Volume control system, controller, and amplifying apparatus

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p-00021. Field of the Invention

p-0003The present invention relates to a volume control system having an amplifying apparatus and a controller.

p-00042. Description of the Related Art

p-0005AV amplifier is connected to PC via network such as LAN, and contents reproduction is controlled by control program (hereinafter, controllers) installed into the PC. Server program (hereinafter, servers) is also installed into the PC, and a plurality of audio files are recorded in HDD of the PC. When audio file recorded in the HDD is selected by users' operation, the controller transmits instruction for reproducing the selected audio files to the AV amplifier. The AV amplifier requests the server to transmit the selected audio files. The server reads the selected audio files from the HDD and transmits them to the AV amplifier. The AV amplifier decodes the audio files transmitted from the server, and amplifies them so as to output sounds through speaker.

p-0006When instruction for changing controller-side volumes value is input by users' mouse operation, the controller transmits the changed controller-side volume value to the AV amplifier. Accordingly, the AV amplifier controls the volume value at the time when the AV amplifier amplifies sound signals. Slide bar for changing the controller-side volume value by means of users' operation is provided to operation screen of the controller, and when the slide bar is moved, the controller-side volume value is changed so that the volume value of the AV amplifier is controlled. Therefore, it is demanded that the volume of the AV amplifier is suitably (namely, clearly for the users) is changed according to the changes in the controller-side volume values.

p-0007Further, when the user increases the controller-side volume value to maximum value (or around the maximum values) at a stroke, the volume value of the AV amplifier rises to the maximum values (or around the maximum values). As a result, amplifying circuit and speaker of the AV amplifier might be damaged.

p-0008With a volume control apparatus suggested in Japanese Patent Application 2009-281064 by the applicant of this application, as described above, a volume of an AV amplifier can be controlled according to a controller-side volume value transmitted from the controller. However, since the controller cannot recognize the volume value of the AV amplifier, when a user operates a volume knob or a remote controller of the AV amplifier to control the volume value of the AV amplifier, the controller-side volume value set in the controller becomes different from the actual volume value of the AV amplifier. As a result, the volume of the AV amplifier cannot be suitably changed according to a change in the controller-side volume value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

p-0009It is an object of the present invention to provide a volume control system that is capable of suitably changing a volume value of an amplifying apparatus according to a change in a controller-side volume value when the controller-side volume value is changed.

p-0010A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus comprises: a first receiving section for receiving a controller-side volume value from the controller; a first converting section for converting the controller-side volume value received by the first receiving section into an amplifier-side volume value; a first input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier side-volume value is input by a user's operation; a second converting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by the user's operation, converting the changed amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value; a first transmitting section for transmitting the controller-side volume value converted by the second converting section to the controller; and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the controller-side volume value or the changed amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume of the amplifying apparatus based on the amplifier-side volume value. The controller comprises: a display section for displaying a controller-side volume value on a display device, a second receiving section for receiving a controller-side volume value from the amplifying apparatus, a changing section for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value received by the second receiving section, a second input section into which an instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation, and a second transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed controller-side volume value to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0011In the amplifying apparatus, when the changed amplifier-side volume value is input, the volume value of the amplifying apparatus is controlled based on the amplifier-side input volume value, and the second converting section converts the amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value. The first transmitting section transmits the controller-side volume value to the controller. In the controller, when the second receiving section receives the controller-side volume value, the changing section changes a controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the received controller-side volume value. On the other hand, when the controller-side volume value is input into the second input section, the changing section changes a controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side input volume value, and the second transmitting section transmits the controller-side volume value input into the second input section to the amplifying apparatus. In the amplifying apparatus, when the first receiving section receives the controller-side volume value from the controller, the first converting section converts the controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value, so that the volume value of the amplifying apparatus is controlled based on the amplifier-side volume value. In such a manner, the controller-side volume value is posted between the amplifying apparatus and the controller, so that the controller-side volume value managed by both of them can be always set to the same value. Therefore, when the controller-side volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value can be changed into a suitable value.

p-0012In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first converting section converts the controller-side volume value into an amplifier-side volume value based on a controller-side maximum volume value, a controller-side minimum volume value, an amplifier-side maximum volume value as a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, and an amplifier-side minimum volume value as a minimum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, the second converting section converts the amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value based on the controller-side maximum volume value, the controller-side minimum volume value, the amplifier-side maximum volume value, and the amplifier-side minimum volume value.

p-0013In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first converting section converts the controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value based on a controller-side maximum volume value, a controller-side minimum volume value, an amplifier-side setting maximum volume value that is a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the controller and is smaller than the amplifier-side maximum volume value as the maximum value of the amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, and an amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value) that is a minimum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the controller and is larger than the amplifier-side minimum volume value as the minimum value of the amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, the second converting section converts the amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value based on the controller-side maximum volume value, the controller-side minimum volume value, the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value, and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value).

p-0014In this case, even when the controller-side volume value is changed into a controller-side maximum volume value, the amplifier-side volume value does become an amplifier-side maximum volume value or more. For this reason, the amplifier and the speaker can be prevented from being damaged.

p-0015In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller further comprises: a storage section for storing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes a controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section, and the second transmitting section transmits the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0016A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus comprises: a first receiving section for receiving an amplifier-side volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed amplifier-side volume value to the controller, and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the amplifier-side volume value or the changed amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the amplifier-side volume value. The controller comprises: a display section for displaying a controller-side volume value on a display device; a second receiving section for receiving the amplifier-side volume value from the amplifying apparatus; a first changing section for converting the amplifier-side volume value received by the second receiving section into the controller-side volume value; a changing section for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value converted by the first converting section; a second input section into which an instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation; a second converting section for, when the instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, converting the changed controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value; and a second transmitting section for transmitting the amplifier-side volume value converted by the second converting section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0017On the amplifying apparatus side, when the amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, the volume value of the amplifying apparatus is controlled based on the input amplifier-side volume value, and the first transmitting section transmits the amplifier-side volume value to the controller. On the controller side, when the second receiving section receives the amplifier-side volume value, the first converting section converts the amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value, and the changing section changes the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value converted by the first converting section. On the other hand, when the controller-side volume value is input into the second input section, the changing section changes the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value input into the second input section. Further, the second converting section converts the controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value, and the second transmitting section transmits the amplifier-side volume value converted by the second converting section to the amplifying apparatus. When the first receiving section receives the amplifier-side volume value from the controller, the amplifying apparatus controls the volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the received amplifier-side volume value. In such a manner, the amplifier-side volume value is posted between the amplifying apparatus and the controller, so that the amplifier-side volume value managed by both of them can be always set to the same value. Therefore, when the controller-side volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value can be changed into a suitable value.

p-0018In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first converting section converts the amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value based on a controller-side maximum volume value, a controller-side minimum volume value, an amplifier-side maximum volume value as a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, and an amplifier-side minimum volume value as a minimum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, the second converting section converts the controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value based on the controller-side maximum volume value, the controller-side minimum volume value, the amplifier-side maximum volume value, and the amplifier-side minimum volume value.

