JP2010198692A - Playback device, playback method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save power for a playback device, and to improve the operability thereof, without interrupting playback of a content designated by a user. <P>SOLUTION: According to an audio device 1, a system microcomputer 10 calculates, when an operation part 13 sets a sleep timer function to on, the remaining playback time of a music group designated as a playback target; gradually reduces a playback volume with a passage of playback time based on the calculated playback time; determines the playback volume at each point of time so that a playback volume is silent at the end time of playback; and controls the volume output from an amplification part 21, in accordance with the determined playback volume. When the playback of the designated music group is completed, the system microcomputer 10 cuts off the power supply from a power source part 25 and turns off the power source of the audio device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  A playback device having a timer function for playing back or ending content such as music in accordance with the time set by the user is well known. Among such timer functions, a function called a sleep timer is a function that ends playback of content and turns off the playback device after the time set by the user elapses or at the time set by the user. is there.

For example, if the user selects “after 30 minutes” from the selection menu and operates the sleep timer function, if the content is played back 30 minutes after the start of the sleep timer function, the content is played back. At the same time, the playback apparatus is turned off.
When the user sets “0:30” as the timer setting time and operates the sleep timer function, if the content is reproduced at 0:30, the reproduction of the content is stopped. The playback device is turned off.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the operation of the conventional sleep timer function. As shown in FIG. 4, when the operation of the sleep timer function is started, it is determined whether or not the content is being reproduced (step S11). If the content is being played back (step S11; YES), the process proceeds to step S13. When the content is not being reproduced (step S11; NO), the reproduction of the content is started according to the user operation (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the arrival of the time set by the timer or the elapse of the time set by the timer is waited. When the time set by the timer arrives or the time set by the timer has elapsed (step S13; YES), It is determined whether the content is being reproduced. If the content is being reproduced (step S14; YES), the reproduction of the content is terminated (step S15), and the apparatus is turned off (step S16). If the content is not being reproduced (step S14; NO), the apparatus is turned off as it is (step S16).

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for reducing power consumption by turning off the power when content reproduction ends when content reproduction ends earlier than a preset time.

JP 2005-347797 A

  However, in the conventional technique, when the set time elapses or the set time arrives, the reproduction ends even though the content is being reproduced. When the function of gradually lowering the playback volume is applied, the playback is finished without a sense of incongruity, but it does not change that the playback ends in the middle of the playback of the content. Therefore, in order to reproduce the content that was interrupted and could not be viewed, the user needs to specify the content that was not reproduced again and perform a reproduction operation. In that case, it is necessary to set the sleep timer function again or manually stop the reproduction.

  If the user tries to turn off the power automatically after watching the content until the end, it is necessary to grasp the reproduction time of the content and set the timer time according to the reproduction time.

  An object of the present invention is to save labor and improve operability of a playback device without interrupting playback of content specified by a user.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the playback device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
Input means for designating one or more contents to be reproduced;
Playback means for playing back the content specified by the input means;
Control means for gradually reducing the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the entire designated content, and for turning off the apparatus at the end of playback of the specified content When,
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The minimum playback volume at the end of playback of the entire designated content is silence or a predetermined volume.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
The control means performs control to gradually reduce the playback volume from a predetermined time before the end of playback of the designated content as a whole.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The input means is further configured to be able to input a setting instruction of a function for automatically turning off the power of the playback device at the end of playback of the designated content.
When the function is set by the input means, the control means performs control to gradually reduce the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the specified content as a whole. When the playback of the entire content is completed, the apparatus is turned off.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Further comprising a light emitting means,
The control means causes the light emitting means to emit light with a light amount corresponding to the reproduction volume.

The invention described in claim 6
A playback method in a playback device comprising: input means for specifying one or more contents to be played; playback means for playing back the content specified by the input means; and control means,
The control means performs control to gradually reduce the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the entire designated content, and turns on the power of the apparatus at the end of playback of the entire specified content. Including a step of turning off.

The program of the invention described in claim 7 is:
A computer used in a playback device for playing back content,
Input means for designating one or more contents to be reproduced;
Reproduction means for reproducing the content designated by the input means;
Control means for gradually reducing the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the entire designated content, and for turning off the apparatus at the end of playback of the specified content ,
To function as.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save labor and improve operability of a playback device without interrupting playback of content specified by a user.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the audio apparatus 1 of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the volume and power supply control processing performed in the system microcomputer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of control of the reproduction | regeneration volume until the reproduction end time of the whole music group. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the conventional sleep timer function.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a block configuration diagram of an audio apparatus 1 as an example of a playback apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the audio apparatus 1 includes a system microcomputer 10, a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, an external input terminal 14, a tuner 15, a CD (Compact Disk) mechanical unit 16, a selector 17, an ADC ( An analog digital converter (DSP) 18, a DSP (digital signal processor) 19, a DAC (digital analog converter) 20, an amplification unit 21, an output unit 22, an external I / F 23, a light emitting unit 24, a power supply unit 25, and the like. .

