JPH10268892A - Voice information reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively warn a user without increasing sound volume. SOLUTION: Sound volume of a reproduced sound of voice information is gradually reduced from ten minutes before a warning time with a rate of 0.5 dB per 30 seconds. Thereby, as users do not ware of reduction of sound volume, an unnatural sense and a sense of discomfort are never given to users. When the warning time arrives, warning sound having sound volume higher than that at that time by 13 dB is sounded. Warning can be very effectively given to users by this volume difference of 13 dB. On the other hand, since sound volume of the warning sound is higher than a level ten minutes before the warning time by only 3 dB, a large sound volume level is not caused.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio information reproducing apparatus, and more particularly, to an audio information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information recorded on a recording medium or audio information received using a radio wave as a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a portable CD player, M
2. Description of the Related Art Audio devices such as D players and radios have become widespread, and there are many users who listen to music, radio broadcasts, and the like using the portable audio devices on a moving train or bus.

In order to prevent a train or a bus from being overtaken when traveling, portable audio equipment having an alarm function for generating a warning sound at a preset time has been sold and widely used. . In the conventional alarm function, at a set time, a warning sound is generated instead of the music being reproduced, or a warning sound is generated simultaneously with the music. Moreover, the volume of the warning sound is set to a level considerably higher than the average music reproduction level.

That is, to increase the effect of the warning, the volume of the warning sound must be increased. However, if the warning sound is generated too loud, it is not preferable for the user's hearing function and unfavorable for the user and the people around it. The inconvenience of giving pleasure occurs.

[0005] Under such circumstances, there has been a long-awaited demand for a function of effectively issuing a warning while suppressing the volume.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an audio information reproducing apparatus which can effectively warn a user without increasing the volume. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an audio information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 reproduces audio information recorded on a recording medium or audio information received using a radio wave as a medium. An audio information reproducing apparatus, comprising: time setting means for setting a desired warning time; and gradually decreasing a volume of a sound for reproducing the audio information from a predetermined time before the warning time set by the time setting means. Control means for generating a sound at a predetermined level higher than the immediately preceding volume when the warning time comes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the audio information reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means generates an alarm sound at the alarm time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the audio information reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means generates a reproduced sound of the audio information at the warning time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the audio information reproducing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control means controls the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information. Along with the lowering, the level of at least one of the high range and the low range of the reproduced sound is corrected to be relatively higher than the level of the middle range.

The audio information reproducing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and is characterized in that it is portable.

[0012] The audio information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 is
The audio information reproducing apparatus reproduces audio information recorded on a recording medium (for example, a compact disc (CD) or a mini disc (MD) or the like) or audio information (for example, a radio broadcast) received using a radio wave as a medium. , For example, CD
Players, MD players, radios, etc. are applicable.

In such an audio information reproducing apparatus, the user sets a desired warning time by the time setting means. Then, the control means gradually reduces the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information from a predetermined time before the set warning time.

Here, for example, the volume is reduced at a pace of about 0.5 dB per 30 seconds. By gradually lowering the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information in this way, the user does not notice that the volume is reduced, and listens to the reproduced sound of the audio information with the same feeling as before the decrease in the volume. Can be. That is, there is an advantage that the user does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable that the volume is lowered.

When the warning time comes, the control means:
A sound is generated at a volume higher than the immediately preceding volume by a predetermined level. Here, since there is a predetermined level difference between the volume of the sound generated at the warning time and the volume immediately before it, the user is surprised by the sound generated at the warning time and fully recognizes the warning.
That is, the user can be warned very effectively.

On the other hand, since the volume of the reproduced sound has been lowered a predetermined time before the warning time, the volume immediately before the warning time is considerably low. Even if a sound whose volume level is relatively high with respect to the small volume just before the warning time is generated, the volume does not increase so much. This can prevent a loud sound from being generated at the warning time.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to warn the user very effectively without generating a loud sound at the warning time desired by the user.

At the warning time, a warning sound (so-called beep sound) may be generated to warn the user.

However, the effect of the warning at the warning time is mainly due to the volume difference from the sound up to that time.
As described in, even when the reproduction sound of the audio information is generated (reproduced) with the volume raised at the warning time, the warning can be issued sufficiently effectively. In this case, since there is no need to generate a warning sound, there is an advantage that a mechanism for generating a warning sound is not required.