p-0019In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first converting section converts the amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value based on a controller-side maximum volume value, a controller-side minimum volume value, an amplifier-side setting maximum volume value that is a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the controller and is smaller than an amplifier-side maximum volume value as a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, and an amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value) that is a minimum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the controller and is larger than an amplifier-side minimum volume value as a minimum value of the amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, the second converting section converts the controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value based on the controller-side maximum volume value, the controller-side minimum volume value, the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value, and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value).

p-0020In this case, even when the controller-side volume value is changed into the controller-side maximum volume value, the amplifier-side volume value does not become the amplifier-side maximum volume value or more. For this reason, the amplifier and the speaker can be prevented from being damaged.

p-0021In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller further comprising: a storage section for storing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes a controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section, the second converting section converts the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section into the amplifier-side volume value, and the second transmitting section transmits the amplifier-side volume value to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0022A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus comprises: a first receiving section for receiving an amplifier-side volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed amplifier-side volume value to the controller, a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the amplifier-side volume value or the changed amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the amplifier-side volume value, and a second transmitting section for transmitting an amplifier-side maximum volume value as a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, and an amplifier-side minimum volume value as a minimum value of the amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section to the controller. The controller comprises: a storage section for storing a controller-side volume value in a storage device; a second receiving section for receiving the amplifier-side volume value, the amplifier-side maximum volume value, and the amplifier-side minimum volume value from the amplifying apparatus; a display section for changing a controller-side maximum volume value into the amplifier-side maximum volume value and changing a controller-side minimum volume value into the amplifier-side minimum volume value so as to display the amplifier-side volume value instead of the controller-side volume value on a display device; a changing section for changing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the amplifier-side volume value received by the second receiving section; a second input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation; and a second transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed amplifier-side volume value to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0023In this case, not the controller-side volume value but the amplifier-side volume value can be input into the controller by a user's operation, the amplifier-side volume value and the controller-side volume value do not have to be converted, and processes of the controller and the amplifier apparatus are simplified. Further, since the controller displays the amplifier-side volume value, the user operates the second input section so that the user can easily understand how much the amplifier-side volume value is changed.

p-0024In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller further comprising: a second storage section for storing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the amplifier-side volume value stored by the second storage section, and the second transmitting section transmits the amplifier-side volume value stored by the second storage section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0025A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus comprises: a first receiving section for receiving an amplifier-side volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed amplifier-side volume value to the controller, a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the amplifier-side volume value or the changed amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the amplifier-side volume value, and a second transmitting section for transmitting an amplifier-side setting maximum volume value that is a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the controller and is smaller than an amplifier-side maximum volume value as a maximum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section, and an amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value) that is a minimum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the controller and is larger than an amplifier-side minimum volume value as a minimum value of an amplifier-side volume value controllable by the first input section to the controller. The controller comprises: a storage section for storing a controller-side volume value in a storage device; a second receiving section for receiving the amplifier-side volume value, the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value, and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value) from the amplifying apparatus; a display section for changing a controller-side maximum volume value into the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value and changing a controller-side minimum volume value into the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value (or the amplifier-side minimum volume value) so as to display the amplifier-side volume value instead of the controller-side volume value on a display device; a changing section for changing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the amplifier-side volume value received by the second receiving section; a second input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation; and a second transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed amplifier-side volume value to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0026In this case, not the controller-side volume value but the amplifier-side volume value can be input into the controller by a user's operation. For this reason, the amplifier-side volume value and the controller-side volume value do not have to be converted, and the processes of the controller and the amplifying apparatus are simplified. Further, since the controller displays the amplifier-side volume value, the user operates the second input section and easily understands how much the amplifier-side volume value is changed. Further, since the amplifier-side volume value is not changed into more than an amplifier-side setting maximum volume value by the controller, the amplifier and the speaker can be prevented from being damaged.

p-0027In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller further comprising: a second storage section for storing the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the amplifier-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the amplifier-side volume value stored by the second storage section, and the second transmitting section transmits the amplifier-side volume value stored by the second storage section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0028A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus includes; a first receiving section for receiving a volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for transmitting the volume value input into the first input section to the controller, and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the volume value or the changed volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the volume value. The controller includes; a display section for displaying the volume value on a display device, a second receiving section for receiving the volume value from the amplifying apparatus, a changing section for changing the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value received by the second receiving section; a second input section into which an instruction for changing the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation; and a second transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed volume value to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0029On the amplifying apparatus side, when a volume value is input into the first input section, the volume value of the amplified apparatus is controlled based on the input volume value, and the first transmitting section transmits the volume value to the controller. On the controller side, when the second receiving section receives the volume value, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the received volume value. On the other hand, when the volume value is input into the second input section, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value input into the second input section. The second transmitting section transmits the volume value input into the second input section to the amplifying apparatus. On the amplifying apparatus, when the first receiving section receives the volume value from the controller, the volume value of the amplifying apparatus is controlled based on the received volume value. In such a manner, the volume value is posted between the amplifying apparatus and the controller, so that the volume value managed by both of them can be set to the same value. Therefore, when the volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value can be changed into a suitable value.

p-0030In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of amplifying apparatuses can be connected to the controller, the first transmitting section of a first amplifying apparatus in the plurality of amplifying apparatuses transmits the volume value input into the first input section to the controller, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value received from the first amplifying apparatus, and the second transmitting section transmits the changed volume value to the amplifying apparatuses other than the first amplifying apparatus, the volume control sections of the amplifying apparatuses other than the first amplifying apparatus control the volume values of the amplifying apparatuses based on the received volume value.

p-0031In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of amplifying apparatuses can be connected to the controller, the first transmitting sections of the respective amplifying apparatuses transmit the self volume values at the time of the connection to the controller, the controller select one of the volume values of the amplifying apparatuses, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the selected volume value, and the second transmitting section transmits the changed volume value to the amplifying apparatuses having the volume values being not selected, the volume control sections of the amplifying apparatuses whose volume values are not selected control the volume values based on the received volume value.

p-0032In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of controllers can be connected to the amplifying apparatus, in one of the controllers, when an instruction for changing the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation, the changed volume value is transmitted to the amplifying apparatus, in the amplifying apparatus, the volume control section controls the volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the received volume value, and the first transmitting section transmits the volume value to the controllers other than the controller that transmits the volume value, in the controllers other than the controller that transmits the volume value, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value received from the amplifying apparatus.

p-0033In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of controllers can be connected to the amplifying apparatus, in one of the controllers, when an instruction for changing the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation, the changed volume value is transmitted to the amplifying apparatus and the other controllers, in the amplifying apparatus, the volume control section controls the volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the received volume value, in the controllers other than the controller whose volume value is transmitted, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value received from the controller.

