JP2007271802A - Content reproduction system and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a computer reproduction system and a computer program, which promptly perform a various kinds of settings of a content reproduction device. <P>SOLUTION: In the content reproduction system in which a plurality of receiver devices 30 are connected together in a network 20, operation parameters such as a volume of a speaker connected to each receiver device 30, output timing and frequency characteristics, are indicated to other receivers 30 via the network 20, by operating one receiver device 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction system and a computer program.

  AV (audio visual) system in which a server device that provides content such as video and music and a plurality of content playback devices (receiver device, DVD player, etc.) that receive and play back the content are connected via a network (See Patent Document 1).

  In general, it is necessary to make various settings for each content reproduction apparatus constituting the AV system. For example, if the content playback device is capable of multi-channel audio output and is connected to multiple speakers, settings such as adjusting the speaker output and the sense of distance in order to provide the user with an optimal sound reproduction environment Must be performed for each speaker.

A technique for automatically performing the above setting is disclosed in Patent Document 2.
JP 2005-31494 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-159037

  However, when setting the content playback device using the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the user moves to a location where the content playback device to be set is arranged and gives an instruction to perform the setting. This must be done for each content playback device. Therefore, there is a problem that the setting process of the content reproduction apparatus is complicated and takes time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction system capable of easily and quickly setting a reproduction environment such as sound settings of a content reproduction apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, a content reproduction system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
In a content playback system configured by connecting a plurality of content playback devices that play back content via a network,
At least two of the content playback devices are respectively
Playback means for playing back content;
Device specifying means for specifying any of the other content playback devices;
A setting start instruction means for transmitting an instruction for setting the content reproduction apparatus to the content reproduction apparatus designated by the apparatus designation means via the network;
Setting means for setting a reproduction environment of the reproduction means of the content reproduction apparatus in accordance with the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction means of any other content reproduction apparatus;
It is characterized by providing.

The playback means is connected to a plurality of speakers,
The setting means may include a sound field setting means for setting a reproduction environment for each speaker of the reproduction means so that a predetermined sound field is obtained at a predetermined listening position.

The setting start instructing means is means for transmitting to the content reproduction apparatus designated by the apparatus designation means, setting information for defining setting contents of the content reproduction apparatus and an instruction for setting based on the setting information. Prepared,
In response to the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction unit of any other content playback device, the setting unit sets the playback environment of the playback unit of the content playback device based on the received setting information. May be.

The content playback device
Further comprising setting information storage means for storing a plurality of reproduction environment setting information of the reproduction means;
The setting start instructing means includes setting information specifying information for specifying any of a plurality of setting information stored in the setting information storage means of the content reproduction apparatus that is the instruction destination, and setting information specified by the setting information specifying information And means for transmitting an instruction to perform setting based on the network,
The setting unit receives a plurality of settings stored in the setting information storage unit when receiving the setting information designation information and the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction unit of any other content reproduction device Of the information, the setting may be performed according to the setting information specified by the received setting information specifying information.

In order to achieve the above object, a computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A content playback device processor that is connected to another content playback device via a network,
Playback means for playing back content,
Device specifying means for specifying any of the other content playback devices;
A setting start instruction means for transmitting an instruction for setting the content reproduction apparatus to the content reproduction apparatus designated by the apparatus designation means via the network;
Setting means for setting the reproduction environment of the reproduction means of the content reproduction apparatus according to the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction means of any other content reproduction apparatus;
To function as.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to perform various settings of the content reproduction apparatus which comprises a content reproduction system rapidly.

Hereinafter, an audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the audio system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of receiver devices 30A, 30B, and 30C (hereinafter collectively referred to as a receiver device 30) disposed in rooms A, B, C,. The server apparatus 10 and a LAN (Local Area Network) 20 are configured. Although three receiver apparatuses 30 are illustrated in FIG. 1, the number of receiver apparatuses 30 is not limited in the audio system 1.

  The server device 10 includes a storage device such as a hard disk device, and supplies content data stored in the storage device to the requesting receiver device 30 via the LAN 20 in response to a request from the receiver device 30.

  The LAN 20 is composed of Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, and mediates data exchange between the server device 10 and the plurality of receiver devices 30.

  The receiver device 30 receives content data transmitted from the server device 10 via the LAN 20. Then, the receiver device 30 outputs the received content data (audio data) as sound from a speaker connected to the receiver device 30.

