EP3777209A1

EP3777209A1 - Operation method for a display device with automatic sound enhancement function

Info

Publication number: EP3777209A1
Application number: EP19707363.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Furkan COMERT; Ibrahim DEMIREL; Melik Serhat MERCAN; Muhammet Ali ISTEK; Mustafa KUCUKKURU; Ali GAYRETLI
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-03-30
Filing date: 2019-02-25
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Also published as: WO2019185251A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method enabling operating a display device receiving a plurality of broadcast services, capable of accessing a plurality of sound signal sources, comprising the steps of receiving a sound signal coming from a sound signal source, and selecting a sound regulation block according to the type of the program being watched and the sound output level of the display device.

Description

OPERATION METHOD FOR A DISPLAY DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC SOUND ENHANCEMENT FUNCTION

The present invention relates to a method for operating a display device having an automatic sound enhancement function executed by analyzing sound input signals dependent of a specific source and independent of the particular settings predefined for the determined source, and by taking into consideration the user preferred sound level.
A display device may receive sound signals from a plurality of sources such as a set-top box, digital multimedia player or a game console. In addition, smart television applications capable of accessing various content on the Internet enable presenting users multimedia content with varying sound qualities. In this case, automatic sound regulation should be made on the signals received from various sound sources in order to provide a satisfactory listening experience independent of sources.
Digital and interactive television systems present a high number of television channels and programs, and this causes users to adjust sound quality depending on the television channel. Considering that a television service has hundreds of channels, browsing this many channels may take almost an hour even when one stops by at each channel just for a moment.
Display devices are capable of applying predetermined sound regulation blocks presented to users to enhance sound quality by enabling users to select a sound preset. Since each one of said predetermined regulation blocks targets enhancing the sound quality of only a single sound content type, such an approach does not produce fully satisfactory results. For example, while music equalizer mode functions harmoniously with music content, said mode may not be efficient when the sound signal is switched to talking voice content. In addition, a sound content adapted according to selected modes is also adversely affected by sound output level variations of a display device. For example, in case intensity of bass sounds are adapted to be increased in film mode, bass volume intensity may be felt as disturbing when the volume of the device is increased. Considering these disadvantages, in order for a user to maintain a satisfactory sound quality, the user has to repeatedly select a different favorable sound preset for each played sound content and to keep the device sound output level at average levels. Since it is rather complicated to manually adjust these settings, it is usually not preferred by the users. Therefore, users generally select a predetermined sound regulation block and leave the display device on this setting for a long time, for example for many years. Consequently, the perceived sound quality declines when the type and level of a sound content played on the display device changes.
State of the art patent document no. KR101419433 describes a method for dynamically performing a parametric equalizer adjustment according to sound input signal levels. In this embodiment, a time dependent selection is enabled, in which a content is started by means of the optimization performed taking into consideration the sound input levels of all content.
The patent document no. KR20020054623 discloses a method for making in a device optimum image and sound adjustment automatically according to the content type of a program by adjusting a mode according to the type of the program and presenting optimum television watching experience to the users. In this embodiment, a video processor and a sound processor are controlled according to detected type information in order to be adjusted for a program of a specific type.
By means of the present invention, a system and a method are realized, enabling operating a display device so as to execute an automatic sound enhancement function depending on the sound output level of the display device by analyzing an incoming sound signal depending on a specific source or independent of predetermined special settings for the determined source.
The method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, enables operating a display device receiving a plurality of broadcast services, capable of accessing a plurality of sound signal sources, comprising the steps of receiving a sound signal coming from a sound signal source, determining the type of a program being watched and creating a plurality of sound regulation blocks according to the type of the program being watched. User listening experience is thus improved by enhancing sound outputs according to program types.
By means of the method of the invention following steps are realized: creating at least two configurations of the sound regulation block created depending on program type, depending on sound output level values, applying the device sound output level control and the configuration of the sound regulation block arranged according to sound output level to the received sound signal of the sound regulation block selected in order to adjust a sound output signal of said display device.
In an embodiment of the invention, a sound signal and a content identifier displaying program types are received from a sound signal source, and the type of the program being watched is determined. In order to adjust the sound output signal of the display device by increasing and reducing the power of specific frequency bands, a sound regulation block is applied to the received sound signal, corresponding to the range containing the sound output level, by determining at least two different settings according to the device sound output level selected by a user depending on the determined program type. The created settings enable softening the sound reflection settings depending on the volume of the sound output level. Sound regulation blocks can be quickly activated by easy determination of the program types, and the users are prevented from being subjected to adverse effects of sound settings particularly when they prefer high sound levels.
In an embodiment of the invention, the program type information can be received by means of a content identifier comprising information about content and/or from a media player playing a media such as a Blue-ray disk. This media player may also be a set-top box enabling signing in to a broadcast portal. Such portals may automatically generate information such as program type or content by means of applications analyzing the broadcast content. Program type content can thus be conveniently determined.
In an embodiment of the invention, smart television applications can receive the required information by connecting a remote database by means of accessing the Internet. Nowadays, smart televisions with Internet access are increasingly finding wider use. Program type information is conveniently obtained by directly accessing interactive program content, satellite broadcast information or broadcast channels via the Internet.
In an embodiment of the invention, the type of a program being watched is enabled to be defined by analyzing the power spectrum of a received sound signal, and the amplitude, frequency and the frequency band is determined for each sound input. By this, sound is generated with effective output by categorically dividing related frequency and frequency band settings according to sound output levels.
In an embodiment of the invention, after the step of determining the frequency band, the results are processed by a sound evaluation unit in order to obtain a distribution percentage of the different sound profiles in the received sound. Then, this information is used to determine a sound regulation block or a preset to be activated. Creating the blocks facilitate creating the values arranged according to sound output levels.
