Abstract:
An application for a system for controlling speaker volume of externally amplified speakers connected to a television includes a television with one or more external amplifiers, each driving one or more speakers. There is a channel for connecting the external amplifiers to the television providing an audio signal to the external amplifiers and a channel for communicating commands from the television to the externally amplifiers, which in some embodiments is the same channel. Responsive to a signal (e.g. remote control command) to the television indicating a request to change the volume of one or more of the external amplifiers, a volume change command is sent to one or more of the external amplifiers over the channel for communicating.

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of devices with external amplified speakers and more particularly to a system for controlling the volume of the external amplified speakers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices such as monitors and televisions often have one or more internal speakers. The internal speakers are connected to an internal source of amplified sound and reproduce the amplified sound at a volume controlled by the television. Often, a television is connected to external speakers which are amplified to reproduce sound at locations other than attached to the television such as base sound at some place in the viewing area, higher quality amplifiers and speakers for main channel sound typically located in front of the viewer at the sides of the television and rear channel speakers typically placed behind the viewer. 
     In some television systems, audio outputs are connected to an external amplifier and the amplifier is connected to one or more external speakers. Alternately, when the sound comes from a source external to the television such as a disk player or a set-top-box, the audio signal is routed directly from the external source to the amplifier. In some systems, the speakers in the television are not used when external speakers are available. 
     In many external speaker scenarios, the sound is provided in multiple channels such as 5.1 (5 main speakers consisting of left-front, right-front, left-back, right-back, center; plus one base speaker). In such systems, the television is connected to either a stereo system, amplifier or amplified speakers. In some systems, an audio output such as composite audio (L&amp;R) or TOSLINK is connected to an amplifier that amplifies the audio signal and delivers the amplified audio to one or more speakers. In some systems, the amplified speakers are connected to the television by a network, wired or wireless, and the audio signal is sent to the amplified speakers in digital format, and converted to analog, amplified and reproduced by the amplified speaker. 
     In many of these systems, each individual device, including the television, has independent volume controls. Often, devices such as amplified speakers and amplifiers or stereo systems (connected to speakers) have volume controls and/or remote controls that have the ability to control the volume of their devices. This makes it difficult for the viewer of the television to properly adjust the volume of these devices, especially trying to balance front/rear or side/side volume, since it is best to do so while seated in a position where the sound will be enjoyed. 
     What is needed is a system that controls the volume of several devices that are connected to a television. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention includes a system such as a television that has at least one external speaker that has an independent volume control. The system provides a user interface and control system that, utilizing the television remote control, adjusts the volume settings of the various external speaker and amplification systems. 
     In one embodiment, a system for controlling speaker volume of externally amplified speakers connected to a television is disclosed. The system has a television with one or more external amplifiers, each driving one or more speakers. There is a channel for connecting the external amplifiers to the television providing an audio signal to the external amplifiers and a channel for communicating commands from the television to the externally amplifiers, which in some embodiments is the same channel. Responsive to a signal (e.g. remote control command) to the television indicating a request to change the volume of one or more of the external amplifiers, a volume change command is sent to one or more of the external amplifiers over the channel for communicating. 
     In another embodiment, a method of controlling volume is disclosed including connecting an audio signal of a television to one or more external amplifiers and presenting a user interface on a display of the television. The user interface indicates a volume level of one or more of the external amplifiers. A volume change command is sent from a remote control to the television. Responsive to the volume change command, a volume change request is sent to one or more of the external amplifiers and the one or more amplifiers change an associated volume setting responsive to the volume change request. 
