JP2008159252A - Method and apparatus for obtaining voice data for selection - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To materialize a simple voice program selection method without using any displays or many keys. <P>SOLUTION: In a method for obtaining voice data for selection is disclosed for obtaining, as voice data for selection, the characteristic part of musical piece data, the method comprises: starting analysis for extracting the characteristic part from the musical piece data; judging whether the characteristic part of the musical piece data has been extracted as a result of the analysis; detecting the start address of the extracted part as a pointer regarding the characteristic part when the characteristic part of the musical piece data has been extracted; making the detected pointer correspond to the musical piece data and storing the detected pointer into a storage part; and obtaining the voice part for selection by reading a part indicated by the pointer from the storage part when the voice data for selection is reproduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a selection audio data acquisition apparatus capable of outputting (for example, reproduction output) a program (for example, music) based on audio data , and a selection audio data acquisition method for reproduction output and the like.

For example, in a playback apparatus capable of playing back and outputting a plurality of programs (hereinafter, described as an example of music data as a program), the user can usually select a music to be played back.
For example, in a CD (COMPACT DISC) player or an MD (MINI DISC) player, the user can play back a desired music piece by specifying a track number for the music piece recorded in the loaded disc.
In addition, when a relatively large display unit is provided, or when the monitor screen can be used by connecting to a personal computer, etc., a list of reproducible songs can be displayed with song names, icons, etc. A song that allows you to select songs is also being developed.

By the way, when the playback unit is a small device that cannot display a list, or when the user does not know the number of each song recorded (track number) and the desired song cannot be selected directly, the selection is troublesome. Operation is required.
In other words, the user needs to perform a complicated and time-consuming operation such as listening to the beginning of a song while performing a cue playback operation of the song and determining whether or not the song is the target song. Become.

In a stationary player, since a relatively large number of operation keys can be arranged, for example, it is possible to prepare a numeric key and directly input a track number as described above to select a music. However, it is difficult to prepare numeric keys from the viewpoint of reducing the number of keys and space limitations, and it is necessary to search for a desired song while listening to each song as described above. I do not get.
In order to realize ease of selection, it is usually considered that the display unit is effectively used as described above. However, when there is a demand for reduction in size and weight and power saving, the selection method using the display unit is not appropriate. .

  The present invention responds to such a situation, and basically the user does not use a display and only requires a minimum number of controls, so that the user can discriminate the contents of a sound program such as a song by hearing. It is an object of the present invention to enable easy program selection.

To this end, in the selection audio data acquisition method for acquiring a characteristic part of music data as selection audio data, an analysis for extracting a characteristic part from the music data is started, and the analysis result of the music data is It is determined whether or not a characteristic part has been extracted, and when the characteristic part of the music data is extracted, the start address of the extracted part is detected as a pointer relating to the characteristic part, and the detected pointer Is stored in the storage unit in association with the music data, and the selection audio data is obtained by reading out the portion indicated by the pointer from the storage unit when reproducing the selection audio data.

In addition, in the selection voice data acquisition apparatus for acquiring a characteristic part of music data as selection voice data, an analysis for extracting a characteristic part from the music data is started, and the characteristic of the music data is obtained as an analysis result. A control unit that detects a start address of the extracted part as a pointer relating to a characteristic part, and a storage unit that stores the pointer detected by the control unit in association with the music data. A reading unit that acquires the selection audio data by reading out the portion indicated by the pointer from the storage unit when reproducing the selection audio data.

As can be seen from the above description, the present invention can provide the following various effects, thereby realizing a selection audio data acquisition apparatus suitable for use by the user and acquisition of selection audio data .

  First, in the present invention, a plurality of selection voice data, which are selection candidates, are simultaneously output at different positions from a voice output system of at least two channels, and designated by a decision operation from the output selection voice data. The program corresponding to the selected audio data for selection is selected and determined. That is, the user can recognize selection audio data (earphones) for each program (musical piece or the like) in the three-dimensional sound image space like an icon in the display, and can select a desired program therein. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly select a program even if the audio output device has no display unit (or has only a small display unit) and the audio output device has few operators. There is an effect that it becomes possible. This also makes it possible to reduce the size of the device and improve the usability of the user.

  In addition, when the program selected and determined in this way is started to be played back (or received output) as a program to be played back (or received), the audio output device of the present invention is realized as a playback device or a receiving device. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform an appropriate operation requested by the user without any burden on the user.

For selection voice data to be output simultaneously, that is, selection candidates at each time point, by changing part or all according to the selection operation (sequential feed or page switching), more programs than the number of simultaneous outputs Can be easily realized.
Also, according to the selection operation, by changing the selection audio data being selected that will be selected and determined at that time, the output of each selection audio data can be It can be easily understood by the user who supports the operation.

The selection voice data being selected at each time point is determined as the selection voice data localized at a specific sound image position, so that the user can recognize which is being selected.
In addition, since the selected selection voice data is set to the highest sound pressure level among the simultaneous outputs, the selection selection voice data can be easily recognized by the user. It is possible to improve the ease of the selection operation and to prevent the selection mistake from occurring.
Furthermore, what is the program being selected for the user by providing a display means capable of executing a display indicating the selection voice data being selected among the selection voice data being simultaneously output as selection candidates. It can be easily recognized.

The audio data for selection can be generated and stored in advance corresponding to each program that can be output, thereby reducing the processing burden when selecting a program, that is, when outputting a plurality of audio data for selection. it can. This also eliminates the need for the audio output device to have a high level of processing capability, leading to a reduction in device cost.
On the other hand, in an audio output device equipped with advanced arithmetic processing capability, selection audio data is generated and output when it is selected as a selection candidate at the time of program selection, so that the audio for selection is used before that. There is no need to prepare data.

  When pointer data for each program is set and a program is selected, a part of the data in the program indicated by the pointer data is extracted and output as selection voice data, so that the selection voice data is preliminarily output. Processing such as extraction and storage is unnecessary, and the capacity required for storage can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a reproducing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the sake of explanation, the program to be reproduced and output is an example of one piece of music data, and the audio data for selection output corresponding to each program at the time of the selection operation is referred to as “earphone”. The description will be given in the following order. In particular, after describing the playback apparatus as one embodiment and the program selection method employed in “1. Configuration of playback apparatus” and “2. Music selection operation”, “3. .. Other examples of configuration of reproducing apparatus ”to“ 11. Other various modifications ”will describe modifications of various parts.
1. 1. Configuration of playback device 2. Song selection operation 3. Another example of configuration of playback device 4. Other examples of earphone data 5. Example of setting earphone with pointer data 6. Other examples of storage form Example of output localization of earphones 8. 8. Identification example of selected earphone Another example of selection operation / output earphone 10. Another example of display unit11. Other various modifications

1. Configuration of Playback Device FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a playback device.
The entire operation of this reproducing apparatus is controlled by a controller 1 formed by a microcomputer.
As the operation unit 11, various operators (keys and dials) operated by the user are prepared. For example, operators for playback, recording, stop, search, operation mode switching, etc. are prepared. In addition, a selection operation (selection candidate and switching operation of the currently selected song) and a determination operation (operation for selecting and determining the currently selected song) are possible for program selection (hereinafter also referred to as song selection) described later. It is said.

