JP7590946B2 - Portable audio player - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a portable audio player.

There is known a portable audio player that generates an analog audio signal based on digital audio data and plays the audio through an audio output device such as earphones or headphones. Such a portable audio player includes, for example, an audio signal generation circuit that generates the audio signal based on the audio data and outputs it to the audio output device, and a control circuit that outputs audio data to the audio signal generation circuit.

Some of these portable audio players are capable of using a playlist (list data). This playlist includes the addresses and playback order of multiple audio data on a recording medium. By using this playlist, the user can, for example, play multiple songs from the same album consecutively, or play multiple songs designated by the user in a specific order.

JP 2007-011088 A

One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a portable audio player that can use multiple list data.

A recording medium according to one embodiment of the present invention records a plurality of digital audio data, a plurality of list data including addresses and playback order of the audio data, and addresses and names of the plurality of audio data and the plurality of list data.

A portable audio player according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to allow such a recording medium to be inserted, generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio data stored in the recording medium, and plays audio through an audio output device such as earphones or headphones. The portable audio player also includes a recording medium insertion section into which the recording medium can be inserted, a storage device that stores the names of multiple list data, a display device that displays the names of the list data stored in the storage device in a manner that allows one list data to be selected from the multiple list data, a control circuit that sequentially reads out audio data from the recording medium according to the selected list data, and an audio signal generation circuit that sequentially generates audio signals based on the audio data read out by the control circuit and outputs them to the audio output device.

In such a case, the user can select one list data from among the multiple list data and play the music or other audio specified by that one list data. This makes it possible to provide a recording medium and a portable audio player that can use multiple list data.

In such a case, the control circuit may read the addresses of the multiple audio data included in the one list data from the recording medium and store them in the storage device. In this case, the control circuit may randomly rearrange the playback order of the multiple audio data corresponding to the multiple addresses stored in the storage device. This makes it possible to select one list data from the multiple list data and play back the multiple audio data corresponding to this list data in a random order.

The control circuit may also search the recording medium to detect the names of multiple list data and store them in the storage device. This eliminates the need to limit the addresses of the list data in the recording medium, allowing the user to easily use the list data LD without having to understand the directory structure, etc., in the recording medium.

The recording medium may also include, for example, a first recording unit that records a plurality of pieces of voice data, a plurality of pieces of list data, and addresses and names of the plurality of pieces of voice data and the plurality of pieces of list data, a second recording unit that records first key data used to restrict access to the first recording unit, and a control unit that restricts access to the first recording unit and releases the access restriction based on the first key data and second key data input from outside.

A portable audio player according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to allow such a recording medium to be inserted, generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio data stored on the recording medium, and plays audio via an audio output device. The portable audio player also includes a recording medium insertion section into which the recording medium can be inserted, a recording device that records the second key data, a control circuit that transmits the second key data to the recording medium and reads out the audio data at least one of when the power is turned on and when the recording medium is inserted, and an audio signal generation circuit that generates an audio signal based on the audio data read out by the control circuit and outputs it to the audio output device.

In such a case, since access to the first recording unit is restricted, unauthorized copying of audio data can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, the above-mentioned access restriction is lifted by sending second key data to the recording medium at least when the power is turned on or when the recording medium is inserted, so that easy operability and protection of audio data can be achieved at the same time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable audio player that can use multiple list data.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a portable audio player according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the external appearance of the portable audio player. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external appearance of the portable audio player. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the appearance of the portable audio player. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the external appearance of the portable audio player. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of a portable audio player according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium and a portion of a portable audio player according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the portable audio player. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the operation of the portable audio player. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the operation of the portable audio player. FIG. 11 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a partial configuration of a recording medium and a portable audio player according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining part of the operation of the recording medium and the portable audio player.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative, and details can be modified as appropriate. For example, the appearance of the portable audio player, the position, size and range of each component, and the specific aspects of each component can be modified as appropriate. Also, for convenience of explanation, some components may be omitted in each drawing.

