JP2007306444A - Control apparatus, sound volume control method, and volume control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately control the sound volume of other speaker devices which are connected with a control apparatus by giving instructions of sound volume adjustment to it. <P>SOLUTION: A measurement signal from a measurement signal generator 22B is supplied to a television receiving set having a built-in loudspeaker. A sound volume control signal for gradually turning up the sound volume through a remote control signal transmitter CTo is supplied to the television receiving set. Sound corresponding to the measurement signal which is released from the built-in loudspeaker of the television receiving set is collected (received) by a microphone which is arranged in a listening position and is supplied to an answer signal analyzer 22D for obtaining the sound volume level of the answering signal. The sound volume level is related to a controlled sound volume value corresponding to the sound control signal when the level is detected, and a matching table in which these are collected is formed and is used for making sound volume control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device such as an AV (Audio / Visual) amplifier device to which a speaker built-in device or a speaker connection device is connected, and a method and a program for controlling a volume used in the control device.

  In content such as a movie recorded on a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or digital television broadcasting, so-called multi-channel audio data such as 5.1 channel and 7.1 channel is handled, and the user can Opportunities to set up multi-channel listening systems such as 5.1 channels and 7.1 channels are also increasing.

  For example, a 5.1 channel listening system is composed of six audio channels including a front left channel, a front center channel, a front right channel, a rear left channel, a rear right channel, and a subwoofer channel. It is possible to reproduce sound using the corresponding six speakers. In addition, [. The expression 1] means a subwoofer channel that compensates for low frequency components.

  Since the multi-channel listening system uses a plurality of speakers, the distance between each speaker and the user, the output characteristics of each speaker, and the speaker at the listening position where the user listens to the sound emitted from each speaker. The reproduction sound field formed by the multi-channel listening system may not be appropriate due to the influence of obstacles existing between users. For example, a sound image to be localized at the front center may be shifted to the right side or the left side.

  For this reason, the multi-channel listening system has a so-called time alignment function that appropriately cuts the sound emitted from each speaker so as to cut an appropriate reproduction sound field. There is something.

  The time alignment function is provided in an AV control device such as an AV amplifier that supplies an audio signal to each speaker. A microphone is installed at a position (listening position) where a listener who is a user listens to reproduced sound from a plurality of speakers, and the sound emitted from each speaker is collected and input to the AV control device. To be able to.

  Then, in the AV control device, for example, a test signal such as a TSP (Time-Stretched Pulse) signal is generated and supplied to each of a plurality of speakers connected to the own device in order, The reproduced sound of the test signal is emitted in order from each speaker.

  The reproduced sound of the test signal thus emitted is collected by a microphone installed at the listening position and returned to the AV control device. Thereby, in the AV control device, it is possible to know the timing when the test signal is supplied to each speaker and the timing when the test signal is emitted from the speaker and collected by the microphone at the listening position and returned. it can.

  That is, in the AV control device, for each speaker connected to the own device, the time taken for the emitted sound to be collected by the microphone at the listening position (the sound from each speaker to the microphone at the listening position). Time). Accordingly, the so-called time alignment of the speakers is adjusted by adjusting the delay amount of the audio signal supplied to each speaker so that the sound emitted from each speaker is simultaneously collected by the microphone at the listening position. As a result, it is possible to prepare a sound listening environment.

  In addition, as a technique related to the time alignment of the speaker in the above-described listening system, Patent Document 1 (Technology enabling time alignment in consideration of temperature change), Patent Document 2 (Listening Point for Time Alignment) (A technique for facilitating the setting operation of (listening position) and making time alignment available effectively), and Patent Document 3 (a technique for making the sound pressure level at the measurement position constant).

In addition, the patent document mentioned above is as showing below.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-248097 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-248098 JP 2000-261900 A

  As described above, in a multi-channel listening system, by using a so-called time alignment function, it is possible to arrange a reproduction sound field in which a listener can simultaneously listen to sound emitted from each speaker. However, depending on the configuration of the listening system, it may be time-consuming to adjust the volume of the reproduced sound.

  For example, when a multi-channel listening system is constructed with a playback device such as a DVD player, an AV control device such as an AV amplifier, a television receiver, and a plurality of external speakers, an audio signal from the DVD player is used. In some cases, a TV receiver and an external speaker are supplied through an AV control device and connected to emit sound of a predetermined channel from the built-in speaker of the TV receiver and the external speaker.

  When the volume is adjusted in such a connection, since the AV control device and the television receiver are essentially different devices, the sound emitted from the external speaker to the AV control device. It is necessary to adjust the volume of the sound emitted from the built-in speaker to the television receiver. That is, it is necessary to adjust the volume for both the AV control device and the television receiver.

  When instructing the AV control device or television receiver to adjust the volume, a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “remote control”), a knob or button switch provided on the device, or a GUI (Graphical User Interface) ) Etc., the volume adjustment performed on one of the devices may be performed on the other device, but the volume adjustment unit is between manufacturers or between devices. However, it is necessary to adjust the volume individually for each device.

  Also, the relationship between the volume value (remote control level) and volume is generally not linear in many cases. For example, in order to improve the operational convenience of the device, even when the volume value changes, the small sound is small and the loud sound is greatly engraved, or a unique curve is set in consideration of loudness.

  For this reason, for example, even if the volume is turned up by operating the volume up key of the remote control only once for the AV control device, the volume up key is operated three times for the television receiver. Otherwise, it may occur that the sound emitted from the built-in speaker of the television receiver cannot be balanced with the sound emitted from the external speaker. Therefore, as described above, even if the user (listener) adjusts the volume for two devices at a certain level, if the volume is changed next time, the volume is adjusted again for both devices. The user was forced to do very cumbersome work.

  In view of the above, the present invention provides a volume adjustment instruction to a control device to which a speaker device that is a speaker built-in device or a speaker connection device is connected, and thereby to one or more speaker devices connected thereto. However, the object is to enable appropriate volume control.

In order to solve the above problem, the control device of the invention according to claim 1 is:
One or more speaker devices with a built-in speaker or connected to the speakers, a control device for supplying an audio signal and a volume control signal to each of the one or more speaker devices, and a listening position The control device used in a sound reproduction system comprising a microphone connected to the control device,
Measurement signal generating means for generating a measurement signal having a predetermined band;
Measurement signal supply means for supplying the measurement signal generated by the measurement signal generation means for each of the one or more speaker devices;
The volume control signal for gradually increasing the volume while supplying the measurement signal generated by the measurement signal generation means to the target speaker apparatus through the measurement signal supply means for each of the one or more speaker apparatuses. Control means for generating and controlling to supply to the target speaker device;
Response signal analysis means for analyzing a response signal of the measurement signal obtained by the microphone and obtaining a volume level for each of the one or more speaker devices;
For each of the one or more speaker devices, create a correspondence table that correlates the volume level acquired by the response signal analysis unit and the control volume value according to the volume control signal at the time of acquiring the volume level; And a table creating means for recording on a predetermined recording medium.

  According to the control device of the first aspect of the present invention, the measurement signal generated in the measurement signal generation unit is supplied to the target speaker device through the measurement signal supply unit by the control of the control unit, and at the same time. Then, a volume control signal for gradually increasing the volume by the control means is generated and supplied to the target speaker device. As a result, a sound corresponding to the measurement signal whose volume is gradually increased is emitted from the speaker of the target speaker device.