  The receiver device 30 corresponds to 5.1 surround sound output, and is connected to six speakers SP1 to SP6 as shown in FIG. When the 5.1-channel multi-content is reproduced, the receiver device 30 outputs audio signals controlled separately from the speakers SP1 to SP6, thereby providing a sound reproduction environment in which a realistic sound can be heard. Provided to the user. The speakers SP1 to SP6 are a front left speaker (FL), a subwoofer (SW), a center speaker (C), a front right speaker (FR), a left surround speaker (LS), and a right surround speaker (RS), respectively.

  The receiver device 30 has a sound field correction processing function to be described later. When performing sound field correction, as shown in FIG. 2, a microphone MIC for receiving a test signal (sound) is connected to the receiver device 30 as necessary. The microphone MIC is disposed at the user's listening position (listening position).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the receiver device 30 includes an operation unit 301, a display unit 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 304, a communication unit 305, a control unit 306, A microphone amplifier unit 307, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 308, a speaker amplifier unit 309, and a test signal generation unit 310 are configured.

  The operation unit 301 receives an input of a user operation signal using an operation input key such as a remote controller, and supplies data corresponding to the input operation signal to the control unit 306.

  The display unit 302 is configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays a message, a chart, and the like indicating the operation status of the receiver device 30 according to display data supplied from the control unit 306.

The RAM 303 becomes a work space for the control unit 306 to perform processing.
The RAM 303 stores operation parameters of the speakers SP1 to SP6. Audio signals are supplied to the speakers SP1 to SP6 with operating characteristics according to the operating parameters.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of operation parameters. In this example, for each speaker, presence / absence of connection, volume level (volume), sense of distance (delay time), speaker size, and frequency specification are set as operation parameters. The presence or absence of connection indicates whether or not the corresponding speaker is connected. The volume level (volume) indicates the volume level of the audio signal supplied to each speaker. In other words, it is also a signal indicating the amplification factor of each audio signal. The sense of distance is a parameter for controlling the internal delay time for adjusting the output timing of each speaker. The speaker size is a parameter that specifies the size of the speaker, such as large, medium, and small. The frequency specification corresponds to a so-called equalizer, and is data for setting which frequency band is emphasized and which frequency band is weakened.

  Further, the RAM 303 stores a counter i for switching the speakers SP1 to SP6 in a sound field correction process described later.

  The ROM 304 stores a program for the control unit 306 to perform processing. Details of the processing will be described later.

  The communication unit 305 is connected to the LAN 20 and exchanges data with the server device 10 and other receiver devices 30.

  The control unit 306 controls the operation of the entire receiver device 30. The control unit 306 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 304. Details of the operation executed by the control unit 306 will be described later.

  The microphone amplifier unit 307 A / D converts and amplifies the sound collection signal from the microphone MIC connected to the microphone amplifier unit 307. Then, the microphone amplifier unit 307 transmits the digitally amplified sound collection signal to the DSP 308 described later.

  The DSP 308 performs various processes on the audio signal supplied to the DSP 308. For example, the DSP 308 performs a process of decoding an audio signal encoded in a multi-channel method and dividing the audio signal into audio signals of respective audio channels. Further, the DSP 308 performs various adjustment processes such as adjustment of volume level, adjustment of the distance between the speaker and the listening position, and adjustment of frequency characteristics in the sound field correction process described later.

  The speaker amplifier unit 309 converts the audio data input from the DSP 308 into an analog signal by D / A conversion and amplifies it. The speaker amplifier unit 309 extracts an audio signal from the analog amplified signal and supplies it to the speaker. Six speakers SP <b> 1 to SP <b> 6 are connected to the speaker amplifier unit 309.

  The test signal generator 310 supplies a test signal to the DSP 308 in the sound field correction process described later in accordance with control from the controller 306.

