JP2011118994A - Audio playback device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio playback device which seamlessly reproduces a musical piece related to a musical piece being reproduced in succession. <P>SOLUTION: When a title having the following attribute values: an artist Y, an album C, and a title N is being reproduced, and when the artist Y and the album C are hierarchically searched via search processing, the titles following the title N in the album C of the artist Y are reproduced (1102) after playback 1101 of the musical piece N being reproduced end. Then, the titles preceding the title N in the album C of the artist Y are reproduced (1103). After that, from the first title in the album D next to the album C of the artist Y, the titles in the albums of the artist Y following the title are reproduced (1104). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio playback apparatus for playing back recorded music.

As a technology related to an audio playback device that plays back recorded music, according to the user's selection of attribute values such as the album or artist of the music, the recorded music is recorded for each album to which the music belongs or for each artist who is the music player. A technique for reproducing the image is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, as a technology related to an audio playback device for playing back recorded music, in response to a user instruction, music having the same attribute value as the music being played (for example, music of the same artist as the music being played) is played. (For example, Patent Document 2), a list of attribute values (for example, artists related to the artist of the music being played back) related to the attribute values (for example, artist) of the music being played back is displayed on the list. A technique is known in which a user can easily reproduce a music having an attribute value related to the music being reproduced by reproducing each music having the attribute value specified in (for example, Patent Document 3). Yes.

JP 2006-196048 A JP 2008-077774 A JP 2007-149313 A

  According to each technique in which the user can easily reproduce the music having the attribute value related to the music being played, the music having the attribute value related to the music being played can be easily reproduced. However, regarding the type of relevance, the user cannot arbitrarily select this, and on the same user interface as the interface for playing a song having an attribute value related to the song being played, Since it is impossible to instruct the reproduction of other arbitrary music, the convenience for the user is not always sufficient.

  Moreover, according to these techniques, when the user gives an instruction, the reproduction of the music being reproduced is stopped, and the reproduction of the music having an attribute related to the music being reproduced is started. It is not possible to seamlessly play a song having an attribute value related to that song with the song being played. That is, for example, when a music having an attribute value related to the music being played is the music of the same artist as the music being played, the same music is played after the music being played is stopped once. In the playback sequence in which the playback order of the music is determined regardless of the music being played by the artist, the music that was being played when the user gave an instruction is played.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a more convenient user interface capable of facilitating the reproduction of music having attributes related to the music being reproduced.
In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an audio playback apparatus capable of seamlessly playing back music related to the music being played back with the music being played back.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a music playback unit that plays back music, an audio playback device that plays back music recorded in a recording device, and a music management table in which each music is registered for each attribute value of the music A designated music set setting unit that accepts designation of the attribute value and sets the designated attribute value, and refers to the music management table to set a set of songs having the designated attribute value in the designated music set; If the designated music set includes the music being played back by the music playback unit, the music playing unit is included in the designated music set after the playback of the reference music is completed with the music being played back as the reference music Each song registered after the reference song in the song management table is sequentially played back in the order of registration in the song management table, and is then included in the designated song set by the song playback unit. It is obtained by providing a reproduction control unit for sequentially reproducing the each song that is registered before the reference music piece to the music management table in the registration order of the music management table.

  Here, such an audio playback device is configured such that, in the playback control unit, when the music piece being played back by the music playback unit is not included in the designated music set, the music playback unit is connected to the designated music set. Each of the included songs may be sequentially played in the order of registration in the song management table.

Alternatively, the attribute value may be a music album, artist, genre, or the like.
According to such an audio playback device, when a set of songs having attribute values designated by the user is played, if the set includes a song being played, the song being played is used as a reference song. After the completion of the reproduction of the reference music, the music after the reference music included in the set is sequentially played in the order of registration in the music management table, and then the music before the reference music included in the set is sequentially played. To do.

Therefore, it is possible to seamlessly play back each piece of music included in the set of music pieces having attribute values designated by the user together with the reproduction of the music piece being played back.
Here, such an audio playback device gives the attribute values of a plurality of hierarchized attributes to the song, and sets the attribute values of each attribute of the song according to the plurality of attribute hierarchies to the song management table. In addition to hierarchizing and registering in the tree line, the audio playback device accepts selection of the attribute value of the attribute of the first hierarchy which is one of the plurality of attribute hierarchies and sets it as the selected attribute value A selection attribute value setting unit, wherein the designated music set setting unit is an attribute value of an attribute of a second layer that is one of the lower layers of the first layer, and in the music management table, Among the attribute values registered below the selected attribute value, the designation of the attribute value is accepted, and the designated attribute value is referred to as the designated attribute value with reference to the music management table. A set of songs having a value is set as a designated song set, and the song management table of each song registered in the song management table before the reference song is included in the designated song set in the reproduction control unit. After the music playback unit performs sequential playback in the registration order, the music playback unit uses the attribute value of the attribute of the second layer registered in the music management table in the lower order of the selection attribute value. From the first music registered in the music management table following the attribute value registered next to the designated attribute value, each of the music registered in the music management table below the selected attribute value The music may be configured to be sequentially played back in the order of registration in the music management table.

  In this case, in the reproduction control unit, when the designated music set does not include the music being reproduced by the music reproduction unit, the designated attribute is set in the music management table. The music registered in the music management table in the order of registration in the music management table may be sequentially played back from the music registered in the music data in the music management table.

  In this case, even if the plurality of attributes include an artist and an album, and the artist and the album are hierarchically arranged in the order of the artist and the album, the plurality of attributes include the genre, the artist, and the album. In addition, it may be hierarchized in the order of genre, artist, album.

