JP3902996B2 - Electronic volume device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic volume device that is remotely operated by a remote controller, and more particularly to an electronic volume device that is remotely operated based on a volume control signal defined in the standard specification of Bluetooth.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A technique for remotely operating an electronic volume mounted on a sound player by operating a volume adjustment key provided on a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-308230. Has been. The remote control is provided with a “+ (plus)” key and a “− (minus)” key as volume adjustment keys, and may be further provided with a “MUTE” key that attenuates the volume at a stroke to the lowest level.
[0003]
On the other hand, with the global communication standard Blue tooth, the volume of the sound player attached to the head, that is, the headset, is remotely controlled from the sound source (AudioGateway) side of a mobile phone or the like wirelessly connected thereto. Standards for operation are set. In this standard, 16 levels from “0” to “15” are prepared as the number of volume adjustment levels.
[0004]
Here, for example, in the volume adjustment between the TV and its remote controller, the absolute volume value is not instructed to the TV from the remote controller, but the volume is increased by one level or decreased by one level. As described above, a signal for relatively changing the current volume is output. On the other hand, a player and a remote controller (sound source) compliant with the Bluetooth standard mutually recognize the current volume value by mutually reporting the 16-level volume value, and the current volume value is “8”. If the “+” button on the remote control is pressed at “”, a volume value “9” is instructed from the remote control to the player. If the volume value is changed from “9” to “10” on the playback device side, the information is also notified to the remote controller. Therefore, when the “+” button is pressed next on the remote controller side, the volume value “11” is instructed from the remote controller to the player.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the electronic volume of the headset provided on the helmet is remotely controlled with the remote control on the vehicle body or mobile terminal, the electronic volume of the headset can be reduced by reducing the number of volume adjustment steps, considering the operation with the glove attached It is desirable to make it. For example, it is desirable to narrow down to about four levels such as “mute”, “small volume for stopping”, “medium volume for low / medium speed”, and “large volume for high speed”. However, if the number of volume adjustment steps of the playback device is reduced, the following problems may newly occur.
[0006]
In FIG. 15, when the number of volume adjustment steps of the remote controller is reduced to four in accordance with the number of volume adjustment steps “4” of the player A, the player B with the number of volume adjustment steps of “10” is selected with this remote controller. Even when remotely operated, a signal corresponding to the volume values “5” to “10” cannot be output, so that the volume of the player B cannot be increased sufficiently.
[0007]
On the other hand, in order to deal with such a technical problem, as shown in FIG. 16, when the volume values are assigned discontinuously to the respective volume adjustment stages “1” to “4” on the remote controller, the player A As in the case of the player B, if the number of volume adjustment stages is “10”, there is a volume value that cannot be set by the remote controller. Resulting in. Further, if the volume adjustment stages do not match like the player C, remote control by the remote control becomes impossible.
[0008]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, when the number of volume adjustment steps on the remote control side is “16”, in the player A with the volume adjustment step number “4”, the range from “1” to “4” from the remote control side. As long as the volume value is instructed, the electronic volume can be controlled to the instructed volume value. However, if the “+” key continues to be pressed beyond the volume value “4”, for example, the volume value rises to “8”, then the “−” key on the remote control is pressed to decrease the volume. However, each time, “7”, “6”, “5” is notified as the volume value, and during this period, the volume value does not decrease, so that the volume does not decrease even though the “−” key is pressed. Inconvenience arises.
[0009]
Further, as in the case of the player B, if the volume value is assigned discontinuously even if the volume adjustment stage number is “4”, for example, after the volume value “5” is notified from the remote controller side, “+” is further added. Even if the key is continuously pressed, the volume does not increase until the volume value reaches “10”. Such inconvenience occurs even when the number of volume adjustment stages is increased as in the case of the player C.
