USO0RE45126E
(19) United States (12) Reissued Patent
(10) Patent Number: US (45) Date of Reissued Patent:
Hamada et a]. (54)
RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD, RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND COMPUTER
(58)
Field of Classi?cation Search
See application ?le for complete search history. (56) References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(71) Applicant: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
5,815,660 A *
(72) Inventors: Osamu Hamada, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Kakuda, Tokyo (JP); Koji Nishimura, Tokyo (JP); Takashi Sasai,
5,835,860 A
1 185 266 A 2 360 914 A
CN GB
This patent is subject to a terminal dis claimer.
(Continued) European Search Report mailed Jan. 22, 2008 in connection with
Mar. 26, 2013
European Application No. 037571932.
Related US. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner * Sharad Rampuria
Reissue of:
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Wolf, Green?eld & Sacks, PC.
7,356,308 Apr. 8, 2008 11/648,613
Filed:
(57)
ABSTRACT
The present invention relates to a radio communication appa ratus and a radio communications method, a radio communi
Jan. 3, 2007
US. Applications: (63) Continuation of application No. 12/756,024, ?led on
cation system, a recording medium, and a computer program in Which a response signal to an inquiry is returned to a master
Apr. 7, 2010, noW Pat. No. Re. 44,185, Which is an application for the reissue of Pat. No. 7,356,308, Which is a continuation of application No. 10/485,978, ?led as application No. PCT/JP03/06505 on May 26, 2003,
only When instructions to perform radio communications are issued. A CPU 51 blinks LED 56 When an inquiry signal is received, and transmits a response to the inquiry signal When a user Who has referred to lighting of the LED 56 operates a connection response button 53. The connection response but ton 53 is operated When the user issues radio communications
now Pat. No. 7,177,595.
(30)
6/1998 3/2001
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(21) Appl.No.: 13/850,445
(64) Patent No.: Issued: Appl. No.:
Momona ..................... .. 709/208
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
(22) Filed:
9/1998
11/1998 Diachina
(Continued)
Tokyo (JP); Kazuya Odagiri, Tokyo (JP)
Notice:
*Sep. 9, 2014
USPC ................................ .. 455/412, 421; 370/338
PROGRAM
(*)
RE45,126 E
Foreign Application Priority Data
instructions With respect to the inquiry signal. In other words, even When Wireless headphones 2 are Within an area capable
Jun. 7, 2002
(51) (52)
(JP) ............................. .. P2002-166849
Int. Cl. H04W4/00 vs. C].
USPC
of radio communications With the master, only if the connec tion response button 53 is operated by the user, it sends to the master a response to the inquiry, and establishes connection.
(2009.01)
The present invention may be applied to a Wireless storage
server, Wireless headphones, and audio reproduction appara
455/421; 455/412; 455/4261; 455/5501;
tuses.
455/5561; 455/565; 455/39; 370/328; 370/338; 54 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
340/5391; 340/53911 PROCESS IN WIRELESS STORAGE SERVER
PROCESS FOR WIRELESS
53 ‘
‘
CONNECTION BUTTON H DEPRESSED? s:
55
HEA DPHONE s
.
s 34
CONNECTION RESPONSE BUTTON DEPRESSEO 7
M,
OUTPUT INQUIRY Rem/EST COMMAND 53 : TRANSMIT lNquRv PACKET BY :ROADCAST
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5
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537
OUTPUT woule RECEPTION EVENT
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RN OFF
Na CONNECTION PERMISSION STATE 7
?gNNEcTION
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TURN ON CONNECTION AOGEPTANOE FLAG s41
ouTUPUT INQUIRY RESPONSE COMMAND AND BLINK LED 542
N0 INQUIRY RESPONSE
D PACKET RECEIVED 7 as
_
FANSMIT INQUIRY RESPONSE
_ '2 4
ADKET
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ACCEPTANCE FLAG ON 1'
CONNECTION REQUEST N
a
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'
TRANSMIT CONNECTION
v
RESPONSE
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ESTABLISH CONNECTION
,
as
REQUEST To INQUIRY KSPONSE PACKET
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AND TURN LED 0N
US RE45,126 E Page 2 (56)
References Cited
2002/0045454 A1
4/2002 Iwata
U_g_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
2002/0111138 A1 2002/0120750 A1
8/2002 Park 8/2002 Nidd
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6,600,902 B1 6,792,247 B2 6,795,421 B1*
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3/2005 Salonidis etal. .. 455/41.1 3/2005 Mauney et a1. ............ .. 455/41.2
6,897,778 B1
5/2005 Borlenghi
Annolaet 31. Annolaetal. ................ .. 455/41
1/2003 Andreason 8/2003 L1b_es
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1/2004 HelnonenetaL
2005/0202782 2004/0048621 A1
9/2005 3/2004 Takahashl Sasai et a1. 6t
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6,928,263 B2
8/2005 Blake et a1.
