JP2008180787A - Portable music player - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable music player which reads the predetermined amount of music data from a memory card which is inserted into a memory card slot, when keylocked and suppresses power consumption when a music data are read from a random access memory (RAM) and reproduced. <P>SOLUTION: The portable music player 10 includes: a control section 11; a power source section 12 for supplying power to each section; the memory card slot 14 into which the memory card 141 is inserted; and the RAM 15 for storing the music data which are read from the memory card 141. When the control section 11 detects that the portable music player 10 is in a keylock state, power is supplied from the power source section 12 to the memory card slot 14, only in a period when reading processing of the music data from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable music player that reads music data from a memory card, which is a detachable semiconductor memory, into a RAM in the music player main body, and reads out and reproduces the music data from the RAM. In a portable music player having a key lock function for disabling operation, when the key lock is performed, the music player main body automatically reads the predetermined amount of music data from the memory card inserted into the memory card slot into the RAM. The present invention relates to a portable music player that suppresses power consumption by supplying power to a slot.

  In recent years, microcomputers used in various digital devices have been remarkably reduced in size and improved in processing capacity, and mobile phones, portable game devices, portable music players, and the like have been provided and used by many users. I came. Many portable music players wear the main body by putting the main body in a pocket of clothes as called a wearable device, and the music played on the main body is transmitted through the earphone or headphones extending from the main body. It is used like listening.

  In a portable music player, various storage media are used as storage media for music data. For example, a portable music player using a mini disc is provided, and the portable music player main body is miniaturized to an outline substantially equivalent to a mini disc. Recently, a display surface is formed on the side surface of the main body so that the operation state of the music player can be displayed.

  On the other hand, recently, a music player that plays music using a memory card that has a smaller outer shape than a mini-disc and can be played back without the need for a rotating mechanism like a mini-disc has been provided as a storage medium. When a memory card is used as a storage medium, a mechanically moving mechanism such as a mini-disc is not necessary, so that the portable music player main body can be further reduced. For this reason, it is used in many mobile devices including mobile phones.

  Such a portable music player is disclosed as an audio output device in the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-188564), for example. This audio output device has a slot into which a memory card can be inserted at one end, and the other end extends in the opposite direction to the slot with substantially the same width as the slot. Reading function to read information, text information, player function to output music to the audio output terminal, display surface formed to extend in the longitudinal direction on the side of the main body, read song title, singer, lyrics from the display surface This is a combination of display control functions for displaying in a predetermined direction.

  Generally, various portable devices operate using a rechargeable battery mounted in the main body as a power source, and thus have various power saving functions for suppressing wasteful consumption of the battery. This also applies to portable music players. For example, the following power saving technology is disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-351133) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-110229). .

  The display control method disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured so that a portable audio player reproduces a plurality of music data in a predetermined order, and the backlight of the LCD panel is turned on for a predetermined time at the timing of switching of the music to be reproduced. The power for display is suppressed by turning it on and then turning it off.

Further, in the power control method for the external storage device disclosed in Patent Document 3, when the power of the main body is turned on, the switch is kept open and power is not supplied to the memory card slot which is the external storage device. Next, when an operation for instructing reading / writing with respect to the memory card is performed in the operation input unit, the control unit closes the switch to supply power to the memory card slot, and then performs instructed reading / writing with respect to the memory card, After that, the switch is opened so that power is not supplied to the memory card slot again, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the external storage device.
JP 2001-188564 A JP 2006-351133 A JP 2004-110229 A

  By the way, in many cases, portable devices such as a portable music player and a mobile phone are provided with a key lock function to prevent unauthorized use by a person other than an authorized owner at the time of theft or loss. The key lock function is turned on / off by a personal identification number set by an authorized owner. When the key lock function is on, the input is invalidated even if various operation keys or input keys provided as operation input means are operated.

  Therefore, if the key lock function is turned on even if the portable device is lost, even if a third party who obtains the portable device operates the operation input means, the input is invalidated and used illegally. It is not possible. Even if an attempt is made to turn off the key lock function, it cannot be turned off unless a password is entered. If a password that cannot be easily guessed by a third party is set, the key lock function will not be turned off.

