JP2598085B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device that is suitably implemented for inputting a change in volume and sound quality in an audio device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a vehicle-mounted acoustic device, a device provided with a micro computer and electronically controlling a sound volume and a sound quality has been used. Such an audio device also has a so-called graphic equalizer function that can control the gain of an audio signal for each of a plurality of predetermined frequency bands.

The input of the level of the controlled variable such as the sound volume and sound quality and the gain for each frequency band in such an acoustic device is performed by operating an operation panel provided near the driver's seat of the automobile. The operation panel is provided with a plurality of operation switches, each of which is associated with a predetermined level for each of the controlled amounts. An operator operates the operation switch corresponding to a desired controlled amount level among the plurality of operation switches to set the controlled amount level, that is, the level such as volume and sound quality to a desired level. be able to.

The input of the controlled variable level is performed by operating an operation switch for instructing an increase / decrease of the controlled variable level on the operation panel instead of the plurality of operation switches. In some cases. That is, the amount of change in the controlled variable is determined by the operation time of the operation switch. As a result, for example, the volume level to be sounded from the speaker device changes continuously, and when the operator determines that the volume level is a desired level, the operation of the operation switch is stopped to stop the operation. The level is set to a desired value.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention A plurality of operation switches are provided on an operation panel, and when the controlled amount level is determined by one of the operation switches, for example, when an erroneous operation is performed, the volume and the like are controlled. The amount of change in the controlled amount may be excessively large, causing the listener to feel uncomfortable.

Further, when an operation switch for instructing an increase / decrease of the controlled amount is provided on the operation panel, for example, the time required for adjustment to a desired volume level is relatively long. As a result, particularly in the case of a vehicle-mounted acoustic device, there is a problem that the operation responsiveness is extremely poor and the driving operation is hindered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device capable of changing a controlled variable continuously and at high speed.

Means for Solving the Problems According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an operation over a plurality of operation switches, a plurality of operation switches sequentially arranged, a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time limit, and an operation over the plurality of operation switches, Storage means for storing the number of operation switches operated sequentially and sequentially within the time limit; unit change amount of the controlled amount controlled by the operation;
An input device, comprising: a calculating means for calculating the amount of change of the controlled variable by the number of the operation switches.

Further, according to the second mode, a plurality of operation switches arranged in sequence, a time counting means for counting a predetermined time limit, and an operation of any two of the plurality of operation switches within the time limit Means for detecting a range between the two operation switches when the switches are operated continuously; a unit change amount of a controlled amount controlled by the operation;
An input device, comprising: an arithmetic unit that calculates an amount of change in the controlled amount in a range between the two operation switches.

Operation In the present invention, a plurality of operation switches are sequentially arranged. According to the first mode, in the operation over the plurality of operation switches, the number of operation switches sequentially operated sequentially within the time limit measured by the timer is stored in the storage. According to the operation of the operation switch, the calculating means calculates the change amount of the controlled amount from the number of the operation switches stored in the storage means and the unit change amount of the controlled amount.

The time limit measured by the timer is set to be sufficiently small. The operator can change the controlled amount by operating the plurality of operation switches in a manner of “tracing”, so that the operating range corresponds to the amount of change in the controlled amount.

Further, according to the second mode, when any two of the plurality of operation switches are continuously operated within the time limit timed by the timing means, the time between the two operation switches is changed. A range (for example, the number of operation switches between two operation switches) is detected by the detection means. In accordance with the operation of the operation switch, the operation means detects the operated two signals detected by the detection means.
The change amount of the controlled amount is calculated from the range between the two operation switches and the unit change amount of the controlled amount.

The operator can change the controlled amount by, for example, widening the two fingers according to the desired change amount to be changed and sequentially operating the corresponding two operation switches. The range between the operated switches corresponds to the amount of change in the controlled amount. Therefore, since the amount of change in the controlled variable is not determined only by operating a single switch, the controlled variable does not become undesirably large, so that the controlled variable does not change abruptly.
Further, since the controlled variable is changed at a speed corresponding to the speed of the operation of the operator, the controlled variable can be changed at a high speed.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. This audio device 1 is used, for example, mounted on an automobile, and can reproduce audio signals recorded on a compact disk, digital audio tape, cassette tape, or the like. The recorded information of the compact disk, digital audio tape, and cassette tape is reproduced by the reproducing devices 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The outputs of the reproducing devices 2 to 4 are commonly input to a switching circuit 5. The switching circuit 5 is supplied with a switching control signal via a line 7 from a control unit 6 which is an arithmetic means including a microcomputer or the like. In the switching circuit 5, an audio signal from one of the reproducing devices 2 to 4 is selected based on a switching control signal supplied from the line 7, and the selected audio signal is transmitted from the line 8 to the electronic device. The signal is input to the sound quality control circuit 9.

