JP2004252279A - Audio parameter setting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio parameter setting system capable of surely performing setting of an audio parameter with reduced labor. <P>SOLUTION: A server control section 210 in an in-vehicle server 200 is equipped in a configuration acquiring section 212, a retrieval request transmitting section 214, an information reception unit 216, and an audio parameter setting section 218. The configuration acquiring section 212 automatically acquires configuration information when an audio system 100 is newly mounted or when the configuration is changed. The retrieval request transmitting section 214 transmits the retrieval request toward a retrieval server. When the product information and vehicle information for the retrieval request are returned, the information reception unit 216 receives them and the audio parameter setting section 218 sets the audio parameter of the audio system 100 from the configuration information acquired from the audio system 100 and their reception information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an acoustic parameter setting device for setting various acoustic parameters.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent in-vehicle audio devices, it has become possible to set an optimal acoustic parameter, set an optimal acoustic space for each vehicle, and obtain an acoustic characteristic suitable for a user's preference. There is something. For example, when the coefficient data of the adaptive filter included in the audio device is considered as one of the acoustic parameters, by setting the value of the coefficient data to an optimal value, the acoustic characteristics such that the desired acoustic characteristics are obtained at the listening position. Space can be realized. By the way, since the value of such coefficient data differs for each vehicle type, there is known a data distribution system capable of acquiring a value of coefficient data suitable for each vehicle type via a network (for example, see Patent Document 1). 1). In this data distribution system, by specifying the vehicle type on the vehicle side, it is possible to acquire the optimal coefficient data value for this vehicle type.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-307592 (page 3-5, FIG. 1-3)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the data distribution system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, since the setting target is the coefficient data of the adaptive filter, it is sufficient to specify the vehicle type data that can specify the shape of the vehicle interior space. If the sound parameters are set by the same method, the operation for setting the parameters becomes complicated. For example, by specifying the audio device to be used, the system configuration, the speaker to be used, and the like, and acquiring the setting information of the corresponding acoustic parameters via the network, it is possible to set the optimal acoustic characteristics. In order to perform this, it is necessary to check the model numbers and product names of these products. Since few users remember the audio device and speaker model numbers, they usually see manuals or labels attached to the product housing, making the work itself complicated and After being installed in the vehicle interior, it is often difficult to see the labels and the like unless disassembled and removed.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an acoustic parameter setting device capable of eliminating the complexity of operation required for setting acoustic parameters.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an acoustic parameter setting device of the present invention includes: a configuration acquisition unit configured to acquire configuration information including identification information and connection information of each product constituting an audio device; and a search request including identification information. Request transmitting means for transmitting the information to a search server connected via a network, information receiving means for receiving product information of each product corresponding to the identification information sent back from the search server, and configuration acquisition means Sound parameter setting means for setting sound parameters of the audio device based on the connection information thus obtained and the product information received by the information receiving means. Accordingly, various kinds of necessary information are automatically obtained and the acoustic parameters are set, so that the user of the audio device does not need to make detailed settings, and the operation required for setting the acoustic parameters is complicated. Can be eliminated.
[0007]
Further, the above-described audio device is mounted on the vehicle, and the search request transmitted to the search server by the search request transmitting unit includes the name and year of the vehicle on which the audio device is mounted. The information received by the information receiving means includes, in addition to the product information, vehicle information searched by the search server based on the vehicle name and year, and the acoustic parameter setting means includes connection information, product information. It is desirable to set acoustic parameters of the audio device based on the information and the vehicle information. As a result, detailed vehicle information such as an attachment position that differs for each vehicle is automatically obtained. In addition, the complexity of necessary operations can be eliminated.
