Audio system, wireless speaker system, wireless speaker, wireless terminal, program and audio reproducing method

Abstract

To group-reproduce audio data of the same music between a plurality of wireless speaker systems belonging to different networks and to allow each user of the plurality of wireless speaker systems belonging to the same group to easily change the music which is group-reproduced.SOLUTION: A media server 4 simultaneously distributes audio data of the same music to a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1 accessed using the same key ID. When a music list is transmitted to the wireless speaker systems 1 and a distribution request is received from any wireless speaker system 1, distribution of audio data currently being distributed simultaneously is completed and audio data of the music designated in the distribution request is simultaneously distributed to all the wireless speaker systems 1 belonging to the same group as a distribution request source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for forming a group with two or more wireless speaker systems and performing group playback (synchronous playback) of the same audio data among wireless speaker systems belonging to the same group. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless speaker system in which two or more wireless speakers play back the same audio data in a group. In this wireless speaker system, one of multiple wireless speakers belonging to the same group acts as a master (group leader) and downloads audio data from a media server, plays it, and outputs it, and also transmits the played data to other wireless speakers (slaves) belonging to the same group, and causes these speakers to output it as well. In this way, the same audio data is played back in a group from multiple wireless speakers belonging to the same group.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a video conference system in which a video conference is held among multiple geographically separated users using a video conference terminal connected to the Internet. This video conference system allows multiple geographically separated users to hold a social gathering or party while viewing each other's faces displayed on the video conference screen of the video conference terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,987,294 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-228669 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If the videoconferencing system described in Patent Document 2 could be used to hold a social gathering or party where multiple geographically separated users could simultaneously listen to the same music, the users could enjoy the social gathering or party as if they were sharing the same space.

[0006] Here, it is conceivable that one of the multiple users could play back audio data of a song using the audio system in his / her own room, collect the audio with a microphone in the video conference terminal, and output the audio from the speakers of the video conference terminals of the other users through the video conference system, allowing multiple users to simultaneously listen to the same song. However, this would lack the sense of realism compared to when each of the multiple users plays back audio data of a song using the audio system in their own room.

[0007] Furthermore, the wireless speaker system in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that wireless speakers belonging to the same group belong to the same network, and does not take into account the case where these speakers belong to different networks that are geographically separated via the Internet.

[0008] It is also conceivable that one of the users sets up a website for streaming playback, and each user accesses this website using his / her own audio system to perform streaming playback. However, in this case, when each user other than the user who set up the website for streaming playback wants to play audio data of a desired song, he / she must inform the user who set up the website for streaming playback of the desired song and request streaming playback, which is cumbersome.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an audio playback technology that enables audio data of the same song to be played back in a group among multiple wireless speakers belonging to different networks, and that enables each user of the multiple wireless speakers to easily change the song to be played back in the group. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the audio system of the present invention is configured to include a plurality of wireless speaker systems each having a wireless speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a remote controller for the wireless speakers, and a media server that distributes audio data to the wireless speaker systems.

[0011] A plurality of wireless speaker systems share a key ID for forming a group, and access a media server using this key ID to receive and play back audio data from the media server, and also receive a song list from the media server and display a song selection screen including the song list. When a playback operation involving song selection is received from a user via the song selection screen, a distribution request is sent to the media server, including the designation of the song selected by the playback operation.

[0012] The media server simultaneously distributes audio data of the same music piece to a plurality of wireless speaker systems that have accessed the media server using the same key ID, and when the media server receives a distribution request from any one of the wireless speaker systems, the media server terminates the distribution of the audio data currently being distributed simultaneously and simultaneously distributes the audio data of the music piece designated in the distribution request to the plurality of wireless speaker systems.

[0013] Here, the key ID can be shared among the multiple wireless speaker systems via a video conference, a social networking service (SNS), email, or the like.

[0014] For example, the present invention provides An audio system comprising: a plurality of wireless speaker systems each having a wireless speaker and a wireless terminal functioning as a remote controller for the wireless speaker; and a media server that distributes audio data to the wireless speaker systems, The wireless speaker system includes: a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems that form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for accessing the media server using the key ID and connecting to the media server; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a music list receiving means for receiving a music list from the media server connected by the access means; a reproduction / output means for reproducing and outputting audio data of the music piece received by the music receiving means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation including song selection from a user; a distribution request means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request including a designation of a song selected by the playback operation accepted by the playback operation acceptance means, The media server comprises: a group management means for group-managing the plurality of wireless speaker systems that have accessed using the same key ID; a music distribution means for simultaneously distributing audio data of the same music piece to the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means; a music list distribution means for distributing a music list to the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means, The music distribution means includes: When the distribution request is received from any one of the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means, audio data of a piece of music to be simultaneously distributed to the plurality of wireless speaker systems is changed to audio data of a piece of music designated by the distribution request. Effect of the Invention

[0015] In the present invention, the media server simultaneously distributes audio data of the same music piece to multiple wireless speaker systems that have accessed using the same key ID, so that by sharing the key ID between the multiple wireless speaker systems, the audio data of the same music piece can be played back in a group between these wireless speaker systems even if the multiple wireless speaker systems belong to different networks. The media server also transmits a music list to these multiple wireless speaker systems. Then, the wireless speaker system displays a music selection screen including the music list received from the media server, and when it receives a music selection operation from the user, it transmits a distribution request to the media server with the music piece specified in the music selection operation. In response to this, the media server ends the distribution of the audio data currently being distributed simultaneously, and simultaneously distributes the audio data of the music piece specified in the distribution request to these multiple wireless speaker systems. Therefore, the users of the multiple wireless speakers can easily change the music piece to be played back in a group via the music selection screen. In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an audio playback technology that allows the audio data of the same music piece to be played back in a group between multiple wireless speakers that belong to different networks, and allows each user of the multiple wireless speakers to easily change the music piece to be played back in a group. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an audio system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of sharing a key ID among a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1. In FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining a group playback operation by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1. In FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining a group playback operation by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1, and is a continuation of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating sound delay during group playback by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1. In FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the wireless speaker 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the key ID sharing operation of the wireless speaker 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the group playback operation of the wireless speaker 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating sound delay during group playback of the wireless speaker 2. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for explaining the key ID sharing operation of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the group playback operation of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating audio delay during group playback of the wireless terminal 3. In FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the media server 4. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents in group data storage unit 402. As shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the media server 4. As shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining a key ID sharing operation between a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1'. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining a group playback operation by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1'. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram for explaining a group playback operation by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1', and is a continuation of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating sound delay during group playback by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1'. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic functional block diagram of a wireless terminal 3'. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram for explaining the key ID sharing operation of the wireless terminal 3'. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram for explaining the group playback operation of the wireless terminal 3'. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating audio delay during group playback of the wireless terminal 3'. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0018] [First embodiment] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an audio system according to the present embodiment.

[0020] As shown in the figure, the audio system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1-1 to 1-n (hereinafter simply referred to as wireless speaker systems 1) and a media server 4.

[0021] The wireless speaker systems 1-1 to 1-n belong to different networks 9-1 to 9-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as network 9) together with the video conference terminals 5-1 to 5-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as video conference terminals 5), respectively. The networks 9-1 to 9-n are connected to the Internet 8 via access points 7-1 to 7-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as access points 7), respectively. The Internet 8 is connected to a media server 4 and a video conference server 6 that provides a video conference service to the video conference terminals 5-1 to 5-n.

[0022] The media server 4 simultaneously distributes audio data of the same music piece to the wireless speaker systems 1-1 to 1-n that have accessed the media server 4 using the same key ID.

[0023] The wireless speaker systems 1-1 to 1-n each include wireless speakers 2-1 to 2-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as wireless speakers 2) and wireless terminals 3-1 to 3-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as wireless terminals 3) that function as remote controllers for the wireless speakers 2-1 to 2-n.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of sharing a key ID among a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1. In FIG.

[0025] Here, an example will be described in which a key ID is shared between the wireless speaker system 1-1 and the wireless speaker system 1-2.

[0026] It is assumed that the video conference terminals 5-1 and 5-2 are engaged in a video conference using the video conference service provided by the video conference server 6 (S100), and that during this video conference, it has been decided that the user of the video conference terminal 5-1 will request the media server 4 to issue a key ID for forming a group.

[0027] First, when the wireless terminal 3-1 accepts a key ID issuance operation from a user (S101), the wireless terminal 3-1 transmits a key ID issuance instruction to the wireless speaker 2-1 (S102). In response, the wireless speaker 2-1 transmits a key ID issuance request to the media server 4 (S103).

[0028] Next, upon receiving the key ID issuance request from the wireless speaker 2-1, the media server 4 issues a key ID for forming a group with multiple wireless speaker systems 1 (S104), and transmits the issued key ID to the wireless speaker 2-1 (S105).

[0029] Next, when the wireless speaker 2-1 receives the key ID from the media server 4, it registers it (S106) and transmits this key ID to the wireless terminal 3-1 (S107).

[0030] In response to this, the wireless terminal 3-1 visualizes the key ID received from the wireless speaker 2-1 as a character string, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and displays it on the screen (S108). Then, when the user of the wireless terminal 3-1 points the screen of the wireless terminal 3-1 toward the camera of the video conference terminal 5-1, the video conference terminal 5-1 takes a picture of the visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the wireless terminal 3-1 and transmits it to the video conference terminal 5-1 and the video conference terminal 5-2 in the video conference (S109). As a result, the visualized key ID is displayed on the screen of the video conference terminal 5-2 (S110).

[0031] Next, when the user of the wireless terminal 3-2 captures the visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the video conference terminal 5-2 with the camera of the wireless terminal 3-2, the wireless terminal 3-2 reads the key ID from the captured image (S111) and transmits it to the wireless speaker 2-2 (S112). Then, the wireless speaker 2-2 registers the key ID received from the wireless terminal 3-2 (S113).

