KR100788517B1 - Method and apparatus for controlling audio signal of image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting an audio signal of an image display device that automatically adjusts the size of an audio signal input through an external device.

That is, the present invention detects the level of an audio signal input through an external device, compares the detected audio level value with a predetermined reference level value, and outputs an audio signal And an increase / decrease is determined.

As a result, even if the level of the audio signal inputted through the external device is different, the same audio size can be outputted, thereby preventing the consumer's claim due to the abrupt change of the audio signal and reducing the damage of the audio amplifier and the speaker.

In addition, even if the user does not adjust the volume according to the change of the audio signal input by the user, the size of the audio signal is automatically adjusted according to the predetermined condition, thereby providing convenience to the user and realizing more accurate audio output Therefore, users can be satisfied.

Video display device, external device, audio signal, adjustment

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting an audio signal of an image display apparatus,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the drawings used in the detailed description of the present invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for processing an audio signal of an image display apparatus according to the prior art.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an audio signal of a video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of adjusting an audio signal of a video display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

           Description of the Related Art

100: Audio signal input

102, 104: first and second input terminals 110, 170:

120: A / D converter 130: Free Scaler

140: controller 142: audio level detector

144: Micom 150: Memory

160: RF signal input unit 162: Tuner

164: RF signal processing unit 180: Audio signal output unit

182: Volume regulator 184: D / A converter

186: speaker 190: key input unit

192: IR transmitter 194: IR receiver

The present invention relates to an image display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for adjusting an audio signal of an image display device that adjusts the size of an audio signal input through an external device.

Generally, a video display device typically includes a television, and the television is provided with a broadcast signal corresponding to a channel selected by a user among broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcasting station, demultiplexes the broadcast signal into audio and video, And a video device outputting through a speaker.

In recent years, video display devices have been developed with the development of TV technology, and accordingly, there has been a growing interest in digital TVs using digital transmission methods. The digital TV transmits the analog broadcast signal in digital form, minimizing the influence of noise and facilitating the reproduction of the original image.

These image display devices have additional functions added as a way to enhance the convenience of viewers. As one of such additional functions, the video display device is connected to various external devices through an external input / output terminal on the back side thereof so that video and internet information and the like can be used from external devices in addition to TV watching. The user can adjust the audio signal to be output at an appropriate level of volume desired when he / she watches the information from the external audio / video device through the television.

However, the size of the audio signal inputted from the external device to the external input / output terminal of the video display device is not constant. This is caused by the specifications of the external device, the degree of aging, and the state of adjustment by the user. Accordingly, when the user uses information from an external device, the user has to adjust the size of the external audio signal to a desired volume. These problems are also confirmed through a conventional video display device having an external input / output terminal.

1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for processing an audio signal of an image display apparatus according to the prior art.

If the viewer is viewing the broadcast input from the tuner 16, the viewer can designate the volume of the audio signal to be output through the key input unit 28. [ The microcomputer 12 receives the volume data input from the key input unit 28 and stores the volume data value in the storage unit 14. In addition, the microcomputer 12 assigns a volume adjustment value (gain value) of the audio signal to the volume controller 22 based on the value data of the input key data. The volume controller 22 increases or decreases the volume of the audio signal input from the RF signal processor 18 or the pre-scaler 10 according to the amount of adjustment of the microcomputer. The audio signal adjusted by the volume controller 22 is converted into an analog audio signal outputable by a digital-analog converter (hereinafter, referred to as "D / A converter ") 24, ). ≪ / RTI >

An external audio signal supplied to the first or second input terminal 2 or 4 through an external device is supplied to a switching unit 6 and an analog-digital converter (hereinafter referred to as "AD converter ") 8, To the free skyder (10). The pre-scaler 10 amplifies the audio data from the A-D converter 8 at a constant amplification rate. The audio data amplified by the free scaler 10 is transmitted to the user via the switching unit 20, the volume controller 22, the D / A converter 24 and the speaker 26.

The audio signal transmitted to the user through such a path is not constant in size and is often output too small or large.

 The change of the audio signal inputted through the external device not only makes the user surprised but also inconveniences the user to adjust the volume of the audio signal to be outputted frequently. In addition, the audio circuit portion of the television may be damaged.

Further, even when the volume is adjusted according to the size of the audio signal input through the external device, a change occurs in the output of the audio signal due to the maker difference and aging of the external device.

