WO2006070468A1

WO2006070468A1 - Output device

Info

Publication number: WO2006070468A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/019635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nobuyuki Kosha
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2004-12-28
Filing date: 2004-12-28
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

A technique for indicating whether a sound output function is effective or not by making it possible to mount the output section removably and to present the connection state thereof and for utilizing other functions appropriately. The unit for outputting a sound signal from an electronic apparatus as sound comprises a connection section connected with the connection terminal of the electronic apparatus, a line section having one end connected with the connection section and transmitting the sound signal from the electronic apparatus, a relay section connected with the end of the line section on the side opposite to the connection section and relaying the sound signal, and an output section connected removably with the relay section and outputting the sound signal from the relay section as sound. A state presenting part for indicating whether the output section is connected with the relay section or not is provided in the connection section.

Description

Specification

Output device

Technical field

The present invention relates to an output device such as a headphone or an external speaker that outputs a sound signal of an electronic device as sound.

Background art

[0002] Currently, headphones are very commonly used as devices for viewing audio by connecting to electronic devices such as televisions and radios. As electronic devices become more sophisticated, there are various types of headphones equipped with remote controls that control music playback and antennas for TV tuners.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a conventional headphone antenna. The headphone antenna 90 includes a speaker unit 91, a cable 92, and a plug 93 as shown in FIG.

When the headphone plug 93 is connected to an electronic device such as a television, a sound signal from the device is transmitted to the speaker unit 91 via the cable 92 and output as sound. The headphone antenna 90 has an antenna line 92c in addition to the sound signal lines 92a and 92b of the cable 92, and a reception signal from the antenna line 92c is transmitted to an electronic device. And then.

[0005] Thus, by using the headphone antenna 90 in which the headphone and the TV antenna are integrated, the headphone terminal and the antenna terminal of the electronic device to be connected can be integrated into one, and the electronic device can be downsized. Can do.

[0006] On the other hand, in such a device for connecting headphones, a device having a mute function for muting the audio output from the speaker when the headphone plug is inserted into the jack on the tuner side is generally used. ing.

Patent Document 1: JP 2000-182310 A

Patent Document 2: JP 2002-76982 A

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-116961 Patent Document 4: JP-A-10-155191

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] As described above, in a multi-function headphone, there is a case where it is desired to use only a function other than sound output. However, with conventional headphones, output of sound was a major premise, and it was not possible to use only other functions.

[0008] For example, in a TV tuner having the mute function described above, whether or not to mute is determined by determining whether or not the power is connected to the headphone antenna. Therefore, when the headphone antenna is connected, the TV tuner is always muted. Will end up. Therefore, the headphone antenna is simply used as an antenna and the sound cannot be heard through the speaker.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to attach or detach the output unit and to indicate the connection state of the output unit, thereby indicating whether the sound output function is valid or invalid, and appropriately using other functions. Provide technology that can be used.

Means for solving the problem

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

That is, the output device of the present invention is a device that outputs a sound signal of electronic equipment power as sound,

A connection portion connected to a connection terminal of the electronic device;

One end portion is connected to the connection portion and transmits the sound signal of the electronic device force,

Connected to the end of the wire portion opposite to the connection portion, relays the sound signal, and is detachably connected to the relay portion, and the sound signal from the relay portion is transmitted to the sound portion. And an output unit that outputs as

The connection unit includes a state presentation unit indicating whether or not the output unit is connected to the relay unit.

[0011] Further, the state presentation unit may be a terminal having different electric characteristics depending on a connection state between the output unit and the relay unit.

[0012] In the output device, whether or not the output unit is connected to the relay unit The relay unit includes a detection unit for detecting

The wire portion may include a signal line for transmitting the detection result from the relay portion to the connection portion.

[0013] Further, in the output device, the wire portion has a signal line for an antenna, or a signal line for transmitting a sound signal has an antenna function,

The connection unit may include an output terminal for outputting a reception signal having a signal line for the antenna or a signal line for transmitting the sound signal to the electronic device.

[0014] Further, the output device may be a device that is used by being connected to an electronic device that silences the sound signal in accordance with the electrical characteristics of the state presentation unit.

The invention's effect

[0015] The present invention provides a technique that enables an output unit to be attached and presents the connection state of the output unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a headphone antenna according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2] is a schematic view of the headphone antenna with the speaker unit removed.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a headphone antenna according to the present invention.

[Fig. 4] is an external view of the relay section.

[FIG. 5] is an external view of the middle I portion.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a computer to which a headphone antenna is connected.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a computer to which a headphone antenna is connected.

[Fig. 8] is an external view of the tuner unit.

[Fig. 9] is a schematic diagram of the tuner unit.

[FIG. 10] is an explanatory diagram of a dedicated antenna.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the computer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the headphones of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a conventional headphone.