JP
10-136033
5/1998
7,076,210 B2* 7,085,532 B2* 7,177,595 B2*
7/2006 Sasai et a1. ................. .. 455/41.2 8/2006 Palin etal. ................. .. 455/41.2 2/2007 Hamadaetal. ............ .. 455/41.2
JP JP JP
11-177622 2001-145163 2001-145163 A
7/1999 5/2001 5/2001
7,233,808 B2
6/2007 Mooney et a1.
JP
2002-101104
4/2002
7,356,308 B2*
4/2008 Hamada etal. ............. .. 455/421
JP
2002-101104 A
4/2002
7,664,463 B2*
2/2010 BenAyed
W0
WO 96/31992 A1
10/1996
455/41.2
8,243,700 B2*
8/2012
Moon ....... ..
. 370/338
W0
WO 02/25871 A2
3/2002
RE44,185 E *
4/2013 Hamadaetal
. 455/421
W0
WO 02/45400 A1
6/2002
8,510,442 B2*
8/2013
Funato et a1. ............... .. 709/225
2002/0009992 A1
1/2002 Jensen
2002/0037699 A1
3/2002 Kobayashi et a1.
* cited by examiner
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US RE45,126 E 1
2
RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND
device ID’ s, etc. of devices which may be communicated, and
RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD, RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND COMPUTER
have a user to choose a communication counterpart’s device
PROGRAM
allow radio communication within an area where communi cations are available and, even if most of the devices do not
out of them.
However, with this method, there are many devices which
desire communication, all devices will be listed and displayed
Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue speci?ca
on a display section of the master. For example, when the list is displayed on the display screen by means of device ID’s, it
tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.
is difficult for the user to choose a desired one out of the
displayed list including the plurality of apparatus ID’s which cannot be grasped intuitively. Similarly, when the list on the display screen is displayed by means of model names and a plurality of more apparatuses of the same type are included in the apparatuses which can communicate, it is dif?cult to determine which device the user to choose. In particular as for a short-distance radio communication
This is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 12/756, 024, ?ledApr. 7, 2010 (allowed), which is a reissue ofU.S. Pat. No.
7,356,308, which issued?om application Ser. No. 11/648, 61 3, ?led Jan. 3, 2007, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/485,978, ?led. Sep. 20, 2004, now US. Pat. No. 7,177,595 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Application Ser. No. 10/485,978 is the US. national stage of International Application No. PCT/JP03/ 06505, ?led on May 26, 2003, and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. P2002-166849, ?led Jun. 7, 2002.
20
TECHNICAL FIELD
25
technology which does not have directivity, such as the Blue
tooth communication, unlike the communications having the directivity such as the infrared technology etc ., it is difficult to
intuitively choose a communication counterpart’s device from the plurality of devices which can communicate, since devices within a predetermined area can communicate in all
In addition, in order to determine a communication coun terpart’s device, a conventional method forces the user to
The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus and a radio communication method, a radio com
munication system, a recording medium, and a computer program, in particular to a radio communication apparatus
directions.
perform operations such as referring to the display and choos ing a desired device out of them, and there is a need for a 30
technology in which the communication counterpart’s device can be intuitively determined by an easy operation.
and a radio communications method, a radio communication
system, a recording medium, and a computer program, which are capable of easily establishing radio connection in radio communications.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 35
BACKGROUND ART
The present invention has been conceived in view of such situation and allows intuitively determining a radio commu nication device to be a communication counterpart with a
considerably simple operation.
