Patent Translate Powered by EPO and Google Notice This translation is machine-generated. It cannot be guaranteed that it is intelligible, accurate, complete, reliable or fit for specific purposes. Critical decisions, such as commercially relevant or financial decisions, should not be based on machine-translation output. DESCRIPTION JP2003347956 [0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio output apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an audio output apparatus wirelessly connectable to various sound source devices such as portable audio players and mobile phones. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of various portable audio players such as portable CD (Compact Disk) players, portable mini disc players, etc., users can enjoy music anywhere, regardless of their location. . [0003] When the user listens to music played by the audio player, headphones are usually used. However, when headphones are worn, the sound from the outside may not be heard, and for example, it may miss listening to a guide broadcast in a station or train or may not notice an incoming call to a mobile phone. [0004] 10-05-2019 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-197019 describes a sound source to be reproduced by a CD player when the CD player accepts a connection from an external communication device in a CD player that reproduces music data recorded on the CD. There is disclosed a technology for switching from music data of a CD currently being played back to audio data transmitted by wireless from an external communication device. [0005] However, in the above-described technology, a mechanism is used in which reproduction of data currently being reproduced and output is always stopped when an external communication device is connected. Therefore, when the connection from the external communication device is accepted, the data is always switched to the data from the external communication device regardless of what data the CD player is currently reproducing. [0006] Further, in the above technology, it is assumed that there is only one specific external communication device, and it is considered to handle a plurality of external communication devices each functioning as a sound source device capable of transmitting audio data by a wireless signal. It has not been. [0007] From now on, with the development of the technology of the short distance wireless communication system represented by Bluetooth (R), various electronic devices (for example, portable audio players, mobile phones, etc.) equipped with wireless communication functions will appear as sound source devices Is expected. In this case, it is necessary to realize not only switching between music data on a CD and an external sound source device, but also a mechanism for efficiently switching between external sound source devices. 10-05-2019 2 [0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an audio apparatus capable of automatically switching a sound source device to be a target of sound output between external sound source devices and a control method thereof. With the goal. [0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an audio output apparatus wirelessly connectable to each sound source device for transmitting audio data by a wireless signal, comprising: a wireless communication apparatus; Sound output means for outputting a sound corresponding to audio data received from a first sound source device wirelessly connected via a wireless communication device; and a sound corresponding to audio data from the first sound source device When a second sound source device is newly wirelessly connected to the wireless communication apparatus during a period, priority information indicating the priority of its own device notified from the second sound source device and the first sound source The priority information indicating the priority of the own device already notified from the device is compared, and based on the comparison result, the first and second sound source Characterized by comprising a sound source selection means for selecting one of the chair as a sound source device to be output sound from the sound output means. [0010] Further, the present invention is an audio output device wirelessly connectable to each sound source device that transmits audio data by a wireless signal, and each of the sound source devices is prioritized by its own device when wirelessly connected to the audio output device. Configured to transmit priority information indicating a priority to the audio output device by a wireless signal, the audio output device being configured by a wireless signal from a first sound source device currently wirelessly connected to the audio output device Audio output means for receiving transmitted audio data and outputting a sound corresponding to the received audio data through a speaker or a headphone, and a sound corresponding to audio data transmitted by a wireless signal from the first sound source device The audio output device is newly added during the output period. Means for comparing the priority information of the first sound source device with the priority information of the second sound source device when receiving priority information from the second sound source device connected wirelessly; If the priority information of the sound source device indicates a higher priority than the priority information of the first sound source device, the sound source device to be the target of sound output is selected from the first sound source device to the second sound source. And means for switching to the device. 