JP2006129223A - Content play back volume setting device and content play back system mounted on vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents play back volume setting device capable of automatically playing back a medium and contents at the same level as a volume level at which a user previously listens. <P>SOLUTION: This contents play back volume setting device 100 is provided with: a selecting part 3 for selecting a prescribed medium from a source 20 having a plurality of media of the same type including musical pieces as contents; a level adjusting part 5 for adjusting a play back volume level when the selected prescribed media are played back; and a level storing part 7 for associating the selected prescribed medium with the play back volume level for storage and controlling the level adjusting part 5 so as to play back the prescribed medium at the play back volume level when the prescribed medium is next played back. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback volume setting device for setting the volume of content such as music, and an in-vehicle content playback system using the same.

  Various acoustic devices that automatically adjust the volume according to the surrounding environment are known. Such an acoustic device is well known in particular for use in a vehicle whose environment is likely to change due to noise or the like.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a vehicle acoustic device that changes a reproduction volume and a dynamic range after detecting a noise level in a vehicle cabin and a vehicle speed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an in-vehicle acoustic device having a function of setting the output of a plurality of sound sources to a volume level suitable for each user.

  In each of the above-described devices, the playback volume and dynamic range of the content are automatically adjusted to a desired value according to the environment of the vehicle, so that it is possible for the user, especially the driver, to reduce the effort of setting the volume again. It becomes possible.

JP-A-60-145714 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-191139 JP 2002-165298 A

  In general, a user desires to play a specific content at the same level as the volume level that was previously heard. However, no technology that can satisfy such a desire in reality has yet been proposed. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique in which a user sets a volume for each type of sound source. However, with such a technique, the user cannot set a favorite volume for each of a plurality of media and songs belonging to the same type of sound source. Further, it cannot cope with changes in the driving environment.

  The present invention provides a content playback volume setting device that enables playback of media and content at the same level as the volume level that a user has listened to before, and an in-vehicle content playback system using the same.

  The content playback volume setting device of the present invention has a selection unit for selecting a predetermined medium from a source having a plurality of the same type of media including content, and a playback volume level when the selected predetermined medium is played back. The level adjusting unit to be adjusted, the selected predetermined medium and the reproduction volume level are stored in association with each other, and when the predetermined medium is next selected, the predetermined medium is reproduced at the reproduction volume level. And a level storage unit for controlling the level adjustment unit.

  The level storage unit may be configured to store a playback volume level when a predetermined medium is played last.

  When at least one of the plurality of media includes a plurality of contents, the level adjustment unit adjusts a reproduction volume level when a predetermined content is reproduced among the plurality of contents, and the level storage unit Stores the predetermined content played back and the playback volume level in association with each other, and controls the level adjustment unit so that when the predetermined content is played next, the predetermined content is played back at the playback volume level. Can be configured to.

  The level storage unit may be configured to store the last playback volume level of the predetermined content.

  Also, the content playback volume setting device can be suitably used when the content is music.

  The medium may be at least one of a radio station, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a mini disc, a memory card, a hard disk, and a portable player with a built-in hard disk drive.

  An in-vehicle content reproduction system is provided by combining the above-described content reproduction volume setting device and a media source.

  Here, when the source includes a plurality of types of media, the vehicle-mounted content reproduction system is preferably used.

  In the case described above, the plurality of types of media can be composed of at least any two of radio stations, compact discs, digital versatile discs, mini discs, memory cards, hard disks, and portable players with built-in hard disk drives.

  The in-vehicle content reproduction system may further include a travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information corresponding to the travel status and travel environment of the vehicle. Here, the playback volume level stored in the level storage unit is stored in association with the travel information.

  Furthermore, the traveling information may include at least one of a traveling road of the vehicle, a traveling time, weather during traveling, and a state of the window of the vehicle.

  The present invention also includes a content playback volume control method, which includes a step of selecting a predetermined medium from a source including a plurality of the same type of media including content, and the selected predetermined medium is played back. Adjusting the playback volume level at the time of recording, the step of storing the selected predetermined media in association with the playback volume level, and the next time the predetermined medium is selected, And reproducing. A program for causing a computer to execute these steps is also included in the present invention.

  According to the content playback volume setting device of the present invention, it becomes possible to automatically play media and contents at the same level as the volume level that the user has listened to before. The sound volume close to the taste of is provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content playback volume setting device and an in-vehicle content playback system according to the present invention.

