JP5268864B2 - Audio reproduction device and power saving method of audio reproduction device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound reproducing device and a power saving method for the sound reproducing device.

  In recent years, hybrid vehicles (HV: Hybrid Vehicle) are often sold because they emit less greenhouse gases and are good for the environment. In the near future, it is expected that an era in which a hybrid car (PHV: Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles) capable of charging by plugging (plugging) with a household power outlet or charging stand will play a leading role will be expected. Furthermore, it is considered that electric vehicles (EV) will become mainstream in the future.

  In-vehicle batteries are mounted on hybrid cars and electric cars. If various electronic products are mounted in the automobile, the electronic products are supplied with necessary power from a vehicle-mounted battery. That is, the vehicle-mounted battery is used as a power source for automobiles and a drive source for electronic products. For this reason, the power consumption of the in-vehicle battery becomes large. Therefore, in order to reduce the power consumption of the in-vehicle battery as much as possible, there is a strong demand for power saving of electronic products mounted on automobiles.

  As a technique related to power saving of electronic products, a technique for extending the life of a battery used in an audio playback device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when an instruction to shift to a power saving reproduction operation is received by a user operation, a power saving reproduction operation with reduced power consumption is performed by lowering the reproduction volume by a set amount. .

JP 2002-189486 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the playback volume is simply lowered by a certain amount in order to reduce power consumption, the user may feel that the playback volume is too low depending on the user who is listening to music. . That is, since the playback volume is low, the user has difficulty in listening to music output from the audio playback device, and there is a problem that the user may feel uncomfortable. Further, unless there is an instruction from the user, there is a problem in that power saving is not always achieved because the mode does not shift to the power consumption reduction mode.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. Even if there is no instruction from the user, the present invention is intended to save power while performing sound reproduction and not to make the user uncomfortable. The purpose is to be able to.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, the sound volume reproduced by the sound reproduction unit is gradually decreased from the time point when a predetermined trigger occurs, and a decrease in volume is noticed in the middle. When the user performs an operation to increase the volume, the volume of the volume that has been decreased so far is stored as the decrease width information. After the next time, when there is a predetermined trigger, the volume of the audio played back by the audio playback unit will be gradually lowered in the same way, and if the user does not increase the volume during the process, it will be memorized. Reduce the volume within the range that does not exceed the decrease.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the playback volume is not simply lowered by a certain amount as in the prior art, but is not noticed by the user within the range of the decrease that was not actually noticed by the user. The volume is gradually reduced. Therefore, even if the volume is lowered regardless of the user's intention, there is no change in the ease of listening to the voice felt by the user, and it is possible to avoid giving the user an unpleasant feeling. Furthermore, since the process of lowering the volume in order to save power is automatically performed in response to a predetermined trigger, power saving can be achieved without an instruction from the user.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the music reproduction system provided with the audio | voice reproduction apparatus by this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the power saving operation example of the audio | voice reproduction apparatus by this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a music playback system 120 including an audio playback device 100 according to the present embodiment. This music reproduction system 120 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. The audio reproduction device 100 performs a power saving reproduction operation with reduced power consumption when reproducing audio. As shown in FIG. 1, the music playback system 120 includes an operation input unit 140, a music information storage unit 160, and a speaker 180 in addition to the audio playback device 100.

  The operation input unit 140 inputs a user instruction to the music playback system 120. In the present embodiment, the operation input unit 140 includes an input device such as a touch panel or a remote controller, for example. The music information storage unit 160 stores music information related to each music. The music information includes music identification information for identifying each music piece and music data corresponding to the music identification information. The speaker 180 outputs a sound based on the music data reproduced by the sound reproducing device 100 to the outside.

  Next, the internal configuration of the audio playback device 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the audio reproduction device 100 includes an operation receiving unit 200, an audio reproduction unit 220, a decrease range information storage unit 240, a timer 260, a volume adjustment unit 280, and a decrease range setting unit 300. .

  The operation accepting unit 200 accepts an operation of selecting any song as a playback target song from the songs stored in the song information storage unit 160 via the operation input unit 140. In this case, the operation reception unit 200 outputs the target music information indicating the music to be played back selected according to the received operation to the audio playback unit 220. Further, the operation receiving unit 200 receives an operation for changing the volume by the user via the operation input unit 140. In this case, the operation reception unit 200 notifies the volume adjustment unit 280 that an operation for changing the volume has been received and the amount of change in the volume.

