JP2001057064A - Player - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a player incorporate a higher-degree timer function in an audio player. SOLUTION: This player is made to be a player which is provided with a storage means 18a storing data of electronic sounds and which makes sounds based on the data of the electronic sounds stored in the storage means 18 to be outputted from speakers 17L, 17R when the time preliminarily set by an operation in an operation means. At this time, for example, when electronic sounds are made to be outputted during reproducing audio, the player makes the audio to be muted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus suitable for reproducing an audio disk, a tape cassette, a radio broadcast, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An audio signal source such as an audio disk reproducing unit such as a compact disk (CD), a tape cassette reproducing unit, and a radio receiving unit is provided in one housing. 2. Description of the Related Art Various types of audio reproducing devices have been commercialized in which audio signals from a computer are subjected to reproduction processing such as amplification and output from a built-in speaker. In this case, the tape reproducing unit or the disk reproducing unit may have a recording function and may be configured as a recording and reproducing device.

In this type of conventional reproducing apparatus, a clock function is built-in, and when a preset time is reached, a standby function for reproducing a disk set in the disk reproducing section or when the set time is reached, reproduction is stopped. Some have a timer function such as a sleep function.

[0004]

Conventional timer functions such as a standby function and a sleep function are used, for example, when a playback device is placed on the bedside to wake up the user or when sleeping while listening to music. This is a function that is used, and its use range is limited.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention is to incorporate a more advanced timer function into this type of reproducing apparatus.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing electronic sound data, and when a predetermined time has elapsed by the operation of the operation means, the electronic sound stored in the storage means is stored. This is a playback device that outputs sound based on data from a speaker.

According to the present invention, the playback device functions as a countdown timer that outputs an electronic sound after the set time has elapsed.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an audio reproducing apparatus housed integrally in one housing. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an audio reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The following describes the configuration. An audio reproducing apparatus 10 includes a disk reproducing unit 11 for reproducing a digital audio disk, and a tape cassette for reproducing or reproducing a tape cassette. A tape recording / reproducing unit 12 for performing recording;
A tuner unit 13 for receiving a radio broadcast such as an AM broadcast (or a sound of a television broadcast) is provided as an audio signal source. An audio signal output from each of the audio signal sources 11, 12, and 13 is supplied to a preamplifier unit 14, and an audio signal from any one of the signal sources is selected under the control of a controller 18 that controls the operation of the reproducing apparatus. Processing such as amplification is performed on the selected audio signal.

The audio signal reproduced by the disk reproducing unit 11 is a digital audio signal, while the reproduced audio signal supplied to the preamplifier unit 14 is supplied as an audio signal converted into an analog signal.
When recording an audio signal on a tape cassette by the tape recording / reproducing unit 12, another audio signal source 1
The audio signal supplied from 1 or 13 to the preamplifier unit 14 is supplied to the tape recording / reproducing unit 12 under the control of the controller 18 and recorded on the tape cassette.

The audio signal processed by the preamplifier unit 14 is supplied to a sound control unit 15 and performs audio signal processing based on control data from a controller 18. For example, a reproduction volume adjustment process based on volume control data and a sound quality adjustment process based on reproduction sound mode data are performed. Further, based on a mute signal from the controller 18, a mute process for making the audio signal a mute state can be executed.

The audio signal processed by the sound control section 15 is supplied to a power amplifier section 16 to perform amplification processing for driving a speaker, and the amplified audio signal is transmitted to left and right speakers 17L and 17R.
And output. In FIG. 1, the signal path of the audio signal from the audio signal sources 11, 12, and 13 to the power amplifier 16 is shown as only one system.
Actually, signal paths and processing circuits for two channels are prepared so that left and right two-channel stereo audio signals can be processed.

