Sound quality adjustment system and sound quality adjustment method

Abstract

To support adjustment to a parameter desired by a user even when the user is unfamiliar with adjustment of an equalizer.SOLUTION: The sound quality adjustment system includes a first icon indicating an auditory position of a sound output from an earphone and at least one second icon indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of a signal of the sound, and displays an equalizer that accepts an adjustment operation of an adjustment parameter for each frequency of the signal of the sound, and when accepting a user operation of bringing the second icon close to or away from the first icon, calculates an adjustment parameter of the signal of the sound based on a distance between the first icon and the second icon, and outputs a sound changed to the calculated adjustment parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sound quality adjustment system and a sound quality adjustment method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an equalizer that adjusts the frequency characteristics of an input audio signal. The equalizer displays an equalizer section that adjusts the frequency characteristics of the audio signal, and an operation screen that accepts an operation to set the amount of adjustment of the frequency characteristics in the equalizer section, and adjustably displays the original gain magnitude for each predetermined frequency band of the audio signal to be adjusted and the gain magnitude for the predetermined frequency band of the audio signal after adjustment that reflects the frequency characteristics of the output stage of the equalizer, as well as displaying information indicating the frequency band of the sound included in the sound source of the audio signal to be adjusted and the audio source set for that sound.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a sound quality adjustment device that corrects sound parameters related to a frequency band desired by a user. The sound quality adjustment device acquires and sets sound parameters adjusted for each vehicle model, associates multiple frequency bands obtained by dividing the audible frequency range with language expressing an image of the sound quality to be adjusted in each frequency band, stores the association as an adjustment model, displays the language corresponding to each frequency band, accepts operations for adjusting the sound quality related to the frequency band desired by the user, and corrects the sound parameters related to the frequency band desired by the user from among the set sound parameters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-251802 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-11764 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional situation, and aims to provide a sound quality adjustment system and a sound quality adjustment method that assist users, even those who are unfamiliar with adjusting equalizers, in adjusting parameters to their desired settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a sound quality adjustment system comprising a wireless terminal and two earphones communicatively connected to the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal includes a first icon indicating a listening position for sound output from the earphones and at least one second icon indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of the sound signal, and displays an equalizer that accepts adjustment operations for the frequency characteristics of the sound signal, and when the equalizer accepts a user operation to move the second icon closer to or further away from the first icon, calculates adjustment parameters for the sound based on the distance between the first icon and the second icon and transmits them to the earphones, and the earphones output sound modified according to the transmitted adjustment parameters.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a sound quality adjustment method performed by a sound quality adjustment system including a wireless terminal and two earphones communicatively connected to the wireless terminal, the sound quality adjustment method including: a first icon indicating the listening position of the sound output from the earphones; and at least one second icon indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of the sound signal; an equalizer that accepts adjustment operations for the frequency characteristics of the sound signal; and, when the equalizer accepts a user operation to move the second icon closer to or further away from the first icon, calculating an adjustment parameter for the sound based on the distance between the first icon and the second icon, and outputting sound modified to the calculated adjustment parameter.

[0008] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, even a user who is unfamiliar with adjusting an equalizer can be assisted in adjusting parameters to the user's desire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an earphone according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a rear view of an earphone according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] Block diagram of earphones according to an embodiment [Figure 4] Block diagram of a smartphone according to an embodiment [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an equalizer in the present disclosure. [Figure 6] A diagram comparing the equalizer of the present disclosure with a conventional equalizer. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of changes in adjustment parameters of an equalizer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of increasing an adjustment parameter of an equalizer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reducing adjustment parameters of an equalizer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing a first example of an operation procedure of a smartphone according to an embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 shows an example of screen transitions in a first example of operation procedure. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of an operation procedure of the smartphone according to the embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 shows an example of screen transitions in a second example of the operation procedure. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an equalizer according to a modified example of the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Background to this disclosure) Conventionally, equalizers have adjusted the sound quality of music output from speakers by accepting user operation to adjust adjustment parameters for specific frequency bands of an audio signal. However, in order to change the sound of a specific instrument by adjusting the equalizer, the user had to adjust adjustment parameters for multiple frequency bands. Therefore, users who are unfamiliar with adjusting equalizers have found it difficult to adjust the adjustment parameters for each frequency band to achieve the sound quality they desire.

[0012] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for supporting equalizer adjustment by a user who is unfamiliar with equalizer adjustment, in which the user adjusts the gain for each frequency band of an audio signal while referring to information indicating the frequency band of the sound included in the sound source of the audio signal to be adjusted and the audio source set for the sound (for example, musical instruments such as drums, cymbals, and piano that emit sounds that constitute the audio signal of a music file, and male or female singing voices, etc.) and the frequency band of the information indicating each audio source. Patent Document 2 also discloses a method for supporting equalizer adjustment by a user who does not have specialized acoustic knowledge in a situation where unintended sound quality is produced even with sound parameters adjusted to the best conditions for each vehicle model, in which the audible frequency range is divided into multiple frequency bands, each frequency band is associated with a language that expresses an image of the sound quality to be adjusted, and sound quality adjustment is accepted by accepting a selection operation for each language for the sound quality of the output sound.

[0013] However, although Patent Document 1 displays information indicating each audio source, it is necessary to adjust the magnitude of the gain for each frequency band of the audio signal, as in conventional equalizer adjustment, and there is room for improvement in terms of supporting users who are unfamiliar with equalizer adjustment.Furthermore, Patent Document 2 allows easy equalizer adjustment by selecting a desired language from the displayed languages ​​and performing an operation for sound quality adjustment, but since interpretation of the language is left up to each individual user, it may be difficult to adjust the sound quality to the desired level.

[0014] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, embodiments specifically disclosing a sound quality adjustment system and a sound quality adjustment method in the present disclosure will be described in detail. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters and redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0015] Note that, in this disclosure, as an example, an example will be described in which adjustment of the sound quality output by completely wireless earphones (hereinafter referred to as "earphones"), also known as True Wireless Stereo (TWS), is received by a smartphone communicably connected to the earphones, but the means for realizing the invention of this disclosure are not limited to this. For example, the earphones in this disclosure may be replaced with any device capable of outputting sound, such as headphones or speakers. Furthermore, for example, the smartphone in this disclosure may be realized by an equalizer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, or a touch panel integrated with the earphones, headphones, speakers, etc., as long as it is capable of adjusting the sound quality of the sound output from the earphones, headphones, speakers, etc.

[0016] First, the hardware configuration of the earphones 1L and 1R will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a front view of the earphones 1L and 1R. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a rear view of the earphones 1L and 1R.

[0017] For ease of explanation, the axis perpendicular to the surface of the touch sensor TCL of the earphone 1L as shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the Z-axis. The axis perpendicular to the Z-axis (i.e., parallel to the touch sensor TCL of the earphone 1L) and extending from the earphone 1L to the earphone 1R is defined as the Y-axis. The axis perpendicular to the Y-axis and Z-axis is defined as the X-axis. In this embodiment, the orientation of the earphone 1L in FIG. 1 is defined as a front view. These directional expressions are used for ease of explanation and are not intended to limit the orientation of the structure during actual use. The same applies to other drawings.

[0018] In this embodiment, the left earphone 1L and the right earphone 1R of the pair of left and right earphones 1L and 1R have the same configuration. The same components are designated by adding an "L" to the end of the reference numeral for the left earphone 1L and an "R" to the end of the reference numeral for the right earphone 1R. In the following explanation, only the left earphone 1L will be explained, and the explanation of the other right earphone 1R will be omitted.

[0019] The earphones 1 are two earphones 1L and 1R that are fitted to the left and right ears of a user, respectively, and each has a plurality of earpieces of different sizes interchangeably fitted to one end thereof.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the earphones 1L are inner-type acoustic devices worn in the user's ears. They receive sound data (e.g., music data) transmitted wirelessly (e.g., via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark)) from an external device such as a smartphone or portable audio player owned by the user. The earphones 1L acoustically output sound signals based on the received sound data. When the earphones 1L are not in use, they are placed in a cradle (not shown), which serves as a charging case. When the earphones 1L are placed in a predetermined location on the cradle, for example, if the battery B1L (FIG. 3) built into the earphones 1L is not fully charged, the battery B1L built into the earphones is charged using power transmitted from the cradle.

[0021] The earphone 1L has a housing HOL as a structural component. The housing HOL is made of a composite of materials such as synthetic resin, metal, and ceramic.

