JP6186774B2 - Audio reproduction system, audio reproduction apparatus, audio output apparatus, volume control method, and volume control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio playback system, an audio playback apparatus, an audio output apparatus, a volume control method, and a volume control program for controlling the volume of output audio.

  In recent years, in-vehicle audio apparatuses capable of reproducing music in cooperation with portable devices such as portable music reproducing apparatuses and smartphones have appeared (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the system including the in-vehicle audio device and the portable music reproduction device described in Patent Document 1, music data from the portable music reproduction device can be reproduced by the in-vehicle audio device.

  The volume (hereinafter referred to as “output volume”) when the audio playback apparatus is connected to the audio apparatus and the audio apparatus outputs sound is output in addition to the output volume setting provided in the audio apparatus. It may also depend on the volume setting. Therefore, depending on the volume setting of the audio device or the music playback device, there is a possibility that sound is output at a large volume level that is not intended by the user. The generation of loud sound unexpected by the driver while driving a car can lead to a serious accident.

  In order to cope with the above problems, a technique for automatically controlling the output volume has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  The in-vehicle audio device described in Patent Literature 2 includes an external input terminal that can be connected to an external device such as a portable music player. Furthermore, the in-vehicle audio device of Patent Document 2 has a function of automatically controlling the output volume when reproducing sound from an external device. Specifically, the in-vehicle audio device of Patent Document 2 compares the input voltage level of audio from an external device with a reference voltage level and adjusts the output volume to a predetermined level.

JP 2001-296875 A (page 7-9, FIG. 2) JP 2009-212830 A (page 8-12, FIGS. 4 and 6)

  The in-vehicle audio device of Patent Document 2 detects the level of the volume of an audio signal from an external device, and adjusts the output volume according to the detected level. That is, all the control related to the control of the output volume is performed inside the in-vehicle audio device of Patent Document 2. Therefore, in order to change the control content and control method of the output volume, it is necessary to change the output volume control program built in the in-vehicle audio apparatus. That is, the in-vehicle audio device needs to have a mechanism for changing the built-in program.

  By the way, in general, an external device having a music playback function, such as a smartphone, has an output volume adjustment function in the device itself. Some external devices have a function of changing the built-in program. Therefore, when music playback is performed in cooperation with the in-vehicle audio apparatus and the external device, it is effective to utilize functions provided in the external device.

However, in the in-vehicle audio device of Patent Document 2, all the control related to the control of the output volume is performed inside the in-vehicle audio device. For this reason, the in-vehicle audio device of Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is not possible to effectively use the functions of the external device.
(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the technical problems as described above, and the sound reproduction device and the sound output device cooperate with each other to control the output volume, and the sound reproduction that can flexibly cope with the change of the control content. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, a sound reproduction device, a sound output device, a sound volume control method, and a sound volume control program.

  The audio reproduction system of the present invention includes a first communication unit that receives volume information, and a first output unit based on the volume information so that the output volume when output to the outside is equal to a predetermined volume target value. Based on the first volume setting value, a control unit that sets a first volume setting value that specifies the first volume of the voice and a second volume setting value that specifies the second volume of the second voice. A first audio signal that specifies the first audio signal having a predetermined waveform with the first audio volume set, and a second audio signal that has the second audio volume set based on the second audio volume setting value. An audio signal output unit that outputs an audio signal output unit that outputs a second audio signal to be specified, a volume detection unit that detects an output volume of the first audio, and volume information indicating the output volume to the audio playback device. Input the first audio signal and the second audio signal from the second communication unit to be transmitted and the audio reproduction device. And an audio output device including an audio signal input unit that outputs the first audio signal to the volume detection unit and outputs the second audio signal to the outside based on predetermined audio information. Features.

The audio reproduction device of the present invention includes a volume detection unit that detects an output volume when input audio is output to the outside, a second communication unit that transmits volume information indicating the output volume, and a first audio signal. and enter the second audio signal, based on predetermined audio information, the first audio signal and outputs to the sound volume detecting portion, voice output comprising a voice signal input unit for outputting a second audio signal to the outside A first communication unit that receives volume information from the device, and a first volume that designates the first volume of the first sound based on the volume information so that the output volume is equal to a predetermined volume target value A control unit that sets a volume setting value and a second volume setting value that specifies the second volume of the second sound, and a predetermined waveform in which the first volume is set based on the first volume setting value On the basis of the first sound signal designating the first sound and the second sound volume setting value. Volume is set, the second audio signal designating the second audio is the audio signal output section that outputs to the audio output device, comprising: a.

The sound output device of the present invention is configured to receive the first sound so that the output sound volume when output to the outside becomes equal to a predetermined sound volume target value based on the first communication unit that receives the sound volume information and the sound volume information. A first volume setting value for designating the first volume and a second volume setting value for designating the second volume setting value for designating the second volume of the second sound, and a first volume setting value based on the first volume setting value. A first audio signal specifying a first sound having a predetermined waveform with a volume of 1 set and a second sound set with a second volume based on a second volume setting value The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input from an audio reproduction device including an audio signal output unit that outputs the second audio signal, and the second audio signal is externally input based on predetermined audio information. An audio signal input unit that outputs to the first audio signal and outputs a first audio signal from the audio signal input unit; A volume detection unit that detects an output volume when a voice is output to the outside, and a second communication unit that transmits volume information indicating the output volume to an audio playback device. The sound volume control method sets a first sound volume based on a first sound volume setting value from a sound reproduction device, outputs a first sound signal designating a first sound having a predetermined waveform, and outputs a sound. In the device, based on predetermined audio information, the first audio signal is input from the audio reproduction device, the output volume when the first audio is output to the outside is detected, and the output volume is detected from the audio output device. The first sound volume setting value and the second sound for designating the first sound volume so that the output sound volume becomes equal to the predetermined sound volume target value based on the sound volume information. Set the second volume setting to specify the second volume of The audio reproduction device outputs a second audio signal for designating the second audio, the second audio volume being set based on the second audio volume setting value, and the audio output device outputs the second audio signal based on the audio information. The second audio signal is input from the audio reproduction device, and the second audio signal is output to the outside.

