`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0028717 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 11, 2001
`Ohmura et al.
`
`US 20010028717A1
`
`(54) AUDIO SYSTEM AND ITS CONTENTS
`REPRODUCTION METHOD, AUDIO
`APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE AND ITS
`CONTENTS REPRODUCTION METHOD,
`COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND
`COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE
`MEDIUM
`
`(76) Inventors: Hiroshi Ohmura, Hiroshima-ken (JP);
`Masao Ushio, Hiroshima-ken (JP);
`Kouji Hosoda, Hiroshima-ken (JP);
`Shigefumi Hirabayashi, Hiroshima-ken
`(JP)
`Correspondence Address:
`STAAS & HALSEY LLP
`700 11TH STREET, NW
`SUITE 500
`WASHINGTON, DC 20001 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/827,919
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 9, 2001
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 11, 2000 (JP) .................................... .. 2000-108852
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl? ..................................................... .. H04B 1/00
`(52) Us. 01. .............................................................. .. 381/86
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An audio apparatus (audio system) made up of the car
`mounted audio apparatus 100 and portable audio appara
`tuses 200a and 200b transmits/receives contents data such as
`music via radio communication. As the communication
`system in this in-car radio communication, a short-distance
`data communication system is used, Which alloWs respective
`apparatuses to recognize and authenticate With one another
`and perform data communication betWeen those appara
`tuses.
`
`51
`
`53
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`
`5m 000ml
`
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`@E@ El
`AUDIO r-_——/\¢———:1
`
`(@g 80?
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`
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`WARD W'ND PLAY
`
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`
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`9
`
`167
`
`\@5 NC 059/
`@ MODE 011)‘)
`
`0
`
`k
`
`52
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0001
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 1 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0002
`
`
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0003
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 3 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`3
`
`51
`
`53
`
`50
`
`AM/FM
`
`CD
`
`\ \l
`\ \
`
`AUDIO [g1
`
`MEMOR
`
`7f‘
`4X54
`
`M
`55 [5|
`
`108
`
`_
`A IN
`L 09
`SKIP
`_
`FAST- SKIP
`SEC CAR
`RE
`RE
`STOP FOR- BACK
`FOR
`LE T
`WARD WIND PLAY
`WARD WARD
`V EXT
`167
`\wga A/C @/
`g MODE @&
`
`0
`
`\
`
`52
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0004
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 4 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`CAR-MOUNTED
`AUDIO APPARATUS
`
`EXTERNAL
`MUSIC SOURCE
`REPRODUCED
`
`SEARCH AND CONNECT ~S13
`EXTERNAL MUSIC
`soURcE/EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS
`I
`DETERMINE MUSIC
`317
`+____ SOURCE, OUTPUT PORT
`S
`FROM AUDIO MENU
`RECEIVE MUSIC DATA OF
`SELECTED MUSIC FROM
`EXTERNAL MUSIC sOUROE
`AND STORE IN INTERNAL
`MEMORY
`
`~S14
`
`S21
`I
`S
`SEND MUSIC
`DATA 0F
`SELECTED MUSIC
`TO SELECTED
`EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS
`
`CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKERS AND
`EXTERNAL
`
`S20
`S
`.QUTpU-T SELECTED MUSTC
`OE CARMOUNTED
`SPEAKER OUTPUT FROM
`CAR.MOUNTED SPEAKER
`OUTPUT
`-SEND MUS|C DATA 0|:
`SELECTED MUSIC OF
`EXTERNAL SPEAKER
`OUTPUT TO SELECTED
`EXTERNAL SPEAKERS
`T
`
`CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKERS ONLY
`
`OUTPUT
`SELECTED MUSIC
`FROM CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKERS
`=1
`
`81 2
`S
`
`‘y
`OUTPUT
`SELECTED
`MUSIC SOURCE
`FROM
`CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKERS
`——I
`
`opggi?lgl?‘lgal'?ckl
`OPERAT'ON
`
`NO
`
`OUTPUT OPERATION ~ 823
`SIGNAL TO CORRES
`PONDING APPARATUS
`>I=
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0005
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 5 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`AUDIO TOP MENU
`
`’ DETERMINE MUSIC REPLAY/OUTPUT K\/ [)1
`DESTINATION(AUDIO MENU)
`
`SEARCH/RECEIVE EXTERNAL MUSIC ’\/ D2
`SOURCE/EXTERNAL SPEAKERS
`
`RECEIVE MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
`FROM INTERNET
`
`/\/ [)3
`
`ERAsE RECEIVED MUSIC
`
`’\/ D4
`
`TRANSFER RECEIVED MUSIC
`
`’\/ D5
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0006
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 6 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`802 E95
`.VNQ? Iom<mw L Tim
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`
`
`.m 88a 0622 & E052
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`w .6:
`
`
`
`zOF<Pzw zozbmzzoo
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0007
`
`
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0008
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 8 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 Al
`
`F ' G- 8
`
`APPARATUS
`
`Q10
`
`Q11
`NO
`
`YES
`EXTERNAL
`OUTPUT STATE
`
`CONNECT/REGISTER
`CAR-MOUNTED AUDIO
`APPARATUS
`
`~ Q1 3
`
`OUTPUT
`DESTINATION?
