JPH11346396A - Method for controlling sound volume of television receiver and television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain viewing in a comfortable output volume level without any extra operation at the time of transition from program broadcasting to CM broadcasting by judging whether or not the broadcasting is program broadcasting or CM broadcasting, and controlling an output volume level by using a first volume control value at the time of the program broadcasting and by using a second volume control value at the time of the CM broadcasting. SOLUTION: A mode selecting circuit 5 decides whether or not the broadcasting is program broadcasting or CM broadcasting from a voice signal decoded by a voice signal decoding circuit 2, and outputs the result to a voice signal level control circuit 6. A voice signal level control circuit 6 selectively applies a first volume control value corresponding to an output volume level (first output volume level) preliminarily set by a remove controller or the like by a viewer and a second volume control value corresponding to a second output volume level smaller than the first output volume level to a voice amplifier circuit 3. The first volume control value and the second volume control value are stored in a memory circuit or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a volume control method for a television receiver and a television receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, the characteristics of television broadcasting will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, data sampling was performed on the input volume level of a television broadcast in units of one unit of a counter.

If this data is expressed as a counter value on the horizontal axis and an input sound volume value on the vertical axis, as shown in FIG. 2, the CM portion generally has a shape of a large intermittent set of sharp peaks. It can be seen that This is CM
Switches rapidly in units of about ten and several seconds, C
It is considered that the volume level in the M portion is considerably larger than that in the program portion in order to enhance appeal to the viewer.

[0004] Therefore, if the viewer switches to the CM broadcast while watching the program portion at an output volume level that is comfortable for him, the output volume level also rises sharply as the input volume level rises sharply. Will be.

[0005]

For this reason, when shifting from program broadcasting to CM broadcasting, the output volume level significantly fluctuates, and the viewer may feel discomfort.

Therefore, in order to escape from the discomfort when the program broadcast is shifted to the CM broadcast, the viewer must operate the remote controller or the like to lower the output volume level.

[0007] Furthermore, when returning from the CM broadcast to the program broadcast, the output volume level is lower than the comfortable output volume level.
The troublesome operation of raising the output volume level by operating the remote controller or the like again is forced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. A first object of the present invention is to provide a television having a comfortable output volume level without any extra operation when switching from program broadcasting to CM broadcasting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a volume control method of a television receiver capable of viewing a program and a television receiver.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the volume of a television receiver which allows the user to view a television broadcast at a comfortable output volume level without operating the output volume level even when returning from the CM broadcast to the program broadcast. And a television receiver.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a volume control method for a television receiver and a television receiver capable of viewing a television broadcast at a comfortable output volume level set by a viewer for the program broadcast and the CM broadcast. To provide machines.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling the volume of a television receiver according to the present invention is characterized in that when a television broadcast is received, it is determined whether the broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast. The first volume control value is used during program broadcasting, and the output volume level is controlled using the second volume control value during CM broadcasting.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the volume control part of the television receiver in embodiment.

In FIG. 3, in addition to an audio signal receiving circuit 1, an audio signal decoding circuit 2, an audio amplifier circuit 3, and a speaker 4, which are the configuration of an audio device of a conventional television receiver, a mode selection circuit 5 and an audio Signal level control circuit 6
Is provided. The mode selection circuit 5 determines whether the broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast from the audio signal decoded by the audio signal decoding circuit 2, and outputs the result to the audio signal level control circuit 6. is there. The audio signal level control circuit 6 changes the volume control value of the audio amplification circuit 3 according to the output signal from the mode selection circuit 5.

That is, the audio signal level control circuit 6
A first volume control value corresponding to an output volume level (first output volume level) preset by a viewer using a remote controller or the like, and a second volume control value corresponding to a second output volume level smaller than the first output volume level. Is given to the audio amplification circuit 3 alternatively. The first volume control value and the second volume control value are stored in a memory circuit or the like (not shown), and may be configured so that the viewer can set them using a remote controller, a switch, or the like. .

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of volume control of the television receiver having the above-described configuration.

First, the audio signal receiving circuit 1 receives an encoded audio signal (step 1). Next, the audio signal decoding circuit 2 performs a decoding process on the encoded audio signal (step 2).

The decoded signal enters the audio amplification circuit 3 and also enters the mode selection circuit 5. The mode selection circuit 5 determines whether the broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast from the decoded audio signal, and sends the result to the audio signal level control circuit 6 (step 3). In the audio signal level control circuit 6, based on the output from the mode selection circuit 5, in the program mode, a first volume corresponding to an output volume level (first output volume level) preset by a viewer using a remote controller or the like. Is given to the audio amplification circuit 3 (step 4a).

On the other hand, in the CM mode, a second volume control value corresponding to a second output volume level smaller than the first output volume level is given to the audio amplifier circuit 3 (step 4).
b). Then, the audio amplification circuit 3 amplifies the audio signal based on the volume control value given by the audio signal level control circuit 6, so that the audio is output from the speaker 4 (step 5).

According to the above configuration and method, a television program can be viewed at a comfortable output volume level without any extra operation when shifting from program broadcasting to CM broadcasting.

Further, even when returning from the CM broadcast to the program broadcast, the television broadcast can be viewed at a comfortable output volume level without manipulating the output volume level.

That is, irrespective of whether the broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast, the viewer can view the television broadcast at an output volume level that is comfortable for him / herself.

A viewer can freely set two volume control values (a first volume control value and a second volume control value) (for example, if the user wants to listen only to the sound of a program broadcast, the second volume control value). By setting the volume control value to 0), it is also possible to realize viewing according to the taste and purpose of the viewer.

Next, a method for the mode selection circuit 5 to determine whether the broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast will be described with a specific example.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, a multiplex control signal (hereinafter, referred to as a "pilot signal") included in an audio multiplex signal is used to broadcast a program. It is determined whether the broadcast is a CM broadcast.

Since this pilot signal cannot be explained without audio multiplex broadcasting, in order to facilitate understanding,
First, audio multiplex broadcasting will be described.

<Regarding Audio Multiplexed Broadcast> Stereo broadcast and bilingual broadcast are called so-called audio multiplexed broadcasts, which simultaneously transmit two types of audio.

The audio multiplex radio wave is configured so that it can be received as a monaural audio signal without any problem by a general receiver (without an audio multiplexing function).

In the case of a stereo broadcast, a signal (L) of the sum of left and right audio signals L and R taken out by two left and right microphones.
+ R) is transmitted on the main channel, and the signal (L−
R) is transmitted on the sub-channel. In a general receiver, only the signal of the main channel is reproduced. Therefore, when this radio wave is received, only the signal of (L + R) of the main channel is reproduced and the sound is heard as monaural sound.

On the other hand, when a stereo broadcast radio wave is received by the audio multiplex receiver, two kinds of signals of the main channel and the sub-channel are separately extracted, and the two signals are adjusted by the receiving matrix circuit as follows. , Main channel signal (L + R) + sub channel signal (LR)
= 2L main channel signal (L + R) -sub channel signal (LR)
= 2R The left sound L and the right sound R can be separately extracted.

Next, in the case of bilingual broadcasting, the lines of the foreign movie are sent in the main channel signal in Japanese (main audio), and the original language (sub audio) is sent in the sub channel signal. In a general receiver, only the main channel signal (main audio) is reproduced, but in a sound multiplex receiver, the main channel signal (main audio) is output from the left speaker, and the sub-channel signal (sub audio) is output from the right speaker. be able to. Of course, it is also possible to control so that only the main sound or only the sub sound is selectively output from the left and right speakers.

Hereinafter, a television receiver that determines whether a broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast using a pilot signal will be described.

<Structure of Television Receiver> FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a television receiver.

The television receiver has a tuner 7 and an intermediate frequency signal amplifying circuit 8. The tuner 7 is a device for introducing the video / audio radio waves of the channel desired to be viewed into the intermediate frequency signal amplifying circuit 8 as a receiving circuit by a simple operation. Specifically, the received signal selected by the tuner is 58.75 MHz for video and 54.25 for audio.
The frequency is converted to an intermediate frequency signal of MHz.

The two kinds of intermediate frequency signals are respectively amplified by an intermediate frequency signal amplifying circuit 8, one of them is taken out of a video signal by a video detecting circuit 9, and the other is an audio detecting circuit 10.
The audio signal is taken out. The video signal includes a luminance signal,
Since a signal composed of a carrier chrominance signal, a synchronizing signal, and a color burst signal is included, the luminance signal is applied to the cathode of the color picture tube 12 in the video amplifying circuit 11, and the carrier chrominance signal is supplied to the color reproducing circuit 13. The synchronization signal is supplied to the synchronization circuit 14
Send to

On the other hand, the audio signal is subjected to signal processing described below in the audio amplifier circuit 15, and is output from the speaker 16 as audio.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in which the audio amplification circuit 15 of FIG. 5 processes an audio signal. The signal amplified by the intermediate frequency signal amplifying circuit 8
Is input to

The audio detection output signal at point A is a main channel signal in the case of monaural broadcasting, and is a composite multiplexed signal (main channel signal + sub-channel signal) in the case of multiplex broadcasting.

