U.S. patent application number 13/216488 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for video/audio output device and external speaker control apparatus.
Invention is credited to Sako ASAYAMA, Hiroshi Kase, Mitsuteru Kataoka.
Application Number | 20110310308 13/216488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37906096 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110310308 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ASAYAMA; Sako ; et
al. |
December 22, 2011 |
VIDEO/AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICE AND EXTERNAL SPEAKER CONTROL
APPARATUS
Abstract
An external speaker control apparatus causes only one of an
internal speaker and an external speaker to output audio when a
power supply of the external speaker control apparatus which
controls the external speaker changes from an off state to an on
state, the external speaker being a speaker outside a video and
audio output apparatus. The external speaker control apparatus
includes a microcomputer for detecting the change of the power
supply of an amplifier from an off state to an on state and a
HDMI/CEC communication unit or outputting an instruction requesting
output of information which indicates the audio output mode to the
video and audio output apparatus while at the same time receiving
the information indicating the audio detects the change of the
power supply from an off state to an on state, wherein the
microcomputer controls the output of the audio from the external
speaker according to the information indicating the audio output
mode.
Inventors: |
ASAYAMA; Sako; (Nara,
JP) ; Kase; Hiroshi; (Osaka, JP) ; Kataoka;
Mitsuteru; (Osaka, JP) |
Family ID: |
37906096 |
Appl. No.: |
13/216488 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
12364693 |
Feb 3, 2009 |
8054996 |
|
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13216488 |
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11911697 |
Oct 16, 2007 |
7970155 |
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PCT/JP2006/318698 |
Sep 21, 2006 |
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12364693 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/738 ;
348/E5.122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 3/12 20130101; H04R
27/00 20130101; H04N 21/44231 20130101; H04N 21/4396 20130101; H04N
21/44227 20130101; H04N 5/63 20130101; H04N 5/60 20130101; H04R
2499/15 20130101; H04N 21/436 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/738 ;
348/E05.122 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/60 20060101
H04N005/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2005 |
JP |
2005-289093 |
Claims
1. A video and audio output apparatus which outputs video and
audio, comprising: an internal speaker configured to output the
audio; a holding unit configured to hold information; a management
unit configured to cause the holding unit to hold the information
which indicates one of a plurality of audio output modes
corresponding to an output mode for the audio; and a control unit
configured to control output of the audio from the internal speaker
according to the information indicating the audio output mode held
in the holding unit, wherein the control unit is further configured
to control output of the audio to cause the internal speaker to
output the audio, and to cause the internal speaker not to output
the audio when the information indicating the audio output mode
indicates that the audio is to be output from an external
speaker.
2. The video and audio output apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: a detection unit configured to detect a change
of a power supply of an external speaker control apparatus from an
off state to an on state, the external speaker control apparatus
controlling the external speaker that is a speaker outside of the
video and audio output apparatus, wherein the control unit is
further configured to cause the management unit to hold, as the
information indicating the audio output mode, information
indicating that the audio is to be outputted from the external
speaker when the detection unit detects the change of the power
supply of the external speaker control apparatus from the off state
to the on state.
3. The video and audio output apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: a receiving unit configured to obtain, from an
external speaker control apparatus, the information indicating that
the audio can be output, the external speaker control apparatus
controlling the external speaker that is a speaker outside of the
video and audio output apparatus, wherein the control unit is
configured to cause the management unit to hold, as the information
indicating the audio output mode, information indicating that the
audio is to be output from the external speaker when the receiving
unit obtains, from the external speaker control apparatus, the
information indicating that the audio can be output.
4. A video and audio output method performed by a video and audio
output apparatus which includes an internal speaker and an external
speaker, the video and audio output method comprising: holding
information; causing information which indicates one of a plurality
of audio output modes corresponding to an output mode for the audio
to be held in the holding; and controlling output of the audio from
the internal speaker according to the information indicating the
audio output mode held in the holding, wherein the controlling
includes causing the internal speaker to output the audio, and
causing the internal speaker not to output the audio from the
internal speaker when the information indicating the audio output
mode indicates that the audio is to be output from the external
speaker.