  In a portable music player, a memory card is inserted into a memory card slot, music data is read into a RAM in the portable music player main body, and music data is read from the RAM and reproduced. Then, the music data that has been reproduced is deleted from the RAM. Usually, this operation is performed by operation input means. In this case, the power saving function disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be applied.

  That is, if the key lock function is turned off, when an operation for instructing reading / writing to the memory card is performed, the memory card slot is supplied with power and the specified reading / writing is executed for the memory card. By preventing power from being supplied to the memory card slot again, power consumption of the external storage device can be suppressed.

  However, if a memory card is inserted into the memory card slot with the key lock function turned on, the music data is automatically read from the memory card to the RAM in the portable music player, and the music data is read from the RAM. May be configured to perform playback operations. In this case, since the key lock function is turned on, when an operation for instructing reading / writing to the memory card is performed, the memory card slot is supplied with power and the reading / writing instructed to the memory card is executed. There is a problem that power supply control of the memory card slot cannot be performed so that power supply to the memory card slot is stopped again.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, in the key lock state, the portable music player automatically reads a large amount of music data from the memory card to the RAM, and the music data from the RAM. When reading and playing, pay attention to the point that reading from the memory card is stopped. When the key is locked, power is supplied to the memory card slot only when music data is read from the memory card. The present invention has been completed by conceiving that power consumption can be suppressed.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-described problems, and particularly in a portable music player having a key lock function for invalidating key operation of the operation input means, a memory inserted into the memory card slot at the time of key lock. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable music player that reads a predetermined amount of music data from a card into a RAM and suppresses power consumption when the music data is read from the RAM and played back.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
A power supply unit that supplies power to each unit, a memory card slot into which a memory card is inserted, a RAM that stores music data read from the memory card, and a playback process that reads and plays back music data stored in the RAM A portable music player comprising: a control unit; an operation input unit; a key lock control unit that disables an operation input by the operation input unit;
The control unit supplies power from the power supply unit to the memory card slot only during a period of reading music data from the memory card into the RAM when operation input is disabled by the key lock control unit. And

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the portable music player according to claim 1, wherein when the operation input is invalidated by the key lock control unit, the control unit receives music data from the memory card. After reading into the RAM, the power supply from the power supply unit to the memory card slot is stopped during a period in which the read music data is read from the RAM and reproduced by the reproduction processing unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable music player according to the first or second aspect, when the operation input is not invalidated by the key lock control unit, the control unit is the power source unit. The power supply to the memory card slot is always provided.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the portable music player includes a control unit, and when the control unit detects that the portable music player is in the key lock state, the control unit reads from the memory card. Power is supplied from the power supply unit to the memory card slot only while music data is being read into the RAM.

  According to such a configuration, at the time of key lock, power is supplied from the power supply unit to the memory card slot only during a period when the control unit reads music data from the memory card into the RAM. When a key is locked, a predetermined amount of music data is read from the memory card inserted into the memory card slot into the RAM, and power consumption when the music data is read from the RAM and played back can be suppressed.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, when the operation input is invalidated by the key lock control unit, the control unit reads the music data from the memory card into the RAM, and then During the period when the read music data is read from the RAM and reproduced by the reproduction processing unit, the power supply from the power supply unit to the memory card slot is stopped.

  According to such a configuration, at the time of key lock, the control unit stops reading the music data from the memory card into the RAM, and the control unit stops reading the music data from the RAM. Since the power supply to the memory card slot is stopped, a predetermined amount of music data is read into the RAM from the memory card inserted into the memory card slot when the key is locked, and the music data is read from the RAM. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption during the reproduction process.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, when the control unit detects that the portable music player is not in the key lock state, the memory card slot is always loaded. Supply power.

  According to such a configuration, when the portable music player is not in the key lock state, the power supply unit constantly supplies power to the memory card slot. Music data can be read from the card to the RAM, and music data stored in the RAM can be read and reproduced.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a portable music player for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention as this portable music player. The present invention is equally applicable to portable music players of other embodiments within the scope of the claims.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable music player according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a portable music player 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a power supply unit 12, a key lock control unit 13, a memory card slot 14, an external storage device (memory card) 141, a RAM 15 and the like. , A reproduction processing unit 16, a ROM 17, an operation input unit 18, a speaker 19, and the like.