  The audio reproducing unit 220 identifies the music indicated by the target music information output from the operation accepting unit 200 based on the music identification information, reads out music data corresponding to the music from the music information storage unit 160, and generates audio from the read music data. Is output to the speaker 180. Thereby, the sound based on the music data of the music to be played is output from the speaker 180. When the audio reproduction unit 220 starts to reproduce the audio, the audio reproduction unit 220 notifies the volume adjustment unit 280 to that effect.

  When the audio reproduction apparatus 100 performs a power saving reproduction operation that reduces power consumption by lowering the volume of the audio reproduced by the audio reproduction unit 220, the reduction width information storage unit 240 reduces the volume of the audio. However, the reduction width information indicating whether or not the user is not aware is stored in units of [dB]. Note that ∞ (infinity) is stored as a value of the decrease width information by default. The timer 260 outputs a control signal to the volume adjusting unit 280 every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 10 seconds).

  Volume adjustment unit 280 detects the occurrence of a predetermined trigger (specifically, when receiving a notification from audio playback unit 220 that audio playback is to be started, or has received an operation to change the volume) When the notification is received from the operation accepting unit 200), the sound volume reproduced by the audio reproducing unit 220 is set to a predetermined volume (this embodiment) at every predetermined time (10 seconds) when the control signal is output from the timer 260. Then, control is performed so as to decrease by 0.1 [dB]). However, the maximum width for lowering the volume is a reduction width indicated by the reduction width information stored in the reduction width information storage unit 240.

  Here, the predetermined volume (0.1 [dB]) and the predetermined time (10 seconds), which are parameters used when the volume is decreased, are the voices that the user feels even if the volume is decreased regardless of the user's intention. It is a value determined so that there is no change in the ease of listening and it is possible to avoid discomfort to the user.

  When the notification that the operation to increase the volume has been received is received from the operation reception unit 200 while the volume is being decreased, the volume adjustment unit 280 detects the predetermined trigger and receives the notification. Reduction width information indicating the width of the lowered volume is output to the reduction width setting unit 300. In response to this, the reduction range setting unit 300 updates the value of the reduction range information in the reduction range information storage unit 240 with the value indicated by the reduction range information notified from the volume adjustment unit 280. As a result, the volume can be reduced little by little so that the user is not noticed within the range of the decline that was not actually noticed by the user when a predetermined trigger occurs next time.

  Next, the operation of the audio playback device 100 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the audio reproduction device 100 according to the present embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 starts when the sound reproduction apparatus 100 is turned on. First, the volume adjustment unit 280 determines whether or not the audio reproduction is started as one of the predetermined triggers by determining whether or not the audio reproduction unit 220 is notified of the start of the audio reproduction. Determination is made (step S100). If volume adjustment unit 280 determines that a notification to start sound reproduction has not been received (NO in step S100), the process transitions to step S100.

  On the other hand, when volume adjustment unit 280 determines that a notification to start playback of audio has been received (YES in step S100), volume adjustment unit 280 determines counter variable (i) in the internal memory (not shown). 0 (zero) is substituted into the value of (step S120). Next, the volume adjustment unit 280 adds 1 to the value of the counter variable (i) (step S140).

  Next, the volume adjustment unit 280 multiplies the decrease range set in the decrease range information storage unit 240 by a predetermined volume (0.1 [dB] in this embodiment) and the value of the counter variable (i). It is determined whether or not the decrease width is larger than the value (step S160). If the volume adjustment unit 280 determines that the volume is not greater than the value obtained by multiplying the predetermined volume and the value of the counter variable (i) (NO in step S160), the process transitions to step S260.

  On the other hand, when volume reduction unit 280 determines that the amount of decrease is greater than the value obtained by multiplying the predetermined volume and the value of counter variable (i) (YES in step S160), volume adjustment unit 280 includes audio reproduction unit 220. The volume of the reproduced voice is controlled to be lowered by a predetermined volume (step S180). Next, the volume adjustment unit 280 determines whether or not an operation for increasing the volume by the user has been performed by determining whether or not a notification indicating that an operation for increasing the volume has been received has been received from the operation reception unit 200. (Step S200).

