JP2005032106A - Information output device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output music information from a music information output source prior to personal computer sound information on the basis of an output operation to the music information output source. <P>SOLUTION: This information output device is provided with a TUNER block 31, a CD block 32, an MD block 33 and a TAPE block 34, an operation means 17 operating output of the blocks 31-34, a control microcomputer 15 controlling the output of a volume IC 16 based on the operation information D1 from the operation means 17 and a selector 13 selecting and outputting either of an audio output signal Saud outputted from the volume IC16 or a personal computer sound signal Susb outputted from a personal computer 1. The control microcomputer 15 selects the audio output Saud from the volumes IC 16 when the operation information D1 is detected, and controls the selector 13 to select the personal computer sound signal Susb from the personal computer 1 when the operation information D1 is not detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information output apparatus and an information output method suitable for application to audio equipment with a built-in USB speaker capable of outputting sound information from a personal computer through a USB speaker.

  Specifically, when outputting arbitrary music information or the like from a speaker, a control means for controlling the output of the music information output source based on the operation information is provided, and operation information for operating the output of the music information output source is detected. When the operation information is detected, the selection unit is configured to select the music information output from the music information output source, and when the operation information is not detected, select the computer sound information output from the personal computer. When the output operation is performed for the music information output source, the music information from the music information output source can be output in preference to the personal computer sound information.

  In recent years, USB devices that can be connected to a personal computer are often used for peripheral devices such as audio devices, digital cameras, scanners, printers, and television receivers (visual devices). The USB communication standard is standard on current personal computers, and allows a maximum of 127 peripheral devices to be connected in a star shape to one port via a USB hub. In addition, USB devices can connect and disconnect peripheral devices with the power on.

  Peripheral devices such as a keyboard and a mouse connected to this type of USB device are relatively low-speed devices, and two types of communication speeds of 1.5 Mbps and 12 Mbps are prepared. Currently, according to the USB 2.0 standard, the transfer speed is improved to 360 Mbps to 480 Mbps, high-speed data transfer is possible, and music data and image data can also be transferred.

  By the way, conventional USB speakers are usually sold as products only with the USB speaker function. According to the USB speaker function, the sound data input from the personal computer to the USB device via the USB interface is output from the speaker without any sound output control other than volume control. An audio device incorporating this type of USB speaker function is disclosed, but this USB speaker function is incorporated in the audio device as one of the functions.

  Regarding this type of audio output control, Patent Document 1 discloses an audio signal output control method in a computer system. According to this audio signal output control method, an audio terminal to which an optical interface is applied is provided in a computer system, and an optical interface plug of an external audio system is connected to the audio terminal. In this audio system, the presence / absence of plug connection is detected, and a jack discrimination signal based on the detection result of “plug connection” is notified to the PCI / MPEG decoder. Thereafter, the audio data is prohibited from being output from the PCI / MPEG decoder to the AUDIO bus. It is made so that.

  As a result, DVD audio can be reproduced with high-quality sound in an external audio system without affecting sound output such as system beep sound by the built-in speaker.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an information processing apparatus with a built-in speaker. According to this information processing device, a plurality of speakers can be pulled out on the side surface of the casing of the information processing device and arranged in a rotatable mechanism, and the user can freely set the positions of these speakers according to the use of the information processing device. It is what I did.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a panel type speaker device. According to this speaker device, since the structure of the speaker can be reduced by using the lid of the housing device as a diaphragm of the speaker, it is possible to reduce the size of the portable terminal device with built-in speaker. it can.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-134168 (page 3 in FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-120354 (page 3 in FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-215580 (FIG. 1 on page 4)

  The audio device incorporating the USB speaker function according to the conventional example has the following problems.

  i. When using an existing speaker as a USB speaker, including the information processing apparatus and the speaker apparatus of Patent Documents 1 to 3, in addition to connecting the personal computer to a USB device, etc. by turning the power switch “POWER ON” The key operation must be performed to set a function dedicated to the USB speaker.

