JPH01151811A - Graphic equalizer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To grasp the frequency characteristic in the audio reproducing state without requiring excess operation by displaying its frequency characteristic every time a new frequency characteristic is set so as to recognize the frequency characteristic set at present surely and simply at all times. CONSTITUTION:In the state that a control data from a data input device 4 is written in a memory 6 by a preset key 7-2 of a preset data input device 7 and that the control data is read from the memory 5 and sent to a data latch 6, the numeral of the operated preset key 7-2 is displayed on a numeral display element 9-2 till the data input device 4 or the preset data input device 7 is operated. Thus, by which preset key the frequency characteristic given as the GEQ at present is displayed to attain accurate operation for the preset of control data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a graphic equalizer for in-vehicle audio equipment such as a car stereo.

[Conventional technology]

In-vehicle audio equipment that integrates an AM/FM radio, tape recorder, etc. is known as a so-called car stereo, and has become almost an indispensable equipment in the modern automobile civilization.

In addition, the demand for H, -F, audio equipment extends to car stereos, and as devices with superior acoustic characteristics come into use, acoustic characteristics correction and program-based frequency Correcting characteristics now requires careful consideration, and for this reason, car stereos are now equipped with graphic equalizers.

This graphic equalizer (hereinafter referred to as GHQ) divides the frequency band of an audio signal into multiple frequency bands, or channels, and changes the frequency characteristics for each channel, allowing the frequency characteristics over all bands to be changed arbitrarily. - A combination of a simulated inductor using an operational amplifier and a bridge amplifier is often used for boat fishing, and this G
The above requirements can be met by providing the HQ in the car stereo.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, this GHQ is equipped with a large number of variable resistors or switches for adjustment, corresponding to the channels mentioned above, so operating them requires considerable skill, and even then, it is quite troublesome and troublesome. It has been manipulated.

Therefore, not only does it put a considerable psychological burden on the user to repeatedly operate the GEQ when changing programs, but it also causes safety issues when driving a car, especially when used as an in-vehicle device such as a car stereo. However, there was a risk that it would turn out to be extremely undesirable.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, it is necessary to set data corresponding to the various frequency characteristics to be obtained by GEQ in advance in memory, etc., and select one of the preset data when necessary. A so-called presettable GEQ is also conceivable, in which an arbitrary frequency characteristic can be given with just one input.

However, if we consider the case where such a presettable GEQ is installed,
Naturally, in EQ, there are at least two types of preset frequency characteristics, and therefore, after setting a predetermined frequency characteristic by preset operation, sometimes this self-set frequency characteristic However, a situation arises in which it becomes impossible to know what it really was.

The purpose of the present invention is to deal with such a situation, to make it possible to easily recognize what kind of frequency characteristics are currently set, and to be able to reliably understand the frequency characteristics that have been set by oneself. To provide a graphic equalizer device that allows you to enjoy audio playback.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above purpose is preset in the presettable GEQ! 1? When any of the wholesale data is read from the memory and a predetermined frequency characteristic is thereby set, the problem is resolved by displaying a display that allows at least the type of the control data to be identified.

[Effect]

Each time a new frequency characteristic is set, a display representing that frequency characteristic is displayed, so depending on the contents of this display,
The currently set frequency characteristics can be easily and always reliably known, and the frequency characteristics in the audio playback state can be grasped without requiring any extra operations.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A graphic equalizer device according to the present invention will be explained in detail below using illustrated embodiments.

In addition to the features of the present invention, in the following embodiments, switching between the 2-speaker system and the 4-speaker system is displayed on the operation panel of the 2-channel presettable GEQ. An embodiment will be described in which the operation category of the GEQ to be used is also displayed. That is,
In recent years, such car audio equipment has been designed to reproduce sound from a two-channel program source using speakers placed in four locations using frequency division, etc.
So-called pseudo four-channel stereo car stereos are now available on the market, and depending on the program, it has become possible to create a unique mood. This type of car stereo is naturally required to be configured to be able to switch between 2-channel stereo and pseudo 4-channel stereo, and can be selected arbitrarily by program or preference. is customary.

