JP2007233741A - Wireless headset and content information collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless headset and a content information collection system, for collecting hearing information and individual information reproduced in real time by transmitting a signal related to the title of individual information including the hearing information such as a musical piece and a video or the like reproduced by a portable reproducing device used by persons in a local area or the like where the persons gather. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless headset 10 is composed of: a wireless adapter 11 which is connected to or incorporated in a reproducing device 13 for reproducing hearing information, and provided with a reproduced signal transmission part 22 for transmitting a signal related to the hearing information reproduced by the reproducing device 13, and a title transmission part 28 for transmitting a signal related to the title of the hearing information; and wireless headphones 12 for receiving the hearing information transmitted from the wireless adapter 11 to be used to hear the hearing information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless headset and a content information collection system, and more particularly to a wireless headset that listens to a musical sound being played back by a playback device and transmits a signal related to the title such as the musical sound, and a signal related to the transmitted title The content information collection system collects the titles of auditory information and individual information being reproduced by a reproduction apparatus based on the above.

  In recent years, small and portable playback devices that can enjoy music while walking on the go have been developed and used by many people. Information on what kind of music is being listened to by these playback devices is important information not only in the music industry but also in various industries. For individuals who enjoy music, it is very fun to know what popular music is. Also, in the towns where young people gather and middle-aged and older gathering, the music that is popular may differ, and information about the popular music in each area also activates the town for people in the shopping district, for example It will be useful information for the purpose.

Patent Document 1 proposes a device that records the actual performance of a piece of music reproduced by a playback device and a device that performs a tabulation process on the playback performance of individual playback devices.
JP 2001-31473 A

  The device that records the playback performance of music and the like disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the device that counts the playback performance of each playback device perform playback of the recorded media such as music on each playback device. Recorded (playback results) is made. Then, the playback results sent from the plurality of devices through the communication network are tabulated by the tabulating device. Therefore, the information about the music that is being played back by the playback device is not totaled in real time. The information about what music is popular now becomes useful information for various industries and individuals as soon as possible. However, the conventional one does not satisfy such a condition. In addition, the conventional device is not a device having a mechanism for grasping information on where the playback device is, and therefore, information on what kind of music is popular in each region cannot be aggregated. Furthermore, there has never been a mechanism for quickly counting the total information in a relatively small local area (a specific local area) where people can easily gather.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide individual information including auditory information and video such as music played in a portable playback device used by people in a local area where people gather. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless headset and a content information collection system capable of collecting a signal related to a title and collecting auditory information and individual information reproduced in real time.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless headset and content information collection system according to the present invention are configured as follows.

  The first wireless headset (corresponding to claim 1) is connected to or built in a playback device that plays back auditory information, and an auditory information transmitting means that inputs and sends a signal related to the auditory information that is played back by the playback device And a wireless transmission adapter that receives and transmits a signal related to the title of the auditory information, and wireless headphones that receive the auditory information transmitted from the wireless adapter and output it as sound.

  In the above wireless headset, music, news, lectures, etc. that are played back by a playback device using a wireless adapter having an auditory information transmission function and a title transmission function, and wireless headphones that receive the auditory information sent from the wireless adapter Can be collected, and the titles of the auditory information being played back by the playback device can be collected in real time.

  In the above configuration, the second wireless headset (corresponding to claim 2) is preferably characterized in that the title transmission unit transmits the signal related to the title with the signal related to the device identification ID added thereto. .

  The first content information collecting system (corresponding to claim 3) is connected to or built in a playback device for playing back auditory information, and inputs and sends a signal relating to the auditory information played back by the playback device. And a wireless adapter having a title transmission means for transmitting a signal relating to the title of the auditory information, wireless headphones for receiving the auditory information transmitted from the wireless adapter and outputting a sound for listening, and wireless within a specific range Based on at least one title receiving means for receiving a signal related to the title sent by the title transmitting means of the adapter, and a signal related to the title received by the title receiving means, the playback device reproduces within a specific range. And tally means for tallying the auditory information.

