JP2020127066A - Volume control device, volume control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To optimize the output level of a sound output when an electronic device is turned on according to a living environment.SOLUTION: A volume control device 1 that adjusts the audio output level of an electronic device includes a storage unit 120 that stores the audio output level when the power is turned off, a first noise level detection unit 942 that detects a first ambient noise level around the electronic device when the power is turned off, a first noise determination unit 944 that determines the type of noise from the change mode of the first ambient noise level, and sets and stores a first parameter, a second noise level detection unit 942 that detects a second ambient noise level around the electronic device when the power is turned on, and a second noise determination unit 944 that determines the type of noise from the change mode of the second ambient noise level and sets a second parameter, and the audio output level stored in the storage unit 120 is adjusted using the adjustment parameter obtained on the basis of the first parameter and the second parameter, and is set as the audio output level when the electronic device is turned on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a volume adjusting device, a volume adjusting method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART As a volume control technology for electronic devices such as video equipment and audio equipment, there is known a technology for detecting a noise level around the electronic device when power is turned on and adjusting an audio output level according to the detected noise level (for example, , Patent Document 1).

JP, 2007-097087, A

The conventional volume adjusting device can automatically adjust the output level of the sound output when the power of the electronic device is turned on, according to the noise level around the electronic device. However, since the ambient noise level when the power is turned on is uniquely detected, adjustments cannot be made in consideration of changes in the installation environment and living environment of electronic devices.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to optimize the output level of the sound output when the power of the electronic device is turned on according to the change of the living environment.

A volume adjusting device according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a storage unit that stores a sound output level of the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned off, and a storage unit in the vicinity of the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned off. A first noise level detection unit that detects a first ambient noise level, and a type of noise that is determined from the change mode of the first ambient noise level, and a first parameter that indicates the type of the noise is set and stored. A noise determination unit, a second noise level detection unit that detects a second ambient noise level around the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned on, and a type of noise is determined from a change mode of the second ambient noise level. A second noise determination unit that sets a second parameter indicating the type of the noise, and the voice output stored in the storage unit using an adjustment parameter obtained based on the first parameter and the second parameter And a volume adjusting section that adjusts the level and sets the audio output level when the power of the electronic device is turned on.

A volume adjusting method according to the present invention stores a voice output level of the electronic device when the electronic device is powered off, and detects a first ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered off. A step of determining a type of noise from a change mode of the first ambient noise level, setting and storing a first parameter indicating the type of the noise, and a surrounding of the electronic device when the electronic device is powered on. Detecting the second ambient noise level, determining the type of noise from the change mode of the second ambient noise level, and setting a second parameter indicating the type of noise, the first parameter and the Adjusting the stored audio output level using an adjustment parameter obtained based on the second parameter, and setting it as the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on.

A program according to the present invention stores a voice output level of the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned off, and detects a first ambient noise level around the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned off. A step of determining the type of noise from the change mode of the first ambient noise level and setting and storing a first parameter indicating the type of the noise; 2 a step of detecting an ambient noise level, a step of discriminating a type of noise from a change mode of the second ambient noise level and setting a second parameter indicating the type of the noise, the first parameter and the second parameter Adjusting the stored audio output level using an adjustment parameter obtained based on a parameter, and setting the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on, and adjusting the audio output level of the electronic device. It is characterized in that it is executed by a computer operating as a device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to optimize the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on, according to the installation environment and living environment of the electronic device.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structural example of the volume control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a series of flows of volume control processing in a volume control device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of power-on processing in a volume control device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of volume control processing in a volume control device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of power source shutdown processing in a volume control device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of noise kind judging processing in a volume control device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of a determination table of the ambient noise type in the volume adjusting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structural example of the volume control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of power-on processing in a volume control device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of power-on processing in a volume control device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. 9 is an example of a reference table for calculating an adjustment parameter in the volume adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of a volume adjusting device, a volume adjusting method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a volume adjusting device according to the first embodiment.

The volume adjusting device 1 is used by being incorporated in electronic equipment such as video equipment and audio equipment. The volume adjusting device 1 includes a volume 20 for adjusting an output level of an audio signal supplied from the sound source 10, a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) 30, a power amplifier 40, a speaker 50, a microphone 60, a microphone amplifier 70, and an ADC. (AnalogtoDigitalConverter) 80, an audio output level adjusting unit 90, a noise determination memory 100, an input unit 110, and a storage unit 120.

The sound source 10 is an output unit that outputs a sound signal of the electronic device, and the digital sound signal output from the sound source 10 is input to the volume 20.