  The control unit 11 is configured by a computer device such as a microprocessor, and controls each unit based on a control program and various set values stored in a storage unit such as a ROM 17 or an EEPROM. The control unit 11 temporarily stores data necessary for processing of each unit in the RAM 15, and performs timer control, RAM read control, RAM read control, key lock detection, and power control.

  The timer control is a time for reading music data from the memory card 141 inserted into the memory card slot 14 into the RAM 15 or a time for reading the music data read into the RAM 15 for reproduction. It is timer control that performs this.

  The RAM read control is to read music data from the memory card 141 into the RAM 15 in a state where the memory card 141 is inserted into the memory card slot 14, and the RAM read control is to reproduce the music data stored in the RAM 15. To read. The key lock detection is to detect whether the portable music player 10 is set to the key lock function ON or the key lock function OFF. The key lock function is set to OFF and the memory card 141 is set. Is inserted into the memory card slot 14, the control unit 11 reads the music data from the memory card 141 into the RAM 15 based on the operation by the operation input unit 18, and the operation input unit 18 Based on the operation, RAM reading is performed to read music data to be reproduced from the music data stored in the RAM 15.

  On the other hand, when the key lock function is set to ON and the memory card 141 is inserted in the memory card slot 14, the control unit 11 stores music data from the memory card 141 in the RAM 15 for a predetermined time counted by timer control. The music data to be reproduced is read from the music data stored in the RAM 15 for a predetermined time counted by the timer control.

  As described above, the speed at which music data is read from the memory card 141 into the RAM 15 is higher than the speed at which music data is read from the RAM 15 and played back. Further, while the music data is read from the RAM 15 and reproduced, the music data reading process from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is stopped. Accordingly, the amount of music data read from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is larger than the amount of data read from the RAM 15 for reproduction. The amount of data read from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 and the amount of data read from the RAM 15 are controlled by the timer control count.

  In a state where the key lock function is turned on, the control unit 11 controls power supply to the memory card slot 14 as follows. First, for a predetermined time counted by the timer control, the control unit 11 connects the power supply unit 12 to the memory card slot 14 and supplies power. That is, while the music data is read from the memory card 141 into the RAM 15, the power supply unit 12 is connected to the memory card slot 14 to supply power.

  While the process of reading music data from the memory card 141 into the RAM 15 is stopped, the power supply unit 12 is disconnected from the memory card slot 14 and the power supply is stopped. During this time, the music data to be reproduced is read out from the music data stored in the RAM 15 for a predetermined time counted by the timer control.

  The power supply unit 12 includes a rechargeable battery, and necessary power is supplied from the power supply unit to each unit when the mobile phone is not supplied with power from an AC power supply (not shown). The operation input unit 18 includes a numeric keypad, various function keys, a switch, and the like, and performs input for operating the portable music player 10. A key lock key for turning on or off the key lock function is set in the function key.

  A legitimate holder can input and register a personal identification number by combining arbitrary letters and numbers, and operate the key lock key to key lock the portable music player 10. When the key lock function is in the on state, even if a key input is performed from the operation input unit 18, the input is invalidated. When the user operates the key lock key and inputs a personal identification number, the key lock function is turned off and a normal input operation becomes possible. The key lock control unit 13 performs such key lock on / off control.

  The memory card slot 14 can set the memory card 141 and read music data recorded on the memory card 141 into the portable music player 10 for reproduction. Normally, power is always supplied to the memory card slot 14 from the power supply unit 12. The music data read from the memory card 141 is stored in the RAM 15. When reproducing music data, the reproduction processing unit (sound reproduction unit) 16 reads out and reproduces the music data from the RAM 15 and outputs it from the speaker 19. The music data that has been reproduced is deleted from the RAM 15.

  While the music data is read from the RAM 15 and reproduced, the music data reading process from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is stopped. The speed at which music data is read from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is higher than the speed at which music data is read from the RAM 15 and played back. Therefore, when music data is read from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15, a large amount of music data is read from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15, and the music data is read from the RAM 15 and read and played in accordance with the processing speed.

  When the portable music player 10 is key-locked and the memory card 141 is inserted into the memory card slot 14, the control unit 11 reads music data from the memory card 141 into the RAM 15 according to a predetermined data read amount. The music data read into the RAM 15 is read according to the data amount corresponding to the processing speed of the reproduction processing unit 16. The reproduction processing unit 16 reproduces the music data read from the RAM 15 and outputs it from the speaker 19. While the music data reproduction process is being performed, the reading of the music data from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is stopped.