However, when such a switching operation is performed, the GEQ
The correspondence between the channels and the many knobs that make up the operating section of the system also changes, but this poses a problem in that it is difficult to make the operator recognize this. For example, if a signal from a stereo program source with two left and right channels is divided into high and low frequencies for each channel to create a pseudo 4-channel signal, when using a two-speaker system, the GEQ of the left and right channels remains unchanged. However, when switching to the 4-speaker system, each GEQ for the left and right channels is further divided into one for the rear channel and one for the front channel. This is because correct operation cannot be performed unless the user recognizes which one is for the rear.

Therefore, one possible method for this purpose is to display text or symbols on the operation panel of the car stereo, but generally car stereos are often mounted on the dash board of a car, so the area of the operation panel is limited. Because it has to be made as small as possible, when equipped with a GEQ, there is hardly any space to place letters or symbols, and even if letters and symbols are installed, they are extremely difficult to see. −
arise.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the switching between the 2-speaker system and the 4-speaker system is displayed on the operation panel of the 2-channel presettable GEQ, and the corresponding GH
The operation classification of Q was clearly indicated.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which IL and IR are amplifiers, 2 is a control circuit, 3 is a reactance circuit, 4 is a data input device, 5 is a memory, 6 is a data latch, and 7 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. is a preset data input device, 8 is a digital switch, 9 is a display device, IOL and IOR are low pass filters (LPF), IIL and IIR are power amplifiers, and 12L.

12R is the rear speaker, 13L and 13R are the bypass filters (HPF), 14L and 14R are the power amplifiers, 15L and 15R are the front speakers, 1
6L and 16R are two-speaker system-four-speaker system changeover switches.

Audio signals from a car stereo tape deck, radio, etc. are supplied to the left and right channel inputs, and are given arbitrary frequency characteristics and output through amplifiers IL and IR that constitute the transmission circuit of the GEQ.

Assume that the changeover switches 16L and 16R are now switched to the contact 2S side. Then, each amplifier IL, IR
The signal appearing at the output of is directly transmitted to the power amplifier 11L,
IIR, the power is amplified, and the speaker 12L,
12R, normal two-channel sound reproduction is performed.

Further, when the changeover switches 16L and 16R are switched to the contact 4S side, each amplifier LL.

The signal from IR is applied to the power amplifier via LPFIOL and IOR, and also to HPF13L.

It is also applied to power amplifiers 14L and 14R via 13R.

Therefore, from the rear speakers 12L and 12R, the low frequency portion of the audio signal supplied to the input that has passed through the LPF 10L and IOR is reproduced, and the front speaker 15L
, HPF13L from 15R.

The high frequency portion that has passed through 13R will be reproduced, resulting in sound reproduction that gives a pseudo four-channel effect.

Now, the amplifier IL that constitutes the GEQ transmission circuit.

A reactance circuit 3 consisting of a large number of reactance elements is connected to the IR via a control circuit 2, and the amount of passage of the entire audio signal band is controlled for each of the large number of channels.
Any frequency characteristic can be given. This control circuit 2 consists of a plurality of sets of resistance circuit networks and electronic switches, and the electronic switches are selectively controlled by control data given from the data latch 6, and any reactance element in the reactance circuit 3 is connected to a predetermined resistance circuit. It is connected to amplifiers LL and IR via a network and operates to provide arbitrary frequency characteristics. At this time, as described above, bridge amplifiers such as operational amplifiers are used for the amplifiers IL and IR, and as the reactance element of the reactance circuit 3, a simulated 5-wire inductor also formed using an operational amplifier is mainly used.

Next, the operation of supplying data to the data latch 6 will be explained.

