JP2005286919A - Sound signal transceiver system, headphone, and sound signal transmitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound signal transceiver system to use any headphones arbitrarily combined as a left/right pair even if there are plural headphones. <P>SOLUTION: A headphone 5 generates left/right discrimination information to discriminate the headphone for a left ear or right ear when either a left ear button 54a or a right ear button 54b is pressed. The headphone 5 transmits ID information stored at memory (55) and the generated left/right discrimination information to a voice server device 3 which functions as a sound signal transmitting device. The voice server device 3 receives the ID information and the left/right discrimination information, updates a pairing table (40) with which ID information and left/right discrimination information of the headphone 5 are associated to store in a memory unit (35). Then the voice server device 3 performs packet transmission of the sound signals for left or right ears that are encoded in response to the left/right discrimination information to the headphone 5 that has the ID information of the pairing table 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio signal transmission / reception system, headphones, and an audio signal transmission device, and more specifically, an audio signal in which headphones for left ear and right ear are independent and any combination can be used as a pair of left and right. The present invention relates to a transmission / reception system, and headphones and an audio signal transmission device as components of the audio signal transmission / reception system.

  In recent years, by transmitting an audio signal from an audio playback device main body to a wireless headphone by wireless communication using infrared rays or radio waves (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) using radio waves in a 2.4 GHz frequency band), An audio signal transmission / reception system that can listen to audio (music) reproduced by the audio reproduction device main body has been put into practical use without being bothered by a cord line and at a distance of 10 to 100 m from the audio reproduction device main body. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  According to wireless communication such as Bluetooth, since the audio signal is transmitted only to the headphones in which communication with the audio reproduction device main body is established by the ID information (BD address), the confidentiality of the audio signal is extremely high. Also, by preparing a plurality of headphones and assigning different transmission channels for each headphone, different audio signals are transmitted for each headphone. Therefore, when the audio playback device main body is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, a plurality of passengers in the vehicle do not disturb other people, in other words, without being interfered by others, each of the desired music can be played. I can enjoy it.

In the wireless headphones, a pair of left and right speakers are connected by a frame or a cable, and the left and right speakers are not used independently. However, the storage space of the headphones is not so much improved as compared with the wire-connected headphones, and there is a demand for headphones that are completely independent on the left and right.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-280693

  By the way, in order to perform wireless communication, ID information for identifying a headphone must be registered in advance in the audio playback device main body. Therefore, when the left ear and the right ear are completely independent, the same information is used. It is necessary to give the same ID information to each headphone so that an audio signal is transmitted to each headphone.

  However, when the same ID information is given to the left and right headphones, the audio signal is always transmitted to each of the pair of left and right headphones. Therefore, when a plurality of sets of headphones are mixed, it is extremely difficult to determine which combination is a left-right pair. That is, when the user randomly selects two headphones, there is a possibility that the headphones are in different sets, so that sound is output from one headphone, but no sound is output from the other headphone, Or there is a possibility that audio of different contents is output.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the audio signal transmitting device identifies each headphone and identifies whether each headphone is for the left ear or the right ear, Can be used as a pair of left and right without worrying about the combination, even when a plurality of headphones are mixed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio signal transmission / reception system, and headphones and an audio signal transmission apparatus as components of the audio signal transmission / reception system.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to share the headphones for the left ear and the right ear so that the user can randomly select whether the headphones are attached to the left ear or the right ear. An object of the present invention is to provide an audio signal transmission / reception system that can be used for either the left ear or the right ear when headphones are selected, and headphones as a component of the audio signal transmission / reception system.

  Furthermore, the present invention is configured to specify that the headphone is for the left ear or the right ear, so that the audio signal transmission device can reliably be used when the headphone is for the left ear, for example. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio signal transmission / reception system that recognizes that it is for the left ear and does not have the possibility of being recognized for the right ear, and a headphone as a component of the audio signal transmission / reception system.

  Further, according to the present invention, the audio signal transmission device transmits the left ear audio signal to the left ear headphones and transmits the right ear audio signal to the right ear headphones. An object of the present invention is to provide an audio signal transmission / reception system capable of reducing the amount of information of an audio signal, and an audio signal transmission device as a component of the audio signal transmission / reception system.

  Further, according to the present invention, the audio signal transmission device transmits the audio signal for the left ear and the audio signal for the right ear to each headphone, and the headphone for the left ear transmits the audio signal for the left ear among the transmitted audio signals. The audio signal is extracted, and the headphone for the right ear is configured to extract the audio signal for the right ear from the transmitted audio signal, so that the pairing of each headphone in the audio signal transmission device is incorrect. Even if it is a case, the sound signal transmission / reception system which can output the sound for left ears from the headphone for left ears, and can output the sound for right ears from the headphone for right ears, and a sound signal transmission / reception system The purpose is to provide headphones as a component of the above.

