United States Patent [19J
`Ozawa et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005870710A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,870,710
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`[54] AUDIO TRANSMISSION, RECORDING AND
`REPRODUCING SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Kanagawa;
`Nobuhiro Tone, Tokyo; Masahiro
`Asai, Kanagawa, all of Japan
`
`0649121 A2
`0763939 A2
`3820835
`6-131371
`wo 93/16550
`wo 94/29852
`wo 95/30212
`
`4/1995
`3/1997
`1!1989
`5/1994
`8/1993
`12/1994
`11/1995
`
`European Pat. Off. . ....... G07F 17/16
`European Pat. Off .......... H04N 7/14
`Germany ......................... H04N 5!00
`Japan .............................. G06F 15/21
`WIPO ........................... H04M 11/00
`WIPO ............................ G11B 5/012
`WIPO .. ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... . G07F 11/00
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 785,958
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 22, 1997
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jan. 24, 1996
`
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 8-030004
`
`Int. Cl.6
`.................................................... H04M 15/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 704/500
`[58] Field of Search ...................................... 704/500, 201
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,086,475
`5,491,774
`5,544,228
`5,619,570
`
`2/1992 Kutaragi .................................. 704/500
`2/1996 Norris ..................................... 704/270
`8/1996 Wagner ................................... 704/500
`4/1997 Tsutsui ........................................ 380/4
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`S. Putz, "Interactive Information Services Using World(cid:173)
`Wide Web Hypertext," Computer Networks and ISDN Sys(cid:173)
`tems, vol. 27, No. 2, Nov. 1994, pp. 273-280.
`DOS International, Die PC-Zeitschrift, "Mobiles Comput(cid:173)
`ing," Feb. 1995, DMV Verlag, pp. 65-70.
`
`Primary Examiner-David R. Hudspeth
`Assistant Examiner-Robert Louis Sax
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Limbach & Limbach L.L.P.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a
`controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for
`write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion
`circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external
`1!0 port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is
`connected to a network service center to obtain desired
`music data from storage of the network service center and to
`store it in the hard disc.
`
`0467208 A1
`
`1!1992 European Pat. Off ........... G07F 7/10
`
`20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`4
`
`11
`
`12
`
`18
`
`13A
`138
`
`14
`
`8
`
`9
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 1 of 7
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`5,870,710
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`Fig. 1
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`4
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`Fig. 5
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`17
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`16
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`14
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 2 of 7
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`5,870,710
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`Fig. 2
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`4
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 3 of 7
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`5,870,710
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`Fig. 3A
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`t> 1 CLASS I CAL
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`2
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`JAZZ
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`3 POP
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`4 COUNTRY
`
`Fig. 38
`
`1 BEETHOVEN NO. 1
`
`t> 2 BEETHOVEN NO.2
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`3 SCHUBERT NO. 1
`
`4 SCHUBERT NO.2
`
`Fig. 4
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`HEADER
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`AUDIO DATA
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 4 of 7
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`5,870,710
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`Fig. 6
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`31
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`15
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`16
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`,
`\
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`14
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`32
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 5 of 7
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`5,870,710
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`Fig. 7
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`~--------- ~ -------------------------~
`I
`2~
`_..--/ 6 2 :
`i
`
`61"'- DSU
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
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`I
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`1 7
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`56
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`~
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`AID
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`I
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`
`71
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`
`45
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`HARD
`DISC
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`42
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`CARD 1+-+-.j I /0 !+(cid:173)
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`DRIVER -"'55
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`49
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`48
`
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`
`LCD
`
`~ ~32
`L___J MODEM
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`3 3
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 6 of 7
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`5,870,710
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`Fig. 8
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`70A
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`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 1999
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`Sheet 7 of 7
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`5,870, 710
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`Fig. 9A
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`Fig. 98
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`7 4---
`
`VIDEO RECORD/
`REPRODUCE CARD
`
`FAX
`TRANSMISSION CARD
`
`r----- 7 4
`
`Fig. 9C
`
`Fig. 90
`
`7 4 ._.....
