JP2006303672A - Sound reproducing device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-use sound reproducing device and a sound reproducing system for enabling a user to easily confirm operating states of reproduction or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The sound reproducing device transmits sound data stored in a storage part 33 to a wireless headphone and reproduces the sound in the wireless headphone. A device body 20 executes communication in-between the wireless headphone via a transmission/reception part 22 and an antenna 21. The sound data stored in the storage part 33 are reproduced by being successively transmitted to the wireless headphone via the transmission/reception part 22 and the antenna 21. Reproduction operation of the sound data is inhibited when it is detected by a system control part 30 that the communication state in-between the wireless headphone is poor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus and an audio reproducing system having a wireless function.

  As is well known, a portable audio recording / reproducing apparatus that converts an audio signal into digital data, stores it in a flash memory of a rewritable storage medium, and analogizes and reproduces the audio data stored in the flash memory. (Hereinafter referred to as an IC recorder) has been put into practical use. As a feature of these IC recorders, each operation mode such as recording, reproduction, fast forward, and fast reverse can be selectively made to function by operating a predetermined operation switch.

  For example, during a recording operation, audio data converted into a digital signal and index information related to the audio data (audio data address, recording date and time, etc.) are stored in the audio data area and index information area provided in advance in the flash memory. Is to be remembered. The audio data stored in the flash memory is assigned a file number and a folder symbol to facilitate subsequent file search and playback.

  In addition, in order to efficiently manage and manage the files that continue to increase with each recording, a plurality of folders such as the A, B, and C folders are usually provided, and the dictator recognizes the folder being selected. In order to facilitate this, the folder mark is devised to pop-display on a display device such as an LCD provided in the set body.

  Furthermore, not only the IC recorder described above, some music players have been subordinate to the operation unit or the machine side that has been provided on the machine side in order to improve portability and operability. Connection cords have been converted to cordless types such as wireless remote controls and wireless headphones. For example, it is known that an audio signal is transmitted to the headphones by radio waves from the main unit side (music player or the like) (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Moreover, when the radio wave intensity of the audio signal etc. transmitted from this unit is less than the reception level on the headphones, it is judged that the headphones are separated (separated) from this unit, and the operator notices An alarm sound is output. This is the same when the reception level on the device side is below a predetermined value.
JP-A-6-176280

  However, since the alarm system as described above simply issues an alarm sound just before it becomes difficult to receive a warning, the received signal is temporarily interrupted immediately after the alarm sound is generated, or can be received with difficulty. Even if, for example, the reproduced sound is heard intermittently and noisy, the operator may not be able to avoid abnormal reproduction. That is, the operator has no time to deal with the alarm sound after noticing the alarm sound, and feels an unpleasant feeling by hearing the abnormal reproduction sound.

  In particular, it is not preferable to transcribe the recorded voice or listen to music while following the lyrics (score) with a finger, because the connection before and after the abnormal reproduction is interrupted. Furthermore, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is very inconvenient because the reproduction cannot be performed again from the location where the abnormal reproduction has occurred.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is to provide an easy-to-use audio reproduction device and audio reproduction system that can easily check the operation state such as reproduction.

  That is, the invention described in claim 1 transmits audio data stored in a storage medium to wireless headphones and communicates with the wireless headphones in an audio reproducing apparatus that reproduces audio in the wireless headphones. A communication means for performing, a reproducing means for sequentially transmitting and reproducing the audio data stored in the storage medium to the wireless headphones via the communication means, and a communication state detecting means for detecting a communication state with the wireless headphones. And a prohibiting unit for prohibiting the reproduction operation by the reproducing unit when the communication state detecting unit detects that the communication state with the wireless headphones is poor.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the reproduction operation is prohibited by the prohibiting means, a reproduction position for storing the reproduction position of the audio data at the prohibited time is stored. A position storage means is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the reproduction operation is prohibited by the prohibition unit, the power mode of the audio reproduction device is set to the communication state detection unit. Power mode setting means is provided for shifting to a low power consumption mode in which other unnecessary functions are stopped while operating the functions.

  In the invention according to claim 4, when the reproduction operation is prohibited by the prohibiting means, a signal for setting the power mode of the wireless headphone to the standby mode via the communication means, 2. The sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising command transmitting means for transmitting to the wireless headphones.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the communication state detecting means further detects a communication state failure continuously for a predetermined time or more, Power mode setting means for shifting the power mode to the power off mode is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the communication state detecting means detects that the communication state defect is eliminated, the reproduction operation by the prohibiting means is performed. The release means which cancels the prohibition is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, when the prohibition of the reproduction operation is canceled by the canceling means, data reproduction is started from the reproduction position stored in the storage means. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the communication state detecting means measures a radio field intensity of a measurement signal transmitted from the wireless headphones.

