JP2008294516A - Playback device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a playback device and method, enabling a user to properly use a plurality of earphones depending on their characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: The playback device has a storage means (memory 150) for storing data including musical pieces, a playback means (musical piece playback section 160) for playing back the data stored in the storage means, an output means (earphone connecting means 170) for outputting audio signals obtained by the playback means to the earphones, an acquisition means (earphone identifying means) for acquiring the individual information of each of the earphones to be connected to the output means from the earphones, and a setting means (central control section 100) for setting the environment of the device on the basis of the individual information acquired by the acquisition means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a playback device and a playback method.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for sharing an audio playback device by a plurality of users. That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that allows each user to call various settings when the user normally uses the audio playback device from a server device by operating predetermined buttons.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-242667 (Claims and Abstract)

  In recent years, many portable playback devices have been distributed on the market. These portable playback devices can play back data including music stored in a built-in memory or a storage device such as an HDD, and listen to the music played back using earphones.

  Recently, many types of earphones have been sold, and there are many users who select earphones according to the environment or purpose of listening. Since the earphones have different characteristics, it is necessary to adjust the volume level or the equalizer according to the earphone to be used. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation is complicated for the user.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to change the setting by preparing setting information for each earphone and operating a button corresponding to the earphone to be used by using the technique of Patent Document 1. However, such a method is cumbersome because the user needs to operate the button every time the earphone is changed. Moreover, since the user needs to memorize | store the correspondence of an earphone and a button, there also exists a problem that another burden arises for a user.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a playback device and a playback method capable of appropriately using a plurality of earphones according to their characteristics. And

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores data including music, a playback unit that plays back data stored in the storage unit, and an audio signal obtained by the playback unit. , Output means for outputting to the earphone, acquisition means for acquiring individual information for each earphone connected to the output means from the earphone, and setting the environment of the apparatus based on the individual information acquired by the acquisition means Setting means.

  Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the playback device of another invention stores individual information in the storage unit on the earphone side, and the acquisition unit is individually connected from the storage unit when the earphone is connected to the output unit. I try to get information.

  In addition to the above-described invention, in the playback device of another invention, the individual information is identification information given to each earphone, and the setting unit performs environment setting corresponding to the individual information.

  In addition to the above-described invention, the playback device of another invention has the individual information having information related to the characteristics of the earphone, and the setting means performs environment setting based on the information related to the characteristics.

  In addition to the above-described invention, the playback device of another invention is such that the setting means sets the volume level corresponding to each earphone.

  In addition to the above-described invention, in the playback device of another invention, the setting means sets an equalizer characteristic corresponding to each earphone.

  In addition to the above-described invention, the playback device of another invention has management information for managing data stored in the storage means, and the setting means is based on predetermined management information corresponding to each earphone. Thus, the data stored in the storage means is managed.

  In addition to the above-described invention, a playback device according to another invention has display means for displaying predetermined information, and the setting means sets the display environment of the display means according to each earphone. Yes.

  The playback method of the present invention also includes a storage step for storing data including music, a playback step for playing back data stored in the storage step, and an audio signal obtained in the playback step is output to the earphone. An output step; an acquisition step of acquiring individual information for each earphone to which the audio signal output in the output step is supplied from the earphone; and a setting step of setting the environment of the apparatus based on the individual information acquired in the acquisition step; Have

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the reproducing | regenerating apparatus and reproducing | regenerating method which can use several earphones appropriately according to each characteristic can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, (A) a configuration example of the embodiment, (B) an overview of the operation of the embodiment, (C) details of the operation of the embodiment, and (D) a modified embodiment will be described in this order. . The playback method of the present invention will be described as the operation of the playback apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(A) Configuration example of the embodiment

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration example of a playback apparatus and earphones according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the playback apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a display unit 110 and operation buttons 121 on its operation panel surface (surface on the near side in the depth direction in the figure). A connection terminal 171 to which the earphone 20 is connected is provided on the top surface (the upper surface in the vertical direction in the figure). In this figure, the playback device 10 is shown in an enlarged manner so that the detailed structure of the playback device 10 is clear, so that the actual ratio is different.