[0022] The earphone 1L has an earpiece IPL attached to the main body of the earphone 1L. For example, the earphone 1L is held in a state where it is inserted into the ear canal of the user's ear by the earpiece IPL, and this held state is the earphone 1L's in-use state.

[0023] The earpiece IPL is formed from a flexible material such as silicone and is injection molded to have an inner tube portion (not shown) and an outer tube portion (not shown). The earpiece IPL is fixed by inserting its inner tube portion into a cylindrical mounting portion of the housing HOL, and is replaceable (detachable) from the cylindrical mounting portion of the housing HOL. The earpiece IPL is attached to the user's ear canal by its outer tube portion and elastically deforms according to the shape of the ear canal into which it is attached. This elastic deformation holds the earpiece IPL in the user's ear canal. The earpiece IPL comes in a number of different sizes. One of the earpieces of a number of different sizes is attached to the earphone 1L and worn on the user's left ear.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor TCL is provided on one end of the housing HOL opposite to the end where the earpiece IPL is disposed. The touch sensor TCL is a sensor element having a touch sensor function that detects a user's input operation (e.g., a touch operation). The sensor element is, for example, an electrode of a capacitive touch sensor. The touch sensor TCL may be formed, for example, as a perfect circular surface, or may be formed, for example, as an elliptical surface. The touch sensor TCL may also be formed, for example, as a rectangular surface.

[0025] Based on touch operations, the earphone 1L issues instructions to an external device to play, stop, skip forward, go back, etc., to perform pairing operations to perform wireless communication with an external device such as a smartphone via Bluetooth (registered trademark), and controls (adjusts) the volume of the sound output from the speaker SP1L.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the speaker SP1L is disposed within the cylindrical mounting portion of the housing HOL. The speaker SP1L is an electronic component that acoustically outputs sound data wirelessly transmitted from an external device. Inside the housing HOL, the front surface of the speaker SP1L (in other words, the sound-emitting surface from which the acoustically output sound is emitted) faces the cylindrical mounting portion of the housing HOL, which is covered by the earpiece IPL. This allows the sound acoustically output from the speaker SP1L to be transmitted from the user's ear canal (e.g., the outer ear) to the inner ear and eardrum, allowing the user to hear the sound.

[0027] The wearing sensor SEL is configured with a device that detects whether the earphone 1L is worn on the user's left ear, and is configured using, for example, an infrared sensor or an electrostatic sensor. In the case of an infrared sensor, if the earphone 1L is worn on the user's left ear, the wearing sensor SEL can detect that the earphone 1L is worn on the user's left ear by receiving infrared light that is emitted from the wearing sensor SEL and reflected inside the left ear. Furthermore, if the earphone 1L is not worn on the user's left ear, the wearing sensor SEL can detect that the earphone 1L is not worn on the user's left ear by not receiving infrared light that is emitted from the wearing sensor SEL and reflected.

[0028] On the other hand, in the case of a capacitive sensor, when the earphone 1L is worn on the user's left ear, the wear sensor SEL can detect that the earphone 1L is worn on the user's left ear by determining that a change in capacitance corresponding to the distance to the inside of the user's left ear is greater than a threshold value held by the wear sensor SEL. Also, when the earphone 1L is not worn on the user's left ear, the wear sensor SEL can detect that the earphone 1L is not worn on the user's left ear by determining that a change in capacitance value is smaller than a threshold value held by the wear sensor SEL. The wear sensor SEL is provided at a position facing the ear canal when the earphone 1L is inserted in the user's left ear and on the back side of the touch sensor TCL.

[0029] Next, a block diagram of the earphones will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the earphones according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of each of the pair of left and right earphones 1L and 1R shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Note that, of the pair of left and right earphones 1L and 1R, the configuration of the earphone 1L will be described below, but the configuration of the earphone 1R is the same as that of the earphone 1L. Therefore, similarly, a description of the earphone 1R will be omitted in FIG. 3 as well.

[0030] The sound quality adjustment system 100 includes an earphone 1L, an earphone 1R, and a smartphone F1.

[0031] The touch sensor TCL is communicatively connected to the earphone control unit S2L ​​and outputs a signal related to a touch operation performed by the user to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0032] The wearing sensor SEL is communicatively connected to the earphone control unit S2L, and outputs a signal indicating whether or not the earphone 1L is in contact with the user's ear to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0033] The power monitoring unit 13L is configured using, for example, a semiconductor chip. The power monitoring unit 13L has a battery B1L and measures the remaining charge of the battery B1L. The battery B1L is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The power monitoring unit 13L outputs information related to the measured remaining charge of the battery B1L to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0034] The sound signal output control unit S1L and the earphone control unit S2L ​​realize their respective functions by using programs and data stored in ROM11L, which is a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM"). The sound signal output control unit S1L and the earphone control unit S2L ​​may use RAM12L, which is a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM"), during operation and temporarily store generated or acquired data or information in RAM12L.

[0035] The sound signal output control unit S1L is configured using a processor such as a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU"), a micro processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "MPU"), or a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as "DSP"). The sound signal output control unit S1L is communicatively connected to the earphone control unit S2L ​​and exchanges sound signals as digital signals converted into digital format using the pulse code modulation (hereinafter referred to as "PCM"). The sound signal output control unit S1L controls the volume and sound quality of the sound output from the speaker SP1L based on setting information such as the volume output from the earphone control unit S2L, the gain of each frequency band, or the Q value. The sound signal output control unit S1L adjusts the digital signal related to the sound signal acquired from the smartphone F1 to the currently set volume or gain and outputs the sound to the speaker SP1L.

[0036] The earphone control unit S2L ​​is configured using a processor such as a CPU, MPU, or DSP, and is communicatively connected to the sound signal output control unit S1L, ROM 11L, RAM 12L, power monitoring unit 13L, and wireless communication unit 14L, exchanging sound signals as digital signals converted into digital format using the PCM method. The earphone control unit S2L ​​functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the earphone 1L, and performs control processing to oversee the operation of each unit of the earphone 1L, data input / output processing between each unit of the earphone 1L, data calculation processing, and data storage processing.

[0037] The earphone control unit S2L ​​generates a control command to adjust the sound output from the speaker SP1L based on the setting information of the adjustment parameters transmitted from the smartphone F1, and outputs the control command to the sound signal output control unit S1L. Note that in the following description of this disclosure, the adjustment parameters refer to three pieces of information: gain, Q value (bandwidth), and filter type (e.g., LPF, HPF, etc.) for determining the filter shape for each frequency band that can be adjusted by the equalizer.

[0038] The wireless communication unit 14L wirelessly connects the earphone 1L and the smartphone F1 so that they can transmit and receive signals, and receives audio signals from the smartphone F1. The wireless communication unit 14L has an antenna ATL and performs short-range wireless communication according to, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standard. The wireless communication unit 14L may be provided so as to be connectable to a communication line such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a mobile communication line. Furthermore, each of the earphones 1L and 1R can individually perform wireless communication with the smartphone F1 using the wireless communication unit 14L and the wireless communication unit 14R. Therefore, each of the earphones 1L and 1R can receive data, audio signals, or information transmitted from the smartphone F1.

[0039] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the smartphone F1 will be described using a block diagram of the smartphone F1 with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a block diagram of the smartphone F1 according to the present embodiment.

[0040] The smartphone F1 is a wireless terminal carried by a user. The smartphone F1 includes a display / operation unit 30, a public line communication I / F unit 31, a public line protocol control unit 32, a control unit 33, a ROM 34, a RAM 35, an audio signal bus 36, an audio signal input / output control unit 37, a short-range wireless control unit 38, a wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39, an earphone communication I / F unit 40, a USB communication I / F unit 41, and a battery B2. Note that in FIG. 4, the interface is abbreviated as "IF."

[0041] The display / operation unit 30 is configured using a touch panel that accepts user operations and displays data generated by the control unit 33, and forms a so-called user interface. The display / operation unit 30 may display various screens (for example, the various screens shown in FIGS. 11 and 13) generated by the control unit 33. The display / operation unit 30 accepts user operations on the various displayed screens, generates input signals, and outputs the input signals to the control unit 33.

[0042] The public line communication I / F unit 31 is connected to an antenna AT3 provided in the smartphone F1, and performs wireless communication using a public line with a public base station (not shown) (for example, wireless communication conforming to 4G (fourth generation mobile communication system) such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system)). Note that the public line communication I / F unit may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone F1.

