JP2006279351A - Electronic sound volume adjustment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic sound volume adjustment apparatus for initializing a sound volume with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic sound volume adjustment apparatus (1) comprising: a volume knob (2); an electronic volume (3); a turning angle detection sensor (4); a housing (5); an amplifier (6); a sound volume control section (7); a board (8); light emitting diodes (8a); a light emitting diode lighting circuit (8b); and a turning shaft (9), when the electronic sound volume adjustment apparatus and a viewing listening apparatus connected to the outside of an electronic sound volume controller are not operated for a prescribed time, the sound volume control section initializes the sound volume without turning the volume knob, and a light emitting diode is lit at a position similar to a position when the sound volume is set to an initial value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic volume control device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic volume control device that initializes the volume with a simple structure.

  Conventionally, as a general viewing device, a CD (Compact Disc) player, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) player, an MD (Mini Disc) player, a cassette deck, a radio tuner, a television receiver, and the like are provided. As a volume control device used in these devices, there is a device that adjusts a reproduction output from a sound source with a volume, amplifies it with an amplifier, and then emits the sound outside with a speaker. The volume of various viewing devices is easy to use, but if the user uses it at a high volume and then leaves it as it is, the next person will suddenly hear the high volume, and the eardrum Could hurt.

  In order to solve such a problem, a volume adjusting device 51 shown in FIG. 5 has been conventionally used. The volume adjusting device 51 measures a predetermined period, a volume knob 52, a volume 53 that adjusts the volume via a rotary shaft 58 as the volume knob 52 rotates, an amplifier 56 that amplifies a signal from the volume 53. A volume control timer 57, a motor 54 for rotating the volume knob 52 and the volume 53 after a predetermined period of time to initialize the volume, and a housing 55 are configured. The volume adjusting device 51 solves the above problem by controlling the volume knob 52 and the volume 53 with a motor 54 and automatically returning the volume to the original level. In addition, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 as one for initializing the volume as described above.

JP 2000-201364 A

  However, such a volume control device uses a motor and thus has a complicated structure and easily breaks down. Further, in recent years, as the size of the viewing device has been reduced, there has been a problem that the viewing device is increased in size when such a volume control device is used. Furthermore, since the structure is complicated, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic volume control device that initializes the volume with a simple structure.

  The object is to provide an electronic volume control device capable of adjusting the volume by operating a rotary knob, wherein the electronic volume control device and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device have passed a predetermined period. In the non-operating state, the rotary knob can be achieved by an electronic volume control device further comprising control means for initializing the volume in a stationary state.

  With such a configuration, the volume is initialized when the electronic volume control device and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device are in a no-operation state after a predetermined time, so that the structure is simple. It is possible to prevent a loud sound from being output. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate discomfort caused by the subsequent user listening to the loud sound volume after the previous user has used the loud sound volume. Further, since the structure of the electronic volume control device is simple, it can be miniaturized. Furthermore, since the structure is simple, the occurrence of a failure can be suppressed as compared with a volume control device having a complicated structure. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

  Specifically, the control means counts time with detection means for detecting whether or not the electronic volume control device and a viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device are non-operational. A timer and storage means for storing the counter value of the timer; and the control means connects the counter value stored in the storage means to the outside of the electronic volume control device and the electronic volume control device When the received viewing apparatus is larger than the counter value corresponding to the period of no operation, the volume is initialized.

  It can also be achieved by an electronic volume control device comprising volume display means for displaying the volume by turning on a light emitting diode. With such a configuration, the user can visually recognize the sound volume. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sound having a volume not desired by the user from being output.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic volume control device that initializes a volume with a simple structure.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electronic volume control device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic volume control device 1 according to the present invention. The electronic volume control device 1 will be described with reference to these drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic volume control device 1 includes a volume knob 2, an electronic volume 3, a rotation angle detection sensor 4, a housing 5, an amplifier 6, a control unit 7, a plate 8, a light emitting diode 8a, and a light emitting diode lighting. The circuit 8b, the rotating shaft 9, and signal lines 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are included.

  A circular plate 8 is fixed to the outside of the housing 5. Light emitting diodes 8a are embedded in the plate 8 in the circumferential direction. The volume knob 2 is fixed to the rotary shaft 9, and the volume knob 2 rotates about the rotary shaft 9. The housing 5 stores a rotation shaft 9, an electronic volume 3, a rotation angle detection sensor 4, an amplifier 6, and a control unit 7. The rotation angle detection sensor 4 is connected to the electronic volume 3 via a signal line 10a. The rotation angle detection sensor 4 is connected to the control unit 7 through a signal line 10b. The electronic volume 3 is connected to the control unit 7 through a signal line 10c. In the control unit 7, a CPU (central processing unit) that detects whether or not the electronic volume control device 1 and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1 have been operated, and the electronic volume control device 1 and a timer that counts the time of no operation of the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1, and a memory area that stores the counted value (not shown). Further, a light emitting diode lighting circuit 8b is connected to the light emitting diode 8a. The light emitting diode lighting circuit 8b is connected to the control unit 7 through the signal line 10d.

  When the volume knob 2 is rotated, the rotating shaft 9 whose tip is fixed to the volume knob 2 also rotates along with the volume knob 2. Then, the rotation angle detection sensor 4 detects the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 9. The rotation angle detection sensor 4 transmits information on the detected angle to the electronic volume 3 via the signal line 10a. The electronic volume 3 outputs a volume to the amplifier 6 according to the angle detected by the rotation angle detection sensor 4. The amplifier 6 amplifies the signal from the electronic volume 3 and outputs the amplified signal to a speaker or the like (not shown) connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1.

  Here, when the volume knob 2 is rotated, the control unit 7 controls the power supplied to the light emitting diode lighting circuit 8b according to the rotation angle of the volume knob 2 to light the light emitting diode 8a. For example, when the volume knob 2 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the light emitting diodes 8a are sequentially turned on in the clockwise direction according to the rotation. When the volume knob 2 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the light emitting diodes 8a are sequentially turned off in the counterclockwise direction according to the rotation. In this manner, the user can adjust the volume while visually grasping the volume of the electronic volume control device 1 by turning on the light emitting diode 8a. Even when the volume knob 2 is rotated clockwise and all of the light emitting diodes 8a are lit, the volume knob 2 can be rotated clockwise, but the volume value of the electronic volume 3 is The maximum remains unchanged. Similarly, even when the volume knob 2 is rotated counterclockwise and all of the light emitting diodes 8a are turned off, the volume knob 2 can be rotated counterclockwise. The volume value remains minimal or silent.

  The control unit 7 measures the non-operation period of the electronic volume control device 1 and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1. When this non-operation period has passed a predetermined period, the control unit 7 returns the volume of the electronic volume 3 to the initial value via the signal line 10c. At this time, the control unit 7 returns to the initial value detected by the rotation angle detection sensor 4. The light emitting diode 8a is also lit at the same position as when the volume is set to the initial value. The predetermined period set in advance in the control unit 7 may be fixed, or the control unit 7 may be provided with setting means that allows the user to freely set the period. May be.

  Next, the operation of the electronic volume control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the electronic volume control device 1.

  The timer in the control unit 7 of the electronic volume control device 1 resets the counter after the timer is started (step S1). After resetting the counter, the timer detects whether or not the electronic volume control device 1 or the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1 is operated by the user (step S2). When the electronic volume control device 1 or the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1 is operated (Yes in step S2), the process returns to step S1 again, and the timer in the control unit 7 counts the counter. Reset.

  When the electronic volume control device 1 and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1 are not operated (No in step S2), the control unit 7 counts up the counter value of the timer, The data is stored in a memory area in the control unit 7 (step S3).

  The counter value of the timer in the control unit 7 is smaller than T, where T is a counter value corresponding to a non-operation period that is preset in the control unit 7 and serves as a reference when the electronic volume 3 is initialized. If (No in step S4), the process returns to step S2. Similarly, steps S3 and S4 are looped. When the counter value of the timer in the control unit 7 is larger than T (Yes in step S4), the control unit 7 initializes the volume (step S5). At this time, the volume knob 2 remains stationary and the volume is initialized. In addition, the light emitting diode 8a is also lit corresponding to the initialized volume value. After initialization, the process returns to step S1 again.

  For example, immediately after the electronic volume control device 1 is turned on, a timer in the control unit 7 is started and no operation that is preset in the control unit 7 and serves as a reference for initializing the volume. When the value of T is set so that the period of 10 minutes is 10 minutes, if the period of no operation from the time when the electronic volume control device 1 is turned on until the present time is 5 minutes, No in step S4. Therefore, the process returns to step S2. If the non-operation period from when the electronic volume control device 1 is turned on until the present time has passed 10 minutes, the answer is Yes in step S4, and the volume is initialized in step S5.

  Next, a specific operation example of the electronic volume control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the rotation angle of the volume knob 2 detected by the rotation angle detection sensor 4, the pulse signal transmitted from the control unit 7 to the electronic volume 3 in accordance with the rotation angle of the volume knob 2, and the electronic volume 3. 5 is a graph in which the volume value of the electronic volume 3 controlled based on the pulse signal and the number of light-emitting diodes 8a corresponding to the volume value of the electronic volume 3 are plotted on the vertical axis and time is plotted on the horizontal axis.

  A positive pulse signal is transmitted from the control unit 7 to the electronic volume 3 by rotating the volume knob 2 by 30 ° clockwise. In response to this positive pulse signal, the volume value of the electronic volume 3 increases. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the volume knob 2 is rotated clockwise by 120 °, a positive pulse signal is transmitted from the control unit 7 to the electronic volume 3 four times. Receiving this pulse signal, the electronic volume 3 increases the volume value. Further, the light emitting diodes 8a are lit in order in the clockwise direction corresponding to the volume value. Incidentally, when the volume value is the initial value, the number of light-emitting diodes 8a is set to one.

  Next, after the volume knob 2 is rotated clockwise by 120 ° and then rotated counterclockwise by 30 °, a negative pulse signal is transmitted from the control unit 7 to the electronic volume 3. In response to this negative pulse signal, the volume value of the electronic volume 3 decreases. Along with this, the light emitting diodes 8a are also sequentially turned off in the counterclockwise direction.

  Next, the electronic volume control device 1 and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1 are left in an unoperated state. When the value of T is set so that the non-operation period as a reference when initializing the volume is 10 minutes, the volume value is initialized after 10 minutes have elapsed. At this time, the number of light-emitting diodes 8a to be lit is also lit so as to correspond to the initial value of the volume. However, the rotation angle of the volume knob 2 remains unchanged, and the volume is initialized as described above.

  As described above, the control unit 7 initializes the volume when the electronic volume control device 1 and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device 1 are not operated for a certain period. Turn into. Therefore, the viewing apparatus using the electronic volume control device 1 according to the present embodiment automatically sets the volume to the initial value when the non-operation period has elapsed for a predetermined period even after the user uses the volume at a high volume. Return to. Therefore, the next user does not hear a sudden loud sound from the viewing device. In this way, it is possible to comfortably use the viewing device without causing discomfort to the user.

  Further, when the volume is initialized, the light emitting diode is also lit to correspond to the initialized volume, so that the user can visually grasp the current volume.

  Moreover, since the structure of the electronic volume control apparatus 1 is simple, it can be reduced in size and the occurrence of a failure can be suppressed as compared with the volume control apparatus having a complicated structure. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic volume control apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is a front view of the electronic volume control apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the electronic type sound volume adjustment apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is the graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle of a volume knob, a pulse signal, a volume value, the number of lighting of a light emitting diode, and time. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional volume control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic volume control apparatus 2 Volume knob 3 Electronic volume 4 Rotation angle detection sensor 5 Case 6 Amplifier 7 Control part 8 Board 8a Light emitting diode 8b Light emitting diode lighting circuit 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Signal line

Claims (3)

In an electronic volume control device that can adjust the volume by operating the rotary knob,
When the electronic volume control device and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device are in a non-operation state after a predetermined period of time, the rotary knob is in a non-moving state and the control is performed to initialize the volume. And an electronic volume control apparatus. The control means includes: a detection means for detecting whether or not the electronic volume control device and a viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic volume control device are non-operation; a timer for counting time; and the timer Storage means for storing the counter value of
The control means is configured such that the counter value stored in the storage means is larger than the counter value corresponding to a period in which the electronic sound volume adjusting device and the viewing device connected to the outside of the electronic sound volume adjusting device are not operated. 2. The electronic volume control device according to claim 1, wherein the volume is initialized when the volume is large. 3. The electronic volume control device according to claim 1, further comprising a volume display means for displaying the volume by turning on the light emitting diode.

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