JPH11298276A - On-vehicle audio system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically provide the quality of audio sounds matched with the taste of a user. SOLUTION: Concerning an on-vehicle audio system which is loaded on a vehicle so as to perform the stereo reproduction of plural sound sources, this system is provided with stereo control parts 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 for controlling the quality of stereo sounds while depending on the seat position of the user on the vehicle, frequency characteristic selecting part 3 for controlling the sound quality by selectively boosting or dipping the specified area of frequencies, user taste information part 23 for fetching the relation between the situation of the vehicle and the specified area of the frequency characteristic selecting part based on the investigation of the taste of the user on the vehicle, vehicle situation information part 22 for forming the information of the situation of the vehicle at present, and judgement/control part 24 for judging that the specified area of the user taste information part corresponding to the current situation of the vehicle at the vehicle situation information part is suitable for the taste of the user and setting that area to the boost selecting part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car audio system, and more particularly to a user who is not very familiar with audio.
The present invention relates to an apparatus which can provide an optimum sound quality to a user easily even to a user unfamiliar with the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional on-vehicle audio apparatus, the manufacturer has basically set the sound quality, and the user performs simple sound quality adjustment, for example, operation of bass and treble. For this reason, a user who has a great deal of knowledge and experience in audio cannot make such fine adjustments as to adapt to various preferences.

[0003] On the other hand, there are some which make very fine adjustments in sound quality, but users who have little knowledge and experience of audio cannot use it and cannot operate it after all, and listen to the sound quality originally created by the manufacturer. Will be. Further, there is an in-vehicle audio device that performs appropriate sound quality adjustment according to the type of a sound source, for example, CD, FM, or the genre of music.

Further, the user's listening position (ear position)
Also, there is an in-vehicle audio device that detects seat position information and adjusts sound quality so as to obtain optimum sound quality based on the position information. Further, there is an in-vehicle audio device that detects a running state (speed, ambient noise, and the like) of a vehicle and a listening volume, and adjusts sound quality so that music can be heard even better in the detecting state.

[0005] These on-vehicle audio devices can be slightly changed based on the sound quality set by the manufacturer, and sound quality adjustment corresponding to individual user's preference is not comprehensively performed.

[0006]

For this reason, even in a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of audio, it is possible to provide various kinds of situations while riding in a vehicle so as to provide the optimum sound quality to the taste of the user. It is necessary to automatically provide the optimum sound quality to each of them. Therefore,
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an in-vehicle audio device that can easily form an optimal sound quality that meets a user's preference.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an in-vehicle audio device mounted on a vehicle for reproducing a plurality of sound sources in stereo, wherein the stereophonic device depends on a seat position of a user of the vehicle. A stereo adjustment unit that adjusts the sound quality of the sound, a frequency characteristic selection unit that selectively boosts or dips a specific region of the frequency to adjust the sound quality, and the relationship between the situation of the vehicle and the specific region of the frequency characteristic selection unit. A user preference information section that is captured based on a survey of the user preferences of the vehicle, a vehicle situation information section that forms information of the current vehicle situation, and the current vehicle situation of the vehicle situation information section. Is determined to be suitable for the user's preference in the specific area of the user's preference information section for the boost selection. And a determination and control unit to be set in section.

More specifically, the situation information section of the vehicle forms situation information relating to an environment such as a city, a suburb, or a seaside based on the current position of the vehicle by a navigation system; Forming situation information related to weather such as cloudy and sunny; forming situation information such as morning, noon and evening based on time information.

Further, a recording medium for recording a plurality of sample music and contents of a question to a user of the vehicle is provided. Investigation of the user's preference of the vehicle in the user's preference information section includes: The sample music is reproduced by sequentially changing the specific area of the boost selection unit as one of the sound sources, and the reproduction is performed by obtaining a user's answer to a question as to what kind of vehicle situation is suitable for this reproduction. .

