JP2007184861A - Audio reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output a voice guide of high sound quality at a low cost by utilizing the existing signal processing LSI and DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for decompressing voice data compressed by a prescribed compression method. <P>SOLUTION: An audio decoder 14 decodes voice data encoded by the prescribed compression method, and a microcomputer 3 stores a voice guide showing from which speaker test tone is output when respective multichannel speakers sequentially output the test tone by voice data encoded in advance by a compression method decodable by the audio decoder, and controls the audio decoder so as to decode the voice data and output the voice data to any of the respective multichannel speakers when generating the test tone. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio playback apparatus having a decoder for expanding audio data compressed by a predetermined compression method.

Examples of conventional techniques for outputting voice guidance include those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.
Japanese Patent No. 3402894 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3438390 (FIG. 1)

  By the way, when storing voice guidance data in a memory, a large amount of memory is required when recording with PCM (pulse code modulation) data. Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of data, the PCM data is compressed and recorded in the memory. Was. However, these compression processes were recorded with reduced data volume by compression such as downsampling and ADPCM (adaptive difference pulse code modulation), which are simple processes, so they were never satisfied with the quality and quality of the audio. It wasn't going.

  On the other hand, in recent years, sound sources such as terrestrial and BS digital TV broadcasts and DVDs are compressed by a predetermined compression method such as Dolby Digital, dts, and AAC (all are registered trademarks). Each has a decoder that decompresses them. These decoders are configured by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In addition, with the recent popularization of digital media and the digitization of broadcasting, home appliances have undergone significant changes from analog to digital, and these digital home appliances are equipped with LSIs for data compression / decompression processing. It is essential to do.

  Therefore, in the present invention, an audio reproduction apparatus capable of outputting high-quality voice guidance at low cost by utilizing an existing signal processing LSI or DSP for decompressing voice data compressed by a predetermined compression method. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an audio reproducing apparatus having a decoder for decoding audio data encoded by a predetermined compression method.
Test tone signal generating means for generating a test tone signal for sequentially outputting to each of a plurality of speakers;
Voice guidance for specifying a speaker to be output when each of the plurality of speakers sequentially outputs test tones is stored as voice data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and the test tone signal generating means Control means for controlling the decoder to decode and output the audio data to any of the plurality of speakers when generating a test tone signal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an audio reproducing apparatus having a decoder that decodes audio data that is encoded by a predetermined compression method and input from the outside.
Voice guidance indicating that there is no input of voice data from the outside is stored as voice data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and when a predetermined user operation is performed in the audio playback device The decoder includes control means for controlling the decoder to decode and output the audio data to an external speaker.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an audio reproducing apparatus having a decoder that decodes audio data that is encoded by a predetermined compression method and input from the outside.
When the user sets a predetermined condition, voice guidance indicating that the setting is completed is stored as voice data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and when the setting is completed, the decoder Control means for controlling the audio data to be decoded and output to an external speaker is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an audio reproducing apparatus having a decoder that decodes audio data that is encoded by a predetermined compression method and input from the outside.
Means to receive incoming emails and control signals from external networks;
Voice guidance corresponding to the mail or voice guidance based on the control signal is stored in advance as voice data encoded by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and when the mail or control signal is received, or And a control means for controlling the decoder to decode and output the audio data to an external speaker after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an audio reproduction device for a car navigation device having a decoder that decodes audio data for car navigation that is encoded by a predetermined compression method and input from the outside.
Operation means for a user to operate the car navigation device;
Voice guidance that prompts the predetermined operation when the predetermined operation by the operation means to be performed by the user is not performed is stored as audio data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and the predetermined operation is performed. Control means for controlling the decoder to decode the audio data and output it to an external speaker when it is not performed.

  According to the present invention, high-quality voice guidance can be output at low cost by utilizing an existing signal processing LSI or DSP for decompressing voice data compressed by a predetermined compression method.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a multi-channel AV (Audio / Video) amplifier as an embodiment of an audio reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. The DSP 1 judges whether the signal input from the outside via the input I / F 2 such as a digital input interface or an AD converter is a stream or an uncompressed PCM signal. The process proceeds to the processing of the decoder, and the decoded signal is output to the external speaker SP via the DA converter (DAC) 4. In the present invention, when voice guidance is output, a compression method that can be decoded by a decoder in the DSP 1 from a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 3 instead of a signal input from the outside as shown in FIG. The voice guidance signal encoded in advance is transferred to the DSP 1 and is decoded and reproduced as voice.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the DSP 1. The DSP 1 stores a memory 11 for temporarily storing voice guidance data from the microcomputer 3, a selector 12 for selecting stream / PCM data or voice guidance data, an input buffer 13, an audio decoder 14, and a PCM test tone signal. The test tone signal generating unit 15 is generated, the selector 16 selects the test tone signal or the output of the audio decoder 14, the sampling rate converter 17, and the output buffer 18. Here, although the audio decoder 14 is illustrated as one, in order to decode the audio data encoded by various compression methods, a decoder corresponding to each method is provided. Normally, the decoding of the compressed stream input from the input I / F 2 via the selector 12 accumulates one packet of data in the input buffer 13 and moves to the audio decoder 14 when it is determined that there is no transfer error. It is. In the audio decoder 14, the compressed data is converted into a PCM audio signal. This PCM audio signal is applied to the DAC 4 via the selector 16, the sampling rate converter 17, and the output buffer 18 to become an analog audio signal, and the external speaker SP. Is output.

