Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to method and apparatus for Intelligent Auto Volume Control (IAVC) in an electronic device. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and program for intelligent volume control in a television.
Background of the Invention
Sound systems are used in a variety of electronic devices, such as within televisions, in audio systems, on computers, etc. In most environments, the interior and/or exterior conditions may result in audio interference. For example, in a home with several family members, children may cry, the phone may ring, or someone may run a vacuum cleaner. In these cases, a person watching TV may have to repeatedly adjust the volume up and down to remain at a desired volume level relative to environmental noise and interference. As another example, in an automobile, the environmental noise level may increase due to road noise when it is raining or engine noise when driving at a greater speed.
Volume control systems exist which adjust the volume level according to the speed of an automobile. However, these systems usually have one input parameter and only one fixed output for each value of the one input parameter. The factory settings for such a volume control system may not be sufficient or desirable for every user. Thus, the listener may still need to adjust the volume to a desirable level based upon actual conditions.
US Patent No. 5615270 describes a "dynamic sound optimization" (DSO) which digitally processes electrical audio signals to compensate for the intrusion of acoustic noise into a listening area. Such a system could be used with any audio system
US patent No. 5666426 describes an audio system automatic volume controller e.g. for car stereo that monitors ambient audio environment using microphone and has DSP which varies volume of audio system output in proportion to changes in environmental.
US692168 describes method, apparatus, and program for intelligent volume control. The invention provides volume control for an audio system that adjusts volume level based on several input parameters. The input parameters may vary depending upon the environment of the audio system. The listener may manually set volume to a desired level relative to environmental noise and interference. The volume level and input parameters are stored as a data point. As values for the input parameters change, the volume control performs statistical analysis on the stored data point to predict a desired volume level. The audio system then adjusts the volume to the predicted level. The listener may then override the volume level and set another data point. Thus the volume control of the invention learns from the volume levels set by the listener and the values of the input parameters.
Prior attempts to eliminate or reduce the effects of noise on sound signals reproduced in moving vehicles include a scheme known as "automatic level control," which automatically raises the volume when the vehicle is noisy. However, the volume control system described in the prior art does not provide a user programmable system. All the input parameters in the system are obtained using parameter sensors and thus the system output is dependent on sensor outputs. Hence user does not control any input parameters in the volume prediction parameters. Furthermore, the volume control system in the prior art patent does not differentiate between small changes and major changes in the input parameters. Hence a small change due to the static noise in a silent mode may be continuously amplified resulting in static noise being audible to the user.
Hence there is need for an intelligent volume control system, which, provides user programmable input parameters for allowing user control in volume adjustment process. There is also a need for providing a robust system, which, differentiates background noise in silent modes from actual noise level in a room.
Object and Summary of the Invention
To obviate the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides an intelligent program in an electronic device that controls the volume level of the device based on the input from sensor(s) which gives the room noise level and input from the user defined settings. These user-defined settings are based on the different external input parameters like home with several family members, room dimensions, environmental conditions etc.
Accordingly to the present invention relates to a method for automatic intelligent volume control in an electronic device comprising the steps of:
- setting values for user defined parameters for said electronic device;
- continuously collecting data for external parameter using at least one sensor on said electronic device;
- predicting required volume level based on said user defined parameters and said external parameters; and
- adjusting volume to said required volume level subject to significant difference between current volume level and said required volume level.
The user defined parameters include maximum and minimum volume levels, input volume level, user name, size of a room, number of people present in
said room, average age of people present and distance of the electronic device from the user.
The external parameter includes noise level in a room.
Predicting of required volume level comprises the steps of detecting changes in said user defined parameters; detecting changes in said external parameter; storing said user defined parameters and external parameter in said storage device; obtaining previously stored required volume level; and performing statistical analysis on said user defined parameters, said external parameter and said current volume level to obtain said required volume level.
The current volume level is initially set as said input volume level. Adjusting of volume comprises the steps of: calculating difference between the predicted volume level and the current volume level; setting a flag when said difference exceeds a prescribed level; adjusting the volume of the electronic device to the required volume level responsive to said setting of said flag; storing said required volume level as said current volume level in said storage device responsive to said setting of said flag; and resetting of said flag.
The present invention also comprises of an apparatus for automatic intelligent volume control in an electronic device comprising a user interface means for setting user defined parameters; at least one sensor for continuously collecting values for at least one external parameter; a processing means for collecting said user defined parameters and said external parameters and predicting required volume level; and a means coupled to said processing means for adjusting volume level to said required volume level.