  Thus, the sound corresponding to the measurement signal emitted from the speaker of the speaker device is collected (received) by the microphone arranged at the listening position, converted into an electric signal, and supplied to the response signal analyzing means. Here, the volume level of the response signal is acquired. This volume level is associated with the control volume value (control volume value) according to the volume control signal when the volume level is detected by the table creating means, and an association table in which these are collected is formed, Recorded on a recording medium.

  In this way, a correspondence table in which the control volume value based on the volume control signal and the volume level of the measured response signal are associated is created for each of one or more speaker devices. In other words, for each speaker device, it is possible to know how much the volume level of the sound emitted from the speaker is at what control volume value. For example, when the audio signal to be listened to, such as music, is reproduced, this association table can be used for any sound emitted from any speaker device when the user instructs volume adjustment. It is used as information for controlling the sound volume to be appropriate according to the instruction.

A control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the control device according to the first aspect,
A reception means for receiving a volume adjustment instruction input from the user;
When the control unit receives the volume adjustment instruction input through the receiving unit, the control unit refers to the association table of each of the one or more speaker devices and emits sound from each of the one or more speaker devices. A volume control signal to be supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices is formed and supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices so that the sound volume level is uniform.

  According to the control device of the second aspect of the present invention, when the volume adjustment instruction input is received through the receiving unit, the control unit refers to each association table of one or more speaker devices, and the one or more speakers. A volume control signal to be supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices is formed so that the volume level of the sound emitted from each of the devices is uniform, and this is supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices.

  As a result, the volume adjustment unit is not uniform among manufacturers or between devices, and it is inconsistent. Conventionally, it has been necessary to individually adjust the volume for each device. However, through the association table, a volume control signal to be supplied to each speaker device is individually generated so that the volume level of the sound emitted from each speaker device is uniform, and the corresponding speaker device So that the sound volume can be appropriately controlled for each speaker device.

A control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the control device according to the first aspect,
In the correspondence table corresponding to each of the one or more speaker devices created by the table creating means, the volume level is determined from a plurality of volume levels that can appropriately secure an S / N (Signal to Noise Ratio). A measurement value correcting means for estimating the state of change and correcting the measured volume level is provided.

  According to the control device of the third aspect of the present invention, the data of the correspondence table created by the table creation means is sufficiently affected by background noise or the like in the portion where the control volume value is low, and the S / N is sufficient. Therefore, the measurement value correcting means estimates the change in the sound volume level based on the data of the portion where the S / N is sufficiently secured, and the measured sound volume level is corrected. As a result, the measured volume level can be corrected to an appropriate level, and the volume control of the speaker device can be performed more appropriately.

  According to the present invention, in a system in which a single control device controls a plurality of speaker devices, such as a speaker built-in device or a speaker connection device to which a speaker is connected, by adjusting the volume of the control device, The volume of all connected speaker devices can also be controlled to follow at the same level. Therefore, a seamless use environment can be realized without being conscious of each of the speaker devices connected to the control device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an apparatus, a method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, a case where the present invention is applied to a multi-channel listening system (hereinafter referred to as a sound reproduction system) will be described as an example.

[Outline of the embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an external appearance and connection of a sound reproduction system to which an embodiment of an apparatus, method, and program according to the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a sound reproduction system according to this embodiment includes a source signal reproduction device (hereinafter simply referred to as a reproduction device) 1, an AV control device (hereinafter simply referred to as a control device) 2, and a television receiver. From the machine 3, a front center speaker (center speaker) oC, a rear left speaker oSL, a rear right speaker oSR, and a measurement microphone (hereinafter referred to as a measurement microphone) MIC connected to the control device 2. It has become.

  As shown also in FIG. 1, the playback device 1 plays back and outputs content data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD player or a BD (Blu-ray Disc) player. The control device 2 is a device such as an AV amplifier, and processes video signals and audio signals from the playback device 1. The television receiver 3 includes built-in speakers TVL and TVR and display elements, and processes and outputs audio signals and video signals from the control device 2.

  Also, the center speaker oC, the rear left speaker oSL, and the rear right speaker oSR are all provided as a single speaker outside the device, not inside the device. As will be described later, the measurement microphone MIC receives (collects) measurement signals (test signals) emitted from each speaker, for example, for analyzing a reproduction sound field.

  Note that the character “o” in the reference numerals of the center speaker oC, the rear left speaker oSL, and the rear right speaker oSR is distinguished from the internal speakers TVR and TVL built in the television receiver 3. This indicates that the unit is provided outside (out).

  Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, the control device 2 includes a light receiving unit RM for an infrared remote control signal, receives a remote control signal corresponding to a user operation from the remote control 100 for its own device, and responds to the remote control signal. Thus, each part can be controlled. The television receiver 3 also includes a remote control signal receiving unit CTi, and can input various instructions through a remote controller (not shown).

  In the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, as will be described later, a television receiver is provided by a remote control signal sent from a remote control signal transmission unit CTo (so-called AV mouse) for sending a remote control signal from the control device 2. 3 can be controlled. That is, the television receiver 3 can be controlled by a remote control signal sent from the control device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the audio signal output from the playback device 1 and supplied to the control device 2 is an encoded multi-channel digital signal. The multi-channel audio signals used in this embodiment are an L (front left) channel, an R (front right) channel, an SR (rear right) channel, an SL (rear left) channel, and a C (front center (center)). It consists of five channels. The letters S in the SR channel and the SL channel mean surround.

  The control device 2 receives the encoded audio signal from the playback device 1, decodes it, and separates it into audio signals of the L channel, R channel, SR channel, SL channel, and C channel. . Then, the R channel and L channel audio signals are supplied to the television receiver 3, the SL channel audio signal is supplied to the rear right speaker oSL, the SR channel audio signal is supplied to the rear right speaker oSR, and C The audio signal of the channel is supplied to the center speaker oC.

  Thus, sound corresponding to the L channel and R channel sound signals is emitted through the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3. In addition, audio corresponding to the SL channel audio signal is from the rear left speaker oSL, audio corresponding to the SR channel audio signal is from the rear right speaker oSR, and audio corresponding to the C channel audio signal is from the center speaker oC. Each sound is emitted.

  As described above, the sound reproduction system shown in FIG. 1 is efficient by using the built-in speakers TVR and TVL of the television receiver 3 and the external speakers (external meanings as seen from the TV) oC, oSR and oSL together. It is possible to reproduce a multi-channel audio signal using a speaker. However, regarding the volume control, the television receiver 3 and the control device 2 are essentially independent mechanisms.

  Therefore, in order to increase or decrease the overall sound in a well-balanced manner, it is necessary for the user himself / herself to adjust the respective devices by using the respective remote controls of the television receiver 3 and the control device 2. In this case, the adjustment unit of the remote controller and the effect on the actual volume are different for each device and manufacturer, so this adjustment work becomes very complicated.

  Therefore, in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, by specifying the volume through the remote controller 100 only for the control device 2 shown in FIG. 1, or by operating the volume knob of the control device 2, The volume levels of the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 can be appropriately automatically controlled. That is, the user (listener) can enjoy a balanced multi-channel sound volume environment with a single remote controller, and can greatly improve convenience.

  Specifically, as will be described in detail below, as a measurement process, while controlling the volume of the television receiver 3 through the control device 2, the sound corresponding to the measurement signal from the control device 2 is transmitted to the built-in speaker of the television receiver 3. A sound is emitted from TVL and TVR, received by a measurement microphone MIC installed at a listening point, and returned to the control device 2.