[0032] In this way, the key ID is shared between the wireless speaker system 1-1 and the wireless speaker system 1-2.

[0033] 3 and 4 are sequence diagrams for explaining a group playback operation by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1. FIG.

[0034] Here, a case where group playback is performed between wireless speaker system 1-1 and wireless speaker system 1-2 will be described as an example.

[0035] It is assumed that the video conference terminal 5-1 and the video conference terminal 5-2 are currently holding a video conference using the video conference service provided by the video conference server 6 (S120).

[0036] First, when the wireless terminal 3-1 accepts an operation to access the media server 4 from a user (S121), it transmits an instruction to the wireless speaker 2-1 to access the media server 4 (S122). In response to this, the wireless speaker 2-1 transmits an access request accompanied by the key ID shared with the wireless speaker 2-2 (S123).

[0037] Next, when the media server 4 receives an access request from the wireless speaker 2-1, it manages the wireless speaker 2-1 as a group by linking it to the key ID specified in the access request (S124).The media server 4 also confirms that music has not yet been distributed to the wireless speaker 2 linked to this key ID, and transmits a music list to the wireless speaker 2-1 (S125).

[0038] Next, the wireless speaker 2-1 transmits the music list received from the media server 4 to the wireless terminal 3-1 (S126). In response, the wireless terminal 3-1 displays a music selection screen including the music list received from the wireless speaker 2-1 (S127) and accepts a playback operation from the user involving music selection (S128). The wireless terminal 3-1 then transmits a playback instruction to the wireless speaker 2-1, specifying the music selected by the playback operation (S129). In response, the wireless speaker 2-1 transmits a distribution request to the media server 4, specifying the music specified in the playback instruction (S130).

[0039] When the media server 4 receives a distribution request from the wireless speaker 2-1, it links the music specified in the distribution request to the key ID to which the wireless speaker 2-1 is linked, and starts distribution of the music (S131). In response, the wireless speaker 2-1 plays back and outputs the audio data of the music distributed by the media server 4 (S132).

[0040] Thereafter, when the wireless terminal 3-2 receives an operation to access the media server 4 from the user (S133), it transmits an instruction to the wireless speaker 2-2 to access the media server 4 (S134). In response, the wireless speaker 2-2 transmits an access request accompanied by the key ID shared with the wireless speaker 2-1 (S135).

[0041] Next, when the media server 4 receives the access request from the wireless speaker 2-2, it associates the wireless speaker 2-2 with the key ID specified in this access request and manages the wireless speaker 2-2 together with the wireless speaker 2-1 as a group (S136).

[0042] The media server 4 also confirms that distribution to the wireless speaker 2-1 linked to this key ID is in progress, and simultaneously distributes the song being distributed to the wireless speaker 2-2 in addition to the wireless speaker 2-1 (S137). In response, the wireless speaker 2-1 and the wireless speaker 2-2 perform group playback and output of the audio data of the song simultaneously distributed by the media server 4 (S138, S139).

[0043] This allows the users of the wireless speaker systems 1-1 and 1-2 to simultaneously listen to the same music while holding a video conference using the video conference terminals 5-1 and 5-2.

[0044] Next, when the wireless terminal 3-2 accepts a song list operation from the user (S140), it transmits a song list instruction to the wireless speaker 2-2 (S141). In response, the wireless speaker 2-2 transmits a song list request (S142).

[0045] Next, upon receiving the song list request from the wireless speaker 2-2, the media server 4 transmits the song list to the wireless speaker 2-2 (S143).

[0046] Next, the wireless speaker 2-2 transmits the music list received from the media server 4 to the wireless terminal 3-2 (S144). In response, the wireless terminal 3-2 displays a music selection screen including the music list received from the wireless speaker 2-2 (S145) and accepts a playback operation from the user involving music selection (S146). The wireless terminal 3-2 then transmits a playback instruction to the wireless speaker 2-2, specifying the music selected by the playback operation (S147). In response, the wireless speaker 2-2 transmits a distribution request to the media server 4, specifying the music specified in the playback instruction (S148).

[0047] When the media server 4 receives a distribution request from the wireless speaker 2-2, it changes the song linked to the key ID to which the wireless speaker 2-2 is linked to the song specified in the distribution request (S149), and simultaneously distributes the song specified in the distribution request to the wireless speaker 2-1 and wireless speaker 2-1 linked to the key ID (S150). In response, the wireless speaker 2-1 and wireless speaker 2-2 play back and output the audio data of the song simultaneously distributed by the media server 4 in a group (S151, S152).

[0048] This allows each user of the wireless speaker systems 1-1 and 1-2 to freely change the music to be simultaneously distributed to these wireless speaker systems 1-1 and 1-2.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating sound delay during group playback by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1. In FIG.

[0050] Here, a test operation for eliminating audio delay during group playback between wireless speaker system 1-1 and wireless speaker system 1-2 will be described as an example.

[0051] It is assumed that the wireless speaker system 1-1 and the wireless speaker system 1-2 have already been linked to the same key ID and managed as a group in the media server 4.

[0052] It is assumed that the video conference terminals 5-1 and 5-2 are engaged in a video conference using the video conference service provided by the video conference server 6 (S160), and that during this conference it has been decided that the user of the wireless speaker system 1-2 will issue a test instruction to the media server 4.

[0053] First, when the wireless terminal 3-1 receives a switching operation to the test mode from the user (S161), it switches its own operation mode from the normal mode to the test mode (S162).

[0054] Next, when the wireless terminal 3-2 accepts a test operation from the user (S163), it transmits a test instruction to the wireless speaker 2-2 (S164). In response to this, the wireless speaker 2-2 transmits a test instruction to the media server 4 (S165). In addition, the wireless terminal 3-2 switches its own operation mode from the normal mode to the test mode (S166).

[0055] When the media server 4 receives the test instruction from the wireless speaker 2-2, it simultaneously distributes test audio data that differ only in frequency (range) to the wireless speaker 2-2 and the wireless speaker 2-1 that is group-managed with the wireless speaker 2-2 (the wireless speaker 2-1 that is linked to the key ID to which the wireless speaker 2-2 is linked) (S167). Here, the test audio data of frequency A is simultaneously distributed to the wireless speaker 2-1, and the test audio data of frequency B is simultaneously distributed to the wireless speaker 2-2.

[0056] The wireless speaker 2-1 plays and outputs the test audio data of frequency A received from the media server 4 (S168), and the wireless speaker 2-2 plays and outputs the test audio data of frequency B received from the media server 4 (S169). The test audio data of frequency B played and output by the wireless speaker 2-2 is collected by the microphone of the video conference terminal 5-2 and output from the video conference terminal 5-1 through the video conference (S170), and the test audio data of frequency A played and output by the wireless speaker 2-1 is collected by the microphone of the video conference terminal 5-1 and output from the video conference terminal 5-2 through the video conference (S171).

[0057] The wireless terminal 3-1 collects the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2-1 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof, and also collects the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2-2 via the video conference terminal 5-1 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof (S172). The wireless terminal 3-1 then determines the latest reception timing of the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2-1 and the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2-2 via the video conference terminal 5-1 as a reference timing, and calculates the difference between the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2-1 and the reference timing. Then, the wireless terminal 3-1 sets the calculated difference as a delay time in the wireless speaker 2-1 (S173). As a result, the wireless speaker 2-1 plays and outputs the audio data of the music piece received from the media server 4 with a delay of the delay time set by the wireless terminal 3-1.

[0058] Similarly, the wireless terminal 3-2 collects the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2-2 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof, and also collects the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2-1 via the video conference terminal 5-2 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof (S174). The wireless terminal 3-2 then determines the latest reception timing of the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2-2 and the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2-1 via the video conference terminal 5-2 as a reference timing, and calculates the difference between the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2-2 and the reference timing. Then, the calculated difference is set as a delay time in the wireless speaker 2-2 (S175). As a result, the wireless speaker 2-2 plays and outputs the audio data of the music piece received from the media server 4 with a delay time set by the wireless terminal 3-2.

[0059] Next, the wireless speaker system 1 and the media server 4 that constitute the audio system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0060] It should be noted that a video conference system consisting of the plurality of video conference terminals 5 and the video conference server 6 can be an existing video conference system, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] First, the wireless speaker system 1 will be described.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the wireless speaker 2.

[0063] As shown in the figure, the wireless speaker 2 includes a wireless interface unit 200, a key ID memory unit 201, a key ID acquisition unit 202, a key ID transmission unit 203, an access processing unit 204, an audio receiving unit 205, a playback output unit 206, a speaker unit 207, a test mode processing unit 208, a song list acquisition unit 209, a song list transfer unit 210, and a distribution request unit 211.

[0064] The wireless interface unit 200 is an interface for connecting to the access point 7 .

[0065] The key ID storage unit 201 stores a key ID for forming a group among a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1 including this wireless speaker system 1.

[0066] The key ID acquisition unit 202 transmits a key ID issuance request to the media server 4 in accordance with an ID issuance instruction received from a wireless terminal (hereinafter referred to as a paired terminal) 3 that forms the wireless speaker system 1 together with its own wireless speaker 2, acquires a key ID from the media server 4, stores the acquired key ID in the key ID storage unit 201, and notifies the key ID transmission unit 203. Alternatively, the key ID is received from the paired terminal 3 and stored in the key ID storage unit 201.

[0067] The key ID transmitting unit 203 transmits the key ID notified by the key ID obtaining unit 202 to the paired terminal 3 .

[0068] In accordance with the access instruction received from the paired terminal 3 , the access processor 204 transmits an access request accompanied by the key ID stored in the key ID storage unit 201 to the media server 4 , and connects to the media server 4 .

[0069] The audio receiving unit 205 receives the audio data distributed from the media server 4 .

[0070] The playback output unit 206 delays the audio data received by the audio receiving unit 205 according to the delay time set by the test mode processing unit 208, and then plays and outputs the delayed audio data.

