JP2001054184A - Sound system and head mount sound device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound system which can surely reproduce music information or the like with high sound quality in spite of a simple configuration and which has high convenience and excellent operability. SOLUTION: The sound system 1 is provided with a headphone 2 that reads music information or the like recorded on a memory card 6 mounted to an external interface 7, reproduces an audio signal and outputs a sound in response to this audio signal and with a remote control 3 that transmits a control signal 4 in infrared rays to control a reproduction function or the like of the music information of the headphone 2 to the headphone 2. Since this acoustic system 1 transmits an infrared ray control signal 4 requiring less data amount than that of an audio signal or the like, the circuit configuration and the component configuration are simplified, a remote commander 3 is miniaturized and since the headphone 2 and the remote control 3 communicate with radio waves with each other, the handling of the sound system is facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio system for reproducing information such as music recorded on a medium,
In particular, the present invention relates to a portable audio system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a portable acoustic system is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 16, for example, music information or the like recorded on the mounted storage medium is read out by the small-sized playback devices 103 and 104 capable of mounting a storage medium such as the memory card 101 or the cassette tape 102. The read music information is transmitted from the playback devices 103 and 104 to the connection code 1
05 to the headphones 106,
Music can be heard through the headphones 56.

In recent years, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-39167 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-251080), there is also a wireless type acoustic system. In other words, this wireless acoustic system reads out music information or the like from a memory card mounted on a playback device, generates an audio signal, and FM-transmits this audio signal from the playback device side to the headphones.

Further, the acoustic system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 6-139244 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-9483) enables audio data and the like to be downloaded to a storage module such as a memory card provided in headphones. Each operation button including a sound data reproduction button, a volume control button, and the like is provided on the headphones themselves. As described above, a system in which an audio system is constituted by headphones alone has been developed.

[0005]

However, the above-described sound system has the following problems. That is,
The sound system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-39167, which transmits an audio signal by FM, has a problem in that the transmission and reception circuit is complicated and the cost is necessarily increased. In addition, the FM transmission of an audio signal is inevitably degraded in sound quality, and may cause interference when there is a user who uses a similar sound system nearby.

In the sound system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-139244, since the sound system is composed of headphones alone, various operation buttons are also provided on the headphones themselves. Therefore, when the user is listening to voice, that is, when the user wears headphones on his / her head, various operation buttons cannot be viewed, so that various operations such as volume control or reproduction stop are performed. It was difficult and there was a problem in operability. In addition, since this type of audio system does not have a display function, there is no method by which the user can easily confirm the remaining memory capacity of a memory card or the like or a file number indicating the music order of music or the like. There was also a problem with gender.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to reliably reproduce acoustic information and the like with high sound quality by a simple configuration, and at the same time, it is highly convenient and operable. It is intended to provide an excellent sound system.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio system for reproducing audio information stored in a storage unit. The head-mounted acoustic device includes an output unit that outputs a sound corresponding to the reproduced acoustic information, and a remote control device that transmits a control signal for controlling the reproducing unit of the head-mounted acoustic device. It is characterized by the following.

In the sound system of the present invention, a head-mounted sound device such as a headphone has a function of reproducing sound information stored in a storage unit and outputting a sound according to the sound information, The device transmits a control signal for controlling a reproduction function of the head-mounted acoustic device. That is, according to the sound system of the present invention, the signal transmitted from the remote control device is not an audio signal or the like, but a control signal for generating an audio signal or the like on the head-mounted acoustic device side. The sound quality of music or the like does not deteriorate in the transmission path between the remote control device and the head-mounted acoustic device, and high-quality sound can be output from the head-mounted acoustic device.

[0010] The acoustic system of the present invention is characterized in that:
The sound system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device wirelessly transmits the control signal.

The sound system according to the present invention can be configured to transmit a control signal by, for example, infrared rays, which simplifies the circuit configuration and component configuration. Therefore, the sound system can be configured at low cost. Since the control signal is easily coded, the occurrence of interference can be suppressed unlike transmission by FM radio waves or the like. Further, since the acoustic system can have a simple circuit configuration and component configuration as described above, the remote control device can be reduced in size, as well as the wristwatch type or the broach type, as well as the remote control device.
It can be formed in a shape that is easy to carry, such as a ring type. Further, in this acoustic system, since the head-mounted acoustic device and the remote control device are wireless, handling of each device is easy.

Further, the acoustic system according to the present invention is characterized in that
As described in the above, in the acoustic system according to claim 2, the remote control device includes a transmission unit that transmits the control signal, the transmission unit includes an antenna that transmits a radio wave, and the antenna is inserted. And a shield device having an opening at a predetermined position.

According to the acoustic system of the present invention, even when the control signal is transmitted by radio waves, the radio waves can be transmitted from the opening, so that the non-directional radio waves are transmitted only in a specific direction. It is possible to do. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference of control signals, and to prevent another person's head-mounted acoustic device from being erroneously controlled despite controlling the head-mounted acoustic device. Becomes possible.