  Then, the control device 2 grasps the volume control level (control volume value) and the volume level of the response signal received by the measurement microphone MIC in association with each other as a table in the memory in the control device 2. Record. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately grasp at what control level (control volume value) the volume level of the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 is at the listening point.

  As a playback process, when content is played back, recorded information (database) about the volume is referred from the memory in the control device 2, and from the table, all the speaker playback volumes inside and outside the control device 2 are gain control and external Adjust to the same level using the control means.

  In other words, the control device 2 performs gain control on the audio signal in the television receiver 3 via the interface or a unique control line, or the television receiver receives the remote control signal from the control device 2 through the remote control signal transmitter CTo. By adjusting the volume of the machine 3, all the speaker playback volumes inside and outside the control device 2 are adjusted to the same volume level.

  Note that the sound reproduction system shown in FIG. 1 can display the video reproduced by the reproduction device on the display element of the television receiver 3. However, the present invention relates to volume control, and in order to simplify the description, a detailed description of the video signal processing system will be omitted.

[Connection and operation of sound reproduction system]
FIG. 2 shows a control apparatus 2 (controlling side), a television receiver 3 (controlling side), external speakers oC, oSR, oSL, a measurement microphone MIC in the sound reproduction system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of an internal configuration of the connection state and the control device 2 and the television receiver 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 2 includes a video signal input terminal Vin, an audio signal input terminal Ain, an interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as an I / F circuit) 21, a DSP (digital signal processor) or a CPU (CPU). A signal processing unit 22 comprising a central processing unit (DAC), a DAC (Digital-Analog Converter) 23, a video / audio pre-out terminal group 24, a DAC / AMP (Digital-Analog Converter / Amplifier) 25, a speaker output terminal group 26, Receiving unit RM for remote control signal, microphone input terminal Min, microphone amplifier (in the figure, described as MIC-AMP) 27, ADC (Analog-Digital Converter) 28, and set value storage database 29 It is.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24 includes a video output terminal (V) and, as audio signal output terminals, an L-channel output terminal (L) and an R-channel output terminal ( R), an SL channel output terminal (SL), an SR channel output terminal (SR), and a C channel output terminal (C). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the speaker output terminal group 26, as an audio signal output terminal, is an L channel output terminal (L), an R channel output terminal (R), and an SL channel output terminal (SL). , An SR channel output terminal (SR) and a C channel output terminal (C).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the television receiver 3 includes a video / audio input terminal group 31, an image display unit 32, an L channel amplifier (hereinafter abbreviated as AMP) 33L, and an R channel amplifier (hereinafter referred to as “AMP”). Abbreviated as AMP) 33R, volume controller 34, built-in speaker TVL for L channel, and built-in speaker TVR for R channel. As shown in FIG. 2, the video / audio input terminal group 31 includes a video input terminal (V) and, as an audio signal input terminal, an L-channel input terminal (L) and an R-channel input terminal. (R).

  In the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the L channel output terminal of the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24 of the control device 2 and the video / audio input terminal group of the television receiver 3 are used. 31 are connected to the L channel input terminals of the control device 2, the R channel output terminals of the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24 of the control device 2, and the R channel input terminals of the video / audio input terminal group 31 of the television receiver 3 are connected. Is configured to connect.

  As a result, sound corresponding to the L channel sound signal from the control device 2 and sound corresponding to the R channel sound signal can be emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3. . Therefore, as will be described later, sound corresponding to the measurement signal generated in the control device 2 can also be emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3.

  In the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, the control device 2 includes means for controlling the volume (volume) of the television receiver 3. Means for the control device 2 to control the volume of the television receiver 3 is remote control using a remote control signal such as infrared or radio, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Inc) 1394, or the like. The control device 2 controls the volume of the television receiver 3 in various modes such as control through a control signal line of a general-purpose digital interface having a control signal line and other control using a digital or analog proprietary standard interface. Means can be provided.

  In particular, most types of television receivers can be volume controlled by a remote controller. For this reason, in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, as described above, the infrared remote control signal is used as the control means. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the infrared transmission unit CTo connected to the control device 2 is installed close to the remote control light receiving unit CTi of the television receiver 3, so that the control device 2 is connected to the television receiver 3. To be able to control.

  As described above, in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, the infrared transmission unit CTo connected to the control device 2 and the remote control light receiving unit CTi of the television receiver 3 are connected. Various means for the control device 2 to control the volume of the television receiver 3 are conceivable.

  For this reason, in FIG. 2, the infrared transmission unit CTo of the control device 2 is regarded as an output end of the control signal provided in the control device 2, and the infrared light reception unit CTi provided in the television receiver 3 is used as the control signal input end CTi. In view of this, a configuration is shown in which the control device 2 can control the volume of the television receiver 3 by connecting them as indicated by a dotted line.

  Further, in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, among the output terminals in the speaker output terminal 26 of the control device 2, the SL channel output terminal and the rear left speaker oSL are connected. The SR channel output terminal is connected to the rear right speaker oSR, and the C channel output terminal is connected to the center speaker oC. Thereby, the sound according to the sound signal of each channel of the SL channel, the SR channel, and the C channel can be emitted from the external speakers oC, oSL, and oSR.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the video output terminal (V) of the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24 of the control device 2 and the video input terminal (V) of the video / audio input terminal group 31 of the television receiver 3 are connected. The video signal from the playback device 1 is supplied to the television receiver 3 through the control device 2. As a result, the video signal from the playback apparatus 1 is supplied to the image display unit 32 of the television receiver 3 through the control device 2, and a video corresponding to the video signal is displayed on the display screen of the display element of the image display unit 32. It has come out.

  In the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, the video signal and the audio signal from the reproduction device 1 are received through the video input terminal Vin and the audio input terminal Ain of the control device 2 and are input to the I / F circuit 21. Supplied. The I / F circuit 21 converts a video signal into a signal of a format supplied to the television receiver 3 and converts an audio signal into a signal of a format that can be processed by itself.

  Thereafter, the I / F circuit 21 supplies the video signal to the television receiver 3 through the video output terminal (V) of the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24, and supplies the audio signal to the signal processing unit 22. In this embodiment, as described above, the signal processing unit 22 is configured by a DSP, a CPU, and the like, and can perform various processes on the audio signal, and control signals supplied to the respective units. By forming and outputting, it also has a function of controlling each part.

  The signal processing unit 22 decodes the audio signal (encoded multi-channel digital signal) supplied thereto, and separates it into audio signals of the L, R, SL, SR, and C channels, and After performing necessary processing such as gain adjustment on the audio signal, the audio signal is supplied to the DAC 23 and the DAC / AMP 25, respectively.

  The DAC 23 converts the audio signal (digital signal) of each channel supplied thereto into an analog audio signal, and supplies this to the audio output terminal of the corresponding channel of the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24. As described above, in the audio reproduction system of this embodiment, among the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24, the L channel output terminal and the R channel output terminal are connected to the video / audio input terminal group of the television receiver 3. It is connected to 31 L channel input terminals and R channel input terminals.

  As a result, among the multi-channel audio signals from the playback apparatus 1, the L-channel audio signal is supplied to the built-in speaker TVL of the television receiver 3 through the L-channel input terminal of the television receiver 3 and the AMP 33L. The R channel audio signal is supplied to the built-in speaker TVR of the television receiver 3 through the R channel input terminal of the television receiver 3 and the AMP 33R, and the sound corresponding to the audio signal of the corresponding channel is released from each. To be able to sound.

