JPH0991932A - Vehicle-mounted acoustic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of the operation of a secondary operation condition in addition to a fundamental operation condition by using one portion of a display region for displaying a fundamental operation function in a display related to a secondary operation function, and performing control so that display operation is made in a color which is different from the display. SOLUTION: When any fundamental operation is instructed by an operation part 7, a controller 6 executes the operation control, and at the same time displays the operation state on a display part 8. Then, when a user performs an operation related to such secondary operation as acoustic effect processing, the controller 6 displays the details regarding the secondary operation. The display uses one portion of the display region of the fundamental operation state and is made in a color which is different from the display of the fundamental operation state. An internal timer starts to be counted and the display regarding the secondary operation is completed when time over results, thus returning to a normal operation state display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted audio device such as one generally called a car stereo.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Audio equipment such as a CD (compact disk) player, an MD (mini disk) player, a tape player and a radio tuner has been widely used as an on-vehicle audio equipment. In these on-vehicle audio equipment, a small-sized display section such as a liquid crystal display is generally provided, and an operation state, for example, an operation such as reproduction, a track number, a playing time and the like are displayed.

[0003]

However, considering that the vehicle is mounted on a vehicle, it is problematic for the driver to look at the display section in terms of safety. For this reason, when the driver wants to confirm the operating state, it is desirable to be able to see it by only looking at the display unit for a moment. For example, in the case of a CD player as an example, it is necessary to display the track number and performance time information during the performance as large as possible to improve the visibility.

Here, as contents to be displayed, in addition to the track number and the playing time, which are the basic operating state display of the CD player, the secondary operating state is displayed. For example, when the user performs an operation on a volume level, equalizing, surround mode, etc., it is necessary to display these operations in order to present the operation status accompanying the operation. However, as the display section provided on the front surface of the housing of a vehicle-mounted CD player or the like, in which the size of the apparatus is limited, the size of the display section is limited to a certain size, and the display of the basic operating state is In consideration of maintaining the visibility, the display of the secondary operation must be small.

For example, if the track number and performance time information are displayed in a large size in the display area as shown in FIG. 4A, space for other displays cannot be reserved, and the surround mode is selected as a secondary operation. When a certain mode (for example, the hall mode) is set, the character "SORROUND HALL" can only be displayed small in the corner of the display area as shown in FIG. 4B. Although the driver often checks the secondary operation status such as the surround mode by looking at the display unit, the visibility is poor on a small display and it is difficult to recognize the operation status. For this reason, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to look at the display unit, which is not preferable in terms of driving safety.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention is a vehicle-mounted audio equipment that uses a relatively small display area, and displays not only the basic operating status but also the secondary operating status. The purpose of the display is also to ensure good visibility.

Therefore, as for the display of the secondary operation function, a part of the display area in which the display of the basic operation function is performed is used, and the color is different from the display of the basic operation function, Wrap it so that the display operation is performed. In other words, when the display of secondary operation functions is performed, the display of basic operation functions is partially cut off to secure a large display area so that large characters can be displayed and the display color must be changed. To improve visibility.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an on-vehicle CD player as an example of the on-vehicle audio equipment of the present invention.

A CD (compact disc) 1 is loaded in a CD driver 2. The CD driver 2 is a part for reading the information recorded on the CD 1, and has a spindle motor, an optical head, a servo mechanism, and the like. Then, while the CD1 is rotationally driven by the spindle motor, the optical head irradiates the recording surface with laser light, and a signal based on the reflected light is output as reproduction information.

The reproduction information is supplied to the reproduction signal processing section 3. The reproduction signal processing unit 3 performs EFM decoding, CIRC decoding, deinterleaving, and other processing on the signal (EFM signal) read from the CD 1 as reproduction information, and demodulates a so-called digital audio signal.
Further, not only audio information but also track number, reproduction time information (address) and the like are read from the CD 1 as control information called subcode, and this subcode is also extracted. The subcode is supplied to the controller 6 and used for various controls.

