KR20080046887A - Apparatus and method for auto controlling audio volume of digital tv - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for auto-controlling audio volume of digital TV are provided to adjust an output audio volume level automatically within a range of the preset reference audio volume level when the audio volume levels are different from each channel, program, and external device so that the volume adjustment is not changed repeatedly. A broadcasting signal of a specific channel or an image signal of an external device are received, and audio data of a transport stream(TS) is decoded(S101,S104). A volume level of the decoded audio data is detected. When the volume level of the detected audio data is within the preset range, the audio data is adjusted by the preset reference volume level(S106,S108). The audio data is outputted to the adjusted volume level(S107).

Description

Apparatus and Method for auto controlling audio volume of digital TV}

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional digital TV.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an automatic digital audio volume control apparatus according to the present invention.

3 is a control flowchart illustrating a method for automatically adjusting audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention.

4 is a graph showing a reference output audio level according to an input audio level according to the present invention.

5 is a control flowchart showing in more detail a method for automatically adjusting audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a memory buffer in which audio data according to the present invention is stored.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

20: IR receiver 21: control unit

22: memory 23: tuner

24: VSB demodulator 25: Demultiplexer

26: video decoder 27: display unit

28: audio decoder 29: level detector

30: volume control 31: speaker

32: capture buffer 33: AVC (Automatic Volume Correction) buffer

34: Playback buffer

The present invention relates to a digital TV, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting an audio volume of a digital TV for automatically adjusting a volume of a different level for each channel or program in a digital TV.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional digital TV.

As shown in the drawing, a conventional digital TV includes an IR receiver 100, a controller 110, a memory 120, a tuner 130, a VSB decoder 140, a demultiplexer 150, a decoder 160, And an output unit 170.

The IR receiver 100 receives the remote control code information selected by the user and transmits it to the controller 110.

The controller 110 analyzes a remote control code transmitted from the IR receiver 100 and transmits remote control code analysis information to a corresponding device.

The memory 120 includes a flash ROM that stores software such as an operating system and a DRAM that stores a virtual screen in a bitmap form that can be expressed on an output unit.

The tuner 130 transmits the radio signal transmitted through the antenna to the VSB decoder 140 according to the interpretation information of the remote control code selected by the user, and the VSB decoder 140 transmits the radio signal transmitted from the tuner 130. The signal is converted into a transport stream into an IF signal and transmitted to the demultiplexer 150.

The demultiplexer 150 parses various pieces of information such as audio, video, and other data multiplexed in the transport stream transmitted from the VSB decoder 140.

The decoder 160 decodes the audio and video signals and data signals obtained by parsing by the demultiplexer 150, processes them so that the user can view them, and outputs them through the output unit 170.

In the digital TV configured as described above, audio volume levels are set differently for each broadcasting station channel or each program.

In Korea, for example, KBS, EBS, SBS, MBC as the representative airwave broadcasting, and also for each channel or program such as various home shopping broadcasts, movies, cartoons, sports, advertising (CF) broadcasting, such as cable and cable broadcasting In addition, since the external device outputs different audio levels, when one channel is switched to another channel or a program is changed, the sound becomes too loud or too quiet.

Therefore, as described above, there is a problem in that the user has to adjust the volume one by one each time each channel, program, and external device is changed.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the output audio volume within the range of the preset reference audio volume level when the audio volume level is set differently for each channel, program or external device in the digital TV. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting audio volume of a digital TV.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a device for automatically adjusting audio volume in a digital TV, and receiving and transmitting a broadcast signal of a specific channel or an image signal of an external device An audio decoder for decoding audio data of the stream TS; A level detector for detecting a volume level of the decoded audio data; A volume control unit for adjusting the audio data to a preset reference volume level when the volume level of the detected audio data is within a preset range; And an audio output unit for outputting audio data at the volume level adjusted by the volume control unit.

The volume controller adjusts the output volume level to decrease in proportion to the difference between the input volume levels when the volume level of the audio data is less than or equal to a preset range.

