DESCRIPTION
HEADPHONE TYPE ACOUSTIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD
THEREFOR
5 Technical Field
[0001] The present technology relates to a headphone
type acoustic apparatus integrally including headphones
and speaker used for listening to music and to a
control method therefor.
10 Background Art
[0002] Most headphones are of so-called closed type.
The headphones of this type is an acoustic apparatus
configured to produce optimal sound in closed spaces
between headphone units and ears. In contrast, a
15 speaker is designed to be used for listening to sound
at some distance. The headphones and the speaker are
structurally similar. It can be said that the most
important difference therebetween is power (sound
pressure) for vibrating air. The headphones only need
20 to have power for vibrating air in the closed spaces.
On the other hand, the speaker needs high power for
vibrating air in a space between the speaker and the
user.
[0003] Patent Document 1 has disclosed headphones in
25 which the output power of a headphone/speaker is
switched between a low level for the headphone and a
high level for the speaker by a changeover switch
operation. Thus, the headphones have both of headphone
and speaker functions.
3
[0004] However, the headphones of Patent Document 1
merely switch the output power of the speaker unit
placed in a housing between the low level for the
headphone and the high level for the speaker. Therefore,
5 for using the speaker unit as the speaker, it has to be
used as a stationary speaker. At this time, a distance
between speaker units respectively placed in left and
right housings is not sufficient for providing a
sufficient stereophonic effect in stereophonic
10 reproduction.
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. 2010-74831 (paragraph [0019],
etc.)
Summary of Invention
15 Problem to be solved by the Invention
[0006] Regarding a headphone type acoustic apparatus
integrally including headphones and a speaker, it has
been desirable to improve the performance, for example,
the usability and the sound quality of the speaker.
20 [0007] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances,
it is an object of the present technology to improve
the performance of a headphone type acoustic apparatus
integrally including headphones and a speaker.
Means for solving the Problem
25 [0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem,
a headphone type acoustic apparatus according to the
present technology includes a pair of housing blocks
each including a headphone unit, a headband section
that supports the housing blocks at both ends and
4
includes a pair of speaker units, one or more sensors
that obtain information for estimating a mounted state
achieved by a user, and a control unit that estimates
the mounted state based on outputs of the one or more
5 sensors and controls, based on the estimated mounted
state, outputs of the pair of headphone units and the
pair of speaker units.
[0009] The control unit may determine, according to
the estimated mounted state, whether the outputs of the
10 pair of headphone units are turned on or the outputs of
the pair of speaker units are turned on.
[0010] The estimated mounted state may include a
first mounted state achieved by engagement with at
least the pair of housing blocks and the headband
15 section, and a second mounted state achieved by
engagement with the headband section, and the control
unit may turn on at least the pair of headphone units
when the first mounted state is estimated and turn on
at least the pair of speaker units when the second
20 mounted state is estimated.
[0011] The control unit may turn on both of the pair
of speaker units and the pair of headphone units when
the second mounted state is estimated.
[0012] The detection section may include one or more
25 pressure sensors and one or more motion sensors that
are provided in a site that is capable of being brought
into contact with the user in the pair of housing
blocks and a site that is capable of being brought into
contact with the user in the headband section in the
30 first mounted state, and the control unit may estimate
the mounted state based on detection results of the one
5
or more pressure sensors and the one or more motion
sensors.
[0013] The control unit may make the output of the
headphone unit larger than the output on the first
5 mounted state for a certain time period after
termination of the first mounted state is estimated,
and gradually reduce the output after the certain time
period has elapsed.
[0014] The control unit may estimate, based on the
10 detection results of the one or more pressure sensors
and the one or more motion sensors, a first installed
state in which the headphone type acoustic apparatus
self-stands on the pair of housing blocks, and turn on
the pair of speaker units.
15 [0015] The control unit may estimate, based on the
detection results of the one or more pressure sensors
and the one or more motion sensors, a second installed
state in which the headphone type acoustic apparatus is
suspended with the headband section being a supporting
20 point, and turn on the pair of speaker units.
[0016] A control method for a headphone type
acoustic apparatus that is another aspect of the
present technology includes preparing a pair of housing
blocks each including a headphone unit, a headband
25 section that supports the housing blocks at both ends
and includes a pair of speaker units, and one or more
sensors that obtain information for estimating a
mounted state achieved by a user, and estimating, by a
control unit, the mounted state based on outputs of the
30 one or more sensors and controlling, based on the
estimated mounted state, outputs of the pair of
6
headphone units and the pair of speaker units.
Effects of the Invention
[0017] As described above, according to the present
technology, it is possible to improve the performance
5 of a headphone type acoustic apparatus integrally
including headphones and a speaker.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0018] [Fig. 1] A diagram showing the outer
appearance of a headphone type acoustic apparatus of a
10 first embodiment according to the present technology.
[Fig. 2] A sectional view showing a configuration
of the headphone type acoustic apparatus of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] A longitudinal sectional view of a
speaker unit.
15 [Fig. 4] A transverse sectional view of the
speaker unit.
[Fig. 5] An outer appearance view showing a
configuration of a speaker unit 24 from which a cover
and the like are removed.
20 [Fig. 6] A diagram showing a head-mounted state
of the headphone type acoustic apparatus of this
embodiment.
[Fig. 7] A diagram showing a neck-mounted state
of the headphone type acoustic apparatus of this
25 embodiment.
[Fig. 8] A diagram showing an electrical
7
configuration of the headphone type acoustic apparatus
of this embodiment.
[Fig. 9] A diagram showing a method of adjusting
speaker positions.
5 [Fig. 10] A diagram showing a head-mounted state
of the headphone type acoustic apparatus of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 11] A diagram showing a neck-mounted state
of the headphone type acoustic apparatus of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 12] A diagram showing a neck-mounted state
10 in an incorrect direction.
[Fig. 13] A diagram showing a desktop state of the
headphone type acoustic apparatus of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 14] A diagram showing a wall-hanging state
of the headphone type acoustic apparatus of Fig. 1.
15 [Fig. 15] A diagram showing Modification 1 of the
headphone type acoustic apparatus of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 16] A diagram showing an electrical
configuration of a headphone type acoustic apparatus of
Modification 2.