  ii. Therefore, extra key operations increase in an audio device with a built-in USB speaker function. As in conventional USB speakers, the current situation is that the USB cable is simply connected to a USB device and the power switch is “POWER-ON” so that it can be used easily.

  iii. By the way, as a specification of this type of audio equipment, the USB speaker function is always operated regardless of the function such as CD or MD (hereinafter referred to as music information output source) while the power switch is “POWER ON”. A method to play the sound of a personal computer can be considered. According to this method, it is possible to listen to the sound of a personal computer just by connecting a USB cable and immediately “POWER ON” the power switch in the same manner as a conventional USB speaker. However, according to this method, the sound of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as personal computer sound information) is suddenly interrupted and mixed during music playback of CD, MD, and TAPE, or while receiving a radio broadcast by a tuner. A situation is possible.

  Therefore, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and enables music information from a music information output source to be output in preference to personal computer sound information based on an output operation to the music information output source. An object is to provide an information output device and an information output method.

  The above-described problem is an apparatus that outputs arbitrary information, and includes an information output source, an operation unit that operates output of the information output source, and operation information is input from the operation unit and information is output based on the operation information. The control means for controlling the output of the source and the first information outputted from the information output source by the control means or the second information outputted from other than the information output source is selected and outputted. Selecting means, and the control means detects the operation information output from the operation means, and when the operation information is detected from the operation means, selects the first information output from the information output source, When the operation information is not detected from the means, the information output apparatus is characterized in that the selection means is controlled to select the second information output from other than the information output source.

  According to the information output apparatus of the present invention, when outputting arbitrary information, for example, as an information output source, a reproducing means for reproducing a music recording disk or a tape recording medium, or a tuner means for receiving an existing broadcast program Is provided. The operating means is configured to operate the output of an information output source such as a reproducing means or a tuner means by the user. The control means inputs operation information from the operation means, and controls the output of the information output source based on the operation information. The selection unit selects and outputs either the first information output from the information output source by the control unit or the second information output from other than the information output source.

  Based on this assumption, the control means detects the operation information output from the operation means, and when the operation information is detected from the operation means, selects the first information output from the information output source, When the operation information is not detected from the means, the selection means is controlled so as to select the second information output from other than the information output source.

  Therefore, when an output operation is performed on the information output source, the first information can be output from the information output source in preference to the second information from other than the information output source (priority output function). In addition, when the output operation for the information output source is not performed, the second information other than the information output source can be output. Therefore, when this priority output function is incorporated in an audio device with a built-in USB speaker, any function can always play the sound of the USB speaker as long as the power switch of the device is turned on. As with speakers, music information can be output and controlled simply by turning on / off a power switch of an audio device or the like.

  An information output method according to the present invention is a method for outputting information from a first information output source or information from a second information output source other than the information output source, and at least the first information output source. When the output operation for the first information output source is detected, the information output from the first information output source is selected and the output operation for the first information output source is not detected. In this case, the information output from the second information output source is selected.

  According to the information output method of the present invention, when the information from the first information output source or the information from the second information output source other than the information output source is output, the output to the first information output source When an operation is performed, information from the first information output source can be output in preference to information output from the second information output source (priority output function). In addition, when the output operation for the first information output source is not performed, the information from the second information output source can be output. Therefore, this priority output function can be sufficiently applied to an audio device with a built-in USB speaker.

  As described above, according to the information output device of the present invention, when arbitrary information is output, the information output device includes control means for controlling the output of the information output source based on the operation information. Operation information for operating the output of the output source is detected. When this operation information is detected, the first information output from the information output source is selected. When the operation information is not detected, information output is performed. The selection means is controlled so as to select the second information output from other than the source.