The volume 20 is a volume for adjusting the output level of the digital audio signal supplied from the sound source 10, and is controlled by the volume controller 98 of the audio output level adjusting unit 90.

The DAC 30 converts a digital audio signal supplied from the sound source 10 via the volume 20 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the power amplifier 40.

The power amplifier 40 amplifies the analog audio signal supplied from the DAC 30 and outputs audio from the speaker 50.

The microphone 60 is a microphone that collects sounds around the electronic device, and the ambient sound signal collected by the microphone 60 is amplified by the microphone amplifier 70 and supplied to the ADC 80.

The ADC 80 converts the analog audio signal supplied from the microphone amplifier 70 into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the echo canceller 92 of the audio output level adjusting unit 90.

The audio output level adjustment unit 90 extracts an ambient noise signal from the ambient audio signal collected by the microphone 60, determines the type of noise, and adjusts the output level of the digital audio signal output from the volume 20.

The noise determination memory 100 is an internal memory used when the audio output level adjusting unit 90 determines the type of noise. For the noise determination memory 100, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory is used. The noise determination memory 100 may also serve as the storage unit 120.

The input unit 110 includes operation buttons and operation keys, and supplies operation instructions by the user such as turning on/off of the electronic device and volume up/down to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 96 of the audio output level adjusting unit 90. As the power button, in addition to the normal power button, a dedicated button for carrying out the present invention may be provided, or the present invention may be carried out by a combination of the power button and other buttons or switches. .. By making it possible to select the implementation of the present invention, it becomes possible to adapt the audio output level to the user's preference. Alternatively, the input unit 10 may be configured by an infrared light receiving unit or a wireless communication receiving unit such as Wi-Fi, and receive an operation instruction from the remote controller 130.

The storage unit 120 is a memory for storing adjustment parameters and volume values for adjusting the audio output level set by the audio output level adjusting unit 90. As the storage unit 120, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage medium such as a memory card is used.

The audio output level adjusting unit 90 includes an echo canceller 92, a noise type determining unit 94, a CPU 96, and a volume controller 98.

The echo canceller 92 extracts only the ambient noise signal which is a noise component signal by subtracting the reference signal corresponding to the voice output from the speaker 50 from the ambient voice signal collected by the microphone 96, and outputs the ambient noise signal. Is supplied to the noise type determination unit 94. The echo canceller 92 can be composed of a general circuit using an adaptive filter.

The noise type determination unit 94 includes a noise level detection unit 942 and a noise determination unit 944, monitors the amplitude crest value of the ambient noise signal supplied from the echo canceller 92 while using the noise determination memory 100, and determines the type of noise. judge. The determination result is supplied to the CPU 96.

The noise level detection unit 942 monitors the amplitude peak value of the ambient noise signal supplied from the echo canceller 92, and detects the maximum value of the amplitude peak value. Further, the noise judgment memory 100 is used as a memory for calculation, a change in the amplitude peak value of the ambient noise signal is acquired in real time, and the average value of the amplitude peak values is calculated. The maximum value of the detected amplitude peak values and the average value of the calculated amplitude peak values are stored in the noise determination memory 100.

The noise determination unit 944 determines the type of ambient noise based on the stored maximum and average amplitude crest values, using a determination table described later.

The CPU 96 acquires the determination result from the noise type determination unit 94 and stores it in the storage unit 120 as an adjustment parameter. Further, the CPU 96 sets a volume value for setting the output level of the audio signal supplied from the sound source 10, based on the judgment result supplied from the noise type judgment unit 94 and the judgment result stored in the storage unit 120. decide. The determined volume value is stored in the storage unit 120. Further, the maximum value and the average value of the amplitude crest values used in the noise type determination unit 94 for the noise type determination are stored in the storage unit 120 as the noise type data indicating the determination result. In addition, the volume value set by the user's operation instruction supplied from the input unit 110 is also stored in the storage unit 120 as the set audio output level.

The CPU 96 outputs an instruction signal to the volume controller 98 to control the volume 20 based on the determined volume value or a user's operation instruction supplied from the input unit 110.
Although the CPU 96 is described as a dedicated CPU of the volume adjusting device 1, it may be combined with a CPU mounted on an electronic device.

The volume controller 98 controls the volume 20 based on the instruction signal from the CPU 96, and sets the output level of the audio signal supplied from the sound source 10.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the audio output level adjustment processing when the electronic device is powered on will be described in detail. The process of adjusting the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on is performed by the volume adjusting device 1 shown in FIG.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is a basic flowchart showing an example of the audio output level adjustment processing executed by the volume adjusting device 1 from the time the power of the electronic device is turned on to the time the power is turned off.