[0043] The public line protocol control unit 32 executes control relating to input and output of data between the sound signal bus 36 and the public line communication I / F unit 31. The public line protocol control unit 32 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone F1.

[0044] The control unit 33 is configured using a processor such as a CPU, MPU, or DSP. It functionally includes a smartphone OS processing unit 33A and a smartphone application processing unit 33B, and performs various processes and controls in cooperation with the smartphone OS processing unit 33A, the smartphone application processing unit 33B, and the ROM 34.

[0045] The ROM 34 stores a program that defines the operation of the control unit 33 and data used when the program is executed. The ROM 34 stores identification information for the smartphone F1 and identification information for the earphones 1 that have been registered (paired) in advance as destinations for transmitting sound signals.

[0046] The RAM 35 is a RAM that serves as a work memory used when executing each process of the control unit 33. In the RAM 35, data or information generated or acquired by the control unit 33 is temporarily stored.

[0047] The sound signal bus 36 exchanges sound signal data with the control unit 33, with the public line protocol control unit 32, with the sound signal input / output control unit 37, and with the short-range wireless control unit 38.

[0048] Based on instructions output from the control unit 33, the sound signal input / output control unit 37 sends sound signal data collected by the microphone MC4 to the control unit 33 via the sound signal bus 36, and outputs sound signals input via the sound signal bus 36 from the speaker SP2.

[0049] The microphone MC4 collects sound based on the speech of the user of the smartphone F1, converts it into a sound signal, and transmits the converted sound signal to the sound signal input / output control unit 37. The sound signal collected by the microphone MC4 is input to the control unit 33 via the sound signal input / output control unit 37 and the sound signal bus 36.

[0050] The speaker SP2 acoustically outputs the sound signal data from the sound signal input / output control unit 37.

[0051] The short-range wireless control unit 38 executes control relating to input and output of data between the sound signal bus 36 and the wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 and between the sound signal bus 36 and the earphone communication I / F unit 40. The short-range wireless control unit 38 transmits commands output from the control unit 33 and sound signal data input via the sound signal bus 36 to the wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 or the earphone communication I / F unit 40. The short-range wireless control unit 38 may also transmit sound signal data input from the wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 or the earphone communication I / F unit 40 to the control unit 33.

[0052] The wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 is connected to an antenna AT2 provided in the smartphone F1, and performs wireless communication via wireless LAN with the earphones 1 (for example, data transmission from the short-range wireless control unit 38). The wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 is configured using a communication circuit that can connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN router (not shown). The wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 may also perform wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) with each of the earphones 1L and 1R via the above-mentioned wireless LAN router (not shown).

[0053] The earphone communication I / F unit 40 is connected to an antenna AT1 provided in the smartphone F1, and performs short-distance wireless communication with the earphone 1 by Bluetooth (for example, data transmission from the short-distance wireless control unit 38).

[0054] The USB communication I / F unit 41 is an interface for wired communication between the smartphone F1 and an external device (for example, a personal computer (PC)) via a cable or the like. The USB communication I / F unit 41 is connected to the control unit 33 so as to be able to communicate data, and can transmit data from the external device to the control unit 33. In addition, charge may be supplied to the battery B2 from an external commercial power source via the USB communication I / F unit 41.

[0055] The battery B2 is a battery (for example, a cell) that can store electric charge supplied from an external commercial power source and supplies power to the smartphone F1. The battery B2 may be detachable. The battery B2 may directly obtain power from the external commercial power source, or may be capable of supplying power to the smartphone F1 when disconnected from the external commercial power source.

[0056] Next, the equalizer EQ1 in the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the equalizer EQ1 in the present disclosure. Note that the equalizer EQ1 shown in Fig. 5 is just an example and is not limited to this.

[0057] The equalizer EQ1 is generated by the smartphone F1 and displayed on the display / operation unit 30. The equalizer EQ1 in the present disclosure represents the frequency bands of the sound output from the earphones 1 using a plurality of icons on which images of audio sources are superimposed. The equalizer EQ1 also accepts the setting of a score for adjusting the gain of the frequency band corresponding to each audio source based on the distance of each icon from an icon (hereinafter referred to as a "user icon") on which an image of headphones is superimposed, which corresponds to the user's position relative to each audio source and corresponds to the listening position where the user listens to the sound.

[0058] The audio source here refers to a source (sound source) that generates a sound output by the earphone 1, such as male vocals, female vocals, bass drum, bass, piano, guitar, violin, snare, cymbal, or hi-hat. Note that the frequency bands of the multiple audio sources may partially overlap each other.

[0059] The score here is a value for determining a gain for each frequency band corresponding to each audio source. The smartphone F1 calculates and determines a gain for each frequency band of sound based on the score for each audio source set by the equalizer EQ1. If the score for the set audio source is a positive number, the smartphone F1 amplifies the gain for each frequency band corresponding to the audio source, and if the score is a negative number, the smartphone F1 attenuates the gain for each frequency band corresponding to the audio source.

[0060] In the equalizer EQ1, icons IC11, IC12, IC13, IC14, and IC15 representing audio sources playing or singing sounds are arranged around a user icon IC10, which represents the listening position of a user listening to sound. The icons IC11 to IC15 are capable of accepting user operations and are generated so as to be movable on a straight line from the user icon IC10 toward the outside of the radius of the user icon IC10 by the user operation. Furthermore, the icons IC11 to IC15 correspond to knobs or sliders that adjust the scores of each frequency band in a conventional equalizer.

[0061] For example, icon IC11 shown in FIG. 5 accepts score settings for a frequency band of 200 Hz to 1 kHz for sounds produced by a snare drum. Icon IC12 accepts score settings for a frequency band of 85 Hz to 1.4 kHz for sounds produced by a guitar. Icon IC13 accepts score settings for a frequency band of 250 Hz to 4 kHz for sounds produced by vocals. Icon IC14 accepts score settings for a frequency band of 200 Hz to 18 kHz for sounds produced by a violin. Icon IC15 accepts score settings for a frequency band of 1.7 kHz to 16 kHz for sounds produced by a cymbal. Note that the above-mentioned frequencies are merely examples and are not limiting. For example, the frequency bands corresponding to male vocals and female vocals are partially different, but this will not be discussed here.

[0062] The equalizer EQ1 has concentric lines CIR0, CIR1, and CIR2 arranged radially outward from the user icon IC10, forming concentric circles around the user icon IC10. Each of the concentric lines CIR0 to CIR2 indicates a specific score value. The concentric line CIR0 indicates the position (distance) where the score is set to 0 (zero). The concentric line CIR1 indicates the position (distance) where the distance to the user (user icon IC10) is the smallest, and the position (distance) where the score is the maximum. The concentric line CIR2 indicates the position (distance) where the distance to the user (user icon IC10) is the largest, and the position (distance) where the score is the minimum.

[0063] In the present disclosure, the maximum score is represented by "+1" and the minimum score is represented by "-1", but this is not limiting. In addition, in the present disclosure, the concentric line CIR0 is shown as being highlighted with a thicker line than the other concentric lines, but this is not limiting. In addition, the corresponding score value for each of the concentric lines CIR0 to CIR2 may be displayed as a numerical value (for example, -1, 0 (zero), or +1) as shown in FIG. 5.

[0064] The smartphone F1 accepts the setting of the score of each audio source based on the distance between the user icon IC10 of the equalizer EQ1 and each of the icons IC11 to IC15. This allows the control unit 33 to intuitively set the volume of each audio source heard by the user's own ears based on the position (distance) of each of the icons IC11 to IC15 relative to the user icon IC10, even for a user who is unfamiliar with adjusting scores.

[0065] Furthermore, the smartphone F1 changes the size (diameter) of each of the icons IC11 to IC15 based on the distance between the user icon IC10 of the equalizer EQ1 and each of the icons IC11 to IC15. Specifically, the smartphone F1 displays the icons IC11 to IC15 so that the size increases as they approach the concentric line CIR1, i.e., the closer they are to the user icon IC10, and decreases as they approach the concentric line CIR2, i.e., the farther they are from the user icon IC10.

[0066] As a result, the equalizer EQ1 can visualize the increase or decrease in the volume of the audio source shown in the icons IC11 to IC15 (i.e., the gain of the frequency band corresponding to this audio source) by changing the size of each icon IC11 to IC15 displayed on the equalizer EQ1, thereby assisting the user in adjusting the score. The user can intuitively understand the volume level or adjustment amount of each audio source (icon IC11 to IC15) and the volume relationship between the audio sources (icon IC11 to IC15) from the size of each icon IC11 to IC15.