[0071] The speaker unit 207 outputs the playback data output from the playback output unit 206 as sound.

[0072] When the test mode processing unit 208 receives a test instruction from the paired terminal 3, it transmits the test instruction to the media server 4, clears the delay time set in the playback output unit 206, and transitions its own wireless speaker to the test mode. When the test mode switching instruction is received from the paired terminal 3, it clears the delay time set in the playback output unit 206 and transitions its own wireless speaker to the test mode. Furthermore, the test mode processing unit 208 receives a delay time from the paired terminal 3 and sets it in the playback output unit 206 during the test mode.

[0073] The song list acquisition unit 209 receives a song list from the media server 4 and notifies the song list transfer unit 210. Furthermore, the song list acquisition unit 209 sends a song list request to the media server 4 in accordance with a song list instruction received from the paired terminal 3.

[0074] The song list transfer unit 210 transmits the song list notified by the song list acquisition unit 209 to the paired terminal 3 .

[0075] The distribution request unit 211, in accordance with the playback instruction from the paired terminal 3, transmits to the media server 4 a distribution request accompanied by the designation of the music designated by this playback instruction.

[0076] The functional configuration of the wireless speaker 2 shown in Fig. 6 may be realized in hardware by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized in software by a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).Alternatively, it may be realized as a process by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive, and a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN adapter, by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into the memory and executing it.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the key ID sharing operation of the wireless speaker 2.

[0078] When the key ID acquisition unit 202 receives an ID issuance instruction from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 200 (YES in S200), it transmits a key ID issuance request to the media server 4 via the wireless interface unit 200 (S201) and receives the key ID from the media server 4 (S202). Then, it stores the received key ID in the key ID storage unit 201 (S203) and notifies the key ID transmission unit 203. In response to this, the key ID transmission unit 203 transmits the key ID notified from the key ID acquisition unit 202 to the paired terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 200 (S204).

[0079] Furthermore, when the key ID acquisition unit 202 receives the key ID from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 200 (YES in S205), the key ID acquisition unit 202 stores the received key ID in the key ID storage unit 201 (S206).

[0080] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the group playback operation of the wireless speaker 2.

[0081] This flow is started when the access processing unit 204 receives an access instruction from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless network interface unit 200 .

[0082] First, the access processing unit 204 transmits an access request accompanied by the key ID stored in the key ID storage unit 201 to the media server 4 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (S210).

[0083] Next, when the audio receiving unit 205 receives the audio data of the music piece distributed from the media server 4 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (YES in S211), it passes this to the reproduction output unit 206. In response to this, the reproduction output unit 206 waits for the delay time set by the test mode processing unit 208 to elapse (S212), and then starts reproduction of the audio data of the music piece and outputs the reproduced data from the speaker unit 207 (S213).

[0084] Furthermore, when the song list acquisition unit 209 receives a song list from the media server 4 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (YES in S214), it passes this song list to the song list transfer unit 210. In response, the song list transfer unit 210 transmits the song list to the paired terminal 3 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (S215).

[0085] Furthermore, when the song list acquisition unit 209 receives a song list instruction from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (YES in S216), it transmits a song list request to the media server 4 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (S217).

[0086] Furthermore, when the distribution request unit 211 receives a playback instruction from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (YES in S218), it transmits a distribution request along with a specification of the song specified in the playback instruction to the media server 4 via the wireless network interface unit 200 (S219).

[0087] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating sound delay during group playback of the wireless speaker 2.

[0088] When the test mode processing unit 208 receives a test instruction from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 200 (YES in S230), it transmits the test instruction to the media server 4 via the wireless interface unit 200 (S231). Then, it clears the delay time set in the playback output unit 206 (S232). Then, the process proceeds to S233.

[0089] Furthermore, when the test mode processing unit 208 receives a test mode switching instruction from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 200 (YES in S235), it clears the delay time set in the playback output unit 206 (S236). Then, the process proceeds to S233.

[0090] In S233, when the audio receiving unit 205 receives the test audio data from the media server 4 via the wireless interface unit 200 (YES in S233), it outputs this to the playback output unit 206. In response to this, the playback output unit 206 plays back the test audio data and outputs the played back data from the speaker unit 207 (S234). In addition, the test mode processing unit 208 identifies the frequency of the test audio data from the attribute information added to the test audio data, and notifies the paired terminal 3 of the identified frequency of the test audio data via the wireless interface unit 200 (S235).

[0091] Thereafter, when the test mode processing unit 208 receives the delay time from the paired terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 200 (YES in S236), it sets this in the playback output unit 206 (S237).

[0092] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0093] As shown in the figure, the wireless terminal 3 comprises a radio interface unit 300, a man-machine interface unit 301, an operation receiving unit 302, a key ID receiving unit 303, a key ID notification unit 304, a key ID sharing unit 305, a key ID transmitting unit 306, an ID issuance instruction unit 307, an access instruction unit 308, a playback instruction unit 309, a song list instruction unit 310, a test instruction unit 311, a test mode switching instruction unit 312, a song list receiving unit 313, a test frequency receiving unit 314, a delay time measurement unit 315, and a delay time transmitting unit 316.

[0094] The wireless interface unit 300 is an interface for connecting to the access point 7 .

[0095] The man-machine interface unit 301 is an interface for displaying information to a user and accepting various operations from the user, and includes an input / output device such as a touch sensor display, as well as a microphone and a camera.

[0096] The operation reception unit 302 receives various operations from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301. In addition, the operation reception unit 302 displays a song selection screen on the man-machine interface unit 301 for receiving a playback operation according to the song list received from the song list receiving unit 313.

[0097] The key ID receiving unit 303 receives a key ID from a wireless speaker 2 (hereinafter also referred to as a pair speaker 2) that forms the wireless speaker system 1 together with the wireless terminal 3 itself via the wireless interface unit 300.

[0098] The key ID notification unit 304 visualizes the key ID received by the key ID reception unit 303 as a character string, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and displays it on the man-machine interface unit 301 .

[0099] The key ID sharing unit 305 reads the visualized key ID from the screen data of another wireless terminal 3 displayed on the video conference terminal 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3, which is captured by the camera of the man-machine interface unit 301. In this way, the key ID is shared with the other wireless terminal 3.

[0100] The key ID transmission unit 306 transmits the key ID shared with the other wireless terminal 3 by the key ID sharing unit 305 to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 .

[0101] The ID issuance instruction unit 307 transmits an ID issuance instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 in accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 302 .

[0102] The access instruction unit 308 transmits an access instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 in accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 302 .

[0103] The playback instruction unit 309 follows an instruction from the operation reception unit 302 and transmits a playback instruction accompanied by a designation of a piece of music to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 .

[0104] The song list instruction unit 310 transmits a song list instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 in accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 302 .

[0105] The test instructing unit 311 transmits a test instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 in accordance with an instruction from the operation receiving unit 302 .

[0106] The test mode switching instructing section 312 transmits a test mode switching instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface section 300 in accordance with an instruction from the operation receiving section 302 .

[0107] The song list receiving unit 313 receives the song list from the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 and passes it to the operation receiving unit 302 .

[0108] The test frequency receiving unit 314 receives the frequency of the test audio data to be reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2 from the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 , and passes it to the delay time measuring unit 315 .

[0109] The delay time measurement unit 315 extracts, from the collected sound data of the microphone of the man-machine interface unit 301, the test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2 (the test audio data at the frequency notified by the test frequency receiving unit 314) and the test audio data of different frequencies output from the video conference terminals 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3, and measures the reception timing of each. Then, the latest reception timing of the test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2 and the reception timing of the test audio data output from the video conference terminals 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3 is set as a reference timing, and the difference between the reception timing of the test audio data output from the paired speaker 2 and the reference timing is measured as the delay time.

[0110] The delay time transmitting unit 316 transmits the delay time measured by the delay time measuring unit 315 to the paired speaker 2 .

[0111] The functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3 shown in Fig. 10 may be realized in hardware by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or FPGA, or in software by a computer such as a DSP, like the functional configuration of the wireless speaker 2 shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively, it may be realized as a process by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executing it in a portable computer such as a smartphone or tablet PC that includes a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, and a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN adapter.

[0112] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for explaining the key ID sharing operation of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0113] When the operation reception unit 302 receives an ID issuance operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S300), it instructs the ID issuance instruction unit 307 to issue an ID. In response to this, the ID issuance instruction unit 307 transmits an ID issuance instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S301).

[0114] Next, the key ID receiving unit 303 receives the key ID from the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S302), and passes this key ID to the key ID notifying unit 304. In response to this, the key ID notifying unit 304 visualizes the key ID received from the key ID receiving unit 303 as a character string, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and displays it on the man-machine interface unit 301 (S303).

[0115] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 302 receives an operation to photograph the key ID from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S304), it instructs the key ID sharing unit 305 to read the key ID. In response to this, the key ID sharing unit 305 uses the camera of the man-machine interface unit 301 to photograph the visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the other wireless terminal 3 that is displayed on the video conference terminal 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3, reads the key ID from this photographed image (S305), and notifies the key ID transmission unit 306. The key ID transmission unit 306 then transmits the key ID received from the key ID sharing unit 305 to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S306).

[0116] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the group playback operation of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0117] This flow is started when the operation reception unit 302 receives an access operation from a user via the man-machine interface unit 301 .

[0118] First, the operation reception unit 302 notifies an access instruction to the access instruction unit 308. In response to this, the access instruction unit 308 transmits the access instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S310).

[0119] Next, when the song list receiving unit 313 receives the song list from the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (YES in S311), it passes the received song list to the operation receiving unit 302. In response to this, the operation receiving unit 302 displays a song selection screen on the man-machine interface unit 301 for selecting a desired song from the song list and instructing playback, and waits for the user to perform a playback operation (S315).

