Contact operation device and sound signal playing method

Abstract

An adapter (100A), which is a touch operation device, is provided with: an arm (111) having, at the tip thereof, a touch operation part (114) that comes into contact with a touch panel (205); and a support section (120) that supports the arm (111) and has a first support mechanism that moves the arm (111) so as to move the contact operation section (114) in the horizontal direction, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm (111) so as to move the contact operation section (114) in the vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a touch operation device and a method for playing a sound signal using the touch operation device. Background Art

[0002] Portable information terminals such as smartphones that have a function of playing songs are known. In the portable information terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1, a touch panel is used to provide the user with information necessary for selecting a song.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: (Japan) Patent No. 5048768 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the prior art, portable information terminals such as smartphones start playing sound signals based on the operation of touching a touch panel with a finger or stylus. Such operation is simple and convenient for users, but it does not impress users. On the other hand, even in today's digital audio era, record players still have a loyal audience. Users move the cartridge at the front end of the tonearm of the record player so that the stylus provided on the cartridge contacts the groove of the record. A sound is emitted at the moment the stylus contacts the groove. The momentary tension and relaxation of the sound will impress many users.

[0008] This invention is made in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a technical solution that can give users an operating feeling close to that of a record player.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] A touch operation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: an arm having a touch operation portion at the front end thereof which contacts a touch panel; a support portion which supports the arm and comprises a first support mechanism and a second support mechanism, wherein the first support mechanism moves the arm in such a manner that the touch operation portion moves in a horizontal direction, and the second support mechanism moves the arm in such a manner that the touch operation portion moves in a vertical direction.

[0011] Furthermore, a sound signal playback method according to another embodiment of the present invention is a sound signal playback method using a touch operation device and a portable information terminal, characterized in that the portable information terminal has a touch panel, and the touch operation device has: an arm having a touch operation portion at a front end that contacts the touch panel; a support portion that supports the arm and has a first support mechanism and a second support mechanism, the first support mechanism moves the arm in a manner that moves the touch operation portion in a horizontal direction, and the second support mechanism moves the arm in a manner that moves the touch operation portion in a vertical direction; the portable information terminal displays an image of a storage medium storing the sound signal on the touch panel, and when the touch operation portion contacts the touch panel displaying the image of the storage medium, a playback start position of the sound signal is determined based on a contact position of the touch operation portion in the image of the storage medium, and playback of the sound signal is started from the playback start position.

[0012] Furthermore, a method for playing a sound signal according to another embodiment of the present invention is a method for playing a sound signal by using a contact operation device and a portable information terminal, characterized in that the portable information terminal has a touch panel, and the contact operation device has: an arm having a contact operation portion at the front end that contacts the touch panel; a support portion that supports the arm and has a first support mechanism and a second support mechanism, the first support mechanism moves the arm in a manner that moves the contact operation portion in a horizontal direction, and the second support mechanism moves the arm in a manner that moves the contact operation portion in a vertical direction; a communication portion that receives a drive instruction from the portable information terminal; a drive portion that drives the arm in accordance with the drive instruction to move the contact operation portion; if the portable information terminal receives a selection of a sound signal, an image of a storage medium storing the sound signal is displayed on the touch panel, and a drive instruction is sent to the contact operation device to make the contact operation portion contact a position on the screen of the touch panel that corresponds to the start position of playing the sound signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing the structure of a reproduction system for executing a method for reproducing a sound signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a side view of the playback system.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the touch operation device in the playback system.

[0016] Figure 4This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the portable information terminal in the playback system.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the playback processing executed in the playback system.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a top view showing the operation of the playback system.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the playback start position in the playback system.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a touch operation device in a sound signal reproduction system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart of the playback process executed in this embodiment.

[0022] Fig.10 It is a plan view showing the structure of a sound signal broadcasting system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig.11 This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the touch operation device in the playback system.

[0024] Fig.12 This is a flowchart of the playback process executed in this embodiment.

[0025] Fig.13 This is a flowchart of playback processing performed in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.14 This is a flowchart of playback processing performed in another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] <First embodiment>

[0029] Figure 1 1 is a top view showing the structure of a playback system 300A for executing a method for playing a sound signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2: is a side view showing the structure of the playback system 300A. The playback system 300A includes: a smartphone 200A having a touch panel 205; and an adapter 100A having a function of wirelessly powering the smartphone 200A. In this embodiment, the adapter 100A is a touch operation device for performing touch operation on the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A, and has a form similar to a record player. Furthermore, the smartphone 200A is a portable information terminal that plays a sound signal in response to the touch operation performed by the adapter 100A.

