JP2007060019A - Sound output control apparatus and sound output control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound output control apparatus and a sound output control method capable of enhancing the operability and the viewing quality by restricting a time zone without outputting a sound in a large sound volume at application of power. <P>SOLUTION: The sound output control apparatus measures an input sound volume level of a sound signal at application of power as shown in caption 14 in Fig.1 and predicts a power value W when a sound amplifier 2 outputs sound to a speaker 4 on the basis of the input sound volume level and a gain of the sound amplifier 2 as shown in caption 15 in Fig.1. Then the sound output control apparatus variably controls the increase in the gain of the sound amplifier 2 in response to the predicted power value W of the sound output from the speaker 4 at application of power and variably controls the increase in the gain in response to the output sound volume level after subjected to the restriction of a time zone when the output sound volume level is decreased by the time zone restriction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio output control apparatus and an audio output control method that perform automatic volume level control in a television receiver, for example.

  Conventionally, devices that control the volume level of sound output from speakers, such as a television receiver, have been controlled to always output the stored volume level sound when the power is turned off when the power is turned on. .

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a volume operation after canceling mute when the power is turned on. In FIG. 2A, when the power is turned on at the time T1, and then the mute of the audio amplifier is released at the time T2, the volume level is instantaneously increased to the user volume value Vu, so that a loud sound is output. .

  Also, when the power is turned on, the volume level at the previous power-off is compared with the reference volume level. If the volume level at the previous power-off is greater than the reference volume level, the output volume level is forcibly reduced to the reference volume level. A volume control device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Also proposed is a volume control circuit comprising a volume control circuit, a time constant circuit for controlling the output of the volume control circuit by a power supply control input, and an audio amplifier controlled by the output of the volume control circuit supplied through the time constant circuit. (See Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-16457 A JP-A-2-277306

  However, with the conventional control described above, it is not possible to know how much sound level is output when the power is turned on, and suddenly the sound is output at a large volume level, or in a quiet place once the power is turned on. Since sound is output at the volume level, and then the operation for lowering the volume level has to be performed, there is a disadvantage that the operability is lowered.

In addition, there was a disadvantage that the sound was suddenly too loud when the power was turned on again at night, especially at midnight, when the television was watched at a louder volume during the daytime.
Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the volume level at the time of the previous power-off is larger than the reference volume level, the output volume level is forcibly decreased to the reference volume level instantaneously, so that the viewing environment is uncomfortable. There was an inconvenience that the viewing quality deteriorated.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, the time constant circuit is operated when the power is turned on to slowly increase the volume. This is for adjusting the increase in the volume level to the screen output of the cathode ray tube. The ascent control according to the level is not possible. For this reason, there is an inconvenience that the operability is lowered because an operation for raising and lowering the volume level must be performed.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an audio output control device and an audio output control method capable of improving operability and viewing quality by regulating time zones without outputting loud sound when the power is turned on. Is intended to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the audio output control device of the present invention measures the input volume level of the audio signal when the power is turned on, and applies it to the speaker based on the input volume level and the amplification factor. Predicts the power value at the time of voice output, regulates the output volume level value in a predetermined time zone, and varies the increase in amplification factor according to the power value of the voice output to the speaker predicted at power-on Control means is provided that controls and variably controls the increase of the amplification factor according to the output volume level value after the time zone regulation when the output volume level value is lowered by the time zone regulation.

  Further, the audio output control method of the present invention measures the input volume level of the audio signal when the power is turned on, predicts the power value when audio is output to the speaker based on the input volume level and the amplification factor, Regulates the output volume level value in a predetermined time zone, variably controls the increase of the amplification factor according to the power value of the audio output to the speaker predicted when the power is turned on, and the output volume level value by the time zone regulation This includes a control step for variably controlling the increase of the amplification factor according to the output volume level value after the time zone restriction when lowered.

  The audio output control device and the audio output control method of the present invention, for example, in an audio output device such as a television receiver, set a target value according to the predicted power output value of the audio output to the speaker when the power is turned on. Variable control (gradual increase, etc.), and when the output volume level value is lowered due to time zone regulation, the increase in gain is variably controlled according to the output volume level value after time zone regulation. Correspondingly, there is a function to prevent audio output with a large volume.

