JP2004274194A - Electronic apparatus and data conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus equipped with a means for mutually converting the data generated by a general media-supporting application and the data that comply with a radio communication system. <P>SOLUTION: A host controller 6 is composed of an RF layer 21, a BB layer 22 and an LM layer 23. A host 16 is provided with an L2CAP26 and a Bluetooth(R) (BT) communication bus driver 27. A BT communication sound driver 28 is provided in the higher order of the driver 27. The driver 28 plays a role of converting sound data transmitted from an opposite communication device through a BT communication system into a data form which can be used in a general sound-supporting application (sound application), and another role of converting the sound data generated by the sound application into a data form suited to the BT communication system. Further, a sound API29 and a sound application 30 are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device including a data conversion unit, and particularly to an electronic device including a sound data conversion unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard for realizing short-range wireless data communication with a communication partner electronic device, for example, a headset, with sound data or the like reproduced on a personal computer side (hereinafter, referred to as Bluetooth wireless communication). In the case of transmission using, an application that is mounted on a personal computer and reproduces sound data and the like is an application that complies with the Bluetooth wireless communication standard and reproduces sound data and the like (hereinafter, referred to as a BT-compatible media application). ) Had to be.
[0003]
That is, sound data and the like reproduced using a general-purpose media-compatible application such as a standard installed in an OS (Operating System) installed in a personal computer are transmitted to a communication partner device using Bluetooth wireless communication. It was impossible to transmit.
[0004]
In order to solve the above problems, a means of providing a driver is used. For example, an invention has been proposed in which a driver is provided so that data owned by an AV device such as Digital Video can be accessed in a file format from an external device (see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-346161 A (Page 5, FIG. 4)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The user needs to newly learn how to use the BT-compatible media application. Further, a sound file in a format that is not supported by the BT-compatible media application can be supported by the BT-compatible media application. However, there is a problem in that it is necessary to convert the data to advance.
[0007]
In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an electronic device having a means for mutually converting data reproduced by a general-purpose media compatible application and data satisfying a format suitable for wireless communication used. The purpose is to provide equipment.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an electronic apparatus including a reproducing unit for reproducing media data and an output unit for outputting the reproduced data, a wireless device for performing wireless communication with an external device is provided. It is characterized by comprising communication means and conversion means for converting data reproduced by the reproduction means into a data format transmitted to an external device by wireless communication means.
[0009]
With such a configuration, it is possible to convert the reproduced media data into a data format to be transmitted to an external device by wireless communication means.
[0010]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, data conversion performed by an electronic device including a reproducing unit that reproduces media data, an output unit that outputs the reproduced data, and a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external device. In the method, the data reproduced by the reproducing means is converted into a data format to be transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication means, and the converted data is transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication means.
[0011]
With such a configuration, it is possible to convert the reproduced media data into a data format to be transmitted to an external device by wireless communication means.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an electronic device including a media application and a headset perform wireless communication.
[0014]
The electronic device 1 according to the present invention includes a display unit 2 and a main body 3. A display 4 for displaying various information is provided on the display unit 2. For example, the display 4 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The main body 3 is provided with a speaker 5 for converting an audio signal into sound.
[0015]
The main body 3 has a built-in Bluetooth communication module 6 required for performing Bluetooth wireless communication. If the electronic device 1 has an expansion slot or the like, the Bluetooth communication module 6 does not need to be provided in the electronic device 1 in advance, and an expansion card or the like having a built-in Bluetooth wireless function can be attached to the electronic device 1. , The Bluetooth communication module 6 may be provided.
[0016]
The headset 7 (external device) includes an ear speaker 8 and a microphone (hereinafter, referred to as a microphone) 9. The ear speaker 8 is a stereo ear speaker for listening to sound. The microphone 9 receives a user's voice or an external sound.
[0017]
A Bluetooth communication module 8 is built in the headset 7. The Bluetooth communication module 8 is provided for performing Bluetooth wireless communication with the electronic device 1.
[0018]
The headset 7 has an area that can communicate with the electronic device 1. When the electronic device 1 is present in this area, the electronic device 1 receives a radio wave having sufficient strength to communicate with the headset 7.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the electronic device.
[0020]
The first bridge circuit 12 is connected to the display 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main memory 13, and a second bridge circuit 14.