[0030] The adapter 100A has a rectangular flat-plate-shaped base 101. A substantially rectangular-shaped power supply area 102 is provided substantially in the center of the base 101, and a primary side coil (not shown) is embedded in the power supply area 102. The user places the smartphone 200A, which is the power supply target, in the power supply area 102. The adapter 100A generates an AC magnetic field by passing an AC current through the primary side coil, and wirelessly supplies power to the smartphone 200A placed in the power supply area 102.

[0031] A short-range wireless communication unit 103 is disposed near one long side of the base 101. The short-range wireless communication unit 103 is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, and is a means of performing short-range wireless communication with the smartphone 200A as the communication object. In this embodiment, the adapter 100A receives the sound signal played by the smartphone 200A through the short-range wireless communication unit 103.

[0032] Two audio output units 104 are provided near both ends of one short side of the base 101 . These audio output units 104 are speakers. In the present embodiment, the adapter 100A emits audio signals received by the short-range wireless communication unit 103 from these audio output units 104 .

[0033] An arm 111 supported by a support portion 120 is disposed near the other short side of the base 101. A cartridge 112 is mounted on the front end of the arm 111. A counterweight 116 is mounted on the rear end of the arm 111. The support portion 120 supports a portion of the arm 111 close to the counterweight 116. Specifically, the support portion 120 supports the arm 111 so that it can rotate around a first axis 121 in the vertical direction and around a second axis 122 in the horizontal direction. The counterweight 116 serves to slow down the rotation speed of the arm 111 when the arm 111 rotates around the second axis 122 due to its own weight.

[0034] Furthermore, a placement portion 118 is provided on the base 101 to receive from below the intermediate portion between the support portion 120 and the cartridge 112 in the arm 111. The arm 111 is placed on the placement portion 118 when no sound signal is being reproduced.

[0035] A contact operation unit 114 is installed below the cartridge 112 at the front end of the arm 111. The contact operation unit 114 is a component that contacts the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A placed in the power supply area 102, and is made of a conductive elastic body. The cartridge 112 is provided with a handle 113. The user can move the cartridge 112 by grasping the handle 113 with a finger.

[0036] As described above, the arm 111 to which the cartridge 112 is mounted can rotate around the first axis 121. Therefore, the contact operation portion 114 of the cartridge 112 can move in an arc whose radius is the distance from the contact operation portion 114 to the first axis 121. When the smartphone 200A is properly arranged in the power supply area 102, the circular track passes through the center of the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A. In this way, the first axis 121 functions as a first support mechanism for moving the arm 111 so that the contact operation portion 114 moves in the horizontal direction.

[0037] Furthermore, the arm 111 on which the cartridge 112 is mounted can rotate around the second axis 122. Therefore, the contact operation portion 114 of the cartridge 112 can come into contact with the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A by descending, or can be separated from the touch panel 205 by ascending. In this way, the second axis 122 functions as a second support mechanism for moving the arm 111 so that the contact operation portion 114 moves in the up-down direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the adapter 100A functions as a touch operation device that brings the touch operation portion 114 into contact with a desired position on the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A, or separates the touch operation portion 114 from the touch panel 205 .

[0039] Here, among the inertial moments acting around the second axis 122 of the support portion 120, the inertial moment acting on the front end portion of the arm 111 is larger than the inertial moment acting on the rear end portion of the arm 111. Therefore, after the user brings the contact operation portion 114 into contact with the touch panel 205, the user releases the finger from the handle 113, and the contact operation portion 114 and the touch panel 205 continue to be in contact.

[0040] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the adapter 100A. Figure 3 As shown, the adapter 100A includes a CPU 131 , a storage unit 132 , a short-range wireless communication unit 103 , a wireless power supply unit 133 , and a sound output unit 104 .

[0041] The CPU 131 is a control unit that controls each part of the adapter 100A. The short-range wireless communication unit 103 and the sound output unit 104 are described in detail below. Figure 1 and Figure 2The wireless power supply unit 133 includes a primary coil embedded in the power supply region 102. The wireless power supply unit 133 generates an AC magnetic field for supplying power to the smartphone 200A by flowing an AC current through the primary coil.

[0042] The storage unit 132 is composed of a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM or a flash memory and a volatile storage unit such as a RAM. The non-volatile storage unit stores a control program executed by the CPU 131. The volatile storage unit is used as a work area by the CPU 131. The CPU 131 controls the power supply by the wireless power supply unit 133, the operation of receiving a sound signal from the smartphone 200A by the short-range wireless communication unit 103 and playing sound by the sound output unit 104 by executing the control program in the non-volatile storage unit.