  According to the present invention, since the amplification factor of the audio output when the power is turned on is variably controlled to the target value according to the predicted power output value of the audio output to the speaker, no loud sound is output when the power is turned on. In addition, operability and viewing quality can be improved by providing a function that regulates the volume level value when the power is turned on, for example, from midnight to early morning according to the time and the usage record of the viewer.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
First, an outline of processing from measuring the input sound volume level of sound output to predicting the power value of sound output will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating signal processing for predicting the power value W of audio output.
In FIG. 1, the signal processing system of the audio system applied to this signal processing includes an audio switch 1 for switching channels of a plurality of audio signals from a sound source (not shown), and an output sound volume level of the audio signals from the sound source with a gain Ga. And a speaker 4 that outputs sound by an audio signal from the audio amplifier 2.

  Here, for example, the gain Ga of the audio amplifier 2 can variably control the output volume level up to the user volume value Vu set by the user operation. Further, for example, the gain Ga of the audio amplifier 2 can be controlled to an output volume level set in advance according to required specifications. The gain Ga indicates the amplification factor of the audio amplifier 2.

  The control unit that controls the signal processing for predicting the power value W of the audio output for the signal processing system described above, as shown at 14, is the input volume level Venv of the audio signal from the audio switch 1 when the power is turned on. As shown in FIG. 15, the power value W when the sound is output to the speaker 4 is predicted based on the input volume level Venv and the gain Ga.

  The control unit variably controls the increase of the gain Ga according to the power value W of the sound output to the speaker 4 predicted when the power is turned on, and when the output volume level value is lowered by the time zone regulation, after the time zone regulation The increase of the gain Ga is variably controlled according to the output sound volume level value.

  At this time, the control unit performs mute 1 on the audio signal from the audio switch 1 as indicated by 11 and also applies mute 2 on the audio signal from the audio amplifier 2 as indicated by 12. Do. As a result, the output of the audio signal is stopped for a certain period until the processing of the signal processing system is stabilized, and after the elapse of the certain period, the mute 1 indicated by 11 and the mute 2 indicated by 12 are canceled and the output of the audio signal is started.

  Here, as shown in 13, the release of mute 2 for the audio signal from the audio amplifier 2 indicated by 12 is delayed from the release of mute 1 for the audio signal from the audio switch 1 shown by 11. During the period for measurement, the input volume level Venv of the audio signal from the audio switch 1 at the time of power-on indicated by 14 is measured.

  In this way, the control unit measures the input volume level Venv of the audio amplifier 2, and predicts the power value W of the audio output to the speaker 4 from this and the user volume value Vu (corresponding to the gain Ga). It should be noted that there is a time difference for measurement between the cancellation of the mute 2 for the audio amplifier 2 that outputs sound to the speaker 4 and the cancellation of the mute 1 for the audio switch 1 to which the audio signal is input. Signal processing is performed by measuring the input volume level Venv 2 and predicting the power value W of the audio output.

  Next, the signal processing for predicting the power value W of the audio output shown in FIG. 1 is performed, and then the increase in the gain Gvol is varied according to the power value W of the audio output for the speaker predicted when the power is turned on. A specific audio system configuration applied to the signal processing to be controlled will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of signal processing for predicting the power value W of the audio output. 5 is the audio switch 1 shown in FIG. 1, the audio processor 45 and the audio amplifier 46 shown in FIG. 5 are the audio amplifier 2 shown in FIG. 1, the speaker 47 shown in FIG. 5 is the speaker 4 shown in FIG. An envelope detection circuit 48, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 49, and a memory (EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory)) 54 shown in FIG. 5 respectively correspond to the control unit described in FIG. The TV 41, VCR (video cassette recorder) 42, and DVD (digital versatile disc) 43 shown in FIG. 5 are sound sources.

  Here, for example, the gain Gvol of the audio processor 45 can variably control the output volume level up to the user volume value Vu set by the user operation. Also, for example, the gain Gamp of the audio amplifier 46 can be controlled to an output volume level set in advance according to the required specifications. Both the gain Gvol and the gain Gamp indicate the amplification factors of the audio processor 45 and the audio amplifier 46.

  In FIG. 5, the microcomputer 49 is provided with an envelope detection circuit 48. The envelope detection circuit 48 measures the input volume level Venv of the audio signal from the audio switch 44 when the power is turned on, and measures the measured input volume. The level Venv is supplied to the microcomputer 49.

