JP2009206692A - Headphones and headphones system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a headphone capable of enhancing fashionability and attention, thereby realizing a new usage aspect, and to provide a system using the headphone. <P>SOLUTION: The headphone 10 includes a sound emitting part 10A provided at least one end part to be configured to be able to output sound, and an extending shaped arm part 10B connected to the sound emitting part 10A and formed in the shape of an arc. In the headphones configured in the shape of inverse U as a whole, a display body 13 configured to be able to display at least an image on outer surface of the arm part 10B is provided, and the display body 13 includes a display range extended along the extending direction of the arm part 10B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a headphone and a headphone system, and more particularly to a structure of a headphone including a display body and a configuration of a system including the headphone.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, headphones used by wearing on the head to listen to desired music and the like are sound generating parts composed of speakers or the like provided at a pair of left and right ends, and an arcuate shape connecting the pair of sound generating parts. An arm portion and a generally inverted U-shape are generally provided. As such headphones, there are known ones equipped with a mounting unit configured to be able to mount a memory card, an operation unit for performing various operations, and a display unit for performing various displays.

In particular, as a headphone provided with a display body, a display device 14 for displaying a music selection state, a reproduction state, and instruction content is provided in a form having a rectangular display range on the outer side surface of the headband 10 (the following patents) Document 1, see FIG. 1), a graphic display unit provided on the outside of a casing in which a small speaker is arranged to enhance the design of headphones (see Patent Document 2, FIG. 1 below), visual effect device 2. A display unit (liquid crystal display) 210 that displays an image that changes in synchronization with the sound emitted from the headphones 2 is provided on the outer surface of the headphones (see Patent Document 3 and FIG. 1 below). .
JP 2000-32582 A JP 200423712 A Registered Utility Model No. 3081677

  However, since the headphones provided with the above-described display body are each provided with a display body partially on the outer surface of the speaker section or the outer surface of the arm section, they do not have a conventional display body in appearance. It does not leave the headphone range, and the display body is merely for displaying the status of the device, so it does not affect the fashionability, or even if it expects a design effect Since the display range is limited, it is only a one-point mark mode and there is a problem that the degree of attention is low.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides a headphone capable of enhancing fashionability and attention and thereby realizing a new usage mode, and a system using the same. It is in.

  In view of such a situation, the headphone of the present invention is provided with a sound generating portion provided at at least one end portion and configured to output sound, and an extended arm portion connected to the sound generating portion and configured in an arc shape. In the headphone which is configured in an inverted U shape as a whole, a display body configured to display at least an image on the outer surface of the arm portion is provided, and the display body is an extension direction of the arm portion And a display range extended along the line.

  According to the present invention, the display body configured to display at least an image of the headphones on the outer surface of the arm portion is provided, and the display body has a display range extended along the extending direction of the arm portion. As a result, an appropriate image can be displayed over a wide range by efficiently using the extended shape of the arm portion, so that a fashionable external design can be realized and a high degree of attention can be obtained.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the display range of the display body extends over the entire length of the arm portion. In this case, since an image can be displayed over the entire length of the arm portion, fashionability and attention can be further increased.

  In another aspect of the invention, the display body is flexible at least in the extending direction of the arm portion. In this case, since the display body has flexibility in the extending direction of the arm portion, the display body can be easily installed according to the arc shape of the arm portion or the U shape of the entire headphone. Further, the arm portion can be provided with flexibility to improve the attachment and detachability of the headphones with respect to the head.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the display body includes at least a plurality of display portions divided in the extension direction of the arm portion, and an angle between the display portions adjacent to each other in the extension direction is variably configured. . In this case, since the angle between the plurality of display units is variably configured, the display body can be easily installed in accordance with the arc shape of the arm unit or the inverted U shape of the entire headphone. Further, the arm portion can be provided with flexibility to improve the attachment and detachability of the headphones with respect to the head.

  In this case, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of display portions has a shape curved in the extending direction of the arm portion. According to this, since the arc shape of the arm portion or the U-shape of the entire headphone can be realized even if the number of divisions of the display body is reduced, the boundary area of the image within the display range can be achieved. The image quality can be improved by, for example, reducing the number of images. Here, as a matter of course, it is more desirable that all of the plurality of display portions have shapes curved in the extending direction.

