AUDIO REPRODUCING DEVICE, AUDIO REPRODUCING METHOD, AND AUDIO REPRODUCING PROGRAM

• US 20090205482A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takai, Motoyuki, Sano, Akane, Inoue, Makoto, Sako, Yoichiro, Sakai, Yuichi, Shirai, Katsuya, Asukai, Masamichi
• Granted Patent: US 8,212,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/612
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0041 in coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/391 Automatic tempo adjustment, correction or control
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/395 Acceleration sensing or accelerometer use, e.g. 3D movement computation by integration of accelerometer data, angle sensing with respect to the vertical, i.e. gravity sensing. conductor baton movement sensing G10H2220/206, angle sensing without reference to gravity G10H2220/391; player body joint angle sensing G10H2220/321
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/131 Library retrieval, i.e. searching a database or selecting a specific musical piece, segment, pattern, rule or parameter set
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10546 specifically adapted for audio data

Abstract

Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.

Claims

1. An audio player characterized in comprising:

playing means for playing music data;

sensor means for detecting change in actions of a user;

detecting means for detecting action tempo of the user at each predetermined timing following starting of playing of music data through said playing means, based on detection output from said sensor means;

determining means for determining whether or not the difference between the tempo of music data being played by said playing means and the action tempo of the user detected by said detecting means is within a predetermined range;

searching means for searching, in the event that determination is made by said determining means that the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user is outside of the predetermined range, for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected by said detecting means is the predetermined range; and

changing means for changing the music data played by said playing means to the music data searched by said searching means.

3. The audio player according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in comprising:

accepting means for accepting input of information used for calculating exercise amount;

history holding means for storing and holding at least identification information and play time of music data played through said playing means, as history information;

obtaining means for obtaining properties information of each music data played, based on the identification information of the music data held in said history holding means;

calculating means for calculating the exercise amount of the user, based on the information accepted through said accepting means, said history information held in said history holding means, and the properties information obtained by said obtaining means; and

output means for outputting information indicating the exercise amount calculated by said calculating means.

4. The audio player according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in comprising:

accepting means for accepting input of information used for calculating exercise amount;

exercise type detecting means for detecting the exercise type of the user, based on detection output from said sensor means, for each music data played;

history holding means for storing and holding history information correlating identification information and play time of the music data with said exercise type detected by said exercise type detecting means, for each music data played;

obtaining means for obtaining properties information of each music data played, based on the identification information of the music data held in said history holding means;

calculating means for calculating the exercise amount of the user, based on profile information relating to the body of the user accepted through said accepting means, said history information held in said history holding means, and the properties information obtained by said obtaining means; and

output means for outputting information indicating the exercise amount calculated by said calculating means.

2. An audio player characterized in comprising:

playing means for playing music data;

sensor means for detecting change in actions of a user;

first detecting means for detecting action tempo of the user before playing of music data through said playing means, based on detection output from said sensor means;

first searching means for searching for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected by said first detecting means is within a predetermined range;

playing control means for controlling the music data searched by said first searching means so as to be played through said playing means,

second detecting means for detecting action tempo of the user at each predetermined timing in the event of playing of music data through said playing means, based on detection output from said sensor means;

determining means for determining whether or not the difference between the tempo of music data being played by said playing means and the action tempo of the user detected by said second detecting means is within the predetermined range;

second searching means for searching, in the event that determination is made by said determining means that the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user is outside of the predetermined range, for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected by said second detecting means is within the predetermined range; and

changing means for changing the music data played by said playing means to the music data searched by said second searching means.

5. An audio playing method characterized in comprising:

a detecting process for detecting action tempo of a user at each predetermined timing following starting of playing of music data, based on detection output from a sensor for detecting change in actions of the user;

a determining process for determining whether or not the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user detected in said detecting process is within a predetermined range;

a searching process for searching, in the event that determination is made in said determining process that the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user is outside of the predetermined range, for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected in said detecting process is the predetermined range; and

a changing process for changing the music data played to the music data searched in said searching process.