[0008]
Further, the above-described configuration acquisition unit determines whether or not each product configuring the audio device has been changed. When the configuration acquisition unit determines that there is a change, the search request transmission unit transmits a search request. Preferably, the information receiving operation by the information receiving unit and the acoustic parameter setting operation by the acoustic parameter setting unit are re-executed. As a result, not only when the audio device is newly installed, but also when the configuration is changed by adding or changing speakers or the like, the audio after the configuration change can be performed without complicated operations. It is possible to set the acoustic parameters of the device.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an acoustic parameter setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an acoustic parameter setting system according to an embodiment. The acoustic parameter setting system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an audio device 100 and an in-vehicle server 200 mounted on each vehicle, and a search server that provides the in-vehicle server 200 with product information and vehicle information necessary for setting acoustic parameters of the audio device 100. 300 are included. The vehicle server 200 and the search server 300 are connected via a predetermined network 400. The network 400 in the present embodiment includes various communication networks such as a mobile telephone network, a wireless LAN, and the Internet. Further, it is assumed that the in-vehicle server 200 and the network 400 are connected using, for example, a mobile phone (or a wireless LAN terminal or the like) provided in the vehicle.
[0010]
In the above-described acoustic parameter setting system, the audio device 100 sends the model number of each product included in the audio device 100 and the connection information of each product to the in-vehicle server 200. The in-vehicle server 200 as the acoustic parameter setting device extracts the model number from the information sent from the audio device 100 and transmits the model number and the model of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle server 200 is mounted to the search server 300. I do. The search server 300 searches for specifications related to the setting of acoustic parameters such as frequency characteristics of each product based on the model number sent from the vehicle, and the vehicle specified by these based on the vehicle name and year. And the like, and the search results are sent back to the in-vehicle server 200. The in-vehicle server 200 uses the acoustic parameters of the audio device 100 based on the specifications of each product and the mounting position of each product sent from the search server 300 and the connection information of each product sent from the audio device 100. Is set.
[0011]
Next, details of the vehicle-mounted device including the audio device 100 and the vehicle-mounted server 200 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the vehicle-mounted device.
The in-vehicle device illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an audio device 100 having a head unit (H / U) 110, an amplifier unit 120, and a plurality of speakers 130, and an in-vehicle server 200 connected to the audio device 100 via an in-vehicle LAN 250. Have.
[0012]
The head unit 110 includes an operation unit 111, a CD (compact disc) player 112, an MD (mini disc) player 113, an FM / AM tuner 114, an audio control unit 115, a display device 116, and a communication control unit 117. I have. The operation unit 111 is for the user to give various operation instructions to the audio device 100, and includes various operation keys. The CD player 112 reproduces various kinds of music recorded on a CD in response to an operation instruction given from the audio control unit 115, and outputs an audio signal to the amplifier unit 120. Similarly, the MD player 113 reproduces various kinds of music recorded on the MD in response to an operation instruction given from the audio control unit 115, and outputs an audio signal to the amplifier unit 120. The FM / AM tuner 114 generates an audio signal by receiving and demodulating an FM broadcast or an AM broadcast in response to an operation instruction given from the audio control unit 115, and directs the generated audio signal to the amplifier unit 120. Output. The audio control unit 115 controls the whole of the head unit 110 and the amplifier unit 120 in response to an operation instruction given to the operation unit 111, and includes a CPU and a memory. The display device 116 displays the details of operations performed using the operation unit 111 and the operating states of the CD player 112, the MD player 113, and the FM / AM tuner 114. The communication control unit 117 performs a process of mutually transmitting and receiving data between the head unit 110 and the amplifier unit 120 or the in-vehicle server 200 via the in-vehicle LAN 250.
[0013]
The amplifier unit 120 selectively amplifies audio signals input from various music sources (CD player 112, MD player 113, FM / AM tuner 114) and reflects acoustic parameters set by the on-vehicle server 200. Processing such as sound quality correction is performed.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the amplifier unit 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the amplifier unit 120 includes a signal switching unit 121, a plurality of equalizer units (EQ) 122, a plurality of signal delay units 123, a plurality of amplifiers 124, a filter coefficient setting unit 125, a delay amount setting unit 126, The configuration includes an amplifier control unit 127 and a communication control unit 128.
