GB2491159A

GB2491159A - CD player wireless audio transceiver

Info

Publication number: GB2491159A
Application number: GB201108782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leon Codrington
Original assignee: INFINITE WHEEL Ltd
Current assignee: INFINITE WHEEL Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2011-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Also published as: GB201108782D0

Abstract

An audio device comprises a CD player 1 with a laser 3 for converting modulations in the surface of a compact disc 4 into a first signal, means 13 for wirelessly transmitting the first signal to a computer 15; means for providing an amplifier 19 under control of the computer with a second signal responsive to the first signal; means 20 such as speakers for converting the amplified signal into sound, wherein the second signal is transmitted wirelessly from the computer; and the means for transmitting the first signal is carried by or connected to the CD player. The means for transmitting the second signal may also be carried by or connected to the CD player and may comprise a transceiver. The computer may be a mobile phone and the audio device may include a storage cell or capacitor for powering the transmitter. The computer may be remote to the CD player and can process the received audio signal to remove pops and crackles or to adjust the tone or equalize the sound before being transmitted as the second signal.

Description

Audio Device This invention relates to an audio device. More especially the invention relates to an audio device for use with what is variously known as a compact disc, cd player, or cdj.

Hereinafter the term "cd player" will be used.

Since about 1990 one of the principal means of playing recorded music on demand has been the cd; a disc generally made from polycarbonate plastic. Since then much music has been recorded in this way or electronically for example as MP3 files.

Many people have collections of cd's which they would like to play and utilize on computer based systems.

Cd players which are directly connectable to computers exist. It is also possible for the skilled worker to connect a cd player to a sound card of a computer and transfer the recording. it is not a trivial task however and is beyond the capacity of many users. in both eases it is necessary to provide a wired link from the record player to the computer.

The invention seeks to overcome the problem and provide a wireless connection for a cd player to a computer.

in accordance with the invention there is provided an an audio device comprising a) a cd player with a central spindle & laser, the Easer converting modulations in the surface of a compact disc into a first signal; b) means for transmitting the first signal to a computer; c) means for providing an amplifier under control of the computer with a second signal responsive to the first signal; d) means for converting the amplified signal into sound, wherein i) the first signal is transmitted wirelessly to the computer;

I

ii) the second signal is transmitted wirelessly from the computer; and iii) the means for transmitting the first signal is carried internally by the cd player.

The means for receiving the second signal can be carried by cd player. The means for transmitting the first signal and the means for receiving the second signal can comprise a transceivcr. The means for transmitting the first signal can be intermediate the laser and the hardware output connectors (Usually Phono). The means for transmitting the first signal can be connected to the cd player. The computer can be a mobile phone. The audio device can further comprise a switch for diverting audio out & back via the transceiver or straight through to the output.

The invention further provides a wireless transceiver comprising 1) means for collecting a signal from a laser of a cd player; 2) means for wirelessly transmitting a first signal responsive to the collected signal to a remote computer; 3) means for wirelessly receiving a second signal responsive to the first signal from the remote computer; 4) means for transmitting a signal responsive to the second signal to an amplifier 5) means for mounting the wireless transceiver internally to the body of the cd player and.

6) a connector to the necessary circuits in order to power the transceiver.

The wireless transceiver can be formed integrally with at least one of a laser and spindle.

Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated by way of non-limiting example by reference to the accompanying figures of which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of an audio device of the invention; in a first embodiment of the invention cd player I is provided with rotatable spindle 2.

Laser 3 is mounted inside I so that the laser 3 can read the cd 4. in use a cd 4 is mounted on the spindle 2. in a conventional arrangement wiring 7 leading from the laser passes through the ed player through a pre-amplifier 8 to output socket 9. in general the wiring and pre-amplifier are hidden from view but in the figure they are shown exposed to view for clarity. In conventional use output socket 9 is in connection with an amplifier 19 and speakers 20 for reproducing the recorded sound during playback Cd player 1 is provided with internal laser 2. Output from the laser is connected to wiring 7 to pass signals from the disc to the speakers via intermediate stages.

in accordance with the invention the cd player 1 is provided with a first wireless transceiver 13 for wirelessly transmitting information to a remote computer. Those skilled will have no difficulty in devising suitable ways of achieving this. Examples include microwave radio signals such as Bluetooth® especially Bluetooth® Low Energy such as v4. information on the compact disc is thus converted into electrical signals by the laser arrangement and passed to the wireless transceiver 13. From there it is wirelessly transmitted to a computer is equipped with a second wireless transceiver 16 and cpu 17, Generally the computer will also be provided with storage 18. Conveniently computer 15 may be a typical home computer such as a PC or Apple® computer. in other preferred embodiments of the invention the computer is a mobile device such as a mobile phone for example a Google® Android ® based phone. Computer iSis capable of processing the received signal for example to remove "pops" and "crackles" from the replayed signal.