  The microcomputer 49 predicts the power value W when the sound is output to the speaker 47 based on the input volume level Venv and the gains Gvol and Gamp, based on the input volume level Venv and the gains Gvol and Gamp. Depending on the power value W of the voice output to the speaker 57 predicted when the power is turned on, the power level W calculation unit 51 of the voice output to be performed, the time zone regulation unit 53 that regulates the output volume level value in a predetermined time zone The volume increase control unit variably controls the increase in gain Gvol by table control and variably controls the increase in gain Gvol according to the output volume level value after the time zone restriction when the output volume level value is lowered by the time zone restriction. 52 as functions.

  The microcomputer 49 is provided with a memory (EEPROM) 54. The memory (EEPROM) 54 has a user volume value Vu storage unit 55 that stores a table for increasing the volume level up to the user volume value Vu. The user volume value Vu storage unit 55 stores a time zone regulation value 56 that regulates the output volume level value in a predetermined time zone. Here, the user volume value Vu corresponds to the gain Gvol. A plurality of tables are provided corresponding to the volume levels.

  When the measured input volume level Venv of the audio signal from the audio switch 44 when the power is turned on is supplied from the envelope detection circuit 48 to the microcomputer 49, the Venv digitization processing unit 50 of the microcomputer 49 displays the numerical value of the input volume level Venv. Process. At this time, for example, the Venv digitization processing unit 50 samples a measurement waveform of the input sound volume level Venv for a certain period, and uses a waveform including a peak with respect to the average value at the time of stabilization.

  Next, the sound output power value W calculation unit 51 calculates the power value W when sound is output to the speaker 47 based on the input volume level Venv and the gains Gvol and Gamp using the following equation (1). Predict. Here, R is the resistance value of the speaker 47.

[Equation 1]
W = Venv ² × 10 ^{(Gvol + Gamp) 10} / R

  Then, the time zone regulation unit 53 regulates the output sound volume level value in a predetermined time zone. When the volume increase control unit 52 variably controls the gain Gvol increase by table control according to the power value W of the audio output to the speaker 47 predicted when the power is turned on, and when the output volume level value is decreased by time zone regulation The increase of the gain Gvol is variably controlled according to the output sound volume level value after the time zone regulation. At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 reads a table corresponding to the volume level from the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54 and controls the volume control 59 for the audio processor 45 according to the volume increase rate of this table. To control the volume increase.

  Here, during the control in the time zone corresponding to the output volume level value in the predetermined time zone stored in the time zone regulation value 56, the volume increase control unit 52 outputs the output volume level value of the time zone regulation value 56. At the same time, the maximum level value is lowered, and the increase rate of the gain Gvol is controlled so as to correspond to the lowered output volume level value.

The microcomputer 49 performs measurement between the cancellation of the mute 2 for the audio amplifier 46 that outputs sound to the speaker 47 indicated by 60 and the release of the mute 1 for the audio switch 44 that inputs the audio signal indicated by 58. Have a time difference for. Then, during the measurement period, the digital output after the measurement of the input volume level Venv of the audio amplifier 46 is performed to predict the power value W of the audio output.
The microcomputer 49 controls channel switching of a plurality of audio signals from the TV 41, VCR 42, and DVD 43 by an input switch switching signal 57 for the audio switch 44.

In the present embodiment described above, an example in which the input volume level Venv is measured using an analog signal has been described. However, a similar function can be realized by using data from a digital signal processing IC dedicated to audio processing.
The input sound volume level Venv for the audio processor 45 uses a peak value observed over several seconds. Here, for example, a peak observed for 3 seconds is taken every 0.2 seconds. The series of control operations described above are continuously executed after the power is turned on until the output volume level reaches the user volume value Vu (corresponding to the gain Gvol) set by the user operation.

Next, a description will be given of a volume control operation in which the volume of the gain Gvol is variably controlled by performing volume control 59 on the audio processor 45 to perform variable control of the volume increase.
FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a volume control operation after mute 2 is released when the power is turned on according to the present invention. In FIG. 2B, when the power is turned on at time T11 and then the mute 2 of the audio amplifier 46 is released at time T12, the volume level is increased at a rate corresponding to the power value W of the audio output until reaching the user volume value Vu. Is raised. As indicated by 21, when the volume level is small, the curve rise rate is high, so that the user volume value Vumin is controlled relatively quickly. On the other hand, as indicated by 22, when the volume level is high, the rate of increase of the curve is low, so that control is performed so as to reach the user volume value Vumax relatively late at time T 13 after T seconds.

