JP2002100161A - Audio player - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio layer which makes it possible to easily identify what kinds of music files are recorded in a disk and can shorten the time needed for music selection. SOLUTION: A Figure 4 is a genre display screen which integrally displays all genres existing in the disk and the numbers of music belonging to the respective genres. The genre names and the numbers of the music are displayed in order of classic, jazz, soul, blues, pops (Japanese music), pops (western music) and rock successively from above on a genre list 401 of the screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio player, and more particularly, to an audio player for playing a digital audio disc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 20 and 21 show a music selection screen in a conventional audio player. In FIG. 20, 2
A track number (Tr01) being played back and a playback time (1:23) are displayed in 001. When the button 2003 is pressed, the music immediately preceding the music being played back is played back.
When 005 is pressed, the music immediately following the music currently being reproduced is reproduced. When a disc is inserted, pressing the button 2009 plays back the music at the beginning of the disc.
Press 9 to play from the second track of the disc and press button 2
When 007 is pressed, music is selected from the music immediately before the currently selected music.

On the other hand, a jukebox type audio player shown in FIG. 21 is of a type in which a music file to be reproduced is selected from an array in advance.
By selecting a music file to be reproduced from the music list list 2101 and pressing an add button 2105, a plurality of music files can be registered in the specified music list list 2103. In addition, designated song list 2
When canceling a music file registered in 103, the user selects a music file to be canceled from the designated music list 2103 and presses a delete button 2107. The songs registered in the designated song list 2103 are played in order when a playback start operation is performed. As described above, all of the conventional audio players treat music and music files in a storage medium (hereinafter, referred to as a disk) as a static one-dimensional array.

[0004]

However, in recent years, audio compression technology (such as MP3) has been developed, and it has become possible to file music at a high compression rate. Applying these audio compression techniques makes it possible to record more than 150 music files per CD. Therefore, it takes a lot of time to select a music by a music number or a music name using a static one-dimensional array as a basic operation target like a conventional audio player. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio player which focuses on such inconveniences, makes it easy to understand the recorded contents of the entire disc, and can further reduce the time required for music selection.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a classifying means for classifying music files by genre based on a predetermined rule, and to associate music files with their genre names. First display means for displaying a list of genre names in a storage medium and / or the number of music files belonging to the genre in a storage medium by a predetermined first user operation; First selecting means for selecting a reproduction target genre from the genres listed by the display means, and first reproducing means for reproducing a music file belonging to the reproduction target genre selected by the first selection means. When each music file is recorded on the recording medium together with the recording date and time, the storage medium is stored by a predetermined second user operation. File name of the music file and a second display means for displaying a list of its record date and time in the,
Second selecting means for selecting a playback target file from the music files listed by the second display means;
A second playback unit that plays back the playback target file selected by the second selection unit, wherein at least one directory exists in the recording medium, and information of a music file positioned under the directory is provided. If the directory creation date and time are stored in the recording medium, a third display that lists the directory name of the directory and the directory creation date and time in the storage medium by a predetermined third user operation Means, third selection means for selecting a reproduction target directory from directories listed by the third display means, and third selection means.
And a third reproducing means for reproducing a music file located under the reproduction target directory selected by the selecting means.

Here, the audio player includes a designating means for designating a display target genre, a display means for displaying a genre name corresponding to the display target genre, and / or the number of music files belonging to the genre,
It is preferable to include a reproducing unit for reproducing a music file belonging to the genre displayed by the display unit.
The audio player, when a plurality of genres are displayed by the display means, selects a genre to be reproduced from the plurality of genres, and reproduces a music file belonging to the genre to be reproduced selected by the selection means. It is preferable to include a reproducing unit that performs the reproduction.
The audio player may further include a designation unit that designates a display target period, a display unit that displays the number of files of the music files recorded in the display target period, a file name, and / or a storage date and time of each file; Playback means for playing back the music file displayed by the player.

[0007] Further, the audio player is provided with setting means for setting a maximum search number, and when the number of music files recorded during the display target period exceeds the maximum search number, a music file having only the maximum search number is provided. It is preferable to provide display means for displaying the number of files, file names, and / or storage date and time of each music file, and reproduction means for reproducing the music file displayed by the display means. Further, the audio player includes, when a plurality of files are displayed by the display unit, a selecting unit that selects a file to be played from the plurality of files, and a playing unit that plays the file to be played selected by the selecting unit. It is preferable to provide Also, the audio player is displayed by a designation unit for designating a display target period, a display unit for displaying the number of directories created during the display target period, a directory name, and / or a creation date and time of each directory. Playback means for playing back music files located under the directory.