  When outputting the voice guidance stored in the microcomputer 3 instead of the compressed stream (and PCM data) input from the outside, it is transferred to the audio decoder 14 via the memory 11, the selector 12, and the input buffer 13. . Since the transfer from the microcomputer 3 is not real-time unlike the input from the input I / F 2, the data is transferred to the memory 11 in the DSP 1 in advance. As a result, serial data transfer is possible even with a relatively inexpensive and low-speed microcomputer 3. After the transfer, the data is transferred to the audio decoder 14 as stream data, converted into an audio signal and reproduced.

  Next, a case where the channel information of the speaker of the channel to be actually reproduced is uttered when the test tone is reproduced using the above system will be described. The test tone is installed as an indispensable function in AV amplifiers and DVD players that can reproduce multi-channel audio. Pink noise is usually used for this test tone, and the reproduction of this test tone is used to adjust the output volume according to the distance from the user to the speaker of each channel and the size of the speaker of each channel. This signal is applied to the speaker of each channel from the test tone signal generator 15 via the selector 16, the sampling rate converter 17, the output buffer 18, and the DAC 4, and is reproduced in order of one channel. FIG. 4 shows a general 7.1 ch speaker arrangement.

  If the above setting is not made by the user, each channel is played back at the same volume. Therefore, the user may have difficulty in determining which channel is being played back and which channel is being played back (such as when the speaker connection is wrong or when there is no sound due to a connection error). Therefore, before the test tone is reproduced, the user is made to recognize the voice of the test tone of the channel to be reproduced from the speaker to be actually reproduced or sequentially from the speaker to be reproduced or only from the front speaker L / R. As a result, it becomes a guideline for adjusting the connection mistake and the volume, so that the volume and frequency characteristics can be corrected smoothly.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the voice guidance output operation when the cyclic test tone is output. Here, when the AV amplifier is started up, the user sets the type, size (large / small / no setting) of the speaker to be used, and the distance (m) to each speaker. A test tone signal having a volume corresponding to the content is sequentially output to each speaker. At this time, for example, in the case of 7.1ch shown in FIG. 4, the order in which the test tone signal is output to each speaker is LFE → L → R → C → SL → SR → BL → BR. In FIG. 5, when the cyclic test tone output is started, the voice guidance “Start playback of test tone” is output (step S1), and then the voice guidance indicating the test tone output speaker (for example, “Front Left Channel”). Etc.) is output (step S2). Next, voice guidance indicating the size of the set speaker (for example, “Large / Small / None”) is output (step S3), and then voice guidance indicating the set distance to each speaker (for example, “distance is 3 m”) is output. (Step S4). Next, a test tone signal is output to the speaker (step S5), and if there is a next channel, the process returns from step S6 to step S2. If there is no next channel in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, the test tone output is terminated, and the normal reproduction is started.

  In addition, in the AV amplifier, the user wants to make a sound when the input signal line is connected for the first time, or when there is no input signal from the input DVD player (input selector setting error). Even when you are thinking, there may be no sound. At this time, the user turns up the volume or fiddles with the selector. In this case, by notifying the user that there is no input, avoid unnecessary situations (such as excessively raising the volume when there is no sound and suddenly overloading the speaker and overloading the speaker.) Can do. Voice utterance is noisy when it is performed indiscriminately, so it is preferable to perform it when there is no input and the user operates a volume or input source selector (both not shown).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of input from the DVD player. In FIG. 6, when the power source of the AV amplifier set is turned on (step S10) and then the input source selector is switched to DVD player playback (step S11), it is determined whether or not an input stream exists (step S12). If there is no input stream, a voice guidance indicating that fact (for example, “no input signal”) is output (step S13), and a display guidance indicating that fact (for example, “No” Input Signal ") is output (step S14), and then the process returns to step S11.