[0120] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 302 receives a song list operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S313), it notifies the song list instruction unit 310 of a song list instruction. In response to this, the song list instruction unit 310 transmits the song list instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S314). Thereafter, it waits for the song list to be sent from the paired speaker 2 (S311).

[0121] In S315, when the operation reception unit 302 receives a playback operation from the user via the music selection screen displayed on the man-machine interface unit 300 (YES in S315), it notifies the playback instruction unit 309 of the music designated by this playback operation. In response to this, the playback instruction unit 309 transmits a playback instruction accompanied by the designation of the music notified by the operation reception unit 302 to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S316).

[0122] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating audio delay during group playback of the wireless terminal 3. In FIG.

[0123] When the operation reception unit 302 receives a test operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S320), it notifies the test instruction unit 311 of a test instruction. In response to this, the test instruction unit 311 transmits the test instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S321). Then, the operation reception unit 302 switches its own wireless terminal 3 to a test mode (S324).

[0124] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 302 receives a test mode switching operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S322), it notifies the test mode switching instruction unit 312 of a test mode switching instruction. In response to this, the test mode switching instruction unit 312 transmits a test mode switching instruction to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S323). Then, the operation reception unit 302 switches its own wireless terminal 3 to the test mode (S324).

[0125] When the test mode is switched to, the delay time measurement unit 315 turns on the microphone of the man-machine interface unit 301 and extracts test audio data of different frequencies from the collected sound data (S325). Specifically, the delay time measurement unit 315 extracts test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2 and test audio data output from the video conference terminal 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3 (test audio data reproduced and output from each of the wireless speakers 2 of the other wireless speaker systems 1 that form a group with the wireless speaker system 1 including the wireless terminal 3) from the collected sound data of the microphone. Then, the reception timing of each of the extracted test audio data is measured (S326).

[0126] Next, the test frequency receiving unit 314 receives the frequency of the test audio data reproduced and output by the paired speaker 2 from the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S327). Then, it notifies the delay time measuring unit 315 of the received frequency. In response to this, the delay time measuring unit 315 sets the latest reception timing of each piece of test audio data as a reference timing, and calculates the difference between the reception timing of the test audio data reproduced and output by the paired speaker 2, which is specified by the frequency notified by the test frequency receiving unit 314, and the reference timing, as a delay time (S328).

[0127] Then, the delay time measurement unit 315 passes the calculated delay time to the delay time transmission unit 316. In response to this, the delay time transmission unit 316 transmits the delay time received from the delay time measurement unit 315 to the paired speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 300 (S329).

[0128] The wireless speaker system 1 has been described above.

[0129] Next, the media server 4 will be described.

[0130] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the media server 4. As shown in FIG.

[0131] As shown in the figure, the media server 4 includes a wireless interface unit 400, a song data storage unit 401, a group data storage unit 402, a key ID issuing unit 403, an access request receiving unit 404, a song distribution unit 405, a song list creation unit 406, a song list distribution unit 407, a test audio distribution unit 408, and a group management unit 409.

[0132] The wireless interface unit 400 is an interface for connecting to the access point 7 .

[0133] The music data storage unit 401 stores audio data of music pieces.

[0134] Group data storage unit 402 stores information about wireless speaker systems 1 that form each simultaneous distribution group.

[0135] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents in group data storage unit 402. As shown in FIG.

[0136] As shown in the figure, a group data table 4020 is stored in the group data storage unit 402 for each simultaneous distribution group, linked to a key ID. The group data table 4020 has records 4021 in which speaker IDs (e.g., address information) that are identification information for the wireless speakers 2 belonging to the group are stored, and records 4022 in which the names of songs being simultaneously distributed are stored.

[0137] The key ID issuing unit 403 issues a key ID in accordance with a key ID issuance request received from the wireless speaker 2 , and transmits the issued key ID to the wireless speaker 2 .

[0138] The access request receiving unit 404 receives an access request accompanied by a key ID from the wireless speaker 2 .

[0139] The music distribution unit 405 simultaneously distributes the audio data of the music to each of the wireless speakers 2 that are associated with the same key ID and stored in the group data storage unit 402.

[0140] The song list creation unit 406 creates a list of songs that can be distributed to the wireless speaker 2 based on the audio data of the songs stored in the song data storage unit 401 .

[0141] The song list distribution unit 407 distributes the song list created by the song list creation unit 407 to the wireless speaker 2.

[0142] The test audio distribution unit 408 simultaneously distributes test audio data having different frequencies to each of the wireless speakers 2 that are associated with the same key ID and stored in the group data storage unit 402. Note that the frequency of the test audio data is added to the test audio data as attribute information.

[0143] The group management unit 409 manages a group of wireless speaker systems 1 linked to the same key ID based on the group data storage unit 402. Also, it updates the group data storage unit 402 in accordance with an access request received by the access request receiving unit 404. Furthermore, it assists in simultaneous distribution of data by the music distribution unit 405 and simultaneous distribution of data by the test audio distribution unit 408 using test audio of a different frequency.

[0144] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the media server 4. As shown in FIG.

[0145] When the access request receiving unit 404 receives an access request from a wireless speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 400 (YES in S320), it notifies the group management unit 409 of the key ID specified in this access request together with the wireless speaker 2 that made the access request. In response to this, the group management unit 409 uses the group data storage unit 402 to link the wireless speaker 2 that made the access request to this key ID and manages the group (S321). Specifically, if a table 4020 of group data linked to this key ID is registered in the group data storage unit 402, the speaker ID of this wireless speaker 2 is added to a record 4021 of this table 4020. On the other hand, if a table 4020 of group data linked to this key ID is not registered in the group data storage unit 402, this table 4020 is newly registered in the group data storage unit 402 (in this case, record 4022 for registering the name of the song being simultaneously distributed is left blank), and the speaker ID of this wireless speaker 2 is added to record 4021 of this table 4020.

[0146] Next, the group management unit 409 refers to the group data storage unit 402 and determines whether the name of the song being simultaneously distributed is registered in the record 4022 of the table 4020 in which the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that originated the access request is registered (S322). If the name is registered (YES in S322), the song distribution unit 405 is notified of the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that originated the access request together with the key ID linked to this table 4020. In response to this, the song distribution unit 405 links the notified key ID and speaker ID to each other, and simultaneously distributes the song being simultaneously distributed to each wireless speaker 2 belonging to the group specified by the key ID to the wireless speaker 2 that originated the access request via the wireless interface unit 400 (S323).

[0147] On the other hand, if the name of the song being simultaneously distributed is not registered in record 4022 of table 4020 in which the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that made the access request is registered (NO in S322), the group management unit 409 notifies the song list creation unit 406 of the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that made the access request. In response, the song list creation unit 406 creates a song list of the audio data of the songs stored in the song data storage unit 401 (S325), and notifies the song list distribution unit 407 of the created song list together with the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that made the access request. The song list distribution unit 407 then distributes the notified song list via the wireless interface unit 400 to the wireless speaker 2 that made the access request, which is identified by the notified speaker ID (S326).

[0148] Furthermore, when the song list delivery unit 407 receives a song list request from the wireless speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 400 (YES in S324), it instructs the song list creation unit 406 to create a song list. In response, the song list creation unit 406 creates a song list of the audio data of the songs stored in the song data storage unit 401 (S325) and notifies the song list delivery unit 407 of the created song list. The song list delivery unit 407 then delivers the notified song list via the wireless interface unit 400 to the wireless speaker 2 that requested the song list (S326).

[0149] Furthermore, when the music distribution unit 405 receives a distribution request from the wireless speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 400 (YES in S327), it notifies the group management unit 409 of the song title specified in this distribution request together with the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that made the distribution request. In response to this, the group management unit 409 determines whether or not the song is being simultaneously distributed to the group to which the wireless speaker 2 specified by the notified speaker ID belongs (S328). Specifically, the group management unit 409 searches a table 4020 of group data in which the notified speaker ID is registered in record 4021, and if the song title is registered in record 4022 of this table 4020, it determines that simultaneous distribution is in progress, and if not, it determines that simultaneous distribution is not in progress.

[0150] If simultaneous distribution is not in progress (NO in S328), the group management unit 409 registers the notified song title in record 4022 of the searched table 4020, and reads out the audio data of this song title from the song data storage unit 401. Then, the read out audio data is passed to the song distribution unit 405 together with the key ID linked to this table 4020 and all the speaker IDs registered in record 4021 of this table 4020. In response to this, the song distribution unit 405 links each speaker ID to the key ID, and simultaneously distributes the audio data of the song received from the group management unit 409 to each of the wireless speakers 2 belonging to the same group identified by these speaker IDs via the wireless network interface unit 400 (S330).

[0151] On the other hand, if simultaneous distribution is in progress (YES in S328), the group management unit 409 registers the notified song name in the searched record 4022 of the table 4020, and reads out the audio data of this song from the song data storage unit 401. Then, the read out audio data is passed to the song distribution unit 405 together with the key ID linked to this table 4020. In response to this, the song distribution unit 405 stops the simultaneous distribution of the song being simultaneously distributed to each of the wireless speakers 2 specified by the speaker ID linked to the key ID (S329). Then, the song distribution unit 405 simultaneously distributes the audio data of the song received from the group management unit 409 to each of the wireless speakers 2 specified by the speaker ID linked to the key ID via the wireless network interface unit 400 (S330).

[0152] Furthermore, when the test audio distribution unit 408 receives a test instruction from the wireless speaker 2 via the wireless network interface unit 400 (YES in S331), it notifies the group management unit 409 of the speaker ID of the wireless speaker 2 that issued the test instruction. In response to this, the group management unit 409 determines whether or not music is being simultaneously distributed to the group to which the wireless speaker 2 specified by the notified speaker ID belongs in a manner similar to S328 (S332).