p-0034In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the amplifying apparatus is connected to the controller, the first transmitting section transmits the volume value of the amplifying apparatus to the controller.

p-0035Therefore, when the amplifying apparatus and the controller are connected to each other, the volume value managed by both of them can be set to the same value. Therefore, when the volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value can be changed into a suitable value.

p-0036In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller further comprising: a storage section for storing the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value stored by the storage section, and the second transmitting section transmits the volume value stored by the storage section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0037When the controller and the amplifying apparatus are disconnected, the controller stores the volume value displayed on the display section. When the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display section into the stored volume value, and the second transmitting section transmits the stored volume value to the amplifying apparatus. On the amplifying apparatus side, when the first receiving section receives the volume value from the controller, the volume control section controls the volume value based on the received volume value. Therefore, even when the volume value of the amplifying apparatus is changed with the controller and the amplifying apparatus not being connected to each other, the volume value can be reset to the volume value stored at the time of disconnecting the controller and the amplifying apparatus.

p-0038In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of amplifying apparatuses can be connected to the controller, the storage section stores the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in each of the plurality of the amplifying apparatuses, when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the volume value stored by the storage section in association with the connected amplifying apparatus, when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the second transmitting section transmits the volume value stored by the storage section in association with the connected amplifying apparatus to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0039A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus comprises a first receiving section for receiving a controller-side volume value from the controller, a first converting section for converting the controller-side volume value received by the first receiving section into an amplifier-side volume value, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by the user's operation, transmitting the amplifier-side volume value to the controller, and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the controller-side volume value or the changed amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the amplifier-side volume value. The controller comprises: a display section for displaying the controller-side volume value on a display device; a second receiving section for receiving the amplifier-side volume value from the amplifying apparatus; a second converting section for converting the amplifier-side volume value received by the second receiving section into the controller-side volume value; a changing section for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value converted by the second converting section; a second input section into which an instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation; and a second transmitting section for, when the instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, transmitting the changed controller-side volume value to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0040In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller according to claim <b>39</b>, further comprises: a storage section for storing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section, and the second transmitting section transmits the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0041A volume control system according to the present invention includes an amplifying apparatus and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus comprises a first receiving section for receiving an amplifier-side volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by a user's operation, a first converting section for, when the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value is input by the user's operation, converting the changed amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value, a first transmitting section for transmitting the controller-side volume value converted by the first converting section to the controller, and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the amplifier-side volume value or the changed amplifier-side volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the amplifier-side volume value. The controller comprises: a display section for displaying the controller-side volume value on a display device; a second receiving section for receiving the controller-side volume value from the amplifying apparatus; a changing section for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value received by the second receiving section; a second input section into which an instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by a user's operation; a second converting section for, when the instruction for changing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section is input by the user's operation, converting the changed controller-side volume value into the amplifier-side volume value; and a second transmitting section for transmitting the amplifier-side volume value converted by the second converting section to the amplifying apparatus.

p-0042In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller according to claim <b>44</b>, further comprises: a storage section for storing the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section at the time of disconnection between the controller and the amplifying apparatus in a storage device, wherein when the controller and the amplifying apparatus are connected to each other, the changing section changes the controller-side volume value to be displayed on the display device by the display section into the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section, the second converting section converts the controller-side volume value stored by the storage section into the amplifier-side volume value, and the second transmitting section transmits the amplifier-side volume value converted by the second converting section to the amplifying apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0043<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram illustrating PC and an AV amplifier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

p-0044<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0045<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0046<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0047<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0048<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0049<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0050<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0051<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0052<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0053<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0054<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0055<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0056<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0057<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0058<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0059<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0060<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0061<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0062<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a controller;

p-0063<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0064<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0065<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0066<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case where a plurality of AV amplifiers are connected to the controller;

p-0067<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case where a plurality of AV amplifiers are connected to the controller;

p-0068<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case where a plurality of AV amplifiers are connected to the controller;

p-0069<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case where a plurality of AV amplifiers are connected to the controller;

p-0070<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0071<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0072<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0073<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0074<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0075<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller;

p-0076<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control section of the AV amplifier;

p-0077<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case where a plurality of controllers are connected to the AV amplifier; and

p-0078<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation in the case where a plurality of controllers are connected to the AV amplifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

p-0079Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described concretely below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

First Embodiment

p-0080As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a volume control system of the present invention has a PC <b>1</b> and an amplifying apparatus <b>11</b> such as an AV amplifier (referred to also as an AV receiver). They can be connected to each other via a network such as LAN. Further, they may be connected to each other via an electric communication line such as HDMI, IEEE394, USB or Internet.

p-0081The PC <b>1</b> includes a CPU <b>2</b>, an HDD <b>3</b>, a memory (ROM, RAM etc.) <b>4</b>, an operating section <b>5</b>, a display section <b>6</b>, and a communication section <b>7</b>. The CPU <b>2</b> controls the respective sections of the PC <b>1</b> based on OS or another program recorded in the HDD <b>3</b>. The HDD <b>3</b> installs a server program (hereinafter, a server) <b>3</b>A and a controller program (hereinafter, a controller) <b>3</b>B. These programs are developed in the memory <b>4</b> so as to be executed by the CPU <b>2</b>. A plurality of contents data are recorded in the HDD <b>3</b>. The contents data are audio data, and in this example, they are audio files. When the server <b>3</b>A receives a request for transmitting an audio file from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, the server <b>3</b>A reads the audio file from the HDD so as to transmit it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> via LAN.

p-0082The controller <b>3</b>B controls reproduction of contents in the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. When an audio file to be reproduced is selected from the audio files recorded in the HDD <b>3</b> by a user's operation, the controller <b>3</b>B transmits an instruction for reproducing the selected audio file to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> via LAN.

p-0083The controller <b>3</b>B stores a controller-side volume value in the memory <b>4</b>. The controller-side volume value is a volume value managed by the controller <b>3</b>B in order to control a volume value of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> on the controller <b>3</b>B side. When an instruction for changing the controller-side volume value is input by a user's operation, the controller <b>3</b>B transmits the changed controller-side volume value to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to change the volume value of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>.

p-0084<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of the controller <b>3</b>B. The operation screen includes an area <b>21</b> showing the AV amplifier <b>11</b> to be controlled, an area <b>22</b> showing an audio file to be reproduced by the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and an area <b>23</b> showing various operating buttons. The area <b>23</b> includes a slide bar <b>24</b> showing a controller-side volume value. The controller-side volume value can be changed within a range from a controller-side minimum volume value to a controller-side maximum volume value (not particularly limited, but for example, 0 to 100) by moving the slide bar. The controller-side minimum volume value and the controller-side maximum volume value are registered in the memory <b>4</b> in advance.

p-0085User's operations are input into the operating section <b>5</b>, and the operating section <b>5</b> is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and a remote controller. The display section <b>6</b> displays the operation screen of the controller <b>3</b>B, and is, for example, LCD. The communication section <b>7</b> communicates with the AV amplifier <b>11</b> via LAN, and is, for example, a LAN interface.