10-05-2019 3 [0011] Thus, according to the present invention, the sound source device side notifies the audio output device side of its own priority, and the sound source device side moves the sound source device to be the target of sound output based on the comparison result of the priorities. Sound output, for example, when another second sound source device having a higher priority than the first sound source device currently wirelessly connected is newly wirelessly connected It is possible to automatically switch the sound source device to be a target of the first sound source device to the second sound source device. [0012] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the relationship between a wireless audio output device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a sound source device wirelessly connected to the audio output device. The wireless audio output device 11 is configured to receive audio data transmitted as a wireless signal from a sound source device through the antenna 113, and to output a sound corresponding to the received audio data through a speaker or a headphone. . [0013] The wireless audio output device 11 is realized, for example, as a wireless headset (speaker and microphone) with a wireless communication function. By wearing the wireless headset, the user can listen to audio data transmitted by a wireless signal from the sound source device through the headphone (or earphone) 111 provided as a speaker in the wireless headset. [0014] 10-05-2019 4 Wireless communication between the wireless audio output device 11 and the sound source device is performed by a short distance wireless communication system such as Bluetooth (R), for example. The wireless audio output device 11 can communicate with various sound source devices having a wireless communication function conforming to the Bluetooth (R) standard. [0015] The sound source device is a wireless audio transmission device capable of transmitting audio data such as voice, music, and the like by a wireless signal. In the present embodiment, the following three types of sound source devices 12, 13 and 14 are assumed as sound source devices that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11. [0016] The sound source device (# 1) 12 is an audio player such as a portable CD (Compact Disk) player, a portable mini disc player, etc., and has a near field communication function conforming to the Bluetooth (R) standard. The sound source device (# 1) 12 reads audio data recorded on a storage medium such as a CD or a mini disc, and outputs it via the antenna 121 as audio data to be output to the audio output device 11. The radio signal is transmitted to the output device 11. The user listens to music data wirelessly transmitted from the sound source device (# 1) 12 through the headphones 111 of the wireless audio output device 11 while putting the sound source device (# 1) 12 in a bag or a pocket of clothes be able to. [0017] The sound source device (# 2) 13 is a mobile telephone (mobile phone), and has a wireless communication function conforming to the Bluetooth (R) standard, in addition to a wireless telephone communication function with the mobile telephone network. This sound source device (# 2) 13 is an antenna 131 for near-field wireless communication as audio data to be output to the wireless audio output device 11 as a call voice from the other party received via the base 10-05-2019 5 station of the mobile telephone network. To the wireless audio output device 11 through the wireless signal. The user places the sound source device (# 2) 13 in a bag or a pocket of clothes, etc., the voice from the other party received by the sound source device (# 2) 13, the ring tone, etc. Can be listened through the headphones 111 of FIG. [0018] Furthermore, since the wireless audio output device 11 is also provided with the microphone 112, the voice from the user input from the microphone 112 is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless audio output device 11 to the sound source device (# 2) 13, The voice emitted by the user toward the microphone 112 of the wireless audio output device 11 can also be transmitted to the other party via the sound source device (# 2) 13 and the mobile telephone network. [0019] The sound source device (# 3) 14 is a voice guidance device installed, for example, in a station or in a train, and has a wireless communication function conforming to the Bluetooth (R) standard. The sound source device (# 3) 14 transmits an audio message such as news and information broadcast, for example, as audio data to be output to the wireless audio output device 11 through the antenna 141 to the wireless audio output device 11 by a wireless signal. [0020] The wireless audio output device 11 has a sound source switching function of selectively switching a sound source device to be a sound output target among the sound source devices 12, 13 and 14. In this sound source switching function, priority information set in advance for each sound source device 12, 13, 14 is used, and the highest priority among sound source devices currently wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 is the highest. A sound source device is selected as a sound source device to be sound output target. [0021] Each of the sound source devices 12, 13 and 14 transmits priority information indicating the 10-05-2019 6 priority of its own device to the wireless audio output device 11 by a wireless signal when the wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11 is established. Then, the wireless audio output device 11 is notified of the priority of its own device. The wireless audio output device 11 selects the sound source device with the highest priority by comparing the priority of each of the sound source devices currently wirelessly connected thereto. Therefore, if another sound source device having a higher priority than the currently selected sound source device is newly wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11, the user is currently selecting it without performing any switching operation. The sound source can be seamlessly switched from the sound source device to another sound source device newly connected wirelessly. Conversely, when the priority of the sound source device newly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 is the same as or lower than that of the currently selected sound source device, the sound source switching is not performed. This allows the user to continue listening to audio data from the currently selected