JP3088107U - Warning device for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To issue a warning by sound without adding hardware for generating a warning. An audio signal output means for outputting an audio signal desired by a user, an amplification means for amplifying and outputting an audio signal output from the audio signal output means, and an amplification factor of the amplification means. In the configuration including the control means 5 for controlling, the control means 5 repeatedly changes the amplification factor of the amplifying means 3 within a predetermined width when it is time to generate a warning.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention is to generate a warning of an electronic device as a warning signal by repeatedly changing a level of a sound signal desired by a user, such as a sound signal by reproducing a recording medium or a sound signal by receiving a broadcast. It concerns the device.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 As a method of generating a beep indicating that a time set by a user has arrived or a beep indicating that a period set by a user has elapsed, a configuration shown in FIG. 5 has been conventionally used. Was. That is, the output port 94 of the microcomputer 91 for controlling the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit 92 is led to the audio signal path 95 via the voltage dividing circuit composed of the resistors R1 and R2 and the capacitor C1. Therefore, when the level of the output port 94 is changed between the H level and the L level at a predetermined cycle, a beep sound indicating a warning is transmitted from the speaker 93 (referred to as a first related art). .

Further, as one of the conventional techniques for generating a warning when a set time has come, there is a technique proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-267681. That is, in this technology, when the time before the time preset by the user is a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes before), in order to prevent the user from noticing the decrease in the volume, 30 seconds is used. The volume of speakers and headphones is lowered at a slow rate of about 0.5 dB. Then, at the set time, the audio signal is muted and a beep sound is generated. Therefore, for example, in a case where the CD sound is output from the headphones, for example, the CD playback volume becomes sufficiently low before the occurrence of the beep sound. Then, in a state where the playback volume is sufficiently low, a beep sound is transmitted from the headphones. Therefore, even when the beep sound is set to a low volume so as not to bother others, the beep sound is a beep sound that can be sufficiently heard by the user. In other words, the fact that the set time has been reached is reliably transmitted to the user (this is referred to as a second conventional technique).

In the related art proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-134870, when it is determined that the operation state of the device is not appropriate, a message corresponding to the level of importance of a warning is selected from a plurality of types of messages. Is to occur. Also, when the same message is output as in the previous warning, the message is output at a volume higher than the volume at which the previous message was output. If it is necessary to output a message while performing an automatic performance using a sound source board, the message is output in a state where the volume of the automatic performance is lowered. The messages output by the above-described method are generated using a sound source board for performing an automatic performance (third conventional technique).

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 However, when the first conventional technique is used, the following problem occurs. That is, when the level of the output port 94 is changed between the H level and the L level at a predetermined cycle, the beep sound output from the speaker 93 has a waveform close to a rectangular wave. For this reason, beeps are unpleasant to the listener, and warning sounds are contrary to the recent tendency to require comfort. Also, since the resistors R1 and R2 and the capacitor C1 are required, the cost of parts is increased by the price of these elements. In addition, if a warning signal is generated using a sound source circuit in order to eliminate the discomfort of the warning sound, the component cost increases by the price of the sound source circuit.

[0006] The above-described problem in the first related art, that is, an increase in component costs due to an increase in the number of parts, similarly occurs when the second related art is used. Further, in the third prior art, a warning message is generated using a sound source board capable of performing automatically, so that the cost of parts is further increased significantly.

