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`Publication
`EP1146674 (A2)
`
`Title
`System and method for reproducing aud...
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`2
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`(19) g)
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`{12)
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`Europaisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Oftice
`
`Office européen des brevets
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`Hllilllilliiillliillli|||i||||i|lilllllllilllilliillilllllilllllillilll
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`(11)
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`EP1 146 674 A2
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`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`17.10.2001 Bulletin 2001.012
`
`(51;
`
`Int cw. H04H1i‘00
`
`{21) Application number: 011086303
`
`(22) Date of filing: 05.04.2001
`
`{84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU
`MC NL PT SE TR
`
`Designated Extension States:
`AL LT LV MK RO SI
`
`{30) Priority: 07.04.2000 JP 2000106892
`11.04.2000 JP 2000108853
`
`(71) Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
`Aid-gun, Hiroshima 730-8610 (JP)
`
`Inventors:
`{72)
`0 Ohmura, Hiroshi, clo Mazda Motor Corporation
`Aki-gun. Hiroshima 730-8670 (JP)
`
`
`
`- Ushio, Maaao, do Mazda Motor Corporation
`Aki-gun, Hiroshima 730-8670 (JP)
`. Hosoda, Kouji, ci'o Mazda Motor Corporation
`Aki-gun, Hiroshima T306670 (JP)
`- Hirabayashi.5hlgelumi,
`cio Mazda Motor Corporation
`Aki-gun, Hiroshima 730—8670 (JP)
`
`(74) Representative: Mailer-Bore 8. Partner
`Patentanwalte
`
`Gratinger Strasse 2
`8167'1 Hunchen (DE)
`
`{54)
`
`System and method tor reproducing audio data, method and apparatus tor reproducing
`audio data to be used in a vehicle and computer readable storage medium for storing a
`computer program
`
`An audio apparatus tor a vehicle made up of a
`(57)
`carmounted audio apparatus 100 and portable audio
`apparatuses 200a and 200b transmitsrreceives con—
`tents data such as music via radio communication. As
`
`a communication system for this in car radio commu ni~
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`cation. 3 short-distance data communication system is
`used. which allows the apparatuses to recognize and
`authenticate one another and perform data communica—
`tion with one anotherin the vehicle. Received music (ta-
`ta 'rs reproducedr'output in real time.
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`1 P
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`nnled by Jame. 75001 PARIS {FR}
`
`FIG.
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`EP1146674A2
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`Description
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the field of an
`audio apparatus that provides contents such as music
`in a vehicle such as an automobile.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the field of an automobile. a typical example
`[0002}
`of vehicle. an audio apparatus has come into wide-
`spread use in recent years allowing passengers to enjoy
`various contents such as music in a vehicle.
`[0003}
`In such a conventional audio apparatus, a pas—
`senger inserts a portable music storage medium such
`as a CD (compact disk). MD (mini—disk), cassette tape
`into the audio apparatus and enjoys music of hisiher
`choice by replayingfoutputting it from data stored in the
`music storage medium.
`[0004} However. an audio apparatus using such a mu-
`sic storage medium is burdensome because the pas-
`senger needs to take the storage medium storing music
`to be replayed in the vehicle into the vehicle every time
`the passenger gets on the vehicle.
`[0005] Thus.
`the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
`11—30986. etc. proposes atechnology for directly receiv—
`ing digitized music data from the outside through an au—
`dio apparatus using a music distribution senrice and en-
`joying the music data in the vehicle without using a mu-
`sic recording medium.
`[00061 Here. the technology described in the Japa-
`nese Patent Laid—Open No. 11-30936 will be summa—
`rized below.
`
`[0007} The vehicle music data acquisition system de-
`scribed in this Publication consists of an information
`center that distributes music to vehicles and a vehicle
`
`capable of wirelessly communicating with the infome-
`tion center (see PEG. 2 of the relevant Publication) and
`the music distribution procedure in such a system con-
`figuration is explained with reference to FIG. 2 of the
`relevant Publication.