  An audio signal transmission / reception system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an audio signal transmission device that wirelessly transmits an audio signal, means for receiving an audio signal that is wirelessly transmitted from the audio signal transmission device, and converts the received audio signal into a sound wave. In an audio signal transmission / reception system comprising a plurality of headphones provided with means, the headphones identify first identification information for identifying each headphone and whether the headphone is for the left ear or the right ear Means for transmitting second identification information to the audio signal transmitting apparatus, the audio signal transmitting apparatus receiving means for receiving the first identification information and the second identification information, the received first identification information and the first identification information; And setting means for setting each headphone as a pair of left and right based on the identification information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the audio signal transmitting / receiving system according to the first aspect, wherein the audio signal transmitting device is configured such that the headphones that first transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information are for the left ear or the right according to the second identification information. When the earphone is identified, the next headphone that transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information is different from the headphone that first transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information. It is further characterized by further comprising means for determining that it is for use.

  The audio signal transmission / reception system according to a third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention or the second invention, the audio signal transmitting device is configured to transmit different audio signals for each pair of left and right headphones in different pairs. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the audio signal transmission / reception system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the headphones can be arbitrarily attached to a left ear or a right ear, and the storage unit storing the first identification information. A discriminating unit that discriminates whether the left ear or the right ear is worn; and a unit that generates the second identification information based on the discrimination by the discriminating unit.

  An audio signal transmission / reception system according to a fifth invention is the audio signal transmission / reception system according to the fourth invention, wherein the discrimination means is a first discriminator for discriminating that the disc is worn on the left ear and a discriminator that is attached on the right ear 2 and a notification signal indicating that the headphones transmit the first identification information and the second identification information when either the first determination unit or the second determination unit is significant. The audio signal transmitting apparatus is allowed to transmit to the audio signal transmitting apparatus, and the audio signal transmitting apparatus permits permission to transmit the first identification information and the second identification information when the receiving unit receives the notification signal. A signal is transmitted to the headphones.

  An audio signal transmission / reception system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the headphones include a storage unit in which the first identification information and the second identification information are stored. To do.

  The audio signal transmission / reception system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the audio signal transmission / reception system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the audio signal transmission device is based on the setting by the setting means. A sound signal for use is transmitted to the headphones.

  An audio signal transmission / reception system according to an eighth invention is the audio signal transmission / reception system according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the audio signal includes an audio signal for a left ear and an audio signal for a right ear, and the headphones The method further comprises means for extracting a left ear audio signal or a right ear audio signal from the transmitted audio signal based on the second identification information.

  A headphone according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a headphone that can be arbitrarily attached to the left ear or the right ear and converts a sound signal wirelessly transmitted from the outside into a sound wave, and stores a first identification information for identifying the headphone Determination means for determining whether the left ear or the right ear is worn, means for generating the second identification information based on the determination by the determination means, the first identification information, and the second identification information Means for transmitting the identification information to the outside.

  A headphone according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a headphone for converting a sound signal wirelessly transmitted from the outside into a sound wave, wherein the first identification information for identifying the headphone and whether the headphone is for the left ear or the right ear And a means for transmitting the first identification information and the second identification information to the outside.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ninth or tenth aspect of the invention, the audio signal includes an audio signal for the left ear and an audio signal for the right ear, and based on the second identification information, The apparatus further includes means for extracting a left ear audio signal or a right ear audio signal from the transmitted audio signal.

  An audio signal transmitting apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is an audio signal transmitting apparatus that wirelessly transmits an audio signal to the outside, and first identification information of a transmission destination that transmits the audio signal from the outside, and audio that is transmitted to the transmission destination And means for receiving second identification information for identifying whether the signal is a left ear audio signal or a right ear audio signal. Based on the second identification information, the left ear audio signal is provided. Alternatively, the audio signal for the right ear is transmitted to a transmission destination.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the invention, there is a plurality of transmission destinations for transmitting the voice signal, and a different voice signal is transmitted for each transmission destination.

  In the first invention, the first identification information for identifying each headphone by the headphones and the second identification information for identifying whether the headphones are for the left ear or the right ear are sent to the audio signal transmitting apparatus. By transmitting, the audio signal transmitting device can identify each headphone, identify whether each left headphone is for ear or right ear, and set each headphone as a pair of left and right it can. Thereby, even if it is a case where several headphones are mixed, headphones of arbitrary combinations can be used as a pair of right and left without minding a combination.

  In the second invention, the audio signal transmitting apparatus determines whether the headphone that first transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information is for the left ear or the right ear according to the second identification information. The headphones that have identified and then transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information are different from the headphones that first transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information without performing identification based on the second identification information. Determined to be for ear use. Thereby, even if two headphones transmit the same 2nd identification information to an audio | voice signal transmission apparatus, two headphones can be set as a pair of right and left.

  In the third invention and the thirteenth invention, music of different contents can be distributed for each pair of headphones by transmitting different audio signals for each pair of left and right headphones of different pairs.