  In this case, the selection attribute value setting unit displays a list of attribute values of the attributes of the first hierarchy, sets the attribute value selected on the displayed list as the selection attribute value, The designated music set setting unit displays a list of attribute values of attributes of the second hierarchy registered below the selected attribute value in the music management table, and designates attribute values on the displayed list. It may be received and set to the designated attribute value, and a set of songs having the designated attribute value may be set to the designated song set with reference to the music management table.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sets an audio playback device that plays back music recorded in a recording device, a music playback unit that plays back music, and designation of a set of songs as a designated music set. When the designated music set setting unit and the designated music set include the music being played back by the music playing unit, the playing music is set as the reference music, and after the reproduction of the reference music is completed, the music playing unit And a playback control unit for starting playback of the music ordered next to the reference music in accordance with a predetermined rule included in the designated music set.

According to such an audio playback device, when a set of songs specified by the user is played, if the set contains a song that is being played, it waits for completion of the playback of the song that is being played. Then, the reproduction of the next music included in the set is started.
Therefore, it is possible to seamlessly perform the reproduction of the music being reproduced and the reproduction of the next music included in the set of music.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is recorded in an audio playback device that plays back music recorded in a recording device in response to a music search unit that plays back music and a search request from a user. A portion of the list of music attribute values is displayed within a display range that is a range set to include a predetermined number of attribute values on the list, and the display range is displayed on the list according to a user operation. And a search unit that accepts designation of attribute values from among the displayed attribute values, and in the search unit, there is a song that is being played back by the music playback unit when the search request of the user is generated In this case, the display range is set on the list so as to include the attribute value of the reference music piece, with the music piece being reproduced as the reference music piece. Here, in the audio reproduction device, the attribute value may be a title, an album, an artist, or a genre of the music.

  According to such an audio playback device, when there is a song being played back by the song playback unit when a user search request is generated, first, the attribute value of the song being played in the list of attribute values is first set. Since the included range is displayed, the user can easily search for music related to the music being reproduced. In addition, using this list, the user can search for an arbitrary music piece. Therefore, the user can easily search for music related to the music being played on the same user interface, or search for any music unrelated to the music being played.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is recorded in an audio playback device that plays back music recorded in a recording device in response to a music search unit that plays back music and a search request from a user. A search that displays a list of attribute values of music, sets one attribute value on the list in a selected state according to a user's selection operation, and accepts specification of an attribute value in a selected state in accordance with a user's determination operation And the search unit displays the list with the reference song selected when there is a song being played by the song playback unit when the user's search request is generated. Is. Here, in the audio reproduction device, the attribute value may be a title, an album, an artist, or a genre of the music.

  According to such an audio playback device, when there is a song being played back by the song playback unit when a user search request is generated, a list of attribute values is selected and an attribute value of the song being played back is selected. Display as. Therefore, the user can easily specify the attribute value of the music being played and the attribute values related to the music being played that are displayed before and after that, and easily select the music related to the music being played. To be able to explore. In addition, using this list, the user can search for an arbitrary music piece. Therefore, the user can easily search for music related to the music being played on the same user interface, or search for any music unrelated to the music being played.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a more convenient user interface that can facilitate the reproduction of music having attributes related to the music being reproduced. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an audio playback device that can seamlessly play back music related to the music being played back with the music being played back.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the audio reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the audio file management table, genre management table, artist management table, album management table, and title management table which are used in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the audio reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the audio reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the audio reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the search process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the process example of the search process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the process example of the search process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the process example of the reproduction | regeneration control process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the process example of the reproduction | regeneration control process which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an audio playback apparatus according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the audio playback apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an audio processing apparatus 1, a display apparatus 2, an input apparatus 3, an audio output apparatus 4 such as a speaker and an audio amplifier apparatus, an HDD 5, and selectively an audio processing apparatus 1. And a portable storage medium 6 connected thereto. The portable storage medium 6 may be a memory card or a portable audio player.

  The audio processing device 1 is connected to the CPU 11, the memory 12, the display interface 13 connected to the display device 2, the audio output interface 14 connected to the audio output device 4, the HDD interface 15 connected to the HDD 5, and the portable storage medium 6. A portable storage medium interface 16, an input interface 17 connected to the input device 3, and a bus 21 connecting the above components are provided.

Here, the display interface 13, the audio output interface 14, the HDD interface 15, the portable storage medium interface 16, and the input interface 17 process input / output between the connected device and the audio processing device 1. .
Next, FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration realized on the audio processing apparatus 1 by executing a computer program stored in the HDD 5 of the CPU 11 in advance.
As illustrated, the audio processing apparatus 1 functionally includes an operating system 201 and a playback processing unit 202 that is an application process on the operating system 201. The playback processing unit 202 includes a playback control unit 2021. The playback unit 2022 is provided.

In such a configuration, the HDD 5 stores a music management database 211 and an audio file 212 in addition to the computer program described above.
Next, the audio file 212 on the HDD 5 is a file in which audio data of music is stored. In the audio file 212, data such as music artist, title, music genre, music album, and the like belong to the audio data. The tag information which is character information indicating is stored.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, an audio file management table, a genre management table, an artist management table, an album management table, and a title management table are registered in the music management database 211.
The audio file management table is a table for managing all audio files 212 recorded on the HDD 5, and has an entry for each audio file, as shown in FIG. The music ID that is the identifier given to the audio file 212, the audio file path indicating the location on the HDD 5 of the audio file 212, the bit rate of the audio data stored in the audio file 212 corresponding to the music, the genre and artist of the music in the audio file 212, Music information such as album, title, and playback time is recorded.

