JP2019091972A - Audio device and television - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress excessive loudness.SOLUTION: An audio reproduction circuit 210 drives a speaker 202. A controller 230 controls the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210 according to a volume value VOL set by a user. The controller 230 automatically reduces the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210 gradually.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to audio devices.

  Although the volume of the television can be freely set by the user, the volume set by the user is generally larger than the appropriate volume value. One of the factors is the adaptability of the human ear. That is, when the user listens to the audio reproduced with a certain volume value for a long time, the ear adapts to the volume with time, and the user who runs out of objects further raises the volume, resulting in an excessive volume.

JP, 2011-223549, A

  Long hours of television viewing at high volume may reduce the user's hearing. If your hearing falls, you get into a vicious cycle of setting the volume even larger.

  Similar problems occur not only in television but in all audio playback environments.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and one of the exemplary objects of an aspect thereof is to provide an audio apparatus capable of suppressing excessive loudness.

  One aspect of the present invention relates to an audio device. The audio device includes a speaker, an audio reproduction circuit that drives the speaker, and a controller that controls the gain of the audio reproduction circuit according to a volume value set by the user. The controller automatically and gently changes the gain of the audio reproduction circuit.

  It is to be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or one in which the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced among methods, apparatuses, systems, etc. is also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the description of this item (Means for Solving the Problems) does not explain all the essential features of the present invention, and therefore, the subcombinations of these described features may also be the present invention. .

  According to the present invention, excessive loudness can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device provided with an audio device according to a first embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the 1st gain control method. It is a time chart which shows the 2nd gain control method. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an audio apparatus. It is a block diagram of electronic equipment provided with the audio device concerning a 2nd embodiment.

(Overview of the embodiment)
One embodiment disclosed herein relates to an audio device. The audio device includes a speaker, an audio reproduction circuit that drives the speaker, and a controller that controls the gain of the audio reproduction circuit according to a volume value set by the user. The controller automatically and gently changes the gain of the audio reproduction circuit.

  Even when the volume value set by the user is too large, by reducing the gain at a speed or frequency that the user does not notice, it is possible to suppress continuous reproduction at a large volume.

  The controller may slowly reduce the gain of the audio playback circuit over time.

  Each time the user updates the volume value, the slope for decreasing the gain may be smaller. When the automatic volume reduction and the user's resetting of the volume value are repeated, the gain and hence the volume can be converged to the optimum value.

  The controller may reduce the gain of the audio playback circuit each time the audio device is activated.

  The controller may adjust the gain based on data acquired for the current user and statistical data acquired in advance. For example, based on data obtained for the user and statistical data, the user's attributes (age group, gender, characteristics related to hearing) may be estimated. Then, based on the estimated attribute, the speed at which the gain is reduced or the reduction width may be changed according to the statistical data.

The controller may adjust the characteristics of the audio reproduction circuit based on data acquired for the current user and statistical data acquired in advance.
The frequency characteristics of the audio reproduction circuit may be changed based on the estimated attribute.

  The audio device may further comprise a microphone for measuring ambient environmental sound. The controller may reflect environmental sounds in the adjustment of the audio playback circuit.

  The audio device may further comprise a distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to the user. The controller may reflect the distance in the adjustment of the audio reproduction circuit.

Embodiment
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicating descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the embodiments do not limit the invention and are merely examples, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

  In the present specification, “the state in which the member A is connected to the member B” means that the members A and B are electrically, in addition to the case where the members A and B are directly physically connected. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected through other members that do not affect the connection state or inhibit the function.

  Similarly, "a state in which the member C is provided between the member A and the member B" means that the member A and the member C, or the member B and the member C are directly connected, or the electric member It also includes the case of being indirectly connected through other members that do not affect the connection state or inhibit the function.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 100 provided with an audio device 200 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 is a television or a display.

  The electronic device 100 includes, in addition to the audio device 200, a user interface 102, a host controller 104, a tuner 106, an image processor 108, and a display panel 110. The user interface 102 receives an operation input from a user. The operation input includes power on / off, volume change, mute, television channel change, selection of an external device when an external device is connected, and the like.

  The upper controller 104 is a processor that integrally controls the electronic device 100 based on an operation input from a user. For example, the host controller 104 controls the tuner 106 based on the channel setting information. Alternatively, the upper controller 104 notifies the audio apparatus 200 of the volume setting value VOL of the user.

  The tuner 106 receives a program of a channel set by the user, and supplies the image data S1 to the image processor 108 and the audio data S2 to the audio device 200.

  The image processor 108 decodes the image data S1 and causes the display panel 110 to display it.