  In the fourth and ninth inventions, the first identification information for identifying the headphones is stored in the storage unit, and by determining whether the left ear or the right ear is worn by the determining means, Second identification information for identifying whether the left ear or the right ear is used is generated. Since the headphones can be used for both the left and right ears based on the discrimination by the discriminating means, it is used when the user randomly selects the headphones and is used for either the left ear or the right ear. And versatility is improved.

  In the fifth invention, either the first determination unit that determines that the headphones are worn on the left ear or the second determination unit that determines that the headphones are worn on the right ear is significant. In this case, before transmitting the first identification information and the second identification information, a notification signal indicating transmission is transmitted to the audio signal transmitting apparatus. Then, when receiving the notification signal, the audio signal transmitting apparatus transmits an enabling signal for permitting transmission of the first identification information and the second identification information to the headphones. Thereby, the headphones and the audio signal transmission device can determine whether or not there is no problem even if communication is performed by transmitting and receiving the notification signal and the permission signal.

  In the sixth and tenth inventions, the first identification information for identifying the headphones and the second identification information for identifying whether the headphones are for the left ear or the right ear are stored in the storage unit. Since the headphone is specified to be for the left ear or the right ear, the audio signal transmitting device is reliably used for the left ear, for example, when the headphone is for the left ear. It is not recognized that it is for right ear.

  In the seventh invention and the twelfth invention, the audio signal transmitting apparatus has a left ear audio signal or a right ear audio depending on whether the headphones are for the left ear or the right ear. Send a signal to each headphone. For example, when the headphones are for the left ear, the audio signal transmitting apparatus can reduce the information amount of the audio signal to be transmitted by transmitting the necessary left ear audio signal. In other words, a large amount of information, that is, a higher quality audio signal can be transmitted.

  In the eighth and eleventh inventions, when the headphones are for the left ear, the left ear audio signal is extracted from the transmitted audio signals, and when the headphones are for the right ear, it is transmitted. The right ear sound signal is extracted from the sound signals. As a result, even if the pairing of each headphone in the audio signal transmitting apparatus is wrong, the left ear sound is output from the left ear headphone, and the right ear headphone is output from the right ear headphone. Audio is output.

  According to the first invention, the audio signal transmitting apparatus identifies each headphone, identifies whether each headphone is for the left ear or the right ear, and sets each headphone as a pair of left and right. Therefore, even when a plurality of headphones are mixed, any combination of headphones can be used as a pair of left and right without worrying about the combination.

  According to the second invention, the audio signal transmitting apparatus identifies whether the first headphone is for the left ear or the right ear based on the second identification information, and the next headphone is different from the first headphone. By determining that the earphone is used, even if the two headphones transmit the same second identification information to the audio signal transmitting apparatus, the two headphones can be set as a pair of left and right. .

  According to the third invention and the thirteenth invention, music of different contents can be distributed for each pair of headphones by transmitting different audio signals for each pair of left and right headphones of a different pair. Even if there are multiple people inside a closed space, each person can enjoy the music of the desired content without disturbing others, in other words, without being interfered by others. .

  According to the fourth and ninth inventions, since the headphones can be shared for the left ear and the right ear based on the discrimination by the discriminating means, the user can randomly select the headphones, Can be used for both right and left ears, and versatility is improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the headphones and the audio signal transmission device can determine whether or not there is no problem even if communication is performed by transmitting and receiving the notification signal and the permission signal. In the situation where is arranged, useless communication is not performed.

  According to the sixth and tenth aspects of the invention, since the headphone is specified for either the left ear or the right ear, the audio signal transmitting device is used when the headphone is for the left ear, for example. Will definitely recognize that it is for the left ear and will not recognize it for the right ear.

  According to the seventh and twelfth inventions, when the headphones are for the left ear, the audio signal for the right ear is unnecessary, and therefore the audio signal transmitting device transmits the necessary audio signal for the left ear. Thus, the information amount of the audio signal to be transmitted can be reduced. In other words, a large amount of information, that is, a higher quality audio signal can be transmitted to the headphones.

  According to the eighth and eleventh inventions, when the headphone is for the left ear, the left ear audio signal is extracted from the transmitted audio signal, and the headphone is transmitted for the right ear. Since the right-ear audio signal is extracted from the audio signal, the left-ear audio is output from the left-ear headphones even if each headphone pairing in the audio signal transmitting device is incorrect. In addition, there are excellent effects such as right ear sound being output from the right ear headphones.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of an audio signal transmission / reception system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The audio signal transmission / reception system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an audio server device 3 that functions as an audio signal transmission device, and a plurality of headphones 5 and 5 that function as audio signal reception devices. Headphones 5 and 5 perform wireless data communication by radio (for example, Bluetooth).