  In the above configuration, the second content information collection system (corresponding to claim 4) is preferably configured such that the title transmission unit transmits the signal related to the title with the signal related to the device identification ID added thereto, and the title reception unit includes The signal relating to the device identification ID is received together with the signal relating to the title, and the aggregation means is characterized by performing aggregation based on the specific device identification ID.

  In the third content information collecting system (corresponding to claim 5), in the above configuration, preferably, a signal received by one title receiving means is transferred to at least one other title receiving means, It is characterized by being sent to the counting means via the title receiving means.

  In the fourth content information collecting system (corresponding to claim 6), the auditory information is preferably music, news, or a lecture in the above configuration.

  According to the present invention, a wireless adapter including an auditory information transmitting unit and a title transmitting unit is added to a playback device that reproduces auditory information, and a signal related to the auditory information is supplied from the wireless adapter to the wireless headphones. Auditory information such as music, news, and lectures played by the playback device can be heard with wireless headphones, and a signal related to the title of the auditory information being played on the playback device is transmitted from the wireless adapter. Can be collected. Thereby, it is possible to collect the titles of the auditory information being played back by the playback device in real time.

  According to the present invention, the signal related to the title of the individual information being reproduced by the reproduction apparatus for reproducing auditory information is supplied to the aggregation means by the title transmission means and the title reception means, and the individual information is aggregated. Therefore, the titles of auditory information reproduced in a predetermined local area can be totaled in real time.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the signal related to the device ID is added to the signal related to the title and sent based on the specific ID, information about the device reproducing the individual information and the auditory information is obtained. Can also be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a wireless headset according to the present invention. The wireless headset 10 includes a wireless adapter 11 and wireless headphones 12.

  The wireless adapter 11 is connected to a playback device 13 that plays back audio information such as music, news, and lectures based on an electrical connection relationship. The wireless adapter 11 electrically connected to the playback device 13 inputs a signal related to auditory information output from the output port of the playback device 13, and further sends the signal to the wireless headphones 12 by the radio 18. The wireless adapter 11 is also configured to be able to transmit a signal related to the title attached to the auditory information reproduced by the reproducing device 13 by the radio 19.

  On the other hand, the wireless headphone 12 includes a controller 14 and earphones 16 and 17 connected to the controller 14 with a cord 15. The controller 14 sends selection of auditory information to be played back by the playback device and playback start / stop commands to the wireless adapter 11 via the radio 18. Further, the controller 14 receives a signal related to the auditory information reproduced by the playback device 13 that is transmitted by the wireless adapter 11 via the radio 18, and outputs the auditory information as voice from the earphones 16 and 17 connected to the controller 14 by the cord 15. To do. The controller 14 includes a volume adjustment unit (58: see FIG. 4), and can adjust the volume output from the earphones 16 and 17.

  When the controller 14 and the wireless adapter 11 are at a distance that allows wireless connection, the controller 14 and the wireless adapter 11 are arbitrarily or automatically connected. In this state, the user transmits an audio information selection and reproduction start command from the controller 14 to the wireless adapter 11 via the radio 18. The wireless adapter 11 receives the sent auditory information selection and playback start command, interprets the command, and sends a selection and playback start instruction to the playback device 13. The reproduction device 13 starts reproduction of the selected auditory information, and the wireless adapter 11 transmits the reproduced auditory information to the controller 14 by radio 18. The controller 14 receives the auditory information transmitted from the wireless adapter 11 and outputs the sound from the earphones 16 and 17 with an appropriate volume by the volume adjustment unit. Thereby, the user can listen to auditory information such as music played by the playback device 13. The wireless adapter 11 automatically performs connection processing when the wireless adapter 11 is within a distance that can be wirelessly connected to a title receiver (61: see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and the title of the auditory information being reproduced by the reproduction device 13. An ID for identifying the device (individual ID) is transmitted to the title receiver 61 by radio 19.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing internal functions provided in the wireless adapter 11. The wireless adapter 11 includes a reproduction signal reception unit 20, an AD conversion unit 21, a reproduction signal transmission unit 22, a command reception unit 23, a command transmission unit 25, and a controller connection processing unit 26. The wireless adapter 11 includes a title signal receiving unit 27, a title signal transmitting unit 28, an ID storage unit 29, and a title receiver connection processing unit 30. Furthermore, the wireless adapter 11 includes a control unit 31 that controls the operation of each functional unit.

