Earphone device

Abstract

The invention provides an earphone device capable of solving problems possibly caused by physical separation of left and right sound-emitting units. An earphone device (1) is provided with: a first sound-emitting unit (10) that is worn on one ear of a user; and a second sound-emitting unit (20) that is worn on the other ear of the user. The first sound-emitting unit is provided with: a first antenna (141); a first drive unit (13); a first battery (16); and a first magnet (17) for coupling the first sound-emitting unit and the second sound-emitting unit. The second sound-emitting unit is provided with: a second antenna (241); a second drive unit (23); a second battery (26); and a second magnet (27) for coupling the second sound-emitting unit and the first sound-emitting unit. The first sound generating unit can be physically separated from the second sound generating unit, and the first sound generating unit is connected with the second sound generating unit through the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an earphone device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, true wireless earphones composed of two completely separate left and right sound-emitting units have become popular. Each sound-emitting unit outputs sound waves based on an audio signal received from a musical sound player via wireless communication.

[0003] Each sound unit has: an antenna for receiving audio signals; a drive unit for converting audio signals into sound waves and outputting them; a battery for supplying power to the antenna or the drive unit; and a housing (casing) for housing the antenna, the drive unit, and the battery. The battery is charged when the sound unit is connected to a charger.

[0004] The charger of the true wireless earphones is provided, for example, as a charging box that can accommodate each sound unit. Each sound unit is separately (when the left sound unit and the right sound unit are physically separated) accommodated in the charging box for charging. At this time, each sound unit is accommodated in the charging box in a state where a part of the shell protrudes in the charging box in a manner that the user can pinch the part with his fingers (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature:

[0007] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-99259.

[0008] When taking out the sound unit from the charging box, each sound unit is taken out from the charging box separately. At this time, a part of the protruding shell is pinched by the user's fingers. Each sound unit is worn on the auricle for use. Therefore, the size of the shell is limited to match the size of the auricle. Therefore, the protrusion of the shell in the charging box tends to become smaller, and the design of the shell is mostly rounded. Therefore, each sound unit is difficult to take out from the charging box, and it is possible to slip from the fingers when taking it out. The falling of the sound unit will not only become the main cause of the sound unit failure, but the user who wants to pick up the sound unit may also cause the movement of the moving object (people, bicycles, cars, trams, etc.) to stop, etc., and become the main cause of obstruction to traffic. In addition, it may also cause major accidents such as contact between the user and the moving object.

[0009] In addition, each sound unit is stored in a charging box and carried with the user. On the other hand, some users do not carry a charging box when using the sound unit. In this case, the user will store the sound unit in the user's bag or pocket after using the sound unit and carry it. At this time, each sound unit will be scattered in the bag or pocket.

[0010] Moreover, generally speaking, when the sound unit is taken out of the charging box, the power of the sound unit will be turned on. On the other hand, when the sound unit is placed in the charging box, the power of the sound unit will be turned off. In this way, by taking the sound unit out of the charging box or putting it into the charging box, the on / off of the power is controlled. Therefore, in true wireless earphones, some sound units do not have physical buttons for users to control the on / off of the power. In this kind of true wireless earphones, users who do not carry a charging box do not control the power to be turned off after using the sound unit, and the sound unit will continue to discharge. As a result, the charge amount of the sound unit continues to decrease.

[0011] In this way, the two sound units of the true wireless earphones are charged in a physically separated state, taken out of the charging box, and carried around.

[0012] However, the user needs to take out each sound unit from the charging box before using it, which may become a burden for the user. In addition, the user may lose the sound unit if they carry the sound units with them scattered. Thus, there is a problem of how to deal with the physically separated left and right sound units. Summary of the invention

[0013] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide an earphone device that can solve the problems that may be caused by the physical separation of left and right sound-emitting units.

[0015] Solutions for solving problems

[0016] The earphone device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a first sound unit, which is worn on one ear of the user; and a second sound unit, which is worn on the other ear of the user, the first sound unit has: a first antenna; a first driving unit, which is driven according to a first audio signal received by the first antenna; a first battery, which supplies power to the first antenna; and a first magnet, which is used to combine the first sound unit with the second sound unit, the second sound unit has: a second antenna; a second driving unit, which is driven according to a second audio signal received by the second antenna; a second battery, which supplies power to the second antenna; and a second magnet, which is used to combine the second sound unit with the first sound unit, the first sound unit can be physically separated from the second sound unit, and the first sound unit is connected to the second sound unit by the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the problems that may be caused by the physical separation of the left and right sound units can be solved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is an external view of a wireless earphone system composed of an earphone device and a charger for the earphone device according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An appearance diagram of an embodiment of an earphone device.

[0021] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 Another appearance diagram of an embodiment of an earphone device.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Functional block diagram of a headphone device.

[0023] Figure 5 It is composed Figure 1 A functional block diagram of a first control unit included in a first sound emitting unit of an earphone device.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Appearance diagram of the charger for the headphone device.

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Functional block diagram of a wireless headset system.

[0026] Figure 8 It shows that Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of taking the headphone device out of the headphone device charger.

[0027] Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of an operation of removing the headphone device from the headphone device charger.

[0028] Fig.10 It shows that Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of the operation of removing the headphone device from the headphone device charger.

[0029] Fig.11 It is shown Figure 1 Flowchart of charging / power supply operation of an earphone device.

[0030] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A flowchart of the first charging / power supply process included in the flowchart of FIG.

[0031] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A flowchart of the second charging / power supply process included in the flowchart of .

[0032] Fig.14 1 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the headphone device of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.15 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing another modified example of the headphone device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wireless headphone system including a headphone device of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present device”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] ·Wireless Headphone System·

[0036] Structure of wireless headset system

[0037] Figure 1 This is an appearance diagram of a wireless headphone system consisting of this device and a charger for the headphone device.

[0038] This figure shows a state where the headphone device is accommodated in the headphone device charger.

[0039] The wireless earphone system WS includes the device 1 and a charger for the earphone device (hereinafter referred to as "charger") C. The device 1 includes a first sound unit 10 and a second sound unit 20. In the wireless earphone system WS, the device 1 (the first sound unit 10 and the second sound unit 20) is accommodated in the charger C, so that the charger C charges the device 1. When the device 1 (the first sound unit 10 and the second sound unit 20) is accommodated in the charger C, a part of the device 1 protrudes from the charger C. That is, the other part of the device 1 (the entire device 1) is not accommodated in the charger C.

[0040] ·Headphone device·

[0041] Next, the present device 1 will be described.

[0042] ·Structure of the earphone device

[0043] Figure 2 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present device 1 .

[0044] Figure 3 1 is another external view showing an embodiment of the present device 1. This figure shows a state where the first sounding unit 10 and the second sounding unit 20 are separated.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the present device 1.

[0046] The device 1 is worn on the ear of the user of the device 1 and outputs sound waves corresponding to audio signals (audio signals AS1 and AS2) from a sound source SS such as a music player. The device 1 receives audio signals from the sound source SS via a wireless communication line such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0047] The device 1 is a so-called true wireless headset in which the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are not physically connected by wires or the like (the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are completely separated). That is, the sound unit 10 can be physically separated from the sound unit 20. The sound unit 10 is an example of the first sound unit in the present invention, and the sound unit 20 is an example of the second sound unit in the present invention.

[0048] The sound generating unit 10 is worn on one ear (for example, the left ear) of the user, and outputs a sound wave corresponding to the audio signal AS1 from the sound source SS. That is, for example, the sound generating unit 10 is a left sound generating unit. The sound generating unit 10 includes: a housing 11, an earplug 12, a driving unit 13, a circuit board 14, a control unit 15, a battery 16, a connecting magnet 17, and a charger magnet 18. The audio signal AS1, the housing 11, the earplug 12, the driving unit 13, the circuit board 14, the control unit 15, the battery 16, the connecting magnet 17, and the charger magnet 18 are examples of the first audio signal, the first housing, the first earplug, the first driving unit, the first circuit board, the first control unit, the first battery, the first connecting magnet, and the first charger magnet in the present invention, respectively.

[0049] The housing 11 accommodates: a drive unit 13, a circuit board 14, a control unit 15, a battery 16, a connection magnet 17, and a charger magnet 18. The housing 11 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as ABS. The shape of the housing 11 is a shape corresponding to the auricle. The housing 11 includes: a main body 111, a sound guide tube 112, a grip 113, and a connection surface 114. The main body 111 and the sound guide tube 112 are integrally formed, and the internal space of the main body 111 is connected to the internal space of the sound guide tube 112. The main body 111, the sound guide tube 112, the grip 113, and the connection surface 114 are examples of the first main body, the first sound guide tube, the first grip, and the first connection surface in the present invention, respectively.

[0050] The main body 111 accommodates the drive unit 13 , the circuit board 14 , the control unit 15 , the battery 16 , the connection magnet 17 , and the charger magnet 18 .

[0051] When the sound unit 10 is worn on the auricle (ear) of the user (hereinafter referred to as the "wearing state"), the sound guide tube 112 conducts the sound waves from the driver unit 13 to the external auditory canal of the user. The sound guide tube 112 is arranged at the top end ( Figure 2 The end portion of the housing 11 in the lower direction of the paper).

[0052] It should be noted that, in the present invention, the main body of the first sound generating unit 10 and the sound guide tube are integrally formed, but the main body and the sound guide tube may be independently formed.