  Thus, the increase table of the gain Gvol of the audio processor 45 is switched in accordance with the predicted audio output power value W with respect to the final user volume value Vu. As a result, when the predicted power value W of the audio output with respect to the final user volume value Vu increases, a table with a gentler slope is selected in order to reduce the rate of increase. The time until the volume value Vu increases as the power value W of the audio output increases.

Next, time zone restrictions will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a volume operation after mute 2 is released when the power is turned on according to the time zone regulation of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows that the user volume value Vu is lowered to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction due to the time zone restriction after switching the increase table of the gain Gvol of the audio processor 45 by the volume control operation shown in FIG. 2B. The variable control of the gain Gvol at the time is shown.

  In FIG. 3, the curve when the output volume level indicated by 31 is small and the curve when the output volume level indicated by 32 is large have a small output volume level indicated by 21 in the volume control operation shown in FIG. 2B described above. And the curve when the output volume level indicated by 22 is large, the description thereof is omitted, and only the time zone regulation is described.

  After the power is turned on at the time T21, the mute 2 of the audio amplifier 46 is released at the time T22, and the time zone after the curve of the gain Gvol increase table when the output volume level indicated by 32 is large is selected, for example. When the restriction 33 is performed, the user volume value Vu is controlled to be lowered to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction at time T23 after Tn seconds.

  Here, during the control in the time zone corresponding to the predetermined output volume level value stored in the time zone regulation value 56 in FIG. 5, the volume increase control unit 52 in FIG. In addition, the maximum level value of the user volume value Vu is lowered to the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation stored in the predetermined time zone regulation value 56 in accordance with the user's usage record, the volume level of 70%, and the like. Control is performed to increase the increase rate of the gain Gvol so as to correspond to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction. At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 may re-select the curve of the increase table of the gain Gvol corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction lowered from the user volume value Vu.

  That is, as shown by the time zone regulation 33, when the maximum level value of the user volume value Vu is lowered to the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation of the time zone regulation value 56, the user volume after the time zone regulation that becomes the final target value. Since the value Vn is lower than the user volume value Vu, the slope of the curve of the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction increases correspondingly as indicated by 34.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing time zone management of user volume values.
In FIG. 4, the time zone regulation value 56 for each time zone at 22:00, 23:00, 0, 1, 2:00, 3:00, and 4 o'clock from midnight to early morning is stored in the memory (EEPROM) 54. Keep it. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, control is performed using the time zone regulation value 56 so that the output volume level value of the user volume value Vu decreases to the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation, and the time corresponding to this is set. Control is performed so as to increase the slope of the curve of the user volume value Vn after the band restriction, and the normal volume is variably controlled as shown in FIG. 2B in other normal time zones from 5:00 to 21:00.

At this time, the volume is suppressed according to the usage record of the user as follows.
For example, the volume increase control unit 52 sets the user volume value Vu when the power is turned off from midnight to early morning (for example, from 22:00 to 4 o'clock) to the time zone regulation value 56 of the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54. Is stored (about 5 times) and an average value is calculated from the time zone regulation value 56. When the power is turned on during the same time period, the increase in volume is stopped at this average value. The storage in the time zone restriction value 56 of the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54 can be finely controlled by managing it every hour from 22:00 to 4 o'clock, for example.

Further, the user volume is suppressed as follows when there is no use record of the user.
For example, the volume increase control unit 52 is a case where there is no user usage record in the above-mentioned time range from midnight to early morning for reasons such as initial use of the product, and the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54 When there is no memory in the time zone regulation value 56, when the power is turned on, the volume rises at about 70% of the average value (about 5 times) of the user volume value Vu in a normal time zone other than midnight to early morning time zone To stop.

  At this time, if the viewer operates the volume key from the remote commander to the microcomputer 49 while the volume is increasing, the increase control is canceled and the sound can be output with the volume by the operation of the volume key at that time. To do.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation when the power is turned on, and shows the processing of the microcomputer 49.
In FIG. 6, when the power is turned on (step S1), the microcomputer 49 reads the user volume value Vu stored in the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54 (step S2). The user volume value Vu is a value corresponding to the gain Gvol of the audio processor 45.

Here, the microcomputer 49 switches the input of the sound source to the audio switch 44 and cancels the mute 1 (step S3).
When the measured input volume level Venv of the audio signal from the audio switch 44 when the power is turned on is supplied from the envelope detection circuit 48 to the microcomputer 49, the Venv digitization processing unit 50 of the microcomputer 49 inputs the input volume level Venv. The numerical process is performed (step S4).