[0015]
The signal switching unit 121 selects and outputs one from audio signals input from various music sources. The selected audio signal is input in parallel to a plurality of equalizer units 122 at the subsequent stage. Each equalizer unit 122 adjusts the gain of each of a plurality of frequency bands. For example, the equalizer unit 122 synthesizes a plurality of band-pass filters having variable gains with different center frequencies of the pass band and each filter output. And a mixing device. The use of each equalizer unit 122 is roughly determined for each frequency band, and the equalizer unit 122 corresponding to the signal line to which the low-range speaker 130 can be connected is divided into a plurality of frequency bands obtained by further dividing the low band. Band gain adjustment is performed. Similarly, in the equalizer unit 122 corresponding to the signal line to which the midrange speaker 130 can be connected, the gain of each frequency band obtained by further dividing the midrange into a plurality of parts is adjusted. The equalizer unit 122 corresponding to the signal line to which the high frequency speaker 130 can be connected performs the gain adjustment of each frequency band obtained by further dividing the high frequency into a plurality.
[0016]
Each signal delay unit 123 has a one-to-one correspondence with the preceding equalizer unit 122, and outputs the audio signal output from the corresponding equalizer unit 122 with a predetermined delay. The delay amount of each signal delay unit 123 can be set arbitrarily. Each amplifier 124 amplifies and outputs the audio signal output from the signal delay unit 123 at the preceding stage. The output terminals of each amplifier 124 are connected to speakers 130 of the type and number purchased by the user.
[0017]
The filter coefficient setting unit 125 sets a filter coefficient of each band-pass filter included in each of the plurality of equalizer units 122. Thereby, the gain setting for each frequency band in each equalizer unit 122 is performed. The delay amount setting section 126 sets the delay amount of each signal delay section 123. The amplifier control unit 127 specifies an audio signal to be selected by the signal switching unit 121, and specifies settings of the filter coefficient setting unit 125 and the delay amount setting unit 126. In addition, the amplifier control unit 127 performs a process of collecting the product model number and connection information of each of the amplifier unit 120 itself and the connected speaker 130, and transmitting the collected information to the in-vehicle server 200. For example, an IC chip for product identification is mounted on the amplifier unit 120 and each speaker 130, and the model number data recorded on the IC chip is read by the amplifier control unit 127. Further, the connection state (presence or absence of connection) between each amplifier 124 and the speaker 130 is detected, and connection information indicating which model number of the speaker 130 is connected to which output terminal is created. The communication control unit 128 performs a process of mutually transmitting and receiving data between the amplifier unit 120 and the head unit 110 or the in-vehicle server 200 via the in-vehicle LAN 250.
[0018]
The in-vehicle server 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a server control unit 210 and communication control units 220 and 222. The server control unit 210 includes a CPU and a memory, and controls the entire in-vehicle server 200. Specifically, the server control unit 210 acquires the configuration information including the model number and the connection information transmitted from the audio device 100, transmits a necessary search request to the search server 300, and is returned. Performs processing to receive product information and vehicle information. To this end, the server control unit 210 includes a configuration acquisition unit 212, a search request transmission unit 214, an information reception unit 216, and an acoustic parameter setting unit 218. The configuration acquisition unit 212 acquires configuration information of the audio device 100 (model number and connection information of each product). The search request transmitting unit 214 transmits a search request including the model number included in the configuration information, the name of the vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted server 200 is mounted, and the model year to the search server 300. The information receiving unit 216 receives the product information and the vehicle information returned from the search server 300 in response to the search request. The acoustic parameter setting unit 218 sets various acoustic parameters for the audio device 100 based on the product information and the vehicle information received by the information receiving unit 216 and the connection information included in the configuration information acquired by the configuration acquisition unit 212. I do.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, settings relating to time correction, crossover, and parametric equalizer are performed as three types of acoustic parameters. Time correction means that when an audio signal output from the amplifier unit 120 is converted into an audio sound by each speaker 130 and emitted into the vehicle interior space in consideration of a signal line and a mounting position of each speaker 130, This is an acoustic parameter for adjusting to reach the listening position at the same time. More specifically, the acoustic parameters are set by designating the delay amount of each signal delay unit 123 by the delay amount setting unit 126.