  The earphone 20 is a hairband type earphone, and the two audio output units 220 are mounted so as to be in contact with the user's auricles, respectively, and the signals reproduced in the reproduction device 10 are output from the audio output unit 220 as audio. . In addition, the earphone 20 has a playback device connection unit 200 as a connection terminal connected to the playback device 10. Inside the playback apparatus connection unit 200, as will be described later, an earphone ID storage unit 210 that stores an earphone ID is disposed. The playback device connection unit 200 and the audio output unit 220 are connected by a cable. In this example, the hairband type earphone 20 is exemplified as described above. However, for example, a type to be inserted into the ear canal (canal type) and a type to be hooked on the outer ear (inner ear type) are used. It is also possible to do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the playback apparatus 10 includes a central control unit 100, a display unit 110, an input unit 120, an I / F (Interface) unit 130, an earphone identification unit 140, a memory 150, a music playback unit 160, and an earphone. The connection unit 170 is a main component.

  Here, the central control unit 100 as setting means is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and is stored in, for example, the memory 150 or a built-in storage unit (not shown). Each part of the apparatus is controlled in accordance with the program being stored.

  The display unit 110 as a display unit is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays information (text information, image information, and the like) supplied from the central control unit 100.

  The input unit 120 includes, for example, a key device, and generates information corresponding to the operation of the operation button 121 illustrated in FIG. 1 and supplies the information to the central control unit 100.

  The I / F unit 130 is configured by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, and exchanges information with an external personal computer or the like based on the USB standard.

  When the earphone 20 is connected to the earphone connection unit 170, the earphone identification unit 140 as an acquisition unit acquires the earphone ID from the earphone ID storage unit 210 included in the earphone 20, and specifies the type of the earphone 20.

  The memory 150 as the storage unit is configured by, for example, a flash memory. In this example, the memory 150 includes music data 151, music information 152, setting information 153, and the like. The music data 151 is data that has been compressed by, for example, MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) or ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding). Note that video may be included in addition to audio such as music. The music information 152 as management information is attribute information of the music data 151 and is used, for example, when classifying each music. The setting information 153 is information for performing environment setting and the like, and is prepared for each earphone in this example.

  The music playback unit 160 as playback means plays back (decodes) the music data acquired from the memory 150 by the central control unit 100 and supplies the obtained audio signal to the earphone 20 via the earphone connection unit 170.

  The earphone connection unit 170 as output means includes a connection terminal 171 provided on the top surface of the playback device 10 and a detection unit (not shown) that detects that the earphone 20 is connected. The connection terminal includes a right channel terminal, a left channel terminal, and a ground terminal for supplying stereo sound to the earphone 20, and an information terminal used when reading the earphone ID from the earphone ID storage unit 210. Have at least. In addition to these, for example, a control information terminal for performing control such as volume control, reproduction, stop, and skip may be provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the earphone 20 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the earphone 20 includes a playback device connection unit 200, an earphone ID storage unit 210, an audio output unit 220, and a connection cable 230 as main components.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the playback device connection unit 200 is configured by, for example, a cylindrical member and a connection terminal provided at one end thereof. The connection terminal includes a right channel terminal, a left channel terminal, and a ground terminal for receiving stereo sound from the playback device 10, and an information terminal used when reading the earphone ID from the earphone ID storage unit 210. Have at least. In addition, an earphone ID storage unit 210, which will be described later, is disposed inside the cylindrical member, and the earphone ID storage unit 210 is connected to the above-described information terminal and ground terminal of the connection terminal. Further, the connection cable 230 is inserted into the cylindrical member, and one end of the connection cable 230 is connected to the right channel terminal, the left channel terminal, and the ground terminal. The other end is connected to the audio output unit 220.

  The earphone ID storage unit 210 as a storage unit on the earphone side includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores an earphone ID and a read circuit for reading information from the ROM. Is supplied, the reading circuit reads the earphone ID from the ROM and supplies the earphone ID to the reproducing apparatus 10. The earphone ID is a unique identifier assigned to each earphone. In addition, you may make it provide earphone ID for every kind of earphone instead of for every earphone.

  The audio output unit 220 is an electro-acoustic converter, which converts an electric signal into sound and outputs the sound. Note that conversion methods include a dynamic type, a piezoelectric type, and an electrostatic type.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connection cable 230 is a cable that connects the playback device connection unit 200 and the audio output unit 220. For example, the copper wires corresponding to the right channel and the left channel are copper wires corresponding to the ground. Are constituted by two coaxial cables each covered by.