7. The audio playing method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in comprising:

an accepting process for accepting input of information used for calculating exercise amount;

a history holding process for holding in storage means at least identification information and play time of music data played, as history information;

an obtaining process for obtaining properties information of each music data played, based on the identification information of the music data held in said storage means through said history holding process;

a calculating process for calculating the exercise amount of the user, based on profile information relating to the body of the user accepted through said accepting process and exercise type indicating the type of exercise performed, said history information held in said storage means through said history holding process, and said properties information obtained in said obtaining process; and

an output process for outputting information indicating the exercise amount calculated in said calculating process.

8. The audio playing method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in comprising:

an accepting process for accepting input of information used for calculating exercise amount;

an exercise type detecting process for detecting the exercise type of the user, based on detection output from a sensor for detecting change in actions of the user, for each music data played;

a history holding process for holding, in storage means, history information correlating identification information and play time of the music data with said exercise type detected in said exercise type detecting process, for each music data played;

an obtaining process for obtaining properties information of each music data played, based on the identification information of the music data held in said storage means through said history holding process;

a calculating process for calculating the exercise amount of the user, based on profile information relating to the body of the user accepted through said accepting process, the history information held in said storage means through said history holding process, and the properties information obtained in said obtaining process; and

an output process for outputting information indicating the exercise amount calculated in said calculating process.

6. An audio playing method characterized in comprising:

a first detecting process for detecting action tempo of a user before playing of music data, based on detection output from a sensor for detecting change in actions of the user;

a first searching process for searching for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected in said first detecting process is within a predetermined range;

a playing control process for controlling the music data searched by said first searching process so as to be played,

a second detecting process for detecting action tempo of the user at each predetermined timing in the event of music data being played, based on detection output from the sensor for detecting change in actions of the user;

a determining process for determining whether or not the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user detected in said second detecting process is within the predetermined range;

a second searching process for searching, in the event that determination is made in said determining process that the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user is outside of the predetermined range, for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected by said second detecting process is within the predetermined range; and

a changing process for changing the music data played to the music data searched in said second searching process.

9. An audio playing program characterized in causing a computer installed in an audio player for playing music data to execute:

a detecting step for detecting action tempo of a user at each predetermined timing following starting of playing of music data, based on detection output from a sensor for detecting change in actions of the user;

a determining step for determining whether or not the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user detected in said detecting step is within a predetermined range;

a searching step for searching, in the event that determination is made in said determining step that the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user is outside of the predetermined range, for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected in said detecting step is the predetermined range; and

a changing step for changing the played music data to the music data searched in said searching step.

10. An audio playing program characterized in causing a computer installed in an audio player for playing music data to execute:

a first detecting step for detecting action tempo of the user before playing of music data, based on detection output from a sensor for detecting change in actions of the user;

a first searching step for searching for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected in said first detecting step is within a predetermined range;

a playing control step for controlling the music data searched by said first searching step so as to be played,

a second detecting step for detecting action tempo of the user at each predetermined timing in the event of music data being played, based on detection output from the sensor for detecting change in actions of the user;

a determining step for determining whether or not the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user detected in said second detecting step is within the predetermined range;

a second searching step for searching, in the event that determination is made in said determining step that the difference between the tempo of music data being played and the action tempo of the user is outside of the predetermined range, for music data of a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo detected by said second detecting step is within the predetermined range; and

a changing step for changing the music data played to the music data searched in said second searching step.

11. The audio playing program according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in causing execution of:

an accepting step for accepting input of information used for calculating exercise amount;

a history holding step for holding in storage means at least identification information and play time of music data played, as history information;

an obtaining step for obtaining properties information of each music data played, based on the identification information of the music data held in said storage means in said history holding step;

a calculating step for calculating the exercise amount of the user, based on profile information relating to the body of the user accepted through said accepting step and exercise type indicating the type of exercise performed, said history information held in said storage means through said history holding process, and said properties information obtained in said obtaining process; and

an output step for outputting information indicating the exercise amount calculated in said calculating step.

12. The audio playing program according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in causing execution of:

an accepting step for accepting input of information used for calculating exercise amount;

an exercise type detecting step for detecting the exercise type of the user, based on detection output from a sensor for detecting change in actions of the user, for each music data played;

a history holding step for holding, in storage means, history information correlating identification information and play time of the music data with said exercise type detected in said exercise type detecting step, for each music data played;

an obtaining step for obtaining properties information of each music data played, based on the identification information of the music data held in said storage means through said history holding step;

a calculating step for calculating the exercise amount of the user, based on profile information relating to the body of the user accepted through said accepting step, said history information held in said storage means through said history holding step, and the properties information obtained in said obtaining step; and

an output step for outputting information indicating the exercise amount calculated in said calculating step.