[0020]
The crossover is an acoustic parameter for adjusting the output frequency characteristics of the amplifier unit 120 so as to match the input / output characteristics of each speaker 130. Specifically, the acoustic parameters are set by designating filter coefficients for each frequency band of each equalizer unit 122 by the filter coefficient setting unit 125. By appropriately adjusting the acoustic parameters, it is possible to eliminate problems such as breakage caused by input of an excessively low-frequency audio signal to the high-frequency speaker 130, for example.
[0021]
The parametric equalizer is an acoustic parameter for adjusting output frequency characteristics of the amplifier unit 120 in order to perform sound quality adjustment suitable for each music genre. Specifically, as in the case of the crossover, the acoustic parameter is set by specifying the filter coefficient for each frequency band of each equalizer unit 122 by the filter coefficient setting unit 125.
[0022]
Further, one communication control unit 220 shown in FIG. 2 performs a process of transmitting and receiving data between the in-vehicle server 200 and the head unit 110 or the amplifier unit 120 via the in-vehicle LAN 250. The other communication control unit 222 performs processing necessary for the in-vehicle server 200 to perform various data communications such as configuration information and acoustic parameter setting information with the search server 300 via the network 400. For example, a mobile phone (not shown) is externally connected to the communication control unit 222.
[0023]
Next, a detailed configuration of the search server 300 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the search server 300 includes a server control unit 310, a search DB (database) 312, and a communication control unit 314.
When a search request is sent from in-vehicle server 200, server control section 310 searches based on the model number of each product constituting audio device 100 included in the search request, and the vehicle name and year of the vehicle. Is performed, and a process of sending back the product information and the vehicle information is performed. The server control unit 310 includes a CPU and a memory, and performs a predetermined control operation by executing a predetermined program. The search DB 312 stores product information corresponding to each model number, and vehicle information corresponding to each vehicle name and year. In the present embodiment, one search server 300 is described as being connected to the network 400. However, a search server relating to the own vehicle product is provided for each manufacturer of the audio device 100 and each manufacturer of the vehicle. The information may be provided, or the detailed information may be managed by the respective manufacturers themselves, and the search server 300 may inquire the respective manufacturers to obtain necessary information.
[0024]
The configuration acquiring unit 212 corresponds to the configuration acquiring unit, the search request transmitting unit 214 corresponds to the search request transmitting unit, the information receiving unit 216 corresponds to the information receiving unit, and the acoustic parameter setting unit 218 corresponds to the acoustic parameter setting unit.
The acoustic parameter setting system of the present embodiment has such a configuration, and its operation will be described next.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the server control unit 210 in the vehicle-mounted server 200. The configuration acquisition unit 212 in the server control unit 210 determines whether the audio device 100 has been newly attached (Step 100). When the audio device 100 is newly attached immediately after the purchase of the vehicle or the like, an affirmative determination is made, and the configuration acquisition unit 212 determines the model number of the newly attached amplifier unit 120, the model number of each speaker 130, the amplifier unit 120 And configuration information including connection information between the speaker 130 and each speaker 130 (step 101). For example, such configuration information can be acquired by making an inquiry to the amplifier control unit 127 in the amplifier unit 120.
[0026]
If the audio device 100 is not newly attached, a negative determination is made in step 100, and then the configuration obtaining unit 212 determines whether there is a change in the configuration information of the already attached audio device 100. It is determined whether or not it is (Step 102). If there is no change in the configuration information, a negative determination is made in the determination of step 102, and the process returns to step 100 to repeatedly determine whether or not the audio device 100 is newly attached.
[0027]
When the configuration information of the audio device 100 is changed (for example, when the amplifier unit 120 itself is changed to another model by replacement or when the speaker 130 is additionally purchased), the determination in step 102 is affirmative. The determination is made, and the configuration obtaining unit 212 obtains the changed configuration information (step 103).
[0028]
After the new or changed configuration information is obtained in this manner, the search request transmitting unit 214 sends a search request including the model number, the vehicle name, and the year included in the obtained configuration information to the search server. The message is transmitted to 300 (step 104). As for the data of the vehicle type and the model year, the vehicle type / year type information already specified at the time of installation of the on-vehicle server 200 is used, or the information is recorded in a built-in memory of an engine control unit (not shown). If so, the information can be read and used.