`
`NO
`
`FOR TRANSMISSION
`TO OUTSIDE
`
`REQUEST
`FOR TRANSMISSION
`To OUTSIDE
`Q1 9
`Q1 8
`Q1 7
`Q1 2
`2
`I
`2
`2
`2
`I
`TRANSMIT
`REOEIvE
`-SEND INTERNAL MUSIC
`OUTPUT
`INTERNAL MUSIC
`EXTERNAL
`DATA TO OUTSIDE
`INTERNAL
`MUSIC DATA ‘RECEIVE EXTERNAL MUSIC MUSIC DATA AND DATA T0 OUTSIDE
`FROM
`DATA AND OUTPUT FROM
`OUTPUT FROM
`HEADPHONE
`HEADPHONE
`HEADPHONE
`
`.
`
`Q20
`2
`STANDBY
`
`I
`
`Q21
`
`> <
`"
`IS THERE
`AUDIO OPERATION
`SIGNAL?
`
`+
`
`I
`
`OUTPUT OPERATION SIGNAL ~Q22
`TO CORRESPONDING
`APPARATUS
`
`RECEIVED
`OPERATION SIGNAL
`
`NO
`
`(p
`
`EXECUTE OPERATION ~ Q24
`SIGNAL
`
`I
`
`I
`RETURN
`
`I
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0009
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 9 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`CONTROL FLOW
`
`S50
`
`851
`
`RECEIVE/
`STORED MUSIC DATA
`FROM EXTERNAL
`SOURCE?
`YES
`
`NO
`
`Q
`
`IGNITION
`SWITCH OFF?
`
`N0
`
`S53
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`POWER OFF?
`
`854
`
`NO
`
`PASSENGER
`GOES OFF
`vERICLE
`7
`
`NO
`
`S56
`
`YES
`
`s52
`€
`
`T
`ERASE ALL
`EXTERNAL
`IvIuSIC DATA
`
`S55
`S
`7"
`ERASE MUSIC DATA
`OF CORRESPONDING
`EXTERNAL SOURCE
`
`NO
`
`ERASuRE
`SWITCH
`OPERATION
`?
`YES
`"T
`
`857 a
`s
`
`SETLECTED
`
`S60
`
`ERASED?
`
`NO
`
`ERASED?
`
`I
`
`‘
`
`RETURN
`
`)
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0010
`
`
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0011
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 11 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 11
`
`INTERNET MENU
`
`MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
`
`) BEST HITS IN THIS WEEK ” D31
`
`JAPANESE MUSIC SELECT N D32
`
`FOREIGN MUSIC SELECT
`
`ROCK SELECT
`
`ENKA BALLAD SELECT
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0012
`
`
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0013
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 13 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`(513)
`
`l
`
`STORE TITLE DATA OF
`EXTERNAL MUSIC SOURCE
`
`NS‘IOO
`
`(s14)
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0014
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 14 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 14
`
`NO (815)
`YES
`
`8101
`2
`RECEIVE MUSIC DATA OF
`SELECTED MUSIC FROM
`EXTERNAL MUSIC SOURCE
`
`(S16)
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0015
`
`
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0016
`
`
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`AUDIO SYSTEM AND ITS CONTENTS
`REPRODUCTION METHOD, AUDIO APPARATUS
`FOR A VEHICLE AND ITS CONTENTS
`REPRODUCTION METHOD, COMPUTER
`PROGRAM PRODUCT AND
`COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the ?eld of audio
`apparatuses that provide contents such as music in a vehicle
`such as an automobile.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] In the ?eld of an automobile, a typical eXample of
`vehicle, an audio apparatus has come into Widespread use in
`recent years alloWing passengers to enjoy various contents
`such as music in a vehicle.