Further, the transmission of the audio signal and the like can be performed from the storage unit provided in the head-mounted acoustic device, and there is no need to transmit the audio signal and the like from the remote control device. For this reason, even when the transmission of the radio waves is given a directivity, during the reproduction of the acoustic information, such as while listening to music,
It is not necessary to continuously point the remote control device at the head-mounted sound device, and the remote control device can be directed to the head-mounted sound device only when controlling the head-mounted sound device. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user when handling.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the acoustic system according to the first aspect, the remote control device is also used as a portable information terminal.

According to the audio system of the present invention, for example, it is possible to control the head-mounted audio device from a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like, and it is necessary to carry a remote control device dedicated to the head-mounted audio device separately. This eliminates the burden of carrying the remote control device.

In the audio system according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 5, in the audio system according to claim 4, the audio information is downloaded to the storage unit via a portable information terminal. It is characterized by.

According to the audio system of the present invention, for example, it is possible to store desired music information in a storage unit at a desired time from a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like, and to arbitrarily select desired music when desired. It becomes possible to listen.

Further, according to the sound system of the present invention, as described in claim 6, in the sound system of claim 1, the storage unit is detachable from the head-mounted acoustic device main body. It is a characteristic storage medium.

That is, in the acoustic system of the present invention, the storage section can be a removable storage medium for the head mounted audio apparatus. Desired acoustic information can be freely edited with a computer or the like, and the head-mounted acoustic device can be configured in a compact size.

Further, the sound system of the present invention is characterized in that
In the acoustic system according to claim 1, the storage unit is a solid-state memory provided in the head-mounted acoustic device main body.

In the acoustic system according to the present invention, a solid-state memory can be provided as a storage unit for storing acoustic information in the head-mounted acoustic device. Therefore, desired acoustic information is recorded in the solid-state memory in advance. Etc. are possible.

Further, the sound system of the present invention is characterized in that
The head-mounted acoustic device according to claim 1, further comprising an input terminal for externally inputting an audio signal.

Since the audio system of the present invention can be provided with an input terminal such as a jack for inputting an audio signal, a head-mounted audio system can be provided to an external reproducing apparatus having an audio information reproducing function through this input terminal. By connecting the device, a head-mounted acoustic device can be used as general headphones.

Further, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the audio system according to the first aspect, the head-mounted acoustic device transmits a response signal corresponding to the control signal. The remote control device may further include a reply unit that replies to the remote control device, and the remote control device may further include a receiving unit that receives the response signal.

According to the acoustic system of the present invention, a response signal from the head-mounted acoustic device corresponding to the control signal transmitted from the remote control device can be notified to the remote control device. The operated user can confirm whether or not the control based on the operation content has been executed on the head-mounted acoustic device side.

Further, the sound system of the present invention has the following features.
10. The audio system according to claim 9, wherein the remote control device further includes a display unit that visually displays information based on the response signal received by the reception unit. Features.

According to the sound system of the present invention, the user who operates the remote control device can determine whether or not the control according to the operation content has been executed on the head-mounted sound device side by using a visually displayed response signal. Since the information can be grasped based on the information based on the information, it is possible to suppress a mistake in operation of the remote control device. Further, it is also possible to obtain the remaining amount of memory in the storage unit of the head-mounted acoustic device in which the acoustic information is recorded or the remaining battery level for operating the head-mounted acoustic device on the remote control device side. .

Further, according to the sound system of the present invention, as set forth in claim 11, in the sound system of claim 9, the remote control device controls the reproduction of the sound information. A button, when the control button is pressed, transmits a control signal corresponding to the pressed control button, and a transmission / reception unit that receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal, and is received by the transmission / reception unit. A display unit for visually displaying information based on the response signal.

The sound system according to the present invention is configured such that, when an arbitrary control button of the remote control device is pressed and a control signal corresponding to the control relating to the reproduction of the pressed control button is transmitted, the head-mounted sound device transmits the control signal. Information based on the response signal can be visually displayed on a display unit provided in the remote control device. Therefore, the user who operates the remote control device can grasp the control mode related to the reproduction of the acoustic information on the head-mounted acoustic device side, such as reproduction, rewind, fast-forward or stop, so that the intended control is performed by the head-mounted audio device. It is possible to confirm whether or not the processing is reliably executed on the audio device side.

Further, according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the audio system according to the eleventh aspect, the transmission / reception unit of the remote control device may include the display unit or the control button. Are provided on the same surface as the surface on which the is provided.

According to the acoustic system of the present invention, the user wears the head-mounted acoustic device on his / her head and operates the remote control device while viewing the display unit or control buttons of the remote control device. In this state, the transmission / reception unit is necessarily directed to the head-mounted audio device side mounted on the user's head, so that the user does not need to be aware of the direction of the remote control device, and thus does not receive the control signal or control signal. The transmission and reception of the response signal of the signal can be performed reliably.