From this point of view, the audio signal supplied to the video display device from the external device needs to be adjusted so as to have a constant size.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for adjusting an audio signal of an image display device that can automatically adjust the size of an audio signal input through an external device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for adjusting an audio signal of a video display device, including: a memory for storing standard audio levels; an audio signal input unit for inputting audio signals from an external device; An audio level detection unit for detecting a level of an audio signal input from an input unit; and a control unit for comparing a level value of the audio signal detected through the audio level detection unit with a standard audio level value stored in the memory, A pre-scaler for compensating for a magnitude of the audio signal according to a control signal of the microcomputer, and a pre-scaler for compensating the audio signal through the pre-scaler, The audio signal output unit Consists including has its features.

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The audio level detector detects a peak value of an audio signal input through the audio signal input unit during a predetermined period of time.

Preferably, the audio signal input unit includes an external device input terminal for inputting an audio signal from an external device, and a switching unit for selectively outputting audio signals input from the external device input terminal.

And a microcomputer for outputting a control signal so that a user can select an audio signal desired by the user through the switching unit in response to a command from the key input unit. have.

More preferably, an RF signal input unit for inputting a high-frequency signal received through an antenna (or a transmission line), an RF audio signal input from the RF signal input unit, and an audio signal input from the prescaler, And a switching unit for controlling the switching unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting an audio signal of an image display device, comprising the steps of: determining an input source of an input audio signal; detecting a level of the audio signal if the determined input source is an external device; Comparing the detected audio signal level with a pre-stored standard audio level to determine a size adjustment amount of the audio data according to the level, compensating the level of the audio signal based on the size adjustment amount of the audio data, And outputting the corresponding audio signal at a predetermined signal level.

Preferably, the step of determining the input source is a step of determining whether the audio signal received through the antenna, the audio signal received through the external device, or the audio signal previously stored in the storage medium is determined.

More preferably, the step of detecting the audio signal level is a step of detecting a peak level value of an audio signal input through an external device as a result of the determination.

More preferably, the step of compensating the audio signal level comprises comparing the detected audio signal level value with a predetermined standard level value and adjusting the amplitude of the audio signal input from the audio signal input unit, If the audio data level value and the standard level value do not coincide with each other and the level value of the audio data is greater than the standard level value as a result of the determination, And increasing the size of the audio signal input through the external device if the audio data level value and the standard level value do not match and the level value of the audio data is less than the standard level value as a result of the determination There are features.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an audio signal of a video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the user operates keys such as channel selection and volume adjustment using a remote controller or the like, the IR transmitter 192 transmits data for the operated key in the form of infrared ray (IR) . The IR receiving unit 194 receives the key data signal of the infrared type input from the IR transmitting unit 192 and restores the received key data signal into key data. The key data restored by the IR receiving unit 194 is transmitted to the microcomputer 144. The microcomputer 144 analyzes the inputted key data and outputs a control signal to each unit.

The RF signal input unit 160 receives a television broadcast signal. The RF signal input unit 160 includes a tuner 162 and an RF signal processing unit 164. The tuner 162 extracts and outputs a high-frequency signal existing in a bandwidth (channel) designated by the user among the high-frequency signals received through the antenna (or transmission line). The RF signal processing unit 164 demodulates the selected high frequency signal inputted from the tuner 162 and outputs the demodulated audio data.

The audio signal input unit 100 inputs an audio signal from an external device. The audio signal input unit 100 includes first and second input terminals 102 and 104. The first input terminal 102 is a terminal for inputting an audio signal from an external device such as a PC and the second input terminal 104 is a terminal for inputting an audio signal from an external audio /

The switching unit 110 selectively outputs audio signals input from the audio signal input unit 100. That is, the user operates the key button using the IR transmitter 192 used as the remote controller. The IR transmitting unit 192 converts the key data for the operated key button into an infrared light, and then transmits the infrared light to the IR receiving unit 194. The IR receiving unit 194 converts the inputted infrared type key signal into key data and transmits the same to the microcomputer 144. The microcomputer 144 analyzes the key data input from the IR receiving unit 194 and outputs a selection signal through the switching unit 110 so that the user can select a desired input port. The switching unit 110 selects and outputs a desired input port among the first and second input terminals according to a selection signal of the microcomputer 144. [

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 120 converts an analog audio signal input from the switching unit 110 into digital audio data.