Description
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/364,693, filed Feb. 3, 2009, which is a Continuation
Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/911,697, filed Oct. 16,
2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,970,155, which is a National Stage
Application of PCT/JP2006/318698, filed Sep. 21, 2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a video/audio output device
for outputting video and audio to an external speaker control
apparatus which controls a speaker outside the video/audio output
device.
[0003] In recent years, users are able to enjoy ambient audio,
known generally as surround sound, by connecting an AV amplifier in
between a plurality of speakers and a video/audio output device
such as a TV, and outputting, from the plurality of the speakers
connected to the AV amplifier, the audio of broadcast contents
received by a TV tuner or a set top box (STB), or the audio of
video contents reproduced by a DVD player/DVD recorder.
[0004] A user intending to output surround sound turns off (mutes)
the audio outputted from the speaker (internal speaker) of the TV
by operating the remote control button or the main button of the
TV, and then, by operating a remote control button or the main
button of the AV amplifier, causes input audio from the device,
which is outputting the contents displayed by the TV, to be
outputted from a speaker (external speaker) connected to the AV
amplifier. In the process, the user is required first to operate
the remote control button or a button on the console and then to
operate a remote control button of the AV amplifier or a button on
the AV amplifier. Since these operations must be performed for
plural devices, the apparatuses above are not user-friendly.
[0005] In order to solve this problem, and to simplify the TV and
AV amplifier operations when outputting the audio from the speaker
(external speaker) connected to the AV amplifier, AV amplifiers
have been realized in which an audio output source is switched by
the on/off operation of the power supply switch on the AV
amplifier.
[0006] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-153520 bulletin, for
example, discloses an AV amplifier which can make up a surround
system in combination with a TV receiver and which greatly
facilitates the switching operation between use of the surround
system and use of the TV receiver alone.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the AV amplifier disclosed
in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-153520.
[0008] In FIG. 1, when the surround system is used, a power supply
switch 41 of the AV amplifier 40 is turned on, a change-over switch
50 is switched to a center audio amplifier circuit 48 side, and the
audio signal supplied to an audio input terminal 43 from the
reproduction device, such as a VTR or an LD, is supplied to the
speaker connected to the AV amplifier 40 through a Dolby surround
processor (DSP) 45 and an output terminal 49. When using the TV
receiver alone, on the other hand, the power supply switch 41 of
the AV amplifier 40 is turned off, the change-over switch 50 is
turned to a TV audio input terminal 51 side, so that the TV audio
processed in the amplifier circuit of the TV receiver is supplied
to the speaker (internal speaker) of the TV receiver.
[0009] In the method disclosed Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
5-153520, as described above, the audio is outputted from the
speaker (internal speaker) built into the TV or the audio is
outputted from the speaker (external speaker) outside the TV by
switching the power supply switch of the AV amplifier between an on
state and an off state.
[0010] Even when the power supply switch of the AV amplifier is
turned from an off state to an on state, some TV receivers still
output the audio from the internal speaker if the TV power supply
is turned on after such change is made. In this case, the audio is
outputted from both the internal and external speakers. Also, in
the case where the user directly operates the TV or the AV
amplifier, the audio can be set so as to not be outputted from the
internal or the external speaker. The user desires that the audio
is outputted from only one of the internal and external
speakers.
SUMMARY
[0011] An aspect of the invention is to provide a video/audio
output device and an external speaker control apparatus for
outputting the audio from only one of the internal and external
speakers when the power supply for the external speaker control
apparatus that controls the external speaker, i.e. a speaker
outside the video/audio output device, changes from an off state to
an on state.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a video/audio
output device for outputting the audio from only one of the
internal and external speakers when the power supply for the
video/audio output device changes from an off state to an on
state.