Further, in the acoustic system according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 13, in the acoustic system according to claim 11, the remote control device turns on / off a main power supply of the remote control device main body. And an ON / OFF control unit for controlling the ON / OFF control according to an input state from the control button.

According to the sound system of the present invention, ON / OFF control of the main power supply of the main body of the remote control device according to the input state from the control button, for example, when the control button is not pressed for a certain period of time or longer, the remote control device Main power of main unit is O
The convenience of the system is controlled by controlling the main power of the remote control unit to be turned on when the control button is pressed after the main power is turned off and after the main power is turned off. Power consumption, which is an important item for a portable electric device, can be realized without impairing the power consumption.

According to the present invention, there is provided a head-mounted acoustic device, comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces acoustic information stored in a storage unit; An output unit that outputs a sound to be played, a receiving unit that receives an external control signal that controls the playback unit, and a control unit that controls the playback unit based on the external control signal. .

According to the head mounted acoustic device of the present invention,
Transmission of audio signals and the like can be performed from a storage unit provided integrally with the head-mounted acoustic device, and transmission of a control signal for operating the head-mounted acoustic device can be performed by head-mounted acoustic device. This can be done remotely from the acoustic device. For this reason, even during reproduction of an audio signal or the like,
The head-mounted audio device can be operated at hand, and when the user does not operate the head-mounted audio device, the user can listen to high-quality music without holding the hand. High-quality music can be provided to the user without impairing the convenience of operating the audio device.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an acoustic system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof.

As shown in these figures, the acoustic system 1 includes a head-mounted acoustic device, for example, a headphone 2 mounted on a user's head, and a remote control device 3 for remotely controlling the headphone 2. It is composed of

The headphones 2 include an infrared receiver 5 for receiving an infrared control signal 4 transmitted when the remote controller 3 is operated, and a smart media or the like in which music information is encoded and recorded as a compressed file. An external interface 7 on which the memory card 6 is mounted, a system controller 8 for controlling each unit in the headphone 2 in general, and a sound for demodulating music information or the like coded and recorded on the memory card 6 as an audio signal. A decoder 9, a D / A converter / amplifier 10 for converting demodulated audio information from a digital signal to an analog signal and amplifying the same, and a headphone speaker 11 for converting the analog signal and outputting the amplified audio signal as sound
Are provided.

The remote control device 3 includes a plurality of operation buttons 12 for controlling a reproduction function of music information recorded on the memory card 6 mounted on the headphone 2 and the like. A signal generated according to the pressed operation button 12 is, for example, a PPM (Pulse Posi
A pulse modulator 13 for pulse-modulating the headphone 2 by a pulse modulation method and an infrared transmitter 14 for transmitting a control signal 4 for controlling the headphone 2 modulated by the pulse modulator 13 to the headphone 2 by infrared rays. I have.

As shown in FIG. 3, the memory card 6 detachable from the headphones 2 includes a wiring board 15 and a flat external connection terminal 16 provided on one surface of the wiring board 15.
And a semiconductor element (not shown) mounted on the other surface of the wiring board 15 and connected to the planar external connection terminal 16. This semiconductor element of the memory card 6 is a serial access type memory element that sequentially inputs and outputs read data or write data and commands from a common I / O pin.
In the memory card 6, the connection terminals of such a semiconductor element and the connection terminals of the wiring board 15 are connected by bonding, and the connection terminals of the wiring board 15 and the planar external connection terminals 16 are connected via via holes. It is configured by interlayer connection.

Next, a case where the music information recorded on the memory card 6 is actually output as sound by the acoustic system 1 configured as described above will be described.

When the user requests reproduction of music information recorded on the memory card 6 mounted on the headphones 2 through the operation buttons 12 of the remote control device 3, a signal corresponding to the operation contents of the operation buttons 12 is generated. Is done. The generated signal is pulse-modulated by the pulse modulator 13 according to the PPM method or the like, and the infrared transmitter 14 transmits the infrared control signal 4. When the control signal 4 is received by the infrared receiver 5 of the headphones 2, the system controller 8 recognizes a request for reproducing music information recorded as a compressed file on the memory card 6. After this,
The music information coded and recorded on the memory card 6 is read by the system controller 8 and further demodulated as an audio signal by the audio decoder 9. The demodulated audio signal is D / A
The signal is converted into an analog signal via the converter / amplifier 10, amplified, and output as sound from the headphone speaker 11.

As described above, the acoustic system 1 of the present embodiment
According to the method, the headphone 2 has a function of reproducing music information stored in the memory card 6 attached to the headphone 2 main body and outputting a sound corresponding to the music information,
The remote controller 3 transmits a control signal for controlling the playback function of the headphones 2. That is, according to the acoustic system 1 of this embodiment, the signal transmitted from the remote control device 3 is not the audio signal or the like, but the control signal 4 for generating the audio signal on the headphone 2 side. The sound quality of the music does not deteriorate in the transmission path between the remote control device 3 and the headphones 2, and high-quality sound can be output from the headphones 2.