  In a different aspect of the present invention, the sounding portion and the arm portion are constituted by a base body configured in an inverted U shape as a whole, and the display body is attached to the base body.

  In this case, it is preferable that the display body is held in a state where the base body is not restrained at least in the extending direction of the base body. According to this, even if the deformation of the aspect in which the degree of curvature in the extending direction is changed due to the stress being applied to the base body by holding the display body in a state in which the base body is not restrained in the extending direction, Stresses other than the stress in the direction in which the degree of curvature of the base body changes, that is, compressive stress and extension stress along the extension direction, are not transmitted to the display body, thus preventing the display body from being damaged and other problems. it can.

  In this case, it is further preferable that the base body is formed with a holding groove that engages and holds both ends of the display body in the width direction without being restricted in the extending direction. According to this, the display body can be reliably held in the above-described manner, and the base body holding structure can be easily configured.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the base body includes at least a plurality of base portions divided in the extending direction of the arm portion, and an angle between the base portions adjacent to each other in the extending direction is variably configured. According to this, flexibility in the extending direction of the base body can be obtained easily and sufficiently.

  Next, a headphone system according to the present invention includes a sounding portion provided at at least one end portion and configured to output sound, and an extended arm portion connected to the sounding portion and configured in an arc shape. In addition, there is provided a display body that is formed in an inverted U-shape as a whole and configured to display at least an image on the outer surface of the arm portion, and the display body extends along the extending direction of the arm portion. And a control unit configured to be capable of selecting and operating a sound output mode of the sound generation unit and an image display mode of the display body.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to improve fashionability and attention degree with the display body provided with the display range extended along the extension direction of an arm part, the sound output aspect of a sound generation part and display body of a display body can be improved by an operation unit. Since the image display mode can be appropriately selected and operated, the sound output mode and the image display mode can be easily controlled even when the headphones are worn on the head. In this case, it is more preferable that the display range of the display body extends over the entire length of the arm portion.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a control unit configured to be controllable in association with a sound output mode of the sound generation unit and an image display mode of the display body is incorporated in at least one of the headphones and the operation unit. The control unit is configured to display at least one image display mode corresponding to the one sound output mode when the sound generation unit outputs a sound in the one sound output mode selected by the operation unit. A corresponding control mode for displaying an image on the display body; According to this, the user who knows the contents of the association between the sound output mode and the image display mode by controlling the image display mode of the display body in association with the sound output mode of the sound generation unit by the control unit. If so, the image display mode can be predicted by the sound output mode of the sound generation unit, and the user can select the image display mode by displaying the contents corresponding to the sound output mode selected by the user on the display body. Appropriate appearance can be formed without the need, and various control modes such as notifying the user that the user is listening or executing an advertisement associated with the sound output mode are realized. Is possible.

  In this case, the control unit collectively introduces audio and image correspondence data for realizing both the one sound output mode and the one image display mode corresponding to the one sound output mode, and the audio image It is preferable that the one sound output mode and the one image display mode are executed in parallel based on the correspondence data. For example, a data reproducing unit that inputs data from a recording medium such as a memory card is provided, and a data receiving unit is provided that can read the audio-image compatible data from the recording medium or receive data via an external communication facility. The audio image correspondence data can be downloaded from the external communication facility, and one sound output mode and one image display mode corresponding to the sound image correspondence mode are simultaneously generated based on the audio image correspondence data. Can be realized.

[First Embodiment]
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the structure of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the headphones and headphone system of this embodiment. The headphone 10 includes sound generation units 10A and 10A provided at both ends, and an arm unit 10B connected in an arcuate manner to connect the pair of sound generation units 10A and 10A. As an inverted U-shape.

  The headphone 10 of the illustrated example has a base body 11 that is formed in a band shape and is curved in an inverted U shape in the extending direction, and speakers 12 are respectively incorporated inside both ends of the base body 11. Yes. On the inner surface of the base body 11, sound emission ports 11 a (in the illustrated example) for emitting sound generated by the speaker 12 are formed.