[0153] If simultaneous distribution is not in progress (NO in S332), the group management unit 409 passes all speaker IDs registered in the searched records 4021 of the table 4020 to the test audio distribution unit 408. In response to this, the test audio distribution unit 408 simultaneously distributes test audio data of different frequencies to each of the wireless speakers 2 belonging to the same group identified by these speaker IDs via the wireless network interface unit 400 (S334).

[0154] On the other hand, if simultaneous distribution is in progress (YES in S332), the group management unit 409 clears the song name registered in the record 4022 of the searched table 4020, and passes the key ID linked to this table 4020 to the song distribution unit 405. In response to this, the song distribution unit 405 stops the simultaneous distribution of the songs being simultaneously distributed to each of the wireless speakers 2 specified by the speaker IDs linked to the key ID (S333). Next, the test audio distribution unit 408 simultaneously distributes test audio data of different frequencies to each of the wireless speakers 2 belonging to the same group specified by these speaker IDs via the wireless network interface unit 400 (S334).

[0155] Furthermore, when the key ID issuing unit 403 receives a key ID issuance request from the wireless speaker 2 via the wireless network interface unit 400 (YES in S335), it issues a key ID. Then, it transmits the issued key ID via the wireless network interface unit 400 to the wireless speaker 2 that made the key ID issuance request (S336).

[0156] The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0157] In this embodiment, the media server 4 simultaneously distributes audio data of the same song to multiple wireless speakers 2 that access it using the same key ID. Therefore, by sharing the key ID between multiple wireless speaker systems 1, the audio data of the same song can be played back in a group between these wireless speaker systems 1 even if the multiple wireless speaker systems 1 belong to different networks 9 that are geographically separated.

[0158] The media server 4 also transmits the music list to the wireless speaker 2. The wireless speaker 2 then transmits the music list to the paired terminal 3. The wireless terminal 3 displays a music selection screen including the music list received from the paired speaker 2, and upon receiving a music selection operation from the user, transmits a playback instruction to the paired speaker 2, including the music specified in the music selection operation. The wireless speaker 2 transmits a distribution request to the media server 4, including the music specified in the playback instruction received from the paired terminal 3. The media server 4 then ends the distribution of audio data currently being distributed simultaneously, and simultaneously distributes the audio data of the music specified in the distribution request to all wireless speaker systems 1 that belong to the same group as the wireless speaker system 1 that includes the wireless speaker 2 that made the distribution request. This allows the user of the wireless speaker system 1 to easily change the music to be played back in the group via the music selection screen. Thus, according to this embodiment, audio data of the same music can be played back in the group between multiple wireless speaker systems 1 that belong to different networks 9, and each user of multiple wireless speaker systems 1 that belong to the same group can easily change the music to be played back in the group.

[0159] In this embodiment, the wireless speaker 2 transmits an ID issuance request to the media server 4 in accordance with an instruction from the paired terminal 3, and when it acquires a key ID from the media server 4, it transmits this key ID to the paired terminal 3. When the wireless terminal 3 receives the key ID from the paired speaker 2, it visualizes and displays it. Then, when a user of the wireless speaker system 1 causes the camera of the video conference terminal 5 to capture an image of the screen of the wireless terminal 3 on which the visualized key ID is displayed, and a user of another wireless speaker system 1 belonging to the same group as this wireless speaker system 1 causes the wireless terminal 3 to capture an image of the visualized key ID displayed on the video conference terminal 5, the wireless terminal 3 reads the key ID from the captured image data and transmits it to the paired speaker 2. Thus, according to this embodiment, the key ID can be shared between wireless speaker systems 1 belonging to the same group using a video conference, improving convenience.

[0160] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in response to a test instruction from a wireless terminal 3 of any of a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1 that have accessed the media server 4 using the same key ID, the media server 4 simultaneously distributes test audio data of different frequencies to each of these wireless speaker systems 1.

[0161] Furthermore, the wireless terminal 3 transmits a test instruction to the media server 4 in accordance with a test operation by the user, and transitions the operation mode of the wireless terminal 3 to a test mode. Alternatively, the wireless terminal 3 switches the operation mode of the wireless terminal 3 to the test mode in accordance with a test mode switching operation by the user. In the test mode, the wireless terminal 3 measures the reception timing of the test audio data output from the paired speakers 2, and also measures, via the video conference terminal 5, the reception timing of each piece of test audio data output from the wireless speaker 2 of each of the other wireless speaker systems 1 that form the same group as the wireless speaker system 1 including the wireless terminal 3, and measures the difference between the reception timing of the test audio data output from the paired speakers 2 and the reference timing, using the latest reception timing of the measured reception timings as a reference timing, and notifies the paired speakers 2 of this difference as a delay time.

[0162] Then, the wireless speaker 2 delays the audio data of the music piece received from the media server 4 by the delay time notified by the paired terminal 3, and then reproduces and outputs the audio data.

[0163] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when audio data of the same song is played back in a group among multiple wireless speaker systems 1 that form the same group, it is possible to reduce the audio delay between the sound played back from the wireless speaker 2 of the wireless speaker system 1 itself and the sound played back from the wireless speaker 2 of the other wireless speaker systems 1 output from the video conference terminal 5.

[0164] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0165] 1 in that it uses multiple wireless speaker systems 1'-1 to 1'-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as wireless speaker systems 1') instead of the multiple wireless speaker systems 1-1 to 1-n, and in that it uses a media server 4' instead of the media server 4. Also, the wireless speaker systems 1'-1 to 1'-n differ from the wireless speaker system 1-1 to 1-n in that it uses wireless speakers 2'-1 to 2'-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as wireless speaker 2') instead of the wireless speakers 2-1 to 2-n, and in that it uses wireless terminals 3'-1 to 3'-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as wireless terminal 3') instead of the wireless terminals 3-1 to 3-n.

[0166] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining a key ID sharing operation between a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1'.

[0167] Here, a case will be described in which a key ID is shared between the wireless speaker system 1'-1 and the wireless speaker system 1'-2.

[0168] It is assumed that the video conference terminals 5-1 and 5-2 are engaged in a video conference with each other using the video conference service provided by the video conference server 6 (S400), and that during this video conference, it has been decided that the user of the video conference terminal 5-1 will request the media server 4' to issue a key ID for forming a group.

[0169] First, when the wireless terminal 3'-1 accepts a key ID issuance operation from a user (S401), the wireless terminal 3'-1 transmits a key ID issuance request to the media server 4' (S402).

[0170] Next, upon receiving a key ID issuance request from the wireless terminal 3'-1, the media server 4' issues a key ID for forming a group with multiple wireless speaker systems 1' (S403), and transmits the issued key ID to the wireless terminal 3'-1 (S404).

[0171] Next, when the wireless terminal 3'-1 receives the key ID from the media server 4', it registers it (S405) and visualizes the key ID as a character string, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and displays it on the screen (S406). Then, when the user of the wireless terminal 3'-1 points the screen of the wireless terminal 3'-1 toward the camera of the video conference terminal 5-1, the video conference terminal 5-1 takes a picture of the visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the wireless terminal 3'-1 and transmits it to the video conference terminal 5-1 and the video conference terminal 5-2 that is participating in the video conference (S407). As a result, the visualized key ID is displayed on the screen of the video conference terminal 5-2 (S408).

[0172] Next, when the user of the wireless terminal 3'-2 photographs the visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the video conference terminal 5-2 with the camera of the wireless terminal 3'-2, the wireless terminal 3'-2 reads the key ID from the photographed image (S409) and registers it (S410).

[0173] As a result, the key ID is shared between the wireless speaker system 1'-1 and the wireless speaker system 1'-2.

[0174] 18 and 19 are sequence diagrams for explaining a group playback operation by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1'.

[0175] Here, a case where group playback is performed between wireless speaker system 1'-1 and wireless speaker system 1'-2 will be described as an example.

[0176] It is assumed that the video conference terminal 5-1 and the video conference terminal 5-2 are currently holding a video conference using the video conference service provided by the video conference server 6 (S420).

[0177] First, when the wireless terminal 3'-1 accepts an operation to access the media server 4' from a user (S421), the wireless terminal 3'-1 transmits an access request accompanied by the key ID shared with the wireless terminal 3'-2 to the media server 4' (S422).

[0178] Next, when the media server 4' receives an access request from the wireless terminal 3'-1, it manages the wireless terminal 3'-1 as a group by linking it to the key ID specified in the access request (S423). The media server 4' also confirms that music has not yet been distributed to the wireless terminal 3' linked to this key ID, and transmits a music list to the wireless terminal 3'-1 (S424).

[0179] Next, the wireless terminal 3'-1 displays a song selection screen including the song list received from the media server 4 (S425), and accepts a playback operation involving song selection from the user (S426).Then, the wireless terminal 3'-1 transmits a distribution request including the specification of the song selected by the playback operation to the media server 4 (S427).

[0180] When the media server 4' receives the distribution request from the wireless terminal 3'-1, it links the song specified in the distribution request to the key ID to which the wireless terminal 3'-1 is linked, and starts distribution of the song (S428). In response, the wireless terminal 3'-1 transfers the audio data of the song distributed by the media server 4 to the wireless speaker 2'-1 (S429), and the wireless speaker 2'-1 plays and outputs the audio data (S430).

[0181] Thereafter, when the wireless terminal 3'-2 accepts an operation to access the media server 4' from the user (S431), the wireless terminal 3'-2 transmits an access request accompanied by the key ID shared with the wireless terminal 3'-1 (S432).

[0182] Next, when the media server 4' receives the access request from the wireless terminal 3'-2, it associates the wireless terminal 3'-2 with the key ID designated in this access request and manages the wireless terminal 3'-2 together with the wireless terminal 3'-1 as a group (S433).

[0183] The media server 4' also confirms that distribution to the wireless terminal 3'-1 linked to this key ID is in progress, and simultaneously distributes the song being distributed to the wireless terminal 3'-2 in addition to the wireless terminal 3'-1 (S434). In response, the wireless terminals 3'-1 and 3'-2 transfer the audio data of the song simultaneously distributed by the media server 4' to the wireless speaker 2'-1 and wireless speaker 2'-2 (S435, S437), and the wireless speaker 2'-1 and wireless speaker 2'-2 play back and output the audio data of the song in a group (S436, S438).

