Volume control device and audio control method

Abstract

To facilitate sound volume setting during a desired one step.SOLUTION: A sound volume setting value corresponding to the latest operation value which has been output and stored by a sound volume change operation is generated. Reference is performed to operation values from the stored latest operation value to the operation value before the latest operation value by a predetermined number. When the stored and referred operation value is repeated between the two adjacent operation values, a third sound volume setting value is generated, which is the value between a first sound volume setting value by one of the two adjacent operation values and a second sound volume setting value to be fixed by the other one of the two adjacent operation values.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a volume adjustment technique, and more particularly to fine adjustment of the volume. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent electronic devices that play audio, the volume adjustment is performed by digital processing, so the volume adjustment is not continuous but discrete and changes in steps. In mobile devices, the number of steps for volume adjustment is often reduced due to operability issues.

[0003] A technique has been disclosed that allows a parameter value to be set appropriately to a maximum or minimum value even if a somewhat rough setting operation is performed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-063357 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, although the technology described in Patent Document 1 allows the volume to be set to a maximum or minimum value, it is not possible to appropriately set the volume between desired steps.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technique that makes it easy to set the volume within a desired step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a volume adjustment device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises an operation value output unit that outputs an operation value based on a volume change operation, a memory unit that stores the operation value, a volume value generation unit that generates a volume setting value based on the operation value, and a volume control unit that controls the volume to be output based on the volume setting value, wherein the volume value generation unit refers to a predetermined number of operation value histories stored in the memory unit, starting from the most recent, and when the operation value repeats two adjacent values, generates a third volume setting value that is a value between a first volume setting value determined by one of the operation values ​​of the two values ​​and a second volume setting value determined by the other of the operation values ​​of the two values. Furthermore, a volume adjustment method according to one aspect of the present invention is a volume adjustment method that generates a volume setting value based on an operation value output by a volume change operation, and includes a step of storing the operation value, and a step of determining whether or not a history of the stored operation values ​​satisfies a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition is when the operation value repeats two adjacent values ​​by referring to a predetermined number of the stored operation value histories starting from the most recent, and further includes a step of generating a third volume setting value that is a value between a first volume setting value determined by one of the operation values ​​of the two values ​​and a second volume setting value determined by the other of the operation values ​​of the two values ​​when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that makes it easy to set the volume by a desired step. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of a volume control device 10 of the present invention. [Diagram 3]1 is a configuration diagram of a volume control unit 30 of the volume control device 10 of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a volume change operation of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the operation for entering a fine adjustment mode by a volume change operation of the present invention. [Figure 6] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an adjustment operation in a fine adjustment mode by a volume change operation of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation for setting a fine adjustment mode in the volume adjustment method of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an adjustment operation in a fine adjustment mode of the volume adjustment method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] EMBODIMENT 1 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 emits an audio signal of a predetermined sound source. The electronic device 1 has a multi-step volume change function, and the volume of the sound emitted by the volume change operation changes in stages. The predetermined sound source is not particularly limited and may be a stored music signal, a received signal received by communication, etc. The electronic device 1 has a sound emission unit 100, an operation unit 200 (A, B, C), and a display unit 300.

[0012] The sound emission unit 100 has a slit 1B opening on the front side of the housing 1A of the electronic device 1, and has an acoustic conversion device such as a speaker inside the slit 1B. The operation unit 200 has an operation unit 200A arranged on the front side of the housing 1A, an operation unit 200B arranged on the top surface of the housing 1A, and an operation unit 200C arranged on the side surface of the housing 1A. The arrangement and number of operation units 200 required are optional depending on the application of the electronic device 1. The display unit 300 displays information on the operating state of the electronic device 1 and the sound source, but may be unnecessary depending on the application of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is equipped with a volume setting device 10 equipped with the volume setting technology of the present invention.

[0013] The volume setting technology according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of a volume setting device 10 mounted on an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The sound source 50 may have any configuration. The volume setting device 10 of the present invention is composed of an operation signal conversion unit 20, a volume adjustment unit 30, and an audio output unit 40.

[0014] The operation signal conversion unit 20 is the operation unit 200 of the electronic device described above, and is an interface that converts a physical operation for setting the volume of sound emitted from the electronic device 1 into a signal for setting the volume. For example, the operation unit 200A is a cross key provided on the front panel of the electronic device 1. When setting the volume with the cross key, the volume setting is made to correspond to up and down key operation, or left and right key operation. The volume is changed by one step by an operation such as pressing and releasing the key assigned to the volume setting once in a short time, and when the key is pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the volume is changed by multiple steps depending on the time the key is pressed.