  The content playback volume setting device 100 includes a volume operation unit 1, a selection unit 3, a level adjustment unit 5, and a level storage unit 7. For the content playback volume setting device 100, the in-vehicle content playback system 200 is configured by combining the source 20, the travel information acquisition unit 30, the amplifier 40, and the speaker 50.

  The in-vehicle content reproduction system 200 is mounted on a vehicle and constitutes various in-vehicle content viewing systems such as a car audio device. In the present embodiment, the provided content is music provided from the source 20 constituting the music source, and the in-vehicle content reproduction system 200 constitutes a car audio system. However, the content target is not particularly limited as long as it includes audio that can be adjusted for playback volume.

  The volume operation unit 1 is a part where a user (driver, occupant) operates the volume of music. It may be constituted by a touch panel displayed on a liquid crystal display mounted on an instrument panel of a vehicle. Moreover, it can also be comprised with the various mechanical switch arrange | positioned around a liquid crystal display. As a configuration of the mechanical switch, various types such as a rotary dial type, a slide type, and a touch button type can be adopted, and there is no particular limitation.

  The selection unit 3 selects any one of a source of music (content) that the user wants to play (type of media), a specific medium of the source, and a specific element (specific music) included in the specific medium, This is a portion to be selected from the source 20 described later. Similarly to the volume operation unit 1 described above, the selection unit 3 is also configured by a touch panel, a mechanical switch, or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display, and the configuration is not particularly limited. Further, the volume operation unit 1 and the selection unit 3 can be configured by a remote control switch independent of the instrument panel. Furthermore, a voice input method can be applied to the volume operation unit 1 and the selection unit 3 to select a playback target and change the volume by voice.

  As described above, the user uses the selection unit 3 to 1) select the type of media (for example, distinction of sources such as radio, CD, MD, etc.), 2) specific media (for example, a specific disc among a plurality of CDs). 3) Selection of specific content (for example, specific music recorded on a specific disc) of specific media can be performed. In the present invention, selection of 2) and 3) is important.

  The level adjustment unit 5 adjusts the output of the amplifier 40 and, consequently, the playback volume level at the time of playback according to the playback volume level set in advance for each source, media, or music (content) selected by the selection unit 3. To do. When the user changes the volume using the volume operation unit 1 during reproduction, the output of the amplifier 40 is changed according to the change. The function of the level adjustment unit 5 will be described later.

  The level storage unit 7 stores the reproduction volume level adjusted and determined by the level adjustment unit 5 in a state associated with the corresponding source, media, or music. The level storage unit 7 includes various rewritable memories. Further, even when the playback volume level is changed by the user, the level storage unit 7 can also rewrite and store the playback volume level of the corresponding source, media, or music as the changed playback level. Furthermore, the level storage unit 7 can also acquire vehicle travel information from a travel information acquisition unit 30 described later, and store the travel information and a source, media, or music corresponding to the travel information in association with each other. . The function of the level storage unit 7 will also be described later.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the source 20 includes two (a plurality of types) media of a radio station and a CD (compact disc). The radio station is a specific station name such as A station, B station,..., X station, etc., and any broadcasting system such as AM broadcasting, FM broadcasting, short wave broadcasting, etc. is applicable. Also, a CD is assigned a code number such as # 1, # 2,..., # 8, etc. to each of a plurality of CDs loaded in a separately prepared cartridge.

  Of course, the types (media) of music sources are not limited to radio stations and CDs, but also include various memory cards such as DVD (digital versatile disc), MD (mini disc), and SD card. In addition, when a connection port of a portable player with a built-in HDD (hard disk drive) such as iPod having a playback function is provided and the player is connected, the player can also be a medium (music source).

  As described above, the selection unit 3 allows the user to select a playback target desired to be played back. The source of the music (the type of media), the specific medium in the source, and the specific medium It is possible to select a specific element (specific music). In other words, the level adjustment unit 5 and the level storage unit 7 can set the volume desired by the user for playback 1) for each music source, 2) for each medium, and 3) for each music. .