sound source device. [0022] The sound source device (# 1) 12 constituting the portable audio player issues a wireless connection request to the wireless audio output device 11, for example, triggered by the user instructing the reproduction of music data, and outputs the wireless audio output The procedure for establishing a wireless connection with the device 11 is performed. After the wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11 is established, the sound source device (# 1) 12 first notifies the wireless audio output device 11 of the priority information set for itself by a wireless signal. [0023] The priority value indicated by the priority information set in the sound source device (# 1) 12 is not fixed, and the user operates, for example, a button switch for user interface provided in the sound source device (# 1) 12 By doing so, any priority can be assigned to the sound source device (# 1) 12. [0024] The sound source device (# 2) 13 constituting the mobile telephone issues a wireless connection request to the wireless audio output device 11, for example, triggered by receiving an incoming call from the mobile telephone network, and the wireless audio output device 11. Perform the procedure to establish a wireless connection between 10-05-2019 7 After the wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11 is established, the sound source device (# 2) 13 first transmits the priority information set to itself to the wireless audio output device 11 wirelessly. Similar to the sound source device (# 1) 12, the priority value indicated by the priority order information set in the sound source device (# 2) 13 is not fixed either, and the user provides, for example, the sound source device (# 2) 13 An arbitrary priority can be set to the sound source device (# 2) 13 by operating the user interface button switch. [0025] Usually, the users of the sound source devices 12 and 13 are the same as the user of the wireless audio output device 11. Therefore, the user can assign an arbitrary priority to each of the sound source devices 12 and 13. [0026] Here, for example, it is assumed that a higher priority than the sound source device 12 is assigned to the sound source device 13. In this case, in the wireless audio output device 11, if the sound source device 13 newly outputs the sound according to the audio data transmitted by the wireless signal from the sound source device 12 through the headphone 111, the wireless audio output device is newly added. When wirelessly connected to 11, the sound source device to be subjected to sound output, that is, the sound source device to be subjected to reproduction of audio data through the headphone 111 is automatically switched from the sound source device 12 to the sound source device 13. . As a result, even if the user receives an incoming call to the sound source device 13 while listening to music data from the sound source device 12, the user can listen to the ringing tone and the call voice from the other party without missing. [0027] After switching from the sound source device 12 to the sound source device 13, it is preferable to immediately disconnect the wireless connection between the sound source device 12 and the wireless audio output device 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent the wireless channel from being unnecessarily used for wireless communication of audio data not output from the headphone 111. 10-05-2019 8 [0028] Furthermore, usually, in the sound source device 12 constituting the audio player, even after the wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected, the reproduction operation of reading and reproducing music data from the audio storage medium continues. Is executed. For this reason, it is preferable to set a trigger for issuing a wireless connection request for each music piece (each track of audio storage media). [0029] As a result, even after the wireless connection between the sound source device 12 and the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected, the wireless audio output device 11 from the sound source device 12 each time the music piece to be reproduced changes in the sound source device 12. Can periodically issue a wireless connection request. If the wireless connection between the sound source device 13 and the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected, the sound source device 12 is automatically reselected. Thus, after the call is completed, that is, after the wireless connection between the sound source device 13 and the wireless audio output device 11 constituting the mobile telephone is disconnected, the user listens to the music data from the sound source device 12 again. Can. The sound source switching operation by the user is not necessary at all. [0030] The wireless connection between the sound source device 13 and the wireless audio output device 11 can be disconnected, for example, by the user operating an on-hook button provided on the sound source device 13 or the like. In this case, in response to the operation of the onhook button, a disconnection request is transmitted from the sound source device 13 to the wireless audio output device 11, whereby the wireless connection between the sound source device 13 and the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected. Further, for example, the wireless connection between the sound source device 14 and the wireless audio output device 11 constituting the guiding device automatically sends a disconnection request to the wireless audio output device 11 after the sound source device 14 completes the transmission of the voice message. It can also be disconnected by using a transmission mechanism. 