JP2003304590A - Remote controller, sound volume adjustment method, and sound volume automatic adjustment system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain automatic sound volume adjustment control against fluctuations in a signal level at a broadcast side such as a commercial message CM. <P>SOLUTION: A remote controller 2 for remotely controlling a television main body 1 is provided with a microphone L51, a microphone R52, and an amplifier/ADC section 205, and transduces an output sound from a television receiver into an electric signal to receive it. The sound volume measurement section 206a of a television remote controller control section 206 measures the sound volume of the received sound. A reference value storage section 206b stores a result of the sound volume measurement as a reference sound volume at the point in time when the user adjusts and sets the sound volume to the television main body 1, and the difference between the stored reference sound volume and a result of the sound volume measurement after that is derived. A level comparison section 206c discriminates whether the derived difference exceeds a present threshold value. When the difference exceeds the preset threshold value as a result of this discrimination, an adjustment value setting section 206d gives sound volume adjustment/setting instruction to the television main body 1 through remote control so that the difference is within the threshold value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for automatically adjusting an output volume of a device such as a television or a radio that outputs a sound from a speaker, and particularly, to adjust an output volume at an optimum volume for a listener. The present invention relates to a suitable technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique for automatically adjusting the level of a sound volume output from a television, a radio or the like through a speaker, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-66185.

This technique automatically adjusts the speaker output level of an electric device such as a television receiver in accordance with the noise level around a viewer (hereinafter also referred to as "listener"), thereby The purpose of the present invention is not to make it difficult to hear the sound from the speaker of the TV even if a sudden ambient noise is generated around the person.

Specifically, two techniques are described. The first technique is to output from the speaker 8 of the television receiver 2 by the microphone 16 built in the remote controller 14 for the television receiver 2. The noise around the viewer together with the sound is collected and transmitted to the television receiver 2, and in the television receiver 2, the "audio + noise" signal sent from the remote controller 14 and the audio signal S1 input from the broadcasting station. The ambient noise signal is extracted on the basis of the above, and the output volume level from the speaker 8 is controlled to be increased in response to the increase of the ambient noise signal, for example.

In the second technique, in the remote controller 14 provided in the wireless headphone, the audio signal S1 received from the television receiver 2 is output from the headphone speaker 8, and the sound leaking from the headphone speaker 8 is accompanied by body noise. , The sound is collected by the microphone 16 provided in the remote controller 14, and the collected sound volume level is compared with the reference value set for adjusting the output sound volume level of the headphone speaker 8. If the collected sound volume level exceeds the reference value. For example, it is controlled that the output volume level adjustment value of the headphone speaker 8 is increased to raise the volume, assuming that the surrounding noise is generated.

On the contrary, there is a case where it is desired to automatically lower the volume output from the speaker while watching the television or listening to the radio. For example, in TV broadcasting, the volume of CM (commercial) programs is generally higher than that of the main program, and a viewer of a television who dislikes this has to switch between the CM program and the main program every time. , You have to operate the remote control to adjust the volume.

As described above, when the output volume of the CM program increases, the power consumption of the device increases accordingly, and
In order to suppress the volume of the CM program, the operation load on the user increases.

The above-mentioned first conventional technique cannot be applied to such automatic volume control. Further, when the above-mentioned second conventional technique is applied, a problem arises that the volume of the CM program is gradually increased.

As described above, in the conventional technique, the signal level on the broadcast side is used as a reference level for normalization, and the adverse effect of the listener's surrounding noise on this standard is suppressed. It does not work effectively against fluctuations in the signal level on the broadcast side.

[0010]

The problem to be solved by the prior art is that the conventional technique cannot perform effective automatic volume control with respect to changes in the volume level varied on the sound data transmitting side. In addition, it is not possible to effectively cope with the loud volume of CM programs in radio broadcasting.