  The “media” includes not only a medium storing content (music) but also means for providing the content. Therefore, not only a recording medium such as a CD but also a communication by radio broadcasting or the like is included. Furthermore, what is provided by radio | wireless communication from the vehicle outside is also contained. “Same kind of media” refers to a relationship such as stations A and B in radio broadcasting and CD # 1 and CD # 2 in CD. “Multiple types of media” refers to a relationship such as radio broadcasting and CD. That is, the “media” is a medium that has a predetermined content providing method and can provide a plurality of contents. Of course, what provides a single content is also included in “media”.

  The traveling information acquisition unit 30 detects traveling conditions inside and outside the vehicle and traveling environment, generates traveling information that is taken into consideration when determining the reproduction sound volume level, and supplies the traveling information to the level storage unit 7. In the example of FIG. 1, the travel information acquisition unit 30 includes a position detection unit 30a, a time detection unit 30b, and an in-vehicle operation status detection unit 30c, but the configuration is not limited to the example. This is because the travel information widely reflects the traveling conditions inside and outside the vehicle and the traveling environment, and there is no reason to be limited to the illustrated one.

  The position detection unit 30a detects the current position of the vehicle and travel road as travel information, and is a GPS device, for example, and outputs longitude information and latitude information based on information from GPS satellites. Various sensors for improving the detection accuracy may include a geomagnetic sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a steering rotation sensor, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the travel distance of the vehicle, and the like.

  The time detection unit 30b includes a timepiece built in the vehicle that detects the travel time of the vehicle as travel information. However, time information may be obtained from a GPS receiver or a VICS center. In this case, it is not always necessary to provide a configuration for detecting the time independently.

  The in-vehicle operating state detection unit 30c detects the operating state of each part of the vehicle. For example, after detecting mechanical and electrical operation information such as ON / OFF of a wiper, opening / closing of a window, ON / OFF of various lamps, etc., it is supplied to the level storage unit 7 as travel information.

  The selected source, media or music is reproduced by the amplifier 40 and the speaker 50 according to the set volume. Although not shown, a playback device corresponding to each medium is provided in the system.

  The control of each component described above and the control of the entire system are performed by a control unit (not shown) mainly composed of a processor that operates according to a predetermined program. The control unit includes various memories (not shown) such as a memory for storing various programs executed by the processor, a memory serving as a work area when executing the programs, and a memory for storing various setting data of the system. As these memories, a plurality of types of memories different in access speed, storage capacity, volatile and non-volatile, and the like are used depending on the application.

  In addition to the volume operation unit 1 and the selection unit 3, a navigation map of a navigation device (not shown) is displayed on the liquid crystal display. The navigation device includes a map data storage unit for storing map information, a part for acquiring various traffic information from the VICS center, and the like.

  Next, operations of the content playback volume setting device 100 and the in-vehicle content playback system 200 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure for changing the playback volume setting when the playback target medium itself is changed.

  First, the user operates the selection unit 3 to select a predetermined medium (step S21). In response to this selection, the level storage unit 7 acquires travel information corresponding to the current travel state and travel environment of the vehicle from the travel information acquisition unit 30. Then, in an environment corresponding to the travel information, the playback volume level of the media played previously is searched from the playback history format in the level storage unit 7. Then, the level storage unit 7 controls the level adjustment unit 5 so that the media is reproduced at the retrieved reproduction volume level. Thereafter, the media is reproduced (step S22).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether another medium has been selected (step S23). When another media is selected by the user via the selection unit 3, the playback volume level under the playback status of the media being played is set and updated (step S24). Subsequently, the newly selected medium is reproduced in the same manner as in step S22.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that another medium has not been selected, it is next determined whether or not playback of the current medium has been completed (step S25). If it is determined that the media playback has ended, the playback volume level of the media for which playback has ended is set and updated as in step S24 (step S26). After step S24 and step S26, the level storage unit 7 stores the playback volume level when the playback media is played back last.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the reproduction of the media has not ended, it is determined whether or not volume adjustment (reproduction volume adjustment) has been performed by the user via the volume operation unit 1 during reproduction of the media ( Step S27). If it is determined that volume adjustment has been performed, a new playback volume level is stored in the level storage unit 7 so as to correspond to the adjusted volume (step S28). The media playback is continued and the processes after step S23 are performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the volume is not adjusted, it is determined based on the travel information from the travel information acquisition unit 30 whether or not the vehicle travel status and travel environment have changed ( Step S29). When it is determined that the traveling state and the traveling environment have not changed, the processes after step S23 are performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving situation and the driving environment have changed, the process returns to step S22, and the changed driving situation and the playback volume level under the driving environment are retrieved from the playback history format of the level storage unit 7. The Then, the media is continuously played back at the searched playback volume level.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for changing the playback volume setting when the volume of the playback target medium is changed.

