JP2001314652A - Audio system for game machine, and audio system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio system for a game machine and an audio system which can give a visual impact to a user by means of a simple constitution. SOLUTION: In the audio system for a game machine, an image signal from a game machine 1 controlled by a controller 2 is outputted to a monitor (display) 3 and an audio signal is outputted from a speaker 4. A display element 41 is provided in the speaker 4 and the element 41 is flash-controlled in response to a level information of audio signals of a game software executed in the machine 1. The element 41 is flash-controlled based on a low frequency component equal to a predetermined frequency or less of the audio signal of the game software executed in the game machine 1 or based on the level of a high frequency component equal to a predetermined frequency or higher. A display element 14 is provided in a speaker for outputting audio signals from a source unit and the element 14 is flash-controlled according to the level of the audio signal. The flash-period of the control of the element 14 is varied according to the level of the audio signal to flash-control the element 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio system, and more particularly to an audio system for a game machine and an audio system effective for use in a game machine and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine system includes a game machine body, an input device such as a controller (feeling controller), and a display such as a television. Is output from the display or speaker.

[0003]

In such a game machine system, video and audio are the main outputs to the user, but in the conventional system, the video and audio are only generated and reproduced faithfully. . On the other hand, in an audio system for a game machine, there is a demand for performing some processing on video and audio in order to give the user more attractiveness.
However, no effective system has been constructed to meet such demands.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an audio system for a game machine that gives a further visual impact to a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an audio system for a game machine which has a simple structure and gives a visual impact to a user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an audio system that not only gives an auditory impact but also a synergistic visual impact to a user by controlling lighting of a display element according to the level of an audio signal. It is in.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an audio system for a game machine and an audio system according to the present invention employ the following characteristic configurations.

(1) In an audio system for a game machine for outputting a video signal from a game machine controlled by a controller to a monitor and outputting an audio signal from a speaker, a display element is provided on the speaker, and the display device is provided on the game machine. An audio system for controlling lighting of the display element according to level information of an audio signal of game software to be executed.

(2) In a game machine audio system for outputting a video signal from a game machine controlled by a controller to a monitor and outputting an audio signal from a speaker, a display element is provided on the speaker, and the display device is provided on the game machine. An amplifier for amplifying an audio signal of game software to be executed, and a driver circuit for converting an output signal from the amplifier into a predetermined signal form,
An audio system for a game machine which sends an output signal from the driver circuit to the display element to control lighting of the display element.

(3) In an audio system for a game machine, which outputs a video signal from a game machine controlled by a controller to a monitor and outputs an audio signal from a speaker, a display element is provided on the speaker, and the display device is provided on the game machine. An amplifier for amplifying an audio signal of the game software to be executed, a waveform shaping circuit for shaping the waveform of the output signal from the amplifier, and comparing the level of the output signal from the waveform shaping circuit with a reference level, A comparator that outputs a pulse signal only during a period, and a driver circuit that converts the pulse signal from the comparator into a predetermined signal form, and sends an output signal from the driver circuit to the display element, Lighting control system for game consoles.

(4) The lighting control of the display element is performed based on the level of a low-frequency component equal to or lower than a predetermined frequency of an audio signal of game software executed on the game machine. The audio system for a game machine according to (2) or (3).

(5) The lighting control of the display element is performed based on the level of a high frequency component higher than a predetermined frequency of the audio signal of the game software executed on the game machine. The audio system for a game machine according to (2) or (3).

(6) The audio system for a game machine according to (4), wherein the low frequency component is a specific frequency component of 100 Hz or less.

(7) The audio system for a game machine according to (5), wherein the high frequency component is a specific frequency component of 10 KHz or more.

(8) The audio system for a game machine according to the above (6) or (7), further comprising a filter for extracting the specific frequency component.

(9) The audio system for a game machine according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the display element is a display element capable of color display.

(10) In an audio system for outputting an audio signal from a source unit through a speaker, an audio system in which a display element is provided in the speaker and the lighting of the display element is controlled in accordance with the level of the audio signal from the source unit. .

(11) In an audio system for outputting an audio signal from a source unit from a speaker, a display element is provided on the speaker, an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal from the source unit, and a waveform of an output signal from the amplifier. A waveform shaping circuit for shaping, a comparator for comparing a level of an output signal from the waveform shaping circuit with a reference level, and outputting a pulse signal only for a period equal to or longer than the reference level; An audio system, comprising: a driver circuit for converting into a form; and transmitting an output signal from the driver circuit to the display element to control lighting of the display element.

(12) In an audio system for outputting an audio signal from a source unit to a speaker, a display element is provided on the speaker, an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal from the source unit, and an output signal from the amplifier for a predetermined period. And a driver circuit for converting the signal form into a signal form described above, wherein an output signal from the driver circuit is sent to the display element to control lighting of the display element.

(13) The audio system according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the display element is a fluorescent lamp.

(14) The audio system according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the display element is a display element capable of color display.

(15) The audio system according to any one of (10) to (14), wherein the lighting control of the display element changes a blinking cycle in accordance with an audio signal level for controlling the lighting of the display element.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an audio system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration block diagram showing one embodiment of a game machine audio system which is an example of application to a game machine according to the present invention.

