JPH0278311A - Sound volume adjustor for voice output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always make the output of a voice output device, i.e., a sound volume appropriate by detecting a surrounding sound volume and a time, and adjusting the sound volume by the fuzzy eduction based on the sound volume and the time data. CONSTITUTION:An output sound volume input section 1 detects a current supplied to a sound output section 7 such as a speaker and outputs a detection signal S1 representing the sound volume outputted from the sound output section 7. A surrounding sound volume input section 2 detects the surrounding sound volume from a microphone and outputs a detection signal S2. A clock section 3 outputs a time data D. The detection signal S1, S2 and the time data D are inputted to a fuzzy eduction section 4, from which a proper sound volume in matching with the surrounding is always obtained based on a data from a fuzzy memory section 5 receiving a condition to adjust the sound volume in advance.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Summary of the Invention A method for controlling the volume of an audio output device by detecting at least the output volume of the audio output device, surrounding volume, and time, and performing fuzzy inference based on these detected values; Get proper audio output.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device that optimally and automatically adjusts the volume of an audio output device in accordance with the output volume 1 of the device, the volume 1 surrounding the device, 1 time, and the like.

Traditional audio output devices (e.g. televisions).

The following methods are available for adjusting the output volume of a stereo device, etc.

For televisions and stereo equipment, manually adjust the variable resistor to obtain the most comfortable volume. There are also devices that perform some degree of automatic adjustment in combination with means for detecting the volume around the device. However, with manual adjustment, it is necessary to operate the volume etc. according to the surrounding sound volume, which is inconvenient. Furthermore, since conventional automatic adjustment methods do not take time of day into consideration, there is a problem in that the volume automatically increases even in the early morning or late at night.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can automatically adjust the volume of an audio output device so that it is appropriate not only in accordance with the surrounding volume but also in accordance with the time of day.

The volume adjustment device for an audio output device according to the present invention includes: a first means for detecting the output volume of the audio output device; a second means for detecting the volume around the audio output device; 1) a clock that outputs time data; , the detection signals from the first and second means and the data representing the time from the clock are input, and predetermined rules and output volume of the audio output device are input.

A fuzzy inference unit that calculates the output volume of the audio output device based on the membership functions regarding the surrounding volume and the time of day, and controls the output volume of the audio output device based on the inference result by the fuzzy inference unit. It is characterized by having a means to do so.

According to this invention, not only the surrounding volume but also the time is detected, and the volume of the audio output device is adjusted by fuzzy reasoning based on these volume and time data. The output volume is automatically adjusted to provide easy-to-hear audio output. The volume doesn't get too loud, especially late at night or early in the morning.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, at least 2' volume input sections 1.
2 and a clock section 3 are provided. The output volume input unit 1 detects the current applied to the audio output unit 7 such as a speaker, and outputs a detection signal S representing the volume output from the audio output unit 7.
Outputs 1. Of course, this input section 1 may be realized by a microphone placed in front of a speaker or the like.

The ambient sound volume control unit 2 includes, for example, a microphone.

Detects the volume around the audio output device.

A detection signal S2 representing this volume is output. The volume around the audio output device may vary depending on the location, so
If it is a single human-powered unit, it may be placed at the most appropriate position, but it is also possible to provide a plurality of volume input units and use the average value of these detected volume levels or the calculation result according to a predetermined calculation rule as the detection signal S2. good. A clock section 3 is provided inside the audio output device and outputs time data D.

These detection signals S 1 , S and time data D are given to the fuzzy inference section 4 . The fuzzy inference unit 4 refers to all devices that execute fuzzy inference or fuzzy operations, and is a concept that includes what are called fuzzy computers, fuzzy controllers, fuzzy inference devices, fuzzy inference calculation devices, and the like. Also, dedicated devices (regardless of analog type or digital type) for fuzzy inference (for example, [Nikkei Electronics J July 27, 19B7, pp. 148-15)
2, Nikkei McGraw-Hill), as well as binary type computers, processors, etc., programmed to perform fuzzy inference.

