JP2013240009A - Television image-receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television image-receiving apparatus capable of achieving a technique for reducing power consumption while maintaining a speaker output suitable for a speech function without using complicated processing for motion control.SOLUTION: A video-phone control section 40 of a liquid-crystal television 10 executes a predetermined program for attaining a video-phone function by user's selection. The video-phone control section 40, selects a speaker used, of a speaker set 60 when the video-phone function is turned on, and stops an output of a speaker in no use, such as a woofer 90.

Description

  The present invention relates to a television receiver, and more particularly to a television receiver having a call function.

  In recent years, the size of display panels has been greatly increased in liquid crystal televisions, and an ultra-large 80-inch size has already been put on the market. The introduction of a larger 90-inch size is also planned. A 90-inch LCD TV has a screen size of about 1.12 meters in length and about 2 meters in width, and the demand for such a large-screen television is greatly increasing mainly in a country with a relatively large house size.

  As the panel size range becomes wider, the development and adjustment of the speaker system installed in the LCD TV becomes more difficult. In the installed speaker system, the main speaker is also made thinner as the TV set is made thinner, so there are cases where the woofer is adopted to secure the low frequency component and the low frequency component is left to the woofer. . On the other hand, by improving the performance of the main speaker, there is a case where a speaker system is realized that eliminates the need for a woofer that has been entrusted with a low frequency component in a certain model.

  By the way, some models have a videophone function. When a call function is installed like a videophone function, it is preferable to construct a voice system optimized for the call function. Furthermore, in order to minimize the development schedule for multiple models with different panel sizes ranging from small and medium to 90 inches as described above and specifications, it is important to develop a series with common hardware and software. The manufacturing companies use various technologies.

  Various techniques for ensuring the quality of use in the call function have been proposed. For example, it has a switching means for switching a video signal for telephone and a voice signal for telephone and a general video signal and a general audio signal from a plurality of external video devices, and adjusts and optimizes the transmission characteristics of the audio circuit so that the general video, There is a videophone that improves the quality of voice and telephone video and voice (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-193486

  By the way, in patent document 1, it has video viewing functions other than a videophone and a videophone, and changes the frequency characteristic of the sound according to each. However, if audio processing is performed for the function of the videophone, it may become excessive quality and does not necessarily match the user's request. In addition, it may result in excessive power consumption for the processing, and it may be the opposite technology for users who have become more conscious about reducing environmental impact as in recent years. It was sought after.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above situations, Comprising: It aims at providing the technique which solves the said subject.

The television receiver of the present invention includes a call function, a speaker set composed of a plurality of speakers set to be output divided into a plurality of frequency bands, an audio output unit for outputting sound to the speaker set, and the call function. A control unit that stops output from the audio output unit to a speaker that bears the output of the lowest frequency band among the plurality of speakers when turned on.
The control unit may output a monaural output when the call function is on.
Moreover, the said control part may determine the speaker which stops an output according to the set use language.
Further, the control unit may determine a speaker whose output is to be stopped according to the language used, the sex, and the age of the other user who makes a call using the call function.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for reducing power consumption while maintaining speaker output suitable for a call function without using complicated processing for operation control in a television receiver.

It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the liquid crystal television based on 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the frequency characteristic of the speaker of the liquid crystal television based on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the speaker output control when the videophone function based on 1st Embodiment is ON. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the speaker output control when the videophone function based on 2nd Embodiment is ON.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as “embodiments”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the outline will be described. In the video phone function mainly for voice calls, human voice is mainly used in voice calls. Therefore, the low-frequency enhancement process of less than 300 Hz and the woofer function for adding low-band sounds The necessity is low from the viewpoint. Furthermore, although the low frequency component has a characteristic that the directivity is wide, it is preferable that the voice call performed in front of the television has directivity.

  Also, assuming that the video phone is mainly used in monaural, two speakers for stereo are not necessary. For this reason, if no measures are taken in a liquid crystal television or the like, power consumption due to less-speaker driving is wasted during the execution of the videophone function. In the product development process, if the videophone function development adjustment is performed with a speaker system without a woofer, a new development adjustment is required for the speaker system with a woofer. On the other hand, even when the low frequency range is excluded, the usability / call quality in the videophone (voice call) does not substantially decrease. Therefore, a configuration is adopted in which a speaker with low necessity such as a woofer is stopped during execution of the videophone function. In this way, it is possible to reduce power consumption, shorten the development process, and increase the efficiency of development resources.