  The invention according to claim 9 is an audio reproduction system comprising: a wireless headphone; and an audio reproduction device that transmits audio data stored in a storage medium to the wireless headphone and reproduces the sound in the wireless headphone. In this case, the audio reproduction device sequentially transmits audio data stored in the storage medium to the wireless headphones via the first communication means that transmits and receives to and from the wireless headphones. When the communication state is determined to be defective by the reproduction unit for transmitting and reproducing, the communication state detection unit for detecting the communication state with the wireless headphones, and the communication state detection unit, the first communication A standby mode for setting the power mode of the wireless headphones to the standby mode via the means. Command transmission means for transmitting a command setting signal to the wireless headphones, and when the wireless headphones receive the second communication means for transmitting and receiving to and from the audio reproduction device and the standby mode setting signal, Wireless headphones power mode setting means for setting the power mode of the wireless headphones to a standby mode.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless headphone comprising a reproducing means for reproducing audio data and a receiving means for receiving audio data reproduced by the reproducing means, and a storage medium storing the audio data. A transmission unit that sequentially transmits the audio data stored in the storage medium to the wireless headphones, a communication state detection unit that detects a communication state between the transmission unit and the wireless headphones via the reception unit, and the transmission Audio data transmitted from the means via the receiving means is reproduced by the reproducing means, and if the communication state detecting means detects that the communication state with the wireless headphones is poor, the reproduction is performed. A sound reproduction apparatus main body comprising: control means for controlling the reproduction operation by the means to be prohibited. It is characterized in.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, when the reproduction operation of the reproduction means is prohibited by the control means, the reproduction position of the audio data at the prohibited time is stored. It further comprises reproduction position storage means.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, when the reproduction operation of the reproduction means is prohibited by the control means, the power mode of the audio reproduction apparatus main body is set to the communication state. It further comprises power mode setting means for shifting to a low power consumption mode in which other unnecessary functions are stopped while operating the function of the detection means.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, when the reproduction operation by the reproduction unit is prohibited by the control unit, the wireless headphones are connected via the transmission unit and the reception unit. The apparatus further comprises command transmission means for transmitting a signal for setting the power mode to a standby mode to the wireless headphones.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the communication state detecting means continuously detects a communication state failure for a predetermined time or more, the power of the audio reproduction device main body is It further comprises power mode setting means for shifting the mode to the power off mode.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eleventh aspect, when the communication state detecting means detects that the communication state defect is eliminated, the reproduction means prohibits the reproduction operation. It further comprises release means for releasing.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, when the prohibition of the reproduction operation by the reproducing unit is canceled by the canceling unit, data is reproduced from the reproduction position stored in the storage unit. Is started.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the communication state detecting means measures a radio field intensity of a measurement signal transmitted from the wireless headphones.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use audio reproduction device and audio reproduction system capable of easily confirming an operation state such as reproduction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a headphone side of a wireless audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The headphone 10 includes an audio reproduction unit 11 that reproduces an audio signal, a transmission / reception unit 12 that transmits and receives an audio signal and a control signal, a control unit 13 that controls the overall operation of the headphone 10, a display unit 14, and an operation unit. 15 and an antenna 17.

  The antenna 17 of the headphone 10 receives an audio signal and a modulated radio wave of a control signal transmitted from the apparatus main body 20 shown in FIG. The audio signal and control signal received by the antenna 17 are amplified and demodulated by the transmission / reception unit 12 as communication means (second communication means or reception means), and then the audio reproduction unit in which only the audio signal is reproduction means. 11 is input. At this time, the control signal accompanying the audio signal is discriminated at the time of demodulation and input to the control unit 13.

  In the control unit 13, a predetermined sequence determined in advance is executed in accordance with the code content of the control signal. At this time, the operating state of the headphones 10 is simply displayed on the display unit 14. For example, as in an LED 64 (see FIG. 12), which will be described later, an operation state such as reproduction start and stop is visually notified by lighting or blinking of the LED. Of course, a large amount of information may be displayed in more detail using an LCD or the like.

  The operation unit 15 is provided with minimum necessary switches such as PLAY SW 66 and POWER SW 65 described later so that the reproduction start and stop can be directly operated. The audio signal is further amplified by the audio reproduction unit 11 and drives the external driver unit 18. The driver unit 18 may be separated from the headphone 10 with a detachable extension cable. However, the driver unit 18 is integrated (built-in) with the headphone 10 so that the driver unit 18 can be directly attached to the user's head. May be.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the apparatus main body side of the wireless audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, an apparatus main body 20 includes an antenna 21, a transmission / reception unit 22 that transmits and receives audio signals via the antenna 21, a codec 23 that converts signals between audio signals and digital signals, a microphone ( MIC) 25, audio input unit 26, audio reproducing unit 27, speaker 28, digital signal processor (DSP) 29, system control unit 30, display unit 32, and storage unit (memory) 33. And the operation unit 34.

  A weak electric signal such as voice converted and output by the microphone 25 is amplified to a level that can be handled as a voice signal by a microphone amplifier (not shown) in the voice input unit 26. The analog audio signal amplified by the microphone amplifier is converted into a digital audio signal by an A / D converter (not shown) after an unnecessary frequency band is cut by a low-pass filter (not shown) in the codec 23. This digital audio signal is input to the digital signal processing unit 29.

  In the digital signal processing unit 29, during recording, the system control unit 30 controls and the digital audio signal is encoded (compressed and converted) into audio data of a predetermined encoding format in units of frames. The audio data encoded here is temporarily stored in a buffer memory (not shown) in the system control unit 30. On the other hand, the digital signal processing unit 29 at the time of reproduction is controlled by the system control unit 30 to read and decode (decompress) audio data in units of frames from the buffer memory (not shown).

  The decoded digital audio signal is converted into an analog audio signal by a D / A converter (not shown) of the codec 23, and then an unnecessary frequency band is cut by a low-pass filter (not shown). Then, it is amplified by a power amplifier (not shown) in the sound reproduction unit 27 and converted and output as sound from the speaker 28.

  The system control unit 30 constitutes control means, communication state detection means, power mode setting means, and release means. In addition to the digital signal processing unit 29, the CPU (not shown) in the system control unit 30 includes a transmission / reception unit 22 that is a communication unit (first communication unit or transmission unit, command transmission unit), a display unit 32, The storage unit 33 and the operation unit 34 which are storage units (reproduction position storage units) are connected, and each block is controlled in accordance with various switch inputs (to be described later) of the operation unit 34.

