CN100438597C - Sound volume adjusting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a volume regulating device for regulating the volume of an audio signal output by an audio system. The present invention relates to a controller which is connected with an audio amplifier of the audio system, an audio processor, a regulating circuit and a communication port, wherein the controller comprises a micro control unit, an RAM which is communicated with the micro control unit, and a nonvolatile storage which is communicated with the micro control unit; the regulating circuit comprises a regulator and a switcher; the regulator is connected with the audio processor, and the output of an audio signal of the regulator is controlled by the audio processor; the switcher is connected to the audio processor. The regulator and the micro control unit are connected to the switcher, and the operating mode of a regulating circuit can be switched over by the micro control unit controlling the switcher. With the adoption of the volume regulating device provided by the present invention, users can not only regulate the volume according to person habits but also can avoid the interference of abrupt high volume. The present invention also provides a relevant volume regulating method.

Description

Volume adjustment device and method

【Technical field】

The invention relates to a volume adjustment device and method, in particular to a volume adjustment device and method for television and other audio systems.

【Background technique】

Due to human factors or other unavoidable objective factors, audio systems such as TV or radio receivers often play some sudden high-pitched sounds. Such sudden high-pitched sounds include advertisement volume and some unexpected noises deliberately raised by TV operators to attract users' attention. During the daytime or in a lively environment, such sudden high sounds are less likely to disturb users. However, in the middle of the night or in a quiet environment, users are easily disturbed.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, an existing method can refer to the U.S. Patent No. 5,130,665 announced on July 14, 1992. This patent discloses a volume control device and method, and a maximum value and a minimum value are set by the user. The volume control device and method control the output of the audio signal within the range of the maximum value and the minimum value, so as to avoid outputting an audio signal greater than the maximum value to disturb the user. However, after activating the aforementioned volume control mode, the user can no longer make normal volume adjustments. If the user needs to adjust the volume according to personal preferences, he/she must first exit the aforementioned volume control mode before making adjustments. Thus, the volume control device causes inconvenience to users.

【Content of invention】

Aiming at the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a volume adjustment device and method for the user to perform normal volume adjustment without exiting the volume control mode.

To achieve the purpose of the present invention, the present invention provides a volume adjustment device for adjusting the volume of an audio signal output by an audio system. The volume adjustment device includes a controller, which is connected with the audio amplifier of the aforementioned audio system; an audio processor; an adjustment circuit and a communication port. The controller includes a micro control unit; a RAM, which communicates with the micro control unit; and a non-volatile memory, which communicates with the micro control unit. The adjustment circuit includes an adjuster, which is connected with the audio processor, and the output of the audio signal is controlled by the audio processor; and a switcher, which is connected with the audio processor. The adjuster and the micro control unit are connected to the switcher, and the switcher is controlled by the micro control unit to switch the working mode of the adjustment circuit.

The present invention further provides a volume adjustment method for adjusting the volume of an audio signal output by an audio system. The method includes the following steps: (a) judging whether the volume adjustment device is in the attenuation mode; (b) if it is in the attenuation mode, controlling the switcher to switch the adjustment circuit to the attenuation mode; (c) if it is not in the attenuation mode, Control the switcher to switch the adjustment circuit to the normal working mode; (d) judge whether the volume level of the input audio signal is greater than a preset value L _d ; (e) if it is greater than the preset value L _d , control the output of the regulator after attenuation the audio signal to the switcher; (f) if it is not greater than the preset value L _d , control the regulator to output a normal audio signal to the switcher; and (g) repeat steps (a) to (f) until the aforementioned audio system is turned off.

The adjustment circuit provided by the present invention can effectively reduce the volume of sudden high-pitched sounds, so that the interference to users is extremely low in the middle of the night or in a quiet environment. At the same time, by controlling the audio amplifier of the aforementioned audio system through the controller provided by the present invention, the user can also conveniently adjust the volume normally according to personal preference.

【Description of drawings】

Fig. 1 is a partial schematic view of a TV with a volume adjusting device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the principle of volume adjustment by the volume adjustment device of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a working flowchart of the volume adjustment method of the present invention.

【Detailed ways】

Referring to FIG. 1 , it is a partial schematic diagram of a TV with a volume adjusting device 10 of the present invention. The volume adjusting device 10 has a normal working mode and an attenuating working mode. Through the infrared remote controller 50 or the function keys on the TV panel, the user can select the working mode of the volume adjustment device 10 . The volume adjustment device 10 includes a controller 101 , an adjustment circuit 102 for performing volume adjustment, a communication port 103 and an audio processor 104 . The controller 101 includes a micro control unit 1010, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1012 and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 1014. The RAM 1012 communicates with the MCU 1010 for storing data. The EEPROM 1014 communicates with the MCU 1010 for storing data. Through the communication port 103, the controller 101 controls the amplification factor of the audio signal by the audio amplifier 40 of the television. In another embodiment, the aforementioned EEPROM 1014 can be replaced by other nonvolatile (Nonvolatile) memories, such as ROM, EPROM, and Flash Memory.