[0010]
As described above, there is a technical problem that the operability of the remote controller is impaired if the number of volume adjustment stages of the player is reduced from “16” which is the standard specification of Bluetooth. Such technical problems can be solved by preparing a separate remote controller that is applied to the volume adjustment level of the player. However, the versatility of the equipment is impaired and the combination with other equipment is hindered. It is not suitable for the concept of blue tooth that emphasizes versatility.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and to provide an electronic volume device that can ensure good operability with a remote controller while arbitrarily setting the number of volume adjustment stages of a player.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention receives an i-th standard volume value Dgain [i] (i = 1 to N) at an N-level standard scale in an electronic volume device remotely operated by a remote controller. Means for converting the received standard volume value Dgain [i] into a j-th unique volume value Dvol [j] on an M (M <N) stage unique scale, and the unique volume value Dvol [j]. And a means for controlling the attenuation rate based on. The converting means further includes means for storing an offset value Doffset between the standard volume value Dgain [i] and the specific volume value Dvol [j], and the received standard volume value Dgain [i] is the specific volume value Dvol [j]. And means for adjusting at least one of the specific volume value Dvol [j] and the offset value Doffset so as to coincide with the added value of the offset value Doffset. The adjusting means adjusts the specific volume value Dvol [j] with priority over the offset value Doffset.
[0013]
According to the above-described feature, when the standard volume value Dgain exceeding the upper limit value of the specific volume value Dvol is notified from the remote controller side, the electronic volume device keeps the specific volume value Dvol at the upper limit value and keeps the offset value. When only the Doffset is increased and then the standard volume value Dgain starts to decrease, the inherent volume value Dvol is preferentially decreased over the offset value Doffset, so that the volume can be immediately decreased.
[0014]
Similarly, when the standard volume value Dgain lower than the lower limit value of the specific volume value Dvol is notified from the remote controller side, the electronic volume device decreases only the offset value Doffset while holding the specific volume value Dvol at the lower limit value. Thereafter, when the standard volume value Dgain starts to increase, the inherent volume value Dvol is preferentially increased over the offset value Doffset, so that the volume can be immediately increased.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication mode using an intercom to which an electronic volume device of the present invention is applied. A vehicle A is equipped with an in-vehicle wireless terminal 14 and is worn by a passenger of each of the vehicles A and B. A headset including a microphone 11, a speaker 12, and a portable wireless terminal 13 is attached to 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c. The in-vehicle wireless terminal 14 and each portable wireless terminal 13 comply with the Bluetooth standard, and on the piconet that uses them, the in-vehicle wireless terminal 14 operates in the master mode and the other wireless terminals 13 operate in the slave mode. Wireless communication.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the portable radio terminal 13 to which the present invention is applied. Here, descriptions of components unnecessary for the description of the present invention are omitted.
[0017]
The antenna AT is connected to a Bluetooth (BT) module BT. The CPU 33 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 34. The RAM 35 provides a work area for temporarily storing data and the like when the CPU 33 executes various processes. Various operation switches including a volume switch 39 and a display device are connected to the input / output interface 36. The volume switch 39 includes a “+” key 39a, a “−” key 39b, and a “MUTE” key 39c. The electronic volume device 37 attenuates the input signal with an attenuation rate corresponding to the operation of the volume switch 39 and outputs it to the amplifier 38.
[0018]
The BT module BT mainly includes an RF unit 31 and a BT chip 32. The BT chip 32 executes processing for establishing intra-piconet synchronization with the counterpart terminal, processing for encoding / decoding transmission / reception signals, and the like. That is, each BT module digitally modulates a carrier wave signal with transmission data during transmission, and spreads the modulated carrier wave signal by frequency hopping. Then, after amplifying the transmission signal to a transmission output level equal to or lower than a specified value, the transmission signal is transmitted from the antenna AT to the communication partner wireless terminal. In addition, a radio signal arriving from a communication partner radio terminal is received via the antenna AT, and is subjected to digital demodulation after being despread.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the electronic volume device 37. The same reference numerals as those described above represent the same or equivalent functions.