  If volume adjustment unit 280 determines that the user has not performed an operation to increase the volume (NO in step S200), volume adjustment unit 280 determines whether or not a control signal is output from timer 260. By doing so, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S220). If volume adjustment unit 280 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S220), the process transitions to step S200. On the other hand, when volume adjustment unit 280 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S220), the process transitions to step S140.

  In the determination process in step S200, when volume adjustment unit 280 determines that an operation to increase the volume by the user has been performed (YES in step S200), volume adjustment unit 280 determines the predetermined volume and the value of counter variable (i). The reduction width information indicating the value obtained by multiplying (that is, the width of the volume reduced from when a predetermined trigger is detected until the notification is received) is output to the reduction width setting unit 300. In response to this, the reduction range setting unit 300 updates the value of the reduction range information in the reduction range information storage unit 240 with the value indicated by the reduction range information notified from the volume adjustment unit 280 (step S240).

  Next, the volume adjustment unit 280 determines whether or not an operation for changing the volume has been performed by the user by determining whether or not a notification indicating that an operation for changing the volume has been received has been received from the operation receiving unit 200. (Step S260). If volume adjustment unit 280 determines that an operation to change the volume has been performed by the user (YES in step S260), the process transitions to step S120. On the other hand, when sound volume adjustment unit 280 determines that the user has not performed an operation to change the sound volume (NO in step S260), sound reproduction device 100 has the main power turned off or the sound reproduction unit. It is determined whether or not the sound reproduction by 220 is stopped (step S280).

  If sound reproduction apparatus 100 determines that none of these are true (NO in step S280), the process transitions to step S260. On the other hand, when it is determined by the audio reproduction device 100 that any of them corresponds (YES in step S280), the decrease width setting unit 300 sets ∞ (infinite) as the value of the decrease width information in the decrease width information storage unit 240. Store (step S300). When the process of step S300 is completed, the audio reproduction device 100 ends the process in FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the value of the decrease range information is finally returned to the default of ∞ for the following reason. That is, when the audio reproducing device 100 is used by a plurality of users, every time the user who uses the voice reproducing device 100 is changed, a reduction width suitable for the user is set each time. By returning the value of the drop width information to the default once, a drop width larger than the drop width set during use by another user can be reset. As a result, when the volume is lowered beyond the level of reduction set during use by other users, there is no change in the ease of listening to the sound felt by the current user. The volume can be lowered without being noticed. Therefore, the power saving effect can be increased by the amount that the volume can be further reduced.

  The same effect can be obtained when the same user uses the audio playback device 100. That is, once the value of the drop width information is returned to the default, a drop width larger than the drop width set before the previous time can be reset. As a result, if there is no change in the ease of listening to the voice that the user feels even if the volume is lowered more than the reduction range set during use by other users, the volume will be noticed to a reduction range that is not actually noticed by the user. Can be lowered. Therefore, the power saving effect can be increased by the amount that the volume can be further reduced.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, the sound volume reproduced by the sound reproducing unit 220 is gradually reduced starting from the time when a predetermined trigger occurs, and a decrease in volume is noticed in the middle. When the user performs an operation to increase the volume, the volume width that has been reduced so far is stored in the decrease width information storage unit 240 as decrease width information. After the next time, when there is a predetermined trigger, the volume of the sound reproduced by the sound reproducing unit 220 is gradually reduced in the same manner, and if the user does not perform an operation for lowering the volume in the middle, the reduction width information The volume is reduced within a range that does not exceed the reduction range stored in the storage unit 240.