  The reproduction signal receiving unit 20 receives a reproduction signal when the auditory information output from the output port from the reproduction device 13 is reproduced. The AD conversion unit 21 converts the reproduction signal that is an analog signal output from the reproduction signal receiving unit 20 into a reproduction signal composed of a digital signal. The reproduction signal transmission unit 22 transmits the reproduction signal converted into the digital signal by the AD conversion unit 21 to the controller 14 of the wireless headphones 12 by the radio 18.

  The command receiving unit 23 receives a signal related to selection of auditory information to be played back by the playback device 13 and a signal related to each command of playback start / stop, which are transmitted from the controller 14 of the wireless headphones 12 by radio 18. Receive. The command transmission unit 25 interprets a signal related to each command by the control unit 31, transmits a corresponding command among selection, reproduction start, and reproduction stop to the reproduction device 13, and operates the reproduction device 13.

  When the controller 14 and the wireless adapter 11 can be wirelessly connected to each other, the controller connection processing unit 26 operates the control unit 31 to reproduce the reproduction signal receiving unit 20, the AD conversion unit 21, the reproduction signal transmitting unit 22, and the command receiving unit 23. The command transmission unit 25 is operated so that each command from the controller 14 can be received and a reproduction signal can be transmitted.

  The title signal receiving unit 27 receives a signal related to the title of the auditory information acquired from the playback device 13 when playback of the auditory information is started by sending a playback start command to the playback device 13. The ID storage unit 29 stores an individual ID. The title signal transmission unit 28 transmits a signal related to the title output from the title signal reception unit 27 and the individual ID to the title receiver (61: see FIG. 5) to be described later by the wireless 19.

  The title receiver connection processing unit 30 operates the control unit 31 when the distance between the title receiver and the wireless adapter 11 to be described later becomes a wirelessly connectable distance, the title signal receiving unit 27, the title signal transmitting unit 28, and the ID storage unit. Each of 29 is operated so that the title signal can be transmitted from the title signal transmission unit 28.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration inside the wireless adapter 11. The wireless adapter 11 includes a playback device interface unit 40, an AD converter 41, a communication unit 42, an antenna 43, a control unit 44, and a memory 45. Based on this configuration, the wireless adapter 11 implements the functional units described in FIG. The playback device interface unit 40 performs conversion according to the communication interface with the playback device 13 and enables exchange of signals between the playback device 13 and the wireless adapter 11. The AD converter 41 converts an analog signal related to auditory information from the playback device interface unit 40 into digital data. The communication unit 42 transmits / receives wireless communication of commands with the wireless headphones 12 and data related to auditory information to the wireless headphones 12. In addition, wireless communication of commands is performed with a receiver described later. The control unit 44 interprets the command received by the communication unit 42 and operates the playback device via the playback device interface unit 40. Further, the digital data related to the auditory information created by the AD converter 41 is converted in accordance with the communication protocol, and sent to the communication unit 42. Further, the individual ID held in the memory 45 and a signal related to the title (music information) acquired by operating the playback device 13 are transmitted to the receiver via the communication unit 42. The communication unit 42 is equipped with an antenna 43. The communication unit 42 has a function of performing narrow area wireless communication such as Bluetooth communication. Here, “narrow area wireless communication” is assumed to be communication in a radius range of about 10 m, for example. It is also possible to use other communication technologies such as wireless LAN, ZigBee, and UWB.