  Next, the audio output power value W calculation unit 51 calculates the audio output power value W when audio is output to the speaker 47 based on the input volume level Venv and the gains Gvol and Gamp (step S5). .

  At this time, in correspondence with the power value W of the audio output, the volume increase control unit 52 reads a table corresponding to the volume level from the user volume value Vu storage unit of the memory (EEPROM) 54 and sets the volume level of this table. Volume control 59 is performed on the audio processor 45 in accordance with the increasing rate (step S6). The volume increase control unit 52 variably controls the increase in the gain Gvol according to the table control according to the power value W of the audio output to the speaker 47 predicted when the power is turned on in step S6.

  When the current time is from midnight to early morning, the time zone regulation unit 53 outputs the output volume level so as to lower the user volume value Vu from this midnight to early morning time zone to the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation. The value is regulated (step S7).

  At the same time, when the volume increase control unit 52 lowers the output volume level value from the user volume value Vu to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction by the time zone restriction shown in step S7, the user volume value after the time zone restriction. The increase of the gain Gvol is variably controlled so as to correspond to Vn. At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 may re-select the curve of the increase table of the gain Gvol corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction lowered from the user volume value Vu.

  At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 reads a table corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction from the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54, and the audio processor according to the volume increase rate of this table Volume increase 59 is controlled by performing volume control 59 on 45.

  Here, as described above, during the control in the time zone corresponding to the output volume level value in the predetermined time zone stored in the time zone regulation value 56, the volume increase control unit 52 sets the time zone regulation value 56. A curve that lowers the maximum level value of the user volume value Vu to the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation based on the regulation value and increases the increase rate of the gain Gvol so as to correspond to the lowered user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation. Control to re-select.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 49 cancels mute 2 for the audio amplifier 46 that outputs sound to the speaker 47 (step S8). Then, a measurement time difference is provided between the audio switch 44 for inputting the audio signal shown in step S3 and the mute 1 being released, and the input volume level Venv of the audio amplifier 45 shown in step S5 is measured during this measurement period. A later numerical process is performed to predict the power value W of the audio output.

  Then, the volume increase control unit 52 increases the gain Gvol corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction according to the power value W of the audio output to the speaker 47 predicted when the power is turned on. Is variably controlled by table control using the curve reselected so as to increase (step S9).

  Here, the microcomputer 49 determines whether or not the viewer operates the volume key from the remote commander to the microcomputer 49 during the volume increase (step S10). When the volume key is operated in step S10, the microcomputer 49 cancels the ascending control in step S9, so that the sound can be output with the volume by the operation of the volume key at that time (step S11).

  When the volume key is not operated in step S10, the microcomputer 49 lowers the maximum level value of the user volume value Vu to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction by the time zone restriction shown in step S7. It is determined whether or not the user volume value Vn has been reached (step S12). When the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction is reached in step S12, the microcomputer 49 determines whether or not the ascent control in step S9 is completed (step S13). Returning to step S9, the processes and determinations from step S9 to step S13 are repeated. When the ascent control in step S9 is completed, the process ends (step S14).

Next, control during channel switching or input switching will be described.
Since the audio output response that it is necessary to continuously output audio at the time of channel switching or input switching at the audio switch 44 after the power is turned on, the input volume level Venv of the audio processor 45 cannot be measured. Therefore, the gain Gvol increase table of the audio processor 45 uses a specified value regardless of the volume level, but the table to be used is changed depending on the input type. For example, in the case of an external input such as a VCR 42 and a DVD 43, unlike the TV 41 in the same device, an excessive input may be made.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of channel switching. FIG. 7 shows the processing of the microcomputer 49.
In FIG. 7, when there is channel switching or input switching (step S21), the microcomputer 49 reads the user volume value Vu stored in the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54 (step S22). . The user volume value Vu is a value corresponding to the gain Gvol of the audio processor 45.

Here, the microcomputer 49 switches the input of the sound source to the audio switch 44 and cancels the mute 1 (step S23).
At this time, the envelope detection circuit 48, the Venv digitization processing unit 50, and the audio output power value W calculation unit 51 do not operate.

