JP2001156563A - Sound volume controller and sound volume control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound volume controller that can set an appropriate sound volume level of a loudspeaking sound in matching with noise in a loudspeaking area. SOLUTION: A sound volume adjustment operation section 14 controls a gain control amplifier 13 to adjust a sound volume level of a received voice signal, allows a CPU 15 to register the sound volume level data to a memory 16 and then the CPU 15 controls the gain control amplifier 13 based on the registered sound volume level data to adjust the sound volume level of the received voice signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a volume control device and method for controlling a loud sound volume of a loud speaker installed in a store, in a building, or at a place where people gather, such as an event hall or a plaza.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Background music (BGM), on-site broadcasting, emergency broadcasting in an emergency, and the like are routinely performed in a loud area such as a store, a building, an event hall or a plaza.

Conventionally, in this type of loudspeaker, a person in charge of a store or an event hall sets the volume level of the loudspeaker sound in consideration of the noise in the area to be loudspeaked.

[0004]

However, in such conventional volume control in loudspeakers, in most cases, the volume level is not changed even if the noise in the loudspeaker area changes. In addition, the volume level is often set irrespective of the noise in the loudspeaker area.

For this reason, when the noise in the loudspeaker area is small, the loudspeaker sound of the loudspeaker is louder and feels noisy,
When the noise in the loudspeaker area is loud, there is a problem that the loudspeaker sound is too small to be heard.

The present invention provides a sound volume control device capable of setting an appropriate sound volume level of a loud sound in consideration of noise in order to solve such a problem.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a sound volume control device according to the present invention comprises a sound volume adjusting means for adjusting a sound volume level of an input audio signal, and the sound signal adjusted by the sound volume adjusting means. Data registration means for registering the sound volume level in association with time as data, and control means for reading the data of the registered sound level and controlling the sound volume adjusting means based on the read data,
And wherein when the volume level of the audio signal is forcibly changed at the time of reading the data of the volume level, the read volume level data is updated to the forcibly changed volume level. ing. With this configuration, once the volume level is registered, the volume level of the input audio signal can be automatically reproduced based on the registered volume level data. Even if the volume level of the audio signal is automatically controlled based on the volume level data, the volume level data is updated when the volume level is forcibly changed. Can be readjusted to bring the volume level of the audio signal to the optimal volume level.

Further, the volume control device of the present invention has a configuration in which the period of data registration and reading of the volume level is one day. With this configuration, once the change of the volume level in one day is registered, the output of the audio signal can be automatically reproduced at the same volume level every day based on the registered volume level. Even when the audio signal is automatically controlled based on the registered volume level, the volume level data is updated when the volume level is forcibly changed. Then, the volume level is readjusted, and the volume level of the audio signal can be optimized.

Further, the volume control device of the present invention has a configuration in which the period of data registration and reading of the volume level is one week. With this configuration, once the change of the volume level in one week is registered, the output of the audio signal can be automatically reproduced at the same volume level every week based on the registered volume level. Further, even when automatic control of the audio signal is performed based on the registered volume level, the volume level data is updated when the volume level is forcibly changed. The volume level is readjusted every week, and the volume level of the audio signal can be set to the optimal volume level.

Further, the volume control device of the present invention has a calendar in which information of holidays including holidays is recorded, and when a certain day of the week except Sunday becomes a holiday, the holiday registered in the data registration means is provided. The sound volume adjusting means is controlled based on the data of the sound volume level. With this configuration, even if the day of the week except Sunday is a holiday such as a holiday and the noise level in the loudspeaking area is different from the normal weekday noise level, the holiday can be determined by the calendar and the data of the holiday volume level can be read. Therefore, the volume level of the input audio signal can be set to the optimal volume level.

[0011] Further, the volume control method of the present invention adjusts the volume level of the input audio signal, registers the volume level in association with time, and registers the data of the registered volume level. A volume control step of controlling a volume level of an audio signal based on the read data; and when the volume level of the audio signal is forcibly changed during the volume control step, the data of the read volume level. Has a configuration in which the volume level is forcibly changed. With this configuration, once the volume level is registered, the volume level of the input audio signal can be automatically reproduced based on the registered volume level data. Even when the volume level of the audio signal is automatically controlled based on the volume level data, the volume level data is updated when the volume level is forcibly changed. Readjusted,
The volume level of the audio signal can be set to the optimal volume level.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a sound volume control device and a sound volume control method according to the present invention.

The volume control device 10 shown in FIG. 1 receives an audio signal from an audio signal output device 11, amplifies the input audio signal, and outputs the amplified audio signal to a speaker 12 as a loudspeaker signal. .

The audio signal output device 11 is a reproduction device for reproducing BGM, such as a CD player, or a public broadcasting device for publicizing public broadcasting. One or more speakers 12 are provided in a public audio area (not shown). , Volume control device 1
The loudspeaker signal output from 0 is output as a loudspeaker sound to a loudspeaker area (not shown).

The sound volume control device 10 includes the audio signal output device 1
1 and a gain control amplifier 13 for adjusting an amplification level (hereinafter referred to as a volume level) of the audio signal, and a gain control based on a volume level instructed from a volume adjustment operation unit 14. A central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 15 for controlling the volume level of the amplifier 13; a memory 16 for registering the volume level adjusted by the volume adjustment operation unit 14 in association with the time at which the volume level was adjusted; , CPU 15
Timer unit 17 that is connected to and manages time
And an output amplifier 18 that outputs to the speaker 12 an audio signal whose volume level has been adjusted by the gain control amplifier 13.

With such a configuration, the volume adjustment operation section 1
When the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 is adjusted by operating the CPU 4 and via the CPU 15, the volume level of the loudspeaker signal output from the volume control device 10 also changes, and the loudspeaker volume of the speaker 12 can be adjusted. Has become.

The gain control amplifier 13, C
The PU 15 and the memory 16 constitute a volume control unit, a control unit, and a data registration unit in the present invention, respectively.

Further, the volume control device 10 operates for a predetermined period,
By controlling the gain control amplifier 13 through the CPU 15 from the volume adjustment operation unit 14, the volume level of the input audio signal is adjusted and the CPU 1 is controlled.
5, the volume level is registered in the memory 16 as data (hereinafter, referred to as volume level data).

For this reason, after registering the volume level data, the CPU 15 controls the gain control amplifier 13 based on the registered volume level data and adjusts the volume level of the input audio signal at predetermined intervals. It has become.

The gain control amplifier 13 adjusts the volume level of the input audio signal to the volume level specified by the CPU 15, and outputs the adjusted audio signal to the output amplifier 18. ing.

The volume adjustment operation section 14 is operated by a person in charge.
Button to increase the volume level so that it can be operated manually
UP button) and a button for decreasing the volume level (hereinafter, referred to as an UP button).
DOWN button).

The volume adjusting operation section 14 controls the CPU 1 so that the volume of the audio signal input to the gain control amplifier 13 increases by a predetermined amount when the UP button is pressed once.
5, and when the DOWN button is pressed, the CPU 15 is instructed so that the volume of the input audio signal is reduced by a predetermined amount.

If the amount of increase (decrease) in the volume level for one UP button (DOWN button) is determined, the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 can be controlled by the number of times the button is pressed. Therefore, the volume adjustment operation unit 1
The volume level of the input audio signal can be adjusted according to the number of inputs from the UP button (DOWN button).

When registering volume level data, the CPU
15 adjusts the volume level of the input audio signal in accordance with the number of inputs from the UP button (DOWN button) of the volume adjustment operation unit 14, reads the current time from the timer unit 17, and reads the current time. Memory 1 corresponding to
The sound volume level data is registered in the registration area in the reference numeral 6.

When reading out the volume level data, the CPU 15 sets the timer unit 17 connected thereto.
, And the volume level data registered in the memory 16 corresponding to the read time is read. Therefore, the CPU 15 controls the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 based on the read volume level data, and changes the volume level of the input audio signal to the volume of the volume level data read from the memory 16. It is supposed to.

The memory 16 has registration areas divided at regular intervals. When registering sound volume level data, a registration area is selected based on the time read from the timer unit 17, and the selected registration area is selected. Volume level data is registered in the area.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation principle when the registration / readout period of the volume level data is one week will be described.

FIG. 2A shows a registration area in the memory 16 in which sound volume level data for one week and when other days except Sunday are holidays are registered.
Represents a registration area of sound volume level data divided at predetermined time intervals for a certain day.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the noise level of a certain loudspeaker area as time passes on weekdays and holidays.
Is a graph of the noise level with the passage of time on weekdays from Monday to Friday, and FIG. 3B is a graph of the noise level with the passage of time on holidays on Saturday and Sunday.

First, the principle of operation in registering volume level data will be described.

First, an input operation unit (not shown)
A predetermined period for performing volume control is input, and a registration area is set in the memory 16.

First, as shown in FIG.
In the registration area 6, a registration area for registering the volume level data for 7 days and a registration area when other days except Sunday are holidays are created.

The registration time interval of the volume level data is set, and the registration area for each day of the week in FIG.
A registration area for one day as shown in (b) is created. For example, when the registration time interval is set from A to I,
The registration area holds seven registration areas that are separated every predetermined time from A.

After the registration area of the volume level data is created in the memory 16, the actual volume level data is registered.

Here, using the graph of FIG.
The description will be given according to the passage of time.

First, at the time A, the person in charge outputs an audio signal from the audio signal output device 11 and operates the volume adjustment operation section 14. With this operation, the CPU 15 controls the gain control amplifier 13 to adjust the volume level of the audio signal. Therefore, the level of the loud sound of the speaker 12 in the loud sound area is adjusted.

Further, while the volume adjustment operation section 14 is operated, the CPU 15 reads the current time A from the timer unit 17 and stores it in the first registration area in the memory 16 shown in FIG. The adjusted volume level is registered as volume level data.

Next, when the time elapses and the time comes to B, the person in charge operates the volume adjustment operation unit 14 when the noise level in the loudspeaker area at this time increases. By this operation, the CPU 15 is instructed to change the volume level from the volume adjustment operation unit 14, controls the gain control amplifier 13, and increases the volume level of the audio signal.

When the volume adjustment operation section 14 is operated, the CPU 15 reads the current time from the timer unit 17 and stores the current time in the second registration area in the memory 16 corresponding to the current time. The volume level designated by the unit 14 is registered.

Similarly, as time passes, C, D,
When the noise in the loudspeaker area increases (decreases) at the times of E, F, G, and H, the person in charge operates the volume adjustment operation unit 14 and the CPU 15 sets this volume level to
To control the gain control amplifier 13 to increase (decrease) the volume level of the loudspeaker sound.

The CPU 15 reads the current time from the timer unit 17 while operating the volume adjustment operation unit 14 and stores the current time in each registration area in the memory 16 corresponding to the current time. Register the specified volume level.

However, when the time when the volume level data is adjusted is changed to D1 and D2 shown in FIG. 3A, the volume level data is stored in the fourth registration area at both D1 and D2. be registered.

In this case, the volume level data of the fourth registration area is first changed to the volume level data designated at D1, and then the volume level data designated at D2 is changed to the volume level data of the fourth registration area D. Update data. Therefore, at the time of reading, the volume level data registered at D2 is read.

Finally, at the time I, the timer unit 1
7, the control end is instructed, and the CPU 15 ends all the controls.

This operation is repeated for one week, and from Monday to Friday, the volume level data in consideration of the weekday noise shown in FIG. 3A is registered, and on Saturday and Sunday, the holiday shown in FIG. Is registered in consideration of the noise level.

As described above, the registration of the volume level data is performed each time the volume adjustment operation section 14 is adjusted, and each time the volume level adjusted at that time is changed. The registered time is registered in the registration area in the memory 16 corresponding to the time.

Next, reading of the volume level data will be described.

The reading of the volume level data is performed based on the timer unit 17 that manages time and the volume level data registered in the memory 16, and the read volume level data is transmitted via the CPU 15 via the CPU 15. Thus, the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 is adjusted.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the current time reaches A, the timer unit 17 indicates that the time for reading out the volume level data registered in the CPU 15 has come, and the CPU 15 The memory 16 shown in FIG.
And read out the volume level data registered in the first registration area of the gain control amplifier 1.
3 is controlled to the registered volume level.

Next, when a predetermined period of time has passed since the time A and the current time has reached the time B, the timer unit 17 sets the CP.
Instructing that the time for reading the volume level data registered in U15 has come, the CPU 15 reads the volume level data registered in the second registration area in the memory 16 corresponding to this time, The gain control amplifier 13 is controlled to the volume level registered at the time of B.

Similarly, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the time of B, C, D, E, and F, and at the time of time C, D, E, F, and G, the timer unit 17 sets the volume registered in the CPU 15. Instructing that the time for reading the level data has come, the CPU 15 reads the volume level data registered in each registration area in the memory 16 corresponding to this time, and sets the gain control amplifier 13 to C,
Control is performed to the volume level registered at the time of D, E, F, and G.

As described above, by performing the above-described operation for each registered volume level data, the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 is controlled. Can be reproduced to the same volume level as that at the time of registering the volume level data.

If the volume level of the audio signal is forcibly changed by reading the volume level data by operating the UP button or DOWN of the volume level control unit 14 by the person in charge at the time of reading the volume level data, The CPU 15 changes the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 based on the changed volume level of the volume adjustment operation unit 14, reads the current time from the timer unit 17, and registers the current time in the registration area in the memory 16 corresponding to this time. Then, the changed volume level data is registered, and the data is updated.

Further, when weekdays other than Sundays are holidays such as holidays, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the noise is different between weekdays and holidays, so that normal settings cannot be used.

Therefore, by providing the timer unit 17 with a calendar function, when reading out the volume level data, it is determined whether weekdays other than Sundays are holidays such as holidays, and if the weekdays except Sundays are holidays such as holidays. By setting the volume level data on Sunday, which is a holiday, or the volume level data when a weekday excluding Sunday is a holiday such as a holiday in advance, by reading this volume level data, Loudspeakers can be reproduced.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the volume level of the loudspeaker sound adjusted by the gain control amplifier as the volume adjusting means is registered in association with time, and the registered volume is registered. When reading the level, the volume of the loud sound can be controlled based on the read volume level. Further, at the time of reading the volume level, the volume level data can be updated at any time.

As a result, the volume level of the loudspeaker sound in the loudspeaker area can be set to an optimum volume level by automatically changing the volume level in accordance with time and accumulating data updates.

In this embodiment, the registration / readout period of the volume level data is set to one week. However, the registration / readout of the volume level data can be performed in an arbitrary period such as one day. Is also good.

The function of the timer unit is as follows.
Even if it is not provided separately, the CPU may have the function.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 1 and 4 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of a volume control device and a volume control method of a loudspeaker according to the present invention.

Since the structure of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, an audio signal output device 11 for outputting an audio signal and a speaker 12 for loudspeaking a loudspeaker signal are prepared.

The volume controller 10 receives the audio signal output from the audio signal output device 11 and adjusts the volume level of the audio signal.
3, a CPU 15 for controlling the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 based on the volume level value instructed from the volume adjustment operation unit 14, and the volume level data adjusted by the volume adjustment operation unit 14 A memory 16 for registering in association with the adjusted time of
It includes a timer unit 17 connected to the CPU 15 for managing time, and an output amplifier 18 for outputting an audio signal whose volume level has been adjusted by the gain control amplifier 13 to the speaker 12.

Next, a volume control method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a control program stored in the CPU 15. In this embodiment, the registration / readout period is set to one week (7 days).

First, the person in charge presses the start switch for controlling the volume or activates the start switch by the timer unit 17 (S-1).

Next, it is determined whether the setting mode is for registering the volume level data or the operation mode for performing control based on the already registered volume level data (S-).
2). In the case of the operation mode, the operation is performed as follows.

First, it is determined by the calendar function incorporated in the timer unit 17 whether the current day of the week and today are holidays other than Sunday. If today is a holiday on other days except Sunday, volume level data to be used when other days except Sunday are holidays is selected. If the current day is a day other than Sunday and is not a holiday, a setting is made to read the registered volume level data (S-3).

Next, the current time is confirmed (S-4), and the sound volume level data registered at this time is stored in the memory 1.
6 is determined (S-5). If the volume level data for this time has been registered, the volume level data is read from the memory 16 (S-7). If the volume level data has not been registered, it waits until the time of the volume level data registered first (S-6).
Then, the current time is confirmed again (S-4), and whether the registered volume instruction data is registered again (S-5), and the volume level data is read out from the memory 16 and read out. CPU1
5 holds (S-7).

Next, it is determined whether or not the UP button or the DOWN button of the volume adjusting operation section 14 has been pressed (S-8).
If the button or the DOWN button is pressed, the CPU 15
Rewrites the volume level data held by (S-
Along with 9), the sound volume instruction data registered in the memory 16 is registered in the registration area where the sound volume instruction data is registered, and the sound volume level data is updated (S-10). The volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 is controlled based on the data (S-1).
1).

If the UP button or the DOWN button is not pressed, the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 is controlled based on the volume instruction data held by the CPU 15 (S-11).

Next, it is determined whether the stop switch has been pressed by the person in charge or the stop unit has been operated by the timer unit 17 (S-1).
2) When the stop switch is pressed or operated, the program is terminated. When the stop switch is not pressed or operated, the process waits for the volume level data registration interval (S-13), and returns to S-4. .

On the other hand, in the case of the setting mode in S-2, the person in charge determines the period to be controlled, and inputs the control period and the volume level data registration interval (S-14).

Next, the person in charge sets a sound volume level at which the loudspeaker starts using the sound volume adjusting operation section 14 (S-1).
5). Based on this volume level data, the CPU 15
Controls the volume level of the gain control amplifier 13 (S-16) and registers this volume level data in a predetermined registration area of the memory 16 (data storage step) (S-17).

Next, the process waits for a predetermined time (S-18). After this wait, it is determined whether the stop switch has been pressed by the person in charge or the stop switch has been operated by the timer unit 17 (S-19). ), When the stop switch is pressed or actuated, the present program ends. When the stop switch is not pressed or actuated, the process returns to S-16.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the volume level of the loudspeaker sound adjusted by the gain control amplifier as the volume adjusting means is registered in association with time, and the registered volume is registered. When reading the level, the volume of the loud sound can be controlled based on the read volume level. Further, at the time of reading the volume level, the volume level data can be updated at any time.

As a result, by automatically changing the volume level in response to time and by repeatedly updating data, the volume level of the loudspeaker sound in the loudspeaker area can be set to the optimum volume level.

In this embodiment, the period for registering and reading out the volume level data can be set to an arbitrary period.

[0079]

As described above, the sound volume control device of the present invention registers the sound volume level of the loudspeaker sound adjusted by the sound volume adjusting means in association with time, and reads out the registered sound volume level when reading the sound volume level. The volume level of the loudspeaker can be controlled by the volume level, and the volume level data can be updated at any time when the volume level data is read, so the volume level automatically changes according to time. And the volume level can be controlled by the accumulation of data updates. Therefore, the volume level of the loudspeaker sound in the loudspeaker area can be set to the optimal volume level.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a volume control device according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a registration area when a registration / readout period of volume level data in a memory in the first embodiment is set to one week, and FIG. It is a figure showing the registration area of sound volume level data divided for every predetermined fixed time for one day.

FIG. 3A is a graph of weekday noise and elapsed time in a loudspeaker area in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a graph of holiday noise and elapsed time in a loudspeaker area in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a volume control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 gain control amplifier (volume adjusting means) 15 CPU (control means) 16 memory (data registering means) 17 timer unit (calendar) S-9 data updating step S-17 data registering step

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sound volume adjusting means for adjusting a sound volume level of an input audio signal, and a data registering means for registering the sound volume level of the audio signal adjusted by the sound volume adjusting means as data in association with time. Control means for reading the data of the registered volume level and controlling the volume adjustment means based on the read data,
When the volume level of the audio signal is forcibly changed at the time of reading the volume level data, the read volume level data is updated to the forcibly changed volume level. apparatus. 2. The volume control device according to claim 1, wherein a period for registering and reading out the volume level data is one day. 3. The volume control device according to claim 1, wherein a period of registering and reading out the data of the volume level is one week. 4. A calendar in which information of holidays including holidays is recorded, and when a certain day of the week except Sunday becomes a holiday, based on holiday volume level data stored in the data registration means. 4. The volume control device according to claim 3, wherein said volume control means is controlled. 5. A data registration step of adjusting a volume level of an input audio signal, registering the volume level in association with time, and reading data of the registered volume level based on the read data. Volume control step of controlling the volume level of the audio signal, comprising, when the volume level of the audio signal is forcibly changed during the volume control step, the data of the read volume level is changed to the volume level forcibly changed. A volume control method characterized by updating.