  Next, the user instructs the operation of the audio system 1 configured as described above from the receiver device 30A in the room A to the receiver device 30B arranged in the room B, and the receiver device 30B is connected to the speakers SP1 to SP6. The operation for performing the process (sound field correction process) for adjusting the set value (operation parameter value) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user operates the remote controller or the like to instruct the receiver device 30A to start the sound field correction process and that the target is the receiver device 30B. The operation unit 301 detects this instruction and notifies the control unit 306 of it.
In response to this notification, the control unit 306 starts the process shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30A communicates with the receiver device 30B via the LAN 20 to determine the presence or absence of the receiver B (including power on / off) (step S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the receiver device 30B is connected and is in an active state (step S11; Yes), a signal (sound field correction start instruction signal) indicating the start of sound field correction is received by the receiver. Transmission is performed from the communication unit 305 to the device 30B (step S12).
If it is determined in step S11 that the receiver device 30B is not connected or cannot be operated (step S11; No), the control unit 306 displays an error message on the display unit 302 (step S13), and processing is performed. Exit.

  When the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30B in the room B receives the sound field correction start instruction signal via the communication unit 305, the control unit 306 analyzes the sound field correction start instruction signal and determines that it is an instruction to start home correction, as shown in FIG. ) Is started, and first a sound field correction process is performed (step S21).

  FIG. 6 shows details of the sound field correction process. First, the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30B initializes a counter i for specifying a speaker, and sets 1 to the counter i (step S2101).

  Next, the control unit 306 instructs the test signal generation unit 310 to generate a predetermined output signal (audio signal) from the speaker SPi corresponding to the counter i of the receiver device 30B (step S2102).

  The test signal generator 310 receives the above instruction, generates a test signal, and supplies it to the DSP 308. The DSP 308 supplies a test signal to the speaker amplifier unit 309 so as to generate a test signal from the speaker SPi under the control of the control unit 306. The speaker amplifier unit 309 D / A converts and amplifies the test signal, and emits the test signal from the speaker SPi.

The emitted test signal is collected by a microphone MIC arranged in advance at the listening position, and supplied to the DSP 308 via the microphone amplifier unit 307. The DSP 308 A / D converts this signal, determines the signal level, and notifies the control unit 306 of the signal level. When the notified signal level is equal to or lower than the predetermined detection level (step S2103; No), the control unit 306 determines that the speaker SPi is not connected to the receiver device 30, and is stored in the RAM 303. “No speaker” is set as the operation parameter of the speaker SPi (step S2106).
On the other hand, if the collected signal is larger than the predetermined detection level (step S2103; Yes), it is determined that the speaker SPi is connected, and the operation parameter of the speaker SPi stored in the RAM 303 is “ “With speaker” is set (step S2105). Further, the operation parameters (amplification factor, volume, etc.) of the speaker SPi stored in the RAM 303 are set so that the level picked up by the microphone MIC becomes a predetermined level (step S2107).

  Next, when the counter i is other than 6 (step S2108; No), the control unit 306 increments the counter i by 1 (step S2104), and performs the processing from step S2102 again. When the value of the counter value i is 6 (step S2108; Yes), since the processing for all the speakers SP1 to SP6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S2109.

  In step S2109, the control unit 306 controls the DSP 308 to set a sense of distance between the listening positions of the speakers SP1 to SP6 and each speaker. Specifically, the DSP 308 sequentially emits test signals from the speakers in the same manner as before. Then, the sound arrival time from the speaker to the microphone MIC is measured, and this is supplied to the DSP 308 as an adjustment parameter. Then, the DSP 308 stores each speaker SP1 to SP6 in the RAM 303 so that the sense of distance of the sound emitted from the speaker is in an optimum state determined in advance at the place where the microphone MIC is disposed. Operating parameters (for example, delay time) are set.

  Next, the control unit 306 determines the size of the speaker in the DSP 308 (step S2110). Specifically, the DSP 308 sequentially emits a low-frequency test signal from each speaker, picks it up with a microphone MIC, and determines the size (large / small) of each speaker according to the detected level. Based on this, the operation parameters (for example, speaker size) of the speakers SP1 to SP6 are set in the RAM 303.

Next, the control unit 306 instructs the DSP 308 to correct the frequency characteristics (step S2111). The DSP 308 emits test signals for each of the high, middle, and low sound ranges sequentially from the speakers SP1 to SP6, measures the frequency characteristics thereof, and takes into account the speaker size set in step S2110. The operating parameters of the speakers SP1 to SP6 are set in the RAM 303 so as to show a good frequency characteristic.
The sound field correction process is thus completed.

  Through the sound field correction process as described above, various operation parameters of the speakers SP1 to SP6 are set so that an optimal sound field is obtained at the listening position (where the microphone MIC is disposed).