  Further, the DAC / AMP 25 converts the audio signal (digital signal) of each channel supplied to the DAC / AMP 25 into an analog audio signal and amplifies it, and the audio signal of each channel after processing is handled by the speaker output terminal group 26. To the output terminal of the channel to be used. As described above, in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, among the speaker output terminal group 26, the SL channel output terminal, the SR channel output terminal, and the C channel output terminal correspond to the external speakers oSL. , OSR, oC.

  As a result, among the multi-channel audio signals from the playback device 1, the SL channel audio signal is supplied to the rear left speaker oSL which is an external speaker, and the SR channel audio signal is supplied to the rear right speaker oSR2 which is an external speaker. The C channel audio signal is supplied to the center speaker oC, and the sound corresponding to the corresponding channel audio signal can be emitted from the center speaker oC.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when an operation for adjusting the volume (volume up / down operation) is performed on the remote controller 100 of the control device 2, a remote control signal corresponding to the operation is sent from the remote controller 100. As shown in FIG. 2, this is received by a remote control signal light receiving unit RM provided in the control device 2, converted into an electrical signal, and supplied to the signal processing unit 22.

  The signal processing unit 22 performs gain adjustment on the audio signal of each channel output from the own device in accordance with the remote control signal supplied thereto, and outputs the sound emitted from each of the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC. Adjust the volume. Further, the signal processing unit 22 refers to the information in the setting value storage database 29 to form a control signal (volume control signal) for volume adjustment to be supplied to the television receiver 3, and outputs the control signal to the control signal output terminal CTo. To the control signal input end CTi of the television receiver 3.

  The television receiver 3 receives the volume control signal from the control device 2 through the control signal input terminal CTi and supplies it to the volume controller 34. The volume controller 34 controls the AMP 33L and AMP 33R based on the volume control signal from the control device 2, and adjusts the volume of the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR.

  In this way, the control device 2 not only has the sound volume emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC connected to the own device, but also the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL, TVR of the television receiver 3. The volume can also be adjusted appropriately by controlling the television receiver 3.

  Then, in order for the control device 2 to appropriately control the volume of sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3, as described above, as a measurement process, the control device 2 uses the television receiver 3 through the control device 2. While controlling the volume, sound corresponding to the measurement signal from the control device 2 is emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 and received by the measurement microphone MIC installed at the listening point. Processing to return to the control device 2 is performed so that the control device 2 can grasp the volume control level (control volume value) and the volume level of the response signal received by the measurement microphone MIC in association with each other.

  At the time of reproducing the audio signal, as a reproduction process, not only the external speaker directly connected to the own apparatus but also the built-in speaker TVL of the television receiver 3 based on the information grasped by the control device 2 through the measurement process. The volume of the sound emitted from the TVR can be appropriately controlled. In other words, the control device 2 can adjust all speaker playback volumes such as a speaker and an external speaker built in the device so as to have the same level.

[About the measurement process]
As described above, the present invention is broadly divided into a measurement process in which a measurement signal is sent from the control device 2 side to the built-in speaker or external speaker of the television receiver 3, and the sound is analyzed by the measurement microphone MIC, and the analyzed data There is a regeneration process that uses. First, the measurement process will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration (measurement module portion) of the control device 2 that executes the measurement process.

  In FIG. 3, the function of each of the sequence controller 22A, the measurement signal generation unit 22B, the output switching unit 22C, and the response signal analysis unit 22D is realized by the signal processing unit 22 configured by a DSP or the like. That is, the signal processing unit 22 implements the functions of the sequence controller 22A, the measurement signal generation unit 22B, the output switching unit 22C, and the response signal analysis unit 22D in order to execute the measurement process. The DAC 23 and the DAC / AMP 25 indicate that a DAC or a DAC / AMP is provided for each audio channel.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the response signal received by the measurement microphone MIC is supplied to the control device 2 through the microphone input terminal Min, amplified by the microphone amplifier 27, and then converted into a digital signal by the ADC 28. Thus, the response signal analysis unit 22D realized by the DSP 22 is supplied.

  The control device 2 that realizes the measurement module having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 takes the lead, and the measurement process described above is realized in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment. Details of the measurement process performed in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the sequence (processing order) of the measurement process performed in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, and are mainly executed in the signal processing unit 22 of the control device 2. It is processing. As will be described below, the process shown in FIG. 4 is a measurement process for the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3, and the process shown in FIG. It is a measurement process about the sound emitted from oSR and oC.

  The signal processing unit 22 of the control device 2 starts the processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by performing a predetermined operation for executing the measurement process directly on the control device 2 or through the remote controller 100. To do. The signal processing unit 22 realizes the functions of the sequence controller 22A, the measurement signal generation unit 22B, the output switching unit 22C, and the response signal analysis unit 22D. First, a volume control signal is formed using the functions of the sequence controller 22A. Then, the volume of the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 is set to the minimum (step S101).

  In the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, as described above, the volume control signal is supplied from the control device 2 to the television receiver 3 as a remote control signal. Thereby, in the television receiver 3, the AMP 33L and AMP 33R are controlled by the volume controller 34 so that the volume of the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR is minimized.

  The sequence controller 22A in the signal processing unit 22 controls the measurement signal generation unit 22B to generate a measurement signal (test signal), and also controls the output switching unit 22C to output the measurement signal from the measurement signal generation unit 22B. The measurement signal is supplied to the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 through the DAC 23 and the L channel output terminal and the R channel output terminal of the video / audio pre-out terminal group (step S102). The generation of the measurement signal may be automatically generated by predetermined signal processing, or for example, a measurement signal prepared in advance in a memory in the signal processing unit or the like may be read and output.

  The sequence controller 22A of the signal processing unit 22 controls the measurement signal generation unit 22B to form a volume control signal while reproducing the measurement signal (supplying it to the television receiver 3), and this is generated as a television receiver. By supplying to the device 3, the volume of the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 is increased (step S103).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a measurement microphone MIC is installed at the listening position of the user (viewer), which is connected to the control device 2 and will be described later. The response sound (response signal) of the measurement signal can be measured inside the control device 2 in a form including various effects in the space.

  Then, the sequence controller 22A of the signal processing unit 22 determines whether or not the control volume value (volume setting) or the like for the television receiver 3 controlled by the volume control signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S104). . If it is determined in step S104 that the control sound volume value (volume setting) for the television receiver 3 has exceeded a predetermined threshold value, it is presumed that there is some trouble with the connection. (Step S105), and the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are terminated.

  In step S104, a warning message is presented to the user because the loudspeaker may be damaged even if the volume level of the response signal measured by the measurement microphone MIC exceeds a predetermined threshold. (Step S105), the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are terminated.

  As a warning message presentation mode, a message such as “There is a possibility of abnormality in the connection status. Please check” is displayed on the display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided in the control device 2 and the control is performed. A warning sound may be emitted from the device 2, or either one of a message display and a warning sound may be performed. In this case, an LCD or a warning sound generation unit may be provided under the control of the signal processing unit 22.

  It is also possible to make a warning by turning on or blinking an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or to emit a warning message by voice. Alternatively, a warning message may be combined with a video signal supplied to the television receiver 3 and provided, and the warning message may be displayed on the image display unit of the television receiver 3 and provided to the user.