[0067] Next, the difference between the scores set by the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12 of the present disclosure and the scores set by the conventional equalizers EQ01 and EQ02 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram comparing the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12 of the present disclosure with the conventional equalizers EQ01 and EQ02. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of changes in the scores of the equalizers of the present disclosure.

[0068] Equalizer EQ11 shows a state in which icon IC13 is located on concentric line CIR2, and the score of the frequency band corresponding to icon IC13 is set to 0 (zero). Equalizer EQ12 shows a state in which icon IC13 shown in equalizer EQ11 has been moved onto concentric line CIR1 by a user operation, and the score of the frequency band corresponding to icon IC13 has been set to the maximum value.

[0069] Equalizer EQ01 is a conventional equalizer in which the score for each frequency band is set to the score set by equalizer EQ11. Equalizer EQ02 is a conventional equalizer in which the score for each frequency band is set to the score set by equalizer EQ12.

[0070] The smartphone F1 stores, for each icon (i.e., audio source), filter information for calculating gain increase / decrease values ​​for each of a plurality of frequency bands corresponding to an audio source. The filter for the audio source defines the type of filter for forming the plurality of frequency bands, the Q value, and a coefficient for determining the gain change amount (hereinafter referred to as "basic change amount") based on the frequency characteristics corresponding to the audio source. Here, the filter for the audio source is used to calculate the gain change amount for each of a plurality of frequency bands corresponding to the audio source, among the frequency bands adjustable by the conventional equalizers EQ01 and EQ02, based on the filter type, Q value, and basic gain change amount, and the score set by the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12 of the present disclosure.

[0071] The smartphone F1 calculates adjustment parameters (Q value and gain for each frequency band) based on the scores set for each icon IC11 to IC15 and the filters for each audio source, and transmits them to the earphone 1. The earphone 1 adjusts the sound quality of the sounds output by each of the speakers SP1L and SP1R based on the calculated adjustment parameters for each frequency band.

[0072] 6 accepts a change in the score of icon IC13 through a user operation. The score of icon IC13 is changed from −1 to +1. In this case, the smartphone F1 calculates the amount of change in the adjustment parameters for each frequency band of the band-pass filter FLT1 corresponding to vocals, with center frequencies of 250 Hz, 315 Hz, 1 kHz, 3.15 kHz, and 10 kHz, and the frequency (less than 100 Hz) corresponding to the high-pass filter FLT2, based on the filter corresponding to icon IC13 (i.e., vocals) and the changed score of +1.

[0073] When the score of icon IC13 is set to +1, the smartphone F1 calculates the amount of gain change for each frequency band by multiplying the basic change amount for each frequency band by the score, based on the filter of the audio source corresponding to icon IC13. Here, the basic change amount is set to the same or different values ​​for each frequency band based on the frequency characteristics of the audio source.

[0074] 7, the basic gain change amount for each frequency band corresponding to icon IC13 is 0 (zero) dB for the frequency bands with center frequencies of 100 Hz, 250 Hz, and 10 kHz, +8 dB for the frequency band with center frequencies of 315 Hz, and +4 dB for the frequency bands with center frequencies of 1 kHz and 3.15 kHz. In this case, the earphone 1 performs sound quality adjustment by changing the gain for the frequency band with center frequencies of 315 Hz based on +4 dB obtained by multiplying the basic gain change amount +8 dB by +1, and changing the gain for the frequency bands with center frequencies of 1 kHz and 3.15 kHz based on +2 dB obtained by multiplying the basic gain change amount +4 dB by +1.

[0075] 7 shows the gain of each frequency band before the score of icon IC13 is changed (i.e., score = -1). Gain graph GF2 shows the gain of each frequency band after the score of icon IC13 is changed (i.e., score = +1).

[0076] That is, the earphones 1 can accept gain adjustment operations for different frequency bands based on the operation of the icons shown on the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12. As a result, the user can perform sound quality adjustment similar to sound quality adjustment in which each of the sliders SL12, SL13, and SL14 corresponding to the band-pass filter FLT1 in the conventional equalizer EQ01 is adjusted (changed) to the positions of the sliders SL12, SL13, and SL14 shown on the equalizer EQ02, simply by changing the icon IC13 shown on the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12 from the score "-1" to the score "+1." Note that the icons shown on the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12 adjust the sound quality of the band-pass filter FLT1. Therefore, the slider SL15 corresponding to the high-pass filter FLT2 remains unchanged.

[0077] Furthermore, for the filter used to calculate the gain change amount, a basic change amount is set for each frequency band based on the frequency characteristics of the audio source. This allows the earphones 1 to adjust the gain change amount for each frequency band of the output sound based on the filter corresponding to the frequency characteristics of the sound of the audio source and the score value. Therefore, by simply adjusting the position of icons IC11 to IC15 corresponding to each audio source, the user can adjust the gain of each of multiple frequency bands as a user accustomed to adjusting an equalizer would.

[0078] When the smartphone F1 accepts adjustment of the adjustment parameters by the equalizers EQ11 and EQ12 using a filter (band-pass filter FLT1) corresponding to the frequency band of the audio source and another filter (e.g., a low-pass filter or a high-pass filter) different from this band-pass filter FLT1, the smartphone F1 does not need to accept adjustment of the adjustment parameters in a band based on the center frequency (e.g., center frequencies of 250 Hz, 315 Hz, etc. shown in FIG. 6) of the filter (band-pass filter FLT1) of each audio source that has been set in advance. The smartphone F1 may accept a setting operation that sets a center frequency that serves as a reference for adjusting the gain and a band that includes this center frequency and in which the adjustment parameters are adjusted, out of the entire frequency band (e.g., 0 to 10 kHz) corresponding to each audio source, thereby calculating the amount of gain change in each of a plurality of bands different from the center frequency set in the filter (band-pass filter FLT1) of each audio source that has been set in advance and the band. 6, the smartphone F1 calculates adjustment parameters for the center frequencies of 250 Hz, 315 Hz, 1 kHz, 3.15 kHz, and 10 kHz in the frequency band of the band-pass filter FLT1, but as described above, the center frequency (cutoff frequency in the case of the high-pass filter FLT2) that serves as the reference for adjusting the gain and the band including this center frequency can be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, when adjusting the gain using the band-pass filter FLT1 and the high-pass filter FLT2 shown in FIG. 6, the smartphone F1 may calculate the amount of change in gain not only for the band-pass filter FLT1 but also for the entire frequency band of multiple filters including the frequency band corresponding to the high-pass filter FLT2 (for example, 100 Hz or lower).

[0079] In this disclosure, a band-pass filter, a low-pass filter, or a high-pass filter is described as an example of a filter for a predetermined frequency band defined by a filter of an audio source, but the filter used may be any filter and is not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

[0080] Next, examples of gain changes will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of gain amplification of equalizer EQ21 in the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of gain attenuation of equalizer EQ22 in the present disclosure. Note that, for simplicity of explanation, only the amount of gain change based on the score of icon IC13 will be described here.

[0081] The gain graph GF3 shows the basic amount of gain change caused by each of the multiple filters corresponding to the icon IC13 by the equalizer EQ21. The basic amount of gain change is set to 0 (zero) dB for each of the frequency bands with center frequencies of 100 Hz, 250 Hz, and 10 kHz, +8 dB for the frequency band with center frequency of 315 Hz, and +4 dB for each of the frequency bands with center frequencies of 1 kHz and 3.15 kHz.

[0082] 8, the smartphone F1 receives a user operation to move the icon IC13 displayed on the equalizer EQ21. The icon IC13 is moved to a position where the score is +0.5. Upon receiving the change in the score corresponding to the icon IC13 (i.e., vocals), the smartphone F1 acquires score information for the audio source (vocals).

[0083] Smartphone F1 uses the score information for the audio source (vocals) and multiple filters (band-pass filter FLT1 and high-pass filter FLT2) defined by the audio source (vocals) filter to calculate EQ change values ​​for each frequency band corresponding to vocals and transmits them to earphone 1. Earphone 1 performs sound quality adjustment by changing (amplifying) the gain of the frequency band with a center frequency of 315 Hz based on +4 dB obtained by multiplying the basic change amount +8 dB by +0.5, and by changing (amplifying) the gain of the frequency bands with center frequencies of 1 kHz and 3.15 kHz based on +2 dB obtained by multiplying the basic change amount +4 dB by +0.5. Gain graph GF4 shows the basic gain change amount caused by each of the multiple filters defined by icon IC13, using equalizer EQ21.