[0010] By this means, even a user unfamiliar with the operation of the audio can be provided with the optimum sound quality according to the user's taste, and each of them can be provided according to various situations when riding in the vehicle. It has become possible to automatically provide optimal sound quality.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle-mounted audio device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, a sound source 1 including an AM (amplitude modulation) / FM (frequency modulation) tuner, a cassette deck, a CD (compact disc) player, and a sound source (selection of these sound sources) are provided in a vehicle-mounted audio device. Source) selection unit 2 and sound source selection unit 2
High / middle / low frequency response selecting section 3 for adjusting the sound quality of the frequency characteristic of the output signal
Power amplifiers 4, 5, 6, 7 for amplifying the stereo signals R, L output from the amplifiers, and speakers 8 (SPFs) connected to each of the power amplifiers 4, 5, 6, 7 and located on the front right side.
R), a speaker 9 (SPFL) located on the front left,
A speaker 10 (SPBR) located on the rear right and a speaker 11 (SPBL) located on the rear left are provided.
The high-middle-low-frequency characteristic 3 is configured by a digital filter, and for the sake of explanation, is boosted in three regions.
It is possible to have multiple boost or dip regions by changing the program.

Further, attenuating sections 12 and 13 for splitting the stereo signals L and R from the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 to attenuate the amplitudes respectively, and the stereo signals R and L and the attenuated stereo signals L and R, respectively. Adders 14 and 15 are provided for adding each of R and outputting the result to power amplifiers 4 and 5, respectively.
Further, the attenuating units 16 and 1 which divide the stereo signals L and R from the high / medium / low frequency characteristic selecting unit 3 to attenuate the amplitudes respectively
7 and adders 18 and 19 for adding each of the stereo signals R and L and each of the attenuated stereo signals L and R and outputting them to the power amplifiers 6 and 7, respectively.

Further, a sound source information section 20 for inputting sound source information selected by the sound source selecting section 2 and information on seats on which the user is seated and position adjustment information on the seats are inputted to form position information on which the user listens to audio. A user's listening position information unit 21, a vehicle situation information unit 22 that inputs navigation information, weather information, and time information to form vehicle situation information, and a frequency corresponding to the vehicle situation information based on the user's preference. And a user preference information section 23 for storing the sound quality adjustment contents indicating the relationship of the characteristic changing area.

As the situation information formed by the vehicle situation information section 22, environmental information such as a city, a suburb, and a seaside is extracted from current location information obtained by a navigation system used for destination route guidance. Further, as situation information, weather information, for example, outside temperature, humidity, illuminance, and wiper ON / OFF are input for recognition of an external weather condition. If the wiper is ON, rainfall, outside temperature, and humidity are referred to. There is a current weather situation that is estimated to be sunny or cloudy due to illuminance.

Further, there is morning, noon and evening information as the situation information according to the time indicated by the timer of the vehicle. As an example of the relationship between the situation of the vehicle stored in the user preference information section 23 and the region in which the frequency characteristic is changed, a low-frequency boost if the current location of the vehicle is a suburb, a mid-range boost if the current location is in the city, and a high-frequency boost if the current location of the vehicle is a seaside Is stored.

Further, the relationship is stored such that if the current weather condition outside the vehicle is cloudy, low-range boost, if it is rainy, middle-range boost, and if it is sunny, high-range boost. Further, a relationship such as a low-frequency boost in the evening, a middle-frequency boost in the daytime, and a high-frequency boost in the morning is stored. The determination / control unit 24 receives information from the sound source information unit 20, the user's listening position information unit 21, the vehicle situation information unit 22, and the user's preference information unit 23, and outputs the high, middle, and low frequency characteristic characteristics. 1
2, 13, 16 and 17 are controlled. Judgment / control unit 24
Is provided with a display unit 25, and an operation signal is input from an operation unit (not shown) of the in-vehicle audio device.

The high / middle / low frequency characteristic selector 3 is arranged between the adders 14, 15, 19, 19 and the power amplifiers 4, 5, 6, 7 instead of the current position. You may. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the high-middle-low-frequency characteristic selecting section 3 of FIG. High / Middle / Low frequency response selector 3
Is based on the user's preference, as shown in FIG.
When the judging / controlling unit 24 selects the low-frequency boost, a spacious and audible sound quality is formed. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the judging / controlling unit 24 selects the mid-frequency boost, the sound quality that is easy to hear is improved. When the judgment / control unit 24 selects the high-frequency boost as shown in FIG. 4C, the sound quality that can be heard in a refreshing manner is formed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the attenuation units 12 and 13 and the addition units 14 and 15 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the user (driver) of the right-hand drive vehicle is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the speakers 8 and 9. A part of the stereo signal L is mixed into the stereo signal R by the attenuator 12 and the adder 13. The speaker 9 is determined by the sound pressure difference between the two ears of the user.
Move to the speaker 8 side to form a virtual sound source.
The user can position the virtual sound source of the speaker 9 and the speaker 8 close to symmetry. In this way, the stereo sound quality is adjusted.