  With this configuration, when an output operation is performed on the information output source, the first information can be output from the information output source in preference to the second information from other than the information output source (priority output function). ). In addition, when the output operation for the information output source is not performed, the second information other than the information output source can be output. Therefore, when this priority output function is incorporated in an audio device with a built-in USB speaker, any function can always play the sound of the USB speaker as long as the power switch of the device is turned on. As with speakers, music information can be output and controlled simply by turning on / off a power switch of an audio device or the like.

  According to the information output method of the present invention, when outputting information from the first information output source or information from a second information output source other than the information output source, at least the first information output source When the output operation for the first information output source is detected, the information output from the first information output source is selected and the output operation for the first information output source is not detected. In this case, the information output from the second information output source is selected.

  With this configuration, when an output operation is performed on the first information output source, the information output from the first information output source can be output in preference to the information output from the second information output source. Yes (priority output function). In addition, when the output operation for the first information output source is not performed, the information from the second information output source can be output. Therefore, this priority output function can be sufficiently applied to an audio device with a built-in USB speaker.

Subsequently, an embodiment of an information output apparatus and an information output method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an application example of an audio device 2 as an embodiment according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, when arbitrary music information or the like is output, the control means for controlling the output of the music information output source based on the operation information is provided, and the operation information for operating the output of the music information output source is detected. If the operation information is detected, the music information output from the music information output source is selected. If the operation information is not detected, the personal computer sound information output from other than the music information output source is selected. When the selection means is controlled so that an output operation is performed on the music information output source, the music information from the music information output source can be output in preference to the personal computer sound information.

  The audio device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an information output device, and is a device that outputs audio information as an example of arbitrary information. The audio equipment 2 has a USB (universal serial bus) terminal (not shown), and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 1 is directly connected to a USB communication standard communication cable (hereinafter referred to as a USB cable 3). Is made to handle. USB is a serial data transfer standard for low and medium speeds. The USB cable 3 is used for connecting various peripheral devices such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  The audio device 2 includes an audio device main body 21 and left and right channel speakers 4 and 5, and is a compact disc (hereinafter referred to as a CD), a mini disc (hereinafter referred to as an MD), or a tape recording, which is an example of a music recording disc. A cassette tape (hereinafter referred to as TAPE) as an example of a medium is reproduced, or an existing broadcast program is received by tuner means (hereinafter referred to as TUNER).

  The audio device main body 21 is provided with an operation panel 22. The operation panel 22 includes a power switch 23, a volume control volume 24, a function switch 25, an operation button 26, a display block 27, a CD mounting means 41, an MD mounting means 42, a TAPE mounting means (not shown), and the like. I have. The function changer 25 selects a function such as TUNER, CD, MD, or TAPE.

  The audio device 2 has a USB speaker function in addition to a sound or music playback function such as CD, MD, TAPE, and TUNER. The USB speaker function refers to a method of using the existing speakers 4 and 5 to function as USB speakers. In this case, when the power switch 23 is turned on (POWER-ON), the USB speaker function can always be operated, and the audio device 2 can be set to play the sound information output from the personal computer 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the audio device 2. In FIG. 2, solid line arrows indicate the flow of data, and broken line arrows indicate the flow of control signals. The audio device 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes an operation unit 17 including a power switch 23, a volume adjustment volume 24, a function switch 25, and a tuning button 26, and is an example of a first information output source. Are used to manipulate the outputs of the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34.

  A control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a control microcomputer) 15 as an example of a control means is connected to the operation means 17. A TUNER block 31, a CD block 32, an MD block 33, and a TAPE block 34 are connected to the control microcomputer 15.

  The TUNER block 31 receives an existing broadcast program based on the tuner control signal S1 from the control microcomputer 15 and the operation of the tuning button 26 provided on the operation panel 22, and outputs a radio output signal Stu. . Regarding broadcast programs, AM broadcast, FM broadcast, television broadcast, and the like are targeted.

  The CD block 32 reproduces a compact disc (CD) (not shown) loaded in the CD mounting means 41 provided on the operation panel 22 based on the CD control signal S2 from the control microcomputer 15 and the operation of the function switch 25. Then, the CD reproduction signal Scd is output. A music CD is used for the compact disc.

