JPH0993056A - Electronic volume adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic volume adjusting device by which the sound of high volume is prevented from being outputted just after a power source is turned on. SOLUTION: Even while the power source is turned off, a volume adjusting circuit 2 stores a volume value just before the power source is turned off the last time. While the power source is turned off, no power is supplied to the volume adjusting circuit 2 so that the volume can not be adjusted. When the power source is turned on, corresponding to the volume value stored in the volume adjusting circuit 2 just before the power source is turned off at the last time, a sound amplifier circuit 3 tries to amplify and output a sound signal but within the period previously set by a timer 14 from the time when the power source is turned on, a sound mute circuit 13 stops the operation of sound amplifier circuit 3 so that no sound can be outputted from a speaker 7. On the other hand, the volume can be adjusted by the volume adjusting circuit 2. Therefore, even when the unwanted volume just before the last turn-off of power source is stored just before the turn-on of power source, the sound can be prevented from being outputted at the stored volume.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a television receiver,
For example, it relates to an electronic volume control device used in an audio device such as a so-called cassette tape recorder or a car stereo for recording, reproducing, receiving sound, etc., and particularly, it is possible to prevent a large volume sound from being output when the power is turned on. The present invention relates to an electronic volume control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, volume adjustment devices using a variable resistor and electronic volume adjustment devices that have become widespread in recent years have been used to adjust the volume of television receivers and audio devices.

A volume adjusting device using a variable resistor adjusts the volume by a knob attached to the variable resistor,
The currently set volume can be recognized by the position of the knob attached to the variable resistor, so the volume can be adjusted even when the power is off, and the currently set volume can also be recognized. .

On the other hand, an electronic volume adjusting device generally adjusts the volume with a volume switch for increasing or decreasing the volume, and the volume currently set is displayed on-screen in a television receiver. In the device and audio device, since a scale or a number indicating the volume level is displayed and recognized on a display device such as an LCD or LED, the electronic volume control device is also off when the power is off. Cannot be performed, and the volume of the currently set volume cannot be recognized. Further, the set volume is stored in the storage circuit built in the television receiver regardless of the power on / off state. Therefore, in a television receiver or an audio device using the electronic volume adjusting device, immediately after the power is turned on, the volume set at the time when the power is turned off the last time is set.

[0005]

However, since the conventional electronic volume control device is configured as described above, if the volume level is set to a high level when the power is turned off last time, There is a problem that an undesired volume of sound is output immediately after the power is turned on, for example, a sound is output with a large volume immediately after the power is turned on. For example, when a user of an audio device wants to reduce the volume immediately after turning on the power, or when it is not desirable to output a loud sound at night, such as when using at night, the volume should be increased immediately after turning on the power. Sound may be output.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to obtain an electronic volume control device capable of preventing the output of an undesired volume sound immediately after the power is turned on. And

[0007]

The problem solving means according to claim 1 of the present invention is used in an apparatus equipped with a voice output means for outputting a voice, and is set to the previous power-off time when the power is turned on. The electronic volume adjusting device for adjusting the volume of the voice output means from the predetermined volume, the output limiting means for preventing the voice output means from outputting the voice within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. Equipped with.

In the problem solving means according to claim 2 of the present invention, the output limiting means includes a timer for measuring the preset period after the power is turned on.

In the problem solving means according to claim 3 of the present invention, the device equipped with the voice output means is an audio device for recording, reproducing, receiving sound and the like.

In the problem solving means according to claim 4 of the present invention, the audio output means receives the amplified audio signal, and the audio amplifying means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal to a designated volume. A speaker for outputting as a voice, the output limiting means measures a time from the power-on, a timer for measuring the preset period, and the voice until the period measured by the timer. Audio mute means for stopping the amplifying operation of the amplifying means.

In the problem solving means according to claim 5 of the present invention, the device provided with the audio output means is a television receiver provided with a video display means for displaying a received video.

