JP4206626B2 - Media changer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a medium changer, in particular, a predetermined number of different addresses are set, media can be stored in each address so that the media can be taken in and out, and the media stored in each address are sequentially extracted one by one. The present invention relates to a medium changer provided with display means for displaying or displaying whether or not the medium is stored in each address, and the status of the medium related to the storage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a medium changer, there is an in-dash CD (Compact Disk) changer that is installed directly on the dashboard of an automobile. Such an in-dash CD changer can generally store a plurality of discs, for example, six discs, and can automatically load and play the discs one by one from the plurality of CDs. It is like that. Then, in order to grasp the storage status of CDs, etc., addresses are set as many as the number of storages so that CDs can be stored in the respective addresses so that the CDs can be taken in and out, and whether or not a CD is stored in each address. In many cases, display means for displaying other storage-related states is provided.
[0003]
By the way, the display means of the in-dash type CD changer has conventionally been used to display various different contents by using two colors (for example, green and orange) LEDs (light emitting diodes). there were.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as described above, the conventional technique of displaying various different contents by using two colors does not have uniformity regarding the relationship between the display by color and the display contents by the manufacturer (automobile manufacturer or audio device manufacturer). For this reason, there is a possibility that the meaning of the same color is reversed between Company A and Company B. In this case, there is a problem in that it causes confusion for replacement users. Such problems cannot be overlooked because, in the worst case, confusion can cause serious accidents.
[0005]
In addition, if the display means provided for each address is displayed in two colors such as using a two-color LED, there is a problem that the price is high.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems. A predetermined number of different addresses are set, and media can be stored in the respective addresses so that the media can be taken in and out. Display means that can sequentially extract and play back or record the media one by one, and indicates whether or not the media is stored in each address, and the status of the media related to other storage The medium changer provided with the above-mentioned display means makes it easy to understand the display by the display means so that the manufacturer does not cause a confusion that the relation between the display mode and the contents indicated by the manufacturer is reversed. It aims to become.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention has a first address and a second address in which a medium is stored, a loading mechanism for moving the medium from the first address or the second address to a position where information can be read, and a first address A first light emitting diode of a single color indicating a related operating state, a first selection switch for selecting a first address, and a first light emitting diode of the same color as the first light emitting diode indicating an operating state related to a second address. Two light emitting diodes, a second address selecting switch for selecting a second address, control means for controlling light emission of the first light emitting diode and the second light emitting diode, and a first selecting switch or a second selecting switch The load switch that issues a command to the loading mechanism to prepare for storing the media at the address corresponding to the selection result by the first selection switch or the second selection switch. And an eject switch for issuing a command to the loading mechanism so as to prepare for taking out the medium stored in the address corresponding to the selection result from the loading mechanism, and the control means stores the medium in the first address. When the first light-emitting diode is turned on, the second light-emitting diode is turned on when the medium is stored at the second address, and preparation for storage or removal of the medium is started by the load switch or the eject switch. When the selection result of the first selection switch and the second selection switch is changed, the blinking cycle of the light emitting diode corresponding to the address currently selected by the first selection switch or the second selection switch is changed to a predetermined first cycle. When media storage or media removal preparation is complete And it changes the blink cycle of the light emitting diode corresponding to the address that is currently selected by one selection switch or the second selection switch to the faster second periodic than the first period.
[0008]
Therefore, according to the medium changer of the first aspect, whether or not the medium is stored is indicated by lighting, turning off, or blinking of one color display. For example, the medium is stored at a certain address. Or turn it on when it is playing or recording, or moving between the playback unit or recording unit and its address, and turn it off when the media is not stored. By blinking when in the middle, it is possible to intuitively understand the relationship between the display and the contents shown.
[0009]
Therefore, there is no possibility of causing a great confusion that the same display mode shows the opposite contents depending on the manufacturer, and there is no possibility that a serious accident will occur due to the confusion.
Further, since the display is performed in one color, the display means can be inexpensive, and the price of the display means can be reduced, and further, the price of the medium changer using the display means can be reduced.