  The headphone 5 includes a left-ear button 54a and a right-ear button 54b on the lower right and lower right sides of the back side of the speaker 58, respectively. The headphone 5 has a shape that can be worn on either the left ear or the right ear. When the user 2 randomly selects two headphones 5 and 5 and places them at the ears, the headphones 5 are arranged on the left ear. Since the position of the left ear button 54a corresponds to the position of the left thumb of the user 2, the position of the right ear button 54b of the headphone 5 that functions as the left ear when pressed by the left thumb and is arranged in the right ear. Corresponds to the position of the thumb of the right hand of the user 2 and functions as a right ear when pressed by the thumb of the right hand.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the audio signal transmission / reception system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The headphone 5 includes a control unit 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, a communication unit 56, a digital / analog conversion unit (D / A conversion unit) 57, a speaker 58, and a time measuring unit 59.

  Specifically, the control unit 51 is configured by an MPU, and is connected to the above-described hardware units of the headphone 5 via a bus. The control unit 51 controls each unit and according to a control program stored in the ROM 52. Perform various software functions. The ROM 52 stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the headphones 5 in advance. The RAM 53 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when software is executed.

  As described above, the operation unit 54 includes the left ear button 54a and the right ear button 54b, and when the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b is pressed, the control unit 51 , A request signal REQ for requesting ID registration, and left / right identification information for identifying whether the headphones 5 are for the left ear or the right ear.

  The storage unit 55 stores ID information of the headphones 5. The ID information is a unique address (for example, a BD address having a 48-bit length) for identifying the headphone 5, and the headphone 5 is uniquely identified based on the ID information.

  The communication unit 56 has a function of establishing a wireless communication link conforming to the Bluetooth standard, establishes a communication link with the voice server device 3, and is generated by the control unit 51 using ID information stored in the storage unit 55. The left / right identification information thus transmitted is transmitted to the voice server device 3. Further, the communication unit 56 receives the audio signal transmitted from the audio server device 3 and outputs it to the D / A conversion unit 57.

  The D / A converter 57 converts the audio signal output from the communication unit 56 from a digital format to an analog format, and converts the analog format audio signal into sound waves in an audible frequency band by the speaker 58. The speaker 58 outputs a warning sound such as a beep sound when it is necessary to notify the user 2 in addition to the conversion of the sound signal into a sound wave.

  The time measuring unit 59 has a function of measuring the time T1 between the first time and the second time in response to a request from the control unit 51, and notifying the control unit 51 of the time T1, and is mainly a voice server. When the communication time between the request signal and the response signal in communication with the device 3 is measured and the communication time is larger than a predetermined value (threshold value), it is determined as a communication error and the processing by the control unit 51 is stopped. Used.

  The voice server device 3 includes a control unit 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an operation unit 34, a storage unit 35, a codec unit 36, a communication unit 37, a display unit 38, and a time measuring unit 39.

  Specifically, the control unit 31 is configured by an MPU, and is connected to each hardware unit as described above of the voice server device 3 via a bus. The control unit 31 controls each unit and controls stored in the ROM 32. Various software functions are executed according to the program. The ROM 32 stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the voice server device 3 in advance. The RAM 33 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when software is executed.

  The communication unit 37 has a function of establishing a wireless communication link that conforms to the Bluetooth standard, and receives ID information and left / right identification information of the headphones 5 from the headphones 5 that have established the link.

  The storage unit 35 stores a plurality of audio data 35a, 35b,... Such as music, and a pairing table 40 in which the ID information and the left / right identification information of the headphones 5 are associated as shown in FIG.

  The operation unit 34 includes character keys, numeric keys, and various function keys necessary for operating the voice server device 3, and a plurality of voice data 35a, 35b,... Stored in the storage unit 35 as function keys. A voice selection key 34 a for selecting a voice signal related to any of the voice data to be transmitted to the headphones 5 is provided.

  The display unit 38 is a small display device such as a liquid crystal display or an LED, and displays the operation state of the voice server device 3 to notify the user 2 of the operation state. For example, the user 2 is notified by displaying which headphone 5 is transmitting a sound signal related to which sound data among the plurality of sound data 35a, 35b,. By using the touch panel method for the display unit 38, some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 34 can be substituted.

  The control unit 31 reads out the audio data selected by the audio selection key 34a from the storage unit 35, decodes the read out audio data into an audio signal by the codec unit 36, and converts the audio signal to the audio signal for the left ear and the right ear. After being separated into audio signals for use, the data is encoded into a data format according to the communication protocol.

  The communication unit 37 packet-transmits the encoded audio signal for the left ear or the right ear in a time division manner to the headphones 5 having the ID information of the pairing table 40 according to the left / right identification information of the headphones 5. More specifically, ID information is extracted from the pairing table 40, and the extracted ID information is given to the transmission destination field of the packet header. In addition, when the left and right identification information is extracted from the pairing table 40 and the extracted left and right identification information indicates that it is for the left ear (for the right ear), the data field of the packet is encoded by the codec unit 36. An audio signal for the left ear (for the right ear) is applied.