[0184] This allows the users of the wireless speaker systems 1'-1 and 1'-2 to simultaneously listen to the same music piece while holding a video conference using the video conference terminals 5-1 and 5-2.

[0185] Next, when the wireless terminal 3'-2 accepts a song list operation from the user (S439), it transmits a song list request to the media server 4' (S440). In response, the media server 4' transmits the song list to the wireless terminal 3'-2 (S441).

[0186] In response to this, the wireless terminal 3'-2 displays a song selection screen including a song list (S442) and accepts a playback operation from the user along with the song selection (S443).Then, the wireless terminal 3'-2 transmits a distribution request including the designation of the song selected by the playback operation to the media server 4' (S444).

[0187] When the media server 4' receives the distribution request from the wireless terminal 3'-2, it changes the song linked to the key ID to which the wireless terminal 3'-2 is linked to the song specified in the distribution request (S445), and simultaneously distributes the song specified in the distribution request to the wireless terminals 3'-1 and 3'-2 linked to this key ID (S446). In response to this, the wireless terminals 3'-1 and 3'-2 transfer the audio data of the song simultaneously distributed by the media server 4' to the wireless speakers 2'-1 and 2'-2 (S447, S449), and the wireless speakers 2'-1 and 2'-2 play back and output the audio data of the song in a group (S448, S450).

[0188] This allows each user of the wireless speaker systems 1'-1, 1'-2 to freely change the music to be simultaneously distributed to these wireless speaker systems 1'-1, 1'-2.

[0189] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating sound delay during group playback by a plurality of wireless speaker systems 1'.

[0190] Here, a test operation for eliminating audio delay during group playback between the wireless speaker system 1'-1 and the wireless speaker system 1'-2 will be described as an example.

[0191] It is assumed that the wireless speaker system 1'-1 and the wireless speaker system 1'-2 have already been associated with the same key ID and managed as a group in the media server 4'.

[0192] It is assumed that the video conference terminals 5-1 and 5-2 are engaged in a video conference using the video conference service provided by the video conference server 6 (S460), and that during this conference, it has been decided that the user of the video conference terminal 5-2 will issue a test instruction to the media server 4'.

[0193] First, when the wireless terminal 3'-1 receives a switching operation to switch to the test mode from the user (S461), it switches its own operation mode from the normal mode to the test mode (S462).

[0194] Next, when the wireless terminal 3'-2 accepts a test operation from the user (S463), it transmits a test instruction to the media server 4' (S464). Also, the wireless terminal 3'-2 switches its own operation mode from the normal mode to the test mode (S465).

[0195] When the media server 4' receives the test instruction from the wireless terminal 3'-2, it simultaneously distributes the same test audio data with different frequencies (ranges) to the wireless terminal 3'-2 and the wireless terminal 3'-1 (wireless terminal 3'-1 linked to the same key ID as the wireless terminal 3'-2) that is group-managed with the wireless terminal 3'-2 (S466). Here, it is assumed that the test audio data of frequency A is simultaneously distributed to the wireless terminal 3'-1, and the test audio data of frequency B is simultaneously distributed to the wireless terminal 3'-2.

[0196] In response, the wireless terminal 3'-1 and the wireless terminal 3'-2 transfer the test audio data of frequency A and the test audio data of frequency B simultaneously distributed by the media server 4' to the wireless speaker 2'-1 and the wireless speaker 2'-2, respectively (S467, S469), and the wireless speaker 2'-1 and the wireless speaker 2'-2 then play back and output the test audio data of frequency A and the test audio data of frequency B, respectively (S468, S470).

[0197] The test audio data of frequency B reproduced and output from the wireless speaker 2'-2 is collected by the microphone of the video conference terminal 5-2 and output from the video conference terminal 5-1 through the video conference (S471), and the test audio data of frequency A reproduced and output from the wireless speaker 2'-1 is collected by the microphone of the video conference terminal 5-1 and output from the video conference terminal 5-2 through the video conference (S472).

[0198] The wireless terminal 3'-1 collects the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2'-1 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof, and also collects the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2'-2 via the video conference terminal 5-1 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof (S473). The wireless terminal 3'-1 then determines the latest reception timing of the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2'-1 and the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2'-2 via the video conference terminal 5-1 as a reference timing, and calculates the difference between the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2'-1 and the reference timing. Then, the wireless terminal 3'-1 sets the calculated difference as the delay time (S474). As a result, the wireless terminal 3'-1 delays the audio data of the music piece received from the media server 4' by the set delay time and transfers it to the wireless speaker 2'-1.

[0199] Similarly, the wireless terminal 3'-2 collects the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2'-2 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof, and also collects the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2'-1 via the video conference terminal 5-2 with a microphone and measures the reception timing thereof (S475). Then, the wireless terminal 3'-2 sets the latest reception timing of the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2'-2 and the reception timing of the test audio data of frequency A output from the wireless speaker 2'-1 via the video conference terminal 5-2 as a reference timing, and calculates the difference between the test audio data of frequency B output from the wireless speaker 2'-2 and the reference timing. Then, the calculated difference is set as the delay time (S476). As a result, the wireless terminal 3'-2 delays the audio data of the music piece received from the media server 4' by the set delay time and transfers it to the wireless speaker 2'-2.

[0200] Next, the wireless terminal 3' of the wireless speaker system 1' constituting the audio system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0201] The media server 4' is similar to the media server 4 according to the first embodiment, except that the communication partner in receiving various requests and transmitting responses thereto, and in distributing audio data, is changed from the wireless speaker 2 to the wireless terminal 3', and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the wireless speaker 2' can be an existing wireless speaker that receives audio data from the media server 4' via the wireless terminal 3' and plays and outputs the audio data, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0202] FIG. 21 is a schematic functional block diagram of a wireless terminal 3'.

[0203] As shown in the figure, the wireless terminal 3' includes a radio interface unit 320, a man-machine interface unit 321, an operation receiving unit 322, a key ID receiving unit 323, a key ID notifying unit 324, a key ID sharing unit 325, a key ID memory unit 326, an ID issuance request unit 327, an access request unit 328, a distribution request unit 329, a song list request unit 330, a test instruction unit 331, a song list receiving unit 332, an audio receiving unit 333, an audio transfer unit 334, a test frequency acquisition unit 335, and a delay time measurement unit 336.

[0204] The wireless interface unit 320 is an interface for connecting to the access point 7 .

[0205] The man-machine interface unit 321 is an interface for displaying information to the user and accepting various operations from the user, and includes an input / output device such as a touch sensor display, as well as a microphone and a camera.

[0206] The operation reception unit 322 receives various operations from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321. In addition, the operation reception unit 322 displays a song selection screen on the man-machine interface unit 321 in accordance with the song list received from the song list receiving unit 332 to receive an operation to play a desired song.

[0207] In response to a key ID issuance request from the ID issuance request unit 327, the key ID receiving unit 323 receives the key ID from the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320.

[0208] The key ID notification unit 324 visualizes the key ID received by the key ID reception unit 323 as a character string, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and displays it on the man-machine interface unit 321 .

[0209] The key ID sharing unit 325 reads the visualized key ID from the screen data of another wireless terminal 3' displayed on the video conference terminal 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3', which is captured by the camera of the man-machine interface unit 321. In this way, the key ID is shared with the other wireless terminal 3'.

[0210] The key ID storage unit 326 stores the key ID received by the key ID receiving unit 323, or the key ID shared by the key ID sharing unit 325 with other wireless terminals 3'.

[0211] The ID issuance request unit 327 transmits a key ID issuance request to the media server 4 ′ via the wireless interface unit 320 in accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 322 .

[0212] In accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 322 , the access request unit 328 transmits an access request accompanied by the designation of the key ID stored in the key ID storage unit 326 to the media server 4 ′ via the wireless interface unit 320 .

[0213] The distribution request unit 329, in accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 322, transmits a distribution request accompanied by the designation of a piece of music to the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320.

[0214] The song list requesting unit 330 follows an instruction from the operation receiving unit 322 and transmits a song list request to the media server 4 ′ via the wireless interface unit 300 .

[0215] The test instruction unit 331 transmits a test instruction to the media server 4 ′ via the wireless interface unit 320 in accordance with an instruction from the operation reception unit 322 .

[0216] The song list receiving unit 332 receives the song list from the media server 4 ′ via the wireless interface unit 320 in response to the song list request sent by the song list requesting unit 330 to the media server 4 ′.

[0217] The audio receiving unit 333 receives the audio data of the music piece or the test audio data from the media server 4 ′ via the wireless interface unit 320 .

[0218] If the audio data received by the audio receiving unit 333 from the media server 4' is audio data of a song (normal mode), the audio transferring unit 334 delays the audio data by the delay time measured by the delay time measuring unit 336 and then transfers it to the paired speaker 2' via the wireless interface unit 320. On the other hand, if the audio data received by the audio receiving unit 333 from the media server 4' is test audio data (test mode), the audio transferring unit 334 immediately transfers the audio data to the paired speaker 2' via the wireless interface unit 320.

[0219] When the audio data received by the audio receiving unit 333 from the media server 4' is test audio data, the test frequency acquiring unit 335 acquires frequency information of the test audio data from the attribute information of this audio data.

[0220] The delay time measurement unit 336 extracts, from the collected sound data of the microphone of the man-machine interface unit 321, the test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2' (the test audio data having the frequency acquired by the test frequency acquisition unit 335) and the test audio data having different frequencies output from the video conference terminals 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3', and measures the reception timing of each of them. Then, the latest reception timing of the test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2' and the reception timing of the test audio data output from the video conference terminals 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3' is set as a reference timing, and the difference between the reception timing of the test audio data output from the paired speaker 2' and the reference timing is measured as the delay time.

