(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Ohmura et al.
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20010028717 Al
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0028717 A1
`Oct. 11, 2001
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`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
`
`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 Classification
`
`(51)
`Int. CI? ....................................................... H04B l/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 381/86
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An audio apparatus (audio system) made up of the car(cid:173)
`mounted audio apparatus 100 and portable audio appara(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`tuses.
`
`52
`
`Page 1 of 34
`
`Daimler Exhibit 1008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 1
`
`28
`
`1
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 34
`
`

`

`1 os
`
`1 04
`
`r 1 00
`
`VEHICLE-EXTERNAL MUSIC
`SOURCE RECEPTION CIRCUIT
`(INTERNET, AM, FM)
`
`FIG. 2
`"\7
`--=E===-
`205
`·
`,......_ ____ ...,. PORTABLE AUDIO APPARATUS
`(EXTERNAL PLAYER A) 206
`
`r 200a
`
`21 o
`___ , 202a
`
`VOLUME
`
`SELECT SW
`
`REPLAY BUTTON
`
`STOP BUTTON
`
`FAST-FORWARD
`BUTTON
`
`REWIND BUTTON
`
`CROSS CURSOR
`
`DETERMINATION
`BUTTON
`
`OUTPUT
`CHANGEOVER SW
`
`CPU
`
`102
`
`MUSIC
`SOURCE
`MEMORY,)
`CD, MD
`110
`
`(
`
`TRANS(cid:173)
`MISSION/
`RECEPTION
`MODULE
`
`CAR-MOUNTED
`AUDIO APPARATUS
`
`106
`
`101
`
`VOLUME
`
`SELECT SW
`
`REPLAY BUTTON
`
`STOP BUTTON
`
`DISPLAY
`
`TRANSMISSION/
`RECEPTION
`MODULE
`
`CPU
`
`MUSIC
`SOURCE
`MEMORY,)
`CD, MD
`
`(
`
`I
`
`201a
`
`PORTABLE AUDIO
`APPARATUS
`EXTERNAL}
`PLAYER B
`
`(
`
`~2081 I vni"'I~I.:I,CVV<::n ovv I I
`I 1...-...t'--~u~
`J
`j
`(
`200b ,-,
`207
`(
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`209 ~ Y r··------; Y r··------;
`:___ i
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`:
`:
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`I
`201 b l ________ j ___ l ________ j
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`'
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`I
`•
`;_, _ _,
`_\
`( J
`( J
`'·
`'·
`
`TRANSMISSION/
`RECEPTION
`MODULE
`
`EXTERNAL
`PLAYER B
`
`:
`~-1
`·
`I
`:_r_J
`( \)
`·-
`
`\
`
`•
`1
`(}
`·-
`
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`~ .....
`
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`~ .....
`~ = .....
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`.... 0 =
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`.... 0 =
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`
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`
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`
`0
`I")
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`~ .....
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`'"""' Ul
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`N c c
`'"""' -c c
`
`N
`00
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`'"""'
`-...J >
`'"""'
`
`
`
`Page 3 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 3 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 3
`
`53
`
`50
`
`108
`
`I
`
`,\ 'i:£:1 NC ®/
`J jc!£J MODE ~i
`
`52
`
`
`
`Page 4 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 4 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`NO
`
`813
`
`814
`
`DETERMINE MUSIC
`SOURCE, OUTPUT PORT
`FROM AUDIO MENU
`
`817
`
`RECEIVE MUSIC DATA OF
`SELECTED MUSIC FROM
`EXTERNAL MUSIC SOURCE
`AND STORE IN INTERNAL
`MEMORY
`
`NO
`
`821
`
`SEND MUSIC
`DATA OF
`SELECTED MUSIC
`TO SELECTED
`EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS
`
`·OUTPUT SELECTED MUSIC
`OF CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKER OUTPUT FROM
`CAR-MOUNTED SPEAKER
`OUTPUT
`·SEND MUSIC DATA OF
`SELECTED MUSIC OF
`EXTERNAL SPEAKER
`OUTPUT TO SELECTED
`EXTERNAL SPEAKERS
`
`OUTPUT
`SELECTED MUSIC
`FROM CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKERS
`
`812
`
`OUTPUT
`SELECTED
`MUSIC SOURCE
`FROM
`CAR-MOUNTED
`SPEAKERS
`
`OUTPUT OPERATION
`SIGNAL TO CORRES-
`PONDING APPARATUS
`
`823
`
`
`
`Page 5 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 2001!0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`AUDIO TOP MENU
`
`~ DETERMINE MUSIC REPLAY/OUTPUT ~01
`
`DESTINATION(AUDIO MENU)
`
`SEARCH/RECEIVE EXTERNAL MUSIC ~02
`SOURCE/EXTERNAL SPEAKERS
`
`RECEIVE MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
`FROM INTERNET
`
`ERASE RECEIVED MUSIC
`
`~03
`
`~04
`
`TRANSFER RECEIVED MUSIC
`
`r--05
`
`I
`I
`
`
`
`Page 6 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 6 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`"""" C\J
`0
`
`l{)
`C\J
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`I
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`0
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`
`
`
`Page 7 of 34
`
`