`
`[0008] That is. the vehicle sends data about a music
`replaying condition in the own vehicle (including infor-
`mation to identify music of a distribution request) to the
`information center.
`
`[0009] Upon reception of the data accut the music re-
`playing condition.
`the information center determines
`whether the requested music data exists in the informa—
`tion center or not and if the music data does not exist.
`the information center acquires the data on the Internet
`from the outside. Then. the infon'nation center creates
`music data with the amount of data reduced (com-
`pressed} based on the data about the music replaying
`condition and sends the music data created to the vehi-
`cle. The vehicle replays the music based on the received
`music data.
`
`[0010} According to the audio apparatus using this
`
`music distribution service. the passengercan enjoy any
`music at any time without the need to prepare any music
`storage medium. This allows the passengerto easily en-
`joy music of hisiher choice in the vehicle. providing an
`effect of allowing the passenger to spend hlsiher time
`comfortably in the vehicle.
`[0011]
`Furthermore. the technology described in the
`Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10—24020? will be
`summarized below.
`[0012] This Publication describes a touch-screen type
`audio-visual replay digital system and a plurality of win-
`dows appearing on a display shows information on au—
`dio-visual contents that can be replayed.
`[0013] The user can select a desired window from
`among a plurality of windows displayed to easily replay
`the audio—visual contents requested to be replayed.
`[0014] On the other hand. recently, with the develop-
`ment of the Internet, music distribution services indirect-
`ly using the Internet are provided as described below.
`which allows the userto download digitized contents da~
`ta such as music to an information storage medium such
`as a memory card and enjoy music of hisfher choice
`easily.
`Furthermore. recently. individuals often carry
`[0015]
`with them portable audio apparatuses and these porta-
`ble audio apparatuses are also making it easier to enjoy
`music using music data stored in an information storage
`medium.
`
`[0016] By the way. people go for a long~distance drive
`on a trip. etc.. a pluralityof passengers often gets on the
`vehicle.
`in which case. because preference of music
`varies from one person to another. it is preferred that
`these passengers be able to enjoy music of their respec-
`tive choices and spend their time during the tong—dis—
`tance drive comfortably.
`[0017]
`In a vehicle equipped with an audio apparatus
`using a conventional music storage medium. satisfying
`such as demand requires each passenger to record mu-
`sic of hisr‘har choice to a music storage medium corre-
`sponding to the audio apparatus or purchase one and
`take the music storage medium into the vehicle.
`[0018] As in the case of the Japanese Patent Laid—
`Open No. 11-30886. the audio apparatus using the mu-
`sic distribution service provided from the information
`center can freely obtain a variety of music data at any
`time by a required amount. This allows the passengers
`to freely enjoy music of their choice without the need to
`take the music storage medium into the vehicle.
`[0019] The audio apparatus using the music distribu—
`tion semice provides such convenience. but on the other
`hand. because this audio apparatus receives music da-
`ta from the outside by radio (wireless telephone line.
`etc). it takes some time of communication to download
`music data of one piece of music for example. There—
`fore.
`if, for example. electromagnetic interference oc-
`curs whiie the music data is being downloaded during a
`drive. the audio apparatus is unable to reliably receive
`the music data of the relevant piece of music.
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`[0020] And in the case where the music data cannot
`be received reliably. it is necessary to receive the music
`data again. Thus, even the audio apparatus using the
`music distribution service is still not sufficient in respect
`of user friendliness.
`
`[0021} Moreover. downloading mosic data from the
`music distribution service in the current communication
`
`environment entails a high communication cost, and so
`it is problematic in respect of cost, too.
`[0022} Therefore, one possible method of enjoying
`music of one's choice reliabiy and at low cost without
`using such a music distribution service is to use music
`data included in a portable audio apparatus. This is be-
`cause the portable audio apparatus that each passen-
`ger carries includes music data of hisrher choice before-
`hand and using this music data allows the passengerto
`reliably enjoy music data of hislherchoice in the vehicle.