[0007] In a device such as a television receiving device that is currently common and capable of superimposing a message on a screen, a warning is issued by displaying a message on the screen. Can be. In addition, when such warning notification is used, it is not necessary to add hardware for the warning notification, so that the cost of parts does not increase. However, in the alert notification using a message displayed on the screen, when the user looks at a part other than the screen, the warning cannot be notified to the user, and the reliability of the warning transmission is reduced. I do. For this reason, it is desired that the warning be notified by sound.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and its object is to provide an audible warning without adding hardware for generating a warning, and The maximum value of the changing volume can be set to an appropriate volume, and even when the user reduces the volume, the user can be reliably notified of the change in volume, and When the user turns down the volume, the maximum value of the changing volume can be set to an appropriate volume, and when the user is in a mute state, a warning can be given at an appropriate volume. In addition, it is possible to prevent a change in volume from causing discomfort to the user, and it is possible to increase the degree to which the user pays attention to the warning as time passes, and to notify the content of the warning. That of It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning generation device for an electronic device that can perform the operation of canceling the warning and can return to a state before the warning is generated only by performing an operation of canceling the warning.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to repeatedly change the amplification factor of the amplifying means, thereby causing a repetitive change in the sound volume, thereby eliminating the need for additional hardware for generating a warning. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a warning device for electronic equipment which can give a warning.

In addition to the above object, the maximum value when the volume changes is set to a value close to the volume at the time when the warning is issued, so that the maximum value of the changing volume is set to an appropriate volume. It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning device for an electronic device which can perform the warning.

[0011] In addition to the above-described object, when the volume at the time of generating the warning is smaller than a predetermined value, the volume larger than the volume at this time is set as the maximum value of the changing volume, so that the user can receive the warning. An object of the present invention is to provide a warning generation device for an electronic device that can reliably notify a user of a change in volume even when the volume is reduced.

Further, in addition to the above object, when the volume set by the user is smaller than a predetermined value, a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the volume set by the user is set as the maximum value of the changing volume. It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning device for an electronic device that can set the maximum value of a changing volume to an appropriate volume even when a user reduces the volume.

Further, in addition to the above object, when the state at the time when the warning is generated is the mute state, the control based on the volume set before the mute state is performed, thereby enabling the mute. It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning device for an electronic device capable of giving a warning at an appropriate volume even in a state.

[0014] Further, in addition to the above object, there is provided a warning generation device for an electronic device that can prevent a change in volume from giving a user a discomfort by making the change in volume a step-like change. It is in.

[0015] In addition to the above-mentioned object, by increasing the speed of change in volume in accordance with the time elapsed from the start of the warning, the degree to which the user pays attention to the warning is enhanced as the time elapses. It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning generation device for an electronic device that can perform the above.

In addition to the above-mentioned object, when an operation for canceling a warning is input, the amplification factor of the amplifying unit is returned to a state before the warning is generated, so that the operation for canceling the warning is performed only. Another object of the present invention is to provide a warning generator for an electronic device that can return to a state before a warning is generated.

[0017]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a warning generating device for an electronic device according to the present invention includes a display means for displaying a video, an audio signal obtained by reproducing a recording medium or an audio signal obtained by receiving a broadcast. Thus, audio signal output means for outputting an audio signal desired by the user, amplification means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal output from the audio signal output means, and control means for controlling the amplification factor of the amplification means In the warning device for an electronic device provided with the above, when it is time to generate a warning, the control means repeatedly changes the amplification factor of the amplifying means within a predetermined width, and warns the maximum value of the predetermined width. Is set to a value close to the user-specified amplification factor, which is the amplification factor set at the timing when the noise occurs, and the user-set amplification factor is set in advance. If the predetermined value is smaller than the predetermined value, the maximum value of the predetermined width is set to a value obtained by adding the predetermined value to the user-set amplification factor. When the mute state is stopped, the gain set before the mute state is regarded as the user-set gain, and the control means sets the gain to a plurality of steps. And the control means increases the rate of change of the amplification factor in response to the elapsed time from the start of the repetitive change of the amplification factor, and the control means repeatedly changes the amplification factor of the amplification means. When the warning is issued, a message indicating the content of the warning is superimposed on the video, and the control means, when the operation of canceling the warning is input in a state where the amplification rate is repeatedly changed, is set to the amplification means. The amplification factor, the Tomo Returning to the previous state for generating a warning to stop the superimposed display of the message.