     In another embodiment, a television system is disclosed including a television having a display and at least one external amplifier connected to the television. Each of the at least one eternal amplifiers is connected to one or more speakers. An audio interface connects an audio signal from the television to the at least one external amplifier and a communications interface between the television and the at least one external amplifier provides for control of the at least one external amplifier by the television. A user interface is presented on the display and accepts volume change commands from a remote control device. Responsive to the volume change commands, the television signals one or more of the at least one external amplifier over the communications interface to change a volume setting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a television with internal speakers of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a television with various forms of analog and/or digital outputs. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of a television with composite audio outputs connected to an amplifier of the prior art. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of a television with composite audio outputs connected to an amplifier that is controlled by the television. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of a television connected by digital audio outputs to an amplifier and speaker(s) of the prior art. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of a television connected by digital audio outputs and controlling an amplifier that is connected to one or more speaker. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of a television connected by a digital bus to amplified speakers of the prior art. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of a television connected by digital bus and controlling amplified speakers. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a plan view of a television with an exemplary volume control user interface of the prior art. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a plan view of a television with an exemplary volume control user interface for control of internal and externally amplified speakers. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a plan view of a television with a second exemplary volume control user interface for control of internal and externally amplified speakers. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a flow chart of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. The present invention applies to any system having audio outputs that are connected to any amplifier and the amplifier is connected to one or more speakers, including combined devices that include both the amplifier and speaker. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a plan view of a television  5  of the prior art will be described. Typically, the monitor or television has a display panel  12  such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) array, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), Plasma panel, Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) panel, etc. Not visible, but within the monitor or television  5  is a source of amplified audio that is typically connected to internal speaker(s)  6 / 8  for delivery of sound to a viewer&#39;s ears. Most televisions  5  are controlled by a remote control  111 . Responsive to a viewer pressing keys  110 / 112  on the remote control  111 , the remote control  111  signals the television  5  to act on the keys pressed. For example, when a volume control key  110  (up or down) is pressed, the remote control emits a signal (e.g. infra red or radio frequency signal) that is received by a receiver  113  on the television  5  and the television  5  performs the operation (e.g. volume up or down). 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a schematic view of a typical television  5  of the present invention will be described. This figure is intended as a representative schematic of a typical television  5  and in practice, some elements are not present in some televisions  5  and/or additional elements are present in other television  5 . In this example, a display panel  12  is connected to a processing element  100 . The display panel  12  is representative of any known display panel including, but not limited to, LCD display panels, Plasma display panels, OLED display panels, LED display panels and cathode ray tubes (CRTs). 
     The processing element  100  accepts video inputs and audio inputs selectively from a variety of sources including an internal television broadcast receiver  102 , High-definition Media Inputs (HDMI), USB ports  130  and an analog-to-digital converter  104 . The analog-to-digital converter  104  accepts analog inputs from legacy video sources such as S-Video and Composite audio/video and converts the analog audio and/or video signals into digital signals before passing it to the processing element  100 . The processing element  100  controls the display of images/video on the display panel  12 . 
     Audio emanates from either the broadcast receiver  102 , the legacy source(s) (e.g., S-Video) or discrete analog audio inputs (Audio-IN). If the audio source is digital, the processing element  100  routes the audio to a digital-to-analog converter  106  and then to an input of a multiplexer  108 . The multiplexer  108 , under control of the processing element  100 , selects one of the audio sources and routes the selected audio to the audio composite audio output  126  and to an internal audio amplifier  110 . The internal audio amplifier  110  amplifies the audio and delivers the amplified audio to internal speakers  6 / 8 . 
     Additionally, in various embodiments, audio emanates from the television  5  on any of the known digital subsystems, including, but not limited to, USB  130 , SPDIF  124 , Ethernet  144 , Wi-Fi,  154  and Bluetooth  164 . 
     The processing element  100  accepts commands from a remote control  111  through remote receiver  113 . Although IR is often used to communicate commands from the remote control  111  to the remote receiver  113 , any known wireless technology is anticipated for connecting the remote control  111  to the processing element  100  including, but not limited to, radio frequencies (e.g., Bluetooth), sound (e.g., ultrasonic) and other spectrums of light. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the wireless technology be either one way (unidirectional) from the remote  111  to the receiver  113  or bidirectional including a transmission path back to the remote control  111  from the remote receiver  113 . When bidirectional, there are no limitations as to both directions utilizing the same wireless technology (e.g., the remote control  111  sends using IR and the television  5  sends using RF). 
     Upon reception of a command from the remote control  111  through the remote receiver  113  (for example), the processing element  100  operates on the command, for example, increasing or decreasing the volume delivered from the amplifier  110 . 