(B) Overview of operation of the embodiment

  Next, an outline of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the user connects a predetermined earphone 20 to the playback device 10, the central control unit 100 of the playback device 10 detects that the earphone 20 is connected based on a signal from a detection unit (not shown) of the earphone connection unit 170. . Then, central control unit 100 instructs earphone identification unit 140 to acquire an earphone ID. As a result, the earphone identification unit 140 acquires the earphone ID from the earphone ID storage unit 210 and supplies it to the central control unit 100.

  The central control unit 100 acquires setting information corresponding to the supplied earphone ID from the setting information 153 in the memory 150. The setting information includes volume level, equalizer information, random playback type, character size, screen background, library ID, and the like.

  The central control unit 100 performs environment setting based on the acquired setting information. That is, the central control unit 100 sends a control signal to the music playback unit 160 and sets the output volume level and the equalizer characteristics based on the acquired volume level and equalizer information.

  In addition, the central control unit 100 performs settings (for example, settings for each song or each album) when the music is randomly played based on the acquired random playback type. Furthermore, the central control unit 100 sets the size of character information to be displayed on the display unit 110 based on the acquired character size, and sets the background screen of the display unit 110 based on the screen background.

  Furthermore, the central control unit 100 acquires music information corresponding to the acquired library ID from the music information 152 of the memory 150. Note that the music information is used to change a list of music (music list) displayed on the display unit 110 according to each earphone (user) when a plurality of users use individual earphones. The For example, when used by the user A, a list of classical music is displayed, and when used by the user B, a pop-based music is displayed as a list.

  Then, the user can select and reproduce a desired music from the music list set in this way. At that time, the sound volume level and the equalizer characteristics are optimally set according to the earphone 20 being used.

  When another earphone is newly connected to the playback device 10, the optimum setting is made for the earphone by the same process as described above. Alternatively, a setting that matches the preference of the user who uses it is made.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the playback device 10 reads the earphone ID from the earphone 20 and performs the corresponding environment setting. Thereby, for example, a volume level and an equalizer characteristic that match the characteristics of each earphone 20 can be set.

  In addition, when the earphone 20 is used separately for each user, an environment according to the preference of each user can be set. For example, it is possible to display a screen (character size, screen background, etc.) that suits the user's preference, or to display a list of different songs for each user.

  In addition, when the earphone 20 is connected to the playback apparatus 10, the earphone ID is automatically read and the environment setting as described above is performed, so that the user does not have to manually operate the operation unit. it can.

(C) Details of operation of embodiment

  Next, the detailed operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing executed in the playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. When the processing of the flowchart shown in this figure is started, the following steps are executed.

  Step S10: The central control unit 100 refers to the output signal from the earphone connection unit 170 and determines whether or not the earphone 20 is connected. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step S11. Repeat the same process. More specifically, when the user connects the playback device connection unit 200 of the earphone 20 shown in FIG. 1 to the connection terminal 171, a detection unit (not shown) built in the earphone connection unit 170 outputs a detection signal. Therefore, the central control unit 100 detects that the earphone 20 is connected, and proceeds to step S11.

  Step S11: The central control unit 100 requests the earphone identification unit 140 to acquire the earphone ID. As a result, the earphone identification unit 140 acquires the earphone ID from the earphone ID storage unit 210 of the earphone 20 via the earphone connection unit 170. The acquired earphone ID is supplied to the central control unit 100. More specifically, for example, “ID-1” is acquired as the earphone ID.

  Step S12: The central control unit 100 refers to the setting information 153 in the memory 150, and determines whether or not the acquired ID has been registered. If registered, the process proceeds to step S13. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S14.

  More specifically, the information shown in FIG. 5 is registered as the setting information 153 in the memory 150. In this example, the setting information 153 includes an earphone ID, a volume level, equalizer information, a random reproduction type, a character size, a screen background, and a library ID. Here, “earphone ID” is a unique identifier assigned to each earphone. In this example, information such as ID-1 and ID-2 is stored. The “volume level” is a volume level set as a default. Even when audio signals of the same level are output, the sound pressure level to be output differs depending on the sensitivity of the earphones and the like, so that the sound pressure level is used to make it uniform. Moreover, since the user's favorite volume level is different for each user, there is also a purpose of reflecting this.