The working mode of the volume adjusting device 10 determines the working mode of the aforementioned adjusting circuit 102 . When the volume adjusting device 10 is in the normal working mode, the adjusting circuit 102 is in the normal working mode; when the volume adjusting device 10 is in the attenuating working mode, the adjusting circuit 102 is in the attenuating working mode. The adjustment circuit 102 includes a regulator 1022 and a switch 1024 for switching the working mode of the adjustment circuit 102 . The audio signals received by the TV are sent to the adjuster 1022 and the switcher 1024 respectively. The adjuster 1022 is connected to the switcher 1024 and the audio processor 104 , and the audio processor 104 controls the output of the audio signal of the adjuster 1022 . The switch 1024 is connected to the micro control unit 1010 , and is controlled by the micro control unit 1010 to switch the working mode of the adjusting circuit 102 according to the working mode of the volume adjusting device 10 . The switch 1024 transmits the normal audio signal or the audio signal output by the adjuster 1022 to the audio processor 104 .

Please refer to FIG. 2 together, the horizontal axis "L" represents the volume level of each audio signal input to the volume adjustment device 10, and the vertical axis "Y" represents the volume level of each audio signal output by the volume adjustment device 10 . When the user selects the volume adjusting device 10 to be in the normal working mode, the micro control unit 1010 controls the switch 1024 to switch the adjusting circuit 102 to the normal working mode. At this time, the audio signal is directly input to the switcher 1024 and then output to the audio processor 104 . In this way, after the user selects a favorite volume, the various programs, advertisements and other sounds (including various noises) received by the TV are shown in the dotted line in the figure through the volume level relationship between the input and output of the volume adjustment device 10 ( The dotted line in the small sound region is overlaid by the solid line). That is, in the normal working mode, the volume progression of the output audio signal of the volume adjustment device 10 is the same as the volume progression of the input audio signal, and its function is expressed as:

Y=L (0<=L<=100%).

When the user selects the volume adjustment device 10 to be in the attenuation mode, the micro control unit 1010 controls the switch 1024 to switch the adjustment circuit 102 to the attenuation mode. At this time, the audio signal is input to the adjuster 1022 of the volume adjustment device 10 . Wherein, the audio processor 104 obtains the volume level of the input audio signal from the adjuster 1022 . Among the input audio signals, the input audio signal whose volume level is smaller than the value of L _d is the audio signal of the small sound area, and the input audio signal whose volume level is greater than the value of L _d is the audio signal of the loud area. When the volume level L of the input audio signal is less than or equal to the L _d value, the audio processor 104 returns the volume level L of the output audio signal of the adjuster 1022 . When the volume level L of the input audio signal is greater than the value L _d , the audio processor 104 returns the volume level of the output audio signal of the adjuster 1022 as Y _k . Wherein, Y _k is between L _d and L, and is less than or equal to Y _m , and Y _m is the maximum volume level of the output audio signal. In this way, the relationship between the input and output volume levels of various programs, advertisements and other sounds (including various noises) received by the TV via the volume adjustment device 10 is shown by the solid line in the figure. Its function is expressed as:

$\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\left\{\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}& <span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; d</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>\\ {\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; k</span>}}& <span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; d</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 100</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; \%</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; ,</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; d</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; k</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; ,</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; k</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; <</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; m</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>\end{array}\right.<span\; class="notranslate">\; .</span>$

According to the aforementioned volume level returned by the audio processor 104, the adjuster 1022 outputs an audio signal. When the input audio signal is an audio signal in a loud region, the output audio signal is an attenuated audio signal. The attenuated audio signal is output to the audio processor 104 via the switcher 1024 , and then amplified by the audio amplifier 40 of the TV to be played. In this way, the volume of various programs, advertisements and other sounds (including various noises) played on the TV is attenuated, so as to avoid sudden high-pitched noise from disturbing the user.

In this embodiment, the values of L _d and Y _m are preset by the TV manufacturer. In another embodiment, the L _d value and the Y _m value can be set by the user according to personal preference. When the volume adjustment device 10 of the present invention is in the attenuation mode, the user can simultaneously adjust the volume according to personal preferences through the infrared remote controller 50 or the function keys on the TV panel. It is realized by controlling the magnification of the audio amplifier 40 of the TV through the micro control unit 1010 . The volume adjusting device 10 of the present invention can also be used in other audio systems, such as radio receivers, CD players, and Walkmans.