20 [Fig. 17] A time chart showing changes in a
headphone output and a speaker output when
transitioning from the head-mounted state to the neckmounted
state in Modification 3.
[Fig. 18] A diagram showing an electrical
25 configuration of a headphone type acoustic apparatus of
Modification 4.
8
Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention
[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the
present technology is applied will be described with
reference to the drawings.
5
[Configuration of Headphone Type Acoustic
Apparatus]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the outer appearance
of a headphone type acoustic apparatus of a first
10 embodiment according to the present technology.
As shown in the figure, a headphone type acoustic
apparatus 100 includes a headband 10, left and right
slider blocks 20R, 20L, left and right hangers 30R, 30L,
and left and right housing blocks 40R, 40L.
15 Note that the symbol “R” indicates the right, the
symbol “L” indicates the left, and the left and right
are directions as viewed from a user wearing the
headphone type acoustic apparatus 100.
[0020] For hanging the headband 10 on the head or
20 neck of a human body, the headband 10 is, for example,
formed of a flexible thin plate of synthetic resin that
is generally curved at an approximately predetermined
curvature. The housing blocks 40R, 40L are attached to
both ends of the headband 10 via the slider blocks 20R,
25 20L and the hangers 30R, 30L, respectively. Note that
the headband 10 and the left and right slider blocks
20R, 20L are collectively referred to as a “headband
section” in the scope of claims.
[0021] Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a
30 configuration of the headphone type acoustic apparatus
100 of Fig. 1.
9
Each of the slider blocks 20R, 20L includes a
slider base 21, a slider cover 22, a hanger coupling
portion 23, and a speaker unit 24.
[0022] For slidably retaining an end portion 11 of
5 the headband 10, the slider base 21 includes an
insertion portion 25, a hooking structure (not shown),
and the like. The end portion 11 of the headband 10 is
inserted into the insertion portion 25. The hooking
structure is provided in the insertion portion 25 and
10 locks an insertion position of the headband 10 by
hooking a hooking portion (not shown) such as a
protrusion formed on a surface of the end portion 11 of
the headband 10. By manually adjusting the amount of
insertion of the end portion 11 of the headband 10
15 depending on needs, the user can fit the housing blocks
40R, 40L onto the left and right ears of the user.
[0023] The slider cover 22 is an outer packaging
cover for the slider base 21.
The hanger coupling portion 23 is a portion
20 coupled to the hangers 30R, 30L to be described later.
To each of the slider blocks 20R, 20L, fixed is
the speaker unit 24 including a group of parts
necessary for the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100
of this embodiment to function as a speaker. The term
25 “speaker” as used herein means an acoustic apparatus
that transmits sound to the user by vibrating air in a
surrounding open space. It is used herein as a term
having different meaning from the “headphones” that
transmit sound to the user by vibrating air in a space
30 closed by the housing blocks.
[0024] The hanger 30R, 30L includes a first coupling
10
portion 31 for coupling to the hanger coupling portion
23 of the slider block 20R, 20L and a second coupling
portion 32 (see Fig. 1) for coupling to the housing
block 40R, 40L. The first coupling portion 31 includes
5 a shaft portion 33. This shaft portion 33 is coupled to
a bearing portion 27 provided in the hanger coupling
portion 23 of the slider block 20R, 20L. The bearing
portion 27 is a part for rotatably retaining the shaft
portion 33 of the first coupling portion 31 of the
10 hanger 30R, 30L. By the shaft portion 33 of the first
coupling portion 31 of the hanger 30R, 30L being
coupled to the bearing portion 27 of the hanger
coupling portion 23 of the slider block 20R, 20L in
this manner, the hanger 30R, 30L is coupled to the
15 slider block 20R, 20L to be rotatable around the shaft.
[0025] Note that the first coupling portion 31
including the shaft portion 33 is provided integrally
with the hanger 30R, 30L, and hence sufficient
durability is provided.
20 [0026] On the other hand, the second coupling
portions 32 (see Fig. 1) of the hangers 30R, 30L
rotatably support the housing blocks 40R, 40L,
respectively. This second coupling portion 32 is
configured to enable the housing block 40R, 40L to
25 rotate in an axis direction orthogonal to the axis
direction of the shaft portion 33 in the abovementioned
first coupling portion 31. The second
coupling portion 32 includes a forked portion 34
provided extending from the vicinity of the first
30 coupling portion 31 in a forked state and shaft
portions 35 provided in distal ends of the forked
11
portion 34.
[0027] The shaft portions 35 are provided protruding
from surfaces of the forked portion 34 which are
opposed to a housing 42 of the housing block 40R, 40L.
5 The shaft portions 35 of each of the left and right
hangers 30R, 30L are arranged to be aligned in a single
straight line passing through the center of the housing
42 and substantially function as an integral shaft. The
shaft portions 35 of each of the left and right hangers
10 30R, 30L are inserted into bearing holes (not shown)
formed in the housing 42 and retained.
[0028] [Configurations of Housing Blocks 40R, 40L]
Next, configurations of the housing blocks 40R,
40L will be described.
15 Each of the housing blocks 40R, 40L includes a
baffle 41, the housing 42, an ear pad 43, a headphone
unit 44, a wiring board 45, and the like.
[0029] The baffle 41 includes a base material having
an approximately disk shape that fixes the housing 42,
20 the ear pad 43, and the headphone unit 44.
The housing 42 is a box having an approximately
cylindrical shape for covering the headphone unit 44.
The ear pad 43 is a part having an approximately
doughnut shape having cushion properties for covering
25 the ear of the user.
Note that the shapes of the baffle 41, the housing
42, and the ear pad 43 are not limited to the above.
[0030] The headphone unit 44 is constituted of a
diaphragm for converting electrical signals into
30 vibration of air (sound), a magnetic circuit (e.g.,
magnet and voice coil), and the like.
12
[0031] The wiring board 45 is a board on which an
integrated circuit necessary for realizing the
functions of a processor 110, a memory, and otherwise
an audio reproduction apparatus and other electronic
5 components are mounted.