     In some embodiments, an IR blaster  120  is present. The IR blaster emits, under control of the processing element  100 , remote control commands that mimic commands from other remote controls  211 / 231  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  7 ) to control other devices such as amplifiers  200  ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ) or amplified speakers (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plan view of a television  5  with composite audio outputs connected to an amplifier of the prior art is shown. In this example, the composite audio outputs  126  (L and R) are connected to the line input  216  of an amplifier or stereo system  200 . The amplifier or stereo  200  amplifies the industry standard 1V peak-to-peak signal from the composite audio outputs  126  and presents the amplified audio to one or more speakers  206 / 208 . Such amplifiers or stereo systems  200  have their own volume control and often have their own remote control  211  and wireless remote control signal receiver  213 . To control the volume of the amplifier or stereo  200 , the viewer uses the remote control  211 , pressing the volume up or down keys while aiming the remote control  211  at the remote control receiver  213 . Often, users of such configurations don&#39;t want to have several remote controls  111 / 211  and often seek solutions to rid themselves of one or more of the remote controls  111 / 211 . For example, a universal remote control signals the television  5  to change channels but when the volume keys are used, the universal remote control signals the amplifier to increase/decrease volume. This improves the situation but doesn&#39;t provide on-screen user interfaces for the stereo/amplifier  200  and, when multiple speaker systems are used, there is no master volume control that proportionally adjusts all speakers (e.g. television speakers  6 / 8  and the speakers connected to the amplifier  206 / 208 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a plan view of a television  5  with composite audio outputs connected to an amplifier that is controlled by the television is shown. In this example, the composite audio outputs  126  (L and R) are connected to the line input  216  of an amplifier or stereo system  200  as in the previous example. The amplifier or stereo  200  amplifies the industry standard 1V peak-to-peak signal from the composite audio outputs  126  and presents the amplified audio to one or more speakers  206 / 208 . Such amplifiers or stereo systems  200  have their own volume control and often have their own remote control  211  (see  FIG. 3 ) and wireless remote control signal receiver  213 . With the present system, control of the volume of the amplifier or stereo  200  is performed by the television  5 . Pressing the volume up or down keys on the remote control  111  signals the television remote control receiver  113  and the television  5  acts on the signals by presenting a user interface. Typical user interfaces are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Using other remote control  111  keys such as navigation keys  112 , the user interface is directed to select the desired device (or devices) and the television  5 , responsive to the volume up/down signals, instructs the respective device to increase or decrease the device&#39;s amplification, hence volume. In this example, the television  5  signals the amplifier  200  by sending commands to the amplifier  200  to the amplifier&#39;s remote control receiver  213 , for example by imitating volume up/down commands normally sent by the amplifier&#39;s remote control  211  through a remote control simulator, also known as an IR blaster  120 . In this way, the volume of the television  5  speakers  6 / 8  and/or the amplifier  200  speakers  206 / 208  are controlled through a common user interface using a single remote control. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a plan view of a television  5  connected by digital audio outputs to an amplifier and speaker(s) of the prior art is shown. In this example, the digital audio outputs  124  (e.g. TOSLINK) are connected to the digital audio input  214  of an amplifier or stereo system  200 . The amplifier or stereo  200  converts the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal, amplifies the analog audio signal and presents the amplified audio to one or more speakers  206 / 208 . In some embodiments, there is also a digital control link such as a USB connection from the USB port  130  on the television  5  to the USB port  215  on the amplifier. 