By the way, it is known that if the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information is reduced, it becomes difficult to hear the treble or low range of the reproduced sound.

Therefore, as described in claim 4, as the volume of the reproduced sound is reduced, the control means sets at least one of the high range and the low range of the reproduced sound to the level of the middle range. It is desirable to make a correction so as to be relatively high (so-called loudness correction is performed). Of course, it is needless to say that it is more desirable to perform the above-described correction for both the high-frequency range and the low-frequency range of the audio information. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where it is difficult for the user to hear the high frequency range and the low frequency range by lowering the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information.

Note that the audio information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention
An excellent warning effect can be obtained regardless of whether it is a portable type or a stationary type. However, the portable audio information reproducing apparatus described in claim 5 uses a warning function as a wake-up alarm for preventing a user from overtaking while traveling on a train or the like. When applied to the audio information reproducing apparatus of the present invention, users of many portable audio information reproducing apparatuses can have an excellent warning function (alarm function).
Will be enjoyed.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an audio information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, a sound information reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a sound source 12, an electronic volume 14 for adjusting the volume (volume) of sound from the sound source 12, and an output from the electronic volume 14. An amplifier 16 for amplifying
Audio output unit 18 that outputs the output from amplifier 16 as audio
And a control unit 20 for controlling a volume control operation by the electronic volume 14, and an operation unit 28 including operation keys and a display unit for setting a desired warning time and the like by a user. .

The control unit 20 includes a volume control data storage unit 22 storing data such as a volume decrease amount in volume control described later, a warning sound activation unit 24 for activating a warning sound (Beep sound), and a timer 26. And a microcomputer including: The warning sound activated by the warning sound activation unit 24 is output from the audio output unit 18 after being amplified by the amplifier 16.

The sound source 12 may be a CD or MD sound reproducing unit or a radio / TV sound reproducing unit. The audio output unit 18 may be a speaker or headphones.

Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, a control routine relating to a warning operation by the audio information reproducing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The user of the audio information reproducing apparatus 10 inputs a desired warning time from the operation keys of the operation unit 28 and sets an alarm. After that, the control routine shown in FIG. 2 is interrupted and executed at predetermined time intervals in the control processing of the normal operation by the control unit 20.

If the alarm is set normally in step 102 of FIG. 2, the process proceeds to step 104, and the remaining time T until the warning time is calculated. This remaining time T is 10
Otherwise, a negative determination is made in step 106,
Returns without processing anything.

When the remaining time T reaches 10 minutes, step 1
The affirmative determination is made in steps 06 and 108, and in step 110, the volume level at that time (10 minutes before the warning time) is set to the reference level V ₀
And memorize it.

Thereafter, a negative determination is made in step 112 until the remaining time T becomes 0 minutes (the warning time is reached), and the routine proceeds to step 114, in which a predetermined sound volume reduction amount (hereinafter, referred to as "the amount") according to the remaining time T The level control value C (T) is read from the volume control data storage unit 22. In the next step 116, the reference level V ₀ obtained by subtracting the level control value C (T) from the values and level V.

Incidentally, the level control value C (T)
Is defined to satisfy the following equation (1).

C (T) = (10−T) /0.5×K (1) where K is a reduction amount (unit: decibel) that is reduced every 30 seconds (0.5 minutes). Yes, here, the volume is set to 0.5 dB so that the user does not recognize the decrease in volume.

As is apparent from the above equation (1), as the remaining time T decreases, the level control value C
(T) increases. That is, as the remaining time T decreases, the level V obtained in step 116 decreases.

If the level V is larger than the predetermined lower limit value (if affirmative determination is made in step 118), the level V is set as the volume level of the reproduced sound in step 120. If the level V is equal to or lower than the level lower limit value (if a negative determination is made in step 118), step 12 is performed.
In step 2, the level V is ignored, and the volume level of the reproduced sound is set to the level lower limit. Note that the level lower limit value is a level that is specified in advance as a level that cannot be reduced any more.

From the above, the level V obtained in step 116 gradually decreases until the remaining time T falls below 10 minutes to the warning time, and as shown in FIG.
The volume of the reproduced sound in the audio information reproducing device 10 gradually decreases. In addition, since the volume is set to decrease by 0.5 decibels in 30 seconds so that the user does not recognize the volume decrease, the user does not notice the volume decrease and senses the voice information with the same feeling as before decreasing the volume. Can be heard. That is, the user does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable that the volume is lowered.