That is, at the time of the warning, the volume changes differently from the change according to the audio signal output from the audio signal output means, so that the occurrence of the alarm can be known. Also, there is no need to add hardware for enabling generation of a warning. Further, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change is a value near the volume set by the user. In addition, when the user sets the volume low, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change becomes larger than the volume set by the user. In addition, when the user sets the volume low, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change is always a volume that is higher by a certain amount than the volume set by the user. Also, even in the mute state, the volume repeatedly changes with the maximum value determined based on the volume at the time of releasing the mute state. In addition, the volume changes smoothly. In addition, as the time elapses after the warning is started, the change in the volume becomes sharper. In addition, only by performing an operation for canceling the warning, the volume returns to the original state, and the message indicating the warning is deleted.

Further, the alarm generation device for an electronic device according to the present invention can provide an audio signal desired by the user, such as an audio signal obtained by reproducing a recording medium or an audio signal obtained by receiving a broadcast. Signal generating means for outputting an audio signal, an amplifying means for amplifying and outputting an audio signal output from the audio signal outputting means, and a control means for controlling an amplification factor of the amplifying means. In, when it is time to generate a warning, the control means repeatedly changes the amplification factor of the amplification means within a predetermined width.

That is, at the time of the warning, the volume changes differently from the change according to the audio signal output from the audio signal output means, so that the occurrence of the alarm can be known. Also, there is no need to add additional hardware to enable warnings.

Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, the maximum value of the predetermined width is set to a value near a user-set amplification factor which is an amplification factor set when a warning is generated. That is, the maximum value of the sound volume in the sound volume change is a nearby value of the sound volume set by the user.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, when the user-set amplification factor is smaller than a preset lower limit value, the maximum value of the predetermined width is set to a correction maximum value that is a value larger than the user-set amplification factor. That is, when the user sets the volume low, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change becomes larger than the volume set by the user.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, the maximum correction value is a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the user-set amplification factor. That is, when the user sets the volume low, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change is always a volume that is higher by a certain amount than the volume set by the user.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, the control means may set the state before the mute state when the state at the time of generating the warning is a mute state in which the output of the audio signal is stopped. The control is performed with the gain set as the user-specified gain. In other words, even in the mute state, the volume repeatedly changes with the maximum value determined based on the volume at the time of releasing the mute state as the maximum value.

In addition to the above configuration, the control means changes the amplification factor in a plurality of steps. That is, the volume changes smoothly.

[0026] In addition to the above configuration, the control means increases the change rate at which the amplification factor is changed in accordance with the elapsed time from the start of the repeated change of the amplification factor. That is, as the time elapses after the warning is started, the change in the volume becomes sharper.

[0027] In addition to the above configuration, when an operation of canceling the warning is input in a state where the amplification factor is changed, the control unit changes the amplification factor of the amplification unit to a state before the warning is generated. I'm back. That is, the sound volume returns to the original state only by performing an operation for canceling the warning.

[0028]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which an embodiment of an electronic apparatus warning generator is applied to a video cassette recorder-integrated television receiver (hereinafter, referred to as a television video) having one tuner. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration.

In the figure, a block indicated by a broken line 1 receives an audio signal desired by the user, that is, an audio signal obtained by reproducing a video cassette tape as a recording medium, or a commercial television broadcast. It is an audio signal output means for outputting the audio signal obtained in this way. A block indicated by a broken line 2 is a display unit 2 for displaying a video signal output from the receiving circuit 15 or a video signal output from a video cassette recorder unit (hereinafter, referred to as a VCR unit) 16. .

The display unit 2 includes a signal processing circuit 11, a CRT drive circuit 13, and a CRT 14. The audio signal output unit 1 includes a reception circuit 15, a VCR unit 16, and a switch 17. Have.

The signal processing circuit 11 is a block that separates the video signal into a luminance signal and a chrominance signal by performing predetermined processing on the video signal transmitted from the receiving circuit 15. Then, the separated luminance signal and color signal are sent to the VCR unit 16. Also, three primary color signals are generated from the separated luminance signal and color signal, and sent to the CRT drive circuit 13. When reproducing a video cassette tape, three primary color signals are generated from the luminance signal and the color signal output from the VCR section 16 and sent to the CRT drive circuit 13.