The game machine body 1 operates on the basis of a game program stored in the game machine body 1 and on the basis of a control signal from the controller 2 to display a video signal and an audio signal on the display 3 and the speaker 4.
Output to

Here, the level information of the audio signal corresponding to the situation of the game is written in the game software stored in the main body 1 of the game machine. This level information may take a form written in advance or may be the signal level itself of a specific frequency band of the audio signal.

As the former, there is one in which average level information of the level of an audio signal is written in a specific form.

Normally, the auditory frequency that can be heard by human ears is about 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but the reproducible frequency of a speaker (TV monitor or personal computer monitor) used in a conventional game machine is about 100 Hz to 10 Kz. Yes, 20H on the lower side of the human auditory frequency
Audio sounds in a frequency band of z to 100 Hz and a frequency band of 10 KHz to 20 KHz on the high frequency side are not used at all.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as the latter, 20 Hz to 10 Hz on the low frequency side which are not actually used.
The level of the audio signal in the frequency band of 0 Hz and / or 10 KHz to 20 KHz on the high frequency side is directly used as the level information. In general, a low tone has a higher sound level than a high tone, which is suitable for emphasizing the level of the audio signal.

A control signal relating to the level of the audio signal output from the game machine body 1 and / or the audio signal from the controller 2 is amplified by the amplifier 5.

The audio signal amplified by the amplifier 5 is
The signal is converted into a predetermined signal form by the driver circuit 6 and output as a control signal to the display element 41 provided in the speaker 4.

The display of the display element 41 is controlled in response to a control signal supplied from the driver circuit 6. Display element 4
The display control of No. 1 is control in a mode in which lighting control is performed in response to an input control signal. As a specific example,
Control is performed by changing the lighting luminance of the display element 41 or changing the cycle of blinking based on the signal related to the audio signal level input from the game machine body 1 or the controller 2 as described above.

A change in the instantaneous waveform level of the audio signal amplified by the amplifier 5 is smoothed using a waveform shaping circuit. For example, a low-pass filter, an integrating circuit, or the like can be used. Further, the waveform-shaped signal level is compared with a reference level by a comparison circuit, and a pulse signal generated only during a period in which the waveform-shaped signal level is equal to or higher than the reference level is input to the driver circuit 6 to turn on the display element 41. It can also be controlled.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the audio system for a game machine according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a low-pass filter (LPF) is provided before the amplifier 5 (between the game machine main unit 1, the controller 2, and the amplifier 5).
Or, an embodiment in which a high-pass filter (HPF) is provided.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the level information of the audio signal corresponding to the situation of the game written in the game software is 20 Hz to 100 H on the low frequency side.
z or a low-pass filter (LPF) or a high-pass filter (HP) for extracting level information of an audio signal in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 20 kHz on a high frequency side.
F) 7 is provided.

An audio signal extracted by a low-pass filter (LPF) or a high-pass filter (HPF) 7 is amplified by an amplifier 5 and passed through a driver circuit 6 to a speaker 4 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Display element 41
Lighting control.

The lighting control of the display element is not limited to the fluorescent lamp, and an LED or any other display element can be used. If a color display element is used, a colorful display can be realized.

Although the preferred embodiment of the audio system of the present invention has been described above, this is merely an example.
It goes without saying that various modifications can be made according to the specific application.

For example, the above-described embodiment is directed to a game machine system, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and is applicable to any audio system having a speaker provided with a display element. .

That is, in the audio system, not only sound quality and design but also various other configurations have been proposed for the purpose of differentiation. That is, not only the auditory aspects such as the sound quality of the output sound from the speaker but also the differentiation from the visual point of view are important factors. However, no effective system has been constructed to meet such demands.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an audio system that not only gives an auditory impact but also a synergistic visual impact to a user by controlling the lighting of a display element according to the level of an audio signal. .

FIG. 3 is a system configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of an audio system according to the present invention.

An audio signal from a source unit (not shown) is amplified by the amplifier 10. Here, the source unit may be any unit that can generate and output an audio signal. Examples of the source unit include a CD or MD device, a radio device, a cassette tape recorder device, a game device, a personal computer, a microphone, and the like. The audio signal is input to the amplifier 10.

The audio signal amplified by the amplifier 10 is shaped by a waveform shaping circuit 11. The waveform shaping circuit 11 is a circuit for smoothing a change in the instantaneous waveform level of the audio signal, and may use, for example, a low-pass filter, an integrating circuit, or the like.

The comparison circuit 12 uses the signal level shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 11 as the reference level Ref. Compared to
When the waveform shaping signal level is equal to the reference level Ref. A pulse (pulse width t) is output for the period (t) described above. The pulse output from the comparison circuit 12 is converted into a predetermined signal form by a driver circuit 13 and output as a control signal to a display element 14 provided in a speaker (not displaying).