`
`WI RELESS
`TRANSMISSION CARD
`
`PAGER CARD
`
`t----- 7 4
`
`Fig. 9E
`
`Fig. 9F
`
`7 4 --------
`
`NAV I GA Tl ON CARD
`
`WIRE
`TRANSMISSION CARD~ 7 4
`
`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`

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`5,870,710
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`5
`
`1
`AUDIO TRANSMISSION, RECORDING AND
`REPRODUCING SYSTEM
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus
`and method, audio recording apparatus and method, audio
`recording and reproducing system, audio data transmission
`method, information receiving apparatus, and recording
`medium which are particularly suitable for use in a head(cid:173)
`phone stereo, and in particular to those configured to store
`in a portable headphone stereo desired audio data externally
`transmitted to the portable headphone stereo.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Among portable headphone stereo devices with which a 15
`user can enjoy reproduced music either during his walk or in
`an automobile, most widely distributed are those using an
`analog-recording magnetic tape such as compact cassette. A
`user of a portable headphone stereo using an analog(cid:173)
`recording magnetic tape typically records in a compact
`cassette a desired piece of music selected from FM broad(cid:173)
`casting programs, CDs (compact discs) or other music
`sources, and sets the compact cassette in his portable head(cid:173)
`phone stereo to enjoy audio reproduction either during his
`walk or in an automobile.
`However, as long as compact cassettes or other analog(cid:173)
`recording magnetic tapes are used, great improvements in
`quality of sound are not prospective, and dubbing causes
`deterioration of signals. Moreover, it takes a long time for a
`user to record desired pieces of music from CD or other
`music sources. Additionally, with compact cassettes or other
`magnetic tapes, the access time is slow, and a user cannot
`quickly search out, reproduce or repeat his desired music.
`Some portable headphone stereos use CDs. Since CDs are
`media exclusive for recording, a user of portable headphone
`CD stereo buys CD recorded with his desired music, and
`places the CD in his portable headphone CD stereo to enjoy
`audio reproduction during his walk or in an automobile. CDs
`are digital recording media, the quality of sound is excellent.
`The access speed is high, and any desired music can be 40
`reproduced quickly. However, since CD headphone stereos
`are exclusively for reproduction, users cannot make their
`own music sources compiling their desired pieces of music.
`Moreover, CD headphone stereos are affected by vibrations,
`and sound is often skipped over due to external vibrations. 45
`Also known are portable headphone stereo players using
`DAT (digital audio tape), NT (non-tracking tape(trade
`mark)) or other digital-recording magnetic tapes as their
`recording media. Deterioration of signals by dubbing hardly
`occurs in devices using DAT, NT or other digital magnetic 50
`tapes. DAT promises audio reproduction of a very high
`quality of sound. NT permits recording over a long time in
`a very small cassette. Here again, however, devices using
`magnetic tapes involve the same problems that the access
`speed is slow and it takes a long time for repeated repro- 55
`duction or cue search of a desired piece of music.
`Another type of portable headphone stereo players uses
`MD (mini-disk(trade mark)). MDs are media for both
`recording and reproduction, and users can record their
`desired pieces of music on MDs from CD or other music 60
`sources and can place them in their portable MD headphone
`stereos to enjoy reproduced music during a walk or in an
`automobile. MDs are digital-recording media, and promise
`an excellent quality of sound. The access speed is high, and
`any desired music can be reproduced quickly. As a shock- 65
`proof memory is used, devices are less affected by external
`vibrations.
`
`2
`As reviewed above, various kinds of recording media
`have been proposed for use in portable headphone stereos.
`However, none of these recording media used in conven(cid:173)
`tional portable headphone stereos meet all requirements
`from the viewpoints of easy use and quality of sound.