`[0023] However. the shape and mode of a portable
`audio apparatus varies from one model to another, and
`the wired connection port and the shape of its informa-
`tion storage medium also vary. For this reason, using
`this portable audio apparatus in the vehicle requires the
`passengerto set the audio apparatus in a mount prein-
`stalled in the vehicle, connect it to an in—car audio ap—
`paratus via a cable or insert or remove the information
`storage medium to take the music data of portable audio
`apparatuses of all models into the in—car audio appara—
`tus. which is difficult in practice.
`[0024} Moreover. even if wired connection ports of
`portable audio apparatuses of all models and informa-
`tion storage media are standardized having a common
`shape and mode. there remains a possibility that the
`passenger will still need to set the audio apparatus in
`the mount and insert or remove the information storage
`media, which is a problem of requiring time and trouble.
`[0025] Moreover.
`the conventional audio system
`above generally comprises a main unit that controls re—
`production of musical pieces (contents) connected to a
`plurality of speakers via cables. Therefore, when an au-
`dio system is also mounted when the vehicle is pur-
`chased or when a desired audio system is mounted lat-
`er, it is troublesome to lay cables for the audio system
`in a limited space of the vehicle.
`[0026]
`Furthermore, also in the car cabin design
`stage, the degree of freedom in design may be reduced
`because it is necessary to consider locations of cables
`for the audio system and operability for cabling, etc.
`[0027}
`Furthermore, in a conventional audio system,
`once a determined system configuration has been in—
`corporated in the vehicle, subsequent changes to the
`system configuration are not easy. Thus. when the user
`wants to replay a CD (compact disk) in the main unitthat
`is provided with only functions of a radio tuner and cas—
`sette tape recorder. a widespread method for meeting
`such a demand is to carry into the vehicle a portable CD
`player, a transmitter that Flirt-modulates an output signal
`and allows a radio tuner on the audio system side to
`receive the output signal or an adapter that reads the
`
`output signal of the CD player through the head of the
`cassette tape recorder and thereby indirectly reproduc-
`es the output signal of the CD player through the audio
`system.
`reproduction
`the above indirect
`[0028] However,
`method requires that a portable CD player and FM trans-
`mitter, etc. be carried into the vehicle and their locations
`be secured in a narrow car cabin, and restricts the orig—
`inal seating space for passengers, provides not good
`looking and also has a problem with the quality of mu-
`sical pieces.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0029] The present invention has been proposed to
`solve the conventional problems. and has as its main
`object to provide. even when a plurality of passengers
`gets on an automobile. for example, an audio system
`and its contents reproduction method, audio apparatus
`for a vehicle and its contents reproduction method, port~
`able audio apparatus. computer program product and
`computer-readable storage medium capable of easily
`and reliably reproducing contents data in a portable au-
`dio apparatus carried by passengers inside the vehicle
`and outputting the contents data as sound so that pas-
`sengers can enjoy music of their respective choices in
`the vehicle without the need to download contents data
`such as music and conversation from the Internet.
`
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`To solve the above problems, the present in-
`[0030]
`vention is constituted as followa
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`[0031] That is. the present invention provides an au—
`dio system that reproduces contents information as
`sound in a vehicle, composed of portable audio appa—
`ratuses (200. 2003, 20013) carried by passengers of the
`vehicle and an audio apparatus (100) mounted in the
`vehicle. characterized in that the portable audio appa-
`ratuses include contents information retaining means
`(204) for retaining contents information and transmitting
`means (205) for transmitting the contents information to
`the audio apparatus at least by means of radio commu-
`nication, and the audio apparatus includes receiving
`means (11 0} for receiving the contents information from
`the portable audio apparatuses at least by means of ra-
`dio communication. and controlling means (101. 103)
`for reproducing the contents information received by the
`receiving means and at the same time outputting the re—
`produced information as sound from speakers(28)
`mounted in the vehicle.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, it is preferred that
`[0032]
`the audio apparatus be provided with operation switch-
`es (24. 106-109} that allow entries by the passengers of
`the vehicle. operation signal transmitting means (110)
`fortransmitting operation signals according to the oper-
`ations of the operation switches to the portable audio
`apparatuses at least by means of radio communication,
`and the portable audio apparatuses be further provided
`with controlling means (203) for performing own opera—
`tion control according to the operation signals received
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`from the audio apparatus at least by means of radio
`communication.