Some reproduced sound such as that from a CD has not been subjected to RIAA equalization. This means that modern amplifiers may reproduce records with excessively bright tone (ie with excessive high frequency). Software controlled by the computer may alter the equalization of the transmitted sound for example to compensate for a modem amplifier for example as part of a home cinema system not being adjusted for RIAA equalization.

Vinyl and cd emulation software such as Final Scratch® allows a user to use a record carrying digital time codes to manipulate digital audio files in the same manner as if the recording were made on record. The time codes allow a computer to deduce the location speed and direction of travel of the stylus relative to the record or cd. This allows a digital audio file on the computer and mapped to the record digital time code to be manipulated as if it were on the record. This is very convenient because to allows a DJ to use his turntablist skills without travelling with a physically large collection of records relying instead on the physically smaller digital files.

The second transceiver 16 transmits a signal to the first transceiver 13. Where the recording being played is an audio record the transmitted signal will be an altered version of the signal originally transmitted by the first transceiver, Where the cd being played is a cd carrying digital time codes the transmitted signal will be of content mapped to the digital time codes.

The signal received by the first transceiver 13 is then passed via wiring 7 to amplifier 19 and speakers 20.

The cd player is thus able to connect to the computer without altering cabling and without substantially altering the appearance of the ed player.

in some embodiments of the invention the first transceiver 13 is provided with a switch 21. When switch 21 is in a first position the arrangement operates as hereinbefore described. When switch 21 is in a second position the signal from the cd is not sent to the second transceiver but is sent directly to the wiring 7 for transmission to the amplifier and speakers. In some embodiments of the invention switch 21 is manually actuable. In some embodiments of the invention switch 21 is actuated to the first position by detecting a signal from the second transceiver and actuated to the second position when a signal from the second transceiver is not detected. This embodiment allows the computer to be connected to and disconnected from the record player automatically. This is particularly convenient for mobile systems and those where the computer is a portable computer.

in some embodiments of the invention the transceiver is provided in an integral assembly comprising input / output connector, battery and transceiver. This is convenient for consumer usc since the user can simply connect the transceiver in line.

in some embodiments of the invention the transceiver is provided integrally to the ed player.

Some cd players are very expensive and users may be reluctant to replace them. in some embodiments of the invention the first transceiver is provided in a discrete unit for mounting intermediate the cd player and the amplifier.

While generally convenient to provide the first transceiver intermediate the laser and the output it is not essential to do so. in embodiments of the invention the transceiver is outboard of the cd player. Where the invention is used as a replacement assembly for use in an existing setup it may be preferable to have the first transceiver outboard of the cd player.

The second transceiver can draw power from the associated computer or can be provided with an independent power source.

The first transceiver could be provided with power from a power source remote from it and run to it by power leads secured to the cd player.

In some embodiments of the invention the power source is integral with the first transceiver for example in the form of a button cell.

Claims

Claims I. An audio device comprising a) a cd player with a rotatable spindle & laser, the laser being capable of converting modulations in the surface of a compact disc carried on the spindle into a first signal; b) means for transmitting the first signal to a computer; c) means for providing an amplifier under control of the computer with a second signal responsive to the first signal; d) means for converting the amplified signal into sound, characterized in that i) the first signal is transmitted wirelessly to the computer; in that ii) the second signal is transmitted wirelessly from the computer; and in that iii) the means for transmitting the first signal is carried by or connected to the cd player.
2. An audio device as claimed in claim I wherein means for receiving the second signal are carried by or connected to the cd player.
3. An audio device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for transmitting the first signal and the means for receiving the second signal comprise a transceiver.
4. An audio device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for transmitting the first signal is intermediate the laser and the amplifier.
5. An audio device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for transmitting the first signal is intermediate the ed player and the amplifier.
6. An audio device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the computer comprises a mobile phone.
7. An audio device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a cell or storage capacitor for powering the means for transmitting the first signal.
8. An audio device as claimed herein by reference to any one or more of the figures.
9. A wireless transceiver comprising 1) means for collecting a signal from a laser of a cd player; 2) means for wirelessly transmitting a first signal responsive to the collected signal to a remote computer; 3) means for wirelessly receiving a second signal responsive to the first signal from the remote computer; 4) means for transmitting a signal responsive to the second signal to an amplifier; and 5) means for mounting the wireless transceiver internally or externally to the ed player.
10. A wireless transceiver as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a generator to generate power for the transceiver.
11. A wireless transceiver as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 formed integrally with at least one of a laser or spindle.
12. A wireless transceiver for mounting on a cd player as described herein.
13. A method of broadcasting sound comprising the steps of providing an audio device as claimed in any one of claims I to 10 and playing a cd on the cd player.