[0020]
The standard volume value (Dgain) input / output unit 371 inputs the standard volume value Dgain notified from the remote controller and outputs the standard volume value Dgain updated by the electronic volume device 37 to the remote controller. The standard volume value Dgain is a volume value defined on a 16-stage volume scale that is a standard of Bluetooth, and can take any of 16 levels from Dgain [0] to Dgain [15].
[0021]
The standard volume value (Dgain) / unique volume value (Dvol) conversion unit 373 converts the standard volume value Dgain notified from the remote controller into the unique volume value Dvol. The unique volume value Dvol is a volume value defined on an m-stage volume scale unique to the headset, and can take any of m stages of Dvol [1] to Dvol [m]. In the present embodiment, since the headset employs a four-stage volume scale, the volume value can take any one of four stages Dvol [1] to Dvol [4]. The reproduction volume control unit 372 generates an output signal Dout by attenuating the input signal Din with an attenuation rate corresponding to the inherent volume value Dvol, and supplies this to the subsequent amplifier 38.
[0022]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Each flowchart mainly shows the operation of the standard volume value (Dgain) / natural volume value (Dvol) conversion unit 373.
[0023]
In steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 7, “2” is registered as the initial value in the inherent volume value Dvol, and “0” is registered as the initial value in the offset value Doffset. The offset value Doffset represents the deviation between the natural volume value Dvol and the standard volume value Dgain. In step S3, the standard volume value Dgain is obtained as the sum (Dvol + Doffset) of the inherent volume value Dvol and the offset value Doffset. In step S4, the standard volume value Dgain is notified to the remote controller. Since the offset value Doffset is “0” in the initial state, the specific volume value Dvol [2] is directly notified to the remote controller as the standard volume value Dgain.
[0024]
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the standard volume value Dgain is notified from the remote controller. Here, when the “+” key is pressed twice on the remote control side, as shown in FIG. 8, “4” is notified from the remote control to the headset as the standard volume value Dgain. In the headset, when this notification is detected in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, and “remote operation processing” for controlling the reproduction volume of the headset based on the notified standard volume value Dgain [4] is executed.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the “remote operation process”. In step S601, the standard volume value Dgain [4] instructed from the remote controller is set to the offset value Doffset [0] and the number of inherent volume scale steps “ 4 "compared with the sum. Here, since the standard volume value Dgain [4] is smaller than (Doffset + 4), the process proceeds to step S602. In step S602, the standard volume value Dgain is compared with the sum of the offset value Doffset and “1”. Here, since the standard volume value Dgain is larger than (Doffset + 1), the process proceeds to step S603.
[0026]
In step S603, as shown in FIG. 8, the value “4” obtained by subtracting the offset value Doffset [0] from the standard volume value Dgain [4] is updated and registered as the unique volume value Dvol. The reproduction volume control unit 372 attenuates the reproduction signal Din with an attenuation rate corresponding to the updated unique volume value Dvol.
[0027]
Thereafter, when the “+” key is further pressed on the remote controller side, the standard volume value Dgain of “5” is notified from the remote controller to the headset as shown in FIG. If this is detected in step S5, it is determined in step S601 in FIG. 5 that the standard volume value Dgain [5] is larger than (Doffset + 4), and the process proceeds to step S610. In step S610, the mute flag Fmute is referred to. Since the mute flag Fmute is in the reset state (Fmute = 0) here, the process proceeds to step S614. In step S614, as shown in FIG. 9, the offset value Doffset is updated to a value “1” obtained by subtracting the inherent volume scale step number “4” from the notified standard volume value Dgain [5]. In step S615, as shown in FIG. 9, the maximum value “4” is registered as the specific volume value Dvol.
[0028]
Thus, in this embodiment, when a new standard volume value Dgain is notified from the remote controller, the specific volume value Dvol and the specific volume value Dvol and the offset value Doffset are matched so that the standard volume value Dgain matches the sum of the specific volume value Dvol and the offset value Doffset. At least one of the offset values Doffset is increased. However, even when the specific volume value Dvol is preferentially increased over the offset value Doffset (step S603) and the specific volume value Dvol is increased to the maximum value “4”, the two do not match (that is, the determination in step S601). (No), the offset value Doffset is increased (step S614).