[0032] Note that, for example, in the housing 42,
provided are a slide switch 46 that is a part of a user
operation section 114 (see Fig. 8) and otherwise
switches such as a push switch and a jog dial.
10 [0033] [Configuration of Speaker Unit]
Next, a configuration of the speaker unit 24 will
be described.
In the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 of
this embodiment, the speaker units 24 are provided as
15 devices that output sound in addition to the headphone
units 44 in the housing blocks 40R, 40L.
[0034] The speaker units 24 are disposed in the left
and right slider blocks 20R, 20L, respectively. The
speaker unit 24 is provided in a predetermined surface
20 of the slider block 20R, 20L, that is, a surface
oriented outward when the headphone type acoustic
apparatus 100 is worn by being hung on the head or neck
of the user.
[0035] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view
25 showing the configuration of the speaker unit 24. Fig.
4 is a transverse sectional view of the speaker unit 24.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a part
of a configuration of the slider block 20R, 20L
including the speaker unit 24.
30 [0036] The speaker unit 24 includes a diaphragm for
converting electrical signals into vibration of air
13
(sound), a magnetic circuit (e.g., magnet and voice
coil) that drives the diaphragm, a speaker driver unit
241 that is constituted of cases 242, 243 and the like
that house them, and a speaker cover 244 and a speaker
5 grille 245 that constitute a lid of the speaker driver
unit 241.
[0037] The cases 242, 243 are constituted of an
upper case 242 and a lower case 243. In the upper case
242, a diaphragm retaining aperture 246 for retaining
10 the periphery of the diaphragm in a state in which the
diaphragm (249 in Fig. 5) is exposed is provided. The
cases 242, 243 are fixed to a cushion member 28 fixed
to the slider base 21 of the slider block 20R, 20L, via
coupling parts such as a screw.
15 [0038] The speaker cover 244 is attached above the
speaker driver unit 241 so as to form a space between
the diaphragm of the speaker driver unit 241 and the
surface of the upper case 242.
[0039] The speaker grille 245 is a cover part for
20 decoration that further covers the outside of the
speaker cover 244.
[0040] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a space S is
formed between the diaphragm of the speaker driver unit
241 and the surface of the upper case 242 and the
25 speaker cover 244. In order to emit a sound pressure
with a predetermined directivity from the inside to the
outside of the space S, a sound spill port 247 for
spilling sound from the space to the outside is
provided in a side surface of the speaker cover 244. In
30 addition, in the speaker grille 245 that covers the
outside of the speaker cover 244, formed is a slit
14
opening 248 correspondingly to the sound spill port 247
of the speaker cover 244. The sound pressure output
from the speaker driver unit 241 is emitted from the
inside to the outside of the space S through the sound
5 spill port 247 provided in the side surface of the
speaker cover 244 and the slit opening 248 of the
speaker grille 245. In other words, in the lid that
collectively refers to the speaker cover 244 and the
speaker grille 245, a region in which openings of the
10 sound spill port 247 and the slit opening 248 overlap
each other is provided as substantially an opening for
spilling sound from the inside to the outside.
[0041] Furthermore, such that sound emitted from the
diaphragm of the speaker driver unit 241 is smoothly
15 guided to the sound spill port 247 provided in the side
surface of the speaker cover 244 and emitted to the
outside through them, the speaker cover 244 and the
upper case 242 are configured as follows.
[0042] 1. A most part of a rear surface of the
20 speaker cover 244 (surface opposed to diaphragm and
surface of upper case 242) is occupied by a flat
surface.
2. The height position of the space S and the
height position of the sound spill port 247 were set to
25 be approximately the same.
3. The space S was stopped at a position along a
semi-circumference on an opposite side of the sound
spill port 247 of the speaker driver unit 241. That is,
as viewed from a vibration direction of the diaphragm,
30 the space S is constituted of a space portion S1
corresponding to an outer shape of the diaphragm and a
15
space portion S2 that communicates from the space
portion S1 to the sound spill port 247 of the speaker
cover 244.
[0043] In order to configure the space S to have a
5 close structure except for the sound spill port 247,
portions in which the surface of the upper case 242 and
the rear surface of the speaker cover 244 abut against
each other are pressure-welded to each other while
sandwiching a cushion sheet 250 therebetween. Note that
10 the cushion sheet 250 serves to prevent vibration of
the upper case 242 due to vibration of the diaphragm
from being transmitted to the speaker cover 244.
[0044] By the way, the side surface in which the
sound spill port 247 of the speaker cover 244 is
15 provided means a surface oriented forward in a state in
which the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 is worn
by the user. In other words, the sound spill port 247
is provided in an end of the space S, which is in a
direction orthogonal to a slide direction of the slider
20 block 20R, 20L. The reason is as follows.
[0045] Mainly two kinds of mounted state of the
headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 of this
embodiment are assumed. One of them is, as shown in Fig.
6, a mounted state during general use of the headphones.
25 Specifically, it is a state in which the left and right
housing blocks 40R, 40L are put on the left and right
ears of the user. It will be referred to as a “headmounted
state.”
[0046] The other is, for example, as shown in Fig. 7,
30 a state in which the portion of the headband 10 and the
left and right slider blocks 20R, 20L is mounted by
16
being hung on the neck of the user. It will be referred
to as a “neck-mounted state.” In this neck-mounted
state, the sound spill ports 247 of the left and right
speaker units 24, 24 are located approximately directly
5 under the left and right ears of the user. At this time,
the sound spill ports 247 are oriented upward and
forward. With this, sound from the left and right
speaker units 24, 24 efficiently reaches the left and
right ears of the user.
10 [0047] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the lower
case 243 of the speaker unit 24 is fixed and supported
to the slider base 21 via the cushion member 28 with
the screw or the like. With this, vibration of the
speaker unit 24 is prevented from being transmitted to
15 the slider base 21 of the slider block 20R, 20L.