  Next, in the genre management table, as shown in FIG. 3b, each genre of music such as POP, ROCK, and JAZZ is registered in alphabetical / alphabet order. Further, for each genre, in the lower order, each artist in which the audio file 212 of the music of the genre is recorded in the HDD 5 is registered in alphabetical / 50-sound order. Also, for each artist, in the lower order, each album including the music of the artist of the genre and the music audio file 212 recorded in the HDD 5 is registered in alphabetical / 50-syllabary order. The In addition, for each album, the titles of the music of the artist of the genre in which the audio file 212 of the music is recorded in the HDD 5 follow the order in the album of the music. For each title of each music, the music ID of the audio file 212 of the music of the title is registered.

  In the artist management table, as shown in FIG. 3c, each artist in which the music audio file 212 is recorded in the HDD 5 is registered in alphabetical / alphabetic order. Also, for each artist, in the lower order, each album including the music of the artist and the music audio file 212 recorded in the HDD 5 is registered in alphabetical / 50-sound order. In addition, for each album, the titles of the songs of the artist in the album and the music audio files 212 recorded in the HDD 5 are registered in the order in accordance with the order of the songs in the album. Then, for each title of each music, the music ID of the audio file 212 of the music of the title is registered.

  Also, in the album management table, as shown in FIG. 3d, the albums in which the music audio files 212 are recorded in the HDD 5 are registered in alphabetical order / alphabetical order. In addition, for each album, the titles of the songs that are the songs of the album and the audio file 212 of the song is recorded in the HDD 5 are registered in an order in accordance with the order of the songs in the album. For each title of each song, the song ID of the audio file 212 of the song with that title is registered.

  Next, in the title management table, as shown in FIG. 3e, the titles of the music pieces in which the audio file 212 is recorded in the HDD 5 are registered in alphabetical order of the titles / alphabetical order. Thus, the music ID of the audio file 212 of the music of the title is registered.

  In such a configuration, the operating system 201 inputs / outputs the music management DB and the audio file 212 between the playback processing unit 202 and the HDD 5 or the portable storage medium 6, and the playback processing unit 202 and the display device 2. Input / output between the input device 3 and the audio output device 4 is controlled.

Also, the playback unit 2022 of the playback processing unit 202 performs necessary decoding processing on the audio data of the audio file 212 set as a playback target audio file from the playback control unit 2021, and outputs the result to the audio output device.
Then, the playback control unit 2021 sets an audio file 212 as a playback target audio file in the playback unit 2022.
Here, the playback control unit 2021 has a function of performing a playback process of automatically automatically setting playback target audio files in accordance with the set playback control mode. The playback control mode includes a genre mode, an artist mode, an album mode, and a title mode. In each mode, the playback control unit 2021 uses an audio file 212 as a playback target audio file of the playback unit 2022 as follows. Automatically set in order.

  That is, when the genre mode is set as the playback control mode, the playback control unit 2021 sets the genre indicated by the selection attribute value of the genre set by the user as the target genre in the lower level of the target genre in the genre management table. Create a playback target title list in which the registered titles are registered in the order in which the titles are registered in the jungle management table. The titles in the playback target title list are sequentially registered starting from the title set as the playback start title. The audio file 212 having the music ID of the set reproduction target title is set as the reproduction target audio file while being set as the reproduction target title. If the last title in the playback target title list has been played back, each title in the playback target title list is set as the playback target title in order of registration from the first registered title, and the set playback is performed. The process of setting the audio file 212 of the song ID of the target title as a playback target audio file is repeated.

  However, in the genre mode, when the artist selection attribute value set by the user exists and the album selection attribute value selected by the user does not exist, the reproduction target title list includes the genre management table, Only the titles registered under the artist indicated by the artist selection attribute value registered under the target genre may be registered in the order in which the titles are registered in the jungle management table. If there is an album selection attribute value set by the user, the album indicated by the album selection attribute value registered in the reproduction target title list in the genre management table below the target genre. Only the titles registered in the lower order may be registered in the order in which the titles are registered in the genre management table.

Here, the setting of the playback control mode, the selection attribute value, and the playback start title will be described later.
Next, when the artist mode is set as the playback control mode, the playback control unit 2021 sets the artist indicated by the selection attribute value of the artist set by the user as the target artist, and is subordinate to the target artist in the artist management table. Create a playback target title list in which the titles registered in the artist management table are registered in the order in which the titles are registered, and each title in the playback target title list from the title set as the playback start title in the registration order. The audio file 212 of the music ID of the set reproduction target title is set as the reproduction target audio file while sequentially setting the reproduction target title. If the last title in the playback target title list has been played back, each title in the playback target title list is set as the playback target title in order of registration from the first registered title, and the set playback is performed. The process of setting the audio file 212 of the song ID of the target title as a playback target audio file is repeated.

  However, if there is an album selection attribute value set by the user in the artist mode, the album selection attribute registered in the playback target title list below the target artist in the artist management table. Only the titles registered in the lower order of the album indicated by the value may be registered in the order in which the titles are registered in the artist management table.

  Next, when the album mode is set as the playback control mode, the playback control unit 2021 sets the album indicated by the selection attribute value of the album set by the user as the target album, and is subordinate to the target album in the album management table. Create a playback target title list in which the titles registered in the list are registered in the order in which the titles are registered in the album management table, and each title in the playback target title list from the title set as the playback start title in the registration order. The audio file 212 of the music ID of the set reproduction target title is set as the reproduction target audio file while sequentially setting the reproduction target title. If the last title in the playback target title list has been played back, each title in the playback target title list is set as the playback target title in order of registration from the first registered title, and the set playback is performed. The process of setting the audio file 212 of the song ID of the target title as a playback target audio file is repeated.

