JP2001251697A - Acoustic unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acoustic unit for outputting a reproduced sound from a speaker in the case of timer reproduction even in a state where a headphone plug is connected to a headphone jack. SOLUTION: When a time becomes the desired one set in a timer 21 and also the headphone plug 52 is connected to the headphone jack 46, a relay switch 10 prohibits the muting function of a muting part 42 so that the reproduced sound is outputted from the speaker 38. That is, even when the plug 52 is in a connection state to the jack 46 and left as it is, the reproduction sound is outputted from the speaker 38 when a 'timer reproduction' is set in place of an alarm clock. Then the 'timer reproduction' sufficiently shows a function as the alarm clock.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio device such as a radio cassette recorder, which has a timer function and outputs sound from a speaker at a desired time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some audio devices have a built-in timer function and, instead of an alarm clock, have a "timer reproduction" function of outputting sound from a speaker at a desired time. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional radio cassette recorder with a disk device having a "timer reproduction" function.

As shown in FIG. 3, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) 20 includes a sound source section 22,
The selector 32, the operation unit 34, and the display unit 36 are connected. The sound source section 22 includes a tape recorder section (hereinafter, referred to as “tape section”) 24, a tuner section 26, a compact disk section (hereinafter, referred to as “CD section”) 28, and a mini-disc section (hereinafter, referred to as “MD section”). 30.

[0004] The selector 32 includes an input terminal 24 of the tape section 24, a tuner section 26, a CD section 28, and an MD section 30.
A, 26A, 28A, and 30A, and a four-input one-output type having an output terminal 32A.

[0005] The operation unit 34 includes a power key, a function key, a timer key, an enter key, and the like (not shown). The display section 36 displays a timer reservation time, a reserved sound source type name, and the like.

[0006] Between the speaker 38 and the selector 32,
A volume control unit 40 including a variable resistor, a muting unit 42, and an amplifier unit 44 are connected.

[0007] A headphone jack 46 is connected between the volume control section 40 and the muting section 42.
The headphone jack 46 is provided with a connection detection unit 48 that detects that the headphone plug 52 of the headphone 50 is connected. The connection detecting section 48 is connected to the muting section 42, and a detection signal of the connection detecting section 48 is supplied to the muting section 42.

The microcomputer 20 has a built-in timer 21. By operating a timer key or the like (not shown) of the operation unit 34, a reservation time for "timer reproduction" can be set. When the timer signal of the timer 21 is supplied to the sound source unit 22 and the selector 32, the sound source unit 22 enters a playback state.

For example, when a "timer reproduction" sound source is reserved as the MD unit 30, the microcomputer 20 outputs a timer reproduction control signal to the sound source unit 22 and the selector 32 when the reservation time comes, as shown in FIG. , The input terminal 30A of the MD unit 30 and the output terminal 32A are connected. for that reason,
The audio signal from the MD unit 30 is supplied to a volume adjustment unit 40, a muting unit 42, and an amplifier unit 44, and a reproduced sound is output from a speaker 38.

On the other hand, when the headphone plug 52 is connected to the headphone jack 46, the connection detecting section 48 outputs a detection signal to the muting section 42, and the muting section 42 mutes the audio signal output from the speaker 38. I do. Therefore, the reproduced sound is not output from the speaker 38.

[0011]

In the conventional example shown in FIG. 3, a headphone plug 52 is connected to a headphone jack 46.
When the connection is made, the muting unit 42 mutes the audio signal based on the detection signal of the connection detection unit 48, and the reproduction sound is not output from the speaker 38. Therefore, if the headphone plug 52 is left in a state where it is connected to the headphone jack 46, even if “timer playback” is performed instead of the alarm clock,
No reproduced sound is output from the speaker 38.

That is, when the headphone plug 52 is connected to the headphone jack 46, only the reproduced sound is output from the headphone 50 and not the reproduced sound from the speaker 38. There is a disadvantage that "timer reproduction" does not function as an alarm clock.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an audio apparatus that outputs a reproduced sound from a speaker during timer reproduction even when a headphone plug is connected to a headphone jack.

[0014]

According to the present invention, a sound source section for outputting a sound signal, a speaker and headphones for outputting the sound signal by inputting a sound signal from the sound source section, and a headphone for the headphones Detecting means for detecting that the plug is connected to the headphone jack, wherein the sound output from the speaker when the headphone plug is connected to the headphone jack by the detecting means. Muting means for muting the signal, timer means for setting the audio signal to be output at a desired time, and when the desired time set in the timer means has come,
Prohibiting means for prohibiting a muting function of the muting means.

In the present invention, when the desired time set in the timer means is reached and the headphone plug is connected to the headphone jack, the muting function of the muting means is prohibited by the prohibiting means. That is, regardless of whether the headphone plug is connected to the headphone jack or not, the muting function of the muting means is prohibited by the prohibiting means, so that a reproduced sound can be output from the speaker.

According to the present invention, even when the headphone plug is left connected to the headphone jack,
If "timer playback" is set in place of the alarm clock, a playback sound is output from the speaker, so that "timer playback" can sufficiently exhibit the function as an alarm clock.

The invention according to claim 2 further comprises a release means for releasing the inhibition of the muting function by the inhibition means when it is no longer necessary to inhibit the muting function of the muting means. Can be muted to return to a state where the user wants to hear the reproduced sound only with the headphones.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An acoustic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an example in which the audio device is a radio cassette recorder with a disk device as in the conventional example shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the audio device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to timer reproduction of the audio device shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a relay switch 10, which is a prohibiting means, is connected between the connection detecting section 48 and the muting section 42. The relay switch 10
It has a contact 12 and a mover 14 that is movable by an electromagnetic force generated in a coil (not shown), and is connected to a microcomputer 20 so that the relay switch 10 can be controlled.