  The controller 1 performs necessary control on each unit in accordance with a user operation input from the operation unit 11 and an operation program stored in the ROM 2. Further, the display operation in the display unit 10 that is formed in a small size, for example, by a liquid crystal panel or the like is controlled in accordance with the operation being executed by the playback apparatus.

  The storage unit 3 is configured by a solid-state memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD), for example. In the case of this example, it is assumed that music data and data as an earphone corresponding to each music are stored in the storage unit 3, so that this playback device reproduces and outputs the music and earphones stored in the storage unit 3. It is supposed to be possible.

  The arithmetic processing unit 4 is configured by a DSP (DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSER), for example, and performs various signal processing. For example, compression and predetermined encoding processing for music data stored in the storage unit 3, expansion of music data read from the storage unit 3, and predetermined decoding processing are performed. Also, processing for generating earphones, which will be described later, and localization, volume (sound pressure level) adjustment, synthesis processing, and the like of each data when a plurality of earphone data are output simultaneously are executed. Note that the buffer memory 13 is used as a part where the arithmetic processing unit 4 temporarily stores data, for example, at the time of combining processing for outputting a plurality of earphone data.

The music data stored in the storage unit 3 can be input from the analog audio input unit 5 or the digital audio input unit 7.
When an analog audio signal is input, input gain adjustment and the like are performed by the analog audio input unit 5, and then converted into digital data by the A / D converter 6 and supplied to the arithmetic processing unit 4. Then, predetermined compression encoding or the like is performed and stored (recorded) in the storage unit 3.
When a digital audio signal is input, the digital data is supplied from the digital audio input unit 7 to the arithmetic processing unit 4, subjected to predetermined compression encoding, etc., and stored (recorded) in the storage unit 3.

  The audio data read from the storage unit 3 is decoded by the arithmetic processing unit 4 and then converted into an analog audio signal (two-channel stereo of L and R) by the D / A converter 8, and a stereo audio output processing unit 9 Then, analog processing such as amplification, master level adjustment, equalizing processing, etc. is performed and output as a reproduced audio signal. For example, it is supplied to headphones, speakers, etc., and reproduced and output as stereo sound. Or it may be supplied to other devices as a line-out.

2. Song Selection Operation In such a playback apparatus, the user can select a song to be played from the recorded music in the storage unit 3 and play it back. For example, music data can be stored in the storage unit 3 by connecting a CD player, an MD player, or other device as a sound source and supplying an audio signal to the analog audio input unit 5 or the digital audio input unit 7.
And about the music data stored in the memory | storage part 3, a user searches for the desired music to reproduce by performing selection operation and determination operation in the operation part 11, listening to the reproduction | regeneration audio | voice as an earphone, You can make a choice.

First, the music data and earphone data stored in the storage unit 3 are as shown in FIG.
For example, if a plurality of music data M1, M2, M3,... Are stored as shown in FIG. 2A, earphone data EM1, corresponding to each music data M1, M2, M3,. EM2, EM3,... Are generated and stored. That is, the music data and the earphone data are managed in correspondence in the storage unit 3 as shown in FIG.
Here, the earphone data EM1, EM2, EM3,... Is data obtained by extracting a part of the corresponding music data M1, M2, M3,. That is, a so-called rust portion of a song, a main melody portion, and the like are extracted as a portion that becomes a feature of each piece of music and used as earphone data.

When a plurality of music pieces and earphones are stored in this manner and a music piece to be played is selected, a predetermined number of the music pieces that can be reproduced and output (that is, all the music pieces stored in the storage unit 3) are selected. The earphone data are sequentially selected as candidates for selection, and are simultaneously output in different positions in the stereo sound image space.
In this example, the number of simultaneous reproductions is set to 3, that is, the earphone data of three songs is output in three positions, left, center and right, respectively. For a user who is listening with the left and right stereo speakers or stereo headphones, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, the sound image space is different from the three positions, left, center, and right, indicated by ○ with respect to the user position “U”. You will hear the music.

Furthermore, in order to make the user easily recognize that one of the three earphones is “selected”, for example, the sound pressure level of the sound output of the earphone located in the center is relatively set to the left and right. Let's be big. “Selecting” means a so-called cursor position on the display, that is, a state where the selection is confirmed by performing a determination operation at that time.
In FIG. 4, the size of ○ is shown as the sound pressure level, but by increasing the ear position sound that is localized at the center to the maximum, for the user, the sound at the center location is higher than the left and right audio as indicated by the broken circle ○ For example, by performing a determination operation at this time, it is possible to easily recognize that the most clearly audible music is selected.

Further, when three earphones are simultaneously reproduced in this way, there are only three songs that can be selected at that time, but of course the music data stored in the storage unit 3 is not limited to three songs. It is necessary to select a larger number of songs as selection candidates. Therefore, in this example, according to the selection operation of the user, the three music pieces (earphones) as selection candidates are switched so as to be scrolled, and the selected earphone is switched.
The output switching according to this selection operation will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, it is assumed that 10 pieces of music data and earphones are stored in the storage unit 3.
First, at the first time when music selection is started, as shown as the selection state SL1, earphones EM1 and EM2 for the music M1 and M2 are simultaneously output. In this state, the earphone EM1 is set to the center position and the earphone EM2 is set to the right position so that the earphone EM1 for the music piece M1 is being selected, and the earphone EM1 has a higher sound pressure level.
In this state, if the determination operation is performed assuming that the earphone EM1 being selected by the user is a desired song, the selection of the song M1 is confirmed and the reproduction operation of the song M1 is started.

However, when the earphone EM1 is not a desired song, the user performs a selection operation, and the earphone reproduction output shifts to the selection state SL2. That is, the earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 for the music pieces M1, M2, and M3 are simultaneously output as selection candidates. In this state, the earphone EM1 is selected for the left position, the earphone EM2 is set for the center position, and the earphone EM3 is set for the right position so that the earphone EM2 is selected. Is considered high.
In this state, if the user performs a determination operation, the selection of the music M2 (earcon EM2) is confirmed, and the reproduction operation of the music M2 is started.

When the user further performs a selection operation from the selection state SL2, the earphone reproduction output shifts to the selection state SL3. That is, the earphones EM2, EM3, and EM4 for the music pieces M2, M3, and M4 are simultaneously output as selection candidates. In this state, the earphone EM2 is selected to the left, the earphone EM3 is set to the center position, the earphone EM4 is set to the right position, and the earphone EM3 has a higher sound pressure level than the other earphones. Is done.
In this state, if the user performs a determination operation, the selection of the song M3 (Eacon EM3) is confirmed, and the reproduction operation of the song M3 is started.