  The volume control program of the present invention specifies a first communication unit that receives volume information, and a first sound having a predetermined waveform in which a first volume is set based on a first volume setting value. An audio reproduction device including an audio signal output unit that outputs a second audio signal that designates a second audio having a second volume set based on the audio signal and the second volume setting value; and A volume detector that detects an output volume when the sound is output to the outside, a second communication unit that transmits volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device, and a first audio signal and a first audio signal from the audio reproduction device And an audio output device including an audio signal input unit that inputs the second audio signal, outputs the first audio signal to the volume detection unit, and outputs the second audio signal to the outside based on predetermined audio information. A controller provided in an audio playback device in an audio playback system And a control unit for setting the first volume setting value and the second volume setting value so that the output volume is equal to a predetermined volume target value based on the volume information and the communication means for receiving the volume information. It is made to function as a means.

  According to the audio playback system, audio playback device, audio output device, volume control method, and volume control program of the present invention, the audio playback device and the audio output device cooperate to control the output volume, and the control contents can be changed flexibly. It can correspond to.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of the smart phone of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of the audio | voice reproduction apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 2nd modification of the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
First, various terms used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention are defined.

  The “speech waveform signal” means a signal obtained by converting sound, which is air vibration, into an electric signal. When the sound waveform signal is converted into air vibration, sound is generated.

  The “voice signal” is a signal that designates a voice, that is, a signal that includes information representing a voice waveform, and is a signal that generates a voice waveform signal.

  When the audio signal is an analog signal, a waveform similar to the audio waveform can be generated from the audio signal by performing processing such as using a filter as necessary.

  When the audio signal is a digital signal, the audio signal is a signal including “audio data” designating audio. Therefore, by performing processing such as digital-analog conversion and using a filter as necessary, a waveform similar to the speech waveform can be generated from the speech signal. The audio data is uncompressed data that can be converted from digital to analog as it is, or compressed data that is converted into uncompressed data by decoding in a predetermined manner.

  “Audio reproduction” refers to generating an audio signal from audio data or audio signals received from a predetermined recording medium or from the outside. To output an audio signal received from the outside as it is is also referred to as generating audio for convenience.

  “Sound output” means that sound waveform signals are converted into air vibrations to generate sound.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an audio reproduction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the audio reproduction system 100 of this embodiment, the smartphone 110 that is an external device and the in-vehicle audio device 120 that is an audio reproduction device cooperate with each other to control the output volume of the in-vehicle audio device 120.

  The audio signal 101 transmitted from the smartphone 110 to the in-vehicle audio device 120 includes a sample sound signal designating a sample sound and an audio 102 to be actually output to the outside by the in-vehicle audio device 120 (hereinafter referred to as “output sound”). .) Includes an output sound signal.

  The linkage information 103 exchanged between the smartphone 110 and the in-vehicle audio device 120 includes “reproduction information” from the smartphone 110 to the in-vehicle audio device 120 and “volume information” from the in-vehicle audio device 120 to the smartphone 110.

  The outline of the output volume control by the audio reproduction system 100 is as follows.

  First, the smartphone 110 transmits an audio signal 101 including a sample sound signal that specifies a sample sound to the in-vehicle audio device 120. At that time, the smartphone 110 sets the volume of the sample sound with the volume setting value. The smartphone 110 notifies the in-vehicle audio device 120 that the audio signal 101 including the sample sound signal is being transmitted by the cooperation information 103 including the reproduction information.

  The in-vehicle audio device 120 detects the output volume when the sample sound is actually output to the outside. And the vehicle-mounted audio apparatus 120 notifies the smart phone 110 of the detected output volume by the cooperation information 103 containing audio | voice information.

  The smartphone 110 compares the predetermined output volume target value with the output volume included in the linkage information 103, and changes the volume setting value according to the comparison result. The output volume target value is a target value of the volume of the output sound 102 output from the in-vehicle audio device 120. It is preferable that the output volume target value can be set from the outside of the in-vehicle audio device 120. For example, the output volume target value may be set by transmitting a value set inside a volume control program or the like in the smartphone 110 to the in-vehicle audio device 120.

  The smartphone 110 repeats the above comparison and change of the volume setting value, and the volume setting value when the output volume when the sample sound is output to the outside of the in-vehicle audio device 120 becomes equal to the output volume target value (hereinafter, “ "Volume setting reference value"). Then, the smartphone 110 sets the volume setting value of the output sound to the volume setting reference value, and transmits the audio signal 101 including the output sound signal.

  The in-vehicle audio device 120 outputs the output sound 102 to the outside based on the output sound signal included in the audio signal 101. The output volume that is the volume of the output sound 102 at this time is equal to the output volume target value. That is, the output sound 102 is output from the vehicle-mounted audio device 120 after the output sound volume becomes equal to the output sound volume target value by the sound volume control by the sound reproduction system 100.

  Therefore, the problem that the output sound is reproduced at a large volume unintended by the user when the smartphone 110 and the in-vehicle audio device 120 are connected can be avoided by the volume control described above.

Furthermore, even when a new terminal is used as the smartphone 110, appropriate volume control can be similarly performed by introducing a volume control program into the new smartphone 110.
(Configuration of the first embodiment)
Next, details of internal configurations of the smartphone 110 and the in-vehicle audio device 120 included in the audio reproduction system 100 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the smartphone 110 and the in-vehicle audio device 120 included in the audio reproduction system 100 of the present embodiment.