  Moreover, the display body 13 provided with the display range extended along the extension direction of the base body 11 (arm part 10B) in the base body 11 is the aspect which can visually recognize the display screen from the outer surface side of the base body 11. It is attached. The display body 13 is attached and fixed on the outer surface of the base body 11 in the illustrated example.

  The base body 11 can be made of a material such as a synthetic resin, and preferably has a flexibility that allows the base body 11 to bend along the extending direction. By having this flexibility, the headphones 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the head. In the case of the illustrated example, the display body 13 includes a display range over the entire outer surface of the arm portion 10B excluding the sound generation portion 10A at both ends, and is configured integrally as a whole. And since the base body 11 has flexibility as mentioned above, the display body 13 also has the flexibility of the aspect which can be bent along an extension direction. For example, in the illustrated example, the display body 13 includes a strip-shaped display panel having flexibility. Such a flexible display panel is not particularly limited, but an electrophoretic display panel, an electronic ink display, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL panel using a flexible substrate such as a plastic substrate. Etc.

  The headphones 10 are preferably used together with the operation unit 20. The operation unit 20 is a portable terminal configured separately from the headphones 10, and includes at least an operation unit 21 and a display unit 22. In the case of the illustrated example, the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 are provided separately. However, for example, the display unit 22 may be configured as a display body with a touch panel so as to also serve as the operation unit 21. . The operation unit 21 is not limited to a dial type as in the illustrated example, and various input means such as a plurality of key sets, operation pads, and joysticks can be used. Moreover, the display part 22 can also be comprised using arbitrary display bodies, such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic luminescence display panel.

  The operation unit 20 is connected to the headphones 10 via a wiring (not shown) (wired connection), or, as will be described later, data can be exchanged by short-range wireless communication (by wireless communication). Configured. Then, by operating the operation unit 21 while viewing the display unit 22 as necessary in the operation unit 20, it is possible to output appropriate sound from the sound generation unit 10 </ b> A of the headphone 10, and the display body of the headphone 10. 13 can display an appropriate image.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state (a) in which the headphone 10 is worn on the head and a state (b) in which the headphone 10 is put on the neck. Usually, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the headphone 10 is worn on the head, and the ear is seen on the inner surface (the portion where the sound emission opening 11a is formed) of the region where the speaker 12 of the sound generation unit 10A is disposed. And listen to the sound output from the speaker 12. In this case, if an image is displayed on the display body 13, the appearance of the headphones 10 becomes an appropriate aspect according to the image, and if the image displayed on the display body 13 is a moving image, the appearance changes. In addition to improving fashionability, it is also possible to increase the attention of people around you. In this case, since the display body 13 has a display range along the extension direction of the arm portion 10B (in the illustrated example, a display range over the entire extension direction of the arm portion 10B), the display range itself becomes large. The amount of information that can be displayed also increases, and the display range is arranged on the user's head, so that the display becomes extremely conspicuous.

  On the other hand, the usage mode of the headphone 10 is not limited to a normal head-mounted state in which sound is heard as shown in FIG. 2A, but the arm portion 10B is attached to the neck or shoulder as shown in FIG. You may carry it around. In this neck hanging state, the user cannot listen to the sound output from the sound generation unit 10A, but the surrounding person can visually recognize the image of the display body 13 as described above.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view (a) to (c) showing a modification of the first embodiment. The headphone 10 shown in FIG. 3 (a) is the same as the above in that the sound generating unit 10A and the arm unit 10B are formed of an integral base body 11, but the base body 11 is an end portion forming the sound generating unit 10A. The base portion 11A is composed of an arm base portion 11B that constitutes the arm portion 10B. The end base portion 11A is made of an opaque material, whereas the arm base portion 11B is transparent at least on the outer wall surface. It differs from the above structure in that it is composed of materials. An integrated flexible display body 13 similar to the above is housed in the arm base portion 11B, and the display screen of the display body 13 is configured to be visible through the transparent wall surface of the arm base portion 11B. Yes.

  The headphone 10 shown in FIG. 3B has a base body 11 having an end base portion 11A and an arm base portion 11B, similar to that shown in FIG. 3A, but is attached to the arm base portion 11B. The display body 13 includes a plurality of display units 13A, 13B,... Divided in the extending direction. Here, in the case of the illustrated example, the display body 13 may be installed inside the arm base portion 11B as in the case shown in FIG. 3A, or the base body as in the case shown in FIG. 11 may be installed on the outer surface.