[0053] The grip portion 113 is a portion of the main body 111 that is gripped (clamped) by the user when the sound unit 10 (the present device 1) is taken out of the charger C. The grip portion 113 is a portion of the main body 111 (housing 11) that protrudes from the charger C when the sound unit 10 (the present device 1) is stored in the charger C. The grip portion 113 is a portion that is easily gripped by the user of the present device 1 when the sound unit 10 is taken out of the charger C, that is, Figure 2 The portion surrounded by a dotted line ("X1").

[0054] It should be noted that the gripping portion of the first sound generating unit is not limited to Figure 2 The part surrounded by dotted line.

[0055] The connection surface 114 is a surface that contacts the sounding unit 20 when the sounding unit 10 is connected to the sounding unit 20 via the connection magnet 17 . The connection surface 114 is a part of the main body 111 .

[0056] The earplug 12 is tightly fitted with the inner wall of the user's external auditory canal when worn. The earplug 12 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the sound guide tube 112. The earplug 12 is made of elastic material such as silicone rubber.

[0057] The driver unit 13 is driven by an audio signal AS1 received from a sound source SS by a communication circuit 141 described later, and outputs a sound wave corresponding to the audio signal AS1. The driver unit 13 is, for example, a dynamic electroacoustic transducer. The driver unit 13 is accommodated in the main body 111 (housing 11).

[0058] The circuit board 14 is a substrate on which electronic circuits and terminals, which will be described later, are mounted. The circuit board 14 is accommodated in the main body 111 (housing 11). The circuit board 14 is, for example, a PCB (printed circuit board).

[0059] The circuit board 14 includes a communication circuit 141, a signal processing circuit 142, a power receiving terminal 143, and a detection sensor 144. The communication circuit 141 and the signal processing circuit 142 are examples of the aforementioned electronic circuit. The power receiving terminal 143 is an example of the aforementioned terminal. The communication circuit 141, the signal processing circuit 142, the power receiving terminal 143, and the detection sensor 144 are examples of the first communication circuit (first antenna), the first signal processing circuit, the first power receiving terminal, and the first detection sensor in the present invention, respectively.

[0060] The communication circuit 141 receives the audio signal AS1 from the sound source SS via the wireless communication line. The communication circuit 141 is a communication interface for exchanging the audio signal AS1 with the sound source SS. The communication circuit 141 is mounted on the circuit board 14. The audio signal AS1 received by the communication circuit 141 is a digital signal. The communication circuit 141 has a function of transmitting and receiving signals and data with the communication circuit 241 described later. The communication circuit (first communication circuit) 141 is an example of the first antenna in the present invention.

[0061] The signal processing circuit 142 performs a predetermined signal processing on the audio signal AS1 received by the communication circuit 141, and transmits the processed signal to the drive unit 13. The signal processing circuit 142 is mounted on the circuit board 14. The signal processing circuit 142 is, for example, a D / A conversion circuit. The signal transmitted from the signal processing circuit 142 to the drive unit 13 is an analog signal.

[0062] The power receiving terminal 143 receives power for charging the battery 16 from the charger C. The power receiving terminal 143 is mounted on the circuit board 14. The portion of the power receiving terminal 143 that contacts the first power supply terminal 34 described later is exposed to the outside of the main body 111 (housing 11). The power receiving terminal 143 is, for example, a contact terminal. The "contact terminal" is a terminal that is electrically connected (conducted) to the first power supply terminal 34 by contacting the first power supply terminal 34.

[0063] The detection sensor 144 detects the magnetic field generated by the connecting magnet 27 described later through the detection process, and transmits the detection information (detection signal) to the connecting magnet 17. The detection sensor 144 is mounted on the circuit board 14. The detection sensor 144 is, for example, a Hall element. For an example of the processing of the "detection process", refer to the content described later.

[0064] Figure 5 It is a block diagram of the control unit 15.

[0065] The following description of the control unit 15 is also appropriately referred to. Figure 4 .

[0066] The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the sound unit 10. The control unit 15 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area of ​​the CPU, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various information such as various programs. The control unit 15 is mounted on the circuit board 14 and accommodated in the housing 11. The control unit 15 includes a power supply control unit 151, a power supply determination unit 152, a charger connection determination unit 153, a unit connection determination unit 154, and a power comparison unit 155. The power supply control unit 151, the power supply determination unit 152, the charger connection determination unit 153, the unit connection determination unit 154, and the power comparison unit 155 are examples of the first power supply control unit, the first power supply determination unit, the first charger connection determination unit, the first unit connection determination unit, and the first power comparison unit in the present invention.

[0067] The power supply control unit 151 controls the on (start / maintenance) and off (stop) of power supply (hereinafter referred to as “first power supply”) from the storage battery 16 to the electronic circuits such as the communication circuit 141 .

[0068] The power source determination unit 152 determines whether the power source of the sounding unit 10 is on or off. "Power source on" means that the first power supply is being performed. "Power source off" means that the first power supply is stopped. In this embodiment, even if the power source is off, power is supplied to the control unit 15. That is, the control unit 15 always keeps operating.

[0069] The charger connection determination unit 153 determines whether the sounding unit 10 is connected to the charger C.

[0070] The unit connection determination unit 154 determines whether the sounding unit 10 is connected to the sounding unit 20 .

[0071] The power comparison unit 155 compares the magnitude of the amount of power stored in the storage battery 16 (hereinafter referred to as “first power”) and the amount of power stored in the storage battery 26 (hereinafter referred to as “second power”).

[0072] The specific operations of the power supply control unit 151 , the power source determination unit 152 , the charger connection determination unit 153 , the unit connection determination unit 154 , and the power comparison unit 155 will be described later.

[0073] Back to Figure 2-Figure 4 .

[0074] The storage battery 16 receives power from the charger C via the power receiving terminal 143 to store (storage), and supplies power required by the electronic circuit (communication circuit 141, etc.) mounted on the circuit board 14 to the electronic circuit (power supply). That is, the storage battery 16 receives power supplied to the electronic circuit from the charger C via the power receiving terminal 143, and supplies the power to the electronic circuit. The storage battery 16 supplies (powers) to the communication circuit 141, the signal processing circuit 142, and the control unit 15 via the circuit board 14. The storage battery 16 is housed in the housing 11. The storage battery 16 is, for example, a small button-type rechargeable battery.

[0075] The connecting magnet 17 is a magnet for connecting the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20. The sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected by coupling the connecting magnet 17 with the connecting magnet 27 described later (magnetic coupling) by magnetic force. The connecting magnet 17 has conductivity and also functions as an electrical terminal. That is, when the sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20 by the magnetic force of the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27, the connecting magnet 17 is electrically connected to the connecting magnet 27. The connecting magnet 17 is mounted on the circuit board 14 and is accommodated in a part of the main body 111 (housing 11). The connecting magnet 17 is arranged in the part (gripping part 113) of the main body 111 (housing 11) that protrudes from the charger C when accommodated in the charger C. The coupling magnet (first coupling magnet) 17 is an example of a first magnet in the present invention, and is an example of a first terminal in the present invention.

[0076] The connecting magnet 17 is arranged such that the portion (grip portion 113) protruding from the charger C when the charger C is accommodated in the main body 111 (housing 11) and connected to the connecting magnet 27 is exposed from the connecting surface 114. In other words, a portion of the connecting magnet 17 is exposed from the connecting surface 114.

[0077] The force for coupling the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 by the magnetic force of the coupling magnets 17 and 27 (magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force) between the coupling magnets 17 and 27) is, for example, approximately 1.7N to 1.9N.

[0078] The connecting magnet 17 that functions as an electrical terminal includes an N-pole magnet 171 and an S-pole magnet 172. The N-pole side of the N-pole magnet 171 is exposed from the connecting surface 114 (housing 11), and the S-pole side of the S-pole magnet 172 is exposed from the connecting surface 114 (housing 11). At this time, the N-pole magnet 171 functions as the first N-pole terminal in the present invention, and the S-pole magnet 172 functions as the first S-pole terminal in the present invention.

[0079] The charger magnet 18 is magnetically coupled to a first earphone magnet 32 ​​(see FIG. Figure 7 ) is connected to connect the sound unit 10 to the charger C. The charger magnet 18 determines the position of the sound unit 10 relative to the charger C when the sound unit 10 is connected to the charger C. A portion of the charger magnet 18 is exposed to the outside of the main body 111 (housing 11). The force (magnitude (attraction force) of the magnetic force between the charger magnet 18 and the first earphone magnet 32 ​​(hereinafter referred to as the "first magnetic force")) that connects the sound unit 10 to the charger C is, for example, approximately 0.6N to 0.7N. That is, the magnitude (attraction force) of the first magnetic force is smaller than the magnitude (attraction force) of the magnetic force between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27.

[0080] The sound unit 20 is worn on the other ear (for example, the right ear) of the user, and outputs a sound wave corresponding to the audio signal AS2 from the sound source SS. That is, for example, the sound unit 20 is a right sound unit. The shape of the sound unit 20 is a mirror image of the shape of the sound unit 10, with the connecting surface 114 and the connecting surface 214 described later as symmetric planes. The sound unit 20 includes: a housing 21, an earplug 22, a drive unit 23, a circuit board 24, a control unit 25, a battery 26, a connecting magnet 27, and a charger magnet 28. The structure / function of the sound unit 20 is basically the same as the structure / function of the sound unit 10, except that the audio signal received from the sound source SS is the audio signal AS2. Therefore, a part of the description of the structure of the sound unit 20 is omitted. The audio signal AS2, the housing 21, the earplug 22, the drive unit 23, the circuit board 24, the control unit 25, the battery 26, the connecting magnet 27, and the charger magnet 28 are respectively examples of the second audio signal, the second housing, the second earplug, the second drive unit, the second circuit board control unit, the second battery, the second connecting magnet, and the second charger magnet in the present invention.