  In the wireless adapter 11, when the distance between the controller 14 and the wireless adapter 11 shown in FIG. 1 is wirelessly connectable, the control unit 44 performs a connection process with the controller 14. In this state, when the communication unit 42 receives a selection and playback start command from the controller 14, the control unit 44 interprets the command, operates the playback device 13 via the playback device interface unit 40, and plays back the playback device 13. Plays the selected auditory information. The reproduced auditory information is sent to the AD converter 41 via the reproducing device interface unit 40. The AD converter 41 converts an analog signal into a digital signal and transmits it from the communication unit 42 via the antenna 43. In addition, the control unit 44 operates the individual ID stored in the memory 45 and the playback device 13 to transmit the acquired title (music information) to the receiver via the communication unit 42.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the internal functions of the controller 14 of the wireless headphones 10. The controller 14 includes a reproduction signal reception unit 50, a DA conversion unit 51, an L / R separation unit 52, a switch 53, a command signal generation unit 54, a command signal transmission unit 55, a connection processing unit 56, and a control unit 57. ing. In addition, the controller 14 includes a volume adjustment unit 58. The reproduction signal receiving unit 50 receives a reproduction signal transmitted from the wireless adapter 11 through the radio 18. The DA conversion unit 51 converts the reproduction signal in the digital signal format output from the reproduction signal receiving unit 50 into a reproduction signal in the analog signal format. The L / R separator 52 separates the reproduction signal output from the DA converter 51 into a left reproduction signal and a right reproduction signal, and outputs the respective signals. The volume adjustment unit 58 adjusts the level of the signal output from the L / R separation unit 52 and adjusts the volume output from the earphones 16 and 17. The switch 53 is a switch for instructing selection, playback start, and playback stop of auditory information to be played back by the playback device 13. The command signal generation unit 54 generates command signals corresponding to selection, reproduction start, and reproduction stop designated by the switch 53. The command signal transmission unit 55 transmits the command signal generated by the command signal generation unit 54 to the wireless adapter 11 by the radio 18. The connection processing unit 56 operates the control unit 57 to make each functional unit operable when the wireless adapter 11 and the controller 14 are at a distance that allows wireless connection. The control unit 57 controls the operation of each functional unit.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows an overall configuration of the content information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The content information collection system 60 includes a wireless adapter 11, wireless headphones 12, a title receiver 61, and a counting system 62. This content information collection system is a music information collection system in a specific local area where people are likely to gather. However, the content information collection system according to the present invention is not limited to the music information collection system.

  The wireless adapter 11 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and is connected to a playback device 13 that plays back auditory information. In the configuration of FIG. 5, the wireless adapter 11 is configured as a separate unit from the playback device 13, but the wireless adapter 11 is incorporated inside the playback device 13 and configured as an integrated playback device. You can also. The wireless adapter 11 includes an auditory information transmission unit (reproduction signal transmission unit) that transmits a signal related to auditory information being reproduced by the playback device, and a title signal transmission unit that transmits a signal related to the title of the auditory information. The wireless headphones 12 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and are used to receive and listen to auditory information transmitted by the radio 18 from the wireless adapter 11 connected to the playback device 13. The title receiver 61 receives a signal related to the title transmitted by the radio 19 by the title signal transmission unit 28 of the wireless adapter 11 within the specific range 63. The tabulation system 62 tabulates auditory information reproduced by the playback device 13 within a specific range (area) 63 based on a signal related to the title received by the title receiver. The specific range 63 is an arbitrary local (relatively narrow area) where many people who use the playback device 13 gather.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the internal functions of the title receiver 61. The title receiver 61 includes a title signal receiving unit 70, a title signal transmitting unit 71, a connection processing unit 72, a control unit 73, and a position information storage unit 74. The title signal receiving unit 70 receives a title signal and a signal related to the individual ID transmitted from the wireless adapter 11 through the radio 19. The title signal transmission unit 71 transmits the title signal received by the title signal reception unit 70, the individual ID, and the position information of the title receiver stored in the position information storage unit 74 to the aggregation system 62. When the wireless adapter 12 and the title receiver 61 have reached a wirelessly connectable distance, the connection processing unit 72 activates the control unit 73 to bring the title signal receiving unit 70 and the title signal transmitting unit 71 into an operable state.