[0015] The operation unit 200B is a rotating device arranged on the top surface of the electronic device 1, and is a rotary switch, a rotary encoder, a volume (variable resistor), etc. When the volume is set by the rotating device, when it is rotated clockwise, it is converted into a signal for increasing the volume, and when it is rotated counterclockwise, it is converted into a signal for decreasing the volume. The rotary switch and the rotary encoder are devices that output discrete signals, so they can output signals for setting the volume in multiple steps, but the volume has a continuous operation feel and outputs a continuous signal. Therefore, by detecting the voltage output from the volume by ADC and detecting the rotation angle of the volume in a predetermined step, it is possible to obtain a signal for changing the volume in steps, just like a rotary switch. The operation unit 200C is an up key and a down key arranged on the side surface of the electronic device 1, and the up key converts into a signal for increasing the volume, and the down key converts into a signal for decreasing the volume. The operation signal conversion unit 20 may be any of 200A, 200B, and 200C of the operation unit 200.

[0016] The volume adjustment unit 30 adjusts the volume output from the audio output unit 40 based on the signal from the operation signal conversion unit 20. The audio output unit 40 emits the audio signal of the sound source 50 at a volume based on the volume adjustment signal from the volume adjustment unit 30. Specifically, the audio output unit 40 is composed of an amplifier that changes the amplification degree of the audio signal from the sound source based on the volume adjustment signal from the volume adjustment unit 30, and an acoustic conversion device such as a speaker or earphone.

[0017] 3 shows the configuration of the volume adjustment unit 30 of the volume setting device 10 according to the present invention. The volume adjustment unit 30 includes an operation value output unit 31, a storage unit 32, a timer 33, a volume value generation unit 34, and a volume control unit 35.

[0018] The operation value output unit 31 converts the operation signal from the operation signal conversion unit 20 into an operation value and outputs it to the storage unit 32. The storage unit 32 stores a predetermined number of operation value histories. The storage unit 32 outputs the last stored operation value to the volume value generation unit 34. The volume value generation unit 34 generates a volume setting value based on the operation value and outputs it to the volume control unit 35. The volume control unit 35 outputs a volume control signal that controls the volume output from the audio output unit 40 based on the volume setting value. The timer 33 counts a predetermined period of time and is reset each time the operation value output unit 31 outputs a new operation value. The end of the count by the timer 33 means a state in which there has been no volume change operation for a period of time determined by the timer's count time, which will be described later.

[0019] The operation of the volume setting technology according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In normal operation, the operation signal conversion unit 20 outputs an operation signal such as up "+1" or down "-1" in response to an operation of the operation unit 200. Specifically, in Fig. 4, an operation to increase the volume is represented as ▲ and an operation to decrease the volume is represented as ▼, and an increase operation ▲ causes the operation signal conversion unit 20 to output an operation signal of "+1", and a decrease operation ▼ causes the operation signal conversion unit 20 to output an operation signal of "-1".

[0020] The operation value output unit 31 accumulates the operation signals and stores them in the memory unit 32 as an operation value. The memory unit 32 stores a predetermined number of operation values ​​from the most recent to the most recent history. The memory unit 32 also deletes operation values ​​starting from the oldest. Specifically, the memory unit 32 stores four operation values, and in the increase operation shown in range A in FIG. 4, an operation signal "+1" is output for each operation, so the operation value increases from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 in response to the operation. When the latest operation value is "4" and the operation signal "+1" is output, "5" is stored as the latest operation value, and the oldest "1" is deleted.

[0021] The volume value generating unit 34 normally generates a volume setting value based on the latest operation value data stored in the storage unit 32. The volume setting value generated by the volume value generating unit 34 for the operation value is set appropriately to have characteristics that match the change in volume that is actually output in response to the volume setting operation. This setting corresponds to the volume curve, and is set so that the low volume side, which is generally called the A curve in volume adjustment, changes little in response to the operation, and the high volume side changes greatly in response to the operation.

[0022] The present invention includes a configuration for outputting a volume between two adjacent volume setting values ​​that cannot be set by the above-mentioned normal operation.