[0043] Figure 4 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the smart phone 200A. Figure 4 As shown, the smartphone 200A includes a CPU 201 , a storage unit 202 , a sound input unit 203 , a sound output unit 204 , a wireless communication unit 206 , a short-range wireless communication unit 207 , a wireless charging unit 208 , and a battery 209 .

[0044] The sound input unit 203 is a microphone, and the sound output unit 204 is a speaker. The sound input unit 203 and the sound output unit 204 are mainly used as units for making calls. The touch panel 205 is a device that has both a display function for displaying various information and an operation function for receiving a contact operation. In this embodiment, the touch panel 205 becomes the operation object of the contact operation unit 114 of the adapter 100A. The wireless communication unit 206 is a unit that communicates with other communication devices via a network including a mobile communication network and the Internet. The battery 209 is a DC power supply that supplies power to various parts in the smartphone 200A. The wireless charging unit 208 receives power from the wireless power supply unit 133 of the adapter 100A and charges the battery 209. To explain in more detail, the wireless charging unit 208 includes a secondary coil that is magnetically coupled to the primary coil in the wireless power supply unit 133, and rectifies the AC current generated in the secondary coil so that it flows to the battery 209, thereby charging the battery 209.

[0045] The storage unit 202 is composed of a nonvolatile storage unit such as a ROM and a flash memory and a volatile storage unit such as a RAM. The nonvolatile storage unit stores control programs and application programs executed by the CPU 201. The volatile storage unit is used as a work area by the CPU 201. The CPU 201 controls various parts in the smartphone 200A by executing the control program in the nonvolatile storage unit.

[0046] The nonvolatile storage unit of the storage unit 202 stores one or more sound signal files that sequence sound signals of various kinds of music. In addition, the nonvolatile storage unit of the storage unit 202 stores a playback application that causes the CPU 201 to perform a playback process of reading a sound signal from the sound signal file and playing the sound. These sound signal files and the playback application are downloaded from a server connected to the Internet, for example, and stored in the nonvolatile storage unit of the storage unit 202.

[0047] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 2 is a flowchart showing the playback processing executed by the CPU 201 according to the playback application. If the short-distance wireless communication unit 207 of the smartphone 200A establishes a wireless connection with the short-distance wireless communication unit 103 of the adapter 100A, the CPU 201 starts to perform the playback processing. Figure 5 The playback process shown. First, CPU201 determines whether the smartphone 200A is configured in the power supply area 102 of the adapter 100A (step S10). This determination can be made, for example, by comparing the peak level of the AC voltage generated by the secondary side coil in the wireless charging unit 208 with a threshold value. If the determination result of step S10 is "No", CPU201 repeats the determination of step S10. If the determination result of step S10 is "Yes", the processing of CPU201 enters step S12.

[0048] Next, the process proceeds to step S12, where the CPU 201 sends a power supply instruction to the adapter 100A via the short-distance wireless communication unit 207. The CPU 131 of the adapter 100A receives the power supply instruction via the short-distance wireless communication unit 103, increases the current flowing to the primary coil of the wireless power supply unit 133, and increases the AC power supplied to the wireless charging unit 208 of the smartphone 200A. Thus, the wireless charging of the smartphone 200A by the adapter 100A starts.

[0049] Next, the process proceeds to step S20, where the CPU 201 displays a menu for receiving music selection on the touch panel 205. Next, the process proceeds to step S22, where the CPU 201 determines whether music has been selected. If the determination result is "no", the CPU 201 repeatedly performs the determination of step S22. If the determination result of step S22 is "yes", the process of the CPU 201 proceeds to step S30.

[0050] Next, the process proceeds to step S30, where the CPU 201 displays on the touch panel 205 an image of a record corresponding to the sound signal file of the music selected by the user. In this embodiment, the sound signal played by the CPU 201 is stored in the sound signal file in the storage unit 202. However, the purpose of this embodiment is to provide the user with an operation feeling close to that of a record player. Therefore, in step S30, the CPU 201 displays on the touch panel 205 an image of a record as an image of a storage medium storing the sound signal. It should be noted that the image of the storage medium may be a donut-shaped graphic imitating the shape of a record, etc.

[0051] Figure 6 2 is a top view showing a state where an image of a record 400 is displayed on the touch panel 205. The image of the record 400 includes images of the center Q of the record 400, the outermost groove Cst of the record 400, and the innermost groove Cen of the record 400. Here, the distance between the outermost groove Cst and the innermost groove Cen in the radial direction of the record 400 corresponds to the total duration of the sound signal stored in the sound signal file.