The volume control unit includes a capture buffer that stores the audio data; An Automatic Volume Correction (AVC) buffer for converting and inputting audio data stored in the capture buffer according to the reference volume level; A playback buffer for outputting audio data input to the AVC buffer; Preferably, the buffers are performed repeatedly.

It is more preferable that the buffers have a pipeline structure and the plurality of buffer functions are simultaneously performed.

In addition, the method for automatically adjusting the audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention, in the method of automatically adjusting the audio volume in a digital TV, receives a broadcast signal of a specific channel or an image signal of an external device and receives a transport stream (TS). Decoding audio data; Detecting a volume level of the decoded audio data; Adjusting the audio data to a preset reference volume level when the detected volume level of the audio data is within a preset range; And outputting audio data at the volume level adjusted in the above step.

In the adjusting step, when the volume level of the audio data is less than or equal to a preset range, the output volume level is decreased in proportion to the difference value of the input volume level.

In the adjusting step, storing the audio data in a capture buffer; Converting the audio data stored in the capture buffer according to the reference volume level and inputting the audio data into an AVC buffer; Outputting audio data input to the AVC buffer through a playback buffer; It is preferred that the above steps be performed repeatedly.

It is more preferable that the steps are made of a pipeline structure so that the plurality of steps are performed at the same time.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a digital audio automatic volume control device according to the present invention.

As shown, the present invention is a device for automatically adjusting the audio volume in the digital TV, IR receiver 200, control unit 210, memory 220, tuner 230, VSB decoder 240, demultiplexing A unit 250, a video decoder 260, a display unit 270, an audio decoder 28, and a level detector 29; A volume controller 30; An audio output unit 31 is included.

The IR receiver 20 receives the remote control code information selected by the user and transmits it to the controller 210.

The controller 21 analyzes a remote control code transmitted from the IR receiver 20 and transmits remote control code analysis information to a corresponding device.

The memory 22 includes a flash ROM for storing software such as an operating system and a DRAM for storing a virtual screen in the form of a bitmap that can be represented on the output unit.

The tuner 23 transmits the radio signal transmitted through the antenna to the VSB decoder 24 according to the interpretation information of the remote control code selected by the user, and the VSB decoder 24 transmits the radio signal transmitted from the tuner 23. The signal is converted into an IF signal, and then converted into a transport stream TS and transmitted to the demultiplexer 25.

The demultiplexer 25 parses the TP data transmitted from the VSB decoder 24 into audio data and video data and transmits the same to the audio decoder and the video decoder.

The video decoder 26 decodes the video data transmitted from the demultiplexer 25 and outputs the decoded video data through the display unit 27.

The audio decoder 28 receives a broadcast signal of a specific channel or a video signal of an external device and decodes audio data of a transport stream TS. That is, the audio data transmitted from the demultiplexer 25 is decoded and then transmitted to the level detector 29.

In addition, the audio decoder 28 controls the volume level of the audio data according to the volume control signal transmitted from the volume control unit 30.

The level detector 29 detects the volume level of the audio data decoded from the audio decoder 28.

The volume controller 30 adjusts the volume of the audio data by determining whether to control the volume of the audio data transmitted to the audio decoder 28, but the volume level of the audio data detected by the level detector 29 is preset. If it is within the set range, adjust the audio data to the preset reference volume level.

In this case, when the volume level of the audio data is less than or equal to a preset range, the volume controller 30 adjusts the output volume level to decrease in proportion to the difference value of the input volume level.

The volume control unit 30 further includes a capture buffer 32 for storing the audio data; An Automatic Volume Correction (AVC) buffer 33 for converting and inputting audio data stored in the capture buffer 32 according to the reference volume level; A playback buffer 34 for outputting audio data input to the AVC buffer 33; Preferably, the buffers are performed repeatedly. It is more preferable that the buffers have a pipeline structure and the plurality of buffer functions are simultaneously performed.

The audio output unit 31 outputs audio data to the outside through a speaker (not shown) at the volume level adjusted by the volume control unit 30.

3 is a control flowchart illustrating a method for automatically adjusting audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing a reference output audio level according to an input audio level according to the present invention.