The display of the display element 14 is controlled in response to a pulse signal supplied from the driver circuit 13. The display control of the display element 14 includes a control in a manner of performing blink control in response to an input pulse. Further, the visual effect can be increased by changing the blinking cycle according to the level (for example, the shorter the blinking cycle, the higher the level). Display elements are not limited to fluorescent lamps.
An LED or any other display element can be used, and if a color display element is used, a colorful display can be achieved.

In order to accurately reflect the level value of the input audio signal on the display, the comparison circuit 12 in FIG.
3 to change the display brightness of the display element 14 in accordance with the level value of the input audio signal. In this case, a display that follows a change in the input audio signal level can be performed, so that a more realistic audio system can be realized.

[0048]

As described above, according to the audio system for a game machine of the present invention, the display element is controlled to be turned on or off in accordance with the level of the audio signal to give the user an audible impact and at the same time a visual effect. Can also have a positive impact. In particular, the realism of a game machine can be further enhanced, and audio signal level information in a band not used by a normal audio system is used as a reference for display element lighting control. The effect of the present invention can be obtained only by adding a display element to a speaker without adding a sound, and a special effect can be obtained for reproduction of a game beat full of sound and dance music with a beat feeling.

According to the audio system of the present invention, the display element is controlled to be turned on in accordance with the level of the audio signal to give an audible impact to the user.
A remarkable effect is obtained that a synergistic visual impact can also be given.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration block diagram showing one embodiment of an audio system for a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration block diagram showing another embodiment of the audio system for a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of an audio system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine main body 2 Controller 3 Display 4 Speaker 5, 10 Amplifier 6, 13 Driver circuit 7 Low-pass filter (LPF) or high-pass filter (HPF) 11 Waveform shaping circuit 12 Comparison circuit 14, 41 Display element

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An audio system for a game machine for outputting a video signal from a game machine controlled by a controller to a monitor and outputting an audio signal from a speaker, wherein the speaker has a display element, and the display device is executed by the game machine. An audio system, wherein lighting of the display element is controlled according to level information of an audio signal of game software to be executed. 2. An audio system for a game machine for outputting a video signal from a game machine controlled by a controller to a monitor and outputting an audio signal from a speaker, wherein a display element is provided on the speaker, and the display device is executed by the game machine. An amplifier for amplifying an audio signal of the game software to be output, and a driver circuit for converting an output signal from the amplifier into a predetermined signal form. An output signal from the driver circuit is sent to the display element to perform the display. An audio system for a game machine, which controls lighting of an element. 3. An audio system for a game machine for outputting a video signal from a game machine controlled by a controller to a monitor and outputting an audio signal from a speaker, wherein the speaker is provided with a display element, and the display device is executed by the game machine. Amplifier for amplifying the audio signal of the game software to be played, a waveform shaping circuit for shaping the waveform of the output signal from the amplifier, and comparing the level of the output signal from the waveform shaping circuit with a reference level, for a period equal to or longer than the reference level. And a driver circuit for converting the pulse signal from the comparator into a predetermined signal form. The driver circuit sends an output signal from the driver circuit to the display element to control the display element. An audio system for a game machine, which controls lighting. 4. The lighting control of the display element is performed based on a level of a low-frequency component of a predetermined frequency or lower of an audio signal of game software executed on the game machine. 4. The audio system for a game machine according to 1, 2, or 3. 5. The lighting control of the display element is performed based on a level of a high frequency component higher than a predetermined frequency of an audio signal of game software executed on the game machine. 4. The audio system for a game machine according to 1, 2, or 3. 6. The audio system for a game machine according to claim 4, wherein said low frequency component is a specific frequency component of 100 Hz or less. 7. The audio system for a game machine according to claim 5, wherein said high frequency component is a specific frequency component of 10 KHz or more. 8. The audio system for a game machine according to claim 6, further comprising a filter for extracting the specific frequency component. 9. The audio system for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein said display element is a display element capable of color display. 10. An audio system for outputting an audio signal from a source unit from a speaker, wherein a display element is provided on the speaker, and the lighting of the display element is controlled in accordance with the level of the audio signal from the source unit. And audio system. 11. An audio system for outputting an audio signal from a source unit from a speaker, comprising: a display element provided on the speaker; an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal from the source unit; and a waveform shaping of an output signal from the amplifier. A waveform shaping circuit, a comparator for comparing a level of an output signal from the waveform shaping circuit with a reference level, and outputting a pulse signal for a period equal to or longer than the reference level, and a pulse signal from the comparator in a predetermined signal form An audio system, comprising: a driver circuit that converts an output signal from the driver circuit into an output signal; and outputs an output signal from the driver circuit to the display element to control lighting of the display element. 12. An audio system for outputting an audio signal from a source unit from a speaker, comprising: a display element provided on the speaker; an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal from the source unit; An audio system, comprising: a driver circuit that converts the signal into a signal form; and transmitting an output signal from the driver circuit to the display element to control lighting of the display element. 13. The audio system according to claim 10, wherein said display element is a fluorescent lamp. 14. The audio system according to claim 10, wherein said display element is a display element capable of color display. 15. The lighting control of the display element according to claim 10, wherein a blinking cycle is changed according to a level of an audio signal for controlling lighting of the display element.
5. The audio system according to any one of 4.