An object of the present invention is to solve these problems of the prior art, to enable listeners to listen at an optimum volume, and to improve the convenience and performance of equipment such as televisions and radios.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for remotely controlling the volume of a sound output from a speaker such as a television (television) which adjusts the volume output from a speaker based on the remote control. A microphone is provided in the remote control device for performing adjustment / setting instructions, sound from the television is input by this microphone, and the volume of the sound input when the viewer sets the volume is measured and stored as a reference volume value. Then, the difference between this reference volume value and the volume measurement result that is subsequently input via the microphone is obtained, and if the obtained difference exceeds a preset threshold value, the obtained difference is set within the threshold value by remote control. Change the volume setting. As a result, for example, even when the sound data signal from the broadcasting station side becomes large when switching to the commercial program, the volume reaching the viewer can be suppressed. In addition, when the viewer holds the remote control device and moves in a direction away from the television or in a direction approaching the television, he / she can automatically view the sound at the same volume as before moving even at the destination.

Further, according to the present invention, the noise around the remote control device is discriminated from the sounds input to the microphone, and the volume adjustment control is performed only in response to the input sound other than the noise.
It is possible to avoid an erroneous operation in which the volume is automatically lowered as the volume of the input sound to the microphone increases due to this noise.

Further, in the present invention, the reference volume value is transferred from the first remote control device storing the reference volume value to another second remote control device by communication using an infrared transmitter / receiver, a mobile phone, the Internet or the like. Then, using this second remote control device, the setting of the output volume level for the television corresponding to the second remote control device is performed under the same conditions as when the first remote control device was used.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a remote control device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first television viewing system using the remote control device of FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the remote control master unit in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a second television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG.

In the television viewing system shown in FIG. 2, the television main body 1 is composed of a remote controller main unit 11 including an image display unit 30, a speaker L31 and a speaker R32, a microphone L41, a microphone R42 and an infrared transmitting / receiving unit 61.
, Microphone L51, microphone R52, and infrared transmitter / receiver 6
The remote control 2 including 2 is connected by infrared section transmission 7,
The infrared transmitter / receiver 61 and the infrared transmitter / receiver 62 perform data transmission including a volume control signal.

The remote controller 2 of this example, as shown in FIG.
Microphone L51 and microphone R52, infrared light emitting element 621 and infrared light receiving element 622, antenna element 201 and wireless communication unit 2
02, PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) unit 20
3, infrared communication unit 204, amplification / ADC (Analog to Digi
tal Converter) unit 205, TV remote control unit 20
6. The television remote controller control unit 206 has a computer configuration such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a main memory, and has a power supply unit 207. By the processing of the CPU based on the program and data read into the main memory,
The functions of the sound volume measuring unit 206a, the reference value storage unit 206b, the level comparing unit 206c, the adjustment value setting unit 206d, and the noise detecting / separating unit 206e are executed.

In such a structure, the remote controller 2 is
Based on the operation of the user (viewer), the TV remote controller control unit 206 gives a remote volume control / setting instruction to the TV main body 1 via the infrared communication unit 204 and the infrared light emitting element 621. , Equipped microphone L
The sound from the speakers L31 and R32 of the television main body 1 is input via the amplifiers 51 and R52 and the amplification / ADC unit 205,
The volume of the sound input when the viewer sets the volume is measured (by the volume measuring unit 206a) and stored as a reference volume value (by the reference value storage unit 206b). Then, the difference between this reference volume value and the volume measurement result that is subsequently input via the microphones L51 and R52 is calculated (level comparison unit 2
When the calculated difference exceeds the preset threshold value (step 06c), the set value of the volume by remote operation is changed (by the adjustment value setting unit 206d) so that the calculated difference is within the threshold value.

Thus, for example, even when the sound data signal from the broadcasting station side becomes large when switching to the commercial program, the volume reaching the viewer can be suppressed. Also, when the viewer holds the remote control device and moves away from the TV,
Alternatively, when moving in the approaching direction and at the transfer destination, it is possible to automatically watch at the same volume as before moving.

Further, in this example, the microphones L51, R52
In addition, the noise around the remote controller 2 is discriminated (by the noise detection / separation unit 206e) among the sounds input via the amplification / ADC unit 205, and the volume adjustment control is performed only in response to the input sound other than the noise. As a result, it is possible to avoid an erroneous operation in which the volume is automatically lowered as the volume of the sound input to the microphone increases due to this noise. When the occurrence of noise is detected, the output sound from the television main body 1 is controlled to be increased to a preset maximum volume value.