In a normal state in which the timer reproduction control signal from the microcomputer 20 is not output to the relay switch 10, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG.
2 and the relay switch 10 is turned on. Therefore, the headphone plug 52 is connected to the headphone jack 4
6, the detection signal of the connection detecting section 48 is supplied to the muting section 42, and the audio signal output from the speaker 38 is muted.

On the other hand, when the timer regeneration control signal from the microcomputer 20 is output to the relay switch 10, the mover 14 separates from the contact 12 as shown by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the supply of the detection signal of the connection detection unit 48 supplied to the muting unit 42 is prohibited, and the speaker 38 can output a reproduced sound.

Next, processing relating to "timer reproduction"
This will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart is a process after setting a reservation time of “timer reproduction” by operating a timer key (not shown) of the operation unit 34 shown in FIG. FIG.
In the example shown in (1), the sound source of "timer reproduction" is reserved as the MD unit 30, and the volume of the reproduced sound from the speaker 38 is set to a desired volume.

As shown in FIG. 2, in step 98, a normal state where the timer reproduction control signal from the microcomputer 20 is not output to the relay switch 10 is set, and the relay switch 10 is turned on. In step 100, it is determined whether or not the timer 21 has reached the reserved time.
Turn off. The microcomputer 20 shown in FIG. 1 sends the timer reproduction control signal to the relay switch 1 regardless of whether the headphone plug 52 is connected to the headphone jack 46 or not.
0 is output, and the relay switch 10 is turned off.

Although not described in the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, when the timer 21 shown in FIG. 1 reaches the reservation time, a timer reproduction control signal of the microcomputer 20 is supplied to the sound source unit 22 and the selector 32, and the MD unit The 30 input terminals 30A and output terminals 32A are connected. Therefore, the audio signal from the MD unit 30 is supplied to the volume adjustment unit 40, the muting unit 42, and the amplifier unit 44, and the audio is output from the speaker 38.

When the headphone plug 52 is connected to the headphone jack 46,
A playback sound is also output from 0. In the process of step 100, until the timer 21 reaches the reservation time,
Returning to step 98, the output of the timer reproduction control signal is stopped to keep the relay switch 10 on.

That is, according to the present embodiment, even when the headphone plug 52 is left connected to the headphone jack 46, if the "timer reproduction" is set instead of the alarm clock, the reproduction from the speaker 38 is performed. Since the sound is output, the "timer playback" can sufficiently function as an alarm clock.

At step 104, it is determined whether or not a function key (not shown) of the operation unit 34 functioning as a releasing means has been operated.
The output of the timer reproduction control signal is stopped, and the relay switch 10 is turned on. Therefore, headphone plug 5
In a state where 2 is connected to the headphone jack 46, the audio signal is muted by the muting section 42, and the audio output from the speaker 38 is stopped. Note that the process of step 104 is continued until the operation unit 34 is operated.

According to the present embodiment, the muting unit 4
When it is no longer necessary to prohibit the muting function 2, that is, when a key (not shown) of the operation unit 34 is operated, the prohibition of the muting function by turning off the relay switch 10 is released. Is stopped, and it is possible to return to a state where the user wants to hear the reproduced sound only with the headphones 50.

In the above embodiment, the prohibiting means is the relay switch 10 provided in the mover 14. However, the prohibiting means of the present invention may be an electronic switch such as a transistor as a switching element. 20
A control unit for inhibiting the muting function of the muting unit 42 may be provided therein.

In the above embodiment, the release means is an existing key arranged on the operation unit 34. However, a dedicated key provided with a release means may be newly provided. The prohibition of the muting function may be automatically released after a lapse of a predetermined time after the prohibition of the function.

Further, in the above embodiment, the timer 21 is of a type built in the microcomputer 20, but the present invention is similarly applicable to a type in which a separate timer is externally attached to the audio device. Applicable.

In the above embodiment, the audio device is a radio cassette recorder with a disk device.
The audio device of the present invention is not limited to a radio cassette recorder with a disk device, and any device having a “timer playback” function of outputting a playback sound from a speaker at a desired time instead of an alarm clock,
The present invention can be similarly applied to a television, a personal computer, and the like.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the desired time set in the timer means is reached and the headphone plug is connected to the headphone jack, the prohibition means prohibits the muting function of the muting means, so that a reproduced sound is output from the speaker.

That is, according to the present invention, even when the headphone plug is left connected to the headphone jack, if "timer playback" is set instead of the alarm clock, a playback sound is output from the speaker. So
"Timer playback" can fully demonstrate the function as an alarm clock.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an acoustic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to timer reproduction of the audio device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an acoustic device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Relay switch (prohibition means) 21 Timer 22 Sound source part 34 Operation part (release means) 38 Speaker 42 Muting part (muting means) 46 Headphone jack 50 Headphone 52 Headphone plug

Claims (2)

[Claims] A sound source section for outputting an audio signal; a speaker and headphones for outputting the audio signal by inputting the audio signal from the sound source section; and a headphone plug of the headphone connected to a headphone jack. Detecting means for detecting that the audio signal is output from the speaker when the headphone plug is connected to the headphone jack by the detecting means. And timer means for setting the audio signal to be output at a desired time; and prohibiting means for prohibiting the muting function of the muting means when the desired time set in the timer means has come. An acoustic device, characterized in that: 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: releasing means for releasing the prohibition of the muting function by the prohibiting means when it becomes unnecessary to prohibit the muting function of the muting means. Sound equipment.