In another embodiment of the invention, the outputs generated by said power spectrum analyzer are evaluated by a sound evaluation unit in order to determine the distribution percentage of the received sound signal according to categorical format. The evaluation unit can use the distribution percentages as base in order to actively measure and quickly apply the sound output levels. Instant enhancements can thus be conveniently reflected on sound blocks.
In another embodiment of the invention, a proportion comparison unit analyzes the results periodically obtained by the sound evaluation unit, and controls whether the selected preset is suitable for the instant scene of the program being watched.
In an embodiment of the invention, automatically changing of the composition of the sound output according to program types and device sound output levels among the plurality of predetermined sound regulation blocks is enabled by adapting specifically to the device sound level segments with changeable ranges.
A system and a method realized by means of the present invention, enabling automatic enhancement of a sound signal of a display device according to the source device and the characteristics of the sound source.
The display device has the function of automatic sound regulation executed by analyzing a received sound signal independent of the predetermined specific settings for a specific source. The display device is connected to various sound source devices such as a broadcast receiver set-top box, digital media player, or a game console by means of connection means such as an HDMI, a Scart connector, or USB cable. In a case when the display device is connected to a broadcast receiver set-top box via an HDMI cable and the viewed program is a sports event, the display device determines the program type, and adjusts the sound frequency settings so as to select the predetermined equalizer settings corresponding to a sports event. The selected sound output level of the device is controlled in correspondence to the determined program type, and the sound frequency arranged in accordance with this level is reflected to these settings. The frequency response of the sound system of the display device is thus changed, and the gain in a frequency band is adjusted.
In an embodiment of the invention, content identifiers about different programs, provided by the broadcaster may be used to determine the type of a program. The step of determining the type of a program being watched, comprises the step of receiving a content identifier displaying the program type and/or receiving information about program type from a media player. Alternatively, information about program type can also be received by means of an application with Internet access.
In an embodiment of the invention, in the case in which a film is played by connecting a media player such as a DVD player by means of a HDMI cable, the display device receives information about program type from the media player and selects an appropriate sound preset. In case when a user watches a music video on a web site by using a smart television application, said application transmits information about the type of the program being watched and a new preset is applied. Therefore, the sound signal source may be an external source or an internal component such as an embedded DVB receiver or a remote source which the display device accesses by means of an application.
In an embodiment of the invention, information about program type is determined by means of an application with Internet access. This embodiment may be enabled by connecting the display device via the Internet to interactive program guides or content provider portals. Thus the conveniently accessed program type information is processed, enabling adapting the sound output characteristics most suitable for the determine type.
In an embodiment of the invention, the information received about the program being watched from a sound signal source, is verified by the display device by analyzing the received sound content. The display device itself can also identify the program being watched instead of receiving such information. In this embodiment, the display device monitors the received sound signal and determines the content by analyzing its power spectrum. A power spectrum analyzer enables determining the characteristics of the received sound. The received sound may contain voice and music content together. The sound signal received by the display device may have a plurality of sound content types. For a film scene in which two people walk outdoors (nature sounds) talking to each other (voice content) with a music song in the background (music content), the power spectrum analyzer can individually detect these sound contents by analyzing the frequency bands. The power spectrum analyzer calculates and generates outputs significant for a sound evaluation unit by analyzing the frequency band. In turn, the received sound content is processed, and is evaluated by said sound evaluation unit in a categorical format. After the outputs of the power spectrum analyzer are evaluated according to categories such as music, voice, or ambient sound, a preset selection unit selects from a plurality of predetermined presets, for example a scan table, a related preset or sound regulation block according to the results obtained by the sound evaluation unit. Various predefined sound blocks, such as music, voice, ambient sounds of varying proportions are provided in the preset selection unit. Said preset parameter calculation unit generates a new preset according to the sound output level of the device determined by the user and which may be changed during viewing. Said unit creates a parameter set to be applied to the current sound regulation block. In this manner, the current selected sound regulation block is updated with a new parameter set.
In another embodiment of the invention, in the received sound signal, the amplitude, frequency and the related frequency band of each sound input in a time range is determined by the power spectrum analyzer.
In another embodiment of the invention, the outputs generated by said power spectrum analyzer are evaluated by a sound evaluation unit in order to determine the distribution percentage of the received sound signal according to categorical format. A preset selection unit selects among a plurality of predetermined sound regulation blocks, a sound regulation block related to the distribution percentage of the received sound signal according to the categorical format determined by said sound evaluation unit.
In another embodiment of the invention, a proportion comparison unit periodically compares the instant output of the sound evaluation unit with the previous output, and sound regulation function is thus dynamically executed in real-time.
In an embodiment of the invention, the steps of activating are performed by making sub-selections among defined sound regulation blocks according to device sound output level selections. Device sound output is divided into segments in the range of 0 and 100 in general, and is presented to the users to select. The sound settings for a given program type can be generated depending on variations of the sound levels, by dividing this range into determined ranges specifically for each one of the sound blocks created according to program types. For example, in cinema mode there is a regulation block enabling emphasizing bass and treble sounds. Due to the nature of bass and treble sounds, when the sound level of the device has high or low values, problems can be encountered such as not being able to hear or disturbingly intense sound levels. In this case, new blocks are created, which are enhanced in correspondence to sound levels in three separate ranges of the device sound output such as 0-30, 30-60, and 60-100. Once the cinema mode is selected according to program content, the system queries the sound level range of the device. In this example, since high intensity bass sound output would create a perceivable disturbance, in the regulation block defined for the sound level range of 60-100, bass sound intensity is reduced, providing optimal sound value. User experience is enhanced by enabling the sound blocks determined according to program types to be regulated depending on sound output levels by means of this mechanism triggered upon a user changing the sound level of the device.
By means of the invention, a preset selection unit selecting among a plurality of predetermined sound regulation blocks according to program types, optimizes sound setting by taking into account the instant sound output level of the display device. In this manner, the perceived sound quality is continuously maintained at a desired maximum level without requiring any user intervention.

Claims

A display device operation method, enabling operating a display device receiving a plurality of broadcast services, capable of accessing a plurality of sound signal sources, comprising the steps of:

- receiving a sound signal coming from a sound signal source,

- determining the type of a program being watched,

- creating a plurality of sound regulation blocks according to the type of the program being watched,

- creating at least two configurations depending on device sound output level values of the created sound regulation block,

- applying the device sound output level control and the configuration of the sound regulation block arranged according to sound output level to the received sound signal of the sound regulation block selected in order to adjust a sound output signal of said display device.
A display device operation method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of determining the type of a program being watched, comprising the step of receiving a content identifier displaying the program type.
A display device operation method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of determining the type of a program being watched, comprising the step of receiving information about the program type from a media player.
A display device operation method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of determining the type of a program being watched, comprising the step of receiving information about the program type by means of an application with Internet access.
A display device operation method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the step of determining the type of a program being watched, comprising the step of analyzing power spectrum by means of a power spectrum analyzer in order to monitor a received sound signal and to individually detect sound contents in the received sound signal.
A display device operation method according to claim 5, characterized by the power spectrum analyzer determining the amplitude, frequency and the related frequency band of each sound input in a time range in a received sound signal.
A display device operation method according to claim 6, characterized by, a sound evaluation unit evaluating the outputs generated by the power spectrum analyzer, in order to determine the distribution percentage of a received sound signal according to the categorical format.
A display device operation method according to claim 7, characterized by a proportion comparison unit periodically comparing the instant output of the sound evaluation unit with the previous output, and enabling dynamic execution of the sound regulation function in real-time by being triggered upon the device sound output level being changed.
A display device operation method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the step of automatically changing the composition of the sound output according to program types and device sound output levels among the plurality of predetermined sound regulation blocks, by adapting specifically to the device sound level segments with changeable ranges.