[0010]
If a plurality of types with different periods are set as the blinking display and the different contents are indicated thereby, the types of contents to be shown can be increased by increasing the types of display.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, basically, in a medium changer such as an in-dash type CD changer, whether or not the medium is stored by turning on, turning off, or blinking of a single color display is displayed, and the state of the medium related to other storage is determined. As shown, the medium is not limited to CD, and various recording media such as MD (Mini Disk) and DVD (Degital Video Disk) can be used. Accordingly, the medium in the present invention is not limited to a read-only medium such as a CD, and a medium capable of both recording and reproduction can be used. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a reproduction-only one, and can be applied to a medium changer capable of both reproduction and recording.
[0012]
Also, it can be said that the number of media such as CDs that can be stored in the medium changer is, for example, 5 or 6, but if the storage space is allowed, a larger number of media such as a dozen or a few tens may be used. good.
The display means is preferably a light emitting diode (LED), but is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a liquid crystal element, a lamp, or the like may be used. In short, any display means may be used as long as it can realize a state in which one color has appeared, a state in which it has disappeared, and a blinking state in which these two states are switched alternately.
[0013]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to illustrated embodiments.
The drawings are for explaining one embodiment in which the medium changer of the present invention is applied to an in-dash CD changer. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a car audio apparatus having the embodiment as a part. 2 is a front view of the front panel of the in-dash CD changer, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control operation for the display means of the in-dash CD changer. First, a schematic configuration of a car audio apparatus having an in-dash CD changer as a part will be described with reference to FIG.
[0014]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a tuner for receiving audio broadcasts, which receives AM broadcast waves, FM broadcast waves, and FM broadcast waves of television broadcast audio. An amplifier 2 amplifies an audio signal from the tuner 1 or an audio signal from an audio signal processing circuit 3 described later. 4L and 4R are speakers, which convert the audio signal output from the amplifier 2 into audio. A control unit 5 includes a CPU and a memory (not shown). The memory stores a program executed by the CPU, and also temporarily stores data necessary for the CPU to execute the program. Reference numeral 6 denotes an interface interposed between the control unit 5 and the tuner 1, and 7 denotes an input unit through which a user inputs for operating the car audio device.
[0015]
Next, an in-dash CD changer constituting the car audio device will be described. Reference numeral 8 denotes a mechanical part of the in-dash CD changer, which is controlled by the control unit 5. Specifically, it is of course about accepting a CD as a medium, loading the received CD into the playback unit (optical pickup unit), unloading to the original address, and various operations for playback (CD rotation, etc.). In other words, the input signal is received by operating the switch on the front panel of the in-dash CD changer, and the operation relating to the display for each address is also controlled by the control unit 5. Reference numeral 9 denotes an optical pickup for reading a CD signal, and 10 denotes an interface interposed between the optical pickup 9 and the control unit 5. The audio signal read from the CD through the optical pickup 9 is input to the control unit 5 through the interface 10, subjected to processing such as digital / analog conversion by the audio signal processing circuit 3, and sent to the amplifier 2. Processing such as amplification is performed, and the sound is converted into sound by the speakers 4L and 4R.
[0016]
A switch circuit 11 includes switches (buttons) SL, S1 to S6, and SE on the front panel of the in-dash CD changer. When the switch S is operated, the operation content is input to the control unit 5. SL is a load switch that is pressed when a CD is stored in an in-dash CD changer. S1 is a switch of address 1, and is a switch for specifying the address for storing or pulling out the CD as the address 1. S2 is an address 2; S3 is an address 3; S4 is an address 4; S5 is an address 5; and S6 is an address 5 switch. Similarly to the switch S1, a CD is stored in an address corresponding to itself. This switch is pressed when the CD is pulled out from the address. SE is an eject switch that is pressed when a CD is pulled out from an in-dash CD changer. In this embodiment, the number of CDs stored in the in-dash CD changer is six, and there are six addresses from address 1 to address 6. Although it may appear that the switches (buttons) SL, S1 to S6, and SE are connected in parallel in the drawing, each input can be transmitted to the control unit 5 independently.
[0017]
D1 to D6 are display means composed of the light emitting diodes D1 to D6 provided corresponding to the respective addresses 1 to 6, and are controlled by the control unit 5 to be turned on / off, flashing with a short cycle, and flashing with a long cycle. The display mode of a street can be taken. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display circuit comprising light emitting diodes D1 to D6 constituting the display means. The diodes D1 to D6 are individually controlled by the control unit 5. In the drawing, although it may appear that the diodes D1 to D6 are connected in parallel, they are controlled independently.