[0023] (Settings configuration 1) The volume value generation unit 34 obtains information on whether the operation value has been changed from the operation value output unit 31. When the operation value of the operation value output unit 31 has changed, the volume value generation unit 34 refers to the operation values ​​stored in the storage unit 32. The operation values ​​referred to by the volume value generation unit 34 range from the latest operation value stored in the storage unit 32 to a predetermined number of operation values ​​before that. When the reference result matches a predetermined condition, the volume value generation unit 34 starts generating a volume setting value in a fine adjustment mode described below.

[0024] The latest operation value and the operation value two values ​​before stored in the storage unit 32 are obtained and compared with each other, and further the operation value one value before and the operation value four values ​​before are compared with each other. If any of the latest operation value and the operation value three values ​​before, or the operation value two values ​​before and the operation value four values ​​before is different, the volume value generation unit 34 generates a volume setting value based on the latest operation value as usual.

[0025] On the other hand, the volume value generating unit 34 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the latest and second previous operation values ​​are the same and the second previous and fourth previous operation values ​​are the same. That is, this corresponds to a case where a user who owns the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention performs a volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step. In this case, the operation values ​​stored in the storage unit 32 are successively stored as operation values ​​of two adjacent values. The volume value generating unit 34 generates a volume setting value between the volume setting value based on the latest operation value and the volume setting value based on the previous operation value. That is, the volume value generating unit 34 generates a third volume setting value between a first volume setting value determined by the lower limit value of the operation values ​​of two adjacent values ​​and a second volume setting value determined by the upper limit value of the operation values ​​of the two adjacent values.

[0026] In other words, when the stored operating value cycles through two adjacent values, one of the operating values ​​is greater than the other of the two values. Also, when the stored operating value cycles through two adjacent values, it can be said to generate a third volume setting value between a first volume setting value determined by one of the operating values ​​and a second volume setting value determined by the other of the operating values.

[0027] 5A shows the operation of outputting the volume for one desired step. Specifically, when an operation such as up, down, and up is performed, for example, the operation value changes from "3" to "4", and then the next operation makes it "3", and the next operation makes it "4". The desired one step is an operation value of "3" and an operation value of "4", and a volume between the volume based on the volume setting value for operation value "3" and the volume based on the volume setting value for operation value "4" is output.

[0028] In this case, the latest operation value "4" is the same as the operation value "4" two values ​​ago, and furthermore, the operation value "3" one value ago is the same as the operation value "3" four values ​​ago, so the volume value generation unit 34 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. The volume value generation unit 34 generates a volume setting value "X" between the volume setting value "15" by the latest operation value "3" and the volume setting value "19" by the operation value "4" one value ago. In other words, it generates a third volume setting value "X" between the first volume setting value "15" determined by the lower limit value "3" of the operation values ​​of the two adjacent values, and the second volume setting value "19" determined by the upper limit value "4" of the operation values ​​of the two adjacent values.

[0029] In FIG. 5A, four operation value histories including the latest one stored in the storage unit 32 are referenced. Therefore, whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied is determined by three operations, but the condition required for the determination may be four or more. For example, in the case of FIG. 5B, five operation value histories are referenced, and if the latest operation value matches the operation value two operations ago and the operation value five operations ago due to operations such as up, down, up, and down, and the operation value two operations ago matches the operation value four operations ago, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and a volume setting value between the volume setting value by the latest operation value and the volume setting value by the operation value one operation ago is generated. In other words, if the number of times required for the determination increases, the history to be referenced is increased, and if all of the latest and the operation values ​​referenced odd times ago match, and all of the setting values ​​of the referenced operation values ​​even times ago are the same, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and a volume setting value between the volume setting value by the latest operation value and the volume setting value by the operation value one operation ago is generated.

[0030] In the present invention, the state in which the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied and a volume setting value between the volume setting value according to the latest operation value and the volume setting value according to the immediately previous operation value is generated is referred to as a "fine-adjustment mode." The volume setting device 10 of the present invention may include an informing unit 50 that informs that the device is in the fine-adjustment mode.

[0031] The volume setting value between the volume setting value based on the latest operation value and the volume setting value based on the previous operation value, i.e., the third volume setting value, may be generated based on the intermediate value between the latest operation value and the previous operation value, or may be generated based on the intermediate value between the volume setting value based on the latest operation value and the volume setting value based on the previous operation value. Specifically, in the former case, when the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied and the latest operation value is "4" and the previous operation value is "3", the volume value generation unit 34 generates the volume setting value assuming that the operation value is "3.5". On the other hand, in the latter case, the volume value generation unit 34 generates the intermediate value "17" between the volume setting value "19" based on the latest operation value "4" and the volume setting value "15" based on the previous operation value.

