JP2012161007A - Transmitter, receiver, transmission method, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitter and receiver allows communication connection using a packet format suited to a preset number of transmission pipes to be established with a mated apparatus in which the number of common transmission pipes is preset, which is capable of selecting an appropriate number of transmission pipes according to the circumstances.SOLUTION: The transmitter variably presets the number of transmission pipes according to surround setting or speaker setting. This allows communication using an effective number of pipes according to the circumstances. The receiver, in establishing communication connection, implements a connection trial in a preset state of the latest (previous) number of transmission pipes, thereby promptly establishing connection.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission device, a reception device, a transmission method, a reception method, and a communication system. By setting a common number of transmission pipes, a communication method in which a communication connection in a packet format corresponding to the number of transmission pipes is established. It relates to what is communicated.

JP 2010-281989 A JP 2009-60370 A

In the field of audio reproduction, 5.1 channels, which can be found on DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and BD (Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark)), from 2 channels (stereo) like conventional CD (Compact Disc), Multi-channeling such as 7.1 channel is progressing.
Along with this, audio reproduction is performed with various numbers of channels according to the number of speakers installed in the reproduction system, the sound field setting by an AV amplifier, the number of channels of the reproduction stream itself, and the like.

  In addition, wireless transmission / reception of audio data is progressing due to troublesome wiring between devices, but wireless audio data transmission / reception is also increasing in multi-channel in accordance with the increase in multi-channel.

Here, there is a wireless communication system in which a communication connection in a packet format corresponding to the number of transmission pipes is established by setting a common number of transmission pipes.
In such a communication system, device design is performed by setting a fixed number of transmission pipes in advance between the transmission-side and reception-side devices.

For example, considering a system that wirelessly transmits an audio signal using headphones and a playback device, the audio signal may be transmitted in two channels in this case.
Assuming that the transmission pipe is a system corresponding to 2 channels with 1 pipe, in this case, the playback apparatus (transmission apparatus) and the headphones (reception apparatus) are set to 1 pipe, that is, in the packet format when the number of pipes = 1. Wireless communication design is made.

As described above, there is no problem when the number of channels is fixed, but in recent years, as described above, there are situations where the number of channels is diversified and wireless communication is applied to various devices.
Under such circumstances, a more appropriate communication operation is required in a system in which communication is performed in a packet format corresponding to the number of transmission pipes.

The transmission device of the present technology can communicate with a partner device using a communication method in which a communication connection is established with a partner device having a common number of transmission pipes in a packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes. A communication unit that performs data transmission; a pipe number setting unit that variably sets the number of transmission pipes; and a communication control unit that causes the communication unit to perform a transmission operation based on the number of transmission pipes set by the pipe number setting unit. Prepare.
In addition, when the communication unit performs data transmission using a certain number of transmission pipes, and the transmission pipe number setting is switched by the pipe number setting unit, the communication control unit sends the communication device to the partner device. The new transmission pipe number after switching is notified, and after the notification, the communication unit is caused to execute a transmission operation with the new transmission pipe number.

The receiving device of the present technology is transmitted from a partner device by a communication method in which a communication connection is established with a partner device having a common number of transmission pipes in a packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes. A communication unit that receives incoming data, a storage unit that stores the number of transmission pipes at the time of the latest communication connection, and the latest transmission stored in the storage unit when the communication connection is established. And a communication control unit that executes a connection attempt in a setting state of the number of pipes.
In addition, when the new transmission pipe number after switching is notified from the counterpart device, the storage unit stores the notified transmission pipe number, and the communication control unit responds to the disconnection of the communication connection. Then, the communication unit is caused to execute a connection attempt in the set state of the notified number of transmission pipes stored in the storage unit.

The transmission method of the present technology is a communication method in which a communication connection is established with a partner device having a common number of transmission pipes in a packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes. A pipe number setting step to be variably set, and a transmission step for establishing communication connection with the counterpart device and transmitting data by the number of transmission pipes set in the pipe number setting step.
The reception method of this technology is transmitted from the partner device using a communication method in which a communication connection is established with the partner device for which the common number of transmission pipes is set in a packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes. As a receiving method for receiving incoming data, a storage step for storing the number of transmission pipes at the time of the latest communication connection and a setting state of the latest number of transmission pipes stored at the storage step when establishing a new communication connection A connection attempt step for performing a connection attempt at.

  In the present technology, the number of transmission pipes in communication between the transmission device (master device) and the reception device (slave device) can be changed according to the situation. Thereby, an appropriate communication operation according to the situation becomes possible. On the other hand, if the number of transmission pipes is switched on the master unit side, communication with the slave unit side becomes impossible. Therefore, for example, at the time of the first connection attempt, the slave unit tries to connect with the latest setting of the number of transmission pipes. Further, when the master unit changes the pipe number setting during communication, the slave unit is notified in advance of the number of pipes to be changed. And the subunit | mobile_unit performs a connection trial by the notified number of transmission pipes by using communication disconnection as a trigger. Thus, it is possible to establish a connection efficiently in response to the possibility of changing the number of pipes.

  According to the present technology, a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus that use a communication method in which a communication connection is established with a partner apparatus having a common transmission pipe number in a packet format according to the set transmission pipe number. It becomes possible to set an appropriate number of transmission pipes depending on the situation, and efficient communication becomes possible. For example, it is possible to reduce power consumption and optimize communication resource consumption.

