is pulled out from the headphone 20,
and the microphone vocally generates a predetermined operating
command such as "reproduction" or "next music", for example, to the
audio player 10. The voice data inputted to the microphone 28 is
converted into digital data by the A/D converting device 61, and
the converted data is transmitted to the control section 80A of the
audio player 10 modulated by the digital data modulating device 62.
The control section 80A receives the voice data delivered from the
head phone 20 by the receiving device 81, interprets the received
data by the voice command interpreter 82, and supplies the
interrupted data to the player operation control section 83. The
player operation control section 83 controls a player operation in
accordance with the content interpreted by the voice command
interpreter 82.
[0082] As has been described above, the microphone section 27 is
provided at the headphone 20, and the voice command interpreter 82
is provided at the control section 80A of the audio player 10,
whereby a voice command is assigned from the microphone 28 of the
headphone 20, making it possible to operate the audio player
10.
[0083] Seventh Embodiment
[0084] The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0085] The seventh embodiment relates to a circuit configuration
when information on the battery level of the audio player 10 and
the headphone 20 is exchanged, a no-battery warning sound or
warning message is generated, and a battery level is displayed on
the display panel 12 of the audio player 10.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 10, a battery level detector 92 which
detects the level of a battery 91 is provided at the audio player
10. Information on the battery residue detected by the battery
level detector 92 is delivered to a display device control section
93 to be displayed on the display panel 12. If the residue of the
battery 91 is below a predetermined value, the battery level
detector 92 detects such state, and outputs a warning sound
generating command to a warning sound generator 94. The warning
sound generator 94 generates a warning sound or a warning message
in accordance with a command from the battery level detector 92,
modulates the sound or message by the digital data modulating
device 33, and transmits it to the headphone 20.
[0087] The headphone 20 receives the warning sound or warning
message transmitted from the audio player 10 by the receiving
device 51, and converts the sound or message into an analog signal
by the D/A converting/ amplifying circuit 53, thereby driving the
speaker 24. The headphone 20 detects the residue of an incorporated
battery 55 by a battery level detector 56, and outputs a warning
sound generating command to a warning sound generator 57 when the
battery residue is below a predetermined value. The warning sound
generator 57 generates a warning sound in accordance with a command
from the battery level detector 56, and outputs the generated sound
from the speaker 24 via the D/A converting/amplifying circuit
53.
[0088] The residue information on the battery 55 detected by the
battery level detector 56 is modulated by the digital data
modulating device 46, and the modulated information is transmitted
to the audio player 10. The audio player 10 receives the battery
residue information delivered from the headphone 20 by the
receiving device 34, outputs the received information to a display
device control section 93, and displays the outputted information
on the display panel 12.
[0089] With the above configuration, information on the battery
level of the audio player 10 and the headphone 20 is exchanged, a
no-battery warning sound or a warning message is generated, and the
battery residue can be displayed on the display panel 12 of the
audio player 10.
[0090] Eighth Embodiment
[0091] The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 11.
[0092] The eighth embodiment relates to a circuit configuration
when the headphone 20 approximately measures a distance to the
audio player 10 by using electric waves, and a warning sound is
outputted from the speaker 24 when the distance exceeds a
predetermined distance.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 11, the headphone 20 comprises an electric
field intensity measuring section 58 and an error rate measuring
section 59, receives transmission electric waves from the audio
player 10 by the receiving device 51, and inputs the received
signal to the electric field intensity measuring section 58 and
error rate measuring section 59. The electric field intensity
measuring section 58 measures an electric field intensity from a
level of the received signal, estimates a distance to the audio
player 10 from its electric field intensity, and outputs a warning
sound generating command to the warning sound generator 57 when the
estimated distance exceeds a predetermined distance or the detected
electric field intensity is lower than a predetermined value.
[0094] The error rate measuring section 59 measures an error rate
of received information based on an error detection code included
in the transmitted information from the audio player 10, estimates
a distance with the audio player 10 from the result, and outputs a
warning sound generating command to the warning sound generator 57
when the estimated distance exceeds a predetermined distance or the
detected error rate is higher than a predetermined value.
[0095] The warning sound generator 57 generates a warning sound in
the case where a warning sound generating command is generated from
the electric field intensity measuring section or error rate
measuring section 59, and outputs the warning from the speaker 24
via the D/A converting/amplifying circuit 53.
[0096] As described above, the electric field intensity measuring
section 58 and the error rate measuring section 59 are provided at
the headphone 20, and a distance to the audio player 10 is
measured, whereby a warning sound can be outputted from the speaker
24 in the case where the distance with the audio player 10 exceeds
a predetermined distance. Therefore, for example, in the case where
an attempt to move while the audio player 10 is set down somewhere,
a warning sound sounds. As a result, the mislaying of the audio
player 10 can be prevented. Similarly, the theft of the audio
player 10 can be effectively prevented.
[0097] Although the above described embodiments show a case where
the audio player 10 is connected to the headphone 20, the audio
player can be connected to another device by using electric waves
as well as the headphone 20. For example, connection is made to
another audio player or personal computer having an I/F of the same
electric waves as the audio player 10, and a music file owned by
each of these elements can be transmitted/received. The audio
player 10 is connected to a portable telephone having an I/F of the
same electric waves as the audio player 10, thereby making it
possible to download a music file over the Internet via this
portable telephone.
[0098] As has been described above in detail, according to aspects
of the present invention, digital music data is transmitted from
the audio player to the headphone, and thus, a high quality sound
can be maintained. The error detecting/correcting circuit is
provided at the headphone, thereby carrying out error correction.
In the case where error correction cannot be carried out or in the
case where some of the data cannot be received because electric
waves are interrupted, data is retransmitted, thus making it
possible to reliably prevent interruption or degradation of the
music data. Further, digital music data is transmitted wirelessly
from the audio player, and a plurality of people can listen to the
same music by using a plurality of headphones. Each of the audio
player and the headphone comprise a transmitting/receiving device,
thus making it possible to facilitate the audio player or headphone
operating as an electronic device having another purpose as well as
music data transmission/receiving.
[0099] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in
its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,
representative devices, and illustrated examples shown and
described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive
concept as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *