FI122588B - REMOTE CONTROL VOLUME ADJUSTMENT - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to remote controls for consumer electronics devices such as TVs, radios, stereos, video or DVD equipment, or dedicated controls specifically designed for this purpose.

In particular, the invention relates to the volume control of such a remote control and a control device adapted thereto.

The prior art remote controls for TV and other consumer electronics devices with loudspeakers or additional amplifiers for audio playback now include a keypad with a key or keys to adjust the volume to a desired level.

The problem with currently known consumer electronics devices, such as TVs, is that the volume of the sound may vary greatly even within the same TV program. This is because, for example, the volume of advertising spots between programs is, in some cases, even intentionally set at a higher level than the actual TV program to attract attention. This interferes with the TV program.

Summary of the Invention ___ It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an entirely new control device for the remote control of consumer electronic devices.

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The purpose of the device according to the invention is, separately or in

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£ Automatically controls the volume of the playback device at the desired level, n-user-adjusted.

The invention adjusts the volume lower, or, if desired, higher, depending on the operation selected.

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The device or function is universal and is available from various manufacturers of TVs, radios, public address amps, players, e.t.c. devices without complicated wiring, using the remote control's own control method as the control transmission path. A separately implemented accessory can be "" taught "to the control signals of an adjustable target device by copying them from the original controller to the device or by selecting the control command menus to be used from the memory menu. The control signals may be transmitted by light, sound, RF and / or galvanic connection.

10 The function can also be integrated by the manufacturer into a brand-specific remote control or universal controller.

Detailed features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims, in particular in independent claim 1.

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The invention can be used to improve the viewing comfort of a TV or other consumer electronics device, since disturbing high volume variations can be avoided.

? l 20 Brief description of the figures

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan and simplified block diagram of a TV and TV remote control with volume control according to the invention; Ku -___ The parts visible from above are shown as full lines, and the inside parts are broken by solid lines.

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T 30 Description of Preferred Embodiments

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| Figure 1 shows a digital flat panel TV 101 with display 102, control electronics 103 with digital tuners, and stereo speakers 104, 105 and infrared port 106 on the sides.

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ji {) \ l \) 3 The TV is controlled by a remote control 111 having a keypad 112, respectively, including a volume key 113, 114, a control electronics 115 including a volume control 116, and an infrared interface 117 for communicating with the remote control. With the TV, when positioned such as shown in Figure 15, there is usually a remote control in front of the TV for infrared communication. Volume keys allow the TV viewer (user) to adjust the volume to the desired level.

According to the invention, the purpose of the device as a separate or integrated (Fig. 10 1) remote control device is to automatically keep the volume of the playback device at a desired, user-adjustable level.

For this purpose, the remote control of Fig. 1 has a directional microphone 118 positioned at the end of the remote control adjacent to the infrared transmitter, and a control electrode | The 15 ankles include a special automatic volume control circuit 119.

The operation of the device according to the invention as a controller will now be described with reference to the control circuit 119 according to an embodiment of the control device according to the invention shown in Fig. 2 using the remote control control method of the respective remote controller 20.

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Fig. 2 shows a directional microphone 201, a line input 202, and then a band-pass filter 203, 204 and amplifiers 205, 206 for each, then both signals are directed to a time constant circuit 207 (constant 3 = '' fast ', constant 2 = 25 "slow, constant 1 =" abt 5x slow ”) and still comparators 208, 209. Their output is directed to the infrared transmitter 210.

o The directional microphone is directed at the sound source, as is the direction of radiation of the infcv ^ raleds.

V 30 ^ The playback volume of the audio equipment is normally adjusted to the desired level with your own remote control.

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£ on the controller.

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S The control time constant 2 begins to prepare for the medium-voltage noise

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ς 35 within a few seconds. The time constant circuit 3 charges and discharges faster, following an almost acute volume level. When the voltage 4 of circuit 3: exceeds the voltage of constant 2, comparator 208 is triggered and gives infraTX 210 an operating command to adjust the volume down.

Similarly, if there is no sound weight, or if it is silent for a long time, the trigger-5 will bring in a second comparator 209 and instruct the source to increase the volume. The apparatus may be provided with tool-controlled operating point, time constant, and level controls to set the correct values during manufacture. If necessary, the device control function can also be controlled with line level audio signals by cable input to the device line inputs. The unit is equipped with + 10 and - comparator control signal output contacts for any other control needs. The operating voltage comes from the battery, the AC adapter or the light sensor.

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For this automatic volume control, the integrated remote control may have its own key for activating / deactivating the function.

In addition, a separately implemented accessory can be "" taught "(logic 209) to the control signals of the adjustable target device by copying them from the original controller to the device or by selecting the control command menus to be used from the memory menu.

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It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above example, but may vary within the scope of the following claims.

Thus, in one embodiment, a transmitter equipped with an A / D converter that transmits digital -___ volume information to a remote control that simultaneously controls the volume can be added to the headphone or line output of a source device (TV etc). It could also be that the e.k. way connected through-

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+ instant is "intelligent" and equipped with a microprocessor, whereby it can directly send ^ 30 ready-to-operate commands to the remote control, or even directly back to the "control eye" (infrared or similar wireless connection) of the monitored device.

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Claims (10)

A remote control apparatus for adjusting the volume of a consumer electronics device, such as a TV having a speaker (s) for reproducing sound, wherein the remote control apparatus has a remote control (111) having a wireless connection to the consumer electronics device (101) and a volume control. for adjusting to a desired level, the apparatus having a microphone (118) and an automatic volume control circuit (119) ..... 10 characterized in that the microphone (118) is a directional microphone positioned on one side of the remote control adjacent to the wireless connection for adjusting the volume of the consumer electronics device. and, the automatic volume control circuit (119) is arranged to automatically adjust the volume of the consumer electronics device based on the 15 levels of the microphone so that it is at least substantially maintained at a desired level or range of levels adjusted by the user. f ί Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device is a control circuit 20 arranged to use the respective volume control circuit of the respective remote controller as a control transmission path. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the automatic volume control circuit is integrated as part of the remote control of the consumer electronics device. j ___ Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the automatic volume control circuit is a separate device. ^ 30 Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is arranged to operate such that the time constant (2) of the control device begins to charge for the average sound voltage within a few seconds, the time constant circuit (3) charges and discharges more rapidly and when the voltage of the circuit (3) exceeds the voltage of the standard circuit (2), the comparator is triggered and gives an infrared or other TX a command to adjust the volume downward and, respectively, if there is no sound pressure, or quiet, triggers another comparator and instructs the source to increase the volume. t j Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus can be provided with tool-adjustable operating point, time constant and level controllers to set the correct values. 5 Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control function of the apparatus can also be controlled by line-level audio signals, if necessary, by means of a cable to the line inputs of the apparatus. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for automatic volume control, the integrated remote control or separate control device may have its own key for activating / deactivating the function. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transmitter with an A / D converter is connected to the headphone or line output of the consumer electronic device (TV etc), which transmits digital volume information to a remote control which simultaneously controls the volume. i Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that i. The transmitter connected in this way is equipped with a microprocessor, whereby it can directly issue a ready-to-operate command to the remote control or directly back to the control interface of the monitored device. r | j δ c \ j 1 l l ''! «M x! £! 5 σ> LO o δ CM i \ i \