In other words, the selection states SL1 to SL10 shown in the drawing are similarly switched in the following manner, so that the user can sequentially select the earphones of each song and the desired song (earphone) is being selected. At this point, the selection of the song to be performed is confirmed.
Further, the selection candidates, that is, the output earphones are updated one by one in accordance with the switching of the selection states SL1 to SL10, and for the user, each song is changed from right to left in the sound image space. It feels like scrolling sequentially.
In addition, since the preceding and following songs can be heard from the left and right with the selected earphone as the center, that is, three songs can be confirmed at the same time, an operation for searching for a desired song can be performed efficiently.

In order to realize such a music selection operation, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the playback apparatus only needs to prepare a selection operation key and a determination operation key for the user's operation.
The selection operation key may be provided as one key, and may be switched in the selection state SL1 → SL2 → SL3 →... SL10 → SL1 →. It may be formed as an up / down key so that the selected state can be shifted in the vertical direction in FIG.
The determination operation key may be provided as an independent key, or may be used as a reproduction key, for example. However, as will be described later, when the song selection as described above can be performed for purposes other than the selection of the song to be played back, the determination operation key is not used as a playback key but as an independent key. It is preferable to provide it.

  Note that the earphone data is a part of a piece of music as shown in FIG. For example, each earphone is set as performance time data of about 10 seconds. For this reason, when a certain selection state (SL1 to SL10) continues for about 10 seconds or more while waiting for a user's selection operation or determination operation, each earphone is repeatedly reproduced.

By the way, the reproducing apparatus of this example includes the display unit 10, and thus, it is possible to provide an easy-to-understand selection operation by executing an auxiliary display during the music selection operation.
For example, the reproducing apparatus of this example is a portable small device as shown in FIG. 6A, and the display unit 10 is provided at a predetermined position on the cord of the headphone 30 as a so-called headphone remote controller. It is assumed that a remote control unit 20 is formed.
The remote controller 20 is shown in FIG. 6B. For example, as various keys corresponding to the operation unit 11, a play / pause key 21, a stop key 22, search keys 23 and 24, and an up / up key corresponding to the selection operation key. A down key 25, an enter key 26 corresponding to the determination operation key, and the like are provided. A small liquid crystal monitor serving as the display unit 10 is arranged.

Even such a small display unit 10 can guide the user's selection operation by performing the display as shown in FIG. 7, for example.
That is, when the playback of the earphone is in the selection state SL1 in FIG. 5, it indicates that the first and second songs are localized to the center and the right as shown in FIG. The first song is in the selected state. In the selection state SL2, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first song, the second song, and the third song are localized to the left, center, and right, and the center is blinked to select the second song. Present that you are in the middle state. Similarly, in the selection state SL3, a display as shown in FIG.
By performing such a guide, the user can proceed with the selection operation while confirming the display as necessary.

  Various processes of the controller 1 for realizing the music selection operation as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a process for generating an earphone will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, when recording music data, that is, when a user inputs an audio signal from the analog audio input unit 5 or the digital audio input unit 7 and stores it in the storage unit 3, At this point, it is conceivable to generate an earphone by performing processing on the music data stored in the storage unit 3 (music data for which a corresponding earphone has not yet been generated).
Also, if the processing performance of the arithmetic processing unit 4 is high and high-speed processing of a certain level or higher is possible, instead of generating an earphone in advance, the earphone is output when the earphone is output for music selection. You may make it produce | generate.

  Here, it will be described that the earphone is generated simultaneously with the recording of the music data to the storage unit 3, or immediately after the recording to the storage unit is completed or at a certain time later. That is, it is a case where the earphone is already generated and stored in the storage unit 3 as shown in FIG. When the input music data is recorded in the storage unit 3 and the earphone is generated at the same time, the arithmetic processing unit 4 performs processing for recording the music data, that is, compression encoding and transfer to the storage unit 3. In parallel with the processing, the processing instructed by the control of FIG. 8 is performed.

The controller 1 performs the process of FIG. 8 on the music data input for recording (or music data that has been recorded in the storage unit 3), and causes the arithmetic processing unit 4 to generate earphones.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to extract a characteristic part (such as rust) in a music piece and use it as an earphone, first, in step F101, parameters for extracting the characteristic part are set.

There are various methods for extracting the characteristic part. For example, in the case where the most prominent part of the music such as rust is selected, an extraction method based on the average sound pressure or the frequency spectrum is conceivable. That is, the part where the sound pressure is increased and the part where the high frequency component is increased are the most characteristic parts in the music.
Therefore, in step F101, the average sound pressure and frequency spectrum, and necessary threshold values are used as parameters, and in step F102, the average sound pressure and its time change, and the frequency spectrum and its time change are detected for the target music data. Run a scan.

  From this scan result, it is recognized that the portion where the average sound pressure exceeded a certain threshold value continued for a certain period of time, and that a certain characteristic (for example, high frequency shift tendency) continued as a frequency spectrum for a predetermined time period. Then, that part is recognized as a characteristic part.

  When the earphone is generated simultaneously with the input of the music data, the input music data is scanned, and the earphone is generated for the music data already stored in the storage unit 3. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to perform scanning while reading music data from the storage unit 3 and storing it in the buffer memory 13.

Scanning is continued in a loop of steps F103 and F104 until such a characteristic portion can be extracted or the music data is completed.
If the characteristic part can be extracted at a certain time, the process proceeds from step F103 to F105, the extracted data part, that is, a part of the music data that is stereo audio data is converted into monaural data, and the compression process is further performed in step F106. Do. Note that if data extraction is performed from the compressed data already stored in the storage unit 3, the process of step F106 is not necessary.

When the monaural conversion and compression processing is completed, it is stored in the storage unit 3 as earphone data in step F107, and thus an earphone corresponding to one piece of music data is generated.
Such an earphone generation process is executed for each piece of music data input or for each piece of music data stored in the storage unit 3.

  By the way, considering various music pieces, it may be impossible to extract a feature portion even if the scan ends in step F104. In such a case, the process returns to step F101 to update the parameters. That is, the condition for determining that it corresponds to the characteristic portion is changed. For example, the condition is changed by lowering the threshold value or enabling only the sound pressure parameter. Then, scanning is started again from step F102.

The earphone extraction processing as shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and various other processing examples and processing timings are conceivable.
Further, the feature part for generating the earphone may allow the user to specify an arbitrary position in the song.

For example, when the earphone is generated in this way and enters the storage state as shown in FIG. 2, a music selection operation using the earphone can be performed thereafter.
FIG. 9 shows a process corresponding to a user operation for selecting a song to be reproduced.
FIG. 9 shows processing for monitoring a user's selection operation (for example, operation of the up / down key 25) or determination operation (for example, operation of the enter key 26 or the reproduction key 21). The controller 1 performs steps F201, F202, F203. These user operations are monitored in a loop.
When the user performs a selection operation, in step F204, selection output processing, that is, output control of the earphone data in a certain selection state described with reference to FIG. 5 is performed.
When the user performs a determination operation (or a reproduction operation), the process proceeds to step F205 and control is performed to execute the reproduction operation.

