JP2008022661A - Reproducing unit, program and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reproducing unit having high usability. <P>SOLUTION: This reproducing unit includes: a power supply for providing power to each section of the unit; a storage device for storing content data; a connector for connecting with a portable auxiliary storage device; a voltage adjustment device for adjusting the output voltage of the power supply to a predetermined voltage value, and applying a voltage to the power supply terminal of the connector; and a reproducing device for reading out the content data from the storage device or the auxiliary storage device to reproduce the contents. Further, the reproducing unit is provided with a switching means (step 34 to 40) switching the device from which the content data are read out by the reproducing device from the storage device to the auxiliary storage device, turning on application of a voltage to the power supply terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a playback device that plays back content based on stored content data, a program that causes a computer to function as playback means and switching means in the playback device, and a playback method in the playback device.

  Conventionally, a general-purpose USB flash memory (hereinafter referred to as “USB memory”) is generally used by many users as an auxiliary storage device of a personal computer. The main application is to store various types of unspecified files in a USB memory and carry them, and to use or copy the files in the USB memory in other personal computers. As a large-capacity USB memory becomes available at a low price, it has become more commonly used as a means for moving data from a personal computer.

  On the other hand, portable digital audio players that allow music contents to be transferred from a personal computer and played back have made rapid progress in the market. According to this, music contents transferred from a personal computer and stored in a built-in flash memory can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main part of such a conventional reproducing apparatus. In the figure, 81 is an internal power supply for supplying a voltage of 3 [V] to each part of the device, and 82 is 5 [V] from a USB power line (Vbus terminal) when the playback device is connected to a USB host such as a personal computer. A charging circuit 83 for charging the internal power supply 81 with the supply of the above voltage, and a control LSI 83 for controlling each part of the apparatus and reproducing the content stored in the memory. When connected to a USB host such as a personal computer, the playback device functions as a USB mass storage device, accesses the playback device's memory (not shown) from the personal computer, etc., and copies the content data in the personal computer to the memory. Content data can be deleted from the memory.

  However, according to such a conventional playback device, it is not possible to connect a USB memory to the outside and play music content in the external USB memory. As portable devices capable of reproducing the contents of the USB memory, only a USB memory reproducing device of a type that is inserted into a cigarette lighter socket is known as an in-vehicle device.

  Therefore, a playback device has been proposed in which a USB flash memory and various memory cards are connected via a USB port, and music content in these memory devices can be played back (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

Utility Model Registration No. 3101348

  However, this playback apparatus does not include a content storage memory. Therefore, according to this playback device, content cannot be played back unless a USB flash memory or the like is connected via the USB port. In addition, this disclosure of the playback apparatus does not mention a power supply method when operating a USB flash memory or the like via a USB port. On the other hand, in such a reproducing apparatus, the voltage has been lowered in order to drive the apparatus for a long time, but with the voltage as it is, power is supplied to the memory device for which the driving voltage is specified. It may not be possible.

  On the other hand, with the recent increase in music content distribution services over the Internet and the like, the capacity of content held in portable playback devices is increasing. Under these circumstances, content distribution is usually performed using a personal computer other than the home personal computer that uses the content distribution service on a daily basis while playing back the content stored in the memory inside the device. There are cases where the user uses a service or wants to temporarily view content held by another user. However, according to the conventional digital audio player, the operation of moving the content to the content reproduction apparatus is complicated. In the case of a playback device using dedicated software, it may not be possible at all.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a playback device that is more convenient to use in view of the problems of the prior art.

  To achieve the above object, a playback device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a power source for supplying power to each part of the device, storage means for storing content data, a connector for connecting an external auxiliary storage device, Voltage adjusting means for adjusting the output voltage of the power supply to a predetermined voltage value and applying it to the power supply terminal of the connector; playback means for reading content data from the storage means or auxiliary storage device; And switching means for switching the reading destination of the content data from the storage means to the auxiliary storage device and turning on the application of the voltage to the power supply terminal.