[0013] In order to solve the aforementioned problem and achieve the
aforementioned aspects, a video and audio output apparatus is
provided according to an aspect of the invention, for outputting
video and audio, including an internal speaker which outputs the
audio, a holding unit which holds information, an accepting unit
which accepts an instruction from outside the video and audio
output apparatus, a management unit which causes the holding unit
to hold information which indicates any one of a plurality of audio
output modes based on a mode-specifying instruction for specifying
the output mode of the audio accepted by the accepting unit, a
receiving unit which receives an instruction from an external
speaker control apparatus for controlling the external speaker
which is a speaker outside the video and audio output apparatus,
and an output unit which outputs the information indicating the
audio output mode held in the holding unit to the external speaker
control apparatus in the case when the receiving unit receives an
instruction requesting output of the information indicating the
audio output mode from the external speaker control apparatus.
[0014] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided
an external speaker control apparatus for controlling the external
speaker constituting a speaker outside the video and audio output
apparatus, comprising a detection unit which detects the change of
the power supply of the external speaker control apparatus from an
off state to an on state, an output unit which outputs an
instruction requesting the output of the information indicating the
audio output mode to the video and audio output apparatus in the
case where the detection unit detects the change of the power
supply from an off state to an on state, a receiving unit which
receives the information from the video and audio output unit, and
a control unit which controls the output of the audio from the
external speaker based on the information indicating the audio
output mode received by the receiving unit.
[0015] As described above, when the power supply changes from an
off state to an on state, the external speaker control apparatus
according to an aspect of the invention outputs an instruction
requesting the output of the information indicating the audio
output mode to the video and audio output apparatus, receives the
information indicating the audio output mode from the video and
audio output apparatus, and based on this information, controls the
audio outputted from the external speaker. As a result, the audio
is output only from one of the internal and external speakers.
[0016] In the video and audio output apparatus according to an
aspect of the invention, the management unit, for example, causes
the holding unit to hold, based on the mode-specifying instruction,
one of (a) the information indicating a first audio output mode for
causing the internal speaker to output the audio and (b) the
information indicating a second audio output mode for causing the
external speaker to output the audio.
[0017] The video and audio output apparatus according to an aspect
of the invention may further include a control unit which (a)
causes the internal speaker to output the audio in the case where
the information indicating the first audio output mode for causing
the internal speaker to output the audio is held in the holding
unit, and which (b) causes the internal speaker not to output the
audio in the case where the information indicating the second audio
output mode for causing the external speaker to output the audio is
held in the holding unit.
[0018] Also, in the external speaker control apparatus according to
an aspect of the invention, the control unit, for example, (a)
causes the external speaker not to output the audio in the case
where the receiving unit receives the information indicating the
first audio output mode for outputting the audio from the internal
speaker of the video and audio output apparatus and (b) causes the
external speaker to output the audio in the case where the
receiving unit receives the information indicating the second audio
output mode for outputting the audio from the external speaker.
[0019] Also, according to an aspect of the invention, there is
provided a video and audio output apparatus for outputting the
video and the audio, including an internal speaker for outputting
the audio, a holding unit which holds the information, an accepting
unit which accepts an instruction from outside the video and audio
output apparatus, a management unit which causes the holding unit
to hold the information indicating any one of a plurality of audio
output modes based on a mode-specifying instruction for specifying
the audio output mode accepted by the accepting unit, a control
unit which controls the audio outputted from the internal speaker
based on the information indicating the audio output mode held in
the holding unit, a detection unit which detects the change of the
power supply of the video and audio output apparatus from an off
state to an on state, and an output unit which outputs the
information indicating the audio output mode held in the holding
unit to the external speaker control apparatus which controls the
speaker outside the video and audio output apparatus in the case
where the detection unit detects the change of the power supply
from an off state to an on state.
[0020] An aspect of the invention can be realized as a method
including, as steps, the unique configuration means of the video
and audio output apparatus according to an aspect of the invention,
can be realized as a program with these steps executed by a
computer or can be realized as an integrated circuit including the
unique configuration means described above. Also, an aspect of the
invention can be realized as a method including, as steps, the
unique configuration units of the external speaker control
apparatus according to an aspect of the invention or can be
realized as an integrated circuit including the unique
configuration units described above. The program described above
can be distributed through a recording medium such as CD-ROM or a
transmission medium such as a communication network.