The selection output process performed as step F204 is the process shown in FIG.
First, in step F301, a tune (in this case, earphone) to be played simultaneously for selection is set. For example, at the time when the selection operation is first performed, in order to realize the selection state SL1 in FIG. 5, here, the earphones EM1 and EM2 are set as simultaneous reproduction music (selection candidates).
Further, when the user performs a selection operation again in the selection state SL1 and proceeds to step F204 in FIG. 9, the earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 are set to realize the selection state SL2 in step F301 in FIG. It will be set as a simultaneous playback song.

  When the simultaneous reproduction music to be selected is set, it is confirmed whether each earphone set in step F302 exists in the storage unit 3 or not. Then, if there is a song that does not have a corresponding earphone among the music to be selected, the earphone generation process is performed in step F303. That is, the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed to generate an earphone.

  However, as described above, if the earphone is generated at the same time as the music data is stored, the earphone data should exist at the time of step F302, and thus the processing of steps F302 and F303 is not necessarily required. On the other hand, if the processing capability of the arithmetic processing unit 4 is high as described above, the earphone may be generated at the time of selective output instead of being generated in advance. In such a case, necessary earphones are generated in step F303 after selection candidates are set.

  When the necessary earphones are prepared, the operation processing unit 4 is instructed to read the earphones from the storage unit 3 in step F304 and execute the sound information shaping process in step F305 while storing them in the buffer memory 13, for example. The processing of steps F304 and F305 is executed for each earphone selected as a selection candidate (for example, EM1 and EM2 for the output of the selection state SL1, and EM4, EM5, and EM6 for the output of the selection state SL5). .

Sound information shaping is the following process.
First, a filtering process is performed to cut or reduce high frequency components and low frequency components that do not contribute to localization of earphone data within a range that does not impair the characteristics of the original music.
In addition, processing in the time axis direction is performed in which compression or cutting is performed on the time axis so that the performance time of the earphone data becomes a predetermined time set in advance. However, it is not necessary when the earphone is generated in advance as data of a certain performance time.
There is also a process related to sound pressure. This is a process for preventing the sound pressure of the synthesized voice data from becoming an excessive sound pressure level for the user when three (or two) earphones are simultaneously output. A process of attenuating the data level by a predetermined level is performed.
In addition, limiter control of each earphone data is performed so that the peak sound pressure does not exceed the standard value.
Further, when a silent part is generated in the earphone data, the part may be cut.

The reading of each earphone data and the shaping of sound information as described above are performed, and when the earphone data to be output at the same time are prepared (for example, two or three earphone data with sound information shaping stored in the buffer memory 13). When the state is reached), the process advances from step F306 to F307 to perform a three-dimensional sound image synthesis process.
The three-dimensional sound image synthesizing process is a process of synthesizing a plurality of earphones (monaural data) so as to have different localizations in the stereo sound image space.
For example, synthesis processing is performed on each earpiece data using a required phase difference parameter and level difference parameter.

In particular, in the case of this example, it is a synthesis process for realizing that the three earphones are distributed to the left, center, and right as localization, and that the sound of the center localization has the highest sound pressure level. Therefore, specifically, regarding the sound pressure level, the earphone that should be centered is increased, and the earphone that is localized to the left and right is attenuated.
As for localization, for example, L: R = 5: 5 for the center localization earphone, L: R = 2: 8 for the right localization earphone, and L: R = 2: 8 for the right localization earphone. The localization is determined by giving each volume balance of L: R = 8: 2.
Then, the earphone data processed in such a manner is synthesized to obtain L, R2 channel stereo audio output data. The earphone composition data generated by the composition processing in this way is stored in the buffer memory 13, for example. Through the above processing, for example, earphone composition data that realizes one selection state to be output this time among the selection states SL1 to SL10 in FIG. 5 is generated.

  In step F308, the display state of the display unit 10 is executed in accordance with the selection state to be output this time (see FIG. 7), and in step F309, the ear-composited data is converted into the D / A converter 8 and the stereo audio output processing unit 9. To be output as sound. Accordingly, three earphone sounds (or two in the case of the selected states SL1 and SL10) are simultaneously output to the user with the localization and volume balance as described with reference to FIGS.

  Thereafter, each time the user performs a selection operation and proceeds to step F204 in FIG. 9, the processing in FIG. 10 is performed according to the selection state (see FIG. 5) to be output in accordance with the operation, as described in FIG. Various selection states are provided to the user. That is, the user can search for a state where a desired music piece is being selected by repeating the selection operation.

When the user performs a determination operation when a desired music piece is being selected (that is, center localization at a relatively large volume), the process proceeds to step F205 in FIG. 9 and the reproduction process shown in FIG. 11 is performed. Then, the selected music is played.
That is, reading of music data corresponding to the earphone selected and determined from the storage unit 3 is started in step F401, and decoding processing in the arithmetic processing unit 4 is started in step F402.
As a result, the music data read from the storage unit 3 is output as stereo sound via the D / A converter 8 and the stereo sound output processing unit 9.

  While the music data is being played in this way, the user's stop operation and the end of playback of the music data are monitored in steps F403 and F404, and when the stop operation or playback ends, the playback process is executed in step F405. Stop.

With the processes shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, when the user wants to reproduce a certain song, the user can search for the target song while listening to the earphone data.
The earphone data is obtained by recognizing a plurality of earphone data with different localizations in the three-dimensional sound image space, so that a number of earphones can be confirmed at the same time. This makes it possible to quickly and easily search for a target song, and even if the display unit is a small (or non-existent) playback device or a playback device with few operators, the selection operability is It will be good.
In addition, by making the music selected and determined in this way be reproduced and output, the selection determination operation also serves as the reproduction operation, and the user's operation for reproduction becomes simpler.

In addition, the fact that each selection state in FIG. 5 is switched in accordance with the selection operation at the time of selection is recognized by the user as each earphone is scrolling and being sequentially selected. This is the selection operation performed by the user himself / herself. This makes it easier to recognize the change in the output sound due to and the meaning of the selection operation.
Furthermore, as the selected audio data being selected, for example, it is localized at a specific sound image position such as the center and is set to the highest sound pressure level. Therefore, even when a plurality of earphones can be heard at the same time, the user clearly identifies the selected earphone. It can be recognized, and it does not hesitate whether to execute the determination operation at each time point.

  In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 10 also displays the earphones (numbers of music data) that are simultaneously reproduced and output and the earphones currently selected (numbers of music data). As a result, the user can confirm the number of the music piece being selected, which is convenient.

By the way, the earphone data is generated and held in advance corresponding to each piece of music data to be stored (or stored), thereby reducing the processing burden when selecting a song, that is, outputting a plurality of earphones. be able to. This also eliminates the need for the arithmetic processing unit 4 to have a high level of arithmetic processing capability, leading to a reduction in apparatus cost.
On the other hand, if the arithmetic processing unit 4 has a high level of arithmetic processing capability, it is possible to generate an earphone at the time of song selection (when the earphone is output), so that the earphone is generated before that. Of course, and the storage unit 3 also does not need a storage area for earphone data.