Referring to the audio volume automatic adjustment action of the present invention configured as shown in more detail as follows.

First, in the case of over-the-air waves, the RF signal entered through the antenna is converted into an IF signal through the tuner 23 and then converted into TP data by the VSB decoder 24 (S101 to S102).

The TP data is again divided into video data and audio data by the demultiplexer 25, and the audio data is converted into analog audio data that can be heard by the user in the audio decoder 28 (S103).

That is, the tuner 23 transmits the radio signal transmitted through the antenna to the VSB decoder 24 according to the interpretation information of the remote control code selected by the user, and the VSB decoder 24 transmits from the tuner 23. The converted wireless signal is converted into an IF signal, and then converted into a transport stream TS and transmitted to the demultiplexer 25. The demultiplexer 25 parses the TP data transmitted from the VSB decoder 24 into audio data and video data and transmits the same to the audio decoder and the video decoder.

The video decoder 26 decodes the video data transmitted from the demultiplexer 25 and outputs the decoded video data through the display unit 27 (S109 to S110).

Accordingly, the audio decoder 28 receives a broadcast signal of a specific channel or a video signal of an external device, decodes audio data of a transport stream TS, and decodes audio data transmitted from the demultiplexer 25. Then, the step of transmitting to the level detection unit 29 is performed (S104).

Thereafter, detecting the volume level of the decoded audio data is performed (S105).

Accordingly, the level detector 29 detects the volume level of the audio data decoded from the audio decoder 28.

Subsequently, if the detected volume level of the audio data is within a preset range, the corresponding audio data is adjusted to a preset reference volume level, and the audio data is output at the adjusted volume level in the step (S106 ˜). S108).

Accordingly, the volume controller 30 adjusts the volume of the audio data by determining whether to control the volume with respect to the audio data transmitted to the audio decoder 28, but controls the volume of the audio data detected by the level detector 29. If the level is within a preset range, the corresponding audio data is adjusted to a preset reference volume level.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the audio volume level is always output as a volume level audio signal of -18 dBFs preset for the input range of 0 dBFs to -24 dBFs.

In this case, when the volume level of the audio data is less than or equal to a preset range, the volume controller 30 adjusts the output volume level to decrease in proportion to the difference value of the input volume level.

That is, the difference is maintained for the input of -24 dBFs or less, for example, to control the output of the -19 dBFs volume level for the -25 dBFs input and the -20 dBFs volume level for the -26 dBF input.

The audio output unit 31 outputs audio data to the outside through a speaker (not shown) at the volume level adjusted by the volume control unit 30.

Here, the dBFs represent the decibels (dB) for digital full scale. The analog input level in ADC (Analog Digital Converter), which makes all bits of digital outputs to 1, is expressed as 0dBfs.

5 is a block diagram showing a memory buffer in which audio data is stored according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a control flowchart illustrating a method for automatically adjusting audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention. To describe the operation of in more detail as follows.

As shown in FIG. 5, the volume control unit 30 includes: a capture buffer 32 that stores the audio data; An AVC buffer 33 for converting and inputting audio data stored in the capture buffer 32 according to the reference volume level; A playback buffer 34 for outputting audio data input to the AVC buffer 33 is included. The buffers have a pipeline structure, so that the plurality of capture buffers 32, AVC buffers 33, and playback buffers 34 functions are repeatedly performed simultaneously.

In the present invention, when the AVC function is OFF, the data of the capture buffer 32 is output through the playback buffer 34 as it is, and in case the AVC function is turned on later, the AVC After performing the operation, it is stored in the AVC buffer 33 and is not used only as an output. On the other hand, when the user turns on the AVC function, the data of the AVC buffer 33 is output, and the delay time is also adjusted as described above in order to synchronize the video output.

The process of moving the buffer while cycling from an initially input signal is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the state of detecting audio data (S201), it is checked whether an input pointer of the capture buffer 32 is the last point of the buffer (S202).

If it is the last point, an interrupt is generated, and the three buffers 32, 33 and 34 change the storage location of data while cycling (S203 to S204).