  The plurality of display units 13A, 13B,... Are separated from each other, and adjacent display units are adjacent to each other at least in the extending direction of the arm unit 10B, such as being connected via a flexible wiring board (not shown). The angle between the display units to be changed is variable. The base body 11 is flexible in such a manner that the base body 11 bends in the extending direction, and the display body 13 also follows the angle between adjacent display portions according to the deformation accompanying the flexibility of the base body 11 by the above configuration. Are configured to change.

  As described above, by dividing and forming the plurality of display portions 13A, 13B,..., Even if the entire arm portion 10B has a curved shape, the individual display portions are displayed flat as in the illustrated example. A panel or a display panel with low flexibility can be formed.

  In the headphone 10 shown in FIG. 3C, the display body 13 is composed of a plurality of display portions 13a, 13b,... And the angle between adjacent display portions is variably configured as described above. It differs in that at least one of the individual display portions 13a, 13b,... Has a shape curved in the extending direction of the arm portion 10B. In the case of the illustrated example, all of the individual display portions 13a, 13b,... Have a curved shape. Thereby, since the division | segmentation number of the display body 13 can be made smaller than the case where it shows in FIG.3 (b), it becomes possible to improve the continuity of a screen and to improve display quality.

  In the headphone 10, a hinge portion 11x having a structure that can be refracted in the extending direction is formed at the boundary position of the display portions 13a, 13b,... In the arm base portion 11B of the base body 11. The base portion 11Ba that accommodates the display portion 13a disposed on one side of a certain hinge portion 11x and the base portion 11Bb that accommodates the display portion 13b disposed on the other side are configured to be variable. Has been. Thus, even if the display portions 13a, 13b,... Are not flexible, have poor flexibility, or are prone to malfunction due to bending, the hinge portion 11x causes the arm portion to The flexibility of the entire 10B can be ensured, and it is not necessary to apply deformation stress to each display unit.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the head unit 10 is installed with the arm portion 10B facing forward so that the display body 13 can be easily seen by a visitor at a store (a CD store or a rental store). If it does in this way, it will also become possible to utilize the display body 13 as a storefront display (a part of interior or an advertising medium). In this case, it is preferable that the headphone 10 installed as described above is configured to be used for viewing a sold product.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the structure of the headphone 10 'and the headphone system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the headphone 10 ′, FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a headphone system and a usage mode thereof, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory views showing a mounting state of the headphone 10 ′.

  Similarly to the headphone 10 of the first embodiment, the headphone 10 'of the present embodiment has an inverted U-shaped structure composed of a sound generation unit 10A' and an arm unit 10B '. A display body 13 'having a display range extended along the extension direction is installed in a manner that is visible from the outer surface side. The base body 11 'constituting the sound generating portion 10A' and the arm portion 10B 'includes a hinge portion 11x' that can be refracted in the extending direction. The degree of curvature is variable.

  One of the characteristic points of the headphone 10 'of the present embodiment is that an attachment groove 11b' is provided on the inner surface of the end base part 11A 'of the base body 11' disposed in the sounding part 10A ', and this attachment groove 11b'. A sounding body 14 having a built-in speaker 12 'is attached so as to be movable in the extending direction of the base body 11'. The sounding body 14 is, for example, a case body such as the end base portion 11A provided with the sound emission port, or a case body made of a material that transmits sound such as a sponge body or a net body. And a speaker 12 '.

  Further, a holding groove 11c 'extending in the extending direction of the arm portion 10B' is formed on the outer surface of the base body 11 ', and the end of the base body 11' is formed at both ends in the width direction (front and rear sides) of the holding groove 11c '. An end engaging portion 11d 'configured so that the outer surface protrudes inward and covers is provided. The display body 13 'is formed of a strip-like flexible display panel as in the first embodiment, and is accommodated in the holding groove 11c'. It is held in a state of being engaged with the engaging portion 11d '. At this time, the display body 13 'is housed in the holding groove 11c', but is not restrained in the extending direction of the base body 11 ', and is held in such a manner that it can move to some extent. ing. If the screen of the display body 13 ′ is visible through the outer wall of the base body 11 ′, the holding groove 11 c ′ is not formed on the outer surface of the base body 11 ′ but inside the base body 11 ′. May be.