[0081] The housing 21 accommodates: a drive unit 23, a circuit board 24, a control unit 25, a battery 26, a connection magnet 27, and a charger magnet 28. The housing 21 includes: a main body 211, a sound guide tube 212, a grip 213, and a connection surface 214. The main body 211 and the sound guide tube 212 are integrally formed, and the internal space of the main body 211 is connected to the internal space of the sound guide tube 212. When the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the shape of the housing 21 is a mirror image relationship with the housing 11 with the connection surface 214 as a symmetry plane. The main body 211, the sound guide tube 212, the grip 213, and the connection surface 214 are examples of the second main body, the second sound guide tube, the second grip, and the second connection surface in the present invention.

[0082] In the present invention, "mirror image relationship" includes not only the situation that two elements (for example, the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20) are strictly in a mirror image relationship in geometry, but also the situation that a part of the two elements is not strictly in a mirror image relationship in geometry. That is, the mirror image relationship also includes the situation that it is not a complete mirror image relationship. In other words, the mirror image relationship includes the situation that the two elements as a whole are in a roughly mirror image relationship.

[0083] The sound guide tube 212 is disposed at the top of the housing 21 ( Figure 2 The end portion of the housing 21 in the lower direction of the paper).

[0084] It should be noted that, in the present invention, the main body and the sound guide tube of the second sound generating unit are integrally formed, but the main body and the sound guide tube may be independently formed.

[0085] The grip 213 is a portion of the main body 211 that is gripped (clamped) by the user when the sound unit 20 (this device 1) is removed from the charger C. The grip 213 is a portion of the main body 211 (housing 21) that protrudes from the charger C when the sound unit 20 (this device 1) is stored in the charger C. The grip 213 is a portion that is easily gripped by the user of the device 1 when the sound unit 20 is removed from the charger C. Figure 2 The portion surrounded by the dotted line ("X2").

[0086] It should be noted that the gripping portion of the second sound generating unit is not limited to Figure 2 The area surrounded by the dotted line.

[0087] The connecting surface 214 is a surface that contacts the sounding unit 10 when the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected via the connecting magnet 17. That is, the connecting surface 214 is connected to the connecting surface 114 when the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected. The connecting surface 214 is a part of the main body 111.

[0088] The earplug 22 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the sound guide tube 212 .

[0089] The drive unit 23 is driven by an audio signal AS2 received from a sound source SS by a communication circuit 241 described later, and outputs a sound wave corresponding to the audio signal AS2. The drive unit 23 is, for example, a moving coil electroacoustic transducer. The drive unit 23 is accommodated in the main body 211 (housing 21).

[0090] The circuit board 24 is received in the main body 211 (housing 21 ). The circuit board 24 is, for example, a PCB.

[0091] The circuit board 24 includes a communication circuit 241, a signal processing circuit 242, a power receiving terminal 243, and a detection sensor 244. The communication circuit 241 and the signal processing circuit 242 are examples of the aforementioned electronic circuit. The power receiving terminal 243 is an example of the aforementioned terminal. The communication circuit 241, the signal processing circuit 242, the power receiving terminal 243, and the detection sensor 244 are examples of the second communication circuit (second antenna), the second signal processing circuit, the second power receiving terminal, and the second detection sensor in the present invention, respectively.

[0092] The communication circuit 241 receives the audio signal AS2 from the sound source SS via the wireless communication line. The communication circuit 241 is a communication interface for exchanging the audio signal AS2 with the sound source SS. The communication circuit 241 is mounted on the circuit board 24. The audio signal AS2 received by the communication circuit 241 is a digital signal. The communication circuit 241 has a function of transmitting and receiving signals and data with the communication circuit 141. The communication circuit (second communication circuit) 241 is an example of the second antenna in the present invention.

[0093] The signal processing circuit 242 performs a predetermined signal processing on the audio signal AS2 received by the communication circuit 241, and transmits the processed signal to the drive unit 23. The signal processing circuit 242 is mounted on the circuit board 24. The signal processing circuit 242 is, for example, a D / A conversion circuit. The signal transmitted from the signal processing circuit 242 to the drive unit 23 is an analog signal.

[0094] The power receiving terminal 243 is mounted on the circuit board 24. A portion of the power receiving terminal 243 that contacts a second power supply terminal 35 described later is exposed to the outside of the main body 211 (housing 21). The power receiving terminal 243 is, for example, a contact terminal.

[0095] The detection sensor 244 detects the magnetic field generated by the coupling magnet 17 through detection processing, and transmits detection information (detection signal) to the coupling magnet 27. The detection sensor 244 is mounted on the circuit board 24. The detection sensor 244 is, for example, a Hall element.

[0096] The control unit 25 controls the overall operation of the sound unit 20. The control unit 25 is composed of, for example, a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The control unit 25 is mounted on the circuit board 24 and accommodated in the housing 21. The control unit 25 includes: a second power supply control unit (not shown), a second power source determination unit (not shown), a second charger connection determination unit (not shown), a second unit connection determination unit (not shown), and a second power comparison unit (not shown).

[0097] The configuration / function / operation of the second power supply control unit, the second power source determination unit, the second charger connection determination unit, the second unit connection determination unit, and the second power comparison unit are the same as the configuration / function / operation of the power supply control unit 151, the power source determination unit 152, the charger connection determination unit 153, the unit connection determination unit 154, and the power comparison unit 155 included in the control unit 15. Therefore, the specific description of the second power supply control unit, the second power source determination unit, the second charger connection determination unit, the second unit connection determination unit, and the second power comparison unit is omitted.

[0098] The battery 26 receives power from the charger C via the power receiving terminal 243 to store (storage), and supplies power required by the electronic circuit (communication circuit 241, etc.) mounted on the circuit board 24 to the electronic circuit (power supply). That is, the battery 26 receives power supplied to the electronic circuit from the charger C via the power receiving terminal 243, and supplies the power to the electronic circuit. The battery 26 supplies (powers) power from the power receiving terminal 243 to the communication circuit 241, the signal processing circuit 242, and the control unit 25 via the circuit board 24. The battery 26 is housed in the housing 21.

[0099] The connecting magnet 27 is a magnet used to connect the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20. The sound unit 20 is connected to the sound unit 10 by coupling the connecting magnet 27 with the connecting magnet 17 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling). The connecting magnet 27 has conductivity and also functions as an electrical terminal. That is, when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected by the magnetic force of the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27, the connecting magnet 27 is electrically connected to the connecting magnet 17. The connecting magnet 27 is mounted on the circuit board 24 and is accommodated in a part of the main body 211 (housing 21). The connecting magnet 27 is arranged in the part (gripping part 213) of the main body 211 (housing) that protrudes from the charger C when accommodated in the charger C. The connecting magnet (second connecting magnet) 27 is an example of a second magnet in the present invention, and is an example of a second terminal in the present invention.

[0100] The connecting magnet 27 is arranged so that the portion (grip portion 213) protruding from the charger C when the charger C is accommodated in the main body 211 (housing 21) and connected to the connecting magnet 17 is exposed from the connecting surface 214. In other words, a portion of the connecting magnet 27 is exposed from the connecting surface 214. In addition, the connecting magnet 27 is arranged so that it faces the connecting magnet 17 when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected.

[0101] As mentioned above, the shape of the sound unit 20 is a mirror image of the shape of the sound unit 10, with the connecting surface 114 and the connecting surface 214 as symmetric planes. Therefore, when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the size of the device 1 becomes compact.

[0102] As described above, the magnitude (attractive force) of the force (magnetic force between the connecting magnet 27 and the connecting magnet 17 ) that connects the sounding unit 20 and the sounding unit 10 is, for example, approximately 1.7N to 1.9N.

[0103] The connecting magnet 27 that functions as an electrical terminal includes an N-pole magnet 271 and an S-pole magnet 272. The N-pole side of the N-pole magnet 271 is exposed from the connecting surface 214 (housing 21), and the S-pole side of the S-pole magnet 272 is exposed from the connecting surface 214 (housing 21). At this time, the N-pole magnet 271 functions as the second N-pole terminal in the present invention, and the S-pole magnet 272 functions as the second S-pole terminal in the present invention.

[0104] The N-pole magnet 271 is disposed at a position on the connection surface 214 opposite to the S-pole magnet 172 when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected. The S-pole magnet 272 is disposed at a position on the connection surface 214 opposite to the N-pole magnet 171 when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected. That is, when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the N-pole magnet 271 is coupled to the S-pole magnet 172 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling), and the S-pole magnet 272 is coupled to the N-pole magnet 171 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling). That is, the sound unit 20 and the sound unit 10 are connected by the magnetic force of the N-pole magnet 271 and the S-pole magnet 172, and the magnetic force of the S-pole magnet 272 and the N-pole magnet 171.

[0105] When the sound unit 20 is stored in the charger C, the charger magnet 28 is magnetically coupled to the second earphone magnet 33 (see FIG. Figure 7 ) is connected, thereby connecting the sound unit 20 to the charger C. The charger magnet 28 determines the position of the sound unit 20 relative to the charger C when the sound unit 20 is connected to the charger C. A portion of the charger magnet 28 is exposed to the outside of the main body 211 (housing 21). The force (the magnitude (adsorption force) of the magnetic force between the charger magnet 28 and the second earphone magnet 33 (hereinafter referred to as the "second magnetic force")) that connects the sound unit 20 to the charger C is, for example, 0.6N to 0.7N. That is, the magnitude (adsorption force) of the second magnetic force is smaller than the magnitude (adsorption force) of the magnetic force between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27.