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the sound field correction process is completed, the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30B transmits a signal (sound location correction end signal) indicating that the sound field correction is completed from the communication unit 305 to the receiver device 30A ( Step S22), the processing of the receiver device 30B ends.

The control unit 306 of the receiver device 30A receives a signal (sound field correction end signal) indicating that the sound field correction has been completed via the communication unit 305 from the receiver device 30B that has transmitted the sound field correction start signal (step S30). Then, the process proceeds to step S15.
In step S15, the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30A displays a message indicating that the sound field correction has been completed on the display unit 302 (step S15), and the processing in the receiver device 30A ends.

  As described above, the user can correct the sound field of the receiver device 30B in the room B from the receiver device 30A disposed in the room A, and the user can easily perform sound in each room in a relatively short time. Field correction can be performed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to what was shown by the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible.

For example, even when a receiver device that does not have an automatic sound field correction function is incorporated as a content playback device of the audio system, the receiver device is arranged by performing the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. It is possible to correct the sound field of a room.
Hereinafter, the sound field correction process illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described by taking as an example the case of setting the reproduction environment of the receiver device 30D that is not provided with the automatic sound field correction function installed in the room D.

  First, the user connects the microphone MIC for correcting the sound field to the receiver 30D in the room D at the listening position. The receiver device 30D is assumed to be connected to the receiver device 30A via a network. The receiver device 30D does not have a function of adjusting the set values of the connected speakers SP1 to SP6. Note that the configuration of the receiver device 30D is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and will be described below using the same reference numerals.

Subsequently, the user moves to the room A and operates the remote controller or the like to instruct the receiver device 30A to start the sound field correction process and to indicate that the target is the receiver device 30D. The operation unit 301 detects this instruction and notifies the control unit 306 of it.
In response to this notification, the control unit 306 starts the process shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30A determines whether or not the receiver device 30D is present (including power on / off) (step S31). When it is determined in step S31 that the receiver device 30D exists and is in an active state (step S31; Yes), a signal instructing the receiver device 30D to start sound field correction (sound field correction start) Signal) is transmitted from the communication unit 305 (step S33).
If it is determined in step S31 that the receiver device 30D is not present or cannot be operated (step S31; No), the control unit 306 displays an error message on the display unit 302 (step S32) and ends the process. .

When the control unit 306 of the receiver device 30D in the room D receives the sound field correction start instruction signal via the communication unit 305, the control unit 306 analyzes the sound field correction start instruction signal and determines that it is an instruction to start home correction, as shown in FIG. ) Process shown in the flow.
First, the control unit 306 sequentially emits test signals to the speakers SP1 to SP6, associates the identification information of each speaker channel, the sound emission signal, and the sound collection signal from the microphone MIC, and stores them in the RAM 303. (Step S41). After the above measurement is completed for all the speakers, the speaker information stored in the RAM 303 in step S41 is transmitted to the receiver device 30A (step S42).

  The receiver 30A receives the transmitted speaker information (step S34), performs sound field correction based on the speaker information, and stores the operating parameters of the speaker in the RAM 303 (step S35). Then, the control unit 306 transmits the operation parameters stored in the RAM 303 from the communication unit 305 to the receiver device (step S36).

  In the receiver device 30D, the operating parameter of the speaker is received from the communication unit 305 (step S43), and the adjustment parameter is set to the connected speaker (step S44), thereby correcting the sound field. After the sound field correction is performed, information indicating that (sound field correction completion signal) is transmitted to the receiver device 30A (step S45), and the processing in the receiver device 30D is completed.

  When the receiver apparatus 30A receives the sound field correction completion signal (step S37), a message indicating that the sound field correction is completed is displayed on the display unit 302 (step S38), and the processing in the receiver apparatus 30A is completed. .

  Thus, even if the receiver device does not have automatic sound field correction, automatic sound field correction is performed by transmitting speaker information to another receiver device having automatic sound field correction connected to the network. Is possible.

  Note that the method of setting the sound field itself is arbitrary. For example, a plurality of parameter sets are stored in advance as shown in FIG. 8 in each receiver device 30 that performs sound field correction processing, and a receiver device that transmits a command designates any set and performs correction. Send instructions. The receiver device to be corrected may select a designated one from a set stored in advance according to the instruction, and set according to the parameter value.