  Further, the antenna portion 15 is attached to the rear end of the base body 11 'at the center position in the extending direction of the arm portion 10B of the headphone 10'. As will be described later, the antenna unit 15 can be used as a transmission / reception antenna for short-range wireless communication with the operation unit 20 ′, and can also be used as an antenna for receiving broadcasts such as FM radio. Can also be used as a transmission / reception antenna for wireless communication with the outside.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the headphone 10 'is worn on the head, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the headphone 10' is hung on the neck or shoulder. Similar to the first embodiment, the headphone 10 'of the present embodiment can also be used in the manner shown in FIGS. In particular, it is possible to obtain a good communication state with an external communication facility by the antenna unit 15 provided at the uppermost part. For example, a broadcast is received to listen to sound, or image data is displayed on the display unit 13. It becomes easy to do. Similarly to the first embodiment, the sound generation unit 10A ′ and the display body 13 ′ of the headphone 10 ′ can be controlled using the operation unit 21 ′ and the display unit 22 ′ of the operation unit 20 ′.

  In the headphone 10 ′ of the present embodiment, when the base body 11 ′ is deformed so as to bend in the extending direction, the display body 13 ′ is also deformed so as to follow this, but as described above, the base body 11 ′ Since the display body 13 'is fitted and held in the holding groove 11c', and the display body 13 'is not restricted in the extending direction of the base body 11', the display body 13 'is in the extending direction. Since the display body 13 'can be moved freely as much as possible, the display body 13' hardly receives stress (extension force or compression force) in the extending direction when the base body 11 'is deformed. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility of unexpected troubles occurring in the display body 13 ′.

[Internal configuration and operation mode of headphones and headphone system control system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the internal configuration of the headphones and the control system of the headphone system of each of the above embodiments will be described. The internal configuration of the control system can be applied to both the headphone 10 and the operation unit 20 of the first embodiment and the headphone 10 ′ and the operation unit 20 ′ of the second embodiment. The case where it applies to the headphones 10 and the operation unit 20 of 1 embodiment is demonstrated as an example.

  FIG. 9 shows the internal configuration of the control system of the headphones 10. The headphone 10 includes a main control unit (comprised of a microcomputer chip, a CPU, a control circuit, etc.) 31, a reference memory (ROM) 32 and a temporary memory (RAM) 33 connected to the main control unit 31, An audio output circuit 34 that generates an audio output signal to be sent to the speaker 12 based on the control signal output from the main control unit 31, and an image display signal to be sent to the display body 13 based on the control signal output from the main control unit 31 And an image display circuit 35 for generating. The main control unit 31 is also connected to a short-range wireless communication unit 36 (for example, one that conforms to the “Bluetooth” (registered trademark) standard), and the short-range wireless communication unit 36 controls the main control unit 31. Based on the signal, communication is performed with a unit in the operation unit 20 to be described later via the internal communication antenna 37.

  FIG. 10 shows the internal configuration of the control system of the operation unit 20. The operation unit 20 includes a central control unit (comprised of a microcomputer chip, a CPU, a control circuit, etc.) 41, a reference memory (ROM) 42 and a temporary memory (RAM) 43 connected to the central control unit 41. A short-range wireless unit 44 that communicates with the short-range wireless unit 36 in the headphones 10 based on a control signal from the central control unit 41, and an internal communication antenna 45 connected to the short-range wireless unit 44. Yes.

  The central control unit 41 is also connected to a wireless communication control unit 46, and the wireless communication control unit 46 controls the external transmission / reception circuit 47 based on a control signal from the central control unit 41. The external transmission / reception circuit 47 connects to an external communication facility, for example, a connection point such as a mobile phone network or the Internet network via the external communication antenna 48, and executes appropriate communication.