  In the content information collection system 60, for example, the title receiver 61 is installed in a place (range 63) where people with portable music playback devices as the playback device 13 gather. The tabulation system 62 tabulates the music rankings that are heard in the range 63. The summary data can be used by the music company and the music download company as ranking information, market information, and sales promotion tools.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the content information collection system 60 according to the present embodiment. When the wireless adapter 11 attached to the wireless headphones 12 and the playback device 13 is within a wirelessly connectable distance, connection processing is performed arbitrarily or automatically (step S11). By the operation of starting the reproduction of the wireless headphones 12, the wireless headphones 12 transmits a reproduction start command to the wireless adapter 11 (step S12). The wireless adapter 11 interprets the received playback start command and sends a playback start instruction to the playback device 13. The playback device 13 starts playback, and the wireless adapter 11 transmits auditory information such as music from the playback device 13 to the wireless headphones 12 (step S13). Further, the wireless adapter 11 automatically performs connection processing with the title receiver 61 located at a wirelessly connectable distance (step S14), and the title (music information) extracted from the playback device 13 and the individual stored in the memory The ID is transmitted to the title receiver 61 (step S15). When the transmission is completed, the disconnection process is performed and the connection with the receiver is terminated (step S16). The title receiver 61 transmits the received music information, individual ID, and position information held by the receiver itself to the counting system (step S17). The totaling system 62 manages and totals information collected from the title receiver 61. As described above, the titles of the auditory information reproduced within the range 63 can be collected and totaled in real time. Further, since the collected information includes the position information of the title receiver 61, the collected area can be specified based on the position information. Furthermore, since the collected information includes the individual ID, information about the device reproducing the auditory information can be obtained, and the total including the range 63 and the device can be obtained. In addition, by registering individual IDs in advance in the database of the counting system 62 together with the user attributes, only the titles of the auditory information being played back from the playback device having the registered individual IDs are tabulated. It can also be. When performing aggregation in relation to user attributes, it is desirable to register user attribute information in advance.

  Next, another embodiment of the content information collection system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows the overall configuration of the content information collection system, which is similar to FIG. The content information collection system 80 includes a wireless adapter 11, wireless headphones 12, title receivers 61, 64, 65, 66, and a totaling system 62. This content information collection system includes a plurality of title receivers having the same structure and function as those shown in FIGS.

  Each of the title receivers 61, 64, 65, 66 arranged in the range 81 includes a communication unit (title signal receiving unit 70 and title signal transmitting unit 71) for narrow area wireless communication, and is adjacent to each other. The title receivers that communicate with each other wirelessly communicate with each other and transmit and receive a signal related to the title received by one title receiver. Accordingly, for example, a signal related to a title received by any one of the title receivers is transmitted and received one after another from the title receiver by the adjacent title receivers, and finally supplied to the counting system 62.