  “Equalizer information” is information for setting an equalizer. This is information used to deal with these because the frequency characteristics are different for each earphone and the favorite frequency characteristics are different for each user. “Random playback type” indicates the type of music that is played back at random. In this example, “Random playback type” is selected from two types of “Song” that is played back in random units of music and “Album” that is played back in units of album . “Character size” is information for setting the size of the character displayed on the display unit 110. The “screen background” is information for designating an image (wallpaper image) to be displayed as the screen background, for example. The “library ID” is an ID that designates a “library” for displaying a different music list for each user.

  In the present example, since the acquired earphone ID “ID-1” exists in the first row of FIG. 5, it is determined that it has been registered, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  Step S13: The central control unit 100 acquires setting information corresponding to the earphone ID acquired in step S11 from the memory 150. In the present example, the information on the first line in FIG. 5 corresponding to the earphone ID “ID-1” is acquired.

  Step S14: The central control unit 100 executes a “new registration process” for newly registering an unregistered earphone ID and setting information corresponding thereto. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Step S15: The central control unit 100 executes the setting process based on the setting information acquired in step S13 or the setting information newly registered in step S14. That is, the central control unit 100 sets the volume level output from the music playback unit 160 based on the “volume level” of the setting information, and sets the equalizer characteristics of the music playback unit 160 based on the “equalizer information”. Further, the central control unit 100 sets a type for random reproduction based on “random reproduction type”. Further, the central control unit 100 sets the size of character information to be displayed on the display unit 110 based on the “character size”, and also displays an image (for example, an image displayed on the background of the display unit 110 based on the “screen background” , Wallpaper image).

  In this example, since “ID-1” is acquired as the earphone ID, “11” is set as the volume level as shown in the first row of FIG. In addition, a characteristic corresponding to “EQ-1” is set as the equalizer characteristic. As the equalizer characteristics, a plurality of equalizer characteristic patterns are prepared in advance, identifiers such as EQ-1 and EQ-2 are assigned to each of the plurality of patterns, and a desired pattern is designated by specifying the identifier. Can be selected. In addition to this, for example, the reproduction band may be divided into a plurality of bands, and the level of each band may be designated by a numerical value. For example, 0 to 100 Hz can be specified as +5 dB, and 200 to 1000 Hz can be specified as -5 dB.

  In addition, since “song” is designated as the random playback type, shuffling is performed in units of music during random playback. Since “10” is designated as the character size, the character size displayed on the display unit 110 is designated as “10”. Furthermore, since “Ba-1” is designated as the screen background, the image data designated by this is used as the background screen.

  Step S16: The central control unit 100 acquires music information specified by the library ID from the music information 152 in the memory 150. In this example, since “La-1” is set as the library ID, the central control unit 100 acquires music information corresponding to this from the music information 152 in the memory 150.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the music information 152. In the example of this figure, an area is secured and allocated for each library ID. In this example, the area is secured so that the earphone ID and the library ID have a one-to-one correspondence, but a single library ID is associated with a plurality of earphone IDs. May be.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between music information stored in each area of FIG. 6 and music data. FIG. 7A is an example of information indicating the correspondence between artist and music data, and FIG. 7B is an example of information indicating the correspondence between album and music data. ) Is an example of information indicating a correspondence relationship between a genre and music data, and FIG. 7D shows an example of music data 151. As shown in this figure, each piece of music data is classified by artist, album, and genre, and each classification is associated with music data by a pointer. Specifically, music data # 1 is classified into artist # 1, album # 3, and genre # 3, and each of these classifications and music data # 1 are associated with each other by pointer P-1. Note that such music information exists in units of library IDs as shown in FIG. For example, the library ID “La-1” has artists # 1 to #b, but the library ID “La-2” has a completely different artist group or artist # 1 to #b. Has a group of artists including some or all.