[0084] 9, the smartphone F1 receives a user operation to move the icon IC13 displayed on the equalizer EQ22. The icon IC13 is moved to a position where the score is −0.2. Upon receiving the change in the score corresponding to the icon IC13 (i.e., vocals), the smartphone F1 acquires score information for the audio source (vocals).

[0085] Smartphone F1 uses the score information for the audio source (vocals) and multiple filters (band-pass filter FLT1 and high-pass filter FLT2) defined by the audio source (vocals) filter to calculate the EQ change value for each frequency band corresponding to vocals and transmits it to earphone 1. Earphone 1 performs sound quality adjustment by changing (amplifying) the gain of the frequency band with a center frequency of 315 Hz based on -1.6 dB obtained by multiplying the basic change amount +8 dB by -0.2, and by changing (amplifying) the gain of the frequency bands with center frequencies of 1 kHz and 3.15 kHz based on -0.8 dB obtained by multiplying the basic change amount +4 dB by -0.2. Gain graph GF5 shows the gain of each frequency band after the score of icon IC13 is changed by equalizer EQ22.

[0086] Note that, although the present disclosure describes an example in which the gain is calculated using a linear expression that uses a basic change amount and a coefficient based on the score, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The gain may be calculated using any expression, such as an n-th order expression (n: an integer of 2 or greater), an exponential expression, or a logarithm, as long as the basic change amount is used. Furthermore, while the present disclosure only shows an example in which an adjustment parameter is calculated based on the score of one audio source, the adjustment parameter for each frequency band may be calculated using the score of another audio source or the scores of multiple audio sources.

[0087] <First example of operation procedure> Next, a first example of an operation procedure of the smartphone F1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the first example of an operation procedure of the smartphone F1 in the embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition in the first example of an operation procedure.

[0088] The first operation procedure here is a sound quality adjustment procedure that is executed when adjusting adjustment parameters using any sound source (music data) that the user owns.

[0089] When the smartphone F1 receives an operation from the user requesting sound quality adjustment, it reads out the current adjustment parameters for each frequency band, generates a sound mode screen (Pro) SC11 including a conventional equalizer EQ0 that reflects the current adjustment parameters for each frequency band, and displays it on the display / operation unit 30.

[0090] The sound mode screen (Pro) SC11 includes an equalizer EQ0, an easy mode button BT11, and a pro mode button BT12. The equalizer EQ0 includes multiple sliders that can accept adjustment operations for adjustment parameters for each frequency band, and accepts adjustment operations for the adjustment parameters for each frequency band based on a user operation. The easy mode button BT11 and the pro mode button BT12 are each a button that switches the equalizer displayed on the display / operation unit 30 of the smartphone F1.

[0091] The sound mode screen (easy) SC13 includes an equalizer EQ3, an easy mode button BT11, a pro mode button BT12, and a save button BT13. The save button BT13 accepts saving of the positions of the icons IC11 to IC15 at the time of tapping (pressing) by a user operation, that is, the scores of each audio source. When the save button BT13 is tapped (pressed), the smartphone F1 transmits information on the current scores of each audio source to the earphones 1.

[0092] When the easy mode button BT11 is tapped (pressed), the smartphone F1 switches the screen (equalizer) displayed on the display / operation unit 30 from a sound mode screen (Pro) SC11 that accepts adjustment operations of adjustment parameters using the conventional equalizer EQ0 to a sound mode screen (Easy) SC13 that accepts adjustment operations of adjustment parameters using the equalizer EQ3 of the present disclosure. Also, when the pro mode button BT12 is tapped (pressed), the smartphone F1 switches the screen (equalizer) displayed on the display / operation unit 30 from a sound mode screen (Easy) SC13 that accepts adjustment operations of adjustment parameters using the equalizer EQ3 of the present disclosure to a sound mode screen (Pro) SC11 that accepts adjustment operations of adjustment parameters using the conventional equalizer EQ0.

[0093] The smartphone F1 determines whether or not the sound mode screen (easy) is being displayed for the first time after the easy mode button BT11 is tapped (pressed). If the smartphone F1 determines that the sound mode screen (easy) is being displayed for the first time, the smartphone F1 generates a tutorial screen SC12 that shows an operation guide for the sound mode screen (easy) SC13, and displays the tutorial screen SC12 on the display / operation unit 30.

[0094] The tutorial screen SC12 includes an equalizer EQ3, an easy mode button BT11, a pro mode button BT12, and a message MSG11. The message MSG11 explains how to operate the equalizer EQ3, saying, "The closer you move the icon to the headphones, the easier it will be to hear the sound of that instrument." Note that the message MSG11 is just an example and is not limiting.

[0095] When the user taps (presses) anywhere on the tutorial screen SC12, the smartphone F1 erases the message MSG11, generates a sound mode screen (easy) SC13 that can accept user operations on the equalizer EQ3, and displays it on the display / operation unit 30.

[0096] After displaying the sound mode screen (easy) SC13, the smartphone F1 starts sound quality adjustment based on a user operation on the equalizer EQ3, in accordance with the first operation procedure shown in FIG.

[0097] The smartphone F1 plays, through the earphones 1, any sound source owned by the user, that is, any sound source stored in the smartphone F1 and selected by the user. The smartphone F1 displays a sound mode screen (easy) SC13 including an equalizer EQ3 on the display / operation unit 30. The smartphone F1 waits until it receives a tap operation on the icon of the equalizer EQ3 by the user (St11). Note that the equalizer EQ3 displayed on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 may be generated with the positions of the icons IC11 to IC15 indicating each audio source adjusted so as to obtain the same adjustment parameters as those set for the equalizer EQ0 on the sound mode screen (Pro) SC11, or may be generated with the positions of the icons IC11 to IC15 indicating each audio source adjusted to the adjustment parameters previously set using the sound mode screen (easy) SC13.

[0098] Furthermore, the adjustment parameters set on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 and the adjustment parameters set on the equalizer EQ0 on the sound mode screen (pro) SC11 may be set using independent setting methods. In such a case, the adjustment parameters set on one sound mode screen are not carried over to the other sound mode screen and are not reflected in the display content of the other sound mode screen (for example, the slider position, or the position and size of the icons). The equalizer EQ3 displayed on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 is displayed in its initial state, that is, with all icons IC11 to IC15 adjusted to a score of 0 (zero).

[0099] Similarly, if the adjustment parameters set on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 and the adjustment parameters set on the sound mode screen (pro) SC11 are set using independent setting methods, the number of frequency bands that can be adjusted on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 may be different from the number of frequency bands that can be adjusted on the sound mode screen (pro) SC11.

[0100] After the user taps any of the icons IC11 to IC15, the smartphone F1 determines whether the position of the icon tapped by the user has changed at the timing when the user releases his / her finger (St12). Note that the position of the icon here refers to the position of the icons IC11 to IC15 relative to the user icon IC10.

[0101] If the smartphone F1 determines in step St12 that the position of the tapped icon has changed after the user's finger is released (St12, YES), it acquires a score corresponding to the position of the icon after the change (St13).

[0102] On the other hand, if the smartphone F1 determines in step St12 that the position of the tapped icon has not changed after the user's finger is released (St12, NO), it ends the first operation procedure shown in FIG.

[0103] The smartphone F1 acquires the filters of the audio sources to calculate the Q value and gain change value for each frequency band based on the information of the audio sources. The smartphone F1 calculates the Q value and gain change value for each frequency band based on the acquired filters and scores for each audio source and transmits them to the earphone 1 (St14).

[0104] The earphones 1 adjust the sound quality by changing the Q value and the gain change value of each frequency band of the sound source (music data) currently being played based on the Q value and the gain change value of each frequency band (St15). The earphones 1 play the sound source after the sound quality adjustment.

[0105] The smartphone F1 and the earphone 1 repeatedly execute the processes of steps St12 to St15 until the user is satisfied with the sound quality of the reproduced sound source and presses the save button BT13.

[0106] In the above-described step St12, the timing for detecting a change in the position of the icons IC11 to IC15 has been described as an example in which the timing is after the position of any one of the icons has changed, that is, the timing when the movement of the position of any one of the icons has been completed and the user has stopped tapping on the icon, but this is not limiting. For example, the smartphone F1 may acquire the position of any one of the icons when a change in the position of that icon is detected, or may acquire the position of each of the icons IC11 to IC15 at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.1 ms). The smartphone F1 acquires a score based on the acquired icon positions.