  In the portable music player 10 of this embodiment, the key operation is disabled when the key is locked, and the reading of the music data from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is not controlled by the key operation but is controlled by the control unit 11. In addition, focusing on the fact that reading of music data from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 and playback processing are not performed at the same time, the power supply to the memory card slot 14 is supplied from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 at the time of key lock. This is performed only during the process of reading music data, and power consumption is suppressed by stopping the power supply to the memory card slot 14 while the music data stored in the RAM 15 is being reproduced. Of course, when the key lock state is released (the key lock function is turned off), the normal power supply is restored.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the portable music player 10 described above. First, in the process of step S11, the control unit 11 detects whether or not the portable music player 10 is in a key lock state. If it is not in the key lock state, the process proceeds to step S12, where the control unit 11 connects the power supply unit 12 to the memory card slot 14 and constantly supplies power to the external storage device (memory card slot 14). The process returns to the key lock detection process of S11.

  When it is detected in the key lock detection process in step S11 that the control unit 11 is in the key lock state, in the process in step S13, the control unit 11 transfers predetermined data from the memory card 141 inserted in the memory card slot 14 to the RAM 15. Load the amount of music data. Next, in the process of step S14, it is determined whether reading of all music data of the memory card 141 into the RAM 15 has been completed.

  If all the music data of the memory card 141 has been read in this determination process, the process is terminated. If all the music data has not been read, the control unit 11 is inserted into the memory card slot 14. A predetermined amount of music data is read from the existing memory card 141 into the RAM 15. In step S15, the power supply unit 12 and the memory card slot 14 are disconnected and the power supply is stopped.

  Next, when it is detected in step S16 that the key lock state is released in the control unit 11 (the key lock function is turned off), the process proceeds to step S17, and the power supply unit 12 is connected to the memory card slot 14. Restart the power supply. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the key lock state is not released in the key lock detection unit 113, the process proceeds to step S18, and the reproduction data read into the RAM 15 by the RAM read control of the control unit 11 is a predetermined amount. Determine that:

  In the determination process of step S18, when it is detected that the reproduction data read into the RAM 15 remains more than a predetermined amount, the process returns to the process of step S15 and stored in the RAM 15 while the power supply to the memory card slot 14 is stopped. The music data read and playback process is continued.

  In the determination process of step S18, when it is detected that the reproduction data read into the RAM 15 is less than a predetermined amount, the process proceeds to the process of step S17, and the control unit 11 connects the power supply unit 12 to the memory card slot 14. The power supply is resumed, and the process returns to the key lock state detection process in step S11. If the key lock state continues, the process proceeds to step S13, and the reading of music data from the memory card 141 to the RAM 15 is continued.

  As described above in detail, in the portable music player according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the portable music player having the key lock function for invalidating the key operation of the operation input unit 18, when the key is locked, the memory card is used. The power is supplied to the memory card slot only when the music data is read, and the power supply is stopped in other states so that the power consumption when reading the music data from the memory card 141 into the RAM and playing it can be suppressed. Become.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable music player concerning the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the portable music player concerning the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable music player 11 ... Control part 12 ... Power supply part 13 ... Key lock control part 14 ... Memory card slot 141 ... External storage device (memory card)
15 ... RAM
16... Reproduction processing unit 17... ROM
18 .. operation input unit 19... Speaker

Claims (3)

A power supply unit that supplies power to each unit, a memory card slot into which a memory card is inserted, a RAM that stores music data read from the memory card, and a playback process that reads and plays back music data stored in the RAM A portable music player comprising: a control unit; an operation input unit; a key lock control unit that disables an operation input by the operation input unit;
The control unit supplies power from the power supply unit to the memory card slot only during a period of reading music data from the memory card into the RAM when operation input is disabled by the key lock control unit. A portable music player.   When the operation input is invalidated by the key lock control unit, the control unit reads the music data from the memory card into the RAM, and then reads the read music data from the RAM and performs the reproduction processing unit. 2. The portable music player according to claim 1, wherein power supply from the power supply unit to the memory card slot is stopped during a period during which reproduction processing is being performed.   3. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the control unit always supplies power to the memory card slot from the power supply unit when an operation input is not invalidated by the key lock control unit. Music player.

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