[0048] [Electrical Configuration of Headphone Type
Acoustic Apparatus 100]
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an electrical
configuration of the headphone type acoustic apparatus
20 100 of this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the headphone type
acoustic apparatus 100 includes the processor 110, a
memory 112, the user operation section 114, a flash
memory 116, a headphone amplifier 118, a speaker
25 amplifier 119, the headphone units 44, 44, the speaker
units 24, 24, an external input terminal 120, a
switching circuit 122, a battery 124, various sensors
125, 126, 127, a detection circuit 128, and the like.
[0049] The processor 110 is a control circuit that
30 performs entire control and necessary arithmetic
processing and signal processing of the headphone type
17
acoustic apparatus 100 of this embodiment and is
constituted of a BGA (Ball Grid Array) and the like.
[0050] The memory 112 stores a program and the like
to be executed by the processor 110 and is used as a
5 working area of the processor 110 or the like. The
memory 112 is constituted of an SDRAM (Synchronous
Dynamic Random Access Memory) and the like.
[0051] The user operation section 114 is a device
that receives an input of an operation from the user,
10 for example, a jog dial, a slide switch, or a push
button.
As switches of the user operation section 114,
there are on/off switch of a main power source, a sound
volume switch, an output changeover switch, and the
15 like. The output changeover switch is a switch for
alternatively switching between a headphone output and
a speaker output.
[0052] The processor 110 detects the state of the
output changeover switch and recognizes, based on the
20 result, which of the headphone output and the speaker
output has been selected by the user. If it is
recognized that the headphone output has been selected
by the user, the processor 110 drives the headphone
units 44, 44 by bringing the headphone amplifier 118
25 into an active state. Furthermore, if it is recognized
that the speaker output has been selected by the user,
the processor 110 drives the speaker units 24, 24 by
bringing the speaker amplifier 119 into an active state.
[0053] The flash memory 116 is a non-volatile
30 storage device capable of rewriting and deleting, in
which audio files and the like are stored as user data,
18
for example.
[0054] The headphone amplifier 118 amplifies an
audio signal output from the processor 110 and supplies
it to the headphone units 44, 44.
5 [0055] The speaker amplifier 119 amplifies an audio
signal output from the processor 110 and supplies it to
the speaker units 24, 24.
[0056] The external input terminal 120 is a
connection with an external device, for example, a
10 smart phone or a portable audio device.
[0057] The switching circuit 122 switches, based on
the connection state of the external device with the
external input terminal 120, input sources of the
headphone units 44, 44 between the headphone amplifier
15 118 and the external device. Specifically, if the
external device is not connected to the external input
terminal 120, the input sources of the headphone units
44, 44 are switched to the headphone amplifier 118. If
the external device is connected to the external input
20 terminal 120, the input sources of the headphone units
44, 44 are switched to the external device.
[0058] The battery 124 stores power for operating
the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 and supplies
it. The battery 124 is rechargeable, for example, a
25 lithium battery.
[0059] Sensors 125, 126, 127 are a sensor group for
acquiring information for estimating a mounted state,
an installed state, and the like of the headphone type
acoustic apparatus 100. The sensors 125, 126, 127 will
30 be described later in detail.
[0060] The detection circuit 128 is a circuit that
19
detects each of outputs of the sensors 125, 126, 127
and supplies it as digital data to the processor 110.
More specifically, for example, the detection circuit
128 extracts low-frequency components from the outputs
5 of the sensors 125, 126, compares them with a
predetermined threshold, for example, and outputs
comparison results thereof as detection results or
converts the output of the sensor 127 into the
corresponding digital data and outputs it to the
10 processor 110.
[0061] Otherwise, the headphone type acoustic
apparatus 100 includes, although not shown in the
figure, a display device such as an LED (Light Emitting
Diode) for displaying various statuses, a general15
purpose interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus),
and the like.
[0062] [Basic Operation of Audio Reproduction]
Next, a basic operation of audio reproduction will
be described.
20 When the user uses the user operation section 114
to instruct to reproduce a music track, the processor
110 reads in an audio file of the music track from the
flash memory 116, for example. The processor 110
decodes and modulates it and converts it into an analog
25 signal. The processor 110 supplies the analog audio
signal to one of the headphone amplifier 118 and the
speaker amplifier 119, which is set to an active state.
[0063] Here, a case where the headphone amplifier
118 is in an active state is assumed. The audio signal
30 amplified by the headphone amplifier 118 is supplied to
the headphone units 44, 44 and the headphone units 44,
20
44 are driven. With this, the user can enjoy music by
the headphone output in the head-mounted state.
Furthermore, in the case where the speaker amplifier
119 is in an active state, the processor 110 supplies
5 the analog audio signal to the speaker amplifier 119.
The audio signal amplified by the speaker amplifier 119
is supplied to the speaker units 24, 24 and the speaker
units 24, 24 are driven. With this, the user can enjoy
music by the speaker output.
10 [0064] Furthermore, while listening to music by the
headphone output, the user can input an instruction to
switch to the speaker output, via the user operation
section 114. According to this instruction, the
processor 110 switches the headphone amplifier 118 to
15 an inactive state and switches the speaker amplifier
119 to an active state. The same applies to the case of
switching from the speaker output state to the
headphone output state.
[0065] In addition, in the headphone type acoustic
20 apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to
estimate the mounted state such as the head-mounted
state and the neck-mounted state and automatically
switch between the speaker output and the headphone
output according to the estimated mounted state. This
25 operation will be described later in detail.
[0066] As described above, in the headphone type
acoustic apparatus 100 of this embodiment, in addition
to the headphone units 44, 44 provided in the left and
right housing blocks 40R, 40L, respectively, the
30 speaker units 24, 24 are provided in the left and right
slider blocks 20R, 20L. For enjoying music through the
21
speaker units 24, 24, as shown in Fig. 7, the user is
recommended to use it in the neck-mounted state through
a product manual or the like. In this neck-mounted
state, the sound spill ports 247 of the left and right
5 speaker units 24, 24 are located approximately under
the left and right ears of the user and oriented
approximately upward. That is, sound from the left and
right speaker units 24, 24 is emitted to the ears of
the user from below. Therefore, without greatly
10 increasing the sound volume of the speaker units 24, 24,
the user can hear sound with sufficient volume.