[0029]
Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when the standard volume value Dgain is “12”, the offset value Doffset is “8”, and the unique volume value Dvol is “4”, the “−” key is pressed on the remote control side. The operation when the standard volume value Dgain [11] is notified will be described.
[0030]
In step S601 in FIG. 5, it is determined that the notified standard volume value Dgain [11] is smaller than the sum of the offset value Doffset “8” and the stage number “4” of the natural volume scale, and thus the process proceeds to step S602. . In step S602, since it is determined that the notified standard volume value Dgain [11] is larger than the sum of the offset value Doffset [8] and “1”, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, as shown in FIG. 10, the value “3” obtained by subtracting the offset value Doffset [8] from the standard volume value Dgain [11] is updated and registered as the specific volume value Dvol “3”.
[0031]
After that, even when the “−” volume key is further pressed on the remote controller side, the processing of steps S601 to S603 is repeated until the standard volume value Dgain [9] as shown in FIG. The value Dvol is decreased step by step to “1”. Since the volume of the headset depends on the specific volume value Dvol, the volume is decreased every time the “−” volume key is pressed on the remote controller.
[0032]
Thereafter, when the “−” key is further pressed on the remote controller and “8” is notified as the standard volume value Dgain as shown in FIG. 12, the determination in step S602 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S604. . In step S604, it is determined whether or not the unique volume value Dvol is “1”. Here, it is determined to be “1”, so the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, as shown in FIG. 12, the offset value Doffset is updated to a value “7” obtained by subtracting “1” from the standard volume value Dgain [8].
[0033]
Thus, in this embodiment, when the standard volume value Dgain lower than the present is notified from the remote controller, the specific volume value Dgain is set so that the standard volume value Dgain matches the sum of the specific volume value Dvol and the offset value Doffset. Decrease at least one of Dvol and offset value Doffset. However, if the specific volume value Dvol is preferentially reduced over the offset value Doffset (step S603), and the specific volume value Dvol is reduced to the lowest value “1”, they do not match (determination in step S602 is negative) ) Only, the offset value Doffset is reduced (step S605).
[0034]
Next, as shown in FIG. 13, when the standard volume value Dgain is “12”, the offset value Doffset is “10”, and the unique volume value Dvol is “2”, the “MUTE” key is pressed on the remote control side. An operation when “1” is notified as the standard volume value Dgain will be described.
[0035]
When “1” is notified as the standard volume value Dgain, step S601 in FIG. 5 is affirmative and step S602 is negative, so the process proceeds to step S604. In step S604, since it is determined that the unique volume value Dvol is other than “1”, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the current offset value Doffset “10” is temporarily saved as the immediately preceding offset value doffset. In step S607, the offset value Doffset is updated to a value “0” obtained by subtracting “1” from the standard volume value Dgain [1]. In step S608, “1” is set to the specific volume value Dvol, and in step S609, the mute flag Fmute is set.
[0036]
Next, when one of the keys is pressed, as shown in FIG. 14, the remote controller notifies the standard volume value Dgain “12” immediately before mute. In step S601, since it is determined that the standard volume value Dgain “12” is larger than the sum of the offset values Doffset “0” and “4”, the process proceeds to step S610. In step S610, the mute flag Fmute is referred to. Here, since it is determined that the mute flag Fmute is set, the process proceeds to step S611. In step S611, as shown in FIG. 14, the offset value Doffset is returned to the value “10” temporarily saved as the immediately preceding offset value doffset. In step S612, the specific volume value Dvol is updated to a value “2” obtained by subtracting the offset value Doffset “10” from the notified standard volume value Dgain “12”. In step S613, the mute flag Fmute is reset.
[0037]
Returning to FIG. 4, when the operation of the volume switch 39 provided in the headset is detected in step S7, the “direct operation process” in step S8 is executed.
