JP2003259481A - Audio system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability of an audio system comprised of a radio headset and an audio gateway. <P>SOLUTION: Headsets 10A to 10C are used by pairing with different audio gateways 20A to 20C and comprised of a radio transmission and receiving means (antenna) 11, a radio module 12, a controlling part 13, an input means 14, a memory 15, and a speaker 16. Each headset 10 shares the data by radio communication with the gateways 20A to 20C and other headsets. This makes it possible to listen to music and other audio programs under the same environment by pairing the headsets 10A to 10C and the audio gateways 20A to 20C optionally. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio system, for example, an audio system which is an audio device including an audio gateway which is a main body capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving mutually and a headset.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An audio system is used not only for a broadcasting medium transmitted by a radio wave from a broadcasting station but also for a CD (Compact Compact).
Disc) and MD (Mini Disc), and a number of sources including analog recording media such as magnetic tape. In particular, CD / MD has become the mainstream of recent music sources. Further, the audio gateway, which is a means for reproducing such a music source, is not only a stationary type (or fixed type) used indoors, but also a portable type used by the user while walking or moving in a vehicle such as a train. It is common to own a plurality of (portable) and vehicle-mounted type mounted in a vehicle.

As described above, a user who owns a plurality of audio gateways and a plurality of headsets properly pairs and uses the audio gateways and headsets according to their activity areas.
For example, when listening to music on the same CD, if the user is indoors, he or she listens to music using a headset mounted on the CD playback section of a stationary audio gateway. Also, when you go out, use the CD as a portable audio gateway CD.
You can listen to it by mounting it on the playback unit. In this way, the user can listen to the same CD wherever he is.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show usage states of a conventional audio system using a wireless headset. First, in FIG. 3A, the wireless headset 10 is paired with the stationary audio gateway 20A, and a music source such as a CD is listened to indoors. Next, when going out, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the CD is transferred to the portable audio gateway 20B and the wireless headset 10 listens to the music of the CD. Further, when returning to the room from the outside, as shown in FIG. 3C, the CD is again transferred to the stationary audio gateway 20A, and the audio is played back by the audio gateway 20A and the wireless headset 10 to listen to the music.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional wireless headset, only the volume (volume) setting information is stored. And the controllable on the headset side is to start playback of volume and CD,
Since only seeking (selecting music) and stopping are performed, it is not possible to continuously play a CD and listen to music unless the user performs a music selection operation each time the audio gateway is changed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional audio system, and provides an audio system capable of improving the operability when used by being paired with a plurality of audio gateways. The purpose is to Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio system capable of properly pairing a plurality of audio gateways and a plurality of wireless headsets to reproduce music on a CD or the like with good operability and continuously listen to the music.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the audio system according to the present invention adopts the following characteristic configuration.

(1) In an audio system having a plurality of audio gateways and a plurality of wireless headsets paired with the audio gateways, each of the wireless headsets includes the audio gateway and another wireless headset. An audio system configured to be wirelessly communicable with each other.

(2) The audio system according to (1), wherein each of the wireless headsets includes a wireless module including its own device ID, another wireless headset, and a memory section for storing information of each of the audio gateways.

(3) The audio system according to (1) or (2), wherein information such as a volume setting value, a music source and a music position is stored in the memory section of the wireless headset.

(4) The audio system according to (1), (2) or (3) above, wherein the memory section of the wireless headset is composed of a rewritable memory such as a RAM.

(5) In an audio system including an audio gateway and a wireless headset, the wireless headset wirelessly communicates not only with the audio gateway but also with other wireless headsets to transmit and receive various information to transmit and receive a plurality of audio signals. An audio system that can be used by properly pairing a gateway and multiple wireless headsets.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of an audio system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless headset 10 used in the audio system of the present invention. This wireless headset 10 includes an antenna (wireless transmitting / receiving means) antenna 11, a wireless module 1
2, a control unit 13, an input unit 14, a memory unit 15 and a speaker 16. The wireless module 12
It incorporates a device ID 12A, which is its own device identification information.

In the wireless headset 10, the antenna 11 is connected to the wireless module 12. The control unit 13 is connected between the wireless module 12 and the memory unit 15. The input unit 14 is connected to the control unit 13. The speaker 16 is connected to the wireless module 12, and only one speaker is shown in FIG. 1, but a stereo system uses a pair of left and right speakers.

Next, the operation of the wireless headset 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The radio wave (or infrared ray) received by the antenna 11 is demodulated by the wireless module 12, and the data is input to the control unit 13 by UART, USB or the like well known to those skilled in the art. Further, the data output from the control unit 13 is modulated by the wireless module 12 and is then transmitted to the antenna 1
1 transmits a radio wave. When infrared rays are used as the radio, the infrared ray receiving section /
Use the light emitting part. An infrared module is used as the wireless module 12.