  The time measuring unit 39 has a function of measuring the time T2 between the first time and the second time in response to a request from the control unit 31, and notifying the control unit 31 of the time T2. When the communication time between the request signal and the response signal in communication with the communication time is measured and the communication time is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that a communication error has occurred and is used to stop the processing by the control unit 31.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation flow at the time of ID registration of the headphones 5 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The operation flow is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Such an operation flow can be performed by incorporating a computer program in the ROM 52 in advance.

  The headphone 5 determines whether or not ID registration is requested based on whether or not the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b of the operation unit 54 is pressed (step S1). If either the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b is pressed, it is determined that ID registration is requested (S1: YES), and a request signal REQ for requesting ID registration is generated. It is generated and transmitted to the voice server device 3 (step S2), and the time T1 of the timer 59 is reset and activated (step S3). On the other hand, if any of the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b is not pressed, it is determined that ID registration is not requested (S1: NO), and the process returns to S1.

  After transmitting the request signal REQ, the headphone 5 has transitioned to a standby state in order to receive the permission signal ACK from the voice server device 3, and determines whether there is a problem in the communication state with the voice server device 3. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the time T1 of the time measuring unit 59 is greater than the threshold value A1 (step S4). That is, when the time T1 of the time measuring unit 59 is larger than the threshold value A1, it is determined that there is a problem in the communication state between the headphones 5 and the voice server device 3, and the process is stopped.

  If the headphone 5 determines that the time T1 of the time measuring unit 59 is greater than the threshold value A1 (S4: YES), the headphone 5 determines that the permission signal ACK has not been received from the voice server device 3 within a predetermined time, and ID registration is possible. An instruction signal for outputting the sound indicating that there is no sound from the speaker 58 is output to the speaker 58 (step S5), and the process is terminated. Thereby, since the user 2 outputs a sound indicating that the ID registration could not be performed from the speaker 58, the user 2 can recognize that fact.

  If the headphone 5 determines that the time T1 of the timer 59 is not greater than the threshold value A1 (S4: NO), the headphone 5 determines whether or not the permission signal ACK has been received from the voice server device 3 (step S6). If the headphone 5 determines that the permission signal ACK is not received from the voice server device 3 (S6: NO), the process returns to S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the permission signal ACK is received from the voice server device 3 (S6: YES), the ID information stored in the storage unit 35 and the pressing of the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b are pressed. The left / right identification information generated according to the button is transmitted to the voice server device 3 (step S7).

  After transmitting the ID information and the left / right identification information, the headphone 5 has transitioned to a standby state to receive a registration notification signal or an unregistered notification signal, and again a problem has occurred in the communication state with the voice server device 3. In order to determine whether or not there is, it is determined whether or not the time T1 of the timer 59 is greater than the threshold value A1 (step S8).

  If the headphone 5 determines that the time T1 of the time measuring unit 59 is greater than the threshold value A1 (S8: YES), the headphone 5 determines that the registration notification signal or the unregistered notification signal cannot be received from the voice server device 3 within a predetermined time. The process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time T1 of the timer 59 is not greater than the threshold value A1 (S8: NO), it is determined whether a registration notification signal has been received from the voice server device 3 (step S9).

  When it is determined that the registration notification signal has been received from the voice server device 3 (S9: YES), the headphone 5 outputs an instruction signal to the speaker 58 for outputting a voice indicating that the ID registration has been completed from the speaker 58. (Step S10), the process ends. Thus, since the user 2 outputs a sound indicating that the ID registration is completed from the speaker 58, the user 2 can recognize that fact.

  If the headphone 5 determines that the registration notification signal has not been received from the voice server device 3 (S9: NO), the headphone 5 determines whether an unregistered notification signal has been received from the voice server device 3 (step S11). If the headphone 5 determines that an unregistered notification signal has been received from the voice server device 3 (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S5, while no unregistered notification signal has been received from the voice server device 3. Is determined (S11: NO), the process returns to S8.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an outline of an operation flow at the time of ID registration of the voice server device 3 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The operation flow is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Such an operation flow can be performed by incorporating a computer program in the ROM 32 in advance.

  The voice server device 3 performs a reception process for receiving the ID information and the left and right identification information from the headphones 5 (step S21). Have each ID information and the left and right identification information necessary for pairing the two headphones been received? It is determined whether or not (step S22).

The reception processing (FIG. 6) of the ID information and the left / right identification information in the voice server device 3 is performed for each headphone 5.
First, the voice server device 3 is in a standby state to receive the request signal REQ from the headphones 5, and determines whether or not the request signal REQ has been received from the headphones 5 (step S31). If it is determined that the request signal REQ has not been received (S31: NO), the process returns to S31, and the reception process of the ID information and the left / right identification information is continued.

  If it is determined that the request signal REQ has been received from the headphones 5 (S31: YES), the voice server device 3 generates a permission signal ACK for permitting the ID registration request from the headphones 5 and transmits it to the headphones 5 ( Step S32) is performed after resetting the time T2 of the time measuring unit 39 (Step S33).