[0032] The volume setting value generated by the intermediate value will be the same for both the former and latter if the characteristics of the volume actually output in response to the volume change operation are linear, but if the above-mentioned A curve is used, the volume setting values ​​for the former and latter will be different.

[0033] In summary, the volume control device 10 of the present invention detects that the volume change operation is a repetition between the desired steps, and if the volume change operation is a repetition between the desired steps, sets the volume between a volume determined by a lower limit between the desired steps and a volume determined by an upper limit between the desired steps.

[0034] (Settings configuration 2) In setting configuration 1, when the fine adjustment mode is entered, the third volume setting value is configured to uniquely adopt an intermediate value, but the third volume setting value may also be finely set by a specified operation even after the fine adjustment mode is entered.

[0035] An outline of a configuration for finely setting the third volume setting value even after the fine adjustment mode is entered will be described. By continuing to perform a volume change operation that repeats one-step increase and decrease in the volume even after the fine adjustment mode is entered, a third volume setting value is generated by gradually increasing the first volume setting value determined by the lower limit of the operation values ​​of two adjacent values ​​toward the intermediate value, and a third volume setting value is generated by gradually decreasing the second volume setting value determined by the upper limit of the operation values ​​of two adjacent values ​​toward the intermediate value.

[0036] The operation of the setting configuration 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Since the operation values ​​of "4", "5", "4", and "5" are stored in the storage unit 32 by the volume change operation, the volume value generation unit 34 generates a volume setting value in the fine adjustment mode. In this case, the upper limit value of the operation value of the two adjacent values ​​is "5", and the lower limit value of the operation value of the two adjacent values ​​is "4". Since the latest operation value "5" is the upper limit value, it is decreased by a predetermined amount from the original volume setting value "24". In FIG. 6, the volume setting value is changed from "24" to "23". If the volume change operation is continued by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the volume by one step, and the operation value is set to "4", this is the lower limit value of the operation value of the two adjacent values, so it is increased from the original volume setting value "19". In FIG. 6, the volume setting value is changed from 19 to 20.

[0037] The volume value generating unit 34 detects the difference between the third volume setting value generated by correction when the operation value is the upper limit value and the third volume setting value generated by correction when the operation value is the lower limit value. By proceeding with the volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step, the volume value generating unit 34 further increases and corrects the volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit value to generate the third volume setting value, and decreases and corrects the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit value to generate the third volume setting value. Furthermore, by proceeding with the volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step, when the difference between the third volume setting value generated by correction when the operation value is the upper limit value and the third volume setting value generated by correction when the operation value is the lower limit value becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined range, the volume value generating unit 34 does not correct the third volume setting value for the change in the operation value due to the volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step thereafter.

[0038] Specifically, when a volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step is performed in the fine adjustment mode, the volume value generation unit 34 gradually brings the volume setting value closer to the intermediate value, and the volume setting value converges near the intermediate value. In the case of Fig. 6, the volume value generation unit 34 does not correct the volume setting value for subsequent volume change operations that repeatedly increase and decrease the volume by one step, because the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit and the volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit match at "22".

[0039] Regarding the correction performed by the volume value generation unit 34, the amount of correction may be increased according to the number of repetitions, or the corrected volume setting value may be stored and a predetermined amount of correction value may be further increased or decreased for the corrected volume setting value.

[0040] 6 shows a case where the third volume setting value increased from the volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit matches the third volume setting value decreased from the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit, but there is also a possibility that the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit falls below the volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit. In any case, since there is almost no difference in the volume output between the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit and the volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit, when the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit falls within a predetermined range, the volume value generating unit 34 can maintain the volume setting values ​​last generated for the upper and lower limit values ​​of the operation value by operation, even if a subsequent operation within the predetermined range is performed.

[0041] (Settings Configuration 3) Since the object of the present invention is to adjust the volume between the volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit and the volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit, the volume value generation unit 34 does not need to converge the third volume setting value to a specific volume setting value by a volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step. The volume value generation unit 34 may randomly generate a third volume setting value between the first volume setting value when the operation value is the upper limit and the second volume setting value when the operation value is the lower limit each time the volume is increased and decreased by one step.