Explanation of symbols [0017] 1 tuner unit (receiver)

2 Personal computer (electronic equipment)

3H headphones

3HA Headphone antenna

31 Speaker unit

32 Relay section

33 Cable

34 Connection (Plug)

10 housing

11 Connection

11a Mute indicator

12 Decoding unit (receiving unit)

14 Mute disable switch

15 Mute controller

21 Speaker amplifier (output unit)

22R, 22L Speaker

23 Headphone amplifier

51 Computer

52 Hinge

53 Display section

54 Keyboard

56 Expansion bay

61 FD unit

62 CD—ROM unit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the following embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. <Embodiment 1> § 1. Overall configuration

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a headphone antenna 3HA according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the headphone antenna 3HA connected to a connection part 17 of an electronic device and an output part (speaker unit) 31 removed. FIG. 3 is an external view of the headphone antenna 3HA.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the headphone antenna 3HA of the present embodiment includes a speaker unit (output unit) 31, a relay unit 32, a cable (wire portion) 33, and a plug (connection unit) 34. It consists of

[0020] When the plug 34 is connected to an electronic device such as a television set and an audio signal is input from the device, the headphone antenna 3HA is transmitted to the speaker unit 31 via the cable 33 and is output as audio. The cable 33 of the headphone antenna 3HA includes an audio signal line 33a and 33b, a GND line 33d, an antenna line 33c, and a line 33e for transmitting a connection state described later. These lines 33a-33e are connected to 34a-34e of plug 34, respectively. In FIGS. 1 and 2, only the line (signal line) is shown as the cable 33, but these lines are actually covered.

The antenna line 33c is connected to the audio signal lines 33a and 33b by an internal circuit of the relay unit 32. Accordingly, the TV broadcast signal superimposed on the cable portion of the speaker unit 31 is transmitted to the antenna line 33c via the audio signal lines 33a and 33b.

4 and 5 are external views of the relay unit 32. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the relay part 32 includes a jack 35 so that the plug 36 of the speaker unit 31 can be attached and detached.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the relay part 32 includes a locking part (a clip in this example) 37 for locking at an arbitrary position.

[0022] The jack 35 of the relay unit 32 includes terminals 32a to 32d connected to the lines 33a, 33b, 33d, and 33e. In this example, the terminal 32c functions as a detection unit for detecting whether or not the speaker unit 31 is connected and whether or not the force is applied.

[0023] The terminal 32c of the relay part 32 is connected to the terminal 32d for GND via the terminal 36c of the plug 36 in a state where the speaker unit 31 is connected to the relay part 32 as shown in FIG. . When the speaker unit 31 is separated from the relay part 32, the Contact (NC: No Connect). In other words, the terminal (status display unit) 34e of the plug 34 is also connected to GND when the force unit 31 is separated from the relay unit 32, and when the speaker unit 31 is connected to the relay unit 32. The electrical characteristics change to be equivalent.

[0024] Thereby, in the electronic device to which the headphone antenna 3HA of this example is connected, the power force or power that is connected to the speaker unit 3HA according to the electrical characteristics of the terminal 34e of the plug 34, that is, the headphone antenna power sound. Can determine whether the output function is valid

Next, an example in which the headphone antenna of the present embodiment is used for a personal computer (receiving system) 2 equipped with a tuner unit (receiving device) 1 will be described. This computer detects whether the sound output function of the headphone antenna is enabled or disabled, and if the sound output function is enabled, it mutes the audio output to the speaker and disables the sound output function. Disables the mute function and outputs sound from the speaker. FIG. 6 is an external view of the computer, and FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram.

In FIG. 6, the notebook PC 2 also has a force with the computer main body 51 and the display unit 53 connected to the computer main body 51 by a hinge 52 so as to be opened and closed. Arrows XI and X2 indicate the width direction of the notebook PC2, arrows Yl and Y2 indicate the depth direction, and arrows Zl and Z2 indicate the height (thickness) direction. The computer main body 51 has a keyboard portion 54 on the upper surface, a CPU and the like inside, and an expansion bay 56 for accommodating an expansion unit is formed on the lower right side. The expansion bay 56 has an opening 58 on the right side surface 57 of the computer main body 51 as an inlet of the expansion unit. The expansion bay 56 has a slit shape extending from the opening 58 to the middle of the apparatus in the direction of the arrow X2, and a connector 59 is provided at the end of the X2 side. Since the connector 59 is located inside the computer main body 51, a part of the upper surface of the main body 51 is notched in FIG.