  The audio device 200 decodes the audio data S2 from the tuner 106 and reproduces it from the speaker 202.

  The audio device 200 includes a speaker 202, an audio reproduction circuit 210, and a controller 230.

  The audio reproduction circuit 210 decodes the audio data S2 and drives the speaker 202. The controller 230 controls the gain g of the audio reproduction circuit 210 in accordance with the volume setting value VOL received from the host controller 104.

  The controller 230 automatically reduces the gain g of the audio reproduction circuit 210 slowly. The above is the configuration of the electronic device 100.

  Subsequently, gain control of the controller 230 will be described.

(First gain control method)
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing a first gain control method. The power of the electronic device 100 is turned on at time _{t 0.} Then, the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210 is set to the gain g ₀ corresponding to the volume value VOL ₀ at the previous power-off.

  The controller 230 gently reduces the gain g of the audio reproduction circuit 210 with the passage of time. The speed of gain reduction is such that the user can not perceive the reduction in volume due to the gain reduction.

When the gain or volume drops to some extent, the user begins to feel that the volume is low. And updates the volume to the new value VOL ₁ to time _{t 1.} Controller 230 in response to this, sets the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210, the value _{g 1} corresponding to the value VOL ₁ after updating. Since the user's ear is accustomed to a relatively low volume over a long period of time from t _{0 to} t ₁ , it is expected that the updated value VOL ₁ will be smaller than the initial value VOL ₀ .

Controller 230, as a start value g _1, gradually decreases with the lapse of time the gain g of the audio reproduction circuit 210. And to some extent gain That volume is reduced, the user feels that the volume is small, to update the volume to a new value VOL ₂ to time t _2. Controller 230 in response to this, sets the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210, the value _{g 2} corresponding to the value VOL ₂ after update. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated while the user is watching.

  According to the gain control of FIG. 2, even when the volume value set by the user is too large, by reducing the gain at a speed or frequency not to be noticed by the user, it is possible to suppress continuous reproduction at a large volume.

Preferably, each time the user updates the volume value VOL, the slope for decreasing the gain g decreases. As a result, it is expected that the gain converges to a certain value g _N (in other words, the volume has a certain value VOL _N ) as time passes so that the user gets used to a lower volume. Finally, by setting the speed of gain reduction to substantially zero, it is possible to free the user from the trouble of changing the volume.

(Second gain control method)
FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a second gain control method. In this control, the controller 230 decreases the gain g each time the audio device 200 (that is, the electronic device 100) is activated.

The power of the electronic device 100 is turned on at time _{t 0.} Then, the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210 is set to the gain g ₀ corresponding to the volume value VOL ₀ at the previous power-off.

Power at time t ₁ is turned off, then the power is turned on at time t _2. Then, the controller 230 decreases the gain g by Δg ₁ . Then at time t ₃ the power is turned on, further gain g is reduced. Before long the user feel that the volume is small, to update the volume to a new value VOL ₃ to time t _4. Controller 230 in response to this, sets the gain of the audio reproduction circuit 210, the value _{g 3} corresponding to the value VOL ₃ after update. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated while the user is watching.

The step amount Δg of the gain decrease g may be constant. Alternatively, it may be gradually reduced with the passage of time, such as Δg ₁ > Δg ₂ >...> Δg _N.

  Also by this second control, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first control.

(Third gain control method)
In the third gain control method, the gain decrease over time described in the first gain control method may be combined with the gain decrease triggered by the power on described in the second gain control method.

  Subsequently, a specific configuration example of the audio device 200 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the audio device 200. As shown in FIG. The audio reproduction circuit 210 includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 212, a D / A converter 214, a volume circuit 216, and a power amplifier 218. The DSP 212 includes a decoder for decoding the audio data S2 and a circuit (digital filter, digital volume, etc.) that performs various processes on the audio signal. The D / A converter 214 converts the digital audio signal from the DSP 212 into an analog audio signal. The volume circuit 216 amplifies the output signal of the D / A converter 214 in accordance with the gain g set by the controller 230. The amplification also includes an attenuation whose gain is smaller than one.

  The power amplifier 218 amplifies the output signal of the volume circuit 216 and drives the speaker 202. The power amplifier 218 may be an analog amplifier or a digital amplifier (class D amplifier).

  The controller 230 sets the gain g of the volume circuit 216 in response to the change of the volume value VOL. After the gain g is set, the gain g is decreased with the passage of time (first control example) or each time the power is turned on (second control example).

  The controller 230 is connected to a memory 232 for storing statistical data. The controller 230 reflects the relationship between the statistical data and the corresponding data obtained for the current user in the characteristics of the audio playback circuit 210 and / or in the gain control parameters of the volume circuit 216.