`
`[0003] In such a conventional audio apparatus, a passen
`ger 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 his/her choice by replaying/
`outputting it from data stored in the music storage medium.
`
`[0004] HoWever, an audio apparatus using such a music
`storage medium is burdensome because the passenger 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 a technology for directly receiving
`digitiZed music data from the outside through an audio
`apparatus using a music distribution service and enjoying
`the music data in the vehicle Without using a music record
`ing medium.
`[0006] Here, the technology described in the Japanese
`Patent Laid-Open No. 11-30986 Will be summariZed beloW.
`[0007] The vehicle music data acquisition system
`described in this Publication consists of an information
`center that distributes music to vehicles and a vehicle
`capable of Wirelessly communicating With the information
`center (see FIG. 2 of the relevant Publication) and the music
`distribution procedure in such a system con?guration is
`eXplained With reference to FIG. 2 of the relevant Publica
`tion.
`
`[0008] That is, the vehicle sends data about a music
`replaying condition in the oWn vehicle (including informa
`tion to identify music of a distribution request) to the
`information center.
`
`[0009] Upon reception of the data about the music replay
`ing condition, the information center determines Whether the
`requested music data eXists in the information 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
`information center creates music data With the amount of
`data reduced (compressed) based on the data about the
`music replaying condition and sends the music data created
`to the vehicle. The vehicle replays the music based on the
`received music data.
`[0010] According to the audio apparatus using this music
`distribution service, the passenger can enjoy any music at
`
`any time Without the need to prepare any music storage
`medium. This alloWs the passenger to easily enjoy music of
`his/her choice in the vehicle, providing an effect of alloWing
`the passenger to spend his/her time comfortably in the
`vehicle.
`
`[0011] Furthermore, the technology described in the J apa
`nese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-240207 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 audio
`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 development
`of the Internet, music distribution services indirectly using
`the Internet are provided as described above, Which alloWs
`the user to doWnload digitiZed contents data such as music
`to an information storage medium such as a memory card
`and enjoy music of his/her choice easily.
`
`[0015] Furthermore, recently, individuals often carry With
`them portable audio apparatuses and these portable 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 plurality of 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 respective choices and spend
`their time during the long-distance 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 music of
`his/her choice to a music storage medium corresponding 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. 11-30986, the audio apparatus using the music distri
`bution 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 distribution
`service provides such convenience, but on the other hand,
`because this audio apparatus receives music data 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. Therefore, if, for eXample, electro
`magnetic interference occurs While 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.
`
`[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.
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0017
`
`
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`[0021] Moreover, downloading music data from the music
`distribution service in the current communication environ
`ment entails a high communication cost, and so it is prob
`lematic in respect of cost, too.
`
`[0022] Therefore, one possible method of enjoying music
`of one’s choice reliably and at loW cost Without using such
`a music distribution service is to use music data included in
`a portable audio apparatus. This is because the portable
`audio apparatus that each passenger carries includes music
`data of his/her choice beforehand and using this music data
`alloWs the passenger to reliably enjoy music data of his/her
`choice 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 information storage
`medium also vary. For this reason, using this portable audio
`apparatus in the vehicle requires the passenger to set the
`audio apparatus in a mount pre-installed in the vehicle,
`connect it to an in-car audio apparatus 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 apparatus, Which is dif?cult in practice.
`
`[0024] Moreover, even if Wired connection ports of por
`table audio apparatuses of all models and information stor
`age 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.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0025] The present invention has been proposed to solve
`the conventional problems, and has as its main object to
`provide, When a plurality of passengers get on an automo
`bile, for eXample, an audio system and its contents repro
`duction method, audio apparatus for a vehicle and its con
`tents reproduction method, computer program product and
`computer-readable storage medium capable of easily and
`reliably replay contents data in a portable audio apparatus
`carried by passengers inside the vehicle and outputs the
`contents data as sound so that passengers 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.