     Such amplifiers or stereo systems  200  have their own volume control and often have their own remote control  211  and wireless remote control signal receiver  213 . To control the volume of the amplifier or stereo  200 , the viewer uses the remote control  211 , pressing the volume up or down keys in the vicinity of the remote control receiver  213 . Often, users of such configurations don&#39;t want to have several remote controls  111 / 211  and often seek solutions to rid themselves of one or more of the remote controls  111 / 211 . For example, a universal remote control signals the television  5  to change channels but when the volume keys are used, the universal remote control signals the amplifier to increase/decrease volume. This improves the situation but doesn&#39;t provide on-screen user interfaces for the stereo/amplifier  200  and, when multiple speaker systems are used, there is no master volume control that proportionally adjusts all speakers (e.g. television speakers  6 / 8  and the speakers connected to the amplifier  206 / 208 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a plan view of a television  5  connected by digital audio outputs and controlling an amplifier that is connected to one or more speaker is shown. In this example, the digital audio outputs  124  (e.g. TOSLINK) are connected to the digital audio input  214  of an amplifier or stereo system  200 . The amplifier or stereo  200  converts the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal, amplifies the analog audio signal and presents the amplified audio to one or more speakers  206 / 208 . In some embodiments, there is also a digital control link such as a USB connection from the USB port  130  on the television  5  to the USB port  215  on the amplifier. Such amplifiers or stereo systems  200  have their own volume control and often have their own remote control  211  (see  FIG. 5 ) and wireless remote control signal receiver  213 . In the present system, control of the volume of the amplifier or stereo  200  is performed by the television  5 . Pressing the volume up or down keys on the remote control  111  signals the television remote control receiver  113  and the television  5  acts on the signals by presenting a user interface. Typical user interfaces are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Using other remote control  111  keys such as navigation keys  112 , the user interface is directed to select the desired device (or devices) and the television  5  user interface, responsive to the volume up/down signals, instructs the respective device to increase or decrease the device&#39;s amplification, hence volume. In one embodiment, the television  5  signals the amplifier  200  by sending commands to the amplifier  200  to the amplifier&#39;s remote control receiver  213 , for example by imitating volume up/down commands normally sent by the amplifier&#39;s remote control  211  through a remote control simulator, also known as an IR blaster  120 . In another embodiment, the television  5  signals the amplifier  200  by sending commands to the amplifier  200  over the digital interface (e.g. USB  130 / 215 ). In these ways, the volume of the television  5  speakers  6 / 8  and/or the amplifier  200  speakers  206 / 208  are controlled through a common user interface using a single remote control. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a plan view of a television  5  connected by a digital bus to amplified speakers  230  of the prior art is shown. In this example, the audio output of the television  5  is in the form of digital packets sent over a communications link  201 . Although shown as a USB communications link  201  connecting the USB output port  130  of the television  5  to the USB input port  232  of the amplified speaker  232 , other communications links have been used, such as proprietary protocols or standard protocols such as Firewire, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. The amplified speakers  230  receives the packets per the communications protocol, converts the digital audio from the packets into an analog audio signal, amplifies the analog audio signal and presents the amplified audio to one or more speakers  238 . 
     Such amplified speakers  230  have their own volume control and often have their own remote control  231  and wireless remote control signal receiver  233 . To control the volume of the amplifier or stereo  200 , the viewer uses the remote control  231 , pressing the volume up or down keys in the vicinity of the remote control receiver  233 . Often, users of such configurations don&#39;t want to have several remote controls  111 / 231  and often seek solutions to rid themselves of one or more of the remote controls  111 / 231 . For example, a universal remote control signals the television  5  to change channels but when the volume keys are used, the universal remote control signals the amplified speakers  230  to increase/decrease volume. This improves the situation but doesn&#39;t provide on-screen user interfaces for the amplified speakers  230  and, when multiple speaker systems are used, there is no master volume control that proportionally adjusts all speakers (e.g. television speakers  6 / 8  and the amplified speakers  230 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a plan view of a television connected by digital bus and controlling amplified speakers is shown. In this example, the audio output of the television  5  is in the form of digital packets sent over a communications link  201 . Although shown as a USB communications link  201  connecting the USB output port  130  of the television  5  to the USB input port  232  of the amplified speaker  232 , any known or future communications link is anticipated including, but not limited to, proprietary protocols or standard protocols such as Firewire, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. The amplified speakers  230  receives the packets per the communications protocol, converts the digital audio from the packets into an analog audio signal, amplifies the analog audio signal and presents the amplified audio to one or more speakers  238 . Such amplified speakers  230  have their own volume control and often have their own remote control  231  (see  FIG. 