  When the title mode is set as the playback control mode, the playback control unit 2021 generates a playback target title list in which the titles registered in the title management table are registered in the order in which the titles are registered in the title management table. The audio file 212 of the music ID of the set reproduction target title is set as the reproduction target title while the titles of the reproduction target title list are created and set in the registration order sequentially from the title set as the reproduction start title. Set as an audio file. If the last title in the playback target title list has been played back, each title in the playback target title list is set as the playback target title in order of registration from the first registered title, and the set playback is performed. The process of setting the audio file 212 of the song ID of the target title as a playback target audio file is repeated.

  Now, in such a configuration, the playback control unit 2021 displays a control window as shown in FIG. 4a on the display device 2 during playback of the audio file 212, and displays in the information area 401 provided on the control window. The playback unit 2022 displays the album, artist, title, and genre attribute values of the music file 212 being played back, the playback elapsed time, and the like as information items. Further, in response to the operation of the playback / pause button 402 displayed on the control window, the playback unit 2022 starts / pauses the playback operation of the audio file 212, the forward skip button 403, the backward skip button 404, In response to the operation of the volume adjustment slider 405, the playback unit 2022 is caused to skip playback of the audio file 212 and adjust the volume.

In addition, a search button 406 is provided in the control window, and in response to an operation of the search button 406, the playback control unit 2021 performs a search process shown below.
Hereinafter, this search process will be described.
First, a key attribute selection screen and an attribute value selection screen used in search processing will be described.
The key attribute selection screen includes a genre button 411, an artist button 412, an album button 413, and a title button 414, as shown in FIG. It is a screen which receives selection of the key attribute which is. That is, on the key attribute selection screen, when the genre button 411 is selected, the setting as the genre key attribute is accepted, and when the artist button 412 is selected, the setting as the artist key attribute is accepted, and the album button When 413 is selected, the setting as the key attribute of the album is accepted, and when the title button 414 is selected, the setting as the key attribute of the title is accepted.

Next, FIG. 5a shows an attribute value selection screen when a genre is set as a key attribute.
As shown in the figure, the attribute value selection screen includes an attribute value list area 501, a selection button 502, and a playback button 503. The attribute value list area 501 displays an attribute value list that is a list of attribute values of each attribute of music such as genre, artist, album, and title. Here, the attribute value list displayed in the attribute value list area 501 can be scrolled by the scroll bar 5011. Further, in the attribute value list area 501, a focus frame 504 surrounding the attribute value is displayed at the position of one attribute value in the displayed attribute value list, and this focus frame 504 is moved by a predetermined movement of the user. By the operation, as shown by a dotted line in the figure, it is possible to move on the displayed attribute value list.

  Here, FIG. 5a shows an attribute value selection screen that is displayed first when a genre is set as a key attribute. The attribute value list area 501 is registered in the first hierarchy of the genre management table. A list of existing genres is displayed as an attribute value list. When the play button 503 is operated on the attribute value selection screen in FIG. 5a, the genre where the focus frame 504 is located is set as the designated attribute value, and the display of the attribute value selection screen is deleted.

  On the other hand, when the selection button 502 is operated in this state, the genre in which the focus frame 504 is located is set as the genre selection attribute value. If the genre selection attribute value is set in this way, as shown in FIG. 5b, the list of attribute values displayed in the attribute value list area 501 is displayed in the genre of the second hierarchy of the genre management table. Switch to the list of artists registered below the selected attribute value. When the play button 503 is operated on the attribute value selection screen in FIG. 5b, the artist where the focus frame 504 is located is set as the designated attribute value, and the display of the attribute value selection screen is deleted.

  On the other hand, when the selection button 502 is operated in this state, the artist where the focus frame 504 is located is set as the selection attribute value of the artist. Further, when the selection attribute value of the artist is set in this way, as shown in FIG. 5c, the list of attribute values displayed in the attribute value list area 501 is changed to the genre of the third hierarchy of the genre management table. Switch to the list of albums registered below the selection attribute value of the artist below the selection attribute value. When the play button 503 is operated on the attribute value selection screen of FIG. 5c, the album where the focus frame 504 is located is set as the designated attribute value, and the display of the attribute value selection screen is deleted.

  On the other hand, when the selection button 502 is operated in this state, the album in which the focus frame 504 is located is set as the album selection attribute value. Further, when the selected attribute value of the album is set in this way, as shown in FIG. 5d, the list of attribute values displayed in the attribute value list area 501 is changed to the genre of the fourth hierarchy of the genre management table. The list is switched to a list of titles registered below the selection attribute value of the album lower than the selection attribute value of the artist lower than the selection attribute value of. When the play button 503 is operated on the attribute value selection screen in FIG. 5d, the title where the focus frame 504 is located is set as the designated attribute value, and the display of the attribute value selection screen is deleted. Note that when the list of titles is displayed, the operation of the selection button 502 is not accepted.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the setting of the selected attribute value and the designated attribute value of each attribute of the music can be received hierarchically according to the hierarchy of the genre management table using the attribute value selection screen. It has become.
Even when the key attribute is an artist, an album, or a title, the setting of the selection attribute value and the designated attribute value is accepted hierarchically using the attribute value selection screen as in the case where the key attribute is a genre.
That is, when the key attribute is artist, as shown in FIG. 6a, in accordance with the hierarchy of the artist management table in the order of artist-album-title, the artist or artist and album by the selection button 502 is hierarchically arranged. And the setting as the designated attribute value of the artist, album, or title by the play button 503 can be received. When the key attribute is album, as shown in FIG. 6b, the setting as the album selection attribute value by the selection button 502 is hierarchically arranged according to the album management table hierarchy in the order of album-title. The setting of the designated attribute value of the album or title by the play button 503 can be received. When the key attribute is a title, as shown in FIG. 6c, it is possible to accept setting of a designated attribute value for the title by the play button 503.

