Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Monitoring of sound – Amplification control responsive to ambient sound
Utility Patent
1997-10-04
2001-01-02
Lee, Ping (Department: 2747)
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Monitoring of sound
Amplification control responsive to ambient sound
C381S107000
Utility Patent
active
06169807
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an automatic adaptive audio volume control device and in particular to an electronic circuit for remote automatic volume adjustment of an audio appliance.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Radio and television receivers often produce disagreeable changes in the average audio volume level when a user changes channels or when a broadcaster inserts advertising segments. Program transitions to advertising or from speech to music frequently produce a greater average volume level that exceeds the desired volume level.
The user can compensate for such audio variances through the bothersome task of manually adjusting the volume during each channel or program transition.
Various systems have been created to automatically adapt average volume levels in audio appliances. Radio receivers in motor vehicles have been designed to adapt volume levels based on external ambient sound, typically road noise, which varies with vehicle speed. Similar systems have been incorporated into television receivers to maintain an average audio volume level by adapting to changes in the received audio signal.
While automatic audio level control systems are available on some audio appliances, the user is typically required to purchase a completely new appliance to gain this feature. U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,147 to Joseph et al. (1994) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,783 to Na (1995) disclose circuits that, when incorporated into television receivers, provide automatic audio level control.
An external device providing automatic audio level control for television receivers has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,714 to Saadoun (1997). This solution requires access to input and output paths for both the audio and video signals of a television receiver to operate. The numerous connectors and cables for these signals further increase the cost of production of this device.
All previous solutions for automatic audio level control are either built into an appliance or, if external, are specific to an appliance and thus do not have the flexibility to operate with various audio appliances in a convenient manner.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(a) to provide a system to automatically sustain a user-defined average audio volume level of an appliance during channel changes and program transitions in audio level;
(b) to provide a system that determines the user-defined average audio volume level by acoustically monitoring the ambient sound level produced by an audio appliance;
(c) to provide adaptive control of an appliance audio level by responding to changes in the ambient sound level produced by the audio appliance;
(d) to operate with an audio appliance that utilizes a wireless remote control interface to change the appliance audio volume level; and
(e) to provide a low cost device that is simple to use and that requires no electrical connections to be installed to the audio appliance;
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4553257 (1985-11-01), Mori
patent: 5077799 (1991-12-01), Cotton
patent: 5128987 (1992-07-01), McDonough
patent: 5363147 (1994-11-01), Joseph
patent: 5444783 (1995-08-01), Na
patent: 5631714 (1997-05-01), Saadoun
patent: 5633690 (1997-05-01), Eum
Lee Ping
Painter Michael A.
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