[0107] As described above, even if a user is unfamiliar with equalizer adjustment, the earphones 1 according to the embodiment can adjust the sound quality by changing the adjustment parameters for each of a plurality of frequency bands based on a change in the position of the icons IC11 to IC15 representing each audio source being played. Also, in the first operation procedure, the earphones 1 can accept sound quality adjustment that is more suited to the user's preferences (requests) by using a sound source owned by the user.

[0108] Furthermore, the equalizer EQ3 in the present disclosure has a user icon IC10, which represents the user's own position, positioned in the center, and icons IC11 to IC15, which represent audio sources playing or singing the music of the currently played sound source, positioned around the user icon IC10. Furthermore, the equalizer EQ3 is configured to be movable toward or away from the user icon IC10.

[0109] This allows the user to intuitively understand that by moving each of the icons IC11-IC15 closer to the user icon IC10, the sound generated by the audio source represented by each of the icons IC11-IC15 will move closer to the user (i.e., be greatly emphasized), and that by moving each of the icons IC11-IC15 away from the user icon IC10, the sound generated by the audio source represented by each of the icons IC11-IC15 will move away from the user (i.e., be quieter), and therefore the user can adjust the adjustment parameters based on which audio source's sound they want to emphasize or quiet. Therefore, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting an equalizer, the user can easily adjust the adjustment parameters based on operating the positions of the icons IC11-IC15.

[0110] <Second example of operation procedure> Next, a second example of an operation procedure of the smartphone F1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the second example of an operation procedure of the smartphone F1 in the embodiment. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition in the second example of an operation procedure.

[0111] The second operation procedure here is a sound quality adjustment procedure that is executed when adjusting the adjustment parameters using a specific MIX sound source (music data) prepared in advance. The MIX sound source played in the second operation procedure is a sound source that can play (output) sound for each audio source. In the second operation procedure, the earphones 1 play (output) sound only from the audio source that corresponds to the position of the icon.

[0112] In addition, in the second operation procedure, when the easy mode button BT11 is tapped (pressed), the smartphone F1 generates a tutorial screen SC12A that explains the sound output from the earphone 1 and displays it on the display / operation unit 30 before displaying the tutorial screen SC12.

[0113] The tutorial screen SC12A includes an equalizer EQ3, an easy mode button BT11, a pro mode button BT12, and a message MSG12. The message MSG12 explains the sound that will be played (output) from the earphones 1 while you tap (press) icons IC11 to IC15: "You can check the tone of that instrument while you tap the icon." Note that the instrument in this message refers to an audio source that includes human singing (vocals). Note that message MSG12 is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0114] When the smartphone F1 is tapped (pressed) anywhere on the tutorial screen SC12A by a user operation, the smartphone F1 generates a tutorial screen SC12 and displays it on the display / operation unit 30. When the smartphone F1 is tapped (pressed) anywhere on the tutorial screen SC12 by a user operation, the smartphone F1 displays a sound mode screen (easy) SC13 and starts sound quality adjustment based on the user operation on the equalizer EQ3 in accordance with the second operation procedure shown in FIG.

[0115] The smartphone F1 plays a MIX sound source for sound quality adjustment through the earphones 1 (St21). The smartphone F1 displays a sound mode screen (easy) SC13 including an equalizer EQ3 on the display / operation unit 30. The smartphone F1 waits until it receives a tap operation on the icon of the equalizer EQ3 by the user (St22), and determines whether it receives an operation of tapping any of the icons IC11 to IC15 by the user (St23). Note that the equalizer EQ3 displayed on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 may be generated with the positions of the icons IC11 to IC15 representing each audio source adjusted so as to obtain the same adjustment parameters as those set for the equalizer EQ0 on the sound mode screen (Pro), or may be generated with the positions of the icons IC11 to IC15 representing each audio source adjusted to the adjustment parameters previously set using the sound mode screen (easy) SC13.

[0116] Furthermore, the adjustment parameters set on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 and the adjustment parameters set on the equalizer EQ0 on the sound mode screen (Pro) SC11 may be set by independent setting methods. Similarly, when the adjustment parameters set on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 and the adjustment parameters set on the sound mode screen (Pro) SC11 are set by independent setting methods, the number of frequency bands that can be adjusted on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13 may be different from the number of frequency bands that can be adjusted on the sound mode screen (Pro) SC11.

[0117] If the smartphone F1 determines in step St23 that it has received a user tap on any of the icons IC11 to IC15 (St23, YES), it attenuates the volume of the ranges (i.e., multiple frequency bands) of the track sound sources other than the range (i.e., multiple frequency bands) corresponding to the tapped icon among the MIX sound sources being played (St24).

[0118] On the other hand, if the smartphone F1 determines in step St23 that it has not received the user's tap operation on any of the icons IC11 to IC15 (St23, NO), it waits until the user taps any of the icons IC11 to IC15 (St25).

[0119] After the user taps any of the icons IC11 to IC15, the smartphone F1 determines whether the position of the icon tapped by the user has changed at the timing when the user releases his / her finger (St26).

[0120] If the smartphone F1 determines in step St26 that the position of the tapped icon has changed after the user's finger is released (St26, YES), the smartphone F1 acquires a score corresponding to the changed position of the icon (St27). The smartphone F1 transmits to the earphone 1 information on the acquired score and information on the adjustment parameters based on information on the audio source corresponding to the icon whose position has been changed.

[0121] On the other hand, if the smartphone F1 determines in step St26 that the position of the tapped icon has not changed after the user's finger is released (St26, NO), it stops accepting user operations on the icon, generates a control command to cancel the volume attenuation process of the MIX sound source, and transmits it to the earphones 1. Based on the control command transmitted from the smartphone F1, the earphones 1 cancel the volume attenuation of the sound ranges (i.e., multiple frequency bands) of the track sound source other than the sound range (i.e., multiple frequency bands) corresponding to the tapped icon among the MIX sound source being played, and plays it (St31).

[0122] Based on the adjustment parameters transmitted from the smartphone F1, the earphones 1 amplify and play the track sound source corresponding to the icon tapped by the user (St28). The smartphone F1 also acquires the filters of the audio sources to calculate the Q value and gain change value for each frequency band based on the audio source information. Based on the acquired filters and scores for each audio source, the smartphone F1 calculates the Q value and gain change value for each frequency band and transmits them to the earphones 1 (St29).

[0123] The earphones 1 adjust the sound quality by changing the Q value and the gain change value of each frequency band of the MIX sound source currently being played based on the Q value and the gain change value of each frequency band (St30). The earphones 1 play the MIX sound source after the sound quality adjustment.

[0124] The smartphone F1 and the earphone 1 repeatedly execute the process shown in the second operation procedure until the user is satisfied with the sound quality of the music being played and presses the save button BT13.

[0125] In the above-described step St26, the timing for detecting a change in the position of the icons IC11 to IC15 has been described as an example in which the timing is after the position of any one of the icons has changed, that is, when the movement of the position of any one of the icons has been completed and the user has stopped tapping on the icon, but this is not limiting. For example, the smartphone F1 may acquire the position of any one of the icons when a change in the position of that icon is detected, or may acquire the position of each of the icons IC11 to IC15 at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.1 ms). The smartphone F1 acquires a score based on the acquired icon positions.

[0126] As a result, the smartphone F1 in the embodiment can perform sound quality adjustment by changing the adjustment parameters for each of multiple frequency bands based on a change in the position of icons IC11 to IC15, which indicate each audio source of the music being played, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting the equalizer.

[0127] In addition, in the second operating procedure, the earphone 1 uses a MIX sound source that can amplify or attenuate the volume of the track sound source corresponding to each audio source, making it easier for the user to understand the change in sound corresponding to the change in the position of the audio source during icon operation.

[0128] (Modification of the embodiment) The equalizers in the embodiment described above are examples of equalizers EQ1, EQ11-EQ12, EQ21-EQ22, and EQ3 that adjust the sound quality of the sound source based on the positional relationship (i.e., distance) between the user icon IC10 and icons IC11-IC15 in two-dimensional space. The equalizers in the modified embodiments described below are examples of EQ41 and EQ42 that adjust the sound quality of the sound source based on the positional relationship (i.e., distance) between the user icon and icons in three-dimensional space.

[0129] Next, an example of the configuration of the equalizer in the modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 in the modified example of the embodiment.