`
`Furthermore, for example, the audio apparatus
`[0033}
`(100) mounted in the vehicle constructs a radio subsys—
`tem made up of audio controlling means (100A)
`equipped with a first radio communication apparatus
`(1 16) and speaker units (2A to 2D} equipped with a sec—
`ond radio communication apparatus (222), and the first
`and second radio communication apparatuses can per-
`form radio communications based on a predetermined
`radio communication protocol. and it is preferred that the
`plurality of speaker units receive radio signals transmit-
`ted from the first radio communication apparatus of the
`audio controlling means by the second radio communi-
`cation apparatus and reproduce the contents informa-
`tion contained in the received radio signals according to
`characteristic information individually set in each speak-
`er unit.
`
`To attain the same object, the present inven—
`[0034}
`tion provides a contents reproduction method for an au-
`dio system that reproduces contents information as
`sound in the vehicle, comprising a system constructing
`step of constructing a communication system that car-
`ries out at least a radio communication. composed of
`portable audio apparatuses (200. 200a. 200b} carried
`by passengers of the vehicle and an audio apparatus
`(100) mounted in the vehicle. a contents information
`sending step of sending contents information retained
`beforehand in the portable audio apparatuses to the au-
`dio apparatus at least by means of radio communica-
`tion, and a sound reproducing step of receiving and re—
`producing the contents information sent in the contents
`information sending step at least by means of radio com—
`munication and outputting the reproduced information
`as sound from speakers (28) mounted in the vehicle.
`[0035}
`Furthermore, for example, the system con-
`structing step includes a subsystem constructing step
`of constructing a radio subsystem made up of an audio
`control unit (100A) equipped with a radio communica-
`tion apparatus that can perform radio communication
`based on a predetermined radio communication proto-
`col and a plurality of speaker units (2A to 2D), and it is
`preferred that the audio reproducing step includes a first
`step of sending a radio signal containing contents infor-
`mation from the audio control unit and the plurality of
`speaker units include a second step of receiving the ra—
`dio signals and reproducing the contents information in-
`cluded in the received radio signal as sound according
`to characteristic information individually set in each
`speaker unit.
`[0036}
`To attain the same object, the present inven-
`tion provides an audio apparatus for a vehicle (100]
`mounted in a vehicle to reproduce contents information
`as sound in the vehicle, comprising system constructing
`means (101, 110) for constructing a radio communica-
`tion system composed of portable audio apparatuses
`(200. 200a, zoos) carried by passengers of the vehicle
`and the audio apparatus, receiving means (110} for re
`
`ceiving the contents information from the portable audio
`apparatuses at least by means of radio communication
`and controlling means (101. 103} for reproducing the
`contents information received by the receiving means
`and outputting the reproduced information as sound
`from speakers (28) mounted in the vehicle.
`[0037]
`In a preferred embodiment, it is preferred that
`the system constructing means, when the plurality of
`portable audio apparatuses is identified, construct a re-
`dio communication system including the plurality of port-
`able audio apparatuses and the controlling means con-
`trol so that between the plurality of portable audio appa—
`ratuses, the contents information retained beforehand
`by the first portable audio apparatus is transferred to the
`second portable audio apparatus by radio communica-
`tion and the contents information is reproduced as
`sound by the second portable audio apparatus.
`[0033] Another method to attain the same object is a
`contents reproduction method for an audio apparatus
`for a vehicle (100) mounted in a vehicle that reproduces
`contents information as sound in thevehicle. comprising
`a system constructing step of constructing a radio com-
`munication system composed of portable audio appa-
`ratuses (200, 200a, 2003:) carried by passengers of the
`vehicle and the audio apparatus, a receiving step of re-
`ceiving the contents information from the portable audio
`apparatuses at least by means of radio communication
`and a sound reproducing step of reproducing the con—
`tents information received in the receiving step and out-
`putting the reproduced information as sound from
`speakers [28} mounted in the vehicie.