p-0086The AV amplifier <b>11</b> includes a control section <b>12</b>, a memory (ROM, RAM. etc.) <b>13</b>, a DSP <b>14</b>, an amplifying section <b>15</b>, a volume control section <b>16</b>, a communication section <b>17</b>, an operating section <b>18</b>, and a display section <b>19</b>. The control section <b>12</b> executes respective processes, described later, based on operating programs of the AV amplifier stored in the memory <b>13</b>, and is, for example, a microcomputer. When the control section <b>12</b> receives the instruction for reproducing an audio file from the controller <b>3</b>B, the control section <b>12</b> requests the server <b>3</b>A to transmit the audio file.

p-0087The communication section <b>17</b> communicates with the PC <b>1</b> via LAN, and is, for example, a LAN interface. When the communication section <b>17</b> receives the audio file from the server <b>3</b>B, the DSP <b>14</b> decodes and D/A-converts the audio file, so as to generate an analog audio signal. The volume control section <b>16</b> controls a volume value of the audio signal, and the amplifying section <b>15</b> amplifies the audio signal so as to output a sound from a speaker connected to the outside. User's operations are input into the operating section <b>18</b>, and the operating section <b>18</b> is, for example, an operating button or a remote controller. The operating section <b>18</b> includes a volume control knob for changing a volume value of the volume control section <b>16</b> (an amplifier-side volume value VA). The display section <b>19</b> displays the amplifier-side volume value VA, and is, for example, an FL tube.

p-0088When the control section <b>12</b> receives the controller-side volume value VC from the controller <b>3</b>B, the control section <b>12</b> converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA, and allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume. Further, when the amplifier-side volume value is changed by a user's operation of the volume control knob or the remote controller, the control section <b>12</b> changes the changed amplifier-side volume value into the controller-side volume value so as to transmit it to the controller <b>3</b>B. When the controller <b>3</b>B receives the controller-side volume value, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the controller-side volume value stored in the memory <b>4</b> into the received value, and the slide bar is moved to the controller-side volume value. As a result, also when the amplifier-side volume value is changed by the user's operation of the volume control knob or the remote controller, the controller-side volume value managed by the controller <b>3</b>B can be changed. As a result, the controller-side volume value is changed by the user's operation, so that the amplifier-side volume value can be suitably changed.

p-0089An operation in this example is described below. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, when the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is selected from devices connected to LAN, for example, by the user's operation and the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is connected, the controller <b>3</b>B transmits a controller-side maximum volume value VCmax (in this example, 100) and a controller-side minimum volume value VCmin (in this example, 0) to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>11</b>).

p-0090The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin are received as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> (S<b>1</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>1</b>), the control section <b>12</b> associates an amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates an amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them in the memory <b>13</b> (S<b>2</b>). The amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax is a maximum volume value of the volume control section <b>16</b> that can be changed according to a user's operation of the operating section <b>18</b>, and not particularly limited but is 0 (dB) in this example. The amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin is a minimum volume value of the volume control section <b>16</b> that can be changed according to a user's operation of the operating section <b>18</b>, and not particularly limited but is −50 (dB). These values are registered in the memory <b>13</b> in advance.

p-0091The control section <b>12</b> converts a current amplifier-side volume value VA into a controller-side volume value VC, and posts it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>3</b>). In detail, the control section <b>12</b> calculates the controller-side volume value VC based on the following formula 1. For example, when the amplifier-side volume value VA is −20 (dB), the controller-side volume value VC becomes 60.

p-0092<br /><i>VC</i>={(<i>VA−VA</i>min)(<i>VC</i>max−<i>VC</i>min)/(<i>VA</i>max−<i>VA</i>min)}+<i>VC</i>min   [Mathematical Formula 1]

p-0093As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the controller-side volume value is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>12</b>). When it is not received (NO in S<b>12</b>), the sequence goes to S<b>14</b>. When it is received (YES in S<b>12</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the received controller-side volume value VC in the memory <b>4</b>, and then changes the slide bar based on the received controller-side volume value VC (S<b>13</b>). When the received controller-side volume value VC is <b>60</b>, the slide bar is moved to <b>60</b>.

p-0094The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the slide bar is moved by a user's operation (S<b>14</b>). When it is not moved (NO in S<b>14</b>), the sequence returns to S<b>12</b>. When it is moved (YES in S<b>14</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the controller-side volume value VC determined by the position of the moved slide bar into the memory <b>4</b>, and transmits the controller-side volume value VC to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>15</b>).

p-0095As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the controller-side volume value VC is received (S<b>4</b>). When it is not received (NO in S<b>4</b>), the sequence goes to S<b>6</b>. When it is received (YES in S<b>4</b>), the control section <b>12</b> converts the received controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value, and allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume (S<b>5</b>). Concretely, the control section <b>12</b> calculates the amplifier-side volume value based on the following formula 2. For example, when the controller-side volume value VC is 80, the amplifier-side volume value VA becomes −10 (dB).

p-0096<br /><i>VA</i>={(<i>VC−VC</i>min)(<i>VA</i>max−<i>VA</i>min)/(<i>VC</i>max−<i>VC</i>min)}+<i>VA</i>min   [Mathematical Formula 2]

p-0097Thereafter, the control section <b>12</b> determines whether or not the volume control knob (or the volume control button of the remote controller) is operated by the user (S<b>6</b>). That is to say, the determination is made whether or not an instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value VA is input by the user's operation. When it is not operated (NO in S<b>6</b>), the sequence returns to S<b>4</b>. When it is operated (YES in S<b>6</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the amplifier-side volume value VA according to an operating position of the volume control knob (S<b>7</b>). The control section <b>12</b> changes the changed amplifier side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the above formula 1, and posts it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>8</b>).

p-0098Similarly to the above, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the controller-side volume value is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>12</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>12</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the received controller-side volume value VC into the memory <b>4</b>, and changes the slide bar based on the received controller-side volume value VC (S<b>13</b>).

p-0099When the controller-side volume value is posted between the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and the controller <b>3</b>B, the controller-side volume value VC managed by both of them can be always set to be the same value. Therefore, when the controller-side volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value VA can be changed into a suitable value. When the controller <b>3</b>B and the AV amplifier <b>11</b> are connected to each other, the controller-side volume value of the controller <b>3</b>B is transmitted to the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and the amplifier-side volume value of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> may be matched with the controller-side volume value. The same holds for the following other embodiments.