  Similarly, the MD block 33 reproduces an MD (not shown) loaded in the MD mounting means 42 based on the MD control signal S3 from the control microcomputer 15 and the operation of the function switch 25, and outputs an MD reproduction signal Smd. To be made. Music MD is used for the minidisc.

  Similarly, the TAPE block 34 reproduces a cassette tape (not shown) loaded in the TAPE mounting means based on the tape control signal S4 from the control microcomputer 15 and the operation of the function switch 25, and outputs a tape reproduction signal Sta. To be made. A music cassette is used as the cassette tape.

  A volume IC 16 is connected to the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34, and the above-described radio output signal Stu, CD reproduction signal Scd, MD reproduction signal Smd, and tape reproduction signal Sta are input. . The volume IC 16 performs switching of the audio signal input source and equalizing processing. For example, based on the volume control signal S5 from the control microcomputer 15 and the operation of the volume 24 provided on the operation panel 22, the radio output signal Stu, the CD reproduction signal Scd, the MD reproduction signal Smd, the tape reproduction signal Sta, etc. The volume is adjusted. In this example, a signal whose volume is adjusted by the volume IC 16 is referred to as an audio output signal (first information) Saud.

  On the other hand, the audio device 2 is provided with a USB connector unit 11 and a USB-DAC unit 12 which are examples of information processing means. Both are USB devices based on the USB communication standard for processing information output from the personal computer (PC) 1. The personal computer 1 is an example of a second information output source. The second information output source is a target other than the information output source such as the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34. A personal computer 1 is connected to the USB connector unit 11.

  The USB connector unit 11 and the personal computer 1 are connected by a USB cable 3 as shown in FIG. The USB cable 3 is composed of four signal lines. A Vbus signal is transmitted to the first signal line, USB signals + D and −D such as personal computer sound information (second information) are transmitted to the second and third signal lines, and the fourth signal line is To the ground potential (GND).

  The USB connector unit 11 receives a Vbus signal from the personal computer 1, detects the Vbus signal, and detects whether or not the USB cable 3 is connected. The existence of the audio device 2 is automatically confirmed by the operating system of the personal computer 1, and necessary device drivers are automatically incorporated. Thereby, the incorporation of the audio device 2 in the personal computer 1 is greatly simplified.

  The USB connector unit 11 is connected to a USB-DAC unit (with a USB controller) 12 for converting a USB signal such as personal computer sound information received from the personal computer 1 or amplifying the personal computer sound signal Susb after the signal conversion. Or, based on the communication control signal S6 from the control microcomputer 15, the USB protocol management based on the USB communication standard is performed.

  The above-described volume IC 16 and USB-DAC unit 12 are connected to a selector 13 as an example of a selection unit, and an audio output signal Saud output from the volume IC 16 or a personal computer sound output from the USB-DAC unit 12. One of the signals Susb is selected and output based on the selection control signal S7 from the control microcomputer 15. Hereinafter, the selection control signal S7 is also referred to as a SEL-CON port output.

  As the selector 13, an IC having a 2-input / 1-output selection function or a switch composed of transistors is used. The selector 13 selects whether to output either the audio output signal Saud or the personal computer sound signal Susb to the audio processing (amplifier) unit 14.

  An audio processing unit 14 is connected to the selector 13, and the audio output signal Saud or the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the selector 13 is amplified based on the audio control signal S8 from the control microcomputer 15, Audio processing such as stereo processing is performed on the audio output signal Saud. The left and right channel speakers 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the audio processing unit 14 so as to output sound and music related to a broadcast program, CD playback sound, MD playback sound, and TAPE playback sound. Made.

  In this example, the control microcomputer 15 performs power management and operation control by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each IC and block. For example, the operation information D1 is input from the operation means 17, and the output of the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, the TAPE block 34, and the like is controlled based on the operation information D1. In this example, the control microcomputer 15 detects the operation information D1 output from the operation means 17 while the power switch 23 is turned on.