  The system microcomputer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The CPU of the system microcomputer 10 reads various processing programs and various data stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded programs, and concentrates each unit in the audio apparatus 1. It is a control means to control to.

For example, the system microcomputer 10 controls each unit of the audio device 1 in response to an input of a reproduction instruction from the operation unit 13, and reproduces music data recorded on a CD set in the CD mechanical unit 16, and a storage unit 11 is performed, or music data input via the external I / F 23 is played back, or audio signals input from the external input terminal 14 or the tuner 15 are played back.
Further, when the sleep timer function is set by the operation unit 13, the system microcomputer 10 executes a volume / power supply control process described later.

The storage unit 11 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor non-volatile memory, or the like, and music data that can be reproduced by the audio apparatus 1 is converted into MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) or WMA (Windows Media (registered trademark)). (For example, audio). The music data is classified and stored in folders such as albums, genres, and artists.
Further, the storage unit 11 stores music information related to the music data stored in the storage unit 11, for example, artist name, album name, folder name, file name, reproduction time, and the like.
The storage unit 11 stores playlist information. The playlist information refers to a list of music data selected in advance from music data stored in the storage unit 11 for continuous playback of music data.
The storage unit 11 stores various setting information of the audio device 1. For example, illumination ON / OFF setting information, music data playback volume (volume) setting values, and the like are stored.
Further, the storage unit 11 stores data indicating the correspondence between the reproduction volume and the amount of illumination light.

  The display unit 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display), an ELD (Electro Luminescent Display), and the like, and according to a display signal from the system microcomputer 10, operation mode information and operation of the audio apparatus 1. Various information such as information, setting information, playlist information, and music information is displayed.

  The operation unit 13 includes various operation keys and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation key operation by the user of the audio device 1 to the system microcomputer 10. The operation unit 13 functions as an input unit.

  The external input terminal 14 is an input terminal for connecting an external device (not shown), and inputs an audio signal from the connected external device to the selector.

  The tuner 15 is a circuit that selects a carrier broadcast radio wave such as a radio received via an antenna (not shown) in accordance with a control signal from the system microcomputer 10 and inputs the selected carrier broadcast radio wave as an audio signal to the selector. .

  The CD mechanism unit 16 is a device such as a CD drive, and reads music data recorded on a CD in accordance with a control signal from the system microcomputer 10 and outputs it to the DSP 19.

  The selector 17 selects an audio signal input from the external input terminal 14 or an audio signal input from the tuner 15 in accordance with a control signal from the system microcomputer 10 and outputs the selected audio signal to the ADC 18.

  The ADC 18 is an A / D conversion circuit that converts an input analog signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

  The DSP 19 is a microprocessor for digital signal processing. The DSP 19 includes an encoder 19a and a decoder 19b. In response to a control signal from the system microcomputer 10, the DSP 19 encodes the music data input from the CD mechanical unit 16 or ADC 18 by the encoder 19 a, converts it into an MP3 format or WMA compressed file, and outputs it to the storage unit 11. . Further, the DSP 19 decodes the compressed file from the storage unit 11 or the external I / F 23 by the decoder 19 b in accordance with a control signal from the system microcomputer 10 and outputs the decoded file to the DAC 20. In addition, the music data read from the CD by the CD mechanism unit 16 or the music data input from the ADC 18 is output to the DAC 20.

  The DAC 20 is a D / A conversion circuit that converts music data input from the DSP 19 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal.

  The amplifying unit 21 is a circuit that amplifies the analog signal input from the DAC 20 and outputs the amplified analog signal to the output unit 22.

  The output unit 22 is a device that outputs an analog signal input from the amplification unit 21 such as a speaker, headphones, or an external output terminal.

  The external I / F 23 is a connection interface with an external device. The external I / F includes inter-device connection I / F using a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a network connection I / F such as a LAN (Local Area Network) terminal, and an external recording medium connection I / F such as a memory card slot. F and the like are included. The music data input from the external I / F 23 is stored in the storage unit 11 or processed by the DSP 19.

  The light emitting unit 24 has a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), emits light according to a control signal from the system microcomputer 10, and displays illumination according to the music to be played. In the present embodiment, the illumination is displayed with a light amount corresponding to the reproduction volume. The illumination display may be performed on the display unit 12.

  The power supply unit 25 is a commercial AC power supply or a battery (not shown), and when input from the commercial AC power supply, converts AC (AC) power supply power to DC (DC) power supply power, and in accordance with a control command from the system microcomputer 10, Power is supplied to each part of the audio apparatus 1.