Second Embodiment

p-0100Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the first embodiment, the controller <b>3</b>B converts the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA in this example. Therefore, the amplifier-side volume value is posted between the controller <b>3</b>B and the control section <b>12</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. For example, when the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is selected from devices connected to LAN by a user's operation and the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> reads the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax (in this example, 0 dB) and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin (in this example, −50 dB) from the memory <b>13</b> and transmits them to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>21</b>) as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

p-0101The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin are received as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> (S<b>31</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>31</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin, so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>32</b>).

p-0102As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> posts the current amplifier-side volume value VA to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>22</b>). As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether the amplifier-side volume value VA is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>33</b>). When it is not received (NO in S<b>33</b>), the sequence goes to S<b>35</b>. When it is received (YES in S<b>33</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B converts the received amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the formula 1, stores it in the memory <b>4</b>, and changes the slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>34</b>).

p-0103Thereafter, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (S<b>35</b>). When it is not moved (NO in S<b>35</b>), the sequence returns to S<b>33</b>. When it is moved (YES in S<b>35</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the controller-side volume value VC determined by the position of the moved slide bar into the memory <b>4</b>, and converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA based on the formula 2 so as to transmit it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>36</b>).

p-0104As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received (S<b>23</b>). When it is no received (NO in S<b>23</b>), the sequence goes to S<b>25</b>. When it is received (YES at <b>23</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the received amplifier-side volume value VA (S<b>24</b>). Thereafter, the control section <b>12</b> determines whether or not the volume control knob (or the volume control button of the remote controller) is operated by the user (S<b>25</b>). That is to say, the determination is made whether or not the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value VA is input by the user's operation. When it is not operated (NO in S<b>25</b>), the sequence returns to S<b>23</b>. When it is operated (YES in S<b>25</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the amplifier-side volume value VA determined according to the operating position of the volume control knob (S<b>26</b>). The control section <b>12</b> posts the changed amplifier-side volume value VA to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>27</b>).

p-0105Similarly to the above, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>33</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>33</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B converts the received amplifiers-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the formula 1, stores it in the memory <b>4</b>, and changes the slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>34</b>).

p-0106The amplifier-side volume value is posted between the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and the controller <b>3</b>B, so that the amplifier-side volume value VA managed by both of them can be set to the same value. Therefore, when the controller-side volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value VA can be changed into a suitable value.

Third Embodiment

p-0107Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the second embodiment, the controller <b>3</b>B displays not the controller-side volume value VC (the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin) but the amplifier-side volume value VA (the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin) on the slide bar in this example. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. The process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is the same as that in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, and thus the description thereof is employed.

p-0108As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin are received (S<b>41</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>41</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin, so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b>. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the display of the slide bar from the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA (S<b>42</b>). Further, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax to be displayed on the slide bar into the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax, and changes the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin into the amplifier side minimum volume value VAmin. For example, when the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax is 0 dB and the amplifier side minimum volume value VAmin is −50 dB, the movable range of the slide bar is changed to −50 to 0.

p-0109The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received (S<b>43</b>). When it is received (YES S<b>43</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the amplifier-side volume value VA in the memory <b>4</b>, and the position of the slide bar is moved based on the amplifier-side volume value VA (S<b>44</b>). Further, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (S<b>45</b>). When it is moved (YES in S<b>45</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the amplifier-side volume value VA specified by the position of the slide bar into the memory <b>4</b>, and posts it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>46</b>).

p-0110In this example, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the display of the slide bar into the amplifier-side volume value VA based on the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. The user's operation is accepted not by the controller-side volume value VC but the amplifier-side volume value VA. Therefore, the converting process between the amplifier-side volume value VA and the controller-side volume value VC is not necessary.

Fourth Embodiment

p-0111Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the first embodiment, an amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax as a maximum value of the amplifier-side volume value VA controllable by the controller <b>3</b>B (namely, by the controller-side volume value) and an amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin as a minimum value of the amplifier-side volume value VA controllable by the controller <b>3</b>B (namely, by the controller-side volume value) are set in the memory <b>13</b> in this example. In other words, the range of the amplifier-side volume value VA controllable by the controller <b>3</b>B is different from the range of the amplifier-side volume value VA controllable by the operating section <b>18</b>. The amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax is set to a value that is smaller than the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and is at a level where the amplifying section <b>15</b> and the speaker are not damaged. The amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is set to a value that is larger than the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin. For example, the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax is −10 dB and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is −40 dB. The amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin may be changed by the user's operation or may be unchangeable.

p-0112<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. The process of the controller <b>3</b>B is the same as that in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, and the description thereof is employed. The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin are received (S<b>51</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>51</b>), the control section <b>12</b> associates the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them in the memory <b>13</b> (S<b>52</b>).

p-0113The control section <b>12</b> converts a current amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC, and posts it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>53</b>). More concretely, the control section <b>12</b> calculates the controller-side volume value VC based on the following formula 3 (namely, the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax, the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin, the controller-side maximum volume value Vcmax, and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin). For example, when the amplifier-side volume value VA is −25 (dB), the controller-side volume value VC becomes 50.

p-0114<br /><i>VC</i>={(<i>VA−VAS</i>min)(<i>VC</i>max−<i>VC</i>min)/(<i>VAS</i>max−<i>VAS</i>min)}+<i>VC</i>min   [Mathematical Formula 3]

p-0115However, when the amplifier-side volume value VA is the amplifier side setting maximum volume value VASmax or more, the amplifier-side volume value VA is calculated as the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax. That is to say, when the amplifier-side volume value VA is the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax or more, the controller-side volume value VC to be calculated becomes the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax. Similarly, when the amplifier-side volume value VA is the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin or less, the amplifier-side volume value VA is calculated as the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin. That is to say, when the amplifier-side volume value VA is the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin or less, the controller-side volume value VC to be calculated becomes the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin.

p-0116Further, the control section <b>12</b> determines whether or not the controller-side volume value VC is received (S<b>54</b>). When it is not received (NO in S<b>54</b>), the sequence goes to S<b>56</b>. When it is received (YES in S<b>54</b>), the control section <b>12</b> converts the received controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA, and allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume (S<b>55</b>). In detail, the control section <b>12</b> calculates the amplifier-side volume value VA based on the following formula 4 (namely, based on the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax, the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin, the controller-side maximum volume value Vcmax, and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin). For example, when the controller-side volume value VC is 80, the amplifier-side volume value VA becomes −16 (dB).

p-0117<br /><i>VA</i>={(<i>VC−VC</i>min)(<i>VAS</i>max−<i>VAS</i>min)/(<i>VC</i>max−<i>VC</i>min)}+<i>VAS</i>min   [Mathematical Formula 4]

p-0118Thereafter, the control section <b>12</b> determines whether or not the volume control knob (or the volume control button of the remote controller) is operated by the user (S<b>56</b>). That is to say, the determination is made whether or not the instruction for changing the amplifier-side volume value VA is input by the user's operation. When it is not operated (NO in S<b>56</b>), the sequence returns to S<b>54</b>. When it is operated (YES in S<b>56</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the amplifier-side volume value VA determined according to the operating position of the volume control knob (S<b>57</b>). The control section <b>12</b> changes the changed amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the formula 3, and posts it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>58</b>).

p-0119The controller-side volume value is posted between the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and the controller <b>3</b>B, so that the controller-side volume value VC managed by both of them can be set to the same value. Therefore, when the controller-side volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value VA can be changed into a suitable value. Further, the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA are converted based on the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VSAmin. For this reason, even when the controller-side volume value VC is changed into the controller side maximum volume value VCmax, the amplifier-side volume value increases only up to the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax. Therefore, the amplifying section <b>15</b> and the speaker are prevented from being damaged. The amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is not provided, but only the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax may be provided. In this case, the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA are converted based on the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin.