  For example, when the power switch 23 is turned on but no operation is performed, that is, when the operation information D1 is not input from the operation unit 17, the control microcomputer 15 sends a communication control signal S6 to the USB-DAC unit 12. The USB-DAC unit 12 is controlled to output and permit the output operation. At the same time, the control microcomputer 15 controls the selection control signal S7 to be output to the selector 13 so that the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the personal computer 1 is selected.

  If the operation information D1 from the operation means 17 is detected while the selector 13 has already selected the personal computer sound signal Susb, the control microcomputer 15 stops the output operation of the USB-DAC unit 12. The communication control signal S6 is output to control the USB-DAC section 12, and the selector 13 is switched so as to select the audio output signal Saud from the selection state of the personal computer sound signal Susb.

  For example, when the operation of the TUNER block 31 is selected based on the operation information D1, the volume of the radio output signal Stu output from the TUNER block 31 to the volume IC 16 is adjusted as a result of this switching control. The audio output signal Saud is input from the volume IC 16 through the selector 13 to the audio processing unit 14. When the operation of the CD block 32 is selected, the volume of the CD playback signal Scd output from the CD block 32 to the volume IC 16 is adjusted, and the audio output signal Saud after the volume adjustment passes through the selector 13 from the volume IC 16. Input to the audio processing unit 14.

  When the operation of the MD block 33 is selected, the volume of the MD playback signal Smd output from the MD block 33 to the volume IC 16 is adjusted, and the audio output signal Saud after the volume adjustment passes through the selector 13 from the volume IC 16. Input to the audio processing unit 14. Alternatively, when the operation of the TAPE block 34 is selected, the volume of the tape reproduction signal Sta output from the TAPE block 34 to the volume IC 16 is adjusted, and the audio output signal Saud after the volume adjustment passes through the selector 13 from the volume IC 16. And input to the audio processing unit 14.

  With this configuration, in addition to the personal computer sound information input from the personal computer 1 to the USB-DAC unit 12, such as playing CDs, MDs, and TAPEs, or operating the TUNER block 31, a sound should be output (played). If there is an audio output signal Saud, the signal is output from the speakers 4 and 5 with priority, and the USB-DAC section 12 does not output the personal computer sound information output so far from the speakers 4 and 5. be able to.

  In addition, even when the CD, MD, and TAPE functions are being executed, the audio output signal Saud to be output in the POWER-ON state and to be sounded (played), such as when playback is stopped or when there is no media, is generated. If not, the personal computer sound information input from the personal computer 1 to the USB-DAC unit 12 can be output from the speakers 4 and 5.

  The control microcomputer 15 is connected to a display block 27 as an example of a display means, and displays contents indicating that the personal computer sound signal Susb or the audio output signal Saud is selected. As the display method, character display, LED display, image display, or the like is adopted.

  For example, when personal computer sound information is selected, the characters “USB” are displayed, or a specific color LED is lit. When the audio output signal Saud is selected, characters “CD”, “MD”, and “TUNER” are displayed, and LEDs of other colors are lit. Alternatively, icons representing the respective functions are displayed. Thereby, it is possible to visually check whether the information output source currently output from the speakers 4 and 5 is from the audio device 2 or the personal computer 1.

  Next, an operation example of the selector 13 in the audio device 2 will be described. 3 shows an operation example of the selector 13 when the selection control signal (SEL-CON port output) S7 = “L” level, and FIG. 4 shows an operation example of the selector 13 when the SEL-CON port output S7 = “H” level. FIG.