  The storage unit 33 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, such as a flash memory. During recording, the audio data encoded by the digital signal processing unit 29 is stored via a buffer memory (not shown) in the system control unit 30. At this time, index information related to the audio data is also stored.

  The operation unit 34 includes a recording switch (REC), a playback switch (PLAY), a stop switch (STOP), a fast forward switch (FF), a fast reverse switch (REW), a menu switch (MENU), a hold switch (HOLD), and the like. Various switches are arranged according to function.

  The display unit 32 displays an operation mode when a predetermined sequence is started or a subsequent operation state by any switch operation of the operation unit 34. For example, when the recording switch is pressed, the elapsed recording time, the remaining recordable time, the file number, and the like are displayed. When the menu switch is pressed, display related to function selection such as microphone sensitivity (high / low), recording mode (standard / long), and alarm (on / off) is performed. If the system control unit 30 has a clock function, the current date and time are also displayed. Furthermore, the battery check results of the headphones 10 and the apparatus main body 20 are also displayed according to the operation status of each sequence.

  The analog audio signal and the control signal described above are input to the transmission / reception unit 22 having a transmission function, modulated and amplified in a predetermined format, and then output from the antenna 21 of the apparatus body 20 as a radio wave having a predetermined frequency. The Of course, if priority is given to sound quality, it is better to modulate and amplify the digital audio signal immediately after the decoding (decompression) described above without converting it to an analog audio signal. That is, noise resistance such as S / N is remarkably improved by transmitting a digital audio signal as it is (for example, serial data of a predetermined bit rate). At this time, a D / A converter and a low-pass filter are added to the sound reproduction unit 11 in the headphone 10 so as to convert the serial data after amplification and demodulation into an analog sound signal.

  The transmission / reception unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 and the transmission / reception unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 function as a pair. Each transmission / reception unit includes one transmission function and one reception function, and can be turned on / off independently. Further, it is possible to perform bidirectional communication by simultaneously operating the transmission function and the reception function. The control of these transmission / reception units is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 and the system control unit 30 shown in FIG.

  Next, the main operation of the wireless audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the main operation of the wireless audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the apparatus main body 20 shown in FIG. 2 is powered on, first, in step S1, the system control unit 30 performs predetermined initial settings such as clearing in memory, various parameter settings, and hard reset. Subsequently, a timer start (not shown) of the system control unit 30 is executed in step S2. This timer is for measuring the time for the apparatus main body 20 to enter the standby mode (low current consumption mode) from the normal operation mode after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  When the normal operation mode is entered, various switch detections are performed in steps S3 to S9. That is, a recording switch (REC SW), a playback switch (PLAY SW), a fast forward switch (FF SW) / fast reverse switch (REW SW), a stop switch (STOP SW), a menu switch (MENU SW), and an erase switch (ERASE SW). ), It is detected whether there are any switches that are turned on.

  If the recording switch is turned on in step S3, the process proceeds to step S10 to execute the recording process. On the other hand, if the recording switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S4, and the state of the reproduction switch is detected. If the playback switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S11 to execute a subroutine “playback processing” related to the wireless transmission / reception function. Details of the subroutine “reproduction processing” will be described later. On the other hand, if the regeneration switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the state of the fast forward switch is detected. Here, if the fast-forward switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S12 and the fast-forward process is executed. On the other hand, if the fast-forward switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the state of the fast reverse switch is detected. Here, if the fast reverse switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S13, and the fast reverse process is executed. On the other hand, if the fast reverse switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the state of the stop switch is detected. If the stop switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S14 and the stop process is executed. On the other hand, if the stop switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S8, and the state of the menu switch is detected. Here, if the menu switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S15 to execute a menu change process. On the other hand, if the menu switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the state of the erase switch is detected. If the erasure switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S16 and erasure processing is executed. On the other hand, if the erase switch is not turned on in step S9, the process proceeds to step S18.

  After the processing corresponding to each switch is executed in steps S10 to S16, the process proceeds to step S17, and the timer started in step S2 is restarted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3.

  If it is determined in steps S3 to S9 that all switches are off, in step 18, the state of the timer started in step S2 is detected. If the timer is over, the process proceeds to step S3. If not, the process proceeds to step S19. If it is determined in step S19 that the time counted by the timer has exceeded a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S19, where standby mode processing, which is a standby mode, is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2.

  When the standby mode is entered, low current consumption operation is performed. Specifically, the audio input unit 26, the audio reproduction unit 27, the codec 23, the transmission / reception unit 22, the digital signal processing unit 29, the display unit 32, and the storage unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 are turned off or each block is configured. When a non-selection signal is output from the system control unit 30 to a chip enable terminal provided in an IC (not shown), a low current consumption state is obtained. At this time, the CPU of the system control unit 30 switches itself to the low-speed clock that consumes the least amount of current, and enters a low current consumption state. Alternatively, the operation clock may be switched from a main clock (for example, 27.000 MHz) to a sub clock (for example, 32.768 kHz), and then the main clock may be completely stopped until a switch input is detected.

  Note that the above-described fast-forward process, fast-rewind process, stop process, menu change process, and delete process are performed using well-known technical means and are not directly related to the contents of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation on the headphone side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the power of the headphones 10 is turned on, in step S21, the control unit 13 configured by a CPU (not shown) transmits and receives audio signals and control signal modulated radio waves transmitted from the apparatus body 20 side. The unit 12 is initialized to the reception state. On the other hand, the sound reproducing unit 11 is initially set to a disabled state so that unnecessary noise such as pop sounds is not output to the driver unit 18. When the display unit 14 notifies and displays the normal operation mode, for example, the display unit 14 may turn on the green LED in synchronization with power-on.