The noise detection / separation unit 206e discriminates between the sound output from the television and the noise based on the respective frequency characteristics and the position information of the sound source that can be extracted by the microphones L51 and R52.

Further, in the reference value storage unit 206b,
Stores the reference volume value for each TV channel and program,
The user makes appropriate volume adjustment settings for each TV channel and program selected by the remote controller 2.

Further, in this example, the reference volume value stored in the reference value storage unit 206b is transferred from the remote controller 2 (first remote controller) to another remote controller (second remote controller), the PDA unit 203 and the wireless communication unit 202. And the antenna element 201 to transfer the data via a mobile telephone network or the Internet, or infrared communication using the infrared communication unit 204 and the infrared light emitting element 621 and the infrared light receiving element 622. The remote controller 2 sets the output volume level for the TV corresponding to the second remote controller.
The condition is the same as when the (first remote controller) is used.

A remote control master unit 11 in the television main body 1
As shown in FIG. 3, is an amplification / ADC that amplifies and digitally converts the input sound from the infrared communication unit 112 that communicates via the infrared light emitting element 611 and the infrared light receiving element 612, and the microphone L41 and the microphone R42. Unit 115, PC unit 113 having a computer processing function, LAN (Local Area Net)
work) network communication unit 114, TV remote control processing unit 111, power supply unit 117, and infrared communication unit 112.
In response to a volume adjustment instruction from the remote controller 2 in FIG. 1 input via the infrared light receiving element 612, the volume controller 116 provided in the TV remote controller processing unit 111 causes the output amplifier of the television main body 1 to output a volume. Send adjustment signal.

The PC section 113 has a computer configuration such as a CPU and a main memory, and executes predetermined functions by processing programs and data stored in the main memory by the CPU. The data processed by the remote control processing unit 111, the data processed by the infrared communication unit 112, and the data processed by the amplification / ADC unit 115 are stored in a built-in memory (storage device), and network communication is performed. Information communication is performed by connecting to the LAN via the unit 114.

With this configuration, the remote controller base unit 11
Via the infrared light receiving element 612 and the infrared communication unit 112,
A volume adjustment / setting instruction signal is received from the remote controller 11 in FIG. 1, and the volume controller 116 controls the output amplifier of the television body based on the signal.

Next, the operation of the television viewing system shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

The example shown in FIG. 4 is for adjusting the volume of the user's business trip on the television 1a at the business trip destination in the same environment as the television 1 at home. Based on the operation, the remote controller 2 sets the optimum volume adjustment value for the television 1, and stores the measured value of the output sound from the speaker of the television 1 at that time. After that, the remote controller 2 adjusts the output sound from the speaker of the television 1 within a predetermined range (threshold value) so as to match the stored measurement value.

Thereafter, the remote controller 2 transmits the stored reference set value of the output sound from the television 1 to the portable remote controller 2a by infrared space transmission in response to a user operation when preparing for a business trip. The portable remote controller 2a has the same function as the remote controller 2, and receives the reference set value of the output sound from the television 1 transmitted from the remote controller 2 and stores it in the memory.

When the user is on a business trip, the user brings the portable remote controller 2a, and at the hotel or the like to which he / she travels, the remote controller code of the television 1a provided in the room is made to learn the portable remote controller 2a that he / she brought. , A channel selection operation for the television 1a is performed by the portable remote controller 2a. At the same time, the portable remote controller 2a adjusts the volume of the television 1a based on the stored reference set value.

The user releases the reference set value stored in the portable remote controller 2a in accordance with the difference in the indoor environment, and carries out a new portable operation by the same operation as that performed on the home TV 1. It is also possible to reset the reference set value in the remote controller 2a.

An example of a system for performing proper volume adjustment for different televisions at a place different from home by such a business trip will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a third television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a fourth television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a fifth television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG.