Specifically, in the following embodiment, as in the following (1) to (3), a speaker circuit that is less necessary in terms of characteristics and specifications is stopped during a videophone call to reduce power consumption.
(1) Stop the bass speaker.
(2) Stop the treble speaker.
(3) Stop the left or right speaker during monaural.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal television 10 according to the present embodiment, and here, mainly focusing on speakers used when a videophone function is on. As illustrated, the liquid crystal television 10 includes a main control unit 12, a digital tuner 22, a content processing unit 24, a display output unit 26, a display panel 28, an audio output unit 50, a speaker set 60, a power source. Part 32. Further, the liquid crystal television 10 includes an external communication unit 30 and a videophone control unit 40, and can make a videophone call through an external partner videophone 98 and the Internet 99.

  The main control unit 12 comprehensively controls each component of the liquid crystal television 10. The main control unit 12 includes a predetermined storage unit (not shown) that records and holds various settings of the liquid crystal television 10. As will be described in detail later, the main control unit 12 cooperates with the videophone control unit 40 to stop a predetermined speaker in the speaker set 60 when the videophone function is on.

  The power supply unit 32 acquires AC power from an external AC power source, converts it into DC power, and supplies power to each component.

  The digital tuner 22 is connected to the antenna, receives and demodulates the digital broadcast wave, and outputs it to the content processing unit 24.

  The content processing unit 24 selects a desired source from the digital tuner 22 or an external device (not shown), acquires a content signal (video signal or audio signal), and displays a signal corresponding to the drive format in the display output unit 26 In addition to outputting to the output unit 26, the audio signal is output to the audio output unit 50. In addition, the content processing unit 24 cooperates with the main control unit 12 as necessary, for example, a setting screen of the liquid crystal television 10, an OSD to which the contents of the data broadcast are reflected or the channel number and time selected are given. (On Screen Display) Build an image that should be finally displayed, such as a screen.

  The display output unit 26 includes a drive circuit for the LCD panel 28 and the like, and displays and outputs a video signal.

  The external communication unit 30 is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN interface, and is connected to the partner videophone 98 via the Internet 99 so that a call can be made.

  The audio output unit 50 is equipped with an amplifier and outputs an audio signal to the speaker set 60.

  The speaker set 60 includes a high-range speaker 70, a mid-range speaker 80, and a woofer 90. Note that the amplifier rated output of the audio output unit 50 is, for example, 10 W for the high-frequency speaker 70, 10 W for the mid-range speaker 80, 15 W for the woofer 90, and a total rated output of 35 W.

  The high-frequency range speaker 70 includes a high-frequency range speaker (L) 72 and a high-frequency range speaker (R) 74, and outputs sound in the highest frequency band, for example, 1 kHz to 20 kHz.

  The mid-range speaker 80 outputs sound in a main frequency band, for example, 200 Hz to 2 kHz.

  The woofer 90, which is a low-frequency speaker, outputs sound having the lowest frequency band, for example, 300 Hz or less.

  The videophone control unit 40 executes a predetermined program that realizes a videophone function according to a user's selection. In addition, when the videophone function is turned on, the videophone control unit 40 selects a speaker to be used from the speaker set 60 and stops output of unused speakers.

  A process of stopping a predetermined speaker in the speaker set 60 when the videophone function is on according to the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of frequency characteristics of the speaker set 60 mounted on the liquid crystal television 10. Here, the high-sound range speaker 70 is not provided, and the middle-range sound range speaker 80 has a wide range characteristic capable of outputting up to the high sound range. As shown in the figure, the woofer 90 is adjusted so that a desired frequency characteristic can be obtained in the entire speaker set 60 by enhancing low-frequency sound centered on 200 Hz.

However, assuming that the frequency band necessary for a voice call is 300 Hz to 8 kHz, the low frequency enhancement processing of less than 300 Hz and the function of the woofer 90 for adding a low frequency sound as described above are from the viewpoint of the voice band. Less need. Further, although the low frequency component has a characteristic of wide directivity, it is preferable that the voice call performed in front of the liquid crystal television 10 has directivity.

  Therefore, when the videophone function is on, the woofer 90 that is a low-frequency speaker is stopped. Furthermore, since the necessity for stereo output is low in a videophone, it is set to monaural output. Of course, stereo output may be maintained by user settings, or all speakers constituting the speaker set 60 may be turned on.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a speaker output control process when the videophone function is on.

  The main control unit 12 constantly monitors whether the videophone function is turned on (S10). When the videophone function is off (N in S10), the speaker output being set is maintained (S12). That is, in general, audio is output from all speakers (speaker set 60, high-frequency range speaker 70, and woofer 90) constituting the speaker set 60. In addition, if the on / off setting is performed for the speaker used by the user, it is followed.

  When the videophone function is on (Y in S10), the videophone control unit 40 notified to that effect from the main control unit 12 controls the audio output unit 50 to stop the output of the woofer 90 (S14). At this time, when the output of the woofer 90 is stopped, the amplifier output for the woofer 90 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption (maximum woofer rating of 15 W).