The method of the present invention can be implemented on a software or a combination of software and hardware.
Brief Description for the Accompanying Drawings
While the specification concludes with the claims, it is believed that the invention be better understood from the following descriptions which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements.
Figure 1 illustrates the block diagram of the TV system with hardware and software modules in a TV system in accordance with a preferred embodiment the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates the block diagram of the TV system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates the flowchart for the operation of the User Interface (Ul) module in accordance with the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the flowchart for the operation of the Volume Prediction (VP) module in accordance with the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates the flowchart for the operation of the Intelligent Automatic Volume Control (IAVC) mechanism in accordance with the invention
Detailed Description of the Invention
With reference now to the figures, Figure 1 depicts a block diagram of the TV system with hardware and software modules. There is volume control that works automatically. There is a programmable device in the device that adjusts the
sound level of the device as the noise in the room goes too loud or too soft. The high and low points are set by the user just as user may set the tint, contrast, brightness, etc in a device like TV system. Additionally, the method prevents the sound level from going too loud or too soft.
An intelligent volume control according to the present invention adjusts the volume level based on several input parameters. The input parameters may vary depending upon the environment and type of electronic device. The user may manually set volume to a desired level relative to environmental noise and interference. The volume level and room noise level data are given as input to the device. As values for the input parameters change, the intelligent volume control method predicts a desired volume level. The device then adjusts the volume to the predicted level. The user may then change the volume level and set another settings. Thus, the intelligent automatic volume method learns from the user settings done by the user for volume based on different external parameters set by the user and the values of the room noise level from the sensor(s).
Figure 1 illustrates the block diagram for a preferred embodiment in a TV system. TV includes a sensor to be able to sense/detect the noise level of the room and then automatically volume control (Increase/Decrease) happens for the channel. The TV system comprises an added hardware module (1.2) which comprises sensors (1.2-1) for noise level detection and Intelligent Automatic Volume Control (IAVC) software module (1.1) which comprises a User Interface (Ul) module (1.1-1), a Volume Prediction (VP) module (1.1-2) and a Volume Level Control (VLC) module (1.1-3). Using these modules, the TV is able to detect the volume level in the room and accordingly control the sound level of the channel/program on the TV set. Hence the TV system is made more user friendly and interactive.
An interactive Ul module (1.1-1) is provided for entering user- defined values for configurable input parameters in a TV system. The input parameters may vary depending upon the environment of the TV system. A VP module (1.1-2) is provided for a TV that adjusts a volume level based on several input parameters. The user may manually set volume to a desired level relative to environmental noise and interference. The volume level and room noise level data are given as input to the VP module (1.1-2). As values for the input parameters change, VP module (1.1-2) performs statistical analysis on the input parameters to predict desired volume level. The TV system then adjusts the volume to the predicted level. The user may then change the volume level and set another settings. Thus, VP module (1.1-2) learns from the user settings given by the user for volume based on different external parameters and the values of the room noise level from the sensor(s).
Furthermore, there is a VLC module (1.1-3) in the TV that automatically adjusts the sound level of the TV based on the VP module output. The user sets the high and low points for the volume as the user sets the tint, contrast, brightness, etc. This prevents the sound level from going too loud or too soft. When the sound is too low it adjusts up only if it detects "significant" variations in the sound level. Hence the user will not turn up static in a silent scene. In such situation, the sound is turned up to the specified minimum "low" level.
Figure 2 illustrates the hardware implementation of the preferred embodiment in a TV system. The controller (2.2) coupled to the noise sensor (2.1) allows for automatic adjustment of the volume levels in the TV. The controller (2.2) performs the tasks of Ul, VP and VLC modules (1.1-1, 1.1-2 and 1.1-3) and is coupled to the sound processor (2.4) for controlling the sound levels for the speakers (2.5) in the TV system.
Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart for the operation of Ul module (1.1). Option of Intelligent Automatic Volume Control (IAVC) is given in the Main Menu in the miscellaneous option of the Setup Option of the Main Menu On Screen Display. If the user turns IAVC option ON then user is able to edit the user parameters settings(3.1). If user turns IAVC option OFF then IAVC unit will not work (3.1). For the task of editing, the user is prompted to select whether they want to change the user settings (3.2). If the person does not want to change the user settings, he/she is asked if user should be changed (3.3). If no user is to be selected, a default user or last stored user is used (3.4). If the user settings are to be changed, for editing user parameter settings, user is able to select any one user out of the four user types i.e. User 1, User 2,User 3, User 4 (3.6). After selecting the particular user type, the users can individually set the parameters in the User 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 (3.7).