The memory 150 stores the detection value by detecting the peak value inputted by the specialist for a predetermined time of the standard audio signal (500 mV) during the manufacture of the product. The memory 150 is preferably an EEPROM that allows the user to modify contents in the memory, which can be erased repeatedly using a voltage higher than normal, or programmed again. In addition, the memory 150 may be replaced with a ROM and a switch in the microcomputer 144.

The control unit 140 controls the operation of each unit in the digital television receiver and also outputs a control signal for adjusting the audio signal input through the external equipment. The controller 140 includes an audio level detector 142 and a microcomputer 144. The audio level detector 142 detects the level of the audio data input from the A / D converter 120. In other words, the audio level detector 142 detects a peak value of an audio signal level input for a predetermined time. The microcomputer 144 controls the prescaler 130 based on the audio level value input from the audio level detector 142 so that the audio data to be output from the prescaler 130 maintains a predetermined size The size of the audio data.

That is, the microcomputer 144 compares the level value of the audio data input from the audio level detector 142 with the reference level value stored in the memory 150. The microcomputer 144 determines how much audio data input from the A / D converter 120 is to be incremented or decremented, that is, the size adjustment amount, through the prescaler 130 according to the comparison result. In other words, if the level value of the audio data is lower than the reference level value, the amount of adjustment of the audio data size is outputted so as to amplify the audio data input from the A / D converter 120, If the level value of the data and the level value of the reference signal do not match and the level value of the audio data is larger than the reference level value, the adjustment amount is outputted so as to attenuate the audio data input from the A / D converter 120 . Unlike the method of directly controlling the gain of the free scaler 130, the microcomputer 144 controls the gain of the free scaler 130 via a writable ROM (for example, EEPROM) . In this case, the microcomputer 144 can obtain an advantage of reducing the program load.

The pre-scaler 130 amplifies or attenuates the audio data input from the A / D converter 120 according to the adjustment amount of the microcomputer 144. That is, the pre-scaler 130 increases / decreases the level value of the audio data by the gain ratio corresponding to the difference between the level value of the audio data and the reference level value according to the adjustment amount of the microcomputer 144.

The switching unit 170 selectively outputs the audio data input from the pre-scaler 130 and the audio data input from the RF signal input unit 160. That is, the user operates a key button for selecting an audio signal by using the IR transmitter 192 used as a remote controller. The IR transmitter 192 converts the key data for the operated key button into infrared light and transmits the key data signal of the infrared light type to the IR receiver 194. The IR receiver 194 restores the input infrared data signal to key data, and transmits the restored key data to the microcomputer 144. The microcomputer 144 analyzes the key data input from the IR receiver 194 and outputs a selection signal through the switching unit 170 so that the user can select desired audio data. The switching unit 170 selects and outputs audio data desired by the user from among the audio data input from the prescaler 130 and the RF signal input unit 160 according to the selection signal of the microcomputer 144.

The audio signal output unit 180 is an apparatus for providing an audio signal input from the switching unit 170 to a user. The audio signal output unit 180 includes a volume controller 182, a digital-to-analog converter 184, and a speaker 186. The volume controller 182 controls the volume of audio data input from the switching unit 170. That is, when the user inputs volume data desired by the user using the key input unit 190, the key input unit 190 transmits the received volume data to the microcomputer 144. The microcomputer 144 analyzes the volume data input from the key input unit 190 and outputs an adjustment signal to adjust the volume of the audio data to a desired volume value by the user. The volume controller 182 adjusts the volume of the audio data input from the switching unit 170 according to the adjustment signal of the microcomputer 144.

A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 184 converts the audio data input from the volume controller 182 into an output analog audio signal. The speaker 186 provides the analog audio signal input from the D / A converter 184 to the user.

As described above, when the input audio signal level value from the external device is compared with the reference level value stored in the memory 150 and the two values do not match, the level of the input audio signal is adjusted by the difference of the reference level value .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of adjusting an audio signal of an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The audio level detecting unit 142 detects the level value of the audio data input from the A / D converter 120 and transmits the level value of the detected audio data to the microcomputer 144. [ The microcomputer 144 analyzes the detection value of the audio data input through the audio level detector 142 to check whether an audio signal input through the external device exists (operation S210). After the step S210, if the detected audio data value is "less than 0 to 5 mV ", it is determined that there is no audio signal input through the external device. When there is no audio signal input through the external device, the microcomputer 144 outputs a selection signal to select the audio data input from the RF signal input unit 160 through the switching unit 170 (S220 step).

