Audio signal playback system and playback method

Abstract

To provide a technical means that gives a user an operational feeling similar to that of a record player.SOLUTION: A cradle 100A which is a contact operation device includes: an arm 111 that has a contact operation unit 114 at a tip thereof that contacts a touch panel 205; and a support unit 120 that supports the arm 111 and has a first support mechanism that moves the arm 111 so as to move the contact operation unit 114 in a horizontal direction and a second support mechanism that moves the arm 111 so as to move the contact operation unit 114 in a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There are known portable information terminals such as smartphones having a function of playing music. In the portable information terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1, a touch panel is used to provide the user with information necessary for music selection.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone starts playing a sound signal in response to an operation of touching a touch panel with a finger or a stylus pen. Such an operation is simple and convenient for the user, but does not give the user an impression. On the other hand, even now when digital audio has advanced, record players still have a strong popularity. The user moves the pickup at the tip of the arm of the record player and brings the record needle provided on the pickup into contact with the record groove of the record disc. Sound comes out at the moment when the record needle contacts the record groove. The emotional movement of tension and relaxation at the moment when this sound comes out gives many users an impression.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technical means for giving the user an operation feeling close to that of a record player.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A contact operation device according to one aspect of this invention is characterized by comprising: an arm having a contact operation portion at its tip that contacts a touch panel; and a support portion that supports the arm, the support portion having a first support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion vertically.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for reproducing an audio signal, comprising a contact operating device and a portable information terminal, wherein the portable information terminal has a touch panel, the contact operating device has an arm with a contact operating part at its tip that contacts the touch panel, and a support part that supports the arm, the support part having a first support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operating part horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operating part vertically, and the portable information terminal displays an image of a recording medium on which an audio signal is recorded on the touch panel, and when the contact operating part contacts the touch panel displaying the image of the recording medium, the method determines the start position for reproducing the audio signal based on the contact position of the contact operating part in the image of the recording medium, and starts reproducing the audio signal from that start position.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for reproducing an audio signal, comprising a contact operating device and a portable information terminal, wherein the portable information terminal has a touch panel, the contact operating device has an arm with a contact operating part at its tip that contacts the touch panel, a support part that supports the arm and includes a first support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operating part horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operating part vertically, a communication unit that receives a drive command from the portable information terminal, and a drive unit that moves the contact operating part by driving the arm according to the drive command, wherein when the portable information terminal receives a selection of an audio signal, it displays an image of a recording medium on which the audio signal is recorded on the touch panel and transmits a drive command to the contact operating device to bring the contact operating part into contact with a position on the touch panel screen corresponding to the audio signal playback start position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the configuration of a playback system that performs a method for reproducing an audio signal, which is the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] A side view of the same regeneration system. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows the electrical configuration of the contact operating device in the same regeneration system. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows the electrical configuration of the portable information terminal in the same playback system. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the playback process performed in the playback system. [Figure 6] This is a plan view illustrating the operation of the playback system. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the method for calculating the playback start position in the playback system. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a contact operating device in a sound signal reproduction system, which is a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]This is a flowchart of the playback process performed in the same embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing the configuration of a sound signal reproduction system, which is a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This block diagram shows the electrical configuration of the contact operating device in the same regeneration system. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart of the playback process performed in the same embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart of a regeneration process performed in another embodiment of this invention. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart of a regeneration process performed in another embodiment of this invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a playback system 300A that performs a method for playing back sound signals, which is a first embodiment of this invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the same playback system 300A. The playback system 300A includes a smartphone 200A having a touch panel 205 and a cradle 100A equipped with a function for wirelessly supplying power to the smartphone 200A. In this embodiment, the cradle 100A is a contact operation device that performs contact operations on the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A and has a form similar to that of a record player. The smartphone 200A is a portable information terminal that plays back sound signals in response to contact operations performed by the cradle 100A.

[0012] The cradle 100A has a rectangular flat base 101. At approximately the center of this base 101, there is an approximately rectangular power supply area 102, and a primary coil (not shown) is embedded in this power supply area 102. The user places the smartphone 200A, which is the power supply target, on this power supply area 102. The cradle 100A generates an alternating magnetic field by passing an alternating current through the primary coil, and performs wireless power supply to the smartphone 200A placed on the power supply area 102.