  The smartphone 110 includes an audio signal output unit 111, a storage unit 112, a first communication unit 113, and a first control unit 114.

  The audio signal output unit 111 outputs the audio signal 101. The audio signal 101 includes a sample sound signal that specifies a sample sound and an output sound signal that specifies an output sound 102 to be output from the in-vehicle audio device 120 to the outside. The audio signal output unit 111 sets the volume of each of the sample sound and the output sound according to the volume setting value. And the audio | voice signal 101 which designates the sample sound and output sound to which the volume was set is output. Note that the volume setting value is set by the first control unit 114.

  As described above, “specifying sample sound and output sound” means expressing the sound waveform of each sound. That is, the audio signal 101 may be an analog audio signal that directly represents an audio waveform or a digital signal that includes digital audio information obtained by analog-digital conversion of the audio waveform. Furthermore, the audio signal 101 may be an encoded signal in which the digital audio information is encoded such as compression according to a predetermined rule.

  The storage unit 112 stores audio waveform information that specifies the audio waveforms of the sample sound and the output sound, and various setting information related to the volume.

  The first communication unit 113 confirms connection with the in-vehicle audio device 120, transmits a notification of start or end of output of the sample sound, and receives volume information from the in-vehicle audio device 120. The first communication unit 113 transmits and receives connection confirmation, an output start notification, an output end notification, and volume information to and from the in-vehicle audio device 120 as linkage information 103.

  The first control unit 114 controls the audio signal output unit 111, the storage unit 112, and the first communication unit 113. The control by the control unit 114 may be a software process performed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) built in the smartphone 110 executing a predetermined control program. Alternatively, the control unit 114 may be configured using dedicated hardware.

  The in-vehicle audio device 120 includes an audio signal input unit 121, an audio waveform output unit 122, an audio output unit 123, a volume detection unit 124, a second communication unit 125, and a second control unit 126.

  The audio signal input unit 121 receives the audio signal 101 output from the smartphone 110. The audio signal input unit 121 performs signal processing such as demodulation of the audio signal 101 as necessary. The audio signal input unit 121 outputs the sample sound signal included in the audio signal 101 to the volume detection unit 124. The audio signal input unit 121 outputs an output sound signal included in the audio signal 101 to the audio waveform output unit 122. The audio signal input unit 121 determines whether the signal included in the audio signal 101 is a sample sound signal or an output sound signal based on the output start notification and the output end notification received by the second communication unit 125. . That is, it is determined that the audio signal included in the audio signal 101 from the reception of the output start notification to the reception of the output end notification is a sampled sound signal.

  The voice waveform output unit 122 generates a voice waveform signal based on the voice signal 101 and outputs the voice waveform signal to the voice output unit 123.

  The audio output unit 123 converts the audio waveform signal into air vibration and outputs it as an output sound 102 to the outside of the in-vehicle audio device 120. The audio output unit 123 is configured using, for example, a speaker.

  The volume detector 124 detects the output volume of the sample sound included in the audio signal 101. The output volume here is an output volume when it is assumed that the in-vehicle audio device 120 outputs the sample sound as the output sound 102. The sample sound need not be output to the outside as the output sound 102.

  The second communication unit 125 transmits the detected output volume to the smartphone 110 as volume information. In addition, the second communication unit 125 receives a connection confirmation with the smartphone 110, a sample sound output start notification, and an output end notification. The second communication unit 125 transmits and receives connection confirmation, output start notification, output end notification, and volume information to and from the smartphone 110 as linkage information 103.

  The second control unit 126 controls the audio signal input unit 121, the audio waveform output unit 122, the audio output unit 123, the volume level detection unit 124, and the second communication unit 125. The control by the control unit 126 may be a software process performed by a CPU (not shown) built in the in-vehicle audio device 120 executing a predetermined control program. Alternatively, the control unit 126 may be configured using dedicated hardware.

Note that each of the audio signal 101 and the linkage information 103 may be a wireless signal or a wired signal. That is, the transmission path for notifications and information included in the audio signal 101 and the linkage information 103 may be wired or wireless.
(Operation of the first embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first control unit 114 of the smartphone 110. The first control unit 114 performs control so that the output volume of the output sound from the in-vehicle audio device 120 does not exceed a preset threshold value. The threshold here is the aforementioned output volume target value, which is the target value of the volume of the output sound output from the in-vehicle audio device 120.

  It is assumed that the connection between the smartphone 110 and the in-vehicle audio device 120 has been confirmed in advance. That is, before starting the volume control, the smartphone 110 and the in-vehicle audio device 120 are connected by a predetermined method such as wireless communication or wired communication, and are set in a state in which cooperation information and a volume signal can be transmitted and received.

  Also, information on the output volume target value and the maximum value of the volume setting value that can be set in the audio signal output unit 111 (hereinafter referred to as “maximum volume setting value”) N (N is an integer of 1 or more) is also stored in advance. It is assumed that it is stored in the storage unit 112 or the like.

  The output volume target value can be arbitrarily set as the volume of the output sound 102 by the user of the smartphone 110 or the in-vehicle audio device 120.

  The maximum volume setting value is a value determined by the specification of the audio signal output unit 111. The maximum volume setting value may be limited to a value that can be set in the audio signal output unit 111 by the user of the smartphone 110 or the in-vehicle audio device 120.

  First, the first control unit 114 acquires the current volume setting value i (i is an integer equal to or greater than 1) (step S101).

  Then, the first control unit 114 checks whether or not volume control has been performed in the past (step S102). Whether volume control has been performed in the past can be confirmed, for example, by providing a volume setting value storage area and setting a predetermined invalid value in the storage area before volume control is performed. . If the stored value in the storage area is not an invalid value, it can be determined that volume control has been performed in the past.