[0106] ·Headphone charger·

[0107] ・Structure of charger for earphone device

[0108] Figure 6 This is the appearance diagram of charger C.

[0109] Figure 7 1 is a functional block diagram of the wireless headset system WS. The figure shows a state where the device 1 is connected to a charger C. In the figure, for the sake of convenience, part of the structure of the device 1 is omitted.

[0110] The charger C functions as a container for accommodating the device 1, and functions as a charger for storing electricity in the device 1. That is, the charger C stores electricity in the device 1 while accommodating the device 1. In the following description, "charging the device 1" means storing electricity in the storage batteries 16 and 26 (charging the storage batteries 16 and 26).

[0111] The charger C includes a charger body 31 , a first earphone magnet 32 ​​, a second earphone magnet 33 , a first power supply terminal 34 , a second power supply terminal 35 , a charger-side battery 36 , and a charger-side control unit 37 .

[0112] The charger body 31 accommodates: a first earphone magnet 32, a second earphone magnet 33, a first power supply terminal 34, a second power supply terminal 35, a charger-side battery 36, and a charger-side control unit 37. The charger body 31 includes a housing portion 311 for housing the sounding units 10 and 20, respectively. By housing the sounding units 10 and 20 in the housing portion 311, the sounding units 10 and 20 are placed on the charger body 31, respectively. When the sounding units 10 and 20 are placed (housed) on the charger body 31, respectively, the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected by the connecting magnets 17 and 27, respectively. When the sounding units 10 and 20 are placed on the charger body 31, respectively, a portion (grip portion 113) of the housing 11 (sounding unit 10) and a portion (grip portion 213) of the housing 21 (sounding unit 20) protrude to the outside of the charger body 31. The charger body 31 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as ABS. The charger main body 31 is an example of a main body in the present invention.

[0113] When the sound unit 10 is accommodated (mounted) in the accommodating portion 311 (charger C), the first earphone magnet 32 ​​is coupled to the charger magnet 18 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling). When the sound unit 10 is connected to the charger C, the first earphone magnet 32 ​​determines the position of the sound unit 10 relative to the charger C.

[0114] When the sound unit 20 is accommodated (mounted) in the accommodating portion 311 (charger C), the second earphone magnet 33 is coupled to the charger magnet 28 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling). When the sound unit 20 is connected to the charger C, the second earphone magnet 33 determines the position of the sound unit 20 relative to the charger C.

[0115] Here, as mentioned above, the magnitude of the first magnetic force (attraction force) is about 0.6N to 0.7N. The magnitude of the second magnetic force (attraction force) is about 0.6N to 0.7N. In addition, the magnitude of the magnetic force (attraction force) between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27 is about 1.7N to 1.9N. That is, the sum of the magnitude of the first magnetic force (attraction force) and the magnitude of the second magnetic force (attraction force) is smaller than the magnitude of the magnetic force (attraction force) between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27. In addition, when the sound units 10 and 20 are connected to the charger C through the magnetic coupling of the electrical magnets 18 and 28 and the first earphone magnet 32 ​​and the second earphone magnet 33, the magnitude of the magnetic force (attraction force) between the sound units 10 and 20 and the charger C is about 1.0N. That is, when the sound units 10, 20 are connected to the charger C through the magnetic coupling of the charger magnets 18, 28 and the first earphone magnets 32 and the second earphone magnets 33, the magnitude of the magnetic force (attraction force) between the sound units 10, 20 and the charger C is smaller than the magnitude of the magnetic force (attraction force) between the connecting magnets 17 and the connecting magnets 27.

[0116] The first power supply terminal 34 is connected to the power receiving terminal 143, and the power stored in the storage battery 16 is supplied to the power receiving terminal 143. When the first power supply terminal 34 supplies power to the power receiving terminal 143, the first power supply terminal 34 is electrically connected to the power receiving terminal 143. The first power supply terminal 34 is, for example, three spring pins, and a part of each spring pin protrudes from the housing portion 311. That is, the first power supply terminal 34 is composed of a plurality of terminal groups. When the protruding part of the first power supply terminal 34 contacts the power receiving terminal 143, it retreats into the charger body 31.

[0117] The second power supply terminal 35 is connected to the power receiving terminal 243, and the power stored in the storage battery 26 is supplied to the power receiving terminal 243. When the second power supply terminal 35 supplies power to the power receiving terminal 243, the second power supply terminal 35 is electrically connected to the power receiving terminal 243. The second power supply terminal 35 is, for example, three spring pins, and a part of each spring pin protrudes from the receiving portion 311. That is, the second power supply terminal 35 is composed of a plurality of terminal groups. When the protruding part of the second power supply terminal 35 contacts the power receiving terminal 243, it retreats into the charger body 31.

[0118] The charger side battery 36 stores (charges) the electric power supplied to the batteries 16 and 26, and supplies electric power to the batteries 16 and 26. The charger side battery 36 is accommodated in the charger body 31. The electric power stored in the charger side battery 36 is, for example, electric power from an external power supply (not shown).

[0119] The charger control unit 37 controls the overall operation of the charger C. Specifically, for example, the charger control unit 37 controls the supply of power from the charger-side battery 36 to the batteries 16 and 26 based on the remaining power of the batteries 16 and 26. The charger control unit 37 is composed of, for example, a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM.

[0120] · Removal of the earphone device (first sound unit, second sound unit)·

[0121] Next, the operation of removing the device 1 from the charger C will be described. Figure 1-Figure 3 .

[0122] ·Operation when both the first sound unit and the second sound unit are removed (1)

[0123] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of taking the device 1 out of the charger C. FIG.

[0124] When the sounding units 10 and 20 are placed (stored) in the charger body 31, respectively, the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected by the magnetic force of the connecting magnets 17 and 27. In addition, as described above, the grips 113 and 213 are located at the portion protruding from the charger C when stored in the charger C. In this state, the user of the present device 1 grips (grips) the grip 113 of any one of the sounding units 10 and 20 (the sounding unit 10 in this embodiment) with the fingers F, and takes out (picks up) the sounding unit 10 from the charger C.

[0125] As described above, the sum of the magnitude of the first magnetic force (attractive force) and the magnitude of the second magnetic force is smaller than the magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force) between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27. In addition, when the sound units 10 and 20 are connected to the charger C through the magnetic coupling of the charger magnets 18 and 28 and the first earphone magnet 32 ​​and the second earphone magnet 33, the magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force, about 1.0N) between the sound units 10 and 20 and the charger C is smaller than the magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force, about 1.7N to 1.9N) between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27. In addition, in the present embodiment, the magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force) between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27 is greater than the magnitude of the magnetic force (attractive force) between the sound units 10 and 20 and the charger C by more than 0.5N. Therefore, when the user grasps (grips) the gripping portion 113 to remove (pick up) the sounding unit 10 from the charger C, the sounding unit 20 is removed (pick up) from the charger C while being connected to the sounding unit 10 .

[0126] In this way, the user can remove both the sounding units 10 and 20 from the charger C by only taking out the sounding unit 10 from the charger C. That is, the user no longer needs to take out the sounding units 10 and 20 from the charger C separately.

[0127] It should be noted that the user can also remove the second sound unit from the charger by only holding the grip of the second sound unit. This is similar to the above-mentioned case of removing the first sound unit from the charger by only holding the grip of the first sound unit, that is, removing the first sound unit from the charger while the first sound unit and the second sound unit are connected.

[0128] ·Operation when both the first sound unit and the second sound unit are removed (2)

[0129] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of the operation of taking the device 1 out of the charger C. FIG.

[0130] When the sounding units 10 and 20 are placed (stored) in the charger body 31, the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected by the magnetic force of the connecting magnets 17 and 27. In addition, as described above, the grips 113 and 213 are located at the parts protruding from the charger C when stored in the charger C. In this state, the user can hold the sounding unit 10 and 20 from the left and right directions ( Fig. 9 By holding the sound units 10 and 20 in the left and right directions of the paper (in the figure), the sound units 10 and 20 are taken out by holding (gripping) the holding portions 113 and 213 with the fingers. At this time, as described above, the sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20 by the magnetic force of the connecting magnets 17 and 27. In addition, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are arranged on the connecting surfaces 114 and 224. That is, in a state where the charger body 31 is respectively loaded with the sound units 10 and 20, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are arranged on the portions protruding from the charger C. Fig. 9 As shown, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are located between the fingers F of the user (the gripping portion 113 (see Figure 2 ) and the gripping portion 213 (refer to Figure 2 ) between the charging device C and the charging device C. Furthermore, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are located in the portion of the housing 11 and 21 (sound generating units 10 and 20) protruding from the charger C in the height direction ( Fig. 9 The half (upper half) on the protruding direction side (in the up-down direction on the paper).

[0131] Therefore, the user does not need to separate the device 1 to take it out of the charger C. In other words, the user no longer needs to take the sound units 10 and 20 out of the charger C separately.