`Devices using analog-recording compact cassettes have a
`problem in quality of sound. Those using DAT, NT or other
`digital-recording magnetic tapes have a problem in access
`speed. CDs are exclusively for reproduction and weak
`10 against vibrations. MDs can be used for both recording and
`reproduction and can be miniaturized but, since the number
`of titles of MD on sale is not abundant, it is sometimes
`difficult for users to obtain their desired music. It takes time
`to dub CD or other music sources.
`Another problem with MDs is the use of ATRAC
`(Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) compression and
`expansion ICs or other ICs developed for exclusive use in
`MDs and the use of a particular architecture, i.e., a particular
`circuit arrangement as a method for actually mounting the
`ICs in order to reduce the entire dimension and decrease the
`cost. Therefore, such devices cannot be used in different
`ways, namely, for recording and reproducing a recording
`medium other than MDs, for example.
`Moreover, tastes of users for music are diverged more and
`25 more, and the fashion of music largely changes in a short
`time. It is difficult to exactly catch the fashion of music with
`conventional music recording media.
`Taking it into account, the present Applicant previously
`proposed a portable headphone stereo disclosed in Japanese
`30 Patent Laid-Open No. hei 06-131371 U.S. Ser. No. 08/131,
`943, which is configured to write music information in
`semiconductor memory used as a recording medium to
`enable reproduction of the music information any time.
`However, its interior circuit arrangement comprises an
`35 exclusive IC and an exclusive architecture, and as in the case
`of MDs, cannot realize wider use and extensive use of the
`device.
`
`20
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an
`audio reproducing apparatus and method, audio recording
`apparatus and method, audio recording and reproducing
`system, audio data transmission method, information receiv(cid:173)
`ing apparatus, and recording medium that promise wider use
`and extensive use and promise easy use and a high quality
`of reproduced sound.
`Another object of the invention is to provide an audio
`reproducing apparatus and method, audio recording appa(cid:173)
`ratus and method, audio recording and reproducing system,
`audio data transmission method, information receiving
`apparatus, and recording medium that are prospective for
`developments and can quickly cope with users tastes for
`music and music in fashion.
`According to the invention, there is provided an audio
`reproducing apparatus comprising: control means for con(cid:173)
`trolling entire behaviors; storage means for writing and
`reading data; audio expanding means for expanding com(cid:173)
`pressed audio data; external 1!0 means for exchanging
`incoming data; and a personal computer standard bus for
`transmitting data among the control means, storage means,
`audio expanding means and external 1!0 means, so that
`compressed audio data is stored in the storage means, and
`the compressed audio data is transferred to and expanded by
`the audio expanding means to be audibly reproduced.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an audio recording apparatus comprising: control
`
`HTC Exhibit 1006
`
`

`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view for use in explanation of a
`digital portable headphone stereo to which the invention is
`applied;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view for use in explanation of an
`audio data transmission system to which the invention is
`applied;
`FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams for use in
`explanation of an audio data transmission system to which
`the invention is applied;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for use in explanation of an
`audio data transmission system to which the invention is
`applied;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view for use in explanation of a
`digital portable headphone stereo to which the invention is
`applied;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view for use in explanation of a
`digital portable headphone stereo to which the invention is
`applied;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a digital portable
`headphone stereo to which the invention is applied;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of
`a digital portable headphone stereo to which the invention is
`applied; and
`FIGS. 9A to 9F are schematic diagrams for use in expla(cid:173)
`nation of extensive cards in a digital portable headphone
`stereo to which the invention is applied.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`35
`
`45
`
`3
`means for controlling entire behaviors; storage means for
`writing and reading data; audio expanding means for
`expanding compressed audio data; external 1!0 means for
`exchanging incoming data; and a personal computer stan(cid:173)
`dard bus for transmitting data among the control means,
`storage means, audio expanding means and external 1!0
`means, in which data sent in a predetermined format is
`introduced through the external I/O means, and compressed
`audio data is taken out from the introduced data and stored
`in the storage means.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an audio reproducing method comprising the steps
`of: storing compressed audio data in storage means; reading
`the compressed audio data stored in the storage means and
`delivering same to audio expanding means; and reproducing 15