Fifth Embodiment

p-0120Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the second embodiment, an amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax as a maximum value of the amplifier-side volume value VA controllable by the controller <b>3</b>B (namely, the controller-side volume value VC) and an amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin as a minimum value of the amplifier-side volume value VA controllable by the controller <b>3</b>B (namely, the controller-side volume value VC) are set in the memory <b>13</b> in this example. The amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax is set to a value that is smaller than the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and is at a level where the amplifying section <b>15</b> and the speaker are not damaged. The amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is set to a value larger than the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin. For example, the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax is −10 dB, and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is −40 dB. The amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin may be changeable by the user's operation or may be unchangeable.

p-0121<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. For example, the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is selected by the user from devices connected to LAN. When this AV amplifier <b>11</b> is connected to the controller <b>3</b>B, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> reads the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax (in this example, −10 dB) and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin (in this example, −40 dB) from the memory <b>13</b> so as to transmit them to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>61</b>). Since the process subsequent to the control section <b>12</b> is the same as that in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the description thereof is employed (the same symbols are used).

p-0122As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin are received (S<b>71</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>71</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them into the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>72</b>).

p-0123The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>73</b>). When it is not received (NO in S<b>73</b>), the sequence goes to S<b>75</b>. When it is received (YES in S<b>73</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B converts the received amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the formula 3, and stores it to the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>74</b>).

p-0124The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (S<b>75</b>). When it is not moved (NO in S<b>75</b>), the sequence returns to S<b>73</b>. When it is moved (YES in S<b>75</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the controller-side volume value VC determined by the position of the moved slide bar into the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA based on the formula 4, and transmits it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>76</b>).

p-0125The amplifier-side volume value is posted between the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and the controller <b>3</b>B, so that the amplifier-side volume value VA managed by both of them can be set to the same value. Therefore, when the controller-side volume value is changed, the amplifier-side volume value VA can be changed into a suitable value. The controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA are converted based on the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin. For this reason, even when the controller-side volume value VC is changed into the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax, the amplifier-side volume value increases only up to the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax. Therefore, the amplifying section <b>15</b> and the speaker are prevented from being damaged. The amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is not provided but only the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax may be provided.

Sixth Embodiment

p-0126Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the fifth embodiment, the controller <b>3</b>B displays not the controller-side volume value but the amplifier-side volume value on the slide bar in this example. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. Since the process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is the same as that in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, and the description thereof is employed.

p-0127As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin are received (S<b>81</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>81</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them into the memory <b>4</b>. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the display of the slide bar from the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA (S<b>82</b>). That is to say, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax displayed on the slide bar into the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax, and changes the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin into the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin. For example, when the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax is −10 dB and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin is −40 dB, the movable range of the slide bar is changed into −40 to −10.

p-0128The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received (S<b>83</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>83</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the amplifier-side volume value VA in the memory <b>4</b>, and moves the position of the slide bar based on the amplifier-side volume value VA (S<b>84</b>). Further, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (S<b>85</b>). When it is moved (YES in S<b>85</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the amplifier-side volume value VA specified by the position of the slide bar into the memory <b>4</b>, and posts it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>86</b>).

p-0129According to this example, the controller <b>3</b>B changes the display of the slide bar into the amplifier-side volume value VA based on the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax and the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B accepts the user's operation by means of not the controller-side volume value VC but the amplifier-side volume value VA. Therefore, the process for converting the amplifier-side volume value VA and the controller-side volume value VC is not necessary.

Seventh Embodiment

p-0130Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the above respective embodiments, the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA are used as originally common volume values V in this example. Therefore, the converting process between the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA by means of the control section <b>12</b> or the controller <b>3</b>B is not necessary. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B.

p-0131When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> reads a current volume value V of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> from the memory, and transmits it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>90</b>). As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, when the controller <b>3</b>B receives the volume value V from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>101</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the received volume value V in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>101</b>), and the slide bar is moved based on the received volume value V (S<b>102</b>).

p-0132As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, when the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (YES in S<b>103</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the volume value V determined by the position of the moved slide bar into the memory <b>4</b>, and transmits the changed volume value V to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>104</b>). As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, when the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>B (YES in S<b>91</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> based on the received volume value V (S<b>92</b>).

p-0133When the volume control knob is operated (YES in S<b>93</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the volume value V determined by the position of the volume control knob (S<b>94</b>), and transmits the changed volume value V to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>95</b>). As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, when the controller <b>3</b>B receives the volume value V from the control section <b>12</b> (YES in S<b>101</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the received volume value V in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>101</b>), and the slide bar is moved based on the received volume value V (S<b>102</b>).

Eighth Embodiment

p-0134Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the above respective embodiments, when the controller <b>3</b>B and the AV amplifier <b>11</b> are disconnected to each other, the controller <b>3</b>B stores the controller-side volume value VC (or the amplifier-side volume value VA, the volume value V) at that time in the memory <b>4</b> in this example. When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B reads the controller-side volume value VC (or the amplifier-side volume value VA, the volume value V) from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B moves the slide bar (changes the controller-side volume value VC (or the amplifier-side volume value VA, the volume value V)) and transmits it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. As a result, when the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is not connected to the controller <b>3</b>B and the user operates the operating section of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to change the amplifier-side volume value, the AV amplifier <b>11</b> can be restored to the amplifier-side volume value at the time when being connected to the controller <b>3</b>B last time when the controller <b>3</b>B is again connected.

p-0135<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b> in the example corresponding to the first embodiment (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>), and the process in S<b>3</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is omitted in the process of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. When the controller <b>3</b>B determines disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>112</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the controller-side volume value VC currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (not particularly limited but, information such as a device number and a serial number that can uniquely specify the AV amplifier <b>11</b>) so as to store it in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>113</b>). The identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> can be acquired from the AV amplifier <b>1</b> at the time of connection.

p-0136When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the controller-side volume value VC at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and transmits the controller-side volume value VC to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>111</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the controller-side volume value VC (YES in S<b>4</b>), the control section <b>12</b> converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value, and changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> (S<b>5</b>).

p-0137When a plurality of AV amplifiers <b>11</b> can be connected to the controller <b>3</b>B, with respect to each of the plurality of AV amplifiers, the controller <b>3</b>B associates the controller-side volume value VC at the time when the controller <b>3</b>B disconnects from the each AV amplifier <b>11</b> with identification information about the each AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b>. When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B reads the controller-side volume value VC stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the identification information about the connected AV amplifier <b>11</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B moves the slide bar, and transmits the controller-side volume value VC to the connected AV amplifier <b>11</b>.