[0132] In addition, the user moves from left to right ( Fig. 9The gripping parts 113 and 213 are gripped (clamped) to remove the sounding units 10 and 20 from the charger C. At this time, the connecting surfaces 114 and 214 are in contact with each other, and the connecting surfaces 114 and 214 are moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connecting surfaces 114 and 214 ( Fig. 9 A force is applied to each connecting surface 114, 214 (in the left and right directions of the paper surface in the figure). Therefore, in the process of taking out the sounding units 10, 20, the connection displacement between the sounding units 10, 20 can be suppressed. In other words, the release of the coupling between the connecting magnets 17, 27 can be suppressed. Therefore, the electrical connection between the connecting magnets 17 and 27 can be maintained, and the occurrence of so-called chattering can be suppressed.

[0133] ·Operation when either the first sound unit or the second sound unit is removed

[0134] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of the operation of taking the device 1 out of the charger C. FIG.

[0135] This figure shows the operation when the sounding unit 20 is taken out of the charger C.

[0136] First, the user presses the sound unit 10 toward the charger C with the finger F.

[0137] Next, the user grasps (pinches) the gripping portion 213 of the sounding unit 20 with the fingers F, and takes out (picks up) the sounding unit 20 from the charger C.

[0138] Thereby, the user can take out only the sound generating unit 20 from the charger C. In addition, the user can hear the sound waves corresponding to the audio signal AS2 from the musical sound player (sound source SS) using only the sound generating unit 20 .

[0139] It should be noted that the same is true when the user only removes the first sound unit from the charger. In this case, the user presses the second sound unit toward the charger with a finger. Then, the user holds the grip of the first sound unit with a finger and removes (lifts) the first sound unit from the charger.

[0140] ·Operation of the headphone device·

[0141] ・Sound wave output operation of the headphone device

[0142] Below, refer to Figure 4, the sound wave output action of the present device 1 is described. Here, regarding the sound wave output action of the present device 1, the sound wave output action of the sound unit 10 is the same as that of the sound unit 20 except for the type of the audio signal (audio signal AS1, AS2) from the sound source SS. Therefore, the sound wave output action of the present device 1 is described below by taking the sound wave output action of the sound unit 10 as an example. In addition, the following description is made by taking the power of the sound unit being on as an example.

[0143] The audio signal AS1 (digital signal) from the sound source SS is transmitted to the communication circuit 141 of the sound emitting unit 10 via the wireless communication line. The communication circuit 141 transmits the received digital signal to the signal processing circuit 142.

[0144] The signal processing circuit 142 converts the digital signal transmitted from the communication circuit 141 into an analog signal, and transmits the analog signal to the driving unit 13. The driving unit 13 outputs a sound wave according to the analog signal transmitted from the signal processing circuit 142.

[0145] Here, when the sound units 10 and 20 are used simultaneously, that is, when the audio signal AS1 is transmitted from the sound source SS to the sound unit 10 and the audio signal AS2 is transmitted to the sound unit 20, the sound waves output from the driving units 13 and 23 are stereo sound waves.

[0146] It should be noted that when only one of the first sound generating unit or the second sound generating unit is used, the sound wave output from the first drive unit or the second drive unit is a monaural sound wave.

[0147] Charging / powering of the headphone device

[0148] Next, the charging / powering operation of the present device 1 is described. Here, the charging / powering operation of the sound unit 10 is the same as the charging / powering operation of the sound unit 20. Therefore, the charging / powering operation of the present device 1 is described by taking the charging / powering operation of the sound unit 10 as an example.

[0149] Fig.11 1 is a flowchart showing the charging / power supply operation of the present device 1 .

[0150] First, the power determination unit 152 determines whether the power of the sounding unit 10 is on or off ( S1 ).

[0151] When the power source determination unit 152 determines that the power source of the sound unit 10 is turned on ("Yes" in S1), the power supply control unit 151 executes the first charging / power supply process (S2). The "first charging / power supply process" is a process in which the control unit 15 controls the flow of power when the power source of the sound unit 10 is turned on. That is, the first charging / power supply process is a process executed when the sound unit 10 is in a usable state. That is, when the first charging / power supply process is executed, the first power supply of the storage battery 16 is executed.

[0152] Fig.12 This is a flowchart of the first charging / power supply process S2.

[0153] First, the charger connection determination unit 153 determines whether the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C, for example, by using a known connection determination process (S21). The "known connection determination process" is, for example, a process of detecting that the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C when a detection terminal (not shown) provided by the charger C is connected to a connection terminal (not shown) provided by the sounding unit 10, and when the detection terminal and the connection terminal are in contact and electrically connected, the charger connection determination unit 153 determines the connection. The "detection terminal (not shown) provided by the charger C" is, for example, one of the first power supply terminals 34 composed of a plurality of terminal groups, and one of the second power supply terminals 35 composed of a plurality of terminal groups. The charger connection determination unit 153 determines whether the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C based on the detection information (detection signal) from the detection terminal.

[0154] When the charger connection determination unit 153 determines that the sound unit 10 is not accommodated in the charger C ("No" in S21), the unit connection determination unit 154 uses the detection processing of the detection sensor 144 to determine whether the sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20, that is, whether the connection magnet 17 is electrically connected to the connection magnet 27 (S22). That is, the unit connection determination unit 154 also functions as a connection determination unit in the present invention. "The detection processing of the detection sensor 144" is, for example, a process of transmitting detection information (detection signal) from the detection sensor 144 to the unit connection determination unit 154 when the detection sensor 144 detects the magnetic field generated by the connection magnet 27 and the detection sensor 144 detects the magnetic field generated by the connection magnet 27. The unit connection determination unit 154 determines whether the connection magnet 17 is electrically connected to the connection magnet 27 based on the detection information (detection signal) from the detection sensor 144.

[0155] When the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sound unit 10 is not connected to the sound unit 20 (the connection magnet 17 is not electrically connected to the connection magnet 27) (No in S22), the power supply control unit 151 maintains the power on state (continues the first power supply) (S23). At this time, the sound unit 10 is in a usable state. Then, the first charging / power supply process (S2) returns to the process (S21).

[0156] On the other hand, when the charger connection determination unit 153 determines that the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C by, for example, a known connection determination process ("Yes" in S21), the power supply control unit 151 turns off the power supply (turns off the first power supply) (S24). At this time, the power from the charger side battery 36 (charger C) is supplied to the battery 16 via the power receiving terminal 143 (starting charging of the battery 16). Then, the first charging / power supply process (S2) executes the second charging / power supply process (S3).

[0157] When the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected by the detection processing of the detection sensor 144 (Yes in S22 ), the power supply control unit 151 turns off the power supply (turns off the first power supply) ( S25 ).

[0158] Next, the power comparison unit 155 compares the magnitudes of the first power and the second power ( S26 ).

[0159] When the amount of the first power is greater than the amount of the second power (Yes in S26), the power supply control unit 151 supplies the first power to the storage battery 26 (S27) via the connection magnet 17 and the connection magnet 27. In other words, the power supply control unit 151 starts supplying the first power to the storage battery 26. Then, the first charging / power supply process (S2) returns to the process (S26).

[0160] On the other hand, when the amount of the first power is less than the amount of the second power (No in S26), the power supply control unit 151 stops supplying (supplying) the first power to the storage battery 26 (S28). At this time, for example, when the amount of the first power is less than the amount of the second power, the second power supply control unit starts supplying the second power to the storage battery 16 via the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27. That is, the storage battery 16 receives the second power and is charged. Next, the first charging / power supply process (S2) executes the second charging / power supply process (S3).

[0161] Thus, when the sounding units 10 and 20 are taken out of the charger C, and when the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected, and when the remaining power (storage power) of the battery 16 is greater than the remaining power (storage power) of the battery 26, the battery 16 supplies the first power to the battery 26 (the battery 26 receives the first power from the battery 16 and is charged). On the other hand, when the sounding units 10 and 20 are taken out of the charger C, and when the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected, and when the remaining power (storage power) of the battery 16 is less than the remaining power (storage power) of the battery 26, the battery 16 receives the second power from the battery 26 and is charged. That is, when the sounding units 10 and 20 are taken out of the charger C and when the sounding unit 10 is connected to the sounding unit 20, the power is charged from the battery with more remaining power (capacity) among the remaining power (capacity) of the battery 16 and the remaining power (capacity) of the battery 26 to the battery with less remaining power (capacity).

[0162] Back to Fig.11 .

[0163] In process S1, when the power source determination unit 152 determines that the power source of the sound unit 10 is off (No in S1), the power supply control unit 151 performs the second charging / power supply process (S3). The "second charging / power supply process" is a process in which the control unit 15 controls the flow of power when the power source of the sound unit 10 is off.

[0164] Fig.13 This is a flowchart of the second charging / power supply process S3.

[0165] First, the charger connection determination unit 153 determines whether or not the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C, for example, by using a known connection determination process ( S31 ).

[0166] When the charger connection determination unit 153 determines that the sound unit 10 is not housed in the charger C ("No" in S31), the unit connection determination unit 154 uses the detection processing of the detection sensor 144 to determine whether the sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20, that is, whether the connecting magnet 17 is electrically connected to the connecting magnet 27 (S32).

[0167] When the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sound unit 10 is not connected to the sound unit 20 (the connection magnet 17 is not electrically connected to the connection magnet 27) (No in S32), the power supply control unit 151 turns on the power supply (turns on the first power supply) (S33). Next, the second charging / power supply process (S3) executes the first charging / power supply process (S2).

[0168] On the other hand, when the charger connection determination unit 153 determines that the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C by, for example, a known connection determination process ("Yes" in S31), the power supply control unit 151 maintains the power supply disconnected state (maintains the disconnection of the first power supply) (S34). At this time, the power from the charger side battery 36 (charger C) is supplied to the battery 16 via the power receiving terminal 143 (maintains the charging of the battery 16). Then, the second charging / power supply process (S3) returns to the process (S31).