  When it is determined in step S104 that the control volume value (volume setting) or the like for the television receiver 3 is not equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, measurement is performed using the function of the response signal analysis unit 22D. It is determined whether or not a stable response of the measurement signal can be measured through the microphone MIC (step S106).

  If it is determined in step S106 that a stable response cannot be measured, the function from the sequence controller 22A repeats the process from step S103, and the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3. And the process of receiving the sound corresponding to the measurement signal emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 with the measurement microphone MIC is continued.

  When it is determined in step S106 that a stable response has been measured, first, the response signal from the measurement microphone MIC is analyzed by the function of the response signal analyzer 22D realized by the signal processor 22, The feature is stored in the TV control-listening position volume table 29A of the setting value storage database 29 formed in, for example, a memory provided in the AV control device (step S107). Specifically, the control volume value (volume setting) for the television receiver 3 controlled by the volume control signal by the function of the sequence controller 22A is associated with the volume level at that time (actual value for the response signal). Are recorded in the memory as a table.

  Then, the sequence controller 22A of the signal processing unit 22 determines whether or not the measured sound pressure is greater than the threshold value (step S108). If it is determined in step S108 that the measured sound pressure is not greater than the threshold value, the process from step S103 is repeated, and the control volume value (volume setting) is increased until the prescribed sound pressure can be measured. And repeat the measurement and analysis of the response signal.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the measured sound pressure is greater than the threshold value, the measurement signal is emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3, and the measurement signal is transmitted through the measurement microphone MIC. The measurement and analysis process of the response signal obtained by receiving the sound is terminated, and the table information of the TV control-listening position volume table 29A formed by the process of step S107 is curved as necessary for the table information. Or a straight line estimation process, and a process of correcting the value of the table according to the estimation process (step S109).

  Note that the measurement signal reproduced in step S102 is not limited to a specific signal, but is a signal having a wide band, and any signal type can be used as long as measurement can be completed with good S / N. For example, a TSP (Time Stretched Pulse) signal or broadband noise such as white noise, pink noise, or M-sequence noise may be used. If a TSP signal is used, an impulse response can be derived in an analysis routine, and information other than volume (such as time delay) can be measured. In this embodiment, the TSP signal is used as a measurement signal. Shall.

  The definition of the volume level measured from the response signal is not specified as a specific one. 6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining a specific example of the definition of the volume level. In the response signal analysis unit 22D, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the response signal is subjected to FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) (step S201), and a target band (for example, a band of 300 Hz to 3 kHz) among the frequency amplitude levels. ) May be calculated (step S202), and this level average value may be used as the volume level.

  Further, in the response signal analysis unit 22D, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a response signal such as noise or a TSP signal is subjected to a band filter (step S301), and the square of the time signal subjected to the band filter is taken. Then, the energy value may be obtained (step S302), and the obtained energy value may be used as the volume level.

  FIG. 8 shows the frequency characteristics of the response signal of the TSP measurement signal having a flat all-band when the control volume value is “24”. In the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, the volume level obtained by the method shown in FIG. 6 is used, and as shown in FIG. 8, the level average value in the band of 300 Hz to 3 kHz is used here. It shall be recorded in the database as a level.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a recording example of the setting value storage database 29. As shown in FIG. 10, the sound volume level at the listening position is converted and recorded as a numerical value corresponding to the control sound volume value from the gain of the microphone amplifier and the performance of the ADC. Specifically, in the control device 2, as shown in FIG. 10, a table including the control volume value, the measured response signal linear response calculated value, and the measured response signal sound pressure equivalent value is stored in the set value storage database 29. Form.

  In FIG. 10, the measurement response signal linear response calculation value is a value (linear value) obtained from the waveform of the response signal, and the measurement response signal sound pressure equivalent value is a value obtained by converting the response signal in dB.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the response signal is measured while gradually increasing the volume of the television receiver 3, but the measurement response signal linearity is not necessarily obtained for all the control volume values. There is no need to measure and record the calculated response value or the measured response signal sound pressure equivalent value. The table in the example shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by measuring the control sound volume value by three.

  However, actually, it is not necessary to measure and record the measurement response signal linear response calculation value or the measurement response signal sound pressure equivalent value at fixed numerical intervals. The purpose here is, for example, to obtain a correspondence graph as shown in FIG. That is, since the measurement response signal sound pressure equivalent value corresponding to the change in the control volume value (control VOL value) or the measurement response signal linear response calculation value is obtained, the measurement is performed with a rougher control VOL value. You may use the method of measuring the part required for graph preparation suitably.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 9, when the control volume value (control VOL value) is small, the graph is expected to be discontinuous. This is because the sound volume is measured through the real space, so that not only the measurement signal response but also background noise is input to the measurement microphone MIC. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the correct straight line / curve from the data portion where the S / N is considered to be secured as shown by the dotted line in FIG. This process is the process of step S109 shown in FIG.

  In this way, by performing the measurement for the sound emitted from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 by the processing from step S101 to step S109, and when the response of the measurement signal becomes larger than a certain level, The TV volume control is not increased any more, the measurement using the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 is finished, and the sound emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, and oC shown in FIG. Perform the intended measurement process.

  First, the gain controller provided as a function in the signal processor 22 is controlled using the function of the sequence controller 22A, and the volume (volume) of the sound emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC is set to the minimum. Then, the measurement signal generator 22B is controlled to generate a measurement signal (test signal), and the output switching unit 22C is controlled to send the measurement signal from the measurement signal generator 22B to the DAC / AMP 25 and the speaker output terminal. The signals are supplied to the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC through the SL channel output terminal, the SR channel output terminal, and the C channel output terminal of the group 26 (step S110).

  The sequence controller 22A of the signal processing unit 22 controls the measurement signal generation unit 22B to reproduce the measurement signal (supplied to each of the external speakers), and gain control provided as a function of the signal processing unit 22 And the amplifier gain is increased to increase the volume of the sound emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC (step S111).

  Then, the sequence controller 22A of the signal processing unit 22 determines whether or not the amplifier gain is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S112). When it is determined that the amplifier gain is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in the determination process of step S112, it is estimated that there is some trouble in the connection, so a warning message is presented to the user (step S113). The processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 ends.

  In step S112, even when the volume level of the response signal measured by the measurement microphone MIC exceeds a predetermined threshold, there is a risk of speaker breakage, so a warning message is presented to the user. (Step S113), the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are terminated. Note that the manner of presenting the warning message is the same as that described in step S105 of the process shown in FIG.

  When it is determined in step S112 that the amplifier gain or the like is not equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the measurement signal is stabilized through the measurement microphone MIC using the function of the response signal analysis unit 22D. It is determined whether or not the response has been measured (step S114).

  If it is determined in step S114 that a stable response cannot be measured, the processing from step S111 is repeated by the function of the sequence controller 22A, and the volume of the sound emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC is set. And the process of receiving the sound corresponding to the measurement signal emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC by the measurement microphone MIC is continued.

  When it is determined in step S114 that a stable response has been measured, the response signal from the measurement microphone MIC is first analyzed by the function of the response signal analysis unit 22D realized by the signal processing unit 22, The characteristics are stored in the amplifier gain-listening position volume table 29B in the setting value storage database 29 formed in, for example, a memory provided in the AV control device (step S115). Specifically, the amplifier gain in the gain control unit realized by the signal processing unit 22 by the function of the sequence controller 22A is associated with the volume level (actual value of the response signal) at that time and stored in the memory as a table. Record.

