JP3236058B2 - Audio player - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus, and more particularly to an audio reproducing apparatus having a built-in sound field reproducing unit. A sound field reproduction can be cited as one of advanced functions in a recent audio reproduction device.

According to this sound field reproduction technique, a single sound source (song) is provided as a sound source, but various realism is given to a user (listener) by adding special signal processing to the single performance. Is possible. That is, when the user specifies a desired sound field mode, the specified sound field is reproduced indoors. As the sound field mode, a hall (concert hall) mode, a live house mode, a cathedral (church) mode, a dome (stadium) mode, and the like are generally adopted. Can be given to the user as if they were listening to the sound.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Various buttons are arranged on an operation panel of an audio reproduction apparatus. In an audio reproduction apparatus having a sound field reproduction function, the sound field reproduction processing unit is driven or not driven. Field mode setting button for the user, a so-called mode button. By pressing this mode button, the user can specify a desired sound field mode (the above-mentioned). In this case, a mode button can be provided on the operation panel in correspondence with each sound field mode, and a desired one can be designated by pressing a desired one.
It is also possible to provide only one, and to switch the sound field mode one after another each time this is pressed.

[0004]

In the conventional audio reproducing apparatus, the operation of the mode button completely depends on the user's preference, and the sound field mode is not changed unless the mode button is pressed. By the way, in general, human perception of sound is probably relatively relative, and one of various sound field modes, for example, a dome mode is designated and the user continues to listen to a performance (song) only under this sound field. Finally, you lose your presence in this sound field completely and forget to be in dome mode. This is expected to apply to most users due to ergonomic rules of thumb.

However, in this case, there is a problem that the advanced function of sound field reproduction cannot be utilized for a long time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an audio reproducing apparatus that can enjoy the realism of each sound field mode with a fresh feeling over a long period of time.

[0006]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of an audio reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. An audio reproducing apparatus which is a premise of the present invention converts an audio signal from a sound source 11 into a preamplifier 12 and a main amplifier 12 '.
In the system that amplifies the sound and outputs it to the speaker 14, any one of a plurality of predetermined sound field modes designated
This is an audio reproducing apparatus including a sound field reproduction processing unit 13 for reproducing the audio signal in the sound field mode in the sound field mode. The sound source 11 is a general term for audio signal sources such as a cassette tape, a CD (compact disk), and a radio. The predetermined plurality of sound field modes are sound field modes such as the hall mode, live house mode, and cathedral mode described above.

[0007] A random selection means 15 is added to such an audio reproducing apparatus, and this means 15 is a feature of the present invention.

[0008]

When the user turns on the random mode button 16 provided on the operation panel (not shown) of the audio reproducing apparatus 10, the random selection means 15 is driven.
Then, the random selection means 15 equally designates each sound field mode, such as the hall mode, the live house mode, etc., without being biased to one. However, the specification is random.

The sound field reproduction processing unit 13 reproduces the sound field of the audio signal one after another in a mode designated at random. As an ergonomic feeling, when switching from one sound field mode to another, the user can fully recognize the existence of the new sound field mode and sharpen the realism in the sound field Can be obtained with a good sense.
Therefore, according to the present invention, switching from one sound field mode to another sound field mode is performed by the random selection means 15 at random and at an appropriate timing.

[0010]

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, two sound sources 11 (11
T indicates a cassette tape, 11C indicates a CD), and specifically shows the inside of the random selection means 15 and the timing control means of the random selection means 15.

It is the random number generator 21 that randomly specifies each sound field mode. It is the music interval detection unit 22 that performs timing control for random selection. As the random number generation unit 21, a microprocessor that runs a random number program can be employed. Alternatively, a free-running counter can be used, and if a decoder that inputs the upper two bits of this counter is provided, the upper two bits are "00", "01", "1".
In response to changes such as "0", "11", "00", and "01", the decoder sets the sound field mode,
An output that specifies,,, ... is obtained.

Alternatively, the random number generator 21 may be programmed so that the user himself or herself shuffles the order of the sound field modes according to his / her preference, and this may be run by a microprocessor. In order to control the timing of the random selection means 15, the interval between songs (between a song and the next song) of an audio signal reproduced by the sound sources 11T and 11C can be used. Each time the interval is detected, the random selection means 15 is activated. Thereby, the random number generation unit 21 generates a new random number. Therefore, the previous sound field mode and the sound field mode selected this time may happen to be the same, but this does not cause any trouble.

The sound source 11T is a cassette tape, and a silent interval (between music pieces) of the audio signal output from the sound source 11T is detected by a music piece detecting section 22. The sound source 11C is a CD, and tracks can be easily identified by monitoring the tracking servo signal. A signal that detects this gap is applied to the inter-track detecting section 22.

Although the switching of the sound field mode can be performed at intervals other than between songs, it is very easy to detect the interval between songs, so that it is convenient to use this as a switching timing signal. If the sound field mode is switched in the middle of a song, the user will feel uncomfortable, which is not preferable. In addition, switching of the sound field mode (calculation of the filter coefficient) requires a maximum of about one second, and during this time, muting is applied, which is annoying. On the other hand, since the length between the above-mentioned music pieces is usually at least about one second, the calculation of the above filter coefficient can be completed in the meantime, and the new sound field mode is completely completed at the start of the next music piece. It is in a standing state, which is preferable.