Further, according to the acoustic system 1 of the present embodiment, the signal transmitted from the remote controller 3 is an infrared control signal whose data amount is clearly smaller than the audio signal transmitted by FM radio waves or the like. The circuit configuration and component configuration of the system can be simplified, and a sound system can be configured at low cost. In addition, since control signals with a small amount of data can be easily coded, coupled with the fact that control signals are transmitted using infrared rays having high directivity, unlike the transmission using FM radio waves or the like, the occurrence of interference or the like may occur. Can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the acoustic system 1 of this embodiment can have a simple circuit configuration and component configuration as described above, the remote control device 3 can be reduced in size, and the remote control device 3 can be freely formed into a shape that is easy to carry. Since the headphone 2 and the remote control device 3 are wireless, the handling of the headphones 2 and the remote control device 3 is facilitated.

In the acoustic system 1 of the present embodiment, the medium for storing music information is a memory card of an extremely small size and detachable from the headphones 2, so that desired acoustic information can be stored in a personal computer or the like. It can be edited freely and the headphones 2
Can be configured in a compact size. When the memory card 6 is processed by a personal computer, the processing can be performed using a support card 17 or the like as shown in FIG. That is, the support card 17 is formed so that the flat external connection terminal 16 of the memory card 6 is exposed and the memory card 6 is detachably held, and the outer shape of the memory card 6 is adapted. A not-shown recess is provided.

As described above, in the acoustic system 1 of the present embodiment, the storage medium on which music information and the like are recorded is the memory card 6 that is detachable from the headphones 2. May be a solid-state memory provided directly on the headphone 2 body.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sound system 21 of this embodiment includes a headphone 22 and a remote controller 23.
Are provided with a transmission function and a reception function.
That is, in addition to the configuration of the headphones 2 of the first embodiment, the headphones 22 of this embodiment have an infrared receiver 5
Response signal 24 corresponding to control signal 4 received by
Is transmitted to the remote controller 23.

Further, the remote controller 23 of this embodiment
In addition to the configuration of the remote control device 3 of the first embodiment,
An infrared receiver 26 for receiving a response signal 24 returned from the headphones 22, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 27 for visually displaying information based on the response signal 24, and an LCD controller 28 for controlling the liquid crystal display panel 27 Are provided. In addition, the remote controller 23 has a first
Instead of the pulse modulator 13 of the remote control device 3 of the embodiment, the signal generated when the operation button 12 is pressed is pulse-modulated, and the response signal 24 received by the infrared receiver 26 is converted into an electric signal. Is provided with a pulse modulator / demodulator 29 for demodulation.

According to the acoustic system 21 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the response signal 2 from the headphone 22 corresponding to the control signal 4 transmitted from the remote control device 23
4 can be notified to the remote controller 23, and the user who operates the remote controller 23 determines whether or not the control based on the operation content has been executed on the headphone 22 side in the response signal 24 displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 27. Based on the information, it is possible to confirm, and it is possible to suppress an operation error or the like of the remote controller 23. Furthermore, according to the acoustic system 21 of the present embodiment, it is also possible to obtain the remaining memory capacity of the memory card 4 of the headphones 22 or the remaining battery capacity of the headphones 22 on which the music information is recorded on the remote control device 23 side. is there.

It should be noted that an audio signal is externally supplied to the headphones 22 of this embodiment by the D / A converter / amplifier 10.
A headphone jack may be provided so that the input can be made directly. By providing such a headphone jack, an external reproducing device capable of reproducing music information can be connected to the headphones 22, and the headphones 22 of the present embodiment can be used as ordinary headphones.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a remote controller 23 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail. That is, the remote control device 2
As shown in FIG. 7, a reproduction button 31 for reproducing music information recorded on the memory card 6, a stop button 32 for stopping the reproduction of the music information, and Rewind button 33 for rewinding to NO song
The operation state of the headphone 22 is controlled by the fast-forward button 34 for fast-forwarding the music to be reproduced to the music of the subsequent file number, the volume adjustment button 35 for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the headphones 22, and the infrared rays. An infrared transmission / reception unit 36 for transmitting a control signal 4 for performing the communication and receiving a response signal 24 returned from the headphones 22;
Liquid crystal display panel 2 for displaying information based on response signal 24
7 and a data display button 37 for making a request to display data on the headphone 22 side without affecting the operation state of the headphone 22 side.