  After transmitting the permission signal ACK, the voice server device 3 transitions to a standby state to receive ID information and left / right identification information, and determines whether or not there is a problem in the communication state with the headphones 5. Then, it is determined whether or not the time T2 of the timer unit 39 is larger than the threshold value A2 (step S34).

  When it is determined that the time T2 of the timer unit 39 is greater than the threshold A2 (S34: YES), the voice server device 3 determines that the ID information and the left / right identification information cannot be received from the headphones 5 within a predetermined time, and the ID The reception process of the information and the left / right identification information is terminated.

  If it is determined that the time T2 of the time measuring unit 39 is not greater than the threshold value A2 (S34: NO), the voice server device 3 determines whether the ID information and the left / right identification information are received from the headphones 5 (step S35). . If the voice server device 3 determines that the ID information and the left / right identification information are not received from the headphones 5 (S35: NO), the process returns to S34. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ID information and the left / right identification information are received from the headphones 5 (S35: YES), the reception process for receiving the ID information and the left / right identification information is ended.

  If the voice server device 3 determines that two pieces of ID information and right / left identification information have not been received (S22: NO), the process returns to S21, and the ID information and left / right identification information reception processing is continued.

  When the voice server device 3 determines that two pieces of ID information and left and right identification information have not been received (S22: YES), it indicates that one of the left and right identification information is for the left ear and the other left and right identification information. It is determined whether or not the information indicates that it is for the right ear, that is, whether or not the two left and right identification information are a left and right pair (step S23).

  If the voice server device 3 determines that the two left and right identification information are a pair of left and right (S23: YES), since the two headphones 5 and 5 can be paired, the ID of each received headphone 5 The pairing table 40 is updated by associating the information with the left and right identification information and stored in the storage unit 35 (step S24). Thereby, ID registration of the headphones 5 and 5 is completed.

  Then, the voice server device 3 generates a registration notification signal indicating that the ID registration is completed, transmits the registration notification signal to the headphones 5 (step S25), and displays information indicating that the ID registration is completed on the display unit 38. An instruction signal for output is output to the display unit 38 (step S26), and the process is terminated. Thereby, since the information indicating that the ID registration is completed is displayed on the display unit 38, the user 2 can recognize that fact.

  On the other hand, if the voice server device 3 determines that the two left and right identification information are not the left and right pairs (S23: NO), the pairing table 40 is updated because the pairing of the two headphones 5 and 5 is impossible. In order to display the information indicating that the ID registration could not be performed on the display unit 38, an unregistered notification signal indicating that the ID registration could not be performed is generated and transmitted to the headphones 5 (step S27). Is output to the display unit 38 (step S28), and the process is terminated. Thereby, since the information indicating that the ID registration could not be performed is displayed on the display unit 38, the user 2 can recognize the fact.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the headphone 5 functions as the left ear or the right ear by pressing either the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b. And can be shared with the right ear. The headphone 5 stores ID information in the storage unit 55 and generates left / right identification information when either the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b is pressed. The pairing table 40 is updated by transmitting the identification information to the voice server device 3. Therefore, since the audio server device 3 can reliably transmit an audio signal to each headphone, there is no possibility that no sound is output from one of the headphones, and there is a case where a plurality of headphones are mixed. However, any combination of headphones can be used as a pair of left and right without worrying about the combination.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by assigning a BD address as ID information, a pair of left and right headphones can be paired with any combination of headphones, and only the headphones of that combination can listen to the sound related to the audio signal. Therefore, it is excellent in confidentiality. Of course, the pairing is not limited to one, a plurality of pairings can be registered, and a different audio signal may be transmitted for each pair of paired headphones.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the voice server device 3 separates the voice signal into a left ear voice signal and a right ear voice signal, and then encodes the voice signal into a data format according to the communication protocol and performs time division. Since it is possible to transmit, when the audio signal for the left ear and the audio signal for the right ear are transmitted through different channels, a large amount of information, that is, a higher quality audio signal is transmitted. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the headphone 5 is provided with a left ear button 54a and a right ear button 54b, and the ID registration is performed by pressing either the left ear button 54a or the right ear button 54b. Although the case where the request signal REQ to be requested and the left and right identification information are generated has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. And a left ear / right ear changeover switch 7b, and when the ID registration request button 7a is pressed, a request signal REQ for requesting ID registration is generated, and depending on the contact position of the left ear / right ear changeover switch 7b, Left and right identification information may be generated. In this way, when the left ear / right ear changeover switch 7b is arranged on the left side when viewed from the back side of the speaker, the left ear / right ear changeover switch is mounted on the right ear (FIG. 7B). When 7b is arranged on the right side when viewed from the back side of the speaker, it is worn on the left ear (FIG. 7C), so that erroneous right / left identification information is not generated.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of an audio signal transmission / reception system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The audio signal transmission / reception system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes an audio server device 3, a left-ear headphone 6a, and a right-ear headphone 6b, and the voice server device 3 and the headphones 6a and 6b are wireless. Perform wireless data communication.