[0013] Near the vicinity of one long side of the base 101, a short-range wireless communication unit 103 is arranged. This short-range wireless communication unit 103 is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, and is a means for performing short-range wireless communication with the smartphone 200A as the communication partner. In the present embodiment, the cradle 100A receives the sound signal reproduced by the smartphone 200A by this short-range wireless communication unit 103.

[0014] Near both ends of one short side of the base 101, two sound output units 104 are provided. These sound output units 104 are speakers. In the present embodiment, the cradle 100A emits the sound signal received by the short-range wireless communication unit 103 from these sound output units 104.

[0015] Near the other short side of the base 101, an arm 111 supported by a support portion 120 is arranged. A pickup 112 is attached to the tip of this arm 111. Also, a counterweight 116 is attached to the rear end of the arm 111. The support portion 120 supports the arm 111 at a position closer to the counterweight 116 in the arm 111. Specifically, the support portion 120 supports the arm 111 so as to be rotatable around a first axis 121 in the vertical direction and rotatable around a second axis 122 in the horizontal direction. The counterweight 116 serves to moderate the rotation speed when the arm 111 rotates around the second axis 122 due to its own weight.

[0016] Further, the base 101 is provided with a rest portion 118 that receives from below an intermediate portion between the support portion 120 and the pickup 112 in the arm 111. When not playing a sound signal, the arm 111 is placed on this rest portion 118.

[0017] A contact operation portion 114 is attached below the pickup 112 at the tip of the arm 111. This contact operation portion 114 is a member that contacts the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A placed on the power supply area 102, and is composed of a conductive elastomer. The pickup 112 is provided with a handle 113. The user can pinch this handle 113 with a finger and move the pickup 112.

[0018] As described above, the arm 111 to which the pickup 112 is attached is rotatable around the first axis 121. Therefore, the contact operation portion 114 of the pickup 112 is movable in an arc with the distance from the contact operation portion 114 to the first axis 121 as the radius. In a form in which the smartphone 200A is appropriately arranged in the power supply area 102, this circular orbit passes through the center of the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A. Thus, the first axis 121 functions as a first support mechanism that moves the arm 111 so as to move the contact operation portion 114 in the horizontal direction.

[0019] Also, the arm 111 to which the pickup 112 is attached is rotatable around the second axis 122. Therefore, the contact operation portion 114 of the pickup 112 can contact the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A by descending, or can leave the touch panel 205 by ascending. Thus, the second axis 122 functions as a second support mechanism that moves the arm 111 so as to move the contact operation portion 114 in the vertical direction.

[0020] The cradle 100A functions as a contact operation device that brings the contact operation part 114 into contact with a desired position on the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A, or moves the contact operation part 114 away from the touch panel 205.

[0021] Here, the moment of inertia acting on the tip of the arm 111 is greater than the moment of inertia acting on the rear end of the arm 111, among the moments of inertia acting on the second axis 122 of the support part 120. Therefore, after the user touches the touch panel 205 with the contact operation part 114 and then removes their finger from the handle 113, the contact operation part 114 continues to be in contact with the touch panel 205.

[0022] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of cradle 100A. As shown in Figure 3, cradle 100A includes a CPU 131, a storage unit 132, a short-range wireless communication unit 103, a wireless power supply unit 133, and an audio output unit 104.

[0023] The CPU 131 is a control means that controls the various parts of the cradle 100A. The short-range wireless communication unit 103 and the sound output unit 104 are as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The wireless power supply unit 133 includes a primary coil embedded in the power supply area 102. The wireless power supply unit 133 generates an alternating current magnetic field for supplying power to the smartphone 200A by passing an alternating current through this primary coil.

[0024] The memory unit 132 consists of a non-volatile memory unit such as ROM and flash memory, and a volatile memory unit such as RAM. The non-volatile memory unit stores a control program executed by the CPU 131. The volatile memory unit is used as a work area by the CPU 131. By executing the control program in the non-volatile memory unit, the CPU 131 controls the power supply by the wireless power supply unit 133 and the operation of receiving sound signals from the smartphone 200A via the short-range wireless communication unit 103 and emitting sound via the sound output unit 104.

[0025] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of smartphone 200A. As shown in Figure 4, smartphone 200A includes a CPU 201, a memory unit 202, an audio input unit 203, an audio output unit 204, a wireless communication unit 206, a short-range wireless communication unit 207, a wireless charging unit 208, and a battery 209.