3. Other Examples of Configuration of Reproducing Device Various modifications as the present invention will be described below. Here, an example of the configuration of the playback apparatus will be described first.
FIG. 12 shows another configuration example of the playback apparatus. The same parts as those in FIG.
In this configuration example, the playback apparatus has the disk drive 12, which enables playback of disks such as CDs and MDs, that is, disks that record music data.

In this case, in response to the loading of the disk in the disk drive 12, the program (music) recorded on the disk is scanned to generate earphones, and for example, in the storage unit 3 corresponding to the track number of the disk. I will remember it.
Accordingly, when a selection operation is performed in order to reproduce a certain piece of music recorded on a disc loaded by the user, a plurality of earphones as described above using different earphones recorded in the storage unit 3 are different. Performs simultaneous playback in stereo.
When a determination operation is performed in a certain selection state, reproduction of a track (music data) on the disc corresponding to the determined earphone is started.

  By doing in this way, the user can perform song selection similarly to the above-mentioned example with respect to the music recorded on a certain CD or MD disk with what is called a portable medium.

Even in this configuration, the music data input from the analog audio input unit 5 or the digital audio input unit 7 may be stored in the storage unit 3, and a corresponding earphone may be generated and stored.
When the disk drive 12 is a drive for an MD and has a recording function, the music data input from the analog audio input unit 5 or the digital audio input unit 7 is recorded on the loaded MD. You can also In that case, an earphone corresponding to each piece of music data to be recorded may be generated and stored in the storage unit 3.
However, a configuration in which such a recording function is not provided is also conceivable. In this case, the input system part surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line is unnecessary.

FIG. 13 shows still another configuration example of the playback apparatus. In this case, the storage unit 3 is configured as a memory drive for a portable solid-state memory 91 (for example, a memory card, a memory stick, etc.).
In this case, the music data input from the analog audio input unit 5 or the digital audio input unit 7 is stored in the solid-state memory 91 loaded in the storage unit 3, and the corresponding earphone is generated and stored. By doing so, it is possible to perform reproduction output (simultaneous localization simultaneous reproduction) using the earphone at the time of music selection as in the reproduction apparatus configured as shown in FIG. That is, the user can easily reproduce the desired music piece by executing the same selection operation as described above.
Of course, when the solid-state memory 91 storing the music data is loaded, it is also conceivable to generate earphones corresponding to the recorded music data and store them in the solid-state memory 91.

In addition, by using the portable solid memory 91, for example, a method of selling and providing the user with a solid memory 91 in which music data and earphone data are stored in advance can be considered. That is, the music media maker generates and stores optimum earphone data corresponding to each piece of music data to be recorded. In this way, it is not necessary to generate earphones on the playback device side, and the most suitable part that well represents the characteristics of the music can be presented to the user as an earphone when selected.
In addition, when only the solid-state memory 91 in which music data and earphones are stored in advance can be used as described above, an input system part surrounded by a one-dot chain line is not necessary.

4). Another example of earphone data Earphone data has been the most characteristic part of music data, such as rust, but it is not generated by searching for such parts. You may extract regularly. For example, FIG. 14 shows an example in which a predetermined time at the beginning of each piece of music data is an earphone.
If a certain part in music data is regularly extracted as an earphone in this way, the earphone extraction process is greatly simplified. For example, even an arithmetic processing unit having a low processing speed can select an earphone for selection. It is also possible to generate earphones when outputting.

  Of course, the position is not limited to the start position of the music data, and may be a specific portion in the middle of the music data, for example, from 10 seconds to 20 seconds from the start of the music.

Further, as described above, when the earphone is a feature portion such as rust, the performance time length as the earpiece portion may be a fixed time or may be a variable time length according to the length of the feature portion.
Furthermore, it is not limited to the case where it is used as a feature part or the case where it is regularly extracted, but data that can be heard by the user at a speed different from that during normal playback, such as high-speed playback sound (for example, thinning in the time axis direction) Data).

5. Example of setting an earphone with pointer data In the above description, an example of generating data obtained by extracting a part of music data as an earphone has been described. However, it is necessary to store the data itself as an earphone in the storage unit 3. Alternatively, for example, it is conceivable to store pointer data (earphone pointer) for designating a data portion to be used as the earphone when reproducing the earphone.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the earphone pointers P1, P2,... Are stored in the storage unit 3 corresponding to the music data M1, M2,.

As shown in FIG. 16, the earphone pointer designates a part to be used as an earphone by an address (address where the music data is stored in the storage unit 3) or the like in a music data. .
For example, when the section of addresses ad1 to ad2 is extracted as a feature portion of the music data M1 as shown in FIG. 16A, the corresponding earpiece pointer P1 is displayed as the feature portion as shown in FIG. 16B. The start address is stored as address ad1, and the end address is stored as address ad2.

Alternatively, if the performance time of the address ad1 to ad2 that is a characteristic part of the music data M1 is 10 seconds, the start address of the characteristic part is addressed as the corresponding ear pointer P1 as shown in FIG. ad1 and the performance time of 10 seconds (address length or data length) are stored.
If the earphone pointer is stored in this way, when outputting the earphone, it is only necessary to extract and read a part of the actual music data according to the earphone pointer, and the earphone as the actual data is read out. There is no need to save the data. As a result, the data capacity required for the storage unit 3 can also be reduced.

When the data length (performance time length) as the earphone data is variable, an earpiece pointer having a form as shown in FIG. 16B or FIG. 16C is required. If the length is fixed, the earpiece pointer need only be the start address.
Further, it goes without saying that even when a specific portion in the music data is used as shown in FIG. 14, a method of storing the earpiece pointer can be adopted.

FIG. 17 shows the setting process of the earphone pointer as shown in FIG. 16B or FIG. 16C when extracting the characteristic part in the music data to make the earphone.
In this process, steps F151 to F154 are the same as steps F101 to F104 in FIG.
When the feature portion is extracted by scanning the music data, the start address and end address of the feature portion (or the start address and the time length (data length) of the feature portion) are detected in step F155.
In step F156, the detected start address and end address (or start address and time length (data length) of the characteristic portion) are stored in the storage unit 3 in association with the music data.
Thereby, an earpiece pointer as shown in FIG. 16 can be set.

In the case of the method of storing the earpiece pointer, the process (earphone output process) at the time of music selection is as shown in FIG.
Steps F351 to F353 and steps F358 to F360 are the same as steps F301 to F303 and steps F307 to F309 in FIG.
In this case, the processes of steps F354 to F357 are different from those in FIG.
That is, in step F354, based on the ear pointer corresponding to the music selected as the selection candidate, a part of the music data, that is, the part indicated by the ear pointer is read from the storage unit.
Since part of the read music data is stereo audio data, it is converted to monaural audio data in step F355.
In step F356, sound information shaping processing is performed in the same manner as in step F305 in FIG.