  With the above configuration, the headphones 10 and the operation unit 20 can communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication, and the short-range wireless communication units 36 and 44 are based on processing executed under the control of the main control unit 31 and the central control unit 41. This enables mutual exchange of data and commands. Further, the operation unit 20 can exchange data and commands with an external communication facility by the wireless communication control unit 46 based on the processing executed under the control of the central control unit 41. Note that the illustrated example is an example in which the first embodiment is adopted. However, unlike the second embodiment, in the aspect in which the antenna unit 15 is provided in the headphones, the wireless communication control unit 46 and the external communication antenna are provided. It may be provided in the headphones.

  Next, an example of operation modes of the headphones 10 and the operation unit 20 will be described with reference to the schematic flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the operation mode described below mainly includes a procedure executed by the central control unit 41 of the operation unit 20 described above, and a part of the procedure executed by the main control unit 31 under the control of the central control unit 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same procedure may be configured to proceed mainly under the control of the main control unit 31 of the headphones 10. . In this case, the central control unit 41 may be configured to operate based on a command from the main control unit 31.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart showing the procedure of a processing program executed by the central control unit 41. When a power switch (not shown) of the operation unit 20 is turned on, the central control unit 41 reads and executes the processing program recorded in the reference memory 42. First, it is confirmed whether or not a start switch (not shown) is operated (step S1). If the start switch is operated, it is confirmed whether or not a stop switch is operated (step S2). If it is not operated, the selection screen A is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S3). If the power switch is turned off, the processing program is terminated and the power supply is stopped.

  The selection screen A is, for example, a screen for selecting an operation mode. When the user operates the operation unit 21 and selects the option a1 in step S4, a normal internal data search process is executed, and the option a2 is selected. When selected, external data retrieval is performed by communicating with external communication equipment.

  In addition, by selecting another option a3 on the selection screen A, the radio communication control unit 46, the external transmission / reception circuit 47, and the external communication antenna 48 are used to receive broadcasts such as FM radio and television. It is possible to listen with the headphones 10 or display on the display body 13, but the details are omitted.

  When the above option a1 is selected, internal data recorded in the operation unit 20 or the headphones 10 in advance or recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card attached to the operation unit 20 or the headphones 10 is searched. Then, data that can be executed in the present embodiment is displayed on the display unit 22 as the selection screen B (step S6). This selection screen B is, for example, displayed as a plurality of choices as long as the above-described executable data exists, and includes, for example, an area in which names of audio data as executable data are arranged and displayed. Corresponding audio codes may be selected, or in addition to the audio data, an area in which the names of image data are arranged and displayed may be selected to allow the user to select corresponding image codes. When a selection input by the operation unit 21 of the operation unit 20 is detected by the user (step S7), a predetermined process described later is executed for internal data corresponding to the selected code (step S13).

  On the other hand, when the option a2 is selected, a communication initialization procedure for connecting to the external communication facility is executed under the control of the wireless communication control unit 46 (step S8). External data is searched in the same manner as above (step S9), and data executable in the present embodiment is displayed on the display unit 22 as a selection screen B '(step S10). The selection screen B ′ is basically the same as the selection screen B, and displays names and other codes corresponding to a plurality of executable data as possible as options. Here, when a selection input by the operation unit 21 of the operation unit 20 is detected by the user (step S11), external data corresponding to the selected code is downloaded and recorded in the memory in the operation unit 20 or the headphones 10. And the predetermined process mentioned later about the said external data is performed (step S13).

  The data processing in step 13 converts the internal data or the external data into a mode that can be processed by the main control unit 31 of the headphone 10. However, when there is no need to change the data format, the operation unit is simply used. Data transfer processing is transmitted from the short-range wireless communication unit 44 through the internal antenna 45 under the control of the central control unit 20 and received by the short-range wireless communication unit 36 via the internal antenna 37 of the headphones 10. Of course, when internal data or external data exists or is received in the headphone 10, the data transfer processing is also unnecessary.

  On the other hand, if internal data or external data cannot be used as a control signal for the audio output circuit 34 or the image display circuit 35 as they are, some data conversion is performed. In particular, as will be described later, for example, in the case where internal data or external data is represented by a predetermined corresponding code and cannot be separated from each other as it is, the audio data is processed by processing the data. Need to be separated into image data.

  Further, there are audio data and image data as types of the internal data or external data to be selected on the selection screens B and B '. When these are selected separately, the respective data are read and processed. do it.