(Use form of statistical data)
1. The first usage pattern statistical data includes an average value of volumes acquired for a large number of users (ie, an average value of gains). The controller 230 reproduces audio based on the relationship between the finally converged volume value (gain g _{N in} FIG. 2) and the statistically acquired volume value average (gain average g _AVE ). 2. Adjust the characteristics of circuit 230.

  For example, if the convergence value of the current user's gain is higher than the average value of the gain, the user is likely to be elderly. The elderly person may not hear the high region more easily than the young person, so the frequency characteristic of the controller 230 may be changed to emphasize the high region. As a result, even if the volume is not increased, the user can easily hear the sound, and thus excessive volume setting can be suppressed. Conversely, if the convergence value of the current user's gain is lower than the average value of the gain, the user is likely to be a young person. In this case, the frequency characteristics of the audio reproduction circuit 210 may be changed to suppress the high frequency band.

2. The second usage pattern statistical data may include an average value of volumes acquired for each age group. The controller 230 may estimate which age group the user is included in, and set frequency characteristics according to the age group.

3. Third Mode of Use The controller 230, instead of or in addition to the frequency characteristics of the audio reproduction circuit 210, has a speed (slope) for automatically reducing the gain of the volume circuit 216 or a step width Δg for decreasing the gain It may be adjusted based on the attribute of the user to be estimated.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device 100A including the audio device 200A according to the second embodiment. The audio device 200A includes a microphone 240 and a distance measurement sensor 250 in addition to the audio device 200 of FIG. The microphone 240 and the distance measurement sensor 250 may be components of the electronic device 100A.

  The microphone 240 measures ambient environmental sound. The controller 230A reflects the environmental sound measured by the microphone 240 in the adjustment of the audio reproduction circuit 230A. For example, the control parameter of the gain g of the audio reproduction circuit 210 or the frequency characteristic of the audio reproduction circuit 210 may be adjusted according to the size and the frequency characteristic of the environmental sound.

  The distance measuring sensor 250 measures the distance to the user. The controller 230A can reflect the measured distance to the user in the adjustment of the audio playback circuit 230A.

  By adjusting the volume (gain) and frequency characteristics in consideration of environmental sound and distance, audio reproduction that is easier to hear becomes possible, so the volume can be further lowered.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an exemplification, and that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such a modification is also within the scope of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

(Modification 1)
In FIG. 4, the gain of the analog volume circuit 216 is controlled according to the volume value VOL, but this is not the case. For example, if the DSP 212 includes digital volume circuitry, the controller 230 may control the gain of the digital volume circuitry.

  When the digital volume circuit and the analog volume circuit coexist, one gain may be set according to the volume value VOL, and the other gain may be decreased with time.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment, the case where the audio device 200 is built in an electronic device such as a television or a display has been described, but the audio device 200 may be installed in an audio component or a car audio device (car stereo). You can also.

  While the present invention has been described using specific terms based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely show the principles and applications of the present invention, and the embodiments are defined in the claims. Many variations and modifications of the arrangement can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 100 electronic device 102 user interface 104 upper controller 106 tuner 108 image processor 110 display panel 200 audio device 202 speaker 210 audio reproduction circuit 212 DSP
214 D / A converter 216 volume circuit 218 power amplifier 230 controller 232 memory 240 microphone 250 distance measuring sensor

Claims (10)

A speaker,
An audio reproduction circuit for driving the speaker;
A controller for controlling the gain of the audio reproduction circuit according to a volume value set by a user;
Equipped with
An audio apparatus, wherein the controller automatically and gradually changes the gain of the audio reproduction circuit.   The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the controller gradually reduces the gain of the audio reproduction circuit with the passage of time.   3. The audio apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the slope for reducing the gain decreases as the user updates the volume value.   The audio device of claim 1, wherein the controller reduces the gain each time the audio device is activated.   The audio device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller reflects the relationship between data acquired regarding a current user and statistical data acquired in advance in the characteristics of the audio reproduction circuit.   The audio apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the characteristic of the audio reproduction circuit is a frequency characteristic.   The audio device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the controller reflects a relationship between data acquired regarding a current user and statistical data acquired in advance in parameters of control of the gain. . Further equipped with a microphone to measure ambient environmental sound,
The audio device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller reflects the environmental sound in the adjustment of the audio reproduction circuit. It further comprises a distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to the user,
9. An audio device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller reflects the distance in the adjustment of the audio reproduction circuit.   A television comprising the audio device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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