[0169] When the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected by the detection processing of the detection sensor 144 (Yes in S32 ), the power supply control unit 151 maintains the power off state (maintains the first power supply off) ( S35 ).

[0170] Next, the power comparison unit 155 compares the magnitudes of the first power and the second power ( S36 ).

[0171] When the amount of the first power is greater than the amount of the second power (Yes in S36), the power supply control unit 151 supplies the first power to the storage battery 26 via the connection magnet 17 and the connection magnet 27 (S37). In other words, the power supply control unit 151 starts supplying the first power to the storage battery 26. Then, the second power receiving / supplying process (S3) returns to the process (S36).

[0172] On the other hand, when the amount of the first power is less than the amount of the second power (No in S36), the power supply control unit 151 stops supplying the first power to the storage battery 26 (S38). At this time, for example, when the amount of the first power is less than the amount of the second power, the second power supply control unit starts supplying the second power to the storage battery 16. That is, the storage battery 16 receives the second power and is charged. Then, the second charging / power supply process (S3) returns to the process S31.

[0173] Thus, when the sounding units 10 and 20 are taken out of the charger C, and when the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected, and when the remaining power (storage amount) of the storage battery 16 is greater than the remaining power (storage amount) of the storage battery 26, the storage battery 16 supplies the first power to the storage battery 26 (the storage battery 26 receives the first power from the storage battery 16 and is charged). On the other hand, when the sounding units 10 and 20 are taken out of the charger C, and when the sounding units 10 and 20 are connected, and when the remaining power (storage amount) of the storage battery 16 is less than the remaining power (storage amount) of the storage battery 26, the storage battery 16 receives the second power from the storage battery 26 and is charged. That is, when the sounding units 10 and 20 are taken out of the charger C and when the sounding unit 10 is connected to the sounding unit 20, the power is charged from the battery with more remaining power (capacity) among the remaining power (capacity) of the battery 16 and the remaining power (capacity) of the battery 26 to the battery with less remaining power (capacity).

[0174] In addition, during the operation of the present device 1, the power supply control unit 151 controls the turning on and off of the power supply (controls the turning on and off of the first power supply) according to the respective determination results of the charger connection determination unit 153 and the unit connection determination unit (connection determination unit) 154 (S23, S25, S33, S35). Moreover, the power supply control unit 151 controls the supply of the first power (second power) to the storage battery 26 (storage battery 16) according to the comparison result of the power comparison unit 155 (S27, S28, S37, S38). As a result, the present device 1 can automatically detect whether the sounding unit 10, 20 is connected to the charger C and whether the sounding units 10, 20 are connected to each other, and control the turning on and off of the power supply. Therefore, in the present device 1, unnecessary power consumption (discharge) when the sounding units 10, 20 are not used and the extreme power consumption of only one of the sounding units can be suppressed. In addition, the convenience of the user in using the present device 1 is improved.

[0175] ·Summarize·

[0176] According to the embodiment described above, the present device 1 has: a sound unit 10; and a sound unit 20, which can be physically separated from the sound unit 10. The sound unit 10 has a connecting magnet 17, and the sound unit 20 has a connecting magnet 27. The sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20 by magnetic coupling of the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27. Since the sound units 10 and 20 are connected to each other by magnetic force, even if the user carries the present device 1 in a bag, pocket, etc., it is possible to prevent the sound units 10 and 20 from being scattered in the bag or pocket. As a result, it is also possible to prevent the sound units 10 and 20 from being lost. That is, the user does not have to put the present device 1 in the charger C every time after using the present device 1.

[0177] In addition, according to the embodiment described above, the sound unit 10 is provided with a power supply control unit 151. When the storage battery 16 is not being charged (for example, when the present device 1 is not accommodated in the charger C), and when the sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20, the power supply control unit 151 disconnects the first power supply. That is, the power supply of the sound unit 10 is disconnected. On the other hand, when the storage battery 16 is not being charged, and when the sound unit 10 is not connected to the sound unit 20, the power supply control unit 151 connects the first power supply. That is, the power supply of the sound unit 10 is turned on. That is, even if the sound unit 10 of the present device 1 is not accommodated in the charger C, the connection and disconnection of the first power supply can be controlled. In addition, even if the connection and disconnection of the power supply of the sound unit 10 is not controlled by a physical button, the connection and disconnection of the first power supply can be controlled. Therefore, unnecessary discharge of the storage battery 16 can be suppressed, and power saving of the storage battery 16 can be achieved. The same effect is achieved for the sound unit 20.

[0178] Moreover, according to the embodiment described above, the sound unit 10 is provided with a unit connection determination unit 154. The power supply control unit 151 controls the first power supply according to the determination result of the unit connection determination unit 154. That is, for example, when the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sound unit 10 is connected to the sound unit 20, the power supply control unit 151 disconnects the first power supply. On the other hand, when the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sound unit 10 is not connected to the sound unit 20, the power supply control unit 151 turns on the first power supply. In this way, even if the sound unit 10 of the present device 1 is not accommodated in the charger C, the first power supply can be controlled. In addition, even if the on / off control of the power supply of the sound unit 10 is not performed by a physical button, the first power supply can be controlled. Therefore, unnecessary discharge of the battery 16 can be suppressed, and power saving of the battery 16 can be achieved. The same effect is achieved for the sound unit 20.

[0179] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the sounding unit 10 includes the charger connection determination unit 153. The power supply control unit 151 controls the first power supply according to the determination result of the charger connection determination unit 153. That is, for example, when the charger connection determination unit 153 determines that the sounding unit 10 is connected to the charger C (when the sounding unit 10 is accommodated in the charger C), the power supply control unit 151 turns off the power supply of the sounding unit 10. On the other hand, when the charger connection determination unit 153 determines that the sounding unit 10 is not connected to the charger C (when the sounding unit 10 is not accommodated in the charger C), and when the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the sounding unit 10 is not connected to the sounding unit 20, the power supply control unit 151 turns on the power supply of the sounding unit 10. As a result, unnecessary discharge of the storage battery 16 can be suppressed, and power saving of the storage battery 16 can be achieved. The same effect is achieved for the sounding unit 20.

[0180] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, when the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected, the storage battery 16 is charged. That is, for example, when the amount of the first power is less than the amount of the second power, the sounding unit 10 that is not accommodated in the charger C is connected to the sounding unit 20, so that the storage battery 16 is charged by the storage battery 26 (the storage battery 16 receives the second power). When the amount of the first power is greater than the amount of the second power, the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected, so that the storage battery 16 supplies the first power to the storage battery 26. That is, even if the sounding units 10 and 20 are not accommodated in the charger C, the charge amount of the storage batteries 16 and 26 of the present device 1 can be controlled.

[0181] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the sounding unit 10 includes a power comparison unit 155. The power supply control unit 151 controls the supply of the first power to the storage battery 26 based on the comparison result of the power comparison unit 155. That is, for example, when the amount of the first power is greater than the amount of the second power as a result of the comparison by the power comparison unit 155, the sounding unit 10 is connected to the sounding unit 20, and the storage battery 26 is charged by the storage battery 16 (the storage battery 26 receives the first power). The supply of the first power to the storage battery 26 is controlled. That is, even if the sounding units 10 and 20 are not housed in the charger C, the charge amount of the storage battery 26 of the present device 1 can be controlled.

[0182] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the first power supply is controlled to be turned off by the control of the power supply control unit 151 during the charging of the storage battery 16. Therefore, unnecessary discharge of the storage battery 16 can be suppressed during the charging of the storage battery 16.

[0183] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the sound unit 10 is connected to the charger C by the magnetic force of the charger magnet 18 and the first earphone magnet 32 ​​of the charger C. The sound unit 20 is connected to the charger C by the magnetic force of the charger magnet 28 and the second earphone magnet 33 of the charger C. The sum of the magnitude of the first magnetic force (attractive force) and the magnitude of the second magnetic force (attractive force) is smaller than the magnitude of the magnetic force between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27. Therefore, for example, when only the sound unit 10 is held (clamped) and taken out (picked up) from the charger C, the sound unit 20 is taken out (picked up) from the charger C in a state where the sound unit 20 is connected to the sound unit 10. In this way, in the present device 1, by taking out one of the sound units 10 and 20, the other is taken out at the same time. Therefore, the user does not need to take out the sound units 10 and 20 from the charger C separately, and the action of taking out the sound units 10 and 20 from the charger C is simplified.

[0184] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 function as electrical terminals, and when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27 are electrically connected. At this time, the unit connection determination unit 154 determines whether the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected by determining whether the connecting magnet 17 is electrically connected to the connecting magnet 27. That is, the unit connection determination unit 154 also functions as a connection determination unit in the present invention. When the unit connection determination unit 154 determines that the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27 are electrically connected (when it is determined that the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected), the power supply control unit 151 disconnects the first power supply. Therefore, as described above, even if the sound unit 10 is not housed in the charger C, the power supply of the present device 1 can be controlled to be turned on and off. In addition, even if the power of the sound unit 10 is not turned on and off by a physical button, the first power supply can be turned on and off. Therefore, unnecessary discharge of the battery 16 can be suppressed, and power saving of the battery 16 can be achieved. The same effect is achieved for the sound unit 20.