`

`FIG. 7
`
`AUDIO MENU
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER DATA LIST
`
`SOURCE
`
`OUTPUT DESTINATION
`
`TIME CAPACITY
`ARTIST
`TITLE
`- - -
`-
`1.***** t0,.L::,.L::. 000 XX
`t0,.L::,.L::,. 000 XX
`.... 2. * * * * *
`..-----v3. * * * * *
`000 XX
`6.6.6.
`t0,.L::,.L::. 000 XX
`4. * * * * *
`
`I
`
`012a
`
`D13a
`
`D13b
`
`.... ( CAR-MOUNTED SP t f'-
`t "-......-
`I EXTERNAL A
`I
`I
`I EXTERNAL C
`I
`I EXTERNAL D
`I
`
`EXTERNAL B
`
`FM
`
`AM
`
`CAR-MOUNTED CD
`
`CAR-MOUNTED MD
`
`CAR-MOUNTED MEMORY
`EXTERNAL PLAYER A l
`....
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER B I
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER c I
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER D I
`
`J
`(
`012
`
`I
`I
`011b
`
`)
`\
`011 011a
`
`'
`
`)
`\
`013
`
`'t:l
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ =
`.....
`>
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`--0 =
`= 0' ---
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`N c c
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`
`N
`00
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`>
`'"""'
`
`
`
`Page 8 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`FIG. 8
`
`NO
`
`CONNECT/REGISTER
`CAR-MOUNTED AUDIO
`APPARATUS
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`018
`
`012
`
`OUTPUT
`INTERNAL
`MUSIC DATA
`FROM
`HEADPHONE
`
`·SEND INTERNAL MUSIC
`DATA TO OUTSIDE
`·RECEIVE EXTERNAL MUSIC
`DATA AND OUTPUT FROM
`HEADPHONE
`
`RECEIVE
`EXTERNAL
`MUSIC DATA AND
`OUTPUT FROM
`HEADPHONE
`
`OUTPUT OPERATION SIGNAL 022
`TO CORRESPONDING
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`Page 9 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 9
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`S52
`
`.-----~
`
`S55
`
`ERASE ALL
`EXTERNAL
`MUSIC DATA
`
`ERASE MUSIC DATA
`OF CORRESPONDING
`EXTERNAL SOURCE
`
`ERASE SELECTED
`MUSIC DATA
`
`RETURN
`
`
`
`Page 10 of 34
`
`

`

`FIG. 10
`
`ERASURE MENU
`
`CAR-MOUNTED MEMORY DATA
`TIME CAPACITY
`TITLE
`ARTIST
`--
`-
`..... 1. ***** 666 000 XX
`2. * * * * * 666 000 XX
`3. * * * * * 666. 000 XX
`4. * * * * * 66.6 000 XX
`
`TARGET APPARATUS
`
`..... CAR-MOUNTED MEMORY
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER A
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER B
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER C
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER D
`
`)
`
`042
`
`)
`
`041
`
`ERASE ALL ~044
`RECEIVED
`MUSIC PIECES
`~
`I
`I
`
`ERASE ~043
`
`ERASE ALL ~045
`
`END
`
`~046
`
`I")
`~ ......
`
`""C
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`~
`
`I")
`~ ......
`
`0
`I")
`!"""
`""""
`!""
`N c c
`""""
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ......
`"""" c
`0 ......,
`"""" Ul
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`"""" -c c
`
`N
`00
`-..J
`""""
`-..J
`>
`""""
`
`
`
`Page 11 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 11
`
`INTERNET MENU
`
`MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
`~ BEST HITS IN THIS WEEK ~ 031
`JAPANESE MUSIC SELECT ~ 032
`FOREIGN MUSIC SELECT I
`I
`I
`
`ENKA BALLAD SELECT
`
`ROCK SELECT
`
`
`
`Page 12 of 34
`
`

`

`F I G. 12
`
`TRANSFER MENU
`
`RECEIVING APPARATUS
`
`051a
`\
`( TRANSMITIING APPARATUS
`
`~ CAR-MOUNTED MEMORY
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER A
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER B
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER C
`
`EXTERNAL PLAYER D
`
`CAR-MOUNTED MEMORY DATA
`
`CAPACITY
`
`TITLE
`-
`~1. **** XX
`2. * * * * XX
`3. * * * * XX
`4. * * * * XX
`D52a
`
`)
`
`051
`
`)
`
`052
`
`I
`053
`
`:------- 053a
`
`r-o54
`
`I")
`~ ......
`
`""C
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
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`
`I")
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`
`0
`I")
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`""""
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`
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`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`"""" -c c
`
`N
`00
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`""""
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`>
`""""
`
`I CAR-MOUNTED MEMORY I
`~~ EXTERNAL PLAYER A r
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER B I
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER c I
`~ TRANSFER
`I TRANSFER ALL ~ 055
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER D I
`I END
`~056
`
`
`
`Page 13 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`(S13)
`
`t
`
`STORE TITLE DATA OF
`EXTERNAL MUSIC SOURCE
`
`-~ 8100
`
`lr
`
`(814)
`
`
`
`Page 14 of 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 11, 2001 Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`FIG. 14
`
`8101
`(
`
`NO
`
`(S15)
`
`YES
`
`RECEIVE MUSIC DATA OF
`SELECTED MUSIC FROM
`EXTERNAL MUSIC SOURCE
`
`-
`
`(816)
`
`
`
`Page 15 of 34
`
`