That is, the input signal is first stored in the capture buffer 32, and when all data is input to the capture buffer 32, an interrupt is generated. Then, the pointer of the capture buffer 32 moves to the next capture buffer ( Go to 32).

In this case, previously input data of the capture buffer 32 is converted into AVC data by the control unit (CPU) 30 through a memory copy and input to the AVC buffer 33. Here, the data conversion method is changed based on the method shown in FIG. 5.

Thereafter, when all data is input to the capture buffer 32 again, the storage pointer of the capture buffer 32 is moved again, and the AVC buffer 33 is also transferred to the AVC buffer 33 after the operation by the controller 30. Stored. The playback buffer 34 is positioned in place of the previous AVC buffer 33, and this structure is repeatedly cycled over and over. In this manner, pointers in the buffer are cycled to prevent the occurrence of overflow in each buffer, thereby enabling continuous operation.

Therefore, when the AVC function is selected according to the user's selection of the AVC function, the data of the AVC buffer 33 is connected to the playback buffer 34 and the playback buffer is set after setting a delay time suitable for AVC use. While outputting audio data of (34) (S208 to S210), when the AVC function is not selected, the data of the capture buffer 32 is directly connected to the playback buffer 34, and the use of the capture buffer 32 is used. Set the delay time to match the output (S211 ~ S212).

The present invention described above can be applied not only to flat panel display devices such as PDPs and LCDs, but also to projection TVs, general TVs, monitors, and other video devices, and can be equally applied to analog TVs, digital TVs, and satellite TVs. In addition, it can of course be applied to all NTSC, PAL, SECAM method.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Anyone skilled in the art can, of course, make various changes and make such changes as fall within the stated claims.

As described above, according to the apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the audio volume of a digital TV according to the present invention, when the audio volume level is set differently for each channel, program, or external device, the preset reference audio volume is input. By automatically adjusting the output audio volume level within the range of levels, there is a convenient effect that the user does not have to adjust the volume manually.

Claims (8)

In a device that automatically adjusts the audio volume in the digital TV, An audio decoder for receiving a broadcast signal of a specific channel or a video signal of an external device and decoding audio data of a transport stream (TS); A level detector for detecting a volume level of the decoded audio data; A volume control unit for adjusting the audio data to a preset reference volume level when the volume level of the detected audio data is within a preset range; And an audio output unit for outputting audio data at the volume level adjusted by the volume control unit. The method of claim 1, And the volume controller adjusts the output volume level to decrease in proportion to a difference value of the input volume level when the volume level of the audio data is less than or equal to a preset range. The method of claim 1, The volume control unit, A capture buffer for storing the audio data; An AVC buffer for converting and inputting audio data stored in the capture buffer according to the reference volume level; A playback buffer for outputting audio data input to the AVC buffer; And the buffers are repeatedly performed. The method of claim 3, wherein And the buffers have a pipeline structure to perform the plurality of buffer functions simultaneously. In the method of automatically adjusting the audio volume in the digital TV, Receiving a broadcast signal of a specific channel or a video signal of an external device and decoding audio data of a transport stream (TS); Detecting a volume level of the decoded audio data; Adjusting the audio data to a preset reference volume level when the detected volume level of the audio data is within a preset range; Outputting audio data at the volume level adjusted in the step; Digital volume control method of audio volume, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 5, In the adjusting step, when the volume level of the audio data is less than or equal to a preset range, the audio volume automatic adjustment method of the digital television, characterized in that the output volume level is adjusted to decrease in proportion to the difference value of the input volume level. The method of claim 5, In the adjustment step, Storing the audio data in a capture buffer; Converting the audio data stored in the capture buffer according to the reference volume level and inputting the audio data into an AVC buffer; Outputting audio data input to the AVC buffer through a playback buffer; And the steps are repeatedly performed. The method of claim 7, wherein Wherein the steps are made of a pipeline (Pipeline) structure, characterized in that the plurality of steps are carried out at the same time audio volume automatic adjustment method of digital.

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