It is explanatory drawing of the communication system of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the pipe of the communication system of embodiment. It is a block diagram of the content transmission apparatus of an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the reproduction output device of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the functional block of the content transmitter of embodiment, and a reproduction | regeneration output device. It is explanatory drawing of the communication connection establishment procedure of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process from the power-on of the main | base station of embodiment to Sync. It is a flowchart of the process from the power-on of the subunit | mobile_unit of Embodiment to Sync. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of the pipe number change of the main | base station of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of the pipe number change of the subunit | mobile_unit of embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described in the following order. Note that a content transmission apparatus (master unit) will be described as an example of the transmission apparatus of the present technology, and a reproduction output apparatus (slave unit) will be described as an example of the reception apparatus.
<1. Communication System of Embodiment>
<2. Configuration of content transmission device>
<3. Configuration of playback output device>
<4. Functional configuration>
<5. Communication connection sequence>
<6. Processing from Power ON to Sync>
<7. Processing when changing the number of pipes>

<1. Communication System of Embodiment>

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to the embodiment includes a content transmission device 1 as a parent device and a reproduction output device 2 as a child device.
The content transmission device 1 wirelessly transmits, for example, audio stream data such as music content to the reproduction output device 2 using, for example, the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.8 GHz band.
The reproduction output device 2 receives the audio stream data transmitted from the content transmission device 1. Then, the received audio stream data is output to a speaker, for example, and the user is allowed to listen to reproduced audio (such as music).
Although FIG. 1 shows one reproduction output device 2, there may be a plurality of child devices (reproduction output devices 2) to which audio stream data is transmitted from one parent device (content transmission device 1). .

Specifically, various devices are assumed as the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2, respectively. The content transmitting apparatus 1 may be an audio player, CD / DVD / BD player, AV amplifier apparatus, broadcast receiving apparatus, personal computer, or the like, that is, any apparatus capable of transmitting and outputting audio stream data from any audio source. .
As the playback output device 2, an audio signal output device such as an AV amplifier or an audio component, a speaker system such as a surround speaker group, a headphone device, an earphone device, or the like is a device that outputs received audio stream data to the user as audio. If it is.
The content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2 may be arranged in the same room, or may be arranged separately in different rooms.

In this communication system, when a common transmission pipe number is set on the transmission side and the reception side, a communication method is established in which a communication connection is established in a packet format according to the transmission pipe number set between the two. Communication such as data is performed.
In the case of this example, one transmission pipe (hereinafter also simply referred to as “pipe”) is a unit capable of transmitting data for two channels of audio stream data, for example.
If it is possible to select up to four pipes at the time of communication, it is possible to construct a wireless transmission system for audio stream data of up to eight channels.

  In this communication method, the transmission packet format (data configuration) is changed according to the number of pipes. Therefore, only when a common transmission pipe number is set on the transmission side and the reception side, the packet formats are the same between the two and data transmission / reception becomes possible.

In FIG. 2, the arrow P is shown as one pipe. For example, in FIG. 2A, the content transmission apparatus 1 sets the number of pipes = 4 and the reproduction output apparatus 2 sets the number of pipes = 4. This is an example of a system in which transmission of audio stream data of a maximum of 8 channels is possible by performing communication in a packet format of = 4.
In FIG. 2B, the content transmission apparatus 1 sets the number of pipes = 2 and the reproduction output apparatus 2 sets the number of pipes = 2, and both perform communication in the packet format of the number of pipes = 2, thereby allowing a maximum of four. It is an example of a system that enables transmission of audio stream data of a channel.
On the other hand, in FIG. 2C, the content transmission device 1 is a device set with the number of pipes = 3, and the reproduction output device 2 is a device set with the number of pipes = 2. In this case, both cannot recognize each other as a communication partner and cannot transmit / receive audio stream data.

Conventionally, in such a communication method, it is assumed that the number of pipes is fixed in advance according to the maximum number of channels that can be executed between the master unit and the slave unit, and the number of pipes is changed. Not.
For example, when the master unit and the slave unit constitute an apparatus for constructing an acoustic system as a 5.1 channel audio surround system, it is only necessary to transmit audio stream data for 6 channels, so the number of pipes is set to 3. If two-channel stereo audio stream data is transmitted with this system, only one pipe is used, and the remaining two pipes are idle, and communication with the number of pipes = 3 is performed.
The number of pipes is fixed at the base unit (transmission side) and the slave unit (reception side) to ensure a state in which communication connection is always possible.

However, when the number of pipes is large, the power consumption of the devices (master device and slave device) increases.
The difference in the number of pipes as the radio output appears as the density of radio transmission on the time axis. Therefore, if the number of pipes is large, the output time on the time axis becomes long, so that power consumption increases.
Further, as the number of pipes increases, the radio radiation time on the time axis becomes shorter. Therefore, when considered on the time axis, the consumption of resources in a specific frequency band increases as the number of pipes increases.
For these reasons, fixing the number of pipes according to the maximum number of channels that can be transmitted is not efficient in terms of power consumption and resource consumption for communication.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the content transmission device 1 (parent device) and the reproduction output device 2 (child device),
・ Sound field setting (surround setting)
-Playback audio (stream information)
-Playback environment (speaker settings)
By efficiently controlling the number of audio streaming pipes between the master unit and the slave unit according to the above, an efficient communication operation is realized.

  The sound field setting (surround setting), playback sound (stream information), and playback environment (speaker setting) are factors that define the number of playback channels in the sound data playback system.

  First, as a surround setting, a device such as an AV amplifier can convert 2-channel audio into multiple channels, or conversely, multi-channel audio can be converted into 2 channels (downmix). Accordingly, the number of channels required to communicate between the parent device and the child device varies depending on the surround setting state of the sound reproduction system. Therefore, it is conceivable to variably set the number of pipes in communication of audio stream data between the parent device and the child device according to the surround setting.

  Further, as stream information, audio data encoded by Dolby Digital, for example, is accompanied by reproduction channel information in addition to an audio signal. In this way, it is conceivable to variably set the number of pipes in communication between the master unit and the slave unit by using channel information added to the stream data.