When the power button of the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130 is operated and the power of the electronic device is turned on, a power-on process is executed in the volume adjusting device 1 (S101). Details of the power-on process will be described later.

When the power-on process is completed, the volume adjusting device 1 executes the volume adjusting process based on the volume adjusting operation of the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130 by the user (S102). Details of the volume adjustment processing will be described later.

When the volume adjustment process is completed, it is confirmed that the user has accepted the power-off instruction (S103). More specifically, it is confirmed whether the user has instructed to turn off the power of the electronic device through the operation of the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130. When the power-off instruction is received (Yes in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the power-off instruction has not been received (No in step S103), the process returns to step S102 to execute the volume adjustment process. The volume adjustment process in step 102 is repeated until the electronic device power-off instruction is received in step 103.

When the instruction to turn off the power of the electronic device is received (Yes in step S103), the volume adjusting device 1 executes the power off process (S104). Details of the power-off processing will be described later.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the power-on process of step S101.

The CPU 96 monitors whether or not the user has instructed to turn on the electronic device through the operation of the power button of the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130 (S201). When the power-on instruction is received (Yes in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when the power-on instruction is not received (No in step S201), step 201 is looped until the power-on instruction is received. That is, the standby state is waited for the reception of the power-on instruction.

When the power-on instruction of the electronic device is received (Yes in step S201), the power-on process is started in the volume adjusting device 1 (S202).

When the power-on process is started, the CPU 96 starts the volume value control (S203). The volume value control is a process of determining a volume value VPon (VolumePoweron) for setting the output level of the digital audio signal output from the sound source 10.

When the volume value control is started, the CPU 96 reads out and acquires the volume value VPoff (VolumePoweroff) stored at the time of the previous power-off from the storage unit 120 (S204). After obtaining the volume value VPoff, the process proceeds to step 209.

On the other hand, when the power-on process is started in step S202, the noise type determination unit 94 starts the noise determination process in parallel with the volume value control in step S203 (S205). The noise determination process is a process of determining the type of noise generated around the electronic device.

When the noise determination process is started, the ambient audio signal collected by the microphone 60 is input to the echo canceller 92 via the microphone amplifier 70 and the ADC 80. The echo canceller 92 extracts only the ambient noise signal, which is the signal of the noise component, from the ambient audio signal and supplies the ambient noise signal to the noise type determination unit 94.

The noise type determination unit 94 executes determination processing for identifying the type of noise from the input ambient noise signal (S206). The noise level detection unit 942 monitors the amplitude crest value of the ambient noise signal supplied from the echo canceller 92 for each frame, and detects the maximum value of the amplitude crest value. In addition, the noise determination memory 100 is used as a calculation memory, the change in the amplitude peak value of the ambient noise signal is acquired in real time, and the average value of the amplitude peak values is calculated in frame units. The maximum value of the detected amplitude peak values and the average value of the calculated amplitude peak values are stored in the noise determination memory 100. The noise determination unit 944 determines the type of ambient noise based on the stored maximum and average amplitude crest values.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the noise type determination processing in step S206.

The noise type determination unit 94 inputs the ambient noise signal supplied from the echo canceller 92 (S501). The noise type determination unit 94 processes the ambient noise signal supplied from the echo canceller 92 in frame units.

The noise level detection unit 942 calculates the average value of the amplitude crest values of the input ambient noise signal in frame units (S502). The noise level detection unit 942 stores an average value for each frame in the noise determination memory 100, and performs a process of calculating an average value for noise determination from the average value of each frame.

The noise level detection unit 942 monitors the amplitude crest value of the input ambient noise signal on a frame-by-frame basis (S503). The noise level detection unit 942 constantly compares the maximum value of the amplitude crest value detected in the frame of the input ambient noise signal with the maximum value of the amplitude crest value stored in the noise determination memory 100 to determine the noise level. When a maximum value larger than the maximum value stored in the determination memory 100 is detected (Yes in S503), the maximum value stored in the noise determination memory 100 is updated to the newly detected maximum value (S504). ). Then, it transfers to step S505. When the maximum value larger than the maximum value stored in the noise determination memory 100 is not detected in step S503 (No in S502), step S504 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S505.