In this way, when the earphones of the music pieces that are candidates for selection are obtained, in step F358 and thereafter, they are synthesized with different localizations and required syllable levels, and simultaneously reproduced and output.
Therefore, even in the case of the method of storing the earpiece pointer, the user's selection operation is realized in exactly the same way.

6). Other Examples of Storage Modes By the way, it is understood that the storage modes of the storage unit 3 can be considered variously according to the above-described configuration of the playback apparatus and each example of the earphone system.
That is, in addition to the storage forms shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 15, storage forms such as FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are conceivable.

FIG. 19A shows an example in which only music data is stored in the storage unit 3 and no earphone data or earphone pointer is stored. This is a storage form in the case where a processing method for generating earphone data when reproducing earphones (that is, when selecting music) is adopted.
Note that the storage unit 3 is not required when the music data of the disc loaded in the disc drive as shown in FIG. 12 is to be played and the earphone data is generated when the earphone is played. It is also possible to do.

  FIG. 19B shows a form in which only earphone data is stored in the storage unit 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the music data on the disc loaded in the disc drive is to be reproduced, and the earphone data corresponding to each piece of music data recorded on the disc is generated and stored in accordance with the loading of the disc. 3 is stored in the storage format.

  FIG. 19C shows a form in which only the earpiece pointer is stored in the storage unit 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the music data of the disc loaded in the disc drive is to be reproduced, and an earphone pointer is generated according to the loading of the disc and stored in the storage unit 3. Accordingly, it becomes a storage form when a part of the music data on the disc is extracted to obtain the earphone data.

7). Example of output localization of earphones The output of earphones has been described as having three earphone data as left, center and right localization, but there are many other possibilities. Another localization example will be described with reference to FIG. In each figure of FIG. 20, ◯ indicates the sound image position, and U indicates the user position in the sound image space.

First, FIG. 20 (a) outputs three earphone data at the same time for each of the left, center, and right positions. However, in the example described above, the left sound image is the left front and the right sound image is the right front with respect to the position U of the user in the sound image space as shown in FIG. 3, but the example of FIG. The left sound image is positioned to be directly beside the user position U, and the right sound image is positioned to be beside the user position U.
For example, for an L / R 2-channel stereo output system, L: R = 5: 5 for the center localization earphone, L: R = 0: 10 for the right localization earphone, and L: R for the left localization earphone. This is realized by giving each volume balance of 10: 0.
By doing so, it becomes possible for the user to more clearly recognize the sense of localization of the left, center, and right sound images.

FIG. 20B is an example in which two earphones are simultaneously output at each localization of left (front left of the user position U) and right (front right of the user position U).
For example, for an L / R 2-channel stereo output system, the right localization earphone is provided with a volume balance of L: R = 3: 7, and the left localization earphone is provided with a volume balance of L: R = 7: 3.

  For example, some users may find it difficult to listen to three earphones at the same time, so when considering such circumstances, the number of simultaneous outputs is two and each sound image can be heard more clearly. Can be considered.

  Of course, for the L / R 2-channel stereo output system, two sound images are provided by giving a right balance to each volume balance of L: R = 0: 10 for the right localization and L: R = 10: 0 for the left localization. May be heard by the user just to the left or right.

FIG. 20 (c) is an example in which four earphones are simultaneously output in the respective positions of left, center, right, and rear.
In order to perform such output, for example, when a 3-channel or 4-channel speaker system is used, it can be realized by simply distributing the earphone data signals. In addition, it is already known that even in the case of a speaker system or headphones with two channels on the left and right, it is possible to process the sound so that it can be heard from the back of the user due to the time difference (delay processing) between the left and right output sounds. Such a method may be adopted.

FIG. 20D is an example in which five earphones are simultaneously output so that the user feels the left side, the left front, the center, the right front, and the right side.
By making it possible to listen to a large number of earphones at the same time, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the user's selection operation.

  In addition to the above examples, various types of simultaneous output of earphones and localization relationships of each earphone sound image can be considered.

It should be noted that the number of earphones to be output simultaneously and the localization relationship vary depending on the user, and the preferred output state varies depending on the sound image listening ability of each user.
For example, a person who has developed a sense of hearing can easily distinguish a large number of sound images. Therefore, by outputting as many earphones as possible as shown in FIG. 20D, the selection efficiency can be improved.
On the other hand, if the sound image of each localization is not well discernable, it is difficult to select the sound image with the output as shown in FIG. 20 (d). Such a person is as shown in FIG. 20 (b). A smaller number of simultaneous outputs is preferable.

As described above, since the optimum number of earphone outputs and the localization relationship are different for each user, it is desirable that the user can select the desired number of earphone outputs and the desired localization relationship as a playback device.
Further, even in a certain localization state, it is preferable that the user can finely adjust the localization (for example, the left sound image is slightly shifted to the right side) so that the user can create an optimal localization relationship for himself.

8). Identification example of the selected earphone In addition to the number of earphones that are simultaneously output and the positional relationship as described above, the earphone that is currently selected among the earphones that are simultaneously output (the selection is confirmed by performing the decision operation at that time) Various methods are also conceivable for allowing the user to identify the earphones to be performed.
For example, in the example described above, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the selected earphone is centered and the sound pressure level is maximized.
In other words, the sound image being selected is identified by the user based on the specific localization and the volume difference.

FIG. 21 shows another example of a method for identifying the selected earphone based on the specific localization and the volume difference.
FIG. 21 (a) shows that when two earphones are output simultaneously at the left and right positions, for example, the selected earphone is set to the left position and the sound pressure level of the left position is set to be higher than that of the right position. This is an example of a large one. (In the figure, the size of ○ indicates the sound pressure.)
As a result, as indicated by the broken circle, the user can clearly hear the left sound image at a position closer to the right sound image, and can identify the selected earphone.

FIG. 21B shows an example in which a volume difference is provided not only between the selected earphones but also between other earphones.
In this case, when three earphones are simultaneously output in the left, center, and right positions, for example, the selected earphone is set to the left position, and the sound pressure level of the left position is set to the highest.
Further, for example, the center earphone and the right earphone that are not selected are given a volume difference so that the right earphone has the lowest volume.

In this way, the left sound image can be clearly heard at the closest position for the user as indicated by the broken circle, and the selected earphone can be identified. Furthermore, the earphones are recognized as being lined up from the left side of the user toward the right rear. For example, if the selection operation is performed at this time, the earphone currently centered is selected as the left localization. It can be recognized that when the selection operation is performed twice, the earphone currently localized to the right becomes the left localization and is being selected.
In other words, the user feels that each earphone that is a candidate for selection approaches from the far right to the left near the selection operation, so that the selected earcon, the selection operation to be performed, The operation can be easily captured.