As a speaker setting, in an AV amplifier or the like, audio output can be controlled according to the connection state (number of connections) of speakers. For example, depending on the connection state of the speaker, there is an unexecutable surround output. For example, in the case of 5.1 channel, as speakers, front L, center, front R, rear L, rear R, and subwoofer speakers are required. However, for example, when only the front L, the center, and the front R are connected to the speaker, only the output of up to three channels can be realized.
As described above, since the speaker setting is also a factor for defining the number of channels, it is conceivable to variably set the number of pipes in communication between the parent device and the child device in accordance with the speaker setting.

In this embodiment, the number of pipes used for audio streaming is variably set based on one or more of surround setting, stream information, and speaker setting.
Thereby, an efficient communication operation is realized. That is, reduction of power consumption, optimization of communication resource consumption, and the like are attempted.
In addition, by performing communication with the minimum number of pipes, the power consumption of the wireless device can be suppressed, and it works effectively in complying with energy saving regulations in each country.

However, in the audio streaming communication as described above, if the number of pipes does not match between the parent device and the child device, the wireless connection is not established.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, when communication is reconnected, or when the number of pipes is changed on the parent device side, the wireless connection can be quickly established on the child device side.

For this purpose, the handset side stores the number of pipes at the time of the latest communication connection. That is, when communication with the parent device is established, the number of pipes at that time is stored as the number of pipes at the time of the latest connection (hereinafter referred to as the latest number of pipes).
When reconnecting when the power is turned on or when a temporary disconnection occurs due to a decrease in electric field strength or the like, connection is attempted with the latest number of stored pipes set first.
If a connection cannot be established in that state, the connection attempt is executed by changing the pipe number setting.
At the time of power-on or the like, it is possible to establish a connection quickly by trying to connect from the setting of the number of pipes at the previous connection.

Also, when changing the number of pipes due to factors such as settings on the master unit or stream information, the number of pipes to be changed by the master unit is known in advance, so the slave unit is notified of the number of pipes to be changed before the change. To ensure a smooth reconnection.
That is, when the base unit tries to switch the number of pipes during communication, it notifies the slave unit of the new number of transmission pipes after switching. After the notification, a transmission operation with a new number of transmission pipes is executed.
When the slave unit is notified of the new number of transmission pipes after switching, the slave unit stores the notified number of transmission pipes. Thereafter, when the master unit switches the number of pipes, communication between the master unit and the slave unit becomes impossible due to a mismatch in the number of pipes and is disconnected. For this reason, the slave unit uses the disconnection as a trigger to change to the previously notified number of pipes and tries to connect. As a result, even when the parent device switches the number of pipes, the child device can quickly cope with it and can continue communication.

<2. Configuration of content transmission device>

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the content transmission apparatus 1 serving as an audio stream data transmission apparatus (master) in the present embodiment.

The content transmission device 1 and the content transmission device 1 include a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 14. In addition, the content transmission device 1 further includes an input interface (I / F) 15, a display interface (I / F) 16, and an external device communication unit 20.
Further, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 21 is connected to the external device communication unit 20.

The CPU 11 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the entire operation or a part thereof in the content transmission device 1 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the EEPROM 14, and the like.
The ROM 12 and the EEPROM 14 store programs used by the CPU 11, operation parameters, and the like.
The RAM 13 primarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 11, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like.
These are connected to each other by a system bus 19 constituted by a host bus constituted by an internal bus such as a CPU bus and an external bus such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus.

  The input interface 15 is an interface that includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by the user using the key operation unit 17 and outputs the input signal to the CPU 11. The user of the content transmission device 1 can input various data and instruct processing operations to the content transmission device 1 by operating a key operation unit 17 described below.

  The key operation unit 17 is an operation unit that inputs various data to the content transmission device 1 and instructs a processing operation. The key operation unit 17 is an operation unit operated by the user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever. The key operation unit 17 may be, for example, remote control means (so-called remote control) using infrared rays or other radio waves, or an external device such as a mobile phone or a PDA corresponding to the operation of the content transmission device 1. It may be.

  The display interface 16 is an interface for transmitting a display output signal output from the CPU 11 to the display unit 18. The display unit 18 can visually notify the user of various information such as a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display device, a plasma display device, and a display device such as a lamp. Consists of devices.

  The external device communication unit 20 is a communication interface composed of a communication device for communicating with a slave unit such as the reproduction output device 2. The content transmission device 1 according to the present embodiment transmits audio stream data, various control data, and the like to the reproduction output device 2 via the external device communication unit 20, and also transmits the reproduction output device 2 and bidirectional data. Communicate.

  The DSP 21 is a CPU specialized for various processes for audio signals and image signals. The DSP 21 is connected to a content input unit 22 to which content including an audio signal used for transmission is input and a content output unit 23 to output content including the acquired audio signal.

The content input unit 21 is a processing unit to which content including audio stream data used for transmission by the content transmission device 1 according to the present embodiment is input.
For example, the content input unit 21 is connected to a CD / DVD / BD player unit 24, a digital input unit 25 to which a digital device such as an external playing device is connected, a tuner 26, or an analog device such as a cassette tape or a record. The analog input unit 27 is configured.
Further, the audio signal input from the tuner 26 and the analog input unit 27 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the AD conversion unit 28.
The audio stream data of the content input from the content input unit 22 is transmitted to the reproduction output device 2 (slave device) via the DSP 21 and the external device communication unit 20.

  The content output unit 23 is a processing unit that outputs content including the audio signal input from the content input unit 22 to the outside of the content transmission device 1. The content output unit 23 outputs, for example, a DA conversion unit that converts an audio signal that is a digital signal into an analog signal, an amplification unit that amplifies the audio signal converted into the analog signal, and an amplified audio signal Consists of speakers and the like.

  In addition to the above configuration, the content transmission device 1 according to the present embodiment may include, for example, a storage device, a drive, and the like.