`
`[0026] To solve the above problems, the present invention
`is constituted as folloWs.
`
`[0027] That is, the present invention provides an audio
`system that reproduces contents information as sound in a
`vehicle, composed of a portable audio apparatus (200, 200a,
`200b) carried by a passenger of the vehicle and an audio
`apparatus (100) mounted in the vehicle, characteriZed in that
`the portable audio apparatus includes contents information
`retaining means (204) for retaining contents information and
`transmitting means (205) for transmitting the content infor
`mation to the audio apparatus at least by means of a radio
`communication, and the audio apparatus includes receiving
`means (110) for receiving the contents information from the
`portable audio apparatus at least by means of a radio
`communication, storing means (102) for storing the contents
`information received by the receiving means and controlling
`means (101, 103) for reproducing the contents information
`
`stored in the storing means and outputting the reproduced
`information as sound from speakers(28) mounted in the
`vehicle.
`
`[0028] Another system con?guration to attain the same
`object is an audio system that reproduces contents informa
`tion as sound in a vehicle, composed of a portable audio
`apparatus (200, 200a, 200b) carried by a passenger of the
`vehicle and an audio apparatus (100) mounted in the vehicle,
`characteriZed in that the portable audio apparatuses include
`contents information retaining means (204) for retaining
`contents information and its title information associated With
`each other, title information sending means (203, 205) for
`sending title information associated With the contents infor
`mation to the audio apparatus at least by means of a radio
`communication and contents information sending means
`(203, 205) for sending the content information correspond
`ing to the title information received from the audio apparatus
`to the audio apparatus at least by means of a radio commu
`nication, and the audio apparatus includes title information
`receiving means (110) for receiving the title information
`from the portable audio apparatus at least by means of a
`radio communication, storing means (102) for storing the
`title information received by the title information receiving
`means, selecting means (24, 106 to 109) for informing titles
`in the vehicle according to the title information stored in the
`storing means and alloWing the passenger in the vehicle to
`select contents information to be received from the portable
`audio apparatus With reference to the informed titles, request
`sending means (110) for sending the title information cor
`responding to the title selected by the selecting means to the
`portable audio apparatus at least by means of a radio
`communication in order to request the contents information
`corresponding to the selected title to be sent and controlling
`means (101, 103) for receiving the contents information
`corresponding to the selected title from the portable audio
`apparatus at least by means of a radio communication and
`reproducing the received contents information and output
`ting the reproduced information as sound from speakers (28)
`mounted in the vehicle.
`
`[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the audio apparatus
`identi?es the portable audio apparatus that eXists in a
`predetermined radio communication area of the audio appa
`ratus and further includes system constructing means (101
`and 110) for constructing a radio communication system
`made up of the identi?ed portable audio apparatus and the
`audio apparatus, it is desirable that the audio apparatus
`acquire the contents information from the portable audio
`apparatus identi?ed by the system constructing means.
`
`[0030] In this case, it is desirable that upon reception of a
`plurality of pieces of contents information from a plurality
`of portable audio apparatuses identi?ed by the system con
`structing means, the audio apparatus be further provided
`With instructing means capable of instructing simultaneous
`reproduction of the plurality of pieces of contents informa
`tion, and When simultaneous reproduction is instructed by
`the instructing means, the controlling means output at least
`one piece of contents information from among the plurality
`of pieces of contents information instructed to be reproduced
`simultaneously from the speakers and remotely control the
`plurality of portable audio apparatuses so that the remaining
`pieces of contents information be reproduced by at least one
`of the plurality of portable audio apparatuses identi?ed by
`the system constructing means.
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0018
`
`
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`[0031] To attain the same object, the present invention
`provides a contents reproduction method for an audio sys
`tem that reproduces contents information as sound in the
`vehicle, comprising a system constructing step of construct
`ing a communication system that carries out at least a radio
`communication, composed of portable audio apparatus (200,
`200a, 200b) carried by a passenger 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 apparatus to the
`audio apparatus at least by means of a radio communication,
`an information storing step of storing the contents informa
`tion acquired in the contents information sending step in a
`storing medium (102) of the audio apparatus and a sound
`reproducing step of reproducing the contents information
`stored in the storage medium and outputting the reproduced
`information as sound from speakers (28) mounted in the
`vehicle.