  In step S22, when a CPU timer (not shown) of the control unit 13 is started, in steps S23 and S24, a reproduction start command reception wait state is entered. The timer measures the time for the headphone 10 to enter the standby mode (low current consumption mode) from the normal operation mode after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thereafter, when a time over is detected by the control unit 13, the process proceeds to step S26.

  On the other hand, if the reproduction start command is received within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S25, and a subroutine “headphone side reproduction process” described later in detail is executed. Next, the process proceeds to step S26, and the process proceeds to a subroutine "standby mode" which will be described in detail later.

  In step S27, the state of the W_ST flag indicating whether or not the headphone 10 is in the standby mode is determined. Here, if the W_ST flag is cleared (“0” is set), there is a high possibility that an audio signal will be received following the reproduction start command, so the process proceeds to step S25 and the headphone side reproduction process is immediately performed. Is executed. On the other hand, when the W_ST flag is set (“1” is set), the headphones 10 are only intentionally switched to the normal operation mode. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S22, where a CPU timer (not shown) of the control unit 13 is started, and subsequently, a reproduction start command reception waiting state in steps S23 and S24 is entered.

  Next, the operation of the subroutine “standby mode” in step S26 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the standby mode is entered, first, in step S31, the sound reproduction unit 11 and the display unit 14 are set to a disabled state by the control unit 13. That is, a battery (not shown) built in the headphone 10 is set to a low current consumption operation so as not to be consumed unnecessarily. This setting is an operation state substantially equivalent to the initial setting in step S21 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, and only the transmission / reception unit 12 operates until the power of the headphones 10 is turned off in step S32. Waiting to receive a playback start command. At the same time, in step S33, the operation unit 15 enters a switch input generation waiting state.

  In the waiting state, the control unit 13 switches to the low-speed clock operation with low current consumption, and the above-described low current consumption operation is maintained. Switching from the waiting state to the normal operation mode is performed by reception of a reproduction start command from the transmission / reception unit 12 or switch input by the operation unit 15. Specifically, if the demodulated control signal fetched from the CPU serial port (not shown) of the control unit 13 is a reproduction start command represented by a predetermined bit length, the process proceeds to step S34 and the W_ST flag is cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S36. If a switch ON signal is detected by an external interrupt port of the CPU (not shown) of the control unit 13, the process proceeds to step S35, the W_ST flag is set, and then the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, the normal operation mode is set. When the normal operation mode is set, the disabled state of the sound reproduction unit 11, the transmission / reception unit 12, and the display unit 14 during the low current consumption operation is released. Thereafter, the present subroutine is exited and the process proceeds to step S27 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the operation of the subroutine “reproduction processing” in step S11 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Here, although described as a flowchart of the “apparatus main body side reproduction process”, the reproduction processing on the apparatus main body side is not confused with the flowchart of “headphone side reproduction processing” of FIG. It shall be described as “apparatus body side reproduction process”.

  First, in step S41, the system control unit 27 constituted by a CPU (not shown) executes a subroutine “battery check M” to check the remaining amount of a battery (not shown) built in the apparatus main body 20. Here, the battery check M is a processing operation for executing a battery check and a radio wave intensity check, as will be described later.

  Next, in step S42, a B_NG flag representing the determination result of the battery check is determined. Here, if the B_NG flag is “1”, it is determined that the battery check is NG, the process proceeds to step S49, and the battery check NG process is executed. At this point, the reproduction process on the apparatus main body side ends.

  On the other hand, if the B_NG flag is “0” in step S42, the R_NG flag representing the electric field strength determination result is determined in the subsequent step S43. If the R_NG flag is “1” in step S43, the process proceeds to step S41. If it is “0”, the process proceeds to step S44. That is, in steps S42 and S43, when the B_NG flag is “0” and the R_NG flag is “1”, it enters a reception waiting state for the audio signal transmission permission command of the headphone side reproduction process. At this time, a reproduction start command is read from the storage unit (memory) 33 by a CPU (not shown) of the system control unit 30.

  Next, in step S44, the reproduction start command modulated and amplified by the transmission / reception unit 22 is transmitted to the headphone side. In order to reduce transmission / reception mistakes on the apparatus main body 20 side and the headphone 10 side, when the playback switch (PLAY) is turned on once, the playback start command is transmitted (step S44) and the audio signal transmission permission command is received (step S45). May be repeated a plurality of times within a predetermined time.

  In step S45, the apparatus main body 20 after transmitting the reproduction start command enters a state of waiting for reception of an audio signal transmission permission command. If there is no response on the headphone 10 side, the process proceeds to step S46, and a subroutine “Battery Check M” described later is executed to check the remaining battery level. In step S47, the state of the stop switch (STOP) is detected. If the stop switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S71 described later, and if it is off, the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, the B_NG flag is determined again. Here, if the B_NG flag is “1”, it is determined that the battery check is NG, the process proceeds to step S49, and the battery check NG process is executed. On the other hand, if the B_NG flag is “0”, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, when the audio signal transmission permission command transmitted from the headphone side is received by the apparatus main body 20, the process proceeds to step S50, where W_MD is a status flag indicating whether or not the apparatus main body side is in the standby mode. A flag is determined. The W_MD flag is set when the apparatus main body 20 temporarily interrupts transmission of audio data during the reproduction operation.