p-0138<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B in this example corresponding to the second embodiment (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>), and the process in S<b>22</b> is omitted from the process of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. When the controller <b>3</b>B determines the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>122</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the controller-side volume value VC currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store it in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>123</b>).

p-0139When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the controller-side volume value VC at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA so as to transmit it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>121</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the amplifier-side volume value VA (YES in S<b>23</b>), the control section <b>12</b> allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume (S<b>24</b>).

p-0140<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B in this example corresponding to the third embodiment (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>). When the controller <b>3</b>B determines the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>132</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side volume value VA currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store it in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>133</b>).

p-0141When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the amplifier-side volume value VA at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and transmits the amplifier-side volume value VA to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>131</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the amplifier-side volume value VA, the control section <b>12</b> allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume.

p-0142<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B in this example corresponding to the fifth embodiment (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref>), and the process in S<b>22</b> is omitted in the process of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. When the controller <b>3</b>B determines the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>142</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the controller-side volume value VC currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>143</b>).

p-0143When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the controller-side volume value VC at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA so as to transmit it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>141</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the amplifier-side volume value VA (YES in S<b>23</b>), the control section <b>12</b> allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to changes the volume (S<b>24</b>).

p-0144<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B in this example corresponding to the sixth embodiment (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>). When the controller <b>3</b>B determines that the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>152</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side volume value VA currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>153</b>).

p-0145When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the amplifier-side volume value VA at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and transmits the amplifier-side volume value VA to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>151</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the amplifier-side volume value VA, the control section <b>12</b> allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume.

p-0146<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B in this example corresponding to the seventh embodiment (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref>), and the process in S<b>90</b> is omitted in the process of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>. When the controller <b>3</b>B determines the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>162</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the volume value V currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>163</b>).

p-0147When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the volume value V at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and transmits the volume value V to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>161</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the volume value V (YES in S<b>91</b>), the control section <b>12</b> allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume (S<b>92</b>).

p-0148As the need arises, the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax (or the amplifier-side setting maximum volume value VASmax) and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin (or the amplifier-side setting minimum volume value VASmin) with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and stores them in the memory <b>4</b> at the time of the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B reads these pieces of information from the memory at the time of next connection, and thus the AV amplifier <b>11</b> does not have to again transmit these pieces of information to the controller <b>3</b>B at the next connection.

Ninth Embodiment

p-0149In general, when a plurality of AV amplifiers <b>11</b> can be connected to the controller <b>3</b>B, the controller screen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is generated for each AV amplifier, and the volume of each AV amplifier <b>11</b> is controlled independently. In the above embodiments, however, only one controller screen including one slide bar is generated for the plurality of AV amplifiers <b>11</b>, and the volumes of the plurality of AV amplifiers <b>11</b> may be controlled to the same value all at once. The description is given below based on the seventh embodiment, but may be based on the other embodiments. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref> illustrate a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. A process of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is schematically the same as that in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 24 to 27</figref> are pattern diagrams describing transmission/reception of commands in this example.

p-0150An initial operation is described first. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 24</figref>, when a plurality of AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B are connected to the controller <b>3</b>B, (1) the controller <b>3</b>B transmits the volume value V (or the controller-side volume value, the amplifier-side volume value, the same holds for hereinafter) corresponding to the current position of the slide bar to the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B (S<b>171</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref>). (2) When the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B receive the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>B, the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B change self volume values (S<b>91</b> and S<b>92</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>). As a result, the volume values V of the controller <b>3</b>B and the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B can be matched with one another.

p-0151In another manner, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 23 and 25</figref>, when the plurality of AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B are connected to the controller <b>3</b>B, (1) the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B transmit the current volume values V to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>90</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>). (2) The controller <b>3</b>B selects one volume value (not particularly limited, but the minimum volume value, for example) from the volume values V received from the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B, and changes the position of the slide bar (S<b>181</b> and S<b>182</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>). For example, when the volume value V of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>A is smaller than the volume value V of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B, the volume value V of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is selected, and the position of the slide bar of the controller <b>3</b>B is changed. (3) The controller <b>3</b>B transmits the selected volume value V (of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>A) to the AV amplifiers that are connected to the controller <b>3</b>B and having the volume values being not selected (here, the amplifier <b>11</b>B) (S<b>183</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>). (4) When the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B receives the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>B, the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B changes the volume value of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B (S<b>91</b> and S<b>92</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>). As a result, the volume values V of the controller <b>3</b>B and the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B can be matched with one another. The selection of the smaller volume value can prevent an abrupt increase in the volume value of the other AV amplifiers <b>11</b> against a user's will.

p-0152Thereafter, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref>, (1) when the user changes the slide bar of the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>175</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the changed volume value V in the memory, moves the slide bar and transmits the changed volume value V to all the AV amplifiers <b>11</b> (S<b>176</b>). (3) When the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B receive the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>B, the AV amplifiers <b>11</b>A and <b>11</b>B change their own volume values (S<b>91</b> and S<b>92</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>).

p-0153On the other hand, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref>, (1) when the volume value V of one AV amplifier (here, the AV amplifier <b>11</b>A) is changed by a user's operation of the volume control knob (S<b>93</b> and S<b>94</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>), (2) the AV amplifier <b>11</b>A transmits the changed volume value V to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>95</b>). (3) When the controller <b>3</b>B receives the volume value V from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>A (S<b>172</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref>), the controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar to the received volume value V (S<b>173</b>). (4) The controller <b>3</b>B transmits the changed volume value V to all the AV amplifiers <b>11</b> (herein, the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B) that are connected to the controller <b>3</b>B other than the AV amplifier <b>11</b>A that transmits the volume value V (S<b>174</b>). (5) When the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B receives the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>B, the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B changes the volume value of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>B (S<b>91</b> and S<b>92</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>).