  Also, for example, the current setting parameters are transmitted from each receiver device that performs sound field correction processing to the receiver device for instruction transmission, and received on the editing screen of the receiver device for instruction transmission as shown in FIG. The parameters may be displayed, and the user may perform editing processing on this screen, and the edited parameter group may be transmitted to the original receiver device for setting.

  In addition, in the case of an audio system including a receiver device that can store a plurality of speaker settings for which the sound field has been corrected for each listening position, it is stored from one receiver device to another receiver device. One of a plurality of speaker settings may be specified, and other receiver devices may be set based on the specified setting.

  In addition, the present embodiment is not limited to sound field correction. For example, from one receiver device constituting an audio system, power ON / OFF setting of another receiver device, or a speaker connected to an audio channel ON / OFF setting may be performed, and the type of setting does not matter.

  In the present embodiment, the receiver device has been described as an example of the content playback device configuring the audio system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a CD player, a network audio player, or the like may be used as the content playback device.

  In the present embodiment, the audio system is taken as an example of the content reproduction system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an AV (audio visual) system may be used. In that case, a DVD player or the like having a video output function may be used as a content playback apparatus constituting the AV system.

  In that case, the content reproduction apparatus may be configured such that the brightness, saturation, etc. of the display device connected to the content reproduction apparatus can be adjusted from other content reproduction apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the audio system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a structure when the receiver apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is arrange | positioned in a room with a speaker and a microphone. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the receiver apparatus shown in FIG. It is an example of the operating parameter of the speaker stored in RAM of the receiver apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process which operates one of the receiver apparatuses which comprise the audio system of FIG. 1, and performs the sound field correction | amendment of the room where all the receiver apparatuses are arrange | positioned. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the sound field correction process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process which operates the receiver apparatus which has an automatic sound field correction process function, and performs the sound location correction | amendment of the room where the receiver apparatus which does not have an automatic sound field correction process function is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the example of the parameter set stored in each receiver apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a parameter edit screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 Audio system 10 Server device 20 LAN
30 Receiver device

Claims (5)

In a content playback system configured by connecting a plurality of content playback devices that play back content via a network,
At least two of the content playback devices are respectively
Playback means for playing back content;
Device specifying means for specifying any of the other content playback devices;
A setting start instruction means for transmitting an instruction for setting the content reproduction apparatus to the content reproduction apparatus designated by the apparatus designation means via the network;
Setting means for setting a reproduction environment of the reproduction means of the content reproduction apparatus in accordance with the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction means of any other content reproduction apparatus;
A content reproduction system comprising: The playback means is connected to a plurality of speakers,
The setting means includes sound field setting means for setting a reproduction environment for each speaker of the reproduction means so that a predetermined sound field can be obtained at a predetermined listening position.
The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein: The setting start instructing means is means for transmitting to the content reproduction apparatus designated by the apparatus designation means, setting information for defining setting contents of the content reproduction apparatus and an instruction for setting based on the setting information. Prepared,
The setting means sets a reproduction environment of the reproduction means of the content reproduction apparatus based on the received setting information in response to an instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction means of any other content reproduction apparatus. ,
The content reproduction system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The content playback device
Further comprising setting information storage means for storing a plurality of reproduction environment setting information of the reproduction means;
The setting start instructing means includes setting information specifying information for specifying any of a plurality of setting information stored in the setting information storage means of the content reproduction apparatus that is the instruction destination, and setting information specified by the setting information specifying information And means for transmitting an instruction to perform setting based on the network,
The setting unit receives a plurality of settings stored in the setting information storage unit when receiving the setting information designation information and the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction unit of any other content reproduction device Set according to the setting information specified in the received setting information specifying information,
The content reproduction system according to claim 3, wherein: A content playback device processor that is connected to another content playback device via a network,
Playback means for playing back content,
Device specifying means for specifying any of the other content playback devices;
A setting start instruction means for transmitting an instruction for setting the content reproduction apparatus to the content reproduction apparatus designated by the apparatus designation means via the network;
Setting means for setting the reproduction environment of the reproduction means of the content reproduction apparatus according to the instruction transmitted from the setting start instruction means of any other content reproduction apparatus;
A computer program that functions as a computer program.

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