The storage device is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the content transmission device 1 according to the present embodiment. This storage apparatus is configured by, for example, a magnetic storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device.
The storage device can store programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data, audio signals acquired from the outside, and the like.

  The drive is a recording medium reader / writer, and is built in or externally attached to the content transmission apparatus 1. The drive reads information recorded on a removable recording medium such as a mounted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 13. The drive can also write records on a removable recording medium such as a mounted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory. The removable recording medium is, for example, a DVD or a BD. The removable recording medium may be a CompactFlash (registered trademark) (CompactFlash: CF), a memory stick, an SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card), or the like. Further, the removable recording medium may be, for example, an IC card (Integrated Circuit card) on which a non-contact IC chip is mounted, an electronic device, or the like.

  With the configuration described above, the content transmission device 1 acquires content including audio signals from various audio signal output sources, and transmits audio stream data to the reproduction output device 2 via the external device communication unit 20. Is possible. Further, the content transmission device 1 can perform bidirectional data communication with the reproduction output device 2 by the configuration described above.

Up to this point, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the function of the content transmission device 1 has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, it is possible to change the hardware configuration to be used as appropriate according to the technical level at the time of carrying out this embodiment.
Moreover, the content transmission apparatus 1 of this Embodiment should just be an apparatus which can transmit an audio | voice stream data with respect to a subunit | mobile_unit as a main | base station to the last, and does not necessarily need to have all the said structures.

<3. Configuration of playback output device>

Next, a hardware configuration of the reproduction output device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reproduction output device 2 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an EEPROM 34, an input interface (I / F) 35, a display interface (I / F) 36, and an external device communication unit. 40.
The external device communication unit 40 is connected to a content output unit 41 that outputs content including the received audio signal.

The CPU 31 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls all or a part of the operation in the reproduction output device 2 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 32, RAM 33, EEPROM 34, and the like.
The ROM 32 and the EEPROM 34 store programs used by the CPU 31, operation parameters, and the like.
The RAM 33 primarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 31, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like.
These are connected to each other by a system bus 39 constituted by a host bus constituted by an internal bus such as a CPU bus and an external bus such as a PCI bus.

  The input interface 35 is an interface that includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by a user using the key operation unit 37 and outputs the input signal to the CPU 31. The user of the reproduction output device 2 can input various data and instruct processing operations to the reproduction output device 2 by operating a key operation unit 37 described below.

The key operation unit 37 is an operation unit for inputting various data to the reproduction output device 2 and instructing a processing operation.
The key operation unit 37 is an operation unit operated by the user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever. Further, the key operation unit 211 may be, for example, remote control means (so-called remote control) using infrared rays or other radio waves, or an external device such as a mobile phone or a PDA corresponding to the operation of the reproduction output device 2. It may be.

The display interface 36 is an interface for transmitting an output signal output from the CPU 31 to the display unit 38.
The display unit 38 is configured by a device that can visually notify the user of various types of information, such as a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, and a display device such as a lamp. Is done.

The external device communication unit 40 is a communication interface configured with a communication device or the like for communicating with a parent device such as the content transmission device 1.
The reproduction output device 2 receives audio stream data, a control signal, and the like from the content transmission device 1 via the external device communication unit 40 and performs bidirectional data communication with the content transmission device 1.
The external device communication unit 40 is provided with a configuration as a decoding function and a buffering function of the received audio stream data as well as a communication function. Of course, a decoding unit and a buffering unit may be provided outside the external device communication unit 40.

The content output unit 41 is a processing unit that outputs the audio stream data transmitted from the content transmission device 1.
The content output unit 41 includes, for example, a DA conversion unit 42, an amplification unit 43, and a speaker 44.

  The DA converter 42 converts the received audio signal from a digital signal to an analog signal. The audio signal converted into the analog signal is amplified by the amplification unit 43 and output from the speaker 44.

Further, the reproduction output device 2 according to the present embodiment may include a DSP or a content input unit provided in the content transmission device 1 according to the present embodiment.
Furthermore, the reproduction output device 2 may include, for example, a storage device, a drive, and the like in addition to the above configuration.

  The storage device is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the reproduction output device 2 according to the present embodiment. This storage apparatus is configured by, for example, a magnetic storage device such as an HDD, a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. This storage device can store programs executed by the CPU 31, various data, audio signals obtained from the outside, and the like.

  The drive is a recording medium reader / writer, and is built in or externally attached to the reproduction output device 2. The drive reads information recorded on a removable recording medium such as a mounted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 33. The drive can also write records on a removable recording medium such as a mounted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory. The removable recording medium is, for example, a DVD or a BD. The removable recording medium may be a compact flash, a memory stick, an SD memory card, or the like. Further, the removable recording medium may be, for example, an IC card or an electronic device on which a non-contact IC chip is mounted.

  With the configuration described above, the reproduction output device 2 can receive and reproduce the audio stream data from the content transmission device 1 via the external device communication unit 40, and can also perform bidirectional output with the content transmission device 1. Data communication can be performed.

Here, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the function of the reproduction output device 2 according to the present embodiment is shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, the hardware configuration to be used can be changed as appropriate according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.
In addition, the content transmission apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may be any device that can receive and reproduce audio stream data from the parent device, and does not necessarily have all of the above configurations.

<4. Functional configuration>

Next, functional configurations of the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the functional configuration shown in FIG. 5 is a function realized by, for example, hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and software that defines the operation of these hardware.

In the content transmitting apparatus 1, as shown in the figure, for example, as a function of the CPU 11, a communication control unit 51 and a pipe number setting unit 52 are provided.
The number-of-pipes setting unit 52 is a function for setting the number of pipes with the slave unit such as the reproduction output device 2 according to the situation. For example, as described above, the number of pipes is set according to the sound field setting (surround setting), playback sound (stream information), playback environment (speaker setting), and the like in the current system.
For example, when the power is turned on, the pipe number setting unit 52 sets the number of pipes according to the surround setting and speaker setting at that time.
The pipe number setting unit 52 also changes the setting of the number of pipes when the setting is switched by a user operation or the number of channels is changed by stream information.

