Electronic Apparatus Volume Synchronization via Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users may mistakenly believe a TV has a defect when changing content sources, as the volume of the new source may be set low or in mute, leading to confusion and inconvenience due to separate volume control requirements.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus that transmits control signals to a remote controller to adjust the volume of the content providing apparatus based on its state, using communication interfaces and processors to identify and respond to volume control signals, ensuring proper volume adjustment across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the volume of the content providing apparatus is set low or in mute state, then the content source can be changed frequently according to user preference, but the user may mistakenly believe the TV has a defect and cannot recognize the actual volume state
Solution Approach 1:
The TV detects volume adjustment signals from the remote controller and sends feedback control signals to the content providing apparatus to adjust its volume accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the content source volume matches user expectations while maintaining switching flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The TV acts as an intermediary between the remote controller and the content providing apparatus. It receives volume adjustment commands intended for the content source and relays them through control signals, bridging the information gap without requiring separate remote controllers.
2Measurement precision
If a separate remote controller is used to adjust the volume of the content providing apparatus, then the volume can be precisely controlled, but the operation becomes inconvenient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the volume control function for the content providing apparatus into the TV's existing remote controller. The single remote controller now controls both TV volume and content source volume, eliminating the need for separate controllers while maintaining precise volume adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The TV's remote controller is given universal functionality to control both the TV itself and the connected content providing apparatus. This multi-functionality allows one remote to handle all volume control needs, simplifying operation while preserving precision.
3Ease of operation
If the TV volume is adjusted to be high while the content source volume is low, then the TV remote controller responds to user input, but the user hears little sound and may think the TV is defective
Solution Approach 1:
The TV performs preliminary detection of volume adjustment signals before executing the adjustment. When it detects the user intends to increase volume, it proactively adjusts the content source volume first, preventing the situation where TV volume is high but no sound is heard, thereby maintaining user confidence in TV functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a communication interface, a memory storing a control code information of a content providing apparatus, and at least one processor configured to based on repeatedly receiving, from a remote controller, a control signal for changing a volume value of the electronic apparatus more than a threshold number of times through the communication interface, obtain state information of the content providing apparatus, identify a current volume value of the content providing apparatus or a state of the content providing apparatus, based on the state information, and based on the current volume value of the content providing apparatus being less than or equal to a threshold value or the content providing apparatus being in a mute state, control the communication interface to transmit a control signal to change the volume value of the content providing apparatus to the remote controller based on the stored control code information.