[0067] In addition, the entire size of the headband
10 and the slider blocks 20R, 20L can be manually
changed by the user depending on needs. Therefore, for
15 example, as shown in Fig. 9, the position relationship
between the left and right ears of the user and the
left and right speaker units 24, 24 can be freely
adjusted by changing the locking position to a position
at which the headband 10 is slightly pulled out of the
20 slider blocks 20R, 20L or changing the locking position
to a position at which the headband 10 is slightly
pushed into the slider blocks 20R, 20L conversely.
[0068] Furthermore, during use of the speaker, the
ears are not closed unlike use of the headphones, and
25 hence the user can hear surrounding sound as well as
music. Therefore, the safety of the moving user can be
enhanced.
[0069] [Configurations of Sensors]
Next, the sensors 125, 126, 127 of the headphone
30 type acoustic apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be
described.
22
[0070] In the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100
of this embodiment, the following one or more sensors
125, 126, 127 are provided.
1. Pressure sensors 125
5 2. Motion sensors 126
3. Other sensors (rotation detection sensors 127,
acceleration sensors, etc.)
[0071] The pressure sensor 125 is a sensor for
detecting that a pressure is applied from a human body
10 (head, neck, etc.) of the user or an external object.
The plurality of pressure sensors 125 are, for example,
as shown in Fig. 1, arranged near the top of the
headband 10, for example, and in the ear pads 43 of the
left and right housing blocks 40R, 40L, for example.
15 [0072] The motion sensor 126 is a sensor for
detecting a physical parameter of temperature,
capacitance, or light, for example, and a change
thereof and detecting contact or proximity of the human
body of the user. For example, when an increase of the
20 temperature, an increase of the capacitance, or a
change from a state in which light is not reflected to
a state in which light is reflected is detected, it is
detected that the human body of the user is brought
into contact with or comes closer to the sensor. The
25 plurality of motion sensors 126 are, for example, as
shown in Fig. 1, arranged near the top of the headband
10, for example, and in the ear pads 43 of the left and
right housing blocks 40R, 40L, for example.
[0073] The outputs of the sensors 125, 126, 127 are
30 collected by the detection circuit 128. The detection
circuit 128 extracts low-frequency components from the
23
output of each of the pressure sensors 125 and compares
it with a threshold. The detection circuit 128 outputs
a comparison result (large/small determination result)
of the output with the threshold as a detection result
5 to the processor 110. Furthermore, the detection
circuit 128 extracts low-frequency components from the
output of each of the motion sensors 126 and compares
it with the threshold. The detection circuit 128
outputs a comparison result (large/small determination
10 result) of the output with the threshold as a detection
result to the processor 110. In addition, the detection
circuit 128 converts outputs of the other sensors, for
example, the rotation detection sensors 127 that detect
rotation positions of the housing blocks 40R, 40L, into
15 digital data of the corresponding rotation positions
and outputs them to the processor 110.
[0074] [Control Based on Detection Results of
Sensors]
In the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 of
20 this embodiment, switch control of the headphone output
and the speaker output based on the detection results
of the sensors will be described.
[0075] First, the following is assumed as the
mounted state and the installed state of the headphone
25 type acoustic apparatus 100 of this embodiment.
1. Head-mounted state
2. Neck-mounted state
3. Desktop state
4. Wall-hanging state
30 [0076] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the head-mounted
state.
24
Note that, in the following description, depending
on needs, a pressure sensor provided near the top of
the headband 10, for example, will be referred to as a
“pressure sensor 125A,” and a plurality of pressure
5 sensors mounted on the ear pads 43 of the left and
right housing blocks 40R, 40L, for example, will be
referred to as “pressure sensors 125B” and “pressure
sensors 125C,” a motion sensor provided near the top of
the headband 10, for example, will be referred to as a
10 “motion sensor 126A,” and a plurality of motion sensors
mounted on the ear pads 43 of the left and right
housing blocks 40R, 40L, for example, will be referred
to as “motion sensors 126B” and “motion sensors 126C.”
[0077] First, an operation in the case of the head15
mounted state will be described.
As shown in Fig. 10, in the head-mounted state,
the plurality of pressure sensors 125A, 125B, 125C
provided near the top of the headband 10, for example,
and in the ear pads 43 of the left and right housing
20 blocks 40R, 40L, for example, and the detection circuit
128 detect generation of pressures. Detection results
thereof are output to the processor 110. It is assumed
that a detection result if generation of a pressure is
detected is “ON.” Furthermore, at this time, the
25 plurality of motion sensors 126A, 126B, 126C provided
near the top of the headband 10, for example, and in
the ear pads 43 of the left and right housing blocks
40R, 40L, for example, and the detection circuit 128
detect occurrence of contact or proximity of the human
30 body. Detection results thereof are output to the
processor 110. It is assumed that a detection result if
25
occurrence of contact or proximity of the human body is
detected is “ON.”
[0078] The processor 110 estimates, based on the
detection results, that the mounted state of the
5 headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 is the headmounted
state and brings the headphone amplifier 118
into an active state.
[0079] Note that, if the speaker output is performed
immediately before it, the speaker amplifier 119 is
10 brought into an inactive state and the headphone
amplifier 118 is brought into an active state. With
this, switching from the speaker output to the
headphone output is performed.
[0080] Note that, in the description above, it is
15 assumed that, if the detection results of the pressure
sensors 125A, 125B, 125C and the detection results of
the motion sensors 126A, 126B, 126C are all “ON,” the
headphone amplifier 118 is brought into an active state.
However, if the detection results of the pressure
20 sensors 125A, 125B, 125C are all “ON” or if the
detection results of the motion sensors 126A, 126B,
126C are all “ON,” the headphone amplifier 118 may be
brought into an active state.
[0081] Next, an operation in the case of the neck25
mounted state will be described.
As shown in Fig. 11, in the neck-mounted state,
the pressure sensor 125A provided near the top of the
headband 10, for example, and the detection circuit 128
detect generation of pressures. Furthermore, at this
30 time, the motion sensor 126A provided near the top of
the headband 10, for example, detects occurrence of
26
contact or proximity of the human body and detection
results thereof are output to the processor 110.