The example shown in FIG. 5 uses a mobile communication network to
This is a system configuration for performing appropriate volume adjustment for the television 1b at a hotel or the like on a business trip. First, the remote controller 2 sets an optimal volume adjustment value for the television 1 by a user operation at home, and the television at that time is set. The measured value of the output sound from the speaker 1 is stored in the remote controller 2. After that, the remote controller 2 automatically adjusts the output sound from the speaker of the television 1 within a predetermined range (threshold value) so as to match the stored measurement value.

The remote controller 2b of the television 1b provided in a room such as a business trip destination also has a television remote controller control unit 206, a PDA unit 203, a wireless communication unit 202, and an antenna element 201, which are similar to the remote controller 2 at home. Data communication can be performed between the remote controllers 2b and 2 via a mobile communication network.

Then, based on the operation by the user, the remote controller 2b of the television 1b in the hotel at the business trip destination makes a call to the remote controller 2 at home to connect the line to the television 1 stored in the remote controller 2. The reference set value is transferred to and stored in the remote controller 2b, and the remote controller 2b adjusts the volume of the television 1b based on the stored reference set value.

The user cancels the reference set value stored in the remote controller 2b according to the difference in the indoor environment and newly operates the remote controller 2b with the same operation as that performed on the home TV 1. It is also possible to reset the reference set value.

In addition, the user brings the remote control 2 at home and learns the remote control 2 from the remote control code of the television 1b at the business trip destination.
It may also be used as a remote control for the television 1b.

The example shown in FIG. 6 is a system configuration for performing appropriate volume adjustment for the television 1d at a hotel or the like on a business trip destination by using the Internet. First, the user operates the remote controller at home to operate the remote controller. 2c sets the optimum volume adjustment value for the television 1c, and stores the measured value of the output sound from the speaker of the television 1c at that time. After that, the remote controller 2c automatically adjusts the output sound from the speaker of the television 1c within a predetermined range (threshold value) so as to match the stored measurement value.

In this example, the television 1c is connected to the L section by the PC section 113 and the network communication section 114 shown in FIG.
The reference set value, which is connected to the AN 20 and is stored in the remote controller 2c, is input by infrared space transmission and recorded in the storage device 21 on the LAN 20.

The LAN 20 is connected to the Internet by a PC section 113 and a network communication section 114 of a server or a television 1c (not shown), and the television 1d at a business trip destination is also a LAN 20a.
And is connected to the Internet via a personal computer (described as “PC” in the figure) 22.

Then, when the user operates the remote controller 2d to activate the television 1d and the personal computer 22 in the hotel room on the business trip destination, the personal computer 22 connects to the television 1c at home via the Internet, The reference set value for the television 1c stored in the storage device 21 on the LAN 20 is read and transferred to the television 1d.

The television 1d transmits the reference set value to the remote controller 2d by infrared space transmission, and the remote controller 2d
Stores the reference set value, and thereafter, the remote controller 2d
Automatic volume adjustment of the television 1d is performed based on the stored reference set value.

Incidentally, the user releases the reference set value stored in the remote controller 2d according to the difference in the indoor environment, and performs the same operation as that newly performed on the home television 1c. It is also possible to reset the reference set value.

Also, bring the remote controller 2c at home, let this remote controller 2c learn the remote controller code of the television 1d on the business trip, and replace the remote controller 2d with the television 1d.
It may also be used as a remote controller for the.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the system configuration shown in FIG. 6 is further provided with wireless routers 22 and 22a, and the remote controller 2e at home and the remote controller 2f at a business trip destination are wireless. By directly communicating with the wireless routers 22 and 22a via the LAN, the volume reference value for automatic volume adjustment with respect to the televisions 1e and 1f is transmitted and received.

That is, first, the user operates the remote controller 2e at home to set the optimum volume adjustment value for the television 1e, and the television 1 at that time is set.
The measured value of the output sound from the speaker of e is stored. Or later,
The remote controller 2e automatically adjusts the output sound from the speaker of the television 1e within a predetermined range (threshold value) so as to match the stored measurement value.