The infrared transmitting / receiving unit 36 is
, The liquid crystal display panel 27 and the playback button 3
1, provided on the same surface as the surface on which the stop button 32 and the like are provided. That is, as shown in FIG.
When the remote controller 23 is operated, the remote controller 2
Since the user operates the remote control device 23 at the position where the user can easily view the liquid crystal display panel 27 or the position where the play button 31 and the stop button 32 are easy to operate, the user operates the remote control device 23 under the front of the face of the user 38. Since the transmission / reception unit 36 and the headphones 22 are necessarily opposed to each other, the communication state of the control signal 4 or the response signal 24, which is infrared light, is improved.

The data display button 37 is
This is for displaying real-time information on the headphone 22 side on the liquid crystal display panel 27 of the remote controller 23 so as not to affect the mode being executed on the side. For example, when the data display button 37 is pressed and then the stop button 32 is pressed during music playback or the like, the remaining battery level is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 27. After the data display button 37 is pressed, the fast forward button 34 is pressed. Is pressed, the remaining memory capacity of the memory card 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 27.
Is displayed. In addition, the real-time information to be displayed includes a file number such as the number of the song being played, the title of the song being played, a repeat indicating the repetition of the playback of the same song, a playback time since the start of playback, A hold for invalidating an input from the operation button to prevent an erroneous operation, a medium mounting display indicating that the memory card 6 is mounted, and the like are exemplified. Also, simply
Play button 31, stop button 32, rewind button 33,
Or, when the fast forward button 34 is pressed, the PLAY
(Play), STOP (stop), REV (rewind), FF
(Fast forward) is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 27, respectively.

Further, the remote controller 23 of the present embodiment
All the operation buttons have a function as a power switch for turning on the main power, and the main power is automatically turned off after a lapse of a predetermined time after the input from any of the operation buttons is completed. A power saving function is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, after a remote controller 23 receives a key input from any of the operation buttons (S1), if a certain period of time elapses without a key input from the operation button (S2), the remote controller 23 executes Device 23
Is automatically turned off (S3). Further, after the power is turned off, if there is a key input from any of the operation buttons again (S4), the main power of the remote controller 23 is turned on (S5).

As described above, according to the sound system of the present embodiment, when a certain operation button of the remote controller 23 is pressed and the control signal 4 according to the control related to the reproduction of the pressed operation button is transmitted, Information based on the response signal 24 from the headphones 24 can be visually displayed on a liquid crystal display panel 27 provided in the remote controller 23. Therefore, the user 38 who operates the remote control device 23 can grasp the control mode related to the reproduction of the music information on the headphone 22 side, for example, reproduction, rewind, fast forward, stop, etc., so that the intended control is reliably executed on the headphone 22 side. It can be checked whether or not it has been done. It is also possible for the remote controller 23 to acquire the remaining memory capacity of the memory card 6 on which music information is recorded, the remaining battery capacity of the headphones 22, and the like.

In the acoustic system of the present embodiment, the infrared transmitting / receiving section 36 is provided on the surface of the remote controller 23, that is, the liquid crystal display panel 27 or the reproduction button 31, the stop button 3
2 is provided on the same surface as the surface on which the user and the like are provided, so that the user 38 wears the headphones 22 on his / her head and performs a remote operation using the operation buttons while viewing the liquid crystal display panel 27 of the remote control device 23. In this state, the infrared transmitting / receiving section 36 is necessarily directed to the headphone 22 side. Therefore, according to the acoustic system of the present embodiment, the user 38 can reliably transmit and receive the control signal 4 or the response signal 24 to the control signal 4 without being conscious of the direction of the remote controller 23.

Further, according to the sound system of this embodiment, the main power of the remote controller 23 is turned on / off in accordance with the input state from the operation button, that is, when the operation button is not pressed for a predetermined time or more. Remote controller 23
Control so that the main power of the
After the FF, the main power of the remote controller 23 is controlled to be turned on when the operation button is pressed.
Power consumption, which is an important item for a portable electric device, can be saved without impairing the convenience as a system.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications are possible.

For example, in the acoustic system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device may include a detachable mechanism for detaching the remote control device from the watch band.

According to the sound system of this embodiment, the remote control device can be carried on the wrist without carrying a band dedicated to the remote control device on the wrist.
It is possible to improve the convenience of the remote control device when it is carried.

More specifically, the remote controllers 3, 2
3 may be provided with a detachable mechanism for detaching the remote control devices 3 and 23 from the watch band. Here, for example, a clip, a rubber band, or the like can be attached to the remote control devices 3 and 23 as a detachable mechanism for attaching and detaching the remote control devices 3 and 23 to and from the watch band.

As described above, by providing the detachable mechanism for attaching and detaching the remote control devices 3 and 23 to and from the watch band, the remote control devices 3 and 23 can be carried with their wrists attached. Can be improved.

In the acoustic system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the head-mounted acoustic device may include a detachable mechanism for detaching the remote control device.

According to the acoustic system of this embodiment, it is possible to handle the remote control unit integrally with the head-mounted acoustic device when the remote control unit is not in use, etc., so that the remote control unit can be misplaced or lost. Can be prevented.