Each user may have a set of parameters such as
1) Size of the room
2) Number of people present in room
3) Average age of people present.
4) Distance of the TV from the user.
5) Name to be given to this User (optional parameter).
Example parameter values for any User say Userl are:
1) Size of the room - 6, 5, and 8
2) Number of people present in room - 3
3) Average age of people present. - 30
4) Distance of the TV from the user. - 4
5) Name to be given to this User (optional parameter). - Userl or Young or Special
User is prompted to set the above-mentioned parameters (3.7). After setting the parameters, user can select any user type using the names given to them from a Smart Drop down box using the Up Down key (3.3). Factory or initial settings for the Users 1,2,3,4 are provided (3.4). The user types can be named as Young, Old, Average, Special etc based on settings for the parameters. The user settings are stored in the EEPROM inside the TV.
Figure 4 illustrates the flowchart for operation of VP module. The module continuously senses the room noise level using a sensor(s) as a part of hardware module (4.1). If the noise level detection shows a change, the current noise level is stored in the EEPROM (4.2 and 4.3). If a significant noise level change or user defined settings change is detected (4.4 and 4.5), the user defined settings and the noise level readings stored in the EEPROM are retrieved (4.6) for volume control as input parameters for prediction of desired volume levels (4.7 and 4.8). The module processes the room noise data given by sensor(s) and user defined settings data and performs statistical analysis on the data (4.8). Based on the results of statistical analysis, the VP module stores the predicted value in a EEPROM (4.9) and gives it to the VLC module of TV to control volume based on this input (4.10).
Figure 5 illustrates the flowchart for the operation of the Intelligent Automatic Volume Control (IAVC) mechanism. The hardware sensor(s) continuously detects the noise levels in the room (5.1). If significant change is detected in the noise levels, the current noise level value is retrieved from the EEPROM (5.2 and 5.3). At the same time the user settings are retrieved from the EEPROM (5.3). The input parameters from the Ul module and the noise level values are used as inputs to the VP module (5.4). The predicted volume output of the VP module is used as input to the VLC module along with the current volume levels (5.5). VLC module takes this predicted volume output as an input and adjusts the volume level if there is significant change in the volume levels between the predicted and
the actual volume levels. Based on the predicted and actual volume levels, the VLC module sends instructions to the sound processor for adjusting the volume level (5.6). Finally, the current and the predicted volume levels are stored in the EEPROM for volume prediction in the future (5.7).
All documents cited in the description are incorporated herein by reference The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments and examples which are intended as illustrations of a number of aspects of the invention and any embodiments which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of this invention. Those skilled in the art will know, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. These and all other equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed:
1. Method for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device
comprising the steps of:
- setting values for user defined parameters for said electronic device;
- continuously collecting data for external parameter using at least one sensor on said electronic device;
- predicting required volume level based on said user defined parameters and said external parameters; and
- adjusting volume to said required predicted volume level subject to significant difference between current volume level and said required predicted volume level.

2. Method for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user defined parameters include maximum and minimum volume levels, input volume level, user name, size of a room, number of people present in said room, average age of people present and distance of the electronic device from the user.
3. Method for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external parameter includes noise level in a room.
4. Method for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predicting of required volume level comprises the steps of:

- detecting changes in said user defined parameters;
- detecting changes in said external parameter;
- storing said user defined parameters and external parameter in said storage device;
- obtaining previously stored required volume level; and
- performing statistical analysis on said user defined parameters, said external parameter and said current volume level to obtain said required volume level.

5. Method for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said current volume level is initially set as said input volume level.
6. Method for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjusting of volume comprises the steps of:

- calculating difference between the predicted volume level and the current volume level;
- setting a flag when said difference exceeds a prescribed level;
- adjusting the volume of the electronic device to the required volume
level responsive to said setting of said flag;
storing said required volume level as said current volume level in said storage device responsive to said setting of said flag; and
- .resetting of said flag.
7. Apparatus for Automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic
device comprising:
- a user interface means for setting user defined parameters;
- at least one sensor for continuously collecting values for at least one external parameter;
- a processing means for collecting said user defined parameters and said external parameters and predicting required volume level; and
- a means coupled to said processing means for adjusting volume level to said required volume level.
8. A computer program product for automatic Intelligent Volume control in an electronic device stored on a computer readable medium comprising computer code means configured for performing the steps of the method as claimed in any one claims 1 to 6