  According to this embodiment configured as described above, the playback volume is not simply lowered by a certain amount as in the prior art, but is not noticed by the user within the range of the decrease that is not actually noticed by the user. The volume is gradually reduced. Therefore, even if the volume is lowered regardless of the user's intention, there is no change in the ease of listening to the voice felt by the user, and it is possible to avoid giving the user an unpleasant feeling. Furthermore, since the process of lowering the volume in order to save power is automatically performed in response to a predetermined trigger, it is possible to save power without an instruction from the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even after the reduction range information is once set in the reduction range information storage unit 240, the user is in the process of decreasing the volume of the sound reproduced by the audio reproduction unit 220 by a predetermined volume to the set reduction range. When the operation for increasing the volume is performed again, the value of the decrease width information in the decrease width information storage unit 240 is updated with the decrease width until the operation is performed. As a result, when there is a change in the drop width, the value set in the drop width information storage unit 240 is updated to the latest one each time, so the process of lowering the volume using the latest drop width is performed. It can be carried out.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the volume of audio reproduced by the audio reproducing unit 220 is decreased by a predetermined volume (0.1 [dB]) at predetermined time (10 [s]) intervals. It is not limited to these numerical values. In short, it is only necessary to lower the volume so that there is no change in the ease of listening to the sound felt by the user by using the familiarity of hearing in relation to the amount of decrease per volume and the time interval for decreasing the volume. .

  In the above embodiment, if the user does not perform an operation to increase the volume while the volume adjustment unit 280 is automatically reducing the volume, the volume is adjusted to the decrease range set in the decrease range information storage unit 240. Although the example of stopping the volume reduction processing at the time when the volume is lowered has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the volume may be lowered within a range of a reduction width that is smaller than the reduction width set in the reduction width information storage unit 240 by a predetermined margin. In this way, the volume can be lowered more reliably so that the user will not notice it.

  Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, when the sound reproduction apparatus 100 is turned on and a notification that the sound reproduction is started is received from the sound reproduction unit 220 in step S <b> 100, the sound reproduced by the sound reproduction unit 220. Although the example of performing the process of gradually decreasing the volume of the above has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the sound reproduction apparatus 100 is turned on and sound reproduction is started, the user performs an operation of switching the sound source (MD, CD, radio, etc.) to be reproduced, or the volume of the reproduced sound. Starting from the operation of changing the sound, a process of gradually decreasing the volume of the sound reproduced by the sound reproducing unit 220 may be performed.

  Further, in step S260 of the flowchart of FIG. 2, an example in which the volume of the sound reproduced by the sound reproducing unit 220 is gradually decreased from the start of the operation for increasing the volume of the reproduced sound has been described. Starting from the operation of switching the target audio source (MD, CD, radio, etc.), the volume of the audio reproduced by the audio reproducing unit 220 may be gradually reduced.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Audio | voice reproduction apparatus 140 Operation input part 200 Operation reception part 220 Voice reproduction part 240 Decrease width information storage part 280 Volume control part 300 Decrease width setting part

Claims (3)

An audio playback unit for playing audio,
A volume adjusting unit that gradually reduces the volume of the audio reproduced by the audio reproducing unit when a predetermined trigger occurs;
An operation receiving unit that receives an operation to increase the volume by the user with respect to the operation input unit while the volume is being lowered by the volume adjusting unit;
A reduction width setting unit that sets the width of the volume lowered by the volume adjustment unit as the reduction width information in the reduction width information storage unit when the operation of raising the volume is received by the operation reception unit;
The volume adjustment unit gradually decreases the volume of the sound reproduced by the audio reproduction unit within a range not exceeding the decrease range indicated by the decrease range information stored in the decrease range information storage unit. An audio playback device. The audio playback device according to claim 1,
The sound reproducing apparatus, wherein the sound volume adjusting unit lowers the sound volume reproduced by the sound reproducing unit by a predetermined volume at predetermined time intervals. A first step in which the volume adjusting unit automatically and gradually lowers the volume of the audio reproduced by the audio reproducing unit when a predetermined trigger occurs;
A second step of accepting an operation to increase the volume by the user on the operation input unit while the volume is being reduced by the first step;
A third step of setting the volume of the volume lowered by the volume adjusting unit at the point of time when the operation for raising the volume is accepted in the second step, as the reduced width information in the reduced width information storage unit;
After the decrease width information is stored in the decrease width information storage section, when a predetermined trigger occurs, the audio playback section reproduces the range within the range not exceeding the decrease width stored in the decrease width information storage section. And a fourth step of automatically and gradually lowering the volume of the voice to be played, the power saving method for the sound reproducing apparatus.