Further, the audio player is provided with a setting means for setting a maximum search number, and when the total number of directories created during the display target period exceeds the maximum search number, the number of directories only for the maximum search number is provided. It is preferable to provide display means for displaying the directory name and / or date and time of creation of each directory, and reproduction means for reproducing music files located below the directory displayed by the display means. When a plurality of directory names are displayed by the display means, the audio player includes a selection means for selecting a reproduction target directory from the plurality of directory names, and a position below the reproduction target directory selected by the selection means. Playback means for playing back a music file to be played. Further, it is preferable that the audio player includes means for changing a genre name associated with the music file. In the audio player, it is preferable that the display target period is specified by a date, a time, and / or a day of the week.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a CD player will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the inside of a CD player to which the present invention is applied. 2 to 19 are views showing screens for explaining the present invention. Here, the disc means a music CD.

In FIG. 1, a CPU 101 controls the entire CD player. The CPU 101 has a ROM 10
3, connected to the operation unit 105, the nonvolatile RAM 107, the CD drive unit 109, and the display unit 111. ROM
103 stores programs for operating various functions of the CD player, system data, and the like.
The user uses the operation unit 105 to play a disc, adjust the playback volume, and insert / eject the disc into / from the CD drive unit 109. The non-volatile RAM 107 is used for a working area, and reads and writes disk information and the like described later.

FIG. 2 shows the above-mentioned disc information. The disc information includes the file name of the music file recorded on the disc inserted in the CD drive unit 109 (column 201), the genre of each music file (column 20).
3), recording date (column 205), and recording time (column 207)
It consists of. More specifically, taking the data in the first row as an example, the file name “C001.MP3” in column 201
The column 203 indicates that the genre is classical. Further, column 20
5, it is known that the recording date is February 28, 1998, and by referring to column 207, the recording time is 13:00. Similarly, the second line stores information about the music file with the file name “C003.MP3”, and the third line stores the information about the music file with the file name “C002.MP3”.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a default genre name is stored in the ROM 103 or the RAM 107, and when recording each music file, the default genre name and each file name are stored in the disc information in association with each other. I will keep it. It should be noted that the genre name associated first can be changed again by the user. FIG. 3 shows the genre editing screen at this time.

Referring to FIG. 3, a file name “C001.MP3” is displayed in the music title column 301. The current genre name column 303 displays the current genre name (classic). An input field 305 is for the user to input a new genre name. The user who has finished inputting the new genre name presses the enter button 307. On the other hand, when the user wants to cancel the change of the genre name in the middle, the user presses the end button 309. As described above, the changed genre name is also reflected on the disc information in FIG.

<First Embodiment> First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, the search target is a genre / music file / directory, and the search range is the entire disc. FIG. 4 is a genre display screen displaying a list of all genres in the disc and the number of songs belonging to each genre (in this case, the number of music files) based on the disc information (FIG. 2). In the genre list 401 on the same screen, classic, jas, soul,
The genre name and the number of songs are displayed in the order of blues, pops (Japanese music), pops (western music), and rock. The display column 405 displays the total number of genres in the disc. The user selects a reproduction target genre from the genre list 401. Then, select button 40
When 3 is pressed, the music belonging to the selected genre is reproduced.

FIG. 5 is based on the disk information (FIG. 2).
4 is a recording date display screen displaying a list of file names (right side of 501) of music files in the disc and recording dates (left side of 501) of the files. From the top, “C001.MP3” and “C
003. MP3 "," C002.MP3 "," J00
7. The file name and its recording date and time are displayed in the order of “MP3”. The user selects a file to be reproduced from the file list 501 (a plurality of files can be selected). Then,
When the selection button 503 is pressed, the selected music file is reproduced.

