JP2007172760A - Audio reproducing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability in so-called program registration. <P>SOLUTION: An audio device which is equipped with a recording means in which a plurality of audio files are recorded is provided with; an input acceptance means which detects arrival of a fingertip to each prescribed position on a prescribed operation surface and accepts as first and second operation inputs different according to the position in which the arrivals are detected; a selection change means (Steps 52 and 54) to change a file being selected out of the audio files into a next audio file in a prescribed sequence in response to each first operation input; a selection file registration means (Steps 56 and 57) to record an audio file being selected in response to each second operation input; and a means to reproduce each registered audio file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio playback apparatus and an audio playback method that can register a desired one of a plurality of audio files and reproduce the registered audio files.

  As a playback mode in a portable audio device or the like, various playback modes in consideration of the convenience of the user are known in addition to a normal playback mode in which songs are sequentially played back one by one. One of them is program reproduction in which a desired music piece is selected and registered in advance, and the registered music piece is sequentially reproduced at any time. When registering a program, there are a case where a music being played back is registered while the music is being played, and a case where a music is selected when the music is not being played back.

  The program registration of the music being played can be performed, for example, by pressing the mode key or the pop-up menu key on the playback screen of the music being played and selecting “program registration” from the displayed selection items. Program registration while playback is stopped can be performed by displaying a song list, selecting a song to be registered, pressing a mode key or a pop-up menu key, and selecting “program registration”.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for registering a program in a conventional portable audio device. This process is repeatedly executed in a state where a list of songs that can be registered with the program is displayed. At the start of processing, one piece of music in the list is located at a predetermined selection position and is being selected.

  When the process is started, the apparatus first determines in steps 121 and 122 whether or not the skip-up key or the skip-down key has been pressed. If it is determined that the skip-up key has been pressed, the process skips to the next song in step 123 and proceeds to step 125. Skipping to the next song means that the currently displayed song list is scrolled upward by one song and the currently selected song is changed to the next song. If it is determined that the skip down key has been lightly pressed, the process skips to the previous musical piece in step 124 and proceeds to step 125. Skipping to the previous song means scrolling the currently displayed song list downward by one song and changing the currently selected song to the previous song. If it is determined that neither the skip-up key nor the skip-down key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 125 as it is.

  In step 125, it is determined whether or not the mode key has been pressed. If it is determined that the button has not been pressed, the processing in FIG. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, it is determined in step 126 whether or not a program registration mode selection operation has been performed. The selection operation means an operation for selecting and confirming the selection. If it is determined that the selection operation has not been performed, the processing of FIG. If it is determined that the selection operation has been performed, program registration is performed for the currently selected music, and the processing in FIG.

  According to this, the user selects the desired music by operating the skip-up key or the skip-down key, and repeats the operation of pressing the mode key to perform the program registration mode selection operation. Program registration can be performed.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, a program title and an artist name are displayed as selection items according to a user instruction, a program playlist of the selected program is created, and then based on the selected program playlist. There is described a playback apparatus that can play back only a user's favorite program by playing back. The document also describes a technique in which a search condition, for example, a specific artist name is designated and a program that matches the search condition is registered in the playlist.

JP 2002-313070 A

  However, according to the above-described conventional portable audio device or the like, when an operation such as program registration is performed, a different instruction is given depending on the time and the number of times the key is pressed, or the mode is shifted to various setting modes by pressing the mode key. It is necessary to select a desired function from the display menu in the setting mode. For this reason, there is a problem in terms of usability.

  Especially in the case of portable audio devices, since it is necessary to save the number of keys, different operation functions distinguished by the pressing method such as long pressing, short pressing, or multiple pressing are given to the same operation key, It is often used to select a function by selecting a setting item with a mode key. Therefore, it is difficult to understand what operation should be performed to switch albums. In particular, when registering a program for a music being played back, it is necessary to press a mode key or the like every time the music is registered and to select to register the program, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated and difficult to understand.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the operability in program registration in an audio playback apparatus in view of the problems of the prior art.