The communication control unit 51 performs control to cause the external device communication unit 20 to perform an audio stream data transmission operation based on the number of pipes set by the pipe number setting unit 52.
For this reason, a connection attempt is made in accordance with the number of pipes, a Sync state and a Link state, which will be described later, are established with the slave unit, and then audio stream data is transmitted.
When the pipe number setting unit 52 is switched by the pipe number setting unit 52 during transmission of the audio stream data, the communication control unit 51 causes the external device communication unit 20 to notify the slave unit of the new number of pipes after switching. Take control. Further, after the notification, the external device communication unit 20 is requested to execute a transmission operation with a new number of pipes.

In the reproduction output device 2, as shown in the figure, for example, a communication control unit 61 and a pipe number storage unit 62 are provided as functions by the CPU 31, the EEPROM 34, and the like.
The pipe number storage unit 62 stores the initial pipe number, the latest pipe number, and the notification pipe number. The initial number of pipes is the number of pipes set by default in advance.
The latest number of pipes is, for example, the number of pipes at the time of the last previous connection when a connection attempt is made.
The number of notification pipes is the number of pipes notified from the master unit side as a change in the number of pipes.

  The communication control unit 61 controls the communication operation with the parent device by the external device communication unit 40. That is, the communication connection is established with the number of pipes that matches the master unit, and the audio stream data from the master unit is received. The audio stream data is output from the content output unit 41 shown in FIG.

When establishing a communication connection with the parent device, the communication control unit 61 performs control to cause the external device communication unit 40 to execute a connection attempt with the latest pipe number setting state stored in the pipe number storage unit 62. If the latest number of pipes is not stored, a connection attempt is executed with the initial number of pipes set.
In addition, when the connection cannot be established in the setting state of the latest number of pipes (or the initial number of pipes), the communication control unit 61 causes the external device communication unit 40 to change the setting of the number of pipes and execute a connection attempt.
In addition, when the communication control unit 61 is notified of the change in the number of pipes from the master unit, when the communication connection with the master unit is disconnected, the communication unit 61 uses the trigger as a trigger to store the pipe number storage unit. The connection attempt is executed with the setting state of the number of notification pipes stored in 62.
Further, when the connection cannot be established in the setting state of the notification pipe number, the communication control unit 61 causes the external device communication unit 40 to change the pipe number setting and execute a connection attempt.

In the present embodiment, the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2 have the above functions, thereby realizing the communication operation described with reference to FIGS.

<5. Communication connection sequence>

A sequence for establishing a communication connection between the parent device (content transmission device 1) and the child device (reproduction output device 2) according to the embodiment will be described.
In the communication connection process, the terms Sync state and Link state are used.
The “Sync state” refers to a state where communication is possible at the device level.
The “Link state” refers to a state in which the audio stream data can be received on the slave unit side through the device authentication process after Sync.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a connection sequence up to transmission of audio stream data.
Roughly speaking, the parent device and the child device are in a state of performing stream data transmission / reception through each process of (1) register setting, (2) profile, channel mapping acquisition, and (3) addressing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the content transmission apparatus 1 and the reproduction output apparatus 2 each perform register setting as initial processing.
That is, it is a setting necessary for each device to operate, and this is automatically executed when the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2 are turned on.

After the register setting, the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2 each try communication connection with the other party.
When the apparatus tries communication connection with the common number of pipes, the Sync state is reached. By entering the Sync state, various types of data communication can be performed between the two devices.

When the communication is connected, a profile and channel mapping acquisition process is performed between the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2.
This is processing to be performed on the parent device that is synced by the child device side.
First, the playback output device 2 requests the parent device's profile / channel mapping information from the content transmission device 1 which is the parent device.
In response to this, the content transmitting apparatus 1 transmits its own profile / channel mapping information. The reproduction output device 2 acquires this.
A profile is information on the type and function of a device.
Channel mapping is information indicating to which pipe audio data is assigned.
The slave unit side acquires the profile / channel mapping information in this way, and determines whether or not the currently synchronized master unit is a device to be connected to itself.

Subsequently, addressing is performed.
Addressing is a process of assigning individual addresses to slave units in order to manage the connected slave units in the master unit.
When it is determined that the content transmission device 1 is a device to be connected, the reproduction output device 2 that is a child device requests registration as a child device on the content transmission device 1 side.
In response to this, the content transmission apparatus 1 registers the reproduction output apparatus 2 as a slave unit and generates a management address. Then, the address is transmitted to the reproduction output device 2.
When receiving the address, the reproduction output device 2 sets the internal register to the address and returns a response to the content transmission device 1.

By performing the above processing, the Link state is set, and the reproduction output device 2 becomes a device that receives the audio stream data from the content transmission device 1.
Then, the audio stream data is transmitted from the content transmission apparatus 1 to the reproduction output apparatus 2, and the reproduction output apparatus 2 outputs the received audio stream data as reproduction audio.

<6. Processing from Power ON to Sync>

An example of processing executed in the content transmission apparatus 1 and the reproduction output apparatus 2 according to the embodiment in which communication connection is performed as described above will be described. First, processing from power-on to Sync will be described with reference to FIGS.

The processing in FIG. 7 is an example of control processing executed by the CPU 11 having the function described in FIG.
When power-on is instructed by a user operation or a trigger on the system, the CPU 11 performs a power-on process as step F101 in FIG. That is, as an initial process, start-up control of each required part and register setting are performed.