[0026] The sound input unit 203 is a microphone, and the sound output unit 204 is a speaker. The sound input unit 203 and sound output unit 204 are mainly used as means for making calls. The touch panel 205 is a device that has both a display function for displaying various information and an operation function for accepting touch operations. In this embodiment, the touch panel 205 is the target of operation of the touch operation unit 114 of the cradle 100A. The wireless communication unit 206 is a means for communicating with other communication devices via a network including a mobile communication network and the internet. The battery 209 is a DC power supply that supplies power to each part of the smartphone 200A. The wireless charging unit 208 receives power from the wireless power supply unit 133 of the cradle 100A and charges the battery 209. More specifically, the wireless charging unit 208 includes a secondary coil that is magnetically coupled to the primary coil in the wireless power supply unit 133. The alternating current generated in this secondary coil is rectified and supplied to the battery 209, thereby charging the battery 209.

[0027] The memory unit 202 consists of non-volatile memory such as ROM and flash memory, and volatile memory such as RAM. The non-volatile memory stores control programs and application programs executed by the CPU 201. The volatile memory is used as a work area by the CPU 201. The CPU 201 controls various parts of the smartphone 200A by executing the control programs in the non-volatile memory.

[0028] The non-volatile memory of the memory unit 202 stores one or more audio signal files, which are time-series recordings of audio signals from various musical pieces. The non-volatile memory of the memory unit 202 also stores a playback application program that instructs the CPU 201 to read audio signals from the audio signal files and play them back as sound. These audio signal files and the playback application program are downloaded, for example, from a server connected to the internet and stored in the non-volatile memory of the memory unit 202.

[0029] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the playback process executed by the CPU 201 according to the playback application program. When the short-range wireless communication unit 207 of the smartphone 200A establishes a wireless link with the short-range wireless communication unit 103 of the cradle 100A, the CPU 201 starts the playback process shown in Figure 5. First, the CPU 201 determines whether the smartphone 200A is placed in the power supply area 102 of the cradle 100A (step S10). This determination can be made, for example, by comparing the peak level of the AC voltage generated in the secondary coil in the wireless charging unit 208 with a threshold value. If the result of the determination in step S10 is "NO", the CPU 201 repeats the determination in step S10. If the result of the determination in step S10 is "YES", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S12.

[0030] Next, in step S12, the CPU 201 transmits a power supply command to the cradle 100A via the short-range wireless communication unit 207. When the CPU 131 of the cradle 100A receives this power supply command via the short-range wireless communication unit 103, it increases the current flowing through the primary coil of the wireless power supply unit 133, thereby increasing the AC power supplied to the wireless charging unit 208 of the smartphone 200A. This initiates wireless charging of the smartphone 200A by the cradle 100A.

[0031] Next, in step S20, the CPU 201 displays a menu on the touch panel 205 to accept song selection. Then, in step S22, the CPU 201 determines whether a song has been selected or not. If the result of this determination is "NO", the CPU 201 repeats the determination in step S22. If the result of the determination in step S22 is "YES", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S30.

[0032] Next, in step S30, the CPU 201 displays an image of a record on the touch panel 205 that corresponds to the audio signal file of the song selected by the user. In this embodiment, the audio signal played by the CPU 201 is stored in an audio signal file in the storage unit 202. However, this embodiment aims to give the user an operating feel similar to that of a record player. Therefore, in step S30, the CPU 201 displays an image of a record on the touch panel 205 as an image of the recording medium on which the audio signal is recorded. Note that the image of the recording medium may be a donut-shaped figure that mimics the shape of a record.

[0033] Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating the state in which an image of the record 400 is displayed on the touch panel 205. The image of the record 400 includes images of the center Q of the record 400, the outermost record groove Cst of the record 400, and the innermost record groove Cen of the record 400. Here, the distance between the outermost record groove Cst and the innermost record groove Cen in the radial direction of the record 400 corresponds to the total time length of the sound signal stored in the sound signal file.

[0034] Next, in step S44, the CPU 201 determines whether the contact operation part 114 has made contact with the screen of the touch panel 205. If the result of this determination is "NO", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S48. If the result is "YES", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S46. Next, in step S48, the CPU 201 determines whether a timeout has occurred, that is, whether the state in which the result of the determination in step S44 is "NO" has continued for a predetermined time or longer. If the result of this determination is "NO", the CPU 201 returns to step S44. If the result is "YES", the CPU 201 returns to step S20.