  When the volume control is not performed (step S102: No), the first control unit 114 acquires information on the maximum volume setting value N and stores it in the storage unit 112 (step S103).

  Next, the first control unit 114 sets the volume setting value i to “1”, which is the minimum value (step S104). The audio signal output unit 111 controls the volume of the sample sound according to the set volume setting value i.

  Then, the first control unit 114 instructs the first communication unit 113 to transmit a start notification informing the start of the output of the sample sound to the in-vehicle audio device 120 (step S105). Further, the first control unit 114 instructs the audio signal output unit 111 to output the audio signal 101 including the sample sound signal based on the audio waveform information stored in the storage unit 112 (step S106).

  When the output of the audio signal including the sample sound signal ends, the first control unit 114 instructs the first communication unit 113 to transmit an end notification notifying the end of the output of the sample sound to the in-vehicle audio device 120. (Step S107).

  The in-vehicle audio device 120 analyzes the audio signal received between the start notification and the end notification, detects the volume of the sample audio signal (hereinafter referred to as “sample volume”), and transmits it as volume information. The first communication unit 113 receives the volume information and notifies the first control unit 114. The first control unit 114 acquires the sample volume from the volume information (step S108).

  The first control unit 114 that has acquired the sample volume determines whether or not the sample volume is within an output-set threshold, that is, an output volume target value (step S109).

  If the sample volume is within the threshold (step S109: Yes), the first control unit 114 determines whether or not the volume setting value is equal to the maximum volume setting value N (step S110).

  When the volume setting value is equal to the maximum volume setting value N (step S110: Yes), the first control unit 114 sets the volume setting value of the output sound as the volume setting value at that time, that is, the volume setting of the sample sound. The same value as the value is set (step S111).

  In step S109, when the output volume exceeds the threshold (step S109: No), the first control unit 114 sets the volume setting value i one step lower (step S110), and proceeds to step S111.

  In step S110, when the volume setting value is smaller than the maximum volume setting value N (step S109: No), the first control unit 114 sets the volume setting value i one step higher (step S113). Therefore, if the output volume is within the threshold, the volume setting value of the smartphone 110 is set to the maximum volume setting value.

  After the process of step S113, the first control unit 114 returns to step S105. Therefore, the audio signal output unit 111 outputs the audio signal 101 including the sample sound signal whose volume is controlled with the updated volume setting value.

  With the above processing, the volume of the output sound from the in-vehicle audio device 120 is equal to or smaller than the threshold, that is, the output volume target value, and the maximum volume setting value (hereinafter referred to as “ideal volume setting” that is equal to or less than the maximum volume setting value of the smartphone 110. Value ”).

  The first control unit 114 sets the obtained ideal volume setting value as the volume setting value of the output sound. Then, the first control unit 114 instructs the audio signal output unit 111 to output an audio signal including the output sound signal stored in the storage unit 112 (step S114).

  The 1st control part 114 confirms cancellation | release of the connection of the smart phone 110 and the vehicle-mounted audio apparatus 120 (step S115). When release is confirmed (step S115: Yes), the volume setting value i is returned to the volume setting value before volume control acquired in step S101 (step S116).

If volume control has been performed in the past (step S101: Yes), it is not necessary to perform the following volume control processing using sample audio by performing volume setting based on the volume setting value at that time. . Therefore, when it is determined in step S102 that the volume control has been performed (step S102: Yes), the first control unit 114 may proceed to step S111.
(Effects of the first embodiment)
As described above, according to this embodiment, the external sound reproduction device and the sound output device perform volume control in cooperation with each other, and the output sound volume is controlled to a level equal to or lower than the target value. Therefore, even when an external audio reproduction device such as a smartphone is connected to the in-vehicle audio device, it is possible to prevent the driver from being disturbed by unexpectedly loud sound.

  Furthermore, the control method can be changed by changing the program in the external audio playback device. Therefore, even when the audio output device does not have a control program update function or when it is not difficult to update, it is possible to cope with a change in control content by changing the program in the external audio reproduction device.

  In addition, if the operation log information about the voice control is acquired, the tendency of the past operation can be analyzed. Therefore, it is possible to change a part of the volume control based on the analysis result. For example, according to the analysis result of the operation log, if it is determined that there is a tendency to increase the output volume after the output volume target value is initially set and the volume control is performed, the output volume target value at the initial setting is increased. Feedback can be performed.

Furthermore, when the external audio reproduction device is a movable terminal such as a smartphone, terminal information and regional information may be included in the operation log information. In this case, if log information is stored in the center server by communication using a terminal, maintenance specialized in regional characteristics such as what volume is preferred in a specific region can be performed.
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, in order to notify the start and end of sample sound reproduction from the smartphone (audio reproduction device) 110 to the in-vehicle audio device (audio output device) 120, a start notification and A cooperation signal including an end notification is used. However, in the present invention, the method for notifying the start and end of the reproduction of the sample sound is not limited. Furthermore, the start and end notifications themselves are not essential.

  The audio output device needs to detect the volume of the sample sound included in the audio signal and notify the audio reproduction device of the volume. Therefore, the audio output device only needs to be able to determine whether the audio signal specifies a sample sound or an output sound to be output to the outside. When the audio signal includes both the sample sound and the output sound at the same time, the audio output device only needs to be able to extract the sample sound and the output sound from the audio signal. In this way, since it is only necessary for the audio output device to detect the volume of the sample sound included in the audio signal, the start and end of the reproduction of the sample sound is separated from the audio reproduction device to the audio output device. It is not essential to make a notification.