[0018]
Next, the front panel of the in-dash CD changer will be described with reference to FIG. 15 is an escutcheon, 16 is an insertion / discharge port of a CD, SL is the load switch, S1 is a switch of the address 1, S2 is the address 2, S3 is the address 3, and S4 is the address 4. , S5 is a switch at the address 5 and S6 is a switch at the address 6. SE is the eject switch. That is, the switches SL, S1 to S6, and SE in FIG. 1 are provided on the surface of the front panel so as to be operable.
[0019]
D1 to D6 are the light emitting diodes shown in FIG. 1. D1 is on the switch S1, D2 is on the switch S2, D3 is on the switch S3, D4 is on the switch S4, and D5 is the switch. On S5, D6 is arranged on switch S6 so as to be visible from the front of the front panel, and the state (situation) regarding the storage of the CD at each address can be grasped by light emitting diodes D1-6.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control operation related to display by the display means D1 to D6 of this embodiment, and the control operation will be described with reference to this flowchart.
(ST1) “Stock address lighting”
First, the light emitting diode D corresponding to each address where the CD is stored (stocked) among the addresses of the current in-dash CD changer is turned on. For example, when the number 1 is in the CD storage state, the display means D1 is turned on. When a CD is stored at a plurality of addresses, the plurality of light emitting diodes D are naturally turned on. By turning on the light-emitting diode D in this step ST1, the user can visually recognize it and recognize in which address the CD is stored and in which address there is a vacancy.
[0021]
(ST2) “Did you press SL?”
Next, it is determined whether or not the load switch SL has been pressed. The load switch SL is a switch that is pressed when a CD is to be stored in the in-dash CD changer, and pressing the load switch SL is an indication of intention to the in-dash CD changer that the CD is stored. This step ST2 determines whether or not the intention has been displayed to the general. In addition, when this determination result is No, determination of step ST9 is performed, and this will be described later.
[0022]
(ST3) “Is the empty address switch S pressed?”
When a determination result of Yes is obtained in the determination of step ST2, it is determined whether or not the switch S at the empty address is pressed. The in-dash CD changer cannot determine at which address the CD is stored even when the load switch SL is pressed. Therefore, after the load switch SL is pressed, an address for storing the CD is selected from an empty address (address where no CD is currently stored), and the user is prompted to press the switch S at that address. In step ST3, it is determined whether or not an intention indicating the address to be stored (stocked) has been made. The determination is repeated until a determination result of Yes is obtained. Even when an address in which a CD has already been stored (stocked) is specified by mistake, the determination result of this step ST3 is No and is ignored by the in-dash CD changer.
[0023]
(ST4) “Slow flashing”
When the determination result in Step ST3 is Yes, that is, when a free address is designated as the stock destination, the diode D corresponding to that address is driven to flash slowly, that is, to flash with a long cycle. This slow flashing is an indication that the CD is being prepared for storage at that address.
The slow blinking display of the diode D makes it possible to confirm that the preparation for storing the CD at the address is made.
[0024]
(ST5) “Ready for acceptance?”
Next, the determination of whether or not preparation for receiving the CD is completed is repeated until a determination result of Yes is obtained. If the determination result in step ST3 is Yes, the in-dash CD changer side is immediately ready to accept, but it takes some time to prepare, and if a CD is inserted before the acceptance preparation is completed, troubles such as failure will occur. May occur. Therefore, it is necessary to insert the CD into the CD insertion / ejecting port 16 after the preparation for receiving is completely completed. For this reason, when the preparation for receiving is completed, it is necessary to indicate this on the display. It is necessary to determine whether preparation for acceptance is completed. In general, this step ST5 is a step ST for performing the determination.
[0025]
(ST6) “Quick flashing”
When the determination result in Step ST5 is Yes, the blinking cycle of the light emitting diode D at the address blinking late is shortened (fast blinking) to indicate that the preparation for acceptance is completed. By shortening the blinking cycle, the user can confirm that the CD has been inserted into the CD insertion / discharge port 16 and improved. In other words, the shortness of the blinking period prompts (prompts) the insertion of the CD.
[0026]
(ST7) “Loading complete?”