[0035] If the result of step S44 is "YES" and the process proceeds to step S46, the CPU 201 detects the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205. Next, proceeding to step S50, the CPU 201 starts playback of the sound signal from the playback start position corresponding to the contact position.

[0036] Now, referring to Figure 7, the process of step S50 will be explained. As described above, the distance L1 between the outermost record groove Cst and the innermost record groove Cen in the radial direction of the record 400 corresponds to the total time length T of the sound signals stored in the sound signal file. Therefore, the CPU 201 determines the radial distance L2 from the record groove to which the contact position P belongs to to the outermost record groove Cst in the image of the record 400 displayed on the touch panel 205. Then, the CPU 201 sets the position advanced by L2·T / L1 from the beginning of the sound signal in the sound signal file as the playback start position.

[0037] Next, in step S52, the CPU 201 plays a predetermined amount of audio signal from the audio signal file, starting from the current playback position, and transmits it to the cradle 100A via the short-range wireless communication unit 207. This audio signal is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 103 of the cradle 100 and emitted by the audio output unit 104. As a result of executing step S52, the playback position advances by a predetermined amount of time on the time axis.

[0038] Next, in step S56, the CPU 201 determines whether the playback position has reached the playback end position. Here, the playback end position is the position of the last sound signal in the sound signal file. If the result of this determination is "NO", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S58, and if it is "YES", the CPU 201 performs a playback stop process (not shown) and returns to step S20.

[0039] Next, in step S58, the CPU 201 determines whether the contact operation part 114 has moved away from the screen of the touch panel 205. If the result of this determination is "NO", the CPU 201 returns to step S52; if it is "YES", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S60.

[0040] Therefore, the playback of the sound signal (step S52) is repeated from the time the contact operation unit 114 touches the screen of the touch panel 205 until the playback position reaches the playback end position, or until the contact operation unit 114 leaves the screen of the touch panel 205.

[0041] Next, in step S60, CPU201 stops playing the audio signal in the audio signal file. Then, CPU201 returns to step S44.

[0042] Next, suppose the user lifts the contact operation unit 114 from the screen of the touch panel 205 and then touches the contact operation unit 114 to the screen of the touch panel 205 before a timeout occurs in step S48. In this case, the result of the judgment in step S58 is "YES", and the CPU 201 proceeds to step S44 via step S60. Then, the result of the judgment in step S44 is "YES" before a timeout occurs in step S48, and the CPU 201 detects the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 (step S46). The CPU 201 then sets the position corresponding to the contact position as the playback start position (step S50) and continuously plays the sound signal that starts from the playback start position within the sound signal file.

[0043] The same process is performed if the user lifts the contact operation unit 114 from the touch panel 205 screen again, and then touches the contact operation unit 114 to the touch panel 205 screen before the timeout occurs. Therefore, by repeatedly touching the contact operation unit 114 to different positions on the touch panel 205 screen, the user can play sound signals from multiple different playback positions within the sound signal file.

[0044] Next, when the playback position reaches the end of playback, the result of the judgment in step S56 becomes "YES", and the CPU 201 performs playback stop processing (not shown) and returns to accepting song selection (step S20).

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, the smartphone 200A, which is a portable information terminal, has a touch panel 205, and the cradle 100A, which is a contact operation device, has an arm 111 having a contact operation part 114 at its tip that contacts the touch panel 205, and a support part 120 that supports the arm 111, which has a first support mechanism, a first axis 121 that moves the arm 111 so as to move the contact operation part 114 in the horizontal direction, and a second support mechanism, a second axis 122 that moves the arm 111 so as to move the contact operation part 114 in the vertical direction. The smartphone 200A displays an image of a record 400, which is a recording medium on which sound signals are recorded, on the touch panel 205, and when the contact operation part 114 comes into contact with the touch panel 205 displaying the image of the record 400, the smartphone 200A determines the playback start position of the sound signal based on the contact position of the contact operation part 114 in the image displayed on the touch panel 205, and starts playback of the sound signal from that playback start position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with an operating feel similar to that of a record player.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the smartphone 200A continues to play the sound signal while the contact operation unit 114 is in contact with the touch panel 205. Therefore, in this respect as well, it is possible to give the user an operating feel similar to that of a record player.