  If the W_MD flag is “0” in step S50, the process proceeds to step S51 to store the recording mode (standard / high sound quality), file number and this audio data related to the selected audio data area. Various information such as the audio data storage area start address is read from the index information area and the reproduction operation is started. On the other hand, if the W_MD flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step S52, and the address at the time when the voice data transmission is interrupted, that is, the address value “Add” of the voice data read last from the memory is set to the margin value “ A value “Add−512n” obtained by subtracting 512n ”is set as the audio data read start address value.

  The margin value variable “n” is a positive integer including 0 (0, 1, 2, 3,...). For example, when audio data is read from an address 1024 younger than the final address value “Add”. If “n = 2” is substituted, the start address value “Add−512 × 2” can be obtained. The constant “512” represents the minimum unit (512 bytes) when audio data is read from the memory. As described above, since the voice data read start address value when the voice data transmission is resumed is set to be younger than the final address value “Add”, the voice at the time of the reproduction interruption is not interrupted when the reproduction is resumed, resulting in a sense of discomfort in the sense of hearing. Can be reduced.

  In addition, the value of the variable “n” may be determined according to the quality of hearing. That is, if the user does not want to miss the sound at the time of playback interruption when playback is resumed, the value of the variable “n” may be increased to make the voice data read start address value younger. When reproduction is resumed, the W_MD flag is cleared ("0" is set) in step S53, and reading of audio data is started.

  In the system control unit 30 shown in FIG. 2, the sound reproduction unit 27 is disabled, and the sound generation operation of the speaker (SP) 28 is prohibited. In step S54, the audio data stored in the storage unit (memory) 33 is read in order from the audio data storage area start address. In step S55, the digital signal processing unit (DSP) 29 performs decoding. Since the decoding itself is performed in units of frames, it is continuously performed in step S56 until the audio data reaches a predetermined number of frames. Then, the audio signal is output to the transmission / reception unit 22 while being sequentially stored in a buffer memory (not shown) of the system control unit 30.

  If the audio data reaches the predetermined number of frames in step S56, the process proceeds to step S57, and the audio signal is modulated and amplified by the transmission / reception unit 22 and transmitted to the headphone 10 side. Next, the subroutine “Battery Check M” is executed in step S58, the remaining battery level is checked in step S59, the radio wave intensity is checked in step S60, and the state of the stop switch (STOP) is detected in step S61. Is called.

  That is, if a decrease in radio field intensity (= deterioration of S / N at the time of reception) induced mainly by a decrease in battery voltage or an increase in the distance between the headphone 10 side and the apparatus main body 20 side is detected early, Since transmission of the audio signal can be canceled, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the sound quality on the headphone side as a result. In this state detection, the above steps S54 to S61 are repeatedly executed until the stop switch (STOP) is turned on in step S61.

  When the BNG flag is “0” in step S59, the process proceeds to step S62, and the battery check NG process is executed as in step S49 described above. If the RNG flag is “1” in step S60, the radio wave intensity has decreased, and the process proceeds to step S63, where the reading of audio data from the memory is temporarily stopped. The final address value “Add” at this time is stored in the storage unit (memory) 33 of FIG. Next, in step S64, a standby mode start command is transmitted to the headphone 10 side, and the subsequent audio signal reception processing is stopped.

  In step S65, a CPU (not shown) of the system control unit 30 sets a W_MD flag indicating that transmission of the audio signal is temporarily interrupted. Thereafter, in step S66, while the subroutine “Battery Check M” is executed again, it waits for the battery voltage to recover or to improve the distance between the headphone 10 side and the apparatus main body 20 side. During this time, the state of the stop switch (STOP) is detected in step S67, the remaining battery level is checked in step S68, and the radio wave intensity is checked in step S69.

  If the stop switch (STOP) is turned on in step S67, the process proceeds to step S71 described later. If the B_NG flag is “1” in step S68, the process proceeds to step S70, and the subroutine “battery check NG process” is executed as in steps S49 and S62 described above. On the other hand, if the B_NG flag is “0” in step S68, the process proceeds to step S69, where the R_NG flag is determined. As a result, when the R_NG flag is “1”, the radio wave intensity remains lowered, so the process proceeds to step S66, and steps S66 to S69 are repeated until the R_NG flag becomes “0”. When the R_NG flag becomes “0”, the radio wave intensity has been recovered to a level at which sound quality does not deteriorate. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S44, where a playback start command is transmitted to the headphone 10 and the audio signal is transmitted. Reception processing is resumed.

  In step S67, a playback end command is transmitted to the headphone 10 side on the apparatus body 20 side. Thereafter, in step S72, the playback end process on the apparatus body 20 side is executed, and the playback process ends. Then, the process exits from this subroutine and proceeds to step S17 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the subroutine “headphone side playback process” in step S25 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S81, a subroutine “battery check S” is executed by the control unit 13 including a CPU (not shown). The detailed operation of this subroutine “Battery Check S” will be described later. The battery check S is a processing operation for executing only a battery check.

  Next, in step S82, the remaining amount of a battery (not shown) built in the headphones 10 is checked. If the B_NG flag is “1”, it is determined that the battery check is NG, and the process proceeds to step S87 to execute the battery check NG process. At this point, the playback process on the headphone side ends. On the other hand, if the B_NG flag is “0” in step S82, an audio signal transmission permission command is sent to the apparatus main body 20 side in response to a reproduction start command received by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 13. Sent.

  Thereafter, in step S84, transmission of the radio wave intensity measurement marker signal is started continuously or intermittently. The marker signal for measuring the radio field intensity is a signal on the device body 20 side if the distance between the headphone 10 side and the device body 20 side is within a predetermined distance (for example, “1 m”) at least when the remaining battery level is sufficient. The reception level is always modulated and amplified so that the above-described R_NG flag is “0”.