`audio data in the audio expanding means.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an audio recording method comprising the steps of:
`introducing data sent through external 1!0 means in a
`predetermined format; taking compressed audio data from 20
`the data introduced through the external 1!0 means; and
`storing the compressed audio data in storage means.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an audio recording and reproducing system com(cid:173)
`prising: an audio recording and reproducing apparatus incor- 25
`porating control means for controlling entire behaviors,
`storage means for writing and reading data, audio expanding
`means for expanding compressed audio data, and external
`1!0 means for exchanging incoming data; first functional
`means removably attached to the audio recording and repro- 30
`ducing apparatus to add a supplementary function to the
`audio recording and reproducing apparatus; and second
`functional means removably attached to the audio recording
`and reproducing apparatus to add a new function to the audio
`recording and reproducing apparatus.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an audio data transmission method for receiving
`desired audio data through a communication line from an
`audio data base storing a plurality of pieces of audio data, 40
`storing the audio data on the part of a receiver to reproduce
`it there later, the audio data base being configured to send
`out data to the receiver in a predetermined transmission
`format for and to charge fees for the service on the account
`of the receiver.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an information receiving apparatus comprising:
`means for choosing desired audio data from an audio data
`base storing a plurality of pieces of audio data; means for
`receiving desired audio data through a communication line 50
`and for storing the chosen audio data; and means for
`reproducing the stored audio data.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a recording medium that receives desired audio
`data through a communication line from an audio data base
`storing a plurality of pieces of audio data and stores the
`chosen audio data.
`Digital portable stereo headphone players are connected
`to a network service center by public telephone line (for
`example ISDN) lines. Each player obtains desired music 60
`data from a number of pieces of music supplied from the
`network service center, stores it in a hard disc, and repro(cid:173)
`duces the music from the hard disc. Since the audio data is
`recorded in a digital form, a high quality of sound is
`promised. By using a card type hard disc, a high access
`speed and an increase in dimension and weight are prom(cid:173)
`ised. Since a user can choose desired music from the storage
`
`5,870,710
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`5
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`4
`of the network service center, he can use his player conve(cid:173)
`niently by obtaining any desired music any time from a large
`storage in the service center. Therefore, the system can
`satisfy various users tastes for music and can follow the
`latest fashion of music. When a digital portable stereo
`headphone player is fixed on a base station, then a commu(cid:173)
`nication function is added to the player, and the battery of
`the player can be electrically charged simultaneously. Any
`new additional function can be added to a digital portable
`10 stereo headphone player by mounting an extensive function
`card, and this promises further developments of such play-
`ers.
`
`An embodiment of the invention is described below with
`reference to the drawings. Basically, a digital portable
`headphone stereo using the invention is connected through
`the public telephone line to a network service center that
`supplies a number of music data, so as to obtain desired
`music data from the network service center, record it in a
`hard disc, and reproduce the music data later to enjoy music.
`FIG. 1 shows a home terminal system in a digital portable
`55 headphone stereo system using the invention. In FIG. 1,
`numeral1 denotes the digital portable headphone stereo. The
`digital portable headphone stereo 1 contains a hard disc to
`store music data sent by data transmission as explained later
`in greater detail.
`Numeral 2 denotes a base station having a cavity 3 for
`receiving and fixing the entirety of the digital portable
`headphone stereo 1 in the base station 2.
`The base station 2 is typically fixed on an interior wall of
`a house, for example. The base station 2 is used to control
`65 communication with the network service station, explained
`later, and to supply power to the battery of the digital
`portable headphone stereo 1 inserted into the cavity 3. More
`
`HTC Exhibit 1006
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`5,870,710
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`5
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`5
`specifically, a communication control terminal 4 extends
`from the base station 2, and coupled to ISDN or other
`communication line. A power supply terminalS also extends
`from the base station 2 to introduce power. In the cavity 3
`of the base station 2, there are provided a power supply
`terminal 6 for supplying power to the battery of the digital
`portable headphone stereo 1 and a data IN/OUT terminal 7
`for exchanging data between the network service station and
`the digital portable headphone stereo 1.