  Step S17: The central control unit 100 executes a process of displaying a music list on the display unit 110 based on the music information acquired in step S16. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed on the display unit 110 at this time. FIG. 8A is a display example displayed based on the music information shown in FIG. In this example, “Artist” is selected as a classification method when displaying music on the left screen, and on this right, a music list in which music is classified based on the artist is displayed on the right screen. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, since the music classified as “artist # 1” is “music # 1” and “music # 2”, these are displayed, and “artist # 2” is displayed. Since the music to be classified is “music # 3”, these are displayed, and further, the music to be classified as “artist # 3” is “music # 4” and “music # 5” (not shown). Is displayed.

  FIG. 8B is an example of a music list displayed based on music information when the library ID is “La-2”, for example. In this example, songs related to artists # 3 to # 5 are displayed. That is, as in the case described above, “Artist” is selected as the classification method when displaying music on the left screen, and on the right screen, a music list in which music is classified based on the artist is displayed on the right screen. ing. Specifically, “Song # 4” and “Song # 5” are displayed as music classified as “Artist # 3”, and “Song # 6” is displayed as music classified as “Artist # 4”. In addition, “Song # 7” and “Song # 8” are displayed as music classified as “Artist # 5”. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, in the setting information with the library IDs “La-1” and “La-2”, the character size setting is different, “La-1” is “10”, and “La” Since “−2” is “12”, the character displayed in FIG. 8B is larger than the character displayed in FIG.

  Step S18: The central control unit 100 determines whether or not a predetermined music is selected from the music list by operating the operation button 121 of the input unit 120. If selected, the process proceeds to step S19. In other cases, the same processing is repeated. That is, it enters a state of waiting for music selection. Specifically, the central control unit 100 refers to the display screen of FIG. 8A, for example, and when the user operates the operation button 121 of the input unit 120 and selects a predetermined piece of music, step S19. In other cases, the process waits until a song is selected.

  Step S19: The central control unit 100 executes the reproduction process of the music selected in step S18. That is, the central control unit 100 acquires the music data designated in step S18 from the memory 150 and supplies the music data to the music playback unit 160. As a result, the music playback unit 160 starts playback of the selected music.

  Step S20: The central control unit 100 determines whether or not to end the process. If the process is not ended, the central control unit 100 returns to step S18 to repeat the same process, and otherwise ends the process.

  Next, details of the “new registration process” shown in step S14 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. When the processing of the flowchart of this figure is started, the following steps are executed.

  Step S30: The central control unit 100 newly registers the earphone ID acquired in step S11 of FIG. 4 in the setting information 153 of the memory 150. Thereby, a new earphone ID is additionally registered in the setting information shown in FIG.

  Step S31: The central control unit 100 displays a message instructing the display unit 110 to input a default volume level, and acquires information related to the input volume level by operating the operation button 121.

  Step S32: The central control unit 100 displays a message instructing the display unit 110 to input equalizer information, and acquires the equalizer information input by operating the operation button 121. As a method for inputting equalizer information, a plurality of patterns are prepared in advance and a desired pattern is selected from these patterns, or the reproduction frequency band is divided into a plurality of bands, The level of the band can be input.

  Step S33: The central control unit 100 displays a message instructing the display unit 110 to input a random playback type, and acquires information on the type of random playback input by operating the operation button 121. . Specifically, either “song” or “album” is selected, and information about the selected one is acquired.

  Step S34: The central control unit 100 displays a message instructing the display unit 110 to input the character size, and acquires information related to the input character size by operating the operation button 121. For example, a plurality of sizes of characters are illustrated, and when any of the characters is selected, the corresponding character size is acquired.

  Step S35: The central control unit 100 displays a message instructing the display unit 110 to input the screen background, and acquires information related to the input screen background by operating the operation button 121. For example, a plurality of images are illustrated, and when any image is selected, the corresponding file name is acquired.

  Step S36: The central control unit 100 registers the information input in steps S31 to S35 as one of the setting information 153 in the memory 150. Thereby, in the setting information shown in FIG. 5, various information is registered in association with the earphone ID registered in step S30.

  Step S37: The central control unit 100 inquires of the user whether or not a new library is to be created. If a new library is to be created, the central control unit 100 proceeds to step S38, and otherwise returns to the original processing (return). To do. Note that an existing library may be used without creating a new library.

  Step S38: The central control unit 100 generates a library ID. That is, the central control unit 100 generates a new library ID that does not overlap with an existing library ID.