By the way, for example, when it is desired to hear all output sound images equally, that is, when it is not desired to give a difference to each earphone as the sound pressure level, it is assumed that the earphone at a specific localization is being selected. You may do it.
For example, if the user knows that the center-positioned earphone is being selected, the user can accurately perform the selection operation and the determination operation without setting the volume difference. Of course, the right localization or the left localization may be determined to be selected.

On the other hand, setting the volume difference and assuming that the sound image that can be heard most is the earphone being selected is easier for many users to understand than when the specific localization is being selected.
For example, if you are selecting a specific location as described above, you must tell the user in the instruction manual, so you have not read the instruction manual or received instructions on how to use it. It will be confusing for users who don't. However, if a volume difference is provided so that one earphone is most prominent, the user can intuitively recognize that the earphone is being selected.
In this way, it is effective to present a selected earphone with a difference in sound pressure level. However, when adopting this method, it is not always necessary to select a specific localization. It will be good.

For example, FIG. 22 shows an example in which three earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 are simultaneously output in the right, center, and left positions. At this time, with respect to the three earphones, the earphone that has the maximum sound pressure is changed in accordance with the selection operation while the localization is not changed.
That is, at a certain point in time, the earphone EM1 that is positioned right as shown in FIG. 22 (a) is set to the maximum volume, indicating that it is being selected.
Here, when the user performs a selection operation, the three earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 that are selection candidates do not change as shown in FIG. 22B, but the center-positioned earphone EM2 is set to the maximum volume. It becomes selected.
When the selection operation is further performed, as shown in FIG. 22 (c), the left localization earphone EM3 is set to the maximum volume, and the selected earphone becomes EM3.

In this case, the position of each output earphone does not fluctuate and the selected earphone can be clearly recognized.
Some users say that it is easier to select the position of the earphone that is not moved, which is suitable for such a request.

  As shown in the above examples, the user can identify the earphone being selected, such as selecting the earphone with a specific position, presenting the selected earphone with a volume difference, or specifying a specific position. Various methods such as presenting the currently selected earphone based on both the sound volume difference and the volume difference are conceivable, and various examples other than the illustrated examples can be considered in each of these methods.

In addition to the identification based on the localization and the volume, a method of identifying by changing the sound quality is also possible.
For example, if the earphone audio data that is being selected is subjected to signal processing that emphasizes the high frequency, and the audio data of other earphones that are simultaneously output is filtered to cut the high frequency, the user can Is clearly audible to the selected earphone, and conversely, the other earphones can be heard with a muffled feeling, so that the selected earphone can be identified.

  In addition, since the preference and the ease of identification differ depending on the individual user, the type of identification of the earphone currently selected by the user is selected as the playback device. It is preferable to be able to select.

9. Other examples of selection operation / output earphone For example, when three earphones are reproduced simultaneously, the selection states (SL1 to SL10) are switched so that the earphone scrolls according to the user's selection operation as described in FIG. However, various examples of switching the selection state are also conceivable.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of realizing the selection operation in a hierarchical manner. In this case, the user operation includes an operation of switching the selection state to the page and a two-step operation of switching the earphone currently selected in the page. Will be done. Therefore, the necessary operation keys are an operator for selecting a page, an operator for selecting a song (switching the selected earphone), and an operator for determining, as shown in FIG.

As in the example of FIG. 5, the method of FIG. 23A will be described on the assumption that, for example, 10 pieces of music data and earphones are stored in the storage unit 3.
First, as shown in the page selection state SL11, earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 for the music pieces M1, M2, and M3 are simultaneously output at the first time point when the music selection is started.
In this page selection state SL11, as shown in the selection state SL111, the earphone EM1 for the music piece M1 is being selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the user can recognize the earphone being selected only by the sound pressure level, not the localization position. That is, in this example, in the page selection state SL11, the earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 are localized to the left, center, and right, respectively, so that the sound pressure level of the earphone EM1 that is the left localization is maximized.

  Here, if there is a song desired by the user in the earphones EM1, EM2, EM3 output as the page selection state SL11, a song selection operation is performed to switch the selection states SL111, SL112, and SL113. For example, when the earphone EM2 is a desired song, the determination operation may be performed when the selection state SL112 is set, that is, when the earphone EM2 can be heard at the maximum volume for the user.

  On the other hand, if there is no desired song in the earphones EM1, EM2, EM3, the user performs a page selection operation to switch the page selection states SL11, SL12, SL13, SL14. Then, in the page selection state including the desired music, the music selection operation is performed so that the desired music (earphone) is being selected, and the determination operation is performed in that state.

  That is, according to such a selection operation method, a page including a desired song is searched by the page selection operation, and when that page is reached, a desired song is selected from the three earphones output by performing the song selection operation. You just have to select the earphone for the song and make a decision. For this reason, by effectively using the page selection, a desired song can be efficiently selected when a large number of songs can be reproduced.

Next, FIG. 24A shows another example of the selection operation method.
This is an example in which the earphone being selected changes in the order of EM1, EM2, EM3, EM4,... According to the user's selection operation, but the localization of each earcon is fixed.
Also, the identification of the currently selected earphone is presented as the maximum volume level, for example.

In this case, as shown in the selection state SL21, the earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 for the music pieces M1, M2, and M3 are simultaneously output in the respective positions of left, center, and right at the first time when the music selection is started. .
In this page selection state SL21, the sound pressure level of the earphone EM1, which is the left localization, is maximized, and it is presented to the user that the earphone EM1 is being selected.

Here, when the user performs a selection operation, the selection state SL22 is set. In this case, the earphones EM1, EM2, and EM3 are output simultaneously at the left, center, and right positions, but the ear position EM2 that is the center position is unchanged. And the user is presented that the earphone EM2 is being selected.
When the user further performs a selection operation, the selection state is set to SL23, and the sound pressure level of the earphone EM3 that is in the right localization is maximized to indicate to the user that the earphone EM3 is being selected.

  Further, when the user performs a selection operation, the earphones EM4, EM5, and EM6 for the music pieces M4, M5, and M6 are simultaneously output in the selected positions SL24, left, center, and right. Then, the sound pressure level of the earphone EM4 that is the left localization is maximized, and the user is presented that the earphone EM4 is being selected.

  While switching the selection state in this way, the user selects a desired song by making a desired song being selected and performing a decision operation at that time.

In the case of this selection operation method, necessary operators are a selection operator (for example, an up / down key) and a decision operator as shown in FIG.
And since the localization of each earphone is fixed, there also arises an advantage that it is easy to find a desired earphone.

Various examples of selection operation methods other than these examples are conceivable.
Further, a preferred selection operation method may be selected by a user's method setting operation (selection operation mode setting).

In the above example, the selected earphone is basically switched in accordance with the operation of the selection operation key. However, an example in which such a key operation is unnecessary can be considered.
For example, when a headphone is used, an acceleration sensor or a rotation sensor is built in the headphone to detect a change in the orientation of the user's head. For example, when facing right, the right stereo earphone is selected. Specifically, when the user is facing the front, the selection state SL22 of FIG. 24 is selected, and when the user is facing the right, the selection state SL23 is switched. In addition, when the head is further swung from the state to the right side, the selection operation can be realized by the user's operation by shifting to the selection state SL24. In this case, the selection operator can be dispensed with.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that processing is performed by determining that the user has swung his head vertically as he nodded.

