Audio/video device having a volume control function for an external audio reproduction unit by using volume control buttons of a remote controller and volume control method therefor

• US 20050111675A1
• Filed: 05/20/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jae-hoon
• Granted Patent: US 7,672,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

An audio/video (A/V) device having a volume control function for external audio reproduction units by using volume control buttons of a remote controller is provided. The A/V device includes speakers, an audio output port for externally outputting an audio signal, an audio signal processing unit for reproducing and amplifying the audio signal and applying the amplified audio signal to the speakers or the audio output port, a memory unit for storing volume control values, and a control unit for applying to the audio signal processing unit any of the volume control values stored in the memory based on whether the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port. The control unit controls the audio signal processing unit to adjust the volume control values for the audio output port by the volume control buttons when the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port.

Claims

1. An audio/video (A/V) device having a volume control function for an external audio reproduction unit by using volume control buttons of a remote controller, comprising:

speakers;

an audio output port for externally outputting an audio signal;

an audio signal processing unit for reproducing and amplifying the audio signal and applying the amplified audio signal to any of the speakers or the audio output port;

a memory unit for storing volume control values corresponding to the audio output port and the speakers; and

a control unit for applying to the audio signal processing unit any of the volume control values stored in the memory based on whether the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port,

wherein the control unit controls the audio signal processing unit to increase or decrease the volume control values for the audio output port by the volume control buttons provided on the remote controller when the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port.

2. The A/V device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display unit for reproducing a video signal,

wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display a volume control menu window for increasing or decreasing the volume control values when detecting the external audio reproduction unit plugged in the audio output port.

3. The A/V device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the volume control menu window is displayed on a portion of an image reproduction area of the display unit when the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port.

4. The A/V device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the volume control menu window for the external audio reproduction unit is converted to a volume control menu window for the speakers when the external audio reproduction unit is unplugged from the audio output port.

5. The A/V device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external audio reproduction unit comprises one of a headset, an earphone, and the speakers.

6. A volume control method for an A/V device having speakers for reproducing an audio signal, an audio output port for externally outputting the audio signal, and a display unit for reproducing images, comprising steps of:

detecting whether an external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port;

displaying on the display unit a volume control menu window for controlling volume levels to be output from the audio output port when the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port; and

increasing or decreasing the volume level for the external audio reproduction unit plugged in the audio output port on the volume control menu window by using volume control buttons of a remote controller for controlling the A/V device.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of displaying the volume control menu window on the display unit displays a previously stored volume value for the external audio reproduction unit on the display unit.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the previously stored volume value is the latest volume value set for the external audio reproduction unit during operations of the A/V device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of displaying the volume control menu window on the display unit converts the volume control menu window on the display unit to a volume control menu window for the speakers when the external audio reproduction unit is unplugged from the audio output port.