In any case, rules for adjusting the volume of the audio output section 7 are set in advance in the fuzzy inference section 4, and membership functions used in these rules are set in the fuzzy memory section 5. Examples of these membership functions are shown in FIGS. 2-4. In FIG. 2, regarding the volume of one surrounding area, there are membership functions representing seven types of linguistic information: quiet, quiet, somewhat quiet, normal, somewhat noisy, noisy, and very noisy. Figure 3 shows the time of day: early morning, morning, noon,
Six types of membership functions are shown: evening, night (in this specification, refers to the beginning of the night, and refers to a range of several hours centered around 10 pm), and midnight. FIG. 4 shows membership functions representing seven types of linguistic information regarding the output volume: quite low, small, a little low, normal, a little loud, loud, and quite loud.

These membership functions may have any shape such as a triangular trapezoid shape or a normal distribution. It goes without saying that the membership functions and rules can be changed as appropriate.

The rules for fuzzy inference in the fuzzy inference section 4 are so-called If', then rules (Modus Bonens), and an example thereof is described as follows.

(If') If the surroundings are noisy, the output volume is low, and it is daytime (then), increase the output volume.

■If the surroundings are quiet, the output volume is high, and it is morning, reduce the output volume a little.

■If the surroundings are quiet, the output volume is a little loud, and it is early in the morning, reduce the output volume.

■If the surroundings are a little noisy, the output volume is a little high, and it's daytime, increase the output volume a little.

■If the surroundings are a little noisy, the output volume is a little low, and it's night, increase the output volume a little.

There are various types of inference calculations performed by the fuzzy inference unit, but here we will exemplify one based on the old N-MAX calculation rules.

For each rule described above, the input signals S, S2 . The goodness of fit of D (i.e., the function values corresponding to the signals S, S2, and D, respectively) is determined. These 3 for each rule
The one with the lowest fitness is selected (M I N operation), and the membership function regarding the output volume for that rule is determined based on the selected fitness (the part with the fitness below is calculated; a kind of MIN Calculation). The membership functions regarding the output volume obtained in this way are superimposed over all rules (MAX calculation),
For example, by determining the center of gravity position, it is defuzzified (non-fuzzy) and the final output volume command (
For example, analog voltage) ■ can be obtained.

The output volume command V is given to the output volume control section 6. The output volume control unit 6 adjusts the output volume by changing the resistance value of a volume adjustment resistor (not shown) of the audio output unit 7 or by changing the degree of amplification of the amplifier circuit in response to the output volume command V. Adjust. In this way, the volume from the audio output section 7 is adjusted in accordance with the above rules so as to make it easier to hear. The above-mentioned adjustment of the resistance value by the output volume control section 6 can be achieved by moving the slider of the variable resistor using a servo motor or the like, or it can also be realized by an electronic circuit. Adjustment of the amplification degree is easy if a variable gain amplifier circuit is used.

Furthermore, it is too large in order to compensate for individual differences in audibility. too small. A key may be provided for inputting linguistic information indicating ease of audibility (difficulty of audibility), such as too loud or just right, and this key may be used to input the subjective opinion. Then, by including this input linguistic information as a condition in the above rules, and setting membership functions expressed by these linguistic information, and making it the subject of inference in the fuzzy inference section 4, the listening It is preferable to derive a command V that takes into account individual differences in ease of use. By doing so, it is possible to achieve optimal audio output adjustment that also takes into account the personal subjective evaluation criteria of ease of listening.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows examples of membership functions for ambient sound volume, FIG. 3 for time periods of the day, and FIG. 4 for output sound volume. 1...Output volume input section. 2...Ambient volume human power department. , 3...Clock part. 4...Fuzzy reasoning section. 5...Fuzzy memory section. 6...Output volume control section. 7...Audio output section. that's all

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A first means for detecting the output volume of the audio output device; a second means for detecting the volume of the surrounding area in which the audio output device is placed; a clock that outputs time data; The detection signal from the second means and the data representing the time from the clock are input, and a predetermined rule and a membership function regarding each of the output volume of the audio output device, the surrounding volume, and the time of day are determined. A volume adjustment device for an audio output device, comprising: a fuzzy inference unit that calculates an output volume of the audio output device based on the above, and a means for controlling the output volume of the audio output device based on the inference result by the fuzzy inference unit.