  If there is an input stream in step S12, the input stream is fetched (step S15), and it is determined whether or not the compression method of the input stream is the same (step S16). If the compression methods are not the same, voice guidance indicating the new compression method (for example, “input stream has been changed to AAC”) is output (step S17). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of channels of the input stream is the same (step S18). If not, a voice guidance indicating the new number of channels (for example, “the playback channel has been changed from stereo to 5.1ch”) is output. (Step S19), and then proceeds to normal reproduction in Step S20. If the compression method has not changed in step S16 and if the number of channels has not changed in step S18, the process proceeds to normal reproduction in step S20, and then returns to step S15.

  In addition, it is conceivable to incorporate a clock function to reproduce voice guidance at regular intervals, or to set an alarm time and reproduce voice at a specific time. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, it connects to a network (NW), and when a mail arrives, you may output the voice guidance to the effect that there is a notification sound or a received mail. Further, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the reception, a voice guidance such as “I received a mail” may be output spontaneously or by an operation. Furthermore, it is configured such that it can be controlled by a control signal coming from outside through the network, and various voice guidance based on the control signal is stored in advance in the memory 11 as voice data encoded by a compression method that can be decoded by the audio decoder 14. When receiving, select “based on XX from outside” or select based on the content of the control signal “△△ operated from outside” after a predetermined time has passed since reception. The microcomputer 3 may be controlled to output the voice guidance. Here, XX and △△ are control contents, and examples include ON / OFF (ON / OFF) of a set, recording / recording, and data transfer. Thus, various applications can be considered for this embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the car navigation device, audio data for car navigation is encoded by a predetermined compression method and a decoder for decoding the encoded data is mounted. Further, the user often has to perform a predetermined operation of the car navigation device. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a voice guidance indicating a predetermined operation when a predetermined operation to be performed by the user is not performed on the operation unit 5 is encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the audio decoder 14. Data may be stored, and control may be performed so that the audio decoder 14 decodes the audio data and outputs it to the external speaker SP when a predetermined operation is not performed.

1 is a block diagram showing a multi-channel AV amplifier as one embodiment of an audio playback apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the signal processing at the time of reproducing | regenerating voice guidance in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of DSP of FIG. It is the figure which showed the general 7.1ch speaker arrangement | positioning. It is a flowchart which shows the audio | voice guidance output operation | movement at the time of a patrol test tone output. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of the input from a DVD player. It is a block diagram which shows the AV amplifier connected to the network. It is a block diagram which shows AV amplifier of the car navigation apparatus concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 DSP
3 Microcomputer 5 Operation Unit 11 Memory 12, 16 Selector 14 Audio Decoder 15 Test Tone Signal Generation Unit 17 Sampling Rate Converter

Claims (5)

In an audio playback device having a decoder for decoding audio data encoded by a predetermined compression method,
Test tone signal generating means for generating a test tone signal for sequentially outputting to each of a plurality of speakers;
Voice guidance for specifying a speaker to be output when each of the plurality of speakers sequentially outputs test tones is stored as voice data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and the test tone signal generating means Control means for controlling the decoder to decode the audio data and output to one of the plurality of speakers when generating a test tone signal;
An audio playback apparatus comprising: In an audio playback device having a decoder that decodes audio data encoded from a predetermined compression method and input from the outside,
Voice guidance indicating that there is no input of voice data from the outside is stored as voice data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and when a predetermined user operation is performed in the audio playback device Control means for controlling the decoder to decode the audio data and output it to an external speaker,
An audio playback apparatus comprising: In an audio playback device having a decoder that decodes audio data encoded from a predetermined compression method and input from the outside,
When the user sets a predetermined condition, voice guidance indicating that the setting is completed is stored as voice data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and when the setting is completed, the decoder Control means for controlling the audio data to be decoded and output to an external speaker;
An audio playback apparatus comprising: In an audio playback device having a decoder that decodes audio data encoded from a predetermined compression method and input from the outside,
Means to receive incoming emails and control signals from external networks;
Voice guidance corresponding to the mail or voice guidance based on the control signal is stored in advance as voice data encoded by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and when the mail or control signal is received, or Control means for controlling the decoder to decode the audio data and output it to an external speaker after a predetermined time has elapsed,
An audio playback apparatus comprising: In an audio reproduction device of a car navigation device having a decoder that decodes audio data for car navigation that is encoded by a predetermined compression method and input from the outside,
Operation means for a user to operate the car navigation device;
Voice guidance that prompts the predetermined operation when the predetermined operation by the operation means to be performed by the user is not performed is stored as audio data encoded in advance by a compression method that can be decoded by the decoder, and the predetermined operation is performed. Control means for controlling the decoder to decode the audio data and output it to an external speaker when
An audio playback apparatus comprising:

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