Audio device

• US 8,526,631 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2007
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Inventors: Nakabayashi, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olaniran, Fatimat O
• Application Number:
  US12/532,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20100104111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,360 Days
• Field of Search: 381 1- 23, 381300-311, 381/86, 381 77- 85, 381104-106, 700/94
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

An audio device 100 which replays audio on the basis of an external audio signal PAS outputted from a portable audio device (500) includes: a power supply unit 170, that is a power supply element which supplies power at a predetermined voltage to the portable audio device 500; a control unit 110, that is a control element which, along with notifying to the portable audio device 500 function setting information FRP that is operability information specifying whether or not inherent actuation input is possible using an inherent actuation input element provided to the portable audio device, also controls the details notified; and speakers 130_L and 130_R, that are audio replay element for replaying audio on the basis of the external audio signal PAS. As a result, an audio device 100 is implemented which can enhance the convenience to the user, in cooperation with the portable audio device 500.

Claims

1. An audio device mountable on a vehicle that performs replay of audio based on an external audio signal outputted from a portable audio device, comprising:

an interface for connecting to said portable audio device;

a power supply part configured to supply power of a predetermined constant voltage to said portable audio device;

an audio replay part configured to replay said audio based on said external audio signal;

an actuation input part configured to be used by a user for input of an actuation or a command for controlling replay of said audio; and

a control part configured i) to control an actuation function on said portable audio device for replaying said audio, and ii) to switch control of said actuation function between one of a user input part arranged on said portable audio device and said actuation input part,

wherein, in a first mode, the user input part arranged on said portable audio device is active for receiving user input for controlling replay of said audio, and in a second mode, said actuation input part is active for receiving user input for controlling replay of said audio, and

wherein both of the switching of control of said actuation function and control of replay of said audio via said actuation input part are performed as a result of user input to said actuation input part while the portable audio device is connected to said interface.

2. An audio device according to claim 1, wherein said power supply part is configured to supply power at constant voltage to said portable audio device as power for charging.

3. An audio device according to claim 1, wherein said control part is configured to specify to said power supply part whether or not power should be supplied.

4. An audio device according to claim 1, wherein said control part is configured to send to said portable audio device, in response to a user input at said actuation input part, a notification to disable said user input part of said portable audio device.

5. An audio device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an internal sound generation part configured to generate an internal audio signal; and

a signal selection part configured to select as a selected signal either one of said internal audio signal and said external audio signal, and to output the selected signal to said audio replay unit,

wherein said control part is configured to control said signal selection unit for selecting the selected signal.

6. An audio device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a volume adjustment part configured to adjust a volume of the audio replayed from said audio replay part,

wherein said control part is configured to control said volume adjustment part to specify the volume of the audio replayed by said audio replay part.

7. An audio device according to claim 2, wherein said control part is configured to specify to said power supply part whether or not power should be supplied.

8. An audio device according to claim 2, wherein

said control part is configured to send to said portable audio device, in response to a user input at said actuation input part, a notification to disable said user input part of said portable audio device.

9. An audio device according to claim 3, wherein

said control part is configured to send to said portable audio device, in response to a user input at said actuation input part, a notification to disable said user input part of said portable audio device.

10. An audio device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an internal sound generation part configured to generate an internal audio signal; and

a signal selection part configured to select as a selected signal either one of said internal audio signal and said external audio signal, and to output the selected signal to said audio replay unit,

wherein said control part is configured to control said signal selection unit for selecting the selected signal.

11. An audio device according to claim 3, further comprising:

an internal sound generation part configured to generate an internal audio signal; and

a signal selection part configured to select as a selected signal either one of said internal audio signal and said external audio signal, and to output the selected signal to said audio replay unit,

wherein said control part is configured to control said signal selection unit for selecting the selected signal.

12. An audio device according to claim 4, further comprising:

an internal sound generation part configured to generate an internal audio signal; and

a signal selection part configured to select as a selected signal either one of said internal audio signal and said external audio signal, and to output the selected signal to said audio replay unit,

wherein said control part is configured to control said signal selection unit for selecting the selected signal.

13. An audio device according to claim 2, wherein

a volume adjustment part configured to adjust the volume of the audio replayed from said audio replay part,

wherein said control part configured to specify the volume of the audio replayed by said audio replay part, to said volume adjustment part.

14. An audio device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a volume adjustment part configured to adjust a volume of the audio replayed from said audio replay part,

wherein said control part is configured to control said volume adjustment part to specify the volume of the audio replayed by said audio replay part.

15. An audio device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a volume adjustment part configured to adjust a volume of the audio replayed from said audio replay part,

wherein said control part is configured to control said volume adjustment part to specify the volume of the audio replayed by said audio replay part.

16. An audio device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a volume adjustment part configured to adjust a volume of the audio replayed from said audio replay part,

wherein said control part is configured to control said volume adjustment part to specify the volume of the audio replayed by said audio replay part.

17. An audio device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a volume adjustment part configured to adjust a volume of the audio replayed from said audio replay part,

wherein said control part is configured to control said volume adjustment part to specify the volume of the audio replayed by said audio replay part.