  The smartphone 110 according to the first embodiment includes a storage unit 112 that stores audio waveform information that specifies audio waveforms of the sample sound and the output sound. However, the audio reproduction device does not need to hold the audio waveform information inside. That is, the audio waveform information may be held internally or input from the outside.

The in-vehicle audio apparatus 120 according to the first embodiment includes an audio waveform output unit 122 and an audio output unit 123. However, the audio output device may only detect the volume of the sample sound included in the audio signal, notify the audio reproduction device of the volume, and output the output sound to the outside. In this case, the generation of the audio waveform signal and the output of the audio may be performed outside the audio output device.
(Configuration of Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the sound reproduction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an essential configuration that an audio reproduction device and an audio output device included in the audio reproduction system of the present invention should have.

  The audio reproduction system 200 according to the second embodiment includes an audio reproduction device 210 and an audio output device 220.

  The audio reproduction system 200 operates as follows as a whole.

  The audio playback device 210 outputs the audio signal 201 to the audio output device 220.

  The audio output device 220 detects the volume of the sample sound from the audio signal of the sample sound included in the audio signal 201 and notifies the audio reproduction device 210 of it. The volume of the sample sound is a volume when it is assumed that the sample sound is output to the outside of the audio output device 210. Accordingly, when the sample sound and the output sound having the same volume are output to the outside of the audio output device 220, the respective output volumes are equal. Note that the sample sound need not be output to the outside of the audio output device 220.

  The audio playback device 210 adjusts the volume setting value of the sample sound based on the notified volume of the sample sound, and outputs the adjusted sound signal to the audio output device 220 as the audio signal 201.

  When it is confirmed that the volume of the notified sample sound is equal to the output sound volume target value, the sound reproducing device 210 sets the output sound volume setting value equal to the current sample sound volume setting value. With this setting, an output sound signal that specifies an output sound having a volume equal to the output volume target value is output from the audio output device 220. In addition, since the sample sound signal is not output to the outside of the sound output device 220 when adjusting the output volume, there is no problem that an abnormally loud sound is generated.

  Next, the configurations of the audio playback device 210 and the audio output device 220 will be described.

  The audio reproduction device 210 includes an audio signal output unit 211, a control unit 214, and a first communication unit 213.

  The audio signal output unit 211 generates an audio signal 201 based on an audio signal input from the outside or audio data from a predetermined storage unit (not shown), and outputs the audio signal 201 to the audio output device 220. The storage unit may be provided inside the audio reproduction device 210 or outside the audio reproduction device 210.

  Hereinafter, an audio signal or audio data that is input to the audio signal output unit 211 and serves as a basis for generating the audio signal 201 is referred to as “basic audio information”. The basic voice information includes first basic information corresponding to the first voice and second basic information corresponding to the second voice. Each of the first basic information and the second basic information is held inside the audio signal output unit 211 or inputted from the outside.

  The audio signal 201 includes an audio signal of a sample sound (first audio signal) or an audio signal of an output sound (second audio signal). The audio signal 201 may include only one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal. Alternatively, the audio signal may include both the first audio signal and the second audio signal at the same time. That is, the audio reproduction device 210 can also input the first audio signal to the audio output device 220 while outputting the output sound to the outside via the audio output device 220.

The audio signal output unit 211 controls the volume of the first sound and the second sound based on the sound volume setting value. Specifically, the audio signal output unit 211 controls the volume as follows.
1) When the basic audio information is an analog signal The audio signal output unit 211 sets the amplitude of the analog signal according to the volume setting value.
2) When the basic voice information is uncompressed voice data The voice signal output unit 211 changes the voice data so that the volume of the voice indicated by the voice data becomes the volume specified by the volume setting value.
3) When the basic audio information is compressed audio data The audio signal output unit 211 expands the audio data so that the volume of the audio indicated by the expanded audio data becomes the volume specified by the volume setting value. The expanded audio data is changed.

  The sound signal corresponding to the sound whose volume is controlled as described above is output as the sound signal 201 in the form of an analog signal, uncompressed sound data, or compressed sound data. That is, the form of the basic audio information and the form of the audio signal 201 are not necessarily the same.

  The control unit 214 increases or decreases the volume setting value of the first voice so that the volume (first volume) of the first voice notified from the voice output device 220 becomes the output volume target value. When the first volume matches the output volume target value, the volume of the second sound (second volume) is set to a value equal to the volume setting value of the first sound at that time.

  The first communication unit 213 receives the volume information 203 from the audio output device 220 and notifies the control unit 214 of the volume.

  The audio output device 220 includes an audio signal input unit 221, a volume detection unit 224, and a second communication unit 225.

  The audio signal input unit 221 inputs the audio signal 201 from the audio reproduction device 210. The audio signal input unit 221 determines a first audio signal and a second audio signal included in the input audio signal 201. Then, the audio signal input unit 221 outputs the first audio signal included in the audio signal 201 to the volume detection unit 224. The audio signal input unit 221 outputs the second audio signal 204 included in the audio signal 201 to the outside.

The audio signal input unit 221 determines an audio signal included in the audio signal 201 by the following method, for example.
1) Method of Using Feature of First Audio Signal There is a method of using the feature of the first audio in order to discriminate the first audio signal in the audio signal 201. For example, there is a method of setting the frequency of the first sound to a special frequency outside the audible frequency range. At this time, the audio signal input unit 221 extracts a signal of a special frequency from the audio reproduced from the audio signal 201 and sets it as the first audio. Note that the special frequency is set as the first audio frequency between the audio output device 220 and the audio reproduction device 210 in advance.
2) Method for detecting change in volume of audio in audio signal The first audio signal may be included in the audio signal together with the second audio signal. In this case, the audio signal input unit 221 detects that the first audio is included in the audio signal 201 from the change in the volume of the audio reproduced from the audio signal 201. When it is determined that the first audio signal is included in the audio signal 201, it is determined that the volume control is being performed. For example, only the first audio signal is transmitted from the audio output device 220 to the audio reproduction device 210. You may request that you do.