  Here, for example, a portable digital audio player corresponds to the playback device. Examples of the storage means include a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk device. For example, a USB memory corresponds to the auxiliary storage device. The predetermined voltage value applied to the power supply terminal of the connector corresponds to a voltage higher than the voltage of the power supply, for example. That is, in general, a playback device operates at a low voltage, for example, 3 [V] for the purpose of long-time driving, whereas a higher voltage, for example, 5 [V] is required for the operation of the auxiliary storage device. This is the case. For example, music content corresponds to the content data.

  In this configuration, when the apparatus is turned on, the reproducing unit can read the content data stored in the storage unit and reproduce the content data. On the other hand, when the switching unit switches the reading destination of the content data from the storage unit to the auxiliary storage device and switches the application of the voltage to the power supply terminal from the off state to the on state, the reproduction unit stores the content stored in the auxiliary storage device. Data can be read and played back.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playback apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the connector is used by another device to access the storage means, and the connection between the connector and the auxiliary storage device is the connector. And an adapter that absorbs a shape mismatch of the connector of the auxiliary storage device. Here, as a connector of a playback device used for another device to access the storage means, for example, a USB male connector or a USB female connector is applicable. The communication protocol for other devices to access the storage means and the communication protocol for the playback device to read content data from the auxiliary storage device usually match, but they do not have to match.

  A program according to a third invention causes a computer to function as a playback means and a switching means in the playback device according to the first invention or the second invention. This program includes a driver and the like for enabling reading from the auxiliary storage device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content reproduction method comprising: a power source for supplying power to each part of the device; a storage means for storing content data; a connector for connecting an external auxiliary storage device; It is related with the content reproduction method in the reproducing | regenerating apparatus provided with the voltage adjustment means adjusted to the voltage value of this and applying to the power supply terminal of the said connector. A reproducing unit that reads the content data from the storage unit or the auxiliary storage device and reproduces the content; and a switching unit that reads the content data read destination in the reproducing step from the internal storage device to the auxiliary storage. And a switching step of switching on the device and turning on the application of the voltage to the power supply terminal.

  According to the present invention, an auxiliary storage device can be connected, the reading destination of content data by the reproduction means is switched from the internal storage means to the auxiliary storage device, and voltage application to the auxiliary storage device is turned on. Therefore, in addition to the content stored in the storage unit, the content stored in the auxiliary storage unit can be reproduced as necessary.

  Therefore, when the content distribution service is used using a personal computer other than the home personal computer that uses the content distribution service on a daily basis, while normally reproducing the content stored in the storage means inside the playback device. In addition, when it is desired to temporarily view contents held by other users, these contents can be easily reproduced on the reproducing apparatus by using the auxiliary storage device.

  In the case where the connector for connecting the auxiliary storage device is also used by another device to access the storage means, the connection between the connector and the auxiliary storage device is connected to the connector and the auxiliary storage device. Since it is made via an adapter that absorbs the shape mismatch of the connector of the storage device, the connector for connecting the auxiliary storage device can be used without any inconvenience as a connector for other devices to access the storage means. can do.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a playback apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The playback device 10 includes an internal power supply 11 that supplies 3 [V] power to each unit of the device, a charging circuit 12 that charges the internal power supply 11, a control LSI 13 that controls each unit of the device and performs content playback processing, and the like. The booster circuit 14 that boosts the voltage of 3 [V] output from the internal power supply 11 to 5 [V] and the connection destination to the USB power supply line (Vbus terminal) are switched between the booster circuit 14 and the charging circuit 12. A switching circuit 15 is provided. Moreover, an internal memory (not shown) for storing content data is also provided.

  The playback device 10 functions as a mass storage in MSC mode, a player mode in which content data stored in the internal memory of the playback device 10 is played back, and content data stored in a USB memory connected to the playback device 10 It is possible to operate in three modes of the USB host mode for reproducing

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which a USB memory is connected to the playback apparatus 10. In the figure, 21 is a USB memory connected to the playback device 10, 22 is a USB male connector provided in the playback device 10, 23 is an adapter for connecting the USB male connector 22 and the USB memory 21, and 24 is the playback device 10. A display unit 25 provided on the front side is an operation key for the user to operate the playback apparatus 10. The power supply terminal (Vbus terminal) of the USB male connector 22 is connected to the changeover switch 15 in FIG.