Referring to FIG. 6, when there are four directories (Dir001 to 004) in the disc and music files are sorted under them, the directory name of the directory in the disc (right side of 601) ) And a creation date and time (left side of 601) of the directory are shown as a creation date and time display screen. In the directory list 601 on the screen, “Dir00” is displayed from the top.
1 "," Dir002 "," Dir003 "," Dir
The directory name and its creation date and time are displayed in the order of “004”. The user selects a reproduction target file from the directory list 601. Subsequently, when the selection button 603 is pressed, the music files distributed under the selected directory are reproduced.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In this case, the search target is a genre, and the search range is a specific genre specified by the user. FIG. 7 shows a screen when a specific genre is searched from the genres in the disc and displayed. When "Po" is entered in the genre name input field 701, genres, pops (Japanese music) and pops (Western music) whose initials are "Po" are displayed on the search genre list screen 705. Further, in the item number column 707, the number "2" of the genre whose initial is "Po" is displayed. When the enter button 703 is pressed in this state, music files belonging to these two genres, pops (Japanese music) and pops (Western music) are reproduced.

FIG. 8 shows a screen when a specific genre is searched from the genres in the disc and displayed, as in FIG. When “Po” is entered in the genre name input field 801, the genre, pops (Japanese music) and pops (Western music) whose initials are “Po” are searched genre list list 8.
05 is displayed. Further, in the item number column 807, the number “2” of the genre whose initial is “Po” is displayed. When the enter button 803 is pressed in this state, music files belonging to these two genres, pops (Japanese music) and pops (Western music) are reproduced.

On the other hand, when the display button 809 is pressed in the state of FIG. 8, a screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In FIG. 9, the genre list 901 includes the pops (Japanese music) displayed in the search genre list 805 in FIG.
And POPS (JAPA)
N) and POPS (UK, US, etc...) Are displayed.

In the genre list 901, in addition to the genre name, the number of music files belonging to each genre (in this case, four songs for pops (Japanese music) and three for pops (Western music))
Song) is also displayed. Further, in the genre number column 905, the number "2" of the genre whose initial is "Po" is displayed. In this state, a reproduction target genre is selected from two genres in the genre list 901 (a plurality of genres can be selected), and when a selection button 907 is pressed, a music file belonging to the selected reproduction target genre is reproduced. .

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In this case, the search target is a music file, and the search range is a music file stored within a specified period. FIG. 10 shows a screen when the user designates a display target period, and searches and displays only music files recorded within the period from the music files in the disc. In FIG. 10, 00:00:00 on February 28, 1998 is entered in the display target start time input field 1001, and 200 is entered in the display target end time input field 1003.
It is input as 12: 00: 00: 00 on January 1, 0. The number-of-songs display field 1005 displays the number of music files (17 songs) recorded in the above-described period in the music files on the disc. When the enter button 1007 is pressed in this state, all the 17 music files recorded during the above period are reproduced.

FIG. 11 shows a screen when the user designates a display target period, searches for music files recorded during that period from the music files on the disc and displays the same, as in FIG. . In FIG. 11, the user specifies the maximum search number in addition to the display target period, and when the total number of music files recorded in the display target period exceeds the maximum search number, only the maximum search number is displayed. Displays the number of files.

In FIG. 11, 00:00:00 on February 28, 1998 is entered in the display target start time input field 1101, and Jan. 1, 2000 12:00 is displayed in the display target end time input field 1003. Minute 0 seconds is entered. Here, referring to the disc information of FIG. 2, there are 17 music files recorded in the above-mentioned period in the music files on the disc. However, a maximum of 15
Since it is specified to search up to the tunes, a maximum search number of 15 tunes is displayed in the tune number display column 1105. Therefore, when the enter button 1107 is pressed in this state, 15 pieces of all the music files recorded within the above period are reproduced.

In FIG. 12, similarly to FIGS. 10 and 11, the user designates a display target period, and only the music files recorded within that period are searched from the music files on the disc and displayed. It is a screen at the time. In FIG. 12, 1998 2
28: 00: 00: 00: 00 on the 28th of the month, and 12:00:00 on January 1, 2000 are entered in the display target end time input field 1203. The number-of-tunes display field 1205 displays the number of music files (17 songs) recorded in the above period in the music files in the disk. When the enter button 1207 is pressed in this state, all the 17 music files recorded during the above period are reproduced.