  First, the operations in steps S31 and S32 are the same as the procedures in steps S21 and S22 in FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether another medium has been selected. When another medium is selected, the previous reproduction history of the newly selected medium is searched, and the reproduction volume level is set and reproduction is performed in the same manner as in step S32 (step S33).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that another medium has not been selected, it is determined whether or not the reproduction of the medium has ended (step S34). If it is determined that media playback has ended, the system is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S34 that the reproduction of the media has not ended, it is determined whether or not volume adjustment has been performed during the reproduction (step S35). If it is determined that volume adjustment has been performed, the playback volume is changed (step S37), and a new playback volume level corresponding to the adjusted volume is stored in the format of the level storage unit 7. Further, the processing after step S33 is continued (step S38).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that the volume adjustment has not been performed, it is determined based on the travel information from the travel information acquisition unit 30 whether or not the travel status and travel environment of the vehicle have changed ( Step S36). If it is determined that the traveling state and the traveling environment have not changed, the processing after step S33 is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving situation or driving environment has changed, the process returns to step S32, and the changed driving situation and playback volume level under the driving environment are retrieved from the playback history format of the level storage unit 7. The Then, the media is continuously played back at the searched playback volume level.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the format of level storage (including travel information) stored in the level storage unit 7 mentioned in the description of the above flow. In this example, the selected medium is a radio A station. The user was traveling on the highway with the window closed during the daytime on a sunny (or cloudy) day. At that time, the user listened to the radio A station (+13 dB) by raising the level from the normally set default value level (+10 dB). Therefore, the reproduction volume level under the driving condition is currently set to +13 dB (colored portion in FIG. 4).

  During the format of the level storage, the traveling road is derived from the position information of the position information unit 30a, and the time is derived from the time information of the time detection unit 30b. The weather and the state of the window are derived from a signal indicating the presence / absence of the wiper operation of the in-vehicle operation state detection unit 30c and a signal indicating the window position. However, weather information can also be ordered from outside such as a VICS center. The traveling road can also be ordered from the navigation device.

  In addition, since there is no reproduction experience under other driving conditions and driving environments, the default value +10 dB is maintained. That is, when there is no past driving history that matches the current driving situation and driving environment in the selected medium, a predetermined default value can be used as the playback volume level.

  2 and 3 described above, the procedure for setting and updating the playback volume level for each medium has been described. However, it is possible to set and update the playback volume level for each piece of music (content) individually, for example, when selecting a CD, not for each medium. In this case, an operation is performed in which “media” is replaced with “music” in FIGS. This operation is applied when a plurality of music pieces (contents) are included in one CD (media).

In the above-described case, the level adjusting unit 5 adjusts the playback volume level when a predetermined music is played. At this time, the level storage unit 7 stores the reproduced music and the reproduction volume level in association with each other, and controls the level adjusting unit 7 so that the music is reproduced at the reproduction volume level when the music is reproduced next time. To do. After step S24 and step S26 in FIG. 2, the level storage unit 7 stores the playback volume level when the playback music is played back last.

  In this case, the playback target for which the playback volume level is determined is music. That is, the category in which the playback volume level is determined = music. However, content that includes audio can be included in the content of the present invention even if it is not generally regarded as music. It may include not only audio but also additional and additional information such as moving images, still images, and texts. Further, the recording method and reproducing method are not particularly limited.

  The playback volume level can be updated when the playback time has passed a predetermined time or immediately after the media or music is switched.

  In the present invention, the playback volume level heard before the user is stored for each medium and further for each content, and the playback volume level is automatically set at the next playback. Can be easily done.

  Note that the playback volume level referred to in this specification is equal to the actual absolute volume level that the user listens through the speaker 50 together with the level stored in the storage unit 7.