10-05-2019 9 [0031] The sound source device (# 3) 14 issues a wireless connection request when it is necessary to transmit a voice message. After the wireless connection between the sound source device (# 3) 14 and the wireless audio output device 11 is established, the sound source device (# 3) 14 first wirelessly wirelessly wirelessly sets the priority information set to itself. Transmit to the output device 11. The priority value indicated by the priority order information set in the sound source device (# 3) 14 is not fixed either, and the manager of the guide broadcast etc., for example, has a button switch provided in the sound source device (# 3) 14 An arbitrary priority can be set to the sound source device (# 3) 14 by operation or the like. [0032] Of course, if the sound source device (# 3) 14 is a device for providing highly urgent voice guidance such as evacuation order, a special priority indicating the highest priority is given to the sound source device (# 3) 14 It is possible to assign fixed priority information in advance. In this case, if the sound source device 14 is newly wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 during reproduction of audio data from the sound source device 12 or the sound source device 13 from the headphone 111, reproduction of audio data is performed. The sound source device to be targeted is automatically switched from the sound source device 12 or 13 currently being reproduced to the sound source device 14. Thus, the user can reliably listen to a highly urgent guide broadcast. [0033] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of each sound source device will be described focusing on its wireless audio communication function. The wireless audio communication function is the same for all sound source devices, so in the following, the sound source device 12 will be exemplified to describe an exemplary configuration of the wireless audio communication function. [0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the sound source device 12 includes a storage device 21, a system control unit 22, an audio data generation unit 23, a priority connection permission application unit 24, 10-05-2019 10 and a wireless communication device 25. [0035] The storage device 21 is configured of, for example, a non-volatile memory device, and stores a program for controlling the operation of the sound source device 12 and various data. Furthermore, the storage device 21 also stores priority information indicating the priority of the sound source device 12. [0036] The system control unit 22 is a processor provided to control the operation of the sound source device 12, and executes the program stored in the storage unit 21 to execute the audio data generation unit 23, the priority connection permission application unit 24, and The wireless communication device 25 is controlled. The audio data generation unit 23 generates audio data to be transmitted by a wireless signal. In the sound source device 12, the audio data generation unit 23 executes processing for reading and reproducing music data from the storage medium to generate audio data to be wirelessly transmitted. [0037] The priority connection permission application unit 24 generates a priority notification command including priority information stored in the storage device 21, and transmits the priority notification command to the wireless communication between the sound source device 12 and the wireless audio output device 11. After the connection is established, the wireless audio output device 11 is notified as a priority connection request. [0038] The wireless communication device 25 is a device configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless audio output device 11, and includes a baseband processing unit and an RF unit. 10-05-2019 11 The wireless communication device 25 issues a wireless connection request to the wireless audio output device 11 in response to an instruction from the system control unit 22, and executes a procedure for establishing a wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11. Do. The wireless communication between the wireless communication device 25 and the wireless audio output device 11 is performed in a procedure conforming to the Bluetooth (R) standard. [0039] Next, a configuration example of the wireless audio output device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. [0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless audio output device 11 includes a storage device 31, a system control unit 32, an audio data generation unit 33, an audio data output unit 34, a priority connection request analysis unit 35, a sound source switching unit 36, And a wireless communication device 37. [0041] The storage device 31 is configured of, for example, a non-volatile memory device, and a program for controlling the operation of the wireless audio output device 11 and various data are stored therein. The system control unit 32 is a processor provided to control the operation of the wireless audio output device 11, and executes the program stored in the storage device 31 to generate an audio data generation unit 33, an audio data output unit 34, The priority connection request analysis unit 35, the sound source switching unit 36, and the wireless communication device 37 are controlled. [0042] The audio data generation unit 33 converts the user's voice input via the microphone 112 into audio data. 10-05-2019 12 The audio data output unit 34 is configured to output, through the headphones 111, a sound corresponding to the audio data received by the wireless communication device 37 from the sound source device. The audio data output unit 34 can output, for example, sound from the headphone 111 while receiving a stream of audio data transmitted from the currently selected sound source device via the wireless communication device 37 and the system control unit 32. Perform a data reproduction operation for so-called streaming reproduction, that is, conversion into an electric signal. The audio data output unit 34 converts the received audio data from a digital signal into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal to the headphone 111. [0043] The priority connection request analysis unit 35 and the sound source switching unit 36 are sound source selection devices provided to realize the above-described sound source switching function. The priority connection request analysis unit 35 analyzes the priority connection