Further, when the user's physique is large,
When the seat is moved backward, the sound pressure difference between the user's both ears decreases. Along with this, the virtual sound source moves in a direction away from the speaker 8 (the position indicated by the dotted line). When the movement information of the seat is input to the determination / control unit 24 via the user's listening position information unit 21, the determination / control unit 24
The amplitude of the stereo signal L added to the stereo R via the adder 14 is increased to return to the original virtual sound source. The opposite is true for a user with a small physique. In this way, the stereo sound quality is adjusted according to the physique of the user (driver).

Further, when there is a user in the passenger seat,
When this information is input to the determination / control unit 24 via the user's listening position information unit 21, the determination / control unit 24 performs the operations of the attenuation unit 13 and the addition unit 15 in the same manner as described above. Thereby, the sound quality is adjusted for the user in the passenger seat. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the attenuation units 16 and 17 and the addition units 18 and 19 of FIG. As shown in the figure, when the user is on the left side of the rear seat, when this information is input to the determination / control unit 24 via the user's listening position information unit 21, the determination / control unit 24 The part 18 mixes part of the stereo L into the stereo R. Thereby, the sound image of the speaker 11 moves to the speaker 10 side to form a virtual sound source. The user is located symmetrically with respect to the speaker 10 and the virtual sound source of the speaker 11. In this way, the sound quality of the user in the rear seat is adjusted. The converse is true if the user is on the right side of the rear seat.

A similar result can be obtained by providing a delay unit in place of the attenuation units 12, 13, 16, 17 and by using a phase difference between both ears instead of a sound pressure difference between both ears. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in which the determination / control unit 22 controls the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting unit 3. In step S1, the user's listening position information section 21
Make sure that the sound quality adjustment contents according to the location are stored in.

In step S2, the current location information is collected and recognized based on the input from the vehicle situation information section 22. In step S3, the current location is determined. In steps S4 and S7, if the current location is in the city, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21 and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the middle boost. This makes it easier for the user to hear the noise in the street.

In steps S5 and S7, if the current location is a suburb, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21, and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the low frequency boost. Thus, in the suburbs, the user can listen to the sound spaciously and relaxedly. If the current location is the seaside in steps S6 and S7, the user's listening position information section 21
, The user's preference is called, and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the high frequency boost. This allows the user to listen to the sound at the seaside with a refreshing feeling.

As described above, the sound quality can be adjusted to the user's taste at the current location, and the sound is automatically switched when the user reaches the point. FIG. 6 shows the judgment / control unit 2
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining another operation example in which the control unit 2 controls the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting unit 3. Step S
At 11, it is confirmed that the user's listening position information section 21 stores the sound quality adjustment contents according to the weather.

In step S12, the current weather information is collected based on the input from the vehicle situation information section 22,
Perform recognition. In step S13, the current weather is determined. If the current weather is rainy in steps S14 and S17, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21 and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the middle frequency boost. This makes it easier for the user to hear the sound of rain noise.

If the current weather is cloudy in steps S15 and S17, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21 and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the low frequency boost. Thus, in the case of cloudy weather, the user can listen to the sound spaciously and comfortably. If the current weather is fine in steps S16 and S17, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21, and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the high frequency boost. Thus, when the weather is fine, the user can hear the sound with a refreshing feeling.

As described above, the sound quality can be adjusted so as to be suitable for the current weather, and the sound is automatically switched when the weather comes. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation in which the determination / control unit 22 controls the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting unit 3. In step S21, it is confirmed that the user's listening position information section 21 has stored the sound quality adjustment content according to the time.

In step S22, current time information is collected based on the input from the vehicle situation information section 22,
Perform recognition. In step S23, the current time is determined. If it is daytime in steps S24 and S27, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21 and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the middle boost. This makes it easier for the user to hear the noise during the daytime.

In steps S25 and S27, if the present time is evening, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21, and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the low frequency boost. As a result, in the evening, the user can listen to the sound spaciously and comfortably. If it is morning in steps S26 and S27, the user's preference is called out from the user's listening position information section 21, and the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 selects the high frequency boost. Thus, in the morning, the user can hear the sound with a refreshing feeling.