Specifically, the headphones 2, 22 described above are used.
May have a detachment mechanism for detaching the remote control devices 3 and 23. Here, as an attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching / detaching the remote controllers 3, 23, for example, the remote controller 3,
A storage portion capable of storing the 23 can be provided in the headphones 2 and 22.

As described above, by providing the detachable mechanism for attaching and detaching the remote control devices 3 and 23 to and from the headphones 2 and 22, the remote control devices 3 and 23 are lost and the headphones 2 and 23 are lost.
22 can be prevented from becoming uncontrollable.

In the sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device may be a wristwatch type remote control device.

According to the sound system of this embodiment, the remote control device can be worn on the arm, and the user can carry the remote control device in a bag or bag, or take the remote control device out of the bag or bag. Can be omitted, so that the convenience of the remote control device when it is carried can be improved.

In the sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device may be a pendant remote control device.

According to the sound system of this embodiment, the remote control device can be carried around the neck, and the trouble of carrying the remote control device in a bag or a bag can be eliminated. It is possible to improve the convenience of carrying the device.

For example, the remote controllers 3 and 23 described above
Has been operated by the user 38 while holding and holding it. However, as shown in FIG.
3 as small as possible, a chain 41 or the like may be attached to form a pendant type remote controller 42, or a belt 43 may be attached to form a wristwatch type remote controller 44 as shown in FIG. May be. In addition, the remote controller may be configured as, for example, a broach type or a key holder type. Further, in order to further improve the convenience as a portable device, a clock function, a game function, a telephone function, a pager (registered trademark) function, or the like is added to the remote controller of the present embodiment described above, An acoustic system may be configured.

In the sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device may be a ring type remote control device.

According to the sound system of this embodiment, the remote control device can be attached to the finger, and the convenience of the remote control device when it is carried can be improved. Can also be used.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a ring type remote controller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 12, an operation button 52 is provided on a remote control device 51, and a ring 53 that can be worn on a finger is provided. Then, the remote control device 51 provided with the ring 53
Can be operated by operating the operation button 52 by putting the finger on the finger. Also, by decorating the remote control device 51 and the ring 53,
You can also add fashion.

In the sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device may be a seal type remote control device.

According to the sound system of this embodiment, the remote control device can be easily attached to various places, and the convenience of the remote control device when it is carried can be improved.

For example, the remote controllers 3 and 23 described above
May be a seal-type remote controller. Here, in order to attach the remote control device as a seal, an adhesive, a magic tape (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the control signal 4
And to obtain the directivity when transmitting and receiving the response signal 24,
Although the case where infrared rays are used has been described, the control signal 4 and the response signal 24 may be transmitted and received via radio waves. In this case, in order to obtain directivity when transmitting and receiving the control signal 4 and the response signal 24, it is preferable to install the antenna in a shield box having an opening at a predetermined position.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an antenna part of a remote controller according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, an opening 62 is provided in a shield box 61, and an antenna 63 is installed in the shield box 61. The radio wave 64 generated by the antenna 63 is transmitted from the opening 62 to the outside of the shield box 61, and radio waves in other directions are blocked by the shield box 61. For this reason, it is possible to impart directivity to the radio wave 64 generated by the antenna 63, and even when the control signal 4 and the response signal 24 are transmitted and received by the radio wave 64, the interference of the control signal 4 and the response signal 24 is prevented. This can be prevented.

Since the transmission of the audio signal is performed from the memory card 6 mounted on the headphones 2 and 22, even when the transmission of the radio waves is given directivity, only when the headphones 2 and 22 are operated, Remote control device 3,
It is only necessary to point 23 to the headphones 2 and 22, and it is not necessary to constantly point the remote control devices 3 and 23 to the headphones 2 and 22 while listening to music. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when listening to music with the headphones 2 and 22.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the remote control devices 3 and 23 dedicated to operating the headphones 2 and 22 are used to operate the headphones 2 and 22. You may make it possible from an information terminal. Here, a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like can be used as the mobile information terminal.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an acoustic system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, a mobile phone 75 is provided with an operation unit 76 for operating headphones 71. If there is music that the user wants to listen to, the user selects the music he / she wants to listen to using the mobile phone 75, and makes a transmission request for the music to the distribution source of the music.
Then, the distribution source transmits the requested acoustic information to the mobile phone 75. When receiving the acoustic information transmitted from the distribution source (R1), the mobile phone 75 downloads the received acoustic information to the memory card 74 attached to the memory card socket (not shown) (R1).
2).

Next, when the sound information is downloaded to the memory card 74, the memory card 74 is removed from the memory card socket of the mobile phone 75, and the external interface 72 provided on the headphone 71 is provided.
(R3).

Next, when operating the headphones 71, the user operates the operation unit 76 of the mobile phone 75. Then, a control signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 75, and the control signal is received by the receiving unit 73 provided in the headphones 71 (R4). Accordingly, the headphones 71 can reproduce the acoustic information stored in the memory card 74, perform fast-forward, rewind, stop, and the like according to the control signal transmitted from the mobile phone 75.

The headphone 71 is connected to the headphone 71.
May be transmitted to the mobile phone 75. In this case, upon receiving the response signal from the headphones 71, the mobile phone 75 displays the operation state of the headphones 71 indicated by the response signal on the display unit 77 provided in the mobile phone 75.

[0088]

As described above, in the audio system according to the first aspect, the head-mounted audio device reproduces the audio information stored in the storage unit and outputs a sound corresponding to the audio information. The remote control device has a function and transmits a control signal for controlling a reproduction function of the head-mounted acoustic device. Therefore, in this acoustic system, the information transmitted from the remote control device is not an audio signal or the like, but a control signal for generating an audio signal on the head-mounted acoustic device side. The sound quality of, for example, the music to be output is not degraded in the transmission path to the audio device, and high-quality sound can be output from the head-mounted audio device.

According to the audio system of the second aspect, the system can be configured to transmit a control signal by, for example, infrared rays or the like, which can simplify the circuit configuration and the component configuration. In addition, since the control signal can be easily encoded, unlike the case of transmission using FM radio waves or the like, occurrence of interference can be suppressed. Further, since the acoustic system can have a simple circuit configuration and component configuration as described above, the remote control device can be downsized, and the remote control device can be a portable type such as a wristwatch type, a broach type, and a ring type. It becomes possible to form into a shape which is easy to do. In addition, this acoustic system
Since the head-mounted acoustic device and the remote control device are wireless, it is easy to handle each device.

Further, according to the acoustic system of the third aspect, even when the control signal is transmitted by radio waves, the radio waves can be transmitted from the opening, so that the omnidirectional radio waves can be specified. Can be sent only in the direction of. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference of control signals, and to prevent a person's head-mounted acoustic device from being erroneously controlled despite controlling his / her own head-mounted acoustic device. Becomes possible.

Further, the transmission of the audio signal and the like can be performed from the storage section provided in the head-mounted acoustic device, and there is no need to transmit the audio signal and the like from the remote control device. For this reason, even when the transmission of the radio waves is given a directivity, during the reproduction of the acoustic information, such as while listening to music,
It is not necessary to continuously point the remote control device at the head-mounted sound device, and the remote control device can be directed to the head-mounted sound device only when controlling the head-mounted sound device. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user when handling.

According to the acoustic system of the fourth aspect, by controlling the head-mounted acoustic device from the portable information terminal, for example, a portable telephone or a PH can be controlled.
It is possible to control the head-mounted acoustic device from S or the like. For this reason, it is not necessary to carry a remote control device dedicated to the head-mounted acoustic device separately, and it is possible to eliminate the burden of carrying the remote control device.

[0093] According to the acoustic system of the fifth aspect, the download of the acoustic information can be performed from the portable information terminal.
For example, it is possible to store desired music information in the storage unit when desired, and it is possible to arbitrarily select and listen to desired music when desired.

According to the sound system of the sixth aspect, since the storage unit is a storage medium detachable from the head-mounted audio device, a personal computer can be used by using, for example, a memory card as the storage medium. Acoustic information can be edited freely with a computer, etc.
The head-mounted acoustic device can be configured with a compact size.

Further, according to the sound system of the present invention, since the head-mounted acoustic device is provided with the solid-state memory as the storage unit for storing the acoustic information, the solid-state memory has the desired acoustic information. Can be recorded in advance.

According to the audio system of the present invention, since an input terminal such as a jack for inputting an audio signal is provided, the input terminal is provided to an external reproducing apparatus having a function of reproducing audio information. By connecting the head-mounted acoustic device through the terminal, the head-mounted acoustic device can be used as general headphones.

According to the sound system of the ninth aspect, a response signal from the head-mounted acoustic device corresponding to the control signal transmitted from the remote control device can be notified to the remote control device. Then, the user who operates the remote control device can check whether or not the control based on the operation content has been executed on the head-mounted acoustic device side.

[0098] According to the sound system of the tenth aspect, the user who operates the remote control device can visually determine whether or not control according to the operation content has been executed on the head-mounted acoustic device side. Can be grasped from information based on the response signal displayed on the remote control device, so that an operation mistake or the like of the remote control device can be suppressed. Further, it is also possible to obtain the remaining amount of memory in the storage unit of the head-mounted acoustic device in which the acoustic information is recorded or the remaining battery level for operating the head-mounted acoustic device on the remote control device side. .