[0042] Next, the operation of the timer 33 will be described. The timer 33 starts counting when a volume change operation is performed and the operation value output unit 31 outputs the operation value, and counts a predetermined time. If a volume change operation is performed and the operation value output unit 31 outputs the operation value before the count time ends, the timer 33 resets the timer and starts counting again.

[0043] In other words, the end of the count time by the timer 31 means that no volume change operation was performed during the count time. Therefore, if the count time by the timer 31 does not end and the operation value stored in the storage unit 32 satisfies a predetermined condition, it can be determined that the volume change operation has been performed continuously. In addition, since the purpose of the count by the timer 31 is to determine whether or not the volume change operation has been performed continuously, when the count time ends, the storage unit 32 may delete any operation value other than the most recently stored one, since it is not necessary to refer to such values.

[0044] For example, assume that a volume change operation is performed before the count time ends, and the history of past operation values ​​stored in the storage unit 32 satisfies a predetermined condition. However, if the third previous operation value is input, and then the operation value two values ​​before that is input after the timer count time ends, the volume change operation is not performed consecutively, so that the predetermined condition is not satisfied by deleting the operation value three values ​​before that at the time the operation two values ​​before that is performed.

[0045] In reality, the count time of the timer 31 may be a relatively short time of about 1 second. The timer in the present invention counts a predetermined time suitable for detecting a relatively quick repeated operation in order to determine whether the operation is for switching to the fine adjustment mode and whether the operation is for fine-tuning the volume during the fine adjustment mode. The count time of the timer 31 for switching to the fine adjustment mode and the count time of the timer 31 during the fine adjustment mode may be different.

[0046] When determining that the operation value satisfies a predetermined condition and the fine adjustment mode should be selected, the volume value generating unit 34 monitors the timer 31, and if the count time has elapsed, the fine adjustment mode is not selected, but if the count time is still ongoing, the fine adjustment mode is selected. The volume setting value for the fine adjustment mode may be generated from the operation value used to determine that the fine adjustment mode was selected, or the volume setting value for the fine adjustment mode may be generated from the operation value output by the next volume change operation.

[0047] Furthermore, the volume value generating unit 34 monitors the count time of the timer 31 even after the fine adjustment mode is set. If a change in the operation value is detected while the timer 31 is still counting, and the changed operation value satisfies a predetermined condition, the volume value generating unit 34 continues to generate a volume setting value in the fine adjustment mode. After the fine adjustment mode is set, the volume value generating unit 34 generates a normal volume setting value for the operation value after the timer 31 has finished counting.

[0048] A method for switching to the fine adjustment mode will be described with reference to FIG. 7. An operation value is output by a volume change operation (step S1). The operation value is stored, and a volume setting value based on the operation value is generated (step S2). In response to the output of the setting value, a timer starts counting a predetermined time (step S3). If the timer has finished counting the predetermined time (Yes in step S4), the process ends. If the timer has not finished counting the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0049] The presence or absence of a volume change operation is detected (step S5). If a volume change operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S4. If a volume change operation has been performed, the operation value resulting from that operation is stored (step S6). It is then determined whether the stored operation value satisfies a predetermined condition (step S7). If it is determined in step S7 that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (No in step S7), a volume setting value is generated based on the most recently stored operation value (step S8), and the process returns to step S4. If the predetermined condition is satisfied in step S7, the process switches to fine adjustment mode (step S9).

[0050] As described above, the predetermined condition is whether or not a volume change operation that repeatedly increases and decreases the volume by one step has been performed, that is, whether or not the volume change operation is repeated within a predetermined range. To detect this, a determination is made based on conditions such as a match between the latest operation value and the operation value two steps before, and a match between the operation value one step before and the operation value three steps before, but the number of repetitions that constitute the predetermined condition is a design matter and may be set arbitrarily.

[0051] Regarding the case where the third volume setting value described in the setting configuration 1 is set to an intermediate value, the third volume setting value may be generated as an intermediate value based on the operation value when the fine adjustment mode is entered. In other words, the third volume setting value may be generated as an intermediate value at the same time as the fine adjustment mode is entered. Also, when the operation value by the next volume change operation when the fine adjustment mode is entered satisfies a predetermined condition and the timer has not finished counting the predetermined time, the third volume setting value may be generated as an intermediate value.