The voice detection output signal at the point A is 15 kHz
The main channel signal can be extracted by passing the signal through a low-pass filter 22 that passes only the following signals.

Further, by passing the audio detection output signal at the point A through the band-pass filter 17 and the FM detection circuit 18, a sub-channel signal can be extracted for multiplex broadcasting.

On the other hand, the output signal of the band pass filter 17 is input to the AM detection circuit 19, and the detection of the pilot signal is performed.

When the audio broadcast is stereo, the audio switching matrix circuit 20 adds and subtracts the (L + R) signal of the main channel and the (LR) signal of the sub-channel by a matrix circuit to produce an L + R audio signal. , And the L signal is sent to the left speaker and the R signal is sent to the right speaker. In the case of bilingual broadcasting, the addition is not performed by the matrix circuit, and the (L + R) signal of the main channel is passed to the left speaker and the (LR) signal of the sub channel is passed to the right speaker.

<Detection of Pilot Signal> The detection of a pilot signal which is formed so as to be able to determine whether the audio multiplex signal is stereo or bilingual and is incorporated in the audio multiplex signal will be described.

The pilot signal incorporated in the audio multiplex signal can be extracted from the intermediate point of the coil (not shown) of the 55.125 kHz trap on the input terminal side of the band pass filter 17 (FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the AM detection circuit 19 in FIG. The pilot signal is 55.125
982.5Hz for stereo broadcast with kHz carrier
In the case of bilingual broadcasting, AM (amplitude modulation) is performed at 922.5 Hz.
The pilot signal of 55.125 kHz is amplified, and the amplitude is detected by diodes D1 and D2.
3 through 982.5 for stereo broadcast
Hz, and in the case of bilingual broadcasting, a 922.5 Hz signal can be obtained.

The output signal from the AM detection circuit 19, that is, the pilot signal is 982.5 Hz or 922.5 Hz.
In the case of 2.5 Hz or monaural broadcasting, there is no signal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the audio switching matrix circuit 20 in FIG. Switching signal processing circuit 24
Then, as shown in the truth table of FIG.
A control voltage of +1 is generated at the output terminals X, Y, and Z as shown in FIG.

The main channel signal (2
In the case of broadcasting in different languages, the main sound is used.
+ R) signal is applied to the A and H amplifiers. The sub-channel signal coming from the terminal S is a sub-audio in the case of bilingual broadcasting, and (L-R) signal in the case of stereo broadcasting.
The (−L) signal whose phase has been inverted is applied to the amplifier of (c).

First, in the case of a stereo broadcast, the terminal X =
1, the terminal Y = 1, the terminal Z = 1, and the amplifiers A, C, F, and H work. Thus, (L + R) + (LR) = 2L, which is the sum of the amplifier outputs H and H, that is, the left audio signal is output from the output terminal L. Since the amplifier outputs of A and C are added to the R terminal and come out, (L + R) +
(−L + R) = 2R, that is, the right audio signal comes out.

Next, in the case of bilingual broadcasting, X = 1, Y
= 0 and Z = 0, and the amplifiers of A, D, E and G work.
The output of the amplifier is added to the output terminal L.
Since the input signal is not applied to the amplifier of (e), the amplifier output of (g), that is, the auxiliary sound (original language) comes out. Although the amplifier outputs of A and D appear at the R terminal, the amplifier output of A, that is, the main sound (Japanese) is output because there is no input signal at the amplifier of D.

In the case of monaural broadcasting, X = 1, Y
= 0, Z = 1, and the amplifiers of A, D, E, and J work,
The L terminal outputs the amplifier output of H, the R terminal outputs the amplifier output of A, and the L and R terminals output the sound by the main channel signal.

By the way, most of CM broadcasts are stereo broadcasts, and many TV movies are monaural broadcasts or bilingual broadcasts. By the output of Y, it is possible to obtain an identification signal (stereo identification signal) indicating whether or not the broadcast is a CM broadcast.

