TW201349862A - Audio/video (AV) playing device and related method - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio/video (AV) playing device and method are provided. The AV playing device is electrically connected to a telephone via a telephone line. The AV playing device includes a telephone socket and an AV playing module. The AV playing module is electrically connected to the telephone socket. The AV playing module receives an audio control command from the telephone and precedes an operation based on it.

Description

Video and audio playback device and method

The present invention relates to an audio-video playback apparatus and method, and more particularly to an audio-video playback apparatus and method that operates in accordance with an audio control command.

Conventional Technology In order to improve the inconvenience of using a remote controller, a microphone-assisted television set with voice control function is provided. Simply put, this kind of conventional technology allows the user to release the operating instructions of the TV through the microphone, such as: mute, switch channels, adjust the volume and other functions. After the user releases the command via the microphone, it will recognize the sound inside the TV, and then the TV will perform the related video playback according to the user's instruction.

However, there are still some shortcomings in the practice of conventional technology. For example, while user A is watching TV and using the microphone to give an instruction, user B is talking to user C just in the side. When the microphone is radio, three users' voices will be received at the same time, resulting in a false positive. Because the sound transmitted through the microphone may come from all around, the microphone is not clearly identifiable.

Therefore, when using the voice control method of the conventional technology, the microphone must be used with the sound intensity detector. The purpose of the sound intensity detector is to detect the intensity of the input sound signal and determine which of the sounds emitted around the microphone is the sound of the user who is actually watching the television program.

In other words, the sensitivity (gain) of the microphone for the conventional technology Adjustments will affect the recognition rate of the overall instruction. When the background noise is too large, the user has not spoken yet, and the system has detected that a voice (background noise) has been input, which will lead to recognition errors. At this point, the conventional technique needs to lower the gain of the microphone or reduce the background noise. It can be seen that the conventional technology controls the playback of the television by means of microphone radio reception, and the sensitivity of the microphone needs to be adjusted according to the change of the surrounding environment, otherwise the recognition rate may be affected.

Moreover, such a voice control method is equivalent to requiring the user to speak the command at a close distance. Otherwise, once the user is at a remote distance, the command is easily regarded as background noise and cannot be effective.

As mentioned above, the voice control method provided by the conventional technology requires high-order and accurate digital signal processing methods to separate the user's voice from the noise around the environment and accurately determine the commands issued by the user. In addition, the way the microphone is used also defines the distance that the user can operate the television. Therefore, the conventional technology is costly and imposes restrictions on the user's operating position, and remains to be improved.

One aspect of the present invention is an audio-visual playback device connected to a telephone device, the audio-visual playback device comprising: a telephone jack connected to the telephone device by a telephone line; and an audio-visual playback module, electrically connected In the telephone jack, the video playback module receives an audio control command transmitted by the telephone device, and performs an operation behavior accordingly.

Another aspect of the present invention is a video and audio playback method, which is applied to a video playback device connected to a telephone device, and the playback method includes the following Step: receiving an audio control command transmitted by the telephone device by a telephone line; and performing an operation behavior according to the audio control command.

In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the present invention, the preferred embodiments are described below, and in conjunction with the drawings, the detailed description is as follows:

In view of the above problems, the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a telephone device to control the operation of a video playback device such as a television. Telephone devices are already quite popular products in modern homes. Therefore, according to the concept of the present invention, a telephone jack is provided in the video playback device so that the video playback device can be turned on with the telephone device through the telephone line.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram of a video playback device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The video playback device 23 has a telephone jack 234 for connecting the telephone line 22 to be connected to the telephone device 21. Providing the telephone jack 234 in the video playback device 23 and connecting the telephone device 21 to the video playback device 23 by the telephone line 22 is relatively simple and can be achieved at a relatively low cost.

The video playback device 23 also includes a video playback module 231. The video playback module 231 is electrically connected to the telephone jack 234, and thus performs an operation of command and data exchange with the telephone device 21 via the telephone line 22. The video playback module 231 receives the audio control command transmitted by the telephone device 21 and performs an operation behavior accordingly.