[0052] A method for generating the third volume setting value in the fine adjustment mode will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Three different explanations have been given regarding the third volume setting value in the setting configurations 1 to 3, but the third volume setting value in the setting configuration 1 is an intermediate value that is uniquely determined in the fine adjustment mode. The following describes the setting configuration 2, which is a configuration for correcting the third volume setting value in the fine adjustment mode.

[0053] A timer that started counting a predetermined time in response to a volume change operation when the fine adjustment mode was selected is determined to have finished counting the predetermined time (step S20). If the timer has finished counting the predetermined time, the fine adjustment mode is released (Yes in step S20), and if the timer has not finished counting the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S21 (No in step S20). Next, the presence or absence of a volume change operation is detected (step S21). If there is no volume change operation (No in step S21), the process returns to S20. If a volume change operation is detected, that is, if an operation value is output due to a volume change operation, the timer is reset and the timer starts counting the predetermined time (step S22).

[0054] The operation value output in step S21 is stored (step S23). Next, it is determined whether the stored operation value satisfies a predetermined condition (step S24). If the stored operation value does not satisfy the predetermined condition (No in step S24), a volume setting value is generated based on the latest operation value (step S25), and the fine adjustment mode ends.

[0055] If the stored operation value satisfies a predetermined condition (Yes in step S24), a volume setting value based on the latest operation value is corrected to approach the intermediate value and generated (step S26). The difference between the corrected volume setting value and the previously generated volume setting value is calculated, and it is determined whether the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (step S27). If the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (Yes in step S29), the generation of the latest volume setting value is maintained and the process ends.

[0056] If the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value in step S27 (No in step S29), proceed to step S29. In step S29, it is determined whether the timer has finished counting the predetermined time. If the timer has finished counting the predetermined time (Yes in step S29), proceed to step S28, maintain the latest volume setting value, and end the process. If the timer has not finished counting the predetermined time in step S29 (No in step S29), return to step S21, and repeat steps S20 and S21 until the timer has finished counting or a volume change operation is detected.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Electronic equipment 100 Sound emitting part 200 operation unit, 200A operation unit, 200B operation unit, 300 operation unit 300 Display 1A housing, 1B slit 10 Volume setting device 20 Operation signal converter 30 Volume control section 31 Operation value output section 32 Storage section 33 Timer 34 Volume value generator 35 Volume control unit 40 Audio output section

Claims

1. an operation value output unit that outputs an operation value based on a volume change operation; A storage unit that stores the operation value; a volume value generating unit that generates a volume setting value based on the operation value; a volume control unit that controls the volume of an output based on the volume setting value; Equipped with The volume value generating unit A predetermined number of operation value histories stored in the storage unit are referenced from the most recent, and the most recent operation value is adjacent to A predetermined condition for repeating the two values ​​is satisfied, and one of the values ​​of the manipulation of the two values ​​is used. a first volume setting value determined by the operation value of the first volume setting value and a second volume setting value determined by the operation value of the second volume setting value. If the difference between the volume setting value and the volume setting value is not equal to or less than the predetermined value, the step with the smaller difference between the volume setting value is selected. and narrowly correcting the volume to be close to an intermediate value between the first volume setting value and the second volume setting value. A volume control device characterized by:

2. A timer that starts counting a predetermined time when an operation value is output from the operation value output unit. Prepare for the present, The volume value generating unit A predetermined number of operation value histories stored in the storage unit are referenced from the most recent, and the most recent operation value is adjacent to A predetermined condition for repeating the two values ​​is satisfied, and the count time of the timer is completed. If the volume difference is not equal to or less than a predetermined value, the volume setting value difference is smaller.

2. The volume control method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting the volume is to approach the intermediate value. Adjustment device.

3. A volume adjustment method for generating a volume setting value based on an operation value output by a volume change operation There was, storing the operation value; A step of determining whether or not the history of the stored operation values ​​satisfies a predetermined condition; Including, The predetermined condition is to refer to a predetermined number of stored operation value histories from the most recent, and to check whether the most recent operation value is When two adjacent values ​​are repeated, A first tone that satisfies the predetermined condition and is determined by one of the two values ​​of the manipulation value. The volume difference between the volume setting value and a second volume setting value determined by the other of the two operation values ​​is If the difference is not equal to or less than the predetermined value, the step with the smaller difference in the volume setting value is set to the first volume setting The method further includes narrowly correcting the volume setting value to approach an intermediate value between the volume setting value and the second volume setting value. A volume adjustment method comprising:

Images