`When a user wants to carry the digital portable headphone 10
`stereo 1 with him, he removes the digital portable headphone
`stereo 1 from the base station 2 and carries the head phone
`stereo 1 alone with him.
`Upon recording data in the digital portable headphone
`stereo 1 or upon charging the battery of the headphone stereo 15
`1 with power, the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is set
`in the cavity 3 of the base station 2.
`Then the digital portable headphone stereo 1 fits in the
`cavity 3 of the base station 2, a power supply terminalS and
`a data IN/OUT terminal 9 on the bottom plane of the digital 20
`portable headphone stereo 1 mate with and electrically
`connected to the power supply terminal 6 and the data
`IN/OUT terminal 7 in the cavity 3 of the base station 2. As
`a result, the battery of the portable headphone stereo 1 is
`charged, and the portable headphone stereo 1 is ready for 25
`communication with the network service station through the
`ISDN line.
`Provided on the front face of the digital portable head(cid:173)
`phone stereo 1 are a liquid crystal display 11, direction key 30
`12, and input keys 13A, 13B. Further provided on the front
`face of the digital portable headphone stereo 1 are mode
`keys 14 such as fast-forward, play, rewind, stop and pause
`keys. The digital portable headphone stereo 1 also has a
`headphone terminal15 and a microphone terminal16 on its
`upper surface.
`As explained above, the portable headphone stereo 1 is
`used for obtaining music data from the network service
`center, then recording the music data on the hard disc, and
`reproducing the music data recorded on the hard disc.
`FIG. 2 shows an aspect of transmission of data from a
`network service center to a digital portable headphone
`stereo. In FIG. 2, numeral 21 denotes the network service
`center that prepares music sources to be supplied to users.
`The network service center 21 stores many pieces of music
`data and can be accessed from an external terminal through
`a public telephone line 23, for example an ISDN. The
`network service 21 charges fees for the use of music data on
`users accounts under an agreement concluded with the users.
`Any appropriate fee system may be employed among charg- 50
`ing a fixed fee per piece of music, charging a monthly or
`yearly fixed fee, charging a fixed fee per unit period of time,
`and so forth.
`In addition to transmission of music data from the net(cid:173)
`work service center 21 to users, the system may be config(cid:173)
`ured to permit uploading of users own music to the network
`service center 21. In this case, it is desirable that an
`appropriate amount is paid to a user who supplied musical
`information to the service center 21, also taking his copy(cid:173)
`right into account. For example, any user who supplied
`musical information may be paid by an amount correspond(cid:173)
`ing to the occurrence of download of his music, for example.
`As stated above, when the digital portable headphone
`stereo 1 is set in the cavity 3 of the base station 2, then the
`digital portable headphone stereo 1 is invested with a
`communication function. Due to the communication
`function, the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is con-
`
`6
`nected to the network service center 21 via the ISDN line 23.
`When the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is connected
`to the network service center 21, a menu image showing, for
`example, a general classification of music shown in FIG. 3A
`is sent from the network service center 21 to the digital
`portable headphone stereo 1 and displayed on the display 11.
`A desired class is selected by pointing it on the image
`through the direction key 12 and input keys 13A, 13B.
`As a result, a list of titles of pieces of music in the class
`appears on the menu image. When a desired title is selected
`from the list by pointing it on the menu image, data of the
`piece of music is sent from the network service center 21 to
`the digital portable headphone stereo 1 through the ISDN
`line 23, and recorded in the hard disc of the digital portable
`headphone stereo 1.
`A possible protocol for transmitting audio data from the
`network service center 21 is one adding a header to audio
`data and transmitting the data in packets as shown in FIG.
`4. The protocol for transmitting audio data may be either an
`original protocol or a common protocol such TCP/IP.
`Audio data may be transmitted in a compressed form.