`[0039] The same object above can also be attained
`by an audio apparatus mounted in a vehicle (audio ap—
`paratus for a vehicle). program codes that instruct so
`that the operation of the audio apparatus is implement
`and a computer-readable storage medium that stores
`these program codes, which make up the audio system
`in the above configuration.
`[0040] The same object above can also be attained
`by a contents reproduction method of the audio appa-
`ratus {audio apparatus for a vehicie) corresponding to
`the contents reproduction method of the audio system
`in the configuration above. program codes that instruct
`so thatthe contents reproduction method is implement-
`ed in the audio apparatus for a vehicle and a computer—
`readable storage medium that stores these program
`codes.
`[0041] Other features and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent from the following description
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`in which like reference characters designate the same
`or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.
`
`BFIIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0042] The accompanying drawings, which are incor-
`porated in and constitute a part of the specification, i|—
`lustrate embodiments of the invention and, togetherwith
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`the description, serve to explain the principles of the in-
`vention.
`
`Fig. 1 is an outlined plan view oi au automobile us—
`ing an audio apparatus of the present invention;
`Fig. 2 is a system block diagram of an audio appa-
`ratus control system and radio communication sys—
`tem according to a iirst embodiment of the present
`invention;
`Fig. 3 is a front view of an operation panel of an
`audio apparatus 100 in the first embodiment;
`Fig. 4 is allow chart at operation control ofthe audio
`apparatus 100 in the first embodiment;
`Fig. 5 is an "AUDIO TOP MENU" screen shown on
`a display in the iirst embodiment;
`Fig. 6 is a "reception MENU" screen shown on a
`display in the first embodiment;
`Fig. 3' is an "AUDiO MENU" screen shown on a dis-
`play in the iirst embodiment;
`Fig. 8 is a flowchart of operation control of a port-
`able audio apparatus 200 in the first embodiment;
`Fig. 9 is an "erasure MENU" screen shown on a dis-
`play in the iirst embodiment;
`Fig. 10 is an "Internet MENU" screen shown on a
`display in the first embodiment;
`Fig. 11 is a IrTransfer MENU" screen shown on a
`display in the first embodiment;
`Fig. 12 is a display screen in a first modification of
`the first embodiment;
`Fig. 13 is an outlined plan view of an automobile
`using radio communication signals directed to seat
`positions in a second modification oi the first em-
`bodiment;
`Fig. 14 is an outlined plan view oi an automobile
`using radio communication signals directed to
`mount positions in a third modification of the first
`embodiment;
`Fig. 15 illustrates a configuration example with an
`audio apparatus according to a second embodi-
`ment mounted in the carcabin:
`Fig. 16 illustrates a block configuration oi compo-
`nents making up the audio apparatus according to
`the second embodiment and flows of radio signals
`between the components;
`Fig. 1? is allow chart of musical piece reproduction
`processing in an audio unit 100A in the second em—
`bodiment;
`Fig. 18 is a flow chart of musical piece reproduction
`processing in speaker un its 2A to 2D in the second
`embodiment;
`Fig. 19A and Fig. 193 are flow charts of musical
`piece reproduction processing in a portable audio
`terminal 3 in the second embodiment;
`Fig. 20 is a flow chart of musical piece reproduction
`processing in an audio unit 100A in a third embod-
`iment;
`Fig. 21 is a flow chart of musical piece reproduction
`processing in speaker units 2A to ED in the third em-
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`bodiment;
`Fig. 22A and Fig. 228 are flow charts of musical
`piece reproduction processing in a portable audio
`terminal 3 in the third embodiment; and
`Fig. 23 illustrates a display example of a display 113
`of the audio unit 100A.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present inven-
`[0043]
`tion will now be described in detail in accordance with
`
`the accompanying drawings.
`
`[First embodiment]
`
`[0044] Embodiments of the present invention applied
`to an automobile. a typical example of vehicle, will now
`be described in detail in accordance with the accompa—
`nying drawings.