  The sound volume detection unit 224 detects the first sound, that is, the first sound volume that is the sound volume of the sample sound, based on the first sound signal input from the sound signal input unit 221. Then, the volume detection unit 224 notifies the second communication unit 225 of the first volume.

The second communication unit 225 transmits the first sound volume notified from the sound volume detection unit 224 to the sound reproduction device 210 as the sound volume information 203.
(Operation of Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 214 of the audio reproduction device 210. The control unit 214 controls the output volume of the output sound specified in the second audio signal 204 output from the audio output device 220 to be equal to a preset output volume target value. Of course, the output sound volume of the output sound may be controlled to be equal to or lower than the output sound volume target value.

  It is assumed that the audio playback device 210 and the audio output device 220 are connected in advance by a predetermined method such as wireless communication or wired communication, and are set in a state in which the volume signal 201 and the volume information 203 can be transmitted and received. Further, it is assumed that the output sound volume target value is set inside the audio reproduction device 210 such as inside the control unit 214.

  The output volume target value is preferably settable from the outside of the audio output device 220. For example, the output volume target value may be set by transmitting a value set inside a volume control program or the like in the audio playback device 210 to the audio output device 220. The method of transmitting the output volume target value from the audio reproduction device 210 to the audio output device 220 is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B described later, the audio volume 305 transmitted from the audio reproduction device 210 to the audio output device 220 may be transmitted by including the output volume target value.

  Note that the maximum volume setting value set in the first embodiment is not essential for the present invention, and is not set in the present embodiment.

  First, the control unit 214 sets the volume setting value i to “1” which is the minimum value (step S201). The audio signal output unit 111 controls the volume of the sample sound according to the set volume setting value i.

  Next, the control unit 214 instructs the audio signal output unit 211 to output the audio signal 201 including the first audio signal (step S202).

  The audio output device 220 analyzes the audio signal 201 to detect the volume of the first audio (hereinafter referred to as “first volume”), and transmits it as volume information 203. The first communication unit 213 receives the volume information and notifies the control unit 214 of the volume information. The control unit 214 acquires the sample volume from the volume information (step S203).

  The control unit 214 that has acquired the output volume determines whether or not the output volume is equal to the output volume target value (step S204). The volume setting value when the output volume is equal to the output volume target value is an ideal volume setting value at which the output volume of the second sound is equal to the output volume target value.

  Therefore, when the output volume is equal to the output volume target value (step S204: Yes), the control unit 214 sets the volume setting value of the second sound to the same value as the volume setting value at that time (step S205). .

Then, the control unit 214 instructs the audio signal output unit 211 to output the audio signal 201 including the second audio signal (step S206).
In step S204, if the output volume is not equal to the output volume target value (step S204: No), the control unit 214 changes the volume setting value (step S207) and returns to step S202. Therefore, the audio signal output unit 211 outputs the audio signal 201 including the first audio signal whose volume is controlled with the updated volume setting value.

  Note that the processing in step S207 is to change the volume setting value of the first sound so that the notified output volume is equal to the output volume target value. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, in step S204, the volume setting value may be increased or decreased based on the comparison result between the output volume and the output volume target value.

Through the above processing, the volume of the output sound specified by the second audio signal from the audio output device 220 becomes equal to the output volume target value.
(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sound reproduction device and the sound output device perform volume control in cooperation with each other, and the output sound volume is controlled to be equal to the target value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unexpectedly loud sound from being generated even when an audio playback device is connected outside the audio output device.

Furthermore, the volume control method can be changed only by changing the program in the audio playback device. Therefore, even when the audio output device does not have a control program update function or when it is not difficult to update, it is possible to easily cope with a change in control content.
(Modification of the second embodiment)
As described above, the audio signal input unit 221 indicates that the audio signal 201 includes the first audio signal or that the audio signal 201 includes the second audio signal (hereinafter referred to as “audio signal content”). The detection method is not limited.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio reproduction system 300 according to a modification of the audio reproduction system according to the second embodiment. In the audio reproduction system 300, the audio signal content is notified from the audio reproduction device 310 to the audio output device 320 using the audio information 305.

  The audio signal content may be notified from the first communication unit 313 to the second communication unit 325 using the audio information 305 as in the first embodiment (FIG. 6A). In this case, the audio signal content is notified from the second communication unit 325 to the audio signal input unit 321. The audio signal input unit 321 outputs the first audio signal and the second audio signal based on the notified audio signal content.

  Or the audio | voice signal content may be notified to the audio | voice signal input part 321 from the audio | voice signal output part 311 using the audio | voice information 305 (FIG.6 (b)). In this case, the audio information 305 is output together with the audio signal 201 as a predetermined audio signal indicating the audio signal content. The above-described “method of using the characteristics of the first audio signal” and “method of detecting a change in the volume of the audio in the audio signal” also include audio information 305 from the audio signal output unit 311 to the audio signal input unit 321. Included in the method of using the transmission. The audio signal input unit 321 outputs a first audio signal and a second audio signal based on the detected audio signal content.

  Further, as described above, the input source of the basic audio information that is the basis of the first audio signal and the second audio signal output by the audio signal output unit 211 of the audio reproduction device 210 is not limited.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio reproduction system 400 according to a second modification of the audio reproduction system of the second embodiment.

  The audio signal output unit 411 inputs basic audio information (hereinafter referred to as “external audio information”) 401 from the outside of the audio reproduction device 410, and the first audio signal or the second audio is based on the external audio information 401. A signal may be generated, and the audio signal 201 may be output to the audio output device 420 (FIG. 7A).