request notified from the sound source device newly connected wirelessly to the wireless audio output device 11 and the priority connection request already notified from the currently selected sound source device. , Compare the priorities among the sound source devices. That is, in the priority connection request analysis unit 35, whenever the sound source device is newly connected wirelessly, it is selected as the priority information included in the priority connection request transmitted from the sound source device and the current sound output target A comparison is made with the source device's priority information. The sound source switching unit 36 is a device that selects a sound source device to be a sound output target based on the comparison result by the priority connection request analysis unit 35. The wireless connection with the selected sound source device is maintained as it is, but the wireless connection with the non-selected sound source device is disconnected. [0044] The wireless communication device 37 is a device that establishes a wireless connection with a sound source device that has issued a wireless connection request and performs wireless communication with the sound source device, and includes a baseband processing unit and an RF unit. ing. Wireless communication is performed, for example, in a procedure compliant with the Bluetooth (R) standard. The wireless communication device 37 can receive a wireless connection request from another sound source device even during wireless communication with a certain sound source device. Thus, even when any sound source device is wirelessly connected at any time, the sound source device having the highest priority among the sound source devices 10-05-2019 13 wirelessly connected at that time can be determined. [0045] Next, the procedure of the sound source device switching process executed by the wireless audio output device 11 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. [0046] Each of the sound source devices 12, 13 and 14 transmits a wireless connection request to the wireless audio output device 11 when a request for outputting audio data to the wireless audio output device 11 occurs (YES in step S111 of FIG. 4) Then, execution of a procedure for establishing a wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11 is started (step S112). In step S112, processing for establishing a physical wireless link between the wireless communication device 37 of the wireless audio output device 11 and the wireless communication device 25 of the sound source device that has transmitted the wireless connection request is performed. To be executed. [0047] The sound source device (# 1) 12 issues a wireless connection request to the wireless audio output device 11 triggered by the user's instruction to reproduce audio data, and the sound source device (# 2) 13 generates, for example, In response to an incoming call from the mobile telephone network, the wireless audio output device 11 issues a wireless connection request. [0048] The sound source device in which the wireless link with the wireless audio output device 11 has been established wirelessly notifies the wireless audio output device 11 of the priority notification command generated by the priority connection permission application unit 24 as the priority connection request ((1) Step S114). The priority notification command is transmitted by wireless signal to the wireless audio output 10-05-2019 14 device 11, for example, as a packet having a format as shown in FIG. [0049] This packet is composed of an operation code field (opcode), a length information field (Length), and one or more parameter fields (Parameter). The operation code field indicates that this packet is a priority notification command. The length information field indicates the total data length of one or more parameter fields following it. The first parameter field (Parameter̲1) indicates priority information of the sound source device. The second parameter field (Parameter̲2) indicates the device ID (address) of the sound source device. [0050] When the wireless audio output device 11 receives the priority connection request (priority notification command) from the sound source device (step S115), first, another sound source device for which a wireless link has already been established with the wireless audio output device 11 In other words, it is determined whether there is a sound source device selected as a reproduction target of audio data (step S116). If there is another sound source device for which a wireless link has already been established (YES in step S116), the wireless audio output device 11 causes the priority connection request analysis unit 35 to receive the priority connection request. The priority information of is compared with the priority information of the other sound source devices for which the wireless link has already been established (step S117). [0051] If the priority order of the sound source device having received the priority connection request is higher than the priority order of the other sound source devices currently connected (YES in step S118), the wireless audio output device 11 performs switching for switching the sound source device. A permission application is issued to the user of the wireless audio output device 11, and the user is inquired as to whether or not to switch the sound source device to be the audio data reproduction target (step S119). [0052] As a method of applying the switching permission to the user, a specific melody or beep or voice 10-05-2019 15 message indicating that another sound source having a higher degree of urgency than the sound source currently playing the audio data is newly connected. , Etc. is preferably reproduced and output as sound from the headphones 111 of the wireless audio output device 11. Although the user may press a specific button provided on the wireless audio output device 11 as a method of notifying the user of the switching permission in response to the switching permission application, the user issued a message