  In order to achieve the above object, an audio playback device according to a first aspect of the present invention detects the arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position on a predetermined operation surface and recording means on which a plurality of audio files are recorded. Input accepting means that accepts different first and second operation inputs according to the detected position, and responding to each first operation input, the selected one of the audio files being the next in a predetermined order Selection changing means for changing to an audio file; selection file registration means for registering the selected audio file in response to each second operation input; and means for reproducing each registered audio file. And

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the input receiving means similarly accepts a third operation input, and the audio device responds to each third operation input. , Further comprising another selection changing means for changing the selected one of the audio files to the previous audio file in the predetermined order.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproduction apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the operation means for shifting to an operation mode that allows operation input for changing and registering the selected audio file is provided. It is characterized by having.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the audio reproduction device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the input receiving means detects the arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position by an optical sensor or a capacitance sensor. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproduction method for detecting the arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position on a predetermined operation surface and a recording means in which a plurality of audio files are recorded, and according to the position where the arrival is detected. An audio playback method in an audio playback apparatus comprising input receiving means for accepting different first and second operation inputs, wherein the selected one of the audio files in response to each first operation input, A selected file changing step for changing to the next audio file in a predetermined order, a selected file registering step for registering the selected audio file in response to each second operation input, and playback for reproducing each registered audio file And a process.

  The audio playback method according to a sixth invention is the audio playback method according to the fifth invention, wherein the input receiving means similarly accepts a third operation input, and the audio playback method responds to each third operation input. And another selected file changing step of changing the selected one of the audio files to the previous audio file in the predetermined order.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproduction method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, further comprising a step of accepting an operation for shifting to an operation mode that allows the selected file changing step and the selected file registration step. .

  According to the present invention, operability in so-called program registration can be improved.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable playback device with a built-in hard disk according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this device includes a control unit 11 that controls each part of the device and processes various information, a hard disk 12 that is accessed by the control unit 11, and a display unit that displays various information under the control of the control unit 11. 13. An input unit 14 for a user to input an operation to the control unit 11 and an audio output unit 15 that converts an audio signal from the control unit 11 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave.

  FIG. 2 shows the front of the device of FIG. In the figure, 21 is a liquid crystal display constituting the display unit 13, 22 is an optical operation key constituting the input unit 14, 23 is a menu key similarly constituting the input unit 14, and 24 is a voice output unit 15. Headphones. The menu key 23 is operated by being pressed, and is mainly used for displaying various menus. The optical operation key 22 is for detecting the arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position on a predetermined operation surface and accepting a plurality of different operation inputs depending on the position where the arrival is detected.

  That is, the optical operation key 22 differs depending on the touched part by placing a fingertip on, shifting, or touching one of the three parts arranged in the length direction (hereinafter referred to as “touch”). Various kinds of operation inputs can be performed. Further, another type of operation input may be performed by tracing the optical operation key 22 with a finger in the length direction. As the above three portions, a center portion m located near the center of the optical operation key 22, a right end portion a located near the right end portion, and a left end portion b located near the left end portion are set.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the optical operation key 22. FIG. 2A shows a state where a cover constituting the operation surface of the optical operation key 22 is removed. As shown in the figure, the optical operation key 22 includes a number of convex lenses 31 arranged in a line along the length direction thereof so that the lens surface faces the operation surface. FIG. 5B shows a state seen from the side of the optical operation key 22. As shown in the figure, the optical operation key 22 is provided with a light emitting unit 32 and a light receiving unit 33 in association with each lens 31.

  When light from the light emitting unit 32 is irradiated through the lens 31 and a fingertip exists near the lens 31, the irradiation light is reflected by the fingertip. The reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 33 via the lens 31 so that the presence of the fingertip can be detected. Therefore, when the light receiving unit 33 corresponding to the central part m, the right end part a, or the left end part b of the optical operation key 22 detects the presence of the fingertip, the control unit 11 determines the central part based on the detection signal. It can be recognized that an operation input by touching m, the right end portion a, or the left end portion b has been made. Moreover, when the detection timing of the finger in each light receiving unit 33 shows a predetermined pattern, for example, when the light receiving unit 33 at the left end b, the center m, and the right end a detects the arrival of the fingertip at predetermined time intervals. It is possible to recognize that an operation input (hereinafter referred to as “tracing operation”) for tracing the optical operation key 22 with a finger is made.