As described above, the sound quality can be adjusted so as to be suitable for the current time, and the sound is automatically switched when the time comes. In the above, the description has been made assuming that the user's preference information section 23 stores the user's favorite sound quality adjustment content in advance. However, a method of storing the user's preference sound quality adjustment content in the user's preference information section 23 will be described below. .

In order to grasp the user's preference for sound quality, a question recording medium is formed of a CD or tape on which question contents and several kinds of sample music are recorded. The inquiry recording medium is set in the cassette deck of the sound source 1 and the CD player. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation example performed by the determination / control unit 24 when the question recording medium is reproduced by the sound source 1. In step S31, it is determined whether to reproduce the question recording medium. The determination / control unit 24 makes a determination based on information input from the sound source 1 via the sound source information unit 20 and the sound source selection unit 21.

If it is determined in step S32 that reproduction is to be performed, the inquiry recording medium first asks the genre of music via the speakers 8-11 and further via the display unit 25. For example, ask "Do you like jazz,""Do you like pop," or "Do you like classics?" A favorite music genre is designated by an operation unit that answers this question. For example, if the user likes the question “Do you like jazz?”, The operation unit is turned on within a predetermined time, and if the user dislikes it, the operation unit is kept off and the elapse of a predetermined time is waited.

Since the music genre specified in step S33 is repeatedly played, the judgment / control unit 24
Then, the region in which the frequency characteristic of the high / middle / low frequency characteristic setting section 3 is changed is changed to a low boost, a medium boost, and a high boost and output from the speaker 8-11. The user is asked about the preference of the vehicle for each output of the frequency characteristic changing area. For example, regarding the current position of the vehicle, "Do you want to listen to the sound quality in the area where this frequency characteristic is changed in the city?"
Ask, "Do you want to hear the sound quality in the area where the frequency characteristics are changed in the suburbs?" And "Do you want to hear the sound quality in the area where the frequency characteristics are changed at the seaside?"

Further, "Do you want to listen to the sound quality in the area where the frequency characteristics are changed when it rains?", "Do you want to hear the sound quality in the area where the frequency characteristics are changed when it is cloudy?" Do you want to listen when it is fine? " In addition, "Do you want to hear the sound quality of this frequency characteristic change area in the daytime?", "Do you want to hear the sound quality of this frequency characteristic change area in the evening?"
You may ask, "Do you want to hear the sound quality of this frequency characteristic change area in the morning?"

In step S35, the relationship between the situation of the vehicle and the region in which the frequency characteristic is changed is stored in the user preference information section 23 for the music genre designated. In this way, the answer input from the operation unit is
It is possible to recognize the user's preference tendency in association with the presented question, and determine and store the sound quality adjustment content appropriate for the preference. When necessary, the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 is controlled in accordance with the contents, thereby reproducing sound quality optimal for the user's preference. Also,
Not only the user himself / herself, but also the taste of a third party who temporarily rides in the vehicle can be met.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification of the input of an answer to a question in the judgment / control section 24 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the determination / control unit 24 is provided with a microphone 26 and a voice recognition unit 27 instead of the operation unit. The microphone 26 may be externally connected to a connection terminal of the in-vehicle audio device, or may be built in the in-vehicle audio device itself. As described above, the microphone 26 and the voice recognition unit 27 require a viewing time in the above-described operation unit, so that the operability is improved.