[0021]
The display 4 displays various information. For example, a GUI (Graphic User Interface) of a sound reproduction application is displayed.
[0022]
The CPU 11 controls the entire electronic device 1 and performs data calculations and the like.
[0023]
The main memory 13 stores an OS, a device driver, an application program to be executed, processing data, and the like.
[0024]
The second bridge circuit 14 is connected to the magnetic disk device 15, the speaker 5, and the Bluetooth communication module 6.
[0025]
The magnetic disk device 15 stores an operating system, a device driver, an application program to be executed, and the like, and is transferred to the main memory 13 as appropriate.
[0026]
The speaker 5 (output means) converts the audio signal into a sound. The user can listen to the converted sound.
[0027]
The Bluetooth communication module 6 is configured with hardware necessary for performing Bluetooth wireless communication. For example, it includes an RF unit, a BaseBand unit, and the like.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the positioning of the sound driver according to the present invention in the protocol stack of Bluetooth communication.
[0029]
Hereinafter, a protocol stack of Bluetooth communication on the personal computer side will be described.
[0030]
A host controller (Bluetooth communication module) 6 as hardware, a host 16 as software controlled by the host controller 6, and a host controller interface (hereinafter referred to as HCI) as a software interface between the host controller 6 and the host 16 .) 24 and 25.
[0031]
The RF layer 21, which is the lowest layer among the three layers in the host controller 6, corresponds to hardware (for example, an RF transceiver) for transmitting / receiving and modulating / demodulating a radio frequency signal using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. In this RF layer 21, amplification of a radio frequency signal and radio communication by a frequency hopping type spread spectrum system are performed.
[0032]
One layer higher than the RF layer 21 is a baseband layer (hereinafter, referred to as a BB layer) 22. Similarly to the RF layer 21, the BB layer 22 is implemented by hardware (for example, a baseband chip) in the host controller 6. The BB layer 22 defines a group of functions necessary for Bluetooth wireless communication.
[0033]
One layer higher than the BB layer 22 is a link management layer (hereinafter, referred to as an LM layer) 23. Like the BB layer 22, the LM layer 23 is implemented by hardware (for example, a baseband chip) in the host controller 6. The LM layer 23 manages the establishment of the communication link such as setting the communication link establishment for the BB layer 22. This setting content is defined in the LM layer 23 as a control packet. Further, the LM layer 23 may be directly controlled by a higher layer as needed.
[0034]
The HCIs 24 and 25 that mediate between the host controller 6 and the host 16 are software interfaces defined as technical specifications. When incorporating a Bluetooth module into a device, if an application is developed in accordance with an HCI command based on the HCIs 24 and 25, there is a merit that an application can be developed without being conscious of the protocol of the host controller 6. When the HCIs 24 and 25 are not used, the application developer can directly operate the protocol group on the host controller side. In this embodiment, the case where the HCIs 24 and 25 are used will be described. However, even when the HCIs 24 and 25 are not used, the effects of the present invention can be obtained as long as the protocol group on the host controller side is the same.
[0035]
The lowest layer of the protocol group of the host 16 is a logical link control and adaptation protocol (hereinafter, referred to as L2CAP) 26. The L2CAP 26 is a protocol for accessing the LM layer 23 and the BB layer 22 through the HCIs 24 and 25. The L2CAP 26 divides data sent from a higher layer and reconstructs data sent from a lower layer such as the LM layer 23 and the BB layer 22.
[0036]
A Bluetooth communication bus driver 27 is provided above the L2CAP 26. The Bluetooth communication bus driver 27 plays a role of converting data transmitted from a higher layer, which will be described later, into data suitable for the Bluetooth communication format performed by the L2CAP 26 and below.
[0037]
A Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 is provided above the Bluetooth communication bus driver 27. The Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 converts sound data transmitted from a communication partner device according to the Bluetooth communication method into a data format that can be used by a general-purpose sound-compatible application (described later), and a general-purpose sound driver. It plays a role of converting sound data reproduced by a typical sound-compatible application into a data format suitable for transmission to a communication partner device in accordance with the Bluetooth communication method.
[0038]
Above the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28, a sound API (Application Program Interface) (hereinafter referred to as a sound API) 29 is provided. The sound API 29 is provided to convert data reproduced by a general sound-compatible application (described later) positioned at a higher level into a format usable by the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 described above. Interface.