On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG.
When is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. FIG.
In the file list 1301 of FIG. 12, the number of files (in this case, 1
7 music files are displayed. In this embodiment, since only four songs can be displayed in the file list 1301 at a time, the user presses a “next” button 1305 to display the music file names of the fifth to eighth songs.
Similarly, when the user wants to display the music file names of the ninth to twelfth music pieces, the user presses a “next” button 1305. After displaying the music file names of the ninth to twelfth music pieces, if the user wants to display the music file names of the first to fourth music pieces or the fifth to eighth music pieces again, the user presses the “Previous” button 1303. The user selects a file to be played from the music files in the file list 1301 (a plurality of files can be selected), and presses a selection button 1307. The reproduction target file selected in the above procedure is reproduced.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In this case, the search target is a directory, and the search range is a directory created within a specified period. FIG. 14 shows a screen when the user designates a display target period, and searches and displays only directories created within that period from directories on the disk. In FIG. 14, 00: 00: 00: 00 on April 1, 1998 is entered in the display target start time input field 1401, and 2000 is entered in the display target end time input field 1403.
It is input as 12: 00: 00: 00 on January 1 of the year. The number-of-directories display column 1405 displays the number of directories (three) created in the above-mentioned period in the directories in the disk. Then, in this state, the enter button 1407
When is pressed, music files positioned under the three directories created during the period are reproduced.

FIG. 15 shows a screen when the user designates a display target period, searches a directory on the disk for directories created during that period, and displays the same, as in FIG. In FIG. 15, the user specifies the maximum search number in addition to the display target period, and if the number of directories created in the display target period exceeds the maximum search number, the directory number of only the maximum search number is reduced. it's shown.

In FIG. 15, 00:00:00 on April 1, 1998 is entered in the display target start time input field 1501, and the year 2000 1 is entered in the display target end time input field 1503.
It is input as 12:00:00 on the first day of the month. Referring to FIG. 14, there are three directories created in the above-mentioned period in the directories on the disk. However, since it is specified in the maximum search number input field 1509 to search up to two, the maximum search number “2” is displayed in the directory number display field 1505. Therefore, when the enter button 1507 is pressed in this state, only the music files positioned under the two directories which are the maximum number of searches are reproduced.

In FIG. 16, similarly to FIGS. 14 and 15, when the user designates a display target period, only directories created within that period are searched and displayed from directories on the disk. Screen. In FIG. 16, the display target start time input field 1601 contains
Jan. 1, 00:00:00 is entered, and Jan. 1, 2000, 12:00:00 is entered in the display target end time input field 1603. The number-of-directories display column 1605 displays the number of directories (two) created in the above-mentioned period in the directories in the disk. Then, when the enter button 1607 is pressed in this state, the music files positioned under these two directories created during the above period are reproduced.

On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG.
When is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. The directory list 1701 displays the directories of the number of directories (in this case, two) displayed in the directory number display column 1605 of FIG. The user selects a reproduction target directory from the directories in the directory list 1701 (a plurality of directories can be selected).
A select button 1707 is pressed. Then, the music file positioned under the selected reproduction target directory is reproduced.

<Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In this case, the search target is a music file / directory, and the search range is a music file (directory) stored (created) on a specific day. Since the audio player applied in the present embodiment also has a calendar function, it is possible to derive the recording day of the week (the day of creation in the case of a directory) based on the recording date and time. Therefore, music files (directories) recorded (created) on a specific day of the week can be searched for and reproduced (in the case of a directory, music files located thereunder can be reproduced).

FIG. 18 shows "Saturday" in the day input box 1801.
Is displayed when the number of music files recorded on Saturday is displayed. The number of music files (four songs) recorded on Saturday is displayed in the song number display column 1803. When the enter button 1805 is pressed in this state, these four music files are reproduced. On the other hand, when the display button 1807 is pressed in the state of FIG. 18, the screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. FIG. 1 shows the file list 1901.
The music files of the number of files (four in this case) displayed in the number-of-eights display field 1803 are displayed. In this embodiment, since only four songs can be displayed in the file list 1901, if there are five or more corresponding music files, the “Next” button 1905 is clicked to display the music file names of the fifth to eighth songs. Press. Similarly, when the user wants to display the music file names of the ninth to twelfth music pieces, the user presses a “next” button 1905. 9
After displaying the music file names of the tunes 12 to 12, 1
If the user wants to display the music file names of the tunes 4 to 4 and the tunes 5 to 8 again, the user presses a “Previous” button 1903. The user selects a file to be played from the music files in the file list 1901 (a plurality of files can be selected), and presses a select button 1907. The selected playback target file is played back by the above procedure.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The audio player of the present invention is not limited to a CD player, but can be applied to an MD player, a DVD player, and the like. It is clear that the data structure of the disc information is not limited to the above description.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an audio player that makes it easy to understand what music file is recorded on the disc and can further reduce the time required for music selection. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an audio disc according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a data configuration diagram of disk information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen when editing a genre name of a music file.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a screen for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a screen for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a screen for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a screen for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a screen for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a screen for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen for explaining a conventional audio player.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a screen for explaining a conventional audio player.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 103 ROM 107 RAM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5D044 AB05 BC03 CC04 DE49 DE54 FG18 5D077 AA26 AA28 BA08 BA14 CA02 DC01 DC11 DC39 EA33 EA34 HA07 HC04 HC12 HC21 5D110 AA15 AA27 DA01 DA11 DA12 DA17 DB03 DC05 DC15 DE02 DE04 DE06

