PERSONAL AUDIO DEVICE

• US 20100198376A1
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Toshiyuki, MacKenzie, David, Shintani, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/366,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20100198376A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A system for providing localized audio content from a remote control device. Embodiments of the present invention utilize the proximity of the remote control device to provide audio content directly to a user without disturbing others. The complexity of normal subwoofer setup is eliminated as subwoofer audio channel is wirelessly delivered to the remote control device and rendered there. Embodiments further include the necessary signal processing circuitry to generate audio channels and send the signal wirelessly for playback in proximity to user.

Claims

1. A system for use as a personal audio device comprising:

a power module for powering said personal audio device;

a control command transmission module operable to receive commands and issue commands to a device to be controlled;

a receiver operable to wirelessly receive an audio signal; and

an audio component comprising a transducer operable to be used for outputting an audio channel of said audio signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said audio component further comprises a speaker.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said audio signal comprises a monaural audio signal.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said audio signal comprises a stereo audio signal.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said audio signal comprises a bass audio signal.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver is a radio frequency (RF) receiver.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver is operable to receive a command for adjusting output of said audio component.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said command is received from a display device.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said command is received from an audio device.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said audio component is further operable to be coupled to headphones.

11. A remote control device for performing remote control operations of a remote device, said remote control device comprising:

an input module for receiving commands to be communicated;

a transmission module for transmitting said commands;

a receiver for receiving audio signals; and

an audio component for outputting said audio signal, wherein said audio component comprises a speaker.

12. A remote control device as described in claim 11 wherein said receiver is operable to receive a command for adjusting output of said audio component.

13. A remote control device as described in claim 11 further comprises:

a power management component for controlling said receiver and audio component.

14. A remote control device as described in claim 13 wherein said power management component is operable to control said receiver and audio component based on a command received from via said receiver.

15. A remote control device as described in claim 13 wherein said power management component is operable to periodically activate said receiver.

16. A remote control device as described in claim 13 wherein said power management component is operable to alter the operation of said audio component.

17. A remote control device as described in claim 11 wherein said audio component comprises a transducer.

18. A remote control device comprising:

an input module for receiving a command to be transmitted;

a transmitter for transmitting said command received by said input module;

a radio frequency receiver for receiving an audio signal; and

an audio component for facilitating output of said audio signal and operable to be coupled to an audio output device.

19. A remote control device as described in claim 18 wherein said audio output device is headphones.

20. A remote control device as described in claim 18 wherein said radio frequency receiver is operable to receive a command for adjusting said audio component.