[0021] The invention can provide a video and audio output apparatus
and an external speaker control apparatus for outputting audio from
only one of the internal speaker and the external speaker when the
power supply of the external speaker control apparatus for
controlling the external speaker constituting a speaker outside the
video and audio output apparatus changes from an off state to an on
state.
[0022] According to an aspect of the invention, the audio output
state of the video and audio output apparatus and the external
speaker control apparatus can be switched simply by operating the
video and audio output apparatus. Therefore, an operation for
switching the audio output state can be simplified and usability
can be improved.
[0023] Also, the audio output state can be restored to a desired
state even when the audio is outputted from both the video and
audio output apparatus and the external speaker control apparatus,
or when both are muted. Therefore, the operation of switching the
audio output state can be simplified, and usability can be
improved.
[0024] Also, an aspect of the invention can provide a video and
audio output apparatus for outputting the audio from either only
the internal speaker or only the external speakers when the power
supply of the video and audio output apparatus turns from an off
state to an on state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an AV amplifier which
constitutes the background art to the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system
according to the embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a TV 1
according to the embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
amplifier 2 according to the embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a menu screen displayed on the
TV 1 according to the embodiments.
NUMERICAL REFERENCES
[0030] 1 TV [0031] 2 Amplifier [0032] 3 External speaker [0033] 101
Memory [0034] 102 Remote control receiving unit [0035] 103
Microcomputer [0036] 104 HDMI/CEC communication unit [0037] 105
Tuner [0038] 106 Decoder [0039] 107 Display [0040] 108 Internal
speaker [0041] 109 External output unit [0042] 110 Mode flag [0043]
201 HDMI/CEC communication unit [0044] 202 Microcomputer [0045] 203
HDMI/CEC communication unit [0046] 204 Selector [0047] 205 External
signal input unit [0048] 206 Speaker output unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] The embodiments of the invention are explained below with
reference to the drawings.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the system
according to the embodiments. The system according to an aspect of
the invention is configured of a TV 1, an amplifier 2 and an
external speaker 3. The TV 1 is a device for receiving the
broadcast wave and outputting the video and the audio, and is an
example of the video/audio output device according to an aspect of
the invention. The amplifier 2 is a device for amplifying the
signal inputted from the TV 1 and outputting the signal to the
external speaker 3, and is an example of the external speaker
control apparatus according to an aspect of the invention. The
external speaker 3 is a device for outputting the audio based on
the audio signal from the amplifier 2.
[0051] The TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are connected to each other by
a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable, and the video
and audio signals outputted from the amplifier 2 are inputted into
the TV 1.
[0052] Further, the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are connected to each
other by an optical cable, and the audio signal outputted from the
TV 1 is inputted into the amplifier 2.
[0053] Also, the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 connected to each other
by the HDMI cable can exchange a consumer electronics control (CEC)
command with each other through a CEC.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the TV
1 according to the embodiments.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the TV 1 is configured of a memory 101,
a remote control receiving unit 102, a microcomputer 103, an
HDMI/CEC communication unit 104, a tuner 105, a decoder 106, a
display 107, an internal speaker 108 and an external output unit
109. A mode flag 110 is stored in the memory 101.
[0056] The TV 1 is operated by a remote control (hereinafter
referred to as the "TV remote control").
[0057] When the remote control receiving unit 102 receives a
command from a TV remote controller (not shown), the microcomputer
103 executes the process corresponding to the received command. For
example, the microcomputer 103 switches the channel of the tuner
105 and the input and output of the decoder 106. The decoder 106,
in response to the instruction of the microcomputer 103, outputs
the video and audio signals inputted from the tuner 105 and the
HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 to the display 107 and the internal
speaker 108 or the external output unit 109.