[0039]
A general-purpose sound-compatible application (program) (hereinafter, referred to as a general-purpose sound application) 30 is provided above the sound API 29. The general-purpose sound application (reproducing means) is, for example, an application for media including sound, which is included in the OS as a standard, and is compatible with only sound data transmitted and received according to the Bluetooth communication method. Different from application.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a Bluetooth communication sound driver and a sound driver provided for using a speaker mounted on a personal computer.
[0041]
The description of the Bluetooth communication module 6, the HCIs 24 and 25, the L2CAP 26, the Bluetooth communication bus driver 27, the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28, the sound API 29, and the general sound application 30 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. Description is omitted.
[0042]
The sound driver 32 converts sound data generated by the general-purpose sound application 30 into a data format usable by the speaker 5 mounted on the personal computer.
[0043]
Further, the Bluetooth communication management unit 31 performs management related to Bluetooth communication, such as detection of start and end of Bluetooth communication.
[0044]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of transmission of sound data from personal computer 1 to headset 7.
[0045]
Bluetooth communication is started between the personal computer 1 and the headset 7 (S1). The Bluetooth communication management unit 31 provided in the personal computer 7 detects that Bluetooth communication has started (S2). After the detection, the Bluetooth communication management unit 31 loads the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 into the main memory 13 (S3).
[0046]
In a state where steps up to step S3 are completed, music reproduction is started using the general-purpose sound application 30 mounted on the personal computer 1, that is, generation of sound data is started (S4). The sound data reproduced by the general-purpose sound application 30 is transmitted to the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 via the sound API 29 (S5). The Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 converts the sound data transmitted via the sound API 29 into a data format that can be transmitted by Bluetooth wireless communication (S6). The sound data converted into a data format that can be transmitted by Bluetooth wireless communication is transmitted to the headset 7 (S7). Thereafter, the user of the headset can listen to music and the like through the ear speaker 8 provided in the headset 7.
[0047]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of transmission of sound data from headset 7 to personal computer 1.
[0048]
Bluetooth communication is started between the personal computer 1 and the headset 7 (S8). The Bluetooth communication management unit 31 provided in the personal computer 7 detects that Bluetooth communication has been started (S9). After the detection, the Bluetooth communication management unit 31 loads the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 into the main memory 13 (S10).
[0049]
In a state where steps up to step S10 are completed, a sound is input to the microphone 9 mounted on the headset 7 (S11). The input sound is converted into a data format suitable for the Bluetooth communication system, and transmitted as sound data from the headset 7 to the personal computer 1 (S12). The Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 converts the sound data transmitted from the headset, which is in a format suitable for Bluetooth wireless communication, into a sound data format suitable for the sound API 29 (S13). The sound data converted by the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 is transmitted to the general sound application 30 via the sound API 29 (S14). The converted sound data is recorded by the general-purpose sound application 30 (S15).
[0050]
As described above, by providing the Bluetooth sound driver 28, the sound data reproduced by the general-purpose sound application 30 is converted into sound data satisfying the format suitable for Bluetooth communication, and the format suitable for Bluetooth communication is provided. Can be converted into sound data reproduced by a general sound application 30 or the like.
[0051]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating switching from using the Bluetooth sound driver to using a driver provided to use a speaker mounted on a personal computer.
[0052]
The Bluetooth communication performed between the personal computer 1 and the headset 7 ends (S16). The Bluetooth communication management unit 31 provided in the personal computer 7 detects that the Bluetooth communication has ended (S17). After the detection, the Bluetooth communication management unit 31 deletes the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 loaded in the main memory 28 (S18).
[0053]
When step S18 is completed, music reproduction is started using the general-purpose sound application 30 mounted on the personal computer 1, that is, generation of sound data is started (S19). The sound data generated by the general-purpose sound application 30 is transmitted to the sound driver 32 via the sound API 29 (S20). The sound driver 28 converts the sound data transmitted via the sound API 29 into a data format that can be reproduced by the speaker 5 (S21). The sound data converted into a data format reproducible by the speaker 5 is transmitted to the speaker 5 (S22). Thereafter, the user of the personal computer 1 can listen to music and the like through the speaker 5.
[0054]
When the Bluetooth communication management unit 31 loads and unloads the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28, the Bluetooth communication sound driver 28 and the sound driver 32 can be selectively used.