The electronic sound quality control circuit 9 receives a sound quality control signal from the control unit 6 via a line 10. In the electromagnetic sound quality control circuit 9, each gain of the low frequency range and the high frequency range of the acoustic signal is controlled,
Also, the gain for each of a plurality of predetermined frequency bands is electronically adjusted. Thus, in the acoustic device 1, a so-called graphic equalizer function is realized. The sound quality adjustment in the electronic sound quality control circuit 9 described above corresponds to a sound quality control signal provided from the line 10.

The sound signal after the sound quality adjustment in the electronic sound quality control circuit 9 is given to the electronic sound volume control circuit 11. The electronic volume control circuit 11 is supplied with a volume control signal from the control unit 6 via a line 12. The output of the electronic volume control circuit 11 is applied to the amplifier circuit 13 and amplified, and the amplified sound signal is applied to the speakers FR, FL, RR, and RL to be sonicated.

The speakers FR, FL, RR, RL are respectively disposed on the front right side, the front left side, the rear right side, and the rear left side with respect to the listener, and accordingly, the respective speakers FR, FL, RR, RL. Are individually provided with corresponding acoustic signals.

An operation panel 14 disposed near the driver's seat of the vehicle is connected to the control unit 6 via a line 15. Further, the control unit 6 supplies a display control signal to a display unit 17 including a liquid crystal panel and a fluorescent display tube via a line 16.

The control unit 6 is provided with a timer 18 for adjusting the processing time of the control unit 6, which will be described later, and is provided with a timer 19 which is a time measuring means. Further, a memory 20 is provided as storage means realized by a random access memory or the like.

The operation panel 14 includes a plurality of operation switches that are sequentially arranged.
S _{1 to} S _n are provided. The operation switch S ₁ ~S _n volume to by go-between later in the operation of, sound quality, the left and right speakers
FL, RL; balance corresponding to the ratio of the gain of the acoustic signal to be acousticized from FR and RR, and front and rear speakers FR, FL; R
A fader or the like corresponding to a gain ratio of an audio signal to be acousticized from R and RL is adjusted. Selection of each of the controlled amounts is performed by operating a switching switch 21 provided on the operation panel 14.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the operation switch S ₁ to S _n, illustrates a method of operation thereof. For example, when the controlled variable is selected as the volume by the switching switch 21, the operation as shown in FIG.
In so to speak, the operation switch S ₁ ~S _n the arrow 32 direction "tracing"
The operation increases the volume. In case the range at this time, for example, the finger 31 is displaced is the operation switch S ₅ ~S _n-3, the volume increases by the amount of change corresponding to {(n-3) -5} . That is, the volume is increased in accordance with the number of operated switches.

As shown in FIG. 2 (2), the volume is reduced by operating the I connexion operation switch S ₁ to S _n to the fingers 31 as "trace" in the arrow 33 direction. At this time, the amount of change in volume is the same as in the above-described case, and corresponds to the number of operated switches.

In response to operation of the operation switch S ₁ to S _n as described above,
The control unit 6 supplies a corresponding volume control signal to the electronic volume control circuit 11. As a result, the respective gains of the sound signals to be sounded from the speakers FR, FL, RR, RL are changed. At this time, the display unit 17 is, for example, acousticized. The level of the sound signal is displayed.

Other controlled amount, that can be set tone, balance, and Fueda the amount of change due connexion each controlled levels to the operation of the same operation switch S ₁ to S _n regard like.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the present embodiment. In step M1, it is determined whether a predetermined processing time T1 (for example, 25 msec) has elapsed. The processing time T1 is a time set for realizing various types of interrupt processing so as to prevent the processing described later from being performed at an excessively high speed, and is measured by the timer 18 in the control unit 6. When the processing time T1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step M2.

In step M2, the switching switch of the operation panel 14
It is determined whether 21 has been operated. Switching switch 21
If is operated, the process proceeds to step M12, and if not, the process proceeds to step M3.

In step M3, a flag F1 indicating that the operation of the switching switch 21 is continued is reset.

Next, in step M4 _1, 1 is substituted into the parameter P1. This parameter P1 is stored in a predetermined storage area 201 in the memory 20 in the control unit 6. Then in the step M5 _1, whether the operation switch S ₁ is being operated or not. When the operation switch S ₁ is being operated, the process advances to step M6 _1, below "parameter setting process"
It is performed, and the process proceeds to step M4 _2. It proceeds to step M4 ₂ when the determination in step M5 ₁ is negative.