[0058] The memory 101 is an example of the holding unit of the
video/audio output device according to an aspect of the invention,
and the remote control receiving unit 102 is an example of the
accepting unit of the video/audio output device according to an
aspect of the invention. The microcomputer 103 is an example of the
management unit and of the control unit in the video/audio output
device according to an aspect of the invention, and the HDMI/CEC
communication unit 104 is an example of a receiving unit and an
output unit of the video/audio output device according to an aspect
of the invention.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
amplifier 2 according to the embodiments.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the amplifier 2 is composed of an
HDMI/CEC communication unit 201, a microcomputer 202, an HDMI/CEC
communication unit 203, a selector 204, an external signal input
unit 205 and a speaker output unit 206.
[0061] The microcomputer 202 executes the process corresponding to
the CEC command received by the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 or
the HDMI/CEC communication unit 203. For example, the microcomputer
202 switches the input/output of the selector 204. The selector 204
outputs the video and audio signals inputted from the HDMI/CEC
communication unit 203, as well as the audio signal inputted from
the external signal input unit 205 to the HDMI/CEC communication
unit 201 or the speaker output unit 206 according to an instruction
from the microcomputer 202.
[0062] The microcomputer 202 is an example of the detection unit
and the control unit of the external speaker control apparatus
according to an aspect of the invention, and the HDMI/CEC
communication unit 201 is an example of the output unit and the
receiving unit of the external speaker control apparatus according
to an aspect of the invention.
[0063] In the system shown in FIG. 2, the external speaker 3 is
connected by a speaker cable to the speaker output unit 206 in FIG.
4. Also, the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 in FIG. 4 is connected
to the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 in FIG. 3 by the HDMI cable.
The external signal input unit 205 in FIG. 4 is connected by an
optical cable to the external output unit 109 in FIG. 3.
[0064] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the menu screen displayed on the
TV 1 according to the embodiment.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, items that are selectable by the user
and which the user can cause to be performed by the TV 1 after
being selected are displayed on the menu screen. Items capable of
being switched between TV mode and theater mode (items with the
name "mode change" in FIG. 5) by user selection are displayed on
the menu screen.
Definition of Mode
[0066] The TV mode and the theater mode managed by the
microcomputer 103 of the TV 1 are explained below. According to
this embodiment, "TV mode" is defined as the state in which the
muted state of the audio outputted from the internal speaker 108 of
the TV 1 is canceled and the audio outputted from the external
speaker 3, which is connected to the amplifier 2, is muted. In
contrast, a state in which the audio outputted from the internal
speaker 108 of the TV 1 is muted and the muted state of audio
outputted from the external speaker 3, which is connected to the
amplifier 2, is canceled is defined as "theater mode".
Mode Change/Switching from TV Mode to Theater Mode
[0067] The flow of the process for switching the mode flag 110
stored in the memory 101 of the TV 1 from TV mode to theater mode
is explained below.
[0068] When the mode flag 110 stored in the memory 101 indicates
the TV mode, the microcomputer 103 outputs the video signal
received by the tuner 105 to the display 107, and outputs the audio
signal received by the tuner 105 to the internal speaker 108 and
the external output unit 109. Thus audio is outputted from the
internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.
[0069] Also, the amplifier 2 mutes the audio signal, which is
inputted from the external signal input unit 205 connected with the
external output unit 109 of the TV 1 and outputted to the speaker
output unit 206. Thus no audio is outputted from the external
speaker 3 connected to the amplifier 2.
[0070] In this state, the user displays the menu held by the memory
101 on the display 107 of the TV 1 using the TV remote control or
the like and selects a menu item ("mode change") for changing the
mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1. The
microcomputer 103 of the TV 1 analyzes the selected menu item and
changes the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101. Specifically,
the microcomputer 103 changes the mode flag 110 recorded in the
memory 101 from TV mode to theater mode.
[0071] Next, the microcomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 to
mute the audio from the internal speaker 108.
[0072] The decoder 106, in response to the instruction from the
microcomputer 103 to mute the audio of the internal speaker 108,
mutes the audio from the internal speaker 108.
[0073] As a result, audio is no longer outputted from the internal
speaker 108 of the TV 1.
[0074] Also, the microcomputer 103 transmits, to the amplifier 2
through the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104, the CEC command
indicating that the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the
TV 1 has been changed from the TV mode to the theater mode.