In this embodiment, the number of pipes is additionally set as the initial process.
For this reason, the CPU 11 confirms the speaker setting in step F102. In step F103, the surround setting is confirmed.
The speaker setting is the number or arrangement of speakers actually connected. However, since it cannot communicate with the slave unit at this time, the speaker setting may be any speaker setting currently grasped on the content transmitting apparatus 1 side. For example, the speaker setting notified from the handset side at the previous connection or the speaker setting designated by the user may be used. Further, if the entire system configuration including the slave unit side can be grasped on the content transmitting apparatus 1 side, the grasped speaker setting may be used.
As for the surround setting, for example, the surround processing mode set at that time in the DSP 21 may be confirmed.

After confirming these, in step F104, the CPU 11 compares the required number of channels grasped from the speaker setting with the necessary number of channels grasped from the surround setting.
For example, if the speaker setting is compatible with the L and R2 channels, the required number of channels is 2, or if 5.1 is supported, the required number of channels is 6.
The surround setting is the same, and if the mode is to perform 5.1 channel processing of the signal from the source sound source such as 2 channels, the required number of channels is 6 and if the mode is to 7.1 channel The required number of channels is eight. If the 5.1 channel audio signal is downmixed to 2 channels, the required number of channels is 2.

If the required number of channels grasped from the speaker setting is smaller, the CPU 11 proceeds to step F105 and sets the number of pipes from the number of channels of the speaker setting. This is because the final audio output is limited in the number of channels by the speaker setting. For example, if the speaker setting is 2 channels, 2-channel audio output is possible, and if the speaker setting is 5.1 channel, 5.1-channel audio output is possible.
As described above, since one pipe corresponds to stream data transmission of two channels, if the number of necessary channels is 2, the number of pipes = 1 and the number of necessary channels is 6 (in the case of 5.1 channels). If so, the number of pipes is set to be 3.

On the other hand, if the necessary number of channels grasped from the surround setting is smaller, the CPU 11 proceeds to step F106 and sets the number of pipes from the number of channels of the surround setting. In this case, the number of channels in the surround setting can be handled on the speaker side, but naturally the audio signal has an upper limit on the number of channels in the surround setting.
Similarly to the speaker setting, for example, if the number of necessary channels grasped from the surround setting is 2, the number of pipes = 1, and if the number of necessary channels is 8, the number of pipes = 4 is set. Become.

When the number of pipes is set in step F105 or F106, the CPU 11 causes the external device communication unit 20 to try communication connection with the slave unit with the set number of pipes in step F107.
Thereafter, if the handset side is attempting connection with the same number of pipes, the above-mentioned Sync state is reached in step F108.
After that, although not shown in the figure, the CPU 11 performs profile / channel mapping acquisition processing and addressing processing for setting the Link state as described in FIG. To start transmission of audio stream data.

Next, processing on the reproduction output device 2 side will be described with reference to FIG.
The processing in FIG. 8 is an example of control processing executed by the CPU 31 having the function described in FIG.
When power-on is instructed by a user operation or a trigger on the system, the CPU 31 performs power-on processing as step F201 in FIG. That is, as an initial process, start-up control of each required part and register setting are performed.

  Subsequently, the CPU 31 instructs communication connection with the parent device, but here, in step F202, it is confirmed whether or not it was linked with the parent device last time. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the latest number of pipes is stored in the pipe unit storage unit 62 (see FIG. 5: EEPROM 34 in FIG. 4).

If the latest number of pipes has been stored, the CPU 31 proceeds to step F203 to cause the external device communication unit 40 to try communication connection with the parent device in the setting state of the number of pipes stored as the latest number of pipes.
If the base unit is attempting communication with the same number of pipes, Sync is established in that state.
In that case, the CPU 31 determines that the sync is successful in step F204, and stores the current number of pipes as a newest number of pipes in step F208.
Although not shown, the CPU 31 performs a profile / channel mapping acquisition process and an addressing process for setting the link state as described with reference to FIG. After entering the Link state, the external device communication unit 40 and the content output unit 41 perform control so that the audio stream data transmitted from the parent device is received and played back.

On the other hand, if the latest number of pipes is not stored, the CPU 31 proceeds to step F205 and causes the external device communication unit 40 to try communication connection with the parent device in the setting state of the number of pipes stored as the initial number of pipes. .
If the base unit has attempted communication with the same number of pipes as the initial number of pipes, Sync is established in that state.
In that case, the CPU 31 determines that the sync is successful in step F206, and in step F208, newly stores the current number of pipes as the latest number of pipes.

Even if connection is attempted with the latest number of pipes in step F203 or connection is attempted with the initial number of pipes in step F205, the number of pipes is of course not the same as that of the master unit, and Sync cannot be established. There is also.
In that case, the CPU 31 changes the number of pipes in step F207 and causes the external device communication unit 40 to attempt connection.
By establishing a connection attempt by changing the number of pipes, Sync is established at a certain point in time. Also in this case, the process proceeds from step F206 to F208, and the number of pipes in the sync state is newly stored as the latest number of pipes.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the content transmission apparatus 1 side performs communication by setting the number of channels according to speaker settings and surround settings, and setting the minimum number of pipes accordingly. Yes.
As a result, communication with the slave unit can be performed with the number of pipes optimized according to the situation and environment. Thereby, useless power consumption can be eliminated for both the master unit and the slave unit. Moreover, useless use of communication resources can be eliminated.

On the other hand, on the reproduction output device 2 side, the content transmission device 1 attempts to connect based on the latest number of pipes in response to the variable setting of the number of pipes.
From the viewpoint of the same base unit-slave unit relationship, there is a high possibility that the base unit side performs transmission with the same number of pipes as the previous time. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility of quickly establishing the Sync state by performing a connection attempt with the setting of the latest number of pipes on the slave unit side.
Of course, if the base unit communicates with a different number of pipes from the previous time, the slave side can change to the Sync state by changing the number of pipes in step F207.
Through these processes, the reproduction output device 2 can cope with the variable number of pipes on the content transmission device 1 side.