The controller 18 for controlling the signal processing from the audio signal source to the speaker is constituted by a microcomputer, and is operated by the digital reproduction unit 11 based on the operation of various operation buttons 21 to 25 attached to the apparatus. Playback, recording and playback by the tape recording and playback unit 12, and control of reception of the radio broadcast by the tuner unit 13 are performed.
Adjustment of the volume, sound quality, and the like of the sound output from the speakers 17L and 17R is performed. In addition, a liquid crystal display panel 19 that can display various numbers, characters, and graphics under the control of the controller 18 is provided. Displays the operating status. In addition, a simple musical score is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 19 when a music piece is registered by a countdown timer function described later. Further, a light emitting diode 19a that is turned on under the control of the controller 18
Is provided. The light emitting diode 19a is turned on when a countdown timer function described later is executed.

An area for storing data relating to electronic sounds is set in a memory 18a incorporated in the controller 18 of this embodiment. Further, the controller 18 has a function of counting a preset time (for example, one minute to several tens of minutes) (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a countdown timer function), and when the set time is counted, The electronic sound data stored in the memory 18a is stored in the power amplifier unit 16 so that the electronic sound can be output from the left and right speakers 17L and 17R.

When the countdown timer function is executed, the electronic sounds output from the speakers 17L and 17R based on the data stored in the memory 18a include:
A plurality of types are prepared, and in addition to a simple warning sound (so-called buzzer sound), electronic sound data of a short tune of about several seconds is stored in advance. In addition, by operating a predetermined operation button, the user can also store electronic sound data of an arbitrary music. Also, when audio signals from any of the audio signal sources 11, 12, 13 are output and output from the speakers 17L, 17R,
When the electronic sound is output by the countdown timer function, the audio signal is temporarily muted under the control of the controller 18.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the audio reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. The audio reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is housed in a single housing, and has a disk mounting section 11a disposed at an upper portion. The disk mounted on the disk mounting section 11a is mounted on the disk reproducing section 11a.
Will be played back. The reproduction of the disc is executed by operating the disc operation button 21 arranged on the left side of the disc mounting section 11a. Also, on the right side of the disk mounting portion 11a,
A radio operation button 22 is arranged, and this radio operation button 2
By the operation 2, reception of a radio broadcast or the like in the tuner unit 13 is executed. Furthermore, left and right speakers 17L, 17R
The tape mounting portion 12a is disposed between the tape mounting portions 12a, and a tape operation button 23 is disposed below the tape mounting portion 12a. By operating the tape operation button 23, reproduction and recording of the mounted tape can be performed. It is configured to be executed by the tape recording / reproducing unit 12.

Tape mounting section 12a and disk mounting section 11
A display panel 19, a plurality of buttons 24, 25, 26 # for performing various settings such as a reproduction mode, and a light emitting diode 19a are arranged between the light emitting diode 19a. Some of the buttons 24, 25, 26 among the plurality of buttons are used for operating a countdown timer function. However, these buttons 24-26
Does not need to be a button dedicated to the countdown timer function, and may be used also as a button for instructing another reproduction operation, recording operation, or the like.

Next, in the audio reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment,
Processing when the countdown timer function is used will be described. First, the overall operation when the countdown timer function is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3. The controller 18 determines whether or not an operation for operating the countdown timer has been performed (step 101).

The operation of activating the countdown timer function is performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, by operating a predetermined button, a countdown time setting process (step 111), a setting process of the strength of the electronic sound to be sounded (step 112), and a selection process of the type of the sound to be sounded (step 113) are performed. .
The countdown time is set, for example, by the number of times the countdown timer button 24 is pressed.
Minutes, 2 minutes, 3 minutes}, or set by another button operation (for example, an operation of directly instructing a value using a numeric key for indicating a disk reproduction track). May be. The time set by the countdown timer function is displayed, for example, on the liquid crystal display panel 19 by numerals (for example, minutes and seconds). Regarding the strength of the electronic sound,
For example, two types, strong and weak, can be set. For the type of electronic sound, for example, a simple warning sound, an electronic sound based on a song stored in the memory 18a in the controller 18 in advance, and an electronic sound based on a song input by the user in a process described later can be selected. It is. A plurality of types of simple warning sounds may be prepared according to a sounding pattern or the like. However, if the user has not performed a song input operation,
Only a simple warning sound and an electronic sound of a prepared song can be selected. When performing these setting and selecting operations, the setting state is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 19.

Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 3, when it is determined in step 101 that the countdown timer is operated, the countdown from the time set in the controller 18 is started (step 102). Also, the light emitting diode 19a is turned on to notify that the countdown timer is operating.

After the start of the countdown, the time displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 19 is reduced by 1 second with the passage of time, and the controller 18 determines whether the value has become 0 minutes and 0 seconds ( That is, it is determined whether the set time has elapsed) (step 103). Here, when it is determined that the set time has elapsed and it is 0 minutes and 0 seconds, the current state of the apparatus causes the audio signals from any of the audio signal sources 11, 12, and 13 to be output from the speaker. It is determined whether or not the disc is being played (that is, the disc or tape is being reproduced or the broadcast is being received) (step 104). When the controller 18 determines that the audio signal is being output, the controller 18 controls the sound control unit 15 to mute the audio signal being output (that is, to control the audio signal to be in a silent state) (step 105).

When it is determined in step 104 that the audio is not being output, and after mute processing is performed in step 105, the electronic sound data of the type selected in step 113 is read out from the memory 18a, and the power amplifier section 16 and output from the speakers 17L and 17R at the level set in step 112 (step 106). When the output of the electronic sound is started, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time or a predetermined bar has been output from the start of the output (step 107). The output of the electronic sound is stopped (step 108). In step 107, for example, when a simple warning sound is output, it is determined whether or not 20 seconds have elapsed. When a warning sound for a stored song is output, a section serving as one delimiter (predetermined section) is output. It is determined whether or not the bar has been output. Before the operation proceeds to step 108 in the determination of step 107, if there is an operation to stop the electronic sound, for example, by operating the countdown timer button 24, etc.
Then, the output of the electronic sound is stopped. If there is an operation to stop before the electronic sound starts, the countdown can also be stopped at that time. Step 1
08, when the electronic sound is stopped, the light emitting diode 1
The lighting of 9a is also stopped.

When the output of the electronic sound is stopped in step 108, it is determined whether or not the current state is a state in which the audio output is muted (ie, whether the mute process is performed in step 105) (step 109). If it is determined that the muting is being performed, a process for canceling the muting is performed (step 110). And
When it is determined that the mute is not performed in Step 109,
After performing the mute release processing in step 110, the operation as a countdown timer is terminated.

Next, an example of a process for setting an arbitrary song when a song set by a user operation is used as the electronic sound to be sounded by the countdown timer function will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. First, when the music input mode is set by a predetermined operation, the first pitch of the music to be set is input by operating a predetermined button in the apparatus (step 121). For example, by operating the + and-buttons for presetting in the radio operation unit 22, a sound of an arbitrary pitch can be selected from among eight sounds (or thirteen sounds including semitones) from octave to octave higher than octave. Select At this time, the liquid crystal display panel 19
For example, the selected musical score is displayed on a staff notation. Next, the length of the input sound is input (step 122). For example, the length of a quarter note, eighth note, or the like is input by operating the + and-buttons for channel selection in the radio operation unit 22. Also at this time, the liquid crystal display panel 19
Is changed correspondingly.

Next, when the enter button is pressed (step 12)
3) The pitch and length of one sound are determined, and it is determined whether or not composition (input of music) is completed (step 124). If not completed, the process returns to step 121 to return to the next sound. Make the input. In this way, a song of a certain length is input one by one, and data of the input sound is stored in the controller 1.
8 is stored in the memory 18a. When it is determined in step 124 that the input of the music has been completed, by pressing the countdown button (step 125), the electronic sound data of the input music is read out, and the speakers 17L and 17R are read out.
And allows the user to confirm the input tune (step 126).