[0047] <Second Embodiment> Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the cradle 100B in the regeneration system 300B, which is a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] As shown in Figure 8, the cradle 100B has a configuration that adds a horizontal drive unit 135 and a vertical drive unit 136 to the cradle 100A of the first embodiment described above. Here, the horizontal drive unit 135 includes a motor that rotates the arm 111 in Figure 1 around the first axis 121 and moves the contact operation unit 114 in the horizontal direction. The vertical drive unit 136 includes a motor that rotates the arm 111 in Figure 1 around the second axis 122 and moves the contact operation unit 114 in the vertical direction. The short-range wireless communication unit 103 receives drive commands for the arm 111 from the smartphone 200A. The CPU 131 drives the arm 111 and moves the contact operation unit 114 by controlling the horizontal drive unit 135 and the vertical drive unit 136 according to these drive commands.

[0049] The playback system 300B includes a smartphone 200A having the same configuration as shown in the first embodiment. The smartphone 200A in this embodiment has the same functions as in the first embodiment, as well as two additional functions. The first additional function is to make the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205 follow the playback position. The second additional function is to lift the contact operation part 114 from the touch panel 205 and move the arm 111 to the rest part 118 when playback of the sound signal in the sound signal file is finished.

[0050] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the playback process executed by the CPU 201 of the smartphone 200A according to the playback application program in this embodiment. In this embodiment, step S32 is added after step S30 in the playback process of the first embodiment (see Figure 5), step S54 is added after step S52, and step S62 is added as the process to be performed when the judgment result of step S56 is "YES".

[0051] In this embodiment, the CPU 201 displays an image of a record on the touch panel 205 (step S30), and then negotiates with the cradle 100B (step S32). During this negotiation, the CPU 201 transmits information to the cradle 100B via the short-range wireless communication unit 207, indicating the radius of the outermost record groove Cst, the radius of the innermost record groove Cen, and the total time length T of the sound signals in the sound signal file of the record displayed on the touch panel 205.

[0052] Then, when the process of playing the sound signal for a predetermined time in step S52 is completed, the CPU 201 controls the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205 to follow the playback position (step S54). Specifically, in step S54, the CPU 202 transmits a drive command with the playback position to the cradle 100B via the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0053] When the CPU 131 of the cradle 100B receives the playback position and drive command from the short-range wireless communication unit 103, it performs control to move the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 to a position corresponding to the playback position.

[0054] More specifically, the CPU 131, based on the information received in step S32 indicating the radius of the outermost record groove Cst on the record, determines the rotation angle θ1 of the arm 111 (for example, the rotation angle from the rest portion 118) necessary to bring the position of the contact operating portion 114 to the position of the outermost record groove Cst.

[0055] Next, the CPU 131 determines an additional rotation angle θ2 to bring the contact operating part 114 to a position corresponding to the playback position. Specifically, if T is the total duration of the sound signal, t is the playback position, and LD is the difference between the radius of the outermost record groove Cst and the radius of the innermost record groove Cen, the CPU 201 determines a record groove (a roughly circular groove) that has moved radially by a distance LD·t / T from the outermost record groove Cst, and determines an additional rotation angle θ2 to bring the contact operating part 114 to the position of this record groove. Then, the CPU 131 causes the horizontal drive unit 135 to perform a horizontal drive that sets the rotation angle of the arm 111 to θ1+θ2.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the playback position reaches the playback end position and the determination result in step S56 is "YES", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S62. In step S62, the CPU 201 stops playback of the sound signal and transmits a drive command to return to the initial position to the cradle 100B via the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0057] When the CPU 131 of the cradle 100B receives a drive command to return to the initial position from the short-range wireless communication unit 103, the vertical drive unit 136 drives the arm 111 vertically to move the contact operation unit 114 away from the touch panel 205. Next, the CPU 131 drives the arm 111 horizontally from the horizontal drive unit 135 to move the arm 111 above the rest unit 118. Then, the CPU 131 drives the arm 111 vertically from the vertical drive unit 136 to place the arm 111 on top of the rest unit 118.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cradle 100B, which is a contact operation device, has a short-range wireless communication unit 103 that receives drive commands from the smartphone 200A, and a horizontal drive unit 135 and a vertical drive unit 136 that move the contact operation unit 114 by driving the arm 111 according to the drive command, and the smartphone 200A transmits a drive command to the cradle 100B that causes the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 to follow the playback position of the sound signal.Therefore, according to this embodiment, the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 on the touch panel 205 follows the playback position of the sound signal, and in this respect as well, it is possible to give the user an operating feel similar to that of a record player.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the playback position of the audio signal reaches the playback end position, the smartphone 200A sends a drive command to the cradle 100B to move the arm 111 to the rest section 118, and the cradle 100B moves the arm 111 to the rest section 118. Thus, the convenience of the playback system 300B can be improved.