In this example, the remote controller 2e includes a PDA unit 203, a wireless communication unit 202, and an antenna element 201, as shown in FIG.
The wireless LAN is connected to the N20b and the stored reference set value is recorded in the storage device 21a on the LAN 20b.

The LAN 20 is connected to the Internet by a server (not shown), and further, via the Internet, the LAN 20c of a business trip destination hotel or the like.
Is also connected to.

Then, the user operates the remote controller 2f via the wireless router 22a and the Internet based on the user's operation in the hotel room of the business trip destination.
The storage device 21a of N20b is accessed and the reference set value for the television 1e stored therein is read.

Then, the remote controller 2f stores the reference set value, and thereafter, the remote controller 2f performs automatic volume adjustment of the television 1f based on the stored reference set value.

Incidentally, the user releases the reference set value stored in the remote controller 2f according to the difference in the indoor environment and newly operates the remote controller 2f by the same operation as performed for the home television 1e. It is also possible to reset the reference set value.

Also, bring the remote controller 2e at home, and let this remote controller 2e learn the remote controller code of the television 1f at the business trip destination, and replace the remote controller 2f with the television 1f.
It may also be used as a remote controller for the.

Next, the automatic volume adjustment processing operation by the remote controller 2 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the first volume adjustment / setting processing operation of the remote controller in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the second volume adjustment / setting processing operation of the remote controller in FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the third volume adjustment / setting processing operation of the remote controller in FIG.

In FIG. 8, first, the volume of the television is adjusted based on a normal user operation (step 80).
1). If there is no user operation for a predetermined time, or it is determined that appropriate volume adjustment has been determined based on a predetermined key button operation (step 802), the output volume of the television at that time is measured, and the storage device is used as a reference value. (Step 803).

After that, the measurement of the output volume from the television is continued (step 804) and the comparison with the reference value stored in the storage device is performed (step 805). If the difference between the measured value and the reference value is within a preset threshold value (step 80)
6) Then, the processing of steps 804 to 806 is repeated as it is.

In step 806, if the difference between the measured value and the reference value exceeds a preset threshold value and the measured value is equal to or greater than the reference value (step 807), the output volume is lowered with respect to the television. Is sent (step 808), and if the measured value is less than or equal to the reference value (step 80)
7) Then, an instruction signal for increasing the output volume is transmitted to the television (step 809), and the processing from step 804 is repeated until the difference becomes within the threshold value.

Further, in FIG. 9, the volume of the TV is automatically adjusted in consideration of the ambient noise. First, the optimum initial setting is performed based on the operation of the user (step S).
901). That is, steps 801 to 8 in FIG.
Setting of the volume reference value (A1 (DB)) by the process of 03 and the noise S / N reference value (A2 (D) specified by the user.
B)) and the maximum volume (Amax (DB)) set value are set.

In this state, the sound volume input by the microphone L and the microphone R and the noise S / N ratio are measured and compared with the reference value (step S902). That is, "volume comparison value C1
= A1 (volume reference value) -B1 (volume measurement value) "," noise S / N comparison value C2 = A2 (noise S / N reference value) -B2
(Noise S / N measurement value) ".

The attenuation amount of the volume controller (116) of the TV main body 1 is set to a device-specific set value (for example, around -20DB), and the reference modulation level signal is set to the TV remote control processing unit (11).
1) is output (step S903).

Then, first, "volume comparison value C1 = A1
(Volume reference value) -B1 (volume measurement value) "is determined (step S904). If the "volume comparison value C1"<0, the attenuation amount of the volume adjuster is increased to lower the volume (step S905), and if the "volume comparison value C1"> 0, the attenuation amount of the volume adjuster is decreased. To increase the volume (step S906).

If "volume comparison value C1" = 0,
Next, the judgment of "noise S / N comparison value C2 = A2 (noise S / N reference value) -B2 (noise S / N measured value)" is performed (step S907). Here, "noise S / N comparison value C2"<
If it is 0, the attenuation amount of the volume adjuster is decreased within the volume Amax to increase the volume (step S908). If "noise S / N comparison value C2" ≧ 0, the attenuation amount of the volume adjuster ( R (DB)) is recorded (step S909), and the process ends.