The signal processing circuit 11 includes an on-screen display circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an OSD circuit) 12 for superimposing and displaying a message indicating the content of the warning on the CRT 14.

The CRT drive circuit 13 is a block that amplifies three primary color signals output from the signal processing circuit 11 and drives the CRT 14 with the amplified primary color signals.

The receiving circuit 15 is a block for receiving a commercial television broadcast, and includes a tuner, an intermediate frequency amplifying circuit, a detecting circuit, and the like. Then, the video signal obtained by receiving the television broadcast is transmitted to the signal processing circuit 11, and the audio signal is transmitted to the VCR section 16 and the switch 17.

The VCR section 16 is a block for recording and reproducing the luminance signal and the chrominance signal and the audio signal output from the signal processing circuit 11, and outputs the reproduced luminance signal and the chrominance signal to the signal processing circuit 11. Output. The reproduced audio signal is output to the switch 17.

The amplifying unit 3 is a block including an electronic volume, an amplifying circuit, and the like. The audio signal output from the switch 17 of the audio signal output unit 1, that is, the audio signal output from the VCR unit 16 Alternatively, the audio signal output from the receiving circuit 15 is amplified with the amplification factor set by the control means 5 and output to the speaker 4. The amplification factor is set by a numerical value, and the settable numerical value has 256 levels from 0 to 255.

The input means 6 is a block including a plurality of key switches provided on the front panel of the apparatus main body 21 shown in FIG. 4, and a light receiving section for receiving infrared rays output from the remote controller 7. And an operation by the user is input. Then, a signal corresponding to the operated key switch is output to the control means 5.

The control means 5 is a block composed mainly of a microcomputer, and controls main operations as televideo. That is, the channel received by the receiving circuit 15 is controlled according to the operation of the key switch of the input means 6 or the key switch of the remote controller 7. In addition, it controls the operation of the VCR unit 16 and the amplification factor of the amplification unit 3.

The control means 5 performs control to repeatedly change the amplification factor of the amplifying means 3 within a predetermined width when it is time to generate a warning. That is, when the reservation key is not operated even though the day and time of timer recording are set, recording cannot be performed, and the recording time is approaching (for example, (For example, 10 minutes before), it is determined that the timing for generating a warning has come, and the amplification factor of the amplification means 3 is repeatedly changed. That is, by repeatedly changing the volume of the sound output from the speaker 4, the user is warned that the time of the timer recording is approaching.

In the above-described repetitive change of the amplification factor, the maximum value of the change range is set to the amplification factor of the amplification unit 3 set at the time when the alarm is generated (hereinafter, the user will be referred to as the user). (Referred to as a set amplification factor). In addition, 0 is adopted as the minimum value of the change. When the user-set amplification factor is smaller than a preset lower limit value, the maximum value of the change range of the amplification factor is set to a correction maximum value that is larger than the user-set amplification factor.

As the correction maximum value, a value obtained by adding a predetermined value (for example, a value corresponding to a 10 dB increase in volume) to the user-set amplification factor is adopted. In addition, if the state at the time when the warning is issued is the mute state in which the output of the audio signal is stopped, the amplification factor set before the mute state is set to the user-set amplification factor. Control is performed assuming that.

The control unit 5 changes the amplification factor of the amplification unit 3 in a plurality of steps. In addition, the change rate at which the amplification factor is changed is increased in accordance with the elapsed time from the start of the repeated change of the amplification factor. When the amplification factor is repeatedly changed, a message indicating the content of the warning, that is, a message indicating that the time of the timer recording is approaching, is displayed on the CRT 14 by controlling the OSD circuit 12. Display superimposed.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the embodiment. The operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

It is assumed that the day of the week and the time of the timer recording are already set by a key operation of the remote controller 7 or the like. In addition, since the user has performed an operation for watching a television broadcast, a video signal output from the receiving circuit 15 is displayed on the CRT 14, and an audio signal output from the receiving circuit 15 is output as audio from the speaker 4. It has been done. In this state, 10 minutes before the timer recording, the control means 5 confirms whether the video cassette inserted into the insertion slot 23 may be recorded, and 10 minutes later, the set channel is set. A warning is issued to inform that the receiving channel will be changed automatically.