13. An audio player characterized in comprising:

profile information accepting means for accepting input of personal profile information for a user;

target exercise amount accepting means for accepting input of target exercise amount of the user;

detecting means of detecting actions of the user;

calculating means for calculating the actual exercise amount of the user, based on the personal profile information of the user accepted through said profile information accepting means, and the detection output from said detecting means;

selecting means for sequentially selecting music data to be played, during a period until an accumulated value of said actual exercise amount of the user calculated at said calculating means reaches said target exercise amount accepted through said target exercise amount accepting means; and

playing means for playing said music data selected by said selecting means.

14. The audio player according to claim 13, characterized in that

said target exercise amount and said actual exercise amount include at least one of exercise time, exercise intensity, exercise distance, exercise number of times, number of steps, out-calories, and amount of fat burned.

15. The audio player according to claim 13, characterized in that

said personal profile information includes at least one of height, weight, age, sex, and stride.

16. The audio player according to claim 13, characterized in comprising:

history information creating means for creating history information correlating at least identification information of played music data with actual exercise amount at the time of playing said music data;

storage means for storing and holding said history information created through said history information creating means; and

privilege providing means for providing a predetermined privilege in the event that said actual exercise amount of said history information stored in said storage means reaches the target exercise amount.

17. An audio playing method characterized in comprising:

a profile information accepting process for accepting input of personal profile information from a user;

a target exercise amount accepting process for accepting input of target exercise amount of the user;

a detecting process of detecting actions of the user;

a calculating process for calculating the actual exercise amount of the user, based on the personal profile information of the user accepted in said profile information accepting process, and the detection results detected in said detecting process;

a selecting process for sequentially selecting music data to be played, during a period until an accumulated value of said actual exercise amount of the user calculated in said calculating process reaches said target exercise amount accepted in said target exercise amount accepting process; and

a playing process for playing said music data selected in said selecting process.

18. The audio playing method according to claim 17, characterized in that

said target exercise amount and said actual exercise amount include at least one of exercise time, exercise intensity, exercise distance, exercise number of times, number of steps, out-calories, and amount of fat burned.

19. The audio playing method according to claim 17, characterized in that

said personal profile information includes at least one of height, weight, age, sex, and stride.

20. The audio playing method according to claim 17, characterized in comprising:

a history information creating process for creating history information correlating at least identification information of played music data with actual exercise amount at the time of playing said music data;

a storage processing process for storing and holding, in a recording medium, said history information created in said history information creating process; and

a privilege providing process for providing a predetermined privilege in the event that said actual exercise amount of said history information stored in said storage medium reaches the target exercise amount.

21. An audio playing program characterized in causing a computer installed in an audio player for playing music data to execute:

a profile information accepting step for accepting input of personal profile information from a user, input through a key operating unit;

a target exercise amount accepting step for accepting input of target exercise amount of the user, input through the key operating unit;

a detecting step of detecting actions of the user, based on detection output from a sensor device worn by the user;

a calculating step for calculating the actual exercise amount of the user, based on the personal profile information of the user accepted in said profile information accepting step, and the user actions detected in said detecting step;

a selecting step for sequentially selecting music data to be played, during a period until an accumulated value of said actual exercise amount of the user calculated in said calculating step reaches said target exercise amount accepted in said target exercise amount accepting step; and

a playing step for playing said music data selected in said selecting step.

22. The audio player according to claim 21, characterized in that

said target exercise amount and said actual exercise amount include at least one of exercise time, exercise intensity, exercise distance, exercise number of times, number of steps, out-calories, and amount of fat burned.

23. The audio playing program according to claim 21, characterized in that

said personal profile information includes at least one of height, weight, age, sex, and stride.

24. The audio playing program according to claim 21, characterized in executing:

a history information creating step for creating history information correlating at least identification information of played music data with actual exercise amount at the time of playing said music data;

a storage processing step for storing and holding, in a recording medium, said history information created in said history information creating step; and

a privilege providing step for providing a predetermined privilege in the event that said actual exercise amount of said history information stored in said storage medium reaches the target exercise amount.