Next, it is determined whether or not the CD has been completely loaded. That is, when a CD that has been urged to be inserted due to a short blinking of the light-emitting diode D is inserted into the CD insertion / ejection slot 16, the in-dash CD changer side loads it into an address or a CD playback section that receives the CD. However, it is necessary to keep repeating the above flashing until the loading is completed, and to indicate that the light emitting diode D is stored in the lighting state when the loading is completed. As a precondition, it is necessary to confirm that loading has been completed, and it is this step ST7 that confirms this.
[0027]
(ST8) “Lighting”
When the determination result in Step ST7 is Yes, that is, when loading is completed, the light emitting diode D at the address that has been blinking in a short cycle is turned on. That is, instead of blinking, the lighting state is continued. Thereby, the user can recognize that the CD is stored in the address.
[0028]
Even if a CD stored in an in-dash CD changer is played, the light-emitting diode D at the address where the CD is stored remains lit during playback, and remains lit even after playback is completed. Furthermore, it is driven to keep the lighting state even if the CD is stored in the stock address. This lighting state continues until the CD starts to be ejected from the address, which will be described later.
[0029]
(ST9) “Is SE pressed?”
If the determination result in step ST2 is No, it is determined whether or not the eject switch SE has been pressed. In other words, the eject switch SE is a switch that is pressed when a CD is taken out from the in-dash CD changer (when the CD is ejected from the changer), and pressing the switch indicates an intention to the in-dash CD changer that the CD is taken out. In step ST9, it is determined whether or not the intention has been displayed.
[0030]
(ST10) “Is stock address switch S pushed?”
When a determination result of Yes is obtained in the determination of step ST9, it is determined whether or not the switch SE of the stock address (address storing the CD) is pressed. The in-dash CD changer cannot determine which address of the CD is to be taken out even if the eject switch SE is pressed. Therefore, after pressing the eject switch SE, it is necessary to select the address from which the CD is to be taken out from the stock address (address where the CD is currently stored), and to press the switch S at that address. In step S10, it is determined whether or not an intention to specify the address from which the CD is to be taken out has been displayed. The determination is repeated until a determination result of Yes is obtained. Even when an address that does not contain a CD is specified by mistake, the determination result of this step ST10 is No, and it is ignored by the in-dash CD changer.
[0031]
(ST11) “Slow flashing”
When the determination result in step ST10 is Yes, that is, when an address with stock is designated as a CD withdrawal destination, the diode D corresponding to the address blinks slowly, that is, blinks with a long period. Driven. This slow blinking is an indication that the CD is being prepared for ejection from that address.
It can be confirmed that the preparation for discharging the CD from the address is made by the slow blinking display of the diode D.
[0032]
(ST12) “Do you start spitting?”
Next, the determination of whether or not the CD ejection operation has been started is repeated until a determination result of Yes is obtained.
(ST13) “Quick flashing”
When the determination result in step ST12 is Yes, the blinking cycle of the light-emitting diode D at the address blinking slowly is shortened (fast blinking) to indicate that the discharge (discharge) operation has started. ). As the blinking cycle becomes shorter, the user can immediately recognize that the CD is properly ejected from the CD insertion / ejecting port 16 and the disc can be pulled out. In other words, the short flashing period prompts (prompts) the CD to be pulled out.
[0033]
(ST14) “CD removal?”
When the CD is ejected from the CD insertion / ejecting port 16, the CD can be pulled out by hand or the like, and the light emitting diode D is flashed in a short period to wait for the CD to be pulled out. Until the drawing is completed, it cannot be said that the CD has been completely discharged. Therefore, the light emitting diode D at the address indicating that the CD has been discharged must not be turned off. The light goes off after the CD is completely pulled out. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm that the CD has been pulled out as a premise for turning off the light, and this step ST14 is a determination for confirming the general.
[0034]
(ST15) “Turn off”
When the determination result in Step ST14 is Yes, that is, when the CD is pulled out, the light emitting diode D at the address is turned off. This turn-off indicates that the address has become an empty address.
[0035]
According to this in-dash CD changer, the CD storage state of each address can be confirmed by the display state of each of the light emitting diodes D1 to D6 constituting the display circuit 12.