[0055]
Note that the wireless communication method between the headset and the electronic device equipped with the application is not limited to Bluetooth wireless communication, and there is no problem with wireless communication means such as infrared rays and wireless LAN (for example, IEEE802.11b).
[0056]
If the external device capable of wireless communication has a display unit, the video data is reproduced by a media-compatible application, and the reproduced data is converted into a format suitable for a data format used in wireless communication. The same effect as that of the present invention can be obtained by mounting a driver or the like for conversion in a device on the data reproducing side.
[0057]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention. The present invention can be widely applied to an electronic device having a wireless communication function and a general-purpose media application such as that provided as standard in an OS.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention described in detail above, it is possible to use a general-purpose media-compatible application such as that provided as a standard in the OS.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing a state in which an electronic device having a sound reproduction application and peripheral devices are connected.
FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the electronic device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the positioning of a driver according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a Bluetooth sound driver and a sound driver provided to use a speaker mounted on a personal computer.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmitting sound data from the personal computer 1 to the headset 7.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmission of sound data from the headset 7 to the personal computer 1.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating switching from using a Bluetooth communication sound driver to using a driver provided to use a speaker mounted on a personal computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Personal computer, 2. Headset,
3 ... display unit, 4 ... body, 5 ... speaker,
6. Bluetooth communication module (host controller)
7… Headset, 8… Ear speaker,
8a: Bluetooth communication module, 9: microphone,
11: CPU, 12: first bridge circuit, 13: main memory,
14: second bridge circuit, 15: magnetic disk drive, 16: host,
21 ... RF layer, 22 ... Baseband layer, 23 ... Link management layer,
24, 25 ... HCI, 26 ... L2CAP,
27 ... Bluetooth communication bus driver,
28. Sound driver for Bluetooth communication,
29 ... Sound API,
30 ... General sound application,
31: Bluetooth communication management unit 32: Sound driver

Claims (14)

An electronic apparatus comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces media data; and an output unit that outputs the reproduced data.
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
Conversion means for converting the data reproduced by the reproduction means to a data format transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication means,
An electronic device comprising: 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit is capable of converting data transmitted from the external device to the electronic device via wireless communication into a data format to be reproduced by the reproduction unit. . An electronic apparatus comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces media data; and an output unit that outputs the reproduced data.
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
An API for converting data reproduced by the reproducing means;
Converting means for converting the data converted by the API into a data format transmitted by the wireless communication means;
An electronic device comprising: 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the conversion unit is capable of converting data transmitted from the external device to the electronic device via wireless communication into a data format converted by the API. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said reproducing means is a general-purpose program for reproducing media data. 5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication unit with the external device is Bluetooth wireless communication, and data reproduced by the reproduction unit is sound data. First detection means for detecting the start of communication with the external device by the wireless communication means,
Means for enabling the conversion means after the first detection means detects the start of communication;
The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: Second detection means for detecting the end of communication with the external device by the wireless communication means,
Means for disabling the conversion means after the second detection means detects the end of communication,
The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: A data conversion method performed by an electronic device including a reproducing unit that reproduces media data, an output unit that outputs the reproduced data, and a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external device.
Convert the data reproduced by the reproducing means to a data format transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication means,
A data conversion method, wherein the converted data is transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication unit. 10. The data conversion method according to claim 9, wherein data transmitted from said external device to said electronic device via wireless communication can be converted into a data format to be reproduced by said reproducing means. A data conversion method performed by an electronic device including a reproducing unit that reproduces media data, an output unit that outputs the reproduced data, and a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external device.
The data reproduced by the reproducing means is converted by an API,
Converting the data converted by the API into a data format transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication;
A data conversion method, wherein data converted into a data format to be transmitted to the external device is transmitted to the external device by the wireless communication unit. The data conversion method according to claim 11, wherein data transmitted from the external device to the electronic device via wireless communication can be converted into a data format converted by the API. 13. The data conversion method according to claim 10, wherein said reproducing means is a general-purpose program for reproducing media data. 13. The data conversion method according to claim 10, wherein the sound data is reproduced by the reproduction means, and the sound data is converted into a data format suitable for Bluetooth wireless communication used when transmitting the sound data to the external device.

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