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the “direct operation process”. In step S801, the pressed key is determined. If the “+” key is operated, it is determined in step S802 whether the current inherent volume value Dvol is any one of “1”, “2”, and “3”. If it is any one of “1” to “3”, the natural volume value Dvol is increased by “1” in step S803. If the inherent volume value Dvol is “4”, the process ends.
[0039]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the “-” key has been operated, in step S804, whether or not the current inherent volume value Dvol is any one of “2”, “3”, and “4”. Is determined. If it is any one of “2” to “4”, the natural volume value Dvol is decreased by “1” in step S805. If the unique volume value Dvol is “1”, the process is terminated as it is.
[0040]
Returning to FIG. 4, in step S3, the standard volume value Dgain is obtained as the sum (Dvol + Doffset) of the specific volume value Dvol and the offset value Doffset. In step S4, the standard volume value Dgain is notified to the remote controller.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.
(1) Even when the volume scale on the remote controller does not match the volume scale on the player, the volume adjustment made on the remote can be accurately reflected on the player.
(2) Even if the remote control side continues to notify the volume value that exceeds the maximum volume value on the playback device side, the volume of the playback device can be immediately reduced by outputting a notification to lower the volume from the remote control side.
(3) Even if the remote control side continues to notify the volume value lower than the minimum volume value on the playback device side, the volume of the playback device can be immediately increased by outputting a notification to increase the volume from the remote control side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication mode using an intercom to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle wireless terminal to which the present invention is applied and a communication system of the wireless terminal.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic volume apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of “remote operation processing” in FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart of “direct operation processing” in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) schematically representing a volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) schematically representing a volume control operation in the electronic volume device.
FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 3) schematically representing a volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device;
FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 4) schematically representing a sound volume adjusting operation in the electronic volume device;
FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 5) schematically representing a sound volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device;
FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 6) schematically representing a sound volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device;
FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 7) schematically representing a sound volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device;
FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 1) schematically representing a volume adjustment operation in the electronic volume device.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the related art.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional technique.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Microphone, 12 ... Speaker, 13 ... Portable wireless terminal, 14 ... In-vehicle wireless terminal, 31 ... RF unit, 32 ... BT chip, 33 ... CPU, 34 ... ROM, 35 ... RAM, 36 ... Input / output interface, 37 ... Electronic volume device, 38 ... amplifier, 39 ... volume switch, 371 ... standard volume value input / output unit, 373 ... standard volume value / unique volume value conversion unit, 372 ... playback volume control unit

Claims (5)

In an electronic volume device remotely operated by a remote controller,
Means for receiving the i-th standard volume value Dgain [i] (i = 1 to N) on an N-stage standard scale;
Means for converting the received standard volume value Dgain [i] into a j-th unique volume value Dvol [j] on an M (M <N) stage unique scale;
Means for controlling the attenuation rate based on the inherent volume value Dvol [j],
The converting means includes
Means for storing an offset value Doffset between the standard volume value Dgain [i] and the specific volume value Dvol [j];
Means for adjusting at least one of the specific volume value Dvol [j] and the offset value Doffset so that the received standard volume value Dgain [i] matches the added value of the specific volume value Dvol [j] and the offset value Doffset And
The electronic volume device is characterized in that the adjusting means adjusts the specific volume value Dvol [j] in preference to the offset value Doffset.   2. The electronic volume apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying a remote controller in advance of an added value of the specific volume value Dvol [j] and the offset value Doffset. If the standard volume value D gain [i] notified from the remote controller is a predetermined mute level, the current offset value Doffset is saved and the specific volume value Dvol [j] is lowered to a predetermined level. The electronic volume device according to claim 1 or 2. When the standard volume value Dgain [i] is notified in the mute state, the saved offset value Doffset is restored, and the inherent volume value Dvol [j] is offset from the notified standard volume value Dgain [i]. 4. The electronic volume device according to claim 3, wherein a value obtained by subtracting the value Doffset is set.   5. The electronic volume device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic volume device wirelessly communicates with a remote controller by a communication procedure compliant with a Bluetooth standard.

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