[First embodiment]
[Exterior of portable audio player]
1 to 5 are a front view, a bottom view, a plan view, a right side view and a left side view, respectively, showing the external appearance of a portable audio player according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, three buttons 102 are provided at the bottom of the front of the housing 101, and a display 103 is provided above them. The buttons 102 are used to perform operations such as playing and stopping audio, skipping forward and backward, and adjusting the volume. The display 103 displays information about the audio being played and the audio being selected.

As shown in FIG. 2, an audio terminal 104, a charging terminal 105, and a light source 106 are provided at the bottom of the housing 101. A connection terminal (e.g., an earphone jack) of an audio output device such as earphones or headphones can be connected to the audio terminal 104. The audio output device outputs audio in response to an audio signal input to the connection terminal. The portable audio player according to this embodiment reproduces audio by outputting an audio signal to this audio output device. The charging terminal 105 is, for example, a terminal for a micro USB cable, and is used for charging the built-in battery, installing firmware, etc. The light source 106 is, for example, a light source such as a light-emitting diode, and emits light in response to the state of the built-in battery, the state of charging, etc.

As shown in FIG. 3, a recording medium insertion section 107 is provided on the top of the housing 101. The recording medium insertion section 107 is a socket into which a recording medium can be inserted. The portable audio player according to this embodiment generates an audio signal based on the audio data recorded on this recording medium. The recording medium referred to here is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a microSD card or an SD card, an auxiliary recording medium, or a secondary recording medium.

As shown in FIG. 4, a power supply operation unit 108 is provided on the right side of the housing 101. The power supply operation unit 108 is, for example, a slide switch, and is used to turn the power of the portable audio player on and off. In addition, an accessory attachment unit to which an accessory such as a strap can be attached is provided above the power supply operation unit 108. The accessory attachment unit includes a pin member 110 and the like, and a hole portion 111 is provided between the pin member 110 and the housing 101.

As shown in FIG. 5, a button operation switching unit 109 is provided on the left side of the housing 101. The button operation switching unit 109 is used, for example, to switch the operation of the buttons 102. For example, the operation of the buttons 102 may be locked by operating the button operation switching unit 109, or different operations may be assigned to the buttons 102. For example, when the button operation switching unit 109 is in a first state, first operations such as playback and skipping forward may be assigned to the three buttons 102 on the front of the housing 101, and when in a second state, second operations such as display switching and volume adjustment may be assigned to the three buttons 102.

[Internal configuration of portable audio player]
FIG. 6 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the portable audio player according to the first embodiment.

The housing 101 contains an audio terminal 104, an audio signal generating circuit 201, a control circuit 202, a power supply circuit 204, a battery 205, a power switch 206, a charging circuit 207, etc.

The audio terminal 104 is, for example, a three-pole audio terminal equipped with an audio electrode 141 for the left ear, an audio electrode 142 for the right ear, and ground electrodes 143 and 144. The audio electrodes 141 and 142 and the ground electrodes 143 and 144 mechanically hold a connection terminal (e.g., an earphone jack) of an audio output device and are electrically connected to this connection terminal. Note that the audio terminal 104 may have other configurations, such as a two-pole or four-pole type.

The audio signal generating circuit 201 is, for example, a DA converter, which generates an analog audio signal based on digital audio data and outputs it to the audio electrodes 141, 142. Specifically, it generates analog audio signals (L, R) for the left and right ears, and outputs them from the output terminals 201L, 201R to the audio electrodes 141, 142 of the audio terminal 104 via the coupling capacitor CC. The audio data referred to here is, for example, high-resolution audio (hereinafter referred to as "Hi-Res"). For example, the sampling frequency and quantization bit rate of Hi-Res music data are both higher than that of a CD sound source, or one of the sampling frequency and quantization bit rate is higher than that of a CD sound source and the other is equal to that of a CD sound source. The sampling frequency of the CD sound source is 44.1 kHz, and the quantization bit rate is 16 bits. Moreover, high-resolution music data has a data format such as FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) or WAV. The audio signal referred to here is an analog AC signal that is output to an audio output device such as earphones or headphones to reproduce the sound of music, etc.