Next, the operation of the audio device 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the volume / power control process executed by the system microcomputer 10. The volume / power control process is executed when a setting instruction for turning on the sleep timer function is input by the operation unit 13. In the present embodiment, the sleep timer function is a function that automatically shuts off the power supply from the power supply unit 25 and turns off the audio device 1 at the end of reproduction of the music group designated by the operation unit 13. It is.

  First, it is determined whether or not the music group is being reproduced (step S1). Here, the music group refers to one or a plurality of music data. If it is determined that the music group is being reproduced (step S1; YES), the remaining reproduction time of the entire music group being reproduced is calculated (step S2). Here, the system microcomputer 10 has an internal clock, and the elapsed time from the start of reproduction is counted based on the internal clock. The remaining playback time of the entire music group being played back is calculated by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of playback from the total playback time of individual music data of the music group being played back.

  When the remaining playback time of the entire music group being played is calculated, the playback volume at each time point from the sleep timer start time to the playback end time is determined based on the calculated remaining playback time (step S3). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C show examples of playback volume at each time point from the sleep timer start time point to the playback end time point determined in step S3. The vertical axis represents the playback volume, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the start of playback and the music to be played. FIGS. 3A to 3C show an example in which the number of songs designated as a song group to be played is five.
In step S3, the playback volume is preset at the start of the sleep timer, the playback volume is gradually reduced as the playback time elapses, and the playback volume at each time point is minimized so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback. It is determined. In the present embodiment, the playback volume at the end of playback is set to silence, but may be configured in advance by the operation unit 13. The determined playback volume at each time point is stored in the RAM of the system microcomputer 10.
FIG. 3A shows an example of a case where it is determined to linearly decrease the playback volume from the start of the sleep timer. FIG. 3B shows an example of a case where the reproduction volume is determined to be exponentially reduced. FIG. 3C shows an example of a case where the playback volume is determined to be lower than a predetermined time before the playback end point. When the playback volume is determined as shown in FIG. 3A, the change in the playback volume is constant, so that the user can enjoy music without a sense of incongruity. When the playback volume is determined as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, there is little or no change in the audio volume until the end of playback, so the user can set the volume almost preset until the end of playback. Can enjoy music.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the music group is not being played back (step S1; NO), the designation of the music group to be played back from the operation unit 13 is waited, and the operation unit 13 becomes the playback target. When a music group is specified (step S4), the playback time of the entire specified music group is calculated (step S5).

Here, as a music group to be reproduced, music data (one music, plural or all) recorded on a CD set in the CD mechanical unit 16, portable via the storage unit 11 or the external I / F 23. It is possible to designate one or a plurality of pieces from among music data, playlist information, etc. stored in a type playback device, memory card, USB memory or the like. It is also possible to specify random playback of music data recorded in a specified folder or CD, repeat playback of specified music data, and the like.
In addition, the calculation of the reproduction time is performed by specifying the specified music included in the music information stored in the storage unit 11 or the tag information given to the music data or the TOC information of the CD set in the CD mechanical unit 16. Calculated by summing the individual playback times of the data.

  When the playback time is calculated, the playback volume at each time point from the playback start point to the playback end point is determined based on the calculated playback time (step S6), and playback of the designated music group is started. (Step S7). Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

FIG. 3B to FIG. 3D show examples of the reproduction volume at each time point from the reproduction start point to the reproduction end point determined in step S6. The vertical axis represents the playback volume, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the start of playback and the music to be played. FIGS. 3B to 3D show an example in which the number of songs designated as a reproduction target is five.
In step S4, the playback volume is set to a preset playback volume at the start of playback, the playback volume is gradually reduced as the playback time elapses, and the playback volume is determined at each time point so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback. Is done. In the present embodiment, the playback volume at the end of playback is set to silence, but may be configured in advance by the operation unit 13. The determined playback volume at each time point is stored in the RAM of the system microcomputer 10.
FIG. 3D shows an example of a case where the playback volume is determined to be linearly reduced from the playback start time. FIG. 3B shows an example of a case where the reproduction volume is determined to be exponentially reduced. FIG. 3C shows an example of a case where the playback volume is determined to be lower than a predetermined time before the playback end point. When the playback volume is determined as shown in FIG. 3D, the change in the playback volume becomes constant, so that the user can enjoy music without a sense of incongruity. When the playback volume is determined as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, there is little or no change in the audio volume until the end of playback, so that the user can use a preset volume until the end of playback. Can enjoy music.

  In step S8, the amplifying unit 21 is controlled so as to output the sound at the current reproduction volume stored in the RAM (step S8). The control in step S8 is repeatedly executed until the reproduction is completed. When the reproduction is finished (step S9; YES), the power supply by the power supply unit 25 is cut off, thereby turning off the power of the audio apparatus 1 (step S10), and the volume / power control process is finished.