The data input device 4 is designed to obtain data that gives the characteristics of an arbitrary frequency range by using a plurality of variable resistors or multi-contact switches, and usually has a plurality of slides, for example, five slides for each channel. It consists of a variable resistor or a slide type multi-contact switch, and by operating these knobs, it generates data that provides the necessary frequency characteristics. The preset data input device 7 is a keyboard switch consisting of a memory key and several preset keys (numeric keys).When one of the memory keys and one of the preset keys is pressed at the same time, a write signal WE is generated, and the preset The data given at that time from the data input device 4 is stored at the address of the memory 5 corresponding to the key, and when only the preset key is pressed next, the data is read from that address of the memory 5 and the data latch 6 It is designed to be given to

Further, when only the preset key is pressed, a switch control signal and a latch signal are also generated at the same time as the data is read out.

Note that a latch signal is also generated when the knob of the data input device 4 is operated.

Therefore, when the data input device 4 is operated and its variable resistor or switch knob is moved, a latch signal is given to the data latch 6, the data latched until then is erased, and the data input device is replaced. The control data given from 4 is latched and is given to the control device 2.

Further, when a preset key of the preset data input device 7 is pressed, the control data recorded at the corresponding address is read from the memory 5, and at the same time, a switch control signal is given to the digital switch 8 to turn off the switch 8. At the same time, a latch signal is applied to the data latch 6, so that the control data read from the memory 5 is latched in the data latch 6, and is applied to the control circuit 2.

Therefore, by operating the data input device 4, the required frequency characteristics can be provided in exactly the same way as a normal GEQ by using, for example, five variable resistors or switch knobs for each channel provided therein. In addition, as a presettable GEQ, one of the data preset by the data input device 4 can be selected by simply selecting the preset key of the preset data input device 7, and the corresponding frequency characteristic can be given with one touch. will also work.

Now, when the display device 9 is given a signal from the data latch 6 and control data from a preset key of the preset data input device 7, it displays the number of the preset key on an appropriate number display element, and A display indicating the switching state of the changeover switches 16L and 16R is provided, and an example of the display mode is shown in FIG. 2. In the figure, 9-
1 is the top plate of the display device 9, 9-2 is a two-digit number display element, 9-a, 9-b are red light emitting elements, 9-, . 9- is a green light emitting element. The numeric display element 9-2 may be any type such as a segment type LED, a fluorescent display tube, or a liquid crystal, and the light emitting elements 9-3 to 9-6 may be, for example, LEDs of corresponding colors. An embodiment of a driving circuit for these light emitting elements 9-3 to 9-6 is shown in FIG. In the figure, 16-I is a switch that operates in conjunction with changeover switches 16L and 16R.

Therefore, when the car stereo is switched to the two-speaker system, the red light emitting element 9-1 and the green light emitting element 9-4
is lit, but when the system is switched to the four-speaker system, all the light emitting elements 9-3 to 94 are lit.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment showing the operation panel surface of the graphic equalizer device according to the present invention, in which 4L-1 to 4L-3 are slide resistor knobs for the left channel, 4R-3 to 4R
-5 is the slide resistor knob for the left channel, 4L
-6 is a red display frame, 4L-7 is a green display frame, 4 and
is a green display frame, 4R-7 is a red display frame, 7-1 is a memory key, 7-2 to 7-+, and I are preset keys.

Here, knobs 4 L-+ to 4 L-sl, 4 R-+
~4 R-s are variable resistors or switch knobs of the data input device 4 in FIG. 1, respectively, and memory keys 7-1 . The preset key 7-2 is a keyboard switch provided in the preset data manual device 7.

Now, if the operation of the car stereo has been switched to a two-speaker system, only the red light emitting element 9-1 and the green light emitting element 9-4 are lit.

Therefore, at this time, the operation knobs 4L-1 to 4L-3 surrounded by the red display frame 4L-6 correspond to all the frequency characteristics of the left channel, and the green display frame 4R-
Operation knob stage 4R-2 to 4R- surrounded by 6
The operator can immediately recognize that S corresponds to all the frequency characteristics of the right channel.

In addition, when the operation of the car stereo has been switched to the 4-speaker system, the red and green light emitting elements 9-1.9-
In addition, a green light emitting element 9-s and a red light emitting element 9-6
is also lit.