  At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 reads a fixed table corresponding to channel switching or input switching from the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54, and sends it to the audio processor 45 according to the volume increase rate of this table. On the other hand, volume control 59 is performed (step S24). The volume increase control unit 52 variably controls the increase of the gain Gvol by table control based on a fixed table corresponding to channel switching or input switching shown in step S24.

  When the current time is from midnight to early morning, the time zone regulation unit 53 outputs the output volume level so as to lower the user volume value Vu from this midnight to early morning time zone to the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation. The value is regulated (step S25).

  At the same time, when the volume increase control unit 52 lowers the output volume level value from the user volume value Vu to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction by the time zone restriction shown in step S25, the user volume value after the time zone restriction. The increase of the gain Gvol is variably controlled so as to correspond to Vn. At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 may re-select the curve of the increase table of the gain Gvol corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction lowered from the user volume value Vu.

  At this time, the volume increase control unit 52 reads a table corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction from the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54, and the audio processor according to the volume increase rate of this table Volume increase 59 is controlled by performing volume control 59 on 45.

  Here, as described above, during the control in the time zone corresponding to the output volume level value in the predetermined time zone stored in the time zone regulation value 56, the volume increase control unit 52 sets the time zone regulation value 56. A curve that increases the increase rate of the gain Gvol so as to correspond to the lowered user volume value Vn after lowering the maximum user volume value Vu to the user volume value Vn after the time period restriction is reselected. To control.

  The microcomputer 49 cancels mute 2 for the audio amplifier 46 that outputs sound to the speaker 47 (step S26). A time difference for table selection is given to the cancellation of the mute 1 for the audio switch 44 for inputting the audio signal shown in step S23, and the table shown in step S24 is selected during this selection period.

  Then, the volume increase control unit 52 re-selected the increase in the gain Gvol with respect to the speaker 47 predicted when the power is turned on so as to increase the increase rate of the gain Gvol corresponding to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction. Is variably controlled by table control using (step S27).

  Here, the microcomputer 39 determines whether or not the viewer has operated the volume key from the remote commander to the microcomputer 49 during the volume increase (step S28). When the volume key is operated in step S28, the microcomputer 49 cancels the ascending control in step S27, so that the sound can be output with the volume by the operation of the volume key at that time (step S29).

  When the volume key is not operated in step S28, the microcomputer 49 lowers the maximum level of the user volume value Vu to the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction by the time zone restriction shown in step S25. It is determined whether or not the user volume value Vn has been reached (step S30).

  When the user volume value Vn after the time zone restriction is reached in step S30, the microcomputer 49 determines whether or not the ascent control in step S28 is completed (step S31). Returning to step S27, the processes and determinations from step S27 to step S31 are repeated. When the ascent control in step S27 is completed, the process ends (step S32).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the time zone regulation value determination operation. FIG. 8 shows details of each processing in step S7 in FIG. 6 and step S25 in FIG.
In FIG. 8, when the time zone regulation value confirmation operation is started (step S41), the volume increase control unit 52 determines whether or not the current time is from midnight to early morning (for example, 22:00 to 4 o'clock) (step S41). S42). When the current time is from midnight to early morning (for example, from 22:00 to 4 o'clock) in step S42, the volume increase control unit 52 performs the midnight to early morning time stored in the time zone regulation value 56 in the corresponding time zone. It is determined whether or not there is an output volume level value in the band (step S43).

  When there is an output volume level value in the time zone from midnight to early morning stored in the time zone regulation value 56 in the corresponding time zone in step S43, the volume increase control unit 52 sets the time zone regulation value in the corresponding time zone. The average value is calculated from the output volume level value in the time zone from midnight to early morning stored in 56 to determine the regulation value, and when the power is turned on during the same period, the regulation value of this average value is the time zone regulation The increase in volume is stopped at the later user volume value Vn (step S45). The storage in the time zone restriction value 56 of the user volume value Vu storage unit 55 of the memory (EEPROM) 54 can be controlled more finely by managing, for example, every hour from 22:00 to 4 o'clock.

  When there is no output volume level value in the time zone from midnight to early morning stored in the time zone regulation value 56 in the corresponding time zone in step S43, the volume increase control unit 52 is midnight to early morning when the power is turned on. The user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation, which is the regulation value, is determined at about 70% of the average value (about 5 times) of the user volume value Vu in the normal time zone from 5:00 to 21:00 other than the above time zone. Then, the increase in the volume is stopped at the user volume value Vn after the time zone regulation which is the regulation value of the average value (step S46).