In step S505, it is monitored whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the power-on process was started in step S202. In order to improve the accuracy of determining the type of noise generated around the electronic device, it is desirable to set the acquisition time of the ambient noise signal to be long. However, it is desirable to set the predetermined time within 10 seconds because of the adverse effect that the startup time of the electronic device becomes long. The predetermined time to be counted may be an elapsed time after the power-on process of the electronic device is started or may be an accumulated time of frame unit time.

When it is determined in step S505 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in S505), the process proceeds to step S501 and the processes of S501 to S504 are repeated. The processing of S501 to S504 can be said to be processing of the ambient noise signal in units of frames.

When it is determined in step S505 that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in S505), the average value of the calculated amplitude peak values is stored in the noise determination memory 100 (S506).

After that, the noise determination unit 944 determines the type of noise generated around the electronic device by using the maximum value and the average value of the amplitude crest values of the ambient noise signal stored in the noise determination memory 100. (S507).

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the description will be continued.

When the type of noise generated around the electronic device is specified by the noise determination unit 944, the noise type determination unit 94 provides the CPU 96 with the data NPon (NoisePoweron) indicating the noise type as the adjustment parameter of the audio output level. To do. The noise type data NPon includes the maximum value NMLon (NoiseMaxLevelon) of the amplitude peak value and the average value NALon (NoiseAverageLevelon). In the power-on process, the noise level detecting unit 942 functions as the first noise level detecting unit, and the noise determining unit 944 functions as the first noise determining unit.

When the noise type determination process is completed, the CPU 96 reads out and acquires the noise type data NPoff (NoisePoweroff) stored at the time of the previous power-off from the storage unit 120 (S207). The noise type data NPoff includes the maximum value NMLoff (NoiseMaxLeveloff) and the average value NALoff (NoiseAverageLeveloff) of the amplitude crest value. The CPU 96 compares the noise type data NPoff acquired from the storage unit 120 with the noise type data NPon provided from the noise type determination unit 94, and calculates an adjustment parameter NV (NoiseValue) indicating a noise value (S208).

The adjustment parameter NV is used as a coefficient for obtaining the volume value VPon that sets the audio output level. The adjustment parameter NV is a first coefficient indicating a ratio between the maximum amplitude peak value NMLoff acquired from the storage unit 120 at the time of the previous power-off and the maximum amplitude peak value NMLon provided from the noise type determination unit 94. And a second coefficient indicating a ratio between the average value NALoff of the amplitude crest values acquired from the storage unit 120 at the previous power-off and the average value NALon of the amplitude crest values provided from the noise type determination unit 94. Based on this, it is calculated by the equation (1).
NV=(NMLon/NMLoff+NALon/NALoff)/2... Formula (1)

The processes of steps S203 to S204 and the processes of steps S205 to S208 are processed in parallel. The CPU 96 calculates the volume value VPon by multiplying the volume value VPoff obtained in step S204 by the adjustment parameter NV as a coefficient, as shown in equation (2) (S209).
VPon=VPoff×NV Equation (2)

The CPU 96 supplies the volume value VPon calculated by the equation (2) to the volume controller 98. The volume controller 98 controls the volume 20 based on the volume value VPon supplied from the CPU 96, and sets the output level of the digital audio signal supplied from the sound source 10 as the volume value VPon (S210). When the setting of the sound output level in the volume 20 is completed, the sound output by the sound source 10 is started (S211), and the power-on process by the volume adjusting device 1 is finished (S212).

In the power-on process according to the first embodiment, based on the noise type data NPoff acquired when the electronic device is powered off and the noise type data NPon acquired when the electronic device is powered on, the electronic device is powered on and off. The difference value indicating the change in the surrounding environment is used as a coefficient. Therefore, the sound output level at the time of turning on the power of the electronic device can be optimized according to the living environment.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the volume adjustment processing in step S102.

After the power-on process of step S101 is completed, the process proceeds to the manual adjustment mode in which the volume is adjusted based on the operation instruction from the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130 by the user.

When the volume adjusting device 1 shifts to the manual adjusting mode, the CPU 96 monitors whether there is a volume operating instruction from the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130 by the user (S301). If there is no volume operation instruction from the user (No in S301), the process proceeds to step S103. Step S103 shown in FIG. 2 and step S103 shown in FIG. 4 are the same.