The control circuit 202 is, for example, an MCU, and operates according to the operation of the button 102 and the button operation switching unit 109, as well as firmware stored in a ROM inside the control circuit 202. For example, when playing back audio, the control circuit 202 reads out audio data from the recording medium 300 inserted in the recording medium insertion unit 107, and outputs it to the audio signal generation circuit 201. The control circuit 202 also controls the display 103 to display letters, numbers, logos, and the like. These points will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 7.

The power supply circuit 204 is an integrated circuit such as a step-down circuit, a DC/DC converter, or a regulator, and generates a voltage suitable for the operation of the audio signal generation circuit 201, the control circuit 202, the display 103, etc., and supplies it to these components.

The battery 205 is a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery, and supplies power to the power supply circuit 204. The battery 205 may be a replaceable battery.

The power switch 206 is, for example, a mechanical switch that is mechanically linked to the power operation unit 108, and electrically connects or disconnects node n10 connected to the power circuit 204 and node n11 connected to the anode of the battery 205. That is, in this embodiment, power is not supplied to the power circuit 204 when the power is turned off. Note that the power switch 206 does not have to be a mechanical switch.

The charging circuit 207 is, for example, an integrated circuit that adjusts the power supplied to the charging terminal 105 and supplies it to the battery 205. In addition, the light source 106 is connected to the charging circuit 207, and the light source 106 is caused to emit light according to, for example, the state of the battery 205, the state of charging, etc.

[Control circuit 202 and recording medium 300]
FIG. 7 is a schematic functional block diagram for explaining the control circuit 202 and the recording medium 300 in more detail.

In the root directory RD of the recording medium 300, for example, a plurality of subdirectories SD1, SD2, and SD3 are stored. Also, for example, a portion of the subdirectories SD1 and SD2 store a plurality of pieces of audio data MD, and another subdirectory SD3 stores a plurality of pieces of list data LD. The list data LD here is, for example, a playlist file such as an m3u file, and is data including information such as the address (path) of the audio data MD in the recording medium 300, the name of the audio data MD, and the order in which the audio data MD is played. Also, information regarding the plurality of pieces of audio data MD and the plurality of list data LD is recorded in the recording medium 300. The information regarding the plurality of pieces of audio data MD and the plurality of list data LD is, for example, names corresponding to the audio data MD and the list data LD (for example, song titles and playlist names), addresses (paths) in the recording medium 300, the sampling frequency of the audio data MD, etc.

The control circuit 202 includes, for example, a CPU 221, a temporary storage device 222, and a ROM 223. The CPU 221 operates according to firmware FW and the like stored in the ROM 223.

The CPU 221, for example, reads information about the audio data MD and list data LD from the recording medium 300 and stores it in the temporary storage device 222. Note that the temporary storage device 222 may store multiple list data LD. In other words, the addresses and names of multiple audio data MD included in multiple list data LD may be stored.

The CPU 221 also displays information about the audio data MD and list data LD stored in the temporary storage device 222 on the display 103 in a manner that allows one audio data MD or one list data LD to be selected from the multiple audio data MD or multiple list data LD. Note that "displaying in a selectable manner" here means, for example, displaying the names corresponding to the audio data MD or list data LD to be selected on the display 103, and switching the names of the audio data MD or list data LD to be selected on the display 103 in response to the operation of the button 102, thereby enabling the user to select the audio data MD or list data LD.

For example, when one piece of audio data MD is selected, the CPU 221 selects the address of the audio data MD stored in the temporary storage device 222 that corresponds to the selected audio data MD, references this address, reads the selected audio data MD, and outputs it to the audio signal generation circuit 201. This generates an audio signal and plays the audio.