Further, since the volume of the reproduced sound is prevented from dropping below a predetermined lower limit value, an excessive decrease in the volume can be prevented.

As described above, from 10 minutes before the warning time to immediately before the warning time, the volume of the reproduced sound is controlled to gradually decrease. When the warning time is reached (the affirmative determination is made in step 112), step 124 is performed. Then, a value obtained by adding 13 dB to the volume level set at that time (that is, the volume level immediately before the warning time) is set as the warning level W. Then, in the next steps 126 and 128, a warning sound with the above-mentioned warning level W as the volume level is started by the warning sound starting unit 24, and the sound output unit 18 sounds for a predetermined time (for example, one minute). Incidentally, thereafter, the routine returns back the volume level to the reference level V ₀ at step 130.

Since the volume level of the warning sound, that is, the warning level W is 13 dB higher than the volume level immediately before the warning time, the user is surprised by the volume difference of 13 dB (about 4 times the volume difference). Even when the user is sleeping, the warning is sufficiently recognized. That is, a very effective warning is issued to the user.

On the other hand, since the volume of the reproduced sound has been reduced 10 minutes before the warning time, the volume level immediately before the warning time is 10 dB (= 0.10) lower than the reference level V ₀ as shown in FIG. 5 dB x 20 times).
Even if a volume difference of 13 dB is given to this low volume level, it is only 3 dB higher than the reference level V ₀ , and does not become a large volume level. Thus, it is possible to prevent the generation of a very loud alarm sound at the alarm time.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, a low-volume warning sound can be sounded at a warning time desired by the user, and the user can be warned very effectively. .

In the above description, since the user is warned by the volume difference at the warning time, it is not essential to sound the warning sound at the warning time, and a sound for reproducing the audio information may be generated. Effective warning can be given. In this case, since it is not necessary to generate a warning sound, there is an advantage that the warning sound activation unit 24 for generating a warning sound is not required.

When the volume of the reproduced sound is reduced from 10 minutes before the warning time, the level of the high range and the low range of the reproduced sound is corrected so as to be relatively higher than the level of the middle range. It is desirable to perform loudness correction). As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where it is difficult for the user to hear the high frequency range and the low frequency range by lowering the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information.

The level control value C (T)
Is expressed by a linear expression of the remaining time T as is apparent from the equation (1), but this is not essential, and it is sufficient that the level control value C (T) increases as the remaining time T decreases.

The level control value C (T) is
It is not necessary to store in advance, and it may be calculated each time using the remaining time T and a predetermined formula.

In the above description, an example in which the warning timing is set based on the time has been described.
(After 20 minutes) or the number of a song such as a CD (for example, at the end of reproduction of the fifth song).

[0047]

According to the present invention, the user can be warned very effectively without generating a loud sound at the warning time desired by the user.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to generate a warning sound, there is an advantage that a mechanism for generating a warning sound is not required.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation where it is difficult for the user to hear the high frequency range and the low frequency range as the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio information reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control routine of a volume control process.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change in a sound volume level when the sound volume control processing of FIG. 2 is executed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 audio information reproducing device 14 electronic volume 18 audio output unit 20 control unit 22 volume control data storage unit 24 alarm sound activation unit 26 timer 28 operation unit (time setting unit)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04S 7/00 H04S 7/00 Z // G10K 9/12 G10K 9/12 A

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An audio information reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio information recorded on a recording medium or audio information received using a radio wave as a medium, comprising: a time setting means for setting a desired warning time; The volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information is gradually decreased from a predetermined time before the warning time set by the setting means, and when the warning time is reached, a sound is generated at a volume higher than the immediately preceding volume by a predetermined level. Control means for causing the sound information reproducing apparatus to have: 2. The audio information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means generates a warning sound at said warning time. 3. The audio information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit generates a reproduction sound of the audio information at the warning time. 4. The control means reduces at least one of a high-frequency range and a low-frequency range of the reproduced sound relative to a level of a middle-range sound as the volume of the reproduced sound of the audio information decreases. The audio information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio information is corrected to be higher. 5. The audio information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said audio information reproducing apparatus is portable.