`[0045]
`F IG. 1 is an outlined plan view of au automobile
`using an audio apparatus (audio system) of the present
`invention. As shown in FIG. 1. the automobile audio ap-
`paratus o1 this embodiment is generally constituted by
`a car-mounted audio apparatus 100 (hereinafter re-
`ferred to as "audio apparatus 100"} mounted in a vehicle
`1 and portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b car—
`ried into the vehicle by passengers.
`[0046]
`In the following explanations; the portable au-
`dio apparatuses 200a and 200b will sometimes be col-
`lectively called a "portable audio apparatus 200".
`[0047] The audio apparatus 100 is constructed of not
`only an audio function but also a navigationfunction and
`Internet communication tunction. etc. so as to perform
`a variety of information processing.
`[0048] A concentrated control unit 20 for controlling
`the entire system of the audio apparatus o1 this embod—
`iment is installed close to an instrument panel in the
`center of the vehicle 1, This concentrated control unit
`20 is connected with various apparatuses mounted in
`the vehicle 1 in order to perform the tunctions. which will
`be described below.
`
`(Navigation function)
`
`[0049] The navigation function is intended to realize
`navigation functions such as route guidance to a preset
`desired destination and is constructed by a GPS (Global
`Positioning System) antenna 21 to detect the current po—
`sition of the own vehicle installed in the vehicle 1 . a nav-
`igation controller 22 to perform navigation control, a
`DVD-ROM changer 23 to read road map information,
`etc. stored in DVDmFiOM; a display 24 that displays nav-
`igation information and allows input operations by pas—
`sengers and a voice guide speaker 25 that outputs nav-
`igation information in voice. and these apparatuses are
`each connected to the concentrated control unit 20.
`
`[0050] The navigation function in this embodiment is
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`provided with functions similarto those of a conventional
`navigation apparatus such as detecting the current po-
`sition of the own vehicle. giving the passengers road in-
`formation and traffic information and providing a route
`guide for the automobile.
`
`(Internet communication function)
`
`[0051} The Internet communication function is con-
`structed by a telephone antenna 26 connected to the
`Internet over a radio telephone network. a cellular tele-
`phone 27 to transmitr’receive Internet information. the
`display 24 that allows input operations by the passen-
`ger. car-mounted speakers 28 that output the infon'na-
`ticn received on the Internet as voice information (here-
`inafter referred to as "speakers 28"). etc. and these ap—
`paratuses are also each connected to the concentrated
`control unit 20.
`
`[00521 This embodiment transmitsrreceives Internet
`information using the cellular telephone 2?. but it is also
`possible to provide a dedicated Internet transrniasionir
`reception section for the main unit of the audio appara-
`tus 100 aside from the cellular telephone 27.
`[0053} The Internet communication function of this
`embodiment is provided with functions such as receiv-
`ing various kinds of information requested by the pas-
`sengers by the audio apparatus 100 over the Internet
`and transmitting information from the vehicle to the out—
`side by e-mail. etc.
`
`(Audio function)
`
`[0054} The audio function is constructed by an audio
`control unit 30 that controls the entire system of the rel—
`evant audio function, a CD drive 31 that reads CD music
`data, an MD drive 32 that reads MD music data. a mem-
`ory drive 33 that reads music data of a memory card.
`speakers 28 that output music as sound in the vehicle.
`a car-mounted radio antenna 34 placed In the center of
`the vehicle to carry out radio communication with a plu-
`rality of cellular audio apparatuses 200a and 200b in the
`vehicle and a radio transmitterrreceiver 35 that trans—
`
`mitsireceives music data tor’frcm the portable audio ap-
`paratuses 200a and 200b, and these apparatuses are
`each connected to the concentrated control unit 20.
`
`[00551 As in the case of a conventional audio appara—
`tus. this audio function is provided with functions such
`as reading contents data such as music. converted to
`digital data. stored in a CD, MD or memory card there—
`inafter referred to as "music data"). generating repro-
`duction signals according to the read music data and
`outputting the music data from the speakers 28 as music
`(hereinafter referred to as "reproduced output"). and al-
`so provided with a function of receiving AMJFM waves
`by an AMIFM tuner {not shown} and outputting AMIFM
`broadcasting signals from the speakers 28.