  The selector 13 shown in FIG. 3 is controlled from the control microcomputer 15 by a selection control signal S7. According to the signal content examples from the volume IC 16 and the USB-DAC unit 12, when the SEL-CON port output S7 is at a low level (hereinafter referred to as "L" level), the personal computer sound from the USB-DAC unit 12 The signal Susb is selected and passed through the selector (output port) 13.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the SEL-CON port output S7 is at a high level (hereinafter referred to as “H” level), the audio output signal Saud from the volume IC 16 is selected and passed through the selector 13. In addition, when the S7 = “H” level is input to the selector 13, an “SEL-MIX” signal mode is prepared in which two input signals are added and output. As an example, a case where either one of the personal computer sound signal Susb or the audio output signal Saud is selected and passed through the output port will be described as an example.

  Table 1 shows an example of the relationship between the state of the audio device 2, the SEL-CON port output S7, the personal computer sound signal Susb, and the audio output signal Saud. Regarding the state of the audio device 2, “POWER ON”, “CD stop or CD not mounted (No Disc)”, “MD stop or MD not mounted (No Disc)”, “TAPE stopped or TAPE not mounted (No Disc)” ”,“ TUNER reception ”,“ CD playback or pause (Pause) ”,“ MD playback or pause (Pause) ”, and“ TAPE playback or pause (Pause) ”. In the table, “o” represents output port passage, and “x” represents output port blocking.

  As described above, normally, the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the USB-DAC unit 12 is selected and output to the audio processing unit 14 while the SEL-CON port output S7 is set to the “L” level. Also, when not playing the computer sound information input from the personal computer 1 from the speakers 4 and 5 during CD, MD, and TAPE playback or during the TUNER operation, S7 = “H” level is output to the selector 13. Thus, the output of the USB-DAC unit 12 is not input to the audio processing unit 14. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a situation in which the sound from the personal computer 1 is mixed and cannot be heard, such as when listening to music by playing a CD.

  Next, an audio output control method in the audio device 2 will be described for the information output method according to the present invention. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of audio output control in the audio device 2.

  In this example, it is assumed that the audio output signal Saud from the volume IC (first information output source) 16 or the personal computer sound signal Susb from the personal computer (second information output source) 1 is output. When an output operation for the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34 is detected, and an output operation for the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34 is detected, the volume is detected. The audio output signal Saud output from the IC 16 is selected. Further, when an output operation for the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34 is not detected, it is assumed that the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the personal computer 1 is selected.

  With this as a sound output control condition, the "POWER ON" of the power switch 23 is waited at step A1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The user operates the power switch 23 of the operation panel 22 shown in FIG. When the power switch 23 is “POWER ON”, the process proceeds to step A2.

  In step A2, the control microcomputer 15 sets the transition destination to the last function. The last function refers to a function such as TUNER, CD, MD, or TAPE that was finally selected by the function switcher 25 at the previous “POWER OFF”. Information regarding the last function is stored in a non-volatile memory in the control microcomputer 15, and a transition destination is set by referring to this information when “POWER ON”.

  Then, the process proceeds to step A3, and the control microcomputer 15 refers to the nonvolatile memory to determine whether the transition destination is “TUNER”. When the transition destination is “TUNER”, the process proceeds to step A4, and the selection control signal S7 = “H” level is output to the selector 13. At this time, the control microcomputer 15 outputs a communication control signal S6, for example, “L” level to the USB-DAC unit 12, and controls the USB-DAC unit 12 to stop the output operation. Thereby, the output of the USB-DAC part 12 is interrupted | blocked (refer FIG. 4).

  Since the operation of the TUNER block 31 is selected, the volume of the radio output signal Stu output from the TUNER block 31 to the volume IC 16 is adjusted, and the audio output signal Saud after the volume adjustment passes from the volume IC 16 to the selector 13. And input to the audio processing unit 14. As a result, sound and music related to the broadcast program are output from the speakers 4 and 5.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A5, where the control microcomputer 15 monitors whether the function switch 25 is operated (transitioned). When the function does not transition, the operation monitoring of the function switch 25 is continued. If the function has transitioned, the process proceeds to step A6 to determine whether the power switch 23 has been “POWER OFF”. If the power switch 23 is “POWER OFF”, the process returns to step A1. If the power switch 23 is not “POWER OFF”, the process returns to step A3.