`

`FIG. 15
`
`063
`
`/060
`
`SKIP EJBEJ FAST·
`
`FORWARD REWIND REPLAY
`
`STOP
`
`SKIP
`FORWARD BACKWARD
`
`064
`
`I
`
`} }
`\
`1(1 CAR-MOUNTED
`1\
`
`EXTERNAL
`
`061
`
`r-
`061a 061b
`061
`(
`)
`
`NAVI
`
`TITLE LIST
`
`1.*****
`[{{06~ v 2. * * * * *
`f:/'//)_2-L
`v
`3. * * * * *
`AUDIO
`... 4. * * * * *
`TOP
`
`SOURCE
`
`OUTPUT DESTINATION
`
`~J~1~1~4:~0~~1 ~~ ~2~~~~~~N]~§ :sl':J
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER B I I EXTERNAL A )
`I EXTERNAL PLAYER c I I EXTERNAL B
`)
`
`CD
`
`FM
`
`AM
`
`MD
`
`MEMORY
`
`<1
`
`L
`v
`
`[>
`
`I)
`
`067
`
`066
`
`068 065 062
`
`I")
`~ ......
`
`""C
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`~
`
`I")
`~ ......
`
`0
`I")
`!"""
`"""'
`:--'
`N c c
`"""'
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ......
`"""' Ul
`0 ......,
`"""' Ul
`
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`
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`
`N
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`
`
`
`Page 16 of 34
`
`

`

`US 2001/0028717 A1
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`1
`
`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 field of audio
`apparatuses that provide contents such as music in a vehicle
`such as an automobile.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`In the field 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(cid:173)
`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,
`Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
`the
`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(cid:173)
`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 configuration is
`explained with reference to FIG. 2 of the relevant Publica(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`[0008] That is, the vehicle sends data about a music
`replaying condition in the own vehicle (including informa(cid:173)
`tion to identify music of a distribution request) to the
`information center.
`
`[0009] Upon reception of the data about the music replay(cid:173)
`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 Japa(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`dows appearing on a display shows information on audio(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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.
`
`
`
`Page 17 of 34
`
`

`

`US 2001/0028717 Al
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`2
`
`[0021] Moreover, downloading music data from the music
`distribution service in the current communication environ(cid:173)
`ment entails a high communication cost, and so it is prob(cid:173)
`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 difficult in practice.
`
`[0024] Moreover, even if wired connection ports of por(cid:173)
`table audio apparatuses of all models and information stor(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`bile, for example, an audio system and its contents repro(cid:173)
`duction method, audio apparatus for a vehicle and its con(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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 configuration to attain the same
`object is an audio system that reproduces contents informa(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`ing to the title information received from the audio apparatus
`to the audio apparatus at least by means of a radio commu(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`ting the reproduced information as sound from speakers (28)
`mounted in the vehicle.
`
`[0029]
`In a preferred embodiment, the audio apparatus
`identifies the portable audio apparatus that exists in a
`predetermined radio communication area of the audio appa(cid:173)
`ratus and further includes system constructing means (101
`and 110) for constructing a radio communication system
`made up of the identified portable audio apparatus and the
`audio apparatus, it is desirable that the audio apparatus
`acquire the contents information from the portable audio
`apparatus identified 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 identified by the system con(cid:173)
`structing means, the audio apparatus be further provided
`with instructing means capable of instructing simultaneous
`reproduction of the plurality of pieces of contents inform a(cid:173)
`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 identified by
`the system constructing means.
`
`
`
`Page 18 of 34
`
`

`

`US 2001/0028717 Al
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`3
`
`[0031] To attain the same object, the present invention
`provides a contents reproduction method for an audio sys(cid:173)
`tem that reproduces contents information as sound in the
`vehicle, comprising a system constructing step of construct(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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 first 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(cid:173)
`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 configuration.
`
`[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(cid:173)
`duction method of the audio system in the configuration
`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(cid:173)
`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 figures thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo(cid:173)
`rated in and constitute a part of the specification, 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(cid:173)
`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 flow 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;
`
`
`
`Page 19 of 34
`
`

`

`US 2001/0028717 Al
`
`Oct. 11, 2001
`
`4
`
`[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 flow chart of operation control of a
`portable audio apparatus 200 in this embodiment;
`
`[0047] FIG. 9 is a flow 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 flow chart showing a process(cid:173)
`ing step added to the flowchart in FIG. 4 in a first modifi(cid:173)
`cation of this embodiment;
`
`[0052] FIG. 14 is a partial flow chart showing a process(cid:173)
`ing step of changing the flow chart in FIG. 4 in the first
`modification of this embodiment; and
`
`[0053] FIG. 15 is a screen shown on a display in a second
`modification of this embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 1HE
`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(cid:173)
`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