That is, this in-dash type CD changer turns off the light-emitting diode D corresponding to the address where the CD is not stocked, the CD is stocked, or the CD is being played, or the CD If it is moving between the stock section and the playback section, that is, if it is completely stored in the in-dash CD changer, the address of the CD The light emitting diode D is turned on.
[0036]
When the CD is in an excessive state when the CD is inserted or the CD is pulled out, the light-emitting diode D at the address is blinked. Next, when the CD insertion / extraction port 16 is urged to insert (or prompt) the CD, the blinking cycle is shortened.
[0037]
Originally, the blinking of the display tends to attract the attention of the user. When the blinking cycle is shortened, attention-causing power is strengthened, which is very effective for reminding. Therefore, the slow blinking indicates that the state is excessive, and the cycle is shortened, that is, the CD is promptly inserted or pulled out by the fast blinking, so that the user can be prompted to perform an error-free operation on the CD.
[0038]
As described above, according to the in-dash CD changer, the user or the like can recognize whether or not the CD is stored at the address corresponding to each light emitting diode D from the display of one color of each light emitting diode D. It is possible to recognize an excessive state such as preparation for storage and withdrawal by slow blinking, and to recognize that insertion or withdrawal is urged by accelerating the blinking cycle (shortening the cycle) The user can intuitively recognize the CD storage state of each address.
[0039]
Since the display related to the storage of the CD in the in-dash CD changer is indicated by turning on, turning off, and blinking the single color display, there is no possibility that the same display mode shows the opposite contents depending on the manufacturer, and the extension is There is no risk of serious accidents due to the confusion.
Further, since the display is performed in one color, the display means can be inexpensive, and the price of the display means can be reduced, and further, the price of the medium changer using the display means can be reduced.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the medium changer of the first aspect, the state relating to the storage in each address of the medium, such as whether or not the medium is stored by turning on / off / flashing the display of one color is shown. Turns on when media is stored or is playing, turns off when media is not stored at a certain address, flashes when ready for storage at a certain address, midway or when being ejected By displaying in this way, it becomes possible to intuitively understand the relationship between the display and the content that it shows, and there is a risk that a major confusion will occur that the same display mode shows the reverse content by the manufacturer There is no risk of serious accidents due to the confusion.
[0041]
According to the medium changer of the second aspect, when a plurality of types having different periods are provided as the blinking display so as to indicate different contents, the types of contents to be displayed can be increased by increasing the types of display. For example, a blinking display with a long period indicates that the medium is in an excessive state such as preparation for storage at a certain address, midway or in the middle of removal, and a blinking display with a short period prompts insertion or removal of the medium (promotion) )), The variety of display is increased, and the display is easy to grasp sensuously.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing one embodiment of a medium changer (in-dash CD changer) according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a front panel of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the display means in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 ... Control unit, 8 ... Mechanical part of media changer,
9 ... optical pickup, 11 ... switch circuit,
D1 to D6 ... display means (light emitting diode),
S1 to S6... Switches corresponding to each address constituting the switch circuit 11.

Claims (1)

A loading mechanism having a first address and a second address for storing the medium, and moving the medium from the first address or the second address to a position where information can be read;
A monochromatic first light emitting diode indicating an operating state associated with the first address;
A first selection switch for selecting the first address;
A second light emitting diode of the same color as the first light emitting diode, indicating an operating state associated with the second address;
A second address selection switch for selecting the second address;
Control means for controlling light emission of the first light emitting diode and the second light emitting diode;
A load switch that issues a command to the loading mechanism to prepare for storing media at an address corresponding to a selection result by the first selection switch or the second selection switch;
An eject switch that issues a command to the loading mechanism so as to prepare for taking out the media stored in the address corresponding to the selection result by the first selection switch or the second selection switch from the loading mechanism;
The control means turns on the first light emitting diode when a medium is stored in the first address, and turns on the second light emitting diode when a medium is stored in the second address. When the preparation for storing or ejecting the medium is started by the load switch or the eject switch, the first selection switch or the second selection switch is selected based on the selection result by the first selection switch and the second selection switch. The blinking cycle of the light emitting diode corresponding to the address currently selected by the selection switch is changed to a predetermined first cycle, and when the media storage or the media removal preparation is completed, the first selection switch or the second selection Blinks the light emitting diode corresponding to the address currently selected by the switch Media changer to change the period to a fast second period than the first period.

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