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A classifying means for classifying music files by genre based on a predetermined rule; a storing means for storing the music files and their genre names in association with each other; First display means for displaying a list of the genre names in the storage medium and / or the number of music files belonging to the genre by a user operation; and from among the genres listed by the first display means. A first selection unit for selecting a reproduction target genre; and a first reproduction unit for reproducing a music file belonging to the reproduction target genre selected by the first selection unit. When the music file is recorded on the recording medium by a predetermined second user operation, Second display means for displaying a list of file names and their recording dates and times; second selection means for selecting a reproduction target file from the music files listed by the second display means; Second playback means for playing back the playback target file selected by the selection means, wherein at least one directory exists in the recording medium, and information of music files located under the directory is provided. When the date and time of creation of the directory are stored in the recording medium, a directory name of a directory in the storage medium and a date and time of creation of the directory are displayed in a list by a predetermined third user operation. And a directory to be reproduced from among the directories listed by the third display means. Third selection means and the third third audio player characterized by comprising a reproducing means for reproducing a music file located under the selected reproduction target directory by selecting means for. 2. The audio player according to claim 1, wherein a designation means for designating a display target genre, a genre name corresponding to the display target genre, and / or the number of music files belonging to the genre are displayed. An audio player, comprising: display means; and reproduction means for reproducing a music file belonging to a genre displayed by the display means. 3. The audio player according to claim 2, wherein when a plurality of genres are displayed by the display unit, a selection unit that selects a reproduction target genre from the plurality of genres; And a reproducing means for reproducing a music file belonging to the selected reproduction target genre. 4. The audio player according to claim 1, wherein: a designation unit for designating a display target period; and a number, a file name, and / or a storage date and time of each music file recorded in the display target period. An audio player comprising: display means for displaying a music file; and reproduction means for reproducing a music file displayed by the display means. 5. The audio player according to claim 4, further comprising: setting means for setting a maximum search number, wherein when the number of music files recorded during the display target period exceeds the maximum search number, Display means for displaying the number of music files of only the maximum search number, the file name, and / or storage date and time of each music file; and reproducing means for reproducing the music file displayed by the display means. An audio player, characterized in that: 6. The audio player according to claim 4, wherein, when a plurality of files are displayed by the display unit, a selection unit that selects a reproduction target file from the plurality of files; An audio player comprising: a playback unit that plays back the playback target file selected by the selection unit. 7. The audio player according to claim 1, wherein a designation unit for designating a display target period, and the number of directories created in the display target period, a directory name, and / or a date and time of creation of each directory are displayed. An audio player, comprising: display means; and reproduction means for reproducing a music file located under a directory displayed by the display means. 8. The audio player according to claim 7, further comprising: setting means for setting a maximum search number, wherein when a total number of directories created in the display target period exceeds the maximum search number, Display means for displaying the number of directories, directory names, and / or date and time of creation of each directory only for the maximum number of searches, and reproduction means for reproducing music files located under the directories displayed by the display means. An audio player, comprising: 9. The audio player according to claim 7, wherein, when a plurality of directory names are displayed by the display unit, a selection unit for selecting a reproduction target directory from the plurality of directory names. An audio player comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces a music file located under a reproduction target directory selected by the selecting unit. 10. The audio player according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing a genre name associated with the music file. 11. The audio player according to claim 4, wherein the display target period is designated by a date, a time, and / or a day of the week.