  Then, the sequence controller 22A of the signal processing unit 22 determines whether or not the measured sound pressure is greater than a threshold value (step S116). When it is determined in step S116 that the measured sound pressure is not greater than the threshold value, the processing from step S111 is repeated, and the gain control realized by the signal processing unit 22 until the prescribed sound pressure can be measured. Increase the amplifier gain in the unit, and repeat the measurement and analysis of the response signal.

  When it is determined in step S116 that the measurement sound pressure is greater than the threshold, the measurement signal is emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, and oC, and the measurement signal is received through the measurement microphone MIC. The measurement and analysis processing of the response signal obtained in this way is finished, and the table information of the amplifier gain-listening position volume table 29B formed by the processing in step S115 is changed to a curve or straight line for the table information as necessary. An estimation process is performed, and a process for correcting the value of the table is performed according to the estimation process (step S117), and the measurement process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is terminated.

  In the processing shown in FIG. 5 as well, the measurement signal generation in step S110 may be automatically generated by predetermined signal processing. For example, a measurement signal prepared in advance in a memory in the signal processing unit or the like may be used. You may make it read and output.

  The measurement signal reproduced in step S110 is the same as the measurement signal reproduced in step S102, for example, a TSP (Time Stretched Pulse) signal, and other white noise, pink noise, M-sequence noise, and the like. It is also possible to use a wide band noise.

  Further, the volume level in step S115 is also processed using the processing shown in FIG. 6, and the response signal is FFTed, and the average level value of the target band among the frequency amplitude levels is used as the volume level. It is possible to obtain an energy value by applying a band filter to this response signal and taking the square of the time signal to which this band filter has been applied, and using this as the volume level. Even in step S115, the volume level is grasped by a technique using FFT.

  In step S115, an amplifier gain-listening point volume table in which the control volume value of the television control-listening position volume table 29A shown in FIG. 10 is changed to the amplifier gain is formed.

  In addition, what is controlled in the processing of step S110 to step S117 shown in FIG. 5 is an amplifier gain value built in the control device 2. Naturally, the signal processing unit 22 in the control device 2 has an amplifier gain value and a volume level. You can know the relationship in advance. Therefore, if measurement is performed at a sound pressure with which S / N is guaranteed to some extent, the table can already be estimated internally, and the loop shown in FIG. 5 can be simplified or omitted.

  Thus, in the sound reproduction system of this embodiment, the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 are measured by the measurement process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 realized by the control unit 2 actively functioning. TV control (TV control) -listening position volume table 29A (shown in FIG. 10) in which the control volume value and the response signal volume level for the measurement signal are associated with each other and the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC. The amplifier gain-listening position volume table 29B (in which the control volume value is changed to the amplifier gain in FIG. 10) in which the amplifier gain and the volume level of the response signal to the measurement signal are associated can be created. .

[About the playback process]
Next, the control device 2 uses the TV control (TV control) -listening position volume table 29A and the amplifier gain-listening position volume table 29B, which are data obtained by analysis in the above-described measurement process, to control the control device 2 itself. A description will be given of a sound signal reproduction process that enables appropriate control of not only the connected external speakers but also the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3. FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration (reproduction module portion) of the control device 2 that executes the reproduction process.

  In FIG. 11, each of an audio decoder 22W, a gain control unit 22X, a gain controller 22Y, and a remote control signal generation unit 22Z is realized by the signal processing unit 22 configured by a DSP or the like. That is, the signal processing unit 22 realizes the functions of the audio decoder 22W, the gain control unit 22X, the gain controller 22Y, and the remote control signal generation unit 22Z in order to execute the reproduction process.

  As described above, the control device 2 of this embodiment is provided with the remote control signal light receiving unit RM for receiving the remote control signal from the remote control 100. The light receiving unit RM is configured by, for example, the photodetector 2, can receive a remote control signal from the remote controller 100, convert it into an electrical signal, and supply it to the gain controller 22Y. The gain controller 22Y can refer to each table of the set value storage database 29.

  Other parts, that is, the I / F circuit 21, the DAC 23, the video / audio pre-out terminal group 24, the DAC / AMP 25, and the speaker output terminal group 26 are as described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, the volume control signal from the remote controller 100 is received by the light receiving unit RM for the remote controller signal, converted into an electrical signal, and supplied to the gain controller 22Y. The gain controller 22Y controls the gain control unit 22X based on the volume control signal from the light receiving unit RM.

  The gain control unit 22X is supplied through the audio input terminal Ain and the I / F circuit 21, and is separated into audio signals of the L channel, R channel, SL channel, SR channel, and C channel in the audio decoder 22W. In response to the supply of the audio signal of the other channel, the amplifier gain is adjusted according to the control from the gain controller 22Y for the audio signal of the channel to which the external speaker is connected.

  Then, the gain controller 22Y refers to the amplifier gain-listening position volume table 29B of the setting value storage database 29 based on the amplifier gain for the audio signal supplied to the external speaker in the gain control unit 22X, whereby the external speaker oSL, The volume level of the sound emitted from the oSR and oC can be specified.

  Based on the specified volume level, the gain controller 22Y refers to the television control (TV control) -listening position volume table 29A of the setting value storage database 29, thereby controlling the control volume value (TV-VOL) for the television receiver 3. ) Can be specified. The gain controller 22Y controls the remote control signal generator 22Z so as to form a volume control signal corresponding to the specified control volume value.

  The remote control signal generation unit 22Z generates a volume control signal in accordance with the control of the gain controller 22Y, and supplies the volume control signal to the television receiver 3 through the remote control signal transmission unit CTo. Thereby, the control device 2 appropriately controls not only the volume of the sound emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC but also the volume of the sound emitted from the internal speakers TVL, TVR of the television receiver 3. To be able to.

  Next, a process of adjusting the volume in the entire sound reproduction system of this embodiment including the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 in a well-balanced manner mainly by the operation of the control device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining volume adjustment processing (reproduction process) executed mainly in the signal processing unit 22 of the control device 2. That is, the processing shown in FIG. 12 is executed in the signal processing unit 22 when a volume adjustment signal (remote control signal) is received through the light receiving unit RM for the remote control signal.

  When receiving the volume adjustment signal, the gain controller 22Y controls the gain controller 22X to execute “appropriate change of amplifier gain built in AV amplifier” (step S401). The word “proper change” in step S401 includes the following meanings.

  That is, with respect to the setting value storage database 29 in which the measured values are recorded, there is a difference in sensitivity between the speakers or the sound pressure attenuation / increase in the spatial arrangement between the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC directly connected to the control device 2. Usually, there is a difference in the listening position.

  This is the same as that conventionally used in the automatic sound field correction function or the like. For example, the “correction target value” is the measured average value of each channel SL, SR, C for the external speaker at the appropriate gain level. Or a method of increasing the gain of another speaker in accordance with the most sensitive channel among the channels SL, SR, and C.

  Based on the above meaning, after the appropriate gain change for the audio signals output to the external speakers oSL, oSR, and oC connected to the control device 2 is completed by the processing in step S401, the process proceeds to volume control of the TV built-in speaker.

  Since the amplifier gain (volume value) on the control device 2 and the volume level as a measurement signal response are known in the database (amplifier gain-listening position volume table) as described above, the gain controller 22Y Based on the gain, the amplifier gain-listening position volume table is referenced to estimate (specify) the volume level of the sound emitted from the external speaker (step S402). The volume level of the sound emitted from the external speaker may be estimated (specified) by calculation from the amplifier gain.