When a warning is issued, the control unit 5 checks the amplification factor of the amplification unit 3 that has been set (step S1). If the set amplification factor is larger than the predetermined value, the amplification factor at this time is set as the maximum value of the change range of the amplification factor (step S2). Also, a message is displayed in the area 22 on the screen of the CRT 14 to display a message indicating that the timer recording is approaching, that recording is to be performed on the currently inserted video cassette, and that the channel is to be automatically changed. Is performed (step S3).

Further, the control means 5 sets the change speed when changing the amplification factor of the amplification means 3 to an initial value (step S4). The rate of change at this time is, as shown at 51 in FIG. 3, the period t1 required for the gain to change from the maximum value of the change range to 0, or the change rate from the gain of 0 to the maximum value of the change range. The time period t3 required to change the speed is, for example, 0.5 seconds. Further, the change period t4 is about 2 seconds. The period t4 of about 2 seconds does not change even when the change rate of the amplification factor changes.

When the setting of the initial value of the change speed is completed, the control means 5 changes the amplification factor of the amplification means 3 in five steps toward 0 (step S5). Then, after the gain is lowered to 0, when a period t2 of about 0.5 seconds elapses, the gain is changed in five steps toward the maximum value of the change range (step S6). ). After changing the amplification factor to the maximum value of the change range, it is checked whether a key operation for canceling the warning has been performed (step S7).

If the key operation for canceling the warning has not been performed, the control unit 5 checks whether a predetermined period has elapsed (step S8). The determination as to whether or not this predetermined period has elapsed is a determination to know whether or not it is time to shift to the next change speed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the change rate of the amplification factor is increased every 30 seconds. Therefore, in step S8, it is determined whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of the change in the amplification factor.

At this time, since 30 seconds have not elapsed, the operation returns to step S5. Thereafter, if the key operation for canceling the warning has not been performed, the loop operation of steps S5 to S8 is performed in a period until 30 seconds elapse. As a result, the volume of the sound output from the speaker 4 can be heard or stopped with a period of about 2 seconds. At this time, the volume changes from 0 to the maximum value of the change range or from the maximum value of the change range to 0 over 0.5 seconds. For this reason, the user can receive this volume change as a warning without feeling oppression or discomfort. Further, the contents of the warning can be known from the message displayed in the area 22 of the CRT 14.

When the user performs a predetermined operation or performs a key operation for canceling the warning so that timer recording can be performed in accordance with the warning using the volume change, the operation is performed in step The process moves from step S7 to step S10. When proceeding to step S10, the control means 5 returns the amplification factor of the amplification means 3 to the value before the start of the warning. The display of the message in the area 22 is stopped.

On the other hand, if no operation is performed by the user despite the warning, after 30 seconds have elapsed, the operation shifts to steps S 7, S 8 and S 9, and the control means 5 sets the amplification factor Is changed from the initial value to a speed one step higher. After that, the loop operation of steps S5 to S8 is executed. At this time, the amplification factor of the amplification means 3 changes at a higher speed than before, as shown at 52 in FIG. Therefore, the change in volume at this time will attract the user's attention more strongly than before.

Thereafter, when 30 seconds elapse, the volume changes as indicated by 53, and after another 30 seconds elapses, the volume changes as indicated by 54. That is, the change in the volume becomes steeper, and the user's attention is more strongly attracted.

Note that there are four types of volume change speeds. When a warning is issued using the volume change shown in 54 and the corresponding operation is not input from the user, the volume change shown in 54 is displayed. The used warning will continue thereafter (the operation in the case where the warning using the volume change shown at 54 lasts longer than 30 seconds is not shown in FIG. 2).