`Although various modes of compression of audio data have
`been proposed, a compression mode which accounts for the
`quality of sound is desirable for use with the portable
`headphone stereo system. For example, ATRAC (Adaptive
`Transform Acoustic Coding), which is used with MDs, may
`be used. Alternatively, data may be transmitted in an
`encoded form to enable real time reproduction of transmitted
`music data.
`Although the above example presents a menu image as
`means for selecting a desired piece of music, it is also
`possible to search out a desired piece of music through its
`title, singer and/or other materials. Alternatively, icons may
`35 be displayed on the image plane so that a user can select a
`desired piece of music by pointing to a corresponding icon
`through a pointing device.
`When the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is carried
`with the user, it is removed from the base station 2, and a
`40 headphone 17 is connected to the headphone terminal 15.
`Music data stored in the built-in hard disc of the digital
`portable headphone stereo 1 is reproduced by pressing the
`fast-forward, play, rewind, stop, pause or other operation
`key 14, and the reproduced sound is output from the
`45 headphone 17.
`As explained above, the digital portable headphone stereo
`1 using the present invention is configured to store in the
`interior hard disc the music data transmitted from the
`network service center 21. Therefore, any latest music can
`be introduced from the network service center 21, and a
`variety of users tastes for music can be satisfied. Since the
`invention uses, for example, ISDN and transmits music data
`in a compressed form, it does not require a long time for
`transmission. Moreover, the hard disc used as a recording
`55 medium promises a high access speed and is less affected by
`vibrations than an optical disc.
`Although the above-explained system is made up of the
`digital portable headphone stereo 1 and the base station 2, it
`is also possible to externally add a key board and a display
`60 to the digital portable headphone stereo 1. That is, as shown
`in FIG. 6, the digital portable headphone stereo 1 may have
`a connector 18 to connect a display 31, key board 32,
`modem or terminal adapter 33.
`When a modem or a terminal adapter 33 is connected, the
`65 digital portable headphone stereo 1 can be connected to the
`network service center 21 by the modem or terminal adapter
`33, and can be connected to a computer, without using the
`
`HTC Exhibit 1006
`
`

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`5,870,710
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`5
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`45
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`7
`base station 2. Instead of the modem or terminal adapter, a
`wireless connection controller can be used for wireless
`connection between the network service center 21 and the
`digital portable headphone stereo 1.
`When the key board 32 is connected, more detailed
`commands can be input to use the portable headphone stereo
`1 for various purposes. When the display 31 is connected,
`moving image data can be reproduced to use the network
`service center 21 as an audio and video data base. The
`display 31 may be a CRT display, liquid crystal display, 10
`plasma display, or any other appropriate display.
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital portable headphone
`stereo system using the invention. In FIG. 7, the digital
`portable headphone stereo 1 has a CPU 41 for controlling the
`entirety. Connected to a bus 42 from CPU 41 are ROM 43 15
`and RAM 44. Further provided are a hard disc 45 for storing
`audio data and a compression/expansion circuit 46 for
`compressing and expanding audio data. Additionally con(cid:173)
`nected to the bus 42 are an 1!0 port 47 for connecting a DSU
`(Digital Service Unit) 61 of the base station 2, 1/0 port 48 20
`for connecting an external key board 32, external modem 33
`or external display 31, and 1!0 port 49 for connecting a card
`71 to add various functions. An input key 51 (corresponding
`to direction key 12, input keys 13A, 13B and operation key
`14) and a driver 55 for driving a liquid display 11 are further 25
`connected to the bus 42.
`The bus 42 is a PC standard bus typically used in the field
`of personal computers, such as ISA (Industry Standard
`Architecture) bus widely uses as an AT compatible external
`bus (also called extensive slot bus or system bus) and PCI 30
`(Peripheral Computer Interconnect) bus widely used as a
`local bus (also called processor direct bus). By employing a
`circuit arrangement of a compatible architecture that uses
`such a common bus in the field of personal computers, the
`invention not only decreases the manufacturing cost of the 35
`entire digital portable headphone stereo 1 but also realizes
`widest use and extensive use of the headphone stereo.