Therefore, at this time, the red display frame 4L-6 is indicated by the lighting of the red light emitting element 9-1, and the green color surrounded by the display frame 4L-6 is indicated by the lighting of the green light emitting element 9-2. The knobs 4L-4 and 4L-5 present in the area surrounded by the display frame 4L-9 are instructed to correspond to the signals reproduced from the front speakers. Similarly, by lighting the green light emitting element 9-4, the green display frame 4R-
6 is instructed, and the red display frame 4R-? in the display frame 4R-6 is displayed by lighting the red light emitting element 9-6. is the adjustment knob 4R- that corresponds to the right channel front speaker.
Indicates 4,4R-5.

Therefore, at this time, the characteristics of the Eutelya speaker for each left and right channel are adjusted using the adjustment knobs 4L-3 to 4L-1 and 4.
Depending on R-t to 4R-1, the characteristics of the front speakers are adjusted by adjusting knobs 4L-4, 4L-s, and 4R-s.

4R-s accurately instructs the operator what adjustments to make.

On the other hand, when any one of the preset keys 7-2 is pressed, the corresponding address data is given to the memory 5, and control data is written to the address.
The reading is performed as described above, but at the same time, the address is given to the data latch 6 as display data, and the latched display data is displayed as a number on the numeric display element 9-2 of the display device 9. Therefore, when control data from the data input device 4 is written into the memory 5 by the preset key 7-2 of the preset data input device 7, and when control data is read from the memory 5 and transmitted to the data latch 6. When
Thereafter, until the data input device 4 or preset data input device 7 is operated again, the number of the operated preset key 7-2 will be displayed on the number display element 9-2, and the number actually given by GEQ will be displayed on the number display element 9-2. The frequency characteristics given by which preset keys are displayed, and operations such as control data presetting can be performed accurately.

In the above embodiment, the red indicator frames 4L-b, 4R-? correspond to the red light emitting elements 9-3°L, , and the green instruction frame 4 corresponding to the green light emitting elements 9-4 and 9-2.
R-6 and 4L-1 are provided respectively, and operation instructions are given based on the correspondence between these colors, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this, and the light emitting elements 9-3 to 9-4 and instructions are provided. The color, position, shape, etc. of the frames 4L-i++ 41, 4R-, 4R-7 can be arbitrarily determined, for example,
All of the light emitting elements 9-3 to 9-6 have different colors,
Corresponding to this, the colors of the instruction frames 4L-6 and the like may also all be different.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to select the characteristics of GHQ in a car stereo etc. by operating only one preset key, and it is possible to select the characteristics of GHQ in a car stereo etc. by operating only one preset key, and it is also possible to select the characteristics of GHQ in a car stereo etc. by operating only one preset key. It is possible to accurately instruct GEQ operations even in a car stereo that is used by switching between a 2-speaker system and a 4-speaker system.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide a graphic equalizer device that can be operated safely and reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a graphic equalizer device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of a display device, and FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a display device drive circuit. The circuit diagram and FIG. 4 are front views showing one embodiment of the graphic equalizer device according to the present invention. 4L-1 to 4L-s, 4R-, ~4R-2...
Graphic equalizer adjustment knob, 4L-6, 4R
-7...Red indication frame, 4R-b, 4L-,...
...Green instruction frame, 7-1...Memory key, 7-2...Preset key, 9-2...
...Numeric display element, '13. 9-b... Red light emitting element, 9-, . 9-s...Green light emitting element. Agent: Patent attorney Kenjibu Take (1 other person) Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] A signal transmission circuit whose frequency characteristics over almost the entire audio signal frequency band can be controlled by electrical control data, a memory means capable of writing and reading the control data, a generator for generating the control data, and a memory means capable of writing and reading the control data. and an operation input means for controlling the writing and reading of the data, and by storing a plurality of control data corresponding to a plurality of frequency characteristics in the memory means, it is possible to preset a plurality of frequency characteristics. The graphical equalizer device has a display means that operates when at least one of the control data is read from the memory means by the operation input means and a predetermined frequency characteristic is selected, and the display means is operable when a predetermined frequency characteristic is selected. A graphic equalizer device characterized in that the frequency characteristics given by the signal transmission circuit are displayed by the means.