When a key operation for canceling the warning is performed in the state where the warning due to the change in the volume is generated, the operation shifts from step S7 to step S10, and the state returns to the state before the warning was generated. It is. That is, the display of the message in the area 22 is stopped. Further, the volume from the speaker 4 returns to the volume before the warning.

As described above, if the amplification factor set by the user (user-set amplification factor) is greater than a predetermined value at the time when the warning is issued, the above-described operation is performed. Is performed, but when the user-set amplification factor is smaller than the predetermined value, the maximum value of the sound volume is reduced by the above operation even if the amplification factor is changed between the user-set amplification factor and 0. In addition, there is a possibility that a change in volume caused by a change in the amplification factor is not noticed by the user.

For this reason, when the user-set amplification factor is smaller than the predetermined value, the operation shifts from step S 1 to step S 11, and first, it is checked whether or not the mute state. At this time, since the state is not the mute state, the operation proceeds to step S12, and a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the user-set amplification factor is set to the maximum value of the change range of the amplification factor (at this time, the addition is performed). Is a value necessary to increase the volume by about 10 dB, as described above.) Thereafter, the operation proceeds to step S3, and the same operation as the operation already described is executed.

As a result, when the amplification factor reaches the maximum value, sound is output from the speaker 4 at a volume that can be sufficiently heard by the user. Therefore, the user can easily know the change in the volume, that is, the occurrence of the warning. In addition, the maximum value in the change in the volume is also a volume obtained by increasing the volume based on the user-set amplification factor by about 10 dB, so that when the volume is maximized, it is avoided that the user feels noisy.

If a warning cancel key operation is performed in the state where the warning due to the change in volume is performed, the operation shifts from step S7 to step S10, and the state returns to the state before the warning was generated. It is. That is, the display of the message in the area 22 is stopped. In addition, the volume from the speaker 4 returns to a low volume state.

An operation in the case where the state set by the user is the mute state at the time when the warning is generated will be described below. In this case, the user-set amplification factor has a value of 0 because it is in the mute state. Therefore, the operation shifts from step S1 to steps S11 and S13. For this reason, the control means 5 takes out the user-set amplification factor before the mute state is set. Then, the control is performed by regarding the extracted user-set amplification factor as the amplification factor set by the user when it is time to generate a warning.

Therefore, the subsequent operation is the same as the operation already described. That is, when the extracted user-set amplification factor is larger than the predetermined value, control for changing the volume is performed with the extracted user-set amplification factor being the maximum value. If the extracted user-set amplification factor is smaller than a predetermined value, control for changing the volume is performed with a maximum value obtained by adding a value for increasing the volume by about 10 dB to the extracted user-set amplification factor.

When a key operation for canceling the warning is performed in the state where the warning due to the change in the volume is generated, the operation shifts from step S7 to step S10, and the state returns to the state before the warning was generated. It is. That is, the display of the message in the area 22 is stopped. In addition, a mute state in which the output of audio is stopped is set.

The operation described above is the same even when the VCR unit 16 is performing a reproducing operation. In other words, even while the video cassette is being played, a warning using the change in volume is issued 10 minutes before the time of the timer recording.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be similarly applied to a configuration in which the VCR section 16 is omitted, that is, a television receiver.

The same applies to the case where the audio signal output means is constituted by a receiving circuit for receiving a radio broadcast, that is, when the electronic device is a radio. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the audio signal output means is constituted by a disk reproducing device for reproducing a CD or MD. However, in the case of these devices, timer recording is not performed, so that a warning is generated when the period set by the user has elapsed or when the time set by the user has come. I do. Further, in the case where these devices use a battery as a power source, a warning can also be generated when the battery runs out.

The case where the minimum value of the change in the amplification factor is set to 0 has been described. However, any value can be set as long as the volume from the speaker 4 is reduced. Further, the case where the number of steps in the step change is five has been described, but any other number of steps can be used. Further, the value to be added to the user-set amplification factor has been described as a value that increases the volume by about 10 dB, but may be any other value. Also, the case where the value close to the user-specified amplification factor is set to a value equal to the user-specified amplification factor has been described. It can be a value obtained by adding or a value obtained by subtracting.