On the other hand, when the volume operation instruction is received from the user (Yes in S301), it is determined whether the volume operation instruction is an up instruction for increasing the volume or a down instruction for decreasing the volume (S302). When the volume operation instruction from the user is an up instruction, the CPU 96 sends an instruction signal to the volume controller 98 to increase the audio output level of the volume 20. At this time, the set value set based on the instruction from the user is also transmitted. The volume controller 98 controls the audio output level of the volume 20 to be the instructed volume value in response to the instruction signal from the CPU 96 (S303). afterwards,
The CPU 96 stores the set value sent to the volume controller 98 in the storage unit 120 as the volume value VP (S304).

If the volume operation instruction from the user is a down instruction in step 302, the CPU 96 sends an instruction signal to the volume controller 98 to lower the audio output level of the volume 20. At this time, the set value set based on the instruction from the user is also transmitted. The volume controller 98 controls the audio output level of the volume 20 to be the instructed volume value in response to the instruction signal from the CPU 96 (S305). After that, the CPU 96 stores the set value sent to the volume controller 98 in the storage unit 120 as the volume value VP (S304).

Steps S301 to S305 are repeated until the power-off instruction is received in step S103.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the power-off processing in step S104.

In step S103, when the CPU 96 receives a power-off instruction of the electronic device from the user via the operation of the input unit 110 or the remote controller 130 (Yes in S103), the CPU 96 starts the power-off process of the electronic device (S401). ).

When the power-off process is started in step S401, the noise determination process is started in the noise type determination unit 94 (S402). The noise determination process is a process of determining the type of noise generated around the electronic device.

When the noise determination process is started, the ambient audio signal collected by the microphone 60 is input to the echo canceller 92 via the microphone amplifier 70 and the ADC 80. The echo canceller 92 extracts only the ambient noise signal, which is the signal of the noise component, from the ambient audio signal and supplies the ambient noise signal to the noise type determination unit 94.

The noise type determination unit 94 executes determination processing for identifying the type of noise from the input ambient noise signal (S403). The noise level detection unit 942 monitors the amplitude peak value of the ambient noise signal supplied from the echo canceller 92, and detects the maximum value of the amplitude peak value. Further, the noise judgment memory 100 is used as a memory for calculation, a change in the amplitude peak value of the ambient noise signal is acquired in real time, and the average value of the amplitude peak values is calculated. The maximum value of the detected amplitude peak values and the average value of the calculated amplitude peak values are stored in the noise determination memory 100. The noise determination unit 944 determines the type of ambient noise based on the stored maximum and average amplitude crest values. The details of the noise type determination process are the same as the details of the noise type determination process of step S206 (see FIG. 6), and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

In step 403, similarly to the power-on process, it is monitored whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the power-off process was started. The predetermined time in the power-off process may be set to be the same as the predetermined time in the power-on process, or may be set individually. For example, the predetermined time in the power-off process may be set shorter than the predetermined time in the power-on process, and the power-off process may be ended earlier. In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of determining the type of ambient noise, the power shutdown process operates in the background even after the power shutdown process has been set longer and the electronic device's OFF display and illumination lighting have finished. It may be allowed to.

When the type of noise generated around the electronic device is specified by the noise determination unit 944, the noise type determination unit 94 provides the data NPoff indicating the noise type to the CPU 96 as a sound output level adjustment parameter. The noise type data NPoff includes the maximum value NMLoff of the amplitude peak value and the average value NALoff. In the power-off process, the noise level detecting unit 942 functions as the second noise level detecting unit, and the noise determining unit 944 functions as the second noise determining unit.

When the noise type determination process is completed, the CPU 96 stores the noise type data NPoff in the storage unit 120 (S404). Further, the audio output level set in the volume 20 is stored in the storage unit 120 as the volume value VPoff (S405), and the audio output from the sound source 10 is stopped (S406).

After the audio output from the sound source 10 is stopped or at the same time as the audio output is stopped, the power of the electronic device is turned off, and the power-off processing ends (S407).

In the power-off process of the first embodiment, the type of noise generated around the electronic device is determined and stored as an adjustment parameter for adjusting the audio output level at the next power-on. Therefore, when the power of the electronic device is turned on, by using the adjustment parameter stored when the power is turned off,
It is possible to set the audio output level according to changes in the surrounding environment when the electronic device is powered off and when it is powered on.

Next, a determination table used by the noise determination unit 944 to determine the type of ambient noise based on the maximum value and the average value of the amplitude crest values acquired from the ambient noise signal will be described with reference to FIG. 7. To do. The determination table described here is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Since the surrounding environment where electronic devices are installed is various, such as urban areas, rural areas, houses, condominiums, wooden structures, steel bars, soundproofing designs, along main roads, along railway lines, in the mountains, in residential areas, commercial areas, industrial areas, etc. The judgment table is not uniquely determined. Therefore, it is desirable to prepare some kinds of determination tables optimized by experiments and samples so that they can be selectively switched according to the installation environment of the electronic device.