On the other hand, when one list data LD is selected, the CPU 221 selects, for example, from the addresses of multiple list data LD stored in the temporary storage device 222, the one that corresponds to the selected list data LD, references this address, reads the selected list data LD from the recording medium 300, and stores it in the temporary storage device 222. That is, the addresses and names of multiple pieces of audio data MD included in the list data LD are stored in the temporary storage device 222. Thereafter, the audio data MD is read out sequentially by reference to these multiple addresses, and output to the audio signal generation circuit 201. As a result, audio signals are generated sequentially, and audio is played back sequentially.

[Operation of portable audio player]
Next, the operation of the portable audio player will be described. The following operation is executed by the CPU 221 in accordance with the firmware FW stored in the ROM 223 (FIG. 7) in the control circuit 202, for example, when the portable audio player is turned on.

Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the portable audio player according to the first embodiment.

In step S100, the state of the recording medium 300 is detected. In step S200, audio data MD is selected. In step S300, audio is played. In step S400, the audio data MD is switched. When step S400 ends, step S300 is started again.

In step S300, the control circuit 202 performs various monitoring operations. For example, if other audio data MD or list data LD is selected, or if playback is stopped or skipped, the control circuit 202 operates in accordance with these operations. In addition, if the recording medium 300 is removed, a message to that effect is displayed on the display 103, and audio playback is interrupted.

[Step S100]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating step S100.

In step S100, for example, a detection process of the recording medium 300 is first performed (step S101). For example, it is determined whether the recording medium 300 is inserted in the portable audio player, and if it is not inserted, "Please insert" or the like is displayed on the display 103 to prompt the user to insert the recording medium 300 (step S102). Also, if the recording medium 300 is inserted, it is determined whether this recording medium 300 is usable, and if it is not usable, "Card error Please eject" or the like is displayed on the display 103 to prompt the user to eject the recording medium 300 (step S103). Also, if the recording medium 300 is usable, a search is performed on the recording medium 300 to determine whether audio data MD and list data LD are recorded on the recording medium 300. If neither the audio data MD nor the list data LD is recorded, a message such as "Music not found, please eject" is displayed on the display 103 to prompt the user to eject the recording medium 300 (step S104). If at least one of the audio data MD and the list data LD is detected, step S100 ends.

The search for the audio data MD and list data LD may be performed on all directories RD, SD1, SD2, and SD3 in the recording medium 300, or may be performed only on the root directory RD of the recording medium 300 and on a predetermined number of subdirectories SD1, SD2, and SD3. Furthermore, the search may be performed only on the root directory RD or only on a predetermined subdirectory SD3. When searching for the audio data MD and list data LD, as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example, information about the list data LD is stored in the temporary storage device 222 of the control circuit 202.

[Step S200]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating step S200.

In step S201, it is determined whether or not audio data MD and list data LD are recorded on the recording medium 300. For this determination, the result of the determination in step S100 can be used. If both audio data MD and list data LD are recorded, step S202 is performed, and if only audio data MD is recorded, step S203 is performed.

In step S202, the all-songs playback mode or the list playback mode is selected. In the all-songs playback mode, all the audio data MD recorded in the recording medium 300 is played in a predetermined order, for example, the order in which it was stored in the recording medium 300. In the list playback mode, the audio data MD specified by the list data LD is played in, for example, the order specified by the list data LD. In step S202, "<<Select>> &> All play" or the like is displayed on the display 103, and the display on the display 103 is switched to "<<Select>> &> List play" or the like in response to a button operation by the user. If a specific button operation is performed when the former is displayed, the all-songs playback mode is selected, and step S203 is performed. If a specific button operation is performed when the latter is displayed, the list playback mode is selected, and step S204 is performed.

In step S203, a search of the recording medium 300 is performed, and information about the audio data MD is stored in the temporary storage device 222 of the control circuit 202, as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example. The search for the audio data MD may be performed on all directories RD, SD1, SD2, and SD3 in the recording medium 300, or on the root directory RD of the recording medium 300 and on subdirectories SD1, SD2, and SD3 at a predetermined level.