[0082] By the way, in the neck-mounted state, a
suitable direction for mounting the headphone type
5 acoustic apparatus 100 is present. Specifically, if the
sound spill ports 247 of the left and right speaker
units 24, 24 are not oriented upward during mounting,
it is difficult for the user to hear sound. In the
headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 of this
10 embodiment, pressure sensors 125D (see Figs. 2 and 11)
for determining whether the neck-mounted state in a
correct direction is achieved is provided.
[0083] The pressure sensors 125D are provided at
positions such that they are brought into contact with
15 the breast portion of the user when the neck-mounted
state in the correct direction is achieved. For example,
they are provided in side surfaces of the ear pads 43
of the left and right housing blocks 40R, 40L, for
example.
20 [0084] If generation of a pressure is detected by
the pressure sensor 125A provided near the top of the
headband 10, for example, occurrence of contact or
proximity of the human body is detected by the motion
sensor 126A, and generation of pressures is detected by
25 the pressure sensors 125D, the processor 110 considers
that the neck-mounted state in the correct direction is
achieved and brings the speaker amplifier 119 into an
active state.
[0085] Note that, if the headphone output is
30 performed immediately before it, the headphone
amplifier 118 is brought into an inactive state and the
27
speaker amplifier 119 is brought into an active state.
With this, switching from the headphone output state to
the speaker output state is performed.
[0086] Furthermore, for example, as shown in Fig. 12,
5 if the neck-mounted state in an incorrect direction is
achieved, generation of pressures is not detected by
the pressure sensors 125D, and hence the processor 110
does not bring the speaker amplifier 119 into an active
state. At this time, using synthetic sound, the
10 processor 110 may inform the user to achieve the neckmounted
state in the correct direction.
[0087] Next, an operation in the case of the desktop
state will be described.
As shown in Fig. 13, in the desktop state, in
15 order to orient the sound spill ports 247 of the
speaker units 24, 24 toward the user, the headphone
type acoustic apparatus 100 is made to self-stand on a
desk such that the ear pads 43 of the left and right
housing blocks 40R, 40L are oriented downward (opposed
20 to upper surface of desk), using the left and right
housing blocks 40R, 40L as legs.
[0088] At this time, pressures are detected by all
the pressure sensors 125 provided in the ear pads 43 of
the left and right housing blocks 40R, 40L. Furthermore,
25 the motion sensors 126 provided in the ear pads 43 at
this time do not sense the surface of the desk, and
hence detection results of all the motion sensors 126
are “OFF.” When receiving the detection results of the
pressure sensor 125 and the motion sensors 126, the
30 processor 110 brings the speaker amplifier 119 into an
active state.
28
[0089] If the headphone output is performed
immediately before it, the headphone amplifier 118 is
brought into an inactive state and the speaker
amplifier 119 is brought into an active state. With
5 this, switching from the headphone output state to the
speaker output state is performed.
[0090] Note that, as the condition of detection of
this desktop state, detection by the rotation detection
sensors 127 that detect the rotation positions of the
10 housing blocks 40R, 40L that the housing blocks 40R,
40L are located at the rotation positions in the
desktop state may be added. Furthermore, the desktop
state may be detected based on the detection results of
the rotation detection sensors 127 and the detection
15 results of all the motion sensors 126.
[0091] As described above, according to this
embodiment, only by placing the headphone type acoustic
apparatus 100 in a predetermined state, it is possible
to automatically switch to the speaker output.
20 [0092] Next, an operation in the case of the wallhanging
state will be described.
As shown in Fig. 14, the wall-hanging state as
used herein means a state in which the portion of the
headband 10 of the headphone type acoustic apparatus
25 100 is hung on a hook 50 fixed to a wall.
[0093] In this state, generation of pressures is
detected by the pressure sensor 125A provided in the
headband 10 and the detection circuit 128 and detection
results thereof are output to the processor 110. The
30 detection results of all the motion sensors 126 are
“OFF.” When receiving the detection results of the
29
pressure sensor 125A and the motion sensors 126, the
processor 110 brings the speaker amplifier 119 into an
active state.
[0094] If the headphone output is performed
5 immediately before it, the headphone amplifier 118 is
brought into an inactive state and the speaker
amplifier 119 is brought into an active state. With
this, switching from the headphone output state to the
speaker output state is performed.
10 [0095] The operations of estimating, based on the
detection results of the sensors 125, 126, 127, the
mounted state or the installed state of the headphone
type acoustic apparatus 100 and switching between the
headphone output and the speaker output have been
15 described above. If a combination other than the
combinations of the detection results of the sensors
exemplified above is generated during audio
reproduction, the processor 110 makes control to stop
the reproduction as an unexpected state.
20 [0096] As described above, according to the
headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 of this
embodiment, it is possible to estimate, based on the
detection results of the various sensors 125, 126, 127,
the mounted state or the installed state of the
25 headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 and automatically
switch between the headphone output and the speaker
output according to the estimated mounted state or
installed state. With this, even if the user changes
the use state while listening to music, the user can
30 continue listening to the music.
[0097]
30
Next, a modification example of the headphone type
acoustic apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will be
described.
As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, if the headphone type
5 acoustic apparatus 100 is used in the desktop state or
the wall-hanging state, for emitting sound from the
speaker unit 24 in an approximately horizontal
direction, the sound spill ports 247 of the speaker
units 24, 24 are provided facing a direction orthogonal
10 or approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal
direction of the slider blocks 20R, 20L.
[0098] However, the depth of insertion of the
headband 10 into the slider blocks 20R, 20L is changed
depending on the user’s face or neck size or the like,
15 and hence the position relationship between the ears of
the user and the speaker units 24, 24 is also changed
in the neck-mounted state. For example, as the user has
a larger face or neck size, the speaker units 24, 24
become closer to the jaw of the user.
20 [0099] Therefore, a method in which the depth of
insertion of the headband 10 into the slider blocks 20R,
20L is detected by an additional sensor (not shown) and,
for example, as shown in Fig. 15, the speaker units 24,
24 are rotated according to this detection result such
25 that the sound spill ports 247 of the speaker units 24,
24 are oriented to the ears of the user is conceivable.