Tenth Embodiment

p-0154Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the first and second embodiments, both the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and the controller <b>3</b>B carry out the conversion between the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA in this example. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref> is a flow chart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> reads the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax (in this example, 0 dB) and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin from the memory <b>13</b> and transmits them to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>191</b>).

p-0155The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin are received (S<b>202</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>202</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>203</b>).

p-0156The controller <b>3</b>B transmits the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>201</b>).

p-0157The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin are received (S<b>192</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>192</b>), the control section <b>12</b> associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them in the memory <b>13</b> (S<b>193</b>).

p-0158The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> posts the current amplifier-side volume value VA to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>194</b>). The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether the amplifier-side volume value VA is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>204</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>204</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B converts the received amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the formula 1, stores it in the memory <b>4</b> so as to change the slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>205</b>).

p-0159The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (S<b>206</b>). When it is moved (YES in S<b>206</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the controller-side volume value VC determined by the position of the moved slide bar in the memory <b>4</b>, and transmits it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>207</b>).

p-0160The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the controller-side volume value VC is received (S<b>195</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>195</b>), the control section <b>12</b> converts the received controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA based on the formula 2, and changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> (S<b>196</b>). Thereafter, the control section <b>12</b> determines whether or not the volume control knob (or the volume control button of the remote controller) is operated by the user (S<b>197</b>). When it is operated (YES in S<b>197</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the amplifier-side volume value VA determined according to the operating position of the volume control knob (S<b>198</b>). The control section <b>12</b> posts the changed amplifier-side volume value VA to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>199</b>).

p-0161Similarly to the above, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>204</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>204</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B converts the received amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC based on the formula 1, stores it in the memory <b>4</b>, and changes the slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>205</b>).

p-0162<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref> is a flowchart illustrating another process of the controller <b>3</b>B. When the controller <b>3</b>B determines the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>209</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the controller-side volume value VC currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>210</b>).

p-0163When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the controller-side volume value VC at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and transmits the controller-side volume value VC to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>208</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the controller-side volume value VC (YES in S<b>195</b>), the control section <b>12</b> converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value, and allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume (S<b>196</b>).

Eleventh Embodiment

p-0164Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. In comparison with the first and second embodiments, both the AV amplifier <b>11</b> and the controller <b>3</b>B carry out conversion between the controller-side volume value VC and the amplifier-side volume value VA in this example. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a process of the controller <b>3</b>B. When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> reads the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin from the memory <b>13</b> and transmits them to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>211</b>).

p-0165The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax and the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin are received (S<b>222</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>222</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and associates the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>223</b>).

p-0166The controller <b>3</b>B transmits the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>221</b>).

p-0167The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the controller-side maximum volume value VCmax and the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin are received (S<b>121</b>). When they are received (YES in S<b>212</b>), the control section <b>12</b> associates the amplifier-side maximum volume value VAmax with the controller-side maximum volume value VAmax and associates the amplifier-side minimum volume value VAmin with the controller-side minimum volume value VCmin so as to store them in the memory <b>13</b> (S<b>213</b>).

p-0168The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> converts the current amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value VC and posts it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>214</b>). The controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the controller-side volume value VC is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>224</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>224</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the received controller-side volume value VC in the memory <b>4</b>, and changes the slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>225</b>).

p-0169Thereafter, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether the slide bar is moved by the user's operation (S<b>226</b>). When it is moved (YES in S<b>226</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the controller-side volume value VC determined by the position of the moved slide bar in the memory <b>4</b>, and converts it into the amplifier-side volume value VA so as to transmit it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>227</b>).

p-0170The control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> determines whether or not the amplifier-side volume value VA is received (S<b>215</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>215</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> based on the received amplifier-side volume value VA (S<b>216</b>). Thereafter, the control section <b>12</b> determines whether or not the volume control knob (or the volume control button of the remote controller) is operated by the user (S<b>217</b>). When it is operated (YES in S<b>217</b>), the control section <b>12</b> changes the volume of the volume control section <b>16</b> into the amplifier-side volume value VA determined according to the operating position of the volume control knob (S<b>218</b>). The control section <b>12</b> changes the changed amplifier-side volume value VA into the controller-side volume value, and posts it to the controller <b>3</b>B (S<b>219</b>).

p-0171Similarly to the above, the controller <b>3</b>B determines whether or not the controller-side volume value VC is received from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>224</b>). When it is received (YES in S<b>224</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B stores the received controller-side volume value VC in the memory <b>4</b>, and changes the slide bar based on the controller-side volume value VC (S<b>225</b>).

p-0172<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> is a flowchart illustrating another process of the controller <b>3</b>B. The controller <b>3</b>B determines the disconnection from the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (YES in S<b>229</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B associates the controller-side volume value VC currently stored in the memory <b>4</b> with the identification information about the AV amplifier <b>11</b> so as to store them in the memory <b>4</b> (S<b>230</b>).

p-0173When the controller <b>3</b>B is connected to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> next time, the controller <b>3</b>B acquires the identification information from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, and reads the controller-side volume value VC at the time of the last disconnection stored in the memory <b>4</b> in association with the acquired identification information from the memory <b>4</b>. The controller <b>3</b>B changes the position of the slide bar, and converts the controller-side volume value VC into the amplifier-side volume value VA so as to transmit it to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>228</b>). When the control section <b>12</b> of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the amplifier-side volume value VA (YES in S<b>215</b>), the control section <b>12</b> allows the volume control section <b>16</b> to change the volume (S<b>216</b>).

Twelfth Embodiment

p-0174In this example, a plurality of controllers <b>3</b>B (for example, controllers <b>3</b>Ba and <b>3</b>Bb) are present, and each controller can control the AV amplifier <b>11</b>. The following description is based on the seventh embodiment, but may be based on the other embodiments. A process of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref>, and processes of the respective controllers are the approximately same as that in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref> is a pattern diagram describing the transmission/reception of commands in this example.

p-0175In the controller <b>3</b>Ba, (1) when the slide bar is changed by the user's operation (S<b>103</b>), the controller <b>3</b>B store the changed volume value VA in the memory and moves the slide bar, and (2) transmits the changed volume value V to the AV amplifier <b>11</b> (S<b>104</b>). (3) When the AV amplifier <b>11</b> receives the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>Ba, the AV amplifier <b>11</b> changes its own volume value (S<b>91</b> and S<b>92</b>). Thereafter, (4) the AV amplifier <b>11</b> specifies the controller other than the controller that transmits the volume value, and transmits the changed volume value to the controller (<b>3</b>Bb) (S<b>231</b>). The controller <b>3</b>Bb other than the controller that transmits the volume value receives the volume value from the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, stores the volume value V in the memory, and moves the slide bar (S<b>101</b> and S<b>102</b>).

p-0176In another manner, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref>, (<b>4</b>) the controller <b>3</b>Ba may transmit the changed volume value V to the controller <b>3</b>Bb (S<b>103</b> and S<b>104</b>), and the controller <b>3</b>Bb may receive the volume value from the controller <b>3</b>Ba and stores the volume value V in the memory so as to move the slide bar (S<b>101</b> and S<b>102</b>).

p-0177The above describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the above embodiments, when the controller <b>3</b>B changes the volume of the AV amplifier <b>11</b>, the volume value of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> is gradually increased or decreased. As a result, even when the user abruptly changes the slide bar of the controller <b>3</b>B by mistake, the volume of the AV amplifier <b>11</b> only gradually changes. For this reason, while the volume is being changed, the user can again changes the slide bar of the controller <b>3</b>B to a suitable position. The above controller program <b>3</b>B or a recording medium in which this computer program is recorded may be provided. A computer program for allowing a computer to operate the AV amplifier or a recording medium in which this computer program is recorded may be provided.