The input means 14 controls the control section 13 to perform pairing with an audio gateway or another headset as a signal type, change volume setting, play back a CD, etc.
Communicate instructions such as track search. The memory unit 15 is preferably a RAM (Random Access Memory) and stores (writes) various information such as device identification information (ID) of the pairing partner, volume setting information, and song information under the control of the control unit 13. It is read. The device ID 12A built in the wireless module 12 becomes identification information of the self device and is exchanged with the partner device (audio gateway) at the time of pairing. As described above, the wireless headset 10 is most characterized by being configured to be capable of wireless communication with other headsets as well as the audio gateway.

Next, FIGS. 2A to 2C are operation explanatory views of the audio system according to the present invention. First, FIG.
(A) shows a state in which the headset 10A and the stationary audio gateway 20A are paired. Figure 2
(B) shows a state in which the headset 10B and the portable audio gateway 20B are paired. Also,
FIG. 2C shows a state in which the headset 10C and the vehicle-mounted audio gateway 20C are paired.

2A to 2C, headsets 10A to 10C are input means 1 by the user, respectively.
4 or a corresponding audio gateway 20A to 20A that automatically detects the presence of an audio gateway within a certain distance by a detecting means (not shown).
Pair with C. At this time, the headset 10A ~
10C and each audio gateway 20A-
20C can be distinguished by a unique value (BD address or the like). Thereby, the headsets 10A to 10C are
In addition to the volume setting value for each audio gateway, a music source ID and song position information can be stored in the memory unit 15.

In the above state, the headsets 10A-10
Information on each audio gateway is exchanged between the C headsets by synchronization.
Exchange and copy the latest status information. At this time, the audio gateway 20 can be identified by the ID information of the device. Therefore, the headsets 10A to 10C all store the information of the audio gateways 20A to 20C.

Therefore, which one of the headsets 10A to 10C is used as the audio gateway 20A
~ Which audio gateway 20A out of 20C ~
Even when the pairing with the 20C is repeated, the paired audio gateway and the previous state can be restored. Then, it is possible to reproduce the volume setting value, the song being played, and the position in the middle of the song.

As a specific example, a wireless (eg Bluetooth enabled) headset will automatically pair when approaching the audio gateway. Therefore, it is possible to go out while listening to the continuation of the same song as the CD that was being listened to by the fixed component component in the portable MD player that uses another headset as it is.

The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the audio system according to the present invention have been described above in detail. However, such an embodiment is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention. In particular, it is clear that the present invention can be applied not only to audio but also to video.

[0024]

As can be understood from the above description, the audio system of the present invention has the following notable practical effects. When a wireless (Bluetooth compatible) headset is brought close to the audio gateway, it automatically pairs and listens to music, so the CD that you listened to with a fixed component is the portable MD as it is.
It is possible for the player to go out while listening to the rest. In addition to the volume setting value for each audio gateway, the music source ID stored in the memory unit,
The song position information can be shared with other headsets by synchronization. As a result, you can listen to the music source (song) from the previous continuation, for indoor, in-house,
It is possible to listen to music in the same environment by using the headset for mobile phones and the headset for going out separately or by using them in any combination (pairing). In addition, it is possible to make a hands-free call with a mobile phone.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a preferred embodiment of a headset used in an audio system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an audio system using the headset shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional audio system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10A-10C headset 11 Antenna (wireless communication means) 12 wireless module 12A Self device ID 13 Control unit 14 Input means 15 memory 16 speakers 20A-20C Audio Gateway

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An audio system having a plurality of audio gateways and a plurality of wireless headsets used in pair with the audio gateways, wherein each of the wireless headsets is connected to the audio gateway and another wireless headset. An audio system characterized by being capable of wireless communication between them. 2. The wireless headset according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless module including a device ID of the wireless headset, a memory unit for storing information of another wireless headset, and each of the audio gateways. Audio system. 3. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the memory section of the wireless headset stores information such as a volume setting value, a music source and a music position. 4. The memory unit of the wireless headset comprises:
The audio system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the audio system comprises a rewritable memory such as a RAM. 5. An audio system including an audio gateway and a wireless headset, wherein the wireless headset wirelessly communicates not only with the audio gateway but also with other wireless headsets to transmit and receive various information, thereby transmitting and receiving a plurality of audio gateways. And an audio system in which a plurality of wireless headsets can be appropriately paired and used.