U.S. patent application number 13/868121 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-05 for electronic device, control volume system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to WISTRON CORP.. The applicant listed for this patent is WISTRON CORP.. Invention is credited to Po-Hsu CHEN, Chien-Tsuen LIU.
Application Number | 20130230192 13/868121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42265512 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130230192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; Po-Hsu ; et
al. |
September 5, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE, CONTROL VOLUME SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
In the specification and drawing a control volume system is
described and shown for synchronizing a sound volume of an
electronic device and another sound volume of the peripheral device
according to a volume specification of the electronic device and
another volume specification of the peripheral device. Moreover, a
control volume method and the electronic device are also disclosed
in the specification and drawing.
Inventors: |
CHEN; Po-Hsu; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; LIU; Chien-Tsuen; (New Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WISTRON CORP. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
WISTRON CORP.
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
42265512 |
Appl. No.: |
13/868121 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12552296 |
Sep 2, 2009 |
8447048 |
|
|
13868121 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/43635 20130101;
H04N 5/60 20130101; H03G 3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/107 |
International
Class: |
H03G 3/20 20060101
H03G003/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2008 |
TW |
97150109 |
Claims
1. An electronic device, comprising: a high definition multimedia
interface; a memory module for storing a first volume specification
of the electronic device and a second volume specification of a
peripheral device; an audio generator for providing an audio
signal, wherein the audio signal corresponds with the first volume
specification; and a volume controller for adjusting the audio
signal to corresponding with the second volume specification and
then transmitting the adjusted audio signal to the peripheral
device via the high definition multimedia interface.
2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the volume
controller comprises: an acquisition module for acquiring the
second volume specification from the peripheral device and storing
the second volume specification in the memory; a transformation
module for adjusting the audio signal according to the conversion
ratio; and an output module for transmitting the adjusted audio
signal to the peripheral device via the high definition multimedia
interface, so as to synchronize a sound volume of the electronic
device and a sound volume of the peripheral device.
3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a user interface for allowing a user to input the second volume
specification of the peripheral device and then recording the
second volume specification in the storing means.
4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
volume specification comprises a maximum value, a minimum value and
a scale value of the sound volume of the electronic device.
5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
volume specification comprises a maximum value, a minimum value and
a scale value of the sound volume of the peripheral device.
6. An electronic device, comprising; a high definition multimedia
interface; means for storing a first volume specification of the
electronic device and a second volume specification of a peripheral
device; means for providing an audio signal, wherein the audio
signal corresponds with the first volume specification; and means
for adjusting the audio signal to corresponding with the second
volume specification and then transmitting the adjusted audio
signal to the peripheral device via the high definition multimedia
interface.
7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
adjusting means comprises: means for acquiring the second volume
specification from the peripheral device and storing the second
volume specification in the memory; means for adjusting the audio
signal according to the conversion ratio; and means for
transmitting the adjusted audio signal to the peripheral device via
the high definition multimedia interface, so as to synchronize a
sound volume of the electronic device and a sound volume of the
peripheral device.
8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:
means for allowing a user to input the second volume specification
of the peripheral device and then recording the second volume
specification in the storing means.
9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first
volume specification comprises a maximum value, a minimum value and
a scale value of the sound volume of the electronic device.
10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second
volume specification comprises a maximum value, a minimum value and
a scale value of the sound volume of the peripheral device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/552,296, filed on Sep. 2, 2009, which was
based on, and claims priority from, Taiwan Patent Application
Serial Number 97150109, filed Dec. 22, 2008, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirely.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a control method, system
and equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a volume control system and method.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) provides high
definition video/audio and fast transmissions rates, and is simple
and easy to be connected to personal computers (PC) and consumer
electronics (CE) devices. The continuing adoption of the HDMI
specification by manufacturers further strengthens its position as
the worldwide standard for high-definition digital connectivity.
HDMI can be used in a wide array of products from entry-level
devices to high-end home theater systems, including digital
televisions, DVD players, set-up boxes and A/V receivers.
[0006] In addition, the HDMI specification is experiencing rapid
growth in the game console, digital still camera, camcorder,
portable media player and PC markets, as manufacturers meet
consumer demand for multimedia convergence. Thus, Consumer
Electronics Control (CEC) technology has been developed to allow
users to command and control multiple CEC-enabled devices with one
remote control and for individual CEC-enabled devices to command
and control each other without user intervention.
[0007] For example, volume control is one commonly employed
function in HDMI devices; however, users have to individually
control each device with a specific remote control if one of the
devices lacks the synchronization feature of CEC, and this is quite
inconvenient. In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the
related field to provide a means for performing volume
synchronization.