[0130] In the modification of the embodiment, the smartphone F1 generates an equalizer EQ41 and displays it on the display / operation unit 30 when it receives a tap operation on an icon indicating any one of the audio sources on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13.

[0131] The equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 in the modified embodiment are generated so as to be able to accept a score setting operation for any one audio source selected by the user. The equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 shown in Fig. 14 are generated when a violin is used as the audio source, as an example, and are displayed on the sound mode screen (easy) SC13.

[0132] The equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 are equalizers that reproduce the appearance of a user listening to the sound of an instrument being played in a sound field space (three-dimensional space). The equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 are configured by superimposing an icon IC12A of an instrument corresponding to an audio source, an arrow icon IC12B indicating the direction in which the instrument can move and the perspective between the instrument and the user, and an icon US representing the user's back on a sound field FLD (e.g., a concert hall, a live music venue, etc.) in which the sound source is being played. For example, the equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 shown in FIG. 14 each have a configuration in which the sound field FLD is set as the bottom layer, the arrow icon IC12B is set as the layer above the sound field FLD, the icon IC12A is set as the layer above the arrow icon IC12B, and the icon US is set as the layer above the icon IC12A.

[0133] The smartphone F1 accepts a user operation to move an icon IC12A (musical instrument) displayed on equalizers EQ41 and EQ42 along an arrow icon IC12B. The smartphone F1 displays the icon IC12A larger as the position of the icon US (musical instrument) on the arrow icon IC12B approaches the icon US (user), and displays the icon IC12A smaller as the position of the icon US (musical instrument) moves farther from the icon US (user). The smartphone F1 also acquires a score for the audio source corresponding to the icon IC12A based on the position of the icon IC12A relative to the icon US, i.e., the distance between the icon US and the icon IC12A.

[0134] This allows the user to intuitively understand that by moving icon IC12A closer to icon US, the playing position of the audio source (here, a violin) represented by icon IC12A will move closer to the user (i.e., the sound will be greatly amplified), and that by moving icon IC12A away from icon US, the playing position of the audio source represented by icon IC12A will move away from the user (i.e., the sound will be slightly attenuated), and therefore the user can adjust the adjustment parameters based on whether they want to amplify or attenuate the sound of the audio source. Therefore, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting an equalizer, the user can easily adjust the adjustment parameters based on operating the position of icon IC12A.

[0135] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0136] (Technology 1) A wireless terminal (smartphone F1) and A sound quality adjustment system 100 including two earphones 1 communicably connected to the wireless terminal (smartphone F1), The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) an equalizer including a first icon (user icon IC10, icon US) indicating a listening position of the sound output from the earphone 1, and at least one second icon (icons IC11 to IC15, IC12A) indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of the sound signal, and accepting an operation to adjust the frequency characteristics of the sound signal; When the equalizer receives a user operation to move the second icon closer to or further away from the first icon (user icon IC10, icon US), it calculates the sound adjustment parameters based on the distance between the first icon (user icon IC10, icon US) and the second icon and transmits the sound adjustment parameters to the earphones 1; The earphone 1 is outputting a sound in which the parameters of the sound have been changed to the adjustment parameters of the sound; Sound quality adjustment system 100. As a result, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting an equalizer, sound quality adjustment system 100 can perform sound quality adjustment by changing the adjustment parameters (i.e., Q value and gain) of each of multiple frequency bands corresponding to the frequency characteristics of each audio source based on a change in the position of icons IC11-IC15 indicating each audio source of the sound source being played. The user can intuitively understand that by moving icons IC11-IC15, IC12A closer to user icon IC10, the sounds generated by the audio sources indicated by icons IC11-IC15, IC12A will move closer to the user (i.e., be greatly emphasized), and that by moving icons IC11-IC15, IC12A away from user icon IC10, the sounds generated by the audio sources indicated by icons IC11-IC15, IC12A will move away from the user (i.e., be slightly suppressed), and therefore can perform an adjustment operation of the adjustment parameters based on which audio source sound they want to emphasize or suppress.

[0137] (Technology 2) The equalizer comprises: a plurality of said second icons representing respective ones of a plurality of different audio sources; The second icons are arranged on concentric circles with the first icon (user icon IC10) at the center, The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) When a user operation of moving the second icon closer to or farther away from the first icon (user icon IC10) on a line connecting the first icon (user icon IC10) and the second icon is received, the adjustment parameter is calculated based on the distance between the first icon (user icon IC10) and the second icon, and is transmitted to the earphone. The sound quality adjustment system 100 described in (Technology 1). As a result, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting an equalizer, sound quality adjustment system 100 can perform sound quality adjustment by changing the adjustment parameters for each of a plurality of frequency bands based on a change in the position of each of icons IC11-IC15 indicating each audio source of the sound being played. Based on the position of each of icons IC11-IC15 relative to user icon IC10, the user can intuitively understand the magnitude relationship of the gain of the sound generated by the audio sources indicated by each of icons IC11-IC15, IC12A.

[0138] (Technology 3) The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) displaying the equalizer in which the first icon (icon US) and the second icon are superimposed on an image showing a three-dimensional sound field space in which the audio source corresponding to the second icon is played; A sound quality adjustment system 100 according to (Technology 1) or (Technology 2). As a result, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting equalizers, sound quality adjustment system 100 supports the adjustment of the adjustment parameters of the audio source corresponding to icon IC12A based on the positional relationship between icon US and icon IC12A in the three-dimensional sound field space by displaying equalizer EQ41 that reproduces the way the user listens to the sound of an instrument being played in a sound field space (three-dimensional space). The user can intuitively understand that by moving icon IC12A closer to icon US, the playing position of the audio source (here, a violin) represented by icon IC12A will move closer to the user (i.e., be greatly amplified), and that by moving icon IC12A away from icon US, the playing position of the audio source represented by icon IC12A will move farther away from the user (i.e., be slightly attenuated).

[0139] (Technology 4) The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) The smaller the distance, the larger the second icon is displayed; The larger the distance, the smaller the second icon is displayed. The sound quality adjustment system 100 according to any one of (Technique 1) to (Technique 3). As a result, by changing the size of each of the icons IC11 to IC15 displayed on the equalizer EQ1, the sound quality adjustment system 100 can visualize increases and decreases in the adjustment parameters for the sounds (frequency bands) of the audio sources shown by the icons IC11 to IC15, thereby assisting the user in adjusting the scores. The size of each of the icons IC11 to IC15 allows the user to intuitively understand the size of the adjustment parameter for each audio source (icons IC11 to IC15) or the magnitude relationship between the adjustment parameters of the audio sources (icons IC11 to IC15).

[0140] (Technology 5) The earphone 1 is The smaller the distance, the more the gain of the predetermined frequency band is amplified. The greater the distance, the greater the gain of the predetermined frequency band is attenuated. The sound quality adjustment system 100 according to any one of (Technique 1) to (Technique 4). As a result, even if the user is unfamiliar with equalizer adjustment, sound quality adjustment system 100 can simplify the method of adjusting the adjustment parameters based on the positions of icons IC11 to IC15. The user can intuitively grasp the adjustment amount of the adjustment parameters based on the positions of the icons IC11 to IC15 and IC12A (audio sources) relative to user icon IC10, which is likened to the user position.

[0141] (Technology 6) The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) Based on the information about the audio source corresponding to the second icon for which the user operation has been accepted and the distance, calculate gains for a plurality of bands (i.e., frequency bands that can be adjusted by the equalizer of the present disclosure and the conventional equalizer, such as a band cut off by the high-pass filter FLT2 shown in FIG. 6 and each center frequency and band adjusted by the band-pass filter FLT1, or center frequencies and bands different from each center frequency and band adjusted by the band-pass filter FLT1 shown in FIG. 6) that include different center frequencies within the predetermined frequency band corresponding to the audio source (e.g., frequency bands of a band-pass filter FLT1 and a high-pass filter FLT2 that are at least one filter corresponding to vocals shown in FIG. 6) and transmit the calculated gains to the earphones 1; The earphone 1 is outputting a sound in which the frequency band corresponding to the audio source is changed to a gain corresponding to each of the plurality of transmitted bands; The sound quality adjustment system 100 according to any one of (Technique 1) to (Technique 5). As a result, the sound quality adjustment system 100 can automatically adjust the adjustment parameters for each of the multiple frequency bands corresponding to the audio sources shown by icons IC11 to IC15, without having to adjust the Q value and gain for each frequency band as in the conventional equalizer EQ0.