  A music file that can be played back by the control unit 11 is recorded on the hard disk 12. FIG. 4 shows how this music file is divided by a predetermined method. Based on information such as album name, artist name, and genre name attached to each music file, each music file can be classified for each album as shown in FIG. Each album can be further classified by artist, and each artist can be classified by genre. Actually, each section corresponds to each folder (or directory) in the hard disk 12, and the corresponding music file is stored in each lowest folder (album) in the hierarchical structure. The user can specify the playback range in units of such sections.

  For example, in the hierarchical structure of FIG. 4, when all music files of all artists included in the genre α are reproduced, a genre selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21, the genre α is selected, and a reproduction instruction is given. Good. When all music files included in artist B are played, artist B may be selected on the artist selection screen displayed by selecting genre α and the above-described tracing operation, and a playback instruction may be given. When all music files included in the album c are reproduced, the album c may be selected on the album selection screen displayed by the selection and tracing operation of the artist B, and a reproduction instruction may be given. In order to reproduce the music file 3 in the album c, the music file 3 may be selected on the music file selection screen displayed by the album c selection and tracing operation, and a reproduction instruction may be given. The reproduction instruction can be performed by pressing the center portion m of the optical operation key 22 or pressing the new key 23.

  The genre selection screen can be displayed by, for example, pressing the menu key 23, selecting “genre” in the selection items, and performing a tracing operation. By selecting a desired genre on the genre selection screen and performing a tracing operation, it is possible to display a selection screen for lower artists and the like. Selection of a selection item on each selection screen can be performed by scrolling a list of selection items. For example, when the music file 3 of the album c is selected, “music file 1”, “music file 2”,... Are displayed on the lower music file selection screen displayed by the album c selection and tracing operation. This can be done by scrolling the display of the selection item and positioning “music file 3” at a predetermined selection position on the screen, for example, at the top. Scrolling can be performed by touching the right end a or the left end b of the optical operation key 22. The direction of scrolling can be distinguished by touching either the right end a or the left end b. The music of the selected music file (hereinafter simply referred to as “music”) can be played by performing the playback instruction described above. When a reproduction instruction is given, the control unit 11 performs reproduction based on the selected audio file and outputs an audio signal to the audio output unit 15. The audio output unit 15 converts the audio signal into a sound wave and outputs it.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of processing by the control unit 11. This process is executed in a state where the program registration mode can be selected. Such a state corresponds to, for example, a case where the menu key 23 is pressed during the reproduction of music and “program registration mode” exists as a selection item in the displayed menu.

  When the process is started, the control unit 11 first determines in step 51 whether or not an operation for shifting to the program registration mode has been performed. The operation for shifting to the program registration mode can be performed, for example, by selecting “program registration mode” from the selection items in the menu, touching the center portion m of the optical operation key 22, or pressing the menu key 23. it can. If it is determined that the operation for shifting to the program registration mode has not been performed, the processing in FIG. 5 is terminated. If it is determined that the transfer operation has been performed, the program registration mode is entered, and the process proceeds to step 52.

  In the case of shifting to the program registration mode, the liquid crystal display 21 displays the song name (music file name) of the currently selected song and the song names of several songs that follow in a predetermined order as selection items. As the currently selected music, for example, when the program registration mode is entered during reproduction of the music, the music being reproduced is applicable.

  In steps 52 and 53, it is determined whether or not the right end portion a or the left end portion b of the optical operation key 22 is touched. If it is determined that the right end a has been touched, the process skips to the next song in step 54 and proceeds to step 56. Skipping to the next song means scrolling the display of each song name on the liquid crystal display 21 upward by one song and changing the currently selected song to the next song. If it is determined that the left end b has been touched, the process skips to the previous music piece in step 55 and proceeds to step 56. Skipping to the previous song means that the display of each song name on the liquid crystal display 21 is scrolled downward by one song, and the currently selected song is changed to the previous song. When it is determined that neither the right end portion a nor the left end portion b has been touched, the process proceeds to step 56 as it is.