The type of ambient noise is determined from the combination of the maximum value and the average value of the amplitude crest values acquired from the ambient noise signal.

The noise level is determined from the maximum value of the amplitude crest value detected by the noise level detection unit 942. For example, the noise determination unit 944 compares the threshold level with the maximum value of the amplitude crest value detected within the predetermined time, and determines the magnitude of the maximum value with respect to the threshold level. Specifically, when the maximum value is higher than the threshold level, the noise level is high, and when the maximum value is lower than the threshold level, it is determined that the noise level is low.

The frequency of occurrence of ambient noise is determined from the average value of the amplitude crest values calculated by the noise level detection unit 942. For example, the noise determination unit 944 compares two threshold levels having different levels with the average value of the amplitude crest values calculated within a predetermined time, and determines the magnitude of the average value for the two threshold levels. Specifically, when the average value≦the first threshold level, it is determined that the average value is a small level and the occurrence frequency of ambient noise is sudden. When the first threshold level<the average value<the second threshold level, the average value is determined to be a medium level, and the occurrence frequency of ambient noise is determined to be intermittent. If the second threshold level≦average value, it is determined that the average value is a large level, and the occurrence frequency of ambient noise is continuous. Note that the relationship between the first threshold level and the second threshold level is the first threshold level<the second threshold level.

The noise determination unit 944 determines the type of ambient noise from the combination of the results based on the noise level determination result and the occurrence frequency determination result.
For example, when the noise level of the ambient noise is high and the frequency of occurrence is intermittent, it is determined that the conversation is for a person who is indoors and the adjustment level is low. For example, when the ambient noise level is high and the frequency of occurrence is continuous, it is determined that the ambient noise is a living sound and the adjustment level is high. For example, when the noise level of the ambient noise is high and the occurrence frequency is sudden, it is determined that it is a momentary trouble sound and the adjustment level is a negligible level (nearly zero). For example, when the noise level of the ambient noise is low and the occurrence frequency is intermittent, it is determined that the noise is an outdoor noise such as a vehicle passing and the adjustment level is low. For example, when the noise level of the ambient noise is low and the frequency of occurrence is continuous, it is determined that it is an outdoor noise due to construction work and the adjustment level is high.

In the first embodiment, the fact that the ambient noise signal is processed on a frame-by-frame basis is utilized, and it is not a simple combination of the noise level determination result and the occurrence frequency determination result, but a maximum value and an average value on a frame basis. A change, that is, a change in noise level and a change in occurrence frequency may be used for determining the type of ambient noise.

The noise determination unit 944 provides the determined ambient noise type data to the CPU 96 as noise type data NPon during power-on processing, and provides it to the CPU 96 as noise type data NPoff during power-off processing.

From the above, the equation (1) for obtaining the adjustment parameter NV compares the type of ambient noise determined in the power-off processing with the type of ambient noise determined in the power-on processing, and It can be said that the surrounding environment is judged comprehensively.

As described above, in the volume control device according to the first embodiment, in consideration of not only the ambient noise of the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned on, but also the ambient noise of the electronic device when the power of the electronic device is turned off, The output level of the audio signal output from the device can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to respond to changes in the surrounding environment when the electronic device is powered off and when the power is turned on, and it is possible to optimize the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on according to changes in the living environment. Further, it is possible to solve the problems that the speaker outputs a sound at an unnecessarily high volume when the electronic device is powered on, and the sound output from the speaker cannot be heard.

[Embodiment 2]
A volume control apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the volume adjusting device 1A according to the second embodiment.

The volume adjusting device 1A has the same basic configuration as the volume adjusting device 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the volume adjusting device 1 are designated by the same or corresponding symbols, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The volume control device 1A is different from that of the first embodiment in that the time information acquisition unit 200 is provided and the calculation process of the volume value VPon in the CPU 96 is performed.

The time information acquisition unit 200 takes in time information at the time of power-on and power-off of the electronic device from a clock built in the electronic device and supplies it to the CPU 96. The time information may be acquired via the Internet or wireless communication. Further, the CPU 96 stores time information when the power of the electronic device is turned off in the storage unit 120.

Next, a power-on process in the volume adjusting device 1A will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the detailed flow of the power-on process of step S101 in the flowchart shown in FIG. In the processing of steps S701 to S708, the same processing as steps S201 to S208 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed. Further, in the processing of steps S713 to S716, the same processing as steps S209 to S212 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed.