According to the concept of the present invention, if the user 27 is located in the same room as the video playback device 23 and the telephone device 21, the user 27 directly operates the telephone device 21 to transmit audio through the telephone line 22 and the telephone access hole 234. The control command is transmitted to the video playback device 23. On the other hand, if the user is located elsewhere, the user can transmit the audio control command using the communication device 26 that is signally coupled to the telephone device 21. That is, the audio control command is transmitted to the telephone device 21 via the communication device 26 and the telephone network 25, and then transmitted to the video playback device 23 by the telephone device 21.

When the telephone device 21 and the communication device 26 are in a call state, the communication device 26 generates an audio control command and transmits it to the video playback device 23 via the telephone device 21. It should be noted that either the voice control signal sent by the user 27's spoken language or the user pressing the button on the communication device 26 causes the telephone device 21 to generate a telephone button tone sequence, etc., which may be here. Audio control instructions.

The storage module 233 is electrically connected to the video playback module 231, which provides a plurality of pre-stored instructions and a plurality of control flows corresponding thereto. After the video playback module 231 receives the audio control command through the phone jack 234, the control flow corresponding to the audio control command is selected as the operation behavior according to the corresponding relationship between the pre-stored command and the control flow.

The identification module 232 is electrically connected to the video playback module 231, which recognizes the audio control command to obtain the identification result, and causes the video playback module 231 to perform the operation behavior according to the recognition result. The types of operational behavior can be quite diverse, such as: start the audio and video operation behavior, turn off the audio and video operation behavior, play the audio and video operation behavior, the volume adjustment operation behavior, the channel conversion operation behavior, and the like.

According to the concept of the invention, the user can use various types of telephone devices to issue voice control commands for video and audio playback devices such as televisions and set-top boxes.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a flow chart of the present invention for issuing an audio control command to a video playback device by using a telephone device. Here, the voice control signal that the user issues a voice control is taken as an example to briefly describe the manner in which the voice control signal is received.

First, a voice control signal is obtained (S201); then it is judged whether the quality of the voice control signal is good enough for subsequent voice recognition (step S202). If so, the subsequent steps are followed; if not, the user is required to re-enter the voice control signal (step S206).

Once the quality of the voice control signal is acceptable, speech recognition is then performed (step S203). According to the success or failure of the voice recognition (step S204), the video playback device will start video and audio playback (step S205), or the user is required to input the voice control signal again (step S206).

It should be noted that, in addition to separately controlling the video playback device by the user in a voice-activated manner, the present invention can further allow the user to use the button of the telephone as a combination of instructions. That is, since the telephone device will generate a button sound when the telephone button is pressed, the video playback device can also use the telephone button sound sequence as the basis for determining the voice control command.

For example, when the user releases the voice control command for recording, the user can further select the channel 65 with the telephone button, and the time is from 19:00 to 21:00. At this time, it is possible to input 65 representing the channel and 19002100 representing the time by using the telephone button. When the user inputs the numeric button 6519002100 through the telephone device, the sequence of telephone button tones generated by the digital buttons will be used by the video playback device to set the channel and the period during which the video is recorded.

Of course, the user's voice control signal, telephone button tone sequence The combination can be quite diverse. Continuing the above example, if the user does not know the channel number and only knows that the channel name to be viewed is Discovery, the voice control signal to the video playback device can be generated by dictating "Discovery", and the time period corresponding to the telephone button is matched. select. The combination here can be flexibly adjusted according to the application of the system or the needs of the user, and will not be described here.

It can be seen that when the telephone device is turned on, the video playback device can clearly know that the user wants to start voice control, so that it is possible to avoid a situation in which the timing of the voice control is generated. Therefore, it is possible to overcome the conventional technique of using a microphone to receive a sound and fail to accurately judge the absence of an instruction.

The telephone device here is not limited to a local telephone that uses a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). For example, many homes will add wireless extensions for local telephones, which can also provide control of operational functions.

Of course, other digital telephones such as Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) with digital long-distance function, and VoIP-enabled Internet telephony can also be used as a medium for controlling audio and video playback devices. .

By controlling the video playback device by dialing the phone, the remote mode can be used to confirm the home dynamics, or the remote open mode can be used to create a feeling of being at home, thereby improving the security of the home.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of a plurality of control flows provided by the storage module to provide a plurality of pre-stored instructions. It should be noted that this picture The correspondence of the formula is an example, and the data storage format actually stored in the storage module is not limited thereto.