That is, it is determined whether or not this is a CM broadcast based on whether or not this Y output signal is 1. When the Y output signal is 1, it is determined that the broadcast is a CM broadcast because it is a stereo broadcast, and when the Y output signal is 0, it is determined that the broadcast is a program broadcast because it is a bilingual broadcast or a monaural broadcast. That is. The mode selection circuit 5 (see FIG. 3) selects a program mode or a CM mode according to the information.

Operations other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described. (Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the CM identification code added to the input video signal is used. That is, a CM identification code is separated and taken out from an input video signal, and the presence or absence of the CM identification code is determined to distinguish a program broadcast from a CM broadcast.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a volume control unit of a television receiver according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 9, 25 is a CM CODE separation circuit, 26 is a CM CODE discrimination circuit, and 5 is a mode selection circuit.

First, the CM code included in the input video signal is extracted by the CM CODE separation circuit 25. Then C
The M CODE discrimination circuit 26 discriminates whether or not the broadcast is a CM broadcast based on the presence or absence of the CM identification code, and sends the information to the mode selection circuit 5. The mode selection circuit 5 selects a program mode or a CM mode according to the information.

Operations other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described. Note that, in the present embodiment, as an example of a method for distinguishing a program broadcast from a CM broadcast, (1) a stereo broadcast or (2) a method of having or not having a CM identification code has been described. However, it is not limited to these.

In short, any method can be used as long as it can distinguish between program broadcasting and CM broadcasting.

[0061]

According to the present invention, the first volume control value is used for program broadcasting, and the second volume control value is used for CM broadcasting to control the output volume level.
The television program can be viewed at an output volume level that is comfortable for the viewer without any extra operation when transitioning to broadcasting or transitioning from CM broadcasting to program broadcasting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a survey on an input volume level of a television broadcast.

FIG. 2 shows the result according to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a volume control device of the television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a television receiver.

6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration for processing an audio signal centering on the audio amplification circuit 15 in FIG. 5;

7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an AM detection circuit 19 in the audio amplification circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mode selection circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an audio switching matrix circuit 20 shown in FIG. 6;
Diagram showing the configuration of

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a volume control unit of a television receiver according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 audio signal receiving circuit 2 audio signal decoding circuit 3 audio amplification circuit 4, 16 speaker 5 mode selection circuit 6 audio signal level control circuit 10 audio detection circuit 15 audio amplification circuit 17 bandpass filter 18 FM detection circuit 19 AM detection circuit 20 Audio switching matrix circuit 21 Main channel signal demodulation circuit 22 Low pass filter 23 Read filter 24 Switching signal processing circuit 25 CM CODE separation circuit 26 CM CODE discrimination circuit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for discriminating between a program broadcast and a CM broadcast based on a received signal, and controlling an output volume level using a first volume control value during a program broadcast and using a second volume control value during a CM broadcast. A volume control method for a television receiver. 2. The volume control method for a television receiver according to claim 1, wherein a distinction between a program broadcast and a CM broadcast is made based on whether or not the broadcast is a stereo broadcast. 3. The volume control method for a television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination between the program broadcast and the CM broadcast is performed based on the presence or absence of a CM identification code added to the received signal. 4. A television receiver having a tuner, a video amplifier circuit, an audio amplifier circuit, a color picture tube, and a speaker, and determines whether a broadcast is a program broadcast or a CM broadcast from a received signal. A mode selection circuit for selecting the program mode or the CM mode, and controlling the output volume level using the first volume control value in the program mode and the second volume control value in the CM mode in response to the selection. A television receiver comprising a control circuit. 5. A television receiver having a tuner, a video amplifier circuit, an audio amplifier circuit, a color picture tube, and a speaker, wherein a circuit for extracting a multiplex control signal from an audio multiplex reception signal; A mode selection circuit for determining a control signal and selecting a program mode or a CM mode depending on whether the broadcast is stereo broadcasting, and using a first control value in the program mode corresponding to the selection and a second control value in the CM mode
And a control circuit for controlling the output volume level by using the volume control value of (i). 6. A television receiver having a tuner, a video amplification circuit, an audio amplification circuit, a color picture tube, and a speaker, wherein the television identification code is obtained from a video signal to which a CM identification code is added. A circuit for extracting, a mode selection circuit for selecting a program mode or a CM mode according to the presence or absence of the CM identification code, and a first volume control value in the program mode corresponding to the selection, and a second volume control value in the CM mode A control circuit for controlling an output volume level using a control value.