[0142] (Technology 7) The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) calculating the gain based on the distance and the same or different gain change amounts (basic change amounts) set for each of the bands; A sound quality adjustment system 100 according to (Technology 6). This allows the sound quality adjustment system 100 to automatically adjust the adjustment parameters for each of the frequency bands included in the plurality of frequency bands, based on the frequency characteristics of the audio sources indicated by the icons IC11 to IC15.

[0143] (Technology 8) The sound is a MIX sound source generated by a track sound source for each of the audio sources, The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) When the equalizer determines that the second icon is being operated by the user, it transmits a notification to the earphone 1 that the second icon is being operated; The earphone 1 is Based on the notification, output the sound with the volume of the track sound source corresponding to the audio source other than the audio source corresponding to the second icon among the MIX sound sources attenuated. The sound quality adjustment system 100 described in (Technology 1). As a result, the sound quality adjustment system 100 uses a MIX sound source that can amplify or attenuate the volume of the track sound source corresponding to each audio source, making it easier for the user to understand the change in sound corresponding to the change in the position of the audio source during icon operation.

[0144] (Technology 9) The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) When the equalizer determines that the second icon has not been operated by the user, it transmits a notification to the earphone 1 that the operation of the second icon has ended; The earphone 1 is Based on the notification, output the sound with the volume of the track sound source corresponding to the audio source other than the audio source corresponding to the second icon among the MIX sound sources amplified. A sound quality adjustment system 100 according to (Technology 8). As a result, the sound quality adjustment system 100 uses a MIX sound source that can amplify or attenuate the volume of the track sound source corresponding to each audio source, and when the icon operation is completed, the sound quality adjustment system 100 can play a MIX sound source in which adjustment parameters have been adjusted (changed) based on the icon operation.

[0145] (Technology 10) The wireless terminal (smartphone F1) When it is determined that the equalizer is being displayed for the first time on the wireless terminal (smartphone F1), tutorial screens SC12 and SC12A are displayed to show a user how to operate the equalizer; When the user's operation is accepted on the tutorial screens SC12 and SC12A, the equalizer is displayed. The sound quality adjustment system 100 according to any one of (Technique 1) to (Technique 9). As a result, the sound quality adjustment system 100 can play back a MIX sound source in which the adjustment parameter adjustment (change) operation has been performed by the equalizer of the present disclosure.

[0146] (Technology 11) A wireless terminal (smartphone F1) and A sound quality adjustment method performed by a sound quality adjustment system 100 including two earphones 1 communicably connected to the wireless terminal (smartphone F1), an equalizer including a first icon (user icon IC10, icon US) indicating a listening position of the sound output from the earphone 1, and at least one second icon (icons IC11 to IC15, IC12A) indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of the sound signal, and accepting an operation to adjust the frequency characteristics of the sound signal; In the equalizer, when a user operation of moving the second icon closer to or farther away from the first icon (user icon IC10, icon US) is received, an adjustment parameter for the sound signal is calculated based on the distance between the first icon (user icon IC10, icon US) and the second icon; outputting a sound changed according to the calculated adjustment parameters; How to adjust sound quality. As a result, even if the user is unfamiliar with adjusting an equalizer, the sound quality adjustment system 100 can perform sound quality adjustment by changing the adjustment parameters of each of the multiple frequency bands corresponding to the frequency characteristics of each audio source based on a change in the position of the icons IC11-IC15 indicating each audio source of the sound being played. The user can intuitively understand that by moving the icons IC11-IC15, IC12A closer to the user icon IC10, the sounds generated by the audio sources indicated by the icons IC11-IC15, IC12A will move closer to the user (i.e., be greatly emphasized), and that by moving the icons IC11-IC15, IC12A away from the user icon IC10, the sounds generated by the audio sources indicated by the icons IC11-IC15, IC12A will move farther away from the user (i.e., be slightly suppressed), and therefore can perform an adjustment operation of the adjustment parameters based on which audio source sound they want to emphasize or suppress.

[0147] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0148] The present disclosure is useful for providing a sound quality adjustment system and a sound quality adjustment method that assist even a user who is unfamiliar with equalizer adjustment in adjusting parameters to the user's desire. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1 earphone 1L, 1R earphones 30 Control section 33 Control Unit 38 Short-range wireless control unit 100 Sound quality adjustment system BT11 Easy Mode Button BT12 Pro Mode Button BT13 save button CIR0,CIR1,CIR2 Concentric line EQ0, EQ01, EQ02 Conventional equalizer EQ1, EQ3, EQ11, EQ12, EQ21, EQ22, EQ41, EQ42 equalizer F1 smartphone FLD sound field GF1,GF2,GF3,GF4,GF5 Gain Graph IC10 User Icon IC11, IC12, IC12A, IC13, IC14, IC15 icons SC11 Sound Mode Screen (Pro) SC12, SC12A tutorial screen SC13 Sound Mode Screen (Easy) US Icon

Claims

1. A wireless terminal; a sound quality adjustment system including two earphones communicably connected to the wireless terminal, The wireless terminal displaying an equalizer including a first icon indicating a listening position of the sound output from the earphones and at least one second icon indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of the sound signal, and accepting an adjustment operation of an adjustment parameter for each frequency of the sound signal; When the equalizer receives a user operation to move the second icon closer to or further away from the first icon, it calculates the adjustment parameter for each frequency of the sound signal based on the distance between the first icon and the second icon and transmits the adjustment parameter to the earphones; The earphones are outputting a sound changed according to the transmitted adjustment parameters; Sound quality adjustment system.

2. The equalizer comprises: a plurality of said second icons representing respective different audio sources; the second icons are arranged on concentric circles each centered on the first icon, The wireless terminal when a user operation of moving the second icon closer to or farther away from the first icon on a line connecting the first icon and the second icon is received, the adjustment parameter is calculated based on the distance between the first icon and the second icon, and is transmitted to the earphone. The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

3. The wireless terminal displaying the equalizer in which the first icon and the second icon are superimposed on an image showing a three-dimensional sound field space in which the audio source corresponding to the second icon is played; The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

4. The wireless terminal The smaller the distance, the larger the second icon is displayed; The larger the distance, the smaller the second icon is displayed. The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

5. The earphones are The smaller the distance, the more the gain of the predetermined frequency band is amplified. The greater the distance, the greater the gain of the predetermined frequency band is attenuated. The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

6. The wireless terminal calculating a gain for each of a plurality of bands including different center frequencies within the predetermined frequency band corresponding to the audio source based on information about the audio source corresponding to the second icon for which the user operation has been accepted and the distance, and transmitting the gain to the earphone; The earphones are outputting a sound in which the frequency band corresponding to the audio source is changed to a gain corresponding to each of the plurality of transmitted bands; The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

7. The wireless terminal calculating the gain based on the distance and the same or different gain change amounts set for each of the bands; The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 6.

8. The sound is a MIX sound source generated by a track sound source for each of the audio sources, The wireless terminal When the equalizer determines that the second icon is being operated by the user, it transmits a notification to the earphone that the second icon is being operated; The earphones are Based on the notification, output the sound with the volume attenuated of the track sound source corresponding to the audio source other than the audio source corresponding to the second icon among the mixed sound sources. The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

9. The wireless terminal When the equalizer determines that the second icon has not been operated by the user, it transmits a notification to the earphone that the operation of the second icon has ended; The earphones are Based on the notification, the sound is output by amplifying the volume of the track sound source corresponding to the audio source other than the audio source corresponding to the second icon among the mixed sound sources. The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 8.

10. The wireless terminal When it is determined that the equalizer is being displayed for the first time on the wireless terminal, a tutorial screen is displayed showing a user's operation method for the equalizer; When an operation of the user is received through the tutorial screen, the equalizer is displayed. The sound quality adjustment system according to claim 1 .

11. A wireless terminal; A sound quality adjustment method performed by a sound quality adjustment system including two earphones communicably connected to the wireless terminal, displaying an equalizer including a first icon indicating a listening position of the sound output from the earphones and at least one second icon indicating an audio source corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of the sound signal, and accepting an adjustment operation of an adjustment parameter for each frequency of the sound signal; When the equalizer receives a user operation to move the second icon closer to or further away from the first icon, it calculates an adjustment parameter for the sound signal based on the distance between the first icon and the second icon; outputting a sound changed according to the calculated adjustment parameters; How to adjust sound quality.

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