In step S204, the names of the multiple list data LD stored in the temporary storage device 222 of the control circuit 202 in step S100 are displayed on the display 103 in a manner that allows one list data LD to be selected from the multiple list data LD. For example, if the names of the list data LD are "ALBUM1" and "ALBUM2", "<<Select>> &> 1 ALBUM1" is displayed on the display 103, and the display on the display 103 is switched to "<<Select>> &> 2 ALBUM2" in response to a button operation by the user. When the former is displayed and a specific button operation is performed, the list data LD corresponding to "ALBUM1" is selected, and when the latter is displayed and a specific button operation is performed, the list data LD corresponding to "ALBUM2" is selected.

In step S205, a search of the recording medium 300 is performed, and information about the audio data MD is stored in the temporary storage device 222 of the control circuit 202, as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example. In step S205, unlike step S203, the addresses (paths) and names (song titles) included in the list data LD selected in step S204 are sequentially referenced, and information about the audio data MD specified by the list data LD is obtained and stored in the temporary storage device 222.

In step S206, a command to start playback is awaited by a button operation or the like. While awaiting the command to start playback, "Please push > 123Musics" or the like is displayed on the display 103. When a command to start playback is given, step S207 is performed.

In step S207, it is determined whether or not shuffle mode has been selected. If shuffle mode has been selected, step S208 is performed, and if shuffle mode has not been selected, step S200 is terminated.

In step S208, the playback order of the audio data MD is randomly changed. Step S208 can be realized in various ways. For example, it may be realized by changing the order of information related to the audio data MD in the temporary storage device 222, or by randomly assigning numbers to this information.

[Effects of the portable audio player according to the first embodiment]
As described with reference to Figure 7 etc., the recording medium 300 of this embodiment records multiple digital audio data MD, multiple list data LD including the addresses and playback order of the audio data MD, and addresses and names of the multiple audio data MD and the multiple list data LD.

The portable audio player according to this embodiment is configured to allow a recording medium 300 to be inserted, generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio data MD stored in the recording medium 300, and plays audio through an audio output device such as earphones or headphones. The portable audio player also includes a recording medium inserting section 107 into which the recording medium 300 can be inserted, a temporary storage device 222 that stores the names of multiple list data LD, a display 103 that displays the names of the list data LD stored in the temporary storage device 222 in a manner that allows one list data LD to be selected from the multiple list data LD, a CPU 221 that sequentially reads out audio data MD from the recording medium 300 according to the selected list data LD, and an audio signal generating circuit 201 that sequentially generates audio signals based on the audio data MD read by the CPU 221 and outputs them to the audio output device.

In such a case, the user can select one list data LD from the multiple list data LDs and play the audio, such as a song, specified by this one list data LD. This makes it possible to provide a recording medium 300 and a portable audio player that can use multiple list data LDs.

In addition, in this embodiment, the CPU 221 can read the addresses of the multiple audio data MD included in the one list data LD from the recording medium 300 and store them in the temporary storage device 222. The CPU 221 can also randomly rearrange the playback order of the multiple audio data MD corresponding to the multiple addresses stored in the temporary storage device 222. This makes it possible to select one list data LD from the multiple list data LD and play back the multiple audio data MD corresponding to this list data LD in a random order.

The CPU 221 also searches the recording medium 300 to detect the names of multiple list data LD, and stores them in the storage device 222. This eliminates the need to limit the addresses of the list data LD in the recording medium 300, and allows the user to easily use the list data LD without having to understand the directory structure, etc., in the recording medium 300.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 11 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the configuration of a recording medium 310 and a portion of a portable audio player according to this embodiment.

The recording medium 310 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a first recording unit 301, a second recording unit 302, and a control unit 303. The first recording unit 301 records a plurality of pieces of audio data MD, a plurality of pieces of list data LD, and information relating to the plurality of pieces of audio data MD and the plurality of pieces of list data LD. The second recording unit 302 is basically an area to which external access is restricted, and stores a first key data Key1 used to restrict access to the first recording unit 301. The control unit 303 accesses the first recording unit 301 and the second recording unit 302, i.e., reads, writes, erases, etc., and also restricts and releases access to the first recording unit 301.