[0185] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the battery 16 (sound unit 10) supplies the first power to the battery 26 via the connection magnets 17 and 27. In addition, the battery 16 (sound unit 10) receives the second power via the connection magnets 17 and 27. Therefore, in the device 1, even if the device 1 is not connected to the charger C, the storage amount of either of the batteries 16 and 26 will not be extremely reduced.

[0186] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the shape of the sound unit 10 is in a mirror image relationship with the shape of the sound unit 20 with the connection surface 114 as a symmetry plane. Accordingly, when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the size of the device 1 becomes compact. As a result, the portability of the device 1 is improved. In addition, the device 1 has an excellent appearance design when connected.

[0187] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the connecting magnet 17 includes an N-pole magnet (first N-pole terminal) 171 and an S-pole magnet (first S-pole terminal) 172. The connecting magnet 27 includes an N-pole magnet (second N-pole terminal) 271 and an S-pole magnet (second S-pole terminal) 272. The N-pole magnet 271 is coupled to the S-pole magnet 172 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling), and the S-pole magnet 272 is coupled to the N-pole magnet 171 by magnetic force (magnetic coupling). That is, the sound unit 10 is coupled to the sound unit 20 by the magnetic force of the N-pole magnet 171 and the S-pole magnet 272, and the magnetic force of the S-pole magnet 172 and the N-pole magnet 271. That is, the sound unit 10 is coupled to the sound unit 20 by the magnetic force of two pairs of magnets. According to this, the coupling misalignment between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27 can be suppressed. According to this, when the sounding unit 10 and the sounding unit 20 are connected, the size of the device 1 becomes compact.

[0188] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the sounding units 10 and 20 include gripping portions 113 and 213. The connecting magnets 17 and 27 are arranged on the connecting surfaces 114 and 214. The connecting surfaces 114 and 214 are arranged on the portion of the housing 11 and 21 that protrudes from the charger C when the device 1 is accommodated in the charger C, that is, a portion of the housing 11 and 21 (main body 111 and 211). The gripping portions 113 and 213 are the portions of the housing 11 and 21 that protrude from the charger C when the device 1 is accommodated in the charger C (a portion of the housing 11 and 21 (main body 111 and 211)). In other words, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are arranged on the gripping portions 113 and 213. When the sounding units 10 and 20 are respectively placed on the charger body 31, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are located (arranged) between the gripping portions 113 and 213. Furthermore, the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are located in the portion of the housings 11 and 21 (sounding units 10 and 20) protruding from the charger C in the height direction ( Fig. 9Therefore, for example, when the user grasps the gripping portion 113, 213 to take the sounding units 10, 20 out of the charger C, the connection displacement of the sounding units 10, 20 can be suppressed during the removal process. That is, the release of the coupling between the connecting magnets 17, 27 can be suppressed. Therefore, the electrical connection between the connecting magnet 17 and the connecting magnet 27 can be maintained, and the occurrence of so-called chattering can be suppressed.

[0189] It should be noted that in the above-described embodiment, the device 1 is housed in the charger C when being charged by the charger C. Alternatively, in the present invention, the headphone device may be charged by being placed on a charging pad that complies with the "Qi" standard, for example.

[0190] In addition, in the embodiment described above, the connecting magnet 17 includes an N-pole magnet 171 and an S-pole magnet 172. In addition, the connecting magnet 27 includes an N-pole magnet 271 and an S-pole magnet 272. Alternatively, in the present invention, the first connecting magnet may be composed of one or more magnets (terminals) that function as N poles, and the second connecting magnet may be composed of one or more magnets (terminals) that function as S poles. In addition, the first connecting magnet may be composed of one or more magnets (terminals) that function as S poles, and the second connecting magnet may be composed of one or more magnets (terminals) that function as N poles.

[0191] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sound unit 10 functions as a left sound unit worn on the left ear of the user, and the sound unit 20 functions as a right sound unit worn on the right ear of the user. Alternatively, in the present invention, the first sound unit may function as a right sound unit worn on the right ear of the user, and the second sound unit may function as a left sound unit worn on the left ear of the user.

[0192] In addition, in the present invention, the first connecting magnet may not be exposed from the first main body (first housing), and the second connecting magnet may not be exposed from the second main body (second housing). In this case, as in the structure of the embodiment described above, the first detection sensor of the first sounding unit detects the magnetic field generated by the second connecting magnet, and the second detection sensor of the second sounding unit detects the magnetic field generated by the first connecting magnet.

[0193] In addition, in the present invention, regarding "the magnitude of the magnetic force (attraction force) between the first connecting magnet and the second connecting magnet", "the magnitude of the magnetic force (first magnetic force) between the first charger magnet and the first earphone magnet (attraction force)", and "the magnitude of the magnetic force (second magnetic force) between the second charger magnet and the second earphone magnet (attraction force)", as long as the magnitude relationship described in the previously described embodiment holds, each magnitude (attraction force) is not limited to the present embodiment.

[0194] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first detection sensor of the first sound-emitting unit detects the magnetic field generated by the second connecting magnet, and the second detection sensor of the second sound-emitting unit detects the magnetic field generated by the first connecting magnet. Alternatively, in the present invention, the first detection sensor of the first sound-emitting unit and the second detection sensor of the second sound-emitting unit may detect electrical connection by coupling the first connecting magnet with the second connecting magnet, respectively.

[0195] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the power supply control unit 151 compares the magnitude of the first power amount and the second power amount of the power comparison unit 155, and supplies the first power to the storage battery 26, or supplies the second power to the storage battery 16. Alternatively, in the present invention, the first power supply control unit may control the power supply to each storage battery (the first storage battery, the second storage battery) according to the difference between the first power amount and the second power amount. That is, for example, the first power supply control unit may control not to supply power to each storage battery (the first storage battery, the second storage battery) in order to prevent power loss when the difference between the first power amount and the second power amount is within a prescribed range. In addition, instead of the operation of the power supply control unit 151, in the present invention, when the remaining power (storage) of the first storage battery is less than the specified remaining power (storage), or when the remaining power (storage) of the second storage battery is less than the specified remaining power (storage), the first power supply control unit may control the power supply to each storage battery (the first storage battery, the second storage battery) to prevent power loss. That is, for example, when the remaining power (storage) of the second storage battery is less than the specified remaining power (storage), the first power supply control unit may control not to supply the first power to the second storage battery. Similarly, when the remaining power (storage) of the first storage battery is less than the specified remaining power (storage), the first power supply control unit may control not to supply the second power to the first storage battery.

[0196] In the above-described embodiment, the sounding units 10 and 20 allow the connecting magnets 17 and 27 to function as electrical terminals, and the connecting magnets 17 and 27 are coupled to each other, thereby electrically connecting the connecting magnets 17 and 27. Alternatively, in the present invention, the first sounding unit and the second sounding unit may have connecting terminals for electrically connecting the first sounding unit and the second sounding unit in addition to the first connecting magnet and the second connecting magnet.

[0197] ·Modification of the earphone device (1)·

[0198] Fig.14 1 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the headphone device of the present invention.

[0199] For the sake of convenience, this figure schematically shows a modified example of the first sound unit 10, that is, a first sound unit 10A, as a modified example of the present device 1, that is, an earphone device 1A. Since the structure of the modified example of the second sound unit (not shown) is the same as that of the first sound unit 10A, its description is omitted. This figure shows that the first sound unit 10A is equipped with a first connecting magnet 17A and a first connecting terminal 19A. Since the other structures of the first sound unit 10A are the same as those of the sound unit 10, their description is omitted.

[0200] The first connecting magnet 17A is used to connect the first sound unit and the second sound unit. The first connecting magnet 17A is an N-pole magnet or an S-pole magnet. The first connecting terminal 19A is electrically connected to the second connecting terminal (not shown) of the second sound unit. That is, when the first sound unit 10A and the second sound unit are connected by the magnetic force of the first connecting magnet 17A and the second connecting magnet (not shown), the first connecting terminal 19A is electrically connected to the second connecting terminal. In this case, for example, the first unit connection determination unit (not shown) may not have the function of serving as a connection determination unit. In this case, for example, the first sound unit 10A may be configured to separately include a connection determination unit that determines whether the first connecting terminal 19A is electrically connected to the second connecting terminal.

[0201] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20 are connected, the shape of the sound unit 10 is in a mirror image relationship with the shape of the sound unit 20 with the connecting surface as the symmetry plane. Alternatively, in the present invention, when the first sound unit and the second sound unit are connected, the shape of the first sound unit is point symmetrical with the shape of the second sound unit with the virtual center point (P) as the center. It should be noted that "point symmetry" includes not only the situation where two elements (for example, the sound unit 10 and the sound unit 20) are strictly in a point symmetrical relationship geometrically, but also the situation where a part of the two elements is not strictly in a point symmetrical relationship geometrically. That is, point symmetry also includes the situation where it is not completely point symmetrical. In other words, point symmetry includes the situation where the two elements are in a roughly point symmetrical relationship as a whole.

[0202] ·Modification of the earphone device (2)·

[0203] Fig.15 1 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the headphone device of the present invention.

[0204] For the sake of convenience, the figure schematically shows a modified example of the first sound unit 10 and the second sound unit 20, namely, the first sound unit 10B and the second sound unit 20B, as a modified example of the present device 1, namely, the earphone device 1B. The figure shows that the first sound unit 10B has a first housing 11B, a first earplug 12B, and a first connecting magnet 17B, and the second sound unit 20B has a second housing 21B, a second earplug 22B, and a second connecting magnet 27B. The figure shows that the shape of the first sound unit 10B is point-symmetrical with the shape of the second sound unit 20B with the virtual center point P as the center. Since the other structures of the first sound unit 10B and the second sound unit 20B are the same as those of the sound units 10 and 20, their description is omitted.