  Here, the “next music” and the “next music” are, for example, the next music and the previous music when viewed in the order sorted by the music file name and the folder name. If the hierarchical structure of FIG. 4 is shown in such a sort order, the music next to the music file 4 in the album a is the music file 1 in the album b. At the time of shifting to the program registration mode, for example, the music that was being played back at that time is selected, and the next or previous music is determined based on this music.

  In step 56, it is determined whether or not the center portion m of the optical operation key 22 is touched. If it is determined that it has not been touched, the process proceeds to step 58 as it is. If it is determined that it has been touched, the program is registered for the selected music in step 57, and the process proceeds to step 58.

  In step 58, it is determined whether or not the program registration mode is ended. If it is determined that the process is not finished, the process returns to step 52. If it is determined that the process is finished, the program registration mode is canceled and the process of FIG. 5 is finished. For example, when the menu key 23 is pressed, it is determined that the program registration mode is finished. After finishing the process of FIG. 5, the user selects “program playback” displayed as a selection item in the menu displayed by pressing the menu key 23, for example, and issues a playback instruction to register the program. The performed music can be played back.

  According to this, after shifting to the program registration mode, the user selects the desired music while touching the right end a or left end b of the optical operation key 22 to skip the music, and touches the center m. Thus, it is possible to sequentially register programs for desired music. Meanwhile, there is no need to display a menu. In other words, the program can be registered easily by simply sliding the fingertip on the operation surface of the optical operation key 22 and with fewer operations than in the past.

  During the process of FIG. 5, by playing the selected music, the user can easily determine whether or not to perform program registration for the music. In this case, the user does not need to look at the liquid crystal display 21, and simply touches the right end portion a, the left end portion b, or the center portion m of the optical operation key 22, while listening to and confirming each selected music piece, the program You can register.

  FIG. 6 illustrates an optical operation key of a system different from that of FIG. 3 that can be used instead of the optical operation key 22 described above. This optical operation key acquires, through the prism 61, and projects the image of the finger 61 that is illuminated through the prism 61 by the light from the prism 61, the light source 62 that causes the light to enter the prism 61, and the light from the light source 62. A convex lens 64 and an image sensor 65 that captures an image of the fingertip 63 projected by the convex lens 64 are provided.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the prism 61 is viewed from the operation surface side touched with the fingertip 63. As shown in the figure, a central portion 66, an upper end portion 67, a lower end portion 68, a right end portion 69, and a left end portion 70 are set on the operation surface of the prism 61. Based on the video signal from the image sensor 65, the control unit 11 can identify which of the center part 66, the upper end part 67, the lower end part 68, the right end part 69, or the left end part 70 is touched by the fingertip. Therefore, the input operation function similar to the case of the optical operation key 22 of FIG. 2 can be assigned to, for example, the portions 66, 69, and 70 of these five portions 66 to 70. In this case, another operation function such as a function for scrolling the menu can be assigned to the portions 67 and 68.

  FIG. 8A shows an optical operation key 81 according to still another method that can be used in place of the optical operation key 22. In the figure, the shape of the cover of the optical operation key 81 having a cross shape is shown. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same elements as those in FIG. The optical operation key 81 has touch portions 82 to 90 as shown in FIG. By touching any of the touch portions 82 to 90 with a fingertip, different types of operation inputs can be performed according to the touched touch portions 82 to 90.

  FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of each optical sensor constituting the optical operation key 81. The optical operation key 81 has nine optical sensors 91 arranged corresponding to each of the touch portions 82 to 90 described above. An optical sensor key 92 composed of one optical sensor 91 is disposed at the center of the optical operation key 81, and an optical sensor key 93 composed of two optical sensors 91 is disposed above, below, left and right. .