  As described above, even if the user volume value Vu and the input volume level Venv are biased, the volume level is controlled to increase in accordance with the magnitude of the power value W of the audio output. Sound output can be performed with a stable volume increase characteristic that is not affected, and the volume level value when the power is turned on, for example, from night to early morning, is regulated by the time and the usage record of the viewer. For this reason, since a natural control becomes possible on a user's audibility, viewing environment improves. Furthermore, viewing quality is improved by time zone restrictions.

In addition, by using a table with different slopes for increasing the volume level, when the output volume is high, it is possible to stand up slowly and give the user time to stop the increase in the user volume by operating the volume key. , Improving viewing quality.
Moreover, when the power value W of the audio output is small, the control speed can be divided according to the sound volume level because it quickly rises and does not deteriorate the audio output response in the normal use state.

In addition, since the volume increase control table can be prepared with an arbitrary characteristic, it is possible to change not only the rate of increase due to inclination but also the characteristic curve depending on the power value W of the audio output.
It goes without saying that this function can be selected only when it is desired to use it on a menu or the like.

  It goes without saying that the configuration can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention, not limited to the above-described embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the signal processing for prediction of the electric power value W of an audio | voice output. It is a figure which shows the volume control operation | movement after the mute cancellation | release at the time of a power supply ON, FIG. 2A is conventional and FIG. 2B is this invention. It is a figure which shows the volume control operation | movement after the mute cancellation | release at the time of the power-on by time slot | zone regulation. It is a figure which shows the time zone management of a user volume value. It is a block diagram of the signal processing for prediction of the electric power value W of an audio | voice output. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of power-on. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of channel switching. It is a flowchart which shows time slot | zone regulation value confirmation operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Voice switch, 2, 3 ... Sound amplifier, 4 ... Speaker, 11 ... Mute 1, 12 ... Mute 2, 13 ... Measure Venv in the cancellation delay period with respect to mute 1 of mute 2, 14 ... Measure input volume level Venv , 15: the power value W of the audio output is calculated from Ga and Venv, 21: a curve with a small output volume, 22 ... a curve with a large output volume, 31 ... a curve with a small output volume, 32 ... a curve with a large output volume, 33 ... Decrease to specified volume, 34 ... Since the final output sound is lowered, the slope becomes tight, 41 ... TV, 42 ... VCR, 43 ... DVD, 44 ... Audio switch, 45 ... Audio processor, 46 ... Audio amplifier, 47 ... Speaker, 48 ... Envelope detection circuit, 49 ... Microcomputer, 50 ... Venv digitization processing unit, 51 ... Audio output power value W calculation unit, 52 ... Volume Temperature control unit, 53 ... time zone regulation portion, 54 ... memory (EEPROM), 55 ... user volume value Vu storage unit, 56 ... time zone regulation value

Claims (5)

In an audio output control device that controls to amplify an input volume level of an audio signal from a sound source with a predetermined amplification factor and outputs sound from a speaker,
Measure the input volume level of the audio signal when the power is turned on,
Based on the input volume level and the amplification factor, predict the power value when sound is output to the speaker,
Regulate the output volume level value in a predetermined time zone,
Output volume level after time zone regulation when variably controlling the increase in amplification factor according to the power value of the sound output to the speaker predicted when the power is turned on and lowering the output volume level value due to the time zone regulation An audio output control device comprising: control means for variably controlling the increase in the amplification factor according to a value.   2. The audio output control device according to claim 1, wherein the time zone restriction is executed when the current time corresponds to a predetermined time zone.   The audio output control device according to claim 1, wherein the time zone regulation stores a past performance of the time zone regulation.   4. The audio output control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the volume increase rate of the output volume level value after the time zone regulation is variable according to the current time and the past performance of the time zone regulation. In the audio output control method for controlling the sound volume of the audio signal from the sound source to be amplified at a predetermined amplification factor and outputting sound from the speaker,
Measure the input volume level of the audio signal when the power is turned on,
Based on the input volume level and the amplification factor, predict the power value when sound is output to the speaker,
Regulate the output volume level value in a predetermined time zone,
Output volume level after time zone regulation when variably controlling the increase in amplification factor according to the power value of the sound output to the speaker predicted when the power is turned on and lowering the output volume level value due to the time zone regulation An audio output control method comprising: a control step of variably controlling the increase of the amplification factor according to a value.

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