  Next, the gain controller 22Y refers to another database (television control-listening position volume table) based on the volume level of the external speaker, and determines the control volume value (control VOL value) of the corresponding television receiver 3. Estimation (calculation) is performed (step S403). In this case, the information in the database may be used as it is, or the accuracy can be improved by calculating a more suitable control volume value by performing interpolation or the like.

  That is, as described above, the value of the database table value itself has been corrected in consideration of the influence of background noise and the like. However, at the time of reproduction, the control volume value (VOL value) that satisfies the required volume level value is obtained. The control value may be calculated by sequentially calculating a dotted line or curve of the graph as shown in FIG.

  Then, the gain controller 22Y controls the remote control signal generator 22Z based on the control volume value of the television receiver 3 estimated in step S403, and releases it from the built-in speakers TVL and TVR of the television receiver 3 by an appropriate value. A volume control signal for adjusting the volume of the sound to be sounded is formed, and is transmitted as a remote control signal to the television receiver 3 through the remote control signal transmitter CTo (step S404).

  As a result, the control device 2 can appropriately control the volume of sound emitted from the external speakers oSL, oSR, oC connected to the own device, and can be released from the built-in speakers TVL, TVR of the television receiver 3. The sound volume can be appropriately controlled for the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel that sound. That is, it is possible to appropriately control the volume of sound emitted from all speakers of the sound reproduction system including not only the external speaker but also the built-in speaker of the television receiver 3, thereby realizing a favorable listening environment.

[Modification]
In the sound reproduction system of the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the television receiver 3 is connected to the control device 2, and the external speakers oSL, oSR, and oC are directly connected. It was described as being formed. However, the present invention is not applicable only to a system configured in this way. The present invention can also be applied to a sound reproduction system configured by connecting a plurality of devices with built-in speakers to the control device 2 or connecting a plurality of devices to which speakers are connected.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of a sound reproduction system to which the present invention is applicable. The sound reproduction system shown in FIG. 13 is configured by connecting a speaker built-in device 4, a speaker built-in device 5, an amplifier device 6, and an amplifier device 7 to the control device 2.

  The control device 2 is basically configured in the same manner as the control device 2 of the above-described embodiment, and receives at least an audio signal from a playback device (not shown) and is connected to the own device. It can be distributed to devices. And the control apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 13 is connected between each apparatus by the audio | voice signal track | line shown with a continuous line, and the control signal track | line shown with a dotted line.

  The control device 2 can supply the audio signal Au1 and the control signal CT1 to the speaker built-in device 4, and can supply the audio signal Au2 and the control signal CT2 to the speaker built-in device 5. The audio signal Au3, Au4 and the control signal CT3 can be supplied to the amplifier device 6, and the audio signal Au5, Au6 and the control signal CT4 can be supplied to the amplifier device 7. Yes.

  The speaker built-in devices 4 and 5 are so-called amplifier built-in speakers, for example, a CD (Compact Disc) player with speakers. These speaker built-in devices 4 and 5 can emit sound from the built-in speakers 41 and 51 according to the sound signal supplied from the control device 2, and the volume is controlled by the control signal from the control device 2. The configuration is controllable by CT1 and CT2.

  The amplifier device 6 has speakers 61 and 62 connected thereto, and the amplifier device 7 has speakers 71 and 72. Each of these amplifier devices 6 and 7 can emit sound corresponding to the sound signal supplied from the control device 2 from the speakers 61, 62, 71, and 72 connected to the own device. The volume can be controlled by control signals CT3 and CT4 from the control device 2.

  Then, the control device 2 performs steps S101 to S109 shown in FIG. 4 for each of the speaker built-in devices 4 and 5 and the amplifier devices 6 and 7, prior to actually reproducing the audio signal such as music. A table (device control-listening position volume table) associating the control content and the volume level at the listening position as shown in FIG. 10 for each of the devices 4, 5, 6, and 7 Create.

  When the volume of the control device 2 is adjusted through a remote controller or the like during playback of the audio signal to be listened to, such as music, the signal processing unit configured by the DSP of the control device 2 The volume control signal is formed for each device so that the volume level of the sound emitted from the speaker of each device becomes the same level at the listening point (listening position) with reference to the device control-listening position volume table. Supplied to each device. Thereby, the volume control of each device connected to the control device 2 can be performed individually and appropriately.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the present invention can also be applied to a sound reproduction system configured by connecting a plurality of devices with built-in speakers and devices that can be connected to speakers. Accordingly, in the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, two devices that require volume adjustment are connected, the control side is a control device such as an AV amplifier, and the controlled side is a television receiver. did. However, the combination may be reversed, and does not specify the type of each device. Further, the number of target devices to be controlled is not necessarily one, and can be applied to two or more as described with reference to FIG.

  In reality, it is necessary to check whether or not a control means exists from a control device such as an AV amplifier in advance. In this regard, it is possible to use various methods such as determining whether or not control is possible by performing volume control in advance.

  In addition, in order to use the functions of the present invention, it is also practically necessary to check whether the user has correctly connected between devices and set the input / output switching inside the device. Yes. However, it is also possible to automatically check whether the connection between devices is correctly connected and whether input / output switching inside the device is set correctly.

In the embodiment described above, the important points can be raised from the following three points (1) to (3). That is,
(1) For one or more built-in speakers or speaker-connected devices, a measurement signal having a necessary bandwidth is sent from the control device 2 having a volume control function toward the built-in speaker device or the speaker-connected device, and this response is returned. Receive sound with a microphone. The response signal received by the microphone is analyzed in the control device 2, and the volume corresponding to the control volume value (control volume value) is recorded in the database.

  (2) One or more connected devices by volume operation on the control device 2 by referring to a table (database) in which the relationship between the volume (gain) and volume of all speaker built-in devices and speaker connected devices is described. The output volume of all the speakers such as the speaker built-in device and the speaker connection device is adjusted by using gain control or external control.

  (3) At the time of construction of a table (database) indicating the relationship between the volume or gain value and the volume, or at the time of reference, from the data at the time of the measured volume that can secure an appropriate S / N in consideration of the influence of background noise, The curve or straight line is estimated, and reference data is handed over when adjusting the volume of other devices according to them.

  By realizing these three points (1) to (3), the control device can properly control the speaker built-in device and the speaker connection device by simply giving a volume adjustment instruction to the control device. It is possible to appropriately control the volume of sound emitted from all the speakers in the system.

  Note that the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 apply the method according to the present invention. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when a plurality of speaker devices that are speaker connection devices such as a television receiver and a speaker connection device such as a power amplifier are connected, a diagram corresponding to each speaker device is shown. The control volume value-listening point volume table of each speaker device can be created by executing the measurement process including the processes from step S101 to step S109 shown in FIG.

  Using the control volume value-listening point volume table of each speaker device created in this way, the volume at the listening point of the sound emitted from each speaker device by executing the reproduction process shown in FIG. It becomes possible to control the level to be uniform.

  Further, a program composed of the processing from step S101 to step S109 shown in FIG. 4 is created so as to be executed corresponding to each speaker device, and this is installed in a control device such as an AV amplifier, and a DSP or CPU If executed by a computer such as the above, a function for executing the above-described measurement process can be mounted on various control devices.

  In addition, if a program composed of the processes shown in FIG. 12 is created and installed in a control device such as an AV amplifier and executed by a computer such as a DSP or a CPU, the above-described various control devices may be used. It is possible to install a function for executing the playback process.