`[0056} This audio function is also provided with afunc—
`tion of receiving digital music data using a music distri-
`
`bution service of the lntemet and reproducing and out-
`putting as music from the speakers 23.
`[0057] The audio function of the audio apparatus 100
`is further capable of communicating with a plurality of
`the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b carried
`into the vehicle through in-car radio communications
`based on a predetermined communication system and
`provided with a function of receiving music data retained
`in the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200i: and
`reproducing and outputting as music from the speakers
`23 in the vehicle.
`[0058] Note. that the concentrated control unit 20 to
`which these apparatuses are connected is connected to
`a car-mounted LAN (local area network) unit 40 as
`shown in FlG. 1 and is constructed so as to perform in-
`formation communication with other vehicle control ap—
`paratuses.
`[0059] Next. the control system and radio communi-
`cation system of the audio apparatus according to this
`embodiment will be explained with reference to the sys~
`tern block diagram in FIG. 2.
`[0060]
`in FIG. 2. a system block of the audio appara-
`tus 100 is shown on the Left side and a system block of
`the portable audio apparatus 200a is shown on the right
`side. FIG. 2 shows details of only the system block of
`one portable audio apparatus for convenience, but the
`system of the other portable audio apparatus is also
`constructed in the same way.
`[0061] The audio apparatus 100 is provided with a
`CPU 101 and this CPU 101 controls the system of the
`audio apparatus 100. A music source 102 is connected
`to the CPU 101. The music source 102 is constructed
`
`of an information storage unit (e.g.. storage medium
`such as semiconductor memory) that stores music data
`received from the outside and retains music data of the
`audio apparatus 100.
`[0062]
`Furthermore, an amplifier 103 is connected to
`the CPU 101 and the amplifier 103 amplifies and con-
`verts music information signals which are music data
`stored in a storage medium reproduced and generated
`by the CD drive 32. etc. and reproduces and outputs as
`music from the speakers 28.
`[0063] Furthermore.thedisplay24isconnectedtothe
`CPU 101 of the audio apparatus 100 and the display 24
`displays the control content of the audio apparatus 100
`and music source music title data, etc. Furthermore. a
`car external music source reception circuit 104 is con-
`nected to the CPU 101 and the car external music
`
`source reception circuit 104 receives information from
`the Internet and AM or FM waves through a car-external
`antenna 105 (telephone antenna 26. etc.).
`[0064]
`Furthermore. audio operation switches 107
`such as a volume. a select switch. a replay button. a
`stop button. a fast—forward button. a rewind button and
`aselectihgfdeten'nining switch 108 to selecta cross cur-
`sor button or select button and an output changeover
`button 109 are connected to the CPU 101 via an oper—
`ation system interface 106.
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`(cid:54)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:26)
`Samsung EX. 1204 p. 7
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`EP1146674A2
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`Furthermore, atransmissiorttreception module
`[0065]
`110 is connected to the CPU 101 and the transmission}
`reception module 110 carries out in~car radio communi-
`cation with the portable audio apparatuses 200a and
`200k: carried into the vehicle via an in~car radio antenna
`34.
`
`[0066} The portable audio apparatus 200a is con—
`structed of an apparatus main unit 201a and a head—
`phone 202b.
`[0067} This apparatus main unit 201 a is provided with
`a CPU 203 that controls the system of the portable audio
`apparatus 200a. and a music source 204. a transmis—
`sionr’reception module 205, a display 206. operation
`switches208 such as avolume. aselect switch. a replay
`button. a stop button. a fast-forward button and a rewind
`button. etc. and internaliexternal changeoverswitch 209
`are further connected to this CPU 203 via an operation
`system interface 207.
`[00681 The headphone 202a of the portable audio ap—
`paratus 201a is also provided with a transmissiontre
`ception module 21 0 for radio communications. which re-
`ceives music data sent