[0100] In order to realize such an operation, for
example, a detection means such as a sensor for
detecting the depth of insertion of the headband 10
30 into the slider blocks 20R, 20L and a mechanism for
rotating the speaker units 24, 24 in the slider blocks
31
20R, 20L are necessary. In the processor 110, a table
in which the amount of insertion is made corresponding
to the optimal amount of rotation is stored. Based on
the amount of insertion detected by the detection means
5 such as a sensor, the processor 110 refers the optimal
amount of rotation in the table and outputs a control
signal for rotating the speaker units 24, 24 by this
amount of rotation to the mechanism.
[0101]
10 In the headphone type acoustic apparatus 100 of
the first embodiment, the headphone output and the
speaker output are exclusively switched therebetween.
In Modification 2, a reproduction mode on which the
headphone output and the speaker output are performed
15 at the same time is introduced.
[0102] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an electrical
configuration of a headphone type acoustic apparatus
100B of Modification 2.
In order to increase the output of the headphone
20 amplifier 118 to approximately the same level of the
speaker output, a filter 131, an amplifier 132, and a
switch 133 are connected between the output of the
headphone amplifier 118 and the headphone units 44, 44.
[0103] Here, the filter 131 serves to subject an
25 audio signal for the headphone output from the
headphone amplifier 118 to surround processing. The
amplifier 132 amplifies the audio signal output by the
filter 131 to a speaker output level. According to a
switching signal from the processor 110, the switch 133
30 switches between the output of the headphone amplifier
118 and the output of the amplifier 132 and supplies it
32
to the headphone units 44, 44.
[0104] In this headphone type acoustic apparatus 100
B of Modification 2, the processor 110 brings the
headphone amplifier 118 and the speaker amplifier 119
5 into an active state such that the headphone output and
the speaker output are performed at the same time. The
processor 110 brings the amplifier into an active state
and controls the switch 133 using a switching control
signal to select the output of the amplifier 132. With
10 this, the audio signal output by the speaker amplifier
119 is output as sound by the speaker unit 24.
Meanwhile, the audio signal output by the headphone
amplifier 118 is subjected to surround processing in
the filter 131 and input into the amplifier 132. It is
15 amplified to the speaker output level in the amplifier
132. Then, it is introduced into the headphone units 44,
44 via the switch 133. As a result, the sound at the
speaker output level is output from the speaker unit 24
and the headphone units 44, 44 at the same time. With
20 this, it is possible to enhance the surround feeling
added to the headphone output.
[0105] In addition, according to an estimated
mounted state such as the head-mounted state or neckmounted
state of the headphone type acoustic apparatus
25 100B, the processor 110 selects an optimal parameter
for processing such as balance control between the
headphone output and the speaker output and sound phase
correction. With this, it is possible to further
enhance the surround feeling.
30 [0106]
Next, control of the headphone output and the
33
speaker output during transition from the head-mounted
state to the neck-mounted state will be described.
[0107] Fig. 17 is a time chart of changes in the
headphone output and the speaker output during
5 transition from the head-mounted state to the neckmounted
state.
[0108] In Fig. 17, during head mounting, all the
detection results of the pressure sensor 125A of the
headband 10 and the pressure sensors 125B, 125C of the
10 ear pads 43 of the left and right housing blocks 40R,
40L, for example, are “ON.” Furthermore, all the
detection results of the motion sensors 126A, 126B,
126C are also “ON.”
[0109] As an initial operation of the transition
15 from the head-mounted state to the neck-mounted state,
the user removes the left and right housing blocks 40R,
40L from the users’ ears. At this moment, the detection
results of the pressure sensors 125B, 125C of the ear
pads 43 of the left and right housing blocks 40R, 40L,
20 for example, become “OFF.” On the other hand, the
outputs of the motion sensors 126B, 126C become values
corresponding to distances from the human body. The
detection circuit 128 has different thresholds for
separately determining, based on the outputs of the
25 motion sensors 126B, 126C, the state in which the
headphone type acoustic apparatus is removed from the
user and the transition state from the head-mounted
state to the neck-mounted state. Therefore, during
transition from the head-mounted state to the neck30
mounted state, the detection circuit 128 outputs, based
on the outputs of the motion sensors 126B, 126C,
34
detection results indicating the transition state to
the processor 110.
[0110] During transition from the head-mounted state
to the neck-mounted state, the processor 110 gradually
5 increases the headphone output over a certain time
period and keeps this state for a certain time period.
Then, the processor 110 reduces it to “0” for a certain
time period. These time periods are determined in
advance in view of a time necessary for the transition
10 from the head-mounted state to the neck-mounted state.
Gradually increasing the headphone output for the
certain time period is for preventing the volume of
sound reaching the ears of the user from greatly
changing as the left and right housing blocks 40R, 40L
15 is being moved away from the ears of the user.
[0111] The processor 110 switches the speaker output
to “ON” at a time when the certain time period for
keeping the increased headphone output has elapsed. The
processor 110 gradually increases the speaker output
20 from “0” to suitable sound volume for a certain time
period from that time and keeps the speaker output as
it is. With this, it is possible to prevent the sound
reaching the ears of the user from breaking off during
transition from the headphone output to the speaker
25 output.
[0112] Furthermore, a time when the headphone output
becomes “0” during transition from the head-mounted
state to the neck-mounted state is set to be after a
time when it becomes suitable sound volume. It is for
30 preventing a break of sound due to a sudden stop of the
headphone output.
35
[0113]
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an electrical
configuration of a headphone type acoustic apparatus
100C of Modification 4.
5 A processor 110C includes a line-in terminal 117
connected to the external input terminal 120. When the
external device is connected to the external input
terminal 120, the processor 110C recognizes it through
the line-in terminal 117. Then, the processor 110C
10 makes control to switch the input sources of the
headphone units 44, 44 from the headphone amplifier 118
to the external device.
[0114] Note that the present technology may also
take the following configurations.
15 (1) A headphone type acoustic apparatus,
including:
a pair of housing blocks each including a
headphone unit;
a headband section that supports the housing
20 blocks at both ends and includes a pair of speaker
units;
one or more sensors that obtain information for
estimating a mounted state achieved by a user; and
a control unit that estimates the mounted state
25 based on outputs of the one or more sensors and
controls, based on the estimated mounted state, outputs
of the pair of headphone units and the pair of speaker
units.