[0205] The first housing 11B accommodates the first coupling magnet 17B and the like constituting the first sound emitting unit 10B. The first housing 11B includes a first main body 111B. The first main body 111B accommodates the first coupling magnet 17B and the like constituting the first sound emitting unit 10B.

[0206] The first earplug 12B is in close contact with the inner wall of the external auditory canal of the user when being worn. The first earplug 12B is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first sound guide tube (not shown).

[0207] The first connecting magnet 17B is a magnet for connecting the first sounding unit 10B and the second sounding unit 20B. The first connecting magnet 17B is magnetically coupled to a second connecting magnet 27B described later (magnetic coupling), thereby connecting the first sounding unit 10B and the second sounding unit 20B.

[0208] The second housing 21B accommodates the second coupling magnet 27B and the like constituting the second sounding unit 20B. The second housing 21B includes a second main body 211B. The second main body 211B accommodates the second coupling magnet 27B and the like constituting the second sounding unit 20B.

[0209] The second earplug 22B is in close contact with the inner wall of the external auditory canal of the user when worn. The second earplug 22B is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the second sound guide tube (not shown).

[0210] The second coupling magnet 27B is a magnet used for coupling the second sound emitting unit 20B and the first sound emitting unit 10B.

[0211] like Fig.15 As shown, when the first sound unit 10B and the second sound unit 20B are connected, the shape of the first sound unit 10B is point-symmetrical with the shape of the second sound unit 20B with the virtual center point P as the center. In this case, the first connecting magnet 17B is arranged in the first main body 111B (first shell 11B) at a position corresponding to the second connecting magnet 27B when the first sound unit 10B and the second sound unit 20B are connected. In addition, the second connecting magnet 27B is arranged in the second main body 211B (second shell 21B) at a position corresponding to the first connecting magnet 17B when the first sound unit 10B and the second sound unit 20B are connected. Accordingly, when the first sound unit 10B and the second sound unit 20B are connected, the size of the earphone device 1B becomes compact. As a result, the portability of the earphone device 1B is improved.

[0212] Description of Reference Numerals

[0213] 1. 1A, 1B: Headphones

[0214] 10, 10A, 10B: 1st sound unit

[0215] 11, 11B: 1st shell

[0216] 111, 111B: 1st main body

[0217] 112: 1st sound guide tube

[0218] 113: First grip

[0219] 13: 1st drive unit

[0220] 14: 1st circuit board

[0221] 141: First communication circuit (first antenna)

[0222] 15: First Control Unit

[0223] 151: Power supply control unit

[0224] 153: Charger connection determination unit

[0225] 154: Unit connection determination unit (connection determination unit)

[0226] 155: Electricity Comparison Department

[0227] 16: Battery No. 1

[0228] 17, 17A, 17B: First connecting magnet (first magnet, first terminal)

[0229] 171: N-pole magnet (first N-pole terminal)

[0230] 172: S-pole magnet (1st S-pole terminal)

[0231] 18: Magnet for the first charger

[0232] 20, 20A, 20B: Second sound unit

[0233] 21, 21B: Second shell

[0234] 211, 211B: Second main body

[0235] 212: 2nd sound guide tube

[0236] 213: Second grip

[0237] 23: Second drive unit

[0238] 24: Second circuit board

[0239] 241: Second communication circuit (second antenna)

[0240] 25: Second Control Unit

[0241] 26: Second battery

[0242] 27, 27A, 27B: Second connecting magnet (second magnet, second terminal)

[0243] 271: N-pole magnet (second N-pole terminal)

[0244] 272: S-pole magnet (second S-pole terminal)

[0245] 28: Magnet for the second charger

[0246] 31: Charger body (main body)

[0247] 32: The first earphone magnet

[0248] 33: Second earphone magnet

[0249] 34: 1st power supply terminal

[0250] 35: Second power supply terminal

[0251] 36: Battery on charger side

[0252] 37: Charger side control unit

[0253] C: Charger for earphones (charger)

[0254] P: Virtual center point

Claims

1. An earphone device, characterized in that: have: a first sound-emitting unit, which is worn on one ear of the user; and a second sound-emitting unit, which is worn on the other ear of the user, The first sound generating unit comprises: 1st antenna; a first driving unit, which is driven according to a first audio signal received by the first antenna; a first storage battery that supplies power to the first antenna; and a first magnet, which is used to combine the first sound unit with the second sound unit, The second sound generating unit comprises: 2nd antenna; a second driving unit driven according to a second audio signal received by the second antenna; a second storage battery for supplying power to the second antenna; as well as a second magnet, which is used to combine the second sound-emitting unit with the first sound-emitting unit, The first sound-emitting unit can be physically separated from the second sound-emitting unit. The first sound emitting unit is coupled to the second sound emitting unit by magnetic forces of the first magnet and the second magnet.

2. The earphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first sound emitting unit includes a power supply control unit that controls turning on and off power supply from the first battery to the first antenna. When the first storage battery is not being charged, When the first sounding unit is connected to the second sounding unit, the power supply control unit disconnects the power supply. The power supply control unit turns on the power supply when the first sound emitting unit is not connected to the second sound emitting unit.

3. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first sound emitting unit includes a unit connection determination unit configured to determine whether the first sound emitting unit is connected to the second sound emitting unit. The power supply control unit controls the power supply according to a determination result of the unit connection determination unit.

4. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first battery is charged when the first sounding unit and the second sounding unit are connected.

5. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that The power supply control unit interrupts the power supply during charging of the first storage battery.

6. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first storage battery is charged from a charger, The charger comprises a first earphone magnet. The first sounding unit includes a first charger magnet. The first sound generating unit is connected to the charger through the magnetic force of the first earphone magnet and the first charger magnet. A magnitude of a first magnetic force between the first charger magnet and the first earphone magnet is smaller than a magnitude of a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

7. The earphone device according to claim 6, characterized in that The charger includes a second earphone magnet. The second sound generating unit includes a second charger magnet. The second sound generating unit is connected to the charger through the magnetic force of the second earphone magnet and the second charger magnet. The sum of the magnitude of the first magnetic force and the magnitude of the second magnetic force between the second charger magnet and the second earphone magnet is smaller than the magnitude of the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

8. The earphone device according to claim 6, characterized in that The first sound emitting unit includes a charger connection determination unit configured to determine whether the first sound emitting unit is connected to the charger. The power supply control unit controls the power supply based on a determination result of the charger connection determination unit.

9. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first sound-emitting unit includes a first terminal, and the first terminal functions as the first magnet. The second sound-emitting unit includes a second terminal, and the second terminal functions as the second magnet. When the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are connected, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected.

10. The earphone device according to claim 9, characterized in that The first sound emitting unit includes a connection determination unit configured to determine whether the first terminal is electrically connected to the second terminal. The power supply control unit controls the power supply according to a determination result of the connection determination unit.

11. The earphone device according to claim 9, characterized in that The electric power stored in the first storage battery is supplied to the second storage battery via the first terminal and the second terminal.

12. The earphone device according to claim 9, characterized in that The first storage battery receives the electric power stored in the second storage battery via the first terminal and the second terminal.

13. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that With the connection surface when the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are connected being a symmetric surface, the shape of the first sound emitting unit and the shape of the second sound emitting unit are in a mirror image relationship.

14. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that When the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are connected, the shape of the first sound emitting unit is point symmetrical with the shape of the second sound emitting unit about a virtual center point.

15. The earphone device according to claim 9, 13 or 14, characterized in that The first magnet comprises: a first N-pole terminal functioning as an N-pole; and The first S terminal acts as the S pole. The second magnet comprises: The second N-pole terminal functions as an N-pole; as well as The second S terminal acts as the S pole. The first sound emitting unit is connected to the second sound emitting unit by a magnetic force between the first N pole terminal and the second S pole terminal and a magnetic force between the first S pole terminal and the second N pole terminal.

16. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that When the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are connected, the electric power stored in the first storage battery is supplied to the second storage battery.

17. The earphone device according to claim 16, characterized in that When the amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery is greater than the amount of electric power stored in the second storage battery, the electric power stored in the first storage battery is supplied to the second storage battery.

18. The earphone device according to claim 17, characterized in that The first sound emitting unit includes a power comparison unit that compares the amount of power stored in the first storage battery and the amount of power stored in the second storage battery. The power supply control unit controls the supply of power stored in the first storage battery to the second storage battery based on the comparison result of the power comparison unit.

19. The earphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first storage battery receives electric power stored in the second storage battery when the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are connected.

20. The earphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first storage battery and the second storage battery receive electric power from a charger to be charged. The first sounding unit includes a first housing, and the first housing accommodates: the first antenna, the first driving unit, the first battery, and the first magnet. The second sound-emitting unit includes a second housing, and the second housing accommodates: the second antenna, the second driving unit, the second storage battery, and the second magnet. The charger includes a main body on which the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are mounted. When the first sounding unit and the second sounding unit are placed on the main body, a portion of the first shell and a portion of the second shell protrude outside the main body. The first magnet is accommodated in the portion of the first housing, The second magnet is accommodated in the portion of the second housing.

21. The earphone device according to claim 20, characterized in that The first housing includes a first grip portion. The second housing includes a second grip portion. When the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit are placed on the main body, the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion.

22. The earphone device according to claim 21, characterized in that The first magnet is accommodated in an upper half of the portion of the first housing.

Images