[0052] Next, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S44 to determine whether the contact operation unit 114 is in contact with the screen of the touch panel 205. If the result of the determination is "No", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S48, and if it is "Yes", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S46. Next, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S48 to determine whether a timeout has occurred, that is, whether the state in which the determination result of step S44 is "No" continues for more than a predetermined time. If the determination result is "No", the CPU 201 proceeds back to step S44, and if it is "Yes", the CPU 201 proceeds back to step S20.

[0053] If the determination result of step S44 becomes "yes" and the process proceeds to step S46, CPU 201 detects the contact position of contact operation unit 114 on touch panel 205. Next, the process proceeds to step S50, and CPU 201 starts playing the audio signal from the playback start position corresponding to the contact position.

[0054] Here, refer to Figure 7, the processing of step S50 will be described. As described above, the distance L1 between the outermost groove Cst and the innermost groove Cen in the radial direction of the record 400 corresponds to the total duration T of the sound signal stored in the sound signal file. Therefore, the CPU 201 obtains the distance L2 in the radial direction from the groove to which the contact position P belongs to the outermost groove Cst in the image of the record 400 displayed on the touch panel 205. Then, the CPU 201 sets the position of the sound signal in the sound signal file that is L2·T / L1 forward from the beginning as the playback start position.

[0055] Next, the CPU 201 enters step S52, where it plays a sound signal for a predetermined time from the current playback position in the sound signal file, and transmits it to the adapter 100A via the short-distance wireless communication unit 207. The sound signal is received by the short-distance wireless communication unit 103 of the adapter 100 and emitted by the sound output unit 104. By executing step S52, the playback position advances by a predetermined time on the time axis.

[0056] Next, step S56 is entered, and CPU 201 judges whether the playback position has reached the playback end position. Here, the playback end position is the last position of the sound signal in the sound signal file. When the judgment result is "no", the processing of CPU 201 enters step S58, and when "yes", CPU 201 performs playback stop processing (not shown) and returns to step S20.

[0057] Next, the process proceeds to step S58, where CPU 201 determines whether contact operation unit 114 has been released from the screen of touch panel 205. If the result of this determination is "No", CPU 201 proceeds to step S52, and if "Yes", CPU 201 proceeds to step S60.

[0058] Therefore, the sound signal is repeatedly played back from the time when the touch operation unit 114 touches the screen of the touch panel 205 until the playback position reaches the playback end position, or while the touch operation unit 114 is released from the screen of the touch panel 205 (step S52).

[0059] Next, the process proceeds to step S60, where the CPU 201 stops the playback of the audio signal in the audio signal file, and then the process of the CPU 201 returns to step S44.

[0060] Next, the user causes the contact operation unit 114 to leave the screen of the touch panel 205, and causes the contact operation unit 114 to contact the screen of the touch panel 205 before the timeout occurs in step S48. In this case, the judgment result of step S58 is "yes", and the processing of CPU201 enters step S44 through step S60. Then, the judgment result of step S44 is "yes" before the timeout occurs in step S48, and CPU201 detects the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 (step S46). Then, CPU201 uses the position corresponding to the contact position as the playback start position (step S50), and continues to play the sound signal in the sound signal file starting from the playback start position.

[0061] The user releases the touch operation unit 114 from the screen of the touch panel 205 again, and then the same process as the case where the touch operation unit 114 is brought into contact with the screen of the touch panel 205 is performed before the timeout occurs. Therefore, the user repeatedly performs the operation of bringing the touch operation unit 114 into contact with different positions on the screen of the touch panel 205, so that the sound signal can be played from a plurality of different playback positions in the sound signal file.

[0062] Next, when the playback position reaches the playback end position, the judgment result of step S56 becomes "yes", and CPU201 performs playback stop processing (not shown) and returns to receiving the music selection (step S20).

[0063] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the smartphone 200A as a portable information terminal has the touch panel 205, and the adapter 100A as a touch operation device has: the arm 111 having the touch operation portion 114 in contact with the touch panel 205 at the front end; and the support portion 120, which is a support portion for supporting the arm 111 and has the first shaft 121 as a first support mechanism and the second shaft 122 as a second support mechanism, the first shaft 121 moving the arm 111 so as to move the touch operation portion 114 in the horizontal direction, and the second shaft 122 moving the arm 111 so as to move the touch operation portion 114 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the smartphone 200A displays an image of the record 400 as a storage medium storing a sound signal on the touch panel 205, and when the touch operation portion 114 contacts the touch panel 205 displaying the image of the record 400, the playback start position of the sound signal is determined based on the contact position of the touch operation portion 114 in the image displayed on the touch panel 205, and the sound signal is played from the playback start position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with an operational feeling close to that of a record player.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the smartphone 200A continues to play the audio signal while the contact operation unit 114 is in contact with the touch panel 205. Therefore, in this regard, it is possible to provide the user with an operation feeling similar to that of a record player.