[0115] (2) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
30 according to (1), in which
the control unit determines, according to the
36
estimated mounted state, whether the outputs of the
pair of headphone units are turned on or the outputs of
the pair of speaker units are turned on.
[0116] (3) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
5 according to any one of (1) to (2), in which
the estimated mounted state includes
a first mounted state achieved by engagement
with at least the pair of housing blocks and the
headband section, and
10 a second mounted state achieved by engagement
with the headband section, and
the control unit turns on at least the pair of
headphone units when the first mounted state is
estimated and turns on at least the pair of speaker
15 units when the second mounted state is estimated.
[0117] (4) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
according to any one of (1) to (3), in which
the control unit turns on both of the pair of
speaker units and the pair of headphone units when the
20 second mounted state is estimated.
[0118] (5) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
according to any one of (1) to (4), in which
the detection section includes one or more
pressure sensors and one or more motion sensors that
25 are provided in a site that is capable of being brought
into contact with the user in the pair of housing
blocks and a site that is capable of being brought into
contact with the user in the headband section in the
first mounted state, and
30 the control unit estimates the mounted state based
on detection results of the one or more pressure
37
sensors and the one or more motion sensors.
[0119] (6) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
according to any one of (1) to (5), in which
the control unit estimates, based on the detection
5 results of the one or more pressure sensors and the one
or more motion sensors, a transition state from the
first mounted state to the second mounted state and,
when the transition state is estimated, turns on the
speaker unit before the second mounted state is
10 estimated and keeps the headphone unit on until the
second mounted state is estimated.
[0120] (7) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
according to any one of (1) to (6), in which
the control unit makes the output of the headphone
15 unit larger than the output on the first mounted state
for a certain time period after termination of the
first mounted state is estimated, and gradually reduces
the output after the certain time period has elapsed.
[0121] (8) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
20 according to any one of (1) to (7), in which
the control unit estimates, based on the detection
results of the one or more pressure sensors and the one
or more motion sensors, a first installed state in
which the headphone type acoustic apparatus self-stands
25 on the pair of housing blocks, and turns on the pair of
speaker units.
[0122] (9) The headphone type acoustic apparatus
according to any one of (1) to (8), in which
the control unit estimates, based on the detection
30 results of the one or more pressure sensors and the one
or more motion sensors, a second installed state in
38
which the headphone type acoustic apparatus is
suspended with the headband section being a supporting
point, and turns on the pair of speaker units.
Description of Symbols
5 [0123] 10 head band
20R, 20L slider block
24 speaker unit
40R, 40L housing block
44 headphone unit
10 100 headphone type acoustic apparatus
110 processor
112 memory
114 user operation section
118 headphone amplifier
15 119 speaker amplifier
125 pressure sensor
126 motion sensor
127 rotation detection sensor
128 detection circuit
20
39
Claims
[1] A headphone type acoustic apparatus, comprising:
a pair of housing blocks each including a
headphone unit;
5 a headband section that supports the housing
blocks at both ends and includes a pair of speaker
units;
one or more sensors that obtain information for
estimating a mounted state achieved by a user; and
10 a control unit that estimates the mounted state
based on outputs of the one or more sensors and
controls, based on the estimated mounted state, outputs
of the pair of headphone units and the pair of speaker
units.
15 [2] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein
the control unit determines, according to the
estimated mounted state, whether the outputs of the
pair of headphone units are turned on or the outputs of
20 the pair of speaker units are turned on.
[3] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein
the estimated mounted state includes
a first mounted state achieved by engagement
25 with at least the pair of housing blocks and the
headband section, and
a second mounted state achieved by engagement
with the headband section, and
the control unit turns on at least the pair of
30 headphone units when the first mounted state is
estimated and turns on at least the pair of speaker
40
units when the second mounted state is estimated.
[4] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
claim 3, wherein
the control unit turns on both of the pair of
5 speaker units and the pair of headphone units when the
second mounted state is estimated.
[5] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
claim 3, wherein
the detection section includes one or more
10 pressure sensors and one or more motion sensors that
are provided in a site that is capable of being brought
into contact with the user in the pair of housing
blocks and a site that is capable of being brought into
contact with the user in the headband section in the
15 first mounted state, and
the control unit estimates the mounted state based
on detection results of the one or more pressure
sensors and the one or more motion sensors.
[6] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
20 claim 5, wherein
the control unit estimates, based on the detection
results of the one or more pressure sensors and the one
or more motion sensors, a transition state from the
first mounted state to the second mounted state and,
25 when the transition state is estimated, turns on the
speaker unit before the second mounted state is
estimated and keeps the headphone unit on until the
second mounted state is estimated.
[7] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
30 claim 6, wherein
the control unit makes the output of the headphone
41
unit larger than the output on the first mounted state
for a certain time period after termination of the
first mounted state is estimated, and gradually reduces
the output after the certain time period has elapsed.
5 [8] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
claim 5, wherein
the control unit estimates, based on the detection
results of the one or more pressure sensors and the one
or more motion sensors, a first installed state in
10 which the headphone type acoustic apparatus self-stands
on the pair of housing blocks, and turns on the pair of
speaker units.
[9] The headphone type acoustic apparatus according to
claim 5, wherein
15 the control unit estimates, based on the detection
results of the one or more pressure sensors and the one
or more motion sensors, a second installed state in
which the headphone type acoustic apparatus is
suspended with the headband section being a supporting
20 point, and turns on the pair of speaker units.
[10] A control method for a headphone type acoustic
apparatus, comprising:
preparing
a pair of housing blocks each including a
25 headphone unit,
a headband section that supports the housing
blocks at both ends and includes a pair of speaker
units, and
one or more sensors that obtain information
30 for estimating a mounted state achieved by a user; and
estimating, by a control unit, the mounted state
42
based on outputs of the one or more sensors and
controlling, based on the estimated mounted state,
outputs of the pair of headphone units and the pair of
speaker units.