[0027] In addition, as an extension unit, a tuner unit (receiving device) 1, an FD unit 61, a CD

ROM unit 62 etc. are available. These extension units 1, 61, 62 have a flat plate shape that can be fitted into the extension pay 56, and have a connector 63 that fits into the connector 59 at the tip end in the insertion direction (X 2). The units 1, 61 and 62 are mounted on the expansion bay 56 exclusively. As a result, the notebook PC 2 can be accessed to the expansion unit through the connector 59 and its functions can be expanded. That is, the user selects one of the tuner unit 1, the FD unit 61, and the CD ROM unit 62 according to the function to be used, and inserts it into the expansion bay 56. The expansion bay 56 may be referred to in various terms, and may be referred to as a bay, an expansion slot, a multi bay, and a multi-pass bay (multipurpose bay).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the tuner unit 1 is attached to the extension bay 56 of the PC 2, the tuner unit 1 receives a TV broadcast and outputs a video signal and an audio signal to the PC 2. The audio signal is converted into a signal of a predetermined format by the sound chip 25 and then output to the speaker amplifier (output unit) 21 and the headphone amplifier 23. The speaker amplifier (output unit) 21 amplifies the sound signal and outputs the sound from the speakers 22R and 22L. The headphone amplifier 23 amplifies the sound signal and outputs the sound from the headphone connected to the headphone jack 17 or the headphone jack 24. Instead of using the headphone amplifier 23, connect the signal from the sound chip 25 directly to the headphone jack 17 or headphone jack 24.

The speaker amplifier 21 has a mute function, and mutes audio output from the speakers 22R and 22L in accordance with a mute signal from the jacks 17 and 24. In this embodiment, a mute signal is output low when headphones are connected to jacks 17 and 24, and high when the headphones are connected. The outputs of the jacks 17 and 24 are input to the speaker amplifier 21 via the AND circuit 21a. The speaker amplifier 21 mutes the outputs of the speakers 22R and 22L when the output of the AND circuit 21a is Low. That is, if a headphone is connected to one of the jacks 17 and 24, the output to the speakers 22R and 22L is muted. Hereinafter, the operation of the mute function when the headphones are connected to the jack 24, when the headphones are connected to the jack 17, and when the headphones are connected to the jack 17, will be described.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the tuner unit 1, and FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the tuner unit 1. As described above, the outer shape of the housing 10 is a substantially flat plate shape, and the connector 63 is provided in such a manner that the front end surface force also protrudes in the insertion direction (X2 direction). In addition, a headphone jack (connector) 17 and Siideo input are provided on the rear end surface in the insertion direction, that is, on the outer surface 64 that is located on the outer side when fitted to the expansion bay 56 and is flush with the right side surface of the notebook PC 2. Terminal 65, composite input terminal Child 66 is lined up.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tuner unit 1 includes a jack 17, a decoding unit (receiving unit) 12, and a mute control unit 18.

The jack 17 is connected to the terminal (plug) of the antenna 3A or the headphone antenna 3H A as shown in FIG.

[0033] The decoding unit 12 generates a video signal and an audio signal based on a radio signal (TV broadcast) received via the antenna portion of the antenna 3A or the headphone antenna 3 HA connected to the jack 17.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the TV tuner jack 17 includes terminals 17a-17e for left and right audio signals, antenna, mute signal, and GND, and terminals 34a-34e of the headphone antenna 3HA. And connect respectively.

The mute control unit 18 applies a predetermined voltage (for example, Vcc = 3-5V) to the terminal 17d of the connection unit 17. For this reason, in a state where the plug 36 of the speaker unit 31 is not inserted into the relay unit 32, the terminal 34d is in a high state of a predetermined voltage value. That is, the mute control unit 18 sets the mute signal to the speaker amplifier 21 to High (mute function disabled), and outputs audio from the speakers 22R and 22L.

On the other hand, when the plug 36 is inserted into the relay section 32, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 32c and the terminal 32d of the relay section 32 are electrically connected by the plug 36, and the terminal 17d on the TV tuner side is connected to GND. Is equivalent to (low OV). That is, the mute control unit 18 sets the mute signal to the speaker amplifier 21 to Low (mute function enabled), and mutes the output to the speakers 22R and 22L.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the mute function can be controlled to be valid or invalid depending on whether or not the speaker unit 31 is connected to the relay unit 32.

[0038] Note that an antenna 3A as shown in FIG. As for the terminal of the antenna 3A that is not also used as a headphone, the terminal 44d for the mute signal is NC. Even in this case, when the antenna 3A is connected to the connection unit 17, the terminal 17d is kept High, so that the mute control unit 18 can disable the mute function by setting the mute signal to High. [0039] As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the connection state of the speaker unit 31 can be presented, the mute function can be appropriately controlled on the notebook PC side. Thus, for example, if you want to watch personally, connect the speaker unit 31 to the relay unit 32 and listen to the TV broadcast sound received via this antenna line with the headphone antenna 3HA and watch it with multiple people. In this case, it is possible to select such that the speaker unit 31 is separated from the relay unit, and the sound of the TV broadcast received via the antenna line is heard through the speakers 22R and 22L. As described above, in the present embodiment, whether or not to output sound from the speaker forces 22R and 22L can be selected depending on whether the speaker unit 31 is connected or disconnected, so that the operability that the user can intuitively operate is good. Equipment can be provided. In this case, the antenna can continue to function effectively.