In the problem solving means according to claim 6 of the present invention, the audio output means receives the amplified audio signal, and an audio amplifying means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal to a designated volume. A speaker for outputting as a voice, the output limiting means measures a time from the power-on, a timer for measuring the preset period, and the voice until the period measured by the timer. Audio mute means for stopping the amplifying operation of the amplifying means, and a display showing the magnitude of the instructed sound volume is inserted into the received video until the period measured by the timer, and the display is displayed on the video display means. And an on-screen display means for outputting the inserted image.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. The present embodiment is a case where the electronic volume control device is used in an audio device. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic volume adjusting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 4 is a high volume switch for increasing the volume, 5 is a low volume switch for reducing the volume, 2 is a high volume switch 4,
A volume adjusting circuit which receives an output of the volume small switch 5 and generates and stores a volume value according to the output, 6 is an audio signal input terminal for receiving an audio signal generated or received by an audio device, and 3 is an audio signal A sound amplification circuit that receives the sound volume value output from the sound volume adjustment circuit 2 and amplifies the sound signal to the sound volume value, a speaker 7 that receives the sound signal amplified by the sound amplification circuit 3 and outputs a sound, and a reference numeral 14 indicates in advance. A timer that measures and outputs a set period, 13 is an audio mute circuit that receives the output of the timer 14 and stops the amplification operation of the audio amplifying circuit 3 within a preset period that the timer 14 measures, and 15 is a volume A display control circuit for receiving a volume value output from the adjusting circuit 2 and outputting a signal for displaying the volume level corresponding to the volume value, 1 receives a signal output by the display control means 15, and outputs the volume. A display unit for displaying the magnitude.

The audio output circuit is composed of the audio amplifier circuit 3, the audio signal input terminal 6 and the speaker 7. The audio mute circuit 13 and the timer 14 constitute output limiting means. Further, the volume adjusting circuit 2 has a built-in storage circuit (not shown) described in the related art. Further, for example, a backup power supply or a battery is connected to the storage circuit, and the contents stored in the storage circuit are retained even when the power of the audio device is off.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the operation of the electronic volume adjusting device when the power is on and a preset period has elapsed since the power was turned on will be described. The preset period may be fixed, or the timer 14 is provided with setting means (not shown) that allows the user to freely set the period.
It may be variably set. The volume of the currently output voice is stored in the storage circuit in the volume adjusting circuit 2 as a volume value such as a digital value. When the user adjusts the volume, the user turns on the high volume switch 4 to increase the volume. Volume switch 4
When is turned on, the volume adjusting circuit 2 generates a volume value larger than the volume value currently stored in the storage circuit. On the contrary, when the volume is reduced, the volume small switch 5 is turned on to generate a volume value smaller than the volume value currently stored in the storage circuit. The generated volume value is stored in the storage circuit.

The display control circuit 15 receives the stored volume value and displays the volume level corresponding to the volume value on the display section 1. The user can adjust the volume while confirming the volume displayed on the display unit 1. At the same time, the audio amplifier circuit 3 also receives the volume value stored in the storage circuit and amplifies the audio signal received via the audio signal input terminal 6 in accordance with the volume value. The speaker 7 receives the amplified voice signal and outputs a voice.

Next, the operation when the power is off will be described. When the power of the audio device is turned off, the volume control circuit 2
The storage circuit of stores the volume value immediately before the power is turned off.
Further, after the power is turned off, the volume adjusting circuit 2 cannot perform the operation except the operation of the memory of the memory circuit.
Even if the high volume switch 4 or the low volume switch 5 is pressed, the volume cannot be adjusted. Therefore, when the power is off, the storage circuit holds the volume value immediately before the power was turned off.

Next, the operation from power-on to a preset period will be described. When the power of the audio device is turned on, the timer 14 starts its operation and measures the time since the power was turned on. The audio mute circuit 13 stops the amplification operation of the audio amplification circuit 3 until a preset period. As a result, the audio amplifier circuit 3 does not output an audio signal, and no audio is output from the speaker 7.

However, since the volume adjusting circuit 2 can be operated because the power is turned on, the volume value can be generated by turning on the volume low switch 4 or the volume high switch 5 as described above, and the volume value is generated. The volume value is the volume adjustment circuit 2
The display control circuit 15 receives the stored volume value and displays the volume level corresponding to the volume value on the display unit 1. The user can adjust the volume while confirming the volume displayed on the display unit 1.

Next, the operation after the preset period has passed will be described. When the timer 14 measures a preset period, it outputs a signal. Upon receiving the signal, the audio mute circuit 13 starts the amplification operation of the audio amplification circuit 3. As described above, the audio amplification circuit 3 receives the volume value stored in the storage circuit of the volume adjustment circuit 2, and amplifies the audio signal received through the audio signal input terminal 6 according to the volume value. To do. The speaker 7 receives the amplified voice signal and outputs a voice.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sound is not output within a preset period after the audio device is turned on, so that if the volume is adjusted within that period, the power is turned on immediately after the power is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the output of the sound of undesired volume.