When the adjustment parameter NV is calculated using equation (1) in step S708, the CPU 96 calculates the volume value VPon using equation (2) (S709). Here, the CPU 96 compares the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff, and determines whether the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are equal (S710). In step S710, it may be determined that the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are not exactly the same, but the approximation ranges are equal.

When it is determined in step S701 that the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are not equal, the volume value VPon calculated in step S709 is confirmed (S713). If it is determined in step S701 that the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are equal, the previous power-off time is read from the storage unit 120 and compared with the power-on time (S711).

The adjustment parameter NV is calculated using the equation (1), but the adjustment parameter NV may be 1 or an approximate value of 1 depending on the surrounding environment when the electronic device is powered off and turned on. In this case, since the adjustment parameter NV is an invalid coefficient, when the volume value VPon is calculated using the equation (2), the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are substantially equal. If the power-off time and the power-on time belong to the same time zone, there will be no big problem. However, if the power-off time and the power-on time belong to different time zones and the adjustment parameter NV is substantially an invalid coefficient, for example, there is a possibility that an unexpectedly large volume is output at midnight. On the contrary, it may be output at a volume that cannot be heard at all.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are equal, the previous power-off time and the power-on time are compared in step S711, and the adjustment coefficient TV (TimeValue) based on the time information is used as the adjustment parameter. Calculate (S712).

A method of calculating the adjustment coefficient TV based on the time information will be described with reference to FIG. The reference table shown in FIG. 11 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

In the second embodiment, the time from 0 o'clock to 24 o'clock is five time zones of 0 o'clock to 6 o'clock, 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock, 9 o'clock to 15 o'clock, 15 o'clock to 19 o'clock, and 19 o'clock to 24 o'clock. The weighting coefficient is set for each time zone. In the second embodiment, the coefficient 1 is set with the midnight zone from 0:00 to 6:00, and weighting is performed based on this. A factor of 1.2 is set during the hours from 6:00 to 9:00 because it becomes a bit noisy when attending work or going to school. Since the time zone from 9:00 to 15:00 is a noisy time zone during the day, a coefficient of 1.6 is set. Since the time zone from 15:00 to 16:00 includes the time to go to school and commute, it is the most noisy time zone in a day, so a coefficient of 1.8 is set. Since 19:00 to 24:00 is a nighttime zone, a coefficient of 1.4 is set. The distribution of time zones and the distribution of weighting coefficients need to be optimized depending on the surrounding environment in which the electronic device is installed, and therefore are not uniquely determined and can be appropriately changed.

The adjustment coefficient TV is calculated by the equation (3) when the power-off time coefficient is TVoff and the power-on time coefficient is TVon.
TV=TVon/TVoff... Formula (3)

A specific description will be given using the reference table in FIG. For example, when the power-off time of the electronic device is 22:50, the power-off time belongs to the time zone of 19:00 to 24:00, and thus the coefficient TVoff is set to 1.4. Further, when the power-on time of the electronic device is 7:10, the power-on time belongs to the time zone of 6:00 to 9:00, and thus the coefficient TVon is set to 1.2. Therefore, the adjustment coefficient TV in this case is set to TV=1.2/1.4=0.86 by the equation (3).

As another example, when the power-off time of the electronic device is 9:45, the power-off time belongs to the time zone of 9:00 to 15:00, and thus the coefficient TVoff is set to 1.6. Further, when the power-on time of the electronic device is 17:20 three days later, the power-on time belongs to the time zone of 15:00 to 19:00, so the coefficient TVon is set to 1.8. Therefore, the adjustment coefficient TV in this case is set to TV=1.8/1.6=1.13 by the equation (3). In this example, several days have passed since the power was turned off and the next time the power was turned on.However, if the time information can be compared, the adjustment coefficient can be found. Need not be considered.

Further, when the power-off time and the power-on time belong to the same time zone, the adjustment coefficient becomes 1, so that it becomes an invalid coefficient and the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff remain equal.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when it is determined in step S710 that the volume value VPon and the volume value VPoff are equal to each other, the volume value VPon when the electronic device is powered on is calculated by the equation (4). And determined (S713).
VPon=VPoff×NV×TV Equation (4)

As described above, in the volume adjusting device according to the second embodiment, not only the ambient noise of the electronic device when the electronic device is powered off and turned on, but also the time when the electronic device is powered off and the power is turned on The output level of the audio signal output from the electronic device when the power is turned on can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately respond to changes in the surrounding environment when the electronic device is powered off and when it is powered on, and it is possible to optimize the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on according to changes in the living environment. .. In addition, it is possible to solve problems such as an unexpectedly loud sound being output from the speaker when the power of the electronic device is turned on, and inaudible sound output from the speaker.