[0040] In addition, since the relay unit 32 includes the clip 37, the clip unit 37 can be fixed to the user's clothes, and the relay unit 32 can be arbitrarily selected even when the speaker unit 31 attached to the user's ear is removed. The antenna can be kept at a position where reception sensitivity is good, for example, high!

[0041] Further, even when the dedicated antenna 3A is connected to the connection section 17, the connection section 17 of the headphone antenna 3HA and the dedicated antenna 3A can be shared, so that the output to the speakers 22R and 22L is not muted. .

In addition to the TV tuner, this embodiment can be widely applied to devices that connect the antenna and headphones, such as a radio, a mobile phone, and a mobile TV.

In the present embodiment, the antenna line 33c is separately provided. However, in order to realize the antenna function, the dedicated line 33c is not necessarily provided. Since the frequency band of the TV broadcast signal and the audio signal is different, if the signal of the TV broadcast signal frequency band propagated through the audio signal lines 33a and 33b is separated and extracted by the notebook PC, the TV broadcast signal is It can be received.

11 and 12 are schematic configuration diagrams of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This embodiment shows an example of a headphone provided with a controller. Note that the same members as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the headphone 3H of the present embodiment includes a controller 38 in the relay section 32, and a control signal from the controller 38 is sent via a control signal line 33f. Connected to terminal 34f of plug 34. When the headphone 3H of this example is connected to the connection unit 19 of the notebook PC 2, this control signal is transmitted from the terminal 19f of the connection unit 19 to the control unit 20, and control of music playback, stop, volume change, etc. To do. Note that the number of lines and terminals from the controller 38 to the control unit 20 is shown as one for convenience, but the number of lines and terminals is not limited to this and may be any number depending on the number of functions to be controlled.

[0044] Further, the speaker amplifier 21 of the present embodiment receives the detection result of whether or not the speaker unit 31 is connected from the jack 17 and the headphone is connected (received signal power). If (ow), the sound signal is output with the sound field setting for headphones, and if the headphone is connected, the sound is set with the sound field setting for the speaker if the headphone is connected (if the received signal is High). Control to output a signal. In the present embodiment, the mute control may be performed according to the detection result as in the above-described embodiment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the connection state of the speaker unit 31 can be presented, the setting of the sound field can be appropriately controlled on the notebook PC side. Further, since only the speaker unit 31 can be separated, only the remote control function can be used while disabling the headphone 3H power output function.

Industrial applicability

In the above embodiment, an example in which a personal computer is used as an electronic apparatus to which the output device of the present invention is connected has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information such as a received signal and an output audio signal can be processed. Any device can be used. In particular, the present invention is suitable as an output device for a notebook PC, a space-saving PC, a PDA, a mobile phone, etc. in which the volume of the device is limited.

[0047] In the above-described embodiments, the force described in the example of the headphones is not limited to this, and any device that outputs a sound signal from an electronic device such as an external speaker force as sound may be used. The headphone may be any device such as earphones, earphones, and bone conduction speakers that can be worn on the head or the like and can listen to the sound output personally. That is, the headphone antenna may be any device provided with an antenna in these devices. Further, in the present invention, the sound is not limited to the sound of a TV composed of a person's voice or music as long as it is just a sound, such as music, voice, or electronic sound.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An output device that outputs a sound signal of electronic equipment power as sound,

A relay part that is connected to an end of the linear part opposite to the connection part and relays the sound signal;

Removably connected to the relay unit, and outputs the sound signal of the relay unit force as sound

An output unit,

The output device in which the connection unit has a state presentation unit indicating whether or not the output unit is connected to the relay unit.

2. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the state presentation unit is a terminal having different electrical characteristics depending on a connection state between the output unit and the relay unit.

[3] The relay unit includes a detection unit that detects whether or not the output unit is connected to the relay unit.

The output device according to claim 2, wherein the wire portion includes a signal line for transmitting the detection result from the relay portion to the connection portion.

[4] The wire portion has a signal line for an antenna, or a signal line for transmitting a sound signal has an antenna function,

The output according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection unit includes an output terminal that outputs a reception signal of the signal line for the antenna or the signal line for transmitting the sound signal to the electronic device. apparatus.

5. The output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output device is used by being connected to an electronic device that silences the sound signal according to an electrical characteristic of the state presentation unit.