  For example, when the transition destination is not “TUNER” in step A3, the process proceeds to step A7, and the selection control signal S7 = “L” level is output to the selector 13. At this time, the control microcomputer 15 outputs a communication control signal S 6, for example, “H” level to the USB-DAC unit 12. Accordingly, the output operation of the USB-DAC unit 12 is permitted, and the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the personal computer 1 passes through the selector 13 and is output to the audio processing unit 14. As a result, the speakers 4 and 5 output personal computer sound information (see FIG. 3).

  Here, if the user mounts a CD and reproduces the CD, the process proceeds to step A8 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the control microcomputer 15 determines whether or not the reproduction of the CD function is started. Whether or not the CD function reproduction is started is determined by detecting pressing of the operation button 26 or the like on the operation panel 22. When the CD function reproduction is started, the process proceeds to step A9, and the selection control signal S7 = “H” level is output to the selector 13. At this time, the control microcomputer 15 outputs the communication control signal S 6 = “L” level to the USB-DAC unit 12. As a result, the output operation of the USB-DAC unit 12 is stopped and the output of the USB-DAC unit 12 is shut off (see FIG. 4).

  Since the operation of the CD block 32 is selected, the volume of the CD playback signal Scd output from the CD block 32 to the volume IC 16 is adjusted, and the audio output signal Saud after the volume adjustment passes from the volume IC 16 to the selector 13. And input to the audio processing unit 14. As a result, the speakers 4 and 5 output music related to CD playback.

  Thereafter, the process goes to step A10, and the control microcomputer 15 determines whether or not the CD reproduction is stopped. Whether or not the CD reproduction is stopped is determined by detecting pressing of the operation button 26 or the like on the operation panel 22. When the CD reproduction is stopped, the process proceeds to step A11, and the selection control signal S7 = "L" level is output to the selector 13. At this time, the control microcomputer 15 outputs the communication control signal S 6 = “H” level to the USB-DAC unit 12. Accordingly, the output operation of the USB-DAC unit 12 is permitted, and the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the personal computer 1 passes through the selector 13 and is output to the audio processing unit 14. As a result, the speakers 4 and 5 output personal computer sound information (see FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A12 to monitor whether the function has changed. If the function does not transition, the process returns to step A8 and the above-described processing is repeated. If the function has changed, the process returns to step A6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 to determine whether the power switch 23 has been “POWER OFF”. If the power switch 23 is “POWER OFF”, the process returns to step A1. If the power switch 23 is not “POWER OFF”, the process returns to step A3.

  As described above, according to the information output device and the information output method as the embodiment of the present invention, when the audio device 2 outputs arbitrary sound information from the speakers 4 and 5, the control microcomputer 15 operates the operation means 17. When the last function stored in the non-volatile memory is detected and the last function is detected, or when the operation information D1 is detected from the operation means 17, the TUNER block 31 or the CD block The audio output signal Saud output from 32 etc. is selected. Further, when the operation information D1 is not detected from the operation means 17, the control microcomputer 15 controls the selector 13 so as to select the personal computer sound signal Susb output from the personal computer 1.

  Therefore, when an output operation is performed on the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34, the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, and the MD block have priority over the personal computer sound information from the personal computer 1. The audio output signal Saud can be output from the 33 or TAPE block 34 (priority output function). When no output operation is performed on the TUNER block 31, the CD block 32, the MD block 33, and the TAPE block 34, the personal computer sound information from the personal computer 1 can be output.

  Therefore, if the power switch 23 of the audio device 2 is in the “POWER ON” state, any function such as “CD stop or No Disc”, “MD stop or No Disc”, “TAPE stop or NoTAPE” Computer sound information can always be output from a USB speaker, and music information can be output and controlled simply by turning the power switch on and off, just like a conventional USB speaker. It is possible to provide an audio device 2 having a built-in USB speaker function that always operates the USB speaker function when the “ON” state is set and sounds the sound of the personal computer 1.