The situation information section 27 of the vehicle
In the case where the navigation information, the weather information, and the time information overlap, the low-frequency boost is prioritized over the high-frequency boost or the low-frequency boost, and the ease of listening is emphasized. Others are prioritized, for example, in the order of time information, weather information, and navigation information. These priorities may be determined by the user.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example for facilitating storage in the user preference information section 23. As shown in the figure, the external device 100 for giving a question and answer is placed not at the user's vehicle but at a dealer or the like who sells the vehicle. External device 100
Consists of a vehicle-mounted audio device mounted on a vehicle different from the user, or a single vehicle-mounted audio device.
The external device 100 stores the user's preference regarding the relationship between the situation of the vehicle and the boost area in the user's preference information section 123 (not shown). Communication is performed between the communication unit 26 of the user's vehicle and the external device 100, and the contents stored in the user's preference information unit 123 of the external device 100 are fetched and stored in the user's preference information unit 23. For this reason, if the user responds to the presentation of the question content by the questionnaire method, the dealer can actually perform the communication operation. For this reason, the user does not need to perform the actual operation, so that the handling is simplified.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the high, middle and low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 changes the frequency characteristic changing area.
It is necessary to refine the content of the question in order to make a more detailed response to the user's preference in the area where the frequency characteristics of the frequency are changed. Therefore, the high / middle / low range boost selection section 3
Change the area of. In this case, a new program is sent from the external control device 100 to the high / middle / low frequency range frequency characteristic selection unit 3 via the communication unit 26 and the determination / control unit 24, and the region for changing the frequency characteristics is set finely. As described above, since the program is changed from the outside, it is not necessary to own the program, and it is possible to prevent the memory capacity from increasing.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, even a user unfamiliar with the operation of audio can be provided with the optimal sound quality according to the user's taste, and the user can enjoy various sounds while riding the vehicle. It has become possible to automatically provide the optimum sound quality to each of the situations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle-mounted audio device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a high-middle-low frequency characteristic selecting section 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the attenuation units 12, 13 and the addition unit 1 of FIG. 1;
It is a figure explaining operation | movement of 4 and 15.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the attenuation units 16 and 17 and the addition unit 18 of FIG.
19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in which a determination / control unit controls a high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting unit;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another operation example in which the determination / control unit 22 controls the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting unit 3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another operation example in which the determination / control unit controls the high / middle / low frequency characteristic selecting unit;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of an operation performed by the determination / control unit 24 when the sound source 1 reproduces the question recording medium.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification of inputting an answer to a question in the determination / control unit 24 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of facilitating storage in a user preference information unit;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the boost area of the high, middle, and low-frequency boost selector 3 is changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sound source 2 ... Source selection part 3 ... High-medium-low frequency characteristic selection part 8, 9, 10, 11 ... Speaker 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 ... Stereo adjustment part 20 ... Sound source information part 21: User listening position information section 22: Situation information section of vehicle 23: User preference information section 24: Judgment / control section 25: Display section

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An in-vehicle audio device mounted on a vehicle and reproducing a plurality of sound sources in stereo, comprising: a stereo adjustment unit for adjusting a stereo sound quality depending on a seat position of a user of the vehicle; A frequency characteristic selection unit that adjusts sound quality by boosting or dipping the vehicle; and a user preference information unit that captures a relationship between a situation of the vehicle and a specific area of the frequency characteristic selection unit based on a survey of user preferences of the vehicle. A situation information section of the vehicle forming information of the current situation of the vehicle, and a specific area of the preference information section of the user for the situation of the current vehicle in the situation information section of the vehicle is suitable for the preference of the user. And a determination / control unit for setting the frequency characteristic selection unit by determining that there is a Car audio system that. 2. The on-vehicle audio device, wherein the situation information section of the vehicle forms situation information on an environment such as a city, a suburb, or a seaside based on a current position of the vehicle by a navigation system. 3. The on-vehicle audio device according to claim 1, wherein the situation information section of the vehicle forms situation information relating to weather such as rain, cloudiness, and fine weather based on illuminance information and wiper operation information. . 4. The on-vehicle audio device according to claim 1, wherein the situation information section of the vehicle forms situation information such as morning, noon, and evening based on the time information. 5. A recording medium for recording a plurality of sample music and contents of a question to a user of the vehicle, wherein the user's preference information in the user's preference information section investigates the preference of the vehicle. Playing the sample music by sequentially changing the specific area of the frequency characteristic selection unit as one of a plurality of sound sources, and obtaining a user's answer to a question as to what kind of vehicle situation is suitable for this playback 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
2. The on-vehicle audio device according to 1. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination / control section is turned on and off.
6. The in-vehicle audio device according to claim 5, further comprising an operation unit for performing F, and performing the answer using the operation unit. 7. The in-vehicle audio device according to claim 5, further comprising: a microphone and a voice recognition device provided in the determination / control unit, and the answer is made by voice. Further, a communication unit is provided, and an answer to a question as to what kind of vehicle the specific area of the frequency characteristic selection unit is suitable for is created by using an external device using sample music. The in-vehicle audio device according to claim 1, wherein an answer is taken into the preference information section of the user via the communication section. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit, wherein a program for further refining a specific area of the frequency characteristic selection unit is transmitted from the outside via the communication unit. 2. The on-vehicle audio device according to 1. 10. The vehicle situation information section according to claim 2, wherein when a plurality of information indicating the current vehicle situation are provided, priority is assigned to each vehicle situation based on a survey of user preferences. An in-vehicle audio device according to claim 1.