The process in FIG. 10 is for correcting the reference value, etc., and first, for a fixed time interval (for example, 1 minute, 5
Set according to the size of memory such as minutes), type of year, month, day and holidays, time, TV channel number, volume adjuster (116) attenuation, volume, noise S / N The difference is cumulatively averaged and recorded (step S100).
1).

Thereafter, for each television channel number learned as the cumulative average, the difference between the remote controller correction value of the volume controller and the reference value of the attenuation amount, volume, and noise S / N of the volume controller is subjected to correlation statistical processing. Then, the correction value with respect to the reference setting value of the volume controller which is initially set is set and recorded for each TV channel, each time zone, each day of the week, and every holiday (step S100).
2).

Then, based on the reference set value of the attenuation amount of the volume adjuster set and recorded for each channel, each time zone, each day of the week, and each holiday, and the set correction value, a clock built in a personal computer (PC) is used. Today's day of the week and public holidays are identified, and the attenuation amount of the volume adjuster is set according to the current time and the TV channel number (step S100).
3).

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, in this example, the speakers L31 and R32 of the television main body 1 are used.
The remote controller 2 that adjusts the volume output from the remote control 2 is connected to the microphone L51, the microphone R52, and the amplification / A
The DC unit 205 is provided, the sounds output from the speakers L31 and R32 are converted into electric signals and input, and the volume of the input sound is measured by the volume measuring unit 206a of the TV remote controller control unit 206.

Further, the volume measurement result of the volume measuring unit 206a at the time when the user remotely instructs and adjusts the volume to the TV body 1 is stored in the reference value storage unit 206b as the reference volume value, The difference between the stored reference volume value and the subsequent volume measurement result is obtained, and the level comparison unit 206c determines whether or not the obtained difference exceeds a preset threshold value.

If the result of this determination is that the difference exceeds the preset threshold value, the adjustment value setting section 206d issues a remote volume adjustment / setting instruction to the TV body 1 so that the difference is within the threshold value. .

Thus, for example, even when the sound data signal from the broadcasting station side becomes large when switching to the commercial program, the volume reaching the viewer can be suppressed. Also, when the viewer holds the remote control device and moves away from the TV,
Alternatively, when moving in the approaching direction and at the transfer destination, it is possible to automatically watch at the same volume as before moving.

Further, by the noise detecting / separating section 206e,
The input sound is separated into the output sound of the TV body 1 and the noise based on the position information of the sound source that can be extracted based on the frequency characteristics and the microphones L51 and R52, and the sound volume is measured only for the separated output sound. Level comparison is performed, and if the difference does not exceed a preset threshold value, the output volume from the television main body 1 is increased within a preset maximum value corresponding to the volume of noise.

As described above, the noise around the remote controller 2 is discriminated from the sounds input to the microphones L51 and R52, and the automatic volume control is performed only in response to the input sound other than the noise. It is possible to avoid an erroneous operation in which the volume is automatically lowered as the volume of the input sound to the microphones L51 and R52 increases.

In this example, the remote controller (first remote controller) that stores the reference volume value in this manner transfers the reference volume value to another remote controller (second remote controller) by an infrared transmitter / receiver, a mobile phone, or the like. Transfer by communication using the Internet or the like, and use the second remote controller to set the output volume level for the TV corresponding to the second remote controller.
The condition is the same as when the first remote controller is used.

As a result, for example, even in a television at a hotel on a business trip, the output volume from the television can be appropriately automatically adjusted as at home.

The present invention is not limited to the examples described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the remote controller base unit 11 of this example, the microphone L
41 and R42, and by providing the PC section 113 with the same function as the TV remote controller control section 206 of the remote controller 2 of FIG. 1, the speakers L31 and R of the TV body 1 are provided.
With respect to the output sound from 32, the remote controller main unit 11 itself
It may be configured to control the adjustment. In this case, the speaker L
31. Not only the output sound from R32, but the characteristics of the video signal generated at the time of switching between the general program and the commercial,
It is also possible to detect the characteristics of the audio channel at the time of switching and adjust the volume of the television body 1 based on the detection result.