  Next, in step S85, the subroutine “Battery Check S” is executed again by the control unit 13 constituted by a CPU (not shown). Subsequently, in step S86, the remaining battery level is checked. If the B_NG flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step S87 and the battery check NG process is executed. On the other hand, when the B_NG flag is “0”, the process proceeds to step S88, and the audio signal received and demodulated by the transmission / reception unit 12 is amplified by the audio reproduction unit 11 and the driver unit 18 is driven.

  In step S89, it is determined whether or not the audio data transmitted from the apparatus main body 20 has been successfully received. Here, if the audio data has been successfully received, the process proceeds to step S90, where the audio data is reproduced. On the other hand, if the audio data cannot be normally received, the process proceeds to step S91, and the headphone is set to a standby state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the headphone 10 cannot receive a signal from the apparatus main body 20 side. It is determined whether a timer for starting is running.

  If the timer is running, the process proceeds to step S93. On the other hand, if the timer has not been started, the process proceeds to step S92, the timer is started, and then the process proceeds to step S93.

  Next, in step S93, it is determined whether or not a playback end command has been received by the headphones 10 from the apparatus body 20 side. Here, when a reproduction end command is detected from the control signal received and demodulated by the transmission / reception unit 12 by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 13 during the reproduction process, the process proceeds to step S94, and the radio wave intensity measurement marker Signal transmission is stopped. Next, in step S95, the headphone side playback end process is executed on the headphone 10 side, and the playback process ends. Thereafter, the present subroutine is exited and the process proceeds to step S26 in the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S93 that a playback command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S96 to determine whether or not a standby mode start command transmitted from the apparatus body 20 has been received. . If a standby mode start command is received, the process exits from this subroutine and proceeds to step S26 in the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S96 that the standby mode start command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S97, and whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer started in step S92 was started. Is determined. Here, when it is determined that a predetermined time or more has not elapsed since the timer was started, the process proceeds to step S85, and the above-described processing operation is repeated. Otherwise, this subroutine is exited and the process proceeds to step S26 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the operation of the subroutine “Battery Check S” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, the control unit 13 constituted by a CPU (not shown) compares the terminal voltage of a battery (not shown) built in the headphone 10 with a predetermined reference voltage value for battery check determination, and accurately Result is output.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the determination result is the NG level, the process proceeds to step S103, and after the B_NG flag is set, this subroutine is exited. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the determination result is OK level, the process proceeds to step S104, and after the B_NG flag is cleared, the present subroutine is exited.

  The determination result may be notified to the display unit 14 constituted by an LED or an LCD.

  Next, the operation of the subroutine “Battery Check M” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S111, a terminal voltage of a battery (not shown) built in the apparatus body 20 is compared with a predetermined reference voltage value for battery check determination by a system control 30 constituted by a CPU (not shown). In step S112, an accurate determination result is output.

  If the determination result is NG level, the process proceeds to step S113, and after the B_NG flag is set, this subroutine is exited. On the other hand, if the determination result is OK in step S112, the process proceeds to step S114 and the B_NG flag is cleared. In step S115, the radio wave intensity of the marker signal transmitted from the headphone 10 side is determined. Specifically, the demodulated output voltage of the marker signal output from the transmission / reception unit 22 is compared with a predetermined reference voltage value for radio field strength determination. Next, in step S116, an accurate determination result is output.

  If it is determined in step S116 that the determination result is equal to or lower than the predetermined level, the process proceeds to step S117, the R_NG flag is set, and the present subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination result is equal to or higher than the predetermined level in step S116, the process proceeds to step S118, and the state of the W_MD flag is determined in order to determine whether transmission of the audio signal is temporarily interrupted. .

  Here, when the W_MD flag is “0”, since the transmission of the audio signal is continued, the process proceeds to step S124 described later, the R_NG flag is cleared, and the process immediately exits from this subroutine. On the other hand, if the W_MD flag is “1” in the above step S118, it is in the standby mode state due to insufficient radio field strength, so the recovery state of the marker signal reception level on the apparatus body 20 side is the above-mentioned subroutine “battery check M” Is executed in steps S119 to S123, which will be described later.

  However, if the output voltage after the demodulation of the marker signal output from the transmission / reception unit 22 is simply compared with a predetermined reference voltage value for determining the radio field intensity, erroneous determination occurs before and after the threshold value. As a result, there is a risk that sound quality deterioration on the headphone 10 side cannot be prevented. Therefore, only when it is determined that the output voltage after demodulation of the marker signal is greater than the threshold value for a predetermined time or longer, restart of the reproduction process on the apparatus body 20 side is permitted.

  In other words, when the W_MD flag is “1” in step S118, the process proceeds to step S119, and after the timer for timing is started, the output voltage after the demodulation of the marker signal is larger or smaller than the reference voltage value in step S120. To be compared. The magnitude comparison between the output voltage after demodulation of the marker signal and the reference voltage value is repeatedly performed within a predetermined time until a time-over is detected in step S123 described later. Further, the reference voltage value during that time may be varied (multiply by a factor of n) according to the expected reception state.

  For example, if a reliable and highly sensitive reception state is expected, a coefficient (n = 1 · 2) larger than the standard value (n = 1.0) is multiplied by the reference voltage value, If the distance from the apparatus main body 20 is not very close, the reception level at the apparatus main body 20 is set so that the R_NG flag is not judged to be “0”. On the contrary, if the sound quality can be lowered to some extent, the strictness of the distance can be relaxed by multiplying the reference voltage value by a coefficient (n = 0.7) smaller than the standard value. Of course, the coefficient may be set more finely or may not be applied to the reference voltage value at all.