[0066]

[Effect of the invention]

 As described above, in the present invention, the audio signal output means for outputting the audio signal desired by the user, the amplification means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal output from the audio signal output means, and the amplification means A control means for controlling the amplification factor of the amplification means, when the timing to generate a warning is reached, the control means repeatedly changes the amplification factor of the amplification means within a predetermined width, and If the value is set to a value close to the user-specified amplification factor, which is the amplification factor set at the time when the warning is issued, and if the user-specified amplification factor is smaller than a preset lower limit value, The maximum value of the predetermined width is set to a value obtained by adding the predetermined value to the user-set amplification factor, and the control unit determines that the state at the time when the warning is generated is such that the output of the audio signal is stopped. When in the mute state, the gain set before the mute state is regarded as the user-set gain, and the control means changes the gain in a plurality of steps, and In response to the elapsed time from the start of the repetition of the change, the change rate for changing the amplification rate is increased, and the control means provides a warning when the amplification rate of the amplification means is repeatedly changed. Is displayed superimposed on the video, and the control unit issues a warning indicating the amplification factor of the amplification unit when an operation to cancel the warning is input in a state where the amplification factor is repeatedly changed. And the display of the message is stopped. For this reason, the warning can be given by sound without adding hardware for generating a warning, and the maximum value of the changing volume can be set to an appropriate volume. When the volume is reduced, the user can be reliably informed that the volume is changing, and even when the volume is reduced, the maximum value of the changing volume is set to an appropriate volume. It is also possible to give a warning with an appropriate volume even in the mute state, and to prevent a change in volume from giving a user discomfort, and In addition, the degree to which the user pays attention to the warning can be strengthened as time passes, the content of the warning can be notified, and only the operation of canceling the warning is performed. Return to the state Can.

Also, in the present invention, an audio signal output means for outputting an audio signal desired by the user, an amplification means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal output from the audio signal output means, and an amplification factor of the amplification means In the configuration provided with the control means for controlling the amplification, the control means repeatedly changes the amplification factor of the amplification means within a predetermined width when it is time to generate a warning. Therefore, at the time of the warning, the volume shows a change different from the change according to the audio signal output from the audio signal output means, so that the user can know that the alarm has occurred. For this reason, it is possible to issue a warning by sound without adding additional hardware for generating a warning.

Further, the maximum value of the predetermined width is set to a value close to the user-set amplification factor, which is the amplification factor set at the time when the warning is issued. Therefore, since the maximum value of the volume in the volume change is a value near the volume set by the user, the maximum value of the changing volume can be set to an appropriate volume.

Further, when the user-specified amplification factor is smaller than a preset lower limit value, the maximum value of the predetermined width is set as a correction maximum value that is a value larger than the user-specified amplification factor. Therefore, when the user sets the volume low, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change becomes larger than the volume set by the user, so that the volume changes even when the user lowers the volume. It is possible to reliably inform the user of what is being done.

Further, the maximum correction value is a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the user-set amplification factor. Therefore, when the user sets the volume low, the maximum value of the volume in the volume change is always a volume that is higher by a certain amount than the volume set by the user. Also, the maximum value of the changing volume can be set to an appropriate volume.

Further, when the state at the time when the warning is generated is the mute state in which the output of the audio signal is stopped, the control means further sets the amplification set before the mute state. The control is performed by regarding the rate as the user-set amplification rate. Therefore, even when in the mute state, the volume repeatedly changes with the maximum value determined based on the volume when the mute state is released released. Can be given.

Further, the control means changes the amplification factor in a plurality of steps. Therefore, since the volume changes smoothly, it is possible to prevent the change in the volume from giving a discomfort to the user.

Further, the control means increases the rate of change of the amplification factor in response to the elapsed time from the start of the repeated change of the amplification factor. Therefore, as the time elapses after the warning is started, the change in the volume becomes sharper as the time elapses, so that the degree of the user's attention to the warning can be increased as the time elapses.