7 ) and wireless remote control signal receiver  233 . In the present system, control of the volume of the amplified speakers  230  is performed by the television  5 . Pressing the volume up or down keys on the remote control  111  signals the television remote control receiver  113  and the television  5  acts on the signals by presenting a user interface. Typical user interfaces are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Using other remote control  111  keys such as navigation keys  112 , the user interface is directed to select the desired device (or devices) and the television  5 , responsive to the volume up/down signals, instructs the respective device to increase or decrease the device&#39;s amplification, hence volume. In one embodiment, the television  5  signals the amplified speakers  230  by sending commands to the amplified speakers  230  to the amplifier&#39;s remote control receiver  213 , for example by imitating volume up/down commands normally sent by the amplifier&#39;s remote control  231  through a remote control simulator, also known as an IR blaster  120 . In another embodiment, the television  5  signals the amplified speakers  230  by sending commands to the amplified speakers  230  over the communications link  201  (e.g. USB, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc). In these ways, the volume of the television  5  speakers  6 / 8  and/or the amplified speakers  230  are controlled through a common user interface using a single remote control. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a plan view of a television  5  with an exemplary volume control user interface of the prior art is shown. Prior television  5  receive volume up/down signals from the remote control  111  and either adjust the volume of the sound from the speakers  6 / 8  without showing a user interface, or provide some sort of feedback to the viewer such as a bar graph  90  or other numeric or graphical indication. Often, after a period of time lapses in which no further volume up/down keys are pressed on the remote control  111 , the user interface  90  is removed from the display  12  of the television  5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a plan view of a television  5  with an exemplary volume control user interface for control of internal and/or externally amplified speakers is shown. In this exemplary user interface, there are three separate volume controls. A first interface  300  for internal speakers  6 / 8 , a second interface  302  for an external amplifier  200  and a third interface  304  for an amplified speaker  230 . Although many user interface types are known, this example uses horizontal bar graphs  301 / 303 / 305 . As shown, the volume of the internal speakers  6 / 8  and the amplified speakers  230  is at zero (no bars  301 / 305 ) and the volume of the amplifier  200  is set at, for example, 60% (three of five bars  303 ). In this example, the current focus is indicated by the name (e.g. “AMP”) being underlined or highlighted in any other way known. The focus is altered using, for example, navigation keys  112  of the television&#39;s remote control  111 . When the volume up/down keys of the television&#39;s remote control  111  are pressed, the volume of the selected device (or devices) is/are increased or decreased as described previously and the bar graph(s)  301 / 303 / 305  are updated to reflect the new volume of each device  5 / 200 / 230 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a plan view of a television  5  with a second exemplary volume control user interface for control of internal and externally amplified speakers is shown. In this exemplary user interface, there are three separate volume controls. A first interface  340  for internal speakers  6 / 8 , a second interface  342  for an external amplifier  200  and a third interface  344  for an amplified speaker  230 . Although many user interface types are known, this example uses vertical bar graphs  340 / 342 / 344 . As shown, the volume of the internal speakers  6 / 8  and the amplified speakers  230  is at zero (minimal height bars  340 / 344 ) and the volume of the amplifier  200  is set at, for example, 50% (half-height bar  342 ). In this example, the current focus  346  is indicated by the name (e.g. “USB”) being underlined or highlighted in any other way known (e.g. shaded or in a box). The focus is altered using, for example, navigation keys  112  of the television&#39;s remote control  111 . When the volume up/down keys of the television&#39;s remote control  111  are pressed, the volume of the selected device (or devices) is/are increased or decreased as described previously and the bar graph(s)  340 / 342 / 344  are updated to reflect the new volume of each device  5 / 200 / 230 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a flow chart of the present invention is shown. The method is performed, for example, by the processing element  100  of the television  5  with the reception of a command from the remote control  111 . If the command isn&#39;t  400  a volume up/down command then it is determined if it is a left navigation command  404  and if so, volume control focus is changed  408  to the previous device in the list (next left). If it is a right navigation command  412  the volume control focus is changed  416  to the next device in the list (next right). For embodiments having vertical orientations, the up and down arrow key is used for navigation. 
     If the command is  400  a volume up/down command then the current focus is used to determine which device is being controlled. If the focus is the internal speakers  440 , then the volume of the internal speakers  6 / 8  is changed  444  up or down, dependent upon the command from the remote control  111  and the user interface is updated. If the focus is the an amplified speaker  448 , then the volume of the amplified speaker  230  is changed  452  up or down, dependent upon the command from the remote control  111  and the user interface is updated. If the focus is the external amplifier  456 , then the volume of the amplifier is changed  460  up or down, dependent upon the command from the remote control  111  and the user interface is updated. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.