[0221] Note that the functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3' shown in Fig. 21 may be realized in hardware by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or an FPGA, or in software by a computer such as a DSP, like the functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3 shown in Fig. 10. Alternatively, it may be realized as a process by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executing it in a portable computer such as a smartphone or tablet PC that includes a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, and a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN adapter.

[0222] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram for explaining the key ID sharing operation of the wireless terminal 3'.

[0223] When the operation reception unit 322 receives an ID issuance operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321 (YES in S500), it instructs the ID issuance request unit 327 to issue an ID. In response to this, the ID issuance request unit 327 transmits a key ID issuance request to the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 300 (S501).

[0224] Next, the key ID receiving unit 323 receives the key ID from the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 and stores it in the key ID storage unit 326 (S502). The received key ID is also passed to the key ID notification unit 324. In response to this, the key ID notification unit 324 visualizes the key ID as a character string, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and displays it on the man-machine interface unit 321 (S503).

[0225] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 322 receives an operation to photograph a key ID from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321 (YES in S504), it instructs the key ID sharing unit 325 to read the key ID. In response to this, the key ID sharing unit 325 uses the camera of the man-machine interface unit 321 to photograph the visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the other wireless terminal 3' that is displayed on the video conference terminal 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3', reads the key ID from the photographed image (S505), and stores it in the key ID storage unit 326 (S506).

[0226] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram for explaining the group playback operation of the wireless terminal 3'.

[0227] This flow is started when the operation reception unit 322 receives an access operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321 .

[0228] First, the operation reception unit 322 notifies an access request to the access request unit 328. In response to this, the access request unit 328 transmits the access request to the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 (S510).

[0229] Next, when the song list receiving unit 332 receives the song list from the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 (YES in S511), it passes the received song list to the operation receiving unit 322. In response to this, the operation receiving unit 322 displays a song selection screen on the man-machine interface unit 321 for the user to select a desired song from the song list and instruct playback (S512), and waits for the user to perform a playback operation (S513).

[0230] Thereafter, when the operation reception unit 322 receives a playback operation from the user via the song selection screen displayed on the man-machine interface unit 320 (YES in S513), it notifies the distribution request unit 329 of the song designated by this playback operation. In response to this, the distribution request unit 329 transmits a distribution request accompanied by the designation of the song notified by the operation reception unit 322 to the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 (S514).

[0231] Furthermore, when the audio receiving unit 333 receives audio data of a song from the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 (YES in S515), it passes this received audio data of the song to the audio transferring unit 334. In response to this, if a delay time has been set by the delay time measuring unit 336, the audio transferring unit 334 delays the audio data of the song by the set delay time, and then transfers it to the paired speaker 2' via the wireless interface unit 320 (S516).

[0232] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 322 receives a song list operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321 (YES in S517), it instructs the song list request unit 330 to make a song list request. In response, the song list request unit 330 transmits the song list request to the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 (S518).

[0233] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram for explaining a test operation for eliminating audio delay during group playback of the wireless terminal 3'.

[0234] When the operation reception unit 322 receives a test operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321 (YES in S520), it notifies the test instruction unit 331 of a test instruction. In response to this, the test instruction unit 331 transmits a test instruction to the media server 4' via the wireless interface unit 320 (S521). Then, the operation reception unit 322 switches its own wireless terminal 3' to a test mode (S523).

[0235] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 322 receives a test mode switching operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 321 (YES in S522), it switches its own wireless terminal 3' to the test mode (S523).

[0236] When the test mode is switched to, the delay time measurement unit 336 clears the delay time set in the audio transfer unit 334, turns on the microphone of the man-machine interface unit 321, and extracts test audio data of different frequencies from the collected sound data (S524). Specifically, the test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2' and the test audio data output from the video conference terminal 5 belonging to the same network 9 as the wireless terminal 3' (test audio data reproduced and output from each wireless speaker 2' of the other wireless speaker system 1' that forms a group with the wireless speaker system 1' including the wireless terminal 3') are extracted from the collected sound data of the microphone. Then, the reception timing of each of the extracted test audio data is measured (S525).

[0237] Next, the test frequency acquisition unit 335 acquires frequency information of the test audio data from the attribute information of the test audio data received from the media server 4' by the audio receiving unit 333 (S526). Then, the acquired frequency is notified to the delay time measurement unit 336. In response to this, the delay time measurement unit 336 sets the latest reception timing of each test audio data as a reference timing, and calculates the difference between the reception timing of the test audio data reproduced and output from the paired speaker 2', which is specified by the frequency notified by the test frequency acquisition unit 335, and the reference timing, as a delay time (S527).

[0238] Then, the delay time measurement unit 336 sets the calculated delay time in the audio transfer unit 334 (S528).

[0239] The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0240] This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, according to this embodiment, an existing wireless speaker that receives audio data from a media server 4' via a wireless terminal 3' and plays and outputs the audio data can be used as the wireless speaker 2', so that the cost of introducing the system can be reduced.

[0241] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0242] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the key ID is shared between the wireless speaker systems 1, 1' belonging to the same group using a video conference. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The key ID may also be shared via a social networking service (SNS), email, etc.

[0243] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the wireless speaker system 1, 1' has been described as being wirelessly connected to the Internet 8 via the access point 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may also be wired to the Internet 4 via a router or the like using a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0244] 1-1~1-n: Wireless speaker system 2, 2―1~2-n, 2´, 2´―1, 2´―2: Wireless speaker 3, 3-1 to 3-n, 3´, 3´―1, 3´―2: Wireless terminal 4, 4´: Media server 5―1~5-n: Video conference terminal 6: Video conference server 7-1 to 7-n: Access points 8: Internet 9-1~9-n: Network 200, 300, 320, 400: Wireless interface section 201, 326: Key ID storage section 202: Key ID acquisition unit 203, 306: Key ID transmission unit 204: Access processing unit 205, 333: Audio receiving unit 206: playback output section 207: speaker section 208: Test mode processing unit 209: Music list acquisition unit 210: Music list transfer unit 211: Distribution request unit 301, 321: Man-machine interface section 302, 322: Operation reception section 303, 323: Key ID receiver 304, 324; Key ID notification section 305, 325: Key ID sharing section 307: ID issuance instruction section 308: Access instruction section 309: Playback instruction section 310: Music list instruction section 311, 331: Test instruction section 312: Test mode switching instruction section 313, 332: music list receiving unit 314: test frequency receiving unit 315, 336: Delay time measurement unit 316: Delay time transmission unit 327: ID issuance request unit 328: Access request unit 329: Distribution request unit 330: Music list request unit 334: Audio transmission unit 335: Test frequency acquisition unit 401: Music data storage unit 402: Group data storage unit 403: Key ID issuing unit 404: Access request receiving unit 405: Music distribution department 406: Music list creation department 407: Music list distribution unit 408: Test audio distribution unit 409: Group Management Department

Claims

1. An audio system comprising: a plurality of wireless speaker systems each having a wireless speaker and a wireless terminal functioning as a remote controller for the wireless speaker; and a media server that distributes audio data to the wireless speaker systems, The wireless speaker system includes: a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for accessing the media server using the key ID and connecting to the media server; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a music list receiving means for receiving a music list from the media server connected by the access means; a reproduction / output means for reproducing and outputting audio data of the music piece received by the music receiving means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation including song selection from a user; a distribution request means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request including a designation of a song selected by the playback operation accepted by the playback operation acceptance means, The media server comprises: a group management means for group-managing the plurality of wireless speaker systems that have accessed using the same key ID; a music distribution means for simultaneously distributing audio data of the same music piece to the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means; a music list distribution means for distributing a music list to the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means, The music distribution means includes: When the distribution request is received from any one of the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means, audio data of the music to be simultaneously distributed to the plurality of wireless speaker systems is changed to audio data of the music designated by the distribution request. An audio system characterized by:

2. 2. An audio system according to claim 1, The wireless speaker includes: The key ID storage means; said access means; The music receiving means; the music list receiving means; The playback output means; The distribution request means; a music list transfer means for transferring the music list received by the music list receiving means to the wireless terminal forming the wireless speaker system together with the wireless speaker, The wireless terminal comprises: The playback operation receiving means; a playback operation notifying means for notifying the wireless terminal and the wireless speaker forming the wireless speaker system of the content of the playback operation accepted by the playback operation accepting means. An audio system characterized by:

3. 3. An audio system according to claim 2, The media server comprises: a key ID issuing unit that issues a key ID in response to a key ID issuing request received from the wireless speaker and transmits the key ID to the wireless speaker; The wireless speaker includes: a key ID acquisition means for transmitting a key ID issuance request to the media server in accordance with an instruction from the wireless terminal that forms the wireless speaker system together with the wireless speaker, and receiving a key ID from the media server; a first key ID transmitting means for transmitting the key ID acquired by the key ID acquiring means to the wireless terminal forming the wireless speaker system together with the wireless speaker, The wireless terminal comprises: a key ID notifying means for notifying a wireless terminal of another wireless speaker system which forms a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal of a key ID received from the wireless speaker which forms the wireless speaker system with the wireless terminal; a key ID sharing unit for sharing a key ID notified by the wireless terminal of another wireless speaker system which is in a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal; and a second key ID transmitting means for transmitting the key ID shared by the key ID sharing means to the wireless speaker that forms the wireless speaker system together with the wireless terminal. An audio system characterized by:

4. 4. An audio system according to claim 3, The key ID notification means The key ID acquired by the key ID acquisition means is visualized and displayed on a screen; The key ID sharing means includes: The visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the wireless terminal of another wireless speaker system that forms a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal is read, and the key ID is shared. An audio system characterized by:

5. 5. An audio system according to claim 2, The media server comprises: a test audio distribution means for simultaneously distributing test audio data having different frequencies to each of the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means in response to a test instruction from the wireless terminal of any of the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means, The wireless terminal comprises: a test instruction transmitting means for transmitting the test instruction to the media server in accordance with a test operation performed by a user, thereby transitioning the operation mode of the wireless terminal to a test mode; a test mode switching means for switching an operation mode of the wireless terminal to a test mode in accordance with a test mode switching operation by a user; a reception timing measurement means for measuring, in a test mode, the reception timing of test audio data output from the wireless speakers forming the wireless speaker system together with the wireless terminal itself, and for measuring, via a video conference terminal, the reception timing of each of the test audio data output from the wireless speakers of each of the other wireless speaker systems forming a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal itself; a delay time measuring means for measuring a difference between the reception timing of the test audio data output from the wireless speaker that constitutes the wireless speaker system and its own wireless terminal and the reception timing of each of the test audio data output from the wireless speaker of each of the other wireless speaker systems that form a group with the wireless speaker system including the own wireless terminal and the reference timing and measuring the delay time, the latest reception timing being a reference timing; a delay time notifying unit that notifies the wireless speaker that forms the wireless speaker system together with the wireless terminal of the delay time measured by the delay time measuring unit, The reproduction output means includes: The audio data of the music piece received by the music piece receiving means is delayed by the delay time notified from the wireless terminal forming the wireless speaker system together with the wireless speaker, and then reproduced and output. An audio system characterized by:

6. 2. An audio system according to claim 1, The wireless terminal comprises: The key ID storage means; said access means; The music receiving means; the music list receiving means; The playback operation receiving means; The distribution request means; a music transfer means for transferring audio data of the music received from the media server by the music receiving means to the wireless terminal and the wireless speaker forming the wireless speaker system, The wireless speaker includes: The reproduction output means is provided, The reproduction output means includes: Reproducing and outputting audio data of the music transferred from the wireless terminal that forms the wireless speaker system with the wireless speaker itself An audio system characterized by:

7. 7. An audio system according to claim 6, The wireless terminal comprises: a key ID acquisition means for transmitting a key ID issuance request to the media server in accordance with an instruction from a user and receiving a key ID from the media server; a key ID notification means for notifying the wireless terminals of the other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal, of the key ID acquired by the key ID acquisition means; and a key ID sharing unit for sharing a key ID notified by the wireless terminal of another wireless speaker system which is in a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal. An audio system characterized by:

8. 8. An audio system according to claim 7, The key ID notification means The key ID acquired by the key ID acquisition means is visualized and displayed on a screen; The key ID sharing means includes: The visualized key ID displayed on the screen of the wireless terminal of another wireless speaker system that forms a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal is read, and the key ID is shared. An audio system characterized by:

9. 9. An audio system according to claim 6, The media server comprises: a test audio distribution means for simultaneously distributing test audio data having different frequencies to each of the wireless speaker systems in response to a test instruction from the wireless terminal of any of the plurality of wireless speaker systems group-managed by the group management means, The wireless terminal comprises: a test instruction transmitting means for transmitting the test instruction to the media server in accordance with a test operation performed by a user, thereby transitioning the operation mode of the wireless terminal to a test mode; a test mode switching means for switching an operation mode of the wireless terminal to a test mode in accordance with a test mode switching operation by a user; a reception timing measurement means for measuring, in a test mode, the reception timing of test audio data output from the wireless speakers forming the wireless speaker system together with the wireless terminal itself, and for measuring, via a video conference terminal, the reception timing of each of the test audio data output from the wireless speakers of each of the other wireless speaker systems forming a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal itself; a delay time measuring means for measuring a difference between the reception timing of the test audio data output from the wireless speaker that constitutes the wireless speaker system and its own wireless terminal and the reception timing of each of the test audio data output from the wireless speaker of each of the other wireless speaker systems that form a group with the wireless speaker system including the wireless terminal, and the reference timing, and determining a delay time as a difference between the reception timing of the test audio data output from the wireless speaker that constitutes the wireless speaker system and its own wireless terminal and the reference timing, The music transfer means includes: The audio data of the music piece received from the media server by the music piece receiving means is delayed by the delay time measured by the delay time measuring means, and then transferred to the wireless speaker that forms the wireless speaker system together with the wireless terminal. An audio system characterized by:

10. A wireless speaker system including a wireless speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a remote controller for the wireless speaker, a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for simultaneously delivering audio data of the same music piece to a plurality of wireless speaker systems accessed using the same key ID, and for connecting to a media server that delivers a music list to the wireless speakers, using a key ID stored in the key ID storage means; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a music list receiving means for receiving a music list from the media server connected by the access means; a reproduction / output means for reproducing and outputting audio data of the music piece received by the music receiving means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation including song selection from a user; a distribution request means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request including a designation of a song selected by the playback operation accepted by the playback operation acceptance means. A wireless speaker system comprising:

11. 11. A wireless speaker system according to claim 10, The wireless speaker includes: The key ID storage means; said access means; The music receiving means; the music list receiving means; The playback output means; The distribution request means; a music list transfer means for transferring the music list received by the music list receiving means to the wireless terminal forming the wireless speaker system together with the wireless speaker, The wireless terminal comprises: The playback operation receiving means; a playback operation notifying means for notifying the wireless terminal and the wireless speaker forming the wireless speaker system of the content of the playback operation accepted by the playback operation accepting means. A wireless speaker system comprising:

12. 12. A wireless speaker system according to claim 11, The wireless terminal comprises: The key ID storage means; said access means; The music receiving means; the music list receiving means; The playback operation receiving means; The distribution request means; a music transfer means for transferring audio data of the music received from the media server by the music receiving means to the wireless terminal and the wireless speaker forming the wireless speaker system, The wireless speaker includes: The reproduction output means is provided, The reproduction output means includes: Reproducing and outputting audio data of the music transferred from the wireless terminal that forms the wireless speaker system with the wireless speaker itself A wireless speaker system comprising:

13. A wireless speaker that configures a wireless speaker system together with a wireless terminal that functions as a remote controller, a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for connecting to a media server, which simultaneously distributes audio data of the same music piece to a plurality of wireless speaker systems accessed using the same key ID and distributes a music list to the wireless speakers, using the key ID stored in the key ID storage means; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a music list receiving means for receiving a music list from the media server connected by the access means; a reproduction / output means for reproducing and outputting audio data of the music piece received by the music receiving means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation including song selection from a user; a song list transfer means for transferring the song list received by the song list receiving means to the wireless terminal; a distribution request means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request including a designation of a song selected in accordance with the content of the playback operation received from the wireless terminal. A wireless speaker characterized by:

14. A wireless terminal that constitutes a wireless speaker system together with a wireless speaker as a remote controller for the wireless speaker, a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for connecting to a media server, which simultaneously distributes audio data of the same music piece to a plurality of wireless speaker systems accessed using the same key ID and distributes a music list to the wireless speakers, using the key ID stored in the key ID storage means; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a music transfer means for transferring audio data of the music received from the media server by the music receiving means to the wireless speaker; a music list receiving means for receiving a music list from the media server connected by the access means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation including song selection from a user; a distribution request means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request including a designation of a song selected by the playback operation accepted by the playback operation acceptance means. A wireless terminal comprising:

15. A program that causes a computer to function as a wireless speaker that constitutes a wireless speaker system together with a wireless terminal that functions as a remote controller, a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for simultaneously delivering audio data of the same music piece to a plurality of said wireless speaker systems accessed using the same key ID, and for connecting to a media server that delivers a music list to said wireless speakers, using the key ID stored in said key ID storage means; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a song list receiving means for receiving a song list from the media server connected via the access means; a reproducing / outputting means for reproducing and outputting the audio data of the music piece received by the music receiving means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation including song selection from a user; a song list transfer means for transferring the song list received by the song list receiving means to the wireless terminal; and and causing the computer to function as a distribution requesting means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request accompanied by a designation of a song selected in accordance with the contents of a playback operation received from the wireless terminal. A program characterized by:

16. A program that causes a computer to function as a remote controller that configures a wireless speaker system together with a wireless speaker, a key ID storage means for storing a key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems which form a group with the wireless speaker system; an access means for simultaneously delivering audio data of the same music piece to a plurality of said wireless speaker systems accessed using the same key ID, and for connecting to a media server which delivers a music list to said wireless speakers, using the key ID stored in said key ID storage means; a music receiving means for receiving audio data of music from the media server connected by the access means; a music transfer means for transferring audio data of the music received from the media server by the music receiving means to the wireless speaker; a song list receiving means for receiving a song list from the media server connected via the access means; a playback operation receiving means for displaying a song selection screen including the song list received by the song list receiving means and receiving a playback operation involving song selection from a user; and causing the computer to function as a distribution request means for transmitting to the media server a distribution request accompanied by a designation of a song selected by the playback operation accepted by the playback operation acceptance means. A program characterized by:

17. An audio playback method using a plurality of wireless speaker systems each having a wireless speaker and a wireless terminal functioning as a remote controller for the wireless speaker, and a media server that distributes audio data to the wireless speaker systems, comprising: The wireless speaker system includes: A key ID shared with other wireless speaker systems that form a group with the wireless speaker system is stored, accessing the media server using the key ID, connecting to the media server, receiving audio data of songs from the media server and playing / outputting the audio data, receiving a song list from the media server, displaying a song selection screen including the song list, accepting a playback operation involving song selection from a user, and transmitting a distribution request to the media server including a designation of the song selected by the playback operation; The media server comprises: The plurality of wireless speaker systems accessed using the same key ID are managed as a group; Delivering audio data of the same music piece simultaneously to the plurality of wireless speaker systems managed as a group, and also delivering a music piece list; When the distribution request is received from any one of the plurality of group-managed wireless speaker systems, audio data of the music to be simultaneously distributed to the plurality of wireless speaker systems is changed to audio data of the music designated by the distribution request.

13. An audio playback method comprising:

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