[0075] In the amplifier 2, the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201
connected with the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 of the TV 1
receives the CEC command from the TV 1.
[0076] The microcomputer 202 analyzes the CEC command received by
the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201, the CEC command being a
command indicating that the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory
101 of the TV 1 has been changed from TV mode to theater mode,
instructs the selector 204 to output the audio signal inputted from
the external signal input unit 205 to the speaker output unit
206.
[0077] The selector 204, upon receipt of the instruction from the
microcomputer 202 to output the audio signal inputted from the
external signal input unit 205 to the speaker output unit 206,
outputs the audio signal to the speaker output unit 206.
[0078] Thus the audio is outputted from the external speaker 3.
Mode Change/Switching from Theater Mode to TV Mode
[0079] Next, the flow of the process for switching the mode flag
110 stored in the memory 101 of the TV 1 from theater mode to TV
mode is explained below.
[0080] When the mode flag 110 stored in the memory 101 indicates
the theater mode, the microcomputer 103 outputs the video signal
received by the tuner 105 to the display 107, and without
outputting the audio based on the audio signal received by the
tuner 105 from the internal speaker 108, outputs the received audio
signal to the external output unit 109. Thus no audio is outputted
from the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.
[0081] Also, the amplifier 2 outputs the audio signal which is
inputted from the external signal input unit 205 connected with the
external output unit 109 of the TV 1, and outputted to the speaker
output unit 206. Thus, the audio is outputted from the external
speaker 3 connected to the amplifier 2.
[0082] Under this condition, the menu held by the memory 101 is
displayed on the display 107 of the TV 1 by use of the TV remote
control or the like and a menu item ("mode change") for changing
the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 is
selected. The microcomputer 103 of the TV 1 analyzes the selected
menu item, and changes the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory
101. In other words, the microcomputer 103 changes the mode flag
110 recorded in the memory 101 from theater mode to TV mode.
[0083] Next, the microcomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 to
output the audio from the internal speaker 108, which has not yet
outputted the audio.
[0084] The decoder 106 causes the microcomputer 103 to output the
audio from the internal speaker 108 which has not yet output the
audio.
[0085] Thus, the audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108
of the TV 1.
[0086] Also, the microcomputer 103 transmits, to the amplifier 2
through the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104, the CEC command
indicating that the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the
TV 1 has been changed from TV mode to theater mode.
[0087] In the amplifier 2, the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201
connected with the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 of the TV 1
receives the CEC command from the TV 1.
[0088] The microcomputer 202 analyzes the CEC command received by
the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201, the CEC command being a
command indicating that the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory
101 of the TV 1 has been changed from theater mode to TV mode, and
instructs the selector 204 not to output the audio based on the
audio signal inputted from the external signal input unit 205 and
outputted from the speaker output unit 206.
[0089] The selector 204, upon receipt of an instruction from the
microcomputer 202 not to output the audio signal, which is inputted
from the external signal input unit 205, to the speaker output unit
206, prevents output of the audio signal from the speaker output
unit 206.
[0090] Thus, the audio ceases to be outputted from the external
speaker 3.
[0091] Next, a method is explained below for recovering to a state
in which the audio is outputted from only a speaker desired by the
user, both when the audio is outputted from the internal speaker
108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1, or conversely, when the
audio is outputted from neither the internal speaker 108 nor the
external speaker 3, due to the fact that the power supply of the TV
1 and/or the amplifier 2 is turned on again after being muted or
the user has performed an erroneous operation using a button on the
console 1, a remote control button for the TV 1 and/or the
amplifier 2.
First Embodiment
[0092] In the first embodiment, a flow of processes in the system
shown in FIG. 2 is explained for changing the output state of the
audio outputted from the external speaker 3 given that the
amplifier 2 is configured to output the audio from the external
speaker 3 immediately after power of the amplifier 2 is inputted
for when the user mutes the power supply using the main button or
the remote control button of the amplifier 2 and then turns on the
power supply, or when the power supplied to the amplifier 2 is cut
off for some reason and after that, the power supply is resumed and
the power supply of the amplifier 2 is turned on again, or the
power supply of the amplifier 2 is muted for other reasons and
after that, the power supply of the amplifier 2 is turned on
again.