Next, a search process performed using such a key attribute selection screen and an attribute value selection screen will be described.
FIG. 7 shows the procedure of this search process.
As shown in the figure, when the search button 406 is operated in the control window shown in FIG. 4A (step 702), the playback control unit 2021 checks whether the audio file 212 is currently being played (step 704). If it is being played back, the music of the audio file 212 being played is used as the reference music, and the attribute values of the genre, artist, album, and title attributes of the reference music are stored as reference attribute values (step 706). move on. On the other hand, if the audio file 212 is not currently being reproduced (step 704), the process proceeds to step 708 as it is.

  When the process proceeds to step 708, the key attribute selection screen shown in FIG. 4b is displayed on the display device 2, the setting of the key attribute is accepted from the user, and the management table corresponding to the set key attribute is searched. The management table is set (step 710). Here, the management table corresponding to the key attribute is a genre management table if the key attribute is a genre, an artist management table if the key attribute is an artist, an album management table if the key attribute is an album, and the key attribute is a title. Then, it becomes a title management table.

  Next, an attribute value list in which the attribute values registered in the first hierarchy of the search target management table are registered in the order of registration is set (step 712), and it is checked whether or not the reference music is set in step 706 ( Step 714), if it is set, go to Step 716; if not, go to Step 734.

  When the process proceeds to step 734, the display range that is the range displayed in the attribute value list area 501 of the attribute value list is set to a predetermined number of ranges in the attribute value list (step 734), and the attribute value is set. The display range of the list is displayed in the attribute value list area 501 and the attribute value selection screen described above is displayed on the display device 2 in a form in which the focus frame 504 is positioned at the first attribute value of the display range. The attribute value list is scrolled and the focus frame 504 is moved (step 736).

Then, while accepting scrolling of the attribute value list and movement of the focus frame 504, the generation of the selection operation by the selection button 502 (step 738) and the generation of the reproduction operation by the reproduction button 503 are monitored (step 740).
If a selection operation occurs (step 738), the attribute value at which the focus frame 504 is located is stored as a selection attribute value at that time (step 746). An attribute value list in which the attribute values registered in the lower order of the selected attribute value stored in is registered in the order of registration is set (step 748), and the process returns to step 734 to be registered in the lower level of the selected attribute value. Similarly, the attribute value selection screen for the attribute value is displayed.

  On the other hand, when a reproduction operation has occurred (step 740), the attribute value at which the focus frame 504 is located is stored as a specified attribute value (step 742), and the display on the display device 2 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4a. The display returns to the control window display, the playback control process is started, and the process returns to step 702. Here, details of the reproduction control process will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 714 that there is a reference song and the process proceeds to step 716, the display range that is the range displayed in the attribute value list area 501 of the attribute value list is included in the attribute value list. The attribute value is set to a predetermined number of ranges centered on the reference attribute value for the attribute representing the value. That is, for example, if the predetermined number is 5, the two attribute values before the reference attribute value, the reference attribute value, and the two attribute values after the reference attribute value are set in the display range.

  Then, the display range of the attribute value list is displayed in the attribute value list area 501, and the attribute value selection screen described above is displayed in a form in which the focus frame 504 is positioned at the reference attribute value that is positioned at the center of the display range. The attribute value list is scrolled and the focus frame 504 is moved in accordance with a user operation (step 718).

Then, while accepting scrolling of the attribute value list and movement of the focus frame 504, the generation of the selection operation by the selection button 502 (step 720) and the generation of the reproduction operation by the reproduction button 503 are monitored (step 722).
If a selection operation has occurred (step 720), the attribute value at which the focus frame 504 is located is stored as a selection attribute value at that time (step 728), and the search target management table ends with step 728. An attribute value list in which the attribute value registered in the lower order of the selected attribute value stored in is registered in the registration order is set (step 730). Then, it is checked whether or not the last selected attribute value stored in step 728 is a reference attribute value for an attribute whose attribute value in the attribute value list represents a value (step 732). If it is not the reference attribute value, the process returns to step 734 to display the attribute value selection screen for the attribute value registered one level lower than the selected attribute value.

  On the other hand, when a reproduction operation has occurred (step 722), the attribute value at which the focus frame 504 is located is stored as a specified attribute value (step 724), and the display on the display device 2 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4a. The display returns to the control window display, the playback control process is started (step 726), and the process returns to step 702.

The search process performed by the playback control unit 2021 has been described above.
According to such a search process, for example, when a song having attribute values of genre G, artist K, album P, and title N is being played, the user can search using the search button 406 of the control window in FIG. When a genre is set as a key attribute on the key attribute selection screen shown in FIG. 4b displayed by this instruction, first, as shown in FIG. 8a, the genre that is the genre of the music being played in the genre list An attribute value selection screen is displayed in which the range including G at the center position is displayed in the attribute value list area 501 in a state where the focus frame 504 is arranged at the position of the genre G.

  In this state, if the selection button 502 is operated and the genre G of the music being played is set as the selection attribute value, a list of artists included in the genre G as shown in FIG. The attribute value selection screen is displayed in which the range including the artist K, which is the artist of the music being played, at the center position is displayed in the attribute value list area 501 with the focus frame 504 being placed at the artist K position. Is done.

  Further, in this state, if the selection button 502 is operated and the artist K of the music being played is set as the selection attribute value, the album of the artist K belonging to the genre G is shown in FIG. The attribute value selection screen in which the range including the album P, which is the album of the music being played, at the center position is displayed in the attribute value list area 501 in a state where the focus frame 504 is arranged at the position of the album P Is displayed.