  Further, the external audio information 401 may be a signal generated by the storage device 430 provided outside the audio reproduction device 410 (FIG. 7B). Needless to say, the storage device 430 may be built in the audio reproduction device 410 like the smartphone in the audio reproduction system of FIG.

  The voice control program of the present invention is stored in a non-transitory medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a magneto-optical disk. May be.

  Each of the above embodiments can be combined with other embodiments.

A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.
(Appendix 1)
A first communication unit that receives volume information;
Based on the volume information, a first volume setting value that specifies a first volume of the first sound and a second volume so that the output volume when output to the outside is equal to a predetermined volume target value. A control unit for setting a second volume setting value for designating a second volume of voice;
The first sound signal designating the first sound having a predetermined waveform, in which the first sound volume is set based on the first sound volume setting value, and the second sound volume setting value based on the second sound volume setting value. An audio signal output unit configured to output a second audio signal designating the second audio, wherein a second volume is set;
An audio playback device including:
A volume detector for detecting the output volume of the first voice;
A second communication unit that transmits the volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device;
The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input from the audio reproduction device, and the first audio signal is output to the volume detector based on predetermined audio information, and the second audio signal is output. An audio signal input unit for outputting a signal to the outside;
An audio output device including:
An audio playback system comprising:
(Appendix 2)
The first communication unit transmits a start signal indicating start and an end signal indicating end of the output of the first audio signal or the second audio signal,
The second communication unit receives the start signal and the end signal,
The audio signal input unit outputs the first audio signal to the volume detection unit and outputs the second audio signal to the outside based on the start signal and the end signal. 2. The audio reproduction system according to 1.
(Appendix 3)
The audio signal input unit outputs the first audio signal to the volume detection unit based on the analysis result of the first audio signal or the second audio signal, and the second audio signal is output as a sound. The audio reproduction system according to appendix 2, wherein the audio reproduction system outputs to a voice waveform output unit.
(Appendix 4)
The controller is
Changing the first volume setting value based on the volume information;
When the output volume does not match the volume target value, the start signal is transmitted to start transmission of the first audio signal;
4. The supplementary note 2 or 3, wherein when the output volume matches the volume target value, the end signal is transmitted and the second volume setting value is set to the first volume setting value. Audio playback system.
(Appendix 5)
Sound reproduction system according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that from the sound voice reproduction device to said audio output device, transmitting the sound volume target value.
(Appendix 6)
An audio output unit for outputting the second audio based on the second audio signal;
The audio reproduction system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, further comprising:
(Appendix 7)
The audio signal output unit is
7. The device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the first audio signal or the second audio signal is output based on external audio information or encoded audio information input from the outside. Voice playback system.
(Appendix 8)
A volume detection unit that detects an output volume when the input sound is output to the outside, a second communication unit that transmits volume information indicating the output volume, and a first audio signal and a second audio signal. type, based on predetermined audio information, from the first audio signal and outputs to the sound volume detecting portion, voice output device including an audio signal input unit which outputs the second audio signal to the outside, the A first communication unit that receives volume information;
Based on the volume information, a first volume setting value that specifies a first volume of the first sound and a second volume of the second sound so that the output volume is equal to a predetermined volume target value. A control unit for setting a second volume setting value for designating
Based on the first audio signal for designating the first sound having a predetermined waveform, the first sound volume being set based on the first sound volume setting value, and the second sound volume setting value. the second volume is set, the second voice signal specifying the second audio, and the audio signal output section for outputting to the sound voice output device,
An audio reproducing apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 9)
Audio reproducing apparatus according to note 8, characterized in that it comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the volume target value to the sound voice output device.
(Appendix 10)
A first communication unit that receives volume information, and specifies the first volume of the first sound based on the volume information so that the output volume when output to the outside is equal to a predetermined volume target value A first sound volume setting value to be set and a second sound volume setting value for designating a second sound volume setting value for the second sound, and the first sound volume is set based on the first sound volume setting value. The second sound having the second volume set based on the first sound signal specifying the first sound having a predetermined waveform and the second sound volume setting value is specified. The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input from an audio reproduction device including an audio signal output unit that outputs a second audio signal, and the second audio signal is based on predetermined audio information. Audio signal input unit for outputting to the outside,
A sound volume detection unit that outputs the first sound signal from the sound signal input unit and detects the output sound volume when the first sound is output to the outside;
A second communication unit that transmits the volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device;
An audio output device comprising:
(Appendix 11)
From the audio reproduction device, a first audio volume is set based on the first audio volume setting value, and a first audio signal designating the first audio having a predetermined waveform is output,
In the audio output device, based on predetermined audio information, the first audio signal is input from the audio reproduction device, and an output volume when the first audio is output to the outside is detected,
Wherein the audio output device, the output volume sends indicate to the sound volume information,
In the sound reproduction device, based on the sound volume information, a first sound volume setting value for designating the first sound volume and a second sound of the second sound so that the output sound volume becomes equal to a predetermined sound volume target value. Set a second volume setting that specifies the volume of
In the sound reproduction device, a second sound signal that specifies the second sound, in which the second sound volume is set based on the second sound volume setting value, is output;
In the audio output device, a volume control method, wherein the second audio signal is input from the audio reproduction device based on the audio information, and the second audio signal is output to the outside.
(Appendix 12)
A first communication unit that receives volume information, and a first audio signal and a second volume that specify a first sound having a predetermined waveform in which the first volume is set based on the first volume setting value An audio reproduction device including an audio signal output unit that outputs a second audio signal that specifies the second audio for which the second volume is set based on the set value; and
From a volume detection unit that detects an output volume when the first audio is output to the outside, a second communication unit that transmits the volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device, and the audio reproduction device The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input, the first audio signal is output to the volume detector based on predetermined audio information, and the second audio signal is output to the outside. A computer provided in the audio reproduction device in an audio reproduction system including an audio output device including an audio signal input unit.
Communication means for receiving the volume information;
A volume control program for functioning as control means for setting the first volume setting value and the second volume setting value so that the output volume becomes equal to a predetermined volume target value based on the volume information .