  In the above-described embodiment, the measurement value (volume level) of each table formed in the setting value storage database 29 is corrected at the final stage of processing corresponding to each device of the measurement process. This is not a limitation. During playback of an audio signal, when the adjustment of the volume is instructed, the measurement value (volume level) of each table is corrected at an appropriate timing, for example, the measurement value (volume level) of each table is corrected. Of course it is also possible.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the external appearance and connection of a multi-channel listening system comprised by applying one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the outline of the connection state of the system shown in FIG. 1, and the internal structure of each apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure (measurement module part) of the control apparatus 2 which performs a measurement process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the sequence (processing order) of a measurement process. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the specific example of a definition of a volume level. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other specific example of a definition of a volume level. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating frequency characteristics of a response signal of a TSP measurement signal having a flat entire band when a control sound volume value is “24”. It is a figure which shows the example of the graph which shows the change of the measurement response signal sound pressure equivalent value corresponding to the change of a control volume value (control VOL value). It is a figure which shows the example of a recording of the setting value storage database. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure (reproduction | regeneration module part) of the control apparatus 2 which performs a reproduction | regeneration process. 4 is a flowchart for explaining volume adjustment processing (reproduction process) mainly executed in a signal processing unit 22 of the control device 2. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the sound reproduction system which can apply this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Playback apparatus, 2 ... AV control apparatus, Vin ... Video signal input terminal, Ain ... Audio | voice signal input terminal, 21 ... I / F circuit, 22 ... Signal processing part, 22A system controller, 22B ... Measurement signal generation part, 22C ... output switching unit, 22D ... response signal analysis unit, 22W ... audio decoder, 22X ... gain control unit, 22Y ... gain controller, 22Z ... remote control signal generation unit, 23 ... DAC, 24 ... video / audio pre-out terminal group, 25 ... DAC / AMP, 26 ... Speaker output terminal group, RM ... Remote control signal light receiving unit, Min ... Microphone input terminal, 27 ... Microphone amplifier, 28 ... ADC, 29 ... Setting value storage database, 29A ... TV control-listening position volume table, 29B ... Amplifier gain-listening position volume table, 3 ... TV receiver, 31 ... Video Voice input terminal group, 32 ... Image display unit, 33L ... L channel amplifier, 33R ... R channel amplifier, 34 ... Volume controller, TVR ... R channel built-in speaker, TVL ... L channel built-in speaker TVL, external speaker ... oC, oSL, oSR

Claims (9)

One or more speaker devices with a built-in speaker or connected to the speakers, a control device for supplying an audio signal and a volume control signal to each of the one or more speaker devices, and a listening position The control device used in a sound reproduction system comprising a microphone connected to the control device,
Measurement signal generating means for generating a measurement signal having a predetermined band;
Measurement signal supply means for supplying the measurement signal generated by the measurement signal generation means for each of the one or more speaker devices;
The volume control signal for gradually increasing the volume while supplying the measurement signal generated by the measurement signal generation means to the target speaker apparatus through the measurement signal supply means for each of the one or more speaker apparatuses. Control means for generating and controlling to supply to the target speaker device;
Response signal analysis means for analyzing a response signal of the measurement signal obtained by the microphone and obtaining a volume level for each of the one or more speaker devices;
For each of the one or more speaker devices, create a correspondence table that correlates the volume level acquired by the response signal analysis unit and the control volume value according to the volume control signal at the time of acquiring the volume level; A control device comprising: a table creating means for recording on a predetermined recording medium. The control device according to claim 1,
A reception means for receiving a volume adjustment instruction input from the user;
When the control unit receives the volume adjustment instruction input through the receiving unit, the control unit refers to the association table of each of the one or more speaker devices and emits sound from each of the one or more speaker devices. A control device characterized in that a volume control signal to be supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices is formed and supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices so that the sound volume level is uniform. The control device according to claim 1,
In the correspondence table corresponding to each of the one or more speaker devices created by the table creating means, the volume level is determined from a plurality of volume levels that can appropriately secure an S / N (Signal to Noise Ratio). A control device comprising measurement value correcting means for estimating a state of change and correcting a measured volume level. One or more speaker devices with a built-in speaker or connected to the speakers, a control device for supplying an audio signal and a volume control signal to each of the one or more speaker devices, and a listening position And a volume control method used in the control device of the sound reproduction system including a microphone connected to the control device,
For each of the one or more speaker devices,
A measurement signal supply step of generating a measurement signal having a predetermined band and supplying the measurement signal to a target speaker device;
A control signal supply step of generating the volume control signal for gradually increasing the volume while supplying the measurement signal by the measurement signal supply step, and supplying the volume control signal to the target speaker device;
For the target speaker device, a response signal analysis step of analyzing a response signal of the measurement signal obtained by the microphone and acquiring a volume level;
A table creation step of creating a correspondence table in which the volume level acquired in the response signal analysis step is associated with the control volume value corresponding to the volume control signal at the time of obtaining the volume level, and recording it on a predetermined recording medium And a volume control method comprising: The volume control method according to claim 4,
A reception process for receiving a volume adjustment instruction input from a user;
In the receiving step, when the volume adjustment instruction input is received, the volume level of the sound emitted from each of the one or more speaker devices with reference to the association table of each of the one or more speaker devices And a reproduction volume control step of forming a volume control signal to be supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices and supplying the volume to each of the one or more speaker devices. Method. The volume control method according to claim 4,
In the correspondence table corresponding to each of the one or more speaker devices created in the table creating step, the S / N is appropriately selected from a plurality of sound volume levels that can ensure an appropriate S / N (Signal to Noise Ratio). A volume control method comprising a measurement value correction step of estimating a state of change in the volume level of a portion that would not be secured, and correcting the measured volume level. One or more speaker devices with a built-in speaker or connected to the speakers, a control device for supplying an audio signal and a volume control signal to each of the one or more speaker devices, and a listening position And a computer installed in the control device of the sound reproduction system including a microphone connected to the control device is a program executed for each of the one or more speaker devices,
A measurement signal supply step of generating a measurement signal having a predetermined band and supplying the measurement signal to a target speaker device;
A control signal supply step of generating a volume control signal for gradually increasing the volume while supplying the measurement signal by the process of the measurement signal supply step, and supplying the volume control signal to the target speaker device;
For the target speaker device, a response signal analysis step of analyzing a response signal of the measurement signal obtained by the microphone and acquiring a volume level;
A table creation step of creating a correspondence table in which the volume level acquired in the response signal analyzing step and the control volume value corresponding to the volume control signal at the time of obtaining the volume level are associated with each other, and recording it on a predetermined recording medium A volume control program characterized by causing and to be executed. A volume control program according to claim 7,
A reception step for receiving a volume adjustment instruction input from a user;
In the receiving step, when the volume adjustment instruction input is received, the volume level of the sound emitted from each of the one or more speaker devices with reference to the association table of each of the one or more speaker devices A volume control signal to be supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices, and a reproduction volume control step to be supplied to each of the one or more speaker devices. Control program. A volume control program according to claim 7,
In the correspondence table corresponding to each of the one or more speaker devices created in the table creating step, the S / N is appropriately selected from a plurality of sound volume levels that can ensure an appropriate S / N (Signal to Noise Ratio). A volume control program characterized by comprising a measurement value correcting step for estimating a state of change in the volume level of a portion that would not be secured, and correcting the measured volume level.

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