[0060] <Third Embodiment> Figure 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a regeneration system 300C, which is a third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 10, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment (Figure 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0061] In the cradle 100C of the playback system 300C, a rail 109 is provided near one of the long sides of the base 101. A support portion 120 that supports the arm 111 is supported on this rail 109. The support portion 120 is slidable along the rail 109. Similar to the first embodiment described above, the support portion 120 has a second axis 122. The arm 111 is rotatable around this second axis 122. Therefore, the support portion 120 functions as a first support mechanism that moves the arm 111 to move the contact operation portion 114 horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm 11 to move the contact operation portion 114 vertically. On the lower surface of the pickup 112, in addition to the contact operation portion 114, an operation target detection portion 137 is attached. Here, the operation target detection portion 137 is, for example, a camera that photographs the touch panel 205 of a smartphone 200A.

[0062] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the cradle 100C in the regeneration system 300C. In this cradle 100C, an operating target detection unit 137 is added to the cradle 100B of the second embodiment (Figure 8), and the horizontal drive unit 135 of the cradle 100B is replaced with a horizontal drive unit 135a. This horizontal drive unit 135a includes a motor that moves the support unit 120 that supports the arm 111 along the rail 109.

[0063] The playback system 300C includes a smartphone 200A having the same configuration as shown in the first embodiment. Similar to the second embodiment, the smartphone 200A in this embodiment has a function to make the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205 follow the playback position, and a function to lift the contact operation part 114 from the touch panel 205 and move the arm 111 to the rest part 118 when playback of the sound signal in the sound signal file is finished. In addition, the smartphone 200A in this embodiment has two further additional functions. The first additional function is to start playback of the sound signal in response to operation on the touch panel 205 and move the contact operation part 114 to a position corresponding to the playback start position and make contact. The second additional function is to stop playback of the sound signal in response to operation on the touch panel 205 and move the arm 111 to the rest part 118.

[0064] Figure 12 is a flowchart of the playback process executed by the CPU 201 of the smartphone 200A according to the playback application program in this embodiment. In this embodiment, in the playback process of the second embodiment (see Figure 9), step S20 is replaced by step S20a, steps S44, S46, and S48 are replaced by step S40, and step S58 is replaced by step S58a.

[0065] In this embodiment, in step S20a, the CPU 201 accepts the selection of a playback start position when it accepts the selection of a song. Specifically, if the audio signal file of the selected song contains audio signals from multiple songs, the CPU 201 accepts the selection of a desired song from among those multiple songs and determines the playback start position of the audio signal for that song.

[0066] Furthermore, in step S40, the CPU 201 transmits a drive command, along with the playback start position selected in step S20a, to the cradle 100C via the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0067] When the CPU 131 of the cradle 100C receives the playback start position and drive command from the short-range wireless communication unit 103, it controls the movement of the contact operation unit 114 to a position corresponding to the playback start position. Specifically, the CPU 131 moves the arm 111 along the rail 108 while the operation target detection unit 137 captures an image of the touch panel 205. Then, based on the image captured by the operation target detection unit 137, when the CPU 131 detects that the position of the contact operation unit 114 has passed the position of the outermost record groove Cst and reached the position corresponding to the playback start position, it stops the horizontal drive of the arm 111 and drives the arm 111 vertically to bring the contact operation unit 114 into contact with the touch panel 205.

[0068] Furthermore, in step S58a, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a stop operation has been performed. This stop operation is a contact operation performed on the stop instruction icon displayed on the touch panel 205 of the smartphone 200A. If the result of the determination in step S58a is "YES", then, as in the second embodiment described above, the CPU 201 stops the playback of the sound signal and transmits a drive command to return to the initial position to the cradle 100B via the short-range wireless communication unit 207.

[0069] When the CPU 131 of the cradle 100B receives a drive command to return to the initial position from the short-range wireless communication unit 103, it controls the vertical drive unit 136 and the horizontal drive unit 135a to move the arm 111 and place it on the rest unit 118.

[0070] In this embodiment as well, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the smartphone 200A receives a selection of an audio signal, it displays an image of the record on which the audio signal is recorded on the touch panel 205 and sends a drive command to the cradle 100C to bring the contact operation unit 114 into contact with the position on the touch panel 205 screen corresponding to the playback start position of the audio signal. As a result, the contact operation unit 114 comes into contact with the position on the touch panel 205 screen corresponding to the playback start position, and the playback of the audio signal begins. Therefore, the convenience of the playback system 300C can be improved.

[0071] <Other Embodiments> The various embodiments of this invention have been described above, but other embodiments of this invention are also conceivable. For example, the following:

[0072] (1) In the first to third embodiments described above, a recess having the same planar shape and size as the smartphone 200A may be provided in the base 101, and the smartphone 200A may be housed in this recess for wireless power supply. In this case, it is preferable that the center of the recess coincides with the center of the power supply area 102, and that the center of the recess is located on the trajectory traced by the contact operation part 114 when the arm 111 moves horizontally.

[0073] (2) In the first to third embodiments described above, a cradle with a wireless power supply function was provided in the playback system as a contact operating device, but a contact operating device without a wireless power supply function may also be provided in the playback system. In this case, the contact operating device may not have a base 101 and may be configured to be used by fixing the support part 120 to a desk or the portable information terminal (such as a tablet) with a large screen area.

[0074] (3) In the second and third embodiments described above, the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 was made to follow the playback position of the sound signal by transmitting a drive command with the playback position from the smartphone to the cradle. However, instead of doing so, the cradle may, after bringing the contact operation unit 114 into contact with the touch panel 205, move the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 toward the center of the record at a constant speed. In this case, the constant speed can be determined based on the rotation speed of the record assumed to be the source of the sound signal.

[0075] (4) In the first embodiment described above, the smartphone 200A displayed an image of a record 400 that was just the right size to fit on the touch panel 205 on the touch panel 205. However, the size of the record 400 displayed on the touch panel 205 is arbitrary and may be specified by the user, for example.

[0076] (5) In the first to third embodiments described above, wireless power supply is not essential for the playback of sound signals. Therefore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the playback process may be modified as shown in the flowchart of Figure 13. In this embodiment, if the judgment result of step S10 is "NO", the process proceeds to step S11, where the CPU 201 determines whether a timeout has occurred, that is, whether the state in which the judgment result of step S10 is "NO" has continued for a predetermined time or longer. If this judgment result is "NO", the CPU 201 returns to step S10, and if it is "YES", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S20. In this embodiment, if the smartphone is not placed in the power supply area for a predetermined time or if the smartphone is placed in a contact operating device that does not have a wireless power supply function, the process for playing back sound signals is started without supplying power. It is also conceivable that a smartphone without a wireless charging function is placed in a cradle that has a wireless power supply function. In this case, for smartphones that do not have wireless charging capabilities, steps S10 and S12 in Figures 5, 9, and 12 (or steps S10, S11, and S12 in Figure 13) can be omitted. Even in this case, processing for audio signal playback will begin without supplying power.

[0077] (6) In the first and second embodiments described above, since the user can operate the arm 111, the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205 may move during the playback of the sound signal. In the first and second embodiments described above, if the user wants to change the playback position to a desired position during the playback of the sound signal, they temporarily remove the contact operation part 114 from the touch panel 205 to move the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205. Here, when using a record player, in order to avoid damaging the record, the record needle is temporarily removed from the record to move the contact position of the record needle on the record. However, in the first and second embodiments described above, the contact operation part 114 is brought into contact with the touch panel 205 which displays an image of the record. Therefore, even if the contact position of the contact operation part 114 is moved while it is in contact with the touch panel 205, there is no problem of the touch panel 205 being damaged. Therefore, in the playback process of the first and second embodiments described above, in addition to when the contact operation unit 114 moves away from the touch panel 205, the sound signal may also be played back from a position corresponding to the new contact position when the contact position of the contact operation unit 114 moves due to user operation.

[0078] Specifically, the regeneration process of the first embodiment (Figure 5) and the regeneration process of the second embodiment (Figure 9) are modified as shown in the flowchart of Figure 14. In this embodiment, steps S57 and S61 are added to the regeneration processes of the first and second embodiments.