[0093] First, the microcomputer 202 of the amplifier 2 detects that
the power supply is changed from an off state to an on state when
the power supply is switched on, and, through the HDMI/CEC
communication unit 201, transmits a CEC command requesting the TV
1, connected with the amplifier 2, to give notification of
information indicating whether the mode flag 110 recorded in the
memory 101 of the TV 1 is in the TV mode or the theater mode.
[0094] Upon receipt of the CEC command by the HDMI/CEC
communication unit 104 from the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 of
the amplifier 2, requesting notification of the mode information
indicated by the mode flag 110, which is recorded in the memory
101, the microcomputer 103 in the TV 1 transmits the CEC command,
carrying the mode information indicated by the mode flag 110
recorded in the memory 101, to the amplifier 2 through the HDMI/CEC
communication unit 104.
[0095] The microcomputer 202 of the amplifier 2 analyzes the CEC
command received by the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201, and when
the mode flag 110 indicates the TV mode, instructs the selector 204
not to output the audio signal that has thus far been inputted from
the external signal input unit 205 and outputted from the speaker
output unit 206.
[0096] The selector 204, upon receipt of the instruction from the
microcomputer 202 not to output the audio signal inputted from the
external signal input unit 205 to the speaker output unit 206,
ceases to output the audio signal to the speaker output unit
206.
[0097] Thus the audio ceases to be outputted from the external
speaker 3.
[0098] In the case where the mode flag 110 indicates the theater
mode, the microcomputer 202 of the amplifier 2 instructs the
selector 204 to output the audio signal that has been inputted from
the external signal input unit 205 and outputted from the speaker
output unit 206.
[0099] In this case, audio is outputted from the external speaker 3
and therefore the audio output state remains unchanged.
[0100] In this way, according to the first embodiment, by checking
the output format of the audio according to the mode flag 110
recorded in the TV 1 immediately after switching on the power of
the amplifier 2, the amplifier 2 can prevent the audio of both the
internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 from
being muted or prevent the audio from being outputted from both the
internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 if required, by
changing the output state of the audio.
Second Embodiment
[0101] In the second embodiment, a flow of processes is explained
for changing the output state of the audio outputted from the
internal speaker 108 given that the TV 1 is configured to output
the audio from the internal speaker 108 immediately after switching
on the power of the TV 1, when the user mutes the power supply
using the main button or the remote control button of the TV 1 and
after that, turns on the power supply again, or when the power
supplied to the TV 1 is cut off for some reason and after that, the
power supply is resumed and the power supply of the TV 1 is turned
on, or when the power supply of the TV 1 is muted for some other
reason and subsequently, the power supply of the TV 1 is turned on
again.
[0102] First, the microcomputer 103 of the TV 1 detects that the
power supply has changed from an off state to an on state when the
power is switched on, and analyzes the mode flag 110 recorded in
the memory 101. Note that the microcomputer 103 is also an example
of the detection unit of the video/audio output device according to
an aspect of the invention.
[0103] When the mode flag 110 analyzed indicates the TV mode, the
microcomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 to output the audio
from the internal speaker 108.
[0104] The decoder 106, upon receipt of the instruction from the
microcomputer 103 to output the audio from the internal speaker
108, causes the internal speaker 108 to output the audio.
[0105] Thus the audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 of
the TV 1.
[0106] In this case, the audio has already been outputted from the
internal speaker 108, and therefore the audio output state of the
TV 1 remains unchanged.
[0107] When the analyzed mode flag 110 indicates the theater mode,
the microcomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 not to output the
audio from the internal speaker 108.
[0108] The decoder 106, upon receipt of the instruction from the
microcomputer 103 not to output the audio from the internal speaker
108, mutes the audio from the internal speaker 108.