  When the music group to be played is increased or decreased by 1 or 1 or the like during playback while the sleep timer function is in operation, the system microcomputer 10 starts from the time when the music group increases or decreases until the end of playback. The remaining playback time is calculated, and based on the calculated playback time, the playback volume at each time point until the end of playback is determined again, and volume control is performed. The playback volume at each time is determined so that the volume is gradually reduced from the value of the playback volume at the time when the music is increased or decreased, and the volume becomes silent at the end of playback.

  Further, when the setting value of the reproduction volume is changed by the operation unit 13 in the middle, the remaining reproduction time from the time when the setting of the reproduction volume is changed to the time when the reproduction ends is calculated and calculated in the system microcomputer 10. Based on the playback time, the playback volume at each time point until the end of playback is determined again, and volume control is performed. The playback volume at each time point is determined so that the volume is gradually reduced from the set value at the time when the playback volume is changed and the volume becomes the lowest at the end of playback.

  Further, when the sleep timer function is set to OFF in the middle, the reproduction volume is returned to the original set value by the system microcomputer 10.

  When the illumination is set to ON, the light amount of the light emitting unit 24 is controlled in accordance with the reproduction volume control in the volume / power source control process. As described above, since the reproduction volume corresponds to the amount of illumination light, the system microcomputer 10 causes the light emitting unit 24 to emit light with the amount of light corresponding to the reproduction volume in the amplification unit 21. Thus, by changing the amount of light in the light emitting unit 24 according to the reproduction volume, the illumination can be changed according to the reproduced volume.

  As described above, when the sleep timer function is set to ON by the operation unit 13, the system microcomputer 10 calculates the remaining playback time of the music group designated as the playback target, and based on the calculated playback time. Then, the playback volume is gradually reduced as the playback time elapses, and the playback volume at each time point is determined so that the playback volume is silenced at the end of playback, and output by the amplification unit 21 according to the determined playback volume. Control the volume. When the reproduction of the designated music group is completed, the system microcomputer 10 shuts off the power supply by the power supply unit 25 and turns off the audio device 1.

Therefore, it is possible to save labor and improve the operability of the audio apparatus 1 without interrupting the reproduction of the music group designated by the user.
In other words, the playback does not end even though the specified music group is being played, so the user can operate the song that he wants to listen to again like the conventional sleep timer function. Specifying to the end without setting the time and time by calculating the time until the specified music group ends when performing the operation specified by the unit 13 or setting the sleep timer function You will be able to enjoy the songs you have played. Further, when the reproduction of the designated music group is completed, the power of the apparatus is automatically turned off, so that power consumption can be reduced.
Also, since the playback volume gradually fades out toward the playback end point, it is possible to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling that playback suddenly ends.

  The description in the above embodiment is a preferred example of the audio apparatus 1 according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the playback device is an audio device and the content to be played back is music data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the playback device is a DVD player that can play back video, the content to be played back may be other content such as video data.

  When repeat playback is designated, an upper limit may be set for the number of repeats in the sleep timer function. Also, an upper limit may be set for the number of songs to be played and the playback time after the start of the sleep timer function.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the audio apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Audio apparatus 10 System microcomputer 11 Memory | storage part 12 Display part 13 Operation part 14 External input terminal 15 Tuner 16 CD mechanism part 17 Selector 18 ADC
19 DSP
19a Encoder 19b Decoder 20 DAC
21 Amplifier 22 Output 23 External I / F
24 Light Emitting Unit 25 Power Supply Unit

Claims (7)

Input means for designating one or more contents to be reproduced;
Playback means for playing back the content specified by the input means;
Control means for gradually reducing the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the entire designated content, and for turning off the apparatus at the end of playback of the specified content When,
A playback device comprising:   The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the minimum playback volume at the end of playback of the entire designated content is silence or a predetermined volume.   The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to gradually reduce a playback volume from a predetermined time before the end of playback of the entire designated content. The input means is further configured to be able to input a setting instruction of a function for automatically turning off the power of the playback device at the end of playback of the designated content.
When the function is set by the input means, the control means performs control to gradually reduce the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the specified content as a whole. The playback apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power of the apparatus is turned off at the end of playback of the entire content. Further comprising a light emitting means,
The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the light emitting unit to emit light with a light amount corresponding to the reproduction volume. A playback method in a playback device comprising: input means for specifying one or more contents to be played; playback means for playing back the content specified by the input means; and control means,
The control means performs control to gradually reduce the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the entire designated content, and turns on the power of the apparatus at the end of playback of the entire specified content. A reproduction method including a step of turning off. A computer used in a playback device for playing back content,
Input means for designating one or more contents to be reproduced;
Reproduction means for reproducing the content designated by the input means;
Control means for gradually reducing the playback volume so that the playback volume is minimized at the end of playback of the entire designated content, and for turning off the apparatus at the end of playback of the specified content ,
Program to function as.

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