`[0032] Another method to attain the same object is a
`contents reproduction method for an audio system that
`reproduces contents information as sound in the vehicle,
`comprising a system constructing step of constructing a
`communication system that carries out at least a radio
`communication, composed of a portable audio apparatus
`(200, 200a, 200b) carried by a passenger of the vehicle and
`an audio apparatus (100) mounted in the vehicle, title
`information sending step of sending the title information of
`the contents information and title information retained asso
`ciated beforehand With the portable audio apparatus to the
`audio apparatus at least by means of radio communication,
`information storing step of storing the title information
`acquired in the title information sending step in a storage
`medium (102) of the audio apparatus, a selecting step of
`informing titles in the vehicle according to the title infor
`mation stored in the storage medium and alloWing the
`passenger in the vehicle to select contents information to be
`received from the portable audio apparatus With reference to
`the informed titles, a request sending step of sending the title
`information corresponding to the titles selected in the select
`ing means to the portable audio apparatuses at least by
`means of a radio communication in order to request the
`transmission of the contents information corresponding to
`the selected titles, a contents information sending step of
`sending contents information corresponding to the title
`information received from the audio apparatus to the audio
`apparatus at least by means of a radio communication and a
`sound reproducing step of receiving the contents informa
`tion corresponding to the selected title from the portable
`audio apparatus at least by means of a radio communication,
`reproducing the received contents information and output
`ting the reproduced information as sound from speakers (28)
`mounted in the vehicle.
`[0033] Another method to attain the same object is a
`contents reproduction method for an audio system that
`reproduces contents information as sound in the vehicle,
`comprising a system constructing step of constructing a
`communication system that carries out at least a radio
`communication, composed of a portable audio apparatus
`(200, 200a, 200b) carried by a passenger 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 audio apparatus to the portable
`audio apparatus at least by means of a radio-communication
`and a sound reproducing step of receiving the contents
`
`information sent in the contents information sending step by
`the portable audio apparatus at least by means of a radio
`communication, reproducing the received contents informa
`tion and outputting the reproduced information as sound
`from the portable audio apparatus.
`
`[0034] Another method to attain the same object is a
`contents reproduction method for an audio system that
`reproduces contents information as sound in the vehicle,
`comprising a system constructing step of constructing a
`communication system that carries out at least a radio
`communication, composed of a plurality 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 a ?rst portable audio
`apparatus to a second portable audio apparatus according to
`a control signal from the audio apparatus at least by means
`of a radio communication and a sound reproducing step of
`receiving the contents information sent in the contents
`information sending step by the second portable audio
`apparatus at least by means of a radio communication,
`reproducing the received contents information and output
`ting the reproduced information as sound from the second
`portable audio apparatus.
`[0035] The same object above can also be attained by an
`audio apparatus mounted in a vehicle (audio apparatus 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 con?guration.
`
`[0036] The same object above can also be attained by a
`contents reproduction method of the audio apparatus (audio
`apparatus for a vehicle) corresponding to the contents repro
`duction method of the audio system in the con?guration
`above, program codes that instruct so that the contents
`reproduction method is implemented in the audio apparatus
`for a vehicle and a computer-readable storage medium that
`stores these program codes.
`
`[0037] Other features and advantages of the present inven
`tion 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 ?gures thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0038] The accompanying draWings, Which are incorpo
`rated in and constitute a part of the speci?cation, illustrate
`embodiments of the invention and, together With the
`description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
`
`[0039] FIG. 1 is an outlined plan vieW of au automobile
`using an audio apparatus of the present invention;
`
`[0040] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a control
`system and radio communication system of an audio appa
`ratus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0041] FIG. 3 is a front vieW of an operation panel of an
`audio apparatus 100 in this embodiment;
`[0042] FIG. 4 is a How chart of operation control of the
`audio apparatus 100 in this embodiment;
`
`[0043] FIG. 5 is an “AUDIO TOP MENU” screen shoWn
`on a display in this embodiment;
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1105
`1105.0019
`
`
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`[0044] FIG. 6 is an “reception MENU” screen shown on
`a display in this embodiment;
`
`[0045] FIG. 7 is an “AUDIO MENU” screen shoWn on a
`display in this embodiment;
`[0046] FIG. 8 is a How chart of operation control of a
`portable audio apparatus 200 in this embodiment;
`
`[0047] FIG. 9 is a How chart of music data erasure control
`of the audio apparatus 100 in this embodiment;
`
`[0048] FIG. 10 is an “erasure MENU” screen shoWn on a
`display in this embodiment;
`[0049] FIG. 11 is an “Internet MENU” screen shoWn on
`a display in this embodiment;
`
`[0050] FIG. 12 is a “Transfer MENU” screen shoWn on a
`display in this embodiment;
`[0051] FIG. 13 is a partial ?oW chart shoWing a process
`ing step added to the ?oWchart in FIG. 4 in a ?rst modi?
