Display System Automatic Muting via Video Frame Symbol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display systems connected to external audio/video devices often produce unwanted noise when the external device is muted due to incompatibilities and imperfections in audio cables, such as SCART and HDMI, and existing solutions like threshold detectors are ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A display system with an automatic muting method that analyzes video frames for a mute symbol, such as a speaker with a cross or slash, and mutes its audio output when the symbol is detected, optionally using infrared signal detection and sound level analysis to confirm the mute state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a threshold detector is used to detect sound level from external device, then the audio amplifier can be muted when sound level is below threshold, but the system produces false mute triggers because threshold level is higher than normal sound level causing unwanted noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary symbol detection mechanism that analyzes video frames for mute symbols (such as speaker icons with cross or slash) displayed by the external audio/video device. This intermediary approach allows the display system to accurately determine the mute state without relying on imprecise sound level threshold detection, thereby preventing false mute triggers while maintaining noise suppression.
2Ease of operation
If threshold level is set high to enable easy muting, then mute can be enabled easily, but the TV set will never enable hardware mute because all noise sources have higher level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic-based threshold detection mechanism with a visual symbol detection system. Instead of analyzing sound levels through audio amplifiers and detectors, the system processes video frames to identify mute symbols displayed by the external device. This substitution eliminates the fundamental measurement precision problem while maintaining ease of operation, as the symbol detection can reliably identify mute state without being affected by noise levels.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If existing mute detection methods are used, then noise prevention is attempted, but no solution exists for preventing noise when external audio/video device is muted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal symbol detection approach that can identify mute symbols from various types of external audio/video devices (DVD players, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, etc.). By detecting standardized mute symbols displayed in video frames rather than relying on device-specific protocols or audio characteristics, the system achieves broad compatibility across different external devices while effectively preventing noise during their mute states.
Data Source
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AI summary
Present invention discloses a display system (D) and an automatic muting method for said display system (D). Said display system (D) comprises at least one audio output; at least one external input which is capable of receiving an external audio/video signal from an external audio/video device (E); means for processing at least one video frame received from said external audio/video device (E) and detecting a mute symbol (S) comprised by said video frame and means for muting the audio output of display system (D) in case of detection of said mute symbol (S). Said method comprises the steps of analyzing at least an image frame received from said external audio/video device and shown in the display system (D) (101); checking occurrence of a mute symbol (S) in the image frame (102) and muting an audio output of the display system (107) in case of said occurrence of said mute symbol (S) in the frame.