`The base station 2 has DSU 61 and a power supply circuit
`62. When the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is set on 40
`the base station 2, DSU 61 of the base station 2 is connected
`to the bus 42 of the portable headphone stereo 1 through the
`1!0 port 47. Simultaneously, power is supplied to the battery
`53 of the portable headphone stereo 1 to electrically charge
`the battery 53.
`In order to store music data from the network service
`center 21 in the hard disc 45, the digital portable headphone
`stereo 1 is set on the base station 2. Thereafter, a command
`for connection to the network service center 21 is given
`through the input key 51, and DSU 61 connects the digital 50
`portable headphone stereo 1 to the network service center
`21. The network service center 21 transmits data in packets
`by an original protocol or a common protocol like TCP/IP,
`for example. The packet data is decomposed to extract
`necessary compressed audio data. The compressed audio 55
`data is delivered to and stored in the hard disc 45.
`To reproduce data stored in the hard disc 45, a reproduc(cid:173)
`tion command is given through the input key 51. In response
`to the reproduction command, compressed audio data is read
`out from the hard disc 45, and delivered to the audio
`compression/expansion circuit 46. The circuit 46 expands
`the audio data that has been compressed by ATRAC, for
`example. The expanded audio data is supplied to the head(cid:173)
`phone 17 through the D/A converter 52.
`To store an audio signal from the microphone 54, a record
`command is given through the input key 51. In response to
`the record command, the audio signal from the microphone
`
`8
`54 is supplied to the AID converter 56, and converted into
`a digital form. The audio data is then supplied to and
`compressed by the audio compression/expansion circuit 46.
`The compressed audio data is delivered to the hard disc 45
`through the bus 42, and stored there.
`In order to minimize the dimension and weight of the
`digital portable headphone stereo 1, a main circuit board
`incorporating major parts and a card-type hard disc are used.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the interior structure of the
`digital portable headphone stereo 1. Shells 70A and 70B of
`the digital portable headphone stereo 1 contain the main
`circuit board 71, card-type hard disc 72, and a battery 73.
`Additionally, an extensive function card 74 can be set.
`All major circuit parts including CPU 41, ROM 43 and
`RAM 44 are arranged on the main circuit board 71. Already
`developed are main circuit boards as small as PCMCIA
`cards using a CPU of the grade around 80386. Small-sized
`main circuit boards using a faster CPU will be developed in
`a near future.
`The hard disc 72 may be one using a 1.8-inch disc and
`having approximately the same dimension as that of a
`PCMCIA card and the thickness of 5 mm. The digital
`portable headphone stereo 1 uses the card-type hard disc 72
`to minimize the dimension of the device. Currently available
`is a card-type hard disc of 121 MB. In a near future, those
`of the capacity around 1 GB will be developed.
`If the sampling frequency is 30 kHz, and the quantized
`bits are 16 bits, then a user can enjoy reproduction of music
`over approximately 33 minutes by using a 20 MB hard disc.
`If the compression rate is doubled, the user will be able to
`enjoy reproduced music over 30 minutes approximately by
`using a 50 MB hard disc. Since the duration around 30
`minutes of reproduced music is considered sufficient in most
`cases, the use of a double compression rate and a 50 MB
`hard disc will be satisfactory for the time being. If a
`card-type hard disc of the capacity around 1 GB is developed
`in the near future, longer reproduction with a higher quality
`of sound will be realized.
`Although the above example uses the card-type hard disc,
`a phase-change optical disc or optical magnetic disc may be
`used. If a card-type optical disc or magnetic disc is
`developed, it may be used in the same manner as a card-type
`hard disc.
`The extensive function card 74 is used to add a further
`function to the digital portable headphone stereo 1. The
`extensive function card 74 has approximately the same
`dimension as a PCMCIA card. FIGS. 9A to 9F show
`proposed extensive function cards, namely, a video record/
`reproduce card for compression and expansion of MPEG or
`other moving images (FIG. 9A), facsimile transmission card
`enabling facsimile transmission (FIG. 9B), wireless trans(cid