  Further, in this state, if the selection button 502 is operated and the album P of the music being played is set as the selection attribute value, the artist K belonging to the genre G, as shown in FIG. The attribute value displayed in the attribute value list area 501 in a state where the focus frame 504 is arranged at the position of the title N in the list of the titles of the album P including the range including the title N, which is the music being played, at the center position A selection screen appears.

Therefore, using these attribute value selection screens, the user can select the genre, artist, album, and title based on the attribute values of the genre G, artist K, album P, and title N of the music being played. You will be able to search.
According to the above search processing, for example, after scrolling or moving the focus frame 504 on the attribute value selection screen displaying the list of genres shown in FIG. 8A, as shown in FIG. 8E, When the selection button 502 is operated in a state where the focus frame 504 is positioned in a genre F that is different from the genre of the music being played, the top of the list of artists belonging to the genre F is shown in FIG. The attribute value selection screen in which the range of the part is displayed in the attribute value list area 501 in a state where the focus frame 504 is arranged at the head artist is displayed.

Here, FIG. 8 illustrates the case where the genre is set as the key attribute. However, when the artist, album, or title is set as the key attribute, each attribute value of the music being played is similarly displayed. A search based on each of the above can be performed.
That is, for example, when an artist is set as a key attribute when a song having attribute values of genre G, artist K, album P, and title N is being played back, an attribute value selection screen as shown in FIG. Thus, it is possible to search for an artist, an album, and a title based on the artist K, album P, and title N of the music being reproduced.

When an album is set as a key attribute, an album or title search is performed on the basis of the album P and title N of the music being played by the attribute value selection screen as shown in FIG. 9b. Can do.
Further, when a title is set as a key attribute, a title search can be performed on the basis of the title N of the music being played on the attribute value selection screen as shown in FIG. 9c.
Next, the reproduction control process activated in steps 726 and 744 of the search process shown in FIG. 7 will be described.
FIG. 10 shows the procedure of the reproduction control process.
As shown in the figure, in the reproduction control process, the reproduction control unit 2021 first checks whether or not a reference music piece is set (step 1002).
If the reference music is not set, playback of the currently played music is stopped (step 1004), and a playback control mode corresponding to the key attribute is set (step 1006). That is, if the key attribute is a genre, the genre mode is set as the playback control mode. If the key attribute is the artist, the artist mode is set. If the key attribute is the album, the album mode is set. To do.

  Then, it is checked whether or not the designated attribute value is an attribute value representing a title (step 1008). If the designated attribute value is not an attribute value representing a title, in the search target management table, among the titles registered below the designated attribute value Is set as the reproduction start title, the reproduction process is started (step 1010), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the designated attribute value is an attribute value representing a title (step 1008), the title represented by the designated attribute value registered in the search target management table is set as the reproduction start title, and the reproduction process described above is started ( Step 1012), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1002 that there is a reference song, whether or not the designated attribute value is the title of the reference song (step 1014), and the song of the reference song is below the specified attribute value in the search target management table. It is checked whether or not the ID is registered (step 1016). If none of them is registered, the process proceeds to step 1004 and the above-described processing is performed.

  On the other hand, when the designated attribute value is the title of the reference song (step 1014), the reproduction of the reference song is awaited (step 1028). When the reproduction of the reference song is completed, the reproduction control according to the key attribute is performed. The mode is set (step 1030), the title registered next to the title of the reference song in the search target management table is set as the playback start title, the above-described playback process is started (step 1032), and the process is terminated. To do.

Further, when the music ID of the reference music is registered in the search target management table below the designated attribute value (step 1016), the completion of the reproduction of the reference music is awaited (step 1018).
When the reproduction of the reference music is completed, the titles registered after the title of the reference music among the titles registered below the specified attribute value in the search target management table are sequentially reproduced in the order of registration. (Step 1020).
Next, in the search target management table, the titles registered before the title of the reference song among the titles registered below the designated attribute value are sequentially reproduced in the registration order (step 1022).
Then, the playback control mode corresponding to the key attribute is set (step 1024), and is registered next to the designated attribute value among the attribute values registered in the same hierarchy as the designated attribute value in the search target management table. The title registered at the head of the lower attribute value is set as the reproduction start title, the above reproduction process is started (step 1026), and the process is terminated.

The playback control process performed by the playback control unit 2021 has been described above.
According to such playback control processing, for example, when a title having the attribute values of artist Y, album C, and title N is being played back, the user instructs the search using the search button 406 of the control window in FIG. The artist is set as the key attribute on the key attribute selection screen shown in FIG. 4b, and the artist of the music being played is displayed on the attribute value setting screen displayed as the attribute value list. When the focus frame 504 is positioned on the artist Y, the selection button 502 is operated, and the artist Y is selected as an artist selection attribute value, and the album list of the artist Y displayed thereby is displayed as an attribute value list. On the attribute value setting screen, the album that is the album of the song being played While it is positioned the focus frame 504 in arm C, in the case of setting the album C to the specified attribute value by operating the play button 503, so that the title is reproduced, as shown in FIG. 11a.

  That is, first, waiting for completion of the reproduction 1101 of the title N of the album C of the artist Y being reproduced, and when the reproduction is completed, reproduction of each title 1102 after the title N of the album C of the artist Y is performed. Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, since the reproduction 1102 of each title after the title N of the album C is performed after the completion of the reproduction 1101 of the title N, the reproduction of the title N and the title N of the album C are performed. The first title O among the later titles is played back seamlessly.