  Step S39: The central control unit 100 causes the user to input music information. Specifically, the central control unit 100 displays music information stored in the memory 150 on the display unit 110, and generates new music information by selecting desired information from the displayed information. At this time, the I / F unit 130 may be connected to a personal computer, new music data may be added to the memory 150, and music information including the music may be generated.

  Step S40: The central control unit 100 registers the music information input in step S39 as one of the music information 152 in the memory 150. That is, the central control unit 100 creates a new area as shown in FIG. 6 and registers information as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C in the newly generated area. Then, the process returns to the original process.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the playback device 10 reads the earphone ID from the earphone 20 and performs the corresponding environment setting. Thereby, for example, a volume level and an equalizer characteristic that match the characteristics of each earphone 20 can be set.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the user can use earphones differently for each genre of music. For example, when an earphone whose earphone ID is “ID-1” is used, only the music belonging to genre # 1 and genre # 2 is displayed as a music list, and the earphone whose earphone ID is “ID-2”. When is used, only songs belonging to genre # 3 and genre # 4 can be displayed as a song list.

  Further, when the earphone 20 is used separately for each user, an optimum environment according to each user can be set. For example, it is possible to display a screen (character size, screen background, etc.) that suits the user's preference, or to display a list of different songs for each user.

  In addition, when the earphone 20 is connected to the playback apparatus 10, the earphone ID is automatically read and the environment setting as described above is performed, so that the user does not have to manually operate the operation unit. it can.

(F) Modified embodiment

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, only the earphone ID is stored in the earphone 20, but for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the earphone ID is stored together with information indicating the characteristics of the earphone together with the earphone ID. You may make it memorize | store in the part 210. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 10, “connection type”, “earphone type”, “impedance value”, “sensitivity”, and “frequency characteristic” are stored together with the earphone ID. Here, “connection type” indicates wired or wireless. The wired means that the playback device 10 and the earphone 20 are connected by a connection cable, and the wireless means that the playback device 10 and the earphone 20 are connected by radio (for example, infrared). “Earphone type” indicates the type of earphone, and includes a canal type that is inserted into the ear canal, an inner ear type that is hung on the outer ear, and a headband type that is hung on the head. The “impedance value” indicates the impedance value of the earphone. The sensitivity indicates the output sound pressure level (dB / mW) with respect to 1 mW. The frequency characteristics indicate output sound pressure at each frequency. In this example, a plurality of frequency characteristic patterns are prepared. For example, an approximate one is selected from the plurality of patterns, and a corresponding identifier is stored. As described above, the reproduction band may be divided into a plurality of bands, and the output level of each band may be stored as a numerical value.

  When the earphone 20 having such information is connected to the playback apparatus 10, the earphone identification unit 140 of the playback apparatus 10 also acquires information indicating the characteristics of the earphone as well as the earphone ID. Based on the acquired earphone ID, the music information is specified and the corresponding music list is displayed as described above, and the random reproduction type, the character size, the screen background, and the like are set.

  Further, the volume level is set using the impedance value and the sensitivity, and the equalizer characteristic is set so that the reproduction characteristic becomes flat with reference to the frequency characteristic. For example, the volume level is inversely proportional to the impedance, and the output sound pressure increases in proportion to the sensitivity. Therefore, based on these values and the target output sound pressure level (for example, 90 dB), the volume level is set. Set. When the sensitivity is constant, for example, the volume level can be uniquely determined using a correspondence table between impedance and volume level as shown in FIG. For example, when the impedance value is 16 ohms, “8” is set as the volume level.

  As for the equalizer characteristics, for example, when an identifier (example in FIG. 10) indicating a frequency characteristic pattern is used, an equalizer characteristic corresponding to the stored identifier is acquired, and the equalizer characteristic is set based on the characteristic. To do. Further, when the output sound pressure for each band is stored as a numerical value (for example, when 0 to 100 Hz is +5 dB, 200 to 1000 Hz is −2 dB, etc.), the equalizer characteristic is set so as to interpolate it. Good. Specifically, 0 to 100 Hz is set to −5 dB, 200 to 1000 Hz is set to +2 dB, and the like.