Further, the infrared communication section 112 detects the detected characteristics of the video signal generated at the time of switching between the general program and the commercial and the characteristics of the audio channel at the time of switching.
It is also possible to transmit to the remote controller 2 via the infrared light emitting element 611 and the remote controller 2 side uses the information (features) to control the volume adjustment setting for the television body 1.

In this example, the example in which the output sound from the television is controlled has been described, but the present invention can be applied to an electric device having a sound output function such as a home theater system, a tape, an audio component, a radio.

Also, the television remote controller control unit 206 of this example
In order to realize the functions of the respective processing units (206a to 206e) in FIG. 1 by software, the function program for the TV remote control control unit may be resident in the program storage area of the PDA unit of the remote control to be implemented, or the installed semiconductor Even by implementing a memory card,
Alternatively, it may be realized by installing from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, FD, or semiconductor memory card, or by installing a program via a communication network.

[0080]

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform automatic volume adjustment control with respect to fluctuations in the signal level on the broadcast side, and for example, a CM program in television broadcasting or radio broadcasting is output at a high volume. It is possible for the user to avoid the need for frequent remote control operations to enable listeners to listen at an optimal volume, and to improve the convenience and performance of devices such as televisions and radios. , It is also effective for those energy saving measures.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a first television viewing system using the remote control device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a remote controller master unit in FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a second television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a third television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a fourth television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a fifth television viewing system using the remote control device in FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first volume adjustment / setting processing operation of the remote controller in FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a second volume adjustment / setting processing operation example of the remote controller in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of volume adjustment / setting processing of the remote controller in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a to 1f: TV main body, 2, 2a to 2f: remote controller, 7: infrared space transmission, 11: remote controller master unit, 20,
20a to 20c: LAN, 21, 21a: storage device, 2
2: Personal computer (“PC”), 23, 23
a: wireless router, 30: image display unit, 31: speaker L, 32: speaker R, 41: microphone L, 42: microphone R, 51: microphone L, 52: microphone R, 61, 62
Infrared transmitter / receiver, 111: TV remote control processor, 11
2: Infrared communication unit, 113: PC unit, 114: Network communication unit, 115: Amplification / ADC unit, 116: Volume adjuster, 117: Power supply unit, 201: Antenna element, 202:
Wireless communication unit 203: PDA unit 203, 204: Infrared communication unit, 205: Amplification / ADC unit, 206: TV remote controller control unit, 206a: Volume measurement unit, 206b: Reference value storage unit, 206c: Level comparison unit, 206d: adjustment value setting unit, 206e: noise detection / separation unit, 207: power supply unit, 6
11, 621: infrared light emitting element, 612, 622: infrared light receiving element.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device for instructing volume adjustment / setting by remote operation to a device which adjusts volume output from a speaker based on remote operation, and inputs sound after converting it into an electric signal. A sound input means, a sound volume measuring means for measuring the sound volume of the sound input by the sound input means, and a measurement result of the sound volume measuring means at the time when a volume adjustment / setting instruction is given to the device by remote control. And a difference between the reference volume value stored in the storage means and the subsequent measurement result of the volume measuring means,
Level comparison means for determining whether or not the obtained difference exceeds a preset threshold value, and if the difference exceeds a preset threshold value, the volume of the volume by remote control is set to the device so that the difference is within the threshold value. A remote control device comprising: an adjustment value setting means for performing an adjustment / setting instruction. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, further comprising a separating unit that separates a sound input by the sound input unit into an output sound of the device and a noise, and separates by the separating unit. The output sound is measured by the volume measuring means and is discriminated based on the volume reference value by the level comparing means. If the difference does not exceed a preset threshold value, the adjustment value setting means causes the volume of the device to be changed. The remote control device is characterized in that an adjustment / setting instruction is issued so as to increase the noise level according to the volume of the noise. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the separating means separates output sound and noise of the device based on frequency information. 4. The remote control device according to claim 2, or 3, wherein the sound input means includes two left and right microphones, and the separating means includes the left and right two microphones.