  Furthermore, the videophone control unit 40 controls the audio output unit 50 to change the outputs of the high-frequency range speaker 70 and the mid-range range speaker 80 to monaural output (S16). At this time, in the case of only the left-side output, sound is output from the high-range speaker (L) 72 and the mid-range speaker (L) 82. In the case of only the right output, sound is output from the high-range speaker (R) 74 and the mid-range speaker (R) 84. Since the output is from one side, it is possible to reduce power consumption by 10 W, which is half of the total rated output of the loudspeaker 70 and the midspeaker 80 at the maximum.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the woofer 90 that is not required for videophone calls in the speaker set 60 is stopped. Therefore, complicated processing is not required for operation control. As a result, the power consumption can be reduced without substantially lowering the user's videophone call quality. In addition, for example, in the case of a television that operates on a battery, it can be expected that the usage time will be extended due to power reduction. Moreover, the system can be shared with the speaker system without the woofer 90, the development schedule can be minimized, and it is easy to proceed from the small to medium size to the 90 inch class super large size with the same acoustic design.

  When the liquid crystal television 10 is configured to be battery-driven, a desired speaker (woofer 90) may be stopped when the videophone function is turned on only when the battery is driven.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the woofer 90 is turned off and the mid-range speaker (L) 82 and the mid-range speaker (R) 84 are monaurally output. However, in this embodiment, the language used in the liquid crystal television 10 is set. To determine the speaker to be stopped.

  In general, it is known that the frequency band of a human voice varies depending on the language used. For example, in the case of Japanese, it is approximately 100 Hz to 1500 Hz, while in the case of English, it is used as a word even in a band of 2000 Hz or higher. Therefore, depending on the language, the output of the high-frequency speaker 70 may not be necessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, the speaker to be used when the videophone function is on is determined according to the language used in the liquid crystal television 10. It is assumed that a table describing the relationship between the language used and the speaker to be turned on is recorded in the videophone control unit 40.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a speaker output control process when the videophone function is on. Since the configuration of the liquid crystal television 10 can be realized with the same configuration, the description thereof is omitted.

  The main control unit 12 constantly monitors whether the videophone function is turned on (S10). When the videophone function is off (N in S10), the speaker output being set is maintained (S12) as in the first embodiment.

  When the videophone function is on (Y in S10), the videophone control unit 40 notified to that effect from the main control unit 12 checks the language used in the liquid crystal television 10 (S14a). The setting of the language used is one of various setting items of the liquid crystal television 10 and is recorded in, for example, a storage area provided in the main control unit 12.

  Subsequently, the videophone control unit 40 refers to the predetermined table described above and determines a stop speaker corresponding to the confirmed language used (S16a). For example, if the language used is Japanese, monaural output of only the mid-range speaker (L) 82 is selected. When the language used is English, the high sound range is also an important frequency band, so monaural output using the high sound range speaker (L) 72 and the mid sound range speaker (L) 82 is selected.

  Then, the videophone control unit 40 controls the audio output unit 50 to stop the amplifier corresponding to the speaker that has been determined to stop (S18a). If the language used is Japanese, the mid-range speaker (L) 82 is turned on. Use the audio output. That is, the output of the high-range speaker 70, the mid-range speaker (R) 84, and the woofer 90 is stopped.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and when the videophone function is on, more effective power consumption reduction can be realized with a simple configuration according to the language used. .

  The present invention has been described based on the first and second embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective components and the like, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, it is assumed that the frequency band of the voice varies depending on age and gender, so if the gender and age of the other party can be grasped, a speaker that stops when the videophone function is turned on based on the grasped information That is, the speaker to be used may be determined.

  Further, when the videophone function is on, only the woofer 90 may be stopped, or in the case of monaural output, monaural sound may be output to both the left and right.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 LCD television 12 Main control part 22 Digital tuner 24 Content processing part 26 Display output part 28 Display panel 30 External communication part 32 Power supply part 40 Videophone control part 50 Audio | voice output part 60 Speaker set 70 High frequency range speaker 72 High frequency range speaker (L)
74 High-frequency speaker (R)
80 Mid-range speaker 82 Mid-range speaker (L)
84 Mid-range speaker (R)
90 Woofer

Claims (4)

Call function,
A speaker set consisting of a plurality of speakers set to output divided into a plurality of frequency bands;
An audio output unit for outputting audio to the speaker set;
A control unit for stopping output from the audio output unit to the speaker responsible for the output of the lowest frequency band among the plurality of speakers when the call function is on;
A television receiver comprising:
The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a monaural output when the call function is on.
The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a speaker whose output is to be stopped according to a set language used.
  The television receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit determines a speaker whose output is to be stopped according to a language used, a sex, and an age of a partner user who makes a call with a call function. apparatus.

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