Further, when an operation for canceling the warning is input in a state where the amplification factor is changed, the control unit returns the amplification factor of the amplification unit to a state before the warning is generated. I have. Therefore, it is possible to return to the state before the occurrence of the warning only by performing an operation for canceling the warning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration when an embodiment of a warning generation device for an electronic device according to the present invention is applied to a video cassette recorder integrated television receiver having one tuner.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing main operations of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a change speed of a volume.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the front of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a beep sound generating means in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 audio signal output means 2 display means 3 amplifying means 5 control means S2 step of setting the vicinity value of user-set amplification rate to maximum value of change range S3 step of displaying message indicating warning contents S5, S6 change of amplification rate repeatedly Step S9 Step of increasing the rate of change of the amplification factor S10 Step of returning the amplification factor to the state before the warning S12 Step of obtaining the maximum correction value S13 Step of obtaining the amplification factor before the mute state

Claims (9)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A display means for displaying a video, and an audio signal desired by a user, such as an audio signal obtained by reproducing a recording medium or an audio signal obtained by receiving a broadcast. A warning generation device for an electronic device, comprising: an audio signal output unit; an amplification unit that amplifies and outputs an audio signal output from the audio signal output unit; and a control unit that controls an amplification factor of the amplification unit. When the timing for generating a warning is reached, the amplification factor of the amplifying means is repeatedly changed within a predetermined width, and the maximum value of the predetermined width is set when the timing for generating a warning is reached. When the amplification factor is a value close to the user-specified amplification factor and the user-defined amplification factor is smaller than a preset lower limit value, the maximum value of the predetermined width is set to the user value. The set gain is a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the set amplification factor, and the control means sets a mute state when the state at the time when the warning is generated is a mute state in which the output of the audio signal is stopped. The amplification factor that has been set before is regarded as the user-specified amplification factor, and the control means changes the amplification factor in a stepwise manner of a plurality of stages, and the time elapsed from when the repetition of the amplification factor is started. In response to time, the change rate for changing the amplification rate is increased, and the control means superimposes a message indicating the content of the warning on the video when repeatedly changing the amplification rate of the amplification means, and The control means, in a state where the amplification rate is repeatedly changed, when an operation of canceling the warning is input, the amplification rate of the amplification means is returned to a state before the warning is generated, and A warning generation device for an electronic device, wherein a superimposed display of a message is stopped. 2. An audio signal output means for outputting an audio signal desired by a user, such as an audio signal obtained by reproducing a recording medium or an audio signal obtained by receiving a broadcast, and an audio signal. A warning generation device for an electronic device, comprising: an amplification unit that amplifies and outputs an audio signal output from an output unit; and a control unit that controls an amplification factor of the amplification unit. An alarm generation device for an electronic device, wherein, when it becomes, the amplification factor of the amplification means is repeatedly changed within a predetermined width. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the maximum value of the predetermined width is set to a value near a user-set amplification factor which is an amplification factor set at a timing when a warning occurs. Warning device for electronic equipment. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the user-specified amplification factor is smaller than a preset lower limit value, the maximum value of the predetermined width is a correction maximum value that is a value larger than the user-specified amplification factor. A warning generator for the electronic device according to the above. 5. The warning device according to claim 4, wherein the maximum correction value is a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to a user-set amplification factor. 6. The control means, when the state at the time of generating the warning is a mute state in which the output of the audio signal is stopped, increases the amplification factor set before the mute state. The warning generation device for an electronic device according to claim 3, wherein control is performed on the assumption that the amplification factor is set by a user. 7. The warning generation device for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the amplification factor in a plurality of steps. 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means increases a change rate at which the amplification factor is changed in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of the repeated change of the amplification factor. Warning generator. 9. The control unit returns the amplification factor of the amplification unit to a state before the warning is issued when an operation of canceling the warning is input in a state where the amplification factor is changed. The warning generation device for an electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the warning is generated.