Embodiment 2. The present embodiment is a case where the electronic volume control device is used in a television receiver. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic volume adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 10 is a video signal input terminal for receiving a video signal received by the television receiver, 8 is a video signal received from the video signal input terminal 10, the volume value output by the volume adjusting circuit 2 and the output of the timer 14. In response to this, an on-screen display circuit that generates an image signal having a volume corresponding to the volume value and inserts the image signal into the video signal within a preset period measured by the timer 14, and 9 is a video signal into which the volume image signal is inserted. 1 is a video output circuit for outputting the video output circuit, 11 is a video display unit for displaying a video upon receiving the output of the video output circuit 9, 12 is a volume display displayed on the video display unit 11, and other symbols are the respective symbols in FIG. It corresponds to.

The audio output circuit is composed of the audio amplifier circuit 3, the audio signal input terminal 6 and the speaker 7. On-screen display circuit 8, audio mute circuit 13, and timer 14
The output limiting means is constituted by the above. Further, the volume adjusting circuit 2 has a built-in storage circuit (not shown) described in the related art. Further, for example, a backup power supply or a battery is connected to the memory circuit, and the contents stored in the memory circuit are retained even when the power of the television receiver is off.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the operation of the electronic volume adjusting device when the power is on and a preset period has elapsed since the power was turned on will be described. The preset period may be fixed, or the timer 14 is provided with setting means (not shown) that allows the user to freely set the period.
It may be variably set. The volume of the currently output voice is stored in the storage circuit in the volume adjusting circuit 2 as a volume value such as a digital value. When the user adjusts the volume, the user turns on the high volume switch 4 to increase the volume. Volume switch 4
When is turned on, the volume adjusting circuit 2 generates a volume value larger than the volume value currently stored in the storage circuit. On the contrary, when the volume is reduced, the volume small switch 5 is turned on to generate a volume value smaller than the volume value currently stored in the storage circuit. The generated volume value is stored in the storage circuit.

When the volume is being adjusted, the on-screen display circuit 8 receives the video signal received from the video signal input terminal 10 and the volume value stored in the storage circuit, and is displayed as in the volume display 12. An image signal indicating the volume level according to the volume value stored in the storage circuit is generated and inserted into the video signal. The video output circuit 9 outputs the video signal in which the image signal for volume display is inserted to the video display unit 11.
The video display unit 11 displays a video including the volume display 12.
The user can adjust the volume while checking the volume displayed on the volume display 12. At the same time, the audio amplifier circuit 3 also receives the volume value stored in the storage circuit and amplifies the audio signal received via the audio signal input terminal 6 in accordance with the volume value. The speaker 7 receives the amplified voice signal and outputs a voice. When the user has not adjusted the volume, the on-screen display circuit 8 does not insert the image signal indicating the volume level into the video signal, so that the video display unit 11 does not display the volume display 12.

Next, the operation when the power is off will be described. When the power of the television receiver is turned off, the storage circuit of the volume adjusting circuit 2 stores the volume value immediately before the power is turned off. Further, after the power is turned off, the volume adjusting circuit 2 cannot perform the operation except the operation of the memory of the memory circuit.
Even if the high volume switch 4 or the low volume switch 5 is pressed, the volume cannot be adjusted. Therefore, when the power is off, the storage circuit holds the volume value immediately before the power was turned off.

Next, the operation from power-on to a preset period will be described. When the television receiver is powered on, the timer 14 starts its operation and measures the time from the power-on. The audio mute circuit 13 stops the amplification operation of the audio amplification circuit 3 until a preset period. As a result, the audio amplifier circuit 3 does not output an audio signal, and no audio is output from the speaker 7.

However, since the volume adjusting circuit 2 can be operated because the power is turned on, the volume value can be generated by turning on the volume low switch 4 or the volume high switch 5 as described above, and the volume value is generated. The volume value is the volume adjustment circuit 2
Stored in the memory circuit.

After the power is turned on, the on-screen display circuit 8 receives the video signal from the video signal input terminal 10 and the volume value stored in the storage circuit, and outputs the volume value as in the volume display 12. Generates an image signal indicating the volume of sound and inserts it into the video signal. The video output circuit 9 outputs the video signal in which the image signal is inserted to the video display unit 11. The video display unit 11 displays a video including the volume display 12. The user can adjust the volume while checking the volume displayed on the volume display 12.