  Furthermore, when some kind of association is made between the audio data and the image data which are the types of the internal data or the external data, when one type of data is selected using the association, the other type You need to specify the data and process them. In the case of this embodiment, since the headphone 10 has a configuration in which sound is output in the sound generation unit 10A and an image is displayed on the display body 13, there are at least two types of audio data and image data as the above types, It is possible to add value by associating. In the present embodiment, the central control unit 41 has a corresponding control mode in which sound and image are controlled in accordance with the association described above.

  In the control mode in the correspondence control mode, for example, at least one image code corresponding to certain image data is associated with a sound code corresponding to certain sound data, and this correspondence is recorded in a reference memory or the like. If the voice code is selected, the voice code is selected on the selection screen B, and the image code corresponding to the voice code is referred to (step P1) as shown in FIG. Audio data corresponding to the audio code is read (step P2), image data corresponding to the referenced image code is read (step P3), and the audio data is further processed as necessary (step P4). The image data is processed (step P5), and finally the processed data is transmitted to the headphones 10 (step P6).

  When a plurality of correspondence codes indicating correspondence between certain audio data and image data corresponding thereto are held and the corresponding code is selected on the selection screen B, as shown in FIG. Then, the content of the corresponding code (for example, the corresponding audio code and image code) is analyzed (step Q1), and then the audio data corresponding to the audio code is read (step Q2) as described above, and further the image code (Step Q3), if necessary, the audio data is processed (step Q4), the image data is processed (step Q5), and finally the processed data is sent to the headphones 10. Transmit (step Q6).

  After executing the data processing (step S13) as described above, it is confirmed whether or not a start operation is performed on the operation unit 21 of the operation unit 20 (step S14). Audio is output according to the contents of the audio data and image data obtained by the data processing, and an image is displayed (step S15). In this case, the main control unit 31 sends control signals based on the audio data and the image data to the audio output circuit 34 and the image display circuit 35. Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the end operation is performed in the operation unit 21 of the operation unit 20 or whether or not the sound output is finished (step S16). When the end operation is performed or the sound output is finished, the output is performed. The process is stopped and the process returns to step S2. Further, it is confirmed whether or not a cancel operation is performed in the operation unit 21 (step S17). When the cancel operation is performed, the process returns to step S14.

  The above processing procedure is an example, and the present invention is not particularly limited to the above configuration, and appropriate processing can be performed. For example, an appropriate processing program may be stored in a reference memory or the like so that various different processing contents can be realized according to selection by the user.

  According to each embodiment described above, an appropriate image can be displayed on at least a wide range of the outer surface of the arm portion 10B, particularly the entire outer surface of the arm portion 10B in the illustrated example, and a moving image can also be displayed. By displaying arbitrary images and moving images, the user can improve fashionability and the surrounding attention level can be greatly improved. Furthermore, since attention can be drawn to the surroundings while listening to the voice, for example, when the user is running or walking while listening to the voice, a driver of an automobile or the like can easily notice from a distance. As a result, there are significant effects in terms of ensuring safety.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, when installed in a store, product information can be visually shown by image display, so that a strong appeal to consumers can be realized.

  As described above, the sound data used for sound output of the sound generator and the image data used for image display displayed on the display body are recorded in the headphones or the operation unit in advance, or recorded on a memory card, a CD, or the like. Internal data configured to be readable by headphones or an operation unit and external data provided by downloading, streaming, broadcast reception, etc. via an external communication facility can be considered. Can be used.

  Here, for either internal data or external data, either audio data or image data can be selected and output or displayed, or both can be selected. Thus, the audio data and the image data have a predetermined correspondence relationship in advance, and it is possible to configure so that when one is selected, the other is also selected. In this case, the user may simply be able to select data having such correspondence, or when such data is selected, audio data and image data are always output as a set. May not be obtained.

  In the latter case, in order to set the audio data and the image data corresponding to the operator in advance, the corresponding code indicating the relationship between the audio code and the image code, for example, and Only the corresponding data configured so that the audio data and the image data can be used only as a set is provided. When the user wants to listen to one data, for example, the audio data, the image data corresponding to the audio data is always displayed. Configure as follows. As an example of the use of this configuration, for example, instead of providing the audio data to the user for free or at a low price, when the user listens to the audio data, information such as an advertisement determined by the operator is displayed. And a method of using the user as an advertising medium. In particular, by providing external data via external communication facilities, users can receive audio data anytime and anywhere, and operators can view images in the open air or crowded places. It can be displayed and is effective.