In recent years, short-distance radio communication tech
nologies, such as IrDA (InfraRed Data Association) and
Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, have
40
spread widely. IrDA is a radio communication technology using infrared rays, permitting communication at 1.152 Mbps and 4 Mbps by only set up of software. On the other hand, the Bluetooth communication is a radio
The radio communication apparatus of the present inven tion is characterized by comprising a receiving means for receiving the inquiry signal asking whether or not radio com munications are possible, a ?rst input means for receiving an
operation input when the user permits communication of information to another radio communication apparatus, and a 45
transmitting means for transmitting predetermined informa
transmission system which uses a 2.4 GHz zone, and does not
tion to another radio communication apparatus when an
have directivity but high permeability, unlike a case where infrared is used. The Bluetooth communication is expected to be an interface which realizes a data exchange regardless of devices, such as a personal computer, a peripheral apparatus, a household appliance, and a portable phone.
operation is inputted by the ?rst input means. A notice means may be further provided for notifying that an inquiry signal has been received by the receiving means. 50
As for Bluetooth compliant devices, there are a “master” which determines a frequency hopping pattern and a “slave” which communicates with and follows the master, and a net work comprises one master and a plurality of (seven sets, at
55
most) slaves. The slaves perform communication between the master and the slaves, synchronizing with the frequency hop ping pattern determined by the master. Communications between the devices are always performed through the mas ter, so that no direct communication is performed between the slaves.
The notice means may be constituted by a LED. The ?rst input means may be constituted by a button and
the LED may be constructed by integrating with the button. The notice means may be made to notify, by blinking the 60
nication apparatus has been established, and further notify, by
When choosing a communication counterpart’s device in
turning the LED off, that the data link with another commu nication apparatus has not been established.
transmits an inquiry signal (Inquiry), by broadcasting, to device to he communicated, collect responses from the slaves, display, on a display screen, a list of model names,
LED, that the inquiry signal has been received, further notify, by lighting the LED, that the data link with another commu
the Bluetooth communications, it is common that the master devices which exist around itself so as to search for a possible
Further, the notice means may be made to notify that a data link with another communication apparatus has been estab lished. Still further, the notice means may be made to notify that the data link with another communication apparatus has not been established.
65
The notice means may be made to carry out audio repro
duction of a message notifying that the inquiry signal has been received.
US RE45,126 E 4
3
another radio communication apparatus; an input control step of controlling an operation input when a user permits com
The ?rst input means may be operated by the user noti?ed
by the notice means that the inquiry signal has been received, and the predetermined information which is transmitted by
munication of information to another radio communication
the transmitting means to another radio communication appa
apparatus; and a transmitting control step of controlling trans
ratus may be an inquiry response signal to the inquiry signal. The ?rst input means may be operated by the user noti?ed by the notice means that the inquiry signal has been received, and the predetermined information which is transmitted by
mission of predetermined information to another radio com munication apparatuses when an input of operation is con
trolled by an input control step. The computer program according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a reception control step of
the transmitting means to another radio communication appa ratus may be a connection request signal.
controlling reception of an inquiry signal for asking whether
When the inquiry signal is received by the receiving means after the ?rst input means received the operation input by the user, the transmitting means may be caused to transmit the
or not radio communications are available, the inquiry signal being transmitted from another radio communication appa ratus; an input control step which controls an operation input
predetermined information to another radio communication
when a user permits communication of information to
apparatus.
another radio communication apparatus; and a transmitting
When the inquiry signal is received by the receiving means during the period when the ?rst input means receives the operation input by the user, the transmitting means may be
information to another radio communication apparatus when
control step of controlling transmission of predetermined an input of operation is controlled by the input control step. The radio communication systems according to the present
caused to transmit the predetermined information to another
radio communication apparatus. Only during the period when the ?rst input means receives the operation input by the user, the receiving means may be caused to receive the inquiry signal. Further, a generation means for generating an inquiry sig nal for searching for another radio communication apparatus capable of performing radio communications, a second input means for issuing instructions to transmit the inquiry signal, and a transmitting means for transmitting an inquiry signal when the instructions to transmit the inquiry signal are issued by the second input means may be provided.
