HDMI Audio Volume Control via Incremental CEC Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The HDMI standard only allows for discrete volume control (e.g., volume up or down) and does not provide instructions for setting a system volume level to a specific percentage of the maximum volume, limiting the precision of volume adjustments in HDMI audio systems.
Innovation Solution
Methods and systems for controlling HDMI audio systems involve determining the current volume level, calculating the necessary change based on a requested volume level, and sending volume control messages over the Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) bus to incrementally adjust the volume until it reaches the desired level, using a second screen device to input the requested volume level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete volume control (volume up/down) is used as specified by the HDMI standard, then the system is simple to operate, but the volume adjustment precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the volume control process into multiple discrete steps, where each CEC message transmitted over the HDMI interface represents one incremental volume adjustment. By breaking down the continuous volume adjustment into discrete segments, the system achieves precise volume control using only the standard discrete volume up/down commands, without requiring additional hardware or complex protocols.
2Measurement precision
If incremental volume adjustment via repeated CEC messages is implemented, then volume precision is improved, but the control process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service automation where the controlling device automatically calculates the required number of volume adjustment steps and systematically transmits the appropriate sequence of CEC messages without requiring manual intervention for each step. The user simply specifies the target volume level, and the system autonomously executes the incremental adjustment process, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise volume control.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanisms for controlling an audio level of an HDMI audio system are provided, the mechanisms comprising: causing audio data to be presented by an HDMI audio system at a current system volume level; receiving a requested volume level from a second screen device; and controlling a system volume level by: (a) determining the current system volume level; (b) determining a change in volume based on a difference between the requested volume level and the current system volume level; (c) determining a direction in which to cause the system volume level to change; (d) sending a volume control message to the system using a consumer electronic control bus connected to the system indicating whether to increase or decrease the system volume level based on the determined direction of system volume change; and (e) repeating (a)-(d) until the current system volume level reaches a predetermined value.