SUMMARY
[0008] The following presents a simplified summary of the
disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader.
This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it
does not identify key/critical elements of the present invention or
delineate the scope of the present invention. Its sole purpose is
to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a
prelude to the more detailed description that is presented
later.
[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
volume control system for performing volume synchronization.
[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the volume control system comprises an electronic device and a
peripheral device. The electronic device comprises an audio
generator for providing an audio signal, a memory module for
storing a first volume specification and a volume controller; the
peripheral device comprises a memory module for storing a second
volume specification and a high definition multimedia interface at
least one high definition multimedia interface for connecting the
electronic device and the peripheral device, wherein the volume
controller adjusts the audio signal according to a conversion ratio
of the first volume specification to the second volume
specification and transmits the adjusted audio signal to the
peripheral device via the high definition multimedia interface.
[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
electronic device for performing volume synchronization.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, the electronic device comprises a high definition
multimedia interface, a memory module for storing a first volume
specification of the electronic device and a second volume
specification of a peripheral device, an audio generator for
providing an audio signal corresponding with the first volume
specification, and the volume controller for adjusting the audio
signal to corresponding with the second volume specification and
then transmitting the adjusted audio signal to the peripheral
device via the high definition multimedia interface.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to
a volume control method for performing volume synchronization.
[0014] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, the volume control method comprises the following
steps: a first volume specification of an electronic device and a
second volume specification of a peripheral device are acquired;
then, a conversion ratio of the first volume specification to the
second volume specification is computed; then, an audio signal in
the electronic device is adjusted according to the conversion
ratio, and the adjusted audio signal is transmitted to the
peripheral device.
[0015] Many of the attendant features will be more readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description considered in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present description will be better understood from the
following detailed description read in light of the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a volume control system 100
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a volume control method 500
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in
the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0021] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
volume control system. The volume control system may be easily
inserted into existing devices, such as TV, set top box or the
like, and may be applicable or readily adaptable to all technology
nodes. It should be noted that the volume control system could
perform volume synchronization.
[0022] Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a
volume control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. In FIG. 1, the volume control system 100 comprises an
electronic device 200 and a peripheral device 300. The electronic
device 200 comprises an audio generator 210, a memory module 220, a
volume controller 230 and a high definition multimedia interface
(HDMI) 290. The peripheral device 300 comprises a memory module 320
and a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) 390.
[0023] In the electronic device 200, the memory module 220 can
store a first volume specification; for example, the first volume
specification may comprise software and/or hardware specifications
of volume control of the electronic device 200. In the embodiment,
the first volume specification comprises a maximum value, a minimum
value and a scale value of the sound volume of the electronic
device 200.
[0024] Similarly, in the peripheral device 300, the memory module
320 can store a second volume specification; for example, the first
volume specification may comprise software and/or hardware
specifications of volume control of the peripheral device 300. In
the embodiment, the second volume specification comprises a maximum
value, a minimum value and a scale value of the sound volume of the
peripheral device 300.
[0025] The memory modules 220 and 320 may be storage elements, so
as to be integrated in a chip. One of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the above examples are provided for
illustrative purposes only to further explain applications of the
present invention and are not meant to limit the present invention
in any manner. Alternatively, the memories 220,320 may be other
software or hardware.
[0026] The high definition multimedia interface 290 of the
electronic device 200 is electrically connected to the high
definition multimedia interface 390 of the peripheral device 300.
Accordingly, the high definition multimedia interfaces 290,390 can
connect the electronic device 200 and the peripheral device
300.
[0027] The high definition multimedia interface is a compact
digital audioWdeo interface, and it supersedes some analogue
connectors, such as SCART and RCA. The high definition multimedia
interface provides a common duct of communication for compatible
devices, such as set-top boxes, DVD players, personal computers, TV
games, sound amplifiers, audio systems and televisions. In the
embodiment, the high definition multimedia interfaces 290 and 390
are compact audio/video interfaces for transmitting uncompressed
digital data, so as to simplify the installation.
[0028] In the electronic device 200, the audio generator 210 can
provide an audio signal, wherein the audio signal corresponds with
the first volume specification of the electronic device 200. When
high definition multimedia interfaces 290 and 390 connect the
electronic device 200 and the peripheral device 300, the volume
controller 230 can adjusts the audio signal according to a
conversion ratio of the first volume specification to the second
volume specification and transmits the adjusted audio signal to the
peripheral device 300, wherein the adjusted audio signal
corresponds with the second volume specification of the peripheral
device 300, so as to synchronize a sound volume of the electronic
device 200 and a sound volume of the peripheral device 300.