Referring to FIG. 3 , it is a working flowchart of the volume adjustment method of the present invention. The user selects the working mode of the volume adjustment device 10 through the infrared remote controller 50 or the function keys on the TV panel. In step S510, the MCU 1010 determines whether the volume adjustment device 10 is in the attenuation mode. If yes, the workflow goes to step S512, otherwise, the workflow goes to step S524. In step S524, the MCU 1010 controls the switch 1024 to switch the adjustment circuit 102 to a normal working mode. In step S526 , the switch 1024 transmits the normal audio signal to the audio processor 104 . In step S512, the MCU 1010 controls the switcher 1024 to switch the adjustment circuit 102 to an attenuation working mode. In step S514 , the audio processor 104 obtains the volume level L of the input audio signal from the adjuster 1022 . In step S516, the audio processor 104 determines whether the volume level of the input audio signal of the regulator 1022 is greater than the L _d value. If yes, the workflow goes to step S518, otherwise, the workflow goes to step S530. In step S518 , the audio processor 104 returns the volume level Y _k of the output audio signal of the adjuster 1022 . Wherein, Y _k is between the value of L _d and L, and is less than or equal to Y _m , and Y _m is the maximum volume level of the output audio signal. In step S520, the adjuster 1022 outputs the attenuated audio signal to the switcher 1024 according to the aforementioned volume level Y _k . In step S522 , the switch 1024 transmits the attenuated audio signal to the audio processor 104 . In step S530 , the audio processor 104 returns the volume level L of the output audio signal of the adjuster 1022 . In step S532 , according to the aforementioned volume level L, the adjuster 1022 outputs a normal audio signal to the switcher 1024 . In step S534 , the switch 1024 transmits the normal audio signal to the audio processor 104 .

After the user turns on the TV, the aforementioned workflow will be repeated until the user turns off the TV and then stops.

Claims (6)

1. A volume adjusting device, for adjusting the audio signal volume output by the audio system, it is characterized in that the volume adjusting device includes: A controller, the controller includes: a micro control unit; a RAM in communication with the microcontroller unit; and a non-volatile memory in communication with the microcontroller unit; An audio processor, which is connected with the audio amplifier of the aforementioned audio system; An adjustment circuit for performing volume adjustment, the adjustment circuit includes: a regulator connected to the audio processor; and a switcher, which is connected to the audio processor, the aforementioned adjuster and the microcontroller unit; and a communication port; Wherein, the aforementioned controller controls the amplification factor of the aforementioned audio amplifier through the aforementioned communication port; Wherein, the volume adjustment device has a normal operation mode and an attenuation operation mode, which are selected and determined by the user, and the micro-control unit controls the switcher according to the operation mode of the adjustment device to switch the operation mode of the adjustment circuit; wherein, In normal working mode, the input audio signal reaches the audio processor directly through the switcher; In the attenuation mode of operation, the input audio signal is input to the adjuster, and the audio processor obtains the volume level L of the input audio signal from the adjuster. When the volume level L of the input audio signal is less than or equal to the Ld value, the audio frequency Processor returns the volume progression of the output audio signal of the regulator as L, and when the volume progression L of the input audio signal is greater than the Ld value, the audio processor returns the volume progression of the output audio signal of the regulator as Yk, Under the control of the audio processor, the adjuster outputs the adjusted audio signal, and the audio signal reaches the audio processor through the switch, wherein, Yk is between Ld and L, and is less than or equal to Ym, and Ym is the output audio signal Maximum volume level. 2. The volume adjusting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned non-volatile memory is a ROM, EPROM, EEPROM or Flash Memory. 3. The volume adjusting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the audio signal is in the normal working mode, the audio signal output is the same as the audio signal input. 4. The volume adjusting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the value of L _d and the value of Y _m are preset. 5. The volume adjusting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned L _d value and Y _m value are set by the user according to personal preference. 6. A volume adjustment method for the volume adjustment device according to claim 1, for adjusting the audio signal volume output by the audio system, characterized in that the volume adjustment method includes the following steps: (a) judging whether the volume adjustment device is in the attenuation mode; (b) If it is in the attenuation mode, control the switcher to switch the adjustment circuit to the attenuation mode, and skip to step (d); (c) If it is not in the attenuation mode, control the switcher to switch the adjustment circuit to the normal mode, directly transmit the input audio signal to the switcher, and skip to step (h); (d) obtaining the volume level L of the input audio signal; (e) judging whether the volume level L of the input audio signal is greater than a preset value L _d ; (f) If it is greater than the preset value L _d , the control regulator outputs the attenuated audio signal to the switcher; (g) If it is not greater than the preset value L _d , the control regulator outputs a normal audio signal to the switcher, and the normal audio signal is the input audio signal; (h) Outputting audio signals from the switcher to the audio processor, and then outputting from the audio processor; and (i) Repeat step (a) to step (h) until the aforementioned audio system is turned off.

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