  In the present invention, the driving situation and driving environment at the time of the previous reproduction are stored as the driving information, and the driving information is associated with the reproduction volume level. Therefore, the driving situation and driving environment can be reflected in the volume. Therefore, it is possible to listen to music at a user's preferred volume even if the driving situation and driving environment fluctuate.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the configuration such as the volume, the in-vehicle microphone for detecting noise, the detection circuit, and the like as in the prior art is not required, so that the desired volume setting can be easily performed with a simple and inexpensive system. Is possible.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes a method for controlling the content playback volume. The method includes 1) a step of selecting a predetermined medium from a source including a plurality of the same kind of media including content, and 2) a step of adjusting a reproduction volume level when the selected predetermined medium is reproduced. 3) associating and storing the selected predetermined medium and the reproduction volume level; and 4) reproducing the predetermined medium at the reproduction volume level when the next predetermined medium is selected. Prepare

  A program for causing a computer to execute the above steps is also included in the present invention. This program can be incorporated in or outside the system in various forms. For example, the program can be recorded in a predetermined memory in a control unit (not shown). The program may be recorded on an information recording device such as a hard disk, or an information recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or memory card.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make modifications and applications based on the description and well-known techniques. This is also the scope of the present invention, and is included in the scope of seeking protection.

  According to the present invention, there are provided a content playback volume setting device and a content playback system that allow media and content to be automatically played back at the same level as the volume that the user has listened to before. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sound volume close to the user's preference while reducing the effort required for the sound volume setting.

The block diagram which shows the content reproduction volume setting apparatus of this invention, and a vehicle-mounted content reproduction system Flow chart showing an example of the procedure for changing the volume setting when the playback target is changed Flow chart showing another example of the procedure for changing the volume setting when the playback target is changed The figure which shows the example of the format of level memory

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Volume operation part 3 Selection part 5 Level adjustment part 7 Level memory | storage part 20 Source 30 Traveling information acquisition part 40 Amplifier 50 Speaker 100 Content reproduction volume setting apparatus 200 In-vehicle content reproduction system

Claims (13)

A selection unit for selecting a predetermined medium from a source including a plurality of the same kind of media including content;
A level adjusting unit for adjusting a playback volume level when the selected predetermined media is played back;
The selected predetermined medium and the reproduction volume level are stored in association with each other, and the level adjustment is performed so that the predetermined medium is reproduced at the reproduction volume level when the predetermined medium is selected next time. A content playback volume setting device comprising: a level storage unit that controls the unit. The content playback volume setting device according to claim 1,
The content storage volume setting device, wherein the level storage unit stores a playback volume level when the predetermined medium is last played. The content playback volume setting device according to claim 1 or 2,
At least one of the plurality of media includes a plurality of contents,
The level adjustment unit adjusts a reproduction volume level when a predetermined content is reproduced among the plurality of contents,
The level storage unit stores the reproduced predetermined content in association with the reproduction volume level, and when the predetermined content is reproduced next time, the predetermined content is reproduced at the reproduction volume level. As described above, a content reproduction volume setting device that controls the level adjustment unit. The content playback volume setting device according to claim 3,
The content storage volume setting device, wherein the level storage unit stores a last playback volume level of the predetermined content. The content playback volume setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A content playback volume setting device, wherein the content is music. The content playback volume setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A content playback volume setting device, wherein the medium is at least one of a radio station, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a mini disc, a memory card, a hard disk, and a portable player with a built-in hard disk drive. The content playback volume setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An in-vehicle content reproduction system comprising the source. The in-vehicle content playback system according to claim 7,
An in-vehicle content playback system, wherein the source includes a plurality of types of media. The in-vehicle content playback system according to claim 8,
The in-vehicle content playback system, wherein the plurality of types of media are at least any two of a radio station, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a mini disc, a memory card, a hard disk, and a portable player with a built-in hard disk drive. The in-vehicle content reproduction system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
It further includes a travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information corresponding to the travel status and travel environment of the vehicle,
The in-vehicle content playback system, wherein the playback volume level stored in the level storage unit is stored in association with the travel information. The in-vehicle content playback system according to claim 10,
The in-vehicle content reproduction system, wherein the traveling information includes at least one of a traveling road of a vehicle, a traveling time, weather during traveling, and a state of a window of the vehicle. Selecting a predetermined medium from a source having a plurality of the same kind of media including content;
Adjusting a playback volume level when the selected predetermined media is played; and
Associating and storing the selected predetermined medium and the playback volume level;
Next, when the predetermined medium is selected, the content reproduction volume control method includes the step of reproducing the predetermined medium at the reproduction volume level.   The program for making a computer perform each step of Claim 12.

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