The pre-stored instruction A, the pre-stored instruction B, and the pre-stored instruction C respectively correspond to the control flow a, the control flow b, and the control flow c. Therefore, after receiving the audio control command, if the identification result coincides with the pre-stored command C, the control is provided. The flow c serves as an operation behavior of the video playback device.

Still further, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, voice control commands can also be used to control other home appliances. That is, the operational behavior performed by the video playback device may also be a control behavior for an external device.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of controlling other external devices through the network after the telephone device transmits the audio control command to the video playback device through the telephone line.

In this figure, the refrigerator 31, the sound 32, and the air conditioner 33 are all connected to the video playback device 23 via the network 30. Therefore, the video playback device 23 can transmit control commands to the external devices through the network 30.

For example, if the video playback device and the external devices such as the refrigerator 31, the lighting device, the audio device 32, and the air conditioner 33 are connected to each other via a network, the external devices can be controlled by the video playback device. For example, the air conditioner 33 in the home is turned on through the video playback device, so when the user returns home, the room temperature in the home is not too high or too low; or the washing machine is controlled to start washing the clothes in the original soaking.

For the voice control of the video playback device, the video playback method proposed by the present invention can be summarized as the following steps: receiving an audio control command transmitted by the telephone device by using a telephone line; and performing an audio control command according to the audio control command Corresponding operational behavior.

The audio control command here can be performed according to the identity of the user. When the identity of the user does not match the identity of the pre-stored legitimate user, the video playback device is stopped for subsequent operation, or only the limited function operation behavior is provided. .

That is, after receiving the audio control command, the identification module is used to identify the identity of the sender of the audio control command; and when the identity recognition result conforms to the preset identity comparison result, corresponding to the identity comparison result Operate the operation behavior.

For example, the video playback device can provide three levels of user identity, namely an unauthorized user level, a partially authorized user level, and a fully authorized user level.

When an unauthorized user attempts to control the video playback device, the audio control commands it sends will not be verified. At this time, since the user's identity recognition result cannot be verified, the default identity comparison result is not met, and the video playback device cannot be turned on at this time.

For some authorized user ratings, it may be applied to adult management of the child watching channel at home. For example, children in a preset home can only watch cartoon channels, educational channels, or watch TV programs only at certain times.

In the former case, the authority of the audio control commands issued by children is limited. Therefore, the audio control command issued by the child is selectively accepted by the video playback device, and only the audio control command is for the switching between the preset channels, the volume control, the shutdown, etc., in accordance with the operation authority, the video and audio The playback device will perform the corresponding operation. In the latter case, when a child wants to watch a TV show after 9 pm, the video player The setting will be set to be unable to accept audio control commands issued by the child during the night time.

According to the foregoing description, through the use of the storage module, the video playback device can provide a plurality of pre-stored instructions and a plurality of control processes corresponding thereto; and select a control flow corresponding to the audio control command according to the correspondence between the pre-stored command and the control flow As an operational act.

For example, the control flow corresponding to the pre-stored instruction may include: power-on, power-off, volume adjustment, channel switching, and control of other electronic devices. When the user issues a volume adjustment command, the video playback device starts the control flow corresponding to the volume increase, volume decrease, and mute according to the user's instruction.

According to the concept of the present invention, the video playback device can receive an instruction action through the telephone device. When the video playback device receives the audio control command, it recognizes the identity of the sender of the audio control command and the command content of the audio control command to obtain the identification result. When the identification result is confirmed by the user who issued the audio control command, it is judged which operation behavior is indicated. This approach can be used with existing wired telephone networks and remotely control the TV at a relatively low cost.

In addition, the location of the user does not need to be limited to the periphery of the video playback device. In addition to being in the same room as the video playback device, it can also be controlled by an external communication device. That is, when the telephone device and the communication device are in a talking state, the audio control command is generated by the communication device and transmitted to the video playback device through the telephone device. As a result, the control and operation of the audio-visual device will be more flexible.