  The headphones 6 a and 6 b include an ID registration request button 64 a for requesting the voice server device 3 to register ID at the lower part on the back side of the speaker 58. Unlike the first embodiment, the headphones 6 a and 6 b are specified in advance for either the left ear or the right ear, for example, by color coding, an identification name, or the like.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio signal transmission / reception system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The headphones 6 a and 6 b include a control unit 51, ROM 62, RAM 53, operation unit 64, storage unit 65, communication unit 56, D / A conversion unit 57, speaker 58, and timer unit 59.

  The operation unit 64 includes the ID registration request button 64a as described above. When the ID registration request button 64a is pressed, the control unit 51 generates a request signal REQ for requesting ID registration.

  The storage unit 65 stores ID information for identifying the headphones 6a and 6b, and left and right identification information for identifying whether the headphones 6a and 6b are for the left ear or the right ear. Since the other configurations of the headphones 6a and 6b and the voice server device 3 are the same as those in FIG. 2, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation flow at the time of ID registration of the headphones 6a and 6b according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The headphones 6a and 6b determine whether or not ID registration is requested based on whether or not the ID registration request button 64a of the operation unit 64 is pressed (step S41). When the ID registration request button 64a is pressed, it is determined that ID registration is requested (S41: YES), and a request signal REQ for requesting ID registration is generated and transmitted to the voice server device 3 (step S42). Then, after the time T1 of the time measuring unit 59 is reset, it is activated (step S43).

  After transmitting the request signal REQ, the headphones 6a and 6b transition to a standby state to receive the permission signal ACK, and in order to determine whether or not there is a problem in the communication state with the voice server device 3, It is determined whether or not the time T1 of the time measuring unit 59 is greater than the threshold value A1 (step S44).

  If the headphones 6a and 6b determine that the time T1 of the timer 59 is not greater than the threshold value A1 (S44: NO), the headphones 6a and 6b determine whether or not the permission signal ACK is received from the voice server device 3 (step S45). If the headphone 5 determines that the permission signal ACK has not been received from the voice server device 3 (S45: NO), the process returns to S44. On the other hand, when it is determined that the permission signal ACK is received from the voice server device 3 (S45: YES), the ID information and the left / right identification information stored in the storage unit 65 are transmitted to the voice server device 3 (step S46). . Since the other flow is the same as that of FIG. 4, the corresponding step is given the same step name, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the ID information and the left / right identification information are stored in the storage unit 65, the headphones 6a, 6b are paired by transmitting the ID information and the left / right identification information to the voice server device 3. The ring table 40 is updated. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the voice server device 3 can reliably transmit a voice signal to each of the headphones 6a and 6b.

  In each embodiment, the communication protocol between the voice server device 3 and the headphones 5, 6 a, 6 b uses Bluetooth, which is a one-to-one method and a one-to-many short-range wireless communication standard using weak radio waves. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any communication protocol that performs communication using ID information that can uniquely identify the headphones 5, 6a, and 6b may be used. For example, Ethernet (registered trademark) is used as the communication protocol. In this case, a 48-bit MAC address may be used as the ID information. Further, the user 2 appropriately sets identification names (alias name, user friendly name, etc.) for the headphones 5, 6 a, 6 b by the operation unit 34 of the voice server device 3, and stores them in the storage unit 35 in association with the ID information. By doing so, an identification name that matches the ID information registered in the pairing table 40 can be extracted from the storage unit 35, and the extracted identification name can be displayed on the display unit 38 to notify the user 2. .

  Further, in each embodiment, the audio server device 3 separates the audio signal into the audio signal for the left ear and the audio signal for the right ear, and then encodes the audio signal into a data format according to the communication protocol and performs time division. The audio server device 3 is configured to transmit the audio signal including the audio signal for the left ear and the audio signal for the right ear into a data format according to the communication protocol and transmit the audio signal in a time division manner. If the headphones are for the left ear based on the left and right identification information, the headphone 5, 6a, 6b is provided with a filter unit, and the left ear audio signal is extracted from the transmitted audio signal, In the case of the right ear, the right ear audio signal may be extracted from the transmitted audio signal.

  Furthermore, in each embodiment, each headphone 5, 6a, 6b transmits each ID information and left / right identification information to the voice server device 3, and the pairing table 40 relating to the combination of headphones is stored in the voice server device 3. However, if the left and right identification information of the first registered headphones is for the left, the headphone to be registered next is automatically determined to be for the right, without using the left and right identification information. The pairing table 40 may be registered in the voice server device 3.

  Further, when the left and right identification information transmitted to the voice server device 3 by the respective headphones 5, 6a, 6b is the same information, that is, for both left ears or both right ears, information indicating that is provided. The information is displayed on the display unit 38 of the voice server device 3, or information indicating that is generated and transmitted to the headphones 5, 6a, 6b. The headphones 5, 6a, 6b are for both left ears or both right ears. A sound indicating that this has occurred may be output from the speaker 58 to notify the user 2 to that effect.