20
radio communication apparatus with which a ?rst radio com munication apparatus may carry out radio communications; a ?rst input means for receiving an operation input when a user 25
issues instructions to transmit an inquiry signal generated by the generation means to every apparatus which allows radio communications within a predetermined area; and a ?rst
transmitting means for transmitting the inquiry signal to 30
every apparatus which allows radio communications within the predetermined area when the instructions to transmit the
inquiry signal are issued by the ?rst input means, and further comprising: a second input means for receiving an operation input when the user permits the second radio communication
The notice means may be made to notify further that the
inquiry signal has been transmitted by the transmitting means.
The notice means may be made to notify further that the data link with another communication apparatus has been established. The notice means may be made to notify further that the data link with another communication apparatus has not been established. The ?rst input means and the second input means may be
invention is characterized by comprising: a generation means for generating an inquiry signal for searching for a second
apparatus to communicate information to the ?rst radio com 35
munication apparatus; a receiving means for receiving the
inquiry signal transmitted by the ?rst transmitting means from the ?rst radio communication apparatus; and a second
transmitting means for transmitting predetermined informa
uni?ed and constructed as a third input means. When the
tion to the ?rst radio communication apparatus when the second input means inputs a fact that the user permits com municating of information to the ?rst radio communication
inquiry signal is received before the third input means receives the operation input by the user, the third input means
means.
may be made to operate as the ?rst input means, and when the third input means receives an operation input by a user before
40
apparatus and the inquiry signal is received by the receiving The predetermined information transmitted by the second 45
inquiry signal.
the receiving means receives the inquiry signal, the third input
The predetermined information transmitted by the second
means may be operated as the second input means.
The third input means may be constituted by the button, the
transmitting means may be a connection request signal to the
?rst radio communication apparatus.
notice means may be constituted by the LED which may be
integrated with the button.
transmitting means may be an inquiry response signal to the
50
In the radio communication apparatus and the radio com
The radio communications method according to the
munications method and the computer program according to
present invention is characterized by comprising: a reception control step of controlling reception of an inquiry signal for
not the radio communications transmitted from another radio
the present invention, the inquiry signal for asking whether or
communication apparatus is received, the operation is input
asking whether or not radio communications are available,
the inquiry signal being transmitted from another radio com munication apparatus; an input control step of controlling an operation input when a user permits communication of infor
55
another radio communication apparatus. When the operation is inputted, predetermined information is transmitted to another radio communication apparatus. As for the radio communication system according to the
mation to another radio communication apparatus; and a
transmitting control step of controlling transmission of pre determined information to another radio communication
60
apparatus when an input of operation is controlled by the
nication apparatus. When the user issues instructions to trans
The computer program recorded on a recording medium
tions are available, the inquiry signal being transmitted from
present invention, the inquiry signal for searching for the second radio communication apparatus which can perform radio communications is generated in the ?rst radio commu
input control step. according to the present invention is characterized by com prising: a reception control step of controlling reception of an inquiry signal for asking whether or not radio communica
ted when the user permits communicating of information to
65
mit the inquiry signal to every apparatus which allows radio communications within the predetermined area, and when the operation is inputted and the instructions to transmit the inquiry signal, which is then transmitted to every apparatus
US RE45,126 E 5
6
which allows radio communications within the predeter
nicate and a notice signal for notifying that the radio commu
mined area. When the user permits the second radio commu
nication apparatus to communicate information to the ?rst
nication apparatus (itself) exists. The wireless headphones 2-1 through 2-n may communi
radio communication apparatus, the operation is inputted, the inquiry signal transmitted from the ?rst radio communication
reproduce audio data transmitted by the wireless storage
cate with the wireless storage server 1 by radios, receive and
apparatus is received and communication of information to
server 1. The wireless headphones 2 serve as a slave in radio
the ?rst radio communication apparatus is permitted, and
communications.