A remote control device, wherein position information of the speaker is extracted based on respective inputs from one microphone, and the output sound and noise of the device are separated using the position information. 5. The remote control device according to claim 2, further comprising: the adjustment value setting means.
A remote control device, wherein an upper limit value of the volume of the device is set to increase corresponding to the volume of the noise. 6. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a television, and the remote operation instruction signal is transmitted to the television using infrared rays. A remote control device comprising communication means. 7. The remote control device according to claim 6, wherein, together with the reference volume value, at least television channel information and program identification information of a measurement target of the reference volume value are stored, and each channel and program are stored. A remote control device characterized by automatic volume adjustment. 8. A remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for a television device which adjusts a volume output from a speaker based on a remote control, by a remote control. An automatic volume control system for issuing a setting instruction, wherein the television device has means for detecting switching from a general program to a commercial program, and means for notifying the remote control device of detection result information. When receiving the notification of the detection result information of switching to the commercial program from the television device, the remote control instruction is issued to the television device to lower the volume output from the television device. system. 9. A remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for a television device which adjusts a volume output from a speaker based on a remote operation. An automatic volume control system for making a setting instruction, wherein the television device has means for detecting switching from a general program to a commercial program, and means for notifying the remote control device of detection result information. An automatic volume adjustment system, which, when receiving a notification of information on the detection result of switching to a commercial program from the television device, performs automatic volume adjustment within a threshold for the television device. 10. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the sound output from the speaker is adjusted based on a remote operation by using the remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A volume automatic adjustment system for performing adjustment / setting instructions, including means for storing volume adjustment / setting information remotely instructed in the remote control device, and transmission / reception with the remote control device in addition to the stored volume adjustment / setting information. Means for performing, and transmitting the volume adjustment / setting information stored by the first remote control device to the second remote control device for storage in the second remote control device, and using the second remote control device, An automatic volume adjusting system characterized in that the volume output from a speaker of another second device is adjusted based on a remote operation with the same contents as the volume adjustment / setting by the first remote controller. 11. The automatic volume control system according to claim 10, wherein the first remote control device and the second remote control device include mobile telephone communication means, and the volume is controlled via a mobile telephone network. An automatic volume adjustment system characterized by transmitting and receiving adjustment and setting information. 12. The volume automatic adjustment system according to claim 10, wherein the first device and the second device mutually set the volume adjustment by a remote control device via an IP network. A means for transmitting / receiving the setting information and a means for transmitting the received volume adjustment / setting information to the remote control device, and remote operation based on the volume adjustment / setting information from the remote control device to which the volume control / setting information is transmitted An automatic volume control system characterized by controlling the volume of output sound according to. 13. The automatic volume control system according to claim 10, wherein the first remote control device and the second remote control device have means for performing data communication in a wireless LAN, and are mutually IP-enabled. First and second connected by network
An automatic volume adjustment system characterized by transmitting and receiving the above volume adjustment / setting information via the wireless router. 14. A volume adjusting method by a remote control device for remotely adjusting volume setting / setting instructions to a device which adjusts a volume output from a speaker based on a remote operation. Of converting the output sound of the sound into an electric signal and inputting it, measuring the volume of the input sound, adjusting the volume based on the user operation, measuring the volume when it is adjusted, and using it as the reference value. The procedure of storing in the storage device, the procedure of measuring the output volume thereafter, and comparing with the reference value stored in the storage device, and the difference between the measured value and the reference value is within a preset threshold value. If the difference between the measured value and the reference value exceeds a preset threshold, a procedure for transmitting an instruction signal to increase or decrease the output volume so that the measured value is within the reference value is provided. Special to have How to adjust the volume. 15. The volume adjusting method according to claim 14, wherein a sound input from the microphone is separated into an output sound of the device and a noise, and a volume of the separated output sound is changed. If the difference between the measured value and the volume reference value does not exceed the preset threshold value, the volume of the device is set to correspond to the volume of the noise. And a procedure for giving an adjustment / setting instruction to increase the volume.