[0079] In step S57, the CPU 201 determines whether the movement speed of the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205 is greater than or equal to a threshold. Here, the threshold is a predetermined value greater than the movement speed of the record needle in the radial direction of the record when the record is rotating at a predetermined rotation speed (e.g., 33 rpm, 45 rpm, etc.). If the result of this determination is "YES", the CPU 201 considers that the contact operation part 114 has moved due to user operation and proceeds to the process in step S61.

[0080] Next, in step S61, the CPU 201 stops playing the sound signal and waits for a predetermined time. Here, the predetermined time is the time it is thought to take for the user to move the contact position of the contact operation part 114 on the touch panel 205 to the desired position. When step S61 is completed, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S44. From there, the same processing as in the first or second embodiment is performed, and playback of the sound signal starts from the playback start position corresponding to the moved contact position (see Figures 5 and 9). In this embodiment, the user can freely change the playback location even while the sound signal is playing by moving the arm 111. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 300A, 300B, 300C... Playback system, 100A, 100B, 100C... Cradle, 200A... Smartphone, 111... Arm, 112... Pickup, 113... Handle, 114... Contact operation part, 116... Counterweight, 118... Rest part, 120... Support part, 121... First axis, 122... Second axis, 101... Base, 102... Power supply area, 103, 207... Short-range wireless communication part, 104, 204... Sound output part, 133... Wireless power supply part, 131, 201... CPU, 132, 202... Memory part, 205... Touch panel, 203... Sound input part, 206... Wireless communication part, 208... Wireless charging part, 209... Battery, 135, 135a... Horizontal drive part, 136... Vertical drive part, 137... Operation target detection part.

Claims

1. A playback system for playing an audio signal using a contact operating device and a portable information terminal, The aforementioned portable information terminal has a touch panel, The contact operation device comprises an arm having a contact operation portion at its tip that contacts the touch panel, and a support portion that supports the arm, the support portion having a first support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion vertically. The portable information terminal is a playback system that displays an image of a recording medium on which an audio signal is recorded on the touch panel, and when the contact operation part touches the touch panel displaying the image of the recording medium, determines the playback start position of the audio signal based on the contact position of the contact operation part on the image of the recording medium, and starts playback of the audio signal from that playback start position.

2. The contact operating device is a drive unit that moves the contact operating unit by driving the arm. The regeneration system according to claim 1, having the following features.

3. The contact operating device has a communication unit that receives a drive command for the arm, The drive unit drives the arm according to the drive command. The regeneration system according to claim 2.

4. A playback method for reproducing sound signals using a contact operating device and a portable information terminal, The aforementioned portable information terminal has a touch panel, The contact operation device comprises an arm having a contact operation portion at its tip that contacts the touch panel, and a support portion that supports the arm, the support portion having a first support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion vertically. The portable information terminal displays an image of a recording medium on which an audio signal is recorded on the touch panel, and when the contact operation part touches the touch panel displaying the image of the recording medium, the playback start position of the audio signal is determined based on the contact position of the contact operation part on the image of the recording medium, and playback of the audio signal is started from that playback start position.

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

6. The contact operating device comprises a communication unit that receives drive commands from the portable information terminal, and a drive unit that moves the contact operating unit by driving the arm in accordance with the drive commands. The playback method according to claim 5, wherein the portable information terminal transmits a drive command to the contact operation device to cause the contact position of the contact operation part on the touch panel to follow the playback position of the sound signal.

7. A playback method for reproducing sound signals using a contact operating device and a portable information terminal, The aforementioned portable information terminal has a touch panel, The contact operation device comprises an arm having a contact operation portion at its tip that contacts the touch panel; a support portion that supports the arm, the support portion having a first support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion horizontally, and a second support mechanism that moves the arm so as to move the contact operation portion vertically; a communication unit that receives drive commands from the portable information terminal; and a drive unit that moves the contact operation portion by driving the arm according to the drive commands. The portable information terminal, upon receiving a selection of an audio signal, displays an image of the recording medium on which the audio signal is recorded on the touch panel, and transmits a drive command to the contact operating device to cause the contact operating part to contact a position on the touch panel screen corresponding to the playback start position of the audio signal.

8. The playback method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the portable information terminal transmits a drive command to the contact operating device to move the arm to a predetermined position when the playback position of the sound signal reaches the playback end position.

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