when the inquiry signal is received, predetermined informa
Below, when the wireless headphones 2-1 through 2-n do not need to be distinguished separately, they are referred to
tion is transmitted to the ?rst radio communication apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view fur explaining a radio communication
only as wireless headphones 2 generically. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of the wire less storage server 1.
system to which the present invention is applied;
A CPU 31 controls operation of the wireless storage server 1. For example, when the connection button 11 is operated,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a wireless
storage server to which the present invention is applied; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of wireless
the CPU 31 controls a radio module 34, transmits an inquiry
headphones to which the present invention is applied; FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example of structure of a connection response button and an LED; FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of structure of
signal via an antenna 35 by broadcasting, reads information stored in an HDD 37 according to an operation inputted into an operation section 32, and controls the radio module 34 so 20
the connection response button and the LED; FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of structure of the connection response button and the LED;
The operation section 32 comprises a button, a keyboard, a
jog dial, a touchpanel, etc., receives the user’ s operation input and supplies contents of the operation to the CPU 31.
FIG. 7 is a ?ow chart for explaining a connection estab
lishment process 1;
25
FIG. 8 is a ?ow chart for explaining a connection estab
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an inquiry packet and an
inquiry response packet; 30
lishment process 3;
which are received by the antenna 35, converts them into the
format which can be processed by the CPU 31, and supplies
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a structure of a audio 35
nected to the CPU 31 via a bus 36. The HDD 37 drives hard disks to be caused to record
FIG. 14 is a ?ow chart for explaining a process of the audio
reproduction apparatus; and 40
duced, and outputs them via the bus 36 according to control of 45
With reference to the drawings, embodiments according to
tion is applied will be described by using FIG. 1. 50
optical disc 42, it magneto-optical disc 43, and semiconduc FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of the wire 55
less storage server 1 becomes a master of radio communica
less headphones 2. The CPU 51 controls operation of the wireless headphones 2. For example, when the inquiry signal is received which is transmitted by the wireless storage server 1 via the antenna 55
The wireless storage server 1 has a connection button 11.
ing for a radio communication apparatus which can commu
program which are used by the CPU 31. A drive 40 is connected to the CPU 31 via the bus 36, as needed. The drive 40 is provided with a magnetic disk 41, an tor memory 44 so as to communicate data.
tions.
When the connection button 11 is depressed, the wireless storage server 1 transmits an inquiry signal (Inquiry) by broadcasting (that is, to all devices within a wireless net work), searches for devices which can communicate, collects responses from wireless headphones 2 which are slaves, detects the wireless headphone 2 which can communicate, and establishes communication (a data link is established), where the inquiry signal includes a search signal for search
the CPU 31. The RAM 38 stores the computer program used in the
execution by the CPU 31 and a parameter which changes suitably in the execution. The ROM 39 stores basically ?xed data out of the parameters for operation and the computer
the present invention will be described as follows: A radio communication system to which the present inven
wireless headphones 2-1 through 2-n which exist within a predetermined area where communications are available by radio communications by means of communication systems, such as the Bluetooth communication, for example. The wire
therein or reproduce the computer program and information which are executed by a CPU 11, records music contents to be transmitted to the wireless headphones 2 so as to be repro
BEST MODES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION
A wireless storage server 1 stores therein audio data and transmits the audio data to one that is desired by a user among
them to the CPU 31.
The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 37, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 38, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 39 are con
FIG. 13 is a ?ow chart for explaining a process in the audio
reproduction apparatus; FIG. 15 is a table for explaining modes of transmission and reception for an inquiry in the Bluetooth communication.
The radio module 34 converts the data, a control signal, etc., which are supplied by the CPU 31 into a predetermined format by which radio communications are available, ampli ?es them, and transmits them via the antenna 35, or it receives
and ampli?es inputs such as data, a response signal, etc.,
FIG. 11 is a ?ow chart for explaining a connection estab
lishment process 4;
reproduction apparatus applying the present invention;
The connection button 11 is operated when the user issues instructions to start communication with the wireless head
phones 2, as described by using FIG. 1.
lishment process 2; FIG. 10 is a ?ow chart for explaining a connection estab
as to transmits the information to a device to be communi cated via an antenna 35.
and the radio module 54, or when an LED 56 is blinked or a 60
connection response button 53 is operated, the radio module 54 is controlled so as to transmit a response to an inquiry
signal through the antenna 55 to the wireless storage server 1, to establish communication, to light a blinking LED, and to output music contents transmitted by the wireless storage 65
server 1 to an audio reproduction section 57 via the antenna
55 and the radio module 54, so that audio reproduction is carried out at a loud speaker 58.