[0029]
When a search request is sent from the in-vehicle server 200 mounted on any vehicle, the server control unit 310 in the search server 300 searches for product information based on the model number included in the search request, A process for searching for vehicle information based on the name and year and sending back these search results to the in-vehicle server 200 that transmitted the search request is performed.
[0030]
After receiving the search request, the information receiving unit 216 in the server control unit 210 of the on-vehicle server 200 determines whether or not the product information and the vehicle information returned from the search server 300 have been received (step 105), this determination is repeated until it is received. Further, when the product information and the vehicle information corresponding to the search request are returned from the search server 300, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 105, and then the acoustic parameter setting unit 218 determines the received product information and the vehicle information. Based on this and the connection information acquired from the audio device 100, an optimal sound parameter setting process is performed (step 106). Thereafter, the process returns to step 100, and the determination as to whether or not the audio device 100 is newly attached is repeated.
[0031]
As described above, the on-board server 200 of the present embodiment automatically acquires various necessary information and sets the acoustic parameters, so that the user of the audio device 100 does not need to perform detailed settings. The complexity of the operation required for setting the acoustic parameters can be eliminated. In particular, since the setting of the acoustic parameters is automated, it is not necessary to remove these products in order to see the model numbers of the speaker 130 and the amplifier unit 120 already installed in the passenger compartment. The time and effort required can be greatly reduced.
[0032]
Further, not only when the audio device 100 is newly attached but also when the configuration of the audio device 100 is changed by adding or changing the speaker 130 or the like, a complicated operation is not performed. The acoustic parameters of the audio device 100 after the configuration change can be set.
[0033]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the acoustic parameter of the audio device 100 mounted on the vehicle is set has been described. However, the case where the acoustic parameter of the audio device used for other purposes such as home use and place is set. The present invention can also be applied to the present invention. In that case, the operation of the in-vehicle server 200 can be performed by a personal computer or another computer.
[0034]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, three types of time correction, crossover, and parametric equalizer are considered as the acoustic parameters to be set. However, some of these parameters are set, and the setting of the other acoustic parameters is performed. It may be performed.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the necessary various information is automatically acquired and the acoustic parameters are set, so that the user of the audio device does not need to make detailed settings, and The complicated operation required for the setting can be eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an acoustic parameter setting system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an in-vehicle device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an amplifier unit.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a server control unit in the vehicle-mounted server.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 audio device 110 head unit (H / U)
120 Amplifier unit 122 Equalizer section (EQ)
123 Signal delay unit 124 Amplifier 125 Filter coefficient setting unit 126 Delay amount setting unit 127 Amplifier control unit 128, 220, 222, 314 Communication control unit 200 In-vehicle server 210, 310 Server control unit 212 Configuration acquisition unit 214 Search request transmission unit 216 Information Receiving unit 218 Sound parameter setting unit 300 Search server 312 Search DB (database)
400 network

Claims (3)

Configuration acquisition means for acquiring configuration information including identification information and connection information of each product constituting the audio device,
Search request transmitting means for transmitting a search request including the identification information to a search server connected via a network;
Information receiving means for receiving product information of each product corresponding to the identification information sent back from the search server,
An acoustic parameter setting unit configured to set acoustic parameters of the audio device based on the connection information acquired by the configuration acquiring unit and the product information received by the information receiving unit;
An acoustic parameter setting device comprising: In claim 1,
The audio device is mounted on a vehicle,
The search request transmitted to the search server by the search request transmitting means includes the name and year of the vehicle equipped with the audio device,
The information received by the information receiving means includes, in addition to the product information, vehicle information searched based on the vehicle name and the year in the search server,
The acoustic parameter setting device, wherein the acoustic parameter setting means sets acoustic parameters of the audio device based on the connection information, the product information, and the vehicle information. In claim 1 or 2,
The configuration acquisition unit determines whether or not each product configuring the audio device has been changed,
When the configuration acquiring unit determines that there is a change, the search request transmitting unit transmits the search request, the information receiving unit receives information, and the acoustic parameter setting unit sets an acoustic parameter. Is re-executed.

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