Although two embodiments have been described above as the embodiments of the present invention, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The constituent elements of the illustrated volume adjusting device 1 are functionally conceptual, and may not necessarily be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of each component is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the component is functionally or physically distributed in arbitrary units according to the processing load and usage of each component. Or it may be integrated.

The whole or a part of the configuration of the volume adjusting device 1 can be realized by a program loaded in the memory as software, for example. In the above-described embodiment, the functional blocks have been described as those realized by cooperation of these hardware or software. That is, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof.

The components described above include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or changes in the configuration are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 Volume control device 10 Sound source 20 Volume 30 DAC
40 Power Amplifier 50 Speaker 60 Microphone 70 Microphone Amplifier 80 ADC
90 audio output level adjusting unit 92 echo canceller 94 noise type determining unit 96 CPU
98 volume controller 100 noise judgment memory 110 input unit 120 storage unit 130 remote controller 200 time information acquisition unit 942 noise level detection unit 944 noise judgment unit

Claims (7)

A volume adjusting device for adjusting a voice output level of an electronic device,
A storage unit that stores a voice output level when the electronic device is powered off,
A first noise level detection unit that detects a first ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered off;
A first noise determination unit that determines the type of noise from the change mode of the first ambient noise level, sets and stores a first parameter indicating the type of the noise,
A second noise level detection unit that detects a second ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered on;
A second noise determination unit that determines the type of noise from the change mode of the second ambient noise level and sets a second parameter indicating the type of noise;
Volume that is adjusted as the audio output level when the power of the electronic device is turned on by adjusting the audio output level stored in the storage unit using an adjustment parameter obtained based on the first parameter and the second parameter. The adjustment section,
Volume control device equipped with. The first noise determination unit determines the type of noise based on the amplitude crest value of the first ambient noise level and the occurrence frequency,
The second noise determination unit determines the type of noise based on the amplitude crest value of the second ambient noise level and the frequency of occurrence.
The volume control device according to claim 1, wherein The first noise determination unit stores, as the first parameter, a maximum value and an average value of amplitude crest values of the first ambient noise level within a predetermined time when power is turned off,
The second noise determination unit sets, as the second parameter, a maximum value and an average value of amplitude peak values of the second ambient noise level within a predetermined time when the power is turned on.
The volume control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The volume adjusting unit calculates a first coefficient indicating a ratio between a maximum amplitude peak value of the first ambient noise level and a maximum amplitude peak value of the second ambient noise level, and at the same time, the first ambient value. A second coefficient indicating the ratio of the average value of the amplitude crest values of the noise level and the average value of the amplitude crest values of the second ambient noise level is calculated, and the adjustment parameter is calculated based on the first coefficient and the second coefficient. To calculate,
The volume control device according to claim 3, wherein It has a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information,
The volume adjustment unit corrects the adjustment parameter or an audio output level set as an audio output level when the electronic device is turned on according to time information acquired when the power is turned on,
The volume control device according to claim 1, wherein the volume control device is a volume control device. A volume adjusting method in a volume adjusting device for adjusting a voice output level of an electronic device, comprising:
Storing a voice output level when the electronic device is powered off,
Detecting a first ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered off;
Determining the type of noise from the change mode of the first ambient noise level, setting and storing a first parameter indicating the type of the noise, and
Detecting a second ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered on;
Determining the type of noise from the change mode of the second ambient noise level and setting a second parameter indicating the type of noise;
Adjusting the stored audio output level using an adjustment parameter obtained based on the first parameter and the second parameter, and setting the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on;
And a volume adjusting method. To the volume control device that adjusts the audio output level of electronic equipment,
Storing a voice output level when the electronic device is powered off,
Detecting a first ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered off;
Determining the type of noise from the change mode of the first ambient noise level, setting and storing a first parameter indicating the type of the noise, and
Detecting a second ambient noise level around the electronic device when the electronic device is powered on;
Determining the type of noise from the change mode of the second ambient noise level and setting a second parameter indicating the type of noise;
Adjusting the stored audio output level using an adjustment parameter obtained based on the first parameter and the second parameter, and setting the audio output level when the electronic device is powered on;
A program to execute.