# US 2016/0259618 A1 · Playback system, headphones, playback apparatus and method, and recording medium and program for controlling playback apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0259618 A1 - Document ID: US20160259618A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/153,418 - Filed: 2016-05-12 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-06 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Applicants: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Junichi Rekimoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160259618A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/162: {Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs} - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - H04R 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} - H04R 2460/03: Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A playback system includes headphones worn on a user's body and converting an electrical signal into sound and a playback apparatus supplying the electrical signal to the headphones. The headphones include first and second electrodes provided in first and second converters, respectively, so as to be in contact with the user's body. The first converter converts the electrical signal in a right channel into sound. The second converter converts the electrical signal in a left channel into sound. The playback apparatus includes measuring means for measuring a resistance or a capacitance between the first and second electrodes, determination means for determining whether or not the headphones are being worn on the user's body in accordance with the resistance or the capacitance measured by the measuring means, and control means for controlling a state of the playback apparatus in accordance with the determination result of the determination means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An information processing apparatus, comprising: a power supply configured to operate in a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode; a user interface; sound playback circuitry; measurement circuitry configured to measure an electrical condition and output a first electrical signal based on a result of the measurement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the power supply between the first power supply mode and the second power supply mode in response to the first electrical signal, wherein in a case where the power supply is operating in the first power supply mode, the power supply is configured to supply power to the user interface and to the sound playback circuitry, and in a case where the power supply is operating in the second power supply mode, the power supply is configured to supply power to the user interface but not to the sound playback circuitry. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the case where the power supply is operating in the second power supply mode, the power supply is configured to not supply power to any part of the information processing apparatus other than the user interface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement circuitry is configured to repeatedly perform the measurement at a predetermined time interval. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement circuitry is configured to constantly perform the measurement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical condition is a resistance between a first earpiece and a second earpiece through a user body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the measurement circuitry includes a bridge circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical condition is a capacitance between a first earpiece and a second earpiece through a user body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to generate a second electrical signal in response to a user input; and the controller is configured to automatically switch the power supply between the first power supply mode and the second power supply mode in response to the second electrical signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the case where the power supply is operating in the first power supply mode, the sound playback circuitry is configured to generate a sound signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory card configured to store music signals. ### Claim 11 A method of operating an information processing apparatus including a power supply configured to operate in a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode, a user interface, sound playback circuitry, measurement circuitry, and a controller, the method comprising: measuring an electrical condition and outputting a first electrical signal by the measurement circuitry based on a result of the measurement; automatically switching the power supply by the controller between the first power supply mode and the second power supply mode in response to the first electrical signal; in a case where the power supply is operating in the first power supply mode, supplying power from the power supply to the user interface and to the sound playback circuitry; and in a case where the power supply is operating in the second power supply mode, supplying power from the power supply to the user interface but not to the sound playback circuitry. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising: in the case where the power supply is operating in the second power supply mode, not supplying power from the power supply to any part of the information processing apparatus other than the user interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising repeatedly performing the measurement at a predetermined time interval. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising constantly performing the measurement. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrical condition is a resistance between a first earpiece and a second earpiece through a user body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the measurement circuitry includes a bridge circuit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrical condition is a capacitance between a first earpiece and a second earpiece through a user body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising: generating a second electrical signal by the user interface in response to a user input; and automatically switching the power supply by the controller between the first power supply mode and the second power supply mode in response to the second electrical signal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising: in the case where the power supply is operating in the first power supply mode, generating a sound signal by the sound playback circuitry. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises a memory card configured to store music signals.