In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above in the preferred embodiment, It is not intended to limit the invention. A person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

27‧‧‧Users

26‧‧‧Communication device

25‧‧‧Phone network

21‧‧‧ telephone device

22‧‧‧ telephone line

234‧‧‧Phone jacking

23‧‧‧Video player

233‧‧‧ storage module

231‧‧‧Video Player Module

232‧‧‧ Identification Module

30‧‧‧Network

31‧‧‧ refrigerator

32‧‧‧Audio

33‧‧‧ air conditioning

1 is a schematic diagram of a video playback device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the present invention for issuing an audio control command to a video playback device by using a telephone device.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of control flows provided by a storage module to provide a plurality of pre-stored instructions.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the control of other external devices through the network after the telephone device transmits the audio control command to the video playback device via the telephone line.

27‧‧‧Users

26‧‧‧Communication device

25‧‧‧Phone network

21‧‧‧ telephone device

22‧‧‧ telephone line

234‧‧‧Phone jacking

23‧‧‧Video player

233‧‧‧ storage module

231‧‧‧Video Player Module

232‧‧‧ Identification Module

Claims (18)

An audio-visual playback device is connected to a telephone device, the audio-visual playback device includes: a telephone jack connected to the telephone device by a telephone line; and a video playback module electrically connected to the telephone jack, wherein The video playback module receives an audio control command transmitted by the telephone device, and performs an operation behavior accordingly. The video playback device of claim 1, wherein when the telephone device and a communication device are in a conversation state, the communication device generates the audio control command and transmits the audio control command to the video playback device through the telephone device. . The video playback device of claim 1, wherein the audio control command is: a voice control signal, or a telephone button tone sequence. The video playback device of claim 1, wherein the video playback module performs identity recognition according to the audio control command, and when the identity recognition result conforms to an identity comparison result, the video playback device is The action is performed by the identity comparison result. The video playback device according to claim 1, wherein the operation behavior is one of the following behaviors: activating an audio and video operation behavior, a closing audio and video operation behavior, a playback video operation behavior, a volume adjustment operation behavior, and a Channel switching operation behavior, and an external device operation behavior. An audio-video playback device as described in claim 5, The operation of the external device refers to the operation of controlling the electronic device connected to the signal through the video playback device. The video playback device of claim 1, further comprising: a storage module electrically connected to the audio and video playback module, wherein the plurality of pre-stored instructions and the plurality of control processes corresponding thereto are provided, wherein After receiving the audio control command, the video playback module selects a control flow corresponding to the audio control command as the operation behavior according to the corresponding relationship between the pre-stored command and the control flow. The video playback device of claim 1, further comprising: an identification module electrically connected to the audio and video playback module, wherein the audio control command is identified to obtain a recognition result, and the The audio and video playback module performs this operation behavior because it should recognize the result. The video playback device of claim 1, wherein the telephone device is a local telephone. An audio-visual playback method is applied to an audio-visual playback device connected to a telephone device, the playback method comprising the steps of: receiving an audio control command transmitted by the telephone device by a telephone line; and receiving an audio control command according to the audio control command And perform an operational behavior. The video playback method of claim 10, wherein when the telephone device and a communication device are in a conversation state, the communication device generates the audio control command and transmits the audio control command to the audio/video device through the telephone device . The video playback method of claim 10, wherein the audio control command is: a voice control signal, or a telephone button tone sequence. The video playback method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: performing identity recognition according to the audio control instruction; and when the identity recognition result conforms to an identity comparison result, performing the identity comparison result The operational behavior. The video playback method according to claim 10, wherein the operation behavior is one of the following behaviors: activating an audio and video operation behavior, a closing audio and video operation behavior, a playback audio and video operation behavior, a volume adjustment operation behavior, and a Channel switching operation behavior, and an external device operation behavior. The video playback method of claim 14, wherein the external device operation behavior refers to an operation of controlling an electronic device connected to the signal through the video playback device. The video playback method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of pre-stored instructions and a plurality of control processes corresponding thereto; and selecting a corresponding relationship between the pre-stored instructions and the control processes according to the corresponding relationship The control flow corresponding to the audio control instruction is taken as the operation behavior. For example, the video playback method described in claim 10 includes the following steps: The audio control command is identified to obtain a recognition result; and the operation behavior is performed because the result should be recognized. The video playback method of claim 10, wherein the telephone device is a local telephone.