  The playback device 10 operates in the MSC mode when connected to a USB host such as a personal computer via the USB male connector 22. In the MSC mode, the changeover switch 15 is connected to the charging circuit 12 side. Therefore, the charging circuit 12 receives a 5 [V] power supply from the USB host via the power line (Vbus terminal) of the USB male connector 22 and charges the internal power supply 11. In the MSC mode, it is possible to access the internal memory of the playback device 10 from a personal computer as a USB host, copy content data in the personal computer to the internal memory, and delete content data from the internal memory.

  When the playback apparatus 10 is not connected to the USB host, that is, when not in the MSC mode, the user can switch from the player mode to the USB host mode by operating the operation key 25. In the USB host mode, the changeover switch 15 is connected to the booster circuit 14 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a USB memory 21 is connected to the playback device 10. In this case, the voltage of 3 [V] output from the internal power supply 11 is boosted to 5 [V] by the booster circuit 14 and supplied to the USB memory 21 via the power supply line (Vbus terminal). The reason why the output voltage of the internal power supply 11 is 3 [V], which is lower than 5 [V] required to be supplied to the USB memory 21, is that the playback device 10 is low so that the playback device 10 can be driven for a long time. It is because it was made to operate with voltage.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control LSI 13. This process is performed when the operation key 25 instructs to switch to the USB host mode. When the process is started, first, in step 31, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the playback apparatus 10 is the MSC mode. This determination can be made by detecting whether the USB male connector 22 is connected to the USB host. If it is determined that the mode is the MSC mode, the MSC mode is maintained (step 32), and the processing of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 31 that the operation mode is not the MSC mode, the process proceeds to step 33 to determine whether or not the operation mode of the playback apparatus 10 is the player mode. If it is determined that the mode is not the player mode, the mode is the USB host mode, so the process proceeds to step 40, the USB host mode is maintained, and the process of FIG. If it is determined that the player mode is selected, the process proceeds to step 34 to determine whether an instruction to switch to the USB host mode has been issued. If it is determined that the instruction has not been made, the process proceeds to step 35, the player mode is maintained, and the process of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  If it is determined in step 34 that an instruction to switch to the USB host mode has been issued, the process proceeds to step 36 where the changeover switch 15 is switched from the charging circuit 12 side to the booster circuit 14 side. Next, in step 37, an MSC (mass storage class) driver is incorporated, and in step 38, the USB host program is started. Thus, the playback device 10 can function as a USB host for the connected USB memory 21. Further, in step 39, the content of the USB memory 21 can be reproduced, and in step 40, the mode is shifted to the USB host mode, and the program of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of processing by the control LSI 13. This process is performed when switching to the USB mode or switching to the player mode is instructed by the operation key 25. The processing in steps 41 to 50 is the same as the processing in steps 31 to 40 in FIG. 3 except that the processing proceeds to step 51 when it is determined in step 43 that the player mode is not set.

  If it is determined in step 43 that the player mode is not selected, the operation mode of the playback apparatus 10 is the USB host mode. In this case, the process proceeds to step 51, where it is determined whether or not an instruction to switch to the player mode has been issued. If it is determined that the instruction has not been given, the process proceeds to step 50, the USB host mode is maintained, and the process of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 51 that an instruction to switch to the player mode has been issued, the process proceeds to step 52 where the USB host program is stopped, and in step 53, the MSC driver is stopped. Further, in step 54, the changeover switch 15 is switched from the booster circuit 14 side to the charging circuit 12 side. In step 55, software for operating as the player mode is activated. In step 45, the mode is changed to the player mode, and the processing of FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, since the USB memory 21 is connected and the music content in the USB memory 21 can be reproduced, the music content is transferred from the personal computer to the USB memory 21, and the USB memory 21. Can be played along with the playback device 10 to play back the music content in the USB memory 21 at any time. In addition, it is possible to provide a new way of using the USB memory, in which a USB memory that is normally used as a peripheral device of a personal computer is used for storing and carrying music contents. Even when there is no free space in the memory built in the playback device 10 and music content cannot be added, by storing the music content in the USB memory 21, more music can be enjoyed by the playback device 10.