For a digital audio signal, D
In an SP (digital signal processor) or the like, it is possible to perform sound effect processing such as surround mode processing, equalizing processing, reverb processing, loudness processing, volume adjustment processing, and volume balance adjustment. The digital audio signal that has undergone various processes is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter. It should be noted that all or part of the above acoustic effect processing may be executed after the analog audio signal is obtained.

The reproduced signal processing unit 3 performs these processes, and the output analog audio signal is amplified by the power amplifier unit 4 for driving the speaker.
It is supplied to the speaker unit 5 and output as voice.

The controller 6 is composed of a microcomputer and controls the information reading operation from the CD 1 in the CD driver 2 and the access operation. Further, the reproduction signal processing unit 3 is controlled to execute the above-described acoustic effect processing. The operation unit 7 is provided with various operation keys as a user interface. For example, operation keys such as a play key, a track access key, a stop key, and a pause key for instructing basic operations as a CD player, a volume control key, a surround mode setting key, a loudness mode key, a volume balance setting key, and equalizing. Operation keys such as operation keys for instructing secondary operations are provided.

The operation information from the operation unit 7 is the controller 6
Is supplied to. The controller 6 performs control so as to execute a necessary operation for a necessary portion based on the input operation information and the internal program. For example, in response to the operation of the reproduction key, the CD driver 2 is instructed to start the reproduction operation, operate various servo systems, start the read operation by the optical head, and the like. When the surround mode operation is performed, the DSP in the reproduction signal processing unit 3 is instructed to execute the processing for providing the surround effect designated by the operation.

The display unit 8 has a display area formed by, for example, a full-dot color liquid crystal display. That is, in the display area, characters and the like can be displayed to some extent and color display is possible. The display operation of the display unit 8 is controlled by the controller 6.

The controller 6 causes the display unit 8 to mainly display the operation status of the CD player. The display contents related to basic operations include the playback operation status,
The current track number and playback time information are displayed.
These are the operating conditions controlled by the controller 6 and C
The display is controlled according to the sub code read from D1. As a secondary operation, when some kind of sound effect processing is being performed in the reproduction signal processing unit 3, the controller 6 indicates the sound effect mode state, etc.
The display that presents the operation content is executed.

The display operation of the display unit 8 in the case where the vehicle-mounted CD player is constructed as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of display control by the controller 6, and FIG. 3 shows a display state of the display unit 8.

When any basic operation is instructed by the operation section 7, the controller 6 executes the operation control and displays the operation state on the display section 8 as shown as steps F101 and F102 in FIG. I will let you. For example, when a reproducing operation is performed, the CD driver 2
In addition, the display unit 8 is caused to display the reproduction state, the track number, the playing time information, and the like. FIG. 3A shows an example in which such a basic operation state is displayed. CD reproduction operation display 21, track number display 22, performance time information display 23.
Is being performed.

If the user performs an operation relating to a secondary operation such as the sound effect processing while the basic operation state is displayed, the display processing of the controller 6 proceeds from step F103 to step F104. , The content related to the secondary operation will be displayed. The display here uses a part of the display area in which the display of the basic operation state has been performed until then, and the display is performed in a color different from that of the display of the basic operation state.

For example, when the user sets the surround mode to the disco mode in the display state of FIG. 3A, the controller 6 instructs the reproduction signal processing section 3 to perform the sound effect processing in the disco mode. ,
The display unit 8 executes the display as shown in FIG. That is, by using the display area in which the performance time information display 23 is being executed, the fact that the disco mode has been set, such as "SORROUND DISCO", is displayed with relatively large characters, and as a shaded portion on the drawing. Although shown, the display is made in a color different from the display of the basic operation state such as the track number display 22. For example, FIG.
When the display of (a) is displayed in green characters, etc., FIG.
Different colors are set for the characters in the shaded area in (b) such that the characters are displayed in red.

After the display as shown in FIG. 3B is started in step F104, the internal timer starts counting in step F105. Then, when the time is over in step F106, the process proceeds to step F107 to end the display of the secondary operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, only the display of the basic operation state is restored. For the internal timer,
For example, if the time is set to expire in about 15 seconds, if a display relating to the operation is displayed as shown in FIG.
After the display state of (b) is continued, FIG.
It will return to the display state like.