  In step S121, if the determination result of the output voltage after demodulation of the marker signal is less than a predetermined level, the process proceeds to step S122, the R_NG flag is set, and then this subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination result of the output voltage after demodulation of the marker signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level in step S121, the process proceeds to step S123, and the timer started in step S119 is detected. If the time is not over, the process proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the time is over, the R_NG flag is cleared in step S124, and then this subroutine ends.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B show an external configuration of the apparatus main body side having the above-described configuration. FIG. 11A is a top view and FIG. 11B is a front view showing a state of the operation display unit during recording.

  A microphone hole 41, a microphone jack 42, and an earphone jack 43 are disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 40 in the present embodiment. A microphone (MIC) 25 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed in the apparatus main body 40 and immediately below the microphone hole 41. Although not particularly shown, a speaker (SP) 28 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed immediately below a speaker hole provided on the back surface of the apparatus main body 40.

  In addition, a stop switch (STOP) 45, a playback switch (PLAY) 46, a recording switch (REC) 47, and a recording switch (REC) 47 corresponding to the erase switch (ERASE) 62 unit 34 shown in FIG. Various operation switches such as a fast reverse switch (REW) 48, a fast forward switch (FF) 49, an erase switch (ERASE) 51, and a menu switch (MENU) 52 are arranged so as to be easily operated. Further, an LCD 53 corresponding to the display unit 32 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed on the front surface of the apparatus main body 40 and above the various switches described above.

  Here, an operation method of the apparatus main body 40 will be described.

  The basic operation is equivalent to a conventional general IC recorder.

  First, when the recording switch (REC) 47 of the apparatus main body 40 is turned on, recording is started. At this time, the initial display of recording is displayed on the LCD 53 to notify the operator that the apparatus main body 40 is in the recording operation state. In this state, if the microphone hole 41 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 40 is directed to a dictator (not shown), the dictation content can be reliably recorded (recorded).

  The recorded dictation can be pronounced from a speaker hole (not shown) on the back of the apparatus main body 40 when the playback switch (PLAY) 46 of the apparatus main body 40 is turned on. When sound generation is switched from the speaker hole to the headphone, a wire type headphone plug (not shown) may be inserted into the earphone jack 43. However, when the voice signal transmission permission command has been received, no sound is generated from the speaker hole as described above.

  In general, the storage unit (memory) 33 shown in FIG. 2 stores various audio files recorded by the operator himself. Therefore, when searching for a target audio file from the plurality of audio files, the audio file name and the like may be displayed on the LCD 53 in order while turning on the fast forward switch (FF) 49 or the fast reverse switch (REW) 48. . Unnecessary audio files are erased by turning on an erase switch (ERASE) 51 after retrieval. Recording and playback operations are stopped when the stop switch (STOP) 45 is turned on.

  Function changes such as microphone sensitivity (high / low), recording mode (standard / long), etc. can be made by fast-forward switch (FF) 49 or fast-reverse on the setting screen of LCD 53 after menu switch (MENU) 52 is turned on. While the switch (REW) 48 is intermittently turned on, function items are selected in order, and the change contents are determined by turning on the reproduction switch (PLAY) 46.

  Incidentally, as the format of the audio file, recently, MP3, WMA, etc. suitable for high-quality sound recording such as music are often used. For this reason, an operator who records many audio files of music purely rather than dictation tends to handle the apparatus main body 40 like a so-called digital audio player (music player). The present invention can be applied not only to an IC recorder but also to a portable digital audio player specialized for such a reproduction function without any problem.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a state of wireless transmission / reception on the apparatus main body 20 side and the headphone 10 side in the present embodiment will be described.

  The LCD 53 of the apparatus main body 40 shown in FIG. 12 has a mark 57 indicating that a playback operation is in progress, a file number 56, an elapsed playback time 57, a folder mark 59 containing a file, a file format type 60, and a radio wave of a marker signal. Intensity 61 is displayed. Of course, the display form is not limited to that described above. For example, if a large-screen full color LCD with high visibility is used, more information can be displayed at a time.

  On the other hand, on the headphone 63 side, an LED 64, a power switch (POWER) 65, and a playback switch (PLAY) 66 are provided to notify and display during playback operation and power-on.

  When wireless transmission / reception 68 is started on the apparatus main body 40 side and the headphone 63 side, sound is output to the headphone 63 from left and right driver units (not shown). The operator can adjust the output level to an easily audible volume by operating a volume (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 40 side or the headphone side. Further, when the audio output is temporarily stopped, the reproduction switch (PLAY) 66 or the reproduction switch (PLAY) 46 on the apparatus main body 40 side is turned on. To restart the reproduction, any switch may be turned on again.