[0109] Thus, no audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 of
the TV 1
[0110] In this way, according to the second embodiment, the TV 1,
immediately after its power is switched on, confirms the audio
output state according to the mode flag 110 stored in the memory
101, and changes it, if required. As a result, a situation in which
the audio of both the internal speaker 108 and the external speaker
3 of the TV 1 are muted, or the audio is outputted from both
speakers, can be prevented.
[0111] Note that the first and second embodiments refer to the case
in which the power supply of the amplifier 2 is switched on and the
case in which the power supply of the TV 1 is switched on. When the
power supplies of the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are switched on at
the same time, the TV 1 first confirms the state of the audio
outputted from the internal speaker 108 based on the mode flag 110
recorded in the memory 101, and changes the state of the audio if
required. Then, the amplifier 2 confirms and if required, changes
the state of the audio outputted from the external speaker 3 based
on the mode flag 110 received from the TV 1. As a result, when the
power supplies of both the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are switched on
at the same time and the audio is outputted from both speakers,
also, the state before switching off the power of the TV 1 and the
amplifier 2 can be easily recovered by changing a main state of the
audio based on the mode flag 110 recorded in the TV 1.
[0112] Also, according to the first and second embodiments, when
the power for the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 is switched on, the TV 1
and the amplifier 2 confirm and if required, change their audio
output states according to the mode recorded in the memory of the
TV 1. Nevertheless, in addition to the time when power is switched
on, the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 may confirm and if required,
change their audio output states according to the mode recorded in
the memory 101 of the TV 1 at an appropriate timing, without regard
to the time when the power is switched on, when their audio output
states are changed for some reason or by a user operation.
[0113] As a result, without assuming that the audio is not
outputted from the internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3
of the TV 1, even in the case where the user performs an operation
of changing the audio output state without changing the mode, i.e.
an operation of turning off the audio or canceling the mute state
using the console button or the remote control button of the TV 1
and/or the amplifier 2, or especially, even in the case where the
user performs an operation to mute the audio from the device from
which the audio is output and the audio is muted from both the
internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 in such
a way that the audio ceases to be outputted from both the internal
speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1, then the user
can easily restore the TV mode or the theater mode by confirming
and if required, changing the audio output state according to the
mode stored in the memory 101 of the TV 1.
[0114] Also, the user may perform an operation, using the main
button or the remote control button of the TV 1 and/or the
amplifier 2, to prevent a state in which the audio is outputted
from neither the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1 nor the external
speaker 3 when the TV 1 is not in the state in which the audio is
outputted from neither the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1 nor the
external speaker 3 as described above. Further, the user may equip
the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 with a function which enables an
operation for changing the audio output state, i.e. prohibiting the
muting operation or canceling the mute state, when the state in
which the audio is outputted from neither the internal speaker 108
nor the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 is not assumed.
[0115] Functions which enable the muting operation or canceling the
mute state can be set when constructing the system shown in FIG. 2.
Specifically, when the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are connected by
the HDMI cable or when the power of the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 is
turned on after connecting them by the HDMI cable, and so on, the
TV 1 may prohibit the muting operation or cancel the off state on
its own, and further may prohibit the amplifier 2 connected with
the HDMI cable from performing the operations for muting or
canceling the mute state held by the amplifier 2. The prohibition
may be set by the user by selecting an item in a settings menu or
the like held by the TV 1.
[0116] Note that with the system according to this embodiment, in
the state where the audio is outputted from both the internal
speaker 108 of the TV 1 and the external speaker 3, or in the state
where the audio of both the internal speaker 108 and the external
speaker 3 of the TV 1 are muted, the user can obviously recover to
the desired audio output state from the state in which the audio is
outputted from both the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1 and the
external speaker 3, or from the state in which the audio of both
the internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 are
muted, by displaying the menu screen held by the TV, operating to
select "mode change" and thus resetting to the TV mode or the
theater mode.
[0117] The video/audio output device according to an aspect of the
invention is useful as a TV or the like, and the external speaker
control apparatus according to an aspect of the invention is useful
as an amplifier or the like.
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