Sound processing unit, sound processing system, audio output unit and display device

Abstract

The present invention identifies practical speaker connection using a device having a sound channel of a 5.1 channel or 7.1 channel, and provides the device that can easily reproduce the optimum multiple channels. The present invention can identify actual speaker arrangement by for example, measuring the impedance of a terminal at the side of an audio amplifier. If incorrect connection is found, a warning is issued. This information is transmitted to a signal source with an EDID and a signal with the optimum a number of sound channel is sent. The EDID is also used for the connection with a display unit and the speaker connection with which the display unit is provided uniquely. For example, a sound through the 7.1 channel is easily reproduced using the speaker of the display unit in the channel of the front speaker.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . A sound processing unit for receiving a sound signal from a sound outputting unit, thereby outputting the sound signal to a speaker, comprising: 
 an obtaining unit operable to obtain first information relating to a condition of said speaker;    a memory operable to store a plurality of second information for specifying a sound output format; and    a control circuit,    wherein said control circuit is operable to control said sound outputting unit to output information therefrom, corresponding to the first information, which is obtained within said obtaining portion, among said plurality of second information stored within said memory.    
     
     
         25 . The sound processing unit of  claim 24  wherein said second information is stored in said memory together with third information relating to a specification of said sound processing unit.  
     
     
         26 . The sound processing unit of  claim 24  wherein said sound processing unit is connectable with the sound outputting apparatus through a signal transmission line, and said signal transmission line includes a first line on which the sound signal is transmitted from said sound outputting unit to said sound processing unit, and a second line on which said second information is transmitted from said sound processing unit to said sound outputting unit.  
     
     
         27 . The sound processing unit of  claim 24  wherein said controller portion controls said sound outputting unit to output said second information therefrom, corresponding to said first information, when said first information obtained within said obtaining portion is changed.  
     
     
         28 . The sound processing unit of  claim 26  wherein said control circuit initializes a connecting condition of said signal transmission line, and controls said sound outputting unit to output said second information therefrom, corresponding to said first information.  
     
     
         29 . The sound processing unit of  claim 28  wherein initialization of the connecting condition of said signal transmission line includes a process of cutting off said signal transmission line for a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         30 . The sound processing unit of  claim 24  wherein the second information from said memory is outputted to said sound outputting unit at a predetermined period.  
     
     
         31 . The sound processing unit of  claim 24  wherein said obtaining portion obtains information relating to the connection condition of said speaker with said sound outputting units, as the first information relating to the condition of said speaker.  
     
     
         32 . A signal distributor apparatus for receiving a sound signal from a sound outputting unit and outputting the sound signal to a first speaker, as well as receiving a video signal from said sound outputting unit and outputting the video signal to a connected display unit, comprising: 
 an obtaining portion operable to obtain first information relating to a condition of said first speaker and a condition of a second speaker built within said display unit;    a memory operable to store a plurality of second information for specifying a sound output format; and    a control circuit operable to control said sound outputting unit to output information therefrom, corresponding to said first information, which is obtained within said obtaining unit, among said plurality of second information stored within said memory.    
     
     
         33 . A display apparatus for receiving a sound signal from a sound outputting unit and outputting the sound signal to a speaker, as well as receiving a video signal from said sound outputting apparatus and displaying the video signal thereon, comprising: 
 a obtaining unit operable to obtain first information relating to a condition of said speaker;    a memory operable to store a plurality of second information for specifying a sound output format; and    a control circuit operable to control said sound outputting unit to output information therefrom, corresponding to the first information, which is obtained within said obtaining unit, among said plurality of second information stored within said memory.    
     
     
         34 . The display apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the condition of said speaker is that of an additional speaker built into the display apparatus or connectable therewith.  
     
     
         35 . A display device for processing and displaying a video signal output from an external sound processing unit connected with a speaker, comprising: 
 a headphone connection terminal;    an obtaining unit operable to obtain headphone information relating to whether a headphone is connected to the headphone connection terminal;    a memory operable to store sound information for specifying a sound output format; and    a control circuit operable to send the sound information based on the headphone information to the external signal processing unit,    wherein the control circuit is further operable to perform a muting of sound output from the speaker connected to the external signal processing unit when the detection circuit detects that the headphone is connected to the headphone connection terminal.