When the reproduction 1102 of each title after the title N of the album C is completed, the reproduction 1103 of each title before the title N of the album C of the artist Y is performed next.
As a result, the reproduction of each title of the album C is performed sequentially and seamlessly from the music N being reproduced.
When the reproduction 1103 of the titles before the title N of the album C of the artist Y is completed, the albums of the artist Y after the title from the head title of the album D next to the album C of the artist Y are next performed. Reproduction 1104 of each title is performed. When the reproduction up to the last title of artist Y is completed, the process of reproducing 1105 each title of each album of artist Y from the beginning title of album A at the beginning of artist Y is repeated.

  On the other hand, as in the case of FIG. 11, when a title having the attribute values of artist Y, album C, and title N is being played back, the user instructs search using the search button 406 in the control window of FIG. 4a. The artist is set as the key attribute on the key attribute selection screen shown in FIG. 4b, and the artist of the music being played is displayed on the attribute value setting screen displayed as the attribute value list. When the focus frame 504 is positioned on the artist Y, the selection button 502 is operated, and the artist Y is selected as an artist selection attribute value, and the album list of the artist Y displayed thereby is displayed as an attribute value list. On the attribute value setting screen, an album different from album C of the music being played In a state in which position the focus frame 504, in the case of setting the album B in the specified attribute value by operating the play button 503, so that the title is reproduced, as shown in FIG. 12a.

  That is, in this case, playback 1201 of each title of each album of artist Y after the title is performed from the top title of album B of artist Y indicated by the designated attribute value. Here, as shown in FIG. 11b, prior to the start of the reproduction of the title at the beginning of album B, the reproduction of the music piece N being reproduced is stopped halfway.

When the reproduction to the last title of artist Y is completed, the process of reproducing 1202 of each title of each album of artist Y is repeated from the top title of the top album A of artist Y.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The playback of the audio file 212 recorded in the HDD 5 has been described above. However, the music management database 211 and the audio file 212 are also stored in the portable storage medium 6 as in the HDD 5. This is performed in the same manner as the reproduction of the audio file 212 recorded in the HDD 5.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Audio processing device, 2 ... Display device, 3 ... Input device, 4 ... Audio output device, 5 ... HDD, 6 ... Portable storage medium, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Display interface, 14 ... Audio output interface 15 ... HDD interface, 16 ... portable storage medium interface, 17 ... input interface, 21 ... bus, 201 ... operating system, 202 ... playback processing unit, 211 ... music management database, 212 ... audio file, 2021 ... playback control unit, 2022... Playback unit.

Claims (20)