[0029] For instance, the electronic device 200 may be a television,
and the peripheral device 300 may be a set top box. A user can use
a remote control or keys of the television to adjust the volume of
the television. If the set top box connects the television through
the high definition multimedia interface, the television can
transmit the setting thereof to the set top box for performing
volume synchronization.
[0030] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
above television and set top box are provided for illustrative
purposes only to further explain applications of the present
invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any
manner. Alternatively, the electronic device 200 may be inserted in
a personal computer, a laptop or the like; the peripheral device
300 may be a television, a tuner, an audio system or the like.
[0031] For a more complete understanding of the conversion ratio of
the first volume specification to the second volume specification,
please refer to following table 1 and table 2.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 first volume specification maximum value
minimum value scale value 28 0 1
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 second volume specification maximum value
minimum value scale value 14 0 1
[0032] Table 1 shows the maximum value, the minimum value and the
scale value of the sound volume in the first volume specification.
The sound volume is from 28 to 0, and the scale value is 1. In
another word, the sound volume from the maximum value to the
minimum value is divided into 28 scales.
[0033] Table 2 shows the maximum value, the minimum value and the
scale value of the sound volume in the second volume specification.
The sound volume is from 14 to 0, and the scale value is 1. In
another word, the sound volume from the maximum value to the
minimum value is divided into 14 scales.
[0034] In table 1 and table 2, the conversion ratio of the sound
volume of the first volume specification to the sound volume of the
second volume specification is 2:1, and the conversion ratio of the
scale value of the first volume specification to the scale value of
the second volume specification is 1:1.
[0035] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
above table 1 and table 2 are provided for illustrative purposes
only to further explain applications of the present invention and
are not meant to limit the present invention in any manner.
[0036] The electronic device 200 can provide the audio signal for
synchronizing the sound volume of the peripheral device 300
according to the second volume specification of the peripheral
device 300. There are at least two ways of getting the second
volume specification of the peripheral device 300, wherein the one
way is that a user manually operates the user interface 240 to
input the second volume specification, and another is that the
volume controller 230 automatically gets the second volume
specification. The following description considered in connection
with the above two ways.
[0037] In FIG. 1, the volume controller 230 comprises an
acquisition module 232, a transformation module 234 and an output
module 236. The acquisition module 232 can acquire the second
volume specification from the peripheral device 300; the
transformation module 234 can adjust the audio signal according to
the conversion ratio of the first volume specification to the
second volume specification; the output module 236 can transmit the
adjusted audio signal to the peripheral device 300 via the high
definition multimedia interface 290, so as to synchronize the sound
volume of the electronic device 200 and the sound volume of the
peripheral device 300. Accordingly, the volume controller 230 can
automatically get the second volume specification to synchronize
the sound volume of the electronic device 200 and the sound volume
of the peripheral device 300.
[0038] Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 200
comprises a user interface 240. The user interface 240 allows a
user to input the second volume specification of the peripheral
device 300 and then recording the second volume specification in
the memory module 220. Accordingly, the user can manually operate
the user interface 240 to input the second volume
specification.
[0039] For instance, the user interface 240 l can use an
operational support directive to ask a user the second volume
specification of the peripheral device 300; therefore, the memory
module 220 can store the second volume specification after the user
inputted the second volume specification by the user interface
240.
[0040] In practice the user interface 240 may be a graphical user
interface so as to facilitate use. One of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the above examples are provided for
illustrative purposes only to further explain applications of the
present invention and are not meant to limit the present invention
in any manner. Alternatively, another human-machine interface may
he used as appropriate for a given application.
[0041] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
electronic device. The electronic device may be easily inserted
into existing device, such as TV, set top box or the like, and may
be applicable or readily adaptable to all technology nodes. It
should be noted that the electronic device could perform volume
synchronization.
[0042] Please refer to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the electronic device 200
the audio generator 210, the memory module 220, the volume
controller 230 and the high definition multimedia interface
290.
[0043] The memory module 220 can store the first volume
specification and the second volume specification. For example, the
first volume specification may comprise software and/or hardware
specifications of volume control of the electronic device 200; the
second volume specification may comprise software and/or hardware
specifications of volume control of the peripheral device 300. In
the embodiment, the first volume specification comprises a maximum
value, a minimum value and a scale value of the sound volume of the
electronic device 200; the second volume specification comprises a
maximum value, a minimum value and a scale value of the sound
volume of the peripheral device 300. In addition, the memory module
320 of the peripheral device 300 can store the second volume
specification.