US RE45,126 E 8
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depressed based on a signal supplied from the connection button 11. In step S1, when it is determined that the connec tion button 11 has not been depressed, the process of step S1 is repeated until it is determined that the connection button 11
An operation section 52 comprises a button, a keyboard, a
jog dial, a touchpanel, etc., receives the user’ s operation input with respect to a process which is not related to radio com
munications, such as a change in volume of audio reproduc tion and supplies the contents of operation to the CPU 31. The connection response button 53 is operated when the user issues instructions to perform communications with the wireless storage server 1. In other words, the wireless head phones 2 establish connection with the wireless storage server 1, only if the connection response button 53 is operated by the user when the inquiry signal is received from the
is depressed. In step S1, when it is determined that the connection button 11 has been depressed, the CPU 31, in step S2, generates an inquiry demand command so as to be outputted to the radio module 34.
wireless storage server 1 (that is, even in case the wireless
In step S3, the radio module 34 generates an inquiry packet according to the inquiry demand command inputted from the CPU 31, and transmits the inquiry packet by broadcasting via
storage server 2 exists within an area where radio communi
the antenna 35.
cations with the wireless storage server 1 are available). The radio module 54 converts the data, a control signal,
In step S4, the radio module 54 of the wireless headphones 2 determines whether or not the inquiry packet transmitted by
etc., which are supplied by the CPU 51, into the predeter mined format by which radio communications are available, ampli?es them, and transmits them via the antenna 55, or it
the wireless storage server 1 has been received via the antenna
receives and ampli?es inputs of the data, a response signal, etc., which are received by the antenna 55, converts them into the format which can be processed by the CPU 51, and sup plies them to the CPU 51. According to control of the CPU 51, the LED 56 is lit, turned off, or blinked. As for the LED 56, one capable of being lit in different colors according to the control of the CPU 51 may be employed, for example. The connection response button 53 and the LED 56 of the
20
In step S6, for example, by controlling the LED 56 to blink, 25
loud speaker 58, the CPU 51 of the wireless headphones 2 they may be connected with the wireless storage server 1. For example, when the user is not carrying the wireless 30
the user does not have to look at a plurality of parts of the
wireless headphones 2 and does not have to check an opera tion or a state, thus improving operativity. The connection response button 53 and the LED 56 of the wireless headphones 2 may, of course, be provided in differ ent positions as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the wireless head phones 2 may be provided with a plurality of LED’s. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in addition to connection response button 53, by providing an LED 56-1 and an LED 56-2, the user may be noti?ed of many information items
35
40
about states of the wireless headphones 2 such as whether or
not the inquiry signal has been received and whether or not connection has been established by means of combinations of
lighting, turning off, and blinking of two LED’s. The audio reproduction section 57 receives an input of music contents transmitted by the wireless storage server 1 from the CPU 51 via the antenna 55 and the radio module 54,
implements predetermined reproduction processes such as D/A (Digital to Analog) conversion, format conversion, decoding, etc., and outputs them to the loud speaker 58, to thereby reproduce the contents.
45
headphones 2, by checking to see if the LED 56 is blinking, the user can con?rm that the inquiry signal has been received from the wireless storage server 1. In order to carry out communications with the wireless storage server 1, the con nection response button 53 is depressed. On the other hand, when the user is carrying the wireless headphones 2, the user could not check to see if the LED 56 is blinking, and therefore may listen to the audio assist and con?rm that the inquiry signal has been received from the wireless storage server 1. In order to perform communications with the wireless storage server 1, the connection response button 53 is depressed. In step S7, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the connection response button 53 has been depressed, based on
the signal supplied from the connection response button 53. In step S7, when it is determined that the connection response button 53 has not been depressed, in step S8, the CPU 51 controls the LED 56 so as to turn the LED 56 off, the process returns to step S4 and the process thereafter is
repeated. 50
A RAM 60 and a the ROM 61 are connected to the CPU 51
via the bus 59. The RAM 60 stores the computer program used in the execution of the CPU 51 and parameters which change suit ably in the execution. The ROM 61 stores the basically ?xed
or controlling the audio reproduction section 57 to output a message such as “Are you going to listen to music?” from the provides an audio assist to the user so as to notify the user that
wireless headphones 2 are constructed as one input/output
means by providing the LED 56 within the connection response button 53, as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, since
55. In step S4, when it is determined that the inquiry packet has not been received, the process of step S4 is repeated until it is determined that the inquiry packet is received. In step S4, when it is determined that the inquiry packet has been received, the radio module 54, in step S5, outputs an inquiry reception event to the CPU 51.
55
In step S7, when it is determined that the connection response button 53 has been depressed, in step S9, the CPU 51 generates an inquiry response command and outputs the inquiry response command to the radio module 54. In step S10, the radio module 54 generates an inquiry response packet according to the inquiry response command supplied from the CPU 51, and transmits the inquiry response packet to the wireless storage server 1 via the antenna 55.
data among the parameters for operation and the computer
In step S11, the radio module 34 of the wireless storage
programs which are used by the CPU 51. The drive 62 is connected to the CPU 51 via the bus 59, as needed. The drive 62 is provided with a magnetic disk 71, an
server 1, determines whether or not the inquiry response
packet transmitted from the wireless headphones 2 has been 60
received via the antenna 35. In step S1 1, when it is determined
optical disc 72, a magneto-optical disc 73, and a semiconduc
that the inquiry response packet has not been received, the
tor memory 74, so as to communicate data.
process returns to step S1 and the process thereafter is
Next, with reference to a ?ow chart of FIG. 7, a connection establishment process 1 for connecting the storage server 1 and the wireless headphones 2 will be described. In step S1, the. CPU 31 of the wireless storage server 1
repeated.
determines whether or not the connection button 11 has been
65
In step S11, when it is determined that the inquiry response packet has been received in step S12, the radio module 34 outputs the received inquiry response packet to the CPU 31. With reference to the inquiry response packet, the CPU 31
US RE45,126 E 9
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extracts an apparatus ID etc. of an inquiry response pocket
In other words, when the connection button 11 is depressed,
transmitter, generates the connection request signal for the inquiry response packet transmitter, and transmits it to the wireless headphones 2 of the inquiry response packet trans
the inquiry packet is transmitted by broadcasting from the
mitter via the radio module 34 and the antenna 35. In step S13, the radio module 54 of the wireless head phones 2 determines whether or not the connection request transmitted by the wireless storage server 1 has been received via the antenna 55. In step S13, when it is determined that the
determines whether or not the connection response button 53
wireless storage server 1.
In step S34, the CPU 51 of the wireless headphones 2
has been depressed based on the signal supplied from the connection response button 53.
In step S34, when it is determined that the connection response button S3 has been depressed, in step S35, the CPU 51 considers a state of the wireless headphones 2 as a con
connection request has not been received, the process of step S13 is repeated until it is determined that the connection request is received. In step S13, when it is determined. that the connection request has been received, in step S14, the radio module 54 noti?es the CPU 51 that the connection request has been
nection permission state. In step S34, when it is determined that the connection response button 53 has not been depressed, or after the end of
process of step S35, the radio module 54, in step S36, deter mines whether or not the inquiry packet transmitted by the wireless storage server 1 has been received via the antenna 55.
received. The CPU 51 generates a connection response to the connection request so as to be transmitted to the wireless storage server 1 via the radio module 54 and the antenna 55.
