Patent Publication Number: US-2005131560-A1

Title: Connection for audio transfer

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a connection for audio transfer and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a connection for audio download and reproduction; and to an audio reproduction device including such a connection.  
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
      In recent years many audio reproduction devices such as, for example, speakers and headphones, have integrated audio players. The audio player in each case may be, for example, an MP3 player. As such, the audio player will require a connection to a host device to enable the audio to be downloaded from the host device by the audio player. The host device may be a computer such as, for example, personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, personal digital assistant, and so forth.  
      To have a separate cable for downloading is quite often inconvenient. It has to be stored, carried, and protected from damage, when it may be required infrequently.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a connection for audio transfer, the connection comprising: 
          (a) a first cable for operative connection to a first audio reproduction device, the first audio reproduction device including an audio player;     (b) a first connector at an end of the first cable remote from the first audio reproduction device;     (c) a second cable for operative connection to a second audio reproduction device;     (d) a second connector at an end of the second cable remote from the second audio reproduction device;     (e) the first connector being able to operatively connect with the second connector to enable audio transfer from the audio player to the second audio reproduction device, and to operatively connect with a host for audio transfer between the host and the audio player.        

      According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an audio reproduction device comprising: 
          (a) a first audio reproduction device including an audio player;     (b) a second audio reproduction device;     (c) a cable operatively connecting the first audio reproduction device and the second audio reproduction device;     (d) the cable being split into a first cable and a second cable with a first connector and a second connector respectively;     (e) the first connector being able to operatively connect with the second connector to enable audio transfer from the audio player to the second audio reproduction device, and to operatively connect with a host for audio transfer between the host and the audio player.        

      The audio player may be an MP3 player. The first and second audio reproduction devices may be an earpiece of a headphone set, or a speaker.  
      The first connector may be a male connector and the second connector may be a female connector. The first connector may be a USB connector and the second connector may be a USB port. Alternatively, the first connector may be an IEEE 1394 connector and the second connector may be an IEEE 1394 port.  
      The first connector may be a female connector and the second connector may be a male connector. The first connector may be a USB port and the second connector may be a USB connector. Alternatively, the first connector may be an IEEE 1394 port and the second connector may be an IEEE 1394 connector.  
      The host may be a computer. A controller may determine an operating mode based on a power supply detected. The operating mode may be one of: download, upload, and play; and the power supply may be one of: batteries, and power from the host.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment in a first mode;  
       FIG. 2  an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment in a second mode;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the first embodiment; and  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment in a first mode. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      To first refer to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , there is shown an audio reproduction device in the form of a pair of headphones  10  in a first mode—reproduction of audio. The pair of headphones comprises a first earpiece  12  and a second earpiece  14 . Each earpiece  12 ,  14  has a retaining member  16  to fit over and around an ear of a user. First earpiece  12  may also have control buttons  18  and a controller  40 . Additionally or alternatively, control buttons  18  may also be on second earpiece  14 .  
      Ear pieces  12 ,  14  may be attached to an arcuate body (not shown) for placement over or around a head of a user, if desired or required.  
      First earpiece  12  may incorporate a built-in audio player  8  such as, for example, an MP3 player. As such first earpiece  12  will have a source of power such as, for example, batteries; non-volatile memory; and a controller, as is well known in the art.  
      To enable audio to be sent from first earpiece  12  to second earpiece  14 , a cable  20  is used. In this instance, the cable  20  is split into two separable portions and comprises a first cable  22  operatively connected to first earpiece  12  and a second cable  24  operatively connected to second earpiece  14 . At its outer end  26 —the end remote from first earpiece  12 —the first cable  22  has a first connector  28 . At its outer end  30 —the end remote from second earpiece  14 —the second cable  24  has a second connector  32 . Connectors  28 ,  32  are for mutual engagement to enable audio to be sent from audio player  8  to second earpiece  14 . Cables  22 ,  24  may be permanently connected to earpieces  12 ,  14 ; or may be releasably connectable to earpieces  12 ,  14  using appropriate connectors. Additionally, control signals from or between audio player  8 , first earpiece  12  and second earpiece  14  may also pass over cable  20 .  
      It is preferred that first connector  28  is a male connector, and second connector  32  is a female connector. More preferably first connector  28  is a USB connector, and second connector  32  is a USB socket. Alternatively, first connector  28  may be an IEEE 1394 connector, and second connector  32  may be an IEEE 1394 socket.  
      When connector  28  engages socket  32 , audio can be transferred from first earpiece  12  to second earpiece  14 .  
       FIG. 2  shows headphones  10  in a second mode—audio download. Here, connector  28  has been disengaged from socket  32  and is about to engage in a corresponding socket (not shown) in computer  34  to enable audio to be downloaded and/or uploaded. Downloading and/or uploading may be from computer  34  to first earpiece  12 , from first earpiece  12  to computer  34 , or between first earpiece and computer  34  (one way or two way).  
      In this way, cable  22  with connector  28  acts as a download/upload cable/connector combination for audio player  8 , as well as the cable/connector by which audio can be sent to second earpiece  14 .  
       FIG. 4  shows a variation. Cable  22  is as for  FIGS. 1 and 2  and has outer end  26  with connector  28 ; and cable  24  is also as for  FIGS. 1 and 2  and has outer end  30  with socket  32 . Here, however, the cables  22 ,  24  and connectors  28 ,  32  are to operatively connect two audio reproduction devices  36 ,  38  in the form of a first speaker  36  and a second speaker  38 . First speaker  36  may also include an audio player  8  in the same way as first earpiece  12 . First speaker  36  may also be battery powered and/or mains powered, and may include an amplifier.  
      Again, cable  22  and connector  28  may be used to upload and/or download audio to/from audio player  8 , as is described above, as well as being for supplying audio to second speaker  38  to enable audio reproduction.  
      In this way cable  22  performs dual functions, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cable for downloading/uploading, as well as eliminating the need for the first audio device  12 ,  36  to have the relevant connectors for such a separate cable. The controller  40  determines the operating mode based on the power supply detected—batteries as against USB power.  
      Audio may be digital or analog.  
      Although two audio reproduction devices are shown in each instance, there may be any suitable or required number (particularly for speakers) such as, for example, 3, 4, 5 or 6.  
      Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology that many variations or modifications in details of one or more of: design, construction and operation, without departing from the present invention.