In this confirmation, the user is made to judge whether the input music is good or not (step 127). When it is judged that the music is good, the input processing of the music is ended. At this time, some confirmation operation may be performed. If the confirmed music is not good, the user is instructed by the operation of the enter button or the like to indicate the portion where the musical score to be corrected is displayed (step 12).
8) Return to step 121 to re-execute the sound input operation.

As described above, according to the audio reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, a function as a countdown timer is incorporated so that an electronic sound is emitted when the set time has elapsed, so that the time can be easily measured. . For example, cooking time can be easily measured while listening to music. In this case, as a configuration newly required due to the provision of a function as a countdown timer, a memory 18a having a small storage capacity for storing data of an electronic sound to be output is provided in the controller 18, and the controller 18 operates as a countdown timer. It is only necessary to set to perform the control processing of the above, and the button for performing the operation may also be used as another button prepared in advance in the playback device, and the display panel 19 for displaying the time also displays the performance time and the like. Since the panel 19 can be used, a countdown timer can be incorporated with almost no increase in cost as a reproducing apparatus.

Further, when the electronic sound as the countdown timer is sounded, the audio being output is muted, so that the electronic sound is not obstructed by the music being played back, so that the user can reliably hear the electronic sound. Can be notified that time has passed.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, any music can be inputted as the electronic sound to be played as the countdown timer, so that the desired music can be played as the electronic sound.

In the above-described embodiment, the countdown timer is incorporated in an audio reproducing apparatus configured as a reproducing apparatus (recording / reproducing apparatus) including a disk reproducing section, a tape recording / reproducing section, and a broadcast receiving section. But,
It goes without saying that the same function may be incorporated in other playback devices.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the playback device functions as a countdown timer that outputs an electronic sound after the set time has elapsed, such as measuring the time required for some kind of cooking. Processing can be easily performed using a playback device. In this case, as a configuration newly required as a countdown timer, only storage means having a small storage capacity for storing data of an electronic sound to be output and control means for outputting the prepared electronic sound are provided. As for the control means, it is only necessary to set the control means prepared in advance in the reproducing apparatus to perform the corresponding processing, so that the countdown timer can be incorporated without increasing the cost as the reproducing apparatus almost. become.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, the storage means can store data of a plurality of types of electronic sounds, and at least one of the stored data of the electronic sounds is , By operating the operation means,
By using the electronic sound data set with a combination of sounds of arbitrary pitches and lengths, the user's favorite music can be sounded as a countdown warning sound.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the set time has elapsed, the control means determines that the audio signal from the audio signal source is being output from the speaker. Then, by muting the output of the audio signal to output the electronic sound, the electronic sound as the warning sound can be reliably heard even with the audio output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the shape of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a countdown timer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a countdown timer setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for setting an arbitrary music piece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 10 denotes an audio reproducing device, 11 denotes a disk reproducing unit, 1
1a: disk mounting unit, 12: tape reproducing unit, 12a ...
Tape cassette mounting section, 13 tuner section, 14 preamplifier section, 15 sound control section, 16 power amplifier section, 17L, 17R speaker, 18 controller, 19 display section, 19a display light emitting diode, 21
~ 26 ... Operation unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] An operation unit, an audio signal source for outputting an audio signal based on an operation of the operation unit, a speaker for outputting an audio signal supplied from the audio signal source, and storing data of electronic sounds. Storage means, and control means for outputting a sound based on the electronic sound data stored in the storage means from the speaker for a predetermined time when a preset time has elapsed by the operation of the operation means. Playback device. 2. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means can store data of a plurality of types of electronic sounds, and the stored data of at least one of the electronic sounds is operated by operating the operation means. , A playback device in which electronic sound data set with a combination of sounds of arbitrary pitches and lengths. 3. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the set time has elapsed, when the control means determines that an audio signal from the audio signal source is being output from the speaker, A playback device, wherein an output of an audio signal is muted to output the electronic sound.