  In addition, since the USB male connector 22 used in the MSC mode can be connected to the male connector of the USB memory 21 via the adapter 23, the USB memory 21 can store music contents only by adding a simple circuit. Thus, it is possible to provide the playback apparatus 10 that can be used for the above. Also, firmware and adapters 23 necessary for reproduction of the USB memory 21 can be sold as options on the Web or the like. Therefore, the user can select whether or not to use the playback function using the USB memory 21 as necessary.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, in the above description, the USB male connector 22 used in the MSC mode is connected to the male connector of the USB memory 21 via the adapter 23. Instead, as shown in FIG. 10 may be provided with a USB female connector 56 to which the USB memory 21 may be connected. Switching between the USB host mode and the player mode can be performed in the same manner as in FIGS.

  In the above description, the playback apparatus having the USB male connector 22 has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to the playback apparatus 10 having the downstream USB female connector 71 as shown in FIG. can do. In this case, when the adapter is not used, a USB female connector 61 to which the USB memory 21 can be connected is provided as in the case of FIG. In this case, the USB female connector 71 may be used only for transmission / reception of content data with a personal computer for the MSC mode. As shown in FIG. 7, when a USB female connector 71 is not used for connecting to the USB memory 21 and the USB female connector 71 is shared for the MSC mode and the USB host mode, the downstream USB female is used. The connector 71 and the USB memory 21 can be connected using a conversion cable type adapter 72. In this case, operations in the MSC mode, the player mode, and the USB host mode can be performed with the same configuration as that in FIG.

  In the above description, the switching between the player mode and the USB host mode is performed according to the user operation. Instead, however, the switching is performed in conjunction with the connection operation of the USB memory 21 by the user. Good. That is, when the USB memory 21 is connected to the playback device 10, the player mode is switched from the player mode to the USB host mode accordingly. When the USB memory 21 is removed from the playback device 10, the player is switched from the USB host mode accordingly. You may make it switch to a mode.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that USB memory is connected with respect to the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process by the apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the process by the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that a USB memory is connected with the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that a USB memory is connected with respect to the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that a USB memory is connected with respect to the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the conventional reproducing | regenerating apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10, 80: Playback device, 11, 81: Internal power supply, 12, 82: Charging circuit, 13, 83: Control LSI, 14: Booster circuit, 15: Switching circuit, 21: USB memory, 22: USB male connector, 23 : Adapter, 24: Display, 25: Operation key, 56: USB female connector, 61: USB female connector, 71: USB female connector, 72: Adapter.

Claims (4)

A power source for supplying power to each part of the device;
Storage means for storing content data;
A connector for connecting an external auxiliary storage device;
Voltage adjusting means for adjusting the output voltage of the power source to a predetermined voltage value and applying it to the power source terminal of the connector;
Reproduction means for reading content data from the storage means or the auxiliary storage device and reproducing the content;
A playback apparatus comprising: switching means for switching a reading destination of content data by the playback means from the storage means to the auxiliary storage device and turning on application of a voltage to the power supply terminal. The connector is used by another device to access the storage means;
2. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the connector and the auxiliary storage device is made through an adapter that absorbs a shape mismatch between the connector and the connector of the auxiliary storage device.   A program for causing a computer to function as a reproducing unit and a switching unit in the reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A power source for supplying power to each part of the device;
Storage means for storing content data;
A connector for connecting an external auxiliary storage device;
A reproduction method in a reproduction apparatus comprising: a voltage adjustment means for adjusting an output voltage of the power supply to a predetermined voltage value and applying the voltage to a power supply terminal of the connector,
A reproduction step of reproducing the content by reading the content data from the storage unit or the auxiliary storage device;
The content reproduction comprises: a switching step in which the switching means switches the reading destination of the content data in the reproduction step from the storage means to the auxiliary storage device and turns on the application of the voltage to the power supply terminal. Method.

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