Note that the processing in FIG. 8 has been described as processing when the power is turned on, but for example, when communication is interrupted due to a radio wave condition or the like after transmission / reception of audio stream data is started, when returning to a connected state, The processing after step F202 may be performed in the same manner.
In that case, since the latest number of pipes is already stored, connection is attempted in step F203.
When communication is interrupted due to radio interference, etc., the number of pipes is often not changed on the base unit side. In many cases, the connection can be immediately set to the Sync state by trying the connection with the latest number of pipes set. Communication and voice reproduction can be resumed quickly.

<7. Processing when changing the number of pipes>

Next, an example of processing when the base unit changes the number of pipes during communication will be described.
The process of FIG. 9 is an example of a control process executed by the CPU 11 having the function described in FIG.

Step F151 in FIG. 9 shows a state in which the content transmission device 1 is in a Link state with the reproduction output device 2 that is a child device, and is transmitting audio stream data to the reproduction output device 2.
In this case, when some circumstances for resetting the pipe number setting occur, the CPU 11 proceeds from step F152 to F153.

The circumstances for resetting the number of pipes are assumed to be, for example, a user operation, a change in system environment, or stream information.
As the user operation, for example, the user may perform an operation of changing the surround setting.
As a system environment, there is an increase or decrease of connected speakers. For example, this may be the case when a valid connection state changes due to power on / off of a speaker unit on the system, or when a speaker setting different from the speaker setting known to the parent device is notified from the child device.
In addition, as the stream information, the number of channels of the source data of the audio stream may be different.

For example, when there is a situation where there is a possibility that the number of channels related to reproduction output may fluctuate as described above, the number of pipes is reset.
In step F153, the CPU 11 determines the number of channels of the audio stream data from the newly recognized surround setting, speaker setting, and stream information, and calculates the number of pipes accordingly.

  In step F154, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the calculated number of pipes is the same as the number of pipes in the current communication operation. If they are the same, it is not necessary to change the number of pipes, so the processing related to resetting is finished.

If they are not the same, the number of pipes is changed. First, the CPU 11 notifies the reproduction output device 2 that is a slave unit of the number of pipes calculated in step F155. In other words, the CPU 31 of the reproduction output device 2 is notified of the new number of pipes after the change by communication from the external device communication unit 20.
After the notification, the CPU 11 instructs switching of the number of pipes as a communication process of the external device communication unit 20 in step F156. The packet format will also be switched.

When the pipe number setting is switched, the CPU 11 causes the external device communication unit 20 to execute a connection attempt with the slave unit in the newly determined changed pipe number state in step F157.
If the reproduction output device 2 that is a slave unit is switched to a new pipe number setting, it is in a Sync state at a certain point.
Thereafter, the link state is set, and transmission of the audio stream data is resumed.

FIG. 10 shows an example of processing on the reproduction output device 2 side in this case. That is, it is a control process of the CPU 31 having the function of FIG.
Step F251 in FIG. 10 shows a state where the audio stream data transmitted from the content transmitting apparatus 1 is received and reproduced and output.

In step F252, the CPU 31 monitors whether or not there is a notification of the number of pipes scheduled to be changed from the parent machine.
When the parent device transmits a notification of the number of pipes to be changed as step F155 in FIG. 9, the CPU 31 recognizes reception in step F252.
In that case, the CPU 31 stores the number of pipes notified in step F253 in the pipe number storage unit 62 (see FIG. 5) as the number of notification pipes.
In step F234, the process waits for the communication connection to be disconnected.

In response to the content transmission device 1 side changing the number of pipes in step F156 of FIG. 9, communication between the content transmission device 1 and the reproduction output device 2 is interrupted.
Therefore, if the communication is interrupted, the CPU 31 uses it as a trigger to proceed from step F254 to F255, change the setting to the number of pipes indicated by the number of previously stored notification pipes, and execute the communication connection attempt by the external device communication unit 40 Let

In this case, since the content transmission apparatus 1 side has also changed to a new number of pipes, it is usually possible to immediately enter the Sync state.
If it is in the Sync state, the process proceeds from step F256 to F260, and the current number of pipes, that is, the changed number of new pipes is stored as the latest number of pipes.
Thereafter, the CPU 31 switches to the Link state, and causes the external device communication unit 40 and the content output unit 41 to continuously receive and reproduce the audio stream data transmitted from the parent device.

Note that, for some reason, the Sync state may not be established even by the connection attempt in Step F255. Therefore, the connection attempt is timed out at a certain time, and if timed out, the process proceeds from step F257 to F258 and F259.
That is, in that case, the number of pipes is changed and a connection attempt is made to establish the Sync state.
Thereafter, when the Sync state is established, the number of pipes at that time is stored as the latest number of pipes in step F260.

As described above, in the present embodiment, on the content transmission apparatus 1 side, communication is performed by changing the number of channels according to changes in speaker settings, surround settings, and stream information, and resetting the number of pipes accordingly. I am doing so.
As a result, communication with the slave unit can be performed with the number of pipes optimized in accordance with changes in the situation and environment, and wasteful power consumption can always be eliminated for both the master unit and the slave unit. Moreover, useless use of communication resources can be eliminated.

On the other hand, on the reproduction output device 2 side, the pipe number notification to be performed when the content transmission device 1 changes the number of pipes is detected.
When the content transmission device 1 changes the number of pipes, communication is interrupted at that time, so that the reproduction output device 2 cannot contact the content transmission device 1 from that time. Therefore, the number of pipes is changed with the interruption of communication as a trigger. Moreover, the number of pipes to be changed is connected as the number of pipes notified before the communication is disconnected.
Accordingly, the pipe number setting can be switched and communication can be resumed in response to the change in the number of pipes on the base unit side quickly and appropriately.
Through these processes, the reproduction output device 2 can cope with an arbitrary change in the number of pipes on the content transmission device 1 side.
Also, if connection cannot be established by setting the number of notification pipes, the Sync state can be established by changing the number of pipes and attempting connection.