[0044] The audio generator 210 can provide an audio signal, wherein
the audio signal corresponds with the first volume specification of
the electronic device 200. The volume controller 230 can adjusts
the audio signal to corresponding with the second volume
specification and then transmit the adjusted audio signal to the
peripheral device 300 via the high definition multimedia interface
290, so as to synchronize a sound volume of the electronic device
200 and a sound volume of the peripheral device 300.
[0045] For a more complete understanding of the conversion ratio of
the first volume specification to the second volume specification,
please refer to following table 3 and table 4.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 first volume specification maximum value
minimum value scale value 28 0 1
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 second volume specification maximum value
minimum value scale value 56 0 2
[0046] to Table 3 shows the maximum value, the minimum value and
the scale value of the sound volume in the first volume
specification. The sound volume is from 28 to 0, and the scale
value is 1. In another word, the sound volume from the maximum
value to the minimum value is divided into 28 scales.
[0047] Table 4 shows the maximum value, the minimum value and the
scale value of the sound volume in the second volume specification.
The sound volume is from 56 to 0, and the scale value is 2. In
another word, the sound volume from the maximum value to the
minimum value is divided into 28 scales.
[0048] In table 3 and table 4, the conversion ratio of the sound
volume of the first volume specification to the sound volume of the
second volume specification is 1:2, and the conversion ratio of the
scale value of the first volume specification to the scale value of
the second volume specification is 1:2.
[0049] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
above table 3 and table 4 are provided for illustrative purposes
only to further explain applications of the present invention and
are not meant to limit the present invention in any manner.
[0050] In FIG. 1, the volume controller 230 comprises an
acquisition module 232, a transformation module 234 and an output
module 236. The acquisition module 232 can acquire the second
volume specification from the peripheral device 300 and store the
second volume specification in the memory module 220; the
transformation module 234 can adjust the audio signal according to
the conversion ratio of the first volume specification to the
second volume specification; the output module 236 can transmit the
adjusted audio signal to the peripheral device 300 via the high
definition multimedia interface 290, so as to synchronize the sound
volume of the electronic device 200 and the sound volume of the
peripheral device 300. Accordingly, the volume controller 230 can
automatically get the second volume specification to synchronize
the sound volume of the electronic device 200 and the sound volume
of the peripheral device 300.
[0051] Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 200
comprises the user interface 240. The user interface 240 can allow
a user to input the second volume specification of the peripheral
device 300 and then recording the second volume specification in
the memory module 220. Accordingly, the user can manually operate
the user interface 240 to input the second volume
specification.
[0052] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
volume control method. The volume control method may be easily
inserted into existing device, such as TV, set top box or the like,
and may be applicable or readily adaptable to all technology nodes.
It should be noted that the volume control method could perform
volume synchronization.
[0053] Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a
volume control method 500 according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure. The volume control method 500 comprises step
510, step 520, step 530 and step 540. In the volume control method
500, it should be noted that one step might be performed in series,
in parallel, in combination or otherwise in conjunction with
another if the specific order is not described or inferred in the
embodiment.
[0054] In step 510, a first volume specification of an electronic
device is acquired; in step 520, a second volume specification of a
peripheral device is acquired; in step 530, a conversion ratio of
the first volume specification to the second volume specification
is computed; in step 540, an audio signal in the electronic device
is adjusted according to the conversion ratio, and the adjusted
audio signal is transmitted to the peripheral device.
[0055] Accordingly, the audio signal corresponds with the first
volume specification of the electronic device before adjusted, but
the adjusted audio signal corresponds with the second volume
specification. Therefore, the adjusted audio signal is transmitted
to the peripheral device, so as to synchronize the sound volume of
the electronic device and the sound volume of the peripheral
device.
[0056] In step 510, the first volume specification comprises a
aximum value, a minimum value and a scale value of the sound volume
of the electronic device. In step 520, the second volume
specification comprises a maximum value, a minimum value and a
scale value of the sound volume of the peripheral device. In
addition, the memory module of the peripheral device can store the
second volume specification.
[0057] During step 540, the audio signal in the electronic device
is adjusted according to the conversion ratio of the first volume
specification to the second volume specification, and then the
adjusted audio signal is transmitted to the peripheral device via
the high definition multimedia interface.
[0058] Accordingly, the audio signal may be follow Consumer
Electronics Control protocol, so as to synchronously control the
sound volume of the electronic device and the sound volume of the
peripheral device.
[0059] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
present invention cover modifications and variations of this
invention provided they fall within the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *