Improvements in and relating to control of an audio-visual device

Abstract

A method and / or system wherein an output level or volume of an audio device is controlled to be substantially similar or equal across two input signals from two sources, a connected device and a serve

Description

Field of Invention The disclosure relates to a method of controlling an audio level of an electronic device and a system performing the method. Background Systems which allow switching between a linear broadcast signal and (Internet Protocol) IP delivered content comprise an electronic device operably connected to more than one source. A first source may provide the linear broadcast signal, and a second source may provide IP delivered content such as personalised advertisements. The capability to provide personalised advertisements based on demographics, location or socioeconomic factors is an increasingly important capability for content providers. Targeted advertisements for IP delivered content is well established. However, broadcasters are increasingly looking to provide a comparable degree of personalisation of advertisements for linear broadcast channels. In linear broadcast, such as television, every receiving device gets the same signal, and personalising advertisements is not possible. To overcome the limitations of linear broadcasting, current technologies are deployed that allow seamless switching between a linear broadcast signal and IP delivered personalised advertisements. By frame accurately switching between a linear broadcast and an IP delivered advertisement, it becomes possible to deliver personalised advertisements to the viewer. The linear broadcast is typically received via antenna, satellite or cable and is received by every viewer. The IP delivered advertisement is delivered via IP and is received by a specific user or subset of users. In some cases, a television, for example, may receive a linear broadcast signal directly to a television tuner. In this case, the audio level of the linear broadcast and the IP delivered personalised advertisement match, and the switch between linear broadcast and IP delivered advertisement are frame accurate with a matched volume level. Frame accurate switching provides a smooth transition between video and audio received from multiple different sources. It prevents any audio-visual synchronization issues whilst switching between linear broadcast and IP delivered content by switching the content source at precisely the right frame. In other cases, a television receives the linear broadcast via a connected Set Top Box (STB) - typically connected to the television via an HDMI connection, both devices are, to a degree, independent devices without knowledge of each other’s volume settings. Further, the volume settings can be adjusted independently from each other using the Set Top Box (STB) remote control and the television remote control. A low volume setting on the Set Top Box, and a high volume setting on the television, would lead to a significant difference in volume on a switch from broadcast delivered programme received via a Set Top Box and IP delivered targeted advertisement which is directly delivered to the television. However, if both devices are set to a medium volume level, the user experience would likely be more consistent. Differences in volume between linear broadcast and IP delivered advertisement may lead to a significant impairment of the user experience. In order to ensure a consistent user experience when inserting IP delivered advertisements into a linear broadcast, it is desirable that the switch is seamless, i.e. frame accurate switching with matching audio levels. It is an aim of an embodiment of the invention to ensure the user does not experience any unintended changes of volume on the switch from broadcast to IP and vice-versa. Summary According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the method comprises receiving, by the electronic device, a first input signal received via a connected device. The electronic device is to determine an audio level of the first input signal and determine an adjustment factor applied to the audio level of the first input signal by the connected device to provide an adjusted audio level of the first input signal. The method further comprises receiving, by the electronic device, a second input signal from a server and controlling the electronic device such that the audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the audio level of the first input signal. In an embodiment, the first input signal is a linear broadcast signal. In an embodiment, the second input signal is an internet protocol, IP, delivered signal. In an embodiment, determining the first audio level comprises embedding the audio level of the first input signal as an indicator in the first input signal. In an embodiment, determining the adjustment factor comprises comparing the first audio level and the adjusted audio level. In an embodiment, the electronic device is configured to output a first output signal corresponding to the first input signal or a second output signal corresponding to the second input signal. In an embodiment, the method further comprises: while outputting the second output signal, receiving by the connected device, an input configured to change the audio level received by the electronic device; determining an updated adjustment factor applied to the first audio level of the first input signal by the connected device to produce an updated adjusted audio level of the first input signal; and in response to receiving the updated adjustment factor, controlling the electronic device such that the second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the updated adjusted audio level of the first input signal. In an embodiment, the input configured to change the audio level comprises a user interaction with a volume related setting. In an embodiment, the adjustment factor may be determined periodically. According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system comprising an electronic device, a connected device and a server. The electronic device is configured to receive a first input signal received via the connected device. The electronic device is further to a first audio level of the first input signal and an adjustment factor applied to the first input signal by the connected device to provide an adjusted audio level of the first input signal. The electronic device is to receive a second input signal from the server and control the electronic device such that a second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the adjusted audio level of the first input signal. Brief Description of Figures The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a method for controlling the audio level of an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 illustrates a system for controlling the audio level of an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a method for controlling an audio level of an electronic device according to an embodiment. The electronic device may receive a first input signal received via a connected device. The electronic device may comprise a television, a computing device comprising a display, a display device or any other appropriate electronic device capable of displaying content accompanied by an audio output. In one example, the first input signal comprises a linear broadcast signal. The first input signal may be received via antenna, satellite, cable or any other means appropriate for receiving a linear broadcast signal. The first input signal may be a radiofrequency signal. The first input signal may be an audio signal or an audiovisual signal. The first input signal may comprise a baseband signal. In an example, the first input signal is a linear television signal which may be delivered to multiple locations in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The connected device may be a receiver device capable of receiving linear broadcast signals. In an example, the connected device may receive a source signal (for example, the first input signal) and convert the source signal into content that can be displayed on the electronic device. The connected device may comprise a communication interface for communication with the electronic device. The communication interface may comprise HDMI. The connected device may comprise a set top box. In one example, a set top box may comprise a cable box or a receiver. As shown in operation 1, the electronic device receives a first audio level of the first input signal. For example, the first audio level of the first input signal may comprise the audio level of the first input signal as initially transmitted. Audio level may also be referred to as volume or audio loudness level. Receiving the first audio level of the first input signal may comprise receiving the current audio level of the first input signal. The first audio level of the first input signal may be embedded in the first input signal. An indicator such as a watermark, as shown in operation 2, may be embedded in the input signal to indicate the first (or current) audio level. In an example where the indicator is a watermark, the watermark may be a video watermark. The first audio level may be embedded by a video watermark embedder. The first input signal containing the embedded indicator may be transmitted to the electronic device via the connected device. The electronic device determines an adjustment factor applied to the first audio level of the first input signal by the connected device to produce an adjusted audio level of the first input signal. The adjustment factor may also be referred to as an attenuation factor or amplification factor. As demonstrated by operation 4, determining the adjustment factor may comprise comparing the adjusted audio level received by the electronic device and the first audio level received by the connected device, wherein the first audio level may be embedded in the first input signal. This determination may be carried out by the electronic device. In other words, the adjustment factor may represent the audio settings of the connected device and may be calculated by determining how the first audio level of the first input signal has changed after it has been transmitted through the connected device. The first audio level may have increased, decreased or stayed the same. For example, if the adjusted audio level is higher than the first audio level, this may indicate that the connected device is set to have a higher volume than the first audio level and the adjustment factor may be positive. If the adjusted audio level is lower than the first audio level, this may indicate that the connected device is set to have a lower volume than the first audio level and the adjustment factor may be negative. In one example, the first audio level and the adjusted audio level may be the same, which indicates that the connected device is set to have a volume that is substantially the same as first audio level. In this case, the adjustment factor may be 1. In one example, the connected device may comprise a set top box and the electronic device may comprise a television. The current or first audio level of a linear broadcast may be measured in an audiovisual baseband signal. The measured audio loudness level may be embedded as a video watermark in the baseband audiovisual signal. The baseband audiovisual signal with the embedded video watermark containing information about the current audio level may be encoded and passed through a transmission chain to the television via the set top box. The audio level received by the television and the audio level received embedded in the video watermark may be compared. In response to this comparison, the adjustment factor applied by the set top box may be determined. The electronic device receives a second input signal from a server. The server may be in communication with the electronic device via a network such as the internet. The communication may be wired or wireless. The second input signal may be an internet protocol (IP) delivered signal. The electronic device may output a first output signal corresponding to the first input signal or a second output signal corresponding to the second input signal. The electronic device may switch between outputting the first output signal and the second output signal within the same watching session. Advantageously, this allows personalized content to be delivered to a user due to the second input signal delivered from the server. The personalized content may comprise advertisements. The electronic device is controlled such that the audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the audio level of the first input signal. Controlling the electronic device may comprise increasing or decreasing the volume of the electronic device. In one example, controlling the electronic device may comprise putting the electronic device on mute. The electronic device may be controlled such that first and second output signals are output at the same volume. In another example, the volume of the electronic device may be controlled based on the adjustment factor applied to the first input signal by the connected device. In a further example, in response to determining that the electronic device has switched from outputting the first output signal to outputting the second output signal, the volume of the electronic device is adjusted. In another example, in response to determining that the electronic device has switched from outputting the second output signal to outputting the first output signal, the volume of the electronic device is adjusted. The volume may be adjusted such that the first output signal and the second output signal have substantially the same audio level. Substantially the same may mean that no perceivable differences in audio level occur to the user. Advantageously, this improves the user experience by ensuring that the user is not exposed to significant changes in audio levels when the electronic device switches between outputting the first output signal (which corresponds to the first input signal) and the second output signal (which corresponds to the second input signal). In one example, when the outputting of the second output signal (which corresponds to the second input signal) is complete, which may be at the end of IP delivered personalized advertisements or when the second output signal is interrupted, for example by a change of channel, the electronic device may switch back to outputting the first output signal. The volume of the electronic device may be adjusted again to keep the audio level constant. In an example, while outputting the second output signal, the connected device may receive an input to change the adjusted audio level received by the electronic device. In one example, the input to change the audio level may be a user interaction with a volume related setting. The user interaction may be with a remote control. The remote control may be the connected device remote control, which may comprise a set top box remote control. For example, the user may increase the volume at the connected device, decrease the volume at the connected device, or put the connected device on mute. In other words, the audio settings of the connected device may be updated by a user. In response to receiving the input to change the audio level at the connected device, an updated adjustment factor may be determined in the manner described above, for example, by comparing the first audio level of the first input signal received by the electronic device and the adjusted audio level of the first input signal. The electronic device may then be controlled such that the second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the adjusted audio level. In other words, the volume of the electronic device may be adjusted such that there is substantially no difference between the volume of the first input signal when it is output as the first output signal and the volume of the second input signal when it is output as the second output signal. In a further example, an embedded watermark embedded in a baseband video or audio-visual signal and received via HDMI by the electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a television may allow changes to the volume of a set top box to be dynamically detected while an IP delivered advertisement is shown on the television. Advantageously, this allows a user interaction with a volume related setting to be detected while a television shows IP delivered content received by the TV via the internet. In another example, the adjustment factor may be periodically calculated. In other words, the adjustment factor may be calculated after a predetermined amount of time has passed. In this example, the audio level or volume settings of the electronic device may be periodically updated in accordance with the periodically calculated adjustment factor. The adjustment factor may be calculated periodically as well as or instead of in response to a change in the connected device settings. In a specific example, this may comprise periodically calculating the adjustment or amplification factor applied by the set top box and periodically updating the television volume settings during IP playback. Advantageously, this allows the user experience to be significantly improved for IP delivered personalised content in a linear broadcast scenario by ensuring that the user is not exposed to any significant changes in audio levels when switching between linear broadcasting and IP delivered personalised advertisements. In other words, during the playback of a second output signal, the user can continue to change the volume settings of the connected device. The volume of the second output signal is dynamically adjusted in accordance with the interaction. In a specific example, during playback of an IP delivered advertisement, the user can continue to change the volume settings of the set top box. The volume of the IP delivered advertisement is dynamically adjusted in accordance with the set top box remote control. FIG. 2 illustrates a system for controlling an audio level of an electronic device. The system comprises an electronic device, a connected device, and a server. The server may be in wireless communication with the electronic device via a network. The electronic device comprises a processor. The processor may be formed of several processors. The electronic device may comprise a display. The processor is arranged to receive a first input signal via the connected device. The processor is further arranged to receive audio settings of the connected device. The audio settings comprise a first audio level of the first input signal and an adjustment factor applied to the first input signal by the connected device to produce an adjusted audio level of the first input signal. The processor is arranged to receive a second input signal from a server and control the electronic device such that a second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the adjusted audio level of the first input signal. The system may be used to carry out the method described in relation to FIG. 1. Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an audio output level of an electronic device, comprising:receiving, by the electronic device, a first input signal received via a connected device;receiving, by the electronic device, a first audio level of the first input signal;determining an adjustment factor applied to the first audio level of the first input signal by the connected device to provide an adjusted audio level of the first input signal;receiving, by the electronic device, a second input signal from a server;controlling the electronic device such that a second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the adjusted audio level of the first input signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first input signal is a linear broadcast signal.

3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the second input signal is an internet protocol, IP, delivered signal.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein determining the first audio level comprises embedding the audio level of the first input signal as an indicator in the first input signal.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein determining the adjustment factor comprises comparing the first audio level and the adjusted audio level.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the electronic device is configured to output a first output signal corresponding to the first input signal or a second output signal corresponding to the second input signal.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:while outputting the second output signal, receiving by the connected device, an input configured to change the audio level received by the electronic device;determining an updated adjustment factor applied to the first audio level of the first input signal by the connected device to produce an updated adjusted audio level of the first input signal; andin response to receiving the updated adjustment factor, controlling the electronic device such that the second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the updated adjusted audio level of the first input signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the input configured to change the audio level comprises a user interaction with a volume related setting.

9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment factor may be determined periodically.

10. A system for controlling an audio output level of an electronic device comprising:an electronic device;a connected device; anda server, wherein the electronic device comprises a processor and the processor is configured to:receive a first input signal via the connected device;receive a first audio level of the first input signal and an adjustment factor applied to the first input signal by the connected device to provide an adjusted audio level of the first input signal;receive a second input signal from a server; andcontrol the electronic device such that a second audio level of the second input signal is substantially the same as the adjusted audio level of the first input signal.T +44(0)30 0300 2000A

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