  In addition, the USB speaker output is automatically cut off when it is desired to turn off the sound of the personal computer 1 (such as when the user wants to listen to music by playing a CD, MD, or TAPE). If the user does not bother to turn “OFF” the USB speaker and play the disc or cassette tape he / she wants to listen to, the USB speaker function is automatically turned “OFF” and only the music such as the disc is played. I can listen. If it is possible to make the computer 1 sound, simply turn off the USB speaker and automatically turn on the USB speaker to return the computer 1 sound to the USB speaker again. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the case of a stereo audio device has been described with respect to the information output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a single audio device. In addition, sound information has been described as information, but this information output method can also be applied to image information. In the case of image information, the output device is a display device instead of a speaker.

  The present invention is very suitable when applied to audio equipment with a built-in USB speaker capable of sounding sound information from a personal computer with a USB speaker.

It is a system figure showing an example of application of audio equipment 2 as an embodiment concerning the present invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an audio device 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the operation example of the selector 13 at the time of selection control signal (SEL-CON port output) S7 = "L" level. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an operation example of the selector 13 when the SEL-CON port output S7 = “H” level. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example (part 1) of audio output control in the audio device 2; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example (part 2) of audio output control in the audio device 2;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer (2nd information output source), 2 ... Audio equipment (information output device), 3 ... USB cable, 11 ... USB connector part, 12 ... USB-DAC part ( Information processing means), 13 ... Selector (selection means), 15 ... Control microcomputer (control means), 17 ... Operating means, 23 ... Power switch, 27 ... Display block (display means) 31 ... TUNER block (first information output source), 32 ... CD block (first information output source), 33 ... MD block (first information output source), 34 ... TAPE block (first information output source)

Claims (10)

A device that outputs arbitrary information,
An information output source;
Operating means for operating the output of the information output source;
Control means for inputting operation information from the operation means and controlling the output of the information output source based on the operation information;
Selecting means for selecting and outputting either the first information output from the information output source by the control means or the second information output from other than the information output source;
The control means includes
When the operation information output from the operation means is detected, and the operation information is detected from the operation means, the first information output from the information output source is selected, and the operation information is detected from the operation means. If not, the information output device controls the selection means so as to select the second information output from other than the information output source. The selection means includes
Information processing means for processing second information output from other than the information output source is connected,
The control means includes
When the operation information from the operation means is not detected, the information processing means is controlled to allow an output operation, and the selection means is controlled to select the second information,
When the operation information from the operation means is detected, the information processing means is controlled to stop the output operation, and the selection state of the second information is switched to the selection state of the first information. The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is controlled as described above. The information output source includes
Reproducing means for reproducing a music recording disk or tape recording medium;
The information output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising tuner means for receiving an existing broadcast program. Second information other than the information output source is information output from a personal computer,
The information processing means includes
The information output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a USB device based on a USB communication standard that processes information output from the personal computer.   The information output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying contents indicating that the first information or the second information is selected. A method for outputting information from a first information output source or information from a second information output source other than the information output source,
Detecting at least an output operation with respect to the first information output source;
When an output operation for the first information output source is detected,
Selecting information output from the first information output source;
An information output method comprising: selecting information output from the second information output source when an output operation for the first information output source is not detected. If an output operation for the first information output source is not detected, process information output from the second information output source, and select information output from the second information output source,
If an output operation for the first information output source is detected, the information output from the second information output source is not processed, and the information output from the first information output source is selected. The information output method according to claim 6. The first information output source includes
Reproducing means for reproducing a music recording disk or tape recording medium;
7. The information output method according to claim 6, further comprising tuner means for receiving an existing broadcast program. The information output from the second information output source is information output from a personal computer,
7. The information output method according to claim 6, wherein a USB device based on a USB communication standard for processing information output from the personal computer is included. The information output method according to claim 6, wherein a content indicating that the information output from the first or second information output source is selected is displayed.

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