In addition, in the control circuit 202 according to this embodiment, in addition to the firmware FW, second key data Key2 is recorded in the ROM 223. This second key data Key2 is data used to release the access restriction to the first recording section 301 of the recording medium 310.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining step S100 according to the second embodiment. The following operation is executed by the CPU 221 in the control circuit 202 in accordance with the firmware FW stored in the ROM 223 ( FIG. 11 ) in the control circuit 202, for example, when step S100 starts.

Step S100 according to this embodiment is basically performed in the same way as step S100 according to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, before step S101 is performed, second key data Key2 is transmitted from the control circuit 202 to the recording medium 310. When the second key data Key2 is transmitted, the control unit 303 of the recording medium 310 refers to the first key data Key1 recorded in the second recording unit 302 and determines whether the combination of the first and second key data Key1 and Key2 satisfies a predetermined condition. If this condition is satisfied, the restriction on access to the recording medium 310 by the control circuit 202 is lifted. If not satisfied, the restriction is not lifted.

In this embodiment, step S105 is performed both when the portable audio player is turned on and when the recording medium 310 is inserted, but step S105 may be performed only at one of these times.

[Effects of the portable audio player according to the second embodiment]
As described with reference to Figure 11 etc., the recording medium 310 of this embodiment comprises a first recording unit 301 which records a plurality of pieces of audio data MD, a plurality of pieces of list data LD, and addresses and names of the plurality of pieces of audio data MD and the plurality of list data LD, a second recording unit 302 which records first key data Key1 used to restrict access to the first recording unit 301, and a control unit 303 which restricts access to the first recording unit 301 and releases the above-mentioned access restriction based on the first key data Key1 and second key data Key2 input from outside.

The portable audio player according to this embodiment is configured to allow insertion of a recording medium 310, generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio data MD stored in the recording medium 310, and plays audio via an audio output device. The portable audio player also includes a recording medium inserting section 107 into which the recording medium 310 can be inserted, a ROM 223 that records the second key data Key2, a CPU 221 that transmits the second key data Key2 to the recording medium 310 and reads the audio data MD at least one of when the power is turned on and when the recording medium 310 is inserted, and an audio signal generating circuit 201 that generates an audio signal based on the audio data MD read by the CPU 221 and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device.

In such a case, since access to the first recording unit 301 is restricted, it is possible to effectively prevent unauthorized copying of the audio data MD. Furthermore, since the above-mentioned access restriction is lifted by sending the second key data Key2 to the recording medium 310 at least when the power is turned on or when the recording medium 310 is inserted, it is possible to simultaneously achieve simple operability and protection of the audio data MD.

[Other embodiments]
The recording medium and the portable audio player according to the above embodiment are given as examples for the purpose of explanation, and the specific configurations can be changed as appropriate.

For example, FIG. 6 shows an example in which the audio signal generation circuit 201 and the control circuit 202 are realized by independent integrated circuits. However, for example, it is also possible to realize the audio signal generation circuit 201 and the control circuit 202 by a single integrated circuit.

In the first and second embodiments, the CPU 221 executes various operations by operating in accordance with firmware FW stored in the ROM 223. However, some or all of these operations may be realized by circuits, etc., rather than firmware, using means such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

In addition, for example, the portable audio player according to the above embodiment does not include an audio output device, but the present invention can also be applied to a device that is formed integrally with an audio output device.

101...housing, 102...button, 103...display, 104...audio terminal, 105...charging terminal, 106...light source, 107...recording medium insertion section, 108...power supply operation section, 109...button operation switching section, 110...pin member, 201...audio signal generation circuit, 202...control circuit, 204...power supply circuit, 205...battery, 206...power switch, 207...charging circuit, 221...CPU, 222...temporary storage device, 223...ROM, 300...recording medium, 301...first recording section, 302...second recording section, 303...control section.

