Sound output device, sound output system, and output sound control method with appropriately controllable volume, and recording medium

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11625218-B2
Application number	US-202117223196-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2021
Priority date	Apr 7, 2020
Publication date	Apr 11, 2023
Grant date	Apr 11, 2023

Abstract

A sound output device includes: first circuitry, connected to a first audio device, that outputs sound based on sound output data via the first audio device according to first sound volume data; and second circuitry connected to a second audio device, including an amplifier that amplifies sound to be output from the second audio device according to second sound volume data. The second circuitry controls a value of the second sound volume data to be a fixed value, receives, from the first circuitry, the sound output data and the first sound volume data, and outputs sound based on the sound output data that is received, via the second audio device, according to the first sound volume data that is received.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sound output device comprising:
first circuitry, connected to a first audio device, configured to output sound based on sound output data via the first audio device according to first sound volume data;
second circuitry connected to a second audio device, the second circuitry including an amplifier that amplifies sound to be output from the second audio device:
a control line that allows one-way communication from the first circuitry to the second circuitry; and
a user interface configured to receive a user input of operation for changing the first sound volume data,
wherein the sound output data and the first sound volume data are transmitted from the first circuitry to the second circuitry through the control line, and
wherein the first circuitry is further configured to
change the first sound volume data according to the user input of operation that is received, and
transmit the first sound volume ta having been Changed to the second circuitry,

wherein the second circuitry is configured to
receive, from the first circuitry, the sound output data and the first sound volume data,
output sound based on the sound output data that is received, via the second audio device, according to the first sound volume data that is received,
control a value of second sound volume data set for the amplifier to be a fixed value,
receive the user input of operation for changing the first sound volume data from the user interface, and
transmit the operation for changing the first sound volume data to the first circuitry, through another control line that allows communication from the second circuitry to the first circuitry.

2. The sound output device of claim 1 , wherein the first circuitry can be removed from or attached to the sound output device, or controlled to be enabled or disabled, and
the second circuitry controls the value of the second sound volume data to be a previously stored value, when the first circuitry is removed or controlled to be disabled.

3. A sound output system comprising:
the sound output device of claim 1 ,
wherein the sound output device is an electronic whiteboard.

4. A sound output system comprising:
the sound output device of claim 1 ;
a plurality of audio devices including the first audio device and the second audio device.

5. A method for controlling sound output, performed by a sound output device including first circuitry connected to a first audio device and second circuitry connected to a second audio device, the second circuitry including an amplifier that amplifies sound to the output from the second audio device, the method comprising:
determining whether the first circuitry is enabled;
transmitting, based on a determination that the first circuitry is enabled, from the first circuitry to the second circuitry, first sound volume data stored for the first circuitry, and sound output data, through a control line that allows one-wav communication from the first circuitry to the second circuitry;
outputting sound based on the sound output data, via the second audio device, according to the first sound volume data;
controlling a value of second sound volume data set for the amplifier to be a fixed value;
receiving, at the second circuitry, a user input of operation for changing the first sound volume data from a user interface;
transmitting the operation for changing the first sound volume data to the first circuitry, through another control line that allows communication from the second circuitry to the first circuitry;
changing, at the first circuitry, the first sound volume data according to the user input of operation that is received; and
transmitting, from the first circuitry to the second circuitry, the first sound volume data having been changed.

6. A non-transitory recording medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform a method for controlling sound output, performed by a sound output device including first circuitry connected to a first audio device and second circuitry connected to a second audio device, the second circuitry including an amplifier that amplifies sound to be output from the second audio device, the method comprising:
determining whether the first circuitry is enabled;
transmitting, based on a determination that the first circuitry is enabled, from the first circuitry to the second circuitry, first sound volume data stored for the first circuitry, and sound output data, through a control line that allows one-way communication from the first circuitry to the second circuitry;
outputting, sound based on the sound output data, via the second audio device, according to the first sound volume data;
controlling a value of second sound volume data set for the amplifier to be a fixed value;
receiving, at the second circuitry, a user input of operation for changing the first sound volume data from a user interface;
transmitting the operation for Changing the first sound volume data to the first circuitry, through another control line that allows communication from the second circuitry to the first circuitry;
changing, at the first circuitry, the first sound volume data according to the user input of operation that is received; and
transmitting, from the first circuitry to the second circuitry, the first sound volume data having been changed.

Assignees

• Goto Tomoyuki
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Goto Tomoyuki

Classifications

• H04R3/12 Primary

  for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers {(specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} · CPC title

• G06F3/165 Primary

  Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path · CPC title

• H04R3/00

  Circuits for transducers (arrangements for producing a reverberation or echo sound G10K15/08; amplifiers H03F) · CPC title

• H04R2420/00

  Details of connection covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups · CPC title

• H04R2430/01

  Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems · CPC title