  The wireless communication based on the communication unit having the narrow-area wireless communication function performs communication in a relay manner between the title receivers 61, 64, 65, and 66, and transmits a signal from the wireless adapter 11 to the counting system 62. Thus, the totaling system 62 can be configured to be able to count in the range 81.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the content information collection system 80. When the wireless adapter 11 attached to the wireless headphones 12 and the playback device 13 is within a wirelessly connectable distance, a connection process is performed arbitrarily or automatically (step S21). By the operation of starting the reproduction of the wireless headphones 12, the wireless headphones 12 transmits a reproduction start command to the wireless adapter 11 by the radio 18 (step S22). The wireless adapter 11 interprets the received playback start command and sends a playback start instruction to the playback device 13. The playback device 13 starts playback, and the wireless adapter 11 transmits music from the playback device to the wireless headphones 12 by radio 18 (step S23). Further, the wireless adapter 11 automatically performs connection processing with the title receiver 61 located at a wirelessly connectable distance (step S24), and the title (music information) extracted from the playback device 13 and the individual held in the memory The ID is transmitted to the title receiver 61 by radio 19 (step S25). When the transmission is completed, the disconnection process is performed and the connection with the receiver is terminated (step S26). The title receiver 61 transmits the received music information, individual ID, and position information held by the title receiver 61 itself to the counting system 62. At this time, communication is performed in a relay manner between the title receivers 61, 64, and 65 by communication using the radio 20 and 21 based on the communication unit, and a signal from the wireless adapter 11 is transmitted to the counting system 62 (step S27, step S27). S28, step S29). The tabulation system 62 manages and tabulates information collected from each title receiver. As described above, the titles of the auditory information reproduced in the area can be collected and totaled in real time. Further, since the collected information includes the position information of the title receiver 61, the collected area can be specified based on the position information. Further, since the collected information includes an individual ID, information about the device reproducing the auditory information can be obtained, and the total including the area and the device can be calculated. In addition, by registering individual IDs in the counting system in advance, it is possible to total only the titles of auditory information being reproduced from a device having the registered individual ID.

  In each of the above embodiments, the auditory information is used as information to be played back by the playback device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and individual information including video information can also be used.

  The configurations, shapes, sizes, and arrangement relationships described in the above embodiments are merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be understood and implemented. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

  The present invention is used as a system for collecting individual information such as music played by a portable playback device.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the wireless headset which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the wireless adapter of the wireless headset which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the wireless adapter of the wireless headset which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the controller of the wireless headphones of the wireless headset according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the content information collection system which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the title receiver of the content information collection system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure of the content information collection system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another whole structure of the content information collection system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure of the content information collection system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless headset 11 Wireless adapter 12 Wireless headphones 13 Playback apparatus 14 Controller 15 Code 16 Earphone 17 Earphone 20 Playback signal receiving part 21 AD conversion part 22 Playback signal transmission part 23 Command reception part 25 Command transmission part 26 Controller connection process part 27 Title Signal receiving section 28 Title signal transmitting section 29 ID storage section 30 Title receiver connection processing section 31 Control section

Claims (6)

A wireless adapter having auditory information transmitting means for inputting and transmitting a signal related to the auditory information to be reproduced by an audio information reproducing device; and a title transmitting means for inputting and transmitting a signal related to the title of the auditory information;
Wireless headphones that receive the auditory information sent from the wireless adapter and output it as sound;
A wireless headset comprising:   The wireless headset according to claim 1, wherein the title transmission unit transmits the signal related to the title with a signal related to a device identification ID added thereto. A wireless adapter having auditory information transmitting means for inputting and transmitting a signal related to the auditory information to be reproduced by an audio information reproducing device; and a title transmitting means for inputting and transmitting a signal related to the title of the auditory information;
Wireless headphones that receive the auditory information sent from the wireless adapter and output it as sound;
At least one title receiving means for receiving a signal related to the title sent by the title sending means of the wireless adapter within a specific range;
Based on a signal related to the title received by the title receiving means, a counting means for counting the auditory information reproduced by the playback device within the specific range;
A content information collecting system comprising: The title transmission means adds a signal related to the device identification ID to the signal related to the title and sends it,
The title receiving means receives a signal related to the device identification ID together with a signal related to the title,
The aggregation means performs aggregation based on a specific device identification ID.
4. The content information collection system according to claim 3, wherein   5. The signal received by one title receiving means is transferred to at least one other title receiving means and sent to the counting means via the other title receiving means. The content information collection system described. 4. The content information collecting system according to claim 3, wherein the auditory information is music, news, or a lecture.

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