Next, the operation after the preset period has passed will be described. When the timer 14 measures a preset period, it outputs a signal. Upon receiving the signal, the audio mute circuit 13 starts the amplification operation of the audio amplification circuit 3. As described above, the audio amplification circuit 3 receives the volume value stored in the storage circuit of the volume adjustment circuit 2, and amplifies the audio signal received through the audio signal input terminal 6 according to the volume value. To do. The speaker 7 receives the amplified voice signal and outputs a voice. Further, when the on-screen display circuit 8 receives the signal output from the timer 14, it stops inserting the image signal indicating the volume level from when the power is turned on into the video signal, so that the video display unit 11 stops displaying the volume display 12.

As described above, in this embodiment, the sound is not output within a predetermined period after the television receiver is turned on, so that the volume can be adjusted within that period immediately after the power is turned on. In addition, it is possible to prevent the output of an undesired sound volume.

In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the electronic volume control device is used in an audio device and a television receiver is shown, but it can be used in a device equipped with other audio output means. it can.

The structure of the output limiting means is as shown in FIGS.
In addition to the configuration shown in (1), the configuration may be such that output of voice from the voice output means can be suppressed within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. In addition, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the configuration is such that audio is not output during the period set by the timer, but in addition, for example, after turning on the power,
The sound may be output at the timing when the volume adjustment is finished by the high volume switch 4 or the low volume switch 5.

Further, the preset period described in the first and second embodiments means within the time set by the timer after the power is turned on, but it is determined after the power is turned on. It also includes the case where it means the period until the specified timing (event occurrence). For example, as described above, when the power is turned on and the sound is output after the volume is adjusted by the high volume switch 4 or the low volume switch 5, the high volume switch 4 is turned on after the power is turned on.
Alternatively, a period until the timing when the volume adjustment is finished by the volume small switch 5 is included in the meaning of the preset period.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the output of an undesired sound volume immediately after the power is turned on.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set a predetermined period after the power is turned on by the timer.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an audio device capable of preventing the output of an undesired sound volume immediately after the power is turned on.

According to claim 4 of the present invention, the sound output means is composed of the sound amplification means and the speaker, and the output restriction means is composed of the timer and the sound mute means. It is possible to obtain an electronic volume control device corresponding to an audio device capable of preventing the output of the sound.

According to claim 5 of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a television receiver capable of preventing the output of an undesired sound volume immediately after the power is turned on.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the audio output means is composed of the audio amplification means and the speaker, and the output limiting means is composed of the timer, the audio mute means and the on-screen display means. The present invention has an effect of providing an electronic volume adjusting device corresponding to a television receiver capable of preventing the output of an undesired volume of sound.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electronic volume adjusting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electronic volume adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 display section, 2 volume control circuit, 3 audio amplification circuit, 4
High volume switch, low volume switch, 6 audio signal input terminal, 7 speakers, 8 on-screen display circuit, 9 video output circuit, 10 video signal input terminal, 11
Video display unit, 12 volume display, 13 audio mute circuit, 14 timer, 15 display control circuit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electronic volume control which is used in a device provided with a voice output means for outputting a voice, and when the power is turned on, the volume of the voice output means is adjusted from the volume set at the time when the power was turned off last time. An electronic volume control device, comprising an output limiting means for preventing the sound output means from outputting the sound within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. 2. The electronic volume adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the output limiting unit includes a timer that measures the preset period after the power is turned on. 3. The electronic volume adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the device provided with the voice output means is an audio device for recording, reproducing, receiving sound and the like. 4. The audio output means includes audio amplification means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal to a designated volume, and a speaker for receiving the amplified audio signal and outputting it as audio. The output limiting means measures a time from the time when the power is turned on and a timer that measures the preset period, and a voice that stops the amplification operation of the voice amplifying means until the period measured by the timer. The electronic volume control apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a mute unit. 5. The electronic volume adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the device provided with the audio output means is a television receiver provided with a video display means for displaying a received video. 6. The audio output means includes audio amplification means for amplifying and outputting the audio signal to a designated volume, and a speaker for receiving the amplified audio signal and outputting it as audio. The output limiting means measures a time from the time when the power is turned on and a timer that measures the preset period, and a voice that stops the amplification operation of the voice amplifying means until the period measured by the timer. Mute means, and inserts a display indicating the instructed volume level into the received video until the period measured by the timer,
The electronic volume control device according to claim 5, further comprising: an on-screen display unit that outputs the inserted image to the image display unit.