Hereinafter, in step M4 ₁ In the same manner (1 ≦ i ≦ n), i is substituted into the parameter P1, the process proceeds to step M5 _1, whether the operation switch S ₁ is being operated or not.
Proceed When operated in step M6 ₁ is made "parameter setting process" proceeds to step M4 _{1 + 1.} Operation switch S ₁
Step M without passing through the step M6 ₁ when the but not operated
4 Go to _{1 + 1} . However, in step M5 _n, when the operation switch S _n is operated, the process advances from step M6 _n to step M7, the process proceeds to step M7 when not being operated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the “parameter setting process”. In step N1, it is determined whether a predetermined time limit T2 (for example, 250 msec) has elapsed. The time limit T2 is a timer in the control unit 6.
Timed at 19. If the determination in step N1 is affirmative, the parameter corresponding to the operation switch at the start of pressing is selected on the plurality of operation switches on the operation panel 14.
The parameter P1 is assigned to P2, and the flow advances to step N4. This parameter P2 is stored in the storage area in the memory 20 in the control unit 6.
Stored at 202.

If the determination in step N1 is negative, the process proceeds to step N3, among the plurality of operation switches S ₁ to S _n,
The parameter P1 is stored in the parameter P3 relating to the operation switch at the end of pressing, and the flow advances to step N4. This parameter P3 is stored in its storage area 20 in the memory 20 in the control unit 6.
Stored in 3.

In step N4, the timer 19 is initialized and started.

When to operate the switch S ₅ ~S _n-3 as the manner for example FIG. 2 (1) is operated, (in this case P1 = 5) parameters P1 in the parameter P2 is substituted, the timer
19 is activated. Thereafter, the operator is not allowed to exceed the time T2 when the limit between adjacent operating switch "trace" a plurality of operation switches S ₅ ~S _n-3 in particular Yotsute, the operation switch S _n-3 Operation Then, when the parameter setting process is performed, the parameter P3 is set to the parameter P1 (in this case, P1
= N-3).

Referring again to FIG. 3, in step M7, the time limit
It is determined whether T2 has elapsed, and if not, the process proceeds to step M26 (see FIG. 4). When the time limit T2 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step M8, where it is determined whether or not the parameter P3 is 0. If the parameter P3 is 0, the process proceeds to step M26, and if it is not 0, the process proceeds to step M9.

Among a plurality of operation switches S ₁ to S _n in step M9, parameters corresponding to the number of operated operation switch
(P3−P2) is substituted for P4, and the parameter P4 is stored in the storage area 204 in the memory 20 in the control unit 6.
In this case, the parameter P4 is as follows: P4 = P3-P2 = (n-3) -5 = n-8 (1)

Next, in step M10, 0 is substituted for the parameter P3. In step M11, the product of the parameter P4 and a predetermined unit change amount ΔD (for example, 1 dB) is substituted for a parameter P5 relating to the change amount of the controlled variable level. This parameter P5 is stored in the storage area 205 in the memory 20 in the control unit 6. When the switching switch 21 is operated in step M2, the process proceeds to step M12, in which it is determined whether or not the flag F1 indicating that the operation of the switching switch 21 is continued is set. When not set, the process proceeds to step M13 to be set.

In step M14, the parameter k for determining the controlled variable
Is incremented by +1.

Next, at step M15, it is determined whether or not the parameter k exceeds 4, and if it is determined that it exceeds 4, the process proceeds to step M16, where 0 is substituted for the parameter k. If it does not exceed 4, the process proceeds to step M26.

The parameter k changes from 0 to 4, and when the parameter k is 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, the controlled amounts are volume, fader, balance, low-range gain, and high-range gain, respectively.

By the processing in step M12 described above, the parameter k is prevented from being incremented by more than +2 by one operation of the switching switch 21, whereby the operator can be sure of the controlled amount. Can be selected.

Referring to FIG. 4, after step M11, the process proceeds to step M17, where it is determined whether or not the parameter k is 0 (that is, whether or not the controlled variable is the volume). The process proceeds to step M22, and if it is not 0, the process proceeds to step M18.

At step M18, it is determined whether or not the parameter k is 1 (that is, whether or not the controlled amount is a fader). If it is 1, the process proceeds to step M22. If it is not 1, the process proceeds to step M19.

At step M19, it is determined whether or not the parameter k is 2, that is, whether or not the controlled variable is balanced. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step M22, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step M20. .

In step M20, it is determined whether or not the parameter k is 3. That is, it is determined whether or not the controlled amount is a gain in the low frequency range. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step M24, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step M21.