  Note that the output sound pressure level and equalizer characteristics may be set in consideration of the earphone type. In other words, the characteristics of the transmission path of the sound wave formed between the earphone and the eardrum are different depending on the type.For example, in the case of the inner ear type, the sound volume is less leaked, so the volume level is set lower. Further, since the resonance in the ear canal is remarkably generated, the frequency level of the equalizer is set low.

  In the above embodiment, the earphone ID stored in the earphone ID storage unit 210 is acquired by wired communication, but can also be acquired by wireless communication. That is, the earphone identification unit 140 may acquire the earphone ID by infrared rays or radio waves. In that case, for example, an earphone ID can be exchanged using an RF (Radio Frequency) tag. As a result, by attaching an RF tag storing the earphone ID to an earphone that does not have the earphone ID storage unit 210, the same function as described above can be exhibited.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the earphone ID and the library ID have a one-to-one correspondence. However, for example, a single library ID may be associated with a plurality of earphone IDs. According to such a method, for example, it is possible to cope with the case where the same user uses a plurality of earphones.

  In the above description, only setting information is newly registered. However, registered setting information may be edited. Specifically, the information to be corrected is input by the processing shown in steps S31 to S35 in FIG. 9, and the setting information is edited by overwriting the existing setting information with new setting information in the processing of step S36. It becomes possible. Similarly, a registered library may be editable. Specifically, similar to the case of step S39, the registered library can be edited by editing (adding or deleting) the registered library or adding new music.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the music data is stored in individual areas as shown in FIG. 6, but the music data is stored in the same area in an integrated manner, for example. The music information shown in FIG. 7 may be prepared for each user or for each user and managed individually. According to such a method, duplicate music data can be stored and storage capacity can be prevented from being wasted. Further, instead of managing it centrally, for example, music data may be stored separately for each user or each genre.

  In the above embodiments, the case where data including only music is reproduced has been described as an example, but other than this, for example, video data or other data (for example, character data) is reproduced. You may make it do.

  In the above embodiment, a portable playback device that only plays back music has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to other devices. For example, the present invention can be applied to a stationary reproduction device, or can be applied to a device that reproduces data stored in a storage medium other than a memory (for example, an optical disk or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)). The present invention can also be applied to a mobile phone or the like. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a playback function but also to an apparatus having a recording (or recording) function.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, a portable playback device.

It is a perspective view of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the earphone illustrated in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing executed in the playback device shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the storage state of the music information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the music information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a music list. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the new registration process shown in FIG. It is an example of the information stored with earphone ID in other embodiment. It is an example of the table | surface which matched the impedance and the volume level.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Playback apparatus 20 Earphone 100 Central control apparatus (setting means)
110 Display section (display means)
140 Earphone identification unit (acquisition means)
150 memory (storage means)
152 Music information (management information)
160 Music playback unit (playback means)
170 Earphone connection (output means)
210 Earphone ID storage (earphone storage)

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing data including music;
Reproduction means for reproducing the data stored in the storage means;
An output means for outputting the audio signal obtained by the reproducing means to the earphone;
Obtaining means for obtaining individual information for each of the earphones connected to the output means from the earphone;
Setting means for setting the environment of the apparatus based on the individual information acquired by the acquisition means;
A playback apparatus comprising: The individual information is stored in a storage unit on the earphone side,
The acquisition unit acquires the individual information from the storage unit when the earphone is connected to the output unit.
The playback apparatus according to claim 1. The individual information is identification information given to each earphone,
The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit performs an environment setting corresponding to the individual information. The individual information includes information related to characteristics of the earphone,
The setting unit performs environment setting based on information on the characteristics.
The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that   5. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a volume level corresponding to each earphone.   5. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an equalizer characteristic corresponding to each earphone. Management information for managing the data stored in the storage means;
The setting unit manages data stored in the storage unit based on predetermined management information corresponding to each earphone.
5. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing apparatus is characterized in that: Having display means for displaying predetermined information;
5. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a display environment of the display unit according to each earphone. A storage step for storing data including music;
A reproduction step of reproducing the data stored in the storage step;
An output step of outputting the audio signal obtained in the reproduction step to the earphone;
An acquisition step of acquiring, from the earphone, individual information for each of the earphones supplied with the audio signal output in the output step;
A setting step for setting the environment of the apparatus based on the individual information acquired in the acquisition step;
A reproduction method characterized by comprising:

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