to the microphone 112 It is more preferable for the system control unit 32 to recognize words by speech. In addition, the user may press the button for a method to notify switching refusal to the switching permission application, or use a timeout notification indicating that a certain time has elapsed without a permission notification as the refusal notification You may. [0053] If there is a switching permission notification from the user (YES in step S120 in FIG. 5), the priority connection request analysis unit 35 selects the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request, that is, the sound source device newly connected wirelessly. A switching request signal indicating what should be performed is output to the sound source device switching unit. The sound source device switching unit 36 that has received the switching request signal switches the sound source device to be audio reproduced from the sound source device that has been selected until now to the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request (step S121). [0054] As described above, in the wireless audio output device 11, among the sound source devices, the sound source device as the audio reproduction target is to be reproduced based on the priority of each of the sound source devices for which the wireless link with the wireless communication device 37 is established. It is selected. Then, to disconnect the wireless link between the nonselected sound source device and the wireless communication device 37, the wireless audio output device 11 transmits a disconnection request from the wireless communication device 37 to the non-selected sound source device. (Step S122). Each sound source device wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 determines whether or not the disconnection request is received from the wireless audio output device 11 (step S123), and if the disconnection request is received, Disconnect the wireless link between them, and transmit audio data to the wireless audio output device 11 if the disconnection request is not received. 10-05-2019 16 [0055] When it is determined in step S116 described above that there is no sound source device currently connected, the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request is selected without comparing the priorities. [0056] If it is determined in step S118 that the priority order of the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request is the same as or lower than the priority order of the currently connected sound source device, the currently connected sound source device continues to be selected. It will be done. In this case, a disconnection request is transmitted to the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request (step S122), and the wireless link between the sound source device that transmitted the priority connection request and the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected. [0057] If it is determined in step S119 that the user does not need to make a switching request application, the process of step S120 is skipped, and switching of the sound source device is automatically performed according to the priority order. . It is preferable that the user set in advance whether or not to make the switching request application for the user. The setting method may be set by a button provided on the wireless audio output device 11. Also, when the user gives a rejection notification in response to the switching request, the wireless connection with the sound source device is disconnected by transmitting a disconnection request to the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request (step S122). . [0058] The sound source device in which the wireless connection with the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected is requested to the wireless audio output device 11 again when a request for 10-05-2019 17 outputting audio data to the wireless audio output device 11 occurs. And, when the wireless link with the wireless audio output device 11 is established, sends a priority connection request including priority information. If the sound source device having a priority higher than the priority of the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request is not wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 at this time, the sound source device that has transmitted the priority connection request The sound source device whose connection has been disconnected will be reselected. This reselection occurs, for example, in the following situations. [0059] That is, for example, while reproducing audio data wirelessly transmitted from the sound source device 12 from the headphone 111, the sound source device 13 or 14 having a higher priority than the sound source device 12 newly wirelessly connects to the wireless audio output device 11. In this case, the sound source device to which audio data is to be reproduced is switched from the sound source device 12 to the sound source device 13 or 14. [0060] In this case, the wireless connection between the sound source device 12 and the wireless audio output device 11 is disconnected, but as described above, the music reproduction process in the sound source device 12 is continuously performed. When the tune of the music data to be reproduced changes, the sound source device 12 transmits a connection request to the wireless audio output device 11. Then, when the wireless link with the wireless audio output device 11 is established, the sound source device 12 notifies the wireless audio output device 11 of its own priority information. If the wireless link between the sound source device 13 or the sound source device 14 and the wireless audio output device 11 has already been disconnected at this time, the sound source device 12 is selected again, and reproduction of music data transmitted from the sound source device 12 is performed. Is done. [0061] The reason for disconnecting the wireless connection with the sound source device that has not been selected is to prevent unnecessary wireless communication with the sound source