Further, according to the sound system of the present invention, when an arbitrary control button of the remote control device is pressed and a control signal corresponding to the control relating to the reproduction of the pressed control button is transmitted, Information based on a response signal from the unit-mounted acoustic device can be visually displayed on a display unit provided in the remote control device. Therefore, the user who operates the remote control device can grasp the control mode related to the reproduction of the acoustic information on the head-mounted acoustic device side, such as reproduction, rewind, fast-forward or stop, so that the intended control is performed by the head-mounted audio device. It is possible to confirm whether or not the processing is reliably executed on the audio device side.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the audio system, the transmitting / receiving unit for the control signal or the response signal to the control signal of the remote control device is provided on the same surface as the surface on which the display unit or the control button is provided. Therefore, when the user wears the head-mounted acoustic device on his / her head and performs remote control using the control buttons while looking at the display unit or the like of the remote control device, the transmitting / receiving unit is inevitably provided by the user. It is directed to the head-mounted acoustic device mounted on the head.
Therefore, according to this acoustic system, the user can reliably transmit and receive the control signal or the response signal to the control signal without being conscious of the direction of the remote control device.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the control of turning on / off the main power of the main body of the remote control device in accordance with the input state from the control button, for example, the control button is not pressed for a predetermined time or more. In this case, the main power of the remote control unit is controlled to be turned off, and the main power of the remote control unit is turned on when the control button is pressed after the main power is turned off. By doing so, power consumption, which is an important item for portable electric equipment, can be saved without impairing the convenience of the system.

According to the head-mounted acoustic device, it is possible to transmit audio signals and the like from a storage unit provided integrally with the head-mounted acoustic device. Transmission of a control signal for operating the head-mounted acoustic device can be performed separately from the head-mounted acoustic device. For this reason, the operation of the head-mounted acoustic device can be performed at hand even during reproduction of an audio signal or the like, and when the user does not perform any operation, the user holds nothing with high-quality music in his hand. This makes it possible to provide high-quality music to the user without impairing the convenience of operating the head-mounted acoustic device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an acoustic system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the sound system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a memory card mounted on headphones of the audio system of FIG. 1;

4 is a perspective view showing a support card which detachably holds the memory card of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an acoustic system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the sound system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a remote control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a signal transmission / reception state when operating the remote control device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving function of the remote control device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a pendant type remote control device in which the shape of the remote control device of FIG. 7 is changed.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a wristwatch-type remote control device in which the shape of the remote control device of FIG. 7 is changed.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a ring-type remote controller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an antenna part of a remote control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an acoustic system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a conventional sound system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing another conventional sound system different from the sound system of FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sound system 2, 22 ... Headphones 3, 23, 42, 44, 51 ... Remote control device 4 ... Control signal 5, 26 ... Infrared receiver 6 ... Memory card 12 ... Operation buttons 14, 25 ...... Infrared transmitter 27 ... Liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 31 ... Play button 36 ... Infrared transmitter / receiver 37 ... Data display button

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hideaki Nebashi 1-3-3 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Digital Media Engineering Co., Ltd. In-house (72) Inventor Shuichi Inage 1-3-3 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Digital Media Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A head-mounted acoustic device comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces acoustic information stored in a storage unit; and an output unit that outputs a sound corresponding to the reproduced acoustic information; A remote control device for transmitting a control signal for controlling the playback unit of the device. 2. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device transmits the control signal wirelessly. 3. The sound system according to claim 2, wherein the remote control device includes a transmission unit that transmits the control signal, wherein the transmission unit includes an antenna that transmits a radio wave, and the antenna is inserted, And a shielding device having an opening at a position. 4. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device is also used as the portable information terminal. 5. The sound system according to claim 4, wherein the sound information is downloaded to the storage unit via a portable information terminal. 6. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a storage medium that is detachable from the head-mounted audio device main body. 7. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a solid-state memory provided in the head-mounted sound device main body. 8. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein the head-mounted sound device further includes an input terminal for inputting an audio signal from outside. 9. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein the head-mounted sound device includes a return unit that returns a response signal corresponding to the control signal to the remote control device, wherein the remote control device includes: An acoustic system comprising a receiving unit that receives the response signal. 10. The sound system according to claim 9, wherein the remote control device further comprises a display unit for visually displaying information based on the response signal received by the reception unit. . 11. The audio system according to claim 9, wherein the remote control device includes: a control button for performing control related to reproduction of the audio information; and a control button pressed when the control button is pressed. A transmitting / receiving unit that transmits a corresponding control signal and receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal; and a display unit that visually displays information based on the response signal received by the transmitting / receiving unit. Characteristic sound system. 12. The sound system according to claim 11, wherein the transmission / reception unit of the remote control device is provided on the same surface as the surface on which the display unit or the control button is provided. system. 13. The sound system according to claim 11, wherein the remote control device controls ON / OFF of a main power supply of the main body of the remote control device according to an input state from the control button. An acoustic system further comprising: 14. A reproducing unit for reproducing acoustic information stored in a storage unit, an output unit for outputting a sound corresponding to the reproduced acoustic information, and a receiving unit for receiving an external control signal for controlling the reproducing unit. And a control unit for controlling the reproduction unit based on the external control signal.