At step M21, it is determined whether or not the parameter k is 4, that is, whether or not the controlled amount is a gain in a high frequency range. If the parameter k is 4, step
Go to M24, otherwise go to step M26.

If the parameter k is 0 to 2, the process proceeds to step M22. In this case, the control unit 6 stores the parameter P5 corresponding to the change amount of the controlled amount level in the memory.
The volume control signal is read out from the twenty storage areas 205, and a volume control signal is created based on the parameter P5. This volume control signal is transferred to the electronic volume control circuit 11 via the line 12 in step M23. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step M26.

If the parameter k is 0 to 2, all speakers F
Although the gains of the audio signals corresponding to R, FL, RR, and RL are controlled similarly or individually, since such control is performed by the electronic volume control circuit 11, the control unit 6 controls the volume control. A signal is created.

If the parameter k is 3,4, step M24
Will go on. In step M24, the control unit 6
Creates a sound quality control signal based on the parameter P5,
In step M25, the generated sound quality control signal is transferred to the electronic sound quality control circuit 9 via the line 10. The post-processing proceeds to step M26.

When the parameter k is 3, 4, the gain of the sound signal in the frequency band corresponding to the low range and the high range of the sound signal must be selectively changed.
The control of the gain of such an acoustic signal is performed by the electronic sound quality control circuit 9.
Therefore, in this case, the control unit 6 creates a sound quality control signal.

In step M26, various control processes such as control of a recording medium guiding operation in the reproducing devices 2, 3, and 4 are performed. Next, in step M27, a display control signal is given to the display unit 17. Next, in step M28, the timer 18 is initialized, and thereafter, the process returns to step M1.

By such processing in the control unit 6, the operation unit 14
By operating as "trace" a plurality of operation switches S ₁ to S _n with a finger as shown in Figure 2 in,
The controlled variable level can be changed continuously and at a speed corresponding to the operating speed. Therefore, since the amount of change in the controlled variable level does not suddenly increase, the listener does not feel uncomfortable. Also,
Since the speed of change of the controlled variable corresponds to the operation speed of the operator, the controlled variable level can be changed at high speed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the number of operation switches between two operation switches continuously operated within the time limit T2 measured by the timer 19 is determined by the control unit 6. Is detected by Based on the detected number of operation switches, the control unit 6 calculates a change amount of the controlled amount,
Each control signal is given to the electronic sound quality control circuit 9 or the electronic sound volume control circuit 11.

That is, for example, the operator can change the controlled amount by widening the two controlled fingers according to the desired change amount to be changed, and sequentially operating the two corresponding operation switches. it can. At this time, the amount of change is determined not by the operation switch to be operated but by the number of operation switches between the operated operation switches, that is, the interval between the two fingers of the operator. Can be set to about. As a result, for example, when the volume is changed, if the volume change becomes excessively large,
This makes it possible to prevent the listener from feeling uncomfortable.

In the above-described embodiment, the volume to be controlled, the fader, the balance, the gain in the low frequency range, and the gain in the high frequency range are selected. However, for example, for each of a plurality of frequency bands of the acoustic signal controlled by the electronic sound quality control circuit 9, May be selected as the controlled variable.

As described above, according to the present invention, the controlled variable can be changed continuously and at high speed. When such an input device is used for, for example, an audio device, for example, when selecting a volume as a controlled amount, the volume does not change suddenly. In addition, since the volume can be changed at a high speed, the operability of the acoustic device is remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Block diagram showing a basic configuration of one embodiment of Figure 1 the present invention, a plan view for FIG. 2 for explaining how to operate the operation switch S ₁ to S _n, Fig. 3 - Fig. 5 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 6. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Acoustic apparatus, 6 ... Control part, 9 ... Electronic sound quality control circuit, 11 ... Electronic volume control circuit, 14 ... Operation panel, 17 ...
... display unit, 18, 19 ...... timer, 20 ...... memory, 21 ...... changeover switch, S ₁ to S _n ...... operation switch, T2 when ...... limit time, P1 to P5 ...... parameter

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of operation switches arranged in sequence, a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time limit, and an operation switch continuously operated within the time limit in an operation over the plurality of operation switches. Storage means for storing the number, and calculation means for calculating the change amount of the controlled amount by the unit change amount of the controlled amount controlled by the operation and the number of the operation switches. An input device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A plurality of operation switches arranged in sequence, a timer means for counting a predetermined time limit, and any two of the plurality of operation switches are continuously connected within the time limit. When operated, the 2
Means for detecting a range between two operation switches, a unit change amount of the controlled amount controlled by the operation, and a change amount of the controlled amount based on the range between the two operation switches. An input device comprising: a calculation unit.