device that is not the reproduction target of the audio data. It is also possible to switch the sound source 10-05-2019 18 device to which audio data is to be reproduced, without disconnecting the wireless connection with the sound source device not selected. In this case, the process (step S112) of transmitting the disconnection request to the sound source device not selected is not executed, and in the wireless audio output device 11, the system control unit 32 detects each sound source received by the wireless communication device 37. Of the audio data from the device, only the audio data received from the selected sound source device is transmitted to the audio data output unit 24. Audio data received from an unselected sound source device is discarded. [0062] Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, another specific example of the process of reselecting a sound source device which has been deselected by the above-described switching process of the sound source device will be described. Here, it is assumed that the wireless connection with the unselected sound source device is not disconnected. [0063] The switching process of the sound source device is the same as the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 except that the process (step S122) of transmitting the disconnection request to the sound source device not selected is skipped. [0064] The wireless audio output device 11 communicates with the selected sound source device to receive audio data from the currently selected sound source device. In this state, if a request for disconnection of the wireless connection with the selected sound source device is generated (step S201), the wireless audio output device 11 transmits the wireless link with the selected sound source device. It is disconnected (step S202). [0065] Then, the wireless audio output device 11 determines whether a wireless link with the wireless sound source device 11 has already been established and there is another sound source device 10-05-2019 19 not selected (step S203). If it is present, the other sound source device is selected as a sound source device to be a target of sound output, and a sound corresponding to audio data transmitted by a wireless signal from the selected sound source device is output through the headphone 111 (step S204). [0066] FIG. 8 shows that the sound source devices to be the target of sound output are sequentially switched between the first and second sound source devices 12 and 13. [0067] That is, if the sound source device 13 higher in priority than the sound source device 12 is wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 during reproduction of audio data transmitted wirelessly from the sound source device 12, sound output is targeted. The sound source device to be switched is switched from the sound source device 12 to the sound source device 13. In this case, the output of the sound corresponding to the audio data wirelessly transmitted from the sound source device 12 is stopped, and the sound corresponding to the audio data wirelessly transmitted from the sound source device 13 is started to be output from the headphone 111. [0068] Thereafter, when a request for disconnection of the wireless connection between the sound source device 13 and the wireless audio output device 11 is generated due to, for example, the operation of the on-hook button by the user, the sound source device 13 and the wireless audio output device 11 Wireless connection between them is disconnected. Then, the sound source device 12 is reselected as a sound source device to be a target of sound output, and a sound corresponding to audio data wirelessly transmitted from the sound source device 12 is started to be output again from the headphone 111. [0069] 10-05-2019 20 As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sound source device to be the target of sound output is automatically switched using the priority order information notified from each sound source device wirelessly connected to the wireless audio output device 11 The mechanism is realized. This makes it possible to prevent the user from listening to audio data of high importance in advance. Moreover, since this mechanism presupposes using the priority information notified to the wireless audio output device 11 from the sound source device side, this mechanism transmits the priority notified to the audio output device with the wireless communication function. It can be easily realized with a simple configuration in which a mechanism for selecting a sound source device to be targeted for sound output is added by hardware or firmware. Therefore, the sound source switching function of the wireless audio output device 11 according to the present embodiment is suitable for implementation in a wireless headset, a wireless headphone, or the like, which requires small size, light weight, and low cost. [0070] Furthermore, since the device serving as a sound source device such as an audio player and a mobile telephone generally includes an input device for a user interface such as a numeric keypad including several buttons, the user can operate the numeric keypad by operating the numeric keypad. Arbitrary priorities can be easily set for these devices. [0071] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously modified in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions of various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of a plurality of disclosed configuration requirements. For example, even if some of the configuration requirements are removed from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, the problems described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effects described in the effects of the invention If is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as the invention. [0072] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically switch between sound source devices to be sound output targets among external sound source devices. 10-05-2019 21 10-05-2019 22
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