`cation of this embodiment;
`
`[0052] FIG. 14 is a partial ?oW chart shoWing a process
`ing step of changing the How chart in FIG. 4 in the ?rst
`modi?cation of this embodiment; and
`
`[0053] FIG. 15 is a screen shoWn on a display in a second
`modi?cation of this embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0054] Preferred embodiments of the present invention
`Will noW be described in detail in accordance With the
`accompanying draWings.
`[0055] Embodiments of the present invention applied to an
`automobile, a typical eXample of vehicle, Will noW be
`described in detail in accordance With the accompanying
`draWings.
`[0056] FIG. 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 appa
`ratus of this embodiment is generally constituted by a
`car-mounted audio apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as
`“audio apparatus 100“) mounted in a vehicle 1 and portable
`audio apparatuses 200a and 200b carried into the vehicle by
`passengers.
`[0057] In the folloWing explanations, the portable audio
`apparatuses 200a and 200b Will sometimes be collectively
`called a “portable audio apparatus 200“.
`
`[0058] The audio apparatus 100 is constructed of not only
`an audio function but also a navigation function and Internet
`communication function, etc. so as to perform a variety of
`information processing.
`[0059] A concentrated control unit 20 for controlling the
`entire system of the audio apparatus of this embodiment 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 functions, Which Will be described beloW.
`[0060] (Navigation Function)
`[0061] The navigation function is intended to realiZe navi
`gation 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 position of the oWn
`vehicle installed in the vehicle 1, a navigation controller 22
`to perform navigation control, a DVD-ROM changer 23 to
`read road map information, etc. stored in DVD-ROM, a
`display 24 that displays navigation information and alloWs
`input operations by passengers and a voice guide speaker 25
`that outputs navigation information in voice, and these
`apparatuses are each connected to the concentrated control
`unit 20.
`[0062] The navigation function in this embodiment is
`provided With functions similar to those of a conventional
`navigation apparatus such as detecting the current position
`of the oWn vehicle, giving the passengers road information
`and traffic information and providing a route guide for the
`automobile.
`[0063] (Internet Communication Function)
`[0064] The Internet communication function is con
`structed by a telephone antenna 26 connected to the Internet
`over a radio telephone netWork, a cellular telephone 27 to
`transmit/receive Internet information, the display 24 that
`alloWs input operations by the passenger, car-mounted
`speakers 28 that output the information received on the
`Internet as voice information (hereinafter referred to as
`“speakers 28”), etc. and these apparatuses are also each
`connected to the concentrated control unit 20.
`[0065] This embodiment transmits/receives Internet infor
`mation using the cellular telephone 27, but it is also possible
`to provide a dedicated Internet transmission/reception sec
`tion for the main unit of the audio apparatus 100 aside from
`the cellular telephone 27.
`[0066] The Internet communication function of this
`embodiment is provided With functions such as receiving
`various kinds of information requested by the passengers by
`the audio apparatus 100 over the Internet and transmitting
`information from the vehicle to the outside by e-mail, etc.
`[0067] (Audio Function)
`[0068] The audio function is constructed by an audio
`control unit 30 that controls the entire system of the relevant
`audio function, a CD drive 31 that reads CD music data, an
`MD drive 32 that reads MD music data, a memory 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 plurality of cellular audio
`apparatuses 200a and 200b in the vehicle and a radio
`transmitter/receiver 35 that transmits/receives music data
`to/from the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b, and
`these apparatuses are each connected to the concentrated
`control unit 20.
`
`[0069] As in the case of a conventional audio apparatus,
`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 (hereinafter
`referred to as “music data”), generating reproduction signals
`according to the read music data and outputting the music
`data from the speakers 28 as music (hereinafter referred to
`as “reproduced output”