Further, the operator for selection operation and determination operation may be a dial 27 as shown in FIG. 25 instead of the key operator as shown in FIG. The dial 27 is an example in which an upward rotation, a downward rotation, and a press are possible, an upward rotation is a selection operation in the up direction, a downward rotation is a selection operation in the down direction, and a press is a determination operation.
Further, in the upward rotation and the downward rotation, the selection state can be efficiently switched by changing the number of steps in the up or down direction according to the rotation angle.

  By the way, with regard to the playback output of earphones, a method of playing back at a speed higher than the normal performance speed can be considered.

10. Other Examples of Display Unit In the present invention, the music is basically selected by listening to the earphones. Therefore, it is not always necessary to perform display for selection on the display unit 10 or to provide a display unit. However, by displaying on the display unit 10 as a guide for selection, the user's selection operation and determination operation can be easily understood.
For this reason, as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example, it is conceivable to display the earphone output state on a small liquid crystal panel or the like, but the display contents and display form are the above-described various selection operation methods, the number of simultaneous earphone outputs, Needless to say, it is set according to the relationship.

In addition, a simple guide display can be performed with a light emitting element such as an LED without using a display element such as a liquid crystal panel.
For example, FIG. 26 shows a display example suitable for a case where the selected earphone is set to the maximum sound pressure as shown in FIG. 22 and the localization of each earphone is not changed.

In this case, the display unit 15 including three LEDs corresponding to the left, center, and right is arranged in a part such as a headphone remote controller as shown in FIG.
Then, for example, when the center-positioned earphone is selected as shown in FIG. 22B, the center LED emits light (or blinks) as shown in FIG. 26A, and the left and right LEDs are off (or lit). Let
Further, when the left stereo earphone is selected as shown in FIG. 22C, the left LED emits light (or blinks) as shown in FIG. 26B, and the center and right LED are turned off (or lit). )
In this way, the user can visually confirm the selected earphone. Further, by using the LED, the display portion can be provided at a low cost and in a small space.

11. Other Various Modifications Various examples that can be realized as embodiments have been described above, but various modifications can be considered for the present invention.

First, in the description so far, selection of music has been aimed at reproduction. However, the selection method of the present invention can be applied when it is necessary to select music other than reproduction.
For example, in the case of a playback apparatus such as that shown in FIG. 1, the same selection operation using an earphone can also be applied when selecting a song to be deleted from among the songs stored in the storage unit 3. Of course, the same applies not only to erasing, but also to specifying certain music data for some editing operation.

In addition, a special playback operation method is known in which the user designates the order of the songs and plays them in the designated order as is generally called program playback. When selecting sequentially, it is possible to perform selection using the same earphone as described above.
That is, the present invention can be widely applied as a selection method when it is desired to designate certain music data for various purposes.

Further, the data (program to be reproduced and output) selected by the earphone selection method of the present invention is not limited to music data, and is not limited to data reproduced from the storage unit 3 or the disk drive 12 of FIG. .
For example, it is conceivable that an earphone is generated for each received radio broadcast, and each of the earphones (that is, broadcast audio) is simultaneously output at different positions so that the user can select a broadcast station that the user wants to listen to.
Similarly, the present invention can be used for channel selection such as cable broadcasting.
That is, the audio output device according to the present invention can be realized not only as the above-described playback device but also as a broadcast receiving device.

In addition to simultaneously reproducing a plurality of earphones during the selection operation, it may be possible to synthesize and output other audio data.
For example, it is possible to output the guide voice for the selection operation at a different position from the earphone and explain the operation to the user.

It is a block diagram of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the memory | storage form of the music data and earphone data in the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the localization at the time of the some earphone output of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the sound pressure level of the some earphone of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the selection state of embodiment, and a selection determination system. It is explanatory drawing of the example of an external appearance of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display of the display part of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the earphone extraction process of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the operation corresponding | compatible process of embodiment. It is a flowchart of selection output processing of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the reproduction | regeneration processing of embodiment. It is a block diagram of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the other example of the memory | storage form of the music data of an embodiment, and earphone data. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the memory | storage form of the music data of an embodiment, and an earpiece pointer. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the memory | storage form of the music data of an embodiment, and an earpiece pointer. It is a flowchart of the earpiece pointer extraction process of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the selection output process using the earpiece pointer of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the various memory | storage form examples of the memory | storage part of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the various localization examples regarding the earphone output of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the sound pressure level regarding the earphone output of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the sound pressure level regarding the earphone output of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the other example of the selection operation system of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the other example of the selection operation system of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the operation element of the operation part of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the other example of the display part of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1 controller, 2 ROM, 3 storage unit, 4 arithmetic processing unit, 5 analog audio input unit, 6 A / D converter, 7 digital audio input unit, 8 D / A converter, 9 stereo audio output processing unit, 10, 15 display unit, 11 operation unit, 12 disk drive, 13 buffer memory

Claims (8)

  In a selection audio data acquisition method for acquiring a characteristic portion of music data as selection audio data,
  Start analysis to extract characteristic parts from the music data,
  It is determined whether or not a characteristic part of the music data is extracted as an analysis result,
  When the characteristic part of the music data is extracted, the start address of the extracted part is detected as a pointer related to the characteristic part,
  The detected pointer is stored in the storage unit in association with the music data,
  When reproducing the selection audio data, the selection audio data is obtained by reading the portion indicated by the pointer from the storage unit.
  An audio data acquisition method for selection, comprising:   The pointer is detected in response to loading of a disc and stored in the storage unit.
  The method for obtaining audio data for selection according to claim 1.   The characteristic part of the music data is the chorus of the music or the main melody part
  The method for obtaining audio data for selection according to claim 1.   The selection audio data is played back for a certain period of time.
  The method for obtaining audio data for selection according to claim 3.   In a selection audio data acquisition device that acquires characteristic portions of music data as selection audio data,
  Control to start extraction of a characteristic part from the music data, and when the characteristic part of the music data is extracted as an analysis result, control to detect the start address of the extraction part as a pointer for the characteristic part And
  A storage unit for storing the pointer detected by the control unit in association with the music data;
  A reading unit that acquires the selection audio data by reading out the portion indicated by the pointer from the storage unit when reproducing the selection audio data;
  A voice data acquisition apparatus for selection, comprising:   The control unit detects the pointer in response to loading of a disk into the disk drive, and stores it in the storage unit
  6. The selection voice data acquisition apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:   The characteristic part of the music data is the chorus of the music or the main melody part
6. The selection voice data acquisition apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:   The audio output based on the selection audio data acquired by the reading unit is a fixed time.
  The selection voice data acquisition apparatus according to claim 7.

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