Thus, the music interval detecting section 22 can automatically start the random number generating section 21 in the random selecting means 15 at an appropriate timing. By this activation, a random number, that is, any one of to in FIG. 2 is selected, and the corresponding sound field mode is designated to the sound field reproduction processing unit 13. As is well known, the sound field reproduction processing unit 13 includes a DSP
(Digital Signal Processor), the main part of which is constituted. When the DSP is off, reproduction in a so-called defeet mode is performed. That is, normal stereo reproduction in which only the direct sound in the impulse response characteristics is output is obtained. When the DSP is turned on, various sound field modes ~
Plays the audio signal in stereo under the conditions. In various sound field modes, a filter coefficient of a feedback digital filter formed in the DSP is set to a predetermined value to generate a so-called early reflection sound or a higher-order reverberation sound.
When an analog audio signal is handled, A / D conversion is performed, and after processing, D / A conversion is performed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a general audio reproducing apparatus. However, the control system is mainly shown. It is the main microprocessor 30 that manages the overall control, and a tuner pack 31, a cassette deck 32, a CD deck 33, and a DSP pack 34 are accommodated under the main microprocessor 30 via a bus 36. The bus 36 sequentially transfers the statuses from the tuner packs 31 and the like (each with a built-in sub-microcomputer) to the processor 30.

The control input port of the main microprocessor 30 is connected to various switches arranged on an operation panel on the front of the audio reproducing apparatus. The status and the like that are changed by operating various switches are displayed to the user by numerical values, Roman characters, and the like on the display 35 on the operation panel. For example, if a CD is being played, the program No. is the playing time of all songs.

On the other hand, the main microprocessor 30
Issues commands such as power-on, mute, and beep. The power-on causes an amplifier such as a radio, a cassette, or a CD to be driven and a speaker to output sound. As for mute, an example has already been described. In addition, the beep notifies the user that the switch operation of the operation panel has been reliably performed by a beep sound.

The random mode button 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2) according to the present invention is newly incorporated as one of the various switches, and the random selecting means 15 according to the present invention is incorporated in the main microcomputer 30. Incorporated in. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the configuration of FIG. 3, and particularly shows processing related to the present invention.

Step a : It is determined whether CD play or cassette tape play is currently specified. If No, it is a radio play. In the case of radio play, since the above-described inter-tune detection is impossible (except for radio broadcasting under a special broadcasting system), random selection of the sound field mode is not performed (→ step e).

Step b If CD play or cassette tape play is designated in step a (Yes), a random selection of the sound field mode according to the present invention is possible. It is detected whether 16 is pressed (ON) or not (OFF). If it is off, the process proceeds to step e. If it is on, random selection is executed.

Step c : When entering a state in which the random selection in the sound field mode is executed, the end of one song is detected. . Step d: When one song ends, the random number generation unit 21 in the random selection unit 15 is activated, and the DSP (sound field reproduction processing unit 13)
, A new sound field mode (new filter coefficient) corresponding to the generated random number is specified.

Step e If the user still selects CD play or cassette tape play (Yes), the procedure returns to step b. If the user selects radio play, the process proceeds to step f. Step f: Turn off the DSP to return the sound field mode to the normal mode (defeet).

The above processing is an example, and various changes can be made. For example, if No in step b, that is, if the random mode button 16 is turned off, the sound field mode designated immediately before the button 16 is turned on, that is, the last sound field mode may be recalled. Further, in the case of No in step e, the last sound field mode described above may be recalled instead of step f.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to always exert the high-level function of sound field reproduction of the audio reproducing apparatus, and to always enjoy the realism of each sound field mode with a fresh feeling. be able to. Also, it seems that it is rare for the user to select the cathedral mode for listening to jazz.However, according to the present invention, the sound field mode is automatically specified on the device side. Cases can occur. Therefore, the user can enjoy a surprising combination of the song and the sound field mode. if,
If the unexpected combination is not your preference, the random mode button 16 may be turned off once and then pressed again.
Thereby, a new random number is generated, and a new sound field mode is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of an audio reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a general audio reproducing device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed in the configuration of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 sound source 13 sound field reproduction processing unit 14 speaker 15 random selection means 16 random mode button 21 random number generation unit 22 music interval detection unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G10K 15/00 G10K 15/12 H04S 7/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A system for amplifying an audio signal from a sound source (11) and outputting the amplified signal to a speaker (14), wherein any one of a plurality of predetermined sound field modes is designated. In the audio reproducing apparatus having a sound field reproduction processing unit (13) for reproducing the audio signal in a sound field, one of the plurality of types of sound field modes is randomly transmitted to the sound field reproduction processing unit. An audio reproducing apparatus comprising a random selection means (15) for designating. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the random selection means (15) comprises:
2. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio reproducing apparatus is activated every time between music pieces reproduced by the sound source.