In step SIS, the CPU 51 establishes the connection with the wireless storage server 1, and controls the LED 56 to be lit. In step S16, the CPU 31 of the wireless storage server 1 establishes connection with the wireless headphones 2 which transmitted the connection response (a data link is estab lished), and the process is ended. According to the process as described by using FIG. 7, since the response to the inquiry signal is sent only when the user of the wireless headphones 2 wishes the connection with the wireless storage server 1, the response to the inquiry signal transmitted by the wireless storage server 1 by broad
In step S36, when it is determined that the inquiry packet has not been received, the process returns to step S34 and the 20
process thereafter is repeated. In step S36, when it is determined that the inquiry packet has been received, in step S37, the radio module 54 outputs the inquiry reception event to the CPU 51. In step S38, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the state
of the wireless headphones 2 is in the connection permission 25
state.
In step S38, when it is determined that the state of the
wireless headphones 2 is in the connection permission state, in step S39, the CPU 51 generates the control signal for rendering the connection acceptance ?ag in an ON state, the 30
casting is not transmitted from every apparatus within an area
?ag being contained in the inquiry response packet which answers the wireless storage server 1.
where the inquiry signal reaches, but transmitted only from a
Examples of the inquiry packet and the inquiry response
required apparatus. Therefore, in the wireless storage server
packet are shown in FIG. 9. An inquiry packet 71 comprises
1, avoiding complicated operations such that the apparatus ID etc. of every apparatus within the area where the inquiry
35
mission destination address 84, a transmitter address 85, and a connection acceptance ?ag 86. When it is determined that the state of the wireless headphones 2 is in the connection
signal reaches are displayed so as to cause the user to choose,
it becomes possible to establish connection with desired wire
less headphones 2. Further, since it is determined by the operation performed by the user with respect to the wireless headphones 2 whether
a header 81 and a transmitter address 82. On the other hand, an inquiry response packet 72 comprises a header 83, a trans
permission state, the connection acceptance ?ag contained in 40
or not wireless connection between the wireless storage server 1 and the wireless headphones 2 is carried out, it becomes unnecessary for the wireless storage server 1 to have
the inquiry response packet 72 which answers the wireless storage server 1 is set to the ON state.
In step S38, when it is determined that the state of the wireless headphones 2 is not in the connection permission state, in step S40, the CPU 51 generates the control signal for rendering the connection acceptance ?ag in an OFF state, the
a display section for displaying the apparatus ID etc. of every the apparatus in the area where the inquiry signal reaches, and an operation input section for choosing a desired apparatus
?ag being contained in the inquiry response packet which
therefrom, so that the structure of the wireless storage server
answers the wireless storage server 1. In other words, as
1 may be simpli?ed and its cost may be reduced. In the connection establishment process 1 as described by
contained in the inquiry response packet 72 which answers
using FIG. 7, the inquiry packet is transmitted from the wire
described by using FIG. 9, the connection acceptance ?ag 86 50
the wireless storage server 1 is set to the OFF state.
less storage server 1, the user of the wireless headphones 2
After the end of process of step S39 or step S40, the CPU
who received the inquiry packet is noti?ed of reception of the
51, in step S41, generates the inquiry response command including the control signal indicating whether the connec tion acceptance ?ag contained in the inquiry response packet
inquiry packet, and when the user wishes to start communi cations with the wireless storage server 1, the response packet to the inquiry packet is sent back, so that communications are started. On the other hand, in the wireless headphones 2, before receiving the inquiry packet, based on whether or not the connection response button 53 is operated in advance, the
55
which answers the wireless storage server 1 is ON or OFF,
outputs the inquiry response command to the radio module 54, for example, controls the LED 56 to blink, and noti?es the user that it is during, processing of connection with the wire
inquiry response packet sent back by the wireless headphones
less storage server 1.
2 may include the information indicating whether or not communications with the wireless storage server 1 are avail able. With reference to a ?ow chart of FIG. 8, a connection establishment process 2 for connecting the storage server 1
60
and the wireless headphones 2 will be described. In step S31 through step S33, the similar process as in step S1 through step S3 as described by using FIG. 7 is carried out.
65
In step S42, according to the inquiry response command supplied from the CPU 51, the radio module 54 generates the inquiry response packet to be transmits to the wireless storage server 1 via the antenna 55.
In step S43, the radio module 34 of the wireless storage server 1 determines whether or not the response inquiry
packet transmitted from the wireless headphones 2 has been received via the antenna 35. In step S43, when it is determined