  Note that the light emission color of the LED 64 is switched from green light emission when the power is turned on to red light emission during reproduction, for example, using a two-color light emission (green / red) LED so that the operator can easily recognize the reproduction operation. You may do it.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the reception state is poor, the reproduction operation is automatically stopped, and the reproduction is automatically started simultaneously with the recovery of the reception state. There is no need.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a headphone side of a wireless audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration on the apparatus main body side of a wireless audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the main operation | movement of the wireless audio | voice recording / reproducing apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement by the side of headphones. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a subroutine “standby mode” in step S <b> 26 in the flowchart of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a subroutine “reproduction process” in step S11 in the flowchart of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a subroutine “reproduction process” in step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. 3; 6 is a flowchart for explaining a subroutine “headphone side reproduction process” in step S25 of the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a subroutine "battery check S". It is a flowchart explaining the operation of a subroutine “battery check M”. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The external structure by the side of the apparatus main body of the wireless audio | voice recording / reproducing apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is the front which showed the state of the operation display part at the time of recording. FIG. It is a figure explaining the mode of the wireless transmission / reception of the apparatus main body 20 side of the wireless audio | voice recording / reproducing apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention, and the headphone 10 side.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Headphone, 11 ... Sound reproduction part, 12 ... Transmission / reception part, 13 ... Control part, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Operation part, 17 ... Antenna, 18 ... Driver unit, 20 ... Device main body, 21 ... Antenna, 22 ... Transmission / reception unit, 23 ... codec, 25 ... microphone (MIC), 26 ... audio input unit, 27 ... audio reproduction unit, 28 ... speaker, 29 ... digital signal processing unit (DSP), 30 ... system control unit, 32 ... display unit , 33 ... storage unit (memory), 34 ... operation unit.

Claims (17)

In an audio playback device for transmitting audio data stored in a storage medium to wireless headphones and reproducing the audio in the wireless headphones,
Communication means for communicating with the wireless headphones;
Reproduction means for sequentially transmitting and reproducing the audio data stored in the storage medium to the wireless headphones via the communication means;
Communication state detection means for detecting a communication state with the wireless headphones;
When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with the wireless headphones is poor, a prohibition unit for prohibiting the reproduction operation by the reproduction unit;
An audio reproducing apparatus comprising:   2. The audio reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reproduction position storage means for storing a reproduction position of the audio data at the time when the reproduction operation is prohibited by the prohibition means. .   Further, when the reproduction operation is prohibited by the prohibition means, the power mode of the audio reproduction device is changed to a low power consumption mode in which the functions of the communication state detection means are operated and other unnecessary functions are stopped. The sound reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising power mode setting means for shifting.   Furthermore, when the reproduction operation is prohibited by the prohibiting means, command transmitting means for transmitting a signal for setting the power mode of the wireless headphones to the standby mode via the communication means to the wireless headphones is provided. The sound reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein:   And a power mode setting unit that shifts the power mode of the audio playback device to a power-off mode when the communication state detection unit continuously detects a communication state failure for a predetermined time or longer. The sound reproducing device according to claim 1.   3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a canceling unit for canceling the prohibition of the reproduction operation by the prohibiting unit when the communication status detecting unit detects that the communication status defect is eliminated. Audio playback device.   7. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the prohibition of the reproducing operation is canceled by the canceling means, data playback is started from a playback position stored in the storage means.   2. The sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication state detecting unit measures a radio field intensity of a measurement signal transmitted from the wireless headphones. In a sound reproducing system including a wireless headphone and a sound reproducing device that transmits sound data stored in a storage medium to the wireless headphone and reproduces sound in the wireless headphone.
The audio playback device is
First communication means for transmitting and receiving to and from the wireless headphones;
Reproduction means for sequentially transmitting and reproducing the audio data stored in the storage medium to the wireless headphones via the first communication means;
Communication state detection means for detecting a communication state with the wireless headphones;
When the communication state detection means determines that the communication state is bad, a standby mode setting signal for setting the power mode of the wireless headphones to the standby mode via the first communication means, Command transmission means for transmitting to the wireless headphones;
Comprising
The wireless headphones
A second communication means for transmitting / receiving to / from the audio reproduction device;
When receiving the standby mode setting signal, wireless headphone power mode setting means for setting the power mode of the wireless headphones to the standby mode;
An audio playback system comprising: Playback means for playing back audio data;
Receiving means for receiving audio data reproduced by the reproducing means;
Wireless headphones with
A storage medium storing audio data;
Transmitting means for sequentially transmitting audio data stored in the storage medium to the wireless headphones;
A communication state detecting unit for detecting a communication state between the transmitting unit and the wireless headphones via the receiving unit;
When the audio data transmitted from the transmission unit via the reception unit is reproduced by the reproduction unit, and the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with the wireless headphones is poor, Control means for controlling the reproduction operation by the reproduction means to be prohibited;
An audio playback device body comprising:
An audio reproduction system comprising:   11. The reproduction position storage unit according to claim 10, further comprising a reproduction position storage unit for storing a reproduction position of the audio data at the time when the reproduction is prohibited by the control unit when the reproduction operation of the reproduction unit is prohibited. Audio playback system.   When the playback operation of the playback device is prohibited by the control device, the power mode of the audio playback device main body is reduced in power consumption by stopping other unnecessary functions while operating the function of the communication state detection device. The voice reproduction system according to claim 10, further comprising power mode setting means for shifting to a power mode.   When the reproduction operation by the reproduction unit is prohibited by the control unit, a signal for setting the power mode of the wireless headphones to the standby mode is transmitted to the wireless headphones via the transmission unit and the reception unit. The voice reproduction system according to claim 10, further comprising command transmission means.   And further comprising a power mode setting unit that shifts the power mode of the audio reproduction device main body to a power-off mode when the communication state detection unit continuously detects a communication state failure for a predetermined time or more. The sound reproduction system according to claim 10.   12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a release unit that cancels the prohibition of the reproduction operation by the reproduction unit when the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state defect has been eliminated. Audio playback system.   16. The audio reproduction system according to claim 15, wherein when the prohibition of the reproduction operation by the reproduction unit is released by the release unit, the reproduction of data is started from the reproduction position stored in the storage unit.   11. The audio reproduction system according to claim 10, wherein the communication state detection unit measures the radio field intensity of the measurement signal transmitted from the wireless headphones.

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