An audio playback device for playing back music recorded on a recording device,
A music playback unit for playing back music,
For each song attribute value, a song management table in which each song is registered,
A designated music set setting unit that accepts designation of the attribute value and sets the designated attribute value, refers to the music management table, and sets a set of songs having the designated attribute value as a designated music set;
If the designated music set includes the music being played back by the music playback unit, the music playing unit is included in the designated music set after the playback of the reference music is completed with the music being played back as the reference music The music management table is configured to sequentially reproduce each music registered after the reference music in the music management table in the order of registration in the music management table, and then the music playback unit includes the music management table included in the designated music set. And a playback control unit that sequentially plays back each song registered before the reference song in the order of registration in the song management table. The audio playback device according to claim 1,
The music has attribute values of a plurality of hierarchized attributes,
In the music management table, attribute values of each attribute of the music are registered in a tree form in accordance with the plurality of attribute hierarchies,
The audio playback device includes a selection attribute value setting unit that receives selection of an attribute value of an attribute of a first hierarchy that is one of the plurality of attribute hierarchies and sets the attribute value to a selection attribute value;
The designated music set setting unit is an attribute value of an attribute of a second layer, which is one of the lower layers of the first layer, and is registered below the selected attribute value in the music management table. The specified attribute value is received from the attribute values, and the set of attributes having the specified attribute value is referred to the music management table using the specified attribute value as the specified attribute value. Set to collective,
The reproduction control unit causes the music reproduction unit to sequentially reproduce each piece of music registered in the music management table before the reference music included in the designated music set in the order of registration in the music management table. The attribute value of the attribute of the second hierarchy registered in the music reproduction unit in the music management table below the selection attribute value, which is next to the designated attribute value in the music management table. The music pieces registered in the music management table in the order of registration in the music management table are sequentially played from the top music registered in the music management table in the music management table. An audio playback device characterized by the above. The audio playback device according to claim 1,
When the designated music set does not include the music being played back by the music playing unit, the playback control unit sends each song contained in the designated music set to the music playing unit in the music management table. An audio playback apparatus which is sequentially played back in the order of registration. The audio playback device according to claim 2,
When the specified music set does not include the music being played back by the music playback unit, the playback control unit registers with the music playback unit at the top of the specified attribute value in the music management table. An audio playback device that sequentially plays back each piece of music registered in the music management table in a lower order of the selection attribute value in the order of registration in the music management table. The audio playback device according to claim 2,
The selection attribute value setting unit displays a list of attribute values of the attributes of the first hierarchy, sets the attribute value selected on the displayed list to the selection attribute value,
The designated music set setting unit displays a list of attribute values of attributes of the second hierarchy registered below the selected attribute value in the music management table, and designates attribute values on the displayed list. An audio reproducing apparatus, wherein an attribute value received and designated is set as the designated attribute value, and a set of songs having the designated attribute value is set in the designated song set with reference to the music management table. The audio playback device according to claim 4,
The selection attribute value setting unit displays a list of attribute values of the attributes of the first hierarchy, sets the attribute value selected on the displayed list to the selection attribute value,
The designated music set setting unit displays a list of attribute values of attributes of the second hierarchy registered below the selected attribute value in the music management table, and designates attribute values on the displayed list. An audio playback apparatus characterized in that a set of songs having the designated attribute value is set in the designated music set with reference to the music management table using the attribute value received and designated as the designated attribute value.   2. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute value is a music album, artist, or genre. The audio playback device according to claim 2,
The audio reproduction apparatus characterized in that the plurality of attributes include an artist and an album, and the artist and the album are hierarchized in order of the artist and the album. The audio playback device according to claim 2,
The plurality of attributes includes a genre, an artist, and an album, and is hierarchized in the order of genre, artist, and album from the top. An audio playback device for playing back music recorded on a recording device,
A music playback unit for playing back music,
A designated song set setting unit that accepts designation of a set of songs and sets the designated song set;
In the case where the designated music set includes the music being played back by the music playing unit, the music being played is set as the reference music, and after the reproduction of the reference music is completed, the music playing unit includes the designated music set. And a playback control unit for starting playback of music ordered next to the reference music according to a predetermined rule. An audio playback device for playing back music recorded on a recording device,
A music playback unit for playing back music,
In response to the user's search request, a portion of the recorded music attribute value list is displayed within a display range that is a range set to include a predetermined number of attribute values on the list, and the user is displayed. And a search unit that moves the display range on the list in accordance with the operation and accepts specification of an attribute value from the displayed attribute values,
When the search request of the user is generated, if there is a song being played back by the song playback unit, the search unit uses the song being played as a reference song and includes the attribute value of the reference song An audio playback apparatus, wherein a display range is set on the list. An audio playback device for playing back music recorded on a recording device,
A music playback unit for playing back music,
In response to the user's search request, a list of recorded attribute values of the music is displayed, one attribute value on the list is selected according to the user's selection operation, and according to the user's decision operation And a search unit that accepts designation of an attribute value in a selected state,
The search unit displays the list with the reference music set as a selected state when there is a music being played back by the music playback unit when the search request of the user is generated. .   12. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the attribute value is a title, an album, an artist, or a genre of the music.   13. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the attribute value is a title, album, artist, or genre of the music. A computer program that is read and executed by a computer,
The computer program causes the computer to function as an audio playback device that plays back music recorded on a recording device,
The audio playback device
A music playback unit for playing back music,
For each song attribute value, a song management table in which each song is registered,
A designated music set setting unit that accepts designation of the attribute value and sets the designated attribute value, refers to the music management table, and sets a set of songs having the designated attribute value as a designated music set;
If the designated music set includes the music being played back by the music playback unit, the music playing unit is included in the designated music set after the playback of the reference music is completed with the music being played back as the reference music The music management table is configured to sequentially reproduce each music registered after the reference music in the music management table in the order of registration in the music management table, and then the music playback unit includes the music management table included in the designated music set. And a reproduction control unit that sequentially reproduces each piece of music registered before the reference music in the order of registration in the music management table. A computer program according to claim 15, comprising:
The music has attribute values of a plurality of hierarchized attributes,
In the music management table, attribute values of each attribute of the music are registered in a tree form in accordance with the plurality of attribute hierarchies,
The audio reproduction device includes a selection attribute value setting unit that receives selection of an attribute value of an attribute of a first hierarchy that is one of the plurality of attribute hierarchies and sets the attribute value to a selection attribute value;
The designated music set setting unit is an attribute value of an attribute of a second layer, which is one of the lower layers of the first layer, and is registered below the selected attribute value in the music management table. The specified attribute value is received from the attribute values, and the set of attributes having the specified attribute value is referred to the music management table using the specified attribute value as the specified attribute value. Set to collective,
The reproduction control unit causes the music reproduction unit to sequentially reproduce each piece of music registered in the music management table before the reference music included in the designated music set in the order of registration in the music management table. The attribute value of the attribute of the second hierarchy registered in the music reproduction unit in the music management table below the selection attribute value, which is next to the designated attribute value in the music management table. The music pieces registered in the music management table in the order of registration in the music management table are sequentially played from the top music registered in the music management table in the music management table. A computer program characterized by the above. A computer program according to claim 16, comprising:
When the specified music set does not include the music being played back by the music playback unit, the playback control unit registers with the music playback unit at the top of the specified attribute value in the music management table. A computer program for sequentially playing back each piece of music registered in the music management table in a lower order of the selection attribute value in the order of registration in the music management table. A computer program that is read and executed by a computer,
The computer program causes the computer to function as an audio playback device that plays back music recorded on a recording device,
The audio playback device
A music playback unit for playing back music,
A designated song set setting unit that accepts designation of a set of songs and sets the designated song set;
In the case where the designated music set includes the music being played back by the music playing unit, the music being played is set as the reference music, and after the reproduction of the reference music is completed, the music playing unit includes the designated music set. And a playback control unit for starting playback of music ordered next to the reference music according to a predetermined rule. A computer program that is read and executed by a computer,
The computer program causes the computer to function as an audio playback device that plays back music recorded on a recording device,
The audio playback device
A music playback unit for playing back music,
In response to the user's search request, a portion of the recorded music attribute value list is displayed within a display range that is a range set to include a predetermined number of attribute values on the list, and the user is displayed. And a search unit that moves the display range on the list in accordance with the operation and accepts specification of an attribute value from the displayed attribute values,
When the search request of the user is generated, if there is a song being played back by the song playback unit, the search unit uses the song being played as a reference song and includes the attribute value of the reference song A computer program for setting a display range on the list. A computer program that is read and executed by a computer,
The computer program causes the computer to function as an audio playback device that plays back music recorded on a recording device,
The audio playback device
A music playback unit for playing back music,
In response to the user's search request, a list of recorded attribute values of the music is displayed, one attribute value on the list is selected according to the user's selection operation, and according to the user's decision operation And a search unit that accepts designation of an attribute value in a selected state,
The computer program, when the search request of the user is generated, if there is a music being played back by the music playback unit, displays the list with the reference music selected.