If the detected audio data value is "5 mV or more" after step S210, the microcomputer 144 determines that an audio signal input through the external device exists. When there is an audio signal input through the external device, the microcomputer 144 outputs a selection signal to select an audio signal input from the audio signal input unit 100 through the switching unit 110 (step S230 ). The analog audio signal input from the switching unit 110 is converted into digital audio data through the A / D converter 120. The audio level detector 142 detects a level value of audio data input from the A / D converter 120 (operation S240).

After step S240, the audio level detector 142 transmits the level value of the detected audio data to the microcomputer 144. The microcomputer 144 compares the audio data level value input from the audio level detector 142 with the reference level value stored in the memory 150 in operation S250. Also, the microcomputer 144 checks whether the two values match (operation S260).

After the operation S230, if the two values do not coincide with each other, the microcomputer 144 outputs an adjustment signal corresponding to the difference between the two values. That is, when the level value of the audio data is lower than the reference level value, the adjustment amount is outputted so as to amplify the audio data inputted from the A / D converter 120. When the level value of the audio data is higher than the reference level value And outputs an adjustment amount to attenuate the audio data input from the A / D converter 120 as much as possible. The pre-scaler 130 increases / decreases the size of the audio data input from the A / D converter 120 according to the adjustment amount of the microcomputer 144 (step S270).

After step S220, the audio data input when the two values coincide with each other in step S260 and after step S270 are provided to the user through the audio signal output unit 180 (step S280).

As described above, the present invention detects the level of an audio signal input through an external device, compares the detected audio level value with a reference level value, determines an adjustment amount of the audio signal by a difference between the two values .

As a result, even if the level of the audio signal inputted through the external device is different, the same audio size can be outputted, thereby preventing the consumer's claim due to the abrupt change of the audio signal and reducing the damage of the audio amplifier and the speaker.

In addition, even if the user does not adjust the volume according to the change of the audio signal input by the user, the size of the audio signal is automatically adjusted according to the predetermined condition, thereby providing convenience to the user and realizing more accurate audio output Therefore, users can be satisfied.

Claims (10)

A memory storing standard audio levels; An audio signal input unit for inputting an audio signal from an external device; An audio level detector for detecting a level of an audio signal input from the audio signal input unit; A microcomputer for comparing the level value of the audio signal detected by the audio level detection unit with a standard audio level value stored in the memory to determine a gain value by a difference between the two values, ; A prescaler for compensating a magnitude of the audio signal according to a control signal of the microcomputer; And, And an audio signal output unit for providing a compensated audio signal to the user through the pre-scaler. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the audio level detector detects a peak value of an audio signal input through the audio signal input unit for a predetermined time. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the audio signal input unit comprises: an external device input terminal for inputting an audio signal from an external device; And And a switching unit for selectively outputting audio signals input from the external device input terminal. 5. The method of claim 4, A key input unit for inputting a user command; And And a microcomputer for outputting a control signal so that a user can select a desired audio preference through the switching unit in response to a command from the key input unit. The method according to claim 1, An RF signal input unit for inputting a high frequency signal received through an antenna (or a transmission line); And a switching unit for selectively outputting an RF audio signal input from the RF signal input unit and an audio signal input from the prescaler. Determining an input source of an input audio signal; Detecting a level of the audio signal if the determined input source is an external device; Comparing the detected audio signal level with a previously stored standard audio level to determine a size adjustment amount of the audio data according to the comparison; Compensating a level of the input audio signal based on a size adjustment amount of the audio data; And, And outputting the corresponding audio signal at the compensated signal level. 8. The method of claim 7, The step of determining the input source Wherein the step of determining whether the audio signal is one of an audio signal received through an antenna, an audio signal received through an external device, and an audio signal stored in a storage medium. 8. The method of claim 7, The step of detecting the audio signal level And detecting a peak level value of an audio signal input through an external device as a result of the determination. 8. The method of claim 7, The step of compensating the audio signal level The step of comparing the detected audio signal level value with a predetermined standard level value and adjusting the size of the audio signal input from the audio signal input unit may include determining whether the detected audio level value and the standard level value match Wow, Attenuating the size of the audio signal input through the external device if the audio data level value and the standard signal level value do not match and the level value of the audio data is greater than the standard level value, And increasing the size of the audio signal input through the external device if the audio data level value and the standard level value do not match and the level value of the audio data is less than the standard level value as a result of the determination, Wherein the audio signal is a video signal.

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