FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of switching on a television receiver from a
standby position in a mute mode. The invention allows both analog and digital
televisions to be switched on in a mute mode, through mute key, without disturbing
others.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a television in a standby mode with a high volume (written on the register) is
switched on, it gives a high audio output. This may disturb other people who may be
sleeping or resting.
US Patent 5, 029, 005 discloses a television receiver with a continuous operating supply
potential applied to it from a standby power source even when the receiver is switched
off. This prevents spurious noise and hum coupled to the power amplifier from being
amplified and heard by the viewer. A power amplifier muting signal is generated by a

microprocessor controller, which controls the power supply status of the receiver, and is
coupled to the power amplifier when the receiver is in the low-power condition. The
same arrangement can also be used to mute the power amplifier in the "on" condition to
effectively disconnect any audio source and associated speaker. This document is
concerned with only controlling audio power amplifier and does not allow the television
set to be switched on in a mute state.
There was therefore, a need for switching on a television from a standby mode in a
'mute' condition, so that such turning on a television does not disturb others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention therefore is to provide a method in a television
receiver which would allow the user to turn on the television in the mute mode from a
standby position.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a method of switching on a
television receiver from a standby position, in a mute mode, comprising the steps of:
switching on button on the television receiver in a standby position; and switching on
power to the television receiver to give a power on mute alert and for displaying mute
icon on the screen.
The step of switching on a mute button comprises pressing a mute key or any other key
provided on a remote control or a designated button provided on the television receiver.
The television is both switched on and get muted by the same key (mute Key / button),
in this feature.
The user's choice of turning on the television receiver at a volume is independent of the
level at which it was put on a standby mode or at which it was switched off.
The mute key or any other key on the remote or any designated button on the television
receiver is capable of adjusting the volume even when the television is in a standby
mode.

The power on mute can be achieved by writing volume '0' in audio registers of a
microcontroller during power on operation by the mute key; and wherein the value is
retained in the register and in the OSD as long as the mute is not released.
The power on mute can be achieved by writing volume '0' in audio registers of a
microcontroller during power on operation by the mute key; and this '0' value is retained
in the register until we release the mute by Mute key or Volume up key.
The volume is decreased, the value is stored in temporary variable and written into audio
register of the microcontroller when the volume UP or mute key is pressed and the mute
is released.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention can now be described in detail with the help of the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows the Application - 'power on mute' of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows the on screen display of power on mute.
Figure 3 shows the flow diagram of the method of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The power on mute mode allows the user to turn the television on in the mute mode by
pressing the mute button when in standby mode. A power on mute alert and mute icon
is displayed when the television is powered on in this mode. It helps the user to switch
on television without disturbing others.
As shown clearly in Figure 1, when the television is in standby mode with a volume of 70,
and the television is switched on with this volume at night, it will give a high audio
output. Such high audio output may disturb the people who are possibly resting or
sleeping.
In the present invention the user has an option of switching the television in mute mode
and then can reduce the volume to a desired level, without releasing the mute
button. The mute is released only when the volume UP key is pressed.

The feature can be implemented by writing volume '0' in audio register of a
microcontroller during power on by mute key. As long as the mute is not released this
value is retained in the register and an OSD (on screen display) is shown on the
television. When volume is decreased in this state, value is stored in temporary variable
and is written into audio registers of microcontroller when volume UP or mute key is
pressed and mute is released.

WE CLAIM
1. A method of switching on a television receiver from a standby position, in a mute
mode, comprising the steps of:
switching on a mute button on the television receiver in a standby position;
and
switching on power to the television receiver to give a power on mute alert
and for displaying mute icon on the screen.
Both muting the television and witching on the power are done via the
same key i.e. the mute key in power-on-mute feature.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of switching on a mute button
comprises pressing a mute key or any other key provided on a remote control or a
designated button provided on the television receiver.
3. The method as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the user's choice of turning on
the television receiver at a volume is independent of the level at which it was put
on a standby mode or at which it was switched off.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mute key or any other key on the
remote or any designated button on the television receiver is capable of adjusting
the volume even when the television is in a standby mode.
5. The method as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the power on mute can
be achieved by writing volume '0' in audio registers of a microcontroller during
power on operation by the mute key; and wherein the value is retained in the
register and in the OSD as long as the mute is not released.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the volume is decreased, the
value is stored in temporary variable and written into audio register of the
microcontroller when the volume UP or mute key is pressed and the mute is
released.
7. A method of switching on a television receiver from a standby position, in a mute
mode, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the figures of the
accompanying drawings.

The main object of the present invention therefore is to provide a method in a television
receiver which would allow the user to turn on the television in the mute mode from a
standby position.
In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a method of switching on a
television receiver from a standby position, in a mute mode, comprising the steps of:
switching on button on the television receiver in a standby position; and switching on
power to the television receiver to give a power on mute alert and for displaying mute
icon on the screen.
The step of switching on a mute button comprises pressing a mute key or any other key
provided on a remote control or a designated button provided on the television receiver.
The television is both switched on and get muted by the same key (mute Key / button),
in this feature.
The user's choice of turning on the television receiver at a volume is independent of the
level at which it was put on a standby mode or at which it was switched off.
The mute key or any other key on the remote or any designated button on the television
receiver is capable of adjusting the volume even when the television is in a standby
mode.
The power on mute can be achieved by writing volume '0' in audio registers of a
microcontroller during power on operation by the mute key; and wherein the value is
retained in the register and in the OSD as long as the mute is not released.
The power on mute can be achieved by writing volume '0' in audio registers of a
microcontroller during power on operation by the mute key; and this '0' value is retained
in the register until we release the mute by Mute key or Volume up key.
The volume is decreased, the value is stored in temporary variable and written into audio
register of the microcontroller when the volume UP or mute key is pressed and the mute
is released.