[0065] <Second embodiment>

[0066] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the adapter 100B in the broadcasting system 300B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the adapter 100B has a structure in which a horizontal drive unit 135 and a vertical drive unit 136 are added to the adapter 100A of the first embodiment. Here, the horizontal drive unit 135 includes a Figure 1 The arm 111 in the embodiment rotates around the first axis 121 and moves the contact operation part 114 in the horizontal direction. Figure 1 The motor rotates the arm 111 about the second axis 122 and moves the contact operation unit 114 in the up-down direction. The short-range wireless communication unit 103 receives a drive instruction related to the arm 111 from the smartphone 200A. The CPU 131 controls the horizontal drive unit 135 and the vertical drive unit 136 according to the drive instruction to drive the arm 111, thereby moving the contact operation unit 114.

[0068] The playback system 300B includes a smartphone 200A having the same structure as the first embodiment. The smartphone 200A in this embodiment has two additional functions in addition to the same functions as the first embodiment. The first additional function is a function of making the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 follow the playback position. The second additional function is a function of lifting the touch operation unit 114 from the touch panel 205 and moving the arm 111 to the placement unit 118 when the playback of the sound signal in the sound signal file ends.

[0069] Fig. 9 2 is a flowchart of the playback process executed by the CPU 201 of the smartphone 200A according to the playback application in this embodiment. Figure 5 ) in which step S32 is added after step S30, step S54 is added after step S52, and step S62 is added as a process for the case where the judgment result of step S56 is "yes".

[0070] In this embodiment, after the CPU 201 displays the image of the record on the touch panel 205 (step S30), it communicates with the adapter 100B (step S32). In this communication, the CPU 201 transmits information indicating the radius of the outermost groove Cst and the innermost groove Cen of the record displayed on the touch panel 205, and the total duration T of the sound signal in the sound signal file to the adapter 100B via the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0071] Then, when the processing of step S52 for playing the sound signal for a predetermined time is completed, the CPU 201 controls the playback position to follow the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 (step S54). Specifically, in step S54, the CPU 202 sends a drive instruction accompanying the playback position to the adapter 100B via the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0072] When the CPU 131 of the adapter 100B receives the playback position and the drive instruction via the short-distance wireless communication unit 103 , it performs control to move the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 to a position corresponding to the playback position.

[0073] To explain in more detail, based on the information indicating the radius of the outermost groove Cst of the record received in step S32, CPU 131 calculates the rotation angle θ1 of the arm 111 (for example, the rotation angle from the placement portion 118) required to make the contact operation portion 114 reach the position of the outermost groove Cst.

[0074] Next, the CPU 131 obtains an additional rotation angle θ2 for making the position of the touch operation unit 114 reach the position corresponding to the playback position. Specifically, when the total duration of the sound signal is T, the playback position is t, and the difference between the radius of the outermost peripheral groove Cst and the radius of the innermost peripheral groove Cen is LD, the CPU 201 obtains a groove (a substantially circular groove) that moves in the radial direction from the outermost peripheral groove Cst by a distance LD·t / T, and obtains an additional rotation angle θ2 for making the position of the touch operation unit 114 reach the position of the groove. Then, the CPU 131 causes the horizontal drive unit 135 to perform horizontal driving so that the rotation angle of the arm 111 is θ1+θ2.

[0075] And, in this embodiment, when the playback position reaches the playback end position, if the judgment result of step S56 is "yes", the processing of CPU201 enters step S62. In this step S62, CPU201 sends a drive instruction to stop the playback of the sound signal and return to the initial position to adapter 100B through the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0076] When the CPU 131 of the adapter 100B receives the driving instruction to return to the initial position through the short-distance wireless communication unit 103, the vertical driving unit 136 drives the arm 111 vertically to move the contact operation unit 114 away from the touch panel 205. Next, the CPU 131 drives the arm 111 horizontally through the horizontal driving unit 135 to move the arm 111 above the placement unit 118. Next, the CPU 131 drives the arm 111 vertically through the vertical driving unit 136 to place the arm 111 on the placement unit 118.

[0077] According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the adapter 100B as a touch operation device includes the short-range wireless communication unit 103 that receives a drive instruction from the smartphone 200A, and the horizontal drive unit 135 and the vertical drive unit 136 that drive the arm 111 according to the drive instruction to move the touch operation unit 114, and the smartphone 200A sends a drive instruction to the adapter 100B to make the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 follow the playback position of the sound signal. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 follows the playback position of the sound signal, and in this respect, the user can be provided with an operation feeling close to that of a record player.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the playback position of the sound signal reaches the playback end position, the smartphone 200A sends a drive instruction to the adapter 100B to move the arm 111 toward the placement portion 118, and the adapter 100B moves the arm 111 toward the placement portion 118. Therefore, the convenience of the playback system 300B can be improved.

[0079] <Third embodiment>

[0080] Fig.10 FIG. 3 is a top view showing the structure of a playback system 300C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 In the above-mentioned first embodiment ( Figure 1 ) are marked with common figure marks and their descriptions are omitted.

[0081] In the adapter 100C of the playback system 300C, a guide rail 109 is provided near one long side of the base 101. The guide rail 109 supports a support portion 120 that supports the arm 111. The support portion 120 can slide along the guide rail 109. As in the first embodiment described above, the support portion 120 has a second axis 122. The arm 111 can rotate around the second axis 122. Therefore, the support portion 120 functions as a first support mechanism that moves the arm 111 in a manner that moves the contact operation portion 114 in the horizontal direction, and as a second support mechanism that moves the arm 111 in a manner that moves the contact operation portion 114 in the vertical direction. In addition to the contact operation portion 114, an operation object detection portion 137 is also installed below the cartridge 112. Here, the operation object detection portion 137 is, for example, a camera that captures the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A.

[0082] Fig.11 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an adapter 100C in a playback system 300C. Figure 8 ) is added with an operation object detection unit 137, and the horizontal drive unit 135 of the adapter 100B is replaced with a horizontal drive unit 135a. The horizontal drive unit 135a includes a motor that moves the support unit 120 supporting the arm 111 along the guide rail 109.

[0083] The playback system 300C includes a smartphone 200A having the same configuration as the first embodiment. As in the second embodiment, the smartphone 200A in this embodiment has: a function of causing the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 to follow the playback position; and a function of lifting the touch operation unit 114 from the touch panel 205 and moving the arm 111 to the placement unit 118 when the playback of the sound signal in the sound signal file ends. In addition, the smartphone 200A in this embodiment has two additional functions. The first additional function is a function of starting the playback of the sound signal according to the operation of the touch panel 205, and moving the touch operation unit 114 to a position corresponding to the playback start position and contacting it. The second additional function is a function of stopping the playback of the sound signal according to the operation of the touch panel 205 and moving the arm 111 to the placement unit 118.

[0084] Fig.12 2 is a flowchart of the playback process performed by the CPU 201 of the smartphone 200A according to the playback application in this embodiment. Fig. 9 ), step S20 is replaced by step S20a, steps S44, S46 and S48 are replaced by step S40, and step S58 is replaced by step S58a.

[0085] In the present embodiment, CPU201 also receives the selection of the playback start position when receiving the selection of music in step S20a. Specifically, when the sound signal file of the selected music includes the sound signal of a plurality of songs, CPU201 receives the selection of a desired song in these plurality of songs and obtains the playback start position of the sound signal of the song.

[0086] Then, in step S40 , the CPU 201 transmits a drive command accompanying the playback start position selected in step S20 a to the adapter 100C via the short-distance wireless communication unit 207 .

[0087] The CPU 131 of the adapter 100C receives the playback start position and the drive instruction through the short-distance wireless communication unit 103, and controls the contact operation unit 114 to move to the position corresponding to the playback start position. Specifically, the CPU 131 moves the arm 111 along the guide rail 109 and photographs the touch panel 205 through the operation object detection unit 137. Then, based on the photographing result of the operation object detection unit 137, when the CPU 131 detects that the position of the contact operation unit 114 passes through the position of the outermost peripheral groove Cst and reaches the position corresponding to the playback start position, the horizontal drive of the arm 111 is stopped, and the arm 111 is vertically driven to make the contact operation unit 114 contact the touch panel 205.

[0088] Then, the CPU 201 determines in step S58a whether a stop operation has been performed. The stop operation is a contact operation performed on the stop indication icon displayed on the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A. If the determination result of step S58a is "yes", similar to the second embodiment, the CPU 201 stops the playback of the sound signal and sends a drive instruction to the adapter 100B to return to the initial position through the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0089] When the CPU 131 of the adapter 100B receives a drive instruction to return to the initial position via the short-distance wireless communication unit 103 , the CPU 131 controls the vertical drive unit 136 and the horizontal drive unit 135 a to move the arm 111 and place it on the placement unit 118 .

[0090] In this embodiment, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if the smartphone 200A receives the selection of the sound signal, the image of the record on which the sound signal is recorded is displayed on the touch panel 205, and a drive instruction is sent to the adapter 100C to make the contact operation unit 114 contact the position corresponding to the playback start position of the sound signal on the screen of the touch panel 205. Therefore, the playback of the sound signal starts at the same time as the contact operation unit 114 contacts the position corresponding to the playback start position on the screen of the touch panel 205. Therefore, the convenience of the playback system 300C can be improved.

[0091] <Other embodiments>

[0092] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, other embodiments are also contemplated for the present invention. For example, the following are examples.

[0093] (1) In the first to third embodiments described above, a recess having the same planar shape and size as the smartphone 200A may be provided in the base 101, and the smartphone 200A may be accommodated in the recess for wireless power supply. In this case, it is preferred that the center of the recess coincides with the center of the power supply area 102, and the center of the recess is located on the trajectory drawn by the contact operation portion 114 when the arm 111 moves horizontally.

[0094] (2) In the first to third embodiments, an adapter with a wireless power supply function is provided in the playback system as a touch operation device, but a touch operation device without a wireless power supply function may also be provided in the playback system. In this case, the touch operation device may be used without the base 101 and the support portion 120 may be fixed to a desktop or a portable information terminal (tablet computer, etc.) with a large screen portion.

[0095] (3) In the second and third embodiments described above, the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 is caused to follow the playback position of the sound signal by sending a drive command accompanied by the playback position from the smartphone to the adapter. However, as an alternative, the adapter may move the contact position of the touch operation unit 114 toward the center of the record at a certain speed after the touch operation unit 114 is brought into contact with the touch panel 205. The certain speed in this case may be determined based on the rotation speed of the record assumed to be the source of the sound signal.

[0096] (4) In the first embodiment, smartphone 200A displays an image of record 400 of a size that fits within touch panel 205 on touch panel 205. However, the size of record 400 displayed on touch panel 205 is arbitrary and may be specified by the user, for example.

[0097] (5) In the first to third embodiments, wireless power supply is not essential for playing the sound signal. Fig.13 The playback process is changed as shown in the flowchart. In this scheme, when the judgment result of step S10 becomes "No", the process proceeds to step S11, and CPU201 judges whether a timeout occurs, that is, whether the state in which the judgment result of step S10 becomes "No" continues for more than a specified time. In the case where the judgment result is "No", the process of CPU201 returns to step S10, and in the case of "Yes", the process of CPU201 proceeds to step S20. In this scheme, in the case where a smartphone has not been set in the power supply area for more than a specified time in this way or in the case where a smartphone is set in a contact operation device that does not have a wireless power supply function, the process for playing the sound signal is started without power supply. In addition, it is also considered that a smartphone without a wireless charging function is configured on an adapter with a wireless power supply function. In this case, for the smartphone without a wireless charging function, the process is omitted. Figure 5 , Fig. 9 as well as Fig.12 The processing of steps S10 and S12 in ( Fig.13 In this case, the processing for playing the sound signal is started without power supply.

[0098] (6) In the first and second embodiments, the user can operate the arm 111, and the contact position of the contact operation portion 114 on the touch panel 205 can be moved during the playback of the sound signal. In addition, in the first and second embodiments, when the user wants to change the playback position to a desired position during the playback of the sound signal, the user moves the contact operation portion 114 away from the touch panel 205 and moves the contact position of the contact operation portion 114 on the touch panel 205. Here, when a record player is used, in order to avoid damaging the record, the needle is temporarily separated from the record and then the contact position of the needle on the record is moved. However, in the first and second embodiments, the contact operation portion 114 is brought into contact with the touch panel 205 displaying the image of the record. Therefore, even if the contact position is moved while the contact operation portion 114 is in contact with the touch panel 205, there is no problem of damage to the touch panel 205. Therefore, in the playback processing of the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, in addition to the case where the contact operation unit 114 leaves the touch panel 205, when the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 moves due to the user's operation, the sound signal can also be played from the position corresponding to the moved contact position.

[0099] Specifically, if Fig.14The playback process of the first embodiment described above is changed as shown in the flowchart of Figure 5 ) and the playback process of the second embodiment described above ( Fig. 9 ). In this scheme, steps S57 and S61 are added to the playback process of the first and second embodiments.