As described above, during the CD reproducing operation, the display control processing of the controller 6 as shown in FIG. 2 is performed, and the display section 8 displays the basic operating state and the subsidiary operating state. The display of the secondary operation state is performed by using a part of the area where the display of the basic operation state is performed, so that it is possible to display with large characters / symbols. Since it is displayed in a color different from the display of the operating state, the visibility is remarkably improved, and for example, the driver can check the operating status just by looking at the display unit 8 for a moment while driving. This does not impair safety during operation.

In addition, when a secondary operation such as surround mode or volume adjustment is performed, it is general that the user (driver or the like) wants to confirm the situation immediately after the operation. Therefore, for about 15 seconds from the time of operation,
Displaying the operation will be sufficient for practical use. Then, after the lapse of a predetermined time, if the display of the basic operation contents is automatically restored, the operation for ending the display of the secondary operation state becomes unnecessary, which also leads to the improvement of safety. Of course, the predetermined time is not limited to 15 seconds in the above example.

However, the display portion of the basic operating state, which is erased by the display of the secondary operating state, is not so important, and the display of the secondary operating state is desired to be continuously displayed. In this case, it is preferable not to automatically end the display of the secondary operation state until the user operation instructs to end the display of the secondary operation state.

Although the embodiment has been described as the on-vehicle CD player, various forms can be considered as the on-vehicle audio equipment. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 1, the CD player portion and the control unit portion may be separate bodies. For example, the case where the CD player part is composed of only the CD driver 2 and the reproduction signal processing part 3 and the other parts are separately connected as a control unit including the power amplifier part. When the control unit is used, it may be equipped with a radio tuner. In addition, the part serving as the CD driver may be a CD changer player capable of accommodating a plurality of CDs and selectively reproducing the CDs. Of course, the sound output part may be a tape player, a radio tuner, an MD player, etc., instead of the CD player.

In any case, the present invention is not limited to a structure in which the sound output part, the control part for controlling the operation of the sound output part, and the display part for showing the operation status are not limited to one body or a separate body. Is applicable. Then, while displaying the main display contents such as the basic operation status display, when displaying other subsidiary contents, the main display contents area is used to display in different colors as in the above example. Just run it. The distinction between the main display content and the subsidiary display content may be set according to the device.

Regarding the secondary display, it is assumed that a part of the display area of the main display content is used, but the entire display area of the main display content is used, that is, it completely overlaps the main display content. You may do it. Further, for the secondary display, it may be considered that the visibility is further improved by blinking the secondary display.

Further, although it has no direct relation with the operation of the sound output section, if it has a function of displaying the current time in response to an operation, this is set as a subsidiary operation in the above example. Alternatively, the display may be performed.

[0029]

As described above, the on-vehicle audio equipment of the present invention uses a part of the display area in which the display of the basic operation function is performed for the display of the secondary operation function, and Since the display operation is executed in a color different from that of the display of the basic operation function, even if the display means has a small display area, the secondary operation function has a large character / symbol, etc. Since the display can be performed and the display portion is identified by color, the visibility of not only the basic operation function but also the subsidiary operation function can be significantly improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the safety while driving and also to improve the operability because the operation status can be easily confirmed.

Further, the display operation of the secondary operation function is automatically terminated when a predetermined time elapses, so that the display-related operation is simplified, and the redundant operation is omitted to further improve the safety during operation. It is possible to improve the sex.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle-mounted CD player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a display control process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a display state according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional display state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 CD driver 3 Playback signal processing unit 4 Power amplifier unit 5 Speaker unit 6 Controller 7 Operation unit 8 Display unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An output unit for outputting an acoustic signal, a display unit capable of displaying a basic operation function and a subsidiary operation function of the output unit, and a display related to the subsidiary operation function are basically A part of the display area in which the display of the dynamic operation function is performed, and a control means for controlling the display means to execute the display operation in a color different from that of the display of the basic operation function, An in-vehicle audio device, comprising: 2. The control means ends the display operation of the subsidiary operation function after a predetermined time has elapsed after causing the control means to execute the display operation of the subsidiary operation function. The vehicle-mounted audio device according to claim 1.