100, 200, 300, 400 Audio reproduction system 102 Output sound 103 Cooperation information 204, 304 Second audio signal 401 External audio information

Claims (10)

A first communication unit that receives volume information;
Based on the volume information, a first volume setting value that specifies a first volume of the first sound and a second volume so that the output volume when output to the outside is equal to a predetermined volume target value. A control unit for setting a second volume setting value for designating a second volume of voice;
The first sound signal designating the first sound having a predetermined waveform, in which the first sound volume is set based on the first sound volume setting value, and the second sound volume setting value based on the second sound volume setting value. An audio signal output unit configured to output a second audio signal for designating the second audio, in which a second sound volume is set;
A volume detector for detecting the output volume of the first voice;
A second communication unit that transmits the volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device;
The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input from the audio reproduction device, and the first audio signal is output to the volume detector based on predetermined audio information, and the second audio signal is output. An audio output device including an audio signal input unit for outputting a signal to the outside;
An audio playback system comprising: The first communication unit transmits a start signal indicating start and an end signal indicating end of the output of the first audio signal or the second audio signal,
The second communication unit receives the start signal and the end signal,
The audio signal input unit outputs the first audio signal to the sound volume detection unit and outputs the second audio signal to the outside based on the start signal and the end signal. Item 2. The sound reproduction system according to Item 1. The audio signal input unit outputs the first audio signal to the volume detection unit based on the analysis result of the first audio signal or the second audio signal, and the second audio signal is output as a sound. The voice reproduction system according to claim 2, wherein the voice reproduction system outputs to a voice waveform output unit. The controller is
Changing the first volume setting value based on the volume information;
When the output volume does not match the volume target value, the start signal is transmitted to start transmission of the first audio signal;
The end signal is transmitted when the output volume matches the volume target value, and the second volume setting value is set to the first volume setting value. Voice playback system. Sound reproduction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that from the sound voice reproduction device to said audio output device, transmitting the sound volume target value. A volume detection unit that detects an output volume when the input sound is output to the outside, a second communication unit that transmits volume information indicating the output volume, and a first audio signal and a second audio signal. type, based on predetermined audio information, from the first audio signal and outputs to the sound volume detecting portion, voice output device including an audio signal input unit which outputs the second audio signal to the outside, the A first communication unit that receives volume information;
Based on the volume information, a first volume setting value that specifies a first volume of the first sound and a second volume of the second sound so that the output volume is equal to a predetermined volume target value. A control unit for setting a second volume setting value for designating
Based on the first audio signal for designating the first sound having a predetermined waveform, the first sound volume being set based on the first sound volume setting value, and the second sound volume setting value. the second volume is set, the second voice signal specifying the second audio, and the audio signal output section for outputting to the sound voice output device,
An audio reproducing apparatus comprising: Audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the volume target value to the sound voice output device. A first communication unit that receives volume information, and specifies the first volume of the first sound based on the volume information so that the output volume when output to the outside is equal to a predetermined volume target value A first sound volume setting value to be set and a second sound volume setting value for designating a second sound volume setting value for the second sound, and the first sound volume is set based on the first sound volume setting value. The second sound having the second volume set based on the first sound signal specifying the first sound having a predetermined waveform and the second sound volume setting value is specified. The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input from an audio reproduction device including an audio signal output unit that outputs a second audio signal, and the second audio signal is based on predetermined audio information. Audio signal input unit for outputting to the outside,
A sound volume detection unit that outputs the first sound signal from the sound signal input unit and detects the output sound volume when the first sound is output to the outside;
A second communication unit that transmits the volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device;
An audio output device comprising: From the audio reproduction device, a first audio volume is set based on the first audio volume setting value, and a first audio signal designating the first audio having a predetermined waveform is output,
In the audio output device, based on predetermined audio information, the first audio signal is input from the audio reproduction device, and an output volume when the first audio is output to the outside is detected,
Wherein the audio output device, the output volume sends indicate to the sound volume information,
In the sound reproduction device, based on the sound volume information, a first sound volume setting value for designating the first sound volume and a second sound of the second sound so that the output sound volume becomes equal to a predetermined sound volume target value. Set a second volume setting that specifies the volume of
In the sound reproduction device, a second sound signal that specifies the second sound, in which the second sound volume is set based on the second sound volume setting value, is output;
In the audio output device, a volume control method, wherein the second audio signal is input from the audio reproduction device based on the audio information, and the second audio signal is output to the outside. A first communication unit that receives volume information, and a first audio signal and a second volume that specify a first sound having a predetermined waveform in which the first volume is set based on the first volume setting value An audio reproduction device including an audio signal output unit that outputs a second audio signal that specifies the second audio for which the second volume is set based on the set value; and
From a volume detection unit that detects an output volume when the first audio is output to the outside, a second communication unit that transmits the volume information indicating the output volume to the audio reproduction device, and the audio reproduction device The first audio signal and the second audio signal are input, the first audio signal is output to the volume detector based on predetermined audio information, and the second audio signal is output to the outside. A computer provided in the audio reproduction device in an audio reproduction system including an audio output device including an audio signal input unit.
Communication means for receiving the volume information;
A volume control program for functioning as control means for setting the first volume setting value and the second volume setting value so that the output volume becomes equal to a predetermined volume target value based on the volume information .

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