Note that the communication state can be recovered very quickly by switching to the number of notification pipes when communication is disconnected, but the transmission / reception of the audio stream data is temporarily interrupted.
In the reproduction output device 2 of the present embodiment, the audio stream data received by the external device communication unit 40 is decoded in the external device communication unit 40 and then buffered, and transferred to the content output unit 41 at a predetermined timing. The
Therefore, the audio output from the content output unit 41 to the user is continued even during a period in which communication is disconnected due to the number of pipes being switched.

However, depending on the buffering amount and the disconnection period, there is a possibility that “sound interruption” may occur for the user.
Therefore, processing corresponding to the buffering amount is performed so that audio output from the content output unit 41 to the user is continued even in a period in which communication is cut off by switching the number of pipes, that is, “sound break” does not occur. You may be made to be.

For example, the content transmission apparatus 1 switches the number of pipes at the time when the necessary amount of data is buffered on the reproduction output apparatus 2 side in anticipation of the time required for reconnection after notifying in step F155. To.
Specifically, after the notification, the content transmission apparatus 1 has a sufficient time for buffering and executes step F156, or the reproduction output apparatus 2 is notified of the completion of sufficient buffering. Then, step F156 is executed after waiting for the notification.
In this way, the change in the number of pipes can be executed without causing sound interruption for the user.

By the way, if the number of pipes is variably set on the base unit side based on the stream information, the number of pipes may be changed based on frequent changes in the number of channels in accordance with changes in various playback contents and music sources. is there.
If the setting is changed too frequently, normal reproduction output may be hindered. Therefore, “valid” or “invalid” of “setting change based on stream information” may be enabled by user setting.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content transmission apparatus, 2 Playback output apparatus, 11, 31 CPU, 12, 32 ROM, 13, 33 RAM, 14, 34 EEPROM, 20, 40 External apparatus communication part, 21 DSP, 41 Content transmission apparatus, 51 Communication control part 52 pipe number setting unit 61 communication control unit 62 pipe number storage unit

Claims (12)

A communication unit that transmits data to the partner device by a communication method that establishes a communication connection in a packet format according to the set number of transmission pipes with a partner device that has a common number of transmission pipes ,
A pipe number setting unit for variably setting the number of transmission pipes;
A communication control unit for causing the communication unit to perform a transmission operation based on the number of transmission pipes set by the pipe number setting unit;
A transmission device comprising: When the communication unit is performing data transmission with a certain number of transmission pipes, the transmission pipe number setting is switched by the pipe number setting unit.
The communication control unit causes the communication unit to notify the counterpart device of a new number of transmission pipes after switching, and after the notification, causes the communication unit to perform a transmission operation with a new number of transmission pipes. The transmission device according to 1.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits audio stream data.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pipe number setting unit variably sets the transmission pipe number based on surround setting, speaker setting, or additional information of audio stream data. Receives data sent from the partner device using a communication method that establishes a communication connection in the packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes with the partner device with the common number of transmission pipes. A communication department;
A storage unit for storing the number of transmission pipes at the time of the latest communication connection;
When establishing a communication connection, a communication control unit that causes the communication unit to execute a connection attempt with a setting state of the latest number of transmission pipes stored in the storage unit, and
A receiving device.   The receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication control unit causes the communication unit to change the setting of the number of transmission pipes and execute a connection attempt when the connection cannot be established in the latest setting state of the number of transmission pipes. . When the new transmission pipe number after switching is notified from the counterpart device, the storage unit stores the notified transmission pipe number,
The communication control unit causes the communication unit to execute a connection attempt in the set state of the notified number of transmission pipes stored in the storage unit in response to the communication connection being disconnected. The receiving device described.   The reception according to claim 7, wherein the communication control unit causes the communication unit to change the setting of the number of transmission pipes and execute a connection attempt when connection is not possible in the notified setting state of the number of transmission pipes. apparatus. In the communication unit, the audio stream data is received,
The receiving apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an audio output unit that outputs the received audio stream data. A pipe number setting step for variably setting the number of transmission pipes in a communication method in which a communication connection is established with a counterpart device having a common number of transmission pipes in a packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes. When,
With the number of transmission pipes set in the pipe number setting step, a transmission step for establishing communication connection with the counterpart device and transmitting data,
With a transmission method. Receives data sent from the partner device using a communication method that establishes a communication connection in the packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes with the partner device with the common number of transmission pipes. As a receiving method,
A storage step for storing the number of transmission pipes at the time of the latest communication connection;
When establishing a new communication connection, a connection attempt step for performing a connection attempt with the setting state of the latest number of transmission pipes stored in the storage step;
Receiving method. As a communication system having a transmission device and a reception device,
The transmitter is
When a common number of transmission pipes is set with the receiving device, data is transmitted to the receiving device by a communication method in which a communication connection is established in a packet format corresponding to the set number of transmission pipes. A communication unit to perform,
A pipe number setting unit for variably setting the number of transmission pipes;
A communication control unit for causing the communication unit to perform a transmission operation based on the number of transmission pipes set by the pipe number setting unit;
With
The receiving device is
When a common transmission pipe number is set with the transmission device, data transmitted from the transmission device is established by a communication method in which a communication connection is established in a packet format corresponding to the set transmission pipe number. A communication unit that receives
A storage unit for storing the number of transmission pipes at the time of the latest communication connection;
When establishing a communication connection, a communication control unit that causes the communication unit to execute a connection attempt with a setting state of the latest number of transmission pipes stored in the storage unit, and
A communication system comprising:

Images