JP2003347956

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

Download Report