  Further, when the headphones are provided with two LEDs for left ear / right ear and the headphone 5 is registered in the voice server device 3 for left ear or right ear, either LED is selected according to the registration. The user 2 may be notified by turning on the light.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the general view of the audio | voice signal transmission / reception system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice signal transmission / reception system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the content of the pairing table which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement flow at the time of ID registration of the headphones which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement flow at the time of ID registration of the audio | voice server apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement flow at the time of ID registration of the audio | voice server apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the headphones which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the general view of the audio | voice signal transmission / reception system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice signal transmission / reception system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement flow at the time of ID registration of the headphones which concern on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Audio | voice signal transmission / reception system 2 User 3 Audio | voice server apparatus 31 Control part 34 Operation part 34a Audio | voice selection key 35 Memory | storage part 35a, 35b, ... Audio | voice data 39 Time measuring part 36 Codec part 37 Communication part 38 Display part 40 Pairing table 5, 6a , 6b, 7 Headphone 51 Control unit 54, 64 Operation unit 54a Left ear button 54b Right ear button 64a ID registration request button 55, 65 Storage unit 59 Timekeeping unit 56 Communication unit 57 Digital / analog conversion unit (D / A conversion) Part)
58 Speaker

Claims (13)

An audio signal transmitting device that wirelessly transmits an audio signal, a unit that receives an audio signal wirelessly transmitted from the audio signal transmitting device, and a plurality of headphones provided with a unit that converts the received audio signal into a sound wave In an audio signal transmission / reception system,
The headphones are
Means for transmitting the first identification information for identifying each headphone and the second identification information for identifying whether the headphone is for the left ear or the right ear to the audio signal transmitting device;
The audio signal transmitting device is
Receiving means for receiving the first identification information and the second identification information;
An audio signal transmission / reception system comprising: setting means for setting each headphone as a pair of left and right based on the received first identification information and second identification information. The audio signal transmitting device is
When the headphones that first transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information are identified for the left ear or the right ear by the second identification information, the first identification information and the second The audio signal according to claim 1, further comprising: means for determining that the headphones that transmitted the identification information are for ears different from the headphones that first transmitted the first identification information and the second identification information. Transmission / reception system. The audio signal transmitting device is
The audio signal transmission / reception system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein different audio signals are transmitted for each pair of left and right headphones of different pairs. The headphones are
Can be attached to the left or right ear,
A storage unit storing the first identification information;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the left ear or the right ear is worn;
4. The audio signal transmitting / receiving system according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit configured to generate the second identification information based on the determination by the determination unit. The discriminating means includes a first discriminating unit that discriminates that it is worn on the left ear, and a second discriminating unit that discriminates that it is worn on the right ear,
The headphones are
If either the first discriminating unit or the second discriminating unit is significant, a notification signal indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information are transmitted should be transmitted to the audio signal transmitting device. Yes,
The audio signal transmitting device is
5. The permission signal for permitting the transmission of the first identification information and the second identification information is transmitted to the headphones when the notification signal is received by the receiving means. The audio signal transmission / reception system described. The headphones are
The audio signal transmission / reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a storage unit that stores the first identification information and the second identification information. The audio signal transmitting device is configured to transmit the audio signal for the left ear or the audio signal for the right ear to the headphones based on the setting by the setting unit. The audio signal transmission / reception system according to claim 6. The audio signal includes an audio signal for the left ear and an audio signal for the right ear,
The headphone further comprises means for extracting a left ear audio signal or a right ear audio signal from a transmitted audio signal based on the second identification information. The audio signal transmitting / receiving system according to any one of the above. In headphones that can be arbitrarily attached to the left or right ear, and converts sound signals wirelessly transmitted from the outside into sound waves,
A storage unit storing first identification information for identifying the headphones;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the left ear or the right ear is worn;
Means for generating the second identification information based on the determination by the determination means;
A headphone comprising: means for transmitting the first identification information and the second identification information to the outside. In headphones that convert audio signals wirelessly transmitted from the outside into sound waves,
A storage unit storing first identification information for identifying the headphones, and second identification information for identifying whether the headphones are for the left ear or the right ear;
A headphone comprising: means for transmitting the first identification information and the second identification information to the outside. The audio signal includes an audio signal for the left ear and an audio signal for the right ear,
11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for extracting a left-ear audio signal or a right-ear audio signal from the transmitted audio signal based on the second identification information. headphone. In an audio signal transmitting apparatus that wirelessly transmits an audio signal to the outside,
First identification information of a transmission destination to which the audio signal is transmitted from the outside, and second information for identifying whether the audio signal to be transmitted to the transmission destination is a left ear audio signal or a right ear audio signal Means for receiving identification information,
An audio signal transmitting apparatus, wherein the audio signal for left ear or the audio signal for right ear is to be transmitted to a transmission destination based on second identification information. There are a plurality of transmission destinations for transmitting the audio signal,
The audio signal transmitting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a different audio signal is transmitted for each transmission destination.

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