  The headphones and the headphone system of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a portable music player or a mobile phone may be used as the operation unit. Further, the headphones may constitute a headset including a microphone, or may be a type of headphone in which the sound generation part is formed only at one end of the arm part.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view and a side view showing a first embodiment of a headphone system. The side view (a) which shows the head mounting state of the headphones of 1st Embodiment, and the side view (b) which shows a neck part latching state. The schematic perspective view (a) thru | or (c) which show the modification of the headphones of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows a mode that the headphones of 1st Embodiment were installed as a shop front display. The schematic perspective view of the headphones of 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the usage condition of the headphone system of 2nd Embodiment. The side view which shows the head mounting | wearing state of the headphones of 2nd Embodiment. The side view which shows the neck part latching state of the headphones of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the internal structure of the headphones of 1st Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the internal structure of the operation unit of 1st Embodiment. The schematic flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the operation | movement aspect of 1st Embodiment. 4 is a schematic flowchart (a) and (b) illustrating an example of a data processing procedure according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Headphone, 10A ... Sound generation part, 10B ... Arm part, 11 ... Base body, 12 ... Speaker, 13 ... Display body, 31 ... Main control part, 36, 44 ... Near field communication unit, 41 ... Central control part, 46 ... Wireless communication control unit, 47 ... External transmission / reception circuit

Claims (12)

A sound generating portion provided at at least one end portion and configured to output sound, and an extended arm portion connected to the sound generating portion and configured in an arc shape, and configured in an inverted U shape as a whole In headphones,
A headphone comprising: a display body configured to display at least an image on an outer surface of the arm portion; and the display body includes a display range extended along an extension direction of the arm portion. .   The headphone according to claim 1, wherein a display range of the display body extends over the entire length of the arm portion.   The headphone according to claim 1, wherein the display body has flexibility in at least an extension direction of the arm portion.   The said display body is comprised by the some display part divided | segmented at least in the extension direction of the said arm part, The angle between the said display parts adjacent to the said extension direction is comprised variably, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. Headphones according to 2.   The headphone according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of display units has a shape curved in an extending direction of the arm unit.   6. The sound generator and the arm unit are configured by a base body configured in an inverted U shape as a whole, and the display body is attached to the base body. The listed headphones.   The headphone according to claim 6, wherein the display body is held in a state in which the base body is not restrained at least in the extending direction of the base body.   The headphone according to claim 7, wherein the base body is formed with a holding groove that engages and holds both ends of the display body in the width direction without being restricted in the extending direction.   The said base body is comprised by the some base part divided | segmented at least in the extension direction of the said arm part, and the angle between the said base parts adjacent to the said extension direction is comprised variably, The thru | or 6 thru | or characterized by the above-mentioned. The headphone according to any one of 8. A sound generating portion provided at at least one end portion and configured to output sound, and an extended arm portion connected to the sound generating portion and configured in an arc shape, and configured in an inverted U shape as a whole A display body configured to display at least an image on an outer surface of the arm unit, the display body having a display range extended along an extension direction of the arm unit; ,
An operation unit configured separately from the headphones, configured to be capable of selecting and operating a sound output mode of the sound generation unit and an image display mode of the display body;
A headphone system comprising: A control unit configured to be controllable in association with a sound output mode of the sound generation unit and an image display mode of the display body is incorporated in at least one of the headphones and the operation unit,
When the sound generation unit is outputting sound in the one sound output mode selected in the operation unit, the control unit is in at least one image display mode corresponding to the one sound output mode. The headphone system according to claim 10, further comprising a corresponding control mode for displaying an image on a display body.   The control unit collectively introduces sound and image correspondence data for realizing both the one sound output mode and the one image display mode corresponding to the one sound output mode, and based on the sound image corresponding data. The headphone system according to claim 11, wherein the one sound output mode and the one image display mode are executed in parallel.

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