Claims (5)

A plurality of digital voice data;
and a plurality of list data including addresses and a reproduction order of at least a portion of the plurality of digital audio data.
a recording medium insertion section into which the recording medium can be inserted;
a storage device that stores the names of the plurality of list data;
a display device that displays the names of the list data stored in the storage device in a manner that allows one list data to be selected from the plurality of list data;
a control circuit for sequentially reading out digital audio data from the recording medium in accordance with the selected one of the list data;
an audio signal generating circuit that sequentially generates the audio signals based on the digital audio data read by the control circuit and outputs the audio signals to the audio output device;
the control circuit has a mode for searching for the plurality of list data in a plurality of directories included in the recording medium when the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium insertion section,
the storage device stores the name of the detected list data;
the display device displays the name of the detected list data in a selectable manner;
the control circuit sequentially reads out addresses of the digital audio data included in the selected list data from the storage device, and reads out the digital audio data from the recording medium based on the read addresses;
The audio signal generating circuit reproduces the read digital audio data. the control circuit has a mode for searching for addresses and names of a plurality of digital audio data in a plurality of directories included in the recording medium when the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium insertion section,
the storage device stores addresses and names of the detected digital audio data ;
the display device displays a name of the detected digital audio data in a selectable manner;
the control circuit reads from the storage device an address of digital audio data corresponding to the selected name, and reads the digital audio data from the recording medium based on the read address;
2. The portable audio player according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal generating circuit reproduces the read digital audio data. A plurality of digital voice data;
A portable audio player configured to allow insertion of a recording medium on which addresses and names of the plurality of digital audio data are recorded, the portable audio player generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio data stored in the recording medium, and plays back audio via an audio output device,
a recording medium insertion section into which the recording medium can be inserted;
a storage device for storing addresses and names of the plurality of digital audio data on the recording medium;
a display device that displays the names of the plurality of digital audio data stored in the storage device in a selectable manner;
a control circuit for sequentially reading out the selected digital audio data from the recording medium;
an audio signal generating circuit that sequentially generates the audio signals based on the digital audio data read by the control circuit and outputs the audio signals to the audio output device;
the control circuit has a mode for searching for addresses and names of a plurality of digital audio data in a plurality of directories included in the recording medium when the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium insertion section,
the storage device stores addresses and names of the detected digital audio data ;
the display device displays a name of the detected digital audio data in a selectable manner;
the control circuit reads from the storage device an address of digital audio data corresponding to the selected name, and reads the digital audio data from the recording medium based on the read address;
The audio signal generating circuit reproduces the read digital audio data. A plurality of digital voice data;
and a plurality of list data including addresses and a reproduction order of at least a portion of the plurality of digital audio data.
a recording medium insertion section into which the recording medium can be inserted;
a storage device that stores the names of the plurality of list data;
a display device that displays the names of the list data stored in the storage device in a manner that allows one list data to be selected from the plurality of list data;
a control circuit for sequentially reading out digital audio data from the recording medium in accordance with the selected one of the list data;
an audio signal generating circuit that sequentially generates the audio signals based on the digital audio data read by the control circuit and outputs the audio signals to the audio output device;
the control circuit has a mode for searching for the addresses and names of the plurality of list data and the plurality of digital audio data in a plurality of directories included in the recording medium when the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium insertion section,
When both digital audio data and list data are recorded in the multiple directories,
the storage device stores the name of the detected list data;
the display device displays the name of the detected list data in a selectable manner;
the control circuit sequentially reads out addresses of the digital audio data included in the selected list data from the storage device, and reads out the digital audio data from the recording medium based on the read addresses;
The audio signal generating circuit reproduces the read digital audio data,
When digital audio data is recorded in the plurality of directories and list data is not recorded,
the storage device stores addresses and names of the detected digital audio data ;
the display device displays a name of the detected digital audio data in a selectable manner;
the control circuit reads from the storage device an address of digital audio data corresponding to the selected name, and reads the digital audio data from the recording medium based on the read address;
The audio signal generating circuit reproduces the read digital audio data. 5. The portable audio player according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit randomly rearranges the order in which the digital audio data corresponding to the addresses of the digital audio data stored in the storage device are reproduced.

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