  FIGS. 10A and 10B show the optical sensor key 92 as viewed from the front and side surfaces of the apparatus, respectively. FIGS. 13A and 13B show the optical sensor key 93 viewed from the front and side surfaces of the apparatus, respectively. Each optical sensor 91 has a light emitting function and a light receiving function, and can detect that the corresponding touch portions 82 to 90 are touched by receiving the reflected light 95 of the emitted light 94 by the fingertip.

  Therefore, for example, the touch portions 82 to 84 can be assigned the same input operation function as the central portion m, the right end portion a, and the left end portion c in the optical operation key 22 of FIG. Other functions such as an operation function for scrolling a menu or skipping to another genre can be assigned to the other touch portions 85 to 90.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and implemented. For example, in the above description, the optical operation keys 22 and 81 have been described as examples of operation keys. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and operation keys using a capacitance sensor may be used. In the above description, the music file is stored in the hard disk. However, the music file may be stored in the semiconductor memory.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable playback device with a built-in hard disk according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the front of the apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical operation key of the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the music file recorded on the hard disk of the apparatus of FIG. 1 was divided by the predetermined method. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process by the control part in the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the optical operation key of a system different from the thing of FIG. 3 which can be employ | adopted as an optical operation key of the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the prism in the optical operation key of FIG. 6 was seen from the operation surface side. It is a figure which shows the optical operation key by another system. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of each optical sensor which comprises the optical operation key of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the optical sensor key which comprises the optical operation key of FIG. 8 was seen from the front surface and side surface side of the apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that another optical sensor key which comprises the optical operation key of FIG. 8 was seen from the front surface and side surface side of the apparatus. It is a flowchart which illustrates a part of process in the conventional portable audio player.

Explanation of symbols

11: control unit, 12: hard disk, 13: display unit, 14: input unit, 15: audio output unit, 21: liquid crystal display, 22, 62, 81: optical operation keys, 23: menu key, 24: headphones, 31: Convex lens, 32: Light emitting part, 33: Light receiving part, 61: Prism, 62: Light source, 63: Fingertip, 64: Convex lens, 65: Image sensor, 66: Center part, 67: Top part, 68: Bottom part, 69: right end portion, 70: left end portion, 82 to 90: touch portion, 91: optical sensor, 92, 93: optical sensor key, 94: emitted light, 95: reflected light, a: right end portion, b: left end portion, m :Center.

Claims (7)

Recording means for recording a plurality of audio files;
Input receiving means for detecting the arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position on a predetermined operation surface and accepting different first and second operation inputs depending on the position where the arrival is detected;
Selection changing means for responding to each first operation input and changing the selected one of the audio files to the next audio file in a predetermined order;
In response to each second operation input, selected file registration means for registering the selected audio file;
An audio reproducing apparatus comprising: means for reproducing each registered audio file. Similarly, the input receiving means accepts a third operation input,
The audio device includes another selection change unit that changes a selected one of the audio files to the previous audio file in the predetermined order in response to each third operation input. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1.   The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an operation unit configured to shift to an operation mode that accepts an operation input for changing and registering the selected audio file.   The audio reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input receiving means detects an arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position by an optical sensor or a capacitance sensor. . Recording means for recording a plurality of audio files;
Audio in an audio reproduction apparatus comprising input receiving means for detecting the arrival of a fingertip at each predetermined position on a predetermined operation surface and accepting different first and second operation inputs depending on the position where the arrival is detected A playback method,
In response to each first operation input, a selected file changing step of changing the selected one of the audio files to the next audio file in a predetermined order;
A selected file registration step for registering the selected audio file in response to each second operation input;
An audio reproducing method comprising: a reproducing step of reproducing each registered audio file. Similarly, the input receiving means accepts a third operation input,
The audio playback method includes another selected file changing step of changing the selected one of the audio files to the previous audio file in the predetermined order in response to each third operation input. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 5. 7. The audio reproduction method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of accepting an operation for shifting to an operation mode that allows the selection file changing step and the selection file registration step.

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