[0100] In step S57, the CPU 201 determines whether the moving speed of the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 in the touch panel 205 is greater than a threshold value. Here, the threshold value is, for example, a predetermined value greater than the moving speed of the stylus in the radial direction of the record when the record rotates at a predetermined rotation speed (e.g., 33 rpm, 45 rpm, etc.). If the result of this determination is "yes", the CPU 201 considers that the contact operation unit 114 has moved due to the user's operation, and enters the processing of step S61.

[0101] Next, the CPU 201 enters step S61, where it stops playing the sound signal and waits for a specified time. Here, the specified time is the time required for the user to move the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 to the desired position. After step S61 is completed, the CPU 201 enters step S44. Thereafter, the same processing as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment is performed, and the sound signal is played from the playback start position corresponding to the moved contact position (see Figure 5 , Fig. 9 ). In this scheme, the user can freely change the playback position during the playback of the sound signal by moving the arm 111.

[0102] Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 300A, 300B, 300C…playback system; 100A, 100B, 100C…adapter; 200A…smartphone; 111…arm; 112…cartridge; 113…handle; 114…contact operation unit; 116…weight; 118…placing unit; 120…support unit; 121…first axis; 122…second axis; 101…base; 102…power supply area; 103, 207…short-range wireless communication unit; 104, 204…sound output unit; 133…wireless power supply unit; 131, 201…CPU; 132, 202…storage unit; 205…touch panel; 203…sound input unit; 206…wireless communication unit; 208…wireless charging unit; 209…battery; 135, 135a…horizontal drive unit; 136…vertical drive unit; 137…operation object detection unit.

Claims

1. A touch operation device, characterized in that: have: an arm having a contact operation portion at a front end for contacting the touch panel; The support portion supports the arm and has a first support mechanism and a second support mechanism, wherein the first support mechanism moves the arm in a manner that the contact operation portion moves in a horizontal direction, and the second support mechanism moves the arm in a manner that the contact operation portion moves in a vertical direction.

2. The touch operation device according to claim 1, A driving portion is provided for moving the contact operation portion by driving the arm.

3. The touch operation device according to claim 2, having a communication unit for receiving a driving instruction of the arm, The driving unit drives the arm according to the driving instruction.

4. A method for playing a sound signal by contacting an operating device and a portable information terminal, characterized in that: The portable information terminal has a touch panel. The contact operation device comprises: an arm having a contact operation portion at a front end thereof that contacts the touch panel; a support portion that supports the arm and includes a first support mechanism that moves the arm in a manner that the contact operation portion moves in a horizontal direction and a second support mechanism that moves the arm in a manner that the contact operation portion moves in a vertical direction; The portable information terminal displays an image of a storage medium storing a sound signal on the touch panel. When the touch operating unit contacts the touch panel displaying the image of the storage medium, a playback start position of the sound signal is determined based on a contact position of the touch operating unit in the image of the storage medium, and playback of the sound signal is started from the playback start position.

5. The playback method according to claim 4, While the contact operation unit is in contact with the touch panel, the portable information terminal continues to play the sound signal.

6. The playback method according to claim 5, The touch operation device comprises: a communication unit that receives a drive instruction from the portable information terminal; a driving unit that drives the arm according to the driving instruction so as to move the contact operation unit; The portable information terminal transmits a drive instruction to the touch operation device so that a contact position of the touch operation portion on the touch panel follows a playback position of the sound signal.

7. A method for playing a sound signal by using a touch operation device and a portable information terminal, characterized in that: The portable information terminal has a touch panel. The contact operation device comprises: an arm having a contact operation portion at a front end thereof that contacts the touch panel; a support portion that supports the arm and includes a first support mechanism that moves the arm in a manner that the contact operation portion moves in a horizontal direction and a second support mechanism that moves the arm in a manner that the contact operation portion moves in a vertical direction; a communication unit that receives a driving instruction from the portable information terminal; a driving unit that drives the arm according to the driving instruction so as to move the contact operation unit; If the portable information terminal receives a selection of a sound signal, it displays an image of a storage medium storing the sound signal on the touch panel and sends a drive instruction to the touch operation device to make the touch operation unit contact a position on the screen of the touch panel corresponding to the start position of playing